Verdict on the Phillies' year
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Jensen, Michael
Subject: Looking back
After the Phils lost, Ryan Howard said the Fightin's had a great season. I tend to agree, but you guys are more cynical than I am (a scary thought). What did you think of the Phils' year?
From: Ford, Bob
To: Gonzalez, John; Jensen, Michael
Subject: Looking back
Certainly, a very good season. They won 93 games, won a third straight division title, and made it back to the World Series. Because of the pitching problems, mostly Brad Lidge and Brett Myers in my mind, this always felt like a team that would eventually face a day of reckoning. That it didn't arrive until the sixth game of the World Series was a little surprising. I'd say that in some ways they outplayed their circumstances. I'll give you a "very good," but have to think a little more about giving you the "great."
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Jensen, Michael
Subject: Looking back
Hey, don't give it to me. Give it to the big fella. He used the great. I just agreed. Considering the way the pitching looked for much of the season, I think it's pretty impressive that they managed to return to the World Series.
From: Jensen, Michael
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Looking back
I'll remember Pedro having nothing at the end. Pettitte also admitting he had nothing, but Phillies hitters unable to do a thing about it. (Biggest surprise of Game 6, right there.) Matsui loading up on DH nights, and the Phils able to counter only with Ben Francisco. As it turned out, the Phillies' Series chances depended on Hamels and Lidge outperforming their season. In other words, a hope and a prayer.
Howard has a right to his opinion. First Phillies teams in history to go to the World Series back to back. But it's no mystery that if they don't drastically upgrade the bullpen and shore up the rotation, history stops here.
Gonz, you correctly surmised that Hamels needs to start fresh. Do you mean in this town or elsewhere?
From: Gonzalez, John
To: Ford, Bob; Jensen, Michael
Subject: Looking back
I'm hoping here. As Charlie said, guys have down years and bounce back. CC was one of them. So was Cliff Lee. If the Phils want to get back to the W.S. next year, they're going to need the '08 Hollywood.
BTW: Wed. night/Thurs. morning was one of the worst of my life. Read my column today (for once) to learn how I accidentally ended up in Wilmington. Sad but true.
From: Jensen, Michael
To: Ford, Bob; Gonzalez, John
Subject: Looking back
I was wondering why you expected us to respond to your e-mail at 5:38 a.m.








