May 15 -- PHILLED IN GOES TO WASHINGTON (UPDATED)

BY SCOTT LAUBER

On our way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the Phillies' luncheon with President Obama. Not sure if the logistics will allow us to bring you live updates, but regardless, we'll post a recap here just as soon as we can. Meanwhile, you can watch the ceremony at about noon via the White House's live stream.



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(Updated, 3:30 p.m.): So, there I was, on the South Lawn of the White House, waiting for President Obama to emerge from the Oval Office and thinking, "How cool is this?"

As a journalist, you become desensitized to certain things. You don't mean to. It just happens. Go to enough ballparks, stand in enough clubhouses, talk to enough players, cover enough games, and you just sort of get used to the whole thing. It's not that you're jaded. It's just that grow accustomed to being around athletes. I guess I'm saying it becomes routine. But the feeling that came over me today, looking up at the Truman Balcony and standing about 10 yards from Obama, is something I've rarely felt since 1999 when, less than a year out of college, I lucked into a one-on-one interview with Ted Williams at a hotel in Manchester, N.H.

Needless to say, the White House experience is pretty awesome.

I'm kind of a political nerd, as you may be able to tell. For instance, my favorite all-time TV show is The West Wing. So, for me, having a chance to see the teeny-tiny White House briefing room (I sat in the L.A. Times' chair) was a treat. There were several political dignitiaries in attendance, including Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware and Obama's chief campaign manager David Plouffe, a St. Mark's grad and a huge Phillies fan. And the view from the South Lawn, of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial, is breathtaking.

We'll have plenty in tomorrow's News Journal about the Phillies' visit, and I'll try to post some cell phone pictures in a bit (I've put some AP photos up here). A few highlights:

--Jimmy Rollins presented the 44th President with a No. 44 Phillies jersey. Obama smiled, posed for a photo with J-Roll and asked, "Can I have your ring, too?"

--Before the Phillies took a team picture with Obama, the Prez said, "Everybody say cheesesteak."

--Obama highlighted several players, including Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels for their charity work off the field. He also noted the role that Howard and Rollins play in attracting more African-American kids to want to play baseball.

--Obama also paid tribute to Harry Kalas and transitioned into the Phillies' World Series championship: "He waited 28 years to call a World Series championship run, and what an unbelievable run it was, filled with come-from-behind wins by an underdog team that proved the prognosticators run. We share something in common there because nobody thought I was going to win either. This was a team that never gave up. You weren't supposed to win your division. You weren't supposed to win postseason series against the Dodgers and the Rays. And even though the stretch between the top and bottom of the sixth inning of Game 5 took two full days of rain, you came out before the toughest fans in sports to win Philadelphia's first major championship since 1983."

For those who are interested, here's the full text of Obama's speech:

Hello, everybody. Please have a seat. Please have a seat. Thank you. Welcome to the White House -- and congratulations to the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

We originally planned to do this last month, but postponed it after the loss of the legendary voice so familiar to any sports fan, the hall-of-fame announcer, the great Harry Kalas. And Harry left us as he lived -- in the ballpark, preparing to call another game for his beloved Phillies. And I know a season without the warm comfort of his voice is difficult, but I also know this, that Harry is here with us in spirit today and he is proud of all of you.
He waited 28 years to call another World Series championship run -- and what an unbelievable run it was, full of come-from-behind wins by an underdog team that loved to prove the prognosticators wrong. And so we share something in common there, because nobody thought I was going to win either.

This is a team that never gave up. You weren't supposed to win your division. You weren't supposed to win postseason series against the Dodgers or the Rays. And even though the stretch between the top and the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 5 took two full days of rain -- you came out before the toughest fans in sports to win Philadelphia's first major championship since 1983.

And so this was truly a victory for both young folks, but also the young at heart -- those who waited nearly three decades, and a new generation of fans that had been waiting their entire lives. It also, as I mentioned to the team back here, was not just a victory for the people of Philadelphia -- but for some longtime fans like Joe Biden, and my campaign manager, David Plouffe, who -- I'm not sure whether he cared more about my victory or the Phillies' victory -- but it was a close call -- as well as folks from the entire Delaware Valley.

