Phillies Vs. Braves: Cole, the Next Precious Metal

Did you hear that last night?  That was the sound of Philadelphia starting to breathe again. 

 

After Cole Hamels took the mound, one thing was certain—there was no dust on the bottle. He had seven K’s in 95 pitches, sailing 2008-style through the game atop his 80 mile an hour changeup. Then in the sixth, he sent two batters to base on balls when his arm ran out of quarters. 

 

That’s when Charlie came to the mound and said, “We’re clean outta change.”  And when Charlie says something, he means it.  I don’t imagine Charlie’s the type of guy who wastes words (unlike yours truly who’s been known to stretch a 300-word intention to well over the limit).  And I’m willing to bet Charlie’s never used Wikipedia.

 

The lower end of the lineup is still looking tough. You know that part—the land of misfit boys. It includes Jayson Werth, a guy who sat out the 2006 season with a bad wrist and didn’t even start when he was signed by the Phils with a cautious one-year contract ‘Werth’ a measly $850,000. 

 

There’s Raul Ibanez who in 2001 passed waivers twice and was turned down by all twenty-nine teams.  We picked him up as a replacement for Pat Burrell who had developed as much on-field speed as Winnie-the-pooh. 

 

I don’t think our expectations for Raul were high.  Although opinions on his ability differ (Mariner fans said, “Don’t let the door hit you on your way out,” but other sports professionals claim he was underrated), I guess all the ‘I-Bomb-Nez’ signs in left field sway that decision like the votes by fans on Dancing with the Stars. 

 

Then we have the aging Pedro Feliz, who came to the Phils last year booked as the best third basemen in the league to form the “Three ‘Infield’ Musketeers” along with Jimmy and Chase.  It was a pleasant surprise.

 

But then!!! Who’d have guessed Ryan would show up for spring training early (even after signing a comfortable three-year $54 million contract) intent on improving his footwork to become the 2009 error-free fielding machine. From this moment on, I dub thee ‘D’Artagnan’.

 

Last but not least we have Chris Coste who admitted in a memoir to being a 33-year-old rookie—a rather dubious honor.   But even he delivered a dinger last night.  The cost of fame for Coste is high.

 

So the mixture of talent and experience helped the high-priced toys and the misfit boys deliver last night.  If you put yourself in Jo-Jo Reyes shoes, all you can think is, “What’s a pitcher to do?”  If you couple the eight runs he gave up with his error and his fielders’ brief lapse in ball throwing, you get a game you just assume drink away. 

 

Whether the Phils dominate this year or not, there’s one thing for certain: the hodge-podge will do it together; they’re a team. 

 

And they all have the same dream: all for one and one for all. 

 

Philadelphia Phillies Survive Early Season Distractions

The Phillies organization should be commended for the way it has handled the last six months.  Going from the height of excitement and exhilaration of being World [f***in] Champions, to the depth of sorrow that comes with the passing of an icon like HarryKalas is an emotional swing that has challenged players and fans alike. 

The way the organization handled both—with reserved congratulation for the Champs and reverent, respectful admiration for the legendary broadcaster—has been very impressive and warrants noting before I really get into my article.

Phillies Vs. Mets: Werth’s Performance Overshadowed By, Well, Everything

My dad said it best, “I went to a drug bust and a baseball game broke out.”

 

Actually, I think that’s a twist on an old Rodney Dangerfield line, but you get my point. 

 

The saddest thing about Manny being Manny is it overshadowed some of the cool things that happened in yesterday’s Phillies loss.

 

Wait, has Flattish lost her mind? Cool things and loss? Can you even use those two words in the same sentence? 

 

Yes. I was 20 years old and the guy’s name was Trevor and he had a terrific body.  Are you with me so far?

 

Anyway, everyone has said plenty about Manny and we’re about to be inundated with what a bad boy A-Rod’s been, so let’s find something else to talk about.

 

Like ballplayers—more specifically the Philadelphia Phillies. Ahhhhh, I feel better already.

 

Was it just me or was Jayson Werth having a great time last night in spite of everything?  He was sliding and catching and hitting and running and scoring.

