The Return of The Blog

Yawn... Stretch... Blink... I have risen from my slumber. It has been over a year, and while many of our Philadelphia sports teams have welcomed many a new face, your pessimistic, die-hard man with the fan's view is back in action. As a way to welcome back my readers, I figured that there would be no better way of saluting you all, that with a makeshift All-Phillies Mailbag. None of these questions have been posed to me by any actual readers: after all, the readers have most likely been scarce for the last 365-plus days. It does, however, make for a fairly interesting take on the current sports climate of what is now the center of the American Sports Universe: Philadelphia, PA.

What do you think of the Phils' chances at winning the 2011 World Series?

I'm high on the Phillies - go figure. Last year's playoffs were an enormous disappointment to the Phils' Phaithful. The only way to ease the pain of those memories - erase the pain, actually - is to win the World Series in oh-eleven. As of late Friday night, with His Smugness's (RAJ) addition of Hunter Pence, there is no more complete team in baseball. The lineup has performed extremely well since Chase Utley's return to the lineup and Pence should provide the much needed protection and extra "umph" that the Phillies need.

As John Steinbeck has reminded us time-and-again, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry." We saw this well known line come to fruition during the 2010 playoffs; Ryan Howard hit .303 yet failed to drive in a single run in 9 playoff games. Roy Halladay pitched through a boo-boo. Ryan Madson, the most reliable reliever, gave up the series-clinching home run. Charlie Manuel refused to attempt the notion of "small ball," and allowed his hitters to continue to hack at pitches. If the so-called "experts" could go back in time, I would imagine that many of them would pick the Phillies to win the 2010 World Series. That is why predictions mean nothing.

I do believe that the hunger that Hunter Pence has demonstrated thus far (in a fairly small sample size) will put the Phillies over the top. It is hard not to get amped up when watching HP3's wide-open eyes and high socks at the plate. The Phillies will no longer "go about their business" thanks to the new guy in town. The (relatively) young outfielder should provide the appetite that the Phillies seemingly lost in the 2010 Playoffs.

Did the Phillies give up too much in the Hunter Pence trade?

No. Absolutely not. We gave away young, unproven players. Look at what Kyle Drabek is doing for the Blue Jays. He is struggling - for their AAA team. Trade away uncertain prospects for proven players. The Phillies are in "win-now" mode and that is something that should be expected every single year until a down year occurs. We are the big boys now. The farm system will re-tool itself. If we win the World Series, they will come.

Was the demotion to Domonic Brown a good idea?

Yes. The Heir of Slytherin - I mean of Left Field - should benefit from regular playing time rather than irregular at-bats. Remember this - Ryan Howard was 25 as a rookie, while Chase Utley was 26 when he took over Second Base for good. "DoBro" is only 23 (DoBro - does that work?). Things can take time. While Ruben Amaro Jr. has spoiled us with his Santa Claus-ian ways every late July, sometimes the best presents are left wrapped (cus, you know, that's a saying and everything). The man blocking his way in Left Field right now? Well, he's doing just fine even though not many people have cared to notice. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is currently 3rd among all MLB Left Fielders in home runs and 4th in RBI. Not too shabby. Raul must have an endless supply of unicorn blood or Left Field is being occupied by some unforeseen horcrux. Ok, enough with the Harry Potter references.

Have your thoughts and views on Roy Halladay changed at all?

Yes and no. People don't really seem to grasp what my point is on Doc. Is the dude a good pitcher? Yes. Is he one of the best pitchers in baseball? Sure. Is he the BEST pitcher in baseball? No. Halladay is constantly referred to as the best pitcher in baseball. "He had a perfect game! A No-Hitter in the playoffs! Cy Youngs!" Hmm... don't really care. Did he win the game? That's enough for me. Roy Halladay is without a doubt one of the finest pitchers in baseball. His ability to throw strikes and not walk batters is far and away unmatched. His clutch gene, however, has not proven to be top-notch. Halladay was the pitcher that put us behind the Eight-Ball against the Giants in the 2010 playoffs - the only first game of ANY series that we lost. Halladay has some proving to do, which can only be validated in the playoffs - the 2011 World Series hopefully.

A small sample of what I hope to be a return of Philadelphia Voice. Hope you enjoyed my triumphant return.