Baseball enthusiasts everywhere will certainly appreciate this DVD that depicts the story of how the hard-luck Phils franchise won only its second MLB championship in its 126-year history.

Let me repeat that: The Phillies have only won two World Series in 126 years!

Adding insult to an already aggravating history, the Phils also reached a nefarious milestone during the 2007 season: they became the first professional franchise to lose 10,000 games.

The media ran with the story everywhere and die-hard fans felt like they had been sucker-punched by Clubber Lang and the Russian Robot at the same damn time.

But, like Rocky, the Phils never stay down. They come from a tough city whose fans are willing to boo Santa Claus if they are unhappy with the way the home team is playing.

As for the Phils themselves, they have fought hard and achieved a few glorious accomplishments over the years, as well.

The team has won six pennants altogether, and have made eleven playoff appearances, including one in 2007 when they caught the New York Mets who squandered a seven-game lead with only 17 left to play in the season. How do you blow a cushion like that? (Um, it helps if you have a bullpen that is allergic to saves.) The Mets went 5-12 in that final stretch and the Phils burst through with a 13-4 run, tip-toeing into the postseason and making shortstop Jimmy Rollins’ bold pre-season prediction of winning the division true.

And then the Phils got swept by the Rockies in three games.

Bam! Another sucker-punch to the gut.

At least the club was going in the right direction. They entered the 2008 season knowing that everybody in the NL East was targeting them. Despite that, Rollins again predicted that the Phils would be the team to beat. He also said they'd win 100 games. For some reason, his teammates opted not to tie him, gag him and throw him in the Delaware. Instead, they decided to help him back the claim up.

It was anything but easy. Baseball seasons are exhaustingly long and the Phillies certainly suffered their share of injuries in 2008. Making matters worse, opening day starting pitcher Brett Meyers exhibited a complete loss of control on the mound and his ERA shot up faster than the price of gas.

Yes, the Phils struggled throughout the season, but they also developed a mental toughness that would help them find their stride in October. The pitching rotation tightened its control. Hamels took over as the unwaivering ace. Jaime Moyer brought craftiness and experience to the mix. Myers returned with his killer curveball from Hell. Late season pickup Joe Blanton proved to be a shrewd deal as the Phils continually won on days he started.

Then, there was Lights-Out Lidge, who managed to go an entire season without blowing a save. His confidence in his high-heater and nasty nose-diving slider resulted in a perfect 41 consecutive saves. Simply unreal.

Then, there was that potent lineup infused with speedy players (Werth and Victorino) who could play solid defense, steal bases and jumpstart the offense. Of course, the real spark plug was Rollins, a former MVP and the protypical lead-off man who could twist the knife in opponents with a clutch hit or a defensive assist in a rally-snuffing double play.

Add another former MVP to mix - Slugger Ron Howard - and the team was always one swing away from a lead. The lethal lefty became the youngest player in MLB history to hit 100 home runs. That's enough to shake the confidence of most pitchers, but if you put a guy like Chase Utley in the lineup just before him, then you have one of the deadliest one-two combinations in the game.

The Phillies were finally a complete team with plenty of invaluable role players. Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz could always be counted on to play solid defense. Pat Burrell's bat always seemed to get hot at the right time. Charlie Manuel was the calm, cool and collected skipper. More importantly, he was also respected.

If the Phils could just make the postseason again, they had the right formula to go far in the playoffs.

Like the previous year, Philadelphia got hot again in September, winning 17 of 25 games, including a four-game sweep of their first round opponents: The Brewers.

The Phils mowed down Milwuakee in four games thanks to Hamels' unbelivable performance, the hot bat of the Flyin' Hawaiian Victorino, and another unlikely source: Brett Myers. Who can forget the deafening ovation he earned during his gritty at-bat against C.C. Sabathia in Game Two of the National League Division Series?

Sabathia had owned the NL for the second half of the season after being traded to the Brewers. Meyers' resume include a meek .069 batting average in 2008, but he managed to foul off pitch after pitch and earn a nine-pitch walk. That proved crucual as one pitcher had managed to unravel another. Rollins followed with a four-pitch walk and then Victorino hit a two-out grand slam that helped finish off the Brewers.

