They're calling this the possible Last Waltz.
It's the title of the last performance by the late great The Band, which decided to retire from the road and end its successful run.
But is this the end for the band of Philadelphia Phillies still left from the World Championship team of 2008?
Big Boppers Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are finally healthy and they join the aging Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz as the core of champions past.
Throw in Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee as staff anchors and Jonathan Papelbon and Mike Adams as bullpen stabilizers and you've got the makings of a strong nucleus.
But can these Phils—who are wealthy—can also be healthy and wise too?
Do they have what it takes to take on the rising Washington Nationals and the always consistent Atlanta Braves? Can they rebound after being bounced from playoff contention a year ago?
Will start finding out Monday when the Phils open the season against those Bravos in Atlanta.
A slow start could mean a goodbye to Manager Charlie Manuel now that Ryne Sandberg is in the trenches as the third base coach. Ryno seems entrenched as the Phils' future manager.
Howard, Utley and Rollins need to carry the team until Ruiz provides some relief after a 25-game suspension.
The key could be Dominic Brown, who had a monster spring and is being counted on to make his mark—finally—this year.
Then there's whether the starters can hold up.
Will Hamels be Cy Young this year? Can Lee get back to his stud self? Does Roy Halliday have anything left in the tank or is he Steve Carlton trying to hang on to a career? Can Kyle Kendrick stay in the rotation and what about fifth starter John Lannan?
So many questions.
How about new starters Michael Young and Ben Revere. Will they provide a jolt to a lineup that desperately needs one?
And, of course, there's the bullpen.
Hopefully, Papelbon will be Papelbon. Adams could be the one who keeps the games in the win column so Paps can save them. Also, will Antonio Bastardo be more consistent this year?
These 2013 Phillies will be worth watching, notable especially to see whether this is the last stand from some of these aging stars and manager or whether they can turn things around and be the team that once owned the National League.
The games start for real for the Phils Monday. Stay tuned.