Full Version: Philadelphia Phillies 2009
The Phils earn a split with the Dodgers in the "Best at home vs. best on road" series. Bastardo did another nice job -- not quite the same numbers but effective for 5 innings, and without the benefit of a big lead. Chan Ho Park pitched 3 shutout innings! Next stop: BrokeBank Field.
Raul Ibanez now leads all NL outfielders in the All-Star voting. The voters are finally getting it right. On the other hand, Jimmy Rollins leads at shortstop. Voters are getting it really wrong here.
I agree Jimmy should not be voted in this year, It's too bad Hanley Ramirez plays for a fan poor team like the Marlins. But its like this in many years, the good teams that draw crowds are going get more voting for their hometown favorites.
This article says the Phillies started a "grassroots campaign" for Ibanez -- which is a nice way of saying they're apparently pushing the ballot-stuffing more than in the past.
Besides Ibanez, Rollins and Chase Utley (who's also ahead), at their respective positions Ryan Howard is second, Carlos Ruiz is fifth, Pedro Feliz is fourth, Shane Victorino is sixth and Jayson Werth is eighth. I can't recall a year recently where so many Phils were so high in the balloting. In other years deserving players didn't get nearly the votes I thought they should.
I wonder if, besides the Phillies' ballot-stuffing efforts being more successful for a change, they're getting more votes nationwide after winning the World Series.
Besides Ibanez, Rollins and Chase Utley (who's also ahead), at their respective positions Ryan Howard is second, Carlos Ruiz is fifth, Pedro Feliz is fourth, Shane Victorino is sixth and Jayson Werth is eighth. I can't recall a year recently where so many Phils were so high in the balloting. In other years deserving players didn't get nearly the votes I thought they should.
I wonder if, besides the Phillies' ballot-stuffing efforts being more successful for a change, they're getting more votes nationwide after winning the World Series.
Lidge on the DL with "sprained right knee." It's about time. Interestingly, he's being replaced on the roster by Paul Bako, so they now have three catchers. The bench has been short, though; since they've been carrying an extra pitcher they've only had 4 non-pitcher backups.
Interesting two nights at BrokeBank Field. Neither ace (Santana last night, Hamels tonight) was at their best but their teams won both nights. Ryan Madson got the save tonight in his first chance since Lidge went on the DL.
Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul! does it again, winning tonight's game with a 3-run 10th-inning homer. Phils finish the road trip 7-3 and up by 4 games in the division. Now it's time to start winning at home as interleague play returns -- Boston this weekend followed by Toronto.
I didn't think Jamie Moyer would go more than a couple of innings but he somehow managed to go 6 innings. All that is expected of him is to manage a game and keep it close. Raul did what I figured Howard wouldn't do, to come through in the clutch.
Scott Eyre was put on the DL with a strained left calf. Kyle Kendrick has been called up to take his place. That means Romero and Taschner are the lefty arms in the pen (and personally, I still don't want Taschner around...I'd rather they bring Escalona back up).
Speaking of "The Pen..."
Speaking of "The Pen..."
QUOTE
Rich Dubee believes in the baseball gods.
So the pitching coach said he had his reservations when he learned MLB Productions wanted to film the Phillies' bullpen for a reality series called "The Pen." The six-episode series, which debuts at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday on MLB Network, follows the Phillies bullpen on and off the field, with microphones recording everything along the way. Cameras are everywhere, too, including one attached to the catcher's mask in the bullpen.
"I like to fly under the radar," Dubee explained. "It always seems like when you start to try to bring notice to yourself, the baseball gods catch up to you."
But the Phillies' bullpen has thrown pretty well this season. It has also had its share of drama, which should make for interesting TV. It entered Thursday's series finale against the Mets at Citi Field with a 3.52 ERA, which ranked fifth in the National League. It had a 2.72 ERA since May 15.
That said, Dubee commented, "The experience has been fine."
So the pitching coach said he had his reservations when he learned MLB Productions wanted to film the Phillies' bullpen for a reality series called "The Pen." The six-episode series, which debuts at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday on MLB Network, follows the Phillies bullpen on and off the field, with microphones recording everything along the way. Cameras are everywhere, too, including one attached to the catcher's mask in the bullpen.
"I like to fly under the radar," Dubee explained. "It always seems like when you start to try to bring notice to yourself, the baseball gods catch up to you."
But the Phillies' bullpen has thrown pretty well this season. It has also had its share of drama, which should make for interesting TV. It entered Thursday's series finale against the Mets at Citi Field with a 3.52 ERA, which ranked fifth in the National League. It had a 2.72 ERA since May 15.
That said, Dubee commented, "The experience has been fine."
Red Sox win 5-2 in 13 innings. Send Kyle Kendrick right on back to the minors. Please. Of course, if the umpires reviewed the replay of what might have been a walk-off home run by Greg Dobbs maybe it wouldn't have gotten to that point. It was high over the foul pole, probably foul but who knows what they would have ruled.
