As of Wednesday, after the the die had been cast and the dust settled, Phillies’ fans could finally utter the three words that they’ve longed to say for what seemed like ages: We’ve got Roy.
Roy Halladay, arguably the best pitcher of the last five or so years, will be a Phillie for the foreseeable future. It’s surreal, isn’t it? For so long, the Phillies have been considered also-rans, even after sitting atop the National League east for three consecutive seasons, with two National League Pennants and a Commissioner’s trophy to show for it, they’ve always been considered as a second-class baseball team.
So it stands to reason that the entire fan base is still in shock just a few days after they not only landed the biggest fish in the pond, but also managed to sign him to one of the most team-friendly contracts for a player of his caliber in who knows how long.
But something still doesn’t seen right in Philadelphia, a city where the glass is perpetually (at least from the outside) half-empty.
Was it a let down? Are we not able to process the information? I keep telling myself that Roy Halladay is on the team, but why can’t I believe it?
Then I figured it out.
It wasn’t that I was in some sort of baseball induced state of shock that didn’t allow my brain to digest the thought of Roy Halladay in red prinstripes at Citizen’s Bank Park, but rather that I couldn’t come to grips with the departure of Cliff Lee, who in his short time in Philadelphia, could very easily be considered one of the top 50 Phillies ever to don the uniform.
Don’t get me wrong: I love Roy Halladay. I have no doubt that he will make us forget about Cliff Lee by the third inning of his first start, but there was just something about Cliff that made him so likable, so easy to root for, so…accessible.
From his first start where he shut down the San Francisco Giants, to the postseason where he made opposing teams look downright foolish, Cliff was beloved. It’s strange, that a player can have such an impact on a team and the city in such a short amount of time, for no other reason that he did his job. He didn’t win a Cy Young in Philly, he didn’t set any records; he just went to work every fifth day. And boy, was it fun to watch. Despite the rough starts that he endured in the waning weeks of the regular season, Cliff gave one of the balls-out best performances by a Phillies pitcher in recent memory, and he will be remembered as such, grouped together with the likes of Carlton in ‘72, Schilling in ‘97, and Hamels in ‘08.
Cliff Lee in ‘09.
And that’s what we all have to remember him by: 17 starts, some of which fall into the category of “bad,” some in “good,” some in “great,” and some in “You just have to see it.”
As much as no one, especially Lee, wanted it, Clifton Phifer Lee is now a Mariner. A victim of circumstance, baseball economics, and a budget with no wiggle room. Pitching 3,000 miles away, in a city that, for all intents and purposes, is a very lovely place, but it just isn’t Philadelphia. It isn’t us. They aren’t Philly fans.
So take care of him, Seattle. Enjoy his sprints off the mound, his semi-conscious defensive plays, his aw-shucks demeanor, his spiked curveball, and the way that he makes pitching look so effortless, so easy, that you’d swear you can do it.
And Cliff, you can be sure that you have at least one standing ovation waiting for you when you come back to Philadelphia. You never wanted to leave. And we didn’t want you to leave. You may not have won a World Series ring during your short stay, but you accomplished something that is much, much harder: you won over the people of Philadelphia.
God speed, Clifton.
53 Comments on “Cliff Lee: A Farewell to Arm”
Leave a Comment
- Phils Phan on VIDEO OF ANTONIO ALFONSECA GETTING A HAIRCUT!!!
- GOnzo on VIDEO OF ANTONIO ALFONSECA GETTING A HAIRCUT!!!
- Bridge to Lidge on VIDEO OF ANTONIO ALFONSECA GETTING A HAIRCUT!!!
- John Kruk's Lonely Nut on VIDEO OF ANTONIO ALFONSECA GETTING A HAIRCUT!!!
- Jay Ballz on VIDEO OF ANTONIO ALFONSECA GETTING A HAIRCUT!!!
