The Philadelphia Phillies’ Most Memorable Moments from 2012

2012 was a season most fans will hope to forget, but through the 162 games of mediocrity and disappointment there were a few silver lining moments that should not be forgotten.  

Several Phillies players had themselves enshrined into the major league record books in 2012 while others just began their journeys as major league players.

All in all, there were a handful of memorable moments for the 2012 Phillies that should not go overlooked and some of these moments can give hope to the future of this organization.

Here are five of the most memorable moments from the Phillies’ 2012 season.

Begin Slideshow

2013 Phillies: Let’s Party Like Its 1993!

Happy New Year Phillies fans!  Sure, it’s been a long winter.  Don’t wait on that groundhog, though, to end your hibernation.  Pitchers and catchers report soon. 

The time is right for high hopes.  A few New Year’s resolutions might not hurt either.  For these, the Phillies should look to the past.  Their team’s past. 

Twenty years ago the Phillies went from worst to first.  A team of loveable misfits made an improbable run that nearly rocked Veterans Stadium off of its foundation. 

Everybody knows the 1993 season did not end well.  Joe Carter saw to that.  Until then it was a helluva ride that offers the current crop of Phillies a number of potential resolutions.  Here are a few:

 

Abide the Dude 

Lenny Dykstra spent much of the summer of 1993 roaming Veteran Stadium’s cavernous centerfield.  Otherwise, he could be found on base.  As the team’s leadoff hitter, Dykstra hit .305 with an on-base percentage of .420.  He drew 129 walks and scored 143 runs.  This did little to diminish his power.  Dykstra managed to hit 19 home runs as well. 

 

Dykstra’s on-base percentage was not even the highest on the team for the Phillies in 1993. 

First baseman John Kruk, the baseball player, not the athlete, reached base at a clip of .430.  Think about that.  The leadoff hitter for the Phillies in 2012, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, had an on-base percentage of .316.  He hit four more home runs than Dykstra did in 1993 but scored 41 fewer runs.  In baseball, runs matter.  Abide the Dude.

 

Take a walk on the wild side 

The 1993 Phillies were gruff, grizzled and gnarly.  Even better, they knew a ball from a strike. 

Dykstra’s patience at the plate was shared by his teammates.  Phillies catcher Darren Daulton walked 117 times in 1993.  Kruk managed 111 free passes while third baseman Dave Hollins added another 85.

As a team, the Phillies led the National League in walks in 1993 with a staggering total of 665.  Maybe it is just a coincidence, but they also led the league in runs scored with 877.  This all stands in stark contrast to the most recent edition of the Phillies.  Last year, the Phillies finished 13th in the 16-team National League with 454 walks.  Leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins set the pace by securing 62 free passes. 

The Phillies scored 684 runs last season, eighth in the league.  Repeat:  In baseball, runs matter.

 

 

Kruk it up. 

The 1993 Phillies were a loose bunch.  It was as evident as the crack on the Liberty Bell.  They came early and stayed late.  The stories are numerous and well known.  As John Kruk recently told Philadelphia magazine, “I’ve never seen guys that could be playing grab-ass two minutes before the game and then as soon as the National Anthem is done be ready to kick some ass.”  

For anyone around town in 1993, Kruk’s statement hardly constitutes a revelation.  Fat, drunk and endearing pretty much sums it up. 

What about the current crop?  Its members are certainly endearing, but much of that derives from the championship run in 2008.  That might be the last time the principals on this team even appeared loose.  Just ask those who witnessed Chase Utley’s proclamation of the Phillies as “World &%#ing Champions” at the post parade celebration at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark.

Such “atty-tude” goes over well in Philly.  It is often useful at the plate as well.  Such calm self assuredness enables hitters to heed the advice of hall of famer Wee Willie Keeler and “hit ‘em where they ain’t.”  The 1993 Phillies understood this.  That year, even the power-hitting outfielder Pete Incaviglia hit .274, a career best for a full season.    

 

Yet somehow the infinitely more talented current Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, albeit while coming off of an injury, hit only .219 last season.  He struck out 99 times in 292 plate appearances.  Howard struggled to pull the ball into right field against pitching and defensive alignments that all but assured he could not. 

Hit it where they ain’t Ryan.  Kruk it up.  Abide the Dude and, by all means, take a walk on the wild side.  Resolve to have some fun out there.  It all just might prove contagious.  It sure did twenty years ago and Phillies fans are ready to party like its 1993 all over again.  Just don’t tell Joe Carter.

All statistics in this article are from www.baseball-reference.com

 

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Phillies Rumors: Fact or Fiction on All the Hottest Rumors in Philadelphia

Let the bargain shopping begin! 

Then again, the Philadelphia Phillies are a team that has been “bargain shopping” all offseason long; have they not?

This is a club that was expected to make a pretty big splash in the free agent market and, instead, made their biggest moves through a pair of trades, acquiring center fielder Ben Revere and third baseman Michael Young. 

The Phillies shored up their pitching staff with a few free agent signings, adding Mike Adams and John Lannan, but the big free agents passed them by with Zack Greinke, Josh Hamilton, Nick Swisher, B.J. Upton and others all finding new homes, with none of them relocating to the “City of Brotherly Love.”

