There’s a lesson in those 'Phightin' Phills'

As we all prepare for a scare in a few days, here’s a scary thought. What happens when you don’t pour yourself into your work or extra curricular activity and give it all you’ve got? What happens? Well, if you ask the Phillies organization and their legions of fans the answer won’t surprise you. The last time the Phillies endeared themselves with a work ethic befitting city residents and natives was way back in 1993. Count it off folks nearly a decade and a half ago before baseball was played in October. Why the gap? Well, save for the fact the Phillies always seem to have a problem attracting talent and spending the necessary money to get the right players the answer is often team chemistry. The Phillies I’ve seen it mentioned more than a few times are notorious for being one of the biggest losing organizations in all of professional sports. What an image to have with fans and among sports franchises. Good luck if you’re the promotions director in charge of helping dispel the feelings and emotions that go along with that baggage.

All that aside, the Phillies have resurrected some hope in the city of brotherly shove. At least in late September and early October. Maybe it was superior play at the right time by the Phillies or maybe it was just a complete New York Met meltdown that got the Phightin’s in first in the eastern division. No matter, the boys in the red pinstripes were able to finally get into the playoffs. Here’s my theory. Everyone has a theory, I’m fortunate enough to get mine published once in a while and hope that at least some of you share my thinking from time to time. The Phillies don’t win pretty. They’re not a charismatic group. They have no ‘ace’ that gets them star status – check that – there’s one – Ryan Howard. Howard aside the Phillies took the season and broke it down into daily chunks. One game, each day, mundane, insane or simply inane they got it done by just staying in the hunt and causing enough stir to stay in the thick of it and finally close the deal on the last game on the last day of regular season baseball and how appropriately, at home. I remember that Sunday, September 30th. I celebrated by going to Boyer’s Market. I could have gone earlier, but grocery shopping can wait when there’s a division title at stake. I was looking around and listening as I canvassed the store. The first person I spoke with after the Phills win was Boyer’s Manager, Bob. Bob’s a fixture at the store. He was in a good mood to say the least. Many others I ran across also seemed more exuberant than a typical Sunday.

I saw a few folks strolling through town in Phillies garb. I noticed a ‘viral’ thing happening. More and more people as the night poured on were starting to realize that in baseball circles at least, our region is starting to matter once more. Sport is a great diversion. Allows us to escape the daily grind. As my father often said ‘Sports is always fun, but somehow it only feels fun when you’re team is winning’. Dad, a Philly boy through and through suffered through too many painful down seasons in all sports as all Philly fans have learned to endure. Being a Philly fan means enduring the pain of losing seasons across the four majors year in and year out.

What’s been amazing to watch unfold in the city and region is the frenzy that even this early playoff run has created. The Mayor just shortly after the win asked for city residents and Phillies fans to wear red in support. Even the Philadelphia Public schools ( now in uniform ) got a reprieve to break out red garb and show their city and team spirit on Wednesday October 3rd – the first playoff game vs. Colorado.

There’s a lesson in those Phillies. A lesson that always serves as a great reminder. Another benefit of sports is how it so identically parallels life. What in your life has been an area that you know, deep in your heart hasn’t gotten your full attention or your best effort? Often when this occurs your results are less than you like but somehow we still expect better even when our efforts aren’t at 100%. The Phillies both prove and disprove this theory. For the last several years, well over a decade they proved time and again that a weak effort and isolated patches of good and not-so-good play on varying levels of ‘commitment’ added up to being among the last in the standings and ‘no baseball for you’ in October.

What was different for the team and what struck me as a surprise this year is how jaded I became by the Phillies up and almost through the last game. How many times have the Phillies broke, stepped on, stomped on and chewed up my heart and emotions. Too many times, way too many. Not this year. This year they showed resolve and perseverance. The team never lost sight of the fact that baseball, the daily game it is means you bring to the field your best play. You won’t win them all but you’ll win in the end. They in red I thought lost that concept years ago. But this team made the point once more. Like the Phillies I used the opportunity to revisit those life and work areas that aren’t getting my 100%. Sports imitates life. See better days by taking care of today in a better way. They add up, just ask any baseball fan. See ya around town.