"I believe in the Church of Baseball."

I'm not really a sports kind of chick.

But I have a real thing for baseball.

It is truly a thinking man's game. There is strategy; there is thought. It's the eight inning...there are two on and two outs and the pitcher is up. He's been pitching well. Do you put in a pinch hitter or let him try and bunt?

I have vague memories of the Phillies winning the World Series in 1980. I don't remember the 1983 post-season at all. I recall the 1993 post-season all too well. Dykstra, Kruk, Daulton and, of coarse, Williams.

Chris and I watched the NL East games and cheered! We watched the NL games and cheered again! We watched the World Series and tried not to cry. We skipped school when they lost the Series and went to City Hall in Philly for the big rally. We went to opening day the following April and shivered it was so cold. We went to countless autograph signings and to Cooperstown. My brother and I bonded over baseball.

The Phillies have a serious shot of going to The World Series again this year. They could win the whole thing tonight. I am listening to local pre-game commentary as I write this and am anxiously waiting for the first pitch.

I wish Chris was here. Or I was at his place...he has a much better TV!

PS - Chris does a mean Mitch Williams impression. Basically, it's a massive wind-up, pitch, and he falls down on the follow through. If you remember Williams, you get it.

(My title is from Bull Durham.)