Call to the pen
Fansided

2011’s Phillies: Pinnacle or curse?

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 2: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Gary Cederstrom after being thrown out of the game during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 2, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 6-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 2: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Gary Cederstrom after being thrown out of the game during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 2, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 6-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
Hamels’ no-hitter in Chicago was the last hurrah for these Phillies’ champions. Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images. /

Vigor lost:       

Was fate working against the 2011 Phillies when they swept the Atlanta Braves in Georgia to finish the 162? Well, events since then have gone from unfortunate to painful and winning to losing. Coincidence?

While Atlanta went 3-8,, the St. Louis Cardinals finished 2011 with an 8-3 mark. But the Braves had held a one-game lead for the NL Wild Card with two to play; yes, the red pinstripes eliminated them. Translation: The Fightins got the hot team instead of the cold one.

With the Phils up by 2-1 in the NLDS, the Cards tied the series before besting Halladay at the Bank by 1-0 with a first-inning run produced by the first two batters. Interestingly, Doc lost to his offseason hunting buddy: Carpenter. But defeat, injury and intense pain occurred on the final pitch for Ryan Howard: the downed warrior.

Following up their organizational best, the red pinstripes only managed to win their final 2012 contest and finish at 81-81. Unfortunately, the Big Piece only played his first of two half seasons due to injuries, while Doc stumbled to a pedestrian 4.49 ERA: his last complete campaign.

Phillies aces:

2012:

  • Hamels, 28: 31 Gms, 215 1/3 Inn., 17-6, a 3.05 ERA, a 4.6 fWAR and a 1.12 WHIP.
  • Lee, 33: 30 Gms., 211 Inn., 6-9, a 3.16 ERA, a 5.0 fWAR and a 1.11 WHIP.
  • Halladay, 35: 25 Gms., 156 1/3 Inn., 11-8, a 4.49 ERA, a 2.5 fWAR and a 1.22 WHIP.

2013:

  • Hamels, 29: 33 Gms, 220 Inn., 8-14, a 3.60 ERA, a 4.7 fWAR and a 1.16 WHIP.
  • Lee, 34: 31 Gms., 222 2/3 Inn., 14-8, a 2.87 ERA, a 5.6 fWAR and a 1.01 WHIP.
  • Halladay, 36: 13 Gms., 62 Inn., 4-5, a 6.82 ERA, a -0.7 fWAR and a 1.47 WHIP.

During 2013’s spring training, reports surfaced about Halladay’s velocity drop, but his denials didn’t slow Father Time. And the Phils had their first of six losing campaigns with a 73-89 record because 2008’s heroes were now shadows of their former selves.

Phillies stars:

2014:

  • Hamels, 30: 30 Gms, 204 2/3 Inn., 9-9, a 2.46 ERA, a 4.5 fWAR and a 1.15 WHIP.
  • Lee, 35: 13 Gms., 81 1/3 Inn., 4-5, a 3.65 ERA, a 2.0 fWAR and a 1.38 WHIP.

Howard, 31 and 34:

  • 2011: 152 Gms., 644 PA, a .253 Avg., 33 HR, 116 RBI, an .835 OPS and a 1.6 fWAR.
  • 2014: 153 Gms., 648 PA, a .223 Avg., 23 HR, 95 RBI, a .690 OPS and a -0.2 fWAR (new normal stats).

In 2014, Lee never recovered from his torn flexor tendon. Even 2015 gave fans only a few days to savor Hamels’ no-hitter: the only ace to leave on a high note. Yes, the baseball gods handed the faithful that one last taste of glory and a bitter bite with Howard in 2016 to end this chapter.

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