Cliff Lee’s Unlikely Season Should End with a Cy Young

Clayton Kershaw and Roy Halladay are yesterday’s news. There is a bearded gentleman who goes by the name of Cliff Lee making the best case to be this year’s National League Cy Young Award winner, and when you crunch the numbers, it isn’t close. 

With the amount of fanfare surrounding his return over the winter, you would have thought that the left-handed starting pitcher was some kind of war hero. Fans praised his every move, citing his tactical takedown of the monotonous New York Yankees through psychological warfare, denying their larger offer for his services to return to Citizens Bank Park, which many Philadelphians have lovingly called “home.”

After all, Lee had liberated the fans. They’d been through much hardship after an unexpected trouncing out of the National League Championship Series by the San Francisco Giants. With the unconquerable Halladay temporarily conquered and an excellent supporting cast of Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt unable to finish the job, new talent was necessary.

It couldn’t be just any talent, though. This man had to have an impact on the club that no other player could provide. He needed a swagger that outlasted and outshone Hamels’ “Hollywood” persona. He needed a level of respectability both in the clubhouse and off the field, as Oswalt had proven with his gamesmanship and reputation as a good teammate.

Most of all, however, he needed Halladay’s focus. He needed Doc’s surgical precision that carves the opposition like a turkey on Thanksgiving. This player needed a preparedness that few others could match, and the level of talent necessary to execute his plans.

With an offense slated for a favorable rebound, the team needed that big game pitcher, and a quick glance at the free agent market made it painfully obvious that although that guy was available, he was the one that got away.

Along with Halladay’s postseason no-hitter, Hamels’ various dominant performances and Oswalt’s versatility, the club needed a proven winner. They needed the man who, in 2009, led them single-handedly to the World Series, cruising to a record of 4-0 and a minuscule ERA of 1.56. They needed Cliff Lee.

But many fans had already conceded. It just wasn’t meant to be. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had betrayed his trust by sending him to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for three unproven prospects. After acquiring him for pennies on the dollar, the club sent him packing for an equally small amount. Just months after he became a local sports legend, Lee was sent to the American League to continue his storybook career.

After the Mariners flopped like a fish out of water, they sent him to the Texas Rangers, who like the left hander’s former club residing in the National League, were led to the World Series by their new crusading general. And though, like the team he had left, he could not slay the Giants, he gave hope to another franchise.

Finally, as a free agent, Lee controlled his own destiny. There would be no more nonsensical trades to teams scraping at the bottom of the barrel who were only interested in his services as a placeholder, so that he may be able to land them a bevy of prospects at a later date. With two consecutive trips to the World Series and no rings, it was painfully obvious that what he wanted was a championship.

With larger offers from the Rangers and Yankees, it looked like he was going to get that opportunity. Both teams were in a position to succeed. Despite that, and maybe almost foolishly, that city that was by this point just a temporary pit-stop in his career held out hope that he may return. After all, they had much in common, including a common enemy in those Giants.

By keeping their negotiations a secret until the 11th hour and the player taking a slight discount, fantasy was made reality. A few days later, as Lee once again donned red pinstripes and fastened a cap emblazoned with a curly, white “P” on his head, it all sunk in. The hero had returned. A new commander had returned to the fight, along with Halladay and a starting rotation that already had lofty aspirations.

The Philadelphia Phillies had signed Cliff Lee.

Of course, the rest is all but history. The team entered spring training with a set of goals that only the best of teams could place upon themselves. While not a single member of the Phils wanted to come out and say it in public, the media, fans and team alike all new that it was going to be a World Series title or bust.

Now 34 starts into the 2011 season, Lee has certainly lived up to his end of the bargain. After baffling the Atlanta Braves in his first start for the month of September, he improved his record to 16-7. Considering that prior to the All-Star break and the few weeks after his record was hovering right around the .500 mark really puts the coincidental fact that he has now matched Halladay’s win total into perspective.

For the first time in his career, Lee has abandoned that generalization as a “contact pitcher,” and punched out the opposition more than 200 times—about a strikeout an inning matched with his total of innings pitched, already having eclipsed 200.

Lee’s ERA of 2.47 is third best in all of baseball for qualifying pitchers, and his FIP of 2.64 shows that the former number is rather accurate, when the outcome of each pitch that leaves his hand is determined by the fate of Lee and he alone. He has induced more ground balls than Kershaw and walked fewer, and when lining the statistics up side by side, may face his biggest competition for the Cy Young Award in a man he calls his friend and teammate, Halladay.

