For the first time in my life, I can say that I've had the opportunity to attempt to grow, not one, not two, but four playoff beards (though 2 overlapped.) In 2008, every Philadelphia sports team made the playoffs, even the Soul and Phantoms. We had two Championships in town, including the Soul and the 'World Fucking Champion' Phillies.
Below is a bundle of videos to help you remember everything that went well in 2008, nicely ending with the greatest accomplishment of them all. A World Series trophy.
These type of videos we'll never end. My entire life I had to try and re-live championships through past videos. I finally saw a parade and I'm still shocked. This is one of the best videos I have ever seen put together. This video will never get old.
Carlos Ruiz - Though Ruiz struggled at the plate, he was very good defensively and called games well. In 2008, Ruiz had a CERA of 3.83, good enough for 4th among qualifying catchers. Ruiz was so important with the addition of Brad Lidge because of his ability to block Lidge's vicious slider.
Throughout the season, his job behind the plate was overshadowed by his struggles at the plate. He will never offer much in terms of OPS, but he doesn't strike out much. He almost always makes contact and when you continously put the ball in play, luck will come into effect.
Look at what happened in the playoffs. For most of the regular season, Ruiz was hitting the ball at people, which can be seen by his BABIP. Once September came around, he started finding open spots in the field and it carried into the playoffs. His two biggest hits all season came in game 3 of the World Series. He homered and hit a dribbler that caused enough trouble to score the game-winner. In game 2, Ruiz reached base 4 times and went 2 for 2.
Ruiz didn't do much against Milwaukee and many people called for Chris Coste. Ruiz kept battling and was able to hit .313 in the NLCS and .375 in the World Series. Also, Ruiz reached base 50% of the time in the World Series. Both behind the plate and in the batters box, Ruiz was the unsung hero. Chris Coste - Coste did well to spell Ruiz behind the dish. During most of the season Coste was an upgrade offensively, but a downgrade at blocking balls. In 250 ABs starting at catcher, Coste knocked in 36 runs and scored 27. He also hit 15 doubles and 9 home runs to provide the Phillies potent offense with some extra pop. One of his biggest hits this year came on August 26th against the Mets. After the Phillies battled back to tie the Mets from down 7, Chris entered the game in the 8th and went 4-4, while knocking in the GW run in the bottom of the 13th.
It was a complete team effort this year and everyone had their helping hand. Continue coming back to the site as we will be analyzing the contributions of everyone else on the team.
Around 2 million people were out today to watch the Phillies World Series parade. Those who missed it were likely watching from their office building or on a television. Around 2 million got to see Pat Burrell lead the parade. He his everything that is Philly. A constant roller coaster ride of a carrer, but he finally came out on top. I hope we bring him back. 30 hr/100 rbi guys are hard to come by.
It was such an amazing experience. I had tickets to Lincoln Financial Field, but because it was so packed, they shut down all the southbound trains. Yeah, I probably should have went down closer to the stadiums to watch the parades, but I just know for next time...and there will be a next time. For almost 25 years, I started to feel that I'd never be able to see a parade.
Well, it finally happened. We are World Fucking Champions!
If you missed the parade, above is the view right on Broad Street between Walnut and Sansom.
Can you believe it? I will remember October 29th, 2008 for the rest of my life. We have a champion in Philadelphia and it was definitely worth the wait. A little over 25 years and we are finally returning to the top of one of the 4 major sports. Is Philadelphia the new title town? Did the Soul break the "curse"? The last two championships handed out have come by the way of the Arena Bowl and the World Series. The last two titles have found their home in Philadelphia.
How good does it feel? For my generation, those 25 and younger, we have finally felt how good it feels to be coined the best. We as a city finally did it. The players deserve all, or most, of the credit, but we as fans gave the home-field advantage that only increased the intensity for the opposing team. We as a city, finally got over the dirty, rotten hump. Thank you so much Phillies. You conquered your dream and all of ours. Thank you Charlie and Pat. Whenever we doubted you, you stuck by your instincts and got the job done. We're sorry.
The guarantees: Last year, Jimmy Rollins claimed the Phillies to be the team to beat in the NL East. This year, Rollins predicted that the team could win 100 games. Sorry J-Roll, you won 103! There was a guarantee that went under the radar and was rather forgotten. Two years ago, when the Phillies traded Bobby Abreu, Pat Gillick predicted that the Phillies were two years away from contending for a title. Well, his prediction held up. 4 moves that Gillick made this year paid off last night. First, Geoff Jenkins lead off the bottom of the 6th with a pinch-hit double. Later Eric Bruntlett scored his 2nd game-winning run after he pinch-ran for Pat Burrell and was knocked in by a Pedro Feliz single. Lastly, the perfectionist, Brad Lidge, closed out the World Series and sent the city in euphoria. Even if Gillick's additions at some rough times, they stepped up huge when we needed them the most. Signing great talents are always good, but with each talented player, it is character that takes you even farther.
