2007 Phillies: The Comeback Kids

by Brendan.Canney

In what can be considered one of the greatest choke jobs of all time in baseball, the New York Mets, who were up by 7 games on September 12th, have been eliminated from playoff contention. Since that time, the Phillies have gone on to win 13 of 17 and now are going to the playoffs for this first time since 1993 when they reached the World Series.

The Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals today 6-1 thanks to a tremendous outing by Souderton,PA native Jamie Moyer. Ryan Howard contributed 3 RBIs while the bullpen pitched 3 scoreless innings.

The Mets lost for the 13th time in 17 games since they held their 7 game lead in the NL East. Tom Glavine, who has pitched in big games before when he was with the Atlanta Braves, was throwing softballs to the Marlins. The veteran pitcher didn't even make it out of the 1st inning and only recorded one out before he was pulled.

Jimmy Rollins predicted at the beginning of the year that the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East. Not only has Rollins backed that bold prediction up, he joined an elite club when he hit an RBI triple in sixth inning to become only the fourth player (2nd this year/Curtis Granderson) to hit at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases. Towards the end of the game fans were heard chanting, "MVP, MVP, MVP!". And rightfully so.

The last time a team blew a seven game lead in the month of September was pre-WW2. The Pittsburgh Pirates achieved that feat in 1938. The Phillies still may be considered the greatest choke artists of all time when they blew a 6.5 game lead with 12 games left in the 1964. Now I wouldn't say that the Mets choke job was larger, but it certainly will help Phillies fans forget about that part of our history. The Phillies refused all season to fold and if you don't believe me, maybe their 48 come from behind wins will convince you.

For once, Philadelphia fans will be cheering "Phillies! Phillies!" instead of chanting "E-A-G-L-E-S". A welcome change of pace if you ask me!

TehLokiVarsity Captain

790 days ago

Score 1

Hell yes! I am so glad I watched them! Rollins is MVP hands down!

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Bberg11Varsity

790 days ago

Score 1

I've got a sick feeling Rollins won't win the MVP. I think he is the CLEAR choice though

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RomiezzoLegend

790 days ago

Score 1

Remember when everyone hated Jimmy Rollins because he was so cocky when he thought the Phils were gonna win the division? Well, look at the standings boys. J Roll is amazing, and he always has been... but this year is where his stats have really stood out. I think J roll deserves a LOT more credit than what he has right now.

It's gonna be tough for him to win MVP with Matt Holliday in the NL, and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard on the same team as he is. But, he has had a hell of a year.

Congrats to the Phils, once again, and congrats to J-Roll on such an awesome prediction.

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JuTMSY4Legend

790 days ago

Score 2

I think it'll be real hard because the Rockies could make the playoffs... If that does happen...then i have no idea whether it will be holliday or Rollins...if the Rox lose...it will probably be rollins...if the rox lose tomorrow to the pads...i'd say 60-40 Rollins...

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RomiezzoLegend

790 days ago

Score 1

It's REALLY tough to decide. I would definitely vote for Holliday if I had to pick though... no offense JuT. He's in the top 4 in BA, HRs, and RBIs, and he's led his entire team to a whole new level: playoff contention. Even if they're one game away, it's all on how valuable a player is. People here probably can't decide who's more valuable between the big 3 in Philly. Many people would say J-Roll, but some who disagree CAN make an argument about Howard and Utley being more valuable, which is ridiculous.

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

789 days ago

Score 2

Rollins doesn't get on base. Utley would've been way more valuable if he hadn't gotten hurt, and I still think he's been more valuable this year. Both have been easily more valuable than Howard this season. Holliday might win, because the voters don't really care about park factors (explaining why the Phillies' guys will probably finish 2-3 as well). Most of what I've seen suggests Wright was the best player in the NL this year, though obviously there's no clear favorite.