 

He was like that happy stray dog that runs up to you in the park and sets down a log three times the size of his body and then barks twice, meaning, “Wanna play!” 

 

I’d take him home. 

 

Shane Victorino extended his personal hitting streak to sixteen games.  And what about that pickle?  I thought Shane was fried, and as much as I appreciate deep-fried pickles I couldn’t bear to watch my favorite little Hawaiian get luau-ed.

 

Then, the call…Obstruction?! I thought that’s what my dad was when my dates came to pick me up. 

 

Shane’s pickle has definitely topped my list of favorite all-time baseball plays.  Sure, it’s dirty ball but it’s dirty ball that worked in the Phil’s favor.  You can’t fault a guy for wanting to get around the bases; that’s all part of the game (which is probably why my dad ran interference). 

 

And Shane’s savvy had nothing to do with performance enhancing drugs (which I’ve heard make it hard to slide into home).  It was just good old-fashioned baseball – as refreshing as seeing a new Matthew McConaughey movie.

 

Raul’s performance in left field had similarities to that of Pat Burrell. NOT!

 

How about JA Happy?  Sorry, I can’t stop smiling and I just can’t drop the ‘y’.  That kid’s got balls coming off the bench and cleaning up that mess with three-and-two-thirds scoreless innings. 

 

Mitch Williams said he looked so good he believes the next pitcher who falters will be replaced in the rotation by Happy, and Mitch mentioned names—Joe Blanton and Chan Ho Park.  Curiously, Brett Myers, who’s slated for Sunday’s game was not in the mix.

 

Maybe he’s found his mojo?  On that note, maybe we should start consulting with his wife instead of all those sports professionals. 

 

Now for a bit of bad news.  Jamie Moyer was screwed by the home plate umpire.  Wait, that didn’t come out right.  He was the victim of bad calls.  That’s better.  Jamie needs the corners—he deserves the corners. 

 

If the ump was simply stingy with the zone, that’s one thing, but he was as irregular as a dirt-eating donkey. And it simply left a stench. I’m hurt because I want Jamie to reach 250 wins simply because it’ll make for a great moment (like that one with Trevor).  And that’s what life’s all about – great moments.

 

So even after suffering a two-game sweep in new Citi Field and helping the Mets almost double their home field number of dingers, we’re still in first place.

 

Come on home, boys.  As Tom Bodett would say, “We’ll leave the light on for you.”

 

As 2009 Rolls Around, the Philadelphia Phillies Still Talk Mighty with Stick

The keys to the Philadelphia Phillies successful run for the 2008 World Series was an explosive offense and a lights-out bullpen.

Closer Brad Lidge blew his first game since 2007 early in the 2009 season and has been hampered by a knee injury. The offense, however, has been dangerously good.

As evidence, of the Phillies first 10 wins of the year, nine were come from behind. The team’s formula for success this year, which finds them in first place in the east on May 8 with a 14-12 record, seems to keep a team to five runs, catch up and hold the lead for Ryan Madison and Lidge in the eighth and ninth, respectively.

And the most glaring offensive stat is that the Phillies are hitting .517 (15-for-29) with the bases loaded this season. They rank eighth in offense among Major League teams and their 37 home runs tie them with Colorado for tops in the National League.

Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and newcomer Raul Ibanez all have hit grand slams this year. Most impressively is Howard’s recent slam in St. Louis tied him with Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt with seven career grannies. Howard, however, has done it in 2,164 at-bats while Schmidt did it in 8,352 at-bats.

Here are this year’s top Phillie performers and the rest of the lineup:

Jimmy Rollins: Rollins has started the year slowly .211 in 109 at-bats. As the leadoff hitter he needs to get on base more. When Rollins hit a home run to start the game last year, the Phillies usually won. Grade: C

Shane Victorino: Victorino showed a flair for the dramatic in last year’s World Series. He recently duplicated his playoff grand slam with a grannie recently against Washington. He is riding a 16-game hitting streak going into Friday’s game and I only see greater things for “The Flying Hawaiian.” He is hitting .304 in 112 at-bats. A –

Chase Utley. Utley without a doubt is the best all around player on the Phillies. They would not have won the World Series without two key fielding plays. He seems recovered from off-season hip surgery. He is hitting .318 in 85 at-bats with eight home runs. A

Ryan Howard. Some say he strikes out too much and should hit for a better average. Poppycock. He gets paid to hit home runs, not singles. He has shed25 pounds and playing much better defense this year. He is a hot streak hitter but absolutely has owned September the past two years. And June. He is hitting .291 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI. Grade A.

