On Sunday, September 28th, Ryan Howard sat on the bench. As did Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. Cole Hamels, who was the scheduled starter that day, didn’t even wear his cleats. And Charlie Manuel didn’t need to worry about his squad, because a day earlier, in a tense 9th inning that proved to be a microcosm of the entire season, the Phillies clinched the division. And for the first time in several months, the Phillies’ starters (and the fans) could relax and enjoy the game.
And it was during this game, number 162, that we arrive at the 11th best moment in the 2008 regular season.
Lou Marson, the much ballyhooed prospect, got his first Major League start behind the plate during this game. While his first three at-bats saw him strike out twice and single for his first career hit, it was in the 8th inning, with a runner on first, that Lou deposited a 1-2 pitch into the left field stands, capping a Major League debut that many can only dream of. As he rounded the bases, the players in the dugout remained motionless on the bench, setting the rookie up for one of the best traditions in all of baseball: freezing out the hitter. Marson took it in stride, high-fiving the air as he descended into the dugout, moments before the rest of the team joined his celebration.
While this moment didn’t have any impact on the fate of the 2008 Phillies, it was nonetheless a big moment because of what it encapsulated outside of the game itself. Sure, it was the first big league homer for our future catcher, but the significance of this moment finds itself rooted in the allure of the game itself.
Like every red-blooded American boy, I wanted to be a ballplayer. My older brother was a stellar player in little league and in high school, and I wanted nothing more than to follow in his footsteps, with the hopes of one day getting the chance to make it to The Show.
Of course, some things are just not meant to be, and when you’re slower than Pat Burrell dragging Prince Fielder through a quagmire, you learn pretty quickly that MLB glory just isn’t in the cards.
The point is that the Lou Marson home run was more than just “HR” in the box score. It was the culmination of one billion imagined moments from anyone and everyone who has ever dreamed of being a big leaguer. Even Harry Kalas seemed to be more elated than usual on the call. And for the opportunity to bear witness to the beginning of a career for one of our beloved Fightin’ Phillies, well, that’s just gravy.
After the jump, see the homer and the subsequent freeze out by the team…
25 Comments on “Top 11 Moments of the 2008 Regular Season: Number 11”
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General
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
nice–
its great to be a Phillies fan; always, and without question.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
helluva first post.
gotta love the Victory-Lap game, eh Mets?
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Like every red-blooded American boy, I wanted to sign a major league contract and fuck Survivor contestants.
Welcome to the most exclusive (AND THE COOLEST!) club of angry Philly bloggers! Looking forward to putting you on the obscenity and intoxicated-laced email chains.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Heheh… that was great game, I remember watching that, still having not moved from the night earlier, when my legs gave out, and I dropped onto my couch like someone who’d just passed out from too many Vicodin. It was nice not having to worry about if the game would fuck up our chances of becoming WFC’s.
Oh… and nice first post. I’m pretty tame over here at theFightins.com. Over at the700level.com, I’m far from it. Something about the Philadelphia Eagles just gets me so unbelievably pissed off. Oh well… no worries. Look forward to reading, and tearing apart your shpeels here.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Nice. Looking forward to the next.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:56 am
“Top 11″? Couldn’t have gone with 10 or 12 instead…or up to a baker’s dozen 13?
February 24th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I was at that game with my mom… I remember right after the game they showed the score of the Mutts game and they had been winning all game long by a run or 2, they put the score on the jumbotron and they were behind about 2 or 3 runs all of a sudden. It got louder in the stadium after the Mets lost than when the Phillies won… I love Philadelphia
February 24th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I was at all 3 games that weekend…the spanking of the Nats on Friday, the division clincher on Saturday night (after attending the Flyers-’Canes game at the Spectrum…one of the coolest days ever), and then this game.
I remember it just being an awesome atmosphere that day, very relaxed and excited for the playoffs again. I have an awesome pic of the starting line up on the scoreboard and one of the 2008 white division championship flag hung up on the wall up behind the rooftop bleachers.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:16 am
When you mention J Werth’s 3 homer game in this list, don’t forget to throw in that me and 10 of my buddies were getting lap dances in Myrtle Beach at a bachelor party at the same time. Then we craned the place.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:35 am
You have already moved up to #2 on my favorite Fightins bloggers, Dash.
I don’t know if Chamomiles counts, what was the last thing he did here?
February 24th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Solid first effort by Sir Treyhorn.
Jussoya’llknow, Dash will be doing one the Top 11 moments or the regular season, Top 11 moments of the postseason, Top 11 most clutch Phillies, and Top 11 games of the regular season. One each day until Opening Day. A daunting task indeed, but he seems up for the challenge.
Oh, and perhaps you’re asking yourself, “Why Top 11?” Because that’s how many postseason wins it took ‘em to win the ‘chip.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
wow-i forgot about that game.
great post, and many happy returns. god, i miss living in philly….
February 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I loved that homer too. If I remember correctly he came out to Holy Diver.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:16 am
This is going to being an interesting series of posts. I’m excited for the next ten top moments. Hopefully they are laced with NYM disappointment.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
what happened to Chamo D?, is D Trey replacing him?
February 24th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
@ill
I’m flattered that you consider me the #4 of the site.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Ahhh, don’t take it personal ‘Tard — #4 here is better than #1 most other sites.
And D Trey is not replacing Chamo D.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Tard, you’ll always be the No. 1 South Jersey fella in my heart … which is kind of like saying the tallest midget in the world or the smartest woman in the world. Probably shouldn’t added that last part. I think I might get in trouble.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
@the Rev
As long as women don’t learn how to be read, you should be fine. Just kidding ladies, I think everyone is a fucking waste and hate them all equally.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Nice post. I was at that game!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
D Tray is Chamo, Chamo is D Tray.
Einhorn is a man!
February 24th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Great game. Great first post.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
@the Rev
Or the prettiest Denny’s waitress.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Or the least obnoxious mets fan
February 24th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Great Idea…looking forward to seeing the rest of the list!