As the season came to an end at Citizens Bank Park last weekend, the staff at TBOH was polled on their choices for our TBOH 2015 Phillies Award winners, as well as for their favorite moment from the season.
From among our half-dozen staffers, it was pretty clear that Cole Hamels no-hitter at Wrigley Field on July 25th was the highlight of the season.
All of us noted the moment, with writers Ethan Witte, Ryan Gerstel, and Alexis Girardo actually choosing it as their very favorite moment.
"Undoubtedly, my favorite moment was Hamels' no-hitter. Here he is, knowing it's probably his last start as a Phillie, and he goes out with one of the best games he's ever pitched in red pinstripes," said Ethan.
"Then, to go on social media and see the different emotions people had, also knowing it was probably the last start they'd ever get to see him make as a Phillie, and you could see that everyone was just happy it ended the way it did."
"That was one of the rare times this season that I was actually glued to my television for an entire game, and once that ninth inning rolled along, well, I went nuts," said Ryan.
"Everything about it was perfect; the fact that it was probably Hamels' last start in a Phillies uniform, and the fact that a Rule 5 pick caught the final out in wacky fashion. It was a moment I'll never forget, and undoubtedly the best moment of the season for the 2015 Phillies."
Alexis also highlighted Odubel Herrera's pivotal role in the ending to that no-hitter: "Hamels no-hitter against the Cubs in his last game with the Phillies (and the two catches Odubel made to save it). You couldn't have written a better ending for such an iconic and awesome pitcher who led the team to the World Series in 2008."
David Mosemann, who did most of the Series Preview write-ups here at TBOH all spring and summer until September, instead chose the much-hyped career debut of rookie righty and top 2014 draft pick Aaron Nola on July 21st, just 4 days prior to Hamels' gem.
"The anticipation leading up to this game was absolutely fantastic," said David. "Nola did not fail to deliver either. Despite suffering a defeat, the 22-year old went 6 strong innings and allowed just 1 run, and gave both Phillies brass and fans alike a reason to be excited about what the future holds."
Both Matt Veasey (myself) and staffer Tyler DiSalle chose the same moment from back on May 13th as our favorite from the season.
That was the game at Citizens Bank Park that saw Jonathan Papelbon set a new franchise Saves record with the 113th of his Phillies career. However, our moment wasn't so much for the fact that the record was set, as to how it was set.
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur, in one of the first of a number of such moments during the 2015 season, became a fan favorite because of moments like this, moments that led to 'Frenchy' being selected by our TBOH staff as our Phillies Surprise Player of the Year.
With one out and the tying run at 3rd, Francoeur caught the 2nd out on a medium fly ball along the right field foul line, then gunned the Pirates' Steve Lombardozzi out at the plate on a laser beam throw for the final out, clinching the record for Papelbon.
The Philadelphia Phillies came in last place in the NL East in the 2015 season. Worse yet, they finished with the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.
But even during such an atrocious season in the standings, there were indeed games, players, and moments that brought fans great joy over the course of six months.
Such is the beauty of the long, every day baseball season. Over the course of 162 games, even the worst seasons are going to provide some unforgettable memories.
As the Phillies begin their climb back towards respectability and then ultimately to contending status, the next few seasons should provide even more of these great moments.
These were our TBOH staff favorite moments. How do they rank with you, and if you had another favorite, what were yours?
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