But it's hard to be too unhappy after seeing how the Mets lost tonight...
But it's hard to be too unhappy after seeing how the Mets lost tonight...
The Phillies are officially in their June swoon after being swept at home by the Blue Jays. The starters aren't stepping up, the bullpen without Lidge and Eyre is worn out and in disarray, and now Raul Ibanez is on the 15-day disabled list. Even if they sweep the Orioles this weekend (which seems unlikely at this point) they'll still have a losing homestand.
Toronto's Marco Scutaro did something I've never seen: stole second immediately after drawing a walk, right after the throw back to the mound. As soon as Scutaro reached first, he took two steps towards second and then took off, and by the time Joe Blanton turned around and threw to second, Scutaro was easily safe. Needless to say, he eventually scored.
Toronto's Marco Scutaro did something I've never seen: stole second immediately after drawing a walk, right after the throw back to the mound. As soon as Scutaro reached first, he took two steps towards second and then took off, and by the time Joe Blanton turned around and threw to second, Scutaro was easily safe. Needless to say, he eventually scored.
Gotta luv that Scutaro. He's been AMAZING for the Jays this year both as a lead-off hitter and at short.
And I've given up trying to figure out this year's Jays. Get swept at home by the Marlins then have 3 more good pitchers - including Roy Halladay added to the DL - and then they go out and sweep the defending World Series champs in their own ballpark? Go figure!.
And I've given up trying to figure out this year's Jays. Get swept at home by the Marlins then have 3 more good pitchers - including Roy Halladay added to the DL - and then they go out and sweep the defending World Series champs in their own ballpark? Go figure!.
Now 1-6 on the homestand. That's inexcusable, even with the missing players like Ibanez. To be 23-9 on the road and 13-20 at home??? They're playing worse than the Nationals! 
Another ugly and disturbing loss. After falling behind 3-0 and looking absolutely putrid at bat for 6 innings, the Phils score 5 in the 7th, capped off by Ryan Howard's 3-run pinch-hit HR, but Ryan Madson gives up 2 homers and 3 runs in the 9th. Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab assignment and said he felt no pain in his knee. He can't return fast enough.
Another loss, a 1-8 homestand. Ridiculous. Pitching was good enough to win today (and ) but only 4 hits and no sick Ryan Howard to bail them out today. Even without Howard and Ibanez, 4 hits doesn't cut it.
The glass is half-empty: the Mets have all kinds of injury problems and are struggling, yet are still just 2 games behind the Phils.
The glass is half-full: the Phils have injury problems and messed-up pitching, but despite a 1-8 homestand their lead only dropped from 4 games to 2.
The glass is half-empty: the Mets have all kinds of injury problems and are struggling, yet are still just 2 games behind the Phils.
The glass is half-full: the Phils have injury problems and messed-up pitching, but despite a 1-8 homestand their lead only dropped from 4 games to 2.
It was a lackluster game to be at today to say the least. The only energy coming out of the game was Charlie Manuel getting ejected after arguing a call at first base. He got an ovation for that, the rest of the team put me to sleep. The only thing I can hope to take from this series is that it matches a similar stretch last June and we pulled out of that. Let's hope the road record continues to be a positive since that is where the team is headed next.
Hopefully the Rays in-game entertainment staff will have some nice, extremely classy song ready for the announcement of the Philadelphia starting nine tonight...
No idea, but I saw lots of empty seats, which thankfully led to fewer cowbell noises. 
It's actually quite alarming that they only drew 19k tonight. VERY alarming indeed.
Why am I not surprised?
I read in the paper today that they haven't drawn all season, except when they had a postgame concert by Ludacris.
(Have the Yankees played down there yet? I'd assume the crowds were somewhat larger because transplants from the northeast would've flocked to see their Yanks.)
I read in the paper today that they haven't drawn all season, except when they had a postgame concert by Ludacris.
(Have the Yankees played down there yet? I'd assume the crowds were somewhat larger because transplants from the northeast would've flocked to see their Yanks.)
Well, I think the Saturday night concert series is a brilliant marketing plan (Three Doors Down have also played thus far this season)... and really, the weekends as a whole have been fine. It's just that the weeknights suck.
The people from Tampa for some reason hate having to drive over a bridge to get to the dome and thus avoid doing so during the week. It's a ridiculous excuse if you ask me, but it's obviously one that people on that side of the bridge feel is legitimate.
And yes, the Yankees series drew well - but it was also the home opening series, so there were actually more Rays fans there than normal. We've also had a Red Sox series that was probably 60-40 Rays-Red Sox fans.
Oh well... I do what I can and go when I can... can't make anyone else do it.
