Ryan Howard was named Most Valuable Player as the Phils wrapped up the best-of-seven series in five games.
The moment arrived despite Brad Lidge and the bullpen's bewildering regular season, and in part because of their resurgent October. It arrived after Jimmy Rollins vanished in the spring, returned in the summer, and finished a classic comeback in Game 4.
It arrived despite the awkward adolescence of Cole Hamels' career, which continued with a failed performance last night. It arrived because this self-assured collection of talented characters refused to be defined by shortcomings.
"Strong-willed" was how Jimmy Rollins described the team. "We don't have quitters. When Charlie [Manuel] had his meetings, he used some other words, but he said he didn't want quitters on his team."
After the win, the team began a locker room ritual - champagne, cigars, hugging and yelling and dumping ice on one another - it has enjoyed three times in the last month.
Raul Ibanez was one of the happiest participants. He will play in his first World Series at the age of 37. Calm but deeply satisfied, Ibanez recalled watching the Phils' last playoff run from his home.
"A year ago I was watching this on TV, and now I'm a part of it," he said. "I watched it. It was unbelievable to have the energy jump out of the screen. It was more than usual."
The game itself last night was a romp, despite Hamels' disappointing performance. Manuel said before the game that the 25-year-old's command in the early innings would provide strong clues about his ultimate performance. "It seems like he has trouble when the game starts," the manager said. "He'll be feeling for his command, the fastball will be up and out of the strike zone."
