Expectations are high

Remember last year at about this time? "The Philles are the team to beat in the NL East" says Jimmy Rollins. "Oh, that's just our silly J Roll." we said with a patronizing chuckle and a shake of our heads, "I'll be happy to see them over 500 by the end of the season." Well, here we are a year later and what do you know? Turns out that not only was our star shortstop right, but he was awarded the NL MVP for his spooky Nostradamus impression. And remember those chills you felt when Brett Myers threw that last strike and hurled his glove in the air joining the great mound celebrations of those who came before him like Al Holland in '83, Mitch Williams in '93 (against the Braves anyway) and of course the Tugger in '80? You felt like you were dreaming. You couldn't believe that you were actually going to get to see your favorite team play October baseball for the first time in 14 years. I could feel the electricity emanating from the city and I live 3000 miles away in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Didn't matter that they went quietly into that good night a week later against the NL "team of destiny" Colorado Rockies. It was bonus baseball for us. That's the sweetest kind of baseball there is. Remember how proud we were of our boys?

Yeah I know. The memories are already fading for me too. Because October to February is a long time in the baseball world and especially for a championship starved town like Philadelphia. Janet Jackson once sang "What have you done for me lately?" and we as Philadelphia fans tend to make that our mantra. If you don't believe me ask the Philadelphia Eagles. That first NFC championship game against the Rams in '02 was such a pleasant surprise we didn't even notice when they lost. When the Birds returned to the NFC championship the next year to play the Tampa Bay Bucs...in the freezing cold...in the last Eagles game at the Vet...COME ON! It's destiny! Well, we all know the story. 

So our boys of summer didn't do themselves any favors with their storied season last year. And we all mumbeld "uh oh" under our breaths this week when Johan Santana signed with the Mets. So not only is there a big NL East target on the Phillie backs where the pinstripes used to be, but I would say their fans and Philly sportswriters are going to be taking aim as well. It's all out of love of course. Kind of like when your parents yell at you and maybe give you a smack and then tell you, "I only do it because I love you." Hard to believe but true none the less. So get ready, Fightins'! Make us proud! Do your best!  Just have fun out there...but you damn well better go deep into the playoffs this year or you can consider the season a complete failure. And we'll punish you by booing, posting and blogging your asses back to the Stone Age. But we only do it because we love you. 

Bring on the pitchers and catchers! I'm getting antsy!