The moment of truth for the Philadelphia Phillies as a franchise is here. They are the first team since the 98-2000 Yankees to appear in two straight World Series. Situations like this one make me thank my lucky stars that George Steinbrenner owns the team that I root for.
Something that many people do not realize about Steinbrenner is that he has a very successful background in football coaching. While serving as a graduate assistant to legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes from 1954-1955 the Buckeyes were undefeated national champions and won the Rose Bowl. George would also serve as an assistant football coach at Northwestern from 1955-1956, and at PURDUE from 1956-1957.
That is not the run of the mill, stock background of the captains of industry you typically see steering professional sports franchises.
George had the deep pockets, but many have had those. What separates George is an insatiable and relentless hunger to be great, and a keen understanding of what it takes to win. George learned these lessons first hand in the coaching trenches of big time college football. George didn't have the YES network feeding him revenue back in the early 70's. He had hunger and tenacity, and he invested his money relentlessly to build a winner.
The Steinbrenner Family is in it to win it.
The Phillies ownership group is in it as a business investment.
The Phillies have been a World Series contender since 2007. They have a special team, I hate to admit it. My Yankee team did beat them soundly, but the Phillies are a special team with a special chemistry. Since 2006 their attendance has climbed more than any other team in baseball, to the tune of 38 percent. They went from 2.6million to 3.6 million in 2009. Their payroll increased over that span from $88 million to $131 million.
Supposedly they have a hard line budget at $140 million for 2010. Apparently they are afraid that they won't be able to re-sign Lee after 2010 so they want to get something for him.
Playing Devil's advocate - why can't they trade other younger players for Halladay and try to win the series in 2010 with Halladay-Lee-Hamels 1-2-3?
Only the Yankees and Red Sox have higher television ratings. They Phillies tv ratings have gone up each year for 7 years now. Philadelphia loves this team and going to the ballpark is as popular a social event as there is. There is a ton of energy in that park and people who had no interest 10 years ago attend the games and watch the games on TV.
The fans talk about the Phillies at the Jersey Shore, bars, local and hotspots. They travelled up to the BRONX in droves - in MAY - to see the interleague series between the two teams. This is as Golden an era as this franchise may have. The 1980 team had a great core, a great core - but they won the World Series once, and made it twice.
This team has a chance to make 3, 4, or 5, and win a few more as well.
But - if they don't seize the moment in this Halladay situation, they may end up another one trick PONY. Getting Halladay is nice - but giving up Cliff Lee AND Kyle Drabek to get him? Whats the point, they are not gaining that much and still need to round out their staff.
The trade is being headlined as Halladay to the Phillies, Cliff Lee to the Mariners. The Blue Jays would get OF prospect Michael Taylor and catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, and either JA Happ or Kyle Drabek from the Phillies. The Phillies could then receive 20 year old Philippe Aumont and Tyson Gillies from the Mariners farm, a potential #2 starter down the road.
As currently consituted this trade gives Seattle two ACES, in Lee and 19 game winner Felix Hernandez. In effect, it changes the landscape of the AL WEST division, and actually puts them within striking distance of the World Series.
So then what do the Phillies really gain, from an impact standpoint, by acquiring Halladay? I keep hearing that they've been down that road with Lee, and that they don't see signing him as a possibility. But giving up Drabek too? It just seems like a lot. Can they give a few more prospects, maybe get some more pay relief on Halladay?
You make the dollars work to keep Lee and get Halladay by trading Drabek and another stud or 2 or 3. You do that and you take your shot at winning 2 or 3 more World Series over the next couple of years.
You build a dynasty and you EXPLODE your brand. You make all that money back. You make players WANT to come to Philadelphia because they are the class of the National League. Players afraid of New York, or whom feel Boston isn't particularly a great place for minorities to live they want to come to your team too.
I spent many years living and working in Philadelphia. The fans are starved for championships, and they aren't getting them from any of the other major sports teams here. They fill that stadium up nightly.
To put this in perspective, the Phillies lost the World Series to the Yankees this year, 4 games to 2. Lee got both of the Philadelphia wins. How would the presence of Roy Halladay on that staff have changed the outcome?
If you are a Phillies fan wouldn't you like to find out?
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