The Phils lost, and that's OK

Look, no way to sugarcoat it: Getting that close to the title and losing just sucks. There are no smiling faces at Fort Awesome tonight (Well, the Harry Kalas doll still is, but the smile is sewn onto his mug). But it doesn't feel like when the Eagles lost the Super Bowl, or when the Lakers ripped through the Sixers, or when the Eagles lost that NFC championship game, or when the Eagles lost that NFC championship game, or when the Eagles lost that NFC championship game.

You know why?

Because Jimmy Rollins is still a World Series Champion. Ryan Howard still has a World Series ring. Chase Utley is still a WFC. David Wright still can't say that. And this loss doesn't change 2008.

Yeah, a repeat championship would have been awesome. Yeah, losing to New York sucks. But Philly was been home to the World Champion Phillies for 371 days, and they came within two wins of extending that another 365 days. Remember, it took 25 years to be able to say that.

No need for Negadelphia today. The Phils will return in April with the same line-up of power hitters and a full season of Cliff Lee. "Maybe next year" is an actual sincere phrase in this case. Hell, maybe even a few of the baseball experts might actually pick them to win the NL East.

It's a been a great three years of baseball out of this team, possibly the best in the 126-year history of the team. You can't be too angry about that.

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To the Yankees fans, congratulations. That obscene $207 million payroll got you exactly what you always hoped for: A championship for Alex Rodriguez.

Enjoy watching him at the parade.

He's the highest-paid hitman ever to play in the majors. On the field he's an all-around cheat (steroids, sure, but remember this and this too?) Off the field he's an embarrassment to humanity (Cheats on his wife, hangs out with strippers, whined about the pressure of his contact, leveled false accusations about reporters researching his steroids use). In 16 years he's had one successful postseason. He might get excluded from the Hall of Fame because of their "good character" clause.

And now he'll be considered the greatest Yankee of all-time.

Think I'm exaggerating? Watch carefully over the next few years as the inevitable happens. He'll break the all-time HR record in a Yankee uniform. He'll be invited to every big game after his retirement. Sports writers will wax poetically about his lofty stats and start comparing him to Ruth and Gerhig, and argue he was a better all-around player.

The only reason they weren't before was because he had no championships. Now he does, and he'll be the face of the Yankees for all time, New York's own Barry Bonds in a permanent New York uniform.

Jeter? Great player. Rivera? One of the top closers ever. Pettitte? Clutch performer. But they'll be secondary stories before 2010 starts.

For A-Rod, this was vindication and a coronation, "proof" that he is the greatest player ever. Embrace it, because any integrity that was left is now out the door with a player that Yankees fans have rightfully booed more times than any Red Sawx star.

So congratulations again. That 27th championship was definitely worth the last bit of remaining class of the first 26.