The Phillies clubhouse was buzzing with baseball players this afternoon for the first time in months. Jim Thome's grin was ear to ear as he chatted in front of his locker. Hunter Pence enjoyed his regular cup of pregame coffee. And Shane Victorino played DJ on his iPod dock, fast-forwarding through a nice reggae tune for something a little more ooonce-oooonce-ooonce-y.
And Charlie Manuel held his powwow in the dugout at 4:00 pm, saying honestly that he wants his team to win 162 games this season. Charlie never wants to lose.
Baseball is back in Philadelphia.
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Jim Thome was thrilled to be back in Philly. Big Jim is one of the faces in the clubhouse that demands attention. He said he's excited to play in Philadelphia in front of what he called the best fans in baseball.
[PHOTO GALLERY: Click here for a few photos from Monday at Citizens Bank Park]
Thome was asked if he agreed with Charlie Manuel's believe that the Phillies were still the team to beat.
"Absolutely," Thome said. "The Phillies have won five straight division titles. You've got to go out and do it, obviously, it's a long year and there's a process to each stage of the season. Everybody knows that once we get Chase and Ryan back, that'll be a big lift for our club. Hopefully right now while those guys are out we can hold the fort down and play good baseball. Everyone knows about our pitching. Yeah, you've got to say 'yeah'. That's what baseball is all about, believing in yourself and going out and trying to win ball games."
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Hunter Pence on being Jim Thome's teammate
Thome wasn't the only player full of energy before tonight's game. Hunter Pence was fully charged as well. Hunter was asked about what it's like to have a player of Thome's caliber on this Phillies team.
"He's like a battery, man." Hunter said of Thome. "He just fills you up with energy. He's just always talking hitting, always happy, always pumping you up. He just has that aura about him, that charisma that lights up the room. I said today when I came in it's amazing having a big league flight with Jim Thome telling stories. He's a living legend and he's still playing. He's great for the game of baseball and he's great for the Phillies."
Pence was also asked if he agreed with Manuel's beliefs that they're the team to beat.
"We had the NL East title last year, so I would venture to say yeah," Pence said. "But ultimately whoever the team to beat is, it's empty smoke. It's zero-zero. We've got 162 to figure it out."
They seem like a confident bunch that's simply eager to get the real thing going.
"I'm just happy to be here," Thome added. "It's a great time for baseball in Philadelphia and it's an honor to be here."
Imagine how he'd feel on one of those floats on Broad Street in seven months.
So is this Phillies team ready to get things under way in Philly?
"As Tebow would say, we're very excited," Pence joked.
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Tonight's On-Deck Series tune up between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates puts right-hander Joe Blanton up against lefty Tony Watson.