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The Team to Beat
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Todd Zolecki is in his sixth season covering the Phillies. Born and raised in Milwaukee – he suffered through the Packers’ crushing loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field in January – he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a journalism degree.
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About
This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 30, 2007 5:50 PM.
The previous post in this blog was Do or Die Time.
The next post in this blog is It's a Celebration.
Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.
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Comments (48)
Didn't know Madson was a Bud Light kind of guy.
In any case, I couldn't be more proud of the Phillies and the way they've poured it on of late. I can't wait to come home for the playoffs. Go Phils.
Posted by V | September 30, 2007 5:54 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 17:54
Iguchi has swimming goggles on? priceless-
Goes Phils!!!
Posted by Anonymous | September 30, 2007 6:12 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:12
Forget the East - we want the National League!
Go Phils. Let's do this.
Posted by CHH | September 30, 2007 6:13 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:13
Incredible. I'm so jealous I wasn't there. Go Phils!!!!!
Posted by John in LA | September 30, 2007 6:30 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:30
i watched the game in London on NASN, the American sports channel in Europe. there were three other phillies fans at the pub, which was amazing, while everyone else was watching rugby and soccer. what a dream come true!!! we were screaming and whooping it up while everyone else was looking at us as if we were crazy!!
this is a team that deserves the champagne. now they can relax and have fun the rest of the way.
wish i was at the meadowlands tonight. Gints fans are going to be sick to their stomachs!!
Posted by Amory | September 30, 2007 6:33 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:33
Let's keep this party going :) Thanks for allowing me to watch Phillies post season baseball here in Atlanta :)
Posted by Ron | September 30, 2007 6:34 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:34
Just walking around here in Manhattan the past few days, I've seen Phillies hats all over the place (probably not quite as many as Mets and Yankees hats, but nonetheless more than just a couple). Even saw one or two "vintage 1980 hats" with the swirly "P" design, no doubt for good luck.
Hey Philadelphia - the "Phillies Nation" wants another World Series!!! Go Phils!!!
Posted by Chas in NYC | September 30, 2007 6:37 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:37
This is awesome. i was watching out here in chicago, that goodness i will have something to spit back at the cubs fans tomorrow at work. wish i was back home for this, stupid job. i hope this team goes all the way. it was nice to hear kruk give them a lot of props on baseball tonight. he thinks they are better than the 93 team. i hope so.
Posted by timm | September 30, 2007 6:47 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 18:47
What a team. How can anyone not LOVE this team. Do we even realize what they just pulled off? Do we?
They started 4-11. They lost Lieber and Garcia. They lost Myers and Gordon for a LONG time. They had no Howard and no Burrell in the beginning. They lost Utley for a month. They lost Hamels for a while. They lost Victorino and Bourn for a while. They had no idea who should play third base. And on and on...
They were SEVEN GAMES BACK...
...TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO.
I understand they needed help. But they never quit. They NEVER quit.
They beat the team they were chasing EIGHT STRAIGHT times.
And absolutely needing every single day, every single game of the season to wrap it up, they got the guttiest performance you're going to see in a long time anywhere out of a 44-year-old pitcher. ON THE LAST DAY.
My oh my.
Posted by Louis DeVizia | September 30, 2007 7:01 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:01
Louis,
Well said. I'm still a little dazed...
Posted by John in LA | September 30, 2007 7:09 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:09
I've pinched myself 37 times...FINALLY hit me that we actually did it!
Go PHILS!
PK
Posted by PhillyKid | September 30, 2007 7:21 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:21
Interesting that Brett Myers threw the first pitch of the season AND the last. Way to go Brett!!!! Go Phillies
Posted by JMM | September 30, 2007 7:28 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:28
The last time the Phillies went to the playoffs, I had just gone away to college in Richmond, VA in Braves country. It made it so much sweeter for those Phils to beat the Braves, with me screaming out the dorm windows every time the Phils scored. To top the Mets in this fashion is even sweeter. And, owing to the wonders of technology, I got to listen and watch in DC, along with my friends and brother, all scattered around the country. The torture was worth it. Go Phils! Muck the Fets!
