Philadelphia Phillies

For having the distinction as the longest standing professional sports franchise in one city spanning 128 years, it is somewhat amazing that a large concentration of the Philadelphia Phillies organization's postseason highlights have come in the most recent 30 years.

Certainly, some of this relates to Major League Baseball's format changes that first added a round of league playoffs with the initial formation of divisions and then expanded to the current four playoff participant approach in each league.

The Philadelphia Phillies Five Keys to the 2010 Season  (Part Two of a Five Part Series)

A significant factor in Ruben Amaro's decision to trade Cliff Lee relates to his "leap of faith" that this season's version of Cole Hamels will look a lot like the 2008 model.  

Part 1 of a 5 Part Series

Today, my travels took me to the local Wal-Mart where I picked up some packs of 2010 Topps Baseball Series 1 and landed four Million Card Giveaway redemptions.

Unfortunately for me, the booty wasn't good today, so I've chosen the best of the bunch–1988 Von Hayes.

Last season has come and gone. Dreams of back-to-back World Series titles have faded in a sea of despair. Ending like a cheese steak from Geno's, with Phans still salivating for more.

The 2010 season is here. Starting a little over 1,000 miles away from the snow-covered streets or Broad St., the Phightin's begin their defense of their National League title. In the words of J.C. Romero, "Somebody else has a trophy that I want. We have to go get it now." 

Take a glance at the statistics, and it would be easy to say Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ is primed for a disappointing 2010.

Not many expected the 26-year-old rookie to go 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA while dominating the opposition on numerous occasions, but he did just that. 

Not many expected him to have a chance to be named Rookie of the Year, but he did. (He eventually lost out to Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan.)

The Philadelphia Phillies hold the distinction of the longest standing franchise in professional sports having been formed 127 years ago. As many Phillies fans will attest, the team has endured more than its fair share of lean seasons on its way to also setting the record for most losses with 10,167 and counting.

Of course, a great deal of that is ancient history as the team is currently considered one of the elite teams in baseball, if not professional sports.

David Murphy tweets that the Philadelphia Phillies have contacted the agents of free agent starting pitchers Ben Sheets and Chien-Ming Wang, though he says that there aren't any indications that something will happen on either front.

The Philadelphia Phillies have announced that they have signed Danys Baez to a two-year, $5.25 million contract. He jumped the final hurdle, which was a physical examination.

Baez, 32, went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 appearances last season with the Baltimore Orioles. He held right-handed hitters to a .197 average and opposing hitters to a .222 average in 71.2 innings.

In his 10-year career in the majors, Baez has played for six teams, including the Phillies. He broke into the league with the Cleveland Indians when Charlie Manuel managed the Tribe.