Some might argue that the Phillies didn’t win the division in 1987, but the Mets actually lost it by blowing a 7 1/2 game lead with 2 weeks left to go in the season. However you want to look at it this Phils team found a way to claw their way to the top while the implosion in Flushing was happening. Charlie Manuel exhibited his calm and layed back style to get his troops to perform. This team could flat out hit. Pitching, now that’s another story, but in 2007 who cared about pitching with all those bulked up sluggers gracing MLB lineups ?
Jimmy Rollins was the MVP that year. He hit .296 and went 30-30. He actually had 41 steals and 30 homers with 96 RBI’s while playing a stellar SS. Chase Utley (.332-22-103) was only the best 2nd baseman in the game. Ryan Howard hit 47 homers and knocked in 136 runs and no one cared that he fanned 199 times. The Phigtin’s hit 213 roundtrippers, which was good enough for 2nd in the league.
On the hill is a different story. Defending champ Andy Weinrib returns to Philly for his second year as their skipper and he will have his hands full managing this staff of 6 inning starters and specialty relievers. Brett Myers (5-7, 4.33) had 21 saves and was a fan favorite, but he’s sure to give any manager an “agiata” in the 9th inning.
Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick will be solid in the rotation. 93 year old Jamie Moyer will get through 5 innings and give up 3 runs, so keep your fingers crossed there. The rest of the starters are a crapshoot.
Originally I didn’t need a lot of cards for this set, but then I found this fantastic site called the “2007 Philadelphia Phillies Photo Gallery”, so I decided to use those photos to upgrade the original set of cards, which didn’t seem to look all that great from the scanned sites that they were posted on. Our group of guys who tracked down the originals weren’t too fond of them either.
What originally looked like a 6 or 7 card update turned into a 30 card extravaganza.
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