Challenge accepted.

Also, some adorableness between Chooch and Halladay from today:

Spring training brings us a ridiculous Ryan Madson moment.

Saw this floating around the Internet and could not help but laugh.

Pitching rotation revealed.

Though everyone's been referring to the pitching rotation as "the four aces and Blanton" for a while now, at the press conference today it did not go unnoticed that Blanton is just that - the fifth starter among aces - and didn't quite receive equal treatment to his peers.  You've gotta admire Blanton's response when the lack of focus on him was acknowledged:

"I'm not big on attention, and I don't think these other four guys are, either.  I don't think they're the one that wants to stand out and say, 'Look, I'm the head of this rotation.' It doesn't matter to me. Winning is the biggest part for me."

This lack of desire for attention might be why Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels have dismissed so many of the nicknames created by fans to describe them - R2C2, the Phantastic Four, the Four Horsemen, etc.  Though these guys are our four aces, Blanton's going to play a part in the Phils' success as well.

But anyway, as far as those nicknames go, I'm still rooting for Phour Loko.

Happy Valentine's Day

Source: http://twitpic.com/3yp96v

Pitchers and catchers arrive in Clearwater.

While some lucky bastards are out getting dressed up for Valentine’s Day dinner, the rest of us are sitting in the library doing homework – or, more aptly, starting a Phillies blog.

Today, pitchers and catchers for the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies report to Clearwater, FL.  If you’re a Phillies fan, it’s impossible to not be looking forward to the 2011 season right now – and let’s admit it, the postseason as well.  With a line-up that no one can stop talking about – including Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee, it feels like the only thing in our way this year is injury.  With Blanton starring as number five, the Phillies have what many are calling the best rotation in baseball.  Actually, I’m not being cocky – it is the best rotation in baseball.  And though our starters definitely have the biggest spotlight shining on them right now, there’s no reason to forget about our closers.  Though not the most consistent bunch, Romero, Madson and Lidge are almost as familiar as the starting lineup – and who can forget Lidge’s perfect season in 2008?  At the end of last season, we saw a taste of that again, which can only bode well for this season.

And we can’t forget about the catchers.  In his no-hitter last May, Halladay talked more about Chooch than himself.  These guys have proved to be more than capable in the past.

With the position players arriving in Clearwater February 18, it’s no secret that every Philadelphia fan is itching for spring.  So here’s to a great 2011 season and the arrival of spring.  GO PHILLIES!