Brave Words, True Words

Rich Hofmann begins to get the fever:

The Phillies' clubhouse has become a bus station, all about departures and arrivals and destinations unknown. There is no choice, either. The centerfielder is gone with a broken ankle. The closer is disabled with a bum shoulder. The club travel agent works overtime. The turnstile at the door spins, furiously. And glad to see you there, Joe Thurston.

There could be more coming, too. Because the Phillies have made a decision here. The everlasting tension between present and future has tipped - and the players on the field have done the tipping. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels - they have made this so, and they have done it by their actions. They have, despite everything, forced their bosses to believe in now.

Screw catching the Reds. I want to catch the Cardinals! "Baseball Heaven"- right Scott Rolen, you fink?