Is this the greatest era of Philadelphia Phillies baseball? HS Football Week 5 Predictions

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

When Roy Halladay threw his 98th pitch and earned his 21st win on the season on Monday the doctor did more than lock up the National League Cy Young Award. One of the newer Phillies helped the 2010 squad earn their fourth consecutive National League East title. It immediately triggers thought of the "D word."

Dynasty cannot be thrown around lightly, but with Charlie Manuel calling shots the Phightins have done nothing but win. Since 2003 they have had 85 wins or more and since 2001 they have had at least 80 wins. The last five years with two world series appearances have been the greatest season in Phillies history in over 25 years.
For those who witnesses Danny Ozark's Phillies in the late 1970's and Dallas Green's champions of the early '80s may have a better comprehension than myself, but over a five year span the greatest Phillies club ever is either 2006-to-now or 1976-to-1980. A second title this season would ultimately lock up the greatest Phillies era of all-time, but as it stand right now it is up for debate.

* reminder 2010 team playoff performance is YTD
The tale of the tape...          1976-1980               2006-2010
Win-loss record (pct.)        467-343 (.577)         454-353 (.560)
First place finishes              (4)'76, '77, '78, '80    (4)'07, '08, '09, '10
Playoff appearances           (4)'76, '77, '78, '80    (4)'07, '08, '09, '10                    
NL pennants                      1                                *2
WS appearances                1                                *2
WS titles                            1980                          2008
MVPs                                Schmidt                     Rollins, Howard
Cy Youngs                        Carlton (2)                  *none

The bottom line is both eras of Phillies baseball had all the making of all-time great teams from indivudal awards, great managers and heroic climbs to the top. If the Phillies even reach the World Series in 2010 and make it 3-to-1 in appearances it will be tough to argue the better era. If they win a second championship in three years, forget about it. If for some reason the Phillies fall short of the Fall Classic, the debate will have to continue until we see what the Phillies can do in 2011.




Week 5 Montgomery Media Football Predictions (winner in yellow)
North Penn @ Central Bucks East
Roman Catholic @ LaSalle
Bristol @ Springfield
Upper Merion @ Upper Dublin
Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Upper Moreland
Harry S Truman @ William Tennent
Wissahickon @ Norristown
Pennridge @ Souderton
Chichester @ Cheltenham
Abington @ Council Rock North
Quakertown @ Hatboro-Horsham
Methacton @ Owen J. Roberts
Pope John Paul II @ Perkiomen Valley
Delco Christian @ Jenkintown
Bishop McDevitt @ Lansdale Catholic
Academy of the New Church @ Delaware Military
Emily Fischer @ Germantown Academy
Upper Perk @ Spring-Ford
Friendship Collegiate @ Archbishop Wood

Last week's record: 12-8
Overall record: 41-20
**did not predict in week 1

Archbishop Wood is one of the top teams in the state