Jason Werth. Werth won the full-time right field job last year and has not proved manager Charlie Manuel wrong in the move. He hit a third-level home run in St. Louis, his fifth of the year. He is hitting a respectable .284. Grade B.

Raul Ibanez. What a find! In his first year with the Phillies, in just over 100 at bats, Ibanez is hitting .343 with 8 home runs, 8 doubles and 22 RBI. With Manny Ramirez out for 50 games due to an illegal substance infraction, Ibanez will be the best free agent player in the first two months of baseball. Grade A+.

Pedro Feliz. In his second year with the Phillies, his rep has been a stellar defense and an inconsistent offense. He has been better this year, with a .311 batting average. Grade A.

Carlos Ruiz. His handling of the pitching staff and play at the plate is among the best in the league. His hitting could be better. He is hitting .185 in a season marked by injury. Grade D or incomplete.

The bench: Matt Stairs is enough to drive fear into any manager with men on base late in the game. He has 2 home runs. Greg Dobbs is not his usual steady sub this year, hitting .136 in 22 at-bats. He should come around. Eric Brunlett and Miguel Cairo are adequate to good utility players. Chris Coste, the backup to Ruiz, is off to a slow start, but should come around.

Phillies fans drooled at the chance to get Garry Sheffield. But only as a right handed bat off the bench to compliment Stairs. The Mets can have him. Bench grade B.

Even if Lidge blows a few games this year, as long as he saves 3/4 of the games he pitches in, the rest of the bullpen will follow suit and have a good season. To gain momentum this season, the starting pitching has to be more consistent.

Because, one thing for sure. The only thing that separates this Phillies offense with the Big Red Machine of the 1970s, is two consecutive World Series titles.

The first part has been completed. This Phillies offense simply is that good. 

Preview Game 27: Phillies Vs. Braves, Cole Hamels in The Spotlight

The Phillies head home after sweeping a two game series in St. Louis and dropping a two game series in New York. Their opponent this weekend is a team they have already lost a home series to, the Atlanta Braves.

This may not exactly be the same Braves team that the Phillies saw at the start of the season. For starters the Phillies will not have to face Derek Lowe, who just shut them down in the season opener.

Instead the Braves will trot out Jo-Jo Reyes tonight as he looks for his first win. The Phillies will have to get their offense eon track early against Reyes as they have come under some criticism after their outings against the Mets the past few days.

Of course the major storyline for the Phillies will be the return of Cole Hamels. Hamels will make his first start since leaving a game early against the Nationals when he sprained his ankle fielding a ball.

Hamels was pushed back and the weather helped give him more time, but he needs to come out and have a solid outing. Anything less than seven innings could be viewed as a disappointment.

Hamels is also looking for his first win of the season. Who would have thought that?

For the Braves catcher Brian McCann is eligible to come off of the DL today and is expected to return to the lineup for tomorrow’s game. The Braves come to Philadelphia on a two game winning streak.

Phillies Record: 14-12
Braves Record: 13-15

NL East Standings (Team, record, games behind):

1. PHILLIES 14-12, –
2. Mets 14-13, 0.5
3. Marlins 15-14, 0.5
4. Braves 13-15, 2.0
5. Nationals 8-18, 6.0

Pitching probables: Hamels (0-2, 7.27 ERA) vs. Reyes (0-1, 5.00 ERA)

TV: Comcast Sportsnet

First pitch: 7:05 pm

Season Series: Braves lead 2-1

April 05 ATLANTA L 1-4 Open Thread
April 07 ATLANTA L 0-4 Open Thread
April 08 ATLANTA W 12-11 Open Thread

Game open thread will be posted at 6:30pm. No recap this weekend as usual so be on the look out for open threads. A couple extra tidbits will come your way over the weekend as well!

