Champions

The Philadelphia Phillies are World Series Champions. It feels so good to type that. Carthartic, even. It seems like a lifetime has passed since the Phillies were Champions. Some would say it was worth the wait. Scott Eyre would probably not let them supervise his bowel movements. Personally, I was sick of waiting a decade ago. Hopefully, the Phils will just go ahead and win it all next season, and not keep us waiting for another three decades.

Steve Carlton (1980) 24-9, 2.34
Tug McGraw (1980) 5-4, 20, 1.47
Mike Schmidt (1980) .286, 48, 121

Perhaps, I was born too soon. Or too late. I'm not sure which. But, as a seven year old, I wasn't fully able to appreciate how remarkable the Phillies' 1980 season was. I was just becoming a baseball fan, and my favorite team was, well, awesome. My memories from that great season consist of Pete Rose catching the ball that popped out of Bob Boone's glove, horses on the field at The Vet, and Tug McGraw celebrating on the mound.
It was a good time to be a Phillies fan. Unless, maybe, if you were living hundreds of miles away from the Phillies' sphere of influence. Long before the series of tubes, it was a lot more difficult to follow teams outside of your region. With only occasional Game of the Week broadcasts, and broadcasts of games against the local team, there weren't too many opportunities to watch the Phillies in action. The only viable course of action was to devour every issue of Baseball Digest and Sports Illustrated, as well as every baseball book available.
My favorite ensemble, red Phillies hat w/red 1950 Whiz Kids Phillies t-shirt, drew many a quizzical look, but I didn't care. The Phillies had many more Championships in their near future. I was proud to be a Phillies fan.

John Denny (1983) 19-6, 2.37
Al Holland (1983) 8-4, 25, 2.26
Mike Schmidt (1983) .255, 40, 109

It was during the 1983 season that I made an incredible discovery. I could pick up Phillies games on my radio! Though hundreds of miles away, if I turned the dial on my radio just right, WCAU 1210 AM came in loud and clear. I spent my nights listening to Harry Kalas and Whitey Ashburn call the games. It was a great season, that culminated in a World Series loss. But, that was OK. The Phillies played well, and they would be back. Thanks to my radio, I wouldn't miss a thing. I was excited to be a Phillies fan.

Bruce Ruffin (1986) 9-4, 2.46
Pat Combs (1989) 4-0, 2.09
Chris James (1987) .293, 17, 54 (358)

"You want ALL of my Chris James rookie cards?", the baseball card dealer inquired. He probably didn't expect to sell 38 Chris James rookie cards that day. But, for less than $4.00, I had cornered the Chris James rookie card market. In the off-chance that a baseball scholarship didn't put me through college, I would just sell a couple of my CJ rookies. He was the next great baseball superstar, and baseball card values would never stop rising.
The Phillies seemed to spend the next decade mired in fifth or sixth place. But they were a team on the rise. Combining a few free agents (Lance Parrish, Mike Easler), with the harvest from their bountiful farm system, would be a winning formula. I spent many an afternoon matching the current Phillies up against the greatest teams in MLB history on my computer. In MicroLeague baseball, the stats proved just how good the Phillies really were. Past performance guaranteed future results. The Phillies would be back in the Series soon. I was a confident Phillies fan.

Curt Schilling (1993) 16-7, 4.02
Mitch Williams (1993) 3-7, 3.34, 43
Lenny Dykstra (1993) .305, 19, 66

I spent the summer of 1993 in South Jersey. Every Phillies game was on TV. The Philadelphia Inquirer was delivered to my door each morning. The Vet was a 30 minute drive away. To me, for that summer, New Jersey was Baseball Heaven.
In early July, the Phillies played a doubleheader against San Diego. There were almost six hours of rain delays, and the second game started at 1:26am. It ended at 4:40am, with a game-winning single from Phillies closer Mitch Williams. Surely, this was a team destined for greatness.
Unfortunately, they fell short. The only possible response I had to Joe Carter's Series-ending home run, was to pound my soccer ball, repeatedly, into a brick wall.
It was either the soccer ball, or my head.
Even worse, a heaping helping of coursework in Statistics and Economics had taught me things I would have preferred not to know. Learning what "sample size" was tempered my optimism. I realized the importance of a strong farm system, and, worse, that the Phillies' farm system was not quite as strong as I had believed. Past performance did not guarantee future results any more. Gone was my youthful naivety. I was a disillusioned Phillies fan.

