It Was Ten Years Ago Today

[EastFallowfield]

6/8/08

Kendrick and the gang win last night, going for the sweep in Atlanta.

Game Thread 6/8: Eaton (Phillies) vs. Campillo (Atlanta)

[EastFallowfield]

6/9/08

Phils sweep Atlanta, season high 13 games over .500, 3 1/2 games up. Day off today.

Via the AP, the Phillies have outscored their opponents 158-98 in the sixth inning and later this season. The 60-run differential is nearly double that of the second-best team in the majors. They also have the best winning percentage in baseball since April 20 (.660). (Beerleaguer)

[EastFallowfield]

6/10/08

On to Florida...

Game Thread 6/10: Myers (Phillies) vs. Nolasco (Florida)

[EastFallowfield]

6/11/08

Myers didn't have it again last night, will he ever contribute to the cause in 2008? It's the young lefties tonight as Cole Hamels faces off against Andrew Miller.

Dave Montgomery quoted today:

Shame on us if we sit back and say, 'Everything is going fine. There's no area where we can improve.' That isn't the nature of this business. That isn't the nature of the general manager [Pat Gillick] we have. He's always looking, always challenging everyone in the organization, scouts, everyone.

Game Thread 6/11: Phillies (Hamels) at Marlins (Miller)

[Philsmania]

Also, it's draft day. Phils take Anthony Hewitt, a high schooler from Connecticut. Later they'd select Vance Worley, Jason Knapp, Michael Stutes, Michael Schwimmer, Tyler Cloyd, Trevor May, Jonathan Pettitbone, etc etc.

And, with the comp pick they received for the loss of Rowand, they pick another impressive athletic specimen, Zach Collier. And, with the second pick, they select Anthony Gose who now, of course, is a once-promising outfielder trying to reinvent himself as a lefty reliever and occasional pinch-hitter or spot DH or outfielder (1.35 ERA and 1.200 WHIP in the Carolina League for Texas)..

[EastFallowfield]

6/12/08

Ugly loss (walkoff grand slam) and Phils have lost two in a row, spoiling the good times for everyone.

But it's time for Moyer to toy with Florida again.

Game Thread 6/12: Phillies (Moyer) at Marlins (Olsen)

[EastFallowfield]

6/13/08

Moyer goes to 9-0 vs Florida, Lidge is 18-18 in save opportunities, Billy Wagner blows his 3rd straight save for the Mets, people are happy again.

Onto St Louis for 3.

Game Thread 6/13: Phillies (Kendrick) at Cards (Wellemeyer)

Elsewhere, NBC's Tim Russert died suddenly.

[EastFallowfield]

6/14/08

Phils score 20 runs AGAIN in 2008. 20-2 over St Louis. Biggest lead of the season at 4 games. Last time, no hangover. Let's hope that's true once more...

Game Thread 6-14-08 Phils (Eaton) at Cardinals (Lohse)

[EastFallowfield]

6/15/08

Didn't work out so well after the second 20 run game this year, as Phils lose by a run in the second game in St Louis.

Rubber game today, happy Dad's day.

Father’s Day GDT: 6/15-Myers (Phils) vs. Boggs (St. Louis)

[EastFallowfield]

6/16/08

Disappointing loss yesterday. Back home for interleague action vs the defending World Champs. Former Expo Bartolo Colon still pitching somehow.

Game Thread 6/16: Colon (Boston) vs. Hamels (Phillies)

[EastFallowfield]

6/17/08

2 Ryan Howard homers and a triple later, and Phils win easily in Game 1 vs Boston.

Elsewhere, the Mets fired Willie Randolph and some of his coaches as they still haven't shaken the heartbreak of 2007 off. They're just 6 1/2 games back, still time to make some noise under a new regime.

Also elsewhere, the Boston Celtics win their 17th championship over the Lakers.

Game Thread 6/17: Lester (Boston) vs. Moyer (Phillies)

[EastFallowfield]

6/18/08

Phils struggled against the young lefty Jon Lester (Utley's average drops below .300 for the first time this season) so we've got an afternoon rubber match. Trying to avoid a 3rd straight series loss.

GDT 6/18: Red Sox (Masterson) vs. Phillies (Kendrick)

[EastFallowfield]

6/19/08

Lost the game and series to the Red Sox yesterday. Day off today. Still in first, up by 2, but word is Phils are scouting starting pitchers such as CC Sabathia and Roy Oswalt.

[Philsmania]

6/19/08

Lost the game and series to the Red Sox yesterday. Day off today. Still in first, up by 2, but word is Phils are scouting starting pitchers such as CC Sabathia and Roy Oswalt.

Even in those glory years, the Phillies often struggled in interleague play.

[EastFallowfield]

Even in those glory years, the Phillies often struggled in interleague play.

And in most if not all of the successful seasons there were stretches when the manager was a moron, the GM was incompetent, the bullpen worthless, the offense punchless, and almost all hope would be lost.

[EastFallowfield]

6/20/08

The challenges keep on coming. Now it's the Angels coming in with the best record in MLB.

Game Thread 6/20: Santana (Los Angeles) vs Eaton (Phillies)

Elsewhere, Curt Schilling is headed for surgery. He hasn't pitched since 2007. We'll see if he ever pitches again.*

*Nope

[EastFallowfield]

6/21/08

Slumping Phils barely put up a fight vs Ervin Santana and the Angels. Game two...

Game Thread 6-21-08 Angels (Saunders) vs Phils (Myers)

[EastFallowfield]

6/22/08

Another ugly game, Phils have lost 8 of 11, lead down to one game. Looking to avoid the sweep today.

Elsewhere, George Carlin dies after more heart trouble.

Game Thread 6/22: Weaver (Los Angeles) vs Hamels (Phillies)

[EastFallowfield]

6/23/08

Swept by the Angels. Day off before a trip to CA, TX and GA. Still up a game as the Marlins have had some trouble with AL teams too.

[EastFallowfield]

6/24/08

Out to Oakland for 3.

Game Thread 6/24: Moyer (Phillies) vs. Blanton (A’s)