But the race for the NL Cy Young is so close that it may come down to something of a tiebreaker. How can you justify giving the award to the lone member of the National League that was scored upon in the All-Star Game? Well, you look at his longevity and dominance .

Lee’s months of June and August—when he posted records and ERAs of 5-0, 0.21 and 5-0, 0.45 respectively—could only be compared to feats completed by legendary pitchers Bob Gibson and Walter Johnson, and that’s it. No other pitchers than these three have had equally as dominant months in a single season.

As far as longevity goes, Lee’s six complete games are third in all of baseball, lagging behind only Halladay and James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays. Of course, all six of those complete games have been shutouts, as Lee became the first Phillie to accomplish such a feat since Philadelphia’s beloved Steve Carlton.

To put his dominance into even further context, Lee has  taken a shutout into the eighth inning or later nine times this season—the most since Orel Hershiser did so in 1988.

When it comes down to it, Kershaw and Halladay are the popular votes. The former has completely dominated his opponents consistently, while the latter has done the same and has found favor with voters. However, should the award actually go to the most deserving player, there’s no doubt that the favorite is Lee. Look at his numbers. Look at the story.

All three men are deserving of being named the best pitcher in the National League, but considering what Lee has done and what he has gone through to wind up in the City of Brotherly Love for his second tour of duty, it seems almost natural for Lee to win.

A perfect fit.

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MLB Free-Agent News: 5 Ways Landscape Could Change in September

September baseball has arrived and there is certainly some meaningful baseball to be played. Superstars have been traded and we are beginning to see which teams are contenders and pretenders. 

The free-agent class of 2012 is looking very promising at this point but that could all change when the games matter most. Players who will hit free agency this offseason have the opportunity to either make or lose a lot of money this month with their on-field performance. 

A disaster September could mean disastrous offers from GMs. On the other hand, a hot bat or arm that is in top form during a pennant race can garner a huge payday for that player. 

Here are five ways the free-agent landscape could change in September. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: The Ten September Call-Ups Fans Are Most Excited To See

As of September 1st, every Major League team was allowed to expand its playing roster from the normal regular season limit of 25 players to an expanded roster of 40.  The annual September call-ups are viewed as an opportunity for teams that are out of contention in their divisional races to get a good look at some of their top  minor league prospects and see how they fare at the major league level. 

 

For teams that are still in the race, it is a chance to bring up some young players to give some of their veteran everyday players a chance to get a game off now and then as they prepare hopefully for a play-off run.  While the Philadelphia Phillies definitely fall into the latter category, it is curious that they have yet to make any September call-ups.

 

Part of the reason is that the Phillies’ triple-A minor league team, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs are in the play-offs for the first time in their four year existence.  Phillies GM, Ruben Amaro Jr.  hopes to be able to let the Iron Pigs play out their season unless the Phillies find themselves with any unexpected urgent needs.

 

That being said, the minor leagues season will be over soon one way or the other so Phillies fans should get ready to see some familiar, and not so familiar, faces on the field and in the dugout.  To help you keep track of all the comings and goings here are the possible top ten exciting players coming soon to a ballpark near you.

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Philadelphia Phillies: After an Odd Weekend, Is There Cause for Concern?

While much of the focus after the Phillies‘ loss to the Marlins on Sunday was directed at Joe West and his controversial and puzzling “ground rule out” call, the Phillies themselves did little to help their cause.

Some alarming patterns have been rearing their collective ugly head as of late, and they had a lot to do with the outcome of the Marlins series this weekend.

The most alarming has to be the less consistent performance of Roy Halladay. The 2010 Cy Young winner has not quite been the same since Bruce Bochy used him on three days’ rest in the All-Star Game. His first game out of the break saw him surrender three runs on seven hits in just four innings vs. the Cubs, with this game against the Marlins featuring a mediocre nine hits and three runs in six innings—all in all, it just seems as though there has been something off about him lately.

It seems he struggles with leadoff men, has had trouble getting “clean” 1-2-3 innings and at times looks exhausted on the mound by the third.

Halladay apparently doesn’t handle the heat too well, as evidenced in the game against Chicago this July where he had to leave due to heat exhaustion and this past weekend’s game in Florida. Luckily for the Phils, the chances of playing a playoff game with temperatures above 80 degrees does not appear too likely.

But the fanbase is anxiously waiting to see that dominant force from last season re-appear to take over his role as staff ace.

