Following the 2007 season, the Phillies decided a few things. First, Shane Victorino was going to be the team’s regular center fielder in 2008. Second, they needed a closer. Brett Myers had done a respectable job in the second half of the season, as he stepped in to close once Tom Gordon’s injuries ended Flash’s season and his Phillies tenure.Michael Bourn had been labeled as a speedy spray hitter with decent range in the outfield. He was a September call-up in 2006, entering games late as a pinch-runner and ultimately as a defensive replacement in right field for Bobby Abreu. In 2007, he saw action in 107 games with the Phils, hitting .277 with a .348 OBP, 3 triples and 18 stolen bases. Again, he was used as a pinch-runner and late inning defensive replacement (this time for Pat Burrell in left field) and he only actually started 15 games.
When former GM Pat Gillick pulled the trigger on the deal sending Bourn, Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo to the Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett in November 2007, I was in Dallas for training. I read the news in the paper (Dallas Morning Star?) and I was a little shocked the team wasn't bringing back Brett Myers to close, and even a little more shocked the Phils gave up so little to obtain Lidge. Lidge was a former All-Star who had struggled at times with the Astros, with those struggles coming in spurts and at the most inopportune times. Gillick knew what he was doing however, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bourn has finally gotten the chance to start in Houston, and he could actually be the team’s MVP this year.
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