One Ring To Rule Them All

Growing up as a Philadelphia sports fan, one learns to temper the enthusiasm - especially as the post-season begins. This is not to say we’ve been completely bereft of championship glory, but at the end of every season there is always a feeling of suspense and painful longing in the air, rather than one of glorious destiny and anticipation. While certainly not a Yankees fan, or Penguins fan, or Bulls fan, or god forbid a Patriots fan - I have to confess that I have always envied that magical sense of inevitable victory that seems to hang over these and other storied franchises.

There are countless books and articles written about these Mega Dynasties - each with their own cast of mythical superstars, eccentric owners, obsessive coaches, secret systems, legendary plays, etc. - but at the end of the day, they all seem to be relentlessly focused about one thing: winning that championship ring.

So here we are - the Phillies seemingly on their way to the World Series. Again. But, there are few if any fans who dare to even hope of a championship win. After all - we are Philadelphia sports fans and know better than to stoke the flames of hope in the post-season.

And yet.. and yet, lo and behold, there is the Phillies’ right fielder Nick Castellanos - hitting two home runs in back-to-back games, a feat never seen before in Major League post-season play. Even more amazing, there is no chest beating, no random social media boasting. Instead, Castellanos turns to the dugout and spontaneously holds up his ring finger - imploring his teammates to keep the One Thing, the One Thing.

Nick Castellanos, the man who had the dubious distinction of making the last out of the 2022 World Series is now laser-focused on just one thing in a way that Philadelphia sports fans have rarely seen.

Now, all we can do is hope that his focus on the One Thing is contagious!