Paul Hagen: Golden era continues for Phillies fans

THE BILL that was supposed to go in the mail yesterday goes on top of the pile, above the ones that can be put off for a couple more weeks. Laundry doesn't become a real priority until that retro Penguins sweater is your only choice. And does anybody really renew their magazine subscription before at least the third LAST AND FINAL! warning hits the mailbox?

It's just human nature. Urgent and pressing trumps the big picture every time.

The Phillies won their third straight National League East championship last night. Their 10-3 win over the Astros may have been a little redundant since it concluded moments after they technically clinched with the Marlins' win in Atlanta. Nobody complained. They responded with well-practiced glee. The race to meet in the middle of the field. The fireworks. The pulling on of commemorative hats and T-shirts. The spilling of beer and spraying of champagne that is an integral part of the obligatory post-clinch clubhouse hilarity.

Almost immediately, though, the nagging thoughts demanded to be heard. There are questions. There are concerns. There are issues that can suck the joy from the party before it even gets started.

Questions about the offense and who the Phillies will meet in the first round, concerns about the inconsistency of the starting pitchers and which team will grab home-field advantage. Not to mention the whole issue of the bullpen.

(One thing scouts who come in to preview possible playoff opponents are always asked is how the opposing manager deploys his relievers. Suggested answer for anybody bird-dogging the Phillies: Let you know once Charlie Manuel figures it out.)

This is all perfectly understandable. It's also kind of a shame. Let's not forget that sports are supposed to be fun.

With that in mind, here's a simple thought: What if we were experiencing the golden age for a Philadelphia baseball fan, no matter what happens after the National League playoffs begin on Wednesday?

Just think about it for a moment.

This is only the second time in franchise history that the Phillies have finished first in back-to-back-back years. This run has already resulted in a world championship. The other, under Danny Ozark from 1976-78, didn't include a trip to the World Series.