For the past week, everyone was talking about how the New York Yankees or the Texas Rangers could be the perfect fit for Cliff Lee? What was it about Philadelphia? Was it the homey confines of Citizens Bank Park that drew the former 2000 4th-round draft pick of the Montreal Expos? A few different things wound up making his decision. One was his family who now have been aided with a place that has the finest of doctors close at hand again. His family enjoying being in Philadelphia compounded with Lee having a good bond with the Phils team only solidifies his decision. Another factor weighing in is him re-joining a pitching staff with almost the unmentionable possibility of having (4) 20-game winners in Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee. Being an Orioles fan, I recall the last time this was done back in 1971 with Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally and Pat Dobson. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to take the Pirates in Game 7 of the World Series. However, the Lee acquisition does boost a Philly rotation which saw the World Series go to a staff with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner of the "Kids Of Cisco" fame. Cliff still sees his 4-0 record for the playoffs including a perfect 2-0 performance in the 2009 World Series (losing to Yankees in 6) as motivation to get back there for the win this time around with the much better support. Now let's look at some numbers. Lee was 4-6 with a 3.98 ERA while with the Rangers the second half of the 2010 season. Back in the second half of 2009 with the Phillies, Lee was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA. Whether some believe it or not, Lee much prefers the National League who face a pitcher every 9 batters instead of facing a designated hitter in the American League. In conclusion, the $120 million five-year contract with 2016 buy-out options for the 32-year-old southpaw from Arkansas goes to show a pitcher will sacrifice a little money for a better environment for him and his family. As a result of this acquisition, the Phils have now become the favorite to take the 2011 World Series at some books as they vaulted a 6:1 status into the current 7:2 odds. The questions of Ryan Howard and Co. getting the bats going on a more consistent basis and having a solid bullpen to get them back in the series still remain the key issues. With all this excitement in the air, there's no doubt the ticket sales will be booming in Philadelphia for 2011. By Mike Handzelek
 

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