Editorial for October 4, 2007 edition:


Fly, Phillies, fly

It’s OK, Philadelphia sports fans, and Phillies fans in particular, let your guard down for a little while. Let your hopes for the Fightin’ Phils reach the stratosphere. Get out there to the victory-rally capital of Northeast Philadelphia, Cottman and Frankford, to scream your lungs out. Cheer the Phillies. Jeer the Rockies. Plan the victory parade downtown. Go ahead, let it all out. And then, come back to reality. Keep hope alive, but for your own protection remember to have little or no expectation that the Phillies will actually win a World Series title, which, after all, is what the hype and hoopla are all about.
Long-suffering victims of Philadelphia’s nearly quarter-century-long championship drought should know by now that ultimate victory by the big four — the Phillies, the Flyers, the Sixers, the Iggles — is just not meant to be. For evidence, take the Iggles (please!) and their 1-3 start. It’s no surprise that they’re going nowhere fast.
Don’t expect an October surprise from the Phillies. That way, if Cole and Jimmy and Jamie and Ryan and the rest of the boys of summer and early fall do manage to go all the way, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Just remember one thing: The Phillies didn’t win the division title. The Mets lost it. And when the Phillies lose the playoffs, Philadelphians would be wise to pay attention to the things in life that truly have an impact on our daily lives — the mayor’s race, health care, high taxes, violent crime . . .
Come on, Phillies. We’re predicting you will not bring the world championship to Philadelphia. Go on. Make everybody’s day. Prove us wrong. ••

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