Phillies 2009 Year In Review

2009 was an outstanding season for the Philadelphia Phillies in many ways.  Not only did they return to the World Series for the second consecutive year, but when you look at everything they had to endure to do so, the feat becomes that much more impressive.  Here is a look at the obstacles the team overcame in 2009 and also some of the season highlights:

Obstacles Overcome

• The loss of our beloved Harry Kalas
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  The 2008 World Series hangover
• Injuries to every member of the bullpen
• Losing the #2 starter (Brett Myers) at the beginning of the year
• Watching the #1 starter, Cole Hamels, go through weird injuries, bad luck and a very bad season
• 
  JC Romero’s unwarranted 50-game suspension
• Lack of production from the bench players
• The June Swoon (11-15 record)
• The struggles and eventual season ending injury of Jamie Moyer
• The injury to Raul Ibanez right before the All-Star break; Ibanez went from super hot to totally not afterwards.
• Offensive slumps throughout the year
• A down year and very slow start from the offensive engine, Jimmy Rollins
• Brad Lidge going from first to worst among closers

Highlights

• The Ring Ceremony
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  The White House visit
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  Eric Bruntlett’s game-ending, unassisted triple play
• Cliff Lee - a gift from Heaven (and Ruben Amaro Jr.)

• 
   
  
  Jayson Werth becomes a solid, productive everyday player
• Pedro Feliz had off-season back surgery, recovered well and became a real contributor offensively
• JA Happ emerged as rookie sensation with 12 wins and the lowest team ERA among starters (2.93)
• Jamie Moyer wins career game #250
• The Phillies visit with J-Roll Smurf (more of a personal highlight, but a highlight nonetheless)
• 
  
  Chase Utley – enough said
• Ryan Howard becomes the fastest player ever to reach 200 career home runs
• Ryan Howard knocks the most grand slams in Phillies history
• 
  A 3-game sweep of the Mets in July
• The 10 game winning streak, July 8-21
• The two Old Goats, Jamie Moyer & Pedro Martinez, combine to win 2 games in August that were split up by rain delays
• 
  5 Phillies players, plus all coaches, go to the All-Star game
• Jayson Werth steals home against Dodgers
• Franchise record set for attendance and sellout games; 3,600,693 fans and 73 sellouts in 81 home games, finishing 3rd in baseball for total and average attendance
• Return to World Series

Congratulations to the 2009 National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies! 

In other news:

• The 2009 coaching staff have all been invited to return next year. 
• Cliff Lee’s 8 million dollar club option was picked up (no surprise here) for 2010.
• Raul Ibanez, Scott Eyre and Brad Lidge will all be seen by team doctors this weekend to determine if surgeries will be needed.  Eyre has loose bodies in his elbow and Lidge may have the same.  Ibanez has a tear in his abdomen and a hip issue.
• No word yet on Pedro Feliz’s club option, but it will be decided by Monday.

• Photos by Jenn, except White House

   

  *Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*