Neo Workxx » outlier.Browning rediscovered the form that had him in the

PHILADELPHIA -- Goodbye, glory days. Hello, future.The Philadelphia Phillies bid farewell to Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard in 2016, signaling the end of the most successful run in franchise history. They also welcomed several talented young players, giving fans hope for 2017 and beyond.Its been a slow rebuilding process for the Phillies, but theres reason for optimism following a 71-91 finish.I know were definitely going to upgrade somehow, whether its from within or go out and get somebody via trade or even a free agent, depending on whos available and if it makes sense, manager Pete Mackanin said. Were going to fulfill our needs. We have to get better next year. We have to show improvement. And hopefully the moves we do make result in more wins.Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson showed potential to be mainstays in the starting rotation, if healthy. Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera, Maikel Franco, Freddy Galvis and Cameron Rupp had solid offensive seasons, though all of them wont be part of the nucleus going forward.The departure of Ruiz -- traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in August -- and Howards exit -- the team plans to pay him a $10 million buyout -- leaves the Phillies with no players from their 2008 World Series championship team.After winning five straight NL East titles and two pennants between 2007-11, the Phillies have missed the postseason five consecutive years.A slew of prospects coupled with a few emerging stars is expected to help Philadelphia end its playoff drought before the decade ends.Heres a look at the past season and upcoming offseason:OFFENSIVE POSITIVES: 2B Hernandez (.294 AVG, .371 OBP, 17 steals) and SS Galvis (20 homers, 67 RBI) will be the double-play combination to start next season. Galvis power and excellent defense -- eight errors -- made up for his poor average (.241) and on-base percentage (.274). 1B Tommy Joseph had 21 HRs in only 315 at-bats. 3B Franco tied Howard for team-best with 25 HRs, batted .255 and drove in 88 runs. CF Herrera (.286, 15 HR, 25 SB) was an All-Star, though he struggled in second half. C Rupp was a pleasant surprise at the plate: .252, 16 HR, 54 RBI.PITCHING POSITIVES: Eickhoff (11-14, 3.65 ERA) was consistent the entire season. Velasquez (8-6, 4.12), Nola (6-9, 4.78), Eflin (3-5, 5.54) and Thompson (3-6, 5.70) had flashes of excellence. Alec Asher (2-1, 2.28) had a strong September. Relievers Hector Neris (2.58, 2 saves) and Edubray Ramos (3.82) should be late-inning options next season. Jeanmar Gomez had 37 saves but struggled mightily down the stretch.THE PROSPECTS: OF Roman Quinn and C Jorge Alfaro made their big-league debuts in the final month. SS J.P. Crawford, OF Nick Williams and C Andrew Knapp could arrive in Philadelphia at some point next season. OF Dylan Cozens had 40 HRs and 1B Rhys Hoskins hit 38 at Double-A Reading.BIGGEST NEEDS: Disciplined hitters with a professional plate approach who take pitches, work the count and grind out at-bats. I would like to get a good solid proven hitter somewhere on the field, Mackanin said. Where that is right now will be determined by who is available and what kind of a deal, if any, they could make.DECISION TIME: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71) will be a free agent and is expected to command a big salary. The Phillies probably wont offer him a multiyear contract but should consider making a qualifying offer -- a one-year deal worth about $17 million. If so, they would receive a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere.---Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi Maury Wills Womens Jersey . 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PULLMAN, Wash. -- Eight years ago, Washington walked off the field at Martin Stadium engulfed in a sea of crimson, its football program at the lowest point in its history.When they left that same field on Friday night, the Huskies were passing the Apple Cup trophy like a baton -- from teammate to teammate -- hoping its the first of a few trophies to be celebrated this year.Next up, perhaps a Pac-12 championship trophy. And after that, who knows what kind of hardware will be at stake for No. 6 Washington.I think the really good teams, the special teams can finish, Washington coach Chris Petersen said. The hard part about that is youre playing better teams here as we finish. And so the next team well play will be a really good and elite team. So its hard to finish, and then the one after that will be a really good team. Well figure all this out after were done playing, because we just feel like weve got some good football left.Washingtons dominant 45-17 win over No. 23 Washington State on Friday was complete affirmation of what Petersen has accomplished in three seasons in charge of the Huskies. More than just the Apple Cup and bragging rights within the state were at stake. A loss to the Cougars would have left Washington (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12) out of the Pac-12 title game and out of the College Football Playoff.It was a game of enormous magnitude. And its importance was seemingly met with a collective shrug by the Huskies, who rolled to a 28-3 lead in just 14 minutes, 37 seconds, and simply overwhelmed Washington State.It all comes back to the details that coach (Petersen) preaches. Just comes back to practice and how we study our opponents, all of that, Washington left tackle Trey Adams said.Washingtons first reward is a spot in the Pac-12 championship game on Friday against either Colorado or Southern California. Matchup wise, Colorado is probably the preferred opponent. From a revenge standpoint, the Huskies wouldnt mind another shot at USC, who beat Washington 26-13 in Seattle earlier this month.Its the reward waiting after next Friday that looms as being the ultimate statemment of how far the Huskies have climbed since that 0-12 season in 2008.dddddddddddd That lost season was punctuated by a loss to a Washington State team that finished 2-10.A win next Friday should put the Huskies into the CFP final four and a shot at the schools first national title since the Huskies were co-champs with Miami in 1991.I really dont care. Whoever we play, it will be awesome. Itll be a great game and great experience, Washington WR John Ross said.The loss to USC appeared to expose flaws hidden by Washingtons soft schedule through the first three quarters of the season. The pass rush disappeared. Quarterback Jake Browning was flustered and made careless mistakes. The 13 points Washington scored against the Trojans were the fewest in 21 games.This is why the last two games -- a blowout of Arizona State and the romp over Washington State -- eased those concerns and made the slog against USC appear as the outlier.Browning rediscovered the form that had him in the Heisman Trophy conversation earlier this season. He was 13 of 17 for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter alone Friday, and finished 21 of 29 for 292 yards. He has 40 TD passes for the season, joining Jared Goff and Marcus Mariota as the only Pac-12 QBs with 40 or more TD passes in a season.Equally important is a defense that stymied Arizona State, then held Washington State to its lowest output of points and yards since last years Apple Cup when quarterback Luke Falk was injured and didnt play. Washington made a trio of goal line stands and held the Cougars to a season-low 334 yards.It means a lot, but at the end of the day its about us. We didnt listen to the outside noise. We didnt let it leak into our locker room, Washington running back Lavon Coleman said. We were focused on getting ready to play a championship game with championship effort and take care of our business.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '