Last year was the year to win the World Series. The Phillies had made their splash in bringing back Cliff Lee, and "The Big 4" was created. With the midseason acquisition of OF Hunter Pence, the 2011 World Series was the Phillies' to lose.
And that is exactly what they did.
The Phillies lost the NLDS series to the Cardinals, who backed their way into the playoffs. Their NLDS loss came one year after losing in the NLCS, which came one year after losing the World Series, which came one year after winning the World Series.
See a trend?
The tone was set for the 2012 season when Ryan Howard tore his achilles on the last play of the NLDS. It was reported that the recovery period would take between 6-8 months, and he would miss the first month of the 2012 season.
Let's no kid ourselves here. Ryan Howard just ruptured his achilles in October. I do not care if he is in good shape or not, achilles injuries takes at least 12 months to heal. To think Howard, who is 32 years old, would miss a month is unrealistic.
This begs the question: Are we looking at the end of the Phillies?
Let us take a look around the infield. Placido Polanco, 36. Jimmy Rollins, 33. Chase Utley, 33. And of course Howard, 31.
They were already the oldest team in the MLB last season, and they certainly did not change that number this offseason. It almost seems as though there was a requirement that you have to be over the age of 30 to make the Phillies roster this year. I can only imagine the contract negotiations between Amaro Jr. and Ty Wigginton.
Wigginton: "Ruben, I know my batting average is decreasing, and I have not been healthy since, well, ever, but I promise to change all that this season."
Amaro Jr: "That's fine. You are a veteran, and we always have room for veterans on this team."
This is what the Phillies have become, veterans. And by veteran, I mean players at the end of their careers. Rollins has not hit over .280 since winning MVP in 2007, Chase Utley cannot even play Spring Training games, and Placido Polanco has absolutely nothing left in the tank. Not to mention, who knows when we will see Ryan Howard back on the field.
That team that won the World Series in 2008? A distant memory.
With the end approaching, we as fans need to soak up every moment of it. Who knows when we will see a championship Phillies team again.
This article is in poor taste. I'm not going to back every move the phillies make buy we're getting younger in the outfield. Hamels is getting better. Rollins is still producing. We need to get younger at 2b and 3b but were not dying as a team. It's just time for a couple filler players to maintain the core with howard and hamels. You make the cardinals argument, they started a 77 year old outfielder in lance berkman and he single handedly beat teams. Chris carpenter has had at least 4 shoulder surgeries unannounced and he beat Roy. We lost because of our heart last year, not our age. Stick to soccer please.
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel that way. Granted, there are bright spots on this team. However, the core of this team is extremely old . You just told me we need to get younger at 2nd and 3rd base. Are Utley and Polanco not expected to be a part of this offense?
DeleteI also don't think you know how extreme an achilles injury is. I would love to see Howard come back and be productive as he was before, and I do not see that happening.
You do bring up a valid point when it comes to Lance Berkman, However, David Freese, the guy who went on to be MVP of the World Series is 28. Allen Craig is 27. John Jay is 26. They also happened to have some guy named Pujols. The Cardinals team that won the World Series this year is extremely comparable to the Phillies team that won in 08.
I appreciate your comment and you have valid points, but it is time to realize the core of Utley-Howard-Rollins best years are behind them.
Don't be sorry for me, I'm sorry you're ill informed. Just to let you know I tore my left Achilles in 88 and my right in 94 so I think I know a little bit better. Lastly, don't write these articles if you don't know enough to know that the Cardinals *HAD Albert pujols. He's gone. If you want me to explain that one to you, I teach a seminar on free agency.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, you must know how painful those injuries are, as well as how hard it is to come back from that injury and be productive. This injury is not to common for MLB players, and at age 32, it's even harder.
DeleteI don't know what you dont understand about my Pujols statement. Did Pujols not play on the Cardinals World Series team? Does he not have a World Series ring with the Cardinals? I am well advised that Albert Pujols signed with the Angels this offseason, and I am not in need of a "seminar" on free agency.
Yeah I tore my first Achilles at age 2. It doesn't hurt. Man up. Now I have to go to basketball practice because I don't know if you know me but I play basketball for western Kentucky and we have to beat caliparis ass.
ReplyDeleteAh, best of luck to you.
DeleteNice to see you can defend yourself.
ReplyDelete