Cliff Lee might be one of the biggest folk heroes in DFW sports history.
He burst on to the local scene in July 2010 after he was acquired by the Rangers, looking to make a splash and get a big piece to put them over the top — a Rangers team that, at that point, had yet to ever win a postseason series.
Lee was the ace the Rangers had never had, at least not when they were in position to do something with an ace, which throws out the likes of Nolan Ryan, who pitched for bad Rangers teams. He was only a Ranger for four months, but he almost single-handily won the Rangers' first-ever postseason series in the ALDS against Tampa Bay, winning Games 1 and 5. He then owned the Yankees in The Bronx in the ALCS before running into some trouble in the World Series — yes, the World Series.
Lee will forever be loved around here except for by those bitter folks who claim he turned his back on the Rangers when he left via free agency that offseason to sign with the Phillies for less money.
Now, Lee might be done before he gets to play that deal with the Phillies out to its entirety.
The Phillies lefty, who missed the second half of last season with arm issues, is now reportedly dealing with elbow soreness and could be looking down the road at Tommy John surgery, and possibly the end of his career.
"Basically, if I have the surgery, this season will be done, possibly my career, I guess," Lee said. "I don't know. We'll have to see."
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This is bad news for the Phillies, who were looking to trade the former AL Cy Young winner and unload his massive contract, but now he's damaged goods.
