Phillies shortstop and soothsayer Jimmy Rollins might no longer be in the prediction business but it might just be because there is no need to predict this one -- the Phillies, be it Wednesday or later in the week, will win the National League East this season.
If the Phillies win any game -- or the Braves lose any -- then the division is ours.
With the Phightins magic number at one and a postseason berth almost certain it is time to ask: How should the players and fans react to another division crown?
One thing is certain -- no one should take a division title for granted. They don't happen often and need to be cherished but that doesn't mean that everyone needs to go crazy with celebrations.
Everyone should act like they know what it's like to win.
The players could act like they are the champs -- been there done that. They could shake hands, give a "way to go," and pour a little champagne -- not partying hard knowing that anything short of another World Series title would be a disappointment.
Or they could pull a DeSean Jackson and flip into the plastic-wrapped locker room like it’s the first time they ever won anything.
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Most likely they will land in the middle of those scenarios. After the final out is recorded the team will likely jump onto each other for another iconic pile-up. They will then head into the locker room for a champagne/beer shower.
They will appreciate a hard-earned moment as a team. They deserve to party, though, like its 1999 -- they played the games, they rode the planes and they endured the slumps, the media and the fans.
But it’s worth asking if they should curb the celebration and act like they know what it’s like to be there considering it will be the third-straight time they wore the crown. They are still the champs -- the team to beat.
But no matter what the players do fans should react like winners. Our fans unlike Yankees fans (that’s right a jab at the franchise with the most titles -- what title have they won lately?) still know what it’s like to taste a championship. We should party and be merry but not stop everything to take to the streets.
Enjoy the moment, smile, kiss someone and/or raise a glass to your team but don’t start acting like a parade is about to head down Broad Street.
After 25 years of losing we are no longer losers. Winners know how to celebrate so let’s act like winners -- act like our Phils are the team to beat.
