Hey Baseball! Get Ready For Another RED October!

The Philadelphia Phillies have been hot recently. Everything has come together for them.

At this time last year, the Phillies were in a struggle with the New York Mets for first place in the NL East division. They had just acquired under-the-radar pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics.

It sounded like every other Phillies season. Except last year, they won the World Series.

Now everything has changed… for the better.

This year, they are leading the division and are threatening to run away with it.

Their pitching has settled down from the start of the season and is now heating up while their bats are just the same.

Someone should call the fire department because the Phillies are on fire.

The Phils are arguably the frontrunners to win the World Series this year, especially since they recently acquired last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee.

That gives the Phillies the best one-two pitching combo in baseball.

If the Phillies continue to pitch the way they have recently, they will have the best rotation in baseball.

J.A. Happ, who has been great so far this year, has a record of 7-1 with an ERA under 3.00.

Joe Blanton has been extremely dominant recently. 

In four July starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA. He has one more start this month against the San Francisco Giants.   

Cole Hamels is finally becoming the pitcher he was during the postseason. He pitched a great game yesterday against the Diamondbacks.

Jamie Moyer has also pitched well recently including a great game against the Diamondbacks. He’s won five of his last six games.

Newly added Cliff Lee had a shaky start at the beginning of the season but quickly turned things around. He is 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA in his last three starts with Cleveland.

The Phillies bats have been hot this month as well. Maybe it has something to do with the All-Star game? Who knows?

All I know is they are “hotter than the Phoenix forecast.”

The only thing holding the Phillies back is their bullpen, but don’t look into that too much. Though if you do, you will see they are going to turn around.

How you ask?

They have three pitchers on the DL in J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, and Clay Condrey. Romero is expected to be back next week, and the others will quickly follow.

Also, Brett Myers could be back by late-August. He said he is willing to work out of the bullpen. That will definitely help late into ballgames because remember, he was their closer in 2007.

Finally, the Phillies have Pedro Martinez. He may not get a shot at the rotation, and if he does, he probably won’t take a spot away from the others. He can be used out of the bullpen as well though.

There are two months left in the regular season, and the Phillies are first in the division. If the Florida Marlins or Atlanta Braves want to challenge the Phillies, they will need to step it up quickly.

But if they don’t, the Phillies can relax in September for the first time in a long time.

 

Philadelphia Phillies Favorites: Managers

No one can ever say the Phillies managers didn’t have unusual and colorful ways. Most were more colorful than successful.

 

Phillies managers (excluding interims) held their post for an average of 2.4 years. Only 16 have lasted four or more years.

 

Thirty-eight came to the Phillies with no managing experience, and 36 never managed in the majors again.

 

Among those who managed the Phillies were the man who is called the “Father of Baseball,” an alleged bigamist, a former medical student, a dentist, three future umpires, a former Phillies ticket-taker, a vaudeville singer, a college professor, the son of a former Phillies player, the owner of baseball’s highest-single season batting average, three Hall of Famers, and two All-Star shortstops.

 

The best managers are the ones that are most remembered.

 

10. Larry Bowa (2001-2004)

 

Bowa, a former All-Star shortstop, was a fiery, intense manager whose aggressiveness sometimes got in the way of his managing. He also would publicly criticize his players.

 

He never led the Phillies to the playoffs, though he often was close.

 

9. Bill Shettsline (1898-1902)

 

The former Phillies ticket-taker was actually a very successful manager. During the five seasons he managed, he only had on losing season.

 

The overweight Shettsline was once so happy over his team’s victory that on the way home he reportedly “fell out of the carriage and got a mud bath.”

 

8. Eddie Sawyer (1948-1952, 1958-1960)

 

The former college professor led the Wiz Kids to the National League pennant in 1950. Sawyer said, “I tried to treat my players like I wanted to be treated when I was a player.”

 

Sawyer only had two winning seasons with the Phillies and quit the team after one game in 1960.

 

7. Pat Moran (1915-1918)

 

Pat Moran was a good manager not only because he led the Phillies to the World Series, but also because he instilled many fundamentals that were overlooked in his day.

