It feels like it felt 15 years ago.
This week in March 2003, 50 Cent was killing it on the Billboard charts, the first installment of “Lord of the Rings” was still killing it at the box office, and first baseman Jim Thome and starting pitcher Kevin Millwood were killing it at Phillies spring training.
The Phils signed Thome in early December of 2002: seven years, $85 million. Two weeks later, they traded catcher Johnny Estrada for Millwood, whose projected $10 million arbitration award was too rich for the Braves (Millwood got $9.9 million). After the 2002 season, which featured a fractious trade of star third baseman Scott Rolen, the Phillies had shown their fans they were willing to spend big money.