NL Pennant!

It's finally starting to sink in, but I just can't describe it. Unbelievable, amazing, awesome, exciting. Those words fit well.

The Phillies finally won the National League Pennant for the first time since 1993. Boy, that feels good to say: National League Champs.

Cole Hamels earned the NLCS MVP. He went 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in the NLCS. In 14 innings, he allowed just 3 earned runs, walked just 3 batters, and struck out 13 batters.

Despite not having some of his best stuff at times, Hamels still dominated, and is possibly now considered "a big game pitcher."

Hamels was known as "tough luck" during the season due to lack of run support from his teammates. Hamels got plenty of support in the NLCS.

The Phillies flashed back to the NLDS in the first inning of game 5 of the NLCS. Jimmy Rollins led off the first inning with a leadoff homerun. Despite not having a good series, JRoll once again set the tone in a big game to get the Phillies started.

The defense stepped up big time, especially Shane Victorino and Chase Utley. Not only did they step it up for Hamels, but for the entire series. Utley made several outstanding, game saving plays, including a double play that ended a Dodger threat in game 4. Victorino made several great running catches, and not to mention his amazing leaping play against the wall in game 2.

The defense in the opposing dugout wasn't as good. In the final game of the series, Rafeal Furcal made 3 errors in one inning which led to 2 Phillies runs.

It wasn't just the glove of Victorino that made things roll for the Phils. He helped with the bat too. Victorino's game tying homerun in game 4 shifted the momentum from the Dodgers to the Phillies. Let us not forget his grand slam off CC Sabathia in the NLDS.

Charlie Manuel, still heavy hearted, had many big decisions to make throughout the series. To his credit, its been working for him. Whether it was putting in Matt Stairs to pinch hit, or deciding to keep Hamels in the game in the 7th inning of game 5, it all worked out. Hamels escaped a jam after he struck out Jeff Kent.

Ryan Madson has been throwing flames during the postseason. In 9 innings, Madson has struck out 6 batters, and only allowed 1 earned run. Madson has been clocking 96-97 on the radar gun.

Brad Lidge remained perfect. Although it got a little nerve wrecking at times, he got the job done. He struck out 6 batters in 4.1 scoreless innings.

Everybody contributed this postseason. Brett Myer's amazing at bat and his 3 hits in one game shocked all. Pat Burrell's 2 homer game in the Division Series. Carlos Ruiz batted .313 in the NLCS. His hits lead to big innings for the Phillies, especially with 2 outs. Even the struggling Ryan Howard contributed in the last 2 games of the NLCS.

Once Ruiz made the final out on the pop up, and Harry Kalas made the last call of the series, Philadelphia went nuts. The streets flooded with Phillies fans decked out in red. It was awesome. The whole city comes together.

The Phillies Clubhouse went pretty wild too. It was raining champagne and beer.

It can't be scripted. Anything can happen. It's exciting. It's crazy. 15 years is well worth the wait.

The Phillies are going to the World Series! National League Champs! Saying that never gets old.

Photo Courtesy of Philly.com