Wow, Pat the Bat! He struggled somewhat this postseason, but when the Phillies truly need him to hit, he came through. He belted 2 home runs in the clinching game aginst the Brewers. Against the Dodgers, he completed the Phillies comeback home run in the Bottom of the 6th. Lastly, to help win our first World Series in 28 years, he lead off the bottom o the 7th with a double that only the wind kept in the park. It was his first hit in the World Series and probably the most memorable hit of his creer. Pat Burrell, you are Philadelphia.
A special thanks goes out to Ed Wade and Mike Arbuckle. Arbuckle is still with us, but Ed Wade also helped put the core of this team together. Outside of Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins he was part of the staff that drafted Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Madson. He also signed Carlos Ruiz and picked up Shane Victorino in the rule 5 draft. He made plenty of questionable moves during his reign as Phillies GM, but he and Arbuckle did help build the core. Most importantly, we have to thank him for accepting Michael Borun as the main piece of the package for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.
Speaking of Brad Lidge, he was just spectacular all year long. Including the postseason, he saves 48 games in 48 opportunities. In the first game of the year, Lidge was on the DL, and Tom Gordon blew the Phillies' comeback. Many of us thought we were heading down the same road as the past. A weekend later, Lidge returned to the closer role and shut down every team he faced in the ninth. The Phillies were perfect with a lead after 8 all year. Something that cannot be said about our foes in New York. Something that can be said about the World Champions!
Throughout the coming weeks, I will be profiling each of the Phillies players that made a difference this season.
We've waited 25 years for this. Doesn't it feel great? Of course it does. We have our ups & downs with our sports teams, but this is the pinnacle.
One of the last times I wrote about the Phillies was early September, when I gave my inaugural 'State of the City' address. The Phillies had just lost to the lowly Nationals and were falling behind the Mets. I honestly thought that we would finish behind the Mets. Fortunately, I was wrong. This team showed that it had the heart, unlike our rivals in New York. We all know how the story ends.
I feel lucky right now, I really do. I've suffered through four championships that our teams lost in (plus two others, but I was too young to remember), each team losing once. I got to see this Phillies team eight times this year, through their highs and lows, exciting moments and disappointments. From Tom Gordon blowing opening day, to Brad Lidge saving World Series game 5, we've been through alot this year. Was there really a curse of William Penn? Maybe. But that's a moot point right now. Your 2008 Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions. As someone who has a tradition of going to Opening Day, this will be one to not miss. Can the Phillies repeat in 2009? Sure. But right now, I'm going to take the time and savor this one, because, well, it might never happen again.
ESPN is reporting that World Series Game 5 is now postponed until Wednesday night at the earliest. Let me reiterate, everyone outside of Major League Baseball knew that it would rain and be freezing last night. WHY NOT PUSH THE GAME UP?
During the entire top half of the 6th, we had to hear Joe Buck gargle Rays semen when he was mentioning how the rain effects their running game. However, he failed to meantion how terrible it is for Cole to pitch out there and how tough it is for the defense. Oh wait, the PHILLIES run a lot too. In fact, they're the most effective base-stealing team in baseball.
The biggest problem that I have is why the game was not suspended after 5. No one in Philadelphia wants to win cheap. The game should have been resumed in the the top of the 6th, so both teams had a fair opportunity OFFENSIVELY and DEFENSIVELY to complete the game. Since the top of the sixth was played, the Phillies should have been able to bat in the bottom of the sixth while the Rays had to play in that shit.
I really don't know how Bud Selig could say it was fair. Also, I don't think the Rays scoring truly lead to the suspension because it looked like there were plans to call it before that inning was even completed. However, if that was the case, why not suspend it at 5? Cole Hamels was forced to throw all fastball because his curveball and change-up were completely ineffective with the wind and rain.
I'm not mad about the suspension at all. Shit happens, it's mother nature. I'm just upset at when the umpires that the game should be suspended as if the weather drastically changed going from the 5th to the 6th and after a half inning.
Major League Baseball continues to try and improve ratings after the strike, but Bud Selig continues to proove that he is a failure at his job and he needs to leave as soon as possible.
Game 5 has been suspended, nicely after the Rays tied the game up @ 2. The game is suspended until 8 pm tomorrow at the earliest. We'll see what happens. Hold on to your tickets if you have them because you'll need them to return to the stadium whenever the game continues.
If Pena had not tied it, Selig said he would not have let the Phillies win with a game that was called after six innings.
''It's not a way to end a World Series,'' he said. ''I would not have allowed a World Series to end this way.''
Ugh, so why not suspend it after 5? Why make one team go out and pitch in that mess? Bud Selig is such an epic failure. MLB is continually an epic fail.
They knew the rain was coming. MLB should have moved the game up earlier in the night. This is why you don't start games @ 8:35 in the Northeast. MLB does not need to rely on TV ratings that much. A 7pm start would not lower the ratings by much. 5:35 is still part of rush hour on the west coast.
