World Series Notes: Series Tied 1-1

In a World Series featuring easily the best offensive teams of each league, the pitching has been the dominating factor thus far. Cliff Lee, who has been nothing but outstanding so far in the playoffs. put on one of the best World Series pitching performances in history in Game 1 facing C.C. Sabathia, who allowed just a pair of solo homers to Chase Utley in seven innings of work before the Yankees' bullpen suffered. In Game 2, A.J. Burnett out-dueled Pedro Martinez and Mariano Rivera picked up yet another two-inning save.

Up until the series started, I strongly believed that there was no possible way that I could root for the Phillies, even against the Yankees. I wanted absolutely nothing for the team and it's fans. But then, while I was breaking it down, I remembered that they already have what it is that I don't want them to have. Obviously, becoming back-to-back champions would make them much happier than if they were to lose in their defense of the title, but that joy and happiness and memories of winning the 2008 World Series will still be there. They would be upset over the lost opportunity, but that satisfaction will remain, especially for all those fans who were not yet born or were too young to remember going through a World Series championship, which the Phillies had only previously done in 1980.

I am currently experiencing this as a Giants fan. Prior to beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl, I was four years old the last time the Giants won the championship. Seeing them win Super Bowl XLII was such a tremendous moment. Of course I was upset when they lost in the playoffs the following year, especially to the Eagles. But I quickly got over it, but I still had great satisfaction after winning the previous year. It is perhaps the greatest fear of a diehard sports fan, to never have the experience of seeing your favorite team win the championship, and to see that great victory is a huge relief.

Of course, Yankee fans have seen their fair share of championships. At least the ones who really annoy me are old enough to have. But right now, they are in what they would classify as a long drought, nearing a full decade of losing. In a year where everything seems to be going right, where it seems like they may be destined to win this year, it would be heartbreaking for Yankee fans to see them lose.

Good. That's what I want. I want both teams and both fanbases to suffer from losing, but thanks to the Phillies winning last year, losing this World Series would hurt Yankee fans more than it would Phillie fans. If things had gone differently last year, I'm sure I would prefer the Yankees to win than to see the Phillies get any happiness and remain miserable. But now I can only hope for the misery of Yankee fans.

I know any Yankee fans who may be reading this are going to be mad at me for this post. Perhaps the reason Yankee fans love to annoy Mets fans so much is because of our loud hatred of the superior team. It is a vicious cycle. Yankee fans annoy Mets fans, who in turn hate the Yankees even more, so Yankee fans try even harder to show off their superiority. The bad blood between these two fanbases will never go away.

The point is, while I thought for sure I would root for the Yankees in this series, when I turned on Game 1 and saw the 1-0 score, I was happy. When the Phillies went on to win that game, I was happy. When the Yankees won Game 2, I was upset. I cannot believe I am saying this, but....

Let's Go Phillies