October isn't the same without the Phillies

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Remember how much fun October baseball was in this city just a few years ago?

Even though I am watching this year’s postseason, it’s just not the same when your hometown team is not involved.

The Phillies had a great run from 2007-2011, but now with them on the outside looking in, you really appreciate the good times. The Atlanta Braves have reached the postseason 17 times since 1991, including this year, and yet they have only one World Series Championship just like the Phillies during that time.

As much as Phillies fans want to see their team make the playoffs, I can’t imagine what this city would be saying if the the club had not won a playoff series in 12 years after qualifying nine times since 2000 like the Braves.

Making the playoffs is a great accomplishment, but every team’s goal is a championship. As we learned from 2008, it is generally a slow process to reach the ultimate prize.

This is such a critical offseason for the Phillies as Ruben Amaro Jr. attempts to add some pieces to a veteran-laden squad. It can be done if you spend wisely.

Look at the Los Angeles Dodgers and how they successfully rebuilt that franchise with some key signings along with homegrown talent. After a dreadful 30-42 start, the Dodgers have won almost 70 percent of their games since -- including the playoffs. The payoff is a trip to the National League Championship series.

What kind of payoff will the Phillies enjoy in 2014? October is a great month to live in Philadelphia with favorable weather and a colorful landscape as the trees begin to change, but nothing beats playoff baseball at Citizens Bank Park. The excitement in the sports complex is never better than in the postseason. Watching games on television right now is one big tease.

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