Cole Hamels (2008) .272 , 145, 1.082
Brad Lidge (2008) .297, 225, 1.226
Chase Utley (2008) .293/.380/.535

There's been no better time in history to be a baseball fan. With MLB.TV, and MLB Extra Innings, pretty much every game can be seen, in HD (!) wherever you may live. (Well, except for some Saturdays, when Fox bastardizes select fans from 3:55pm-7pm.) The series of tubes has all of the baseball info a fan could crave. Our understanding of baseball statistics grows every day.
Maybe I was born at just the right time.

I can't really put into words how amazing this season was. This Championship season. I guess I'm just really glad it happened at a time when I was fully able to appreciate it. That, and the fact that I know the Phillies will be back in the playoffs in 2009. I'm a proud, excited, and confident Phillies fan.

Top 5 Reasons to Vote for Pat

5. Burrell is 4th in the NL in OPS, including 1st among OF.

4. Throughout much of his impressive career, he strode to the plate to the sounds of Dio.

3. Chase Utley says we should.

2. Despite hitting at least 20 HR in each of the past EIGHT seasons, Burrell has never been an All-Star. Cesar Izturis has been an All-Star, for goodness sakes!

1. Eric Bruntlett will receive a $25,000 bonus, when he accompanies Burrell to the All-Star game as his pinch-runner/defensive replacement.

Phils Take Game Three

(The following was originally published in the October 27th, 2008 edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer.)


Brett Myers peered towards the plate, searching for Chris Coste's sign. The Phillies were one strike away from taking a 2-1 World Series lead. Only the bat of Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis stood in their way.

Just a few months ago, this scenario would have seemed highly unlikely. On July 1st, the Phillies lead their division, but weren't exactly playing like a World Series contender. They clung to a slim one-game lead, an advantage that would become a one-game deficit before the week ended. The offensive juggernaut of May had devolved into an almost punchless outfit, solely dependent upon the long ball. The starting rotation, beyond Cy Young-candidate Cole Hamels, was erratic at best. In a surprising move, struggling Opening Day starter Brett Myers, and his $8.5 million contract, was demoted to the minors. The Phils were a few weeks away from becoming a trade deadline seller.

Myers' demotion became one of the turning points of the Phillies' pennant-winning season. Myers spent three weeks in AAA, and returned for the stretch run with his confidence back. He had his mojo back. With the acquisition of RF Matt Holliday in late July solidifying the again-potent offense, the Phillies played .800 ball in August and September, easily winning the NL East. Twelve playoff games later, Brett Myers was a pitch away from wrapping up Game 3.

Myers wanted to close out the game with an exclamation point. With his fastball. But the scouting reports, and his veteran catcher, called for the curve. The poised hurler whirled into his windup, and froze Youkilis with a curve that just caught the plate. The Phillies had the Series lead, and Randy Wolf had his 3rd playoff win. Injured closer Brad Lidge was the first to congratulate Myers on his seventh playoff save. Lidge's freak season-ending injury on July 20th had been viewed by many as the blow that would kill the Phils' postseason chances. A rejuvenated Brett Myers felt differently.

Everything falls into place...

And I'm scared that I know how this ends

And everything fell into place

But now it is falling apart

I'm trying to hold on

But I can see you fading

-REDEMPTION, "Sapphire"

My finger was on the remote, poised to switch away from the Phillies' 2-1 loss to the Braves. My game-ending expletive of choice hung in the air, as Chris Coste's weak pop found it's way to Kelly Johnson's glove. The Phillies had their chances in this one, but wasted a strong outing by Jamie Moyer. Moyer would pick up an unjust loss. As is their way, the Phillies rallied in their last at-bat, only to fall short. Pedro Feliz extended the game with two outs, somehow laying off several close pitches to draw a walk. But Coste, displaying the type of patience for which Feliz is known, popped up the first pitch he saw. With the Phillies' 27th loss in the books, I readied to switch to the Mets game, with the hope of salvaging the night with a Santana shelling.