Posted by Mark | September 30, 2007 7:54 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:54
Well, as a consolation, at least Mets fans can go home and change into their Yankees jerseys to enjoy the playoffs.
Posted by Mark | September 30, 2007 7:57 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 19:57
The best two weeks of baseball in my life.
Posted by S | September 30, 2007 8:01 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 20:01
ya gotta believe!
Posted by oz | September 30, 2007 8:21 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 20:21
Amen.
J Roll locked up MVP.
This team cemented its place in Philly lore.
The Mets erased 1964.
What joy.
We had our whole street banging pots and pans and honking horns and ringing bells.
Hamels. Kendrick. Loshe. Moyer.
That's enough to get it done.
I am glad my Red Sox jettisoned Romero. (I'm a Boston ex-pat since attending SJU, aka Moyer's college, from 86-90)
Todd, when the dust settles. I'd love to hear what it's like to try and report/act like a journalist in the mele that is post-game celebrating.
By the looks of Alfonseca with the hose, you'd think he actually contributed down the stretch.
Posted by Joe in Haddonfield | September 30, 2007 8:30 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 20:30
somebody say something good about charlie manuel. i live in cleveland and he was a terrific manager there and a great manager in philly. he may not look or talk the part, but players like to play for him. good show charlie
Posted by michael baron | September 30, 2007 8:37 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 20:37
I'm watching the Eagles game in complete satisfaction....not at the edge of my seat. Why...THE PHILLIES BEAT THE METS!!!!. I watched the game today through my computer and the streaming wasn't great but I got the full effect of the fans and the atmosphere. Congratulations fans and Phils! What a day for the city!
Posted by Mike in Indy | September 30, 2007 8:50 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 20:50
Well. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong!!!
When the Padres last came to town, I wrote a response to one of Todd's posts that said the season was over and the team had no heart. In August that seemed true. But, that was August & oh what difference a month makes.
September was quite a ride. I never stopped watching the Phillies and rooting for them. But I definitely did not let myself believe. I didn't want to get hurt again. Well, now I believe again!
J Roll is definitely the MVP of this team, but I think it is obvious that Chase Utley is its heart. His return seems to really have sparked things.
Thanks again to the Mets for making this all possible!
Posted by Josh | September 30, 2007 9:02 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:02
Phinally!!!
Posted by Joe | September 30, 2007 9:10 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:10
Inconceivable.... Best Feeling Ever!! LETS GO PHILS!
Posted by RJ | September 30, 2007 9:11 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:11
Thanks for the forum, Todd!! Words can't describe the joy - my earliest memory in life is sitting in the 700 level of the Vet at Game 2 of the 1980 NLCS (I was three)...so I've been a fan pretty much since birth.
The Phillies have three players, all under 30, who are perennial MVP candidates...the future is bright.
Let's keep it rolling this year and put a World Series banner in CBP!
Is there any doubt that Todd is the best guy on the Phillies beat?
Posted by Chris Albright | September 30, 2007 9:11 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:11
Hey, we made history today --and Philly's all about the history --10,000 losses? Only a team with history gets to that. Makes the good times all the better --I was at the game and had tears in my eyes when I saw the sign that said "Hey Tug, We Believe!" --this is what it's all about.
Posted by Sam | September 30, 2007 9:35 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:35
I think I know a way we can use the Philadelphia mafia on this one.
Posted by Sam Beach | September 30, 2007 9:35 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:35
Ed Wade, we owe you. Seriously.
You got a bad rap, sometimes deservedly so, but this is YOUR team, not Gillick's. Thanks for not trading away Utley, Howard or Hamels for some rent-a-player to make a late-season run, when many wanted you to. Imagine if your counterpart in New York, Mr. Minaya, had only been as guarded with Scott Kazmir.
Posted by Mark | September 30, 2007 9:41 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:41
Why not us?
Posted by Ed | September 30, 2007 9:51 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 21:51
Jimmy Rollins: As impressive as the 20-20-20-20 thing is, it's not as impressive as just spelling out all of the staggering stats...
139 Runs
212 Hits
38 Doubles
20 Triples
30 HR
94 RBI
41 Stolen Bases
And without a doubt a Gold Glove shortstop.