The bullpen is also becoming cause for concern. Notwithstanding David Herndon’s less than stellar performance on Saturday and Sunday (that 14th inning Sunday truly was one for the ages for all of the wrong reasons), it is worrying that Antonio Bastardo and Ryan Madson seem to struggle if they have to pitch in three straight games.

This is a possibility come playoff time. The Phillies can’t be concerned that their two late-inning men/dual closers are gassed come Game 5 of a series because they had to pitch Games 3 and 4.

Finally, the inability to play small ball hurt them big time Sunday. In the 12th inning Michael Martinez led off with a double. Nobody out with a man on second should lead to a run, especially against a team that is 28 and a half games out of first place.

Chase Utley showed bunt on the first pitch and then promptly pulled back. It was the only moment during the inning when anything resembling a strategy to move the runner seemed to be considered. Utley went back to hacking away and hit a shallow fly ball for an out. Ryan Howard was intentionally walked. With first and second and one out the Phillies still looked to be in good shape. But Hunter Pence lined out and Raul Ibanez grounded out to the pitcher.

With the game in extra innings and the Phillies’ bullpen almost completely depleted to the point where David Herndon, a pitcher who gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs less than 24 hours prior, was being depended upon to go multiple innings, it is inexcusable that they did not do everything they could (bunt, hit and run, steal, shorten swings, etc.) to move the man over and get him home.

Instead of playing small ball—and smart ball—the Phillies reverted to their bread and butter: swinging away.

Losing series within two weeks to the lowly Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins (losing both series’ rubber matches on walk-off walks, no less) does not bode well.

Granted, there may be a letdown of sorts involved, considering the gigantic lead the Phillies have on the rest of the division and a postseason appearance virtually assured.

But if they can’t get away with this sloppy play against last place teams, they certainly won’t against the Brewers or the Braves.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Things Ruben Amaro Must Do This Winter

As the Philadelphia Phillies make their way through a very busy September, I am sure that they are extremely focused on the present and on finishing successfully.

However, Ruben Amaro Jr. must already be considering the offseason in the back of his mind. He needs to worry about the Phillies’ future as well. There will be several big decisions that need to be made this winter, and several of them will be difficult.

Let’s take a look at five things that Ruben Amaro Jr. must make happen this winter.

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Marlins vs. Phillies: Instant Replay, Cowboy Joe West and Robot Umpires

The Philadelphia Phillies lost 5-4 to the Florida Marlins in 14 innings on Sunday. Or did they?

The Phillies played the game under protest after a double by Hunter Pence in the sixth inning was reviewed and changed to fan interference…and an out.

I know what you’re thinking: the umpires aren’t allowed to review a play that wasn’t a home run. You would be correct. The rules of the game don’t seem to apply to Cowboy Joe West, crew chief of Sunday’s game, who decided he should take a look to see what exactly happened on the play.

What happened was this: the Phillies went from having runners on second and third with no outs to having a man on first with one out, after Pence’s double was changed to an out. The runner, who was on third, had to go back to first. The problem is, West didn’t go to replay the call until after Marlins manager Jack McKeon came out to complain about fan interference. Following that discussion, West and his crew talked it over and went inside to check out the replay. When they came out, they ruled it was fan interference and an out.

Now, the thing that seems (ahem) fishy about this, before we get to the replay situation, is that the fan did interfere with the play, but there’s still no absolute guarantee that a fielder jumping at the wall is going to make the catch. West just assumed, based on the replay angles he had, that the fans interfered with an out.

Charlie Manuel certainly agrees, telling reporters (via Phillies.com):

“When I looked at it on replay, they assumed he’s going to catch the ball, but assuming is not how it’s played. A lot of times when you hit the fence, it jars and you will miss the ball. They assumed that the guy being there is interference. I’ll argue that with you, too, because I played there 20 years. That’s how I look at it. At least we should have got a double out of it with men on second and third.”

Manuel is right. He’ll never not be right. You can’t assume a leaping player would hold onto that ball. But even if West did think that, he’s not allowed to review that part of the play!

“I had two managers on the field,” West said. “One of them was arguing that they wanted an out, and the other was arguing that he wanted a home run. Because they wanted me to go look because they wanted a home run, I got to judge whether it went over the fence or not.

“[Home-plate umpire Chad Fairchild] already thought it was spectator interference. So now we go look at the replay, and we have to take all the evidence that we get from the replay and that’s why we came up with the rule, which is the correct ruling.”

First, it’s not the correct ruling. West assumes it’s the correct ruling based on how he thought the play would end. But more importantly, despite what the home-plate umpire thought, it’s an un-reviewable part of the play. The only thing West was able to review was whether or not it was a home run. If it wasn’t a home run, it was a double, not an out.

