On The Rocky Mountain Way: A Recap Of The Phillies First Week

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I would have written this article earlier if I had not heard the sad news. Sad news everyone. The legendary, Hall of Fame broadcaster, Harry Kalas; THE voice of the Phillies has passed away.

Mr. Kalas was found unconscious in the broadcasting booth prior to the beginning of the Washington Nationals- Philadelphia Phillies game this afternoon, April 13. It seems fitting for some reason that Mr. Kalas would “go” in the booth. It just seems fitting.

At least he went out as a champion. Last year, in his second to last year in his current contract, Mr. Kalas got to call the Phillies final out of the 2008 World Series and watch the Phillies come out as champions for the first time in 28 years.

It also seems fitting that his very last game, yesterday, Sunday April 12, he would get to call a winning ball game.

Harry will be missed by all, not just Philadelphians. Harry is survived by his wife and three sons.

So onto a review of the Philadelphia Phillies first week return to regular season baseball.

You know that old Joe Walsh hit, Rocky Mountain Way? Of course you do, who doesn’t know that song, it's got one of the best talkbox solos ever made. Well the Phillies took a trip on the Rocky Mountain Way during the first week of baseball.

One of the lines from Walsh's song is:

"Rocky Mountain Way

Couldn't get much higher"

The Phillies have taken a trip to the "Rocky Mountain Way". One problem. Their starting pitching seems to have left itself back in Philadelphia. I am in no way bad mouthing my favorite team, but the offense is holding up its end of the "bargain".

So, I guess a week one recap is in order for the Defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. I hope your fantasy teams are doing well. Mine are...well let's just say..."BOOM!!!" would describe how my team is doing. "BOOM" is not good. Not good at all.

Where to begin? Ah, yes the pageantry that is Opening Day, okay Opening Night in this case. Prior to the game starting, there were all sorts of ceremonies and stuff. The raising of the 2008 World Series Banner, walking down the aisle out in the left-center seats etc., etc., etc.

Right, there was still a game. The matchup was between Atlanta's Derek Lowe and Philadelphia's Brett Myers. A battle of Division foes.

The Braves got off to a rip-roaring start. After securing the first two outs, Myers gave up a double to Chipper Jones. Then Myers gave up a monster two-run shot to Brian McCann.

The Phillies did nothing in the bottom half of the first, so the score after one was 2-0 Atlanta. Two runs, easy to overcome for the defending champs right? Ahem... yeah right. Myers later in the second gave up two more home runs.

One to rookie-just-out-of-AA ball centerfielder Jordan Schafer

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