2015 was a rough one for the Phillies, they went 63-99, were last in the division and last in the entire league. But the Phillies have come so far from what they were 10 years ago. Let's go into the time travel machine and see what it was like in Clearwater, Florida in 2015.
*Time travel noises
Stepping out of the time machine you check your iPhone 4 to see if any of your friends sent you a picture through a new app called Snapchat while the speakers at the Phillies Spring Training Complex are playing Happy by Pharrell Williams. That song will be stuck in your head for a little, you’re welcome. Oh and who is that hot new prospect ripping dingers. Odúbel Herrera is that you. Wow I really hope he amounts to something and does not beat up his girlfriend in the next few years.
Some players from the 2008 World Series team are still around. Ryan Howard is entering the twilight of his career just like his fellow champions Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz. Jimmy Rollins was just traded to the LA Dodgers over the off season for Minor Leaguer Zach Eflin. Don't you worry though, the future is here and it is about as bright as the night sky with tons of overcast and maybe even some rain. A completely renovated outfield with Ben Revere in left, Odúbel in center, and Dominic Brown in right. The Phillies were hoping Dom Brown could return to his 2013 form. He never would. (Read my blog about him)
Who was going to replace the Phillies all time hit leader at shortstop? None other than the great Freddy Galvis of course. Cody Asche was going to be the next Mike Schmidt at 3rd base so we did not have to worry at all about 3rd base being a problem. Holy shit it's Jeff Francoeur looking to replicate that one time he hit .300 10 years ago. Maikel Franco is trying get out from being in stuck in AAA. Oh my is that Grady Sizemore trying to restart his career. Well he is just one of many old guys on this team that were once good.
Lets move over to the bullpens and see who is chucking the marble for the Phillies a decade ago. Cole Hamels is still in his prime, maybe he will do something cool like throw a no-hitter in his last start as a Phillie before being traded halfway through the season. Who is that familiar face that we all know and love. Top pitching prospect Aaron Nola, you look so young and and and, wow he really had no personality as a rookie either. Ahh look at this guy running his mouth fucking Jonathon "Papelbum" PapelBon. Someone should just tape his mouth shut so he can stop his bitching. Some other guys in the bullpen were Hector Neris, Ken Giles, Jake Diekman and who could forget Luis Garcia. Let's check out what is going on off the field and in the front office.
Ruben Amaro jr. is no longer the general manager. This is my version of Hitler committing suicide. Ryne Sandberg is still the manager. I was around when he was doing an interview and I heard him say that the Phillies are going to play small ball this year. I don't think the Phillies have ever played small ball in the 100+ years they have been around. There goes Chad Billingsley walking by telling the trainer that he hurt his elbow. You know what, I think I have seen enough here.
*Time travel noises
How in the hell did I make it through the 2015 season as a Phillies fan. The Phillies won the division last year and the entire city of Philadelphia was ready to jump off of the Walt Whitman bridge when they lost in the NLDS. Lets all just appreciate how much better we have it now than we did 10 years ago. I would not wish a 37 year old Aaron Harang to play for anyone. Like and share with a 2015 Philadelphia Phillies survivor so we can all see just how far we have come together.
And that is today's Tea, with T
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