Philadelphia Phillies

On January 6th, 2009, J.C. Romero was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an illegal drug on Major League Baseball's banned substance list.

Immediately, Romero adamantly defended himself and had the proof to back himself up.

What happened?

Mere months after providing a final flourish to a World Series victory and capping off a fantastic year for himself, Phillies closer Brad Lidge is enduring a miserable 2009 thus far.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz ripped a two-out double in the 11th inning yesterday to score Chase Utley to secure the both the win and the series against the baseball royalty, the New York Yankees.

This win also capped an 8-2 road trip record that went through Cincinnati, Washington, and culminated in New York yesterday with a 4-3 11-inning victory.

"We earned it," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Noted sabermetrics guru Bill James popularized the concept a while back that a player often peaks at age 27, hits his prime when he's 27-30, and then gradually declines.

Nobody told Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies though.

Ibanez is hitting .353 through 42 games with 17 homers and 43 RBI.

These are eye-opening numbers for any major leaguer. They're phenomenal for a guy who will turn 37 on June 2. It seems to be part and parcel of the contrarian career of the former Seattle Mariner.

Here are Ibanez's numbers during his "peak" years.

The last time the Phillies faced CC Sabathia, outside of spring training, Brett Myers was starting the defining moment of the 2008 National League Division Series, the first time that I thought to myself, "This is the year."

No one really expected to Brad Lidge to be perfect again in 2009. In fact, I heard some fans say they hope he blows his first save opportunity to put the streak behind him and concentrate more on helping the team repeat as World Champions.

Lidge broke the streak and now has blown three saves. What is more concerning is that he seems to have no command on his pitches and the question of his knee keeps arising.

The Philadelphia Phillies are a quarter of the way through their defense of their World Series championship.  Thus far, through the accolades and mourning, this Phillies team has proven to be as strong as the team that brought home the title in 2008.

Lidge has greasy fingers. And when “grease is the word,” Madson’s the cure.

Mark my words.