 

Moran was a former backup catcher for the Phillies. He banned gambling from the clubhouse and was the manager of the 1919 Cincinnati Reds, who won the World Series against the Chicago Black Sox.

 

6. Harry Wright (1884-1893)

 

Hall of Famer Harry Wright is called the “Father of Baseball” because he managed the first professional baseball team. He also created flannel uniforms, colored stockings, and knickered pants.

 

During his time in Philadelphia, he had a record of 636-566. Seven of his 10 seasons were winning seasons.

 

5. Jim Fregosi (1991-1996)

 

Fregosi, the other All-Star shortstop, was a “player’s manager” because he let his players play their game without interfering.

 

He led the Phillies to their fifth pennant in 1993.

 

4. Gene Mauch (1960-1968)

 

Mauch is the Phillies winningest manager, with 646 wins. He is also has the most losses with 684. He ranks 12^th on the all-time managerial wins list.

 

He was the pilot of the Phillies during the 1960s when people thought they were going to take off but never did. He is most remembered for the 1964 collapse.

 

3. Danny Ozark (1973-1979)

 

Ozark was an easy going man, who had frequent verbal blunders. He often doesn’t get credit for leading the Phillies to three-straight division titles. He also had two consecutive 100-win seasons as manager of the Phillies.

 

2. Dallas Green (1979-1981)

 

Green whipped and hollered the Phillies to their first World Series title. He was often complimentary when a player did something good.

 

He had a screaming fit late in the 1980 season and turned the club around. He led the Phillies to two division titles.

 

1. Charlie Manuel (2005-present)

 

I don’t know if people will agree with me on this one, but who is better? So far, Charlie Manuel has led the Phillies to the playoffs twice, and everyone knows that he led them to their second World Series title in 2008.

 

Manuel is an easy going guy who loves hitting. He starred in Japan as a hitter and has helped the Phillies batting tremendously.

 

At first, Phillies fans ridiculed Manuel and people wanted him out of Philadelphia. Then, he led the team to a division title in 2007 and to the World Series in 2008. He is a fan favorite in Philly and will definitely lead the team for years to come.

 

His managerial record with the Phillies is currently 411-334. 

 

Jamie Moyer’s Magic: Yes, He Can Still Pitch

Jamie Moyer is one of the most beloved Phillies players.

He was a hometown kid who grew up as a Phillies fan.

He broke into the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1986, and in his debut, he faced Steve Carlton. He won.

Early in his career, Moyer struggled, and he even considered retirement.

Eventually, he found his groove with the Seattle Mariners, and he still holds the franchise record for wins.

He was traded to the Phillies in 2006 and has found success again. Last year, his best season with the Phillies, he helped them win the World Series.

What else can you ask for?

The 2009 season started off roughly for Moyer. He pitched a few bad games, and many people began to question his ability to pitch in the MLB.

Here’s the answer:

Yes, he can still pitch.

Recently, Jamie Moyer found his groove again and has shut down opposing teams.

Yesterday, he allowed one hit in seven shutout innings against the Florida Marlins at Land Shark Stadium. Along with Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero, they combined for a one-hit shutout.

Jamie Moyer earned his team-leading ninth win. 

More importantly, he won his 255^thcareer victory. Moyer, 46, currently ranks 40^th on baseball’s all-time wins list. He has won 92 games after his 40^th birthday, which is third all-time behind Phil Niekro and Jack Quinn.

Jamie Moyer defies the limitations of age. Most baseball players are swinging golf clubs by the time they are 46.

But Jamie Moyer can still do one thing they can’t—pitch.

The Great Debate: The NL East Second-Half Preview

The MLB All-Star Game is one of the greatest games in sports. It is a time when both leagues put forth their best players and play to see who’s better.

But most of all, it is a time to reflect on the first half of the season as well as look ahead to the second half.

In this “Great Debate”, the top teams of the NL East have put forth their top writers to discuss what will happen in the second half of the season.

Mets top writer Richard Marsh and I have selected the participants.

For the Philadephia Phillies, we have Scott Eisenlohr and Cody Swartz.

