Phillies Finally End 11-Year Playoff Drought: Philly Sports Chatter

PHILADELPHIA, PA —It finally happened. Ring the Bell.

There was no September Swoon although I almost spoke too soon!

The Philadelphia Phillies finally —after 11 years —are in the playoffs. And while their appearance in the three-game Wild Card round, which starts Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, might be short-lived, they won the Hunt for Red October.

With a third wild card added by Major League Baseball this year, it seemed like the Phillies had a decent shot. Then trouble began.

Manager Joe Girardi was fired and replaced by bench coach Rob Thomson. And then the injuries started piling up.

Bryce Harper took a hit to his thumb while on his way to another MVP season. Jean Segura got injured and was out for a few months.

The starting pitching struggled and the bullpen blew up —the same issues that kept this team out of the playoffs for years.

The trade deadline did not bring any heavy hitters. And the team lost games they should have won.

And then starting pitchers Zack Wheeler and Zach Efflin got hurt. And Aaron Nola went into his usual September nosedive.

Suddenly, it looked like another lost September, especially with the Milwaukee Brewers creeping back into contention.

But this team held together. Catcher JT Realmuto ended an early-season slump to play to an MVP level. Rhys Hoskins had several key home runs. Harper and Segura also returned to solidify the lineup.

But the unsung hero may be the manager.

He got this club to believe where Girardi failed and Thomson went 65- 44 since taking over back in June. A very impressive record. He deserves to have the interim tag removed.

The drought was one of the longest in baseball next to the Seattle Mariners, who also made the playoffs this year.

The Phillies may be playing with house money now.

They may be able to sneak by the Wild Card round but then the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets may await. And then maybe the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This team hasn't won the World Series since 2008, another drought of 14 years.

But anything can happen in the playoffs. You just have to get there first. And the Phillies have finally accomplished the mission.

The thirst is back. Enjoy the water.