A hearty congratulations are in order to the New York Mets for repeating their epic collapse of 2007 again this year. With another fold again this year, the Mets ensured that the spectacular meltdown of their incendiary bullpen means that the season ended for them today. Nice work, guys. Way to blow the season.
In my book, a very good baseball season is one where no New York team makes the playoffs. A great baseball season is one where no New York team makes the playoffs AND the Phillies do. This has been a great baseball season.
For only the 13th time in the history of the team, my Phillies won 90 or more games this year, posting a 92-70 record. Closer Brad Lidge went 41 for 41 in saves, Ryan Howard led the majors in home runs and RBI’s, Chase Utley had a career high in home runs with 33, along with 104 RBI’s, while Jason Werth, who was platooned for much of the season became an everyday player with 24 home runs and 68 RBI’s. The ancient Jamie Moyer, 45 years old, went 16-7 (and could have won 20 with some run support during the middle of the season), while their young star, Cole Hamels, went 15-10, and also easily could have won 20.
So, congratulations to the Phillies for winning the National League East for the second consecutive season. Congratulations to the Mets for a second consecutive epic collapse, and congratulations to the Yankees for once again proving that the highest payroll in the history of sports doesn’t guarantee winning or having the best team.
It’s been a great season. Let’s go Phightin’ Phils!!!!
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Well, there’s still the Giants and Rangers.
As a Minnesota Twins fan (our fate YTBD), I sure hope Johan Santana enjoys all the money he is making in New York because his big move to the big stage didn’t turn out so well. I hope they choke every year and Santana never gets to the playoffs again. Oh yeah, even when he did pitch in the playoffs with the Twins he choked every time.
Well, there are still the Blue Jackets. 🙂
I can understand Eric’s positon. No Flyers Stanley Cup since 1975, no Eagles Super Bowl ever (last NFL championship … 1960), no Phillies World Series wins since 1980 (key player there … a former Met) …
You do what you can with what you’ve got. 🙂
Yankees fans tend not to worry about the Mets. I believe last year’s Mets collapse was much more pronounced. This year they actually rallied before falling short.
Philadelphia … taking Boston’s place …
🙁
Sorry, Michael and Brooks, but you guys know my thoughts on your Yankees. I was just looking at that bloated payroll of theirs, and was flabbergasted to see that the second highest of all, at $23 million, is juicer Jason Giambi. Not that I ever feel badly for the Steinbrenners–I view them as absolutely and unquestionably as the worst thing that ever happened to the game of baseball–but they surely did get taken by that guy…..
And Brooks, you’re absolutely correct. If anything, we Philadelphia sports fans know and understand pain and suffering.
And to Michael Fitzpatrick: I definitely don’t like the Giants, but I don’t hate them, not like I hate the Dallas Cowboys, for instance. And as for the Rangers, there’s just not much of anything to be worried about there.
Eric
My younger son and I went to Shea a couple weeks ago for the very first time – what a hole for a stadium! It’s long overdue being demolished. We went to Yankee Stadium earlier in the year – another dump! Still, we appreciated the history and lore of the place.
Thanks for your congratulations! And may your Phillies suffer a repeat of their own epic collapse of last year in the first round of the playoffs.
What’s the point of even making the playoffs if you’re going to lose in three straight games?
I’ll take the collective championship record of the Mets and Yanks over that of the Phillies anyday. They’ve won what, *one* World Series title in 124 years? Yep, that’s sure impressive. Maybe they’d have better luck if they changed their name back to the Quakers!
Thanks for the warm good wishes, Doc. Your sincerity is underwhelming, to say the least.
From where I sit, I’d rather be in the postseason and lose than get an early start on golfing season, sporting the reputation of having gagged and choked massively, two years in a row…..
Eric
Speaking of sports I went to the Penn State – Illinois game last night. What an environment! Great game; my ears are still ringing.