The people from Tampa for some reason hate having to drive over a bridge to get to the dome and thus avoid doing so during the week. It's a ridiculous excuse if you ask me, but it's obviously one that people on that side of the bridge feel is legitimate.
And yes, the Yankees series drew well - but it was also the home opening series, so there were actually more Rays fans there than normal. We've also had a Red Sox series that was probably 60-40 Rays-Red Sox fans.
Oh well... I do what I can and go when I can... can't make anyone else do it.
On the Phils' TV broadcast they said that Rays officials expected over 20,000 tonight. Then they announced the attendance: 18,862. Even lower than last night.
Believe me when I say it, but it looks like the Phils hit the June swoon bad. And I swear this is not to cause trouble.
Just like the June swoon they had last year. Or, as I've said in the past few months: Just Like Last Year. June and interleague play, every year it seems.
June and interleague play, every year it seems.
The Jays won their 4th in a row against the struggling Phillies at Rogers Centre last night. And the highlight of the night was rookie pitcher Ricky Romero's performance. 7 shutout innings allowing just two hits. And both of those were in the 7th as he had a no-hitter going into the start of the 7th. It was a great night for ball here with the roof open and from my third baseline seats - once it got dark - it was very cool to look up and see the CN Tower awash in rainbow colours - as it will be all weekend in salute to Pride Week here in Toronto.
First it was Philly fans being incredibly rude and inappropriate to Rays officials and families during the WS... and now JC Romero is assaulting Rays fans. You are a professional athlete - you should be able to handle people saying crap to you... especially when you've cheated.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1013913.ece
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1013913.ece
Romero's alleged action shouldn't be condoned but the "fan" clearly was asking for it. Instead of the little grab and push, which the "fan" will now blow up into a full-fledged injury with the help of his newly-hired lawyer, Romero should've decked him.
I love the hypocrisy: if a Philly fan does something, the fan is rude. If a non-Philly fan does something, it doesn't count. Typical double standard. Are you sure you're not a member of the national media?
I love the hypocrisy: if a Philly fan does something, the fan is rude. If a non-Philly fan does something, it doesn't count. Typical double standard. Are you sure you're not a member of the national media?
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Jun 27 2009, 08:55 PM) 
Romero's alleged action shouldn't be condoned but the "fan" clearly was asking for it. Instead of the little grab and push, which the "fan" will now blow up into a full-fledged injury with the help of his newly-hired lawyer, Romero should've decked him.
I love the hypocrisy: if a Philly fan does something, the fan is rude. If a non-Philly fan does something, it doesn't count. Typical double standard. Are you sure you're not a member of the national media?
I didn't say alleged, did I? Obvious poor omission... especially since I thought to myself "you better say alleged or Joe will get angry."
And no, it's not hypocrisy... if all Philly fans had done to the TB staff and families was talk a bunch of crap, then okay, your claim of hypocrisy would be valid. But it wasn't just talk - it was pouring of beers onto folks (kids), etc etc. All this guy did was say something to him. Big difference between saying something and doing something physical.
And as a professional, the cheater should have just ignored it. Then again, I guess one should question whether or not someone who cheats is professional anyways.
Yeah, it still is alleged. What exactly happened we don't know since we weren't there. Beyond that, you're just spouting the typical line from the national media, so you'll have to excuse me if I just yawwwwwwwwwwwwwn. And you should probably familiarize yourself with J.C. Romero's story if you want to lump him in with Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez and their ilk.
I know the story, thanks.
And yes, even though perhaps his actions weren't as blatant as others, the fact of the matter is that he still cheated.
And yes, even though perhaps his actions weren't as blatant as others, the fact of the matter is that he still cheated.
No, the fact of the matter is he tested positive. Cheating implies intent, which we don't know for sure was the goal. Again, this isn't A-Rod.
Blogging while intoxicated for the third consecutive year!!! This time with a different venue, though. 
And they know Lidge CAN get one out, now and then.
QUOTE(Bill W @ Nov 6 2009, 11:55 PM)
I am not buying the loose bodies in the arm excuse for Brad's abyssmal season, he still had speed on his fastball. Scott Eyre had the same thing and didn't experience a complete meltdown like Lidge, in fact his ERA was 1.50 for the season. Now I might agree he had loose bodies between the ears as a reason for his performance.
Lidge said his elbow didn't affect his pitching. I'm inclined to agree. It was either his knee or his head.
Philly.com: Phils STILL want to trade for Roy Halladay. Surprised, I am.
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Nov 10 2009, 12:53 AM)
It is a bit surprising although I heard a few radioheads suggest trading Hamels for Halladay, to go for it now while the window is still open. I might consider that only if you could lock up Halladay for 3 years not just for next year.
They can't have both Halladay and Lee on one-year deals. They need to have one of them locked up long-term beyond 2010. And I would not get rid of Hamels yet. It's way too early in his career to give up on him. People who seriously advocate that are really being dumb.
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