If you've got goosebumps, it's likely because the temperatures are close to twenty degrees below the average for this time of year. It could also be due to some sort of skin condition -- you may want to see your dermatologist -- and a third possibility is that you watched the closing scenes of Rudy.
Here's what the goosebumps are definitely not in any way shape or form due to: the Philadelphia Phillies.
For the 27th year in a row, they have begun their season with one win to five losses, tied for the second worst record in major-league baseball. Only the Washington Nationals, a team that many predicted to lose at least 100 games this year, have a worse record. The Phils have been outscored 26 to 32 and up next on the schedule is a team that they were predicted to challenge for the NL East crown, but yet already trail by 3 games in the standings.
It's discouraging to say the least, but what's worse, it's history repeating itself, it's Groundhog Day ["Watch that first step, it's a doozy!"] Every year it seems, the Phillies start out slow, then go on a hot streak to get us all excited, before finally missing the playoffs by a game or two, maybe three, but whatever the final total, it always finalizes on the final weekends.
Here's the "best" part: it's probably going to happen again this year. Look, a team with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell... just simply has too much talent not to contend. In all likelihood, we'll be getting our hopes up in August and September.
But when the year starts off exactly the way the last several have, it's hard for even the most faithful fans to see how things are going to finish off any different than the last several have. So, when the probable run at the playoffs comes in August and September, how many of the most faithful fans will be willing to let themselves enjoy it?
