JC’s Dodger Snapshots | June 6: Maury Wills Steals Again

It is now my habit to take a camera along when going to visit the most beautiful piece of real estate in all of California – Dodger Stadium. I have been able to take some fairly nice shots over the years, and am happy to share some of the photos I take this year with my fellow Bleacher Report members, particularly for Dodger fans who have not had the chance to visit the home of the Dodgers in person.

Saturday June 6th was a very nice day for Dodger fans at the Stadium. They saw some very nice pitching from returning ace Hiroki Kuroda…

Copyright © 2009, JC Ayvazi. All rights reserved.

Just Not Enough Fight: Phillies Even Series

What a heart breaker.

The Mets had the Phillies by the throats tonight, but unfortunately, they let the game slip away. After building a 4-1 lead, the Phillies stormed back to tie the game at 4-4 in the seventh. Then, a Chase Utley homer in the 11th sealed the game for the Fightin’ Phillies.

The Mets had a big offensive night as they cranked 16 hits on the day. But when they started to build rallies, it was often station to station, evidenced by the fact that 15 of their hits were singles. The only extra base hit was by Mike Pelfrey, who had his batting average rise almost 100 points tonight.

Let me tell you who I have a problem with in this game.

Let’s start with the manager, Jerry Manuel. With the bats like Utley, Howard and Ibanez due up, how could you send in a fireballer that throws predominantly fastballs? That is not a recipe for success, and as my good friend Matt Falkenbury can attest to, I told him before the inning started, “I would be shocked if the score is still tied after this half inning.”

Unfortunately, Chase Utley didn’t take much time to prove me right.

There are other options in the bullpen. I would have gone with Takahashi personally, but I am not sure how he would respond in such a spot. We also have guys like Stokes and Nieve who can mix it up, but neither is proven. I think the trust in Parnell is what got him the appearance and Jerry got burnt.

Another guy who was awful tonight was Fernando Tatis. As much as I compliment him, it is time for me to give him a little bit of criticism. This guy has been putrid recently with runners are on base. He just can’t seem to get a hit with runners on base since what seems like April.

I would be a big advocate in giving Tatis the day off against Moyer tomorrow. Daniel Murphy was good in the series finale against Washington and it would be nice to see him get a start.

Another guy who is in a serious rut is Gary Sheffield. It seems like he is becoming all or nothing with that gargantuan swing. Although he had a hit tonight, he has been making a lot of weak outs recently, and it may be a nice time to get him a day off before the Yankee series.

I am sure he is going to want to be in there against his old mates. If I was the skipper, Fernando Martinez would be in left and batting second tomorrow night.

Kudos goes to Jeremy Reed, who continues to be the most underrated player on this team. He made a big leaping catch against Ryan Howard in the 11th, and he might be earning himself some playing time if he keeps on impressing the manager.

Since I am handing out kudos, another goes to Pedro Feliciano, who may be the best lefty specialist around. He went through Utley, Howard and Ibanez like they were the bottom three for the Nationals. Well done.

I love the fight, but we need to execute more and make sure to do the little things. If there’s a runner on second and nobody out, hit a ground ball to the right side. Then a fly ball will score a run.

Little things like that are what makes teams win championships.

Come To Think of It: Moral Outrage over Raul Ibanez Steroid Blog Misguided

First of all, let me make clear that I’m not taking sides as to whether or not Raul Ibanez is on steroids. But I am taking offense to so-called mainstream journalists who are outraged by a blogger who goes by the handle of jrod, who wrote an article on the topic.

From the blog:

“…the 37-year old Ibanez has been so good that it has led to the inevitable speculation that his improvement may be attributable to factors other than his new lineup, playing in a better ballpark for hitters, or additional maturation as a hitter. In this day and age of suspicion at any significant jump in numbers, even over small sample sizes, it is what it is – and such speculation is to be expected.”

That seems more than fair to me.

But why I have a problem with the outrage generated based on this blog, is that even those who are morally outraged are saying that it’s natural to speculate about steroid use by players.

Alright, then. If it is acceptable to do this, why is it not also acceptable to write about it?

