Focused Phillies

Little Rock, Ark - From early spring until late in the fall, you can find Cliff Lee on the mound striking out all of Major League Baseball. 

Thursday afternoon, the former Cy Young winner was dominating the weights at D1 in Little Rock.

"It's been great to come here to D1," said Lee.  "There's really nothing else like it."

It was a successful regular season for Lee.  The Phillies led the majors with a 102-60 record, but in the first round of the playoffs they ran into the red hot red birds.

"We were probably the top pick to win the world series last year, but that was based on potential," said Lee.  "At least we got beat by the team that ended up winning the whole thing.  The Cardinals were very hot coming down the stretch at the end of the year.  They took it all the way to the championship and you've got to respect that." 

It's a new season and the Phillies still have the best pitching staff in the Bigs, so during the 5 days a week Lee spends at D1, he's focused on 1 thing.

"Hopefully we can come into this year with that bitter taste in our mouths to help us push it over the top this year," said Lee.  "Each of us individually has to be preparing right now for the season and if we're doing that I really like our chances, based on our talent."