And the guy was not on the All-Star team.
MVP. Yes indeed.
Posted by Louis DeVizia | September 30, 2007 10:09 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 22:09
Louis, remember, Howard wasn't an all-star either last year when he won MVP.
It's going to come down to J-Ro and Holliday: 36 HRs, 135 RBI, league-leading .340 avg.
Posted by MG | September 30, 2007 10:39 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 22:39
The first world series I remember watching on TV was the 1980 world series (I was 6). I cheered for the Phillies and I have cheered for them every since then. I am just so excited to see them in the playoffs. Now I can watch the games on television and not the internet. Go Phillies from a fan in Tennessee.
Posted by Chris F | September 30, 2007 10:47 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 22:47
I'll say something good about Charlie. I was never a Charlie fan until late this season. I like the moves he made. He dealt with all the injuries extremely well in my opinion.
As for Ed Wade, yeah -- thanks for all the players, but he was never good at pulling the trigger during the season to make trades, etc.
Jimmy deserves the MVP in my opinion. The future of this team is indeed bright with the nucleus of Jimmy, Chase, and Ryan. Can we all wish Rowand back next year as well?
Posted by S | September 30, 2007 10:53 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 22:53
Wish I was in Philly tonight! I will be there next weekend, let's have the NLDS done by then for me to take part in the celebration! Go Phils! You stick with a team when they lose, it makes being there for the wins so worth it!!!
Posted by Tim | September 30, 2007 11:03 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 23:03
What an incredible day, just got home, John In LA, wish you were here, you would have loved it. Stayed after game for almost 2 hours at park, my grandson thought the highlight was getting soaked by a water hose by Alfonseca. It was just a great, great day. I am so proud to be a fan of this team.
There was some football game on the tube in Barnaby's in West Chester, nobody paying much attention, this is the Phillies night. Some nitwit tried to start an Eagles' chant as we were walking thru the concourse, he got hollared down before he got to "L".
Let's kick butt on Tuesday night.
Posted by jimmymack | September 30, 2007 11:14 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 23:14
Tim, when you said "You stick with a team when they lose, it makes being there for the wins so worth it!!!", I couldn't agree with you more.
Posted by V | September 30, 2007 11:40 PM
Posted on September 30, 2007 23:40
Todd (and Chris F)
I too am a Phan now in Tennessee, and have been following voraciously on XM, philly.com and the Internet. I have sensed that this is a "special" team for at least two months. I even went to a game at CBP while on a business trip (Phils beat Marlins 11-1 behind Moyer, seems like a prelude now!). There were a few stomach punches along the way...the loss at Atlanta in the 9th inning, the loss yesterday...but really, there has NEVER been a Phillies team with this much heart, guts, and clarity of goals and vision. My first memory of the Phils is watching the Bunning perfect game on TV in 1964...and while young, I remember the adults being in torment that year (and Les Keiter giving that same "magic number" every night on channel 6). Reversing 1964 is a true joy, perhaps the best part for all of us older folks.
Thanks again Todd for letting us share.
Posted by bud h | October 1, 2007 12:02 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 00:02
What a great day for the players and for Phiilies fans. This team never, and I mean never, quit.
They may be outmanned in the pitching department, and they may be a bit emotionally spent right now, BUT, they have convinced me they will never stop clawing and fighting to find a way to beat you. They can hit with anyone when they get going. Cole Hamels can shut down any team when he's on his game. The team looks confident and is on a roll. No head cases or egomaniacs and a manager they love. Probably a chip on their shoulder about being written off so many times. They have four young MVP/Cy Young caliber players on the squad and all are healthy.
They might get caught coming out flat in the playoffs and get pounded before they can get out of the box. On the other hand, they could come out like a buzzsaw and never stop spinning. Despite some objective flaws - pitching depth, bullpen - if I were an opposing team, I sure wouldn't be real happy about being matched against them in the playoffs or the series.
Posted by Bob | October 1, 2007 12:09 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 00:09
All I can think of are Vin Scully's immortal words:
"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened."
