The Phillies won a world championship in 2008. Then Ruben Amaro Jr. was named general manager. The Phillies didn't win another world championship. Tim Malcolm and Dan Walsh wonder if they can do better. So, we continue "Playing the Rube," a bi-weekly series with accompanying podcast in which Tim and Dan attempt to steer the Phillies to more victories, starting in 2009, through the deep simulation game OOTP Baseball '18. *** CHAPTER 15: STUNG BY JOE BLANTON Unbelievable. Our exercise takes a turn for the worse as we visit Tampa Bay for a World Series rematch. Joe Blanton faces us in Game 1, and oh boy, does he leave his mark on the team that dealt him a month prior. Meanwhile one of our first acquisitions, pitcher Eric Hurley, makes his debut for the Phillies and ... well ... that also goes spectacularly wrong. We will get things right here, I promise. But not before we once again question the long-term stability of manager Charlie Manuel. Listen below! And please subscribe to the Phillies Nation Podcast for more Playing the Rube! And subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts!