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The Spectacle Blog

Phillies Clinch 5th Straight NL East Title

By Aaron Goldstein on 9.17.11 @ 10:31PM

I have just watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch their fifth straight NL East title tonight with a 9-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in front of their fans at Citizens Bank Park.

Don't let the score fool you. The Phillies had a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the eighth. Before you knew they had scored six runs capped on a grand slam homerun by Raul Ibanez.

What is amazing about this team is that they get better every year. In 2007, the Phillies won the NL East with 89 wins. In the intervening years their season win total has gone up to 92, 93, 97 and 98 wins so far in 2011. With a dozen games left this season, they have a chance to shatter their single season franchise record of 101 wins which they attained in both 1976 and 1977.

The Phillies have not only led the NL East from the get go but have the best record in MLB. They are heavily favored to reach the World Series. If they do, they will win their third NL championship in four years. In which case, the Phillies will have to be considered one of the greatest teams in National League history.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

PCC| 9.18.11 @ 7:52AM

I'd like to echo a point made some days ago on this subject on this blogsite, namely, MLB has got a problem with their product if the post-season consists of the same teams (Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies) over and over again.

The Giants' popular victory last year was a welcome abberation; baseball is getting boring and needs to be made more competitive, in season and post-season, more like the NFL.

Bob K.| 9.18.11 @ 8:16AM

There is nothing more boring than professional football (other than professional soccer and professional basketball). Were it not for the untaxed and illegal gambling industry both pro football and basketball would die on the vine. As it is now neither can make it without taxpayer funded stadiums and taxpayer funded college athletic programs to serve as minor leagues.

Gary McDowell| 9.18.11 @ 8:27AM

The Phillies ownership and management place high regard on "character." Selfish, womanizing players are not part of their culture.An easy team to root for.

albert constantine jr.| 9.18.11 @ 9:07AM

It also bears noting that the passionate Phillie fans have a good knowledge of the game, and strongly support those players who show character on the field (e.g. pitchers running out their groundouts to first) and revile those who let the team and the fans down (anyone remember Rod Barajas in 2007?). This helps create an atmosphere where winners like to play (see Cliff Lee's decision to return in 2011).