Charlie's Back

It's official: two more years of Goodtime Charlie. He kind of deserves it, I guess.

What is it about this guy that always seems to elicit equivocal responses? Perhaps it's because he's able to successfully mix a Danny Ozark doofusness with a George W. Bush calm and constancy in what's arguably America's most chaotic sports city. We want to see him get fired up, but we also like the way he handles his players--the way they seem to respond to his grandfatherly attention (Exhibit A: Pat Burrell). We acknowledge how he's willing to take the heat from the media to protect his players, but we can't stand it when his loyalty clouds his ability to judge an individual's endurance level.

Whatever. Apparently the wins are piling up under his watch (over 260 in just 3 seasons) and he's nowhere near as crazy as Jim Tracy.

And for those keeping score at home, Charlie's new contract lasts one year longer than Gillick's now, meaning that even if the Phils stink next year, Gillick will probably wait for somebody else to fire him.

Now let's get on with making "We're gonna win" the 2008 Phillies slogan right now.

It's Always Gloomy In Philadelphia

The faces tell the story of the Phils' NLDS collapse against the Rockies, but the numbers don't do a bad job, either:

26 strikeouts in three games. A .172 team batting average. A 5.54 team ERA. 7 runs allowed by the bullpen (plus the 3 charged to Kyle Kendrick that are partially Kyle Lohse's fault). The Phils' weaknesses were exposed--in embarrassing fashion--in front of a national audience. The only consolation is that now the entire organization knows what it has to fix (let's begin the shortlist with the 'pen and the offense's ineffectiveness against lefty pitching. I mean, Mark Redman? Come on!).

Watching this series was like watching Peter O'Toole lose an Academy Award to Orlando Bloom. For an old franchise with a sprawling hard-luck history punctuated by occasional excellence, it's upsetting to watch the young, super-hyped media darlings clinch a seemingly undeserving series win. But I give credit to the Rockies. In a year where four Divisional Series sweeps are a distinct possibility, the Rox are the only team to do it without playing the first two games at their home park (though, arguably, the conditions at CBP do a good job of simulating those at Coors). I certainly find them more legitimate than the D-Backs, whose smoke-and-mirrors bullpen and lack of offensive consistency will have to catch up with them in a seven-game series.

The second-inning stadium blackout in Game 3 was an apt metaphor of the way the Phillies simply wilted under the bright lights and high pressure of the playoffs. It's hard to believe how quickly the giddy euphoria of one week can turn into abject failure and despondency. Lest we forget, in October, the darkness starts falling faster.

There will be plenty to occupy Phillies fans in the coming months--the uncertain futures of Uncle Charlie and Aaron Rowand, the looming contract of Ryan Howard, the imminent buyout of Rod Barajas, etc. The front office has a lot of work to do this winter to ensure that this nucleus that is reaching its peak can build upon this spectacular run to the division title and deliver even more.

The Baker Bowl hates to see the season end this way. We hate to see some of these guys leave the Phillies like this (though we might express some restrained joy for the departure of others). And most of all, we're weary from the bipolar highs and lows that were the 2007 Philadelphia Phillies.

But come next spring, hopes will rise again. The grass will be freshly clipped and the beer freshly tapped for the thousands of red-shirted maniacs ready to see our guys give it another try. We'll be there with them--like always.