Three weeks before the Phillies celebrated a trip to the National League Division Series by pouring Budweiser down one another’s shirts until the puddle on the floor nearly reached their ankles, there was another celebration here. It took place down the hall, in the visitors clubhouse, after Atlanta beat the Phillies to clinch its sixth straight division title, guaranteeing a chance to try for a second World Series in three years. But Atlanta manager Brian Snitker wasn’t looking that far ahead. No, he just wanted to get out of this place.
“This was a tough series,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m really glad we [have] an off-day tomorrow, because we’re going to need it.”
A day earlier, he had admitted, “This team scares me as much as any team in the game, honestly.”