Look, I would be the first to admit it would have been reckless for jrod to have written a post that came out and directly accused Ibanez of using performance-enhancing drugs. But that’s not what he did. In fact, he went out of his way to offer other considerations in defense of Ibanez.

ESPN.com is reporting a harsh response from Ibanez.

“I’ll come after people who defame or slander me,” he said Tuesday night before the Phillies played the New York Mets, according to the report. “It’s pathetic and disgusting. There should be some accountability for people who put that out there.”

But the premise of the article was to point out that we are living in an age when there is speculation about any player—especially at an advancing age—who suddenly puts up career power numbers.

Instead, the media (as it usually does) blows this up and turns it around to make it appear that jrod was recklessly accusing Ibanez. Ken Rosenthal, the blogger and others appeared on ESPN’s Outside The Lines. Rosenthal was one of those apparently outraged.

Should jrod have left Raul’s name out of it? While that might have satisfied Ken Rosenthal and prevented this from becoming such a drama, it also would have been like ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room.

Everyone would have known who he was referring to.

Another opinion I have is that these writers should look at themselves in the mirror for a minute and take a long, hard look at what they should have written about the steroid scandal themselves.

Perhaps if they had articulated their own suspicions, this era would have been exposed a long time ago. In fact, maybe that guilt is part of what’s causing the outrage.

They say there should be standards that bloggers need to follow. Hey, you may call them standards; I may call it collusion. It sounds as if some writers are in bed with MLB, helping baseball to rid itself of steroid talk in the hope that it will all just go away.

But no one who has played in this era should be above suspicion. And if that’s not fair, well, it’s the players’ own fault. I don’t think Ibanez is on PEDs, but then again I never thought that Rafael Palmeiro or Manny Ramirez were either.

Journalistic integrity is important. But so is having an opinion and being willing and able to express it.

But again, jrod never said Ibanez did steroids. He merely pointed out what a lot of fans are thinking—that any player whose power numbers spike to where they fall well outside his normal career arc, especially late in their career, will be subject to speculation. And rightfully so, in my opinion.

Meanwhile, this isn’t really about steroids; it’s more about freedom of speech and the whole argument about the perceived differences between mainstream writing and the blogosphere.   

It’s an interesting debate.

Writers who would question the right to speculate are just as guilty of turning a blind eye to the truth as they were when they initially ignored the onset of the steroid era.

I’m not accusing, mind you. I’ve just come to think of it, that’s all.

The Real Deal on the Raul Ibanez Steroid “Accusations”

 

I just finished watching an “Outside the Lines” report on ESPN about the responsibilities of a blogger.  

In this particular instance, Jerrod Morris, a writer for a blog called Midwest Sports Fans, wrote an article that explored the admittedly interesting jump in Raul Ibanez’s power numbers.

He stated that PEDs are one logical explanation for the jump. Well, you know how rumors spread. Before you knew it, the story was that Jerrod had explicitly accused Ibanez of taking steroids.

Shortly after, this “accusation” was brought to Ibanez’s attention and to put it in a nice way, he flipped like a burnt flapjack.

Next, there was a link on ESPN and the whole thing had spiraled out of control.

The “Outside the Lines” report on the issue featured Jerrod, a journalist that wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and another journalist. 

As the interview went on, I learned a few things…

1. Journalists really don’t like bloggers. I think it has something to do with bloggers apparently being cowards, but they hate them more than a leaky sink.

2. ESPN set up Jerrod. They brought in two journalists that just completely ripped on Jerrod. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but it was two on one and Jerrod didn’t stand a chance. I might have cried if it was me.

3. Neither of the journalists read the article. They did everything but come out and say it, but it was so obvious that they came in with the idea that Jerrod had flat out accused Ibanez of taking steroids which just isn’t true.  

After the show (and if I didn’t make this painfully clear before, Jerrod was completely mauled), one thing really struck me.

The journalists were upset at Jerrod because he made “claims” without proof or actual knowledge of the subject. In their view, it was just an opinion with no accountability.

