The Yankeesplayed steady ball and took advantage of opportunities when they came along. The Phils didn't, but they still could have easily won in 5 games, all it would have taken was a productive hit in Game 2 for a couple of runs and a decent closer performance in game 4. Then Game 5 would have been win #4. Too many squandered opportunities that let the Yankees get over their Game 1 shock, get back on track and take advantage of their pitching advantage over a long series. But maybe the it's lack of hunger that makes it so hard to repeat.
Your paragraph that begins "Ultimately, the problems..." is right on point, but these problems were obvious by mid-season, and nothing was done about them them except for the attempt to get 2 starting pitchers (At least Pedro pitched 1 good game that they squandered in both series). Instead he relied on the hope that Lidge and Madson would somehow straighten out, instead of trying to get a closer. Why not pick up a few hitters for the bench, especially when you know you need one as DH for the Series? All season nothing was done when they stopped hitting except to wait for the streak to end, but you don't get 10 to 15 games to self-correct in the finals.
love ya, phils. Don't worry... There will be more.
umm...chooch? moron. Pedro pitched well enough to win game 2, same with blanton in game 3. the real lesson? Phils are $100 million short on the payroll
Whoa Sheridan! SEPTA is on strike, but you still managed to find a bus to throw this team under. After catching 120 Phillies games this year on MLB Channels, I see it as a bit less ominous for this team. Nice piece of work...if you work for the POST!
First: Why do FOX and ESPN think the Yankees are actually good? Imagine how good the Phils would be if they spent another $20Million, much less $100 Million to keep pace with the Yanks. No one talks about the last 6 years when the Yanks out spent every other team by atleast a $100 Million and couldn't win. Second: The Phils may not have won game seven but how frustrating to think this whole series came down to a blown coverage at second base. Game 4 wasn't Lidges fault...it was the fault of whoever had Feliz cover the bag during the steal by Damon. If Damon is still on second, Lidge can still throw the slider to Teixeira and/or A-Roid and maybe, just maybe they win the game with a timely hit. No reason they can't be back next year with Romero healthy and Cole out of his funk.
First: Why do FOX and ESPN think the Yankees are actually good? Imagine how good the Phils would be if they spent another $20Million, much less $100 Million to keep pace with the Yanks. No one talks about the last 6 years when the Yanks out spent every other team by atleast a $100 Million and couldn't win. Second: The Phils may not have won game seven but how frustrating to think this whole series came down to a blown coverage at second base. Game 4 wasn't Lidges fault...it was the fault of whoever had Feliz cover the bag during the steal by Damon. If Damon is still on second, Lidge can still throw the slider to Teixeira and/or A-Roid and maybe, just maybe they win the game with a timely hit. No reason they can't be back next year with Romero healthy and Cole out of his funk.
Phillies need a real leadoff hitter. Rollins is a joke. He's been celebritized. He should've been concerned about just getting a hit to move Ruiz down. Instead he swings from the heels trying to hit a dramatic HR, hollywood-style, and flies out. He can play defense but offensively he is a ruined player. Phillies should trade him while he still has value and go get a real leadoff hitter like Damon, who knows that role well and isn't more concerned with making TV appearances and trying to be Ryan Howard.
Need to patch the holes in the starting rotation, get Lidge back on track and firm up the pen, and get some real bats on the bench. With the core team currently in place, the Phils should win the division next year, but need to improve to get through the playoffs.
I'm just happy that in my fourth decade as a Phillies fan, our biggest problem for the foreseeable future is closing out the World Series.
this team choked away game 3 after having a 3 run lead, They choked away game 4 with Utleys stupid play in the 5th inning trying that glove throw instead of making the normal play to get one sure out, followed by Lidges gag job. And tonite, Victorino misplaying a easy fly ball to center, gave an extra out for Matusi to come up and bash in some more runs. They gagged the series away, plain and simple. I am so disappointed in the stupid play and poor decisions this team made, losing 2 of 3 at home in inexcuseable. TYPICAL PHILLY SPORTS TEAM CHOKE
f_ckthepens...
What this series came down to was not a play at second, it was the fact it was CLiff Lee all by himself against the Yankees Pitching staff.. THATS why The Phillies Lost. Theres a reason They only Lost the Games Lee pitched.
How DO you say "Who's your Daddy?" in Japanese?????????
Amen. Great article, Phil. It was a great run, Phils. You ended the most painful drought in this city's history and gave the folks in Philadelphia hope, pride, and joy. You transcended racial lines and brought families together. That's why sports are such an important part of our lives. Thank you.
I'm a Dodgers fan, who is amazed by the posts here sometimes.........Meaned says "Typical Philly Sports Team Choke.." WTF are you talking about? You WON the whole thing last year, and won two games in the Series this year. Don't be a spoiled baby. You're sounding like a Yankees fan, for chrissake.
Sheridan is definitely right about the turning point of the series - the Lidge disaster in game 4. The game was tied late, with the Phils trying to even the series 2-2. If the Phils had won that game they would have had Lee pitching the next game, and from there who knows? But no question, the Yankees were the better team. Solid pitching and a great closer was the real difference.
