We took them for granted.
As we watched the 2007 Phillies hunt down the New York Mets and, against all odds, win the NL East title from seven games back with 17 to play, we were introduced to a score of players who would become household names.
Chase Utley. Jimmy Rollins. Ryan Howard. Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth. Carlos Ruiz.
When you think of the position player core of those 2007-2011 teams, those names are the ones that most quickly spring to mind (yes I know Werth was not a part of the ‘11 team, just go with me here).