Dancing In The Streets

This city's sports fans finally have something to celebrate.

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game 7 of the World Series at Bank One Ballpark Sunday, giving Phoenix its first championship in a major sport.

"This is like a Master Card weekend," said Brian Schweitzer, who flew in from Philadelphia to see the game. "It's priceless."

Hundreds of police officers - on foot, bicycle and horseback - kept the post-game celebration peaceful as thousands of fans danced in the streets outside the stadium.

Some fans sprinted, others spun around in circles hugging every passer-by.

Several people tried climbing light poles. One fan threw his hands up to the heavens and said, "There is a God."

Yankees fans didn't have an easy journey getting out of the ballpark.

One cluster of people sang "start spreading the news" while someone picked up a traffic cone and used it as a microphone to insult Yankee fans.

"Everybody is fired up," said Aaron Serbu, a student at nearby Arizona State University. "It's an intense atmosphere."

Season ticket holder Ava Blecher said Game 7 reminded her of the game in 1960 when the Pirates beat the Yankees in the bottom of the ninth.

"I don't think the Diamondbacks will lose any fans this year," said Blecher.

The Diamondbacks owe their victory to team effort, said Ron Lynch of Scottsdale.

"They have eclipsed everything," he said.

Besides loyalty, fans were excited about the money the championship will bring to the state and to themselves.

"I'm going nuts and partying all night long," said Vince Bledsoe, who said he won $1,300.

Teri Falinski said the win is going to cause a flood of change for national sports.

"The Dynasty is changing, baby," said Falinski. "It's the Desert Dynasty now."

Her husband, Joe Falinski, squatted next to her on the floor trying to get rid of cramps he said were from cheering.

Falinski held a sign quoting a Grateful Dead song that he said summed up Game 7: "It's a-typical city involved in a-typical daydream."

By Ananda Shorey © MMI The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed