Phils of old getting some major face time in postseason

Who knew the 2016 Major League Baseball playoffs would capture the attention of Phillies fans on a nearly nightly basis?

From the moment the playoffs began, you could tune in to just about any game and see a star who lit up Citizens Bank Park not that long ago.

For those true diehards, you no doubt also noticed players who hung around South Philly just long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee in red pinstripes.

Alas, the ride was all too short for the likes of Cole Hamels, who flamed out along with his Texas Rangers teammates after a brilliant regular season.

Hunter Pence and the San Francisco Giants couldn’t overcome a roller-coaster season, even in an even year when the Bay City boys typically finish atop of the heap.

Pitcher J.A. Happ, who amassed an astounding 20-4 regular season record, and the Blue Jays may have been good enough to win it all if not for their ALCS showdown with the Cleveland Indians … coincidentally led by former Phillies manager Terry Francona, with Michael Martinez coming off the bench.

Wasn’t it wild to watch the Nationals and Jayson Werth duke it out with the Dodgers’ threesome of Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and (the suddenly svelte) Joe Blanton, especially when Chooch came off the bench to belt a pinch-hit two-run homer?

And we’re not just talking about the action on the field, since Jimmy Rollins hit one out of the park in his debut as a studio analyst with TBS.

The outspoken shortstop was particularly impactful with his heartfelt comments regarding the death of young Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez last month.

But should the Cubs come up short in their quest to end their 108-year World Series drought, we may know the real reason — no former Phillies on the North Side.