With the Phillies once again headed to the playoffs as division champs, we checked in with some of the fans and beats that have followed them every step of the way to see what they're saying.
- First, as they have all season, TheFightins have some great videos and images of the bedlam after the final out was recorded. I'm not sure if you heard it on the postgame telecast or not last night, but Ryan Howard's victory mantra is one for the ages. When popping a bottle of champagne, he grunted, "Wear it! Wear it! Suck on it!" Don't believe me? Watch the video here. Also, the Birdland X Fightins shop has discounted Phillies gear on sale today, including some cold weather gear, so although you said you weren't going to go all merch-crazy this year, you know you are. Promo code: CHOOCH.
- Also, they say it's almost impossible to repeat as World Series Champs. I just have one question... WHY CAN'T US? 609Design's shop still has the shirts that started a movement in 2008 available here.
- Next up, Jason Weitzel of Beerleaguer fame looks at the Phillies' "slow, methodical march" through the 2009 season, a phrase spun by Scott Franzke last night that really is apt for this team. We thought at times they would just blow the division wide open with a 10+ game lead, and while they never did, they also never lost control of it either. It may not have always seemed like it, but there were far more ups than downs this season. Weitzel's last paragraph really hits home for Phillies lifers. It's a whole new feeling, but it's not fleeting.
- It's too early to start banking on a parade, but for a cash-strapped city that has already cut a few of them in recent months, the question is already being asked—Can Philly afford another World Series walk down Broad Street?
Harry Kalas video - singing "High Hopes", originally uploaded by nancynj2009.
- Really loved how much last night became a tribute to Harry. Down the stretch, we really started to miss him, and it's clear the players do too.
- We talked a bit yesterday about how Cliff Lee will likely be the game one starter for the Phillies this postseason, and how there might be some mixed emotions about not having Cole there. It's a great problem to have, for sure, this business of several guys capable of leading a rotation. One angle we didn't touch on is that Lee is this team's playoff n00b. The rest of the clubhouse is made up of seasoned October vets, and while he does have a Cy Young, Lee hasn't played in the postseason before (he'd been optioned to triple-A before the Indians' 2007 playoff run—think about that for a minute...). John Finger takes a look.
- I think it's nearly unanimous that Charlie Manuel did his WFC closer a solid last night, giving him the final out of the season in front of the exuberant home crowd. However, I disagree with John Kruk's belief that Chollie was making a statement that Lidge will be his postseason closer. Lidge wasn't sent out for the entire ninth inning, even with a huge lead, and he wasn't used in the previous saves situations, which went to Ryan Madson. I agree with David Brown of Big League Stew, who says Manuel's statement was that Lidge will have a role in this team's postseason bullpen, and also that Manuel really is a big Lidge fan, and that he knew this one appearance, which turned out to be one pitch, could make a huge difference in Lidge's confidence. It also helped remind us fans that Lidge is one of our guys. I haven't agreed with all Manuel's decisions with respect to Lidge, and I wasn't sure what to think when he brought him in last night, but after seeing the outcome, I'm convinced that Charlie is a genius.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/10/wh...
