At Charlie Manuel's presser today, someone asked how hungry Roy Halladay was to be in the post-season. Charlie could barely answer for laughing, "I think he's real hungry, I think he's starving." And the room cracked up. He was also asked about having Halladay and Sweeney, two veterans who have never been to the post-season, on the team this year. Sweeney, he said, was high energy, vocal, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet,--and he can still hit. "As for Halladay," said Manuel, "I could sit here and talk about him forever."
There was a lot more in the presser. To those who listen, Charlie Manuel has a lot to say. He keeps reminding me of various Zen 'masters' I knew in Japan, who gave these little talks that went drifting by until days or weeks or months later you suddenly twigged to what had been said. Or maybe you never did.
No matter what happens in tomorrow's game, it's been amazing watching Halladay pitch this season. H2O: Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt. What continues to be wonderful about the Phillies is that they are above all else a team. They have their share of stars, but their stars don't act like stars. They never put themselves above the team. It's really something special to watch.
H2O will take the Phillies far or not. In a five-game series, though, anything can happen; luck and timing are as big as anything else. The best team, and coming into the post-season the Phillies are certainly that, sinply does not always win.
Just now, with temperatures in the 50's and a steady rain falling, it's hard to believe there will be a game tomorrow. I'm thinking it's good that my seat is under cover. H2O, let's go!