Then the ball dropped in fair territory. Chris Wheeler's surprised exclamation echoed my own. A Phillie baserunner streaked towards the plate, but the throw from Johnson reached home with the Phillie still twenty feet away. As Pedro Feliz was tagged out at the plate, I suddenly realized that the game-tying run had already scored, in the form of Eric Bruntlett. The inning was over, but the game was not. Santana would have to wait.

In the top of the 10th, the Phillies rallied again, taking a 4-2 lead. Closer Brad Lidge, with his 1.00 WHIP, and sub-.150 opponents' BA, entered the game to secure his 16th consecutive save as a Phillie. A mere formality. The Braves got the tying run to second with two outs, but there was no way Lidge was giving up any runs. A ludicrous thought, that. Well, at least until Yunel Escobar singled to center, with Gregor Blanco, one of the league's fastest runners, sprinting to the plate from second. With only Clay Condrey left in the pen, the Phillies' miraculous win was slipping away.

Then Shane Victorino gunned down Blanco at the plate, with a skillful, game-ending tag applied by Chris Coste. I was as ecstatic as Bobby Cox was livid. An incredible victory for the Phillies. The kind of game that Championship teams seem to win. When Chris Snelling returns to AAA tomorrow, his roster spot claimed by returning hero Jayson Werth, he will speak to the Iron Pigs of this legendary victory. I'm sure we'll see clips of this season-turning win in the 2008 World Series DVD. With eight wins in their last ten, and a record now eleven games over .500, it is almost time for the Phils to set their playoff rotation. I'd go with Hamels-Myers-Moyer.

A Hero Emerges...

The season's first two games did not go according to plan. The Phillies were in danger of being swept in their three-game series against the Washington Nationals. Unless a hero emerged to save their season.

It was both surprising and disappointing that the Phillies were in such dire straits this early in the season. On Opening Day, the Nats had a 6-2 lead, as the Phillies batted in the bottom of the sixth. But the four-run deficit was easily overcome, thanks to homers by Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. With ace reliever Tom Gordon protecting a 9th inning tie, it looked like the Phils would start their season with a victory.

Shockingly, that's not how it turned out. Sure, Tom Gordon didn't get too many batters out during Spring Training. But that was days ago. Ancient history. Besides, Tom Gordon is a Proven Veteran. His nickname is still "Flash." Obviously, he is still a great pitcher. Perhaps he doesn't have the quality repertoire of a Tim Lahey, or a Gary Knotts. Maybe Gordon's 13 yr.old son would be more "effective" in the closer's role. But: Proven Veteran.

Unfortunately, Flash ran into a little bad luck, and the Nats managed to eke out some runs against him. The six batters Gordon faced were only able to score five runs, but it was enough to secure an 11-6 Nats win. Gordon's ERA was an unsightly 135.00 after his unlucky outing. But the fact that his ERA was higher than his 13 yr. old's weight was hardly a cause for concern. Because: small sample size. And: Proven Veteran.

There was more bad fortune for the Phillies in the second game, as they had to face the Nationals' 3rd starter, Tim Redding. Phillies ace Cole Hamels pitched well (8 IP, 1 ER), but the Phillies' one hit (a single by 3B/OBP King Pedro Feliz) in twenty-seven at-bats was not enough to prevent a 1-0 loss. The Phillies' only (non-Hamels) highlight was the surprise 3rd inning visit by The Phillie Phanatic and Smiley the (Hatfield Franks) Pig to the Philadelphia broadcast booth. Usually, an on-camera appearance by Gary Matthews, Sr., is an opportune time to check hockey scores and/or do a little bit of light housekeeping. But not when The Phillie Phanatic is on the scene. Of course, it may have been a bit of foreshadowing when Smiley served up a Dollar Dog to the once-average MLB outfielder. Smiley was as oblivious to his inevitable demise (and future as a reasonably-priced culinary delight), as the Phillies were of their own inevitable demise to the formidable Redding.