Next up, were the Dodgers and Manny Ramirez, whose postseason slugging numbers were off the charts. Despite Manny hitting .533 with two home runs, seven RIBs and seven walks in the series, the Phils knocked the Dodgers out in five games. Hamels pitched almost flawlessly for two wins, earning a NLCS MVP, but the turning point of the series occurred late in Game Four when the Dodgers boasted a two-run lead. They trailed two games to one and had a chance to tie the series up.

However, in the top of the eigth, Victorino came through with a timely two-run homer that tied the series and turned the momentum. Then, with one out to go in the same inning, pinch hitter Matt Stairs duplicated the feat and gave the Phils a 7 to 5 lead that stuck, thanks to the devastating bullpen.

In their first World Series since 1993 (which we will not talk about here), the Phils had to overcome a dangerous Tampa Bay Ray lineup and Mother Nature herself who rained relentlessly when the Phils were set to host games three through five. There were cancellations, delays and even a game that took place over the course of three days, but the Phils would not be denied.

Everbody on the team stepped up at some time during the postseason. Howard's bat eventually woke up in a big, big way. Ruiz hit a clutch soft roller than drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of game three against Tampa Bay. Utley was solid in the infield and in the batter's box and always seemed to make the right decision. Lidged continued to be perfect. Hamels continued to be Hamles. The Phils, however, did not continue to be hard-luck losers.

Oh, and for the record, when the dust finally settled, the Phillies had won over 100 games. They were 92-70 in the season, and 11-3 in the postseason. Say what you want about Rollins, but he keeps his promises.

The Lowdown of the DVD

Since the DVD of the 2008 Fall Classic is produced by MLB Productions, viewers have complete access to all of the best highlights and sound bytes from the season. Oscar nominee Terence Howard narrates the video, which begins with the Phillies in Spring Training. The mission was simple: win the World Series.

Training footage and player interviews are interspersed, and there are some nice extra touches, as well. Ron Howard and Jimmy Rollins perform a remix of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that is certainly original, and evidence that the team was close-knit and loose from day one.

Then, the regular season is quickly summed up in about seven minutes. Of course, fans want more, but the crux of the DVD focuses on the postseason. So, there are separate sections for the NLDS, the NLCS and then the World Series. About ten minutes are devoted for the first two series, and another five is given to sum up the Tampa Bay Rays' drive through the playoffs.

Then, almost an hour is devoted to the five-game World Series and the celabratory parade that occurred in Philadelphia. The games are covered in-depth, with attention paid to the big moments and the small details. You can hear and see the players' reactions in every tide-turning play.

It's not as much fun as watching the whole game, mind you, but it is the next best thing. The main video runs about 86 minutes altogether, and it's a nice trip down memory lane for fans.

Special Features

MLB has also added some nice extra features for those who need a little bit more.

First up is the NL East Clincher, from Sept. 27, 2008. It briefly shows the final out of the playoff-clinching game for the Phils. It shows the celebration afterward and it features the voice of long-time Philly announcer Harry Kalas. (Running Time: 1:44)

There is also the live broadcast of the NLDS Clincher from 10-5-2008. Lidge closes out the Brewers with a ground-out. Lots of jumping up and down ensues. (Running Time: 1:53)

Natually, the NLCS Clincher follows. Taking place on Oct. 15, 2008, Lidge closes off the Dodgers, this time with a pop-up foul. Still more jumping up and down ensues. (Running Time: 1 minute)

One unusual addition is a segment from This Week in Baseball that offered a tour of Shane Victorino's home. It's nice of them to include, but I can't say the house is too memorable. Kyle Kendrick lives there, as well. The 2:35 segment is mostly for avid Victorino fans, I suspect.

A better extra feature is the Best Wire Bites of Shane Victorino During the World Series. Always chattering, and usually amusing, this tidbit is a lot of fun to hear what the players talk about when the games are less-than-enthralling. Clearly, Victorino is a larger-than-life personality and there are some funny moments. The segment runs about 3:36.

The best extra feature is the uncut airing of the Final Three Outs of the World Series which lasts a little over 13 minutes long and is something most fans will replay again and again.

Rounding out the extras is a World Series Trophy Presentation that shows Bud Selig giving the trophy to the club's trio of managers. It last about four minutes, and unfortunately, it shows the home crowd booing Tampa Bay when they are mentioned as a worthy adversary. It's like Santa Claus all over again.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older