This may be true, but weren’t they doing the same thing.  If neither of the journalists read the article, and were instilling strong opinions to a national audience based on what they “think” was said in the article, aren’t they doing the same exact thing they’re accusing Jerrod of doing?

Now, I’m a blogger, but I want to be a journalist so I see both sides of this issue. But the journalists took this too far by insinuating the uselessness of bloggers.

Both bloggers and journalists have a spot in our society. However, I see one fundamental difference between them. Journalists constantly have to worry about what they say and bloggers don’t.  

It’s that simple.

And really, there’s no problem with either of them. In all reality, with their access, journalists probably serve a more important role in our society, but sometimes certain things need to be said and bloggers are the ones to say it.

Now do bloggers sometimes take things too far? 

Of course.

But you can’t deny that there are some really talented bloggers out there that make a lot insightful points. And some of those points happen to be bold insults

Just look at Bill Simmons. He’s pretty much a blogger with an editor. He rips on guys (really rips on guys), but man, does he know his sports.

If I was Raul Ibanez, my initial reaction would be harsh too. But afterwards, I definitely would have read the article and then lightened my stance a little bit.

The thing is, what if Raul didn’t react so violently? 

I think that would only arouse more suspicion.

Unfortunately, in this era of PEDs in baseball, Raul is pretty much obligated to react that way.

It’s really upsetting that we’ve come to that, but that’s just the way it is.  

So if there’s a lesson to be learned from any of this, it’s to be at least somewhat informed on what you are talking/writing about.  

Everyone has some degree of responsibility.

Yes, even bloggers.

 

The Insanity Of The Ibanez Steroid Blog Blow Up

For those who have been at work all day, one little blog posting has caused some strong reactions.

Yesterday ‘JROD’ over at midwestsportsfans.com posted an article about Raul Ibanez’s great start over in Philadelphia. The article, entitled “The Curious Case of Raul Ibanez: Steroid Speculation Perhaps Unfair, but Great Start in 2009 Raising Eyebrows” got a response that the author never could have imagined.

“Hugging Harold Reynolds” picked it up on its twitter feed and it spread like wild fire. The Philadelphia Inquirer called it “a cheap shot.” Before you know it Ibanez himself is returning fire. When asked about the story he passionately denied ever using steroids, would submit to any test, and then took shots at the blogger.

The quote, “there should be more credibility than some 42-year-old blogger typing in his mother’s basement” pretty much sums up his opinion.

The article itself has some nice statistical analysis and is actually pretty well written. JROD basically suggests what we are all know; a sudden increase in offensive numbers makes us all suspicious. He never says that he thinks Ibanez does steroids, and even suggests some good alternate explanations. I can understand Ibanez’s reaction to a degree, but he acts like he’s never heard steroid talk before, much less any criticism.

This isn’t the first time he’s made a loud steroid denial before. JROD pointed out that in 2007 the Seattle clubhouse was rocked by some allegations and Ibanez didn’t hold back then. Working against Ibanez is that he has spent the last few season putting up great numbers in the Northwest, playing for a mediocre team.   

The bottom line is that we have heard the strong denials again and again, and usually the strongest and loudest denials end up coming from users.

We also hear crazier stuff out there in blog land all the time and it rarely gets picked up by anyone, much less the player the story is about. So why is Jerod Morris aka “JROD” now receiving interview requests from ESPN and a ton of angry e-mails?

Evidence points to a sports reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer bringing this thing to Ibanez’s attention.

I’m sure the conversation started like this, “hey Raul, did you hear that some blogger says you use steroids?”

Getting a player all riled up at the expense of a blogger does two great things for the reporter. It makes for a great story and it directs anger towards an outsider, even if that guy says something that we are all thinking.

When it comes to steroids I blame all the players the most, followed by the owners and MLB. There is no way that more people did not know what was going on in those clubhouses and did nothing. But this entire occurrence has less to do with steroids and more to do with the established sports writers trying to hit back at bloggers.  

This blogger is bringing up what the Philadelphia media is afraid to say. Maybe this is due to a post “World Series win brotherly love fest.” Now yes, Phillies fans and the media are some of the craziest and most emotional in sports, but usually the only emotion we see from them is hate.

