World Series wrap up

It was long, and well fought out, but in the end the Phillies could not prevail.

It's as simple as that.

But I can't turn my back on the team for coming this far and failing, at least not now.

Ever since Larry Bowa took over managing this team, they had focus on winning that just wasn't there before (and of course the fuck up he replaced ended up winning two world series with the red sox, funny what money can buy).

Ever since Charlie Manuel took over managing this team, they had a focus on playoffs that just wasn't there before. And in his second playoff berth he won a world series.

Entering this season, the Phillies were the reigning World Series champion, the reigning NL pennant winner, and for good measure -- back to back holders of the NL east title.

Exiting this season, they may not have the second World Series Championship, but they have back to back NL pennants and now have three NL east titles in a row.

Plain and simple, I can't criticize this team for losing in six to the Yankees.
Sure, the Phillies may be more efficient in their spending, but the Yankees just got more total.

It was a great year, but it just wasn't their year to win it.
-lineup had occassional problems with inconsistency
-bullpen was weak and no one seemed to want to be the closer
-starting pitching seems to be mostly youth and ancients, nothing much between.
-Ibanez had an awesome start to the year, a respectable finish, but he wasn't as amazing in the clutch as the player he replaced, Pat Burrel.

The core of Phillies that makes up this team is another year older (and they're already all around 30) but hopefully they are another year wiser. The pitching is young and promising.

Their days of winning world series may be over. This may have been their last opportunity for a while. But they should remain a good playoff team for a few more years.

-- Knuttel