2008, Cole Hamels wins NLCS and World Series MVP honors by leading the Philadelphia Phillies to their first championship since 1980 after having a dominant season himself.

Roy Oswalt was the NLCS MVP in 2005, the year his Houston Astros won the pennant. This three time all star is a known respected work horse of a pitcher with a career 3.18 ERA and a 150-83 record. He’s only 33.

Roy “Doc” Halladay has been called arguably the greatest pitcher of the past decade by many because of his durability and his sinker. He threw only the 2nd no hitter in post season history in his first postseason game against the Reds combined with a perfect game this past May. The postseason went under the alias, “Doctober” from then until his team lost to the World Series bound Giants a six game NLCS.

Cliff Lee has been a journey man for since the 2009 campaign and has played for four different teams since then. Until the World Series, he hadn’t lost a post season game sporting a 7-0 record. His pin point control and vast array of devastating pitches has already given him a reputation as one of the greatest playoff pitchers of all time.

Could you imagine if these four hurlers were on the same team? They are.

In a rotation called R2C2 by the Philadelphia press, the team is projected to have the most dominant starting rotation in baseball since Atlanta Braves dynasty of the mid 90’s.

With Cole Hamels rebounding to match his 2008 self with his fastball returning to mid 90’s velocity, he is complimented by three crafty veterans. With what is already arguably one of baseball’s best offenses to back them up, this rotation looks set to lead the way in the NL East this season with the main goal to win a World Series title. This is something Oswalt, Halladay, and Lee are yet to do and are hungry for the chance to do so. Lee has won back to back pennants with the Phillies in 09′ and the Texas Rangers in 10′ losing both to the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants. When Oswalt won the pennant in 05′, the Astros were swept by the Chicago Whitesox, also in 4 games. With all 4 pitchers either coming into their own or at the top of their game, they have post season experience and hunger for glory to win it all. The only remaining questions should at this point be, “how many games will Philly win?” and “Who of all of them will win the Cy Young award?”

In the latter half of the 2000’s, the Phillies have clinched four consecutive playoff spots  including two pennants and a World Series title in 2008. Needless to say, they have had it good, yet the dynasty has been one of quiet and underrated glory in the sports world outside of the East coast. With the smart offseason moves made by the front office including Cliff Lee being “snaked” away from the Yankees as some fans are calling it, the team is not only stacked, but are sure to get their names on the map come April. Pay attention fans, we might experience history in the months to come.