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Commentary: Here It Goes Again
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, April 05, 2009 03:36 PM
In a few hours, it starts. All over again. First off, let’s tell ourselves right now: This is not 2008. No longer are the Phillies the world champions (technically they are until October, at least). Really, it’s a clean slate. A new season. Goodbye old, hello new.
That doesn’t, of course, mean we should openly trash and berate the Phillies all over again. No, when you’re blessed with a champion, you lend your team some leeway. You be courteous. You be nice. Remember your manners, guys: This is a good team. And remember, too, that old adage: it is a marathon, not a sprint. The season is long. It is painful. It is trying. It starts when the weather is just turning beautiful. It ends when the weater is about to turn frightful. It’s an entire half year. So please, please don’t trash these guys on April 5. Or on April 25. Wait at least a little while.
What the new season means is it’s again time to set the goals. The goal this year is as simple as ever: Win the World Series. No more can the Phillies be satisifed — with this current group — with second place in any version. If Cole Hamels is ace, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are megastars and Jimmy Rollins is legendary, this team cannot swallow its pride.
How good is this current group? Good enough to win one World Series, of course, which means it’s good enough to win a second World Series. There is no boundaries. There is no limit. If the Phillies want to be a dynasty, good lord, they could do it. Potentially, it’s the best collection of baseball talent in a long time — in Philadelphia and otherwise. Big Red Pinstripe Machine? Absolutely possible.
I think the Phillies will win 94 games. I can see them winning 100, as Rollins so observed. I can also, of course, see them winning 86 — you know, that old number. But that’s baseball. One bad injury or one lost swing can turn an entire season on its axis. The 2008 Phillies were blessed: They had a few small injuries and a few small hiccups, but once September rolled around, the team was fully intact, the play was superb, the luck turned their way. You need talent to get the superb play and luck, and you even need talent to survive injury. So 2008 was that: A good dose of talent and a little luck.
But 2008 is no more. Now it’s 2009, and the Phillies are suddenly the most-targeted team in baseball. Everyone will want to beat the Phils. Everyone will want to show them who really is the Team to Beat.
So gear up, friends. Get your hearts and minds ready. Put on your classiest pinstripes and get your head in the game. Now you follow the best team in baseball; now you follow the Team to Beat. It’ll be a hell of a season, this one, so stay strong.
22 Responses to “Commentary: Here It Goes Again”
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Juan Castro - $750,000
Clay Condrey - $650,000
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Kyle Kendrick - $445,000
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Chris Coste - $415,000
Francisco Rosario - $395,000
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April 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
LET’S GO PHILLIES!!!
I’m so psyched for the game tonight! I can’t believe Opening Day is finally here.
April 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
AHHHHHHHH Lets go. Wish i was going tonight but i got tickets to the Ring Ceremony on Wednesday. Lets play some God damn baseball.
April 5th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
found out last minute I’m going.
GO PHILLIES!
April 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Flat. Out. Pumped!
April 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
[...] Series based on their offseason spending spree. But plenty of other experts realize that this Phillies team still has the firepower to make another run deep into the playoffs. In short: this Philadelphia Phillies team will not sneak up on anybody this [...]
April 5th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
LET’S GO BABY!!!! WHAT A GREAT DAY
April 5th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I’m so excited I just tinkled in my sweat pants. Wait…was that out loud?
April 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
This is crazy! Today starts the day of a new legendary year, and the begining of a new legacy. I got the Phillies winning this game 5-3
April 5th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
they hit their stride at the right time in 2008, now let’s see them continue it to start the season. The Mets will be tough again, and the Braves and Marlins are improved as well. It will not be easy, but it’s important to capitalize on April wins and get out to a quick lead.
Let’s go Phils!
April 5th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
According to David Murphy, here’s the line-up for tonight. A little different, I must say…but I like it.
1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Jayson Werth RF
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Raul Ibanez LF
6. Shane Victorino CF
7. Pedro Feliz 3B
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Brett Myers P
April 5th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Yeah, strange that Shane is hitting 6th…
April 5th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
He has been struggling this spring, but I’m a little surprised they don’t use Werth in the 5 hole to split up the Utley/Howard/Ibanez lefty tri-fecta. I guess I’ll digress to Uncle Cholly…he definitely knows what he’s doing.
April 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
think i’d rather go vic 2, werth 5, and ibanez 6. but i’m sure this will shift back and forth quite a bit as the year plays out
April 5th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I would’ve put Myers fifth to protect Howard.
Lets Go Phillies!
April 5th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I know it’s only April and you can’t look into these games too much but last year was the first time in awhile that they had a winning record at the end of April and look what happened. Getting off to a good start isn’t a must but it helps to not be playing catch up the Whole season
April 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
BRING IT ON!!!
April 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
IM so happy, its like Christmas! Cant wait until first pitch. My big trade prediction of this year will not be a starting pitcher (I think Happ and Carrasco are going to be capable reenforcements when theyre needed).
MY big move of the year is: Phillies acquire Adrian Beltre from SEA for Kyle Kendrick, Brad Harman, & Andrew Carpenter. Pedro is a great player but he seems to get hurt too much. Im sure the Phillies will get I some kind of a bullpen arm as well. But I really dont see the need for a starting pitcher unless disaster strikes this staff.
Now thats out of the way: Lets play ball!
April 5th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
People are still considering us the underdogs. That’s fine. I’ll take it. Just like last year.
What’s the beer choice for tonight? I’m feeling Blue Moon.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I think the standard lineup for this team should be:
Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Feliz
Ruiz
Pitcher
I like having Werth in the 5th slot to drive in leftover runs, with Ibanez cleaning up off of Werth and possibly continuing rallies with his consistency.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
My neighbors just moved out so I have no one I have to be mindful for while I cheer and jump around like a madman lol. LET’S GO PHILLIES!!!
April 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
[...] Day- Those are two of the favorite words of any baseball fan. In case you haven’t heard, the Phillies begin their defense of the World Championship tonight against the Braves. Hearing the phrase “defending World Champions” will not get old no matter how many times it [...]
April 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Geoff: that is the lineup they should use in most games. no doubt about it.