This is a team made up of guys who don't quit: Cole Hamels, the unbelievable playoff ace. Chase Utley, a throwback who plays hurt, and plays hard and never complains. Brad Lidge, who came to the Philly organization looking for a fresh start and who went a perfect 48 for 48 in save opportunities all season long, and who wiped away 28 years of near-misses and heartbreak with that final strikeout. And guys like our manager here, Charlie Manuel, who lost his mother during the playoffs. And I know how tough that is. I lost my grandmother in the middle of my election. And, Charlie, I admired your perseverance during those trying times. I know how hard that must have been on you.

Also guys like Shane Victorino -- Shane, we don't get that many baseball players from Hawaii in the Majors. Where did Shane go? He was around here somewhere. He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet in there, saying "shaka" -- local boy. But that means that there are a lot of folks looking out for you. And then Jimmy Rollins -- who I have to say made some telephone calls on behalf of our campaign before the election, and I couldn't be more grateful to him for that.

You know, I remember giving a campaign speech in Chester, just outside of Philadelphia, one week before the election. And it was the day after rain had suspended the Series game, and it was still raining. And I told my staff, if they can suspend the World Series in the middle of a game, then the least you could do is find an indoor location for my speech. That was the coldest I may have ever been. Do you remember that, Plouffe? I mean, it was cold. But true to form, thousands of Philadelphians showed up to brave the rain and my speech, just like they had shown up to watch their beloved Phillies play. And so like this team, I tried to give them my best.

I also know how it felt for the Phillies to get this weight off their back, because my beloved White Sox finally did it three years ago after nearly 90 years of waiting. So Cubs fans out there, take heart. (Laughter.) Anything is possible.

I also want to point out the example that each and every one of these guys, their wives, and the entire organization set with their time and efforts off the field. Chase works on behalf of pediatric hospitals. Brad supports our wounded warriors. Cole helps those suffering with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Ryan Howard is a national face for the Boys and Girls Clubs, participates in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and takes an active role in mentoring inner-city students. And on and on.

And just as the number of African American kids taking up baseball is in severe decline, the impact of having role models like Ryan and Jimmy to look up to just can't be measured. You know, Jimmy likes to say that nothing comes easy in Philly. And that's why I think that so many Americans found themselves rooting for this extraordinary team. As Americans, we know a little something about being underdogs. We know a little something about coming together when times are tough. And like this team, we remember a simple truth, which is that we rise and fall together, and no one individual is bigger than the team.

So, Phillies, congratulations not only for a great season but doing it the right way.

May 14 -- OFFENSIVE!

"What is losing?
Losing is a disease... as contagious as polio.
Losing is a disease... as contagious as syphilis.
Losing is a disease... as contagious as bubonic plague...
attacking one... but infecting all.
But curable."

BY SCOTT LAUBER

OK, so who remembers the scene in "The Natural," when the team shrink comes into the clubhouse and talks to Roy Hobbs and the slumping New York Knights about losing?

Well, Raul Ibanez put his own twist on that philosophy today.

Ibanez has only been with the Phillies for a few months, but he already has raved about the offense, which, generally speaking, had been rolling along until about a week ago. But after today's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers, the numbers have gotten downright ugly. Over the past five games, the Phillies are 27-for-153 (.176) and have scored only 14 runs. Jimmy Rollins is 4-for-25. Shane Victorino is 1-for-27. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are both 3-for-23.

So, I asked Ibanez how an entire lineup, especially one as potent as the Phillies', can go into a funk at the same time. It was a problem that plagued the Phils last summer when they went into a 10-week, team-wide offensive malaise.

"It's like a yawn," Ibanez said. "One person yawns in a room, and all of a sudden, everyone starts yawning. I'm not smart enough to explain that. I don't know why it happens. But it's a gifted group of hitters. It's inevitable this team will hit."

Losing is a disease ...

***
Charlie Manuel made an interesting -- and, I'm sure, intentional -- observation after the game when he said, "I know what our guys can do. We can talk about it. We talked about how we played last year, and we talked about bringing it every day. We've got to get back in that pattern, and guys have to start getting after it."

A manager doesn't merely drop phrases like "bringing it every day" and "getting after it." I think Manuel has some concerns about the Phillies resting on their laurels early in the season. Keep in mind: They have rallied to win the NL East in each of the past two years. Howard, Jayson Werth and others often have talked about how the Phillies play their best late in the season. But Manuel knows late-season rallies can't be counted on. If you don't play well enough in April and May, September can be a lost cause.

