A return to normalcy?

After the slowest week of North American professional sports, real live major league baseball returns tonight. Those of you so desperate for a sports buzz that you’ve been watching the Orlando Summer League can now turn off NBA TV. Speaking if Orlando,  Doug Collins was rumored to be spotting at the Magic Kingdom wishing for a star. Goofy does possess NBA height, and like Jim Lynam said about Shawn Bradley, you can’t teach height.

For the Phils, the next two weeks of on field action will go a long way toward determining the long term direction Ruben Amaro takes. The Phillies begin the symbolic second half as healthy as they’ve been all season. Line-up anchors Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are back, although how much they will contribute is still to be determined. Staff leader and head ace Roy Halladay should make his return to major league action in the next series and bench bat Laynce Nix is on the verge of being activated. In short, the band’s getting back together.  The question though is will they be playing one last slow song, something to remember the good times for, or will this act be a rollicking return of the glory days?

If nothing else, this team is playing for its right to exist. A strong second half, even one that doesn’t result in a playoff berth, will go a long way towards convincing management and the fans that 2012 was just a hiccup and that 2013 will represent a return of meaningful fall baseball.  Some things to keep an eye on the rest of the summer:

1.       Can Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee return to Cy Young level pitching? If they do, chances are 2013 will be a return to relevancy.

2.       Is Cole Hamels wearing red and white pinstripes? Yes, that’s the biggest question, but I thought I’d throw a curveball.

3.       What type of production comes from the bats of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard? Anything close to their peak years of run producing, and the Phillies offense will reawaken.

4.       Do Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorno find their way out of season long slumps and spark the top of the line-up as in years past?

5.       Does anybody step up in the bullpen not named Papelbon? My bet is on Jake Diekman having a breakthrough second half. He’ll need company if the Phils have any hope of making a run.

6.       What role do John Mayberry Jr. and Dominic Brown play in the last half of the season? The Phillies desperately need a young, productive outfielder for next year and beyond.

While watching these developments, the following two pieces of information should keep a smile on your face: The Sixers signed a 6’11 former number one draft pick. (The flip side is that it’s an underperforming Kwame Brown, but refer to first paragraph about height.) And when all else fails, remember the forgotten mantra of so many  summers of the 90's "The Eagles report to training camp in less than a week."