OK, seriously, how did they do that?
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OK, seriously, how did they do that?
Andy Martino
The moment would have demoralized nearly any other team. In the eighth inning of Monday’s division series clincher in Denver, Dexter Fowler’s acrobatic baserunning clouded a key moment for Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, whose baseball instincts are typically flawless.
The Phillies led 2-1 with one out in the inning and Fowler on first, when Todd Helton grounded to second. The charging Fowler leapfrogged Utley, who bypassed the sure out at first for a risky attempt at second. The ball sailed wide of Rollins, and both runners were safe.
Soon after, Ryan Madson allowed key hits to Jason Giambi and Yorvit Torrealba, who screamed and pumped his fists at second base after giving his team the lead. It was a monumental comeback for the Rockies, who had stolen the series momentum. If the Phillies were a typical team, they would have thought, Oh, well. This wasn’t our day. On to Game 5.
But for all their flaws and holes, this team’s defining quality—a virtually religious belief that they will win—once again drove them to an improbable victory. “We have belief,” Jimmy Rollins said after the game. “And belief goes further than momentum.”
The Phils’ attitude all season has been one of remarkable self-assurance. That quality can look either wise or foolish, depending on results. When the team slumbered through a lazy September, and manager Charlie Manuel criticized them for playing down to its competition in games against the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, the Phils seemed to be relying too heavily on the idea that they could flip a switch when things began to matter more.
You can’t do that in baseball. You can’t just turn it on when you have to. Except the Phillies did.
Trailing 4-2 at the beginning of the ninth inning Monday, they trotted into the dugout believing they would win the game. Let us pause for a moment to acknowledge how strange that was. Let us throw our hands in the air and say, incredulously, “What do you mean you thought you would win the game? Are you crazy? It was the Rockies night!”
But to their everlasting credit, the Phillies chose faith over reason. They did not pause to consider how unlikely a win would be, and they just did it. Where does this quality come from? Why do the Phillies have such a unique intangible?
Charlie Manuel, Rollins, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth deserve much of the credit. Manuel managed this series with uncommon boldness, fitting for his cocky squad.
Think about the moves he made: Trouble in the bullpen? Send starter Joe Blanton out there. J.C. Romero is out for the season? Tell rookie Antonio Bastardo to face Jason Giambi; he’ll strike him out. Scott Eyre sprained his ankle on Sunday? Give him the ball with a one-run lead in the ninth inning on Monday. Brad Lidge was the shakiest closer in baseball all summer? Bring him in with a runner on second and the series on the line.
Had the Phillies lost this series, all of these decisions would have led to a loud winter of second-guessing. But ol’ Chuck didn’t seem to care. He was going to win or lose his way.
That healthy arrogance filled the clubhouse all season. Rollins was another one. He faltered for much of the season, and has rarely in his career played with consistency worthy of his talent. But J-Roll loves the big moments, the cameras, the heightened energy of playoff baseball. And when his team needed him to instigate the offense during this division series, Rollins did it—just like he knew he would.
And then there was Howard. As with Rollins, it is sometimes necessary to note the first baseman’s flaws as a player. But his reputation as a big-time slugger is entirely earned, and makes him a fit for this team. Few hitters in baseball thrive in a game-defining moment like Howard, and that is what his legacy will be. The game-tying double Monday will stay near the top of his resume in the minds of Philadelphians.
Werth is not a former MVP like the others, but he is an insightful person and emerging star whose faith runs deep. As he trotted in from right field at the end of the eighth inning Monday, Werth was truly convinced his team would come back. Minutes later, he coolly singled in the winning run.
Baseball intelligence still says that the 2009 Phillies are not a championship team. The back end of the bullpen was shaky for six months before this redemptive week. Cole Hamels, who carried the team last October, is still shaky. The Los Angeles Dodgers handle lefthanded pitching far better than Colorado does, and their late-inning relief is formidable.
The baseball postseason is famously flukey, and the Phillies could certainly lose their next series. But they cannot fathom this season ending in a loss, and that faith will be their greatest advantage.
Comments (54)
Champions rise to the occasion.