***
On the bright side, Cole Hamels finally is looking more like Cole Hamels.

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Talk to y'all tomorrow from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Any messages you want me to deliver to President Obama?

April 13 -- GAME 6 WRAP: STAIRS STRIKES AGAIN

BY SCOTT LAUBER

DENVER -- So, I was making the pleasant, 20-minute walk to Coors Field from my hotel here yesterday morning when I stopped into a Starbucks (there's one on every other corner in downtown Denver). Sure enough, standing directly in front of me in line were Matt Stairs and Raul Ibanez. We exchanged hellos, then they ordered their caffeinated beverages and went on their way.

About seven hours later, I was talking to Stairs in the Phillies' clubhouse after his pinch-hit, two-run home run into the bullpen in right-center field proved to be the decisive blow in a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over the Rockies.

So, I asked, what's the secret to your pinch-hitting success?

"Grande white mocha," Stairs said with a smile.

As you might imagine, Stairs was the focus of the game story in today's News Journal. Specifically, I wrote about his ultra-simplistic philosophy of hitting: See ball, hit ball. Or, if you prefer, "grip it and rip it." Ask Stairs about his approach at the plate, and it's really very basic. Every time he steps in the batter's box, he tries to hit a home run. Seriously. There's not much nuance. He swings as hard as he can, and often, the ball goes a long way.

I knew Stairs was a little different from most hitters when, before batting practice one day last September at Citizens Bank Park, he placed a tee at home plate, grabbed a fungo bat and launched balls over the outfield fence. In batting practice, while some of his teammates are working on hitting the ball the other way, Stairs often cracks everyone up with his display of unbridled power. And, thanks to his memorable pinch-hit, two-run homer in Game 4 of the NLCS last year, he has developed somewhat of a cult following in Philly. Last Wednesday, when the Phillies received their World Series rings, the ovation for Stairs was every bit as boisterous as the ones for Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins or Cole Hamels.

"My approach doesn't change, if I'm starting or pinch-hitting," he said yesterday. "It's amazing how it kind of came up last year that I try to hit home runs. It's been like that for 15 years. I try to hit every ball as far as I can. That's the approach I have. It doesn't happen as much as I'd like it to, but it seems like it's worked pretty well."

***
Deep within the notebook, beneath the daily Cole Hamels update, we have word on Chan Ho Park's ineffective first regular-season start and the 9.62 ERA of the Phillies' starters through six games. But, as bad as the starters have been, that's how good the bullpen is right now. Opponents are batting only .103 against Phillies relievers.

***
My colleague, Geoff Mosher, is covering the team today in DC, as I fly back from Denver. I'll be back tomorrow from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where the Phillies will visit with President Obama. Meanwhile, here's a preview of the series against the Nationals, who have too many outfielders, not enough pitching and absolutely no victories.

PHILLIES (3-3) at NATIONALS (0-6)
Today, 3:05: LHP Jamie Moyer (0-1, 7.20) vs. RHP Daniel Cabrera (0-1, 7.50)
Tomorrow: Off day
Wednesday, 7:05: RHP Joe Blanton (0-0, 15.75) vs. RHP Shairon Martis (0-0, 9.00)
Thursday, 7:05: LHP Cole Hamels (0-1, 17.18) vs. LHP John Lannan (0-2, 10.00)
Hot: Phillies 2B Chase Utley, showing no lingering effects from offseason hip surgery, has 10 hits in his last 18 at-bats (.556), although he says he's still a "work in progress"; Phillies RF Jayson Werth went 7-for-12 with two doubles, one triple, one home run and five RBIs in the three-game series against Colorado; Nationals SS Cristian Guzman has hit safely in all six games and has at least two hits in five games; Nationals CF Elijah Dukes is 6-for-14 (.429) with two walks and three RBIs in three starts.
Not: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins has two hits in his last 25 at-bats; Phillies C Chris Coste has one hit in his last 10 at-bats; Nationals LF Josh Willingham is hitless in 10 at-bats; Nationals CF Lastings Milledge has three hits in 19 at-bats (.154) this season.