The third game didn't start well, either. Phillies SP Jamie Moyer was able to post a 5.01 ERA in 2007, but wasn't able to pitch to the same level of effectiveness today. Aided by four Phillies errors, the Nats jumped to a 6-1 sixth inning lead. The Phillies needed someone to step up and stabilize the game, to give their offense the opportunity to get back in the game. Fortunately, they had the right man for the job. Or, maybe it wasn't good fortune, but, instead, the residue of brilliant Gillickian Design.

A week ago, reliever Rudy Seanez had been released by the LA Dodgers, after posting a 7.71 Spring Training ERA (1.93 WHIP). Seanez had the career of a journeyman, pitching for eight MLB teams, with a different pronunciation of his surname in each city. He was prepared to begin his new career, as an Ultimate Fighter, when he got the opportunity to join the 2007 NL East Champions. Though a spot in the Phillies bullpen would likely be more physically damaging than the Ultimate Fighting option, Seanez chose to return to baseball. It was a decision that altered the course of Philadelphia Phillies history.

Seanez is the type of player who would stand outside the ballpark three hours before a game, signing autographs, and chatting with fans. Even though some of the fans might not actually know who he is, or might be hoping to catch a glimpse of a young reliever with a last name that reminds them of a mustard, Seanez will offer his time. While starting pitchers inflicted with blister issues scurried into the bowels of the park, hoping to escape unnoticed, Seanez signs on. This blogger's heart grew three sizes, after witnessing Seanez' behavior that day.

Seanez pitched a scoreless sixth inning today, retiring all three batters he faced. Of his ten offerings, eight were for strikes. The Phillies rallied to tie the game at six, and won in the bottom of the 9th, on a bases-loaded walk. Without Seanez stabilizing the situation in the sixth inning, the Phillies comeback would likely have fallen short. Phillies MVP SS Jimmy Rollins may receive most today's accolades, for single-handedly creating the winning run, through the force of his own mighty will. On this blog, Seanez' sacrifice did not go unnoticed. He is today's true hero. (Well, him and the Brett Favre-lookalike playing RF.)

Manuel Challenges Victorino

(On Saturday, CF Shane Victorino played all nine innings of an exhibition game, which is unusual for a starter. After the game, Victorino was called into the Manager's Office to meet with Charlie Manuel.)


CM: Have a seat, Shane. I'm sure you'd like to know why I've called this meeting.

SV: I know why I'm here, Skip. I know I haven't been working as hard as I could be down here. Maybe, I've been a little distracted by all the pranks, and the mini golf, and, whatever. But, I know I can do better. And, I understand why you kept me in the whole game today.

CM: You played the whole game? I guess they forgot to send So (Taguchi) in for you. I told them to do that before I left.

SV: Left?

CM: Yep. I had to check about a job opportunity. With this team, it looks like I need to plan for my future. What do we have, two starting pitchers? I'm no math whiz, but I know that's not going to cut it.

SV: Jamie (Moyer) and Kyle (Kendrick) will be fine. And Adam (Eaton) will be...Well, four starting pitchers is pretty good.

CM: But our lineup is going to lead the league in whiffs!

SV: Actually, strikeouts aren't that bad any more. Besides, it's not like you can strike out more than three times in an inning.

CM: That's true. Plus, I did see Pedro (Feliz) take a pitch the other day.

SV: I'm pretty sure that didn't actually happen, but that doesn't mean it can't happen in the future. Just like Flash (Gordon) pitching a scoreless inning some day isn't impossible.

CM: Don't remind me about the bullpen. The only guy out there in my long-term plans is Clay (Condrey).

SV: Brad (Lidge) and Ryan (Madson) should be pretty good this year.

