As I, an avid Dodger fan, write this, I still fathom the fact that instead of sharing my thoughts at this moment, I could be at Dodger Stadium at this very moment getting ready for Game 6 of the NLCS. But no, it was just not meant to be. And another fun season of Dodgers baseball , for the 2nd straight year, is ended abruptly by the Fightin' Phils. But unlike last year, this one really hurt. Not that last year didnt. No, I did not enjoy the sight of the Phillies celebrating in front of me in our field. But last season the expectations were not quite there and for us to have made it as far was in the minds of many the first step. This year was supposed to be different. The core of the team was one more year experienced, the Dodgers had gone through adversity and found ways to survive. They went 29-21 when Manny Ramirez was out 50 games for violating baseballs substance abuse policy. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp supplied much of the power. Juan Pierre did an admirable job filling in for Manny during his absence. The pitching led the league in team ERA. The bullpen , whom many felt was overworked, was more than stellar this season. And despite the Game 5 meltdown, Johnathon Broxton made plenty of strides to prove that he is and will continue to be our #1 closer.

But after a superb first round sweep of the favored St. Louis Cardinals, the Dodgers, as a whole, whom we felt we're better prepared to take on this years Philles, were once again outplayed by a better team. It was the Phillie pitching that came through in the clutch. It was their bullpen, not ours, that was able to come through. And most of all, it was their bats, Howard, Victorino, Werth, and Rollins ( Game 5 will stay with me throughout this winter....) that did us in. And so for the 2nd straight year, it's the Phillies, not the Dodgers, who are going on to the World Series.

It was still a fun season nonetheless. The Dodgers , lets not forget, finished with the best record in the NL with a 95-67 mark, their best since 1985. The core of their team will be back next season. The voids that will be looked upon this off-season will be a starter at 2nd base. Will 2010 be the year that Blake DeWitt finally gets the starting nod at 2nd base permanently ? And as for the starting rotation, we know Kershaw, Billingsley, and Kuroda will be back. We need a 4 and 5 starter, or yet, a bonafide ace. Or will Kershaw step up to be the ace. Or can Bills regain his early season form and translate it into a full season of success in '10.

I still cant believe that our season is over. Again, I fell I should be at the stadium right now getting amped for Game 6. But I guess it was just not meant to be. Until next year, we still got some UNFINISHED BUSINESS to tend to. It was fun. GO DODGERS !!!! ( Man, it still hurts.....)