And This is Why you Stay for the Whole Game

Just when I thought that baseball was not going to be fun again, just when I thought I had become a cynic, a curmudgeonly fan resigned to a losing team, I am brought to giddy laughter by an inning that brings the crowd to its feet with hope, excitement and love love love.

having a blast on the subway home

There is a group of 15 teens and young adults from a Korean church   who have taken over the row right in front of us. They are the life of the game  because when all is going awry they continue to cheer just as wildly for every strike that Cliff Lee pitches, every ball that is pitched to the Philly batters. I am thrilled by their enthusiasm, passion, and lack of self consciousness. I know that at some point they will get the attention of the cameras to be propelled onto the jumbo screen for their small portion of fame. And indeed that is what happens. A dream come true, cries their leader. What a joy.

The first inning goes well. The Phillies score first, but the Brewers fight back. For inning after inning there is no movement and the score remains 1-1.  We are not prepared for the assault from the Brewers. Cliff Lee pitches strikes that are hit one after another out of the park. Four, count em 4 home runs for a total of 5 runs. The score is 6-1  and despair and resignation set in. The park is deadly quiet. Not even a strike can get anyone clapping.

Then something happens in the 8th inning. Something amazing considering that the night before the Phillies had rallied in the 9th inning from a deficit of 6-3 to win the game 7-6. First the pinch hitter Kratz hits a home run with a man on base.  6-3.There are 2 outs. I start to laugh from the excitement, the tension as batter after batter walks until the bases are loaded. Undaunted, Ruiz hits a double to bring in 3 runs to tie the game
Our section in the sky, the 'penthouse' is on its feet. How can anyone sit when there is a man on base and a chance to...............win? How could this be?

And it was to be. A single by Hunter Pence, Ruiz comes home and to our amazement the Phillies take the lead.

We head into the 9th inning jubilant as Papelbon strides dramatically onto the field head down, cap hiding his face. He is the ultimate closer. This is his time, and he strikes out 3 Brewers.

The final score: Phillies 7  Milwaukee Brewers 6

The ballpark explodes. Rounds of high fives all around for me, Karen, Isaac, and Shai and for all of the 43,000 ecstatic fans around us.

And this is why you stay for the whole game.