Photo Blog: Histo-Roy

On Wednesday, October 6, I was working as an usher at the first game of the NLDS between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds. Roy Halladay was pitching for the Phillies and it was his first trip to the Postseason.

I went to work like normal, excited for the playoffs to start and to watch Halladay pitch. His first pitch to Brandon Phillips was a groundout for the first out, and at that point I knew it was going to be a special game.

Our break time came and went, I ate and called my family like I always do and headed back to my section. At this point it was the bottom of the 6th inning, and I noticed Halladay hadn’t allowed a hit. I stopped thinking about it and went back to watching the game, hoping I didn’t jinx anything.

By the time the 9th inning came around, Halladay still hadn’t let up a hit. Every single person in Citizens Bank Park was on their feet, anxiously awaiting every pitch Halladay threw. The stadium roared with excitement with every strike the umpire called and yelled in anger with every ball. Everyone held their breath when Phillips hit a dribbler up the first base line and the catcher Carlos Ruiz dove to his knees to throw in time to first baseman Ryan Howard to get the final out.

The place erupted into thunderous celebration and waved their white rally towels. Halladay was mobbed at the mound and hugged by his teammates and coaches. I have never gotten so many high-fives and slaps on the back as I did  from fans that night.

Halladay made history and brought an entire city together that night to begin a playoff journey that I’m sure will go all the way. Even if you’re not a Phillies fan, it’s still pretty freaking cool. And I’m proud to say I was there.