Let's see.  Charlie was runner-up for the NL Manager of the Year Award in both 2007 and 2008. This year, his Phillies won back-to-back pennants for the first time in franchise history.

So, how did he do in the voting this time?  He finished sixth.  Baseball Writers Association of America voters must have been asleep during the season.

Charlie isn't the only Phillies manager to be ignored by the BBWAA voting since the award started in 1983.  Only Larry Bowa (2001) has won the BBWAA Award.

The Associated Press has also given similar awards and they have been more Phillie friendly:
Eddie Sawyer, 1950
Gene Mauch, 1962
Gene Mauch, 1964
Danny Ozark, 1976
Jim Fregosi, 1993

MVP Awards
AL will be announced on Monday, NL on Tuesday.  Doubt a Phillie will be honored by the BBWAA on Tuesday. 

Happy Birthday
Big day for Phillies birthdays Thursday: Bob Boone, Dickie Noles, Clay Condrey and Ryan Howard.

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Well, let's see what's going on with the Phillies.  Understandingly, fans are really interested in who's on third, on the bench and in the pen next season.  That news will come.

The lesser news is happening behind the scenes with various departments: events team is working on the 2010 promotion calendar; creative services, preparing two brochures (season tickets and groups); communications, annual winter tour;  sales, focusing on season ticket campaign; advertising, reaching out to incumbent and new sponsors; head groundskeeper, overseeing new turf installation; community outreach, charity events; ballpark enterprises, scheduling events for Citizens Bank Park; facility management, winterization of the ballpark; publications, wall calendar and media guide; pro scouts, checking out the Dominican, Venezuela and Mexico winter leagues; financial, year-end reports; video, finishing the 2009 video yearbook (Raul Ibanez will be the narrator).

Awards
We learned yesterday afternoon J. A. Happ was runner-up in the NL Rookie voting by the writers. 

Tomorrow, the AL and NL Manager awards are announced.  Speculation is Jim Tracy (Rockies) is going to be the winner.  All Charlie has done is win back-to-back pennants.  What more can he do to claim this award?

40-Man Roster
Friday is the deadline for adding minor league players to the 40-man roster which means they would be exempt from the Rule 5 draft during next month's winter meetings. Phillies added three players to that list today.

Congrats 
Marti Wolever, Director of Scouting, received the Mid-Atlantic Scouts Association Executive of the Year Award last Saturday in Aberdeen, MD . . . For the sixth straight year, the Clearwater Threshers were honored by the Florida State League with Best Overall Award in the annual Sports Turf Crew Awards.  Credit goes to Opie Cheek, the head groundskeeper, who won the Sports Turf Manager of the Year Award for the sixth consecutive year as well.  There isn't a finer playing field than Bright House Field.

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Both are switch-hitters.  Both are from northern California.  Both can run and both can field with the best.

Say hello to two Phillies Rawlings Gold Glove shortstops, Larry Bowa (Sacramento) and Jimmy Rollins (Oakland).  Bowa won the award in 1972 and again six years later.  J-Roll today was chosen as a Gold Glove shortstop for the third straight year, passing Bowa for the most trophies for a Phillies shortstop.  R-Roll led all MLB shortstops with a .990 percentage.

When comparing the two defensively, there isn't much difference, soft hands, rifle arms, lateral range and accurate throws to first base.  Only difference, J-Roll is better on pop ups.  Bowa, for some reason, struggled on those plays.

Other Phillies shortstops who have won the award include Bobby Wine (1963) and Ruben Amaro Sr. (1964).  Both were different.  Wine possessed a cannon for an arm with sure hands.  Amaro was smooth, with ultra soft hands.

Two for Shane
Victorino walked away with his second straight Gold Glove.  Over the last two seasons, Shane has three errors in 668 chances.   Other Phillies outfielders who have won the award include Garry Maddox, Bobby Abreu and Aaron Rowand.

Most Awards
3B Mike Schmidt has the most Rawlings Gold Gloves among the Phillies, 10.  Next are Maddox, 8; Rollins, 2b Manny Trillo and 3B Scott Rolen, three each.

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Things are quiet around the office.  Folks who have been working extra hours are getting a break.  Plans for a parade went through the shredder. 

Fans continue visiting the Majestic Clubhouse Store at the park to buy their World Series memorabilia.  Did a little early Christmas shopping there this a.m.  But, compared to a week ago, the number of shoppers is down.  This is to be expected.

