So many issues, so little space.
By now there's no point in crying over spilled milk. Fans were ecstatic when the Phillies beat Arizona on Aug. 6 to go 13 games over .500. Unfortunately, the crest of every wave eventually crashes, and the team won only 10 of its next 44 games to turn what had been an exciting season into a disappointing one.
It was good to see the club finish with a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over the Montreal Expos on Sunday. General Manager Ed Wade described that match as a microcosm of the season — that the team found ways to win games like that when it was doing well and failed to do so during the prolonged slump.
All things considered, this team far exceeded all expectations through the first four months of the 1999 campaign. The problem with success is that expectations rise and any step back becomes a larger disappointment.
Before the season began, I projected this club to finish around .500. The Phils fell four games short (77-85), but I can live with that knowing that they had to play the last few weeks without Curt Schilling and Scott Rolen.
The feeling in the clubhouse after Sunday's finale was optimism, and everybody talked about the positive things that can be taken from this season. And there were many.
Bobby Abreu finished third in the league in hitting. His .335 average was the highest of any Phillie since Tony Gonzalez hit .339 in 1967. Abreu also tied for the league lead in triples with 11.
Doug Glanville was seventh in the league in hitting (.325), and he became the first Phillie to collect 200 hits since Pete Rose did it in 1979. Glanville's collection of 204 hits was also good for second-best in the league.
Catcher Mike Lieberthal belted 31 homers and finished with a .300 average. (Dutch Daulton never did that.) Lieberthal also drove in 96 runs.
First baseman Rico Brogna reached career highs in runs (90), hits (172) and homers (24) and drove in more than 100 runs (102) for the second straight year.
On the mound, Schilling and Paul Byrd finished with 15 wins each, but Robert Person was the surprise of the staff by going 10-5 since he arrived from Toronto on May 5.
While the bullpen has received its share of criticism, Steve Montgomery certainly deserves mention. A 1-5 record doesn't look impressive, but the reliever converted all three of his save opportunities, all of which came during the last home stand, and in 53 appearances, Monty allowed only one of 20 inherited base runners to score.
In the unsung hero department, Alex Arias wins hands down. He was already one of the best pinch-hitters in the league when he became the everyday shortstop after the injury to Desi Relaford. Arias appeared in 118 games this season — the most of his career — and reached career highs in just about every offensive category, including average. The shortstop entered Sunday's game with a .297 mark and collected three hits to finish at .303.
Everybody is aware of the Phillies' needs for 2000 — at least one more front-line starting pitcher and a few reliable relievers. Offensively and defensively, the team is good, although some would argue that there is room for improvement in the middle infield.
If things should stay as they are, let Arias compete for the everyday job at shortstop next spring. As for second base, I'd rather see Kevin Jordan play regularly.
While the Phillies' owners have given Wade more money for next season, it doesn't necessarily translate into a high-profile, big-bucks, free-agent pitcher as the team's savior. Wade could attempt to improve the club via the trade route, and you don't get good players without giving up something in return. Assuming that Rolen, Abreu, Lieberthal and Glanville are probably untouchable, it's possible that one or two other starters might be traded.
A final thought. The decision to extend the contract of Terry Francona might have been ill-timed, but it was the right decision. It's not the manager's fault when a team goes into a slump.
I'd like to acknowledge the encouraging support of the readers, especially those of you who called or wrote letters. It was certainly appreciated. Keep in touch, and we'll do this again next season.
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