World Series Game Five: Cole Hamels Attempts to Lift 25-Year Cloud From Over Philadelphia Sports Fans Heads

We all know these teams by now. It's Cole Hamels vs. Scott Kazmir in game five of the 2008 World Series. It's just a baseball game.

But it's a baseball game that can change this city as many of us know it. Too many people, myself included, who live in and around Philadelphia have no idea what it's like to cheer on a champion. That can all change tonight.

That's all I've got for now. I'm exhausted from analyzing this series and trying to come up with new and interesting things to say. I'm ready for the payoff. The sweet, sweet payoff.

We've got a hell of a ball game on tap this evening. This is the exact scenario everyone said needed to be in place. With the Phillies only one win away from setting off a party like this city has never seen, the ball goes to our ace, Cole Hamels.

In Cole we trust.

Follow along in the comments and I'll see many of you down at the ball park.

Go Phils!

image via Harpo42

Comments

[Mark]

We can do this! Tonight is the night! I'm supremely confident in this team.

[jm]

Hypothetically, if we win game 5 (or any of the remaining games, for that matter), would the (hypothetical) parade be the next day, or the day after next?

[PhilsPhan]

omg this is all like a blur...
GO PHILS!!!
WIN IT 4 VUK
WIN IT 4 JOHNNY MARZ
WIN IT 4 MITCHWILLIAMS, 4 WHITEY 4 ALL OF THEM!!!! GO PHILS!!!
WHY CANT US?!?...really?

[mike c]

Im only 18 and have never seen a championship. I need one.

Any idea who sings the national anthem?
I WANT TIMMY KELLY!!

[MPR529]

kate smith should be broadcast on the screen for GBA in the 7th inning, but im sure fox would shit all over that idea.

i heard a rumor from philly.com that IF there's a chance at a game-winning call for the Phils, Harry Kalas will get to do it on fox?

any truth to that?

[Feather Green]

US CAN!

[AZTerror]

I heard those velvetty voiced teenage heart-throb guys from Marah were going to sing the National Anthem!!!

[justin]

@ jm:

Fox is saying that police sources are starting to plan for wednesday. No word from anyone else, but you would bet the police would be in the loop, and wanting as much time as available to plan.

[river327]

darryl hall for the national anthem. maybe he'll break out a little maneater after? or, a little more appropriate given the occasion...you make my dreams come true...

[Stevek]

I have chills. This is incredible. This is a World Series clinching game at our fingertips. Hold your throne, King Cole.

[Mostone]

Who would have thought that John Oates would sing the best anthem of the series? I particularly liked that he asked the fans to join him.

[greg]

What a classy Anthem, good speed, nothing over the top, and asking the crowd to sing along... A++

[Mark]

Heart . . . pounding

[river327]

don't forget, talk to your doctor and see if flomax is right for you.

[jd]

he actually....did a good job. +1 oats. HALL SUCKS.....

exponentially better than last night, anyway.

[nate]

ok so we're essentially dominating this series after nobody would give us the time of the day going into this series

and now BUCK is saying the rays were the underdog the whole time?!

[Mostone]

I was a wreck all day but am feeling calm now. GO PHILS!

[Saint]

The Kate Smith GBA idea in the 7th is a FANTASTIC idea...I just watched her and Lauren Hart sing together on youtube...chills

[MPR529]

who cares about the announcing, this is our night. OUR FUCKING NIGHT.

[jd]

MPR

because buck and mccarver are going to do everything in their power to ruin our night!

Saint-i don't know. it's a flyers thing. part of me thinks it should always be that way.

i see the point, i just don't know if it's sacriligeous.

[Steve]

I've been begging for them to do the Kate/Lauren combo in the 7th but Fox just isn't that cool.

[MPR529]

but the crowd would go INSANE.

IN FUCKING SANE

[jd]

the worst was being stuck with the versus telecast during the last flyers playoff run. they refused to show it.

[nate]

random cole hamels fact from colehamelsfacts.com

Cole Hamels once struck out 34 batters in a 9 inning game. Afterwards, he helped the concession crew fill the ketchup bottles and napkin dispensers. Then he went to a nightclub down the shore and sat in on bass with Bruce Springsteen. They played a 19 hour set.

[Jason]

atta boy cole, atta boy

[Mark]

24 outs to go.

[Mark]

Those glasses are horrible 5!

[nate]

the ladies man in left field! I bet his wife loved that!

[Greg]

well done super-five

[Steve]

I want a Phillies hat with ear flaps.

[Ali]

Poked in the eye. Hah.

COME ON BOYS!

[Saul]

I like McNabb there. Philly sports unity. Sweet.

[Saint]

Hey Buck, there were Tampa fans back in February? Doubtful...

[Zeke]

You know that Joe Banner and Jeffry Lurie hated that. Although I'm pretty sure they have no idea because there is no way they are even watching this game. Fuck those guys.

[river327]

maybe cole can hit BJ Upton with a pitch...right in his fucking dome.

[handsome pete]

Burrel is going to do something great tonight. I feel it.

[MikeG]

goddamnit, I'm stuck at work in nyc, my heart is pounding and I'm trying to be cool about this. It's killing me trying not to freak out...or just quit and go watch the game.

[Zeke]

Quit, you dumbass!

[Mark]

Shit! Dammit!

[nate]

@ Zeke

you hear lurie and his son were at Saturday night's game?

They left before the game ended. True story.

[Saint]

Do something here!

[Liam]

So Buck swears by the K zone whenever a ball is called a strike in the Phils favor, but in this last situation he complains that a strike could've been called?

[Greg]

two out hits get you to heaven... cmon shane!

[Mark]

YEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!

[handsome pete]

yes shane!!!!!!!!!!!!

[river327]

shane, throwing his hat in the ring for MVP...ha!

[Jason]

victorino!!!

[Zeke]

SHANE!!!!!!

[Ali]

WOOO!!!!!!!!

[MikeG]

HOLY FUCK YEAH!!!!!!