Posted by Ian Riccaboni, Tue, February 21, 2012 10:00 AM | Comments: 5
2012 Spring Training, Analysis, News, Opinion, Posts
It is now common knowledge that Ruben Amaro Jr. was engaged in negotiations to essentially turn Joe Blanton into Bobby Abreu, then turn Abreu into AJ Burnett. I have a soft-spot for Blanton: the big Kentuckian was perfectly serviceable during the 2008 championship run and, like Cole Hamels, did not register a loss in the postseason that year.
Blanton is affable and epitomizes the imperfections of Philadelphia that fans can relate to. Is Blanton the biggest or strongest pitcher? No. Is he the fastest to the plate or does he have the best repertoire? No. But what Blanton does posses is an intangible likability and projects an image of a workman who packs his lunch. As a fan, it would have hurt to see Blanton, a member of said championship team, gone.
Then it hit me: they’re almost all gone already.
41 players wore white with red pinstripes in the 2008 season. Of those 41, only Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, and Blanton remain. Eight players are the last link to our World Championship team only three seasons later.
It is surprising but hardly jarring information. Most moves made the team more competitive, while other players who only had cups of coffee with the Phillies like Mike Cervanek or Brad Harman were never expected to stay. Some were rented mercenaries, acquired only to add some punch to keep us in the playoff hunt like Rudy Seanez or Matt Stairs. Most of the exits made sense: Pat Burrell was ready to move on, Adam Eaton was released, and Seanez retired. Some stayed around one more season to help us get back to the World Series before they left like Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre.
I think to an extent, it becomes difficult to separate the fan aspect from the human aspect of baseball. Blanton was such a gigantic part of leading the Phils into and through the playoffs that it would be heartbreaking to see him traded. But as a fanatic of the Phillies, I know heading into the season, the Phillies prospects for a World Series win may increase with somebody else taking the ball every fifth day. It is something we struggle with when talking about players like Howard, who have meant so much and share such an identity with the team, but whose contracts make even the average fan do a double take. And conversely, that’s what made it so gut-wrenching during the Rollins negotiations to hear him say he loved Philadelphia but imply that he might not be back.
To be honest, that’s the best part about being a fan. Reconciling business with loyalty, juxtaposing who helps you win the most with who gave you the best memories. That push and pull? That’s what I love about writing about baseball and the Phillies.
To the 33 members of the Phillies 2008 championship squad who are no longer on the team? Thanks. But I’d also like to move forward. This is quite possibly the most talented Phillies team out of the last six years. Their pitching is the best 1-2-3 in all of baseball. They have the best bench they’ve had in the last six seasons. Utley is healthy. This may be Victorino’s last year as a Phillie. Worse yet, it may be Hamels’s last year, too.
There will be a day when there are no longer any members of the 2008 championship team in the Phillies clubhouse, a day when Charlie and Rich aren’t calling shots, and a day when Ruben is no longer the GM. But we have eight guys who know what it takes to win a championship in Philadelphia, four (Jose Contreras, Jonathan Papelbon, Juan Pierre, and Scott Podsednik) who have won elsewhere, and 13+ more who are ready to do anything to win it. With the eternal optimism of Spring, I say “Play Ball”.
5 CommentsPosts: 0 Ryan
I just felt the need to let you know that there was a great deal of nostalgia experienced while reading this article, great read and very well written. Cannot wait for the season!! Hopefully the Phils of 2012 produce that same experience
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 11:27 AM on February 21, 2012Posts: 0 Dave
Seriously, a great article. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am at times nostalgic to a fault.Took me back to the good seasons, and the not-so-good seasons. Can’t have one without the other, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I watch the game cuz I love the game, not just because I think the Phils can win it all (which I think they can do anyways). Already looking forward to the next few months. I don’t want to think farther than that, just enjoy the moment of being a fan of this currently awesome team.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:24 PM on February 21, 2012Posts: 0 BART SHART
Good article. Baseball today is a game of constant transition. Sometimes it bothers me and sometimes I embrace it. It is getting like the NBA in that salaries are getting scary and the addition of two solid players in baseball — an outstanding hitter and an outstanding starting pitcher can turn a mediocre team into a champion. There are a lot of serviceabe veterans and utility players that can turn a mediocre squad into killers. Just look at the ’93 Phils. That is why “The Offseason” and the Hot Stove League are such important parts of the game. For baseball nuts like me, the offseason makes baseball an all-year hobby. And that ain’t bad.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 11:38 AM on February 21, 2012Posts: 558 betasigmadeltashag
I thought this was one of the best writen post in a long time, I still have the 2008 highlights on DVR and watch them a few times a month. I know you can not live in the past, and maybe I do a little too much. And I think if Charlie can embrace the bench and the pen to rest the starting eight during the year I think this team has a depth they have not had in the past. I am ready for baseball and opening day is just around the corner.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:12 PM on February 21, 2012Posts: 40 branderson925
Haven’t been on in a while with the demise of the Eagles and Flyers/Sixers season in full swing (plus I’ve been studying abroad in Italy since mid January) but I wanted to say nice article. I woulda been pissed if we got rid of Blanton and got Burnett. Burnett is washed up and I loved Blanton since he was on the A’s. Some might remember that the A’s are my second team (I know I know). It will be a sad day when no one remains but hopefully that is after Cole retires at age 40 or something.