For the New York Mets, we have John Fennelly and Lou Cappetta.

For the Atlanta Braves, we have Joel Barker and Cameron Britt.

And finally, for the Florida Marlins, we have Andrew Robeson and Leslie Monteiro.

(My dearest apologies to the Washington Nationals.)

(At least one writer from each team will answer the questions. For some, both will answer.)

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia Phillies Favorites: Single Game Performances

During the Phillies 126 year existence, they have had:

a. Nine pitchers throw a no-hitter

b. One pitcher pitch a perfect game

c. Eight batters hit for the cycle

d. Three batters hit four home runs in one game

All of these players were great. Some were all-stars. Some of them are Hall of Famers.

And some are on the list of the Phillies greatest single game performances.

Escaping Death: The Story Of Jack “Lucky” Lohrke

There have been many amazing stories in baseball.

There have also been many weird stories in baseball.

This one falls under both.

Jack Lohrke was born in 1924. He began to play minor league baseball in 1942 when he was 18. Then, he was drafted into the army to fight in World War II.

This is how his story begins:

In 1942, while riding on a train through California to ship off to war, the train Lohrke was on went off the tracks. Three people were killed and many more were severely burned by steaming water that rushed through the train car.

Lohrke walked away uninjured.

In 1943, Lohrke fought in the Battle of Normandy. He survived and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the deadliest battle fought by American troops in the European Theater.

On four separate occasions, the soldiers on either side of Lohrke were killed.

Each time Lohrke walked away uninjured.

In 1945, Lohrke was sent home from war. He arrived in New Jersey and boarded a plane for his flight back to California. Just as the plane was about to take off, a colonel marched onto the plane and took his seat. Lohrke had to wait for the next plane.

Less than an hour later, the plane crashed in Ohio. There were no survivors.

In 1946, Lohrke was playing Double-A ball with the Spokane Indians in the Western International League. The team was driving up to play a series in Seattle when they stopped at a diner for lunch.

As they were getting on the bus, Lohrke was told he had a phone call. He thought it was odd, considering he was in the middle of the Cascade Mountains. 

It turned out to be the team’s owner, who called to tell Lohrke he has been promoted to Triple-A San Diego Padres (then in the Pacific Coast League).

Lohrke was obviously excited. But he had to make a choice:

Continue with the team to Seattle and take a train back to Spokane from there?

OR

Make it back home on his own?

He chose to hitchhike back to Spokane. He said goodbye to his teammates and watched them board the bus.

About 30 minutes later, the bus skidded on the wet highway and crashed through a guardrail before tumbling 350 feet into a ravine. Then, the gas tank exploded.

Nine of the 15 players on board were killed. This tragedy remains one of the worst disasters in the history of American sports.

The Aftermath

After Lohrke’s many escapes from death, he continued with his baseball career. He played well enough with San Diego to make it to the majors. 

He played for the New York Giants (1947-1951) and the Philadelphia Phillies (1952-1953). 

Lohrke died on April 29, 2009.   

2009 Philadelphia Phillies Trade Possibilities

The Phillies are currently leading the National League East, but you wouldn’t think they were based on their stats.

Their hitting has been good, yet it is sometimes inconsistent.

Their pitching has been nothing but inconsistent.

The worst part of it:

If the hitting is good, the pitching is bad.

If the pitching is good, the hitting is bad.

Heck, sometimes they’re both bad! Yet never both good.

Their bullpen, the prized bullpen of Philly, has struggled. With Lidge gone, the bullpen is in need of help.

On the plus side, Ruben Amaro Jr is trying to correct these problems.

Here are some possibilites that are either reasonable or wishful:

1. Kyle Kendrick and Jason Donald to Boston Red Sox for Brad Penny and Rocco Baldelli

Reasonable in my opinion. The Phillies would surrender struggling Kendrick and prospect Donald for rotation and bench help.

With John Smoltz coming back this week, the Red Sox will have six starters. Also the Red Sox have Clay Buchholz in the minors, who is getting antsy.  

