CLEARWATER, Fla.After three seasons of pulling on Phillies red in the home clubhouse at Bright House Field, Raul Ibanez found himself changing into a Yankees uniform in the visiting clubhouse Saturday.
Its strange, he said.
Strange, but still good.
Ibanez, the Phillies primary left fielder the last three seasons had hoped to continue his career with the Phillies in 2012, but the two sides moved on. The classy 39-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Yankees last month and is expected to serve as one of the teams designated hitters.
He batted fourth against the Phillies in Saturdays Grapefruit League opener.
Ibanez said playing in the 2009 World Series was his best memory as a Phillie.
It was also the toughest, he said with a smile.
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Thats because the Phillies lost that World Seriesto the team Ibanez now plays for.
Pulling on a Yankees uniform reminded Ibanez of how disappointing it was to lose that World Series.
My toughest memory was watching the Yankees celebrate out there, he said. It felt so close that you could touch it. Not being able to walk away with that victory for the city and the organization was one of the more difficult times in my career.
Fast forward to this spring.
I couldn't believe when I looked down and I was wearing a Yankees uniform, he said. I'm like, 'OK. Completely over it now. Let's move forward.'
Ibanez hit .264 and averaged 23 homers and 87 RBIs in three seasons with the Phils. He said the team only made a modest attempt to retain him, and he didnt want to expand on it.
I'd rather just leave it the way it is, he said. I'm thankful for the organization and the opportunity I got to play there. There was some talk. It was a reduced role. But again, my biggest thing is I just feel grateful to the organization for having played over there for three years.
My time in Philadelphia was nothing short of extraordinary. It's an amazing organization. Great people. Tremendous fans. I have a lot of friends over there. I'm glad to be able to come back and say hello.
Ibanez played on three NL East championship teams in Philadelphia. He left with a lasting lesson:
Winning a World Series is really hard, he said. We had great teams, great people, and great personalities. There was tremendous fan support. Falling short those three times was disappointing. I wanted to win for the organization and the fans. Unfortunately, it didn't work out.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com