They’re back! Celebrate Philly. After 15 long years, the Phillies are back in the Fall Classic. After 24-year-old Cole Hamels, the NLCS MVP, threw an unbelievable game, the Fightin Phils will await their competitor in the last series of the 2008 baseball season.

Going 2-0 in the series, Hamels went seven innings tonight allowing five hits and had a 1.93 ERA. His masterful performance allows the Phillies to advance. He is known for his change-up, but tonight the Phillies ace got his fastball working, and working fast. In front of 56,800 Dodger faithful, the Phillies made it known they wanted to end this series tonight.

Jimmy Rollins who has struggled all post-season, led the game off with a home run which set the tone. Ryan Howard who also was much criticized for his performance in this series, got three hits in the NLCS finale.

This amazing win will surely fit the Phillies slogan and paint the town red tomorrow. Last season was remarkable when the Phillies held a rally at City Hall after their first post-season berth since ‘93. I can only imagine what will happen tomorrow. I envision Obama-like lines in front of Modell’s tomorrow morning when I at least attempt to purchase my NLCS Champion hat.

2004 was the last time this city saw a team in a championship game. That is still a vivid memory for most, when Eagles fans took over Jacksonville, FL and turned an innocent city into an Eagles Passion-fest. The New England Patriots were a great team, and Eagles fans were optomistic, especially with Terrell Owens returning, but I think this event will be even bigger.

The Superbowl was only one game. This best-of-7 series will last days, and the passion, energy, and will of Phillies fans will run through the streets of the entire city and bleed into the suburbs.

I await what comes like a toddler on the eve of Christmas. I can’t wait to see the smiles, the high fives, the red that will infest this city as the Philadelphia Phillies await their challenger in the 2008 World Series.

You all saw the interviews. The players are at a loss for words for the most part. As a journalism major I know certain things that I should be saying, but as a fan, I am also at a loss. I’m in shock.

The post-season is all about how hot a team is, regardless of the sport. No one is hotter than the Phillies right now. My early gut feeling tells me that this 2008 Phillies team has the best chance at the “C” word (rhymes with smansionship) than any team in recent memory. For now though, let’s just celebrate the fact that the Philadelphia Phillies are National League Champions, and they will be in the World Series. Just let that set in.