First impressions are lasting. By most accounts, fans are impressed with Citizens Bank Park, and many made obvious comparisons to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The new park has one thing that fans and players alike have sought for years— real grass. Although the artificial turf at Veterans Stadium was just as green, the only comparison that I can come up with to describe the difference is lakes. I've seen some crystal-clear lakes in many parts of the world, and I've seen some others that were just as blue, but it appeared that the water had been contaminated by pollutants.
I've mentioned before that I normally listen to the radio broadcast of games on a headset while sitting in the press box. As Saturday's clash began, announcer Chris Wheeler told listeners that manager Larry Bowa had approached Jim Thome and told him that the new stadium was "his house." I guess it was something similar to Yankees Stadium being the "House That (Babe) Ruth Built."
The first baseman supposedly wanted nothing of the sort. Thome is a different kind of team leader. He does it quietly and by setting examples. It seemed fitting, however, that he christened the new park by getting the first hit — a solo home run that he deposited into the second deck in right field. This could be an indication of what is to come this season.
Coming into this season, Thome had 381 homers and 1,058 runs batted in for his career. In the 10 years that he's been an everyday player, he has averaged 37 dingers and 101 RBIs. More impressively, he has a lifetime batting average of .285.
Last season, he had to deal with the adjustment to a new league and pitchers that he had never faced before. With a bolstered pitching staff and no pressure to carry the team when other players slump, there's no telling what he can do. I still think that Thome's best season is ahead of him.
Of the final roster moves to get the club down to 25 players, the only surprise was when pitcher David Coggin was outrighted to the minor leagues, which left a spot on the roster for Ryan Madson. The right-hander is coming off of a stellar minor-league career, and he pitched two perfect innings at the Vet in his only big-league appearance last September. He looks like he's ready.
For now, Madson is in the bullpen for long relief and mop-up duty, but he gives Bowa another option if one of the five starters suffers an injury.
Infielder Chase Utley has proved that he can hit at this level, but with an option left, the brass decided that he would be better off playing every day at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre than sitting on the bench in Philadelphia.
The Phillies think of him as the second baseman of the future, but I think the team already has one of the best in Placido Polanco, who is the best all-around player on the team. The infielder signed a one-year deal in February, but I think general manager Ed Wade should lock Polanco up for a few more years.
Utley could be the bait that Wade dangles at the trading deadline in July to fill the missing piece of the puzzle as the team heads for the home stretch.
Unlike others, I'm not ready to allow the Phillies to just mail in the Eastern Division title. As some have stated, they are the best team on paper, but nothing counts until they play 162 games.
The starting rotation was upgraded with the return of Kevin Millwood and the acquisition of left-hander Eric Milton, and the bullpen was definitely bolstered with the addition of several veteran relievers, most notably closer Billy Wagner.
Other than Pat Burrell's slump last season, there were no holes in the offense or defense.
If everybody has an average year, the Phillies will contend for the wild card. If a few guys have career years, this team could claim the division crown by mid-September.
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