2008 Woodie Awards
Phillies in the hunt in September
Anthony Calabro '08
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports
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Last week, many people saw the Phillies in the visitors clubhouse passionately cheering, high fiving, and celebrating after a come-from-behind victory over the Washington Nationals. The celebration, though, had nothing to do with the game they just played. They were watching the New York Mets lose in extra innings to the Florida Marlins on television in the clubhouse. The loss put the Phils one game closer to the division crown. The enthusiasm they showed watching that game sold me: This year, they just want it more.
Currently, the Phils are two and a half games back in the NL East and only a half game behind the Padres in the Wild Card. Coming off a tremendous ten game road trip where they went 8-2, the Phillies will host the final six games of the regular season at home against the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, respectively. Both teams have spoiled the Phillies playoff hopes in the past, and will be looking to play spoiler again this season. Yet this season, this time around, there is a rare sense of optimism in the Philadelphia air. With three serious MVP candidates in Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard and the second half resurgence of Pat Burrell, the Phillies have a chance to make some serious noise in October. They just have to get there.
What makes the 2007 Phillies different from their past clubs that fell short time after time in September? This year, unlike previous seasons, the Phillies have continually come through under pressure. The 2007 Phillies lead the league in come from behind victories with 48 and have shown more heart and resilency than any other team in the Majors this season. The Phillies have a deep lineup that includes rightfielder Jayson Werth, who like Burrell, has been hitting the ball everywhere since the all-star break. Werth has pretty much played himself in, and Shane Victorino out of the starting lineup the past two months. When Chase Utley went down with a wrist injury, it was Tadahito Iguci who stepped up for the Phillies nicely with the bat and the glove. When Ryan Howard went down earlier in the season, it was utility man Greg Dobbs who filled in for the slugger and produced. The production from the bench in the second half of the season, may have saved the Phillies year and should not go unnoticed.
Currently, the Phils are two and a half games back in the NL East and only a half game behind the Padres in the Wild Card. Coming off a tremendous ten game road trip where they went 8-2, the Phillies will host the final six games of the regular season at home against the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, respectively. Both teams have spoiled the Phillies playoff hopes in the past, and will be looking to play spoiler again this season. Yet this season, this time around, there is a rare sense of optimism in the Philadelphia air. With three serious MVP candidates in Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard and the second half resurgence of Pat Burrell, the Phillies have a chance to make some serious noise in October. They just have to get there.
What makes the 2007 Phillies different from their past clubs that fell short time after time in September? This year, unlike previous seasons, the Phillies have continually come through under pressure. The 2007 Phillies lead the league in come from behind victories with 48 and have shown more heart and resilency than any other team in the Majors this season. The Phillies have a deep lineup that includes rightfielder Jayson Werth, who like Burrell, has been hitting the ball everywhere since the all-star break. Werth has pretty much played himself in, and Shane Victorino out of the starting lineup the past two months. When Chase Utley went down with a wrist injury, it was Tadahito Iguci who stepped up for the Phillies nicely with the bat and the glove. When Ryan Howard went down earlier in the season, it was utility man Greg Dobbs who filled in for the slugger and produced. The production from the bench in the second half of the season, may have saved the Phillies year and should not go unnoticed.
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