The 16 Best Phillies GIFs of 2014

These are the saddest of possible words:
“Rollins to Utley to Howard”
Trio of Phillies, all in their thirties,
Rollins and Utley and Howard.
An NL East dynasty turned into rubble
If they’re all back next year, problems may double
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
“Rollins and Utley and Howard”

With apologies to Franklin Pierce Adams

The Philadelphia Phillies finished up their season yesterday the same way they finished the last three: Out of the playoffs. The Phils finished with a 73-89 record for the second consecutive year. In yesterday’s finale, Cole Hamels pitched well and took the loss — an event that happened far too often for a pitcher that posted a 2.46 ERA in 30 starts but finished with just a 9-9 record.

With the Phillies out of the playoffs, I thought I’d share some of my favorite animated GIFs I made of Phillies games this season.

The problems began in spring training, when the hot dog gun malfunctioned at one of the exhibition games at Citizens Bank Park.

This happened Opening Day. The Phillies beat Texas, 14-10, but this should have been an omen. (The Rangers, incidentally, lost 95 games.)

If you want a memory from this season, just think of Ryan Howard rounding third base — forever. He stayed healthy this year!

By far, the best highlight of this season was Jimmy Rollins cursing out a fan after hitting a walk-off homer.

J-Roll’s celebrations were probably my favorite part of the year.

Citizens Bank Park is the best place in baseball to get a homer! You have to be more prepared to make the catch out there.

This was on Tax Day, where the Phanatic pied a dancing tax man on the dugout. Although this guy might be dressed more just like “wedding guest” — but he was twisting to The Beatles’ “Taxman,” so it was clear who the Phanatic was hitting in the face. (People my age picture IRS agents as looking like wrestling taxman I.R.S.)

That’s how I feel, too, Larry Bowa.

Chase Utley had a hot start, and also got in a lot of classic Chase Utley plays. For example, this one where he doesn’t flinch when a baseball hits in right in the knee.

I’m not sure which game this is from, but let’s just say … any of them.

Even though the Phillies almost lost 90 games, there were still plenty of reasons to go to the ballpark. For example, Phanatic skits.

Ben Revere had an OK season. I think a lot of fans came around on him. Sure, he didn’t hit for any power, but he flirted with the batting title! He stole a lot of bases! He was pretty good. I mean, at the plate.

Then there was Jonathan Papelbon’s “adjustment.”

And subsequent ejection.

Finally, from this weekend, fans mocked Braves closer Craig Kimbrel’s pre-pitch stance.

Anybody ever tell you Phillies fans aren’t smart and clever, show them these GIFs.

What a season. Let’s hope for a better 2015!

Follow @dhm on Twitter.