Paul Hagen: Halladay's arrival with Phillies rivals Thome's

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jim Thome probably came the closest.

Late in the 2002 season it had already become obvious that the Phillies had painted a large bull's-eye on the free agent-to-be's brawny back. The recruiting process, a fullcourt press by general manager Ed Wade, was a remarkably public process, allowing fans to feel as though they had a stake in the outcome.

And when Thome finally signed, Philadelphians were once again talking baseball in the dead of winter. It was a remarkable sea change at a time when the team was often an afterthought by the All-Star break.

In the last quarter-century, no Phillies' offseason move has generated the tsunami of quivering anticipation that transaction did.

Until last December, that is, when Roy (Doc) Halladay showed up in South Philadelphia, smiling for the cameras and holding up a Phillies jersey with his name on the back.

That there was less foreshadowing helped increase the voltage of the impact of getting one of the best pitchers in baseball. That a related firestorm of conversation erupted over the related trade of Cliff Lee to the Mariners for prospects to replace the minor leaguers who went to Toronto for Halladay only cranked up the voltage.

Hey, it's all good fun. Even a team that has been to the World Series each of the last 2 years and played to over 100 percent capacity at home last season can benefit from revving up the customers in the dark months leading up to spring training.

There is, of course, a catch. And it's that there's a thin line separating high hopes and expectations running amok.

Already, the speculation has begun. Example: If Halladay was a perennial Cy Young contender and a threat to win 20 games pitching so often against beastly teams like the Yankees and Red Sox in the American League East, just imagine what kind of numbers he'll put up in the NL where he won't have a designated hitter to contend with?

That's pressure. And it will be interesting to see how Halladay reacts to it.

The early indications are encouraging. Speaking officially for the first time this spring at Bright House Field, he handled all questions with ease during a 25-minute mass interview session.

He seems secure in the approach that if he prepares to his utmost and competes to the best of his ability, then he can accept whatever happens after that. He also understands that many others take a more bottom line view.

"I don't think you've ever been booed by a home crowd before, but I've heard it happens in Philly. How do you think you'd react if that was to happen?" a Toronto columnist asked.

Halladay laughed along with the rest of the packed room.

"I think it's part of it," he said. "There were times early in Toronto, and for me it was tough because at some of those games you can hear every single guy yelling at you. So I don't know what's worse. Forty thousand booing or five guys where you can actually hear the cuss words."

Then, more seriously, he added: "It's a challenge. They expect to have a good team and they expect people to perform. I expect the same thing. So I'd probably boo myself [if I don't pitch well]. But I'm going to try to keep the boos to a minimum. I think this is too good of a team to disappoint the fans."

He might be underestimating how easily fans who have been spoiled by three straight division titles can be disappointed, but we'll see how it goes.

In 1987, the first year a transplanted Texan arrived in Philadelphia to cover the baseball beat at the Daily News, the team added free-agent All-Star catcher Lance Parrish after spring training started. Before the 1995 season, they signed free agent Gregg Jefferies. Prior to 2004, they traded for closer Billy Wagner.

Each move, along with Thome, created a stir. None resulted in a postseason appearance.

Those who have been around even longer will remember the buzz that was created when the Phillies added Pete Rose prior to the 1979 season. The Phillies stumbled that first year but won the first world championship in franchise history the following year, with Rose getting much of the credit for helping to get the team over the hump.

For Halladay, this is a different place and a different time. The Phillies are already a good team. They've already won the World Series without him. He's here to help them celebrate again.

And he insists that's not pressure. That's why he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Phillies, why he signed a 3-year contract extension to make it happen.

"Obviously, getting to the postseason is more expected here. But that's why I wanted to be here, so I look forward to that part of it," he said. "I expect to go out and compete the best I can. I've always expected that. So I don't think there's anything added in that department."

It's easier to say those words in February that maintain that equanimity in the dog days, but all indications to this point are that Halladay is a remarkably centered individual. And that will come in handy for a guy who is the centerpiece of the Phillies' biggest, boldest and potentially most significant offseason move in the last 25 years.

Send e-mail to hagenp@phillynews.com