Phillies Have the Look of a Champion

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 20, 2009 1:24 PM PDT Comment 31 comments

Before the League Championship Series' got underway, I posed a simple question: "Who do you like?" which I ultimately changed to "Who do you hate less?"

By process of elimination, the Philadelphia Phillies were an easy pick, at least for me. But the more I watch them, the more I actually like them. And no, I won't be abandoning my A's anytime soon. Not now, not ever.

But there are some likeable things about the Phillies, and it starts with a list of reasons to not dislike them. In no particular order:

They are not in ESPN's Fave Five.
They do not play in New York or Los Angeles.
They have not had a star player linked to steroids (yet).
They do not have a Jeter or a Manny or a Scioscia on their team.
They have not clinched a division, pennant, or World Series at the Oakland Coliseum.

Now let's look at a few of the things they do have:

Oakland-born, and last night's hitting hero, Jimmy Rollins
Joe Blanton and Matt Stairs
A laid-back-as-can-be superstar in Ryan Howard
Chase Utley, damn it!!
A very good chance to repeat as World Champions

That last point is remarkable because, really, who could possibly see this coming? AN sure didn't. In fact, Philadelphia was the Phorgotten Ones in a poll put out last season. Now here they are on the cusp of another title.

Last night's back-from-the-dead victory is the stuff from which champions are made, or in this case, re-made. The word "resiliency" has often been tossed around in discussions about Charlie Manuel's squad, but it's not just hype. Ever since their unlikely run to the 2007 NL East title (and subsequent playoff sweep to Colorado) the Phillies have become October's darlings, having yet to lose consecutive playoff games in five series' and counting.

Yet the last team to win back-to-back championships in such obscurity may have been the 1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays who, incidentally, beat the Phillies in the '93 Series to make it two in a row. Other teams since 1970 to capture the crown in consecutive years are the 1998-2000 Yankees, 1977-78 Yankees, 1975-76 Reds, and the 1972-74 A's. With every one of those teams except Oakland, no eyebrows were raised at their accomplishments. In fact the A's are often overlooked when pitted against the other mini-dynasties of the 70's.

Here's hoping history will be kinder to Philadelphia should they manage to win five more games this season. Why? Well, because the Phillies are a likable bunch, that's why.

If only because they've given me no reason to hate them.

Yet.

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I get the feeling that almost all of AN will agree with you.

Based simply on the virtue that they’re not everything that’s wrong with baseball (Yankees), everything that’s wrong with humanity (Angels), or a team that once drove a stake through Dennis Eckersley.

By the way, another reason: Chase Utley. Crazy-awesome player, seems quite likable, fantastic offense, unbelievable defense, and…wait for it…has never won a Gold Glove.

Lay down, black gives way to blue.
Lay down, I'll remember you.

by danmerqury on Oct 20, 2009 1:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Only reason to root against the Phillies

Is the obnoxious Philly fanbase. They are more into football and hockey, but back-to-back WS could spark some serious Red-Sox-Nation insanity in them.

by Manstein on Oct 20, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

It’s the one thing I haven’t really noticed, simply because their fans don’t invade Oakland on a yearly basis. But I will say I was surprised how well-behaved Eagles’ fans were last Sunday, even after an ugly loss.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 20, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

While being an die-hard A's fan...

I am a diehard (Philadelphia) Flyers/Sixers fan too. I don’t mind my fellow Flyers/Sixers fans being obnoxious. I’m not into the Eagles in the slightest, and don’t care for their fans by and large (I’m a Carolina Panthers fan). The Phils I had never given much thought until last postseason. They are fun to watch and easy to like. But the A’s will always be my main MLB team.

by chillicothe20 on Oct 21, 2009 3:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carolina Panthers?

Wow, I can’t wait to hear the story behind that one…

Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving

by PaulThomas on Oct 21, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm from Ohio

and growing up (i’m so to be 22) I took more interest in being fans of players, and over time that developed into being fans of teams. my Flyers fandom was based in Eric Lindros, my Sixers in Allen Iverson, my A’s in Giambi and McGwire. The Panthers started in 95 and since I didn’t have a team and always like the idea of the Carolinas, I took interest in them. Needlessly to say, 14 years later, I continue to be a diverse and odd fan. And that’s just with the four major sports (see my profile for my other teams).

by chillicothe20 on Oct 21, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this post 100%.

I think the overriding reason for me is what you highlighted with Ryan Howard…the “low key” factor.

Living in LA, I can’t stand the media circus that circulates around Manny and the Dodgers in general…the whole Manny rollercoaster just makes me sad that the Dodger fanbase has devolved into a mess of unthinking sheep that are watching the games for entertainment and not for love of the sport. And while Lackey and Napoli are still on the Angels, I find them obnoxious as well (although, I will say that it’s admirable how well that team has come together in the wake of the Nick Adenhart tragedy.)

There is a bit of me that likes how Swisher and Sabathia and Burnett seem to have removed some of the uptight/corporate nature of the Yankees…however, while A-Rod continues to generate more publicity as some random starlet’s boy toy rather than a baseball player, I will remain as anti-NY as possible…

So ya, Philly it is!

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Oct 20, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

^ Ya, what he said. ^

by ElQuesoCapitan on Oct 20, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Adenhart tragedy

sort of makes me want them to win…but not enough to want them to win the world series. I do want them to beat that overpaid new york team.

by VV A's fan on Oct 20, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

world f***ing champions!

I loved the look on Selig’s face when Utley shouted that last year.

by OaklandSi on Oct 20, 2009 1:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well they are the only team left in this race that you can't slap an

“Evil Empire” title on.

by ElQuesoCapitan on Oct 20, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

you forgot long-time Kurt Suzuki confidant, Shane Victorino,

The Flyin’ Hawaiian.

Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -Nevermoor

by Leopold Bloom on Oct 20, 2009 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well Victorino is one of the few reasons to not root for Philly.

He’s a bit of a duckbag.

by ElQuesoCapitan on Oct 20, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

um.

Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -Nevermoor

by Leopold Bloom on Oct 20, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeez, Chase Utley can't even get any respect from a "respect the Phillies" post

He’s been like the second best player in baseball for the last 4 or 5 years. It’s just shocking how underrated he is.

The fringe level of Hall of Fame status is about 45 WAR. Chase Utley has amassed almost 40 in less than six years’ worth of playing time. The Phillies are frankly kind of a mediocre team without him.

I can already visualize the deeply annoying Hall-of-Fame debates which will be hashed out over his candidacy 20 years from now.

by PaulThomas on Oct 20, 2009 2:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You think so?

I’m an optimist who thinks HoF voters will be much smarter bunch in 15-20 years. I imagine Utley would be hurt with the current crop of voters because he never won MVP or Gold Glove (not yet, at least). However, he’s probably the best all-round second baseman since Joe Morgan and his career path looks first-ballot worthy to me so far.

by Manstein on Oct 20, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I have hope for, at least.

I’m hoping that the BBWAA will be more receptive to advanced statistical studies, and that the old gritty, clutchy breed of baseball writer will slowly get phased out.

Lay down, black gives way to blue.
Lay down, I'll remember you.

by danmerqury on Oct 20, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was having trouble rooting for any of the teams left in the playoffs

Now I guess all I have to say is go Phillies?

by VV A's fan on Oct 20, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

football and 2010.

fuck the teams remaining. I had a soft spot in my heart for the Dodgers, but the ESPN ramming down my throat that limping porn-stache wannabe last night made me rediscover my Dodger hatred. Fuck the Dodgers.

So, football and 2010.

Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -Nevermoor

by Leopold Bloom on Oct 20, 2009 2:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs