Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Phillies fans celebrate the World Series title-clinching Game 5 victory on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.

“It’s very redeeming for me, but this is our time now,’’ Lidge said amidst the celebration. “I don’t care about that other crap.’’

And Cole Hamels, the 24-year-old World Series MVP, didn’t take long to put himself in the pantheon of postseason pitching greats, right there with Jack Morris, Josh Beckett, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz. Very good in the regular season became great in October — 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA, and 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two World Series outings.

“Every time he goes out, I think he's capable of winning the game,’’ Manuel said about Hamels during the series. “Sometimes, I think he can throw no-hitters. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him. We all do.’’

Fitting for a title drought-ender, this was a series that defied logic in many ways:

The Phillies won Game 1 despite going hitless in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Game 3 went until 1:47 in the morning after a 91-minute rain delay, and Carlos Ruiz won it with a dribbler down the third base — beating the Rays' five-man infield.

The Rays lost four of five despite setting postseason records for both home runs and stolen bases.

In a Game 4 Phillies’ whooping of the Rays, even pitcher Joe Blanton went deep. Never mind that he had all of two big-league hits in 33 at-bats to that point. The last time it happened in a World Series was 34 years ago, when Oakland's Ken Holtzman did it. Only 13 other pitchers besides Blanton ever have done it in a World Series game (Dave McNally twice).

Afterward, Blanton said, “I just close my eyes and swing hard in case I make contact” — and you kinda thought maybe he wasn't really kidding. And if you didn't think this was the Phillies' year at that point, then you never would.

Still, it came down to 3½ tense, taut innings in very cold but dry conditions. Yes, there was an urgency about this one. The Phillies wanted to end it without a return trip to Florida. As Rollins said he told Werth before the night’s action began: “It’s not the bottom of the first; it’s the bottom of the sixth. Act like it.’’

Now the Phillies can act like something else — World Series champions.

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