The Phillies clear out their lockers today at Citizens Bank Park.
Then they scatter across the country to their homes in California, Arizona, Florida, etc., for the off-season.
The Phillies never thought their postseason would end so quickly. Three games? Three stinkin' games? Not a chance. When they clinched the NL East championship Sept. 30, several players talked about unfinished business and going to the World Series. They truly believed they could. They could have. But the Rockies were the better team, although you wonder what might have happened had the Phillies offense showed up.
Ironic isn't it that the one thing that held this team together all season -- the offense -- is the one thing that really hurt them in the playoffs? I mean, they held the Rockies to four runs in Game 1 and two runs in Game 3. If you had told Charlie Manuel that before the series started he would have loved his chances. Bob Ford talks about that oddity in today's paper.
But regardless of how it ended, the Phillies said they will look back at this season fondly. It sounds like most fans feel the same way.
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The latest Philliescast -- and the final Philliescast of the season -- is up.
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Phil Sheridan writes about this collection of players never playing together again, and what needs to happen over the winter to get them back to this point -- and go further.
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Jim Salisbury tells us what the Phillies learned from this postseason, and how it might help them in the future.
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So I put together this graphic for today's paper and, well, here it is. It looks pretty cool in the paper, so you'll just have to imagine a bunch of pictures and stuff along with it and that's pretty much what it looks like :)
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J.C. Romero kept things in perspective after allowing three two-out singles in Game 3 that led to the winning run. He shouldn't worry. The Phillies never would have gotten to the playoffs if he hadn't pitched his rear off this season.
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So what's next? Manuel's contract should be decided soon. He will be back, unless the Phillies insist on a one-year contract and Manuel insists on a multi-year contract. Then the off-season starts. Rumors upon rumors, free agency, trades, etc. But there's no question this is a very important off-season for the Phillies. They've got to improve this pitching staff to give this team a better chance to win, especially with players like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the primes of their careers. They made the playoffs in spite of their pitching this season, they don't want to take that chance again.
As far as the blog? Keep checking back. Obviously, there won't be stuff to post every day, but hopefully there should be enought stuff to check in from time to time. So keep checking back. I'm headed to the ballpark later today to talk to a few players ... so I'll be back tomorrow with something I'm sure.
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Found this 2007 highlight video at Bugs & Cranks.
Comments (7)
(Here's a re-post of my year-end comments that I posted late last night. Great job, Todd. Especially liked the highlight video link today. Good stuff!)
As for the blog... I don't think I've seen a blog/board with such solid posters as this one. Nice work, Todd. You gave us all a place to get the info and voice opinions.
Bottom line: This was a helluva fun year! The Phils somehow worked it out so this was the most memorable season in, well... recent memory. I'm not going to get into second guessing right now. Plenty of time for that. Two factors really in the Phillies' early exit. Factor one, the bats went silent. You can knitpick all you want about other stuff, but if the Phillies had hit anything like they did all season, this would have at least been a series. And factor two, The Rockies are simply a team on fire. A 'buzz saw', if you will. They are as hot as you'll ever see, and they are on a mission. They do not believe they can lose and they may be right. Hats off to them and personally, I hope they go all the way.
Thanks to the Phillies (players and coaches, that is) for making this a fun ride. My 16 and 17 year-old daughters (who have taken virtually no interest in baseball until the last month or so) have already informed me that they are going to be diehard Phils fans next season. Now THAT'S an accomplishment!
Post-script: I can only hope that the Phillies management and ownership do what it takes to earn such fan commitment as we move into next year. With such a young core group of players, this really could be the start of something big!
Cheers to all...
Posted by bobby | October 8, 2007 10:00 AM
Posted on October 8, 2007 10:00
If I haven't said it already, thanks to Big Z for a great blog all season. Informative, edgy, witty and fun to ready. I enjoyed it.
To piggyback off what bobby just said, the folks posting regularly on here were another reason to check back. You guys were great.
One last thing: Let's not look at this as the offseason. This is just the 120-day period between playoff baseball and spring training.
Cheers, folks.
Posted by V | October 8, 2007 10:16 AM
Posted on October 8, 2007 10:16
Great post Bobby. I'm sad that the run is over but baseball is relevant again in Philadelphia and I cannot wait for 2008.
Memo to David Montgomery, Claire Betz, Alexander K. Buck, J. Mahlon Buck, Jr., William C. Buck, Jon Middleton and Bill Giles: I hope you see that we can build something special for years to come. You have made your money, got a new ballpark with the help of public funding and have a fan base that continues to shell out money for tickets, concessions and Phillies apparel/memorabilia.
I am not saying you have to break the bank, but get us some decent pitching, a solid third baseman and make a fair offer to Aaron Rowand.
Show us that you want a championship as much as we do.
Thanks again Todd for the blog. I am sure there will be plenty to discuss before pitchers and catchers report next year.
Go Phils!
Posted by Murph | October 8, 2007 10:31 AM
Posted on October 8, 2007 10:31
I love this blog - great place to follow the Phils on the web. Excellent work ToddZo.
Re: J.C. Romero... In addition to the solid work that really helped the team make the playoffs, it should be noted that he did it while, I believe, making the league minimum in salary (please correct me if I am wrong). I hope he's resigned with a nice raise. The bullpen needs help - let's start there - resign the southpaw.
I hope Rowand is back. The reality of modern baseball economics plus the team's pressing pitching needs might make it tough. But my oh my, what a year that guy had. Maybe the Phils should just bite the bullet and pay the guy and keep him. Ah, I am glad I just sit and type on a laptop and don't have to make such decisions sometimes!
Posted by Louis DeVizia | October 8, 2007 11:39 AM
Posted on October 8, 2007 11:39
Todd, great job. Zo ZO people, great stuff. I've just recently discovered this blog. It was informative,humorus, very entertaining. Also, a great outlet to vent, and share baseball ideas and analysis. I don't need to get into what happened during playoffs. Phils now have a great foundation to build on. We have plenty of time, to tell them how they should do that. Just kidding..Charlie did hold this team together,though I'm frustrated with him, I will continue to support him. The other night, I let my emotions get the best of me. When the fog lifted, Charlie, was still my man!Thank you, 2007 PHILLIES.
Posted by Pat H | October 8, 2007 12:40 PM
Posted on October 8, 2007 12:40
I think one of the things I will miss most about baseball season is not having daily updates on this blog. Thanks a million Todd.
Posted by Larry | October 8, 2007 2:46 PM
Posted on October 8, 2007 14:46
i love the bootleg philly phanatic from the conan obrien clips. thats hilarious
Posted by bk | October 8, 2007 7:56 PM
Posted on October 8, 2007 19:56