Lights Out On Those Dreams of a Parade
They got there. The place that has eluded them for 14 years was finally reached this season. It was a remarkable achievement at the time -- making the playoffs -- given many of the circumstances. Once they got there, they sure didn't act like they had been there before.
Getting swept against the Rockies is a huge disappointment. There's no other way to look at it. This team which was known for its incredible ability to light up the scoreboard at will with that potent lineup, the one that included 3 legit MVP caliber players, found themselves barely able to get their guys on base let alone across home plate against Colorado.
They got swept. It wasn't pretty.
They showed such an ability to battle through every curveball thrown at them this season yet when it mattered the most, they came up empty.
It was a hell of a ride. This team had that special something that captivated the entire city if even only for a short week. There were many of us who enjoyed all 162 -- save a half dozen or so meltdowns. This 2007 version of the Phillies proved that Philadelphia can be a baseball town and an amazing one at that. Just give us a winner. Is that too much to ask for?
While tonight's loss hurts tremendously, we remain optimistic for the future. If there is a single positive to come out of getting swept against the Rockies, it's the fact that the poor post season showing pointed out some of the glaring holes in this team. We all know what they are. A sweep hopefully won't let management rest on their, "but we made the post season" laurels. Maybe the decision makers will finally admit it. A bullpen with complete Russian Roulette type players like Jose Mesa, Tom Gordon, and Clay Condrey is not the kind of staff to provide any sort of confidence in winning. The brass will finally have to realize that while a stacked lineup actually may get you into the playoffs once every fourteen years, it won't ever trump the fact that you're picking off the trash heap to fill the pen.
I tip my cap to this squad. They fought through adversity all season long and gave us one hell of a ride. In the end they fell short. There's no excuse for that. The NL East was certainly enjoyable. But Champions of the world, they were not. Not even close.
Yo, Pat, work on that for next year, would ya? We could use it.
Blame the bullpen all you want, but the truth is the phillie hitters were using fly swatters to bat with instead of having their lumber. Maybe they lost them in the clubhouse after the division win?? Changes are coming in order to stay in contention and some are going to upset the "phillie faithful" like, don't look for them to re-sign Aaron Rowan, he'll be "trade bait" for a better reliever, and Jamie Moyer, can go back to St. Joes' and be a guidence counselor, thanks for the ride guys, but it's time for a few of you to get off and play at another park.
Posted by: Side Show Bob! | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 05:42 AM
YOU TWO FACED LITTLE BITCH!!! I just got done reading your other blog where you downgraded the Phillies, and now, here, your going to act like the "true"fan??? You slime-ball BoB!!! You slithered over to this article to see what bullshit you could throw!!! GET THE F##K OUTTA HERE!!! We don't NEED fans like you BOB!!!
Posted by: Sanganoski | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 07:17 AM
The Phillies were striking out against average pitchers left and right... There's no excuse for that. This team's number one concern in the post season should be a hitting coach that can teach some of these guys how to make contact and how to avoid slop (see: every pitch Aaron Rowand swung at last night).
Posted by: Gaze | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 09:30 AM
agreed, gaze. what's even tougher to deal with is that it was likely his last game as a Phillie.
Posted by: Matt P | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Lets just say I wish next year was here already. I never get tired of watching this team play.
Posted by: Lauren | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 11:06 AM
There's not enough anger here at these choking cowards. There's only one explanation for the #1 offense in the NL making Jeff f'n Francis look like Sandy Koufax - they were scared. I don't ever want to hear about Chase Utley's leadership skills again - he was choker #1. J-Roll and Burrell (?!) were the only guys worth a damn at all.
Posted by: deanyoungblood | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Any counterpoint from Carl Racki?
Posted by: Matt P | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 11:35 AM
I'm gonna carve you up
Posted by: Carl Racki | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 01:10 PM
I don't think the Phillies failed.
They just ran into a buzzsaw. It's simple as that. Give Colorado credit.
The Phils had a great season. Hopefully, Gillick improves the pitching this off-season.
Posted by: Leslie Monteiro | Sunday, October 07, 2007 at 02:20 PM
I really believe that they believed their own hype. The celebration at City Hall before the playoffs, the talk of World Series. All too soon. Maybe the Mets should have been there instead, we definitely did not deserve it with the showing we made. Rollins and the rest of the team should shut their traps and just play.
Posted by: Mike | Monday, October 08, 2007 at 09:08 AM