Tuesday, October 5, 2010

2006 Topps #41 Rheal Cormier

Braves 8, Phillies 7
Game 162 - Sunday Afternoon, October 3rd in Atlanta

From 1984 until 1992 and again from 1995 until just a few years ago, I used to tune in to the final Phillies' broadcast and watch the game until the announcers were just about to sign off.  Harry Kalas always ended the broadcast reminding everyone when the next game would be, and at the end of Game 162, he'd say something along the lines of, "The Phillies' next game will be in March 1987 from Clearwater, Florida."  It always seemed to be so far away, but it always gave us a little bit of hope.  Maybe next year . . .

For the past several years, the final game of the regular season has not meant the end of the season for the Phillies and for that, I'm grateful.  This year, the team's 97-65 record means they have the best record in the Majors for the first time in franchise history.  Let me state that again:  For the first time since the franchise came into existence in 1883, the Phillies have finished the season with the best record in baseball.

The Braves defeated the Phils on Sunday afternoon in what was little more than a warm-up for the NLDS.  Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt got in some work, while Danys Baez and Joe Blanton were knocked around a little.  John Mayberry, Jr. and Jayson Werth both hit home runs for the Phils.  The Braves' win coupled with the Padres loss gave them the NL Wild Card.  The Phillies will meet up with the Reds in the NLDS, while the Braves and Giants will get together to decide which two teams will advance to the NLCS.  Go Phils!

#37:  In other, more self-indulgent news, Sunday was my birthday.  To celebrate the day, and to give a small hint as to my current age, I'm featuring a baseball card of Jenna's favorite all-time left-handed relief pitcher, Rheal Cormier.

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