Clubhouse is also quiet.  Duffle bags and boxes, both empty and filled, dominate the floor area.  Uniforms are already hung in the storage area next to the weight room.  Players can come in on their own to pack.  Some will return for 2010, some won't.  Todd Zolecki covered that in his blog.

Ruben has begun preparing for next season.  Monday, he'll be in Chicago for the three-day GM meetings. Winter 40-man roster must be finalized by Nov. 20.  Zolecki will provide all the Phillies offseason news on this site.

Thanks
To all of you who have visited Phillies Insider this year, thank you, thank you, thank you.  This blog ranked 19th among the MLB Pro blogs and that ranking was attained because of you.

Thanks, too, for those who have posted comments during the postseason.  Yesterday Tugger1 pointed out my error in the previous blog (Yankees are the first team to win two World Series this decade;  Red Sox also won two).  Richie Ashburn used to refer to me as the "Minister of misinformation."

Always welcome feedback, especially corrections.

Congratulations to Zolecki.  He's blog ranked second among the MLB.com beat writers.  Congrats too to Jenn and her Phillies Phollowers blog.  It ranked eighth among fan blogs.

Phillies Insider will continue during the offseason but at a reduced frequency.  My twitter will continue, too.

2009 National League Champions.  Still has a great ring!

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Our effort to repeat as World Champions has come to an end.  Only three NL teams have been there and done that: 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, 1921-22 New York Giants and 1907-08 Chicago Cubs.  If it makes you feel any better, the Cubs haven't won the Series since 1908.

We defied the odds in getting to the World Series in consecutive years.  Now, we face greater odds in trying to make in three in a row as in the 105 years of the World Series, it has only happened three times in the National League: Chicago Cubs (1906-07-08), New York Giants (1911-12-13) and St. Louis Cardinals (1942-43-44).

If you get to the World Series and lose, you will be remembered.  You are totally forgotten if you don't get there.

2009 was a heck of a season, something to remember for a long, long time.  There's a great deal of pride in being a Phillies fan these days and it was reflected at the turnstiles and merchandise.  Thanks to you for your passionate support and for wearing Phillies red. It is felt, appreciated and cherished.

So, now we begin eternity: the period of time from the last out of the World Series until the first pitch of spring training.

The long-range forecast has the Phillies playing their first 2010 spring training game in Clearwater's Bright House Field in just four months.  That still seems like eternity.

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Here we are, the first week in November and the first time a Game 6 is going to be played in the World Series in six years.  TV ratings for FOX continue to soar. 

In winning Game 5, the resilient Phillies made sure there would be no celebration in their house in front of their fans.  Odds are still against the Phillies to come from down 3-1 to win but this is a special team of special people.  They play one game at a time and have won more games on the road than any team this year.

When the Whiz Kids won the pennant in 1950, a song was written about the "Fightin' Phils."  Deborah Arden Stern, a long-time fan, e-mailed the lyrics:
  
The Fight, Fight, Fight-in-Phils!
It's a tough, tough team to beat.
They're out to win, win ev-'ry day.
Every victory is sweet.
 
Watch 'em hit that ball a mile; play a
game that's packed with thrills.
Get Pa to bring your Mother, Sister,
and your Brother
Come out to see the Fight-in-Phils.
The Fight, Fight, Fight-in Phils!

Very fitting description of today's Phillies.

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Game 5 recap
When Reggie Jackson hit his five home runs in one World Series, he was dubbed "Mr. October."  With the Series being played later than ever, Chase must be "Mr. November."

After the Yankees scored a run in their first at-bat last night, Chase let the enemy know the Fightin' Phillies would be just that.  His three-run homer in the Phillies' first AB sent a huge message.

Later, he and Raul homered, runs that would eventually be the margin of victory.

Today
Phillies will board an AMTRAK charter train this afternoon for a journey back to New York. 

The Yankees are working out later in the afternoon.  The Phillies will not.

But, MLB still wants someone from the Phillies in the interview room at Yankee Stadium.  So, Charlie and Pedro Martinez will make an appearance following the Yankees workout.

Alumni Postseason Memories
Doug Glanville was a centerfielder for the Phillies from 1999 through 2002 and again in 2004.  He also played with the Cubs and Rangers. He played in the 2003 NLDS and NLCS with the Cubs.  The University of Pennsylvania graduate resides in Chicago.
 
