It's been awhile since my last blog post. As a die-hard Phillies fan, I've been as frustrated about the end of the season as anyone. With so many postives going for the team -- Rollins hitting streak, a late season run against tough divisional matchups, the growing team chemistry, and a schedule advantage against the Astros -- it was tough to watch the season end on an error by the Cubs gold-glove shortstop.
Since then, there has been much to talk about in Phillies Nation -- Ed Wade's dismissal, the search for a new general manager, Wagner's decision to test free-agency -- but the extended frustration didn't make it seem worth talking about yet.
Now, the Phillies have received about the best news they could hope for, and it has nothing to do with the Phillies organization. Leo Mazzone is no longer the pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves. To the lay-fan, this may not sound like much news to consider, but for those of us who follow the game intently, we know what this means.
Leo Mazzone along with Bobby Cox's arrival in Atlanta back in the early 1990's started one of the most amazing runs in pro-sports history -- a 15 year Division Title streak. Clearly the pitching dynasty that Mazzone lead was a huge key to that run. Just three times from 1992-2005 did the Braves not produce the best or second-best ERA in the Majors. That's pitching domination plain and simple. Now Mazzone moves along to the Baltimore Orioles to work his magic for one of the majors worst pitching staffs season in and season out.
Does this mean we can count the Braves out next year? Certainly not. Until someone beats the Braves, they have to be considered the favorite to win the division. However, without Mazzone, the team should begin to loose their grip on the best pitching staff in baseball. Now lets hope the Braves loose Furcal and really put themselves into a tough situation.
Random Thoughts
Ed Wade's dismissal doesn't come as a surprise, but was he really as bad as Phillies fans make him out to be? No, he didn't construct a team that could make it to the post-season, and he did a poor job at making trade deadline moves, but he leaves a team that is as successful as Philadelphia has seen since the late 70's. Considering the team has finished with a winning record the past 3 years and 4 of the past 5, this organization has turned a historic corner it would seem. The Phillies also boast one of the most fertile farm systems in baseball over recent years, which is a direct result of what Wade built. Wade leaves the Phillies in much better shape than he found them, but he couldn't beat the tandem of Mazzone and Cox and has become the scape goat...The Phillies are interviewing several new GM candidates and this person will be charged with getting the team over the 90 win hump and into the post-season. One name that is interesting is Houston's GM Gerry Hunsicker. He's an interesting choice since his first duty as the Phillies GM could be re-signing Billy Wagner. Wagner is the pitcher he traded to the Phillies because of payroll issues, only to turn around and sign Petitte, Clemens and then Beltran. Wagner hasn't had kind words for his old ballclub, and Hunsicker is the reason. Makes for an interesting situation...Speaking of Wagner and his choice to test free-agency, if we take the fireballing pitcher at his word, he really wants to stay in Philadelphia, and is just testing the waters know his true value. He is likely to find out that a 3 year 27 Million dollar offer is about as good as it gets. If last year was an indication, teams seem to be unwilling to sign a top pitcher for more than 7 Million per year, so the 10 Million Wagner is seeking may be out of the range of feasibility for other clubs. Can't blame the guy for testing the waters, and definitely hope to see him in the bullpen next year as a key component to the Phillies playoff run...how sad was it to watch the Padres in the playoffs knowing that the Phillies were a much better team. With the way the Cardinals were pitching and the Astros were hitting, if the Phillies had been in the place of the Padres, you just have to wonder what if? Ok, it's time to let last season go and start thinking about the next...Congrats to my home town White Sox, it was an amazing run. Wanna play the Phillies to see who is really the best team? Ok, this time I really mean it, time to let last season go.