2. Kyle Kendrick and Travis D’Arnaud to Seattle Mariners for Erik Bedard and Chris Woodward

Reasonable seeing as the Mariners are in rebuild mode. The Mariners need pitching and catching help—D’Arnaud is a catching prospect. If not D’Arnaud, maybe Lou Marson?

Bedard has been mentioned a lot as a possibility not just this year but in previous years as well. Woodward would give the Phillies a much need reliable right-handed bat off the bench.

The only downside is that Bedard has been known to be trouble in the clubhouse.

3. Jason Donald, Antonio Bastardo, andLou Marson to San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy 

I’m sure the Padres are looking for deals like this since they aren’t in the race, but Peavy wants to stay in San Diego. (Because everyone wants to play for last place teams.)

The Padres don’t want to pay Peavy’s contract. They are rebuilding and need help at shortstop and catcher. Kendrick would just be a bonus.

The only hurdle is Peavy’s no-trade clause. Most offers for Peavy have been reasonable, but he’s too… stubborn? Clingy? Used to losing?

4. Michael Taylor and Kyle Kendrick to Cincinnati Reds for Johnny Cueto  

Maybe not reasonable? Cuerto is young and one of the Reds’ core players. He’s having a good year so far.

The Reds aren’t in the race and need third base, outfield, and pitching help.

If the deal doesn’t sound good, maybe throw in Donald, but then they might be offering too much for too little.

5. Michael Taylor, Antonio Bastardo, and Jason Donald to Arizona Diamondbacks for Brandon Webb and Doug Davis  

Wishful maybe? The Diamondbacks aren’t in the race and are rebuilding, but I don’t think they like the idea of giving away two of their best pitchers in one shot.

A Perfect Father’s Day: A Tribute to Jim Bunning

Today is the 45th anniversary of Jim Bunning’s perfect game with the Philadelphia Phillies. It was the second no-hitter of his career.

He is one of five pitchers to throw a no-hitter in both leagues; he threw his first with the Detroit Tigers in 1958.

His perfect game was the the first no-hitter in the National League in 84 years, and was the seventh perfect game in baseball history and the third in National League history. (Seventeen pitchers have thrown a perfect game.)

Both of his no-hitters came in the first game of a double header.

Oh, by the way Gus Triandos, who caught Bunning’s perfect game, became the first player to catch a no-hitter in both leagues.

That’s a lot of accomplishments for only one game.

Bunning’s perfect game came on June 21, 1964 against the New York Mets. He was in his first season as a Phillie and was enjoying early season success. He had come from the Tigers, with whom he had made five All-Star teams.

On August 2, 1959, Bunning struck out three batters on nine pitches. He is one of ten players to accomplish this feat.

By the time he retired, Bunning had made seven All-Star teams and ranked second on the all-time strikeout list, behind only Walter Johnson. (He now ranks 17th.)

On June 21, 1964, the Phillies had a double header against the Mets at Shea Stadium. The Phillies were leading the division while the Mets were in tenth place.

Philadelphia quickly scored a run in the first inning and tagged on another in the second.

Meanwhile, Jim Bunning was pitching masterfully. Through five innings, he hadn’t allowed a base runner and struck out four.

In the top of the sixth, Johnny Callison led off with a home run, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead. Then, with men on first and second and two outs, Gus Triandos knocked in a run with a single. Bunning stepped up and helped his own cause by knocking in two runs with a double.  

Bunning retired the Mets easily over the next three innings, while striking out four.

With only three outs to go in the bottom of the ninth, Bunning got Charley Smith to foul out. He then struck out George Altman for the second out.

Finally, for the perfect game, he struck out John Stevenson for his tenth strikeout of the day.

(The Phillies took the momentum of the game into the second game.)

Jim Bunning was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996. He finished his career with a 224-184 record, a 3.27 ERA, and 2855 strikeouts.

Bunning is currently a Kentucky senator.

 

The Ten Greatest Players the Philadelphia Phillies Let Get Away

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the greatest teams in baseball today.

They weren’t always as good as they are today and many poor trades, missed oppurtunities, and terrible decisions made helped make them become the last place team they used to be.

All in all, on this list are nine Hall of Famers and a player that may reach Cooperstown once his career is over.

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