Phila-Centric
- 700 Level
- Balls, Sticks & Stuff
- Beerleaguer
- Big Five Post
- Crane Kick Chronicles
- Crashburn Alley
- Finger Food
- Fire Eric Bruntlett
- Four Days Rest
- High Cheese
- High Hopes
- House That Glanville Built
- I want to go to the zoo with Roy Halladay
- In Ruben We Trust
- Long Drive
- Macho Row
- Maule of America
- Nittanydelphia
- Okayplayer
- On The DL
- On The Edge
- Phightin’ Phils Phorum
- Philadelphia Will Do
- Philebrity
- Philled In
- Philliesflow
- Philly Gameday
- Philly Gossip
- Philly Skyline
- Phils-ville
- Phinally Philly
- Phoul Ballz
- Swing and a Long Drive
- The Good Phight
- The Insider
- The Shibe Times
- The Zo Zone
- We're the Team to Beat
- Whiz Witout
- Who Does He Play For?
- WSBGM’s
General
December 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Well said. Loving the idea of picking up the best pitcher in the league but…We’ll miss you Phife
December 18th, 2009 at 10:23 am
“It’s strange, that a player can have such an impact on a team and the city in such a short amount of time, for no other reason that he did his job. He didn’t win a Cy Young in Philly, he didn’t set any records; he just went to work every fifth day.”
Just the attitude that wins this town’s respect.
I listened to the radio clip, he said the day they made the counteroffer was the day he was traded.
That means his dirtbag agent wasn’t reading the tea leaves. So not only is the agent dirt, he is stupid.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Well said Dash, well said.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Great article Dash!!!!
December 18th, 2009 at 10:34 am
@Nikita, how is his agent supposed to know Halladay is going to offer himself up to the Phillies like he did. This easily could have been Ruben trying to draw out the Lee deal while he worked on Halladay. We will never know.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Honestly, I felt….unclean….after this trade. After what Cliff Lee did and was in Philly, to so easily pack him off to another team seems….shallow. Certainly, the Phillies got Roy, and I’ll root for him, but it just felt wrong that the management so readily made this trade, seemed fervently enthusiastic about it even.
I honestly hope this trade proves to be worth it. Cliff Lee, to me, made as much of an impact on us, the fans, and some of the best ones to come through, despite his short time here. I’ll miss him.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Cliff did his job and was paid for it, it’s business. If his people locked things down end of last season rather than claiming they wanted to “test the free agency” market we would probably have Lee and not Halladay right now, or maybe we would have traded him anyway. Who knows. Bottom line is everyone should feel better now that we have a long term ace for essentially a few prospects.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am
what if…
ol’ cliff will be a free agent next year.
i’d go for 4 for him, with a 5th year option.
that is, if he ever would want to come back
or maybe its just wishful thinking
December 18th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Ha, the “misty eyes” tag is spot on, Dash.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:50 am
@jessem:
A skilled negotiator knows how to read the tea leaves. We are not privy to what occurred during the two parties’ interactions. However in public, Amaro made the statement that he was “uncomfortable” after one encounter. HELLO. That was a signal. And who knows what else transpired that would give the hack agent a clue. Hadn’t he cultivated any credible sources either within the Phillies organization or at least close to it? How many times did we hear in the media that Halladay was Amaro’s “white whale”? This was all in the public arena, wasn’t the agent paying attention?
He needs to return his ten percent to Phifer.
What a hack.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:57 am
This is a nice, thoughtful piece. Thanks.
December 18th, 2009 at 10:57 am
It’s rare that a star leaves this town begrudgingly, at the peak of his career, and on good terms. Guys either can’t pack their bags quickly enough (Schilling, Lindros, Rolen, etc), have demonstrated diminished skills (Thome, Burrell, Carlton, etc) or they burn their own bridges (TO, Wagner, etc).
Losing Lee is eerily similar to losing Brian Dawkins in that he was a fan favorite and the his departure is difficult to justify to most fans.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I wouldn’t say Burrell demonstrated diminished skills, but otherwise I agree.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Thanks for making me cry… ass wipe.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:08 am
v well said. you captured my exact sentiments. i couldnt agree more.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:13 am
@Nikita, sorry but no way Ruben is going to take Lee after Halladay situation emerged. The only way Lee could have stayed is if his agent hooked up the Phillies like Halladay did, and I don’t blame him for trying to get the money it just seems like he thought he would get the money and be on the Phillies, which is not the case.
Do you think Ruben is a hack for giving Moyer such a hefty rate over the next two years instead of keeping Lee for one more? He should have known he was going to make this deal in the future right?
