12/21/24
October 22, 2009
Phillies Move on to World Series: The defending champion Philadelphia Phillies downed the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, winning 10-4 to advance to the World Series. They're attempting to become the first National League team to repeat as champs since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976. "We're looking at the best Philadelphia team of all time," writes Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Phil Sheridan. "Not just the best major-league baseball team, mind you, but the greatest Philadelphia team of any era, in any sport."
It's interesting that, rather than being touted as oncoming juggernauts prior to their arrival on the scene, this Phillie team has moved to the front of the stage and assumed excellence in conjunction with monumental collapses by the Mets. The Phillies didn't totally seize the hilltop by sheer blinding brute force - the Mets did their fair share of yielding ground and giving way.
But now that they're at the summit, these Phillies obviously know what to do and how to do it.
I think Phil Sheridan has gotten a bit overexcited about all this. I would take exception to his "best town team of all time" claim.
The 1983 Sixers were a force of nature. Sure, they only won one title and should have won more, but what they did to people that one year in terms of sheer dominance is on a par with teams like the 1985 Bears.
Also, Wilt's 1965 Sixers probably deserve some credit as well.
So do the 1960 Eagles.
posted by beaverboard at 12:48 PM on October 22, 2009
I have this feeling that the Yankees' late inning heroics and Brad Lidge's season (up until the playoffs) are going to be front and center.
*hoping that not waiting for the fat lady to sing jinxes the yanks*
posted by dfleming at 01:26 PM on October 22, 2009
Looks like it's going to be the Phillies and the Yankees. How exciting, baseball in the snow. Don't think too many people here in So. Cal. will be watching.
posted by otbagain at 01:51 PM on October 22, 2009
Last year was "Hooray for Jamie Moyer". This year I hope it's "Hooray for Raul Ibanez".
Totally sad when my only World Series cheer can be found in the success of players who formerly were Mariners. No cheer for A-Roid.
posted by THX-1138 at 02:10 PM on October 22, 2009
...I think I will cream my jeans if Pedro pitches and wins against the Yankees
My God man! I've felt enough pain as it is this year with the obvious (and expected) collapse of my Mets and having Pedro pitch for the damn Phils only make it hurt even more so.
posted by BornIcon at 03:45 PM on October 22, 2009
Also, Wilt's 1965 Sixers probably deserve some credit as well.
So do the 1960 Eagles.
The Broad Street Bullies from 73 to 75 were pretty damn good as well.
posted by mjkredliner at 06:54 PM on October 22, 2009
It does look like just a matter of time until the Angels are eliminated. If that does happen (and I am still rooting for them) I will be forced to root for the Phillies. Just to show the Inaians front office one thing......it was them!
posted by jojomfd1 at 07:32 AM on October 23, 2009
I think the Angels coming back would be stupendous... the Yankees would cement their reputations as historically massive choke-job-artists. :)
But yeah... that's highly unlikely. I'm mostly just hoping the Yankees lose game 6 and have to use Sabathia in game 7; that'd leave the Phillies set up with a strong rotation advantage. Too much off time and the Phillies might get rusty, but they have a pretty good shot at winning this year.
posted by hincandenza at 02:36 PM on October 23, 2009
I think the Angels coming back would be stupendous... the Yankees would cement their reputations as historically massive choke-job-artists. :)
Historically massive choke-job artists!. In the last 89 years, the Yankees have won 39 pennants. Does that mean, to your small mind, that they choked the other 50 years? To choke, you have to be in a position to win. Perhaps your team, whoever that is, rarely gets in a position to win anything - therefore they don't get a chance to choke.
I've been a Yankee fan since I was a kid in the early 50's. I've lived through many great seasons and a few really terrible seasons (most notably the CBS years). In all that time, the only true CHOKE year was 2004. In 1960, Maz broke my heart. However, one good swing to snatch away a world series championship - bad as it felt - wasn't what I would call a choke. Just one bad pitch and one good swing.
PS: Feel free to keep up such rediculous statements. It does a Yankee fan proud to know that you Yankee haters believe that anything short of a world series championship is failure. That's a pretty high bar to set.
posted by pullmyfinger at 03:28 PM on October 23, 2009
to know that you Yankee haters believe that anything short of a world series championship is failure. That's a pretty high bar to set.
Isn't it one set by the team's ownership? And while people might grouse about it, it's an admirable standard-- shouldn't it be every team's mindset, no matter their wherewithal? Either way, I think you overlooked the tone; smiley face in the comment gives it away.
posted by yerfatma at 04:15 PM on October 23, 2009
What yerfatma said. I believe that hal was making the funny.
You'd think that Yankee's fans would have thicker skins? Just for balance, I don't care much for the Angels, either. It's an AL west thing. I hope both teams wear themselves out so that they can be sitting ducks for the Phillies to trounce on their way to becoming, like, the 4th NL team in history to repeat.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:39 PM on October 23, 2009
In the last 89 years, the Yankees have won 39 pennants.
You have to understand, I know yankee fans love to quote the 39 pennants and 26? 27? WS victories. A lot of fans don't really include victories before their father was born in the present view of their team. I almost never celebrate the Red Sox dominance in the early 1900s. Only rarely. When I'm drunk.
But if the Yankees managed to lose this year, with this lead, with the off season they had, combined with 2004, that would become as much of their history as the 39 pennants, and more so when looked at by those that weren't born a century ago.
However, I wouldn't worry about it. The yankees are headed home, need just one of two, they're in the drivers seat. Although, I'd win game 6 if I were them. Game 7 would put all the pressure on New York, though CC's arm could probably nullify all the pressure.
posted by justgary at 06:48 PM on October 23, 2009
Hey guys. Note the first word of my reply was historically. The comment that I was replying to indicated that the Yankees were "historically" massive choke artists. Hence my reply refers to Yankee history. Isn't that what historically means? Until 2004, I had never heard anyone refer to the Yanks as massive choke artists, let alone historically massive choke artists.
posted by pullmyfinger at 10:37 AM on October 24, 2009
Hal's comment also included a smiley face, Finger. Your "small mind" crack was a bit hurtful, but I think we can all forgive it since you're a fan of such an hard-luck, woebegotten baseball team.
posted by rcade at 10:44 AM on October 24, 2009
forgive it since you're a fan of such an hard-luck, woebegotten baseball team.
How the HE Double L did you know that the Cubs are my favorite National League team. Have you been peeking at my profile back when I was Drevl?
posted by pullmyfinger at 10:55 AM on October 24, 2009
Well, congrats to the Phillies, but looks like I'm going to be nailing down the Costanza this year...
Too bad about the Dodgers- they were the only team left that I was rooting for (I dislike the Angels and they've won recently, I loathe the Yankees, and the Phillies won last year). It looks like unless the Yankees pull a 2004 on us, they'll be hosting the Phillies in Game 1. And I'm not so sure the Yankees have this sewn up: the Phillies have possibly a better starting rotation, and some pretty good bats themselves, and I think I will cream my jeans if Pedro pitches and wins against the Yankees, especially at Yankee Stadium (based on his LCS start, the guy's still quite the magician!).