Ed Condron

Hunter Pence is hungry.

That has nothing to do with the muscular outfielder's catch phrase, 'Let's Go Eat,' which he uttered during a post-game interview after scoring a game-winning run for the Phillies in August.

No, Pence is hungry for a long post-season run after getting a taste of meaningful October baseball in 2011.

"It was great experiencing the playoffs," Pence told AHN. "Now I want to go back and play until the very end. It was very exciting. I want to go back more than anything."

Pence figures to have quite an opportunity since much is expected of the Phillies, particularly due to his addition last July.

"It'll definitely help having Hunter Pence for the entire season," Charlie Manuel said. "That will be big for us."

With Ryan Howard out indefinitely after Achilles Tendon surgery, there's a big hole in the order in the cleanup spot. It appears that the Phillies may fill the spot with the cheerful Texan.

"I'm not thinking about where I'll hit in the order," Pence said. "That's not up to me. I'll just go up there no matter where I hit and try to do the best I can."

Pence faired well for the Phillies. He hit .324, belted 11 home runs and drove in 35 runs in 54 games. "I felt very good ever since I came here," Pence said. "I'm very comfortable at the plate at Citizens Bank Park. I love to hit there."

That's especially so during batting practice since fans look forward to Pence's pre-game appearances at the plate since he puts on quite a show drilling balls all over the outfield seats.

"I'm just getting ready for the game," Pence said. "I take BP pretty seriously."

Pence has become one of the Phillies most popular players in a short time. "It's been great being embraced like I have in Philadelphia," Pence said. "I think the fans appreciate how hard I work. It's a great city to play in. The fans are great and so is this organization. You know they really care. They put together a great group of players. We're designed to go very far."

Ruben Amaro Jr. hopes the team is designed well enough to bring the squad its second World Series championship in four seasons.

"I think that is what we should strive for," Pence said. "When you look around this room it's obvious that there is a lot of talent at the plate and on the mound. I'm excited to be here for the whole season. I know it'll be challenging but we have the players to make this a special season."

Pence will eat and drink to all of the special team talk. "I believe in the guys in this clubhouse," Pence said. "I couldn't wait to get back with them and now that I'm back, it's great but we all have a lot of work to do and I'm ready to do whatever I can to win."

 

 

 

Hunter Pence Hungry for Postseason Success