Don't Forget About Happ

Last year, it was all about Cliff Lee. Cliff Lee this and Cliff Lee that. Don't get me wrong, Cliff Lee deserved the attention. The way he pitched in September and through out the playoffs for the Phils was incredible to say the least. He went deep into games and was a real "horse" for the team when they needed him most. But as Lee smiled under the lime light and Cole Hamels struggled to make it out of the first inning, we forgot about a sensational rookie pitcher who was pitching gems left and right. Whats his name again? J.A. Happ. J.A. Happ coasted under the radar, quietly becoming a sensational rookie talent. Let's look at some of Happ's stats from last year. Happ, in 35 games with the Phils went 12-4 and had an ERA of 2.93. He finished in second in the NL Rookie of the year award, just 11 points out of first place. You didn't know that? Probably because you were too focused on wanting to keep Cliff Lee when we potentialy have a pitcher who is just as good if not better than Cliff Lee. With a sparkling record of 12-4, and an excellent ERA of 2.93 it should have been a no brainer to start Happ in the playoffs. The Phils didn't. The four starters in last year's postseason were Lee, Hamels, Blanton, and Martinez. Start Happ in place of Hamels, and I would be sitting here writing an article about a possible three-peat. Instead Uncle Charlie chose to use him out of the bullpen where Happ struggled greatly. The starting rotation this year is Blanton, Kendrick, and the Killer H's, Happ, Halladay, and Hamels. I see three aces in that rotation, and it will be exciting to see if Happ will be able to follow a tremendous rookie year. Through out the course of this season, when Halladay throws his complete game shut-outs, and Hamels throws his 9 inning one hitters, don't forget about Happ. Happ will quietly put together a flawless record and ERA and possibly earn the title of ace. DON'T FORGET ABOUT HAPP!!!