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 0

Kwitt, just for the record, just because you play less less games doesn't mean that that specific player is less valuable. For example when Chase Utley got injured, the Phillies didn't win that much. But they still held on with only Aaron Rowand, J-Roll (Pat Burrell) at one point point in time. And who do the phils have to thank for that? Surely not the pitchers. J-Roll has been a phenomenon all year long, and is a member of the 30-30 club. He is easily the MVP for the Phils in my opinion, but like I said, there are definitely some arguments that can be made. Just like when you said: Utley gets on base more than J-Roll...

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

789 days ago

Score 1

MVP absolutley has to do with how many games you play. A player who plays 160 games is contributing more to his team than a player of the same skill level who plays 130; therefore, he is more "valuable".

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 0

Are you saying that if Matt Holliday got injured on the Rockies, he'd be less valuable? I understand what you mean with the stats and all, and contributing more stats, but think of it this way: what would happen if Matt Holliday was injured this year? The Rockies wouldn't even be near the wild card chase. Now, does that make him less valuable just because he played less games? Absolutely not. He's still extremely valuable, but just not producing the same numbers.

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Kwitt11Varsity Captain

789 days ago

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I'm saying that if Matt Holliday played 130 games instead of 160, he'd contribute less to his team, and would therefore contribute less value. By your definition, someone like Fransicso Liriano who was out for the season could win the MVP, because his team would miss him so much. That just doesn't make sense.

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PatcannSoccer Kid

789 days ago

Score 1

Rollins for MVP, Mayor and Governor.

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 0

Who for president?

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NejoshiDiv-I Stud

789 days ago

Score 1

Congratulations Philadelphia! This is crazy, the NL could see four new teams in the playoffs. Philly hasn't been there since 1993, Colorado 1995, and there's a GREAT chance one of them will be in the NLCS. Amazing. The Rollins/Holliday debate is so tough to decide.

The idiots over at Yahoo have a premonition that Prince Fielder is going to take the NL MVP.

http://sport...mp;type=lgns

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 0

Really? What ever happened to JJ Hardy?

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TehLokiVarsity Captain

789 days ago

Score 2

What's funny, is this is the team Ed Wade drafted (Howard, Utley, Hamels, Burrell(Who didnt do half bad this season)).

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 0

Not bad at all. 30 HRs, 97 RBIs, .904 OPS. Pretty good numbers.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

789 days ago

Score -9

stick it up your ass you faggot phillies fan.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

789 days ago

Score 1

Warden - please remember to login. Thanks.

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Tmil42AAA-er

789 days ago

Score 4

I feel sick to my stomach. But congratulations to the Phillies. This Mets choke job would not have been possible if the Phillies hadn't pretty much won every single game down the stretch. Jimmy Rollins and his team deserve all the credit in the world for their comeback.

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RomiezzoLegend

789 days ago

Score 2

Finally! A Mets fan commenting on the Phillies. And not only that, it's a positive comment. Thanks, Tmil...

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Tmil42AAA-er

789 days ago

Score 2

Absolutely. You've got to give credit where credit is due.

The Phillies played the way I wished the Mets would have.

It reminds me of Super Troopers:

Jimmy Rollins: "Our shenanigans are cheeky and fun. His (Jose Reyes') shenanigans are cruel and tragic."

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DonatevoMajor Leaguer

789 days ago

Score 0

The mets have definitely redefined choking.

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CityhockeyfeverVarsity Captain

789 days ago

Score 0

Ah, Philadelphia sports fans can rejoice with pride. Too bad that both the Mets and Phillies couldn't be in this postseason together to represent the East. While I can say that may observers may look at the Mets' collapse more than the Phillies' comeback to win the division, credit is due to the winner here. Even though in my mind the Mets gift-wrapped a nice playoff present for the Phillies, I can honestly say Philadelphia really earned the right to play in October. Good luck to the Phillies during this postseason. At least there will be meaningful games played in that beautiful new ballpark now with a capacity crowd there to take it all in.

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Silencer76AAA-er

789 days ago

Score 0

Now the Phillies have company in the meltdown department.

As I am sure most Phils fans know, they did something similar to the Mets this season in 1964, blowing a 6.5 game lead with 12 to play by losing 10 straight, allowing the Cards to take the pennant.

43 years later, they finally get their retribution.

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