What They're Saying: Phils Division Champs Again

Although today's game should still be fun to watch, we're still high on last night's revelry. Some of the posts and columns around the net this morning celebrate the Phils' playing to their ability, winning a close game and a closer division race. Here's a sampling of what they're saying.

• Phil Sheridan starts us off with a brilliant title: "Rollins to Utley to October." This column is a must-read, as Phil's description of the game's epic final play is about as good as it gets. "Jimmy Rollins' brilliant dive to start the division-winning double play immediately went on the short list of the greatest moments in this franchise's star-crossed history. The little shortstop turned a two-run single into two outs, diving to his left, pulling in the ball that already had gotten past him, and flipping it to Chase Utley. The stoic second baseman made the pivot of his life, nursing the toss from Rollins and turning 180 degrees to fire a perfect line drive to Ryan Howard. The big first baseman had to raise his glove a bit to catch it, which was perfect. He was raising his arms over his head anyway."
• Todd Zolecki focuses on the Phillies preparing for the playoffs more so than celebrating the division, although there was still plenty of the latter. "The Phillies have won back-to-back NL East championships for the first time since 1976-78, and made the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1980-81. But the Colorado Rockies swept them in the National League division series last October, which made Manuel wonder yesterday what in fact the Phillies really, truly had won? His players agreed."
• A great quote from Zolecki's article comes from Brett Myers, who addresses the amazing save-situation perfection of the guy who replaced him as the Phillies closer: "Forty-one for 41 is just awesome," Brett Myers said. "That's the best word I can come up with without using an obscenity. I would not want a different guy on that mound, including myself. Without him we wouldn't be here." Nicely played, Brett.

• Meech of The Fightins has the postgame interview with Charlie Manuel, now a folk hero in this town. What's not to like about this guy? It's been since before I was born that the Phils have won back to back division titles, and he's one of the guys who brought that home for us. He's a stammerin, ya know like, bumpkin, but dude can win.
• Chris P recounts the action from the stands, where he and my baseball-loving godson saw the game action. The last line is priceless: "John turned to me and said, 'This is the greatest night of my life, Dad!' "
• A great fan pic, from the many that are on Flickr today.
  
  Phillies Win the NL East!, originally uploaded by JohnRiv.
• With all the adulation and living-room friendly verbiage, someone needed to provide the sophomoric perspective. For this, we turn to Lloyd the Barber at Walkoff Walk:  "Champagne bukkake! Just as the pervert ordered.  Jimmy Rollins turned a bad ass double play to end the game and the Phillies are the champs of the NL East. Brad Lidge was shaky but Phillies Phans threatened him with 45,177 towel-whips until he shut the door. They won't learn their first round opponent until tomorrow because Johan Santana is cartoonishly good. The man sacked up and pitched a gem, leaving the Mets a fighting chance to join their hated rivals in October." We saved the better bukkake picture just for you, Lloyd.

Comments

[Kunk]

So the Phils made the playoffs in back to back seasons in 1980-81, but haven't won the division in consecutive years since 1976-78? How did that work?