Post-Season Coincidences

Despite what happened in the 2009 MLB playoffs, watching baseball for Phillies fans must have been an extra special treat this year. Not only did the Phillies clinch their third consecutive Phillies post-season appearance, but the players and coaches of other teams in the playoffs also reminded fans of fond memories. The Angels and Dodgers happened to have some of the most notable ex- Phillies players and coaches in franchise history. The amount of Philly related people on opposing post-season teams proves how much teams change year from year, and why there may occasionally be some rivalries or tensions between certain teams.

The Angels, who have been one of the top teams in all of baseball this decade finally beat the Boston Red Sox in the National League division series for the first time in four years, embarrassingly sweeping the Sox three games to none. Without the help of longtime Phillies hero Bobby Abreu, and Norristown native Mike Scioscia, the Angels manager since 1999, the Angels might not have even made it to the post-season! Mike Scioscia attended Norristown High School and spent most of his career on the west coast, but being a Philadelphia native is something especially fascinating. Bobby Abreu, who was originally drafted by the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays, was immediately traded to the Phillies in 1997. Abreu played eight seasons with the Phillies (1998-2005) before being traded to the Yankees in 2006. Abreu was elected to two all-star games, won the 2005 homerun derby, won one gold glove award and one silver slugger with his time with the Phillies.

The Dodgers, who had a plethora of ex-Phillies entering the NLCS for the second straight year against the Phillies, looked for redemption against the ’08 champs. Vicente Padilla, Jim Thome, Larry Bowa, and Randy Wolf all played for the Phillies in their career (just to name a few). On the contrary, Phillies’ Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Pedro Martinez, and Davey Lopes were all apart of the Dodgers’ franchise at some point in their career as well.

Also, interestingly enough, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel coached Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez in Cleveland in the 90’s. Dodgers’ manager Joe Torre had a brother who played for the Phillies. Shane Victorino and Pedro Martinez were brought up in the LA’s organization, but the Dodgers declined both players, saying that they either were too small or weren’t good enough. Also, Dodgers first base coach Marino Duncan played for the Phillies after playing with the Dodgers for four years. Lastly, Phils first base coach Davey Lopes played for the Dodgers while Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa played for the Phillies in the 1980 NLCS, in which the Phillies won and went on to become 1980 world champions.

The interconnections and coincidences in baseball is what make this great game so fun and exciting to watch. How much you think these familiarities affected the 2009 playoffs?