What a great few weeks it has been for Philadelphia sports fans. Baseball was and will always be the number one sport for me. I mentioned to my wife Sunday, October 23rd, 2022, was one of the top three days for sports in my life. The first was in October 1993, watching the Phillies win the 1993 National League Pennant while sitting next to my dad in the 700 level of old Veterans Stadium. My dad died a few years later. Celebrating and hugging each other in that old cement bowl known as Veterans Stadium is still vividly etched in my mind. In second place were two games—this past Saturday and Sunday in the National League Championship Series. The third day was October 2008, when I witnessed firsthand the Phillies winning the World Series.
Why would the Phillies winning the World Series not be number one? Because something was missing in 2008—my family. In 2008, our five children were either not yet born or too young to appreciate the Phillies winning the World Series. This past weekend, things were different. Our kids came home from New York and DC to attend the playoff games, and our youngest child is now 12 years old. We had the opportunity to share the joy of the Phillies winning the National League Pennant together.
As the author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin has stated:
“The game of baseball has always been linked in my mind with the mystic texture of childhood, with the sounds and smells of summer nights and the memories of my father.”
As the World Series is about to start, I would love to celebrate a Phillies World Series Championship with a parade down Broad Street. However, we have already won. My kids and Igot the opportunity to share priceless memories together. Baseball is just a game, but it grants the opportunity to share memories with those you love.
Fun fact: my wife does not like baseball; she is a Sixers fan. Also, my apologies to our daughter Liza for not taking a picture at the playoff game she attended.