CM: Maybe. But I'll be managing a restaurant by August, and Clay is going to be my Head Chef!

SV: Clay is a pretty sweet cook...But, what do you know about managing a restaurant?

CM: (in a confident voice) Well, I've seen a bunch of episodes of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, plus I'm a Manager already, so I don't think I'll have much of a problem. (in a suddenly concerned voice) Unless there are double switches. Will there be double switches?

SV: Um, Skip, why did you call me in here again?

CM: I've been playing a lot of Boggle lately. And I am ready to challenge you to a game.

SV: Umm OK. Maybe another time. Is there anything else?

CM: Actually, yes. Do you have any mirrors in your house?

SV: I see what you're getting at- I need to look at myself in the mirror and make some...

CM (interrupts): No. No. No. If you need mirrors, I can get you a deal. I know a guy.

SV (stands up): OK, Skip, good talk. Try to stay positive. We'll be in the playoffs again. For sure.

CM: Sure, I can be positive. But, if Red Robin calls about my job app, I'll be listening to what they have to say.

Lohse on My Mind

I dream of Kyle Lohse every night. Yes, the same Kyle Lohse who allowed the Kaz Matsui grand slam in Game 2. The Kyle Lohse who has such luminaries as John Thomson, Brian Moehler, and Mark Redman on his baseball-reference list of similar players. The Kyle Lohse who had a 1.37 WHIP last season, along with an ERA+ of 100.

The Phillies lineup is going to rack up the strikeouts this season. But they are also going to rack up the runs. It wouldn't be shocking to see that lineup lead the NL in runs and OBP. Yes, even with Feliz' horrendous .300 OBP bringing down the average.

But the current starting rotation is the stuff of nightmares. Brett Myers and Cole Hamels should be fine. All-stars, even, provided they can stay healthy. It's the other spots that scare the bejeezus out of me.

Jamie Moyer is 45. Last season, he paired a 1.445 WHIP with an ERA+ of 92. Putrid. He's likely to regress even further this season. He should be a #5 starter. Or a pitching coach in A ball.

Kyle Kendrick was outstanding last season. The Phillies would not have come anywhere close to the playoffs without him. But he has only 20 MLB starts. Anything could happen with him this season, as evidenced by his baseball-reference list of similar players, which includes Roy Halladay and Hipolito Pichardo. He could be the Phillies' #3 by midseason. Or the Iron Pigs' #3.

I don't even want to talk about the other spot in the rotation. Adam Eaton, by virtue of his $8 million contract, will likely open the season as the #5. This, despite a 2007 stat line that is too obscene to describe in this family-friendly blog. His competition consists of J.D. Durbin, who should be in middle relief with the Iron Pigs, and Travis Blackley, a Moyer-esque soft-tosser. They are two of the few pitchers in MLB who could actually be worse options than Eaton. Kris Benson should be ready in a few months, and will probably take Eaton's spot in the rotation. If things go well for Benson, his numbers should approximate...Kyle Lohse's.

That's an awful lot of below-league-average innings for a team looking to contend. As mediocre as Lohse is, his league-average innings would be an upgrade. He could be the difference between a playoff run, and finishing a few games out of the postseason. Even with a projected payroll in the $105 million range, if they could get Lohse for one year (at $6 million or less), the Phillies need to do it. It's going to be difficult to retain the nucleus of this team in future years, and the window of opportunity for contending could close sooner than we think.

Cole's Inner Conflict

(The following is an entry from Cole Hamels' personal journal, written on March 3, 2008.)

It was so much simpler when I could just go out to the mound every fifth day and shut the opposition down. When the games were all that mattered. I just hate that so many of the fans hate me right now. That they don't understand. That they think my actions are out of greed, out of self-interest.

For as long as I can remember, I've been taught to put my team first. I've always believed that it's not the personal achievements that matter, it's the collective ones. I want to be remembered by the fans as a team player, a champion. That's what makes this so hard.

