A familiar date for Phillies fans

If watching the Cardinals and Rangers in that taut 2-1 thriller last night was not depressing enough for Phillies fans, there is this.

Does this date seem familiar? Suffering a case of déjà vu?

Yes, it was on Oct. 21, 1980, that Tug McGraw threw one of his patented screwballs past Willie Wilson in South Philly, setting off the party to end all parties as the Phils and their fans celebrated the first World Series title in franchise history.

There was something therapeutic about that swing. Wilson missed Tugger’s pitch, but he swatted away our reputation as “losers.”

It would take the Phils 28 years to capture another title, that one ending in similar fashion when Brad Lidge struck out the final Tampa Bay Rays batter then fell to his knees and lifted his arms skyward.

We could all use a lift right now. The Phillies put together the best pitching staff in team history. But it didn’t get them to the World Series.

Yes, it still hurts. And yes, I still hold a grudge.

Go Rangers!

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