Former Phillies Manager Danny Ozark Dies at 85

This season has already seen the loss of a great member of the Phillies family.  Yesterday one more left us.  Former manager Danny Ozark, third on the team’s all time win list, passed away this morning at his home in Florida at the age of 85.

Ozark managed the team from the 1973 season to the 1979 season. In that time the Phillies became a power to be reckoned with, winning three straight NL East division titles in 1976, 1977 and 1978. The nucleus of the team managed by Ozark would pave the way for the franchise’s first World Series title in 1980, even though some fans will still say that the 1976 or 1977 teams were better.

Ozark’s record as a Phillies manager was 594-510 and was named the 1976 Manager of the Year by the Associated Press.

For more on Ozark click here for the official release from the Phillies.

“We’re not out of the race.”
– Danny Ozark (1975), when the Phillies were seven games out with six to play.

---

This was originally published on Macho Row.

Phillies-Mets: Jamie Moyer’s 250th Win On Hold; Mets Beat Phillies

Jamie Moyer was going for career win No. 250 last night, but the Mets jumped all over the veteran pitcher, forcing him out of the game in the third inning. Despite another late-inning rally, the Mets took game two of the series by a 7-5 final score.

For Moyer it was another rough outing, raising concern about his age by some fans. After Ryan Howard‘s RBI double scored Jimmy Rollins in the first inning to give Moyer an early 1-0 lead Moyer allowed a pair of demoralizing two run home runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Mets scored one more run in the second inning and two more in the third inning before Charlie Manuel took Moyer out in place of JA Happ.

The Phillies bullpen was fantastic and shut down the Mets from the third inning on to help keep the game within reach.

The offense slowly chipped away with one run in the fourth, a solo Howard home run in the sixth and a Jayson Werth two run home run in the eighth inning brought the Phillies as close as 7-5. Werth had a four hit game while Chase Utley was hit-less on the night.

The Phillies loss to the Mets coupled with the Florida Marlins‘ loss to the Atlanta Braves makes the NL East race the tightest in baseball. The Phillies now hold a half game lead over the Mets and Marlins. The Braves are two games out of first as well. The Phillies play the Braves this weekend.

 

this was originally published on Macho Row.

Shane Victorino: Public Enemy No. 1

Yes, it’s time for my long-awaited return from my school-induced hiatus.

And I bring tidings of war. I want the head of Shane Victorino on a pike.

It seems like every year, the Phillies are bellyaching about the Mets celebrating too much, and showing disrespect to the game, and things of that nature. I, for one, tend to disagree, mostly because I find athletes who celebrate accomplishments to be…well, human, and those who don’t to be robotic and boring. I want heart and spirit from my players.

But I wouldn’t be as upset about the Phillies’ whining if it wasn’t for their complete and total hypocrisy. You see, in the midst of the virtuous and not-at-all insufferable Rollins et al. is the National League’s A.J. Pierzynski. He is Shane Victorino, the worst person in baseball.

Watch this clip from tonight’s Phillies-Mets game. Here, Jose Reyes is called for obstruction. Later, Victorino would score on a home run, which would force the Mets to waste Frankie Rodriguez in a game in which he shouldn’t have had to appear.

I see no obstruction. I see a forearm shiver. If Victorino was a referee and Reyes a quarterback, there would have been an uproar. But since he’s a Phillie, one of baseball’s paladins fighting the dark, celebrating scourge that is the New York Mets, it likely won’t be an issue.

In fact, Jerry Manuel’s going to get the worst of it, since evidently his hat hit Bill Welke’s when he was (rightfully) blowing his top after the blown call.

In a perfect world, two things would happen. First, Welke would be suspended for three days without pay for not having functioning eyes. Honestly, when there’s a rundown play, he should be looking for bullshit like that.

The aforementioned Pierzynski has done it before, and it should be a point of attention for MLB umpires. It’s not a heads-up gritty play, and it’s not good baseball—it’s cheating, it’s dirty, and it should be stopped.

Second, on June 9, in the top of the first inning, Shane Victorino should be hit in the elbow with a pitch. That is how scores are settled in baseball, and the Mets’ pitching staff needs to stand up for Reyes. This Philadelphian assault on Reyes has gone on long enough, and Victorino’s reign of terror has as well.

The Mets have made too many compromises already, too many retreats. The Phillies complain about Reyes’ exuberance, and they fall back. The Phillies charge to the division title in September, and they fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn HERE. This far, and no further. The Mets must make Victorino pay for what he has done.

Danny Ozark: Phillies Lose Another Piece Of History

It was just yesterday I was surfing on the internet and found an all-time Philadelphia Phillies team. Gene Mauch was selected as the manager on this list.

Not a bad choice, but I posted a comment that suggested Danny Ozark should be the manager. 

Today, God has selected Mr. Ozark.

Philadelphia Phillies’ team officials have reported that Danny Ozark has died in his home in Vero Beach, Florida today. He was 85.

Beginning in 1965, Ozark was a coach for Los Angeles Dodgers under Walter Alston. He served in that capacity until his hiring as manager by the last-place Phillies in October of 1972.

After two losing seasons, Danny Ozark and the Phillies won 86 games in 1975. In 1976, the Phillies broke through by winning 101 games and the NL East title.  Unfortunately, the defending world champion Cincinnati Reds won the NL pennant in three straight games.

The Phillies won the division again in 1977 and 1978, only to lose in the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs both years.

The Phillies thought they found the missing piece in 1979 by signing Pete Rose. However, due to injuries and a lack of pitching depth, the Phillies struggled and Danny Ozark was fired August 3rd. His regular season record with the Philadelphia Phillies was 594-510.

Ozark returned to the Dodgers and coached under Tommy Lasorda from 1980 to 1982. 

In 1983, he joined the San Francisco Giants as a coach and became the interim manager in 1984 when Frank Robinson was fired. The Giants won 24 and lost 32 under Ozark.

Despite his success with the Phillies, some fans remember Ozark more for his malaprops. 

Two of his most famous were “Half this game is 90% mental” and “Even Napoleon had his Watergate.” In 1975, he told a reporter “We’re not out of the race” when the Phillies were seven games out with six to play.

I will always think fondly of Danny Ozark since my beginnings as a Phillies fan corresponded directly with the three consecutive division titles under Ozark’s reign. 

I remember meeting Mr. Ozark several years ago at a Phillies’ alumni game in Clearwater, Florida. I was more excited to get his autograph than I was of the other players that were there.

According to AP wires, Danny Ozark is survived by his wife, Ginny, two children, three granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren. 

 

The Phils Had a Crypt-O-Night and What About Ster-O-Mites?

I love fantasies. Before last night’s game I fantasized about donning a skin tight shirt spun of fire engine red, embossed with a superhero diamond, except instead of an S there was a huge power P for “Phillies” plastered across my padded underwire to call attention to the superpower that they are. 

 

But even Superman had a weakness and yesterday the Phils had a crypt-o-night.

 

I didn’t see that coming. That game was as much a surprise as a 47-year-old spinster winning Simon Cowell’s heart or a 50 to 1 underdog taking the Kentucky Derby…No wait.  It wasn’t quite like that.  It was more like getting your period at the grocery store—it wasn’t pretty. 

 

Now I haven’t done anything really significant in my life so it’s my nature to find ways to think I’m special.  Like Shane continuing his personal hitting streak, I started what I like to call my own Phillies cheer, “C’mon Chase, get on base!”

 

Okay, a poet I’m not. And I’m also not the best singer of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ either, but I’m undeniably the loudest. I love a sold out game, playing in the rain, or when Charlie gets thrown out of a game. Everyone has a purpose, and I can’t be a ballplayer or do one, so I’m the next best thing—I’m a fan, a passionate one. 

 

But not a perfect one. I’ve been known to grab a Phillies rally towel to dust my furniture, so when things started to go awry last night I had to remind myself, I’m not perfect either. 

