Stairs' shot continues to reverberate

Matt Stairs screen grab

LOS ANGELES -- It remains arguably the most memorable moment from the 2008 National League Championship Series.

Matt Stairs vs. Jonathan Broxton.

Boom.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

Stairs crushed a game-winning two-run home run to right field in a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS, which the Phillies ultimately won in five games. Phillies fans remind Stairs of the home run almost every day, even while he struggled this summer through an 0-for-30 slump.

"Don't worry, you'll be there for the playoffs," fans would yell at Stairs as he entered the Phillies' dugout.

Well, the postseason is here, and Stairs is back at Dodger Stadium.

"Do I think about it? Yeah," Stairs said before a team workout Wednesday. "It's hard not to come back and know something special happened here last year. Maybe I can do it again. Actually, I hope I don't need to. Hopefully we have a big lead. I'm pretty sure I'll be sitting down and studying his pitches again, but that was last year."

But the homer not only is stuck in the minds of Phillies fans and Stairs, it remains stuck in the minds of those who were on the Dodgers last season.

Dodgers manager Jim Torre was asked Wednesday if Stairs' home run might have made the organization feel it needed to get Jim Thome.

"I think he's the same type of threat," Torre said. "He's a guy that you hope that you have somebody in the bullpen to come get. When Jim Thome's name was brought up to me, that's the first thing I thought of -- not Matt Stairs, but the fact that he really keeps the other manager knowing that this guy is liable to come off at any time, and he could tie a game, he could win a game, things like that. It's similar to Matt, for sure."

Phillies right-hander Chan Ho Park pitched last season for the Dodgers. Asked what he remembered most of the NLCS against the Phillies, he didn't miss a beat.

"Stairs," he said. "It was a nightmare."

The Phillies obviously feel much differently about it.

"It was deep. It was real deep," Jimmy Rollins said. "As it was going out of the ballpark, I'm coming up to give him five. I'm thinking to myself that after everything that went wrong in this game, we still have a chance."