I just thought about how we have three former White Sox from their championship. Kinda strange
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:19 PM on February 21, 2012 Leave a Comment>> Create a new Phillies Nation account. >> Already registered with Phillies Nation? Log in here. >> Comment without logging in:
Name (required)
Email (will not be published) (required)
Leave a comment below
Please ensure your comments comply with our Comment Policy. .load-hide{display:none} NetworkPostsActivity Login to your Phillies Nation account to comment and access your Network dashboard.
Username:
Password:
Don't have an account? Create a new one here >>
Shane Victorino on "Hawaii Five-0"Play Fantasy Baseball with Phillies NationClearwater Notes: Ibanez, Contreras, HowardHamels: Not Focused on Contract TalksProspect Nation 2012: #10 OF Jiwan JamesReport: Amaro Tried to Flip Blanton for BurnettWeek In Review - Where Do I Begin
jaimietalsky commented on the blog post 12 minutes ago · View
Louis Vuitton 2011 Collection Louis Vuitton Collection LV 2011 Collection Louis Vuitton 2010 Collection Louis Vuitton 2010 Collection cheap .The losing of hearing within a or both ears is usually classified by just type, stage and configuration.The type concerns the element of the even system it’s involved.The measure is the level of extra volume required for a person so that [...]
Pat Gallen wrote a new blog post: Shane Victorino on “Hawaii Five-0″ 15 minutes ago · View
Did you miss Shane Victorino’s performance on CBS’s “Hawaii Five-0″ on Monday night? Fear not, it has been uploaded by someone named “BadazzTUBE” on YouTube.
Victorino’s cameo is quick, however, he does an OK job in what I believe is his acting debut.
All footage is owned by CBS.
branderson925 commented on the blog post 22 minutes ago · View
Haven’t been on in a while with the demise of the Eagles and Flyers/Sixers season in full swing (plus I’ve been studying abroad in Italy since mid January) but I wanted to say nice article. I woulda been pissed if we got rid of Blanton and got Burnett. Burnett is washed up and I loved [...]
betasigmadeltashag commented on the blog post 29 minutes ago · View
I thought this was one of the best writen post in a long time, I still have the 2008 highlights on DVR and watch them a few times a month. I know you can not live in the past, and maybe I do a little too much. And I think if Charlie can embrace the [...]
tommysensenig commented on the blog post Clearwater Notes: Ibanez, Contreras, Howard 33 minutes ago · View
canada goose kids canada goose jackets canada goose outlet buy canada goose cheap canada goose canada goose gloves canada goose for kids canada goose parka sale canada goose online store canada goose cheap .But it will be possible that Albert is keen on environmental affairs than affairs of your heart’.Monaco happens to be making good news recently seeing that Monaco housing prices [...]
Shop Fan Gear Unlimited for all your Phillies Gear on sale. Check out great deals on stadium seats with backs and great coupons at the Sports Unlimited Facebook page.
2012 Phillies SalariesCharlie Manuel
$3 million
Cliff Lee
$21.5 million
Ryan Howard
$20 million
Roy Halladay
$20 million
Chase Utley
$15 million
Jonathan Papelbon
$11 million
Jimmy Rollins
$11 million
Cole Hamels
$9.5 million
Shane Victorino
$9.5 million
Joe Blanton
$8.5 million
Hunter Pence
$6.9 million
Placido Polanco
$6.25 million
Ty Wigginton
$4 million
Carlos Ruiz
$3.7 million
Jose Contreras
$2.5 million
Kyle Kendrick
$2.45 million
Jim Thome
$1.25 million
Laynce Nix
$1.15 million
Dontrelle Willis
$850,000
Brian Schneider
$800,000
John Mayberry
$414,000
Vance Worley
$405,000
Antonio Bastardo
$405,000
Alliance Tickets Alliance Tickets is your source watching your favorite team live and all your MLB Tickets. We carry a huge selection of cheap Philadelphia Phillies Tickets, Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, and San Francisco Giants Tickets. Phillies Rumors & News > The Nation on FlickrNot Affiliated with Major League Baseball or the Philadelphia PhilliesPrivacy Policy | Contact Us
Switch to our mobile site Phillies NationLog InSign Up VisitRandom Member
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment