The historic Division playoff game-Oct 6, 2010 part 1

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Philadelphia	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	4	5	0

Just one more game, I told myself. I want to go to just one more game.
After the last home game on Sept 26, a disappointing loss, I  started scheming about getting to the game in DC with the Nationals, where it was inevitable that the Phillies would win the Eastern division title. That was just too much to plan and arrange in one day around my work schedule. I couldn't see going to a Phillies game in Washington as a good enough excuse to leave work early in a busy week. (I could see it being a good excuse, but didn't think my boss would!)
Instead, Monday night, as soon as they won the the title, I jumped onto StubHub to see how much playoff tickets cost. Seats were not yet that expensive for October 6 in the 416 level above the first base line, the section where I had found a home watching games over the past few months.

No hesitation. BUY.

Wednesday morning. Oct 6. I was going to the playoffs! Excited, giddy, I packed my bag with an overwhelming sense of glee. Stuffed inside my pink Olympics pack went a Phillies shirt, red hat, pants, some food,. At work, I waited impatiently for 4:00 to start my trip for the 5:00 game. My usual subway route on the subway, as expected, was filled with other fans of all ages.wearing many types of shirts, jackets, hats, and gear in reds, pinks, black and gray.
I have made it a ritual to talk with someone on the train, and that day I hit the jackpot. Next to me was a man who is part of the Philadelphia Boys and Men's Choir (http://www.phillyboyschoir.org/),  and has performed  for the opening day games and the World Series for 20 years. As we exited the subway he told me that he was off to sit in a box seat. I did my best to get invited there, but got distracted by a great brass band playing on the sidewalk. 
 There is nothing like entering a ball park, hearing the announcements of the teams, the cheers. the buzz. For a regular game, this is exhilarating enough. For the playoff game, the crowd was ELECTRIFIED. You could feel the energy elevated a hundred fold just walking around. Once settled into my 11th row seat, I smiled. Behind me was a group of college age guys. To my right was a nice couple, to my left another young man. Just in front of me, a whole family with a 2 year old in a new Phillies cap. Beside them was a man who, like me, came alone, and engaged everyone around him during the game. This was my gang for the evening.

Historic no hitter game Oct 6 part 2

The first pitch by Roy Halladay-a strike. Everyone leans forward, waiting anxiously.

Behind me, one of the guys says, "Is he nervous? I am!"  I think he was speaking for 46,000 people.
(His friend replied, "He's a professional.")

These guys were terrific, loud, boisterous. Sometimes when they were cheering, I looked back at them having the time of their lives, and I was enjoying their enthusiasm.
I engaged the couple next to me a few times. "Do you know anything about the Reds?" "What just happened?"
Other than that, I was glued to the field, hollering when there was a hit, groaning at the strike outs.

There is a song that is sung in my synagogue on Shabbat-The words 'Teach us to treasure each day' can be poignant and inspirational.
Here at the game,  I noticed the ups and downs, the high pitched arc of the 'whoas' when the ball was hit to the outfield, the  sinking 'oos', when it was caught. What came to mind was "teach us to treasure each moment', Every pitch became a momentous drama. The 3/2 counts with 2 outs. Such expectation, sometimes dashed, sometimes rewarded. Every strike out, a notch on the board for history. Every leap to catch the ball a save for the pitcher.

Roy Halladay walks one. There goes the perfect game, someone says.

Top of the 8th Inning. No one in the crowd is sitting down anymore, The rally towels are a flutter after every pitch. Phillies are up, and the Reds have not had one man hit to get on base

Top of the 9th inning. 

"Probably the toughest test for a Phillies defender came with two outs in the ninth, when Phillips hit a swinging bunt and the 10-foot roller hit the bat that Phillips had dropped onto the wet grass near the first-base line.
Ruiz, angling away from the bat, grabbed the ball and, as he went sliding forward onto his knees, threw out Phillips by more than a stride".

Ryan Howard catches the ball at first base.
Fireworks, a crowd ecstatic.

I take a peek to the guys in back, One of them with a ferocious smile purrs, " I'm so happy." The guy to my left, "This is awesome."

To me, that was a perfect game