It isn't the first time I've faced this sort of conflict. It seems like, as I become more successful at the MLB-level, this sort of issue pops up more and more. Last season, the organization wanted me to return from injury prematurely. There was the glaring need for a team chiropractor. In the playoffs, there was talk of a Game 4 start, on short rest. I did what was asked of me in each situation, but it never felt right.

This feels even worse. But I understand. More importantly, my teammates understand. (Though, for obvious reasons, the public can never know the whole story.) Sometimes you have to put others first. I guess that's part of what it means to be in a union.

Myers Enters Hall

(Spoiler Alert: The following was originally posted on July 24th, 2028. It may contain spoilers if read prior to that date.)


Brett Myers never suffered from a shortage of confidence. Whether as a boxer at the age of eleven, or as a forty-year-old pitcher, he was always very certain of his ability. But not even Myers expected to be honored with induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Let alone being chosen to enter Cooperstown in his first year of eligibilty.

The majority of the mainstream blogosphere was also quite surprised at Myers' induction. Well, maybe "surprised" isn't the best word. "Enraged" might be a more appropriate word choice. There were posts arguing that Myers' 232 career wins and 3.62 career ERA weren't Hall-worthy. "A reflection of longevity, not superiority," they claimed. They noted that Myers spent the last decade of his career as the third-best pitcher, on his own team. (Behind aces Cole Hamels and Carlos Carrasco.) An excellent pitcher, yes, but not a Hall of Famer.

Myers did have his share of supporters. His outstanding postseason performances (and who could forget those World Series duels with Buchholz, Guerra, and Hochevar?) were proof that Myers was at his best when the games counted the most. His twenty-eight victory season with the 130-win team of 2011 was one of the best individual seasons in the 21st century. Without Myers' pitching (and his considerable leadership skills), Philadelphia surely wouldn't have been able to run off their streak of seven consecutive World Championships from 2008-2014.

As Myers stood at the podium, the arguments for and against his HoF candidacy no longer mattered. He mopped the sweat from his brow, as he looked into the crowd. So many people to thank, he thought to himself. His wife, Kim, his sons, Kolt and Cole, and his daughter, Kylie, cheered from the front row. He never would have been so successful without their support. His family was flanked by former pitching coaches Tom Filer and Jamie Moyer. They were to thank for his longevity, not to mention being instrumental in his transformation into a team leader, a role model for the younger players.

"I don't know who to thank first, and I really hope I don't forget anybody," Myers began. A murmur arose from the crowd, as a single figure approached the stage. The tall, lanky figure seemed vaguely familiar to Myers, but he couldn't quite place him.

"You can thank me first, Brett, because you've been PUNK'D!," Kyle Kendrick howled.

2008 Phillies Ready for Spring Training

"How old are these things?!", Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick demanded, as he tossed the offending snack cakes into the trash receptacle. The Butterscotch Krimpets had looked rather enticing, particularly considering that he had skipped breakfast, but tasted like they had been around longer than his 45 year-old 4th starter. Fortunately, this would be a quick meeting, as Clay Condrey would be down to drive the group to the airport shortly. There would be plenty of food on the flight to Florida.

"Those are the Krimpets we got from Baltimore in the Roberson deal", Assistant GM Ruben Amaro replied. "I think they were a bit past-their-prime when we got them. But I still think we got the better of that deal." Gillick nodded in agreement.

Amaro: "I think we got the better of all of our dealings this winter. While the media and the blogosphere have been critical of some of our personnel moves, we are definitely a better team than we were a year ago. Picking up Eric Bruntlett has already paid off big time."

Gillick: "It's always good to add another Economics major to the organization. He saved me quite a bit on my taxes. (Abraham) Nunez may be a little better with the bat, but he didn't find me nearly as many tax deductions."

Amaro: "(Brad) Lidge will solidify the bullpen, and we didn't give up a whole lot (Geoff Geary and Michael Bourn) to get him."

Gillick: "Yep, between his 12 K/9 IP and his kick-ass entrance song, he should be good for fifty saves. That song really gets the adrenalin pumpin'."

