Lights Out On Those Dreams of a Parade

Share

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.

Contact Us