What is your favorite memory of October baseball as a child?
"I just remember the Phillies run in the late '70s. Unfortunately, always getting knocked out by the Dodgers. I paid close attention since. I lived right outside of New York and saw the Yankees all over the place. Then, that strikeout of Willie Wilson, to end the '80 World Series. I was floating on air, especially since my brother's favorite player was Cesar Cedeno whose team, the Astros, was knocked out in the NLCS by the Phightin's. I remember the amazing back and forth in the NLCS and when Pete Rose spiked the ball after the big double play on Cedeno after he hurt his ankle (my brother was not too happy with Rose about that)."
 
As a player, what was the biggest change between the regular season and postseason? 
"The biggest change was the intensity. Now, it is the world stage and everyone is watching. The locker room has four times as many people covering the game or getting bat orders. Every player on the team is a story that needs to be told and people want to know. I remember making a bat order that came in a day. Unheard of during the season. Great show."
 
Where were you when the Phillies won the World Series last October?
"For Part 1, I was at the game, in a skybox reminiscing with old teammates and friends - Lieberthal, Bottalico, Duckworth, Sarge, not to mention my personal favorite, singer John Oates.  But, when the series was delayed because of bad weather, I had returned home and that's where I watched the Phillies win."

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.
 
 
 

Game 4 recap
In his blog, Todd Zolecki questioned if last night's loss ranked up there with Black Friday in 1977.  In my mind, heck no.  We had a lead in the NLCS game against the Dodgers. 

Last night we couldn't get the big hit.  When we trailed by two runs, it seemed like 20.  But, this resilient team battled and tied the game before the gut-wrenching ninth.  Damon should get credit for the win.  He had a nine-pitch AB against Brad and with the shift on for Teixeira, he pulled off the first-ever double-steal in the WS.

Utley's homer was his fifth in his World Series history, which ties Billy Martin for the most by a second baseman.

All of the Phillies World Series homers have come with no one on base.  Gotta change that pattern. 

Posada had nine mound visits, plus four others with the pitching coach.  That set a record for a World Series game in November. .

Now, we're faced with winning three in a row.  We had 12 winning streaks of three or more games during the season.  The Yankees, seven losing streaks of three or more games.

Two other WS teams have come back from being down 3-1, 1979 Orioles and 1985 Royals.  Time to join the list.

Ceremonial first ball
Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Jim Bunning will throw the ceremonial first balls tonight. Jayson Werth, a native of Roberts' hometown in Springfield, IL, will catch Robbie; J. A. Happ will catch Bunning . . . Delivering the game ball to the mound with a member of the Boys & Girls Club will be Greg Gross.

Postseason Memories
Greg Gross played with the Phillies from 1979 through 1988.  During his 17-year big league career, he also played with the Astros and Cubs.  His post-season experience with the Phillies included in the 1981 NLDS, 1980 and 1983 NLCS and World Series in '80 and '83.  Had three key pinch hits in the 1980 NLCS win over Houston.  He is the Phillies all-time leader with 117 pinch hits.  Now, 57, "GG" is a coach in the Phillies minor league system and resides in suburban Philadelphia.

What is your favorite memory of October baseball as a child?
"As a child, I remember racing home from school to catch the end of games." 
 
As a player, what was the biggest change between the regular season and postseason?
"The total electricity in the ballpark from batting practice to the end of the game. It was something you never forget."
 
What is your fondest personal postseason memory?
"The excitement of Game 5 in the 1980 NLCS against Houston and getting to the World Series.  The victory parade that followed was another ever-lasting memory."
 
Where were you when the Phillies won the World Series last October?
"Watching it on the television after being in the stands at the rain out a couple of nights earlier."

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Game 3 recap
Pettitte wasn't sharp but made the pitches when he had to.  Threw 104 pitches, 59 for strikes, 45 for balls which is not a good ratio.  Owner of the most postseason wins, he wasn't fazed when the Phillies scored three in the second.  He dominated the Phillies lefty power bats and that was the key.

Cole was a mirror of himself from a year ago through three innings.  Then, the Yankees drove him from the game in the fifth inning.  That was a mirror of his 2009 season...big innings come quickly.

Pettitte had given up just two home runs in his previous 66 World Series innings but Jayson matched that.  Werth now has 7 postseason homers this year, one shy of the record shared by Barry Bonds (2002) and Carlos Beltran (2004).

