An Open Letter to the 10th Man -- The City of Philadelphia -- to be read Friday morning (cue the Rocky theme song):

Phillies fans, this is YOUR time to shine.

Our Phillies have given us so many moments to be proud to wear pinstripes. The World Series victory in 2008 exorcised 28 years of demons. We watched in awe as Brad Lidge went down to his knees and thanked the baseball Gods for finally bringing a Championship to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Phillies came close again in 2009, but fell just short. Last year, our dreams were crushed when we were blindsided by a streaking team that could not be denied.

We have celebrated the highest of highs with our Phillies, and we have wept with them as we faced stinging defeat.

But Phillies Fans, know this:

2011 is OUR year NOT to be denied.

We have the BEST PITCHING STAFF in baseball. Tonight we have the BEST PITCHER in baseball on OUR bump…..at our ballpark. The loudest, rockin’est, best ballpark in the country.

This is why we won 102 games – more than any other team in baseball. We have home field advantage. Now, we are back on OUR turf.

And this means the difference will be YOU.

10^th Man, we need to show our team that NO FANS mean more to their team than Phillies Fans. Tonight, YOU will be the difference. Tonight, YOU will carry the Phillies on your backs. Tonight, the field and the stands are ONE.

We STAND WITH our Phillies. And we will NOT be denied. Not in OUR hometown, not in OUR ballpark, not on OUR turf.

This is OUR NIGHT.