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Can Brad Lidge and the Phillies repeat? They're in pretty good shape to do so, but it would still be an amazing feat.

I didn’t fare as well either. My shoulder was killing me, and I went from a 12-5, 3.60 ERA in 1979 to a 8-13/3.82 ERA in 1980.

In 1988 with the Twins, it was a slightly different story, as we had some chemistry issues to deal with on the heels of our championship season.

To win a title, you need everyone to be on the same page. You don’t need any friction in the clubhouse, and when players shuffle in and out via trades and free agency that can affect things.

Tom Brunansky was a huge part of our championship. In addition to smashing 32 home runs and driving in 85 RBIs, he was highly respected in the clubhouse.

Then, early in the 1988 season, Brunansky was traded to St. Louis for second baseman Tom Herr. That really changed the atmosphere in the clubhouse and became a bit of a controversy. Not only did management remove a great element from the team in Bruno, but Herr’s clubhouse attitude was bad, and he didn’t really want to be there.

We didn’t click as a team, and like with the 1980 Pirates, some guys fell back a bit after big seasons. The Kirby Pucketts and Kent Hrbeks kept doing their thing, they just kept going and did what they did, but the lack of help for those guys really showed.

THE PHILLIES HAVE MADE RIGHT MOVES
The Phillies have done a great job in replacing guys who either left via free agency or backslid or were hurt after great 2008 seasons.

Pat Burrell left Philadelphia as a free agent, but the Phillies brought in Raul Ibanez as his replacement, and Ibanez has had a career year.

Last year, Jamie Moyer led the Phillies with 16 victories, and Cole Hamels was huge in the playoffs. This year Hamels has battled injuries and just hasn’t pitched as well, and Moyer is out for the season. But rookie J.A. Happ stepped up and had a great season, and then management went out and traded for Cliff Lee, who has made a huge impact.

When it all comes down to it, Ibanez and Lee might be the guys to help the Phillies repeat. The rest of the team has been there before. They know what it’s like to win a World Series. You know what you’re going to get out of Howard, Utley and the ever-improving Jayson Werth.

If Ibanez and Lee shine the rest of the way, the Phillies just might be able to pull it off.

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