Phillies Fans: Always Faithful

Yesterday, I went to the Red Sox-Orioles game in Baltimore. It was my first time going to Camden Yards, and I had a fun time.

 

I didn’t go because I’m a Red Sox fan or an Orioles fan. I went because I have a goal to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. It will be a fun goal to reach.

 

But I noticed a few things at the game.

 

1. The Orioles don’t have a very large fan base.
2. There were more Red Sox fans than Orioles fans.
3. Red Sox fans are loud.

 

I already knew those three things, but it was interesting to see it in person.

 

But I noticed a fourth thing, something I didn’t think I would see at the ballpark.

 

I saw other Phillies fans.

 

I was wearing my Phillies t-shirt and hat, and thought I would stick out like a sore thumb.

 

I didn’t care because I love the Phillies.

 

I saw a good number of Phillies fans at the game.

 

I also saw one Yankees fan who had a sign reading “2004*, 2007*”. Some Red Sox fans came and ripped it and yelled at the guy.

 

This proves a few things.

 

It proves that Phillies fans are unscathed by Red Sox Nation.

 

It proves that Phillies fans will always represent their team, even when they are not playing.

 

Finally, it proves that the Phillies have one of the largest fan bases in baseball.

 

Do you honestly think that most of those Red Sox fans came from Boston?

In my mind, Red Sox Nation is a disease that is spreading across the country. It is clear that baseball fans from cities that don’t have very good teams are switching over to the Red Sox. But why?

 

They are a good team, but how can people be so disloyal? They’re fair weather fans.

 

Sure, when a Phillies player is in a slump, we boo. But that’s just the way Phillies fans are.

 

We can’t help it.

 

I am always loyal to Phillies. In all my time as a Phillies fan, I can’t recall a time I’ve booed.

 

Anyway, my point is that the Phillies fan base is growing. They will always be a good team, and they will always have fans.

Make Room For Pedro: The Case For Moving J. Happ To The Pen

With the top of their starting rotation set and playoff ready, the Philadelphia Phillies now have two months to fill out the rest of their postseason pitching staff.  Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and trade deadline acquisition Cliff Lee will most certainly be the top three starters for the Phils, but the fourth starting spot will be the subject of speculation and debate for the rest of the regular season.

Of course, the Phillies don’t necessarily have to have four starters in the postseason. Hamels, Lee, and Blanton are all innings-eaters that would likely be effective on short rest. But manager Charlie Manuel went with four starters last season and after the way that run ended, it seems reasonable to think that he would keep the same strategy this year.

However, the real reason Phillies fans are assuming there will be a fourth starter is because of the impressive stat line of rookie left-hander J.A. Happ.

Happ, a 26-year-old who started the season in the bullpen, is 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA and a WHIP of 1.16.  He has pitched at least six innings in each of his last eight games and in 10 of his 13 starts.  His calm demeanor on the mound and knack for working out of a jam have won over Phillies fans, who are now questioning reports that Happ may be moved back to the bullpen.

The reports are based on the impending debut of new Phillie Pedro Martinez, who is currently working his way back up to speed in the minors.  Martinez, despite having expressed a willingness to contribute in any way, is probably best-suited to fill a starting role.  Likewise, veteran Jamie Moyer has pitched out of the bullpen just once in the past 12 years.

This reasoning doesn’t sit well with many Philadelphia fans, who argue that Happ is clearly a more effective pitcher and shouldn’t be pushed out of the way just because of his age (or lack thereof).  But fans need to step back and look at the big picture.

Following the trade for Lee, what is now the Phillies greatest area of concern?

Clearly, it’s the bullpen.

If Happ were to continue in his role as a fourth starter for the rest of the season and into the playoffs, the Phillies might very well get better production from him than they would from Martinez or Moyer.  But if Moyer or Martinez can be effective in that role and Happ can be effective out of the pen, the Phillies would be killing two birds with one stone.

The Phillies need to know exactly how much gas Martinez and Moyer have left in the tank and they need to move Happ to the bullpen in order to find out.  If it turns out that neither can produce consistently, the Phils can go back to Happ.  But if one of the veterans can step up and perform at a high level, the Phillies would actually be a better team with Happ in the bullpen come October.

Another thing to consider is that Happ is in his first full season as a major-league pitcher. He is currently on pace to finish the season with around 200 innings pitched, which would shatter his previous high of 166.2 recorded last year between triple-A and the majors. Moving him to the bullpen would help keep his innings down and hopefully keep him fresh.

It’s understandable that some would grumble if Happ switches roles, but reasonable fans should be able to understand that there is a method to the madness.

Cliff Lee Dazzles In First Start: GM Ruben Amaro Looking Like a Genius

 

The Phillies didn’t get Roy Halladay.

 

What the defending World Champions did get however was last year’s American League Cy Young award winner in Cliff Lee, a tremendous lefty who could be the player to push the Phillies over the top.

 

Even better, GM Ruben Amaro managed to pull off a move that kept the Phillies’ top three prospects—starting pitcher Kyle Drabek and outfielders Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown—all in the farm system.