 

Who’d have thought our defense would be reduced to a pile of errors and our offense would strand runners like the SS Minnow? And who’d have guessed Chan Ho Park would take my advice? No one takes it, that’s why I’ve turned to blogging my opinions instead of talking about them. 

 

But Chan Ho Park walked to the mound like Flattish Poe ordered him to get his act together. I hate to take credit for his great outing but I was in heaven seeing him give Johan Santana a run for his money (and that’s a lot of dough). Everything was wonderfully analogous.

 

Then my husband said, “Not Scott Eyre!” 

 

Can you tell where his loyalty lies? 

 

That’s right – with that other left-handed reliever, JC Romero.  But JC took something and tested positive. 

 

It’s not that I want to talk about this—trust me, I’ve put it off as long as I’ve procrastinated picking the fuzzies from the Velcro on my sneakers. But as with my marriage, if I can’t stop thinking about it, ‘it’ needs to be addressed. Like my husband says, “I’ve always got something up my…” Well, you get the gist. 

 

So here goes. When I hear of a ballplayer who’s done something wrong, I think, “What if he was my boy?” 

 

I talk to my child about the difference between right and wrong and believe I empower him to make informed decisions, but sometimes—like a good base runner—he misses a signal. 

 

Now I realize Alex Rodriguez injecting steroids isn’t like catching my ten-year-old with a Playboy (or anyone’s hypothetical 10-year-old with a hypothetical girly magazine).  A-Rod’s paid a lot of money under the pretense that he’ll follow the rules.  

 

But how long ago did he make that admission? Maybe we only stopped talking about it momentarily because he had surgery. Maybe even in the media it’s uncouth to condemn a guy who’s had a sharp instrument that close to his privates. 

 

But now it’s back. And they say women can bitch and moan. Gesh! Then my husband told me the problem is A-Rod’s steroid encounters are featured in a book written by a woman. I rest my case. 

 

So what if Alex was my boy? 

 

I’m his mom. By design I love, and I’m supposed to do that unconditionally. But really, what do I do when my boy brings home surprising news? Well, first I take a deep breath to remind myself I’m no angel. Then I help him clean up the mess.

 

I’m not disappointed in A-Rod like Jamie Moyer and company. Sure Jamie is hardworking and giving, and I love that about him, but don’t go into that whole role model thing. I don’t want to ‘be’ A-Rod, I want to ‘do’ him.  Whoops was I thinking out loud? 

 

My point is you don’t have to model yourself after him.  Just take what’s useful.  You don’t have to be Charlie Manuel and raise your siblings, survive cancer, or have your own bobblehead to be great. Just take his advice—don’t get too big for your britches. 

 

Be your own role model or better yet, be your kid’s role model. You, yourself, be diligent, set non-negotiable goals; persevere with devotion, and believe in yourself. Jamie would probably make a great role model but I like to remind myself that when I’m pointing the finger (not the fowl one), there’s three pointing back at me.    

 

I look at A-Rod’s indiscretion as an example of what not to do. And I’ve learned to be careful—people tend to band together more for a common enemy than for a common cause. I believe it’s simply my cause to withhold judgment because I’m sure the MLB has the MLB’s best interest at heart.  It’s how they make their living. 

 

So whether A-Rod should be punished, Pete Rose should stay banned, Roger Clemens should be stripped (I’d watch!), or JC’s suspension was unjust, I say just clean it up and move on. It hasn’t tainted anything for me except the taste of those dollar dogs. I just can’t get them down. Remember, life’s too short to drive an ugly truck. 

 

So no matter what controversy arises in the MLB, I will look at it through my candy-coated lenses. As for Barry, Roger, Alex, JC, and now Manny, punish me and punish me good, I’ve been a bad girl. Let’s kiss and make out, I mean, make up. 

 

The moral of the story is, I love baseball—no if’s, and’s, or butts (and there are some fine ones). So when JC Romero walks to the mound in June, I’ll be the babe in section 145 who just can’t stop cheering. 

 

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