Amaro: "At least fifty saves. And (3B Pedro) Feliz will save about that many with his glove."

Gillick: "Feliz may be good for an out in 72% of his plate appearances, but nothing is more undervalued than strong defense these days."

Amaro: "Except, perhaps, the value of league-average innings. We'll get plenty of those from Benson, Blackley, Moyer, and Eaton."

Gillick: "With our lineup, league-average innings is all we need. The sequel to Moneyball is going to be all about us, Ruby."

Amaro: "The best chapter will be the one about when we told everyone we were happy with Dobbs and Helms at 3B. And then we shocked the world by signing Feliz!"

Gillick: "Now, all that's left to do is to trade Helms. I think we could get some Chocolate Juniors for him, if we eat some of his salary."

Amaro: "I could really go for some Chocolate Juniors about now. We'll have to have Clay stop at Wawa, so we can pick some up."

Gillick: "You're going to make a great GM, Ruby..."

The Santana Era Ends...

(Spoiler alert: The following post was originally written on January 29,2014 and will contain spoilers if read prior to that date.)

I'll admit it. When the New York Mets acquired Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins, on this day six years ago, I wasn't exactly pleased. There was some destruction of personal property. The best LHP in baseball traded to the Phillies' top divisional rival for a package of prospects? This did not bode well for Philly's LH-heavy lineup. Phillies GM Pat Gillick's recent signing of .288 OBP bat Pedro Feliz was all but forgotten, as the Mets were lauded for their tactical brilliance. The Phillies' streak of consecutive division championships seemed likely to end at one.

I don't think I was ever so glad to be so horribly wrong. (Except for maybe when I gave up on Adam Eaton, after he underperfomed in 2007. Who knows what the Phillies would have done without their #2 starter in 2008? And '09, '10, '11...) Of course, as we all remember, the Phillies' didn't win the division in '08. (So, I guess I wasn't wrong about the Phillies' divisional streak ending at one.) They were lucky to even make the playoffs as the Wild Card. If Pat Burrell doesn't make The Throw in the one-game playoff at Wrigley, they wouldn't have even made it that far. (I wasn't the only one flashing back to Greg Luzinski, when Manuel didn't put Taguchi in LF to start the bottom of the 9th, as he had done all season. Funny how it's not the 463 career HRs we remember Burrell for, it's when he threw Theriot out at the plate to put the Phillies in the 2008 playoffs.)

The Phillies got past LA in the NLDS, but after their regular season struggles against the Mets, only the most optimistic Phillies fans thought they had a chance in the NLCS. After Santana put New York up 3-1 with his Game 4 shutout (his 2nd win of the series, and 6th of the season against the Phillies), the Phillies' chances had diminished even further. But Eaton and Myers pitched gems to send the series to a Hamels-Santana Game 7. The seventh game was scoreless, until Dobbs homered on Santana's 157th pitch, and Myers (on zero days rest!) closed out the Mets in the bottom of 12th. After the grueling Mets' series, the Phillies' six-game World Series win over Boston was almost anti-climactic. The Mets' offseason was spent second-guessing the overuse of their $23 million ace.

Santana and the Phillies have been inextricably linked ever since that fateful Game 7. Santana was haunted by arm problems for the rest of his career, undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2009. He was never the same pitcher. Deolis Guerra, traded by New York in the ill-fated Santana deal, went on to win two AL Cy Young Awards. The Phillies went on to enjoy the most successful era in their history. Or in any professional sports franchise's history, for that matter.

Johan Santana officially announced his retirement today. It was not a surprise, merely a pre-spring training roster machination. As has always seemed to be the case, Santana was overshadowed by the Phillies. The unveiling of the Pedro Feliz statue (at the top of the 72 steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art) has brought the full attention of the sports world to Philly. Sir Charles of Fuqua, the greatest of Phillies' managers, and President McCain will both be present at the unveiling. But, even though the end of his career has passed almost unnoticed, Santana's role in the illustrious history of the Philadelphia Phillies organization will never be forgotten.