December 18th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Perfectly sums up my feeling on this whole deal. There is only reason to be ecstatic that we got Doc, but who will ever forget that glorious performance he gave us in Game 1 of the WS, and realistically the closest any of else felt to a repeat.
I shudder to think about what may happen at the end of this season when he comes a free agent. Kind of have a sense of doom that either the Yanks, or even worse the Mets will thow him big $$$. Those asshole Mets would like nothing more than to have him to spite u, and I pray there isn’t a day when I have to root against Clifton Phifer Lee
December 18th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I’ll say this about the trade-2 things. First, I would be much more annoyed if the team traded him a week or a month or so later. I’m glad I never settled in on the idea that we had two Cy Youngs on our staff. Second, I’m glad they loaded up on minor league talent for one main, huge reason. We’ve been really lucky about the health of our starting 8 the last few years. What if we’re not this year? I feel like this trade might help us in the future-as in a couple years down the line, or this season if we need to make a trade to fill a hole left by injury. Of course, if we could have had both? Well, I’ve always have had thoughts like that, and always will-I’m a fan.
As for Lee, his time here was amazing, and I’m glad that I was able to see him start at least one game, even if it was a bad start of his. But, as a friend of mine dad wrote in his last testament (he knew he was dying from cancer, and it was one of the most impactful things I’ve ever read), as much as this may suck, it could be saving us from something awful. Be glad that he at least left on good terms. No player stays here forever.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:30 am
@jessem See, that’s the difference between the fans and the owners. To them it’s a business. It’s all about money, to us, it’s our life.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:34 am
and just as quickly as he came, he was gone…
December 18th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Well said…sniff
December 18th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@SquirrelBoy, So basically fans get to be emotional bitches while the owners have to handle getting things done. If Ruben did no get Halladay we’d have to bend to Lee’s will or lose him to a team like the Yankees. If we lost Lee next year do you think you would be giving Ruben props for keeping it real? Come on.
Why is it people get pissed about the cost of loyalty to a guy like Moyer or Hamels/Lidge last season and then get pissed when Ruben does the right thing and secures an all-star pitcher for multiple years without worrying about loyalty to a guy who was undecided about if he really wanted to be here.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Moyer is the reason we had to get rid of Lee. Old man takes up too much money. Of course, he has too many kids.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:55 am
@watrick
They definitely over compensated Moyer in their excitement of the world series glow. It was really a dumb move. Moyer stank in the playoffs, and pitched “ok” in the WS. At this point, I think if the phils do get smoltz (which I dont want to happen), he and Moyer can alternate starts. Or moyer can be the permanent long reliever. I dont want to hear Moyer bellyache all year about being a reliever if he becomes one after what happened to Lee..
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
he fit in so well here, didn’t he?
bye cliff
December 18th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
you know what… he was here for a few months. he was awesome. i loved it. he’s a mariner now. if you get misty over it you’re just a pussy. it’s not like he was a fixture here like todd pinkston was!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
seriously. ROY HALLADAY!
December 18th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Well said, Dash. I feel like we were blindsided by the loss of Lee – when we got him last year, we all knew it was for a season and a half, not a half season “rental.” I understand the need to restock the farm system but I’ll admit it – I’m greedy and wanted them both in the rotation. You will be missed, Clifton.
December 18th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I’m disappointed over it, as Cliff was just plain awesome, but you have to realize baseball is a business and these things happen. As a Phils fan from Indianapolis, it reminds me a little of the deal where we shipped off future HOFer Marshall Faulk to draft Edgerrin James. At first, it was disappointing but then the new guy came in and became my favorite player of all time and pretty much made me forget about the guy we sent to the Rams.
The M’s play in St. Louis this year, and if Cliff is pitching in one of those 3 games, I’ll be sure to make the 2 hour drive over there to see him, since I never got to see him pitch in person while wearing the red pinstripes.
December 18th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
First of all, I totally support the trade. But I agree with Dash: it sucks to see Lee go.
My favorite part of watching Lee pitch? There’s no bull shit. He throws the ball, gets the return, walks back to the rubber, and throws another pitch. It there was no time to look away, because you could miss a pitch (or two!).