So what’s next for the Phillies? For all intents and purposes, this is a club that would be comfortable with their roster as is moving into spring training. They have battles in the outfield and in the bullpen, but other areas are settled. 

But it is in those same areas that the Phillies could still upgrade this winter. As the calendar rolls into January and teams look for bargains on the remaining free agents, here are a few names to consider.

Begin Slideshow

5 Things the Phillies Can Do to Optimize Their Transition Plan in 2013

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a list of moves this offseason, but the chances of any of these transactions single-handedly improving the team next season are slim.

Instead, the additions of Ben Revere, Michael Young, Mike Adams and John Lannan will have the biggest impacts if players such as Chase Utley, Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard return healthy next season.

But what about after next season?

Matt Gelb on philly.com recently wrote that this offseason, with its uncharacteristic low-key moves under general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., could signal that 2013 will be a transition year for the Phillies.

Three-fifths of the starting rotation, as well as Carlos Ruiz, Chase Utley, Michael Young and even manager Charlie Manuel, are entering what is (or will likely be) the last or only years of their contracts.

The good news is that the Phillies have a good amount of minor league talent that could be ready just in time to step up and fill in any potential voids left by these players.

The bad news is that these prospects must still have solid 2013 seasons, and even then it is still no guarantee that their success will translate to the major league level.

Nevertheless, the Phillies will be in an interesting situation as they try to return to their 2007-2011 form next season while keeping an eye toward the future.

Here are five things the Phillies can do to optimize their transition plan in 2013.

Begin Slideshow

5 Phillies Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Get Long Looks in Spring Training

The Philadelphia Phillies took their time addressing their needs this offseason, but they have managed to acquire four players whose roles are already defined heading into next season.

Ben Revere is set to take over in center field, while third base belongs to Michael Young, as long as he can remain healthy while playing regularly in the field for the first time since 2010.  As for the pitching staff, the newly acquired John Lannan will have the inside track on the fifth spot in the rotation, while Mike Adams joins Jonathan Papelbon in giving the Phils an experienced back end to their bullpen.

But what about the rest of the roster?

Although the infield and starting rotation are either set or include few other alternatives, the rest of the roster features players who will be competing for roster spots and playing time during spring training.

And they won’t be competing simply against those players already on the 40-man roster. 

The Phillies currently have nine players who have been named as non-roster invitees to spring training.  Some of these players have played for the Phils in recent seasons, while others were signed this offseason. 

This list includes players who could receive extra attention during spring training as players with either an outside shot at winning a final roster spot or being sent to Triple-A until a call-up is needed during the regular season.  Looking at the Phils‘ current roster, it becomes clear that reserve infielder, bullpen and outfield spots are all up for grabs.

Here are five players who could get long looks by the Phils as non-roster invitees in spring training.

Begin Slideshow

Phillies Rumors: Latest on the Search for Hitting and More Rumblings from Philly

After a frustrating 2012 campaign saw the Philadelphia Phillies finish 81-81 and 17 games out of first place in the NL East, sweeping changes were bound to come within the organization.

This is an ownership group that has spent heavily in order to add pieces and keep big-named players on the roster. With a down season in the books, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was certainly feeling the heat coming into the winter. 

Thus far, he’s gotten the job done on a limited budget. The team acquired Michael Young and Ben Revere via trade, but Amaro‘s work is still far from done. There are still some glaring deficiencies that will need to be taken care of before pitchers and catchers report.

What are the Phillies doing to fix those problems? Here is a look at all the latest rumblings going on around Philadelphia. 

 

Phillies Among Five Teams Interested in J.P. Howell? 

Though Philadelphia’s bullpen is one of a few areas where manager Charlie Manuel has some sense of comfort, the team is still in desperate need of a left-handed arm. According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Phillies are among five teams that have emerged in the chase for reliever J.P. Howell:

There is still a chance the Nationals could sign Howell. But the Nats have competition for his services. From what I’m hearing, the Phillies, Cubs, Mariners and Rangers have interest in Howell. I don’t expect Howell to sign a deal until after Christmas.

Considering all of those clubs also have relief help, bringing Howell to the City of Brotherly Love may take some extra financial love. The 29-year-old lefty had a strong 2012 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1-0 with a 3.04 ERA and 7.51 strikeouts per nine innings. That proved to be Howell’s bounce-back season after a 2011 season that had him getting some time in the minors after imploding for a 6.16 ERA.

Nevertheless, Howell’s 2011 struggles seem to be an anomaly, and he would be a great fit in middle-relief in Manuel’s bullpen.

 

Scott Hairston an Outfield Possibility?

Also on the Phillies’ wish list for the offseason is another strong bat, particularly one of the outfield variety. The team had long been rumored as a possible suitor for Josh Hamilton and B.J. Upton, but both of those big-named players decided to go elsewhere.

