GAMES — Disappointment Continues for Phillies, Fans

Let’s raise a glass to a fabulous 102-regular season wins for the 2011 Phillies. This was the second straight year Philadelphia started the playoffs boasting baseball’s best record, but somehow that toast tastes more like warm soy milk instead of chilled champagne.
A post-season run that began in 2007 continued this year with a fifth straight National League East title. The assembled multi-millionaire starting pitchers came into April with impressive resumes and high expectations. A void in right-handed hitting was miraculously turned into another superb mid-season acquisition with quirky but effective Hunter Pence.
Many on the roster were recognizable names familiar to electronic media-consuming baseball followers. Five straight playoff appearances, magazine covers and 200-plus sell-out crowds at a beautiful ballpark will garner attention. This team, with the Yankee-like payroll, was in the cross-hairs of opponents all season yet they eclipsed the century plateau in wins.
But you’d expect playoff-tested veterans to shrug off post-season pressures. Cole Hamels was the lone member of this year’s starting staff who also took the hill for the 2008 glory season but the other aces had been around the league for many years and had dealt with expectations. Much of the starting eight were also in the same red pinstripes three long seasons ago.
Aside from changes with the base-running and hitting coaches, Charlie Manuel’s staff was pretty much intact over these handful of productive years. The front office retained 2008-team architect Pat Gillick as a consultant, however, one executive did mysteriously depart late in the 2011 campaign.
So what went wrong?
For those who desire one-word answers, we’ll say, “hitting.” A collective failure of a once-proud lineup was the Waterloo. They suffered significant Injuries, but everyone deals with ailments when playing sports on a daily basis. Watching so many Phillies slump at the same time was mystifying and disappointing. The lumber slumbered mightily which pressured the pitching and defense to shut down opposing teams.
Under Manuel, the Phillies seldom attempt to manufacture offense with stealing, bunting or hit-and-run strategies. Manuel, we’re told, does not like to give up outs, so “small ball” is often ignored in Philadelphia. The team was not blessed with great speed and losing coach Davey Lopes didn’t help their base running, which can be huge when the bats go silent.
The problem with going “all in” and failing to be fitted for a ring is that the remnant of aging and injury-prone athletes and a payroll more bloated than the Michelin Man. You can add the presence of expiring contracts for potential free agents who spent the season observing millionaire teammates in the clubhouse.
Will the club be outbid for emerging closer Ryan Madson? Can the team let franchise face and defensive wizard Jimmy Rollins go home to the California bay area? Can the odometer on Roy Oswalt be turned back or should the team write the pay-out check and see if bespectacled Vance Worley is more Clark Kent or Superman?
Should the organization have awarded fading run-producer Ryan Howard with a five-year extension for $125 million? Was Ruben Amaro’s beverage all over the back of the chair in front of him when he saw Howard sprawled across the first base chalk line? Howard is a big man with limited mobility, suspect defense and now a serious leg injury. And there’s no designated hitter role to fall back on.
Chase Utley is a fan favorite and deservedly so, but his all-out style results in lingering physical damage which curtails his late-season production. Utley is a gamer with fantastic base-running skills and a quick left-handed stroke but how much does his lean body have left to give?
Placido Palanco played superb third base despite a hernia injury. His offense suffered and he’s the oldest of the starting eight. The team needs a solid bat at the hot corner and Polanco’s case will be interesting as the trading and free-agent season begins next month.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz is a gritty defender who blocks every dirt ball and withstands punishing collisions while squeezing difficult short-hop throws from 300 feet away. But the wear of crouching and constantly being nicked by misdirected baseballs ruins his hitting each season. Ruiz needs more rest during the season and they’ll need a back-up who can duplicate his defense for about 50 games a year.
The outfield is a question mark because centerfielder Shane Victorino may be the only valuable trade chip the club has. He’s solid with the glove and brings a decent bat to the lineup. Left field is open although John Mayberry Jr. deserves a legitimate shot to win the job. Mayberry may also take over first base while the big man recovers.
Raul Ibanez is a seasoned veteran, a gentleman and a great athlete for his age but his best days are behind him. Unless he accepts a one-year discount deal for a part-time role, the team needs to move on. Right field is in good hands with immediate fan favorite Pence.
The bullpen is annually up in the air anyway. Brad Lidge gets a tip of the cap for an unforgettable 2008 but he’s more shot than the 1999 Chrysler in your neighbor’s side yard. Low cost lefty Antonio Bastardo would make the ‘pen stronger if he can regain his mid-season form.
The other spots will probably be reserved for inexpensive arms like Michael Stutes. Anticipate some farm team promotions for middle relief since that role is not supposed to be as crucial with stellar starting pitching expected to keep the ball into the late innings.
Phillies followers know 2008 was the exception, not the rule. But chew on frustration like low-fat oatmeal. We should be accustomed to the feeling by now.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net