The Phillies are Feeling Blue...

...because their playoff chances are down to 0.2 (or practically nil).  With the two losses to the Braves this weekend and the Cardinals two wins and the continued success of the Brewers, I will now resign myself to the fact that I most probably likely not going to be rooting for a Phillies postseason run for the first time since 2006.  It was quite a run, but it's still sobering as a fan and for the players involved.

Roy Halladay-feeling blue because he allowed 7 runs in 1.2 innings in his final start, pickmeup suggestion-go fishing in the Caribbean

Cliff Lee-feeling blue because of the small run support he got for most of the year.  pickmeup suggestion-become a dart throwing champion in the offseason

Ryan Howard-feeling blue because of his career low .SLG. pickmeup suggestion-go back to his hometown of St. Louis and have some Ted Drewes.

Vance Worley-feeling blue because surgery on the elbow is never good. pickmeup suggestion-invest in a fashion or costume line that will use his goggles.

Jimmy Rollins-feeling blue because his OBP has dropped to its lowest mark since 2002 and because he keeps on getting reamed once or twice a year for not running out every pop-up.  pickmeup suggestion: three words: radio show host.

So as you can see, they don't seem to be feeling too well.  Amazingly, they stayed in contention until the penultimate week of the season.  Hopefully, they can finish the season with a winning record.......

But of course, if they win all their games and the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Brewers all falter all bets are off.  Is that completely irrational?  I meant it to be.

All-Time Phillies First Baseman List: 2010 Topps Ryan Howard Commemorative Patch Representing

This is one of two commemorative patches worth getting for me from the last few years of blaster box patches; the other one of course is one featuring the 1980 World Series. That would be a bias for winning years. The Phillies are not in the midst of a winning year. There's an obvious statement...discuss the implications. But with every dark cloud of a season, there are sparkles in the darkness (or silver linings). Last night, Ryan Howard returned to burnish the desire of every Phillies fan to scream out, "Well, let's see what would have happened if everyone was healthy." This is the rallying cry of many doomed teams. Of course, they are 1-8 since Utley's return, so there are no guarantees. Howard has had a starburst type of career in that it has been short, productive, and hard to predict where the next light will fall. His best year was his MVP year of 2006 when he had 58 HR, 149 RBI, and other career highs in AVG (.313), OBP (.425), SLG (.659), OPS+ (167), total bases (383),and BB (108). He had great seasons in 2007 and 2009 with 2008 being a great power season. 2010 and 2011 were merely good seasons in the scheme of things. His on base and power production both dropped significantly from that peak, and if not for the injury has looked into settling into a 125 OPS+ player with 30 HR, 100 RBI, and .350 OBP. Productive, but not worth $25 million per year (but that's a discussion for another day. Historically, first base has not been a strong position for the Phillies over the years. There have been some outstanding seasons and few outstanding players over the years that have played there for multiple seasons. Howard easily ranks first in Phillies history. Here's a cursory look at the rankings based on nothing more than statistical glances, longevity, and arbitrary bonuses for the postseason. 1. Ryan Howard (2005-present) 2. John Kruk (1989-1993) 3. Pete Rose (1979-1983) 4. Dolph Camilli (1934-1937) 5. Jim Thome (2003-2005) 6. Fred Luderus (1910-1920) 7. Don Hurst (1928-1934) 8. Willie Montanez (1971-1975) 9. Eddie Waitkus (1949-1953) 10. Von Hayes (1986-1988) 11. Frank McCormick (1946-1947) 12. Deron Johnson (1969-1973) 13. Rico Brogna (1997-2000) 300. Travis Lee (2000-2002) 500. John Mabry (2002 for 21 games)

Happy Birthday to a Cleanup Hitter

(Card comes from a trade with Play at the Plate)

Ryan Howard turned 30 yesterday, meaning he's no longer a baseball young disciple with unfulfilled potential. He's already established as a legitimate baseball superstar. Let's examine his career chronologically.

2001: Drafted by the Phillies in the 5th round in the June Draft out of Missouri State University. Immediately thought that if he wanted to be drafted by a team in a city with horrible winter, it should be a team that finished above .500 more than once in the last 15 years. Set out on quest to swing heaviest bat in minor leagues.

2002: Struck out 145 times in 135 games at Single-A Lakewood. Decided he did not like riding the bus to the games, so decided to hit 19 HRs as well...all walk-offs... to beat the traffic back home.

2003: Enjoys the FL sunshine in Clearwater to the tune of 23 HRs and a .514 SLG. Teammates show him no respect by not letting him run all the way around the bases (only 67 runs despite .374 OBP) and smearing shaving cream on his face as he sleeps. Responds with the classic hot foot to every offender.

2004: Decides PA is good for him when he hits 48 HRs split between Reading and Scranton. Meets Billy Wagner for one game in Reading and decides he doesn't like him. Begins the only known burn book featuring Jim Thome, otherwise known as the nicest guy in baseball.

2005: Has to listen to trade rumors involving Kip Wells during the offseason. Elected ROY in the NL after opportunity to play surfaces, hitting 22 HR and .924 OPS in 88 games. Celebrates by running up the art museum steps 2005 times.

2006: MVP! MVP!

2007: Phillies clinch NL East division title despite his 199 strikeouts (47 HR and 136 RBI). Experiences first champagne spray, and loves it so much, creates the option in his home jacuzzi.

2008: Practices fielding during spring training with oven mitts to soften hands. Powers the Phillies to World Series title! Enjoys the championship parade, has Chase Utley's speech set as his ringtone.

2009: Continues stellar play in the field, helping lead Phillies to NL pennant (45 HR, 141 RBI, 140 OPS+). Decides to boycott cheesecake and pastrami after World Series.

(Note: Not everything presented here was true or based on any evidence)