It was late in the month of July, 2011. The Phillies offense was in a rut. Big name position players kept finding their names on the disabled list and the Phils were desperate for a high average hitter who could provide some pop and protection for the "Big Peice", Ryan Howard. With that, General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. pulled off another one of his ballsy trades, sending four minor leaguers to the Houston Astros in return for right fielder Hunter Pence.
Pence was the heart and soul of the dying organization that is the Houston Astros. Houston needed to get younger and bring in some young, talented prospects. Pence was probably on the move once his contract expired if the Astros didn't decide to send him on his way.
So on July 29th, 2011, the trade was finalized and Hunter Pence threw on the red pinstripes, only to be immediately adored by the Philadelphia phaithful. His loose personality on and off the field, his hilarious tweets, mixed with his raw talent, and ruthless play made him a Philly favorite from the start.
Mr. Lets Go Eat ended the season with a .314 batting average, good for fourth in the National League, and knocked in 97 runs, good for eighth in the National League, bashing 22 balls out of the yeard (11 with the Phillies).
Nine months later, Pence has been labeled the cover boy on Philadelphia Magazine's April issue with the glorious title "The Next Great Phillie"...Pretty damn impressive.
Pence is expected to have a monster sophomore season in Philadelphia and will be batting cleanup in the Phillies lineup that will have to make due without both Ryan Howard and Chase Utley to start the 2012 season.
Its pretty scary how much Hunter Pence looks like Lou Gehrig....
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