Catching up with Cliff Lee
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Catching up with Cliff Lee
Andy Martino
PEORIA, Ariz.—Today was an important one for the most popular ex-Phillie of the moment, Cliff Lee. He threw his first bullpen session for the Seattle Mariners this morning, after undergoing minor foot surgery this winter. He threw about 45 pitches, and said his foot felt fine.
Of greater potential interest to Phillies Zone readers, Lee reflected beforehand on his time in Philly, and the December trade. Before sitting down and writing the story, I thought I’d pass along some of what he said.
Was he aware how strong of reaction the trade caused in Philadelphia, and how much fans seem to miss him?
“I think that the fans and Philly wanted me and Halladay there, but it’s out of my control, out of my hands. I’m here now, so…Yeah, I guess in a way that makes you feel good that the fans wanted you here.”
How long did it take him to get over the shock?
“A couple days, whatever. It’s not like I was that out of whack about it. It just caught me off guard, really..It just goes to show that you never know what’s going to happen in this game, and that’s part of it. You’re at the mercy of the team. That’s the nature of the game; there’s no way around it. So you’ve got to try to stay positive no matter where you’re at, and try to help the team that you’re on win. That’s it. There’s really nothing you can do.
What did he remember most about being a Phillie?
“Probably just enjoying my time with teammates, the staff there. I enjoyed it. It was a good group of guys. It was a lot of fun, it was something I’ll remember forever.”
Looking back, what did he remember about that transcendant World Series game 1 performance at Yankee Stadium?
“I don’t know. It was just one of those games where it seemed like everything went my way. Everything that could have happened positive did. The behind-the-back play was just a reaction-type deal. I don’t know, it just seemed like the stars where aligned or something. I don’t’ know what was going on there, but it seems like everything that could gone good did.
“It was just something that happened. I was confident and calm, and I felt like I put the work in to get ready, so I just went out there and let it all hang out, and that’s what happened. It was just one of those days when I was able to throw pitches that I wanted to throw in the spots that I wanted to throw them. Everything was just kind of clicking that day, I don’t know."
So it’s kind of hard to explain?
“Yeah, it really is. I really don’t know how to explain it except that everything was working.”
Would he leave open the possibility of returning to the Phils as a free agent after this season?
“That’s a long way from now. Right now I’m a Mariner and it’s hard to sit here and talk about another organization or whatever. For right now, I’m a Mariner and I’m going to make the best of the situation. I’m excited about the guys we’ve got in this clubhouse, and it looks like we’re going to be a pretty good team.
Who has he kept in touch with since the trade?
“I talked to Werth several times throughout the offseason. Victorino a little bit. That’s really it. I didn’t have a whole lot of the guys’ numbers. I wasn’t expecting the last time I saw everybody to be the last time I’d see them in a while. If I would have known it was going to happen this way, I probably would have gotten a few more phone numbers.
Comments (59)
Hey Cliff, How do you feel about a return in 2011?? Moyer will be gone..There might be enough $$ for you if we get that hometown discount! PHILLY wants ya, Think about it..You hear that Ruben?? CLIFF LEE 2011— xcyrsist- "Of greater potential interest to Phillies Zone readers, Lee reflected beforehand on his time in Philly, and the December trade." Since when does the author of a piece tell us what we are supposed to be interested in?
- Lee should be in Philadelphia period. To trade a pitcher of his ability for minor league prospects who may or may not ever make it to the Majors is just plaiin silly. Eat the minimal impact Lee's contract for this year would have on the Phillies budget and then, through out the season, sit down with Lee's agent and talk about just what it would take to keep Lee in Philadelphia. If we can come close to an agreement then make it happen. Then prepare to be one of the two best teams in the Majors for the next 3 to 4 years. The talent you may have to trade away? Who the hell knows what they'll be like in one or two years but I could bet on what Lee will be.— Doubtful
- Records for first four years in majors:Hamels versus Lee........... Games/Innings: Hamels 116/736, Lee 109/643; Ave. Innings per start: Hamels 6.3, Lee 5.9; Won/Lost: Hamels 48/34; Lee 49/28; ERA: Hamels 3.67, Lee 4.40; WHIP: Hamels 1.18, Lee 1.35; SO/BB: Hamels 686/187, Lee 483/219; Opponent B/Ave: Hamels .244, Lee .262; #WS Rings: Hamels One, Lee Zero; ………………………………………… So…..it is real easy to see why Lee is worth 80mill and Hamels is a bust. Obviously the know-it-alls are much smarter than we give them credit for.— stan the man too
- Lee is a class act on and off the field. One of the worst trades in Phillies history. Imagine what could have been. But, hey, at least we avoided paying 8 million in salary to a guy who's worth 20 and restocked the farm system, right? You've made some good moves Ruben, but blew it big time on this one. Seattle made out like bandits.— BroadStreet
- Doc has never gone 2-3 with a 5.45 era in the month of September...Or any other month of a season...— BammBamm
- Why are there still articles on Cliff Lee??? He's gone!!! Just get over it. If you writers don't write about him, then there wouldn't be all this furor over the trade. Don't you writers have anything better to write about? Like what's going on in Clearwater, instead of Arizona?— SallyAnn
Its really hard to think of a Player performing for another organization. Out of sight outta my mind!
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- once and for all, you have to view this from the BASEBALL point of view, not the FAN point of view. this is the only way we are going to get over this whole issue. the first few months, i was stuck in FAN mode, dreaming of having the best rotation in my lifetime on the phillies. punching another ticket to the world series, and having a formidable 1-2 halladay lee punch to go against the best rotation from the AL. as a FAN of course we wanted this!! but ruben called it a business decision, a BASEBALL decision, and thats the honest truth whether you agree or not. its got nothin to do with money. its got everything to do with prospects. aumont will probably fail as a starter because his huge body type is likely not fit for long innings as a starter. mark my words--he will be the low-cost solution to brad lidge's outrageous contract, he will be an above average closer for the phils for 3 seasons, and that is easily worth 1 year of cliff lee from a BASEBALL point of view— jrollpatrol08
- returning to the phillies in 2011??? when he'll cost more than twice what the phillies refused to pay him this year??? goodness gracious. I enjoy your stuff Andy but why even bother with that question— figgypop
- No matter how you slice it we gave up too much from the farm. Who will be the next Howard or Hamels? No one! We dumped the guy who built one heck of a farm system and I don't see anyone stepping up to do an equivalent job. I think we should keep a close eye on Rubin in the future and not be quite so quick to give him such high praise.— Wally 24
- Trading Lee for NOTHING is the worst trade in Phils history. Even if they couldn't sign him for 2011 it would have probably given us a WS Championship this year!Shame on raj.
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