2004 Topps #1 Jim Thome2004 Topps #59 Vicente Padilla
2004 Topps #222 Randy Wolf
2004 Topps #288 Larry Bowa MG
When the NLCS comes back to Philadelphia on Sunday night, we'll be treated to a mini reunion of four members from the 2003-2004 Phillies. It's only four guys, but these four players made up a large part of the underachieving Phillies teams during those two years. This group helped close Veterans Stadium in 2003 and open Citizens Bank Park in 2004.
Current Dodgers third base coach, and former Phillies great, Larry Bowa managed the Phils from 2001 until his dismissal at the end of the 2004 season. Two of his starting pitchers during his tenure were Randy Wolf (1999-2006) and Vicente Padilla (2000-2005), who now are part of the Dodgers starting rotation. While both pitchers made All-Star teams during their Phillies years, it always seemed as if both were pitching somewhere south of thier actual potential.
Gentleman Jim Thome (2003-2005) was one of the most popular Phillies during the early part of this decade. Since the Dodgers acquired him from the White Sox at the end of August, he's been used exclusively as a left-handed bat off the bench, collecting four hits in 17 pinch-hitting appearances. He's sure to receive a warm ovation if he makes it into a game when the Dodgers visit Philadelphia. I'm guessing the reception won't be as warm for Wolf or Padilla.
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