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Philadelphia Phillies: 2008 World Champions

Baseballgirl may have a more comprehensive wrap forthcoming, but let me offer my congratulations to the Phillies for a Game 5 victory that took only three days. Most here picked the Rays to win, but I wasn't shocked at the result because while the Phillies were not one of baseball's best teams throughout 2008, they were very good, played better and better as the Summer wore on, and had enough starting pitching to ride on the shoulders of a deep offense and strong bullpen.

Good pitching beats good hitting, but do Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, and Joe Blanton constitute "good pitching," or did Carlos Peña, Evan Longoria and Co. go cold at the most inopportune time? These are among the many questions to be debated in the post-mortems - which, sadly, will last for about five months.

On a more personal note, I hope AN will not "go dead" following the World Series. It's too awesome a community to "hang out with" for me to able to accept hibernation just because there aren't any actual, y'know, games happening. Stick around - we'll find stuff to talk about - and let's embrace the "O" word together: the Offseason. :-(

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Dr. Joey Fever

Feb 2008 by Tyler Bleszinski - 73 comments

Comments

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I, for one, will be around.

Wait, don’t leave! I’ll behave.

Thanks AN. This was my first full season on board, and my first time in actual game threads. Enjoyed it immensely.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 29, 2008 9:27 PM PDT reply actions  

It enjoyed you, too!

Glad we haven’t herd heard the last of ewe you.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 29, 2008 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

I love ewe man!

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Oct 30, 2008 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm glad you're staying!!!

I’ll be around too! and maybe now, without the game threads, you won’t insult me as much… :p

Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40

by #14fan on Oct 29, 2008 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

I suppose I could get used to your occasional nastiness...

as long as you hang out here during the offseason.

Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40

by #14fan on Oct 30, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

Permission to be nasty?

I feel like I should give you a hug.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 30, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

hug, please!

…did I seriously just write that?

Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40

by #14fan on Oct 30, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

This was my first AN season as well..

Been an A’s fan since the ‘80s, but just found AN this season and have read it vigorously and posted sporadically (more next year!) I’ll definitely be around, hoping to find any and all things A’s baseball to read about! Thanks to everyone for maintaining such a great online community.

I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, and then I thought: "What the hell good would that do?"

by Jackson23 on Oct 29, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions  

More next year = good!

However, please check with your doctor before reading AN vigorously, especially if you have an erection lasting more than four hours.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 29, 2008 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

< removes loose bodies from AN >

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Oct 29, 2008 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'll know it's time to call the doctor

…if I start chafing.

I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, and then I thought: "What the hell good would that do?"

by Jackson23 on Oct 30, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions  

Don't forget their pitching

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Oct 29, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

And I thought it was Bud and the ump crew

that was trying to keep them under water-for an inning or two at least.

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Oct 30, 2008 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ditto on the "First Season"

I feel like I’ve learned a ton, and I look forward to doing it again next year (and, yes, this off-season).

This is a great place, hopefully I haven’t messed it up too much.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Oct 29, 2008 9:51 PM PDT reply actions  

Woohoo!

I might actually try and cross the country and attend with my Friend whos a Giants Fan. Do the Giants and A’s have fan fests around the same time of year?

"With 16-year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa in tow, Gio Gonzalez improving at Triple-A and lefty Brett Anderson carving up Double-Abatters along with Simmons and Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s pitching depthis officially the envy of baseball." - BaseballAmerica.com

by Syphon on Oct 29, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Just for anyone still speculating about Joe Blanton and Pine Tar,

I have a white hat that I play tennis with and I also get this so called “brown spot” on my hat as well as Blanton does, it is really not that hard to understand. Your hands are dirty and the moisture creates this spot, well I guess this is for Joe Maddon as well. Just because a guy is dominanting your lineup doesn’t mean he’s juicing, or pine taring in this case. I think we can all attest that is the same Blanton we have seen in Oakland, and piggy-backing Nico’s story, he looks a whole lot better when he is pitching for a team that “keeps him in the game”.

by mattman on Oct 29, 2008 10:05 PM PDT reply actions  

My first true AN season- It's been awesome! and it's not over!!!

I still wish the rays had won… but I’m happy for cupcakes!!!!
I hope all of you hang around here… during the time before the fanfest…. because I’ll be here all the time!!! :P

Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40

by #14fan on Oct 29, 2008 10:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Huzzah!

I’m happy for the Phillies…Stairs and Blanton especially…but even more happy for the sports-mad, title-starved Philadelphians. May that unfamiliar warm glow of satisfaction last them all the way through the Santa booing season.

I'm a street walkin cheetah with a heart full of napalm.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 29, 2008 10:21 PM PDT reply actions  

Great comment.

One of my favorite baseball moments is not the actual last out, but that buzz that circulates around the stadium leading up to that last out. The anticipation building with each strike, each out. And as I listened last night, 28 years of pent-up frustration and disappointment poured out from my clock-radio into my living room, it took me to the last inning of the 2006 ALDS. No it wasn’t the World Series, but there we were, on the doorstep of the next round, after falling just short all those years, and when you finally get to celebrate, when it’s finally your moment and not someone else’s, well, there’s just no better feeling.

So I salute Philly fans (even the classless ones), but more than anything I am envious. It’s been nearly as long for our A’s, and the last time we didn’t really get to let loose. I want your moment, damn it.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 30, 2008 5:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

Are you Kidding?

I embrace the offseason. When the A’s are not in the postseason the entire playoff experience is a painful reminder for me. It fills me with a deadening anguish reminiscent of how I feel waiting in airport terminal for a long plane flight. You see, the waiting in the terminal isn’t horrible out of context, I can grab a snack, buy some reading material, plugin my ipod and people watch…but knowing that I’m waiting for a long boring flight (i.e. the off-season) makes the entire terminal experience frustrating and without joy.

