By Tyler Kepner
PHILADELPHIA: For a quarter of a century, it was an agonizing cycle for Philadelphia sports fans. Hope, despair, bitterness. For 9,282 days, other places had earned the right to raise banners and hoist trophies. No U.S. city with so many teams had failed for so long.
Now it is over. Now it is Philadelphia's turn. A game that began with a deluge has washed away an epic drought. The Philadelphia Phillies have won the World Series.
They did it in Game 5 on Wednesday, edging the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-3, in the completion of the first suspended game in postseason history.
It began on Monday, and rain and snow delayed it another day. For the chronically heartbroken, it was a catharsis worth the wait.
There is company now for Bednarik, Clarke, Dr. J and Tug in the pantheon of Philadelphia champions. Make room for the 2008 Phillies, who clinched the first major professional championship for the city since the 76ers won the NBA title on May 31, 1983.
Phillies win World Series....
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays will complete Game 5 of the World Series this evening at Citizens Bank Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:37 p.m. (et). The game will resume from the point where it left off on Monday, with the Phillies coming to bat in the bottom of the sixth in the 2-2 game.
Cole Hamels, who came into the game with a 4-0 record this postseason, was on the mound through the sixth inning, and he will lead off the bottom of the sixth. The Phillies, however, are expected to pinch-hit for him. The Rays last had reliever Grant Balfour on the mound.
Philadelphia holds a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and is hoping to wrap up a title, while the Rays aim to send the series back to Florida.
Rays, Phils to resume Game 5....
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - After rain caused the first suspended game in World Series history on Monday night, a wintry mix of snow and rain on Tuesday caused the remainder of the game, scheduled to resume on Tuesday night, to be postponed until Wednesday night at 8:37 (et).
"Snow go" for Game 5: Bad weather puts World Series on hold....
By TYLER KEPNER
PHILADELPHIA — A city that has waited a quarter-century for a major professional sports championship will have to wait even longer. The fifth game of the World Series was suspended in the middle of the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night, with the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays tied, 2-2.
The Phillies, who lead the series by three games to one, were 10 outs from clinching a title in a driving rain. But the Rays tied the score in the top of the sixth, and before the bottom of the inning, the tarp was finally pulled over the infield.
The game was suspended at 11:10 p.m., after a 30-minute delay, making it the first World Series game to start and not last at least nine innings. The game is scheduled to be resumed Tuesday at 8 p.m., picking up where it left off on Monday.
Rain Halts Game 5; Will Resume Tuesday, Maybe....
By RICHARD JUSTICE
PHILADELPHIA — Dallas Green is here, smiling and relaxed, looking younger than his 74 years. Steve Carlton and Robin Roberts are around, too, still part of the family.
Bill Giles and Harry Kalas almost never miss a game. Ed Wade isn’t here, but it’s his dream — and years of his work — these Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of completing. His legacy is about to be rewritten.
They’re all part of this franchise of such rich, tortured history, this franchise of Mike Schmidt and Richie Allen and Jim Bunning, this franchise known more for its failures than its success.
Phillies thump Rays 10-2 in Game 4 of World Series....
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced on Sunday that Aramis Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs and Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox are the winners of the 2008 Hank Aaron Award, as voted on by the fans.
The award, introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each league.
Aramis Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis win 2008 Aaron award....
Ryan Howard ended his home run drought and the Phillies clubbed three solo homers in a 5-4, game three win over Tampa Bay. Philadelphia leads the World Series two games to one.
