Taking it to the next level

Last night I dreamed about the Phillies for the second time. My unconscious mind is totally confused - having never before experienced this thing called sports. So, of course my dreams are not really about the sport. There's no baseball in them. It's just about meeting the players - fame (something my unconscious is very familiar with).

The first dream revolved around Shane Victorino - excitement about meeting him, his age (it was 22 - I was fascinated by how young he was), the babe's revelation to me that she wanted to have sex with him...badly. She denied this adamantly when I confronted her with it the next morning.

Not really her type, I guess.

And then in last night's dream, I had the opportunity to meet the whole team - I had caught them leaving their hotel and about to board the bus to head to NY. But it was very important that I go tell the others - I can only assume that meant the babe and some other Phillies fans or something? In my head, it was just all "Quick Lassie, we've got to run and tell the others!"

And so I started to, but then I got sidetracked because I saw Drew Barrymore.

So I obviously went over to get her autograph, but she was all annoyed because she was there to enjoy the World Series, not to give out autographs. But then she said okay fine - and then I got all shy and felt bad about bothering her and said that was okay, I didn't want to take up her time. And then she said really it's no big deal. And it seemed like she really wanted to hang out, which I was super happy about because - well, doesn't she seem like she'd be really fun?

So I totally let the Phillies down and didn't go get their fans - BUT Drew Barrymore was wearing a Phillies uniform, so I think that sort of makes up for it.

Yep. Plum crazy.

Smack

Enjoy the following email exchange between the babe and one of our friends from school:



To me and the babe:


So, what brand of tissues do you both like? Do you prefer scented or unscented? With Aloe or without?

I just want to be a supportive friend and buy you a box of tissues for when the greatest team in sports history wins the next three games to claim their 27th championship title. I know you'll be upset when that happens, so I want to be prepared and help out as best I can.



- [Yankee Fan]





And the babe's response:




Dear [Yankee Fan],

Thank you for your concern. Given that last night's game was basically a must win for your team, I am relieved you won it. I was worried about your mental health and the safety of all new yorkers. I was also worried that this would be another boring series where the Phillies crushed the opposition, despite predictions that the opposition should be better. I'm thankful the Yankees, the highest scoring team in baseball could eek out three runs over nine innings against a 38 year old pitcher. Thanks for providing us Phillies fans with some entertainment.

As for your concern about tissues, no need to worry. I don't know if you've heard about what Phillies fans are like, but you should check it out here and here. I think you can understand that we don't do tissues, we get mad. Anyway, I hope you enjoy watching the Phillies beat the tar out of the most winning playoff pitcher ever on Saturday night, while last year's World Series MVP shows how he got that title.

[The babe]


PS Do you think Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez will end up making any difference at all this series? Or do you think they'll continue to be their useless overpaid selves the rest of the time?





Because I am less practiced in the art of trash talk, I kept my response to a simple "pptptpbhpppth." Also, I prefer to maintain a more gentle approach lest I jinx my team. Never fear Phillies, I've knocked on wood on your behalf.

One down

The World Series started last night (apologies to those of you who were aching to watch Glee), and though I started out feeling sort of tired and cranky, the game brought up my spirits. I'll refrain from singing baseball's praises again, lest I start to get as annoying as a new religious convert.

But I just love this video of Cliff Lee, who was freaking amazing last night with no earned runs. And of course this delightful behind-the-back catch.

You make me smile

And cheer.

And feel totally enthralled by something outside myself and law school.

And I love you for it.

WOOOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!!

PHILLIES!!!!! WOOOO-HOOO!!!

The babe's crying.
Philadelphia is happy.

One win away

A special post today - for the babe.

I just read an article on ESPN. I have never in my life read an article on ESPN. In fact, I think I've only ever been on the page to look up something once for the babe. And just now I read a whole article - I even read the second page. This is a big deal.

This morning when I grabbed the Washington Post Express as I headed into the metro station, I turned to the sports section. The sports section has previously been known as the section-that-i-skip-over-to-get-to-the-other-sections section. And yet today, I turned to it. And then I got all cranky and crotchety because there was nothing about the World Series. I railed against the paper in my head. "What the eff? What is going on here? Oooh, the Redskins. Big deal. The Phillies are one win away!" This is a big deal.

Off the top of my head, I can name at least seven players and tell you which positions they play. I could tell you right now how the Phillies scored all of their runs last night. This is a big deal.

You could judge me for being a fair-weather fan, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate. It's not like I didn't like the Phillies before because they were losing or something. I just didn't pay much attention to sports in general. I watched with the babe sometimes, and we went to some games together. I always enjoyed it, but I just wasn't invested.

I'm invested now. I sit on the edge of my seat while we watch the games; I gasp and cheer and high five. I care. I'm looking forward to watching the game tonight. That's really not true. I'm anxiously awaiting the game tonight.

I want to cheer for the Phillies and rejoice with all of those fans, like the babe, who have loved them all along, who have cheered for them and believed in them, who get angry when people suggest that their presence here in this World Series is all just luck or a fluke. Who knew that they had it in them.

I want them to win. Tonight.

And yet...

I will be so sad to say goodbye to baseball until next season. I feel like I made a new friend, and I'm going to miss him.