With a seeming lack of interest in bringing Michael Bourn back to Philadelphia, the team’s hands are tied in free agency. That’s likely why CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman is reporting that the Phillies are among the leaders for Scott Hairston‘s services:

Scott Hairston tougher fit for #yanks since at moment have 3 starting OFs. Phillies, braves, mets, #others also in play

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 22, 2012

The 32-year-old Hairston spent last season with the New York Mets, where he hit a career-high 20 home runs and knocked in 57 batters in 137 games. Though he’s not much of a contact hitter with a career .247 average, Hairston could be a solid platoon fit while the Phillies look to make something bigger happen in a trade. 

At the very least, he’s a serviceable back-order hitter who won’t single-handedly submarine the team’s offensive momentum. After last season, that’s enough of a positive to make Hairston a worthwhile addition. 

 

Vernon Wells Also on the Team’s Radar?

Though the team has been hesitant to add massive salaries to its payroll, Amaro‘s desire to find a middle-of-the-order bat may force his hand. 

A name that’s come up multiple times in recent weeks is current Los Angeles Angels outfielder Vernon Wells.

In an article that also mentions the team’s interest in Cody Ross, who recently signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman also notes the Phillies have interest in trading for Wells: 

The Phillies have free agent Cody Ross plus Vernon Wells on their shopping list now. Ross has long been connected to the Phillies, but Wells is a new name. As with any team trading with the Angels for Wells, they’d expect the Angels to pick up the vast majority of the $42 million left on Wells’ contract through 2014.

If Philadelphia is willing to eat some salary, Wells could be had pretty easily in a trade. The 34-year-old outfielder hit just .230/.279/.403 last season with 11 home runs and 29 RBI. It was his second straight season hitting under the .250 mark, and Wells has descended a long way from his All-Star heights.

Nevertheless, if there’s still gas in his tank, a change of scenery just might be the thing to spark it. 

Follow @tylerconway22

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Phillies: Can Aging 2013 Fightin’ Phils Beat the Odds, Win It All?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, all right: It’s the time when sports books start posting World Series odds for the coming season.

Bovada.lv did the honors recently. A quick look at the table tells you what you probably already knew. The Philadelphia Phillies are not a darling of the book entering 2013.

The good news is that, per Bovada, the Philiies at 16/1 have an equal chance to win the World Series as a division rival, the Atlanta Braves (who unlike the Phillies made the playoffs last season), and in a somewhat gasp-worthy call, the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

As an aside…what exactly do the Giants have to do to make anyone believe that they are good? Two world championships in three years and they are lumped in with the likes of the Braves and the Phillies. That is unconscionable. Along those same lines, the St. Louis Cardinals (one year removed from winning it all) are 25/1.

The bad news is that, per Bovada, there are eight teams with better odds to win the title—and three of them are in the National League.

The oddsmakers presently project the Washington Nationals as the National League East’s most likely World Series winner at 9/1. Incidentally, the National League East is the only division with three teams with odds better than 20/1 to win.

Both the Los Angeles Dodgers (17/2) and Cincinnati Reds (12/1) are also preferred to the Phillies.

The 16/1 odds on the Phillies are probably very fair and might even be optimistic. The Phillies enter the season with a lame-duck manager; Charlie Manuel is in the last year of his current contract, and Ryne Sandberg looms as a ready in-season replacement.

Additionally, in the event that the team starts poorly, the Phillies have big-name veterans with playoff pedigrees on expiring contracts (Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Michael Young) who would likely draw interest from contending teams in midseason.

For that matter, players with expensive deals like Cliff Lee—who the Phillies placed on waivers in August—could be traded or even placed on waivers again if the Phillies look like a team in need of a full rebuild as the daylight starts fading in 2013. 

Oddsmakers are far from perfect. The Phillies were a favorite to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 National League Division Series, and they were a heavy favorite to win Game 5 behind Roy Halladay. It did not work out that way.

Even last fall, the Detroit Tigers were “significant” favorites over the Giants to win the 2012 World Series. Hopefully you had the other side of that play.

But the 16/1 line against the Phillies winning the World Series suggests tempering expectations of a parade down Broad Street in 2013.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

One New Year’s Resolution for Every Philadelphia Phillies Player in 2013

With the month of December roaring to a close and New Year’s Day so close that you can practically touch it, it’s that time once again—New Year’s resolutions. You know, those things that—after a careful examination of things you hate in 2012—you tell yourself you’re going to correct in 2013. Not ringing a bell? They normally last about a week. Or is that just me? 

Well, anyway, a New Year’s resolution is officially defined as a “commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change, that is generally interpreted as advantageous.” If the Philadelphia Phillies want to be successful in a tough National League East in 2013, they’re going to have to make a bunch of resolutions. 

In the following slideshow, I’ll make one resolution for each player—something that they’re going to have to accomplish on an individual level to help the team. If this is a club dreaming of a World Series, they’ll make sure these resolutions don’t fall by the wayside.

Begin Slideshow

5 Philadelphia Phillies Who Could Be All Stars Next Season

The Philadelphia Phillies had a rough season, going 81-81 and missing the playoffs. Despite the poor showing, the team had three All-Stars—Cole Hamels, Carlos Ruiz and Jonathan Papelbon.

If the Phillies are to rebound in 2013, they will need some big performances from a lot of players. Which players will deliver and find themselves in the All-Star Game?

Read on to find out. 

Begin Slