Roy Halladay's No-Hitter: Greatest Philadelphia Phillies Postseason Moments
Roy Halladay's performance on Wednesday was masterful. The Doc was indeed surgical.
The only other performance that is comparable is his perfect game earlier this season against the Florida Marlins.
However, he was only one walk shy of pitching another perfect game.
In this situation, where the Philadelphia Phillies needed to win Game 1 to set the tone for the series, Roy Halladay shined the brightest under the lights of Citizens Bank Park.
Breaking down the numbers from the game leaves you astonished. Halladay threw first-pitch strikes to 25 of the 28 Reds' batters he faced.
However, there are plenty of other articles where you can read the stats from the unbelievable performance.
Halladay's no-hitter may be the greatest moment in Phillies Postseason history.
Here is a list of the top 10 Philadelphia Phillies Postseason moments over the last two years, 2008 and 2009.
Honorable Mention: Joe Blanton's Home Run in 2008 World Series.
10. Jimmy Rollins' Leadoff Home Runs
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In the 2008 NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies attempted to clinch the series by winning Game 4 in Milwaukee.
Jimmy Rollins led off the game by hitting a home run and made a statement that the Phillies were ready to move on. Philadelphia would win the game 6-2.
Then, in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rollins hit another leadoff home run.
After a close Game 4, where Matt Stairs and Shane Victorino were the stars of the game, Rollins made sure that the Phillies would get an early lead.
They would advance to the World Series and defeat the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jimmy Rollins proved that he was Philadelphia's spark plug in 2008.
9. Cliff Lee's Performance In Game 1 Of 2009 World Series
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In a World Series where the Philadelphia Phillies were underdogs to the New York Yankees, Cliff Lee definitely did his job in Game 1.
Cliff Lee pitched a complete game in New York to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead in the series.
Lee allowed only one run (which game in the ninth) on six hits. The masterpiece included 10 strikeouts and zero walks.
The amazing performance also featured a behind-the-back grab and a nonchalant grab catch of a pop-up.
The Phillies would win the game 6-1, but go on to lose the series in six games, despite Lee's best efforts.
Philadelphia fans will forever remember what Cliff Lee did for the Phillies.
However, Roy Halladay is making Lee's performance pretty forgettable...
8. Chase Utley's Five World Series Home Runs
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Utley started the series against the New York Yankees by hitting two off of C.C. Sabathia in Game 1.
Utley hit two more in Game 5, including a three-run home run in the first inning.
The Philadelphia Phillies would win both games, mostly due to Utley and Lee.
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7. Ryan Howard's Two-Out Double 2009 NLDS
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In Game 4 of the 2009 NLDS, Cliff Lee pitched another spectacular game.
The Philadelphia Phillies were winning 2-1 against the Colorado Rockies, heading into the eighth.
Lee started the eighth by recording one out, but he proceeded to walk the next batter. Then, there was a strange play where a double-play ball turned into a bad exchange between Utley and Rollins.
Ryan Madson would replace Lee, and unfortunately give up the two-run lead.
The Phillies faced a two-run deficit heading into the top of the ninth. Game 5 did not look promising for the Philadelphia, since Cliff Lee would not be able to pitch.
With two outs, the Phillies had men on first and second. Ryan Howard stepped up to the plate and delivered a two-run double to tie the game.
Jayson Werth would hit a single to score Howard and the Phillies would win the game 5-4.
It was the most clutch moment of Ryan Howard's career.
6. Cole Hamels' 2008 Postseason
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Cole Hamels was the 2008 World Series MVP, and he definitely deserved it.
In the five games he started, Hamels won four of them (Game 5 was postponed). More importantly, the Philadelphia Phillies won each one.
He pitched great in every game, but his best performance was probably Game 1 of the NLDS.
Hamels pitched eight, scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He only allowed two hits and recorded nine strikeouts.
Cole Hamels also only gave up a total of seven runs in the five games he started.
Philadelphia fans are hoping that they see the 2008, and the not the 2009, Cole Hamels in the 2010 Postseason.
5. Geoff Jenkins Starts Off Game 5 (Part Two) With Double
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Philadelphia fans often booed Geoff Jenkins during the 2008 season. To be honest, his play deserved it.
However, with one at-bat, Geoff Jenkins went from hated to loved.
Bud Selig decided to postpone Game 5 of the World Series due to the terrible conditions.
The Phillies were about to win the first championship in Philadelphia since 1983, and the fans wanted the celebration to start in Citizens Bank Park.
The game was restarted in the bottom of the seventh. Geoff Jenkins led off part two of the game by belting a double off the wall and pumping up the crowd.
He would score the go-ahead run, but the Tampa Bay Rays would tie it next inning.
The Philadelphia Phillies would of course go on to win the game.
Without Jenkins stepping up, who knows what the outcome of the series would be?
4. Jimmy Rollins Game 4 2009 NLCS Walk-Off Double
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Jimmy Rollins has been clutch for the Philadelphia Phillies over the last three years.
Rollins and Utley are the leaders on the team, so the Phillies' success is often dependent on their play.
Jimmy Rollins only batted .234 during the 2009 postseason, but he will not be remembered for that.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a one-run lead and were on the verge of defeating the Philllies.
A Dodgers' win would tie the series at 2-2, and force a Game 6.
After Jonathan Broxton walked Matt Stairs (hmmm...I wonder why?) and hit Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia had men on first and second for Jimmy Rollins.
Philadelphia would win the next game and advance to their second World Series in a row.
3. Brett Myers and Shane Victorino: Game 2 2008 NLDS
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C.C. Sabathia was flustered in Citizens Bank Park.
Enough of trying to describe the moment, just watch the video.
2. Matt Stairs Home Run
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Another Game 4 comeback. Another Game 4 against the Dodgers. Another Game 4 against Jonathan Broxton.
In Game 4 of the NLCS against Los Angeles, Philadelphia trailed by two runs heading into the top of the eighth.
A game after Shane Victorino got a ball thrown at his head, he silenced the L.A. crowd.
Victorino pulled a line drive home run that barely made it over the fence into the bullpen, tying the game at 5-5.
Later in the inning, Matt Stairs stepped up the plate with one man on.
Stairs then hit the biggest home run of his career and gave the Phillies a two-run lead.
Philadelphia would win the game 7-5 and go on to win Game 5 to advance to the 2008 World Series.
It is a shame that I cannot find the video. It was maybe Joe Buck's greatest call. "Into the night..."
The Stairs home run is the greatest home run in Philadelphia Phillies history.
1. Brad Lidge Strikes Out Hinske To Win 2008 World Series
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The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies will go down as one of the most popular teams in the city's history.
The 2008 World Series represents the beginning of a dominant era that is not close to being finished.
If I had to compare it to Roy Halladay's no-hitter, I still think I would rank it No. 1.
The fact is that the Phillies are the most exciting team in baseball. Halladay's performance proved it today as you could feel the energy in Citizens Bank Park.
The last two postseasons have been incredible, and this one got off to a great start.
High Hopes.
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