Philly sport fans are over the top. And Phillie Phever runs high every year with the start of baseball season. Tomorrow is opening day with the Philadelphia Phillies sporting one of the BEST pitching lineups in major league baseball EVER with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and the return of Cliff Lee.
Cliff Lee was previously a Phillies' pitcher for less than one year in 2009 and helped the Phillies make it to the World Series in 2009, but the team lost to the NY Yankees. After the season, Lee was traded to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers, under the leadership of Lee, made it to the franchise's first World Series in 2010 (but lost to the San Fransisco Giants).
This past December, Lee was made three offers:
A 6-year contract for $138 million or a 7-year contract for $148 million to sign with the NY Yankees
A 6-year contract for $138 million to stay with the Texas Rangers but with "significant" deferrals
A 5-year contract for $120 million with a vesting option that could make the maximum value of the deal $135 million over 6 years to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
And who did Cliff Lee sign with?
The Philadelphia Phillies for 5-years at $120 million, leaving a guaranteed $28 million on the bargaining table by not signing with the Yankees.
As Ian O'Conner of ESPN phrased it best, "...the City of Brotherly Love broke up the near-certain pinstriped brotherhood of Sabathia and Lee. Philadelphia pulled another Rocky Balboa and threw one of the most improbable punches in the history of the great American sport known as free agency."
Why would Lee leave money on the table to go with the Phillies?
Cliff Lee stated that he loved his short time in Philadelphia; he and his family liked the area, the team, and the fans. End of story. Wow, doesn't that speak volumes contrary to all the awful things sports announcers say about Philadelphia, our teams and our fans?
Welcome home Cliff Lee! Phillies fans are more pumped than ever for the 2011 season!
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Opening Day - Mr. Lee Goes to Philadelphia - Copyright © 2011, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
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Harleysville, PA 19438
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