phillies | Phillies Opening Day 2011 | Astros at Phillies Game Thread, April 1, 2011

Astros at Phillies Game Thread, April 1, 2011

PHILADELPHIA For Roy Halladay, opening day means it’s just one day closer to the postseason.

Halladay and the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies are ready to get the most anticipated season in franchise history started. Expectations are high this year. So high, in fact, that anything less than a World Series title won’t be considered a success.

But the Phillies have to play 162 games first, starting with Friday’s opener against the Houston Astros.

Today is Opening Day for the Phillies and Phillies Fever has officially set in.
While the weather may not be cooperating perfectly, things are nevertheless looking up. Case in point: yesterday the Phillies announced that the team has gratefully accepted the fan-funded gift of a 7 and 1/2-foot bronze statue of Harry Kalas for placement at Citizens Bank Park.
The statue was presented to the Phillies as a gift from Dear Harry, Inc., a fan-based group organized solely to create a statue dedicated to the memory of the Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster. The sculptor, Lawrence J. Nowlan, has received important commissions for public sculpture across the country and overseas.
The statue of Harry Kalas will be joining the already existing statues of Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt, Robin Roberts, and Steve Carlton at Citizens Bank Park. Details about the location of the Kalas statue at the ballpark are yet to be determined, as well as the date and time of the unveiling.


“I think we’re all anxious, more so to get back to the postseason,” Halladay said. “That being the goal and having another quality team to put on the field, I think we’re all anxious. Opening day is just the start of it.”

The four-time NL East champions became instant favorites to win their second World Series in four years after signing Cliff Lee to a $120 million, five-year deal. The addition of Lee to go along with Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels gives the Phillies a starting rotation that’s the envy of baseball.

Injuries to five-time All-Star Chase Utley and closer Brad Lidge have brought Philadelphia back closer to the pack. Still, the Phillies won’t be satisfied unless they are riding down Broad Street for a championship parade in October.

1:05 PM ET, April 1, 2011


Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

phillies | Phillies Opening Day 2011 | Astros at Phillies Game Thread, April 1, 2011
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