Joe Blanton, you are my hero. Joe Blanton came out and was dealing. He had great stuff and was able to get ahead in the count more times than not. What may overshadow his great pitching performance was his one swing of the bat. After allowing a solo home run to Eric Hinske, Blanton returned the favor in the bottom of the inning. He blasted a solo home run of his own into the left field seats. It was the first time that a pitcher hit a home run in the World Series since 1974. It was also Blanton's first home run ever. He'll remember this forever.
Back to his pitching, he threw 6+ innings and struck out 7. The only runs he allowed came off 2 solo home runs. Blanton was very efficient and did a great job of getting ground outs when the wind was blowing out. Joe Blanton has stepped up in all 3 of his starts this postseason, giving the Phillies offense an opportunity to win games. The Phillies improved to 12-4 in his starts. Much of improvement since coming over the Phillies has been the increase in his strike-out rate, which was a problem earlier this season in Oakland. His slider was nasty last night.
Uh oh, the sleeping beast has been awoken. Last night, Ryan Howard exploded for 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. In September, Howard showed that he could carry this team. Hopefully, he can carry this team for just one more win. Jimmy Rollins also continued his breakout party going 3-5 with 3 runs scored. When Rollins does score, the Phillies have impressive win-loss record. I have a feeling he'll set the tempo once again tonight. Last night before the game I was talking with someone and I mentioned with the likes of Blanton and Sonnanstine, I'd expect a high-scoring game. Not necessarily because of their stuff, but because they were both relatively fly ball pitchers this postseason and the wind was blowing out in Citizen's Bank Park. Sonnanstine, lacking overpowering stuff, left his pitches up and the Phillies made him pay. Though it wasn't the best of the Rays bullpen, the Phillies scored 5 runs in 4 innings. All of the runs came because of the long ball.
There's one guy left that needs to join the party and that is Pat Burrell. The longest tenured Phillie is due and I'd expect something big from him tonight. He will not go down without a fight. He has come up with big hits this postseason and I'd expect something great from him during this series.
We're one game away! We're one game away from getting this monkey off our back. We're one game away from being declared the World Champions. This team needs to focus and do the same job they did all year.
We're on the doorstep of history. Make it happen Phils! You Gotta Believe!
The Phillies have just beat Tampa 10-2 in Game 4 of the World Series. Ryan Howard's 2 home run, 5 RBI night was just a sign of the sleeping giant being awoken. Can you fucking feel it right now? We're one win away from being crowned the best team in baseball!
Philly is going to be a mess tomorrow. Check in tomorrow for a full recap of the game! Right now, I need to go out an enjoy this! And here is the rest of it.
The first game ever played at Citizen's Bank Park was an epic one. It was a little before 2AM when Carlos Ruiz knocked in the winning run with the bases loaded. Ruiz's swinging bunt went just enough to allow Eric Bruntlett to beat the throw home. The Fightin' Phils won 5-4 and we're now up 2-1 in the World Series. See the excitement in the video I was able to capture below.
Yesterday was such an emotional day for myself and my friends. We were down along the field during the pre-game shows and interviews and we were overcame with a bunch of emotions. As youngsters, we've all drempt about being a professional baseball player playing on the World Series. Our Phillies are living the dream right now and they're making the best of it.
Jamie Moyer was at the parade at 1980. The Phillies were his hometown team. He was a local youngster just like the rest of us. The Phillies are now the team he plays for and there was nothing stopping him from helping the Phillies move closer to a World Series trophy. Jamie was phenomenal last night throwing 6 1/3 innings allowing 3 ER and striking out 5. He likely would have finished the 7th if it had not been for an awful call by the first base umpire. Moyer's performance was just amazing though and everyone knew how bad he felt after his first two starts this postseason. Jamie has had many memorable wins during his tenure here and though he didn't get the win last night, it will probably be the game he will be remembered for the most as a Phillie. He stepped up for us and it was huge. Everyone pegged game 3 as a huge pitching advantage for the Rays. Well, advantage us.
Offensively, it was only due time before Rollins broke out of his slump and he did so early when he started off the game with a single. After a wild pitch that moved Rollins and Werth up a base, Utley grounded out to second to get the run home. The Phillies have an exceptional record when Rollins is on base and scores. Nothing stopped that last night. The Rays would later tie it with an RBI ground-out of their own, but Carlos Ruiz put the Phillies back on top immediately with a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd. We ragged on Carlos' offense all year, but he's stepping up for us right now. Before every at-bat he was getting a loud ovation last night. Times have changed.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Phillies big combo of Utley and Howard hit back-to-back home runs. It was only due time before Howard joined in on the fun, and here it is from behind section 114.
The Rays later tied it at 4 after some things didn't go our way, but it only set up the epic 9th inning for the Phillies. This is Philly. It will never be easy. JC Romero pitched 1.1 innings and got the win. Often-mouthy Grant Balfour got the loss for the Rays.
We Hate to Lose began in October 2007. The initial purpose of the website was to provide news updates and commentary on all four major sports teams in Philadelphia. Because of time-constraints, in April of 2009, I decided to post only on my first-love, the Philadelphia Phillies.
My name is Justin Evans and I hope you enjoy the site.
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