I never stopped rooting for Giambi, as much as I wanted to do so….bring on the off-season!

www.punditpolitics.com - Political IQ Tests, Pundit Blog, News and Opinion.

by ChadGod on Oct 29, 2008 11:38 PM PDT reply actions  

Thank the heavens.

The off-season is such an exciting time of the year for me, seeing the team take shape. Especially this year with BB saying that he’s going to improve the offense, who knows who we’ll have in the middle of our order next year or who will break out or break down. The winter meetings are right around the corner which is when things really start to get going so let’s start the countdown!

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 30, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions  

congrats to the phillies.

at least their bitter fanbase can be happy now and maybe not resort to assaulting 9 year old girls.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 30, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions  

I basically ignore the post-season

if the A’s aren’t in it.

But I’m glad to see Joe Blanton was involved with a winning team and did well. Among other things it reinforces the idea that if you trade with Billy Beane you can get a really solid starting pitcher, as opposed to the idea that if you trade with Billy Beane you’ll get swindled and end up with junk.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Oct 30, 2008 1:11 AM PDT reply actions  

A Phew more Phinal thoughts

1. No more phunny spelling.

2. Happy for Joe and Matt, but for old man Moyer, too.

3. And for Jimmy Rollins, born in Oakland, whose hero is this guy.

4. Lest we forget, the Phillies were the forgotten ones.

5. And finally, were it not for the rain, this would have been “just another” short Series. Not one of the last five Fall Classics has even reached Game 6, and out of 35 possible contests, we’ve seen 22. That’s only two over the minimum, gANg.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 30, 2008 6:35 AM PDT reply actions  

definitely happy for Moyer

my homeboy and one of my favorite players.

by Brian in 317 on Oct 30, 2008 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

not sure how this is relevant

But I’m guessing O’Reilly is a Red Sox fan.

by Brian in 317 on Oct 30, 2008 7:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

what the hell?

this is supposed to be a reply to x man

sorry 67M

by Brian in 317 on Oct 30, 2008 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions  

it's relevant b/c i'm disappointed

i was rooting for the rays to win so i could celebrate

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Oct 30, 2008 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

my 2 cents worth of hindsight

First of all, I think the mind set of each team should’ve been: this is a new game; it will just be a really short one. It was really strange to have the VISITORS warm up and start the game in the field. I think Maddon made a mistake in going with a reliever to “start” last night. IMO it would’ve been better to put an actual starter on the mound to begin last night’s short game. A starter might’ve been more mentally ready to start the game.

I was bummed: even though I was hoping the Phillies would win it, I wanted to see seven games. With the exception of game 4, every game was terrific in this series.

by Brian in 317 on Oct 30, 2008 6:56 AM PDT reply actions  

Boston would have won

I din’t watch too much of the series, but my immediate impression was that Tampa players swung at too many pitches. Philadelphia walked about 3x more often. IMO, one of the biggest reasons that the AL has been dominating the NL is pitch selectivity. Swinging at everything played right into Phil. pitchers hands- it’s the kind of thing their used to. Boston would have taken that very ordinary pitching staff out of their comfort zone, just like they did to Colorado last year. As an AL fan, I’m a little bummed, but I’ll live.

by runnerJ on Oct 30, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions  

Oh please!

Boston didn’t have a chance because the Rays beat them. The Phillies beat the Rays. Let’s not sit around and talk about what might have been. Let’s be happy for the Phillies, their Phans, and the start of the offseason, or Billy Beane’s time to shine!

by A'sfansince1970 on Oct 30, 2008 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks Nico, not much else to say to that!

Congrats to the city of Philadelphia and to the players, and Joe Blanton!

"I know they're the defending World Champs, but they are the whiniest team in baseball" -Rays announcers

by baseballgirl on Oct 30, 2008 9:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Congrats Phillies!

And hold on to your hats A’s fans! Winter is Billy’s season! Yikes!!

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Oct 30, 2008 9:25 AM PDT reply actions  

I first found and joined AN during the offseason

just after the 2004 season. As I recall even then there were lively discussions and arguments about the A’s offseason moves (especially the trade for Kendall and the sendoffs for Hudson and Mulder).

The hot stove season is usually pretty active for the A’s, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with y’all.

by OaklandSi on Oct 30, 2008 10:00 AM PDT reply actions  

Can't imagine you guys were all that thrilled about Kendall

it was pretty clear by 2004 that he was in serious decline, at least in hindsight.

by VORP is too nerdy on Oct 30, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yes because we got rid of two pitchers

that were clogging up the staff with mediocrity, and Kendall eventually transferred some valuable ML moxie to Suzuki.

IMO Kendall was still not 100% with his hand injury recovery when he came to the Athletics. But he still put in a decent performance in every aspect of his combined game.

He’s also my poster boy for (lack of) hitting contagion.

Officially awaiting the 2009 season.

by One won lost won on Oct 30, 2008 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

More disappointed it wasn't a longer series..

…but that’s OK. At the same time, I’m ready for the heart of football season and the start of college basketball season.

On a more personal note, I hope AN will not “go dead” following the World Series.

BUT WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Oct 30, 2008 4:41 PM PDT reply actions  

This was my first full season too,

even though I joined in 2005. Let me just say, never boring! I’ve learned so much from everyone here. You guys are a part of my life.

by lynnzgal on Oct 30, 2008 8:27 PM PDT reply actions  

+1

you just pretty much summed up my first full season, too. :p

Awww… Unicorn's optimistic. And a cheeseball. That’s cute. ~Whiteshoes40

by #14fan on Nov 1, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

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