Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies gave the city its first major pro sports championship since 1983 on Wednesday night, and the fans finally got their big chance to revel in the accomplishment as the team paraded through town on Friday.
Trains and busses were overwhelmed, as the fans filled every nook and cranny of the route to see their favorite team celebrate its first championship since 1980. Players, executives and others associated with the team filled up numerous flatbed trucks that paraded east from Market Street, past City Hall and down Broad Street. The celebration went through Lincoln Financial Field -- the home of the Philadelphia Eagles -- and on to Citizens Bank Park, where the team held the final rally.
"Well as you all know, I grew up here in this area. I grew up with the Phillies. I lived and died with the Phillies just like (the fans) have," pitcher Jamie Moyer said after getting a standing ovation from the fans, as well as from the players.
"In 1980, I was at the parade. I had a dream, watching that parade, of someday being in a World Series, not knowing where that would take place. In 2008, it took place in what I call my hometown, and hopefully we can do it again."
Several fans, along with longtime broadcaster Harry Kalas, helped raise the 2008 championship banner for the first time.
"What a year, 2008," said shortstop Jimmy Rollins. "I know a lot of people made a big deal about the numbers '80 and '08, and I think there's something special about that. A lot of things were made in the offseason, we can talk about the New York Mets. They brought in that great pitcher, Johan Santana, but they forgot that it takes more than one player to bring home a championship."
The event kicked off just after noon. Pat Burrell, the longest tenured Phillie, sat up front on a special horse-drawn carriage at the head of the line, and Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter hoisted the Commissioner's Trophy for all the fans to see.
"We did it! We finally did it, didn't we?" Burrell said. "I think (the fans) know how important this was for me, being here as long as I have."
A year after the team was swept in the first round of the playoffs by eventual National League champion Colorado, the Phillies went on an 11-3 run through the 2008 postseason to win the second World Series title in team history.
"I'm taking it all in right now," said first baseman Ryan Howard. "We're looking forward to try and do this again, year after year after year. But in order to do that, we need (the fans) in our corner to pick us up and cheer us on like (they did) this year."
A party which was a quarter-century in the making lasted almost five hours and early reports from several local sources estimated that two million fans flooded into the city.
The team dispatched the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays -- losing just one game to each team -- to capture the championship. They became the first team since the 1999 New York Yankees to win the title while going undefeated at home in the postseason. Philadelphia won all seven of its home games, including the final three wins against the upstart Rays.
"I can't wait to go down that Broad Street parade again and again and again," said pitcher Cole Hamels. "I look forward to seeing (the fans) next year at this same point."
Closer Brad Lidge tied Robb Nen's postseason record with seven saves, and Shane Victorino set the team record for RBI in one postseason with 13. Hamels took home MVP trophies in both the NLCS and World Series, compiling a 4-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in five starts, striking out 30 batters in 35 innings.
The team won its second consecutive NL East crown, beating out the New York Mets by three games with a 92-70 record, marking the first time Philadelphia has won 90 games or more since 1993.
10/31 17:14:06 ET
