Philadelphians bask in glow of victory
Manager Charlie Manuel hoisted the World Series trophy Friday while players basked in a swarm of confetti, the Phanatic mascot danced and hundreds of thousands of Phillies fans roared in celebration of the city’s first major sports championship in 25 years.
Left fielder Pat Burrell led the procession, riding a horse-drawn carriage and pumping his fists. Next came eight flatbed trucks filled with waving players and other members of the Phillies organization, including the furry green mascot.
Throngs in Phillies gear packed downtown sidewalks, making them almost impassable. Fans climbed trees, hung out of windows, watched from balconies, carried stepladders and stood on roofs to get a better view.
Center fielder Shane Victorino tossed soft pretzels to the crowd while shortstop Jimmy Rollins turned his hand-held video camera on the gathering.
World Series MVP Cole Hamels tried to fist bump a fan dressed like Philly’s favorite fictional boxer, Rocky Balboa, but authorities intervened before they quite pulled it off.
The last time a Philadelphia team won a major title was in 1983, when the 76ers captured the NBA crown. The Phillies won their only other World Series in 1980. Current pitcher Jamie Moyer, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, skipped school to attend it.
“This is unbelievable. I’m starting to understand what it’s really all about here,” Moyer told the Associated Press as he rode down Broad Street. “I was at the parade in 1980 and that was pretty exciting, but today tops it by far.”
The mayor’s office declined to give a crowd estimate, saying it would only be a guess.
Ben Anderson, a 25-year-old fan from Bear, Del., pleaded “Come back! Come back next year!” to the team as the players rolled by. Others chanted, “Bring back Pat,” a reference to Burrell, who will be a free agent next season.
The Phillies then greeted tens of thousands of fans who had watched the parade on big screens at the city’s baseball and football stadiums. The team first stopped at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play.
The Phillies then headed to their home field of Citizens Bank Park, where a red “2008” banner was raised to celebrate their World Series championship. Manuel leaned into the microphone and giving his best Rocky impersonation: “Yo, man. We love you.”
Griffey would consider Seattle
The agent for Ken Griffey Jr. said that his client is “totally open-minded” to discussing a return to Seattle, where he spent 11 brilliant seasons.
Griffey, who will be 39 on Nov. 21, will file for free agency early next week after the White Sox on Thursday declined his $16.5 million option on a 2009 contract.
His agent, Brian Goldberg, told The Seattle Times that the Mariners are among the teams Griffey would consider playing for in 2009.
Roster roulette
Options were exercised on New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado and Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield, preventing them from becoming free agents.
Delgado receives $12 million next year and Wakefield $4 million.
Following a terrible start, the 36-year-old Delgado hit .308 with 27 homers and 80 RBIs in 84 games from June 27 on. That left him with a final average of .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBIs.
Wakefield, a 42-year-old knuckleballer, was 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 30 starts this year, his 14th season with Boston. He is second in club history with 1,797 strikeouts.
•Toronto exercised a $2.5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas, who hit .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs.
•Leading RBI producer Raul Ibanez heads the list of three Mariners who filed for free agency.
Seattle also announced that it activated infielder-outfielder Mike Morse from the 60-day disabled list. Morse had shoulder surgery after an injury in a game April 13.
Utility reserve Willie Bloomquist and veteran infielder Miguel Cairo also filed for free agency.