2008 Woodie Awards
Phiillies hope to silence the skepticism
J.J. Alvarado
Issue date: 4/19/05 Section: Athletics
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The Philadelphia Phillies got off to a good start for the 2005 season by winning their season opener 8-4 over the Washington Nationals last Monday at Citizenʼs Bank Park. Newly acquired center fielder Kenny Lofton led the way with a three run homer in the fifth inning.
Jon Lieber, the Philliesʼ new ace who was acquired in free agency, went five and twothirds innings giving up ten hits and three earned runs to earn his first victory as a Phillie. Billy Wagner, one of the top closers in the league who the Phillies obtained before last season, got his first save of the 2005 season\ by getting out all three hitters he faced in the ninth inning. Pat Burrell, the Philliesʼ right fielder, also had a great opening day continuing his hot streak from spring training. In spring training Burrellʼs batting average was .306 with six home runs and twenty RBIs. On opening day, Burrell went 3-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs as well as a walk. Many people consider Burrell a key player this season if the Phils are going to be a contender in the National League East.
The Washington Nationals are a new expansion team formerly known as the Montreal Expos, but poor attendance and financial problems forced the team to relocate to Washington D.C. This is the first time Washington D.C. has had a baseball team in 34 years.
As it seems every season, the Philadelphia fans have high expectations for their baseball team. The same can be said about last year when the team added Wagner and third baseman David Bell. Unfortunately, the team had a horrible second half of the season in 2004 and the fanʼs hope of making the playoffs were destroyed. This year many fans are expecting a winning team and the postseason for the first time since their National League Championship in 1993.
Andrew Lannutti, a West Chester student, is a fan with high expectations for the team this year. "Every year we get hyped up about the Phillies and then around midseason they just start to play horrible. If they donʼt make the playoffs this year with all the money they have invested in the team, Iʼll refuse to watch them ever again." Keith Baldassano, a student, attended opening day but doesnʼt expect the team todo any better than last year.
"The media always tries to get fans excited before each season starts and each year itʼs the same result. This year I have no high expectations for the team because theyʼll just blow it at the end of the season like every year."
Jon Lieber, the Philliesʼ new ace who was acquired in free agency, went five and twothirds innings giving up ten hits and three earned runs to earn his first victory as a Phillie. Billy Wagner, one of the top closers in the league who the Phillies obtained before last season, got his first save of the 2005 season\ by getting out all three hitters he faced in the ninth inning. Pat Burrell, the Philliesʼ right fielder, also had a great opening day continuing his hot streak from spring training. In spring training Burrellʼs batting average was .306 with six home runs and twenty RBIs. On opening day, Burrell went 3-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs as well as a walk. Many people consider Burrell a key player this season if the Phils are going to be a contender in the National League East.
The Washington Nationals are a new expansion team formerly known as the Montreal Expos, but poor attendance and financial problems forced the team to relocate to Washington D.C. This is the first time Washington D.C. has had a baseball team in 34 years.
As it seems every season, the Philadelphia fans have high expectations for their baseball team. The same can be said about last year when the team added Wagner and third baseman David Bell. Unfortunately, the team had a horrible second half of the season in 2004 and the fanʼs hope of making the playoffs were destroyed. This year many fans are expecting a winning team and the postseason for the first time since their National League Championship in 1993.
Andrew Lannutti, a West Chester student, is a fan with high expectations for the team this year. "Every year we get hyped up about the Phillies and then around midseason they just start to play horrible. If they donʼt make the playoffs this year with all the money they have invested in the team, Iʼll refuse to watch them ever again." Keith Baldassano, a student, attended opening day but doesnʼt expect the team todo any better than last year.
"The media always tries to get fans excited before each season starts and each year itʼs the same result. This year I have no high expectations for the team because theyʼll just blow it at the end of the season like every year."
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