A Cliffmas Miracle in Philadelphia: Welcome Home, Cliff Lee

Perhaps it's the beard.

He just didn't want to shave it on someone else's terms. Not even for all the extras the pinstripes were throwing at his wife...I mean him. Can you blame the guy?

Was Cliff Lee scared of New York? He says no, according to the New York Post. 

The New York Post quotes Lee: 

"There wasn't anything that scared me away from New York," 

"I wasn't scared to play there. I wasn't any of that. It was just I wanted to have all my options in front of me. Once the Phillies were there, it was relatively close to everything, it was a no-brainer for me."

Plus, he was quoted on WFAN NY stating that Philly fans "don’t need a teleprompter to tell them to cheer." This was probably more of a dig at the Ranger fans than the Yankees, but still. Lee has returned home. 

So where does that leave Philly? Well, let's see. Roy, squared. Hollywood Hamels. Now Cliff Lee? It's certainly going to be tough to be the number 5 in Philadelphia. 

As for NL East competition? Go ahead Metsies. Terry Collins, keep rebuilding. Maybe one day your Lego pieces will turn into big boy buildings. Until then, the Phillies architectural genius is dwarfing your childish abode. Perhaps it's time to lose the "re" and just start building. And imitation is not offensive at this point. After all, the Mets built Citi Field in the shadow of Citizens Bank Park. Perhaps it's time to take some lessons on how to build a team. 

Also, how is it that both Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay prefer Philadelphia over New York? And both accept LESS money to come to the cheesesteak capital? Move over Miami, there's a new Heater trilogy in town. The only problem is, there are four guys capable of the top three spots. Yikes.