Sports
Start Of A New Philly Dynasty?
By BRIAN ZEIGER, For The Bulletin
Weeks passed by before the July 31 trade deadline for Major League Baseball.
Conversations in the sports world revolved around whether or not the Toronto Blue Jays’ best pitcher and cornerstone of the organization, Roy Halladay, would be traded to a contender as per his request.
The Phillies began a strong pursuit of the 32 year old right hander to cement an inconsistent rotation that has been plagued with injuries. The trade deadline came and went and the Phillies now have their new Cy Young pitcher. Of course, anyone that follows the Phillies know that the former Cy Young winning pitcher Halladay is still in a Toronto Blue Jay uniform.
And then there’s Cliff Lee. The reigning American League Cy Young winner, who spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians, is now a Phillie.
Instead of parting ways with coveted pitchers J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, and up-and-coming outfield prospect Dominic Brown to the Blue Jays, the Phillies received Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco in exchange for pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald, and catcher Lou Marson. There are a few words fitting to describe this trade. “Bargain” or even “Steal” perhaps?
Heading into his first start as a Phillie, Cliff Lee’s statistics against National League teams was 22-2 while posting a 2.53 ERA. Lee did not disappoint in his debut July 31st against the San Francisco Giants taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Lee pitched a complete game only allowing four hits, two walks, one earned run, and one impressive performance in earning his first victory with the Fightins’, 5-1.
Lee also struck out six. Lee also contributed to his own cause with his bat notching a single, a double, and scoring a run. It was an impressive start for the defending World Series Champions.
Lee was quoted at the end of the game saying, “I feel comfortable. It’s a loose clubhouse, everybody’s nice. It was an easy transition for me.”
Obviously one player does not guarantee a World Series title but it does most certainly make the Phillies the favorites to repeat as National League Champions or possibly even the favorites to repeat as World Series Champions. Which begs to ask the question, “Is this the start of a new dynasty?”
The starting lineup, with the exception of Raul Ibanez (37) and Pedro Feliz (34), are all currently the age of 30 and below (Chase Utley 30, Jimmy Rollins 30, Ryan Howard 29, Carlos Ruiz 30, Shane Victorino 28, and Jayson Werth 30). Three out of the five starting pitchers are under the age of 30 as well (Cole Hamels 25, J.A. Happ 26, and Cliff Lee 30).
Of course, pending any transactions down the road or injuries, there is plenty of baseball left for this group. One thing is for sure though: even though 2008 was an exciting year to watch Phillies’ baseball, 2009 is turning out to be just as exciting. The only thing left would be another World Series title.
Brian Zeiger can be reached at ziggi2788@aim.com.
Conversations in the sports world revolved around whether or not the Toronto Blue Jays’ best pitcher and cornerstone of the organization, Roy Halladay, would be traded to a contender as per his request.
The Phillies began a strong pursuit of the 32 year old right hander to cement an inconsistent rotation that has been plagued with injuries. The trade deadline came and went and the Phillies now have their new Cy Young pitcher. Of course, anyone that follows the Phillies know that the former Cy Young winning pitcher Halladay is still in a Toronto Blue Jay uniform.
And then there’s Cliff Lee. The reigning American League Cy Young winner, who spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians, is now a Phillie.
Instead of parting ways with coveted pitchers J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek, and up-and-coming outfield prospect Dominic Brown to the Blue Jays, the Phillies received Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco in exchange for pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald, and catcher Lou Marson. There are a few words fitting to describe this trade. “Bargain” or even “Steal” perhaps?
Heading into his first start as a Phillie, Cliff Lee’s statistics against National League teams was 22-2 while posting a 2.53 ERA. Lee did not disappoint in his debut July 31st against the San Francisco Giants taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Lee pitched a complete game only allowing four hits, two walks, one earned run, and one impressive performance in earning his first victory with the Fightins’, 5-1.
Lee also struck out six. Lee also contributed to his own cause with his bat notching a single, a double, and scoring a run. It was an impressive start for the defending World Series Champions.
Lee was quoted at the end of the game saying, “I feel comfortable. It’s a loose clubhouse, everybody’s nice. It was an easy transition for me.”
Obviously one player does not guarantee a World Series title but it does most certainly make the Phillies the favorites to repeat as National League Champions or possibly even the favorites to repeat as World Series Champions. Which begs to ask the question, “Is this the start of a new dynasty?”
The starting lineup, with the exception of Raul Ibanez (37) and Pedro Feliz (34), are all currently the age of 30 and below (Chase Utley 30, Jimmy Rollins 30, Ryan Howard 29, Carlos Ruiz 30, Shane Victorino 28, and Jayson Werth 30). Three out of the five starting pitchers are under the age of 30 as well (Cole Hamels 25, J.A. Happ 26, and Cliff Lee 30).
Of course, pending any transactions down the road or injuries, there is plenty of baseball left for this group. One thing is for sure though: even though 2008 was an exciting year to watch Phillies’ baseball, 2009 is turning out to be just as exciting. The only thing left would be another World Series title.
Brian Zeiger can be reached at ziggi2788@aim.com.
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