Manuel questioned West’s fast-and-loose interpretation of the rule: 

“My understanding is that’s not the rule. Even if you go look if it’s a home run or a double, the defensive play doesn’t come into play there.”

McKeon, whose team clearly benefited from the situation, brought up the notion of “getting it right.” Isn’t that what we all want, after all?

Yes, we want the calls to be right. But unless the ball was pulled out of the fielder’s glove, there’s still no 100 percent certainty he was going to catch that ball. The umpires’ assumption of a possible outcome is as irresponsible as deciding to reverse a call they don’t have the authority to reverse.

Of course, this situation will lead Major League Baseball to revisit the replay rule in offseason (if not sooner), and certainly, any play at the wall, at the plate or involving a fan will have to be eligible for review. Major League Baseball can’t hide its head in the sand anymore with replay. Whether this protest is upheld—once the Phillies came back to take the lead before eventually losing, any hope of the protest being upheld went flying out the window—the league has to address a veteran umpire taking the rules into his own hands.

Not only should MLB institute a wider replay threshold, they should do what the NHL has done and make the call come from the league office. Forget about an extra ump in a booth or managers throwing challenge flags. Let someone sit in the MLB offices and buzz the crew chief when the league wants to look at a play. Then, whatever the league officially decides, stands. There’s nobody for the managers to kick dirt on, either.

The delay yesterday, which saw both managers come out and complain, an unwarranted video replay, an ejection and the game being put under protest, took more than 13 minutes. There’s no way MLB’s review of a close call would take more than two.

People clamor for instant replay, but it won’t solve anything because decisions will still be subjective. Until, of course, you take it out of the hands of the umps on the field. Or, make them all robots.

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Why Vance Worley Is Here to Stay

For the Philadelphia Phillies this season, the injury bug has taken the team by storm. Nagging injuries to pitchers, such as Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, and everyday starters, like Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, and Jimmy Rollins, have created roster issues for the Phillies.

Who to bring up from the minors, who to start in place of an injured player, and so on, have made it extremely difficult at times for the Phillies to come up with replacements, despite their lack of experience or production.

However, there has been a bright spot or two, and one of them has been rookie pitcher Vance Worley. Originally called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make a spot start for the injured Blanton on April 29, Worley, now known by Phillies fans and teammates alike as the “Vanimal,” has unexpectedly become a permanent member of the Phillies rotation.

While Blanton did make his way back to the rotation and started two more times, he was sent back to the DL after on May 16, and he hasn’t been on the mound since.

Although Worley was sent back down to Triple-A in May after losing two straight starts, receiving a no decision in one and a loss in the other, Worley was recalled for a June 18 start and he hasn’t looked back. Since then, the Phillies have won his last 13 starts, the most in a row for any pitcher in five years.

Worley is no temporary fill-in. He’s now a part of the Phillies. And here’s why. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Joe West and His Illogical and Arrogant Call

In the sixth inning of the Phillies–Marlins game played on Sunday, September 4th, Florida manager Jack McKeon and Umpire Crew Chief Joe West combined to make both an illogical instant replay request and the most asinine call in recent memory.

With Ryan Howard at first, Hunter Pence drove a ball to deep right field. Marlins’ right fielder, Bryan Petersen (who, as it turns out, is a better complainer than fielder), jumped for the ball. Two fans, one in a Phillies jersey, one in a shirt that did not betray his rooting interest, reached over the outfield wall.

Petersen closed his glove in mid-air. As he did, his hand and the hands of the two fans collided. The ball bounced off of Petersen’s closed glove and rolled to the right field corner. Pence reached second. Howard reached third.

Before the throw from Petersen reached the infield, he began complaining about fan interference. McKeon, who has never met an on-field decision that went against his team that he wouldn’t protest, came out of the dugout and asked for the crew to review the play. One problem: Instant replay is used to review home runs. This was a double, not a home-run.

The crew reviewed the instant replay, and West seemed to totally make up a rule by calling Pence out and sending Howard back to first.

Try to follow this logic: The Phillies were the team on the road. Now, one of the fans who interfered was wearing a Phillies jersey, but had both fans been wearing regular, non-descript polo shirts and interfered, the umpires would have no clue as to their rooting interests.

They would also then have to presume, being in Florida, that the two were Marlins fans, which sends this message to Major League Baseball fans: should the outfielder on the team you’re rooting for have a difficult play at the wall, simply interfere with the play.

