The Philiadelphia Phillies will defend their 2008 World Series title by returning to the Fall Classic again this October – and Pat Gilick’s fingerprints are all over that team.
The former Mariners general manager, who won rings as the GM in Toronto and Philadelphia, is a consultant for the Phils now. Look at their roster, their scouting department and front office, however, and this remains as much Gillick’s team as that of GM Ruben Amaro.
That’s the long-term impact a good GM can have, and during Gillick’s run here he made the Mariners into a formidible team – culminating with that 116-win 2001 season.
He never won a ring, but he put the Mariners in position to challenge for one regularly. It would be a lovely reward, seeing Gillick get another of those championship rings this year.
No one in baseball had more style than Gillick, a class act the game misses. Here’s hoping Raul Ibanez, Jamie Moyer, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo – and minor league executive Benny Looper – all get to share those rings with Pat.
I hate, despise, loathe the Yankees…it would be great to see the quirky Gillick and the Mariner cast-offs win a ring against The Evil Empire.
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I think it is ok now. Eleasa
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As much as I too, abhor the Yankees, you can’t deny the talent that is on that team.
I would love to see Raul and some of the other former Mariners get a ring but if A-Rod, Texeira, Matsui, Jeter, Damon and the rest of their line-up are hitting, I just don’t see the Phillies doing it this year.
What I would really like to see is a good Series. One where all the games are tied going into extra innings and going the full seven games. Games where the visiting team goes ahead in the top of say, the 12th inning, then the home team coming back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game again. I want to see baseball played at its best. The Yankees are the best money can field and the Phillies are the best in their field.
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Well, I have not given up on the Angels knocking out the Yankees before the WS. That said, for the WS, go Phillies!!!
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If nothing else, may the Angels force a Game 7, and take Sabathia out of the starting pitching spot for World Series Game 1…
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I look for a repeat of the 1950 series between New York and the Whiz kids with Richie Ashburn. Hopefully New York will take it in 4, just like in 1950.
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don’t shoot me, but i’m rooting for arod. he deserves one.
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Larry, I agree. In retrospect unbelievable that we replaced PG with Billo the Clown.
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jimkingjr, The thing about C.C. is that he’s such a work horse, young, big and strong, that he could probably come back after 2 or 3 days and pitch the way he has. Watching this kid pitch is awesome.
I think a lot of people don’t like the Yankees because of the grossly exorbitant salaries they are paid. If these were just a bunch of guys that were paid what the Padres were paid, we’d be all over it like some Cinderella story.
If we’re gonna hate someone, it should be the Steinbrenners. They’re the ones who polluted our past time with greed.
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