The Phillies win the NL East: Highlights From 2009

By Mike Mader

With their 10-3 win over Houston last night, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East for the 3rd year in a row. This year's title felt different, but equally as satisfying as the first two. This time, the Phillies were the defending champs. They didn't sneak up on anybody. Everybody knew they would be good and they got other team's best shot. They didn't get seriously challenged. The battled complacency and a shaky bullpen, and still the Phillies were able to put it all together and win the division.

When you watch just about every single game of a 162 game season, the big moments like last night are rewarding in a unique way. I almost felt like I had accomplished something even though I didn't take a swing or throw a pitch. But the reason I watch 162+ baseball games a year is not for the big things. It's for the little things. Baseball rewards it's fans with subtleties. There are things you can't glean from simply looking at statistics. You get to see a young player establish himself in the big leagues. A player entering his prime busts outwith a career year. A pitcher develops a new pitch and finds success. A veteran loses a step or two but still finds a way to produce.


The Phillies clearly have some questions they need to answer heading into the postseason, but those are questions for another day. Here, now, are my favorite things about the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies.


Shane Victorino learned how to be an effective 2-hole hitter. He has perfected the art of the grounder to the right side with a runner on 2nd. Though his numbers are virtually identical to 2008's, Victorino is a much smarter hitter.

Chan Ho Park wanted to be a starter so his South Korean countrymen could watch him pitch on a regular basis. He won the job out of spring train and was awful. But instead of sulking when he was moved to the bullpen, he became perhaps the most reliable reliever the Phillies had this year.

JA Happ lost the 5th starter's spot out of spring training to Park even though he pitched very well. He dealt with weeks of rumors that he would be traded to Toronto for Roy Halladay. He almost lost his rotation spot again when Pedro Martinez was ready to pitch. Through it all he exhibited a cool, calm demeanor and let his performance to the talking for him. His recent injury might keep him from winning Rookie of the Year, but he has established himself as a part of this team's core.

RAAAUUUUULLL!!! Ibanez replaced a fan favorite in Pat Burrell and endeared himself to the fan base with a monster first half.

Ryan Howard lost 30 pounds and drastically improved his defense even though he signed a 3 year, $54 million extension in the offseason. He also stole 8 bases, which was fun.

Chase Utley. Just everything. He is my favorite athlete of all time.

Kyle Kendrick came up with a changeup an just might make the playoff roster because of it.

Brett Myers rushed back from hip surgery as fast as he possibly could to try to help the Phillies out of the bullpen for the stretch run. He's a free agent after the year and could have taken it easy and not put his health at risk.

Pedro Feliz, at age 34, reinvented himself into a smarter, more patient hitter and a reliable RBI man in the 7th spot in the order.

The reaction of Carlos Ruiz whenever he guns down a runner attempting to steal.

Eric Bruntlett's unassisted triple play. We've been killing that guy all season, and deservedly so. It's fitting that he would be the one to be involved with one of the rarest plays in baseball.

Matt Stairs swinging for the fences. Every. Single. Time.

Cliff Lee's first five starts in a Phillies uniform were what greatness looks like.

Joe Blanton fully reached his potential this season. He is a number 2/3 starter on a championship-caliber club.

Pedro Martinez has been a joy to watch. He came here with a bit of a diva reputation, but by all accounts he has been a fantastic teammate and seems to fully appreciate the opportunity he has been afforded this season.

Brad Lidge has been awful this season. But when he entered the game to get the final out last night, I got chills. That was such a great moment. Despite what I or anybody (everybody) else might think, Charlie Manuel obviously thinks that BradLidge is going to be an important part of the postseason this year. If that didn't help Lidge's confidence, there is absolutely nothing that will. I felt like I could have thrown 95 after something like that. It's things like that that make me appreciate that Charlie Manuel is the manager of this club.

By Mike Mader