1 year and 9 days later I celebrate my newfound persona as a sports fan. I am no longer just another obsessed, passionate sports fan who allows his team to grab ahold of him only to know that deep down in his heart, the feeling of losing and disappointment will overwhelm once again. Brad Lidge's 3-pitch strikeout of Eric Hinske changed all that. Brad and the 2008 Phillies transformed Philadelphia into a group of winners, a fan base that expects victory and superiority. To some, that previous statement explains why last Wednesday's Game 6 loss to the Evil Empire stung so bad. Losing to the bigger, badder New York adds insult to injury, some say. After having three plus days to reflect on that loss and in addition, the 2009 season, I am here to say that we should be damn proud of the Philadelphia Phillies. And here's why:
Heart - if any team is going to come back from a 3 games to 1 deficit, its the Phils. This is a team who has embodied the word "comeback." The Phillies have made a living for the past few years having abominable Aprils complete with ice-cold Ryan Howard's and Tom Gordons serving away wins on silver plates. They have consistently had the best second-half record over the past few years, emphasized by shattering the Mets hearts two years in a row. Now while I just dished out some great memories and some head-shakers (good and bad), it all adds up to one sad truth - if the Phillies couldn't defeat the Yankees, no one could. As painful as it was to watch Shane Victorino ground out to second to close the 2009 season and effectively dethrone us from the title "champs," that last at-bat was sadly heroic. After 10 pitches, including 4 consecutive foul balls off the greatest closer ever, the Yankees reclaimed the throne that they bought, whoops I mean that they are sadly now (rightfully) entitled to. Be proud of sending it back to New York, of the heart that our Phils showed for the past year and more importantly, for the past few years.
Class - Mainly Brad Lidge. Love him, hate him, thank him, had enough of him, there is one thing you cannot argue with - Brad Lidge never lost his cool. While you may think that showing emotion can be a good thing, that losing your temper and throwing a cooler, or cursing off a reporter, or leaving your locker stall before the press is allowed in, or blaming your failures on injuries, that any of these are acceptable, well allow Brad Lidge to prove you wrong. After having the single greatest closer's year in the history of baseball (not an exaggeration), Lidge turned a 180. I don't need to remind anyone of the statistics, we all went through the 2009 season with Brad. Not to steal Sports Illustrated's thunder, but we as fans should feel honored to have such a distinguished man representing our city's team. Never once did Lidge shy away from reporters when they asked him why his slider wasn't sliding or why is fastball just wasn't fast enough to pass a batter's bat. Lidge never discredited our intelligence and devotion as fans by ignoring what was being said about him. He knew he was getting paid the big bucks to shut the door on opponents and never once did he back down from the challenge. So thank you Brad Lidge. While what you helped bring us in 2008 is what will be remembered, but the lesson you taught us in 2009 is an important one - that you may be a baseball player being paid millions, but you are a man playing for a city and you are no bigger than any of the fans that count upon you whenever you toe the rubber.
Coaching - Coaching to win, actually. When the aforementioned Brad Lidge blew his first save in 54 chances back in April, Charlie allowed it to happen. In a sports era that is so dominated by personal records and achievements (Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, The-Quarterback-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named), Charlie Manuel chose to forget that Brad Lidge was in the midst of one of the greatest stretches in MLB history and instead decided to allow the tying run to score in exchange for a double play. While it may not have ended the way we wanted, we should remember that Charlie ended the record in the name of the team. There are many managers who give in to the constant catering of their superstars. For instance, Larry Bowa never had the guts to force Bobby Abreu into the leadoff spot because Bobby wanted to produce runs. The-Quarterback-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was never once benched during his meltdown with the Jets because of his consecutive games records and because of his name. Be proud of a manager who coached to win, not to set records.
Grit - Chase. Effing. Utley. I find it hard to believe that I can love a man who I don't even know much more than this. The reason that everyone falls in love with Utley and his playing style is simple - everyone wants to believe that this is how they would play the game if they were given the chance and an 85 million dollar contract (albeit with a little more smiling. Seriously has anyone ever seen Chase Utley smile during a game? Ever?). When Charlie Manuel actually feels that the time has come to give Chase a day off from the daily grinds of second base, we are
told that Utley gets pisssssed. Why do we never hear him complain? Because he is the ultimate team player. Only once has Chase ever said anything of controversy... and boy oh boy what wonderful words they were... (everyone can take as long as they want to reminisce. Actually -
let me aid you).
