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04/22/2004 Archived Entry: "Phillies Journal - 2004"
Phillies Journal - 2004
by Max Blue
SEPTEMBER 2003 SONG IN APRIL 2004
A little history here. It hurts. Oh does it hurt. September, 2003. The Phils are still in it. They go to Florida for three games.
SEPTEMBER SONG
Six games to play.
What can I say?
In the end it has come down to this.
Will it be hit or will it be miss?
Will we play on an October day?
Monday, September 22, 2003. Facing a three game series in Florida, trailing the Fish by one game in the wild card race.
LOSING IS BRUISING
Through six Kevin Millwood was cruising.
After seven the Phillies were losing.
The guy let us down in the clutch,
Jeff Conine again was too much.
Our hearts and our spirits are bruising.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003. Pro-Player Stadium, Miami, Florida. Florida 5 Philadelphia 4
A – FOR EFFORT
The baseball gods were not on our side.
It was us not the Fish who got fried.
But however you slice it,
Cut it or dice it,
You cannot deny that we tried.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003. Pro-Player Stadium. Florida 6 Philadelphia 5.
PLOP!
A week ago we were on top.
Then came a sickly 5-game flop.
You can look for a reason,
But the fact is the season
Is dead as a wet kitchen mop.
Thursday, September 25, 2003. Pro-Player Stadium. Florida 8 Philadelphia 4.
Fast forward to last night. Florida is off to a hot start. They lead the National League East and threaten to leave everyone in the dust on the strength of a team earned run average of less than two and a bullpen that has given up only one run in the first 13 games. They have beaten the Phillies four times already, seven straight going back to September. They think they will never again lose to the Phillies. The Phillies have nightmares over blowing late inning leads to the Marlins.
Talk about nightmares. The Phillies score five runs off Carl Pavano in the sixth, two on an opposite field homer by Thome, to lead 5-1. Eric Milton has been terrific for the Phils, only giving up Mike Lowell’s first inning homer. Roberto Hernandez relieves in the seventh and does his job with three ground ball outs. But wait. On the third ground ball David Bell throws it over Thome’s head allowing a run to score. It’s now 5-2. Miguel Cabrera singles; 5-3. Worrell relieves. He has not given up a run all year. Mike Lowell homers; 5-5. Will Cordero homers; 5-6. It hurts.
Ricky Ledee eases the pain with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the eighth off the unhittable Chad Fox; 7-6. Joy in Mudville. Billy Wagner takes the ball. Piece of cake, right? Wait a minute. Philly fans learn a bitter truth. Good hitters can hit 100 miles per hour fast balls. Mike Lowell does it again. Mike Lowell is a pro, when he cranks his third dinger to tie the score he does not celebrate. He touches them all; 7-7.
We go to the twelfth. It gets ugly. Rookie Ryan Madson on for the Phillies. With one out the kid walks Juan Pierre. Ouch. Lieberthal calls for a pitchout and has Pierre in his sights but throws the ball into centerfield. Pierre takes third and scores on a short fly to left when Burrell’s throw hits him in the back. Ouch. 8-7. A nightmare.
FISH ARE SNAKES
Okay guys what will it take?
The Fish are like sharks in a lake.
They eat up our best,
As though they were blessed
And we have been bit by a snake.
Wednesday April 21, 2003. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.
Florida – 8, Philadelphia – 7 (12 innings)
Replies: 1 Comment
ghreat poetry as usual.
Posted by herb rogoff @ 04/22/2004 10:58 AM EST