 

The Phillies instead parted ways with struggling Triple-A pitcher Carlos Carrasco, along with three other prospects—starting pitcher Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson, and shortstop Jason Donald.

 

Considering the Phillies were able to bring in one of the greatest pitchers in the game today, it was a small price to pay.

 

It was especially impressive, given that Lee is virtually every bit the pitcher as the coveted Halladay, without the cost.

 

Lee led the AL in wins (22) and earned run average (2.54) in 2008, a year after struggling to the point where he was demoted to Triple-A.

 

Prior to joining the Phillies, Lee posted just a 7-9 record with the Indians, but an impressive 3.14 ERA, good for sixth-best in the American League. He ranked first in the league in innings pitched and batters faced.

 

In his first start in Philly, Lee was magnificent, everything the Phillies could have wanted.

 

He pitched a complete game, throwing 109 pitches while dominating the wild card-leading San Francisco Giants. Lee took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, a shutout into the eighth, and finished with four hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.

 

His control was spot on as Lee walked just two batters and tossed 78 of 109 strikes. It was Lee’s third complete game in his last four starts.

 

Lee also added a single and a double at the plate, while becoming the first Phillies pitcher to throw a complete game in his first start with the team in over a decade.

 

With the addition of the Lee, the Phillies have one of the top pitching rotations in baseball.

 

In fact, there are too many starting pitchers on this team. If that is possible.

 

Hamels and Lee provide the dominating 1-2 punch, with right hander Joe Blanton—arguably the team’s top starting pitcher this season—as the third starter.

 

The veteran Jamie Moyer, who leads the team with 10 wins on the season, and the rookie sensation J.A. Happ, who is 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 13 starts for the year.

 

Don’t forget three-time Cy Young award winner Pedro Martinez, who just joined the team and is working his way through rehab.

 

With Martinez to join the big league team soon, the Phillies have six dependable starters for only five spots in the rotation.

 

The odd man out will most likely be Happ, who will move to the bullpen, a decision that will only bolster one of the league’s already top ‘pens.

 

Returning from his injury soon will be right handed starter Brett Myers, who has already stated he will move to the bullpen.

 

Simply put, this Phillies team has depth at pitching like it hasn’t had in quite some time.

 

Coupled with that already dynamic offense that features five All-Stars and a combined two MVP awards, the Phillies are looking good. Really good.

Cole Hamels: Number One Or Number One A?

Cliff Lee showed his worth last night when he pitched a complete game, four-hit, one-run performance in a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Cole Hamels, the MVP of the World Series last year, is currently 7-5 with a 4.42 ERA. His last start, giving up one run in eight innings in a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 28, hopefully is a sign of upcoming starts. Hamels pitches Sunday in the series finale against the Giants against Barry Zito.

Sorry to look past the regular season, but most experts expect it is more of a question of when the Phillies will clinch the National League East, rather than if.

To have a better chance to win back-to-back World Series, or even get there, Hamels and Lee should be One and One A, like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale in the 1960s for the Dodgers.

Lee seems easy going off the mound, so he probably will always defer to Hamels as the ace.

But look at the numbers. Lee and Hamels are close, with Lee possibly a little better. Lee is 8-9 with a 3.02 earned run average, while Hamels is 7-5 with a 4.42 ERA. Both have a 1.27 WHIP (walks/hits per nine innings).

Perception and performance will determine who will become the “ace” of the staff.

The only other question is what will be the rotation heading into September.

I am guessing Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Moyer, Happ/Martinez.

Not many teams have this problem, deciding on a quality fifth starter.

The Phillies have had a “bulls eye” on their back all season long.

With that rotation, all challenges should not be a problem.

 

Philadelphia Phillies: The Sluggers Of South Philly

How many of you out there remember the “The Big Red Machine” of the 1970s, the so called “Lumber Company” of the early and mid-’70s, and the “Running Red Birds” of the ’80s?

Those were offensive powerhouses: in the names of the Cincinnatti Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.

The Red Machine was known for its ability to get on base via the walk and single.

High batting averages then gave way to clutch hits from Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, George Foster, and Dave Concepcion. 

The Machine put their bats on the ball, had few strikeouts, and produced more doubles and triples then home runs.

The Red Machine was one of the most prolific offenses in the last 35 years.

The “Lumber Company” was a team made up of 280-290 hitters who were consistent in their ability to line the ball over the field coupled with a little pop.

Al Oliver, Dave Parker, Willie Stargell, Manny Sanguillen, Richie Hebner, and Richie Zisk led this group of line-drive hitters who scored most of its runs via the single and double.

Although Parker could pop 25 and Stargell could knock 35 home runs during any year, they relied heavily on spraying the ball around the diamond.

The “Running Red Birds”, as the name implies, could score runs at will via the bunt, single, stolen base, and more of the same. 

With the likes of Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, Tom Herr, Andy Van Slyke, Jack Clarke, and Ozzie Smith, it was downright ugly.

