Looking forward to 2010

The last time I wrote, Harry Kalas had passed away and the Phillies were in the early stage of the 2009 season. So much has happened since then. Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels' struggles have been well documented but the most notable player of the 2009 season was Cliff Lee. The Phillies acquired him in August instead of Roy Halladay (who had a ridiculous price tag). All he did was pitch a complete game shutout in his debut and start his Phillies career 5-0 with a minuscule era. Of course the Phils won the division again and began the playoffs at home against the Rockies.It was time for revenge for 2007. Cliff Lee pitched game 1 and was again dominate with a CG. A lot of great moments in this series but the best probably came off the bat of Ryan Howard. His now famous line, "Get me to the plate boys" was uttered in Game 4 in Colorado. With the Phillies down two in the top of the ninth and two guys on, Ryan Howard hit a game-tying double. Jayson Werth would proceed to get the go-ahead RBI and Brad Lidge nailed down the save.

The NLCS was a repeat matchup. Of course the Phillies won the first game but it wasn't easy and it took a lot of offense. Game 2 saw a wasted effort by Pedro Martinez because the bullpen could not get three outs in the 8th. The most dramatic moment of this series came courtesy of Jimmy Rollins. In game 4, the Phillies were down one with Jonathon Broxton on the mound. Two on and two out. Jimmy Rollins ripped a fastball into right center field to win the game for the Phils and give them a 3-1 series lead. They would go on to win easily in game 5...again. The World Series was set between the Phillies and the Yankees. It started well with a CG, 1-run effort from Cliff Lee. He made it look easy. Dropped game 2 and 3 but had every opportunity to tie the series up. With a tied game in the top of the 9th and two outs, Brad Lidge was unable to get out of the inning without giving up 3 runs. Cliff Lee won game 5 but the Phillies would f.all in game 6 and lose the series to the Evil Empire. It was almost a perfect ending but surprisingly successful considering they were working with a depleted bullpen and a thin starting rotation.

The biggest news of the offseason is the acquisition of Roy Halladay. Not so much Doc himself but what they gave up in order to acquire him. It cost them Cliff Lee, who would be shipped to Seattle. Right now it's hard to argue that this wasn't the right move. If it's true that Cliff wanted a larger contract than what Ruben and co. were willing to offer, it became a deal they had to make. Roy wanted to be here, he took a discount to come here, and the Phillies got one of the best if not the best pitcher in all of baseball. GOD, HE WANTS TO BE HERE, it doesn't get better than that. The only thing that makes it sad is Cliff Lee's reaction and disbelief to the trade. He sounded heartbroken and while it is a business, we're still dealing with human emotions. Cliff Lee was incredible for the three months he was here. He made it easy to get attached. I want him to be mad not sad and disappointed. He's breaking my heart.

My initial reaction was shock and disbelief. Initially, I was disappointed because making it to the World Series was a lot of fun, and I was looking forward to making a third run at it.

At first I didn't believe it, because I thought that we were working out an extension with the Phillies and I thought that I was going to spend the rest of my career there. This goes to show this is a business, and you never know what's going to happen until you have a no-trade clause.

Those guys are the real deal and I can't say enough about them.

It's hard to deny Roy Halladay and how good he looks in Phillies red. I just cannot wait until the season starts. Cliff, looky here. Next year Jamie Moyer will be off the books and Joe Blanton. You want to be a Phillie and I want you to be one. Take a discount and join Roy and the gang. Do it if you want to win, because I know you do.

Lastly, and I don't know if more importantly, Allen Iverson returned to the Sixers. That's really all that can be said about them. Other then their awful 12-game losing streak. It's good to have AI back where he belongs. He's a breath of fresh air.



Look how cute he looks!

Almost forgot the Eagles. At 9-4 they'll face the 49ers next. DeSean Jackson proving he's a star, the Eagles making their annual late season push, and of course the Cowboys with their annual chock job. I swear they're predictable and I love it.

Quick story about DeSean--my brother said he saw him at Bahama Breeze in Cherry Hill. Supposedly, he didn't tip the waiter, which led my brother to calling him a "cheap motherfucker." I have a million times more respect for DeSean and just want to tell him (if he's listening, which of course he is) to keep fighting the power and the man. Tipping is overrated. Really it is. I will also try and blog more regularly. Once or twice a year is not enough.