For one thing, there are no dynasties in baseball at the moment. The Phillies are the sport's eighth different world champion in the past nine years. Only the Red Sox have won twice in that time. The Yankees? They're hardly a factor anymore. It has been eight years since they've won a World Series and four years since they've even advanced past the first round. Even reaching the World Series next season will be a challenge for the Phillies. They are the ninth franchise to win the National League pennant in the past 10 seasons.

And even the world champions have questions. Other than World Series MVP Cole Hamels and Brett Myers, the rotation is uncertain. Outfielder Pat Burrell, setup man Ryan Madson, Werth and Moyer are unsigned. Because Lidge, Utley and Rollins got their long-term deals, first baseman Ryan Howard will want one, too.

The Phillies got to the playoffs by winning 13 of their final 16 regular season games. They owe the Mets another playoff share for losing 10 of 17 and coughing up the 3 1/2-game lead they had on Sept. 10.

Next season, the Cubs and Dodgers will be good again. The Marlins, Braves and Brewers will be competitive.

So, Phillies fans, enjoy the ride. No one has to tell you how rare championships are. Be proud that your team was a model for every other, that you have good players who put the team first. Be especially proud of Rollins, Utley and Burrell. They endured the tough times with class. Thanks to them -- and to Howard -- there always was a reason to go to the ballpark.

As for the Rays, it was a magical ride, a history-making ride. They are better positioned for long-term success because of their pitching depth and because they're so young. James Shields, 26, is their oldest starting pitcher, and there's depth in the minor league system.

"We won't be a joke to everybody anymore," outfielder Carl Crawford said. "We established ourselves as a real franchise."

Indeed they did.

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"This has been a remarkable year for us on so many different levels, to get to this point," manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm very proud of our guys as a group. Really a truly remarkable job. We made a powerful statement. It's just the beginning. I view it as just the beginning. We go to spring training next year, with all this momentum built up from this season, validating all the concepts that we had put out there ..."

The Rays lingered in their dugout to watch the Phillies celebrate a championship, and then Maddon said a few words.

"Yes, I just talked to them and of course trying not to become too emotional," he said. "I just wanted them to know, beyond all of the stuff that happened on the baseball field, I am most proud of their growth as people. I really loved the way they handled this entire moment.

"You look at our guys, really young, and I've read -- this is one time I have been reading the newspapers and watching TV, and I really liked the way our guys ... loved the way our guys handled themselves. I thought we presented ourselves really well. And I think all this country now knows who we are, as well as the world, the baseball world."

It's a Phillies world at the moment, another long journey concluded. As Lidge leaped into the air, as he was mugged by his teammates, it was a moment for Tug and for Lefty, for all those years when things didn't end the way fans hoped they would end. It was sweet beyond words.

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