December 18th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
As long as he doesn’t sign with the Mets or Yankees…
December 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I think that Dash said everything I wanted to say, but was at a lost for words on how exactly to say it. Great post, and I entirely agree…Cliff is a guy that I can only wish the best for in the future, and if the fans have their way, maybe he’ll be back again with the Phillies someday.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
damn dash, u almost made me cry whilst reading that, very touching, i absolutely love cliff lee, but i gotta get over this right now cuz harry leroy is comin to TOWN!
December 18th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Sorry, but I just can’t get over it…but I will at least be able to put it further to the back of my mind, once Spring Training starts, and we get to see our new ace in action.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
While I’m glad that we won’t be competing against Lee in the National League, I feel bad that the guy won’t get to hit in the AL. His ability to hit came as a total surprise, and it showed what a true athlete and competitor he is. So much fun to watch. I mean, he frickin stole second base!
December 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Dash, you’ve effectively captured in this piece everything that a lot of us have been feeling the last few days. Well done sir, and God Speed Cliff. To say you will be missed is an understatement.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Well said, Dash. I am a little misty-eyed.
However, I cannot wait to see Halladay in action. Can we get a Opening Day countdown clock?
@Matt
Going to St. Louis is a great idea! If the stars align and Cliff pitches in B-more this summer, maybe Phils fans should take a little road trip to support our guy.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Cliff plays in Baltimore, and I would totally take a car trip down there for it!
Best of luck to Cliff, and I am hoping his good memories will outweigh the bad ending, when he reflects back on his short stay in Philly.
December 18th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I nearly shed a tear.
December 18th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Dash, you hit the nail on the head. Most of the goings on of this last week have been hard to comprehend. After a lifetime of Schillings and Rolens and Drews it still feels a bit wierd that the best hurler in the game actually WANTS to come play for the Phils. We are witnessing a golden age that I only hope we can appreciate now and rather than when it has passed. Which is why losing Cliffton at the same moment we land Doc is especially hard to take.
As a Portland Oregonian I will for damn sure be making a trip or three up to Seattle to see Mr. Lee and the Mariners. And who knows, if the M’s season blows up in their faces and they have no shot at the playoffs come July perhaps Cliff might find himself on the move again. Maybe back to the Phils for another WS run? Highly unlikely wishful thinking…..but ya never know.
December 18th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
“Why is it people get pissed about the cost of loyalty to a guy like Moyer or Hamels/Lidge last season and then get pissed when Ruben does the right thing and secures an all-star pitcher for multiple years without worrying about loyalty to a guy who was undecided about if he really wanted to be here.”
For the same reason that people get pissed if a manager pulls a pitcher who’s doing well early and also get pissed when the manager leaves the pitcher in a little too long. It’s a combination of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” and “you can’t please all the people all the time”.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Maybe it’s for the best. Phife can go out a legend in Philly. Maybe next year he would have fizzled out. I never thought Hamels would follow the 2008 season with inconsistently ordinary season he had this year. This way, Cliff leaves us on top of his game – like James Dean and Kurt Cobain, who never got the chance to make their ordinary movie or album – and all we are left with are the great memories. It certainly was fun while it lasted.
December 18th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I hate curt schilling and his gd towel.
Cliff Lee had a swagger… and not in a gay way.
I thought he fit in real well.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:07 am
I still do not understand this trade. Halladay is okay, probably amazing but how can we expect him to do anything more than cliff lee had? I just see many holes that have been unfilled…myers, park, eyre, etc and wonder where that money is. Hamels is not an ace but he is the beloved pitcher. I miss cliff lee and wish him well and hope he can win the ws sometime soon
December 19th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Worst decision in Philly baseball history. What else can I say? Cliff you will be missed by true fans like me. But good luck!
December 19th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Great post, Dash. You really hit on all the emotions we’re all feeling. I cannot say strongly enough how disappointed in the Phils management I am with the loss of Lee. The fact that Lee pitched the ONLY two wins in the world series is enough for me to hold on to him at LEAST thru 2010. And, giving #34 to Halladay was just rubbing salt in the wound. They couldn’t give him another number?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy we got Halladay and in fact, was a little perturbed when we got Lee over Halladay last seaon but oh how Lee made me forget about that.
