With a down and away slider to Eric Hinske to win the 2008 World Series, Brad Lidge closed an important chapter in Phillies history, and ushered in a new era for the ballclub. A new, but familiar, face in the GM’s chair, and major decisions pending about the future of the team’s stars makes this a dynamic time to be following the team.

So, it seems to me to be no better time to begin writing about the Phillies than right now. Not just the day to day reporting of what is going on with the Phillies, the farm system, and Hot Stove fodder. But also a nod to the past – to what makes being a Phillies fan, and a baseball fan in general, such a uniquely cool thing.

I enjoy hearing about what happened in ’64 down the stretch from my Dad as much as I do arguing whether or not Charlie Manuel is a good in-game tactician. I like discussing whether or not the groundswell of support to bring back Pat Burrell is rooted in nostalgia or reality. But I also like digging into the history of the Phils, and finding out that the manager of the Black Sox was a Phillie at one time, too.

So that’s what this blog will be about. The Phillies. Past, present and future. We’ll celebrate all of it. We won’t avoid the lean years of the late 80′s, or the late 90′s for that matter. We’ll check out what’s going on down at the farm, and maybe learn more about how Pete Rose took a team on the cusp and turned them into a World Series team.

Above all, I hope this site makes me an even better fan of my favorite team.