Tom
The Dodgers are in the post-season and Hank Steinbrenner is about to have a coronary about it. What could be better? 🙂
“The highest payroll in the history of sports doesn’t guarantee winning or having the best team. ”
Boy, how well us Tiger fans learned that one…. It doesn’t even guarantee a winning record. Anyway Eric, congrats to your Phillies! I’ll be pulling for them in the playoffs!
And as the hockey season approaches, I’ll make the same offer that I make to you every year – If you want to see real, world championship caliber hockey, all you have to do is drive a few hours to the north and I’ll meet you at Hockeytown, USA! 🙂
Paul
This Yankees fan will be pulling for the Chicago Cubs to win the NL and the Series.
As someone who was against getting Giambi (Tino was more than just fine), I see that acquisition as playing with fate. Clemens was bad enough.
On the other hand …
http://www.the700level.com/2008/09/sarah-palin-was.html
and
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7525246&version=5&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.1.1
A Flyers fans and a Phillies fan?
You know, you can see New Jersey from Philadelphia.
It’s really starting to suck to be an Orioles fan. What’s worse: almost clincing, or finishing (again) in last place.? Oh,how I long for the days of Brooks and Frank Robinson. If only Simon and Garfunkel would get back together and do a song about THEM and Mrs, Robinson. Oh, I forgot. Brooks and Frank already have a Mrs. Robinson . . . .
Mark
Well, at least the O’s aren’t in the 100 loss club.
Brooks,
From a Cardinals fan’s [ers[ective, Tina (not a spelling error) Martinez couldn’t haul his behind out of St. Louis fast enough. As clutch as he was in New York, he was the polar opposite in St. Louie. I’m with Eric. If my Cardinals can’t make it, all things New York out of the playoffs makes for a somewhat enjoyable year for me. I will be watching the train wreck that is the Cubs find a way to fail miserably this postseason, and I’ll enjoy every minute of it. Is it wrong for me to want the Cubs to be ahead in the last inning of Game 7 of the World Series, only to see it all fall apart on some weird and wacky play?
The many comments above lamenting various baseball teams’ fortunes and misfortunes. But none can compare to the Chicago Cubs. 1908 was the last time the Cubs won a World Series (I hope the G.A.R. was honored with its own seating section up close). This has to be the year ! Go Cubs !
Typical Mets. Last day of the stadium, they choke again, and then they hold a celebration of the place after the latest fiasco?
You’d think the ceremony would have taken place before the game. Shows how clueless those in the front office truly are.
The pitcher who closed out the game for the Marlins, was throwing 97 MPH, and guess who let him go? Omar Minaya.
What I don’t like about Yankees fans today is that they only know post season baseball. They feel it is destiny that they should be in the post season every year.
Longtime Yankees fans like Brooks and I remember the bad teams of the late 60s, early 70s, the only decade they did not win a World Series, the 80s, and watching them stumble in the early 90s.
It was a nice run, and not something that should be taken for granted by these new Yankees fans.
Steve
As a long time Phillie phan (back to the days of Cookie Rojas, Jim Bunning and Tony Taylor)… I’m loving this. No NY teams, and no Braves. I’m looking forward to our first playoff game and series win since 1993. Being a true Phillie phan takes patience, faith and a stong wall to pound.
To Mark Snell: It may suck even worse to be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Sixteen losing seasons and counting….
Congrats to your Phils, Eric. Maybe one day the Pirates can relive thier glory days.
Andrew, just remember, the last time the Pirates were in the World Series, they beat the Orioles. I went to a Pirates game in August of last year at PNC Park. They were winning most of the game and then blew it — to the Mets.
Hey Eric, your team just one more game this postseason than either team from New York 🙂
Great point, Ken. What a dominating performance by Cole Hamels. It’s too bad that Charlie didn’t let Hamels finish the game.
Brett Myers goes tomorrow. Let’s go Phightin’ Phils!
Eric