I’ve been a loyal Phils fan since I was knee high and have lots of memories to look back on, both good and bad. I must say that watching Cliff Lee pitch this season was right up there with the great moments. I’ll always remember the gems he pitched against the Dodgers and the Yankees. The Yanks may have won the world series but Cliff won our hearts and that my friend, speaks volumes.
I hope Ruben knows what’s he’s doing and he hasn’t steered us wrong so far but I just have a bad feeling that this trade is going to haunt us in 2010. I see the pressure on Hamels being greater than it was last season and knowing that Halladay is already slated to pitch opening day has to be hurting him just a little. I don’t know if I can take seeing him slide again, especially when you add Lidge to the mix. I’ll always be a phaithful fan no matter what but it sure would have been amazing watching Lee and Halladay on the mound in Phillies uniforms.
Roy, welcome to Philly – we’re looking forward to seeing you come April. Cliff, we’ll miss ya and you will forever be #34 in a Phillie uniform. I’ll be one of the fans standing during that ovation for you if you come back to Philly and thanks for the awesome memories, even though your time here was short.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Couldn’t say it better myself Dash. Stand up ballplayer and there will always be a collective piece of phillys heart with Cliff. Its too bad that we fucked up the Moyer contract to not have him in the rotation this year. But life goes on…
December 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Really well done, thank you. It would be nice if Cliff got to read it. Whatever the truth is about their reasons for trading him, I think it was badly handled – “Thank you for saving us from getting swept in the World Series now don’t let the door hit you in the ass.” He deserved so much better. Even if his agent (hopefully former agent) screwed up, I don’t believe the Phillies were ever dealing in good faith and the fact that they lied to him about the trade rumors is just sickening. Business can be done with integrity and I naively thought the Phillies organization had that. Hopefully he knows that even the fans who agree with this move (not me) appreciate what he did and are sorry to see him go. However great Roy is, I’ll still be keeping an eye on the Mariners this season.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hey, thanks guys, I appreciate it, and not in a gay way.
“Prospects” my ass, the Phillies are cheap, it was a financial decision all the way.
They don’t think I want to return to a team that went to the Series two years in a row?? I make a first counter offer, and I’m gone the same day?? Ever hear of “negotiating”??
Why wouldn’t a team want two Cy Young’s to inspire three potential Cy Young’s?? (Hamels, Lidge, and Happ. duh)
Maybe they’re hoping I have a bad year, then they can get me cheaper as a free agent.
Stop in and see me at the Naked City Taphouse, I’ll buy you a Big Lebrewski.
I’m outta here,
CPL
December 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hamels and Happ potential Cy Young’s? Maybe…but I doubt Lidge would ever win a Cy Young, even if he stopped sucking again. How many guys who have been primarily relief or closing pitchers have won a Cy Young? Not many at all.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Listen to this bullshit (via Rotoworld):
FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mariners have agreed to trade Brandon Morrow to Toronto for RHP Brandon League and a prospect.
Let’s hope for the Mariners’ sake that this other “prospect” is highly talented. League, 26, is a nice relief pitcher but is destined for a career as a setup man or middle reliever. He had a 4.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 76/21 K/BB in 74 2/3 innings this past season for Toronto. Morrow, 25, boasts a high-powered fastball and strong potential as a future No. 2 or No. 3 starter.
How the hell did we trade Cliff Lee to the M’s and get a bunch of scrubs back when Morrow was obviously available??? How did Amaro not push to get Morrow back? It makes no sense!
December 26th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I feel the Phillies made a major mistake in this one, and the specific error was trading him so quickly. They could have gotten Halladay with the package of purely Phillies prospects, and then could ahve signed Halladay for the same contract.
After that, I would have waited to see if Cliff Lee would have taken the same contract offer. I would have given him time to soak in the fact that he and Halladay would have been the best 1-2 rotation in the NL and would be regular attendees in the WS. I would have given him time to ponder the market as it continuously goes lower than expected for FA signings.
Up until a few weeks before ST, I would have tried to work out a deal. If nothing was settled, you still had time to either trade him or–if a contract was reached–moved some other players to get under budget.
Winning championships starts with great pitching, and the Phillies wasted a great opportunity to solidify a dynasty.
December 26th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
AMEN! You said it all.