It was "Turn Back The Clock" night in Philadelphia

Fans in Philadelphia were treated to a special sight last night. It was Turn Back the Clock night at Citizen's Bank Ballpark and the fans no doubt got a whiff of nostalgia of glories past.

Oh there was no official celebration last night. It just felt like it.

This has been a strange year in Philly. This was a team that was expected to compete and contend all year long. After five straight division titles, a pair of pennants and a World Series title, the Phillies went through one of the best stretches in their teams history.

They went into the 2010 and 2011 post season as prohibitive favorites, both times being upset by the eventual World Series champ.

This year? It's been a big ole bowl of suck.

Injuries, slumps and disappointments have sent the Phillies from first to last and turned them shockingly into sellers at the trade deadline.

Phillies fans thinking they had a budding dynasty realize that it may have ended in many ways when Ryan Howard collapsed in the batters box grounding out to end the 2011 Division Series.

But fans who showed up tonight got to turn the clocks back a whopping 3 or 4 years and experience some of that not so old old Phillies magic.

Jimmy Rollins lead off with a first inning double.
Ryan Howard hit a two run homer in the first inning that game the Phils a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish,
Chase Utley joined with Rollins and Howard in turning a pair of double players.
Cole Hamels went the distance on a five hit complete game shut out.

Everything clicked tonight.
Phillies fans thought it would click like hat 90 some odd times this year.

Savor this game Phillies. It isn't often that an Old Timers Game counts.


 

There goes the "Instant Replay Slows Down The Game" argument

Another day... and once again any argument against instant replay becomes more and more moot.

After Chase Utley was put on base as the tying run in the 7th inning after he WASN'T hit by a pitch, there was a bang bang play at second base.

The runner was called safe, prompting Dusty Baker to come out and argue... and slow down the game. An argument that would never have happened if a replay official would be able to look at the tape and say conclusively "Safe" or "Out."

Yeah, the game was broken open with the sloppy play.
But Utley should never have been on base and there should have never been need for an argument at second.

Instead the game is delayed because of no replay.

And of course this is the focus over the solid pitching we've seen so far.

Let's keep sending in those "logical reasons to NOT have instant replay."
Haven't read one yet.

Can the Mariners take advantage of the Phillies and Red Sox misfortune?

As Jeff Passan pointed out in his column, both the Phillies and the Red Sox have gaping holes at second base and in their clubhouses with the losses of Chase Utley and Dustin Pedroia.

They have lost some spark, some intangibles and in many ways the heart and soul of their teams for the time being. And the Phillies and Red Sox each have big expectations this year and can't afford to fall to far off the pace.

And as anyone can tell you, there is no better time to take advantage of someone then when they have had a little misfortune.

Which brings us to the Mariners.

The little team that could have but didn't is going to unload Cliff Lee soon and make a contender happy.

But what about Chone Figgins?

He's got 3 years and $27 million left on his contract and could fill in at second base.
Granted he's having a lousy year in Seattle... but SEATTLE is having a lousy year and maybe it is rubbing off on him.

Perhaps going to a winning team and feeling reenergized is what he needs to do.

Maybe they can convince teams "He's bound to have a better second half, and wouldn't it be better if he has a better second half with YOU?"

Either way this is a guy who finished in the top 10 if the AL MVP vote in 2009. He is a switch hitter with a lot of speed and post season experience.

If Pedroia or Utley come back from their injury, he can fill in to another spot on the infield or outfield with ease.

And if he gets the spark back and fits like a glove with his new team, he will be under contract for the next few seasons.

I'm not saying it is GOING to happen... but it would behoove the Mariners to see if they'll go along.

Jamie Moyer deserved better

What the hell happened to the Phillies? Aren't they supposed to be the NL answer to the Yankees and Red Sox juggernaut?

Aren't they supposed to be a dynasty in the making?

Don't the know they have Jamie Moyer pitching tonight, sitting on 267 wins... a mere 33 wins from a trip to Cooperstown?

He pitched well... 6 innings, 1 earned run, 8 strikeouts versus the lowly Pirates.

But the mighty Phillies managed NO runs off of Ross Ohlendorf! Going into tonight's game he was tied with ME for wins.

Come on Phils!
You've got an unlikely uniform to retire and Hall of Fame ticket to punch. Let's get on the ball. You can't blame EVERYTHING on Chase Utley's injury!