phrustrated philly phan

Alright, first I apologize for using the Sixers new marketing slogan for their 06-07 season, but I think it applies to the Phillies. This team has people excited and talking. Ryan Howard has the entire nation talking about him and this is great publicity for the Phillies as opposed to the Brett Myers' incident earlier this year. Down here in South Carolina without any other Phils fan it is hard to talk about the Phillies, but everyone talks about Howard. Tonight, I walked into a party and mentioned that Howard had dropped two more bombs tonight and everyone had already seen and heard. That is impressive to have college students talking about you at a party on a Friday night. Then, I sat down to watch SportsCenter, and the first five minutes were devoted to Ryan Howard and the Phillies-Marlins game. It was the lead story over the Ohio State-Texas game, and the Twins-Tigers game. Simply impressive. I hate to write this but if Ryan Howard played in New York he would be a runaway MVP winner. He is far and away the most deserving candidate with an average around .310 and will finish probably with around 62 homers and over 150 RBIs.

Chase Utley has been struggling recently but turned in a game winning home run the other night and a big home run against the Marlins on Thursday night. Utley is still the heart and soul of this team and they are following his lead. Hustling every ball out and always giving 110%. Shane Victorino has been a catalyst at the top of the lineup along with Jimmy Rollins. I think the Phillies are on to something at the top of their lineup. Victorino has earned a starting spot for next year possibly in right field. Got to love his speed, arm, and hustle. Rollins has also turned it up a notch in the lead off spot for the Phils. He has also become a leader on this team with a great work ethic and terrific attitude.

Pitching wise, everyone has to love Cole Hamels. Hamels has been dazzling recently and when (not if) the Phils make the playoffs he will be the game one starter. Lieber and Myers have been decent and by that I mean they have done their job and given their team a chance to win. Jamie Moyer has been a great addition proving that again tonight as he went 8 innings giving up only one run. The bullpen has been terrible recently, but the bright spot is that Flash Gordon is back as the closer. Matt Smith has been lights out since he was called up from Triple A and Fabio Castro has done and excellent job this year when given the chance.

This is controversial but don't stop reading. I read a lot over at We Should be GM's and it is very critical of Charlie Manuel (yes you Carson). I agree his in game decisions aren't the best and he may have cost the Phillies a couple games this year but lets look beyond that. The players love him and you can't deny that he is great hitting coach. He has definetly helped Howard and Utley develop into all-stars. Yes, I like Charlie Manuel as the manager, but don't get me wrong I do believe there are better managers. Manuel has done a great job of keeping this team together through all their tough times this year.

This is all to say that never have I ever been more excited to be a Phillies fan. If you call yourself a Phillies fan and can't get excited right now, you better buy yourself a copy of the 1980 World Series run because this is exciting and entertaining right now. I may only be 20 but this is a great year. I had a feeling going into Spring Training that this would be the year and I am still holding on to that hope. Yes, I was excited when Larry Bowa was hired, when Jim Thome signed, and when Ed Wade was fired, but this season takes the cake. Chase Utley hit in 35 consecutive game, Cole Hamels made his major league debut, and Ryan Howard has put up a season for the ages. Its a Philly Kind of Thing so Enjoy the Last 4 Weeks of the Season as the Phillies Make a Run at the Playoffs.

One note: I know many of the readers are Phillies fans, but tomorrow I am going to post about the goings ons of the Sixers, Flyers, and Villanova basketball. I am a Philly sports fan in general (the Phillies are my favorite) so I want to make this blog about more than the Phillies. Also I am planning a post about the one free agent the Phils should sign that I believe has flown under the radar and I haven't heard mentioned yet. Last don't forget that Penn State faces Notre Dame tomorrow at 3:30. Unfortunetly, I will be at baseball practice, but lets go Nittany Lions. We are... Penn State.