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Philadelphia Phillies
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. | Ballpark: Citizens Bank Park (43,500) | Spring Training: Clearwater, Fla.
Owner: Bill Giles, David Montgomery | GM: Ruben Amaro Jr. | Manager: Charlie Manuel | World Championships: 2
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Phillies report: Inside pitch
 

The Sports Xchange
 
 
Inside pitch · Roster · Notes, quotes
 

 

Brad Lidge wanted to watch.

Usually, Lidge is the one on the mound when the clinching out is recorded. He's the one who must brace himself for his charging teammates, the one at the center of the pile of humanity, which precedes the presentation of a championship trophy, which precedes the spraying of champagne.

So, this time, he wanted to see it all from other side.

After Shane Victorino rolled a grounder to second base for the last out of the World Series on Nov. 4 at Yankee Stadium, Lidge made certain to pause on the top step of the Phillies' dugout, take a long look out at the field, and watch the Yankees revel in the 27th world championship in their storied history.

"It makes you remember how last year we were able to do that same thing," Lidge said upon returning to a quiet clubhouse. "We came really close this year, and I think every one of us feels like we have the capability to do it again next year."

That, more than anything, was the common refrain after the Phillies' season ended two wins shy of their goal.

Disappointed? Sure they were. From the start, the Phillies believed they'd become the first National League team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds. But as they walked into the Bronx night, they exuded pride in merely returning to the World Series stage and optimism that they'll be back again next year.

With a nucleus that will remain intact in 2010 -- Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Victorino, Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson and Lidge are all under contract or club control -- the Phillies have a strong chance to return to the World Series for a third consecutive year.

But they'll need to bolster their bullpen, upgrade their bench, and get better performances from both Hamels and Lidge, who starred en route to the 2008 title and stumbled in 2009.

"We definitely can play with them," manager Charlie Manuel said of the Yankees. "Are they better than we are? This series they were. They've got the trophy. We gave it up. But we're going to get it back."

Copyright (C) 2009 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

 
 

Philadelphia Phillies Message Board
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 10, 2007

November 9, 2009 7:41 am
Apparently his great defense isn't enough to overcome his poor offensive postseason and the Phillies seem to be moving on. I would assume they'll bring in one of the available free agents Chone Figgins, Adrian ...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 14, 2006

November 7, 2009 11:43 am
#1 You have to decide who you want to keep. Pedro Feliz is a nice player, great glove, but I think we need more production from the 3rd base spot. So, I am not picking up the $5 mil. option on him. Enter Placido Polanco. I think he is not as great a fielder b ...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 3, 2006

November 5, 2009 12:15 am
Well, the end of season is officially here.  The Phillies were great this year, but not the greatest.  Can't win them all, you know?  Anyways, there is nothing to be ashamed of going to the World Series two years in a row.  The past two years in the postseason, the Phillies are 20-7.  That's an incredible run, and w ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 11, 2006

November 5, 2009 12:05 pm
I came in here begrudgingly since I am still a tad upset from last night's events. But hey, time to face the music, right?

Well, I've got to say I am shocked. The season isn't even 12 hours from being over and everyone is already moving on to next season. I haven't even been through half the day's threads and already four have devolved into discussions of "what will the
...(more)
Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 2, 2009

October 30, 2009 4:00 pm

FROM NECESSARY ROUGHNESS - CLICK HERE FOR JERSEY GIRLS OF THE DAY
 

Question: You've had a unique relationship with the fans in the Bronx over the years. Why do you think that is? Have you thought about that over your career? And what about it do you enjoy? ...(more)

Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jul 10, 2008

April 9, 2009 3:37 pm

Thursday April 9 is opening day for the Phillies AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  The season begins with a 4 game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.   Festivities include Navy paratroopers, a military aircraft flyover, and th ...(more)

Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2006

November 5, 2009 12:13 am
Phils need more players to come up clutch in the World Series and they didnt get it.

Jimmy and Shane had horrible OBS.. maybe Shane shouldnt have played hurt....

Where was the bench the whole series? 

nowhere to be found...

Howard had one good outing.. barely...

Otherwise...

It was the Utley/JW/Raul and Chooch show... that won
...(more)
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 5, 2006

October 29, 2009 12:12 am
Well, well, well. Sorry I haven't been posting on the forum as much as last year, graduating into the real world has consumed much of my time. For anyone out there who has lived/spent significant time in Washington, DC, do you know of any Phillies bars in the district? I have way too many friends down here who are ...(more)
Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 7, 2006

November 2, 2009 9:10 am
Charlie Manuel is a great man, a wonderful caring person who has a gift to get people to overperform for him and come up when it matters most. He also has a track record of being outsmarted and outcoached by other managers. Against the Rockies and Dodgers, the bats were so hot there w ...(more)
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 11, 2006

October 29, 2009 3:59 pm

I've seen a lot of misinformation being spread out there about how the Phillies payroll is somehow comparable to the Yankees, implying that we're just as guilty of trying to buy a championship. Well, here is my research on the truth behind the numbers World Series Roster v ...(more)

Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 27, 2007

November 5, 2009 2:42 pm
I know it's a tough day for Phillies fans. Trust me, I know the feeling. I still harbor hurt from the 2000 Subway Series. It never goes away. However, it lessens with the passage of time and new hurts(2007, 2008 and 2009!).

However, you have to take pride and cherish your star 2B man who is the best in the sport and IMHO a top 5
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 10, 2007

November 6, 2009 3:52 pm
He met with Ruban Amaro Jr and was told they won't try to resign him. I wonder if this means the Phillies will be bringing up Kyle Drabek, or bring in another starter, or just stay with what they have. Here's the story:


...(more)
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 1, 2006

November 5, 2009 2:27 am
Well, if Hamels gets his crap together.  Lock up Lee this offseason, sign Myers to a cheap 1 year deal and have Lee, Hamels, Myers, Haap, and Blanton as your rotation with Drabek waiting in the wings in the minors.  Give Moyer his money and send him off into retirement.  Gonna need to upgrade the bench.  Exactly how many hits did Stairs have since the all star break?  Tayl ...(more)
Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 30, 2009

November 2, 2009 1:50 am
Manuel's decision to go with Pedro in game two instead of Hamels, and Blanton in game three instead of Lee on short rest will be our undoing in the World Series. 

After winning game one, it would have been nice to get game two, but we already accomplished the split. We should have put Hamels out in game two and saved Pedro for a pivotal game three. Pedro was pitching much better th
...(more)
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 21, 2006

November 5, 2009 7:14 am
The old saying goes like this,  to be the best you've got to beat the best and this was the big task for the Yankees,  they had to dethrone the Champions by beating them.  They did,  and they beat a very talented bunch...  I like your team Philly fans. I like Utley, Werth and even the guy with the foot in his mouth. ...(more)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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