Maybe they just don’t know how to like a good team without becoming part of their PR department.

Ibanez doesn’t need PR. He is a great player and from all accounts a really stand-up guy. I’ve seen nothing to suggest he’s juicing and think there is nothing really to that part of the story. 

I am not saying there shouldn’t be accountability for anyone making crazy accusations, but the article itself didn’t actually say that the author though Ibanez used steroids. He is just trying to be a voice of the everyday fan. There is a good chance that Ibanez never got a chance to read the article and this whole thing is the creation of a cowardly sports reporter.

It is also proof that no really believes steroids are out of baseball. Manny just slipped up somehow. I doubt that if when he comes back his numbers slip, he won’t go back to using. He’ll just be a little bit smarter about it.

Bloggers are now a vital part of the sports world because they are the fans and the fans make the sport. Obviously some in the business of sports aren’t going to take this lightly.

New York Mets Need to Start Daniel Murphy

The Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis platoon perplexes me. It’s not just because Murphy already looks to be a better defensive first baseman, although that does help.

It seems Tatis hasn’t been solid defensively anywhere he’s played this year. He’s not a liability, but he’s not good either. Sometimes you have to look at the upside.

The best case scenario for Tatis is that he’s a solid guy off the bench, and can spot start at first or in the outfield a couple of times and contribute offensively.

The best case for Murphy is that he develops into a solid major leaguer and is your everyday first baseman for the future. Depending on how good that best case is, that future could easily be 15 years.

For a team that could use some more offense, shouldn’t we find out what Murphy’s got as an everyday player? He platooned most of the time last year as well. Maybe it’s time for him to be put out there for 10 games and see what he looks like everyday. Some lineup consistency couldn’t hurt.

In my fire Manuel rants I’ve suggested that Manuel sets up his players to fail.

Here’s another test: Manuel says Murphy will start one of these two games against the Phillies. Tonight is the lefty Cole Hamels who is a pretty good pitcher. Thursday is the lefty Jamie Moyer who hasn’t had a good year and lefties are able to hit.

I would start Murphy both games, but if Manuel’s going to choose one the obvious choice is Moyer. Tatis had a good game last night, and it wouldn’t hurt to try to ride out that success by starting him again today. Murphy would be better suited to hit Moyer than Hamels.

The only downside is that Murphy is a better defender for the ground balls of Pelfrey tonight, versus Redding tomorrow. Let’s see what Manuel does, but starting Murphy against Hamels and then claiming he can’t hit lefties if he doesn’t hit one of the better ones is not fair.

Sidebar: I didn’t see a lot of Phillies fans on television. No surprise there, they’ve never traveled here as well as we’ve traveled there. The ones that do only come to cause trouble. I noticed this at the last series, and I’ve heard stuff from last night as well.

The Phillies fans come in bearing 2008 flags that they like to wave around and be obnoxious with. Luckily there is always a drunk Mets fan somewhere that will run in and grab it. I saw this happen in the Pepsi Porch in May, and I saw reports of it last night as well.

Phillies Draft Two Outfielders

Not picking until the 75th pick (they lost their first round pick when signing Raul Ibanez), the Phillies were just looking to add some talent to their minor league system with the 2009 MLB Draft.

On day one, the Phillies picked up a couple of outfielders.

Kelly Dugan is a 6-foot-3 switch-hitting outfielder from California that the Phillies project to be a center fielder.

Dugan is just 18 years old and has a standing offer to play college baseball at Pepperdine University, so the club will wait to see which way he goes on his baseball future. He has already signed his letter of intent and the Phillies have until August 17th to secure his rights, which they feel good about.

Dugan comes from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, which is where former Phillies general manager Pat Gillick attended, according to the L.A. Times. Dugan is apparently very excited to be in the Phillies system and appears ready to get started.

Scout.com says Dugan has signs of power, decent defensive skills and above average speed.

With their second pick on day one, the Phillies picked up Kyrell Hudson out of Evergreen High School in Washington.

