AOL News has a new home! The Huffington Post.

Click here to visit the new home of AOL News!

Hot on HuffPost:

See More Stories

All That Awaits Phillies Is Chilled Bubbly

Oct 20, 2009 – 1:50 AM
Text Size
Jay Mariotti

Jay Mariotti %BloggerTitle%

Jimmy RollinsPHILADELPHIA -- The radar-gun readings were frightening, like something from an I-95 speed chase between the cops and a fugitive. Take this 101-mile-per-hour fastball, said Jonathan Broxton. Or how about this smoke at a mere 99? Or 98, 96, a slider at 93? The man goes 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, give or take an In-N-Out Burger, and the question seemed not how the Dodgers closer would retire the Phillies in the ninth inning but with how much heat.

Yet sometimes, Broxton loses his control. This was not the time to do so, near midnight in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. The Phillies were down to their final two outs when the big man walked pinch-hitter Matt Stairs, then grazed the elbow of Carlos Ruiz. Greg Dobbs lined out for the second out, but the raucous Philly crowd was undaunted, knowing Jimmy Rollins was up next, knowing he produced two big hits off Huston Street in the Division Series, knowing he can get around on the meanest fastball and knowing he's the closest thing to a Hollywood hot dog in a blue-collar town.
Filed under: MLB, Sports

ON FACEBOOK