The two teams, leaders in homers in their respective leagues, totaled six homers, one shy of the WS record set in 1989, A's (5), Giants (2).

Phillies have now lost two straight.  Last time they did that in the postseason was 2007 when the Rockies swept them in three games.

Tonight
Steve Carlton will throw out the ceremonial first ball.  Jamie Moyer, whose child-hood hero was Lefty, will catch the ball.  Delivering the first game ball to the mound with a member of the Boys & Girls Club will be Tony Taylor.

Other Phillies Alumni expected to be at the game include Robin Robert, Mike Schmidt, Senator Jim Bunning, Jim Eisenreich, Darren Daulton, Ricky Bottalico, Ricky Jordan, Rheal Cormier, Mike Lieberthal, Greg Gross and possibly Pat Burrell.

Postseason Memories
Greg "The Bull" Luzinski played for the Phillies from 1970 through 1980 and played in the 1976-77-78 NLCS and 1980 World Series. The Bull hit safely in his first 13 postseason games.  His 2-run homer, his fifth post-season HR, led Phillies to 3-1 win over Houston in Game 1 of the NLCS in 1980.  The 58-year-old is a fixture at all Citizens Bank Park games in Bull's BBQ located at the east end of Ashburn Alley.

What is your favorite memory of October baseball as a child?
"It surly wasn't the Cubs, which were my favorite team !!!   I guess the Yankees domination of the World Series."
 
As a player, what was the biggest change between the regular season and postseason?
"The intensity level and winning 3 out of 5 series....as we failed in the early 70's it got even tougher year-by-year and the expectations mounted."

What is your fondest personal postseason memory?
"Getting two game-winning hits in the Houston NLCS, a homer off Bob Forsch in game 1 and a pinch double off Joe Sambito to drive in Pete Rose.  As a team, winning the World Series and seeing Tug McGraw strike out Willie Wilson."

Where were you when the Phillies won the World Series last October?
"I was watching the game on a TV in Bull's BBQ. Tried to walk over to the rail at Section 104 by the BBQ to watch, but couldn't get near the rail!!!!"

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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.

Game 2 recap
In Game 1, # 34 for the Phillies silenced the Yankees offense. Last night, # 34 for the Yankees did it to the Phillies.  Got to give A.J. credit, he was sharp, especially that sharp-breaking curve ball.

Pedro gave us a chance to win the game.  He put on another clinic of how to pitch.

Check out these numbers: Pedro, 107 pitches, 72 strikes; Burnett, 108/68.

As usual, the Phillies battled to the end.  Mariano has been nearly perfect in his brilliant postseason career and we had our chances against him.  He threw 39 pitches in two innings, the most in his postseason career.

Winning the first game and losing the second is a pattern the Phillies have followed in their last four postseason series.

Today
Phillies' AMTRAK charter train pulled into 30th Street Station at 2:45 this morning.  A couple of TV crews and a couple dozen fans were still awake and there.

Both teams will work out at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies in mid-afternoon with the Yankees to follow.  The media interview room will feature Charlie, Cole, Girardi and Pettitte. 

Elsewhere
MLB has approved 1,571 credentials for Games 3, 4 and 5.   That number includes the radio and TV rightsholders . . . Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt will throw out the ceremonial first ball tomorrow night.  Assisting Boys and Girls Club members in placing the game ball on the mound will be Greg Luzsinki . . . "We feel good" says Scott Eyre in his blog.

Postseason Memories
Von Hayes played with the Phillies from 1983 to 1991.  He's just one of five players in Phillies history that played regularly at three different positions, right, center and first base.  His postseason career with the Phillies was 1983, the NLCS vs. LA and WS vs. Baltimore.  The 51-year-old resides in Florida.

What is your favorite memory of October baseball as a child?
"Growing up a Red Sox fan my best memory of the post season was when Carlton Fisk hit his home run down the left field line to beat the Reds in the 1975 World Series."

As a player, what was the biggest change between the regular season and postseason?
"The biggest change was the media crush around the batting cage during batting practice. It made it difficult at times to stay in your daily routine."

What is your fondest personal postseason memory?
"Celebrating after beating the Dodgers for the 1983 NL Pennant and earning a chance to play in the World Series."

Where were you when the Phillies won the World Series last October?
"I was in Iowa hunting for white tail deer and enjoyed watching the game from our hunt camp. I'm looking forward to the same scenario this fall."
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Phillies Insider is on twitter as barons63.