Last July the sports media were publicizing the Phillies becoming the first major sports team to lose 10,000 games. That was the past and the old Philadelphia angst: how will we lose this one? With last season's run to the top, the truly gutty and gritty work ethic of this team, and the will to win exhibited in the NLDS, I feel that I'm watching a special team. To see how this year plays out they have to play the games, but this group, which should mainly be intact through 2011 ( and hoping Cliff Lee decides to stay rather than test the market), has seized the moment and has embraced the challenge. It makes this long time Phillies fan very proud.— ijj- I rooted for the Phillies last year in the World Series, however, as a Yankees fan I am committed to them... I hope its a Yankees/Phillies series....that would be fun to watch...big fan of Victorino, Utley, Werth and the big guy Ryan Howard...Congrats on the NLDS!!— jyak
- Come on Andy...Eat your words you "new yorker" Yes I heard mr sophisticated Martino pick the Rockies on the radio before game 1. go on pick the Dodgers in this round...I dare ya. "Don't Doubt The Phitens!!"— dlauver1
- The reality is that mr martino has no faith.— dlauver1
- We're witnessing greatness right here. Its a pleasure just to be able to watch this team. Teams like this one don't come around too often. Just relishing in the glory right now. Win, Lose, or Draw you know this team will give its all and leave it all on the field. Can't ask for anything more. Good job fellas!
- I listened to the ninth inning of the game on a radio with lots of static on a dark road in Portage,Indiana on which we were stuck coming back from dinner because there was a house on fire. It was almost impossible to follow and even harder to believe as we sat trapped on this dark closed road trying to make sense out of the broadcast. The worst part was the last out of the game which sounded at first like a hit because of the crowd noise. Unbelievable night. (also a good time to have a GPS that let us back out of the blocked road and found us a new way back to the hotel).— atp2007
- Great piece Mr. Martino. And, I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading a majority of these posts. Great stories, great article, and great team. Beat LA!— phillyjeffsr
- I won't tell you I wasn't thinking about Game 5, but I'm surprised that nobody drew reference to Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS. It was the 8th, and not the 9th, but Nolan Ryan had some ridiculous record of about 124-2 when leading going into the 8th, and as soon as Pete walked to lead off the inning, you saw hope. Next thing you know, Unser got a hit, Manny tripled and it was 7-5 Phils. So I had that memory front row center in my mind as I watched last night and I know this sounds strange, but would have been disappoited if it hadn't actually happened. But in direct answer to the question as to how they did it, it was all in Freddie Mitchell's hands.— KBland
- Enjoy it, savor it, save it and relish in it. This baseball team is one of those things that comes along only once in a lifetime. Be proud Philly. You have a team of winners with a cumulative one heart of a lion. On to LA to finish the dream. The rest of the media world might want an LA - Yankees series. Got some sad news for them. Here come the never die Phitens.— merlinknghts
- Yeah, phillyjeffs - thanks andy.— Lando_M
- It's called being a champion and never giving up. The Phillies are the only team left that knows it can win a title together.— JSaq
- My heart can't take 8 more nights like this! These guys get it from the top. Every time TBS showed Charlie during Game 3, he looked like the calmest guy in the world, not somebody calling the shots trying to get his team to the World Series. Nerves of steel. I also have to comment on the broadcast. I live in San Francisco so I'm stuck with TBS. I had to go to work after the 6th inning yesterday and, although I was taping the end of the game, I decided to listen to the call on the national radio broadcast. I don't remember who was making the radio call, but they were great! Their call reflected the excitement of the moment - for both teams heroics. I watched the end of the TBS broadcast this morning and couldn't help but notice the difference. You'd never know these were pivotal moments of a playoff game to hear these guys call it. Now I'm stuck with TBS for the NLDS while the Yankees get Fox. Grrrr. Oh well...the other guys can have all the respect...we'll take the trophy, thank you very much.— jimmyeagles
- This is the best Phillies team ever, including, with all due respect, the '70s/'80s bunch. The Dodgers and the Yankees (or Angels) are toast- book it.— lehphillyfan
- This team is probably the most talented team in the majors right now, and maybe the most ‘talented’ Phillies team ever. They also have the heart of a champion. I saw an interview yesterday in CSN where Cliff Lee said Howard implored his teammates to give him a chance to deliver after the Rockies took the momentum back with Torrealba’s double and emotional display. The team responded and he delivered big time. Cliff said he never experienced a moment like that in his career (It’s a good bet he’ll resign with the ballclub, don’t you think?). I read or heard Jayson Werth was also very confident in the dugout. He also delivered with the game winning RBI. This team frustrates you sometimes, but when they go serious, they are very dangerous and fun to watch.— EL Zorro
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
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