Article: One For The Ages ; With The World Series Set To Begin Tonight, No Phillies Fans Are More Excited Than Those Who Have Suffered The Longest.

Ninth inning, one out, bases loaded.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge takes a deep breath, winds up and lets it go.

In her Willow Street home, Elsie Kennedy wrings her hands in angst.

"Oh no," the 81-year-old Phillies fan says. "I don't think I can stand it."

Kennedy and others of her generation have rooted for the losingest sports team in America for more than half a century.

Now the World Series is finally back, and they want payback.

Payback for decades marred by last-place teams and broken and re- broken hearts when the Fightins came up just short.

With red Phils hats pulled over gray hair, they will huddle around television sets and again make their emotions vulnerable, starting when Jimmy ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!