Posted by Todd in Illinois | October 1, 2007 12:17 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 00:17
Anybody else wondering what Billy Wagner is thinking right about now???
Posted by Tim | October 1, 2007 12:35 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 00:35
Tim, Billy Wagner let known what he is thinking in an article coming out in Monday's New Yorker magazine. Brutal. Be glad he's up there and not here tearing apart this clubhouse.
Congrats to the Phils and all the Phans out there who collectively never gave up!
Posted by Todd in the 'Nati | October 1, 2007 12:43 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 00:43
Awesome! Simply awesome! The Phillies OWN Philadelphia once again!
Posted by George | October 1, 2007 1:15 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 01:15
Toddy was that you next to marcus hayes in the nicely pressed white shirt interviewing aaron rowand? gotta say the crowd was just electric the entire game, so many people were still there at 630 when i finally left (that 2 hour trip back up to the university of scranton pulled me away)...gotta skip class to go to the game on wednesday...unbelievable
Posted by MikeD | October 1, 2007 1:49 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 01:49
Congrats, to all you Phillie fans,the regulars on this blog,thanks Todd. Pat Gillick,Rueben Amaro,Charlie Manuel, and I'll even give Kudos, to Phillies ownership. But most of all, thank you 2007 Philadelphia Phillies ! Were not finished, this is only the beginning. In my opinion, this team has the most heart, of any Phils team,I can remember. Looking forward to playoff blogs,exchanging thoughts,and great baseball , with all the fans. The fans at the Ballpark,did our city proud..."Dancin in the Streets" PHILADELPHIA,PA!
Posted by Pat H | October 1, 2007 2:35 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 02:35
YAB ADABA DOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[1 other thing the phillies have heart and are a team!! - during the regular season, no phillie ever threw another fellow phillie under the bus - all year] HEAR THAT BILLY WAGNER????!!!!!!!!
[- oh yeah - 1 other thing - jeff conine - who said - 'phillies won;t make it - because they have no pitchin'] - HAVE A NICE RETIREMENT!!!!
Posted by marko | October 1, 2007 2:38 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 02:38
This is a team of destiny! This is the year of 10,000 losses, the loss of the great VUK and the death of the 1964 collapse. The Phils might not win it all, but at this point... it wouldn't surprise me if they did. Either way--THANK YOU PHILLIES for an incredible September!! We're with you win or lose in October!!
Posted by P-Dawg | October 1, 2007 8:04 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 08:04
I stayed up until 4 AM listening to the game on-line since I'm living in Kazakhstan with the Peace Corps. For some reason, high fives and shouts of 'wooooo!' just aren't translating to Russian today...either way, this team is amazing, and I'm so proud to be a Phils fan.
Posted by Andrew Holets | October 1, 2007 8:08 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 08:08
Improbable doesn't even begin to describe this team. Heart, guts, courage, intestinal fortitude, hell... the flat-out BALLS this team has exhibited is incredible. Just amazing.
PS: Muck the Fets!
Posted by Romey | October 1, 2007 8:56 AM
Posted on October 1, 2007 08:56
My boyfriend is a Mets fan. We haven't talked since, oh, Thursday?
:)
Posted by Kate | October 1, 2007 7:07 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 19:07
Hypothetical Question:
If the Mets had won this thing, who do you think David Wright would say was the guy who carried the team? Anyone? Ryan Howard says Jimmy "don't touch my Ouiji board" Rollins carried the Phils. Rollins was a big part of it, but I think it started last year when Aaron Rowland slammed into the center field wall catching a fly ball. The catch ended his season, but it started team chemistry. Why do you think the Phils led the league this year in come-from-behind wins? You might say it was because their pitching staff put the team in so many come-from-behind situations. Their staff ERA was lousy. The Phils used more pitchers this year than anytime in team history. Some Mets fans are saying Willie Randolph should go because he lacks fire. Did you watch Charlie Manuel manage? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! The point is, Mets fans should stop complaining about the pitching, the manager, the young players, yakity yak. It takes chemistry......mostly piss 'n vinegar.
Posted by fugetaboudit | October 1, 2007 8:42 PM
Posted on October 1, 2007 20:42