Hudson is another 18-year old outfielder who should add some speed. Scouts have compared Hudson’s body type to that of Mike Cameron and Curtis Granderson.

Hudson was recruited by Oregon State and originally committed to play for the Beavers baseball team. He was also thought to be a football prospect as well. The word seems to be that he will go ahead and sign with the Phillies.

Phillies Fail to Capitalize on Homers; Lose to Mets

It is not often that a pitcher of the caliber of the Mets‘ Johan Santana gives up four home runs, especially in the cavernous new digs dubbed Citi Field—a ballpark most notable for its tendency to produce triples rather than home runs.

So when a team sends four to the bleachers off of Santana, it puts itself in a position where it has to win the game. The Phillies failed to do so, losing the three-game series opener by a frustrating 6-5 final.

JA Happ did not have his typical solid game, digging himself a three-run hole by giving up home runs to David Wright and Carlos Beltran in the first three innings.

Happ lasted just 5 1/3 innings, going over 100 pitches much earlier than the Phillies would have wanted. In the process, Happ walked four batters and allowed six hits, two of which were home runs.

Down 0-3 against Santana, many Phillies’ fans assumed the game was over, but the bats came alive in the fourth inning.

Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez hit back-to-back homers to swing the momentum back to the Phillies.

In the sixth, Jimmy Rollins, who had a fantastic night going 3-for-4, hit a two-run home run to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. But the Mets responded in the bottom of the inning.

Fernando Tatis hit a lead-off double and reached third base on a Carlos Ruiz error attempting to pick him off. The throw went wide and glanced off of Rollins’ glove and into left center field.

Tatis then beat a Howard throw on a fielder’s choice off a Ryan Church grounder. The home plate umpire called Tatis out, thinking that Ruiz blocked the plate. Replays showed that Tatis should have been called safe, tying the game at four.

Despite the blown call, the Mets found a way to keep attacking.

Clay Condrey came out the bullpen with Church at first base and one out. Omir Santos hit a single to right field to put runners at first and second for Santana.

After going to an 0-2 count with two failed bunt attempts, the Mets’ ace smacked a momentum-killing double down the right field line, scoring Church to tie the game and putting two runners in scoring position.

Alex Cora hit a two-out single to give the Mets a 5-4 lead. After Beltran was intentionally walked, Gary Sheffield struck out to end the inning.

Chad Durbin allowed a solo home run in the seventh inning to Church to give the Mets a two-run lead. Chase Utley hit a solo jack in the eighth inning off Santana, who was then taken out of the game and replaced with Pedro Feliciano.

Felciano pitched one perfect inning. Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez then shut down the Phillies lineup in the ninth after a lead off single by Rollins.

With the loss, the Phillies’ lead in the NL East dropped to two games on the Mets. Cole Hamels gets the start against Mike Pelfrey in Wednesday night’s game.

Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets Game One: Happy Hour Cancelled at Citi Field

There’s no Happ-y hour at Citi Field. 

 

JA Happ, the recent addition to the Phil’s starting rotation, barely lasted five innings and left pitches hanging that were twice hit over the fence in a park that used to brag an average of 1.4 dingers a game. 

 

That’s all changed. The Metropolitans and the Phil-billies combined to hit a total of seven home runs.

 

Four were taken from Johan Santana who was possibly the most unhittable starter in baseball—until last night. Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez hit back-to-back dingers in the fourth, Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run shot in the sixth, and Chase Utley hit a solo HR in the eighth to add to the offensive highlights.

 

But JA Happ tarnished his season record by allowing four earned runs, three of which came from two homers. But the evening wasn’t complete until Chad Durbin, who my husband calls “Disturbin’ Durbin,” held true to his quest and allowed another dinger to soar. 

 

But with this 5-6 loss came some great defensive moments as well. 

 

First, Raul the Great, played a Sheffield fly ball off the wall in the fifth and threw the aging athlete out on his attempt to stretch it to a double.  That play earned Raul his fourth outfield assist of the season as a bunch more votes in the All-Star balloting were cast for “Ibanez.” 

