Phillies Playing The Quiet Team

I’ve been scrolling through “expert” predictions lately, and most people think the Dodgers will beat the Phillies in the NLCS. They’re basing it off the fact the Dodgers are a hot team (as if they forgot the Phils have won like 17 of their last 22 or something).

Whatever. The Dodgers are getting a lot of national press. Of course they would. Big market team. Manny Ramirez. Joe Torre. Manny Ramirez. Manny Ramirez.

The Red Sox are getting their press because they’re the Red Sox. And the Rays are getting their press because … well … they’re the Rays. What a turnaround.

But the Phils aren’t really getting the same amount of press, at least from my point of view. Jayson Stark, of course, is giving some press to the Phils, and he writes about how this year’s Phils are trying to vanquish the ghosts of 1964, 1977 and other years people don’t remember, despite the fact they really don’t care about those teams.

Basically, Stark writes that the Phils are focused on the prize.

And that’s what I’m glad for. I’m glad the Phils aren’t getting ridiculous press. I’m glad people are kind of quiet on the Phils, and predictions are ruling them out. They can just focus on the NLCS, winning it, moving on. Those other teams can have the microphones and tape recorders in their faces. You can’t see 20/20 when that’s the case.