Thursday, September 29, 2011
PHILADELPHIA — No team enters this postseason under more pressure than the Phillies.
Expectations are so high that anything less than a World Series title will be considered a failure by fans, players and team officials.
"Our ultimate goal is to win the World Series," LHP starter Cliff Lee said. "We still have a lot of business to take care of."
Their road begins Saturday against the wild-card Cardinals. The Phillies cruised to their fifth straight NL East title and led the majors in wins with 102.
Lee, who spurned the Yankees and Rangers to take less money with the Phillies, raised expectations to all-or-nothing proportions with a 17-8 record and 2.40 ERA and six shutouts.
Much love from Cards: After overtaking the Braves for the NL wild card, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said he owed the Phillies a tip of the cap for ending the season with a sweep of the Braves, who lost 18 of their last 27. "To me, forever and ever, I have the Phillies in the highest regard," La Russa said.
Attendance: MLB's average attendance rose by about half of 1 percent this year, ending three straight seasons of drops. The overall attendance of 73,425,568 was the fifth-highest in history. The 30 teams combined to average 30,229 (up from 30.067), STATS LLC said. Tampa Bay dropped a majors-high 19 percent to 18,846.
Indians: The club picked up manager Manny Acta's contract option for 2013, and pitching coach Tim Belcher stepped down to spend more time with his family.
Padres: Randy Ready became the fifth hitting coach to be fired since the team moved into Petco Park in 2004.
Royals: Pitching coach Bob McClure and bench coach John Gibbons were let go.
White Sox: The team acquired RHP Jhan Marinez and INF Ozzie Martinez as part of the agreement that allowed the Marlins to hire Ozzie Guillen as manager. The Marlins acquired minor-league RHP Ricardo Andres.
Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/now-pressure-builds-for-the-phillies/1194473
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