FanHouse Ruben Amaro Jr.

WASHINGTON -- Ruben Amaro Jr. can hardly remember listening to anyone but Harry Kalas call a Phillies game. Neither can Pennsylvania native and Phillies starting pitcher Jamie Moyer. And at 46, he's the oldest active player in the major leagues.

That tells the story of Kalas' connection to Philadelphia in years alone.

It only superficially explains how he became a Philadelphia institution on par with cheesesteaks, the Liberty Bell and sports fans so passionate that they'd boo Santa Claus.

"He's been a part of my life since I was born," Amaro, the Phillies' general manager, said.

FanHouse continues its 2009 MLB Preview with a look at the Philadelphia Phillies.

The City of Brotherly Love's long championship drought came to an end when Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske in Game 5 of the World Series last October. The city exploded in appreciation of a team that's a blueprint for success in the modern game, with homegrown stars studding the lineup and top of the rotation, and a handful of savvy acquisitions, like Lidge, sprinkled around to fill holes.