The batter will be called out and should any baserunner have theoretically advanced (as Howard could have, had he tug up at first and Petersen made the difficult catch at the wall), he will be sent back to his previous base with no chance at advancement. To be safe, wear the opposing team’s jersey when you interfere with the play.

The other bit of illogical nonsense is this: calling Pence out means West assumed Petersen was going to make the catch, which was not a given at all. It was an extremely difficult play with Petersen having to perfectly time his leap and the closing of his glove. He closed his glove too soon, the ball bounced off, and Pence made it to second.

In calling Pence out, West assumed he knew what was in Petersen’s head. He assumed Petersen closed his glove only because he saw two hands reach over the wall. West also has anointed himself as overseer of the universe by predicting in his mind and making it a fact on the field that effected the outcome of a MLB game that Petersen would’ve closed his glove in time and held onto it as he crashed into the wall.

In football, hockey and baseball  “clear and convincing evidence” is needed to overturn a call on the field/ice. Unless it is clear cut, then the ruling on the field stands. The ruling on the field was a double for Pence.

By calling Pence out, West had determined clear and convincing evidence existed, proving had those two fans not been there, Petersen would’ve timed his leap perfectly, caught the ball squarely, held onto the ball as he crashed into the wall, landed on the warning track and make a throw to the infield to prevent Howard from tagging and advancing to second.

All of this is a pretty big stretch, considering the footage available. Despite what he believes to the contrary, West cannot see inside men’s souls.

Finally, had one of the fans actually caught the ball and pulled it over the rail, the initial call on the field would’ve been a home run. Now, this call could’ve and almost assuredly would’ve been protested by McKeon, and he’d have been right to do so. Had the fans caught the ball, West would’ve reviewed it, ruled fan interference…and awarded Pence a ground rule double. A double is exactly what Pence hit and was originally awarded.

This is just another in a long list of boneheaded and arrogant decisions made by West, a man who in a poll of MLB players in 2010, was voted the second-worst umpire in baseball. We can see why.

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MLB Instant Replay: Phillies vs. Marlins Controversy

Earlier today, during the Phillies vs. Marlins game, Hunter Pence hit a fly ball to right field with Ryan Howard on first base.

As the Marlins right fielder, Bryan Petersen, jumped up the wall to catch the ball, one fan’s hand hit his glove and the other attempted to catch the ball. The ball bounced off the fan’s hand and went into fair play.

Crew chief Joe West awarded a double to Pence, and Howard advanced to third. Marlins manager Jack McKeon went out to argue, and the umpires went back to the instant replay booth. After reviewing the play, they determined that Petersen would have caught the ball had he not been obstructed, and called Pence out. Howard was forced to go back to first base.

Sounds simple, right?

But wait, the instant replay ruling is that only a home run call can be reviewed, and no home run had been awarded to Pence. Once this was unearthed, Charlie Manuel argued with West, and was promptly ejected. The game was played under protest for the remainder, and controversy is sure to follow. It will be interesting to see how the MLB handles this case.

Obviously the umps messed up, but should the ruling be changed to allow that type of review? How should the MLB handle the controversy that is sure to follow? What does everyone think about this? Personally, I think the replay system should stay as it is and only be used to review home runs.  

Also just for the record, Joe West might be the worst umpire in the MLB, not just because of this game, just because he’s terrible. Just saying. 

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Philadelphia Phillies: Despite Loss, Phils Still the Best Team in Baseball

Regrettably, the Philadelphia Phillies recorded their 47th loss last night to the Florida Marlins.

They are only 41 games above .500 at 88-47.

They are only four games ahead in the wins column of the second-best team in baseball, the New York Yankees.

According to MLB.com, the Phillies are only sitting on top of the Power Rankings for the fifth straight week.

They only have the best team ERA in baseball at 3.08.

There are only 8.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.

You know, maybe I am applying “only” to the wrong accomplishments. How about the Phillies only recorded their 47th loss last night? That sounds better.

I know that every loss is disappointing, and last night was particularly rough because they lost the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Nobody wants to lose that way.

Nevertheless, this game needs to be kept in perspective. The Phillies were on a five-game winning streak. That means that in the last six games they have a winning percentage of .833. This is much higher than the .652 winning percentage that they have put up with the rest of the year.

My point is that even though they lost one game, they are still the best team in baseball. No team has ever been able to go undefeated for an entire season.

All of those stats I seemed to downplay at the beginning of this article matter. Losing happens every once in a while even to the best of teams. Right now, the Phillies are the best team in baseball.

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