 

Then Carlos Ruiz tried so hard to tag Tatis out at home that the umpire gave him an “A” for effort as well as the first out in the sixth.

 

I’m so glad instant replay in the MLB is only applicable to home run calls because the fans in the stands made it clear Carlos missed the tag on the Fanavision replay.

 

Those “boooos” weren’t “Raaauuuuuls.”

 

Oh, well.  One for us.  Then one for them: Santana hit what they’re calling a “slug-bunt double.” 

 

I’m not sure what that is except maybe it’s a fake bunt attempt that turns into a slug attempt.  Or it’s a fake bunt hitter who turns into a surprise slugger.  Or maybe it’s a batter with an .068 average who hits a surprising double. In any case, the Mets got restitution for the bad call at the plate.

 

Well, maybe not completely.  Johan and the gang went on to score two runs while facing Clay Condrey. 

 

That prompted my husband to coin a new term for what the Phil’s bullpen sometimes does—jack-assing.

 

Hey, we’ve all been known to represent that from time-to-time.

 

Then came the ninth. With pitching sensation, K-Rod, up to close, the chance to at least tie the game seemed remote. But when Jimmy Rollins slammed a single off the man who is perfect in saves this season, victory seemed within reach.

 

Especially when Matt Stairs stepped in to pinch hit for Carlos Ruiz. 

 

Wait, for Carlos?  Isn’t he hitting over .300?  What the…?!  Okay, I understand that he was 0 for 3 to that point and he only added a number to his stats in the “error” category, but Charlie… have you no faith?

 

Nope.  Charlie wrote the “Manuel” on ballplayers, and with Matt back from watching his daughter graduate, one thing was certain—they fed him well. 

 

He hit a ground ball that was sure to initiate a double play until J Ro knocked out the fielder at second and caused the throw to arrive late.  And with Matt running, you can imagine how much time Jimmy had to buy. 

 

I know! Matt has never won a footrace, even against the Comcast turtles! Give Jimmy an “A” for stalling.

 

And give J Ro a triple-A for being the leading hitter for the Phillies from the sixth spot in the lineup.  You can’t argue Charlie’s intention there. Since he demoted Jimmy from lead-off, he’s had five hits in two games.  Last night he was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run.

 

And that’s against Johan Santana who I think was shaken and stirred.  Even with his pitch count at 91 with 71 strikes, he managed only two strikeouts. And the Phils stayed within one run of a team that absolutely, positively had to win or face banishment for getting swept in a series by the Pirates. 

 

Wow, Met fans are tough on their team, even when there’s a waiting list to get on their disabled list.

 

And did you hear? Manny broke his silence.

 

Personally, I think he escaped. And while he was loose, he was quoted in the LA Times as saying, “I didn’t kill nobody and I didn’t rape nobody.”

 

I’m glad he came forward, because I was waiting for a confession.

 

Wait. That wasn’t a confession. Let me read that again.

 

“I didn’t kill nobody and I didn’t rape nobody.”

 

There, I’m glad he said he was sorry for his actions.

 

Wait. That wasn’t an apology either. 

 

Then what the hell was he talking about?

 

I guess my problem is, I don’t speak Man-tics.

 

Manny may have redefined semantics, but I don’t care.

 

Today the Phillies will master the entire game, but there’s no shame in the way they played on Tuesday.

 

Go Phils!

Phillies’ Brad Lidge on DL

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been placed on the 15-day DL.  According to philly.com, the move is retroactive to June 7.

Lidge had been having issues with a balky knee.

After a perfect 2008 season as postseason, Lidge has been anything but thus far in 2009.  He’s blown six save opportunities, including two against the Dodgers this past weekend.

Look for Ryan Madson to set into the closer’s role for the Phillies key matchup this week with the N.Y. Mets.

If not for the two blown saves this past weekend, the Phils would be riding a 10-game win streak into the Big Apple.  As it stands, the Figthin’s are three-games up on the Mets going into this series.

It remains to be seen whether rest will allow Lidge to regain his previously dominant form; however, it will spare skipper Charlie Manuel the unpleasant task of demoting one of his World Series heroes—for now.

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