Coleman and McGee could steal 100+ bases a season and score 130-140 runs a year. Herr, Van Slyke, and Ozzie would steal another 40 bases and consistently score 100 runs year in and year out.

Clarke added the pop in this lineup, which was as devastating a lineup as any team of the era.

This leaves us with only one; “The Sluggers of South Philly”, aka the Philadelphia Phillies.

The most potent offense of our era, the Phillies rely more heavily on the long ball.

The group of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Pedro Feliz leads this group of sluggers down South Broad Street.

Are they as dominating as those teams above?

They absolutely are. The dominate in slugging percentage and in runs scored via the home run yes.

On-base percentage goes to the “Running Red Birds” since they had six guys who would take walks and hit for a high average. Four of them could get on via the bunt and steal their way home.

If you are asking me who the most feared team is, I would have to say the “Sluggers of South Philly” is.

Cliff Lee Dazzling in Philadelphia Phillies Debut

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

SAN FRANCISCO—Cliff Lee, the Philadelphia Phillies’ newest starter, sure does know how to make an entrance.

In his first appearance in a Phillies uniform, Lee held on to a no-hitter until the sixth inning, when San Francisco Giants second baseman Juan Uribe hit a double into right field.

The Phillies went on to win the game 5-1.

The Lee acquisition was followed a failed attempt at getting Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, but no one on the Phillies’ side is complaining. Pitching a complete game, Lee held the Giants to four hits and one run in his fourth complete game of the season.

“I knew I didn’t give up any hits yet, but whatever. I’m kind of glad I didn’t throw a no-hitter,” Lee said following the game. “If I did that in the first time, I would be having to live up to some high expectations.”

Lee didn’t just contribute with his arm, he also worked some magic with his bat.  The reigning Cy Young award winner went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

“When I got the first hit, I was pretty pumped about that,” Lee said. “When I got that double off the wall, I was still gassed. I totally never expected that.”

The dimensions in AT&T held the double in the park, but many believe that if Lee hit that ball in Citizens Bank Park, it would have been a home run.

“That’s what they were saying,” said Lee. “But it wasn’t here.”

Lee’s performance is exactly the type of outings the Phillies need to win another World Series Championship. The 30-year-old is sees the playoffs within reach.

“Obviously the ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs, but the way to do that is take it one day at a time,” Lee explained. “If everybody does their job and does what they need to do, then it should happen with talent we got in here.”

The Phillies needed a boost in their starting pitching and with Lee they got what they’ve been looking for. The Phils may hold the top spot in the NL East, but anything can happen from here to October. No matter what happens, Lee knows what he needs to do.

“Obviously this team has been winning a lot of games and I’m new to it,” Lee said. “My job is to come in and give the team a chance.”

If Mr. Clifton Phifer Lee continues dealing like he did today, he doesn’t just give him a chance, he provides them with a path to October baseball.

Cliff Lee Stellar In Phillies Debut As Philadelphia Takes Down San Francisco

Cliff Lee took to the mound for the first time in a Phillies uniform Friday, but took no hesitation in continuing where he left off in Cleveland.

The first batter the former Indian faced, Randy Winn, struck out on three pitches. This was only a precursor of things to come.

Aside from a one-out walk to former teammate Ryan Garko in the bottom of the second, Lee was lights-out all night.

In fact, it wasn’t until the sixth inning that Lee gave up a hit.

The run support was lacking for the left-handed pitcher, as Jayson Werth’s solo home run in the second inning was all that stood on the scoreboard until the seventh. But Lee didn’t let that get to him.

He continued to overpower the Giants, retiring the minimum amount of batters through five innings.

Once the Phillies took a 4-0 lead in the seventh inning, it became clear that Lee was going to win this game. His double off the right field wall in the eighth only helped his cause, as he was driven in on a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

He gave up a run of his own in the bottom half of the eighth, but held the Giants off the board the rest of the game.

Lee came back on in the ninth to finish what he started. That he did.

After a single to begin the inning, he retired Pablo Sandoval before finishing the game with a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Bengie Molina.

The newly-acquired Phillie was outstanding, allowing only four hits and one earned run. He threw his third complete game in his last four starts, giving the Phillies’ worn-out bullpen some valuable rest.

Cliff Lee made it loud and clear in his debut that trading for him over the highly-priced Roy Halladay was the smarter option.

The naysayers who remain adamant that Halladay was the correct choice for the Phillies will have a few questions to answer following Lee’s dominant performance.

He is scheduled to start again on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies. It will be his first home start with the Phillies.

In other news, Shane Victorino sat out his second straight game with a swollen knee. Ben Francisco, acquired along with Cliff Lee, started in his place both games.

Pedro Martinez took another step toward his return with the Phillies in a Triple-A rehab start on Friday. He went five innings, allowing five runs. Four of those runs, along with 35 of his 84 pitches, came in the fifth inning.

The Phillies will continue their four-game series with the Giants at 9:05 PM ET on Saturday. Joe Blanton will take the ball for the Phillies, facing the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum.

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com

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