Ok, so he also layed an F-bomb at the 2008 all-star game in the Bronx. But other than that the man is all business.
Talent - It's hard not to appreciate the fact that we are currently witnessing some of the greatest baseball players to ever pick up a glove and bat play for our team 162 games a year. That's right, I said greatest players ever, not just greatest Phillies ever (which they are too). Jimmy Rollins has the highest fielding percentage of any National League shortstop in history - and yes that's including "The Wizard" himself, Ozzie Smith. Ryan Howard has put together the most impressive power surge in the start of a career not seen since Babe Ruth, that's right the Great Bambino. Ryan Howard is being compared to the Sultan of Swat. Let that sink in. Bash Cole Hamels all you want (and many others will join you) but the man enjoyed one of the greatest postseason performances by any starting pitcher ever. And remember that he is 25! Most aces don't reach their potential until their late 20's, so don't discredit Hollywood just yet. Chase Utley is putting on a clinic for second basemen on a level with Ryne Sandberg. Jayson Werth has one of the meanest chin beards that anyone has ever seen, not to mention the man launched a ball into the fifth deck in the Rogers Centre/SkyDome. I notice that I am repeating the phrases "best ever," and "in MLB history" and folks, I wouldn't say it if it weren't true.
Respect - For the fans and for the game. Watching Alex Rodriguez run in to the pitchers mound from third base was the worst part of losing this World Series other than the actual loss itself. This is a man who is out for numero uno and is now celebrating the ultimate team accomplishment. A-Roid first lied to America by having us believe that he was our National Pastime's vindication for Barry Bonds, only to find out that he "played in a loosey-goosey era" (his offbeat words, not mine) and had his cousin Yuri inject his 275 million dollar ass with steroids. Then we come to find out that he threw his teammates under the bench by trading signals with other teams in order to boost his own stats and in essence, "get his." A-Roid collected 3 MVP awards and elevated his salary to the highest in baseball history thanks to what could be even more cheated stats than we know. He even cheated on his wife with Madonna! I have no problem with Derek Jeter other than the fact that he is a Yankee and he sucks. But having two admitted cheaters on a team that beat some of the classiest guys in sports is something that doesn't sit well with me. None of our Phillies have been accused of taking steroids or blatantly stealing signs to boost their own stats while giving up their own pitchers. We have respect for our fans and for the game.
So, ladies and gents, lament about the Phillies World Series defeat at the hand of the Bronx Bombers. Try to latch on to the Flyers, Sixers and Eagles as they go through the motions and seemingly wait for the playoffs to be handed to them (a topic of conversation for another blog post). Realize that the Phillies are one of the very few National League teams to even have a chance to defend their title down to the very last series of the year. Realize that we haven't seen a Phillies team this consistent ever. Realize that Philadelphia hasn't seen a team like this arguably in 30-plus years. I will be the first to tell you that the success of a season is determined by being the last team standing. Thanks to our 2009 National League Champs I can say that while I wanted a repeat, I hold no grudges, I don't feel cheated, and I don't consider the 2009 MLB season a failure. Thank you Philadelphia Phillies, for all your hard work and for capturing and captivating a city day in and day out.
Just under 120 days until pitchers and catchers report.
(So as not to take away from the importance of this post by quickly posting another one for my Week 9 NFL picks tomorrow morning, I have decided to briskly make my picks right now.)
(Home team in CAPS)
HOTLANTA over Washington
Arizona over CHICAGO
Baltimore over CINCI
INDY over Houston
NEW ENGLAND over Miami
Green Bay over TAMPA
JACKSONVILLE over Kansas City (snoozefest Number 1)
NAAAAHHLINS over Carolina
SEATTLE over Detroit (snoozefest Number 2)
SAN FRAN over Tennessee (potential snoozefest, so let's call this 2.5)
NY GIANTS over San Diego
Eagles over DALLAS
There are at least 2 absolutely atrocious games every single week. It's like the NFL can't keep from outdoing itself.
Season 76-38 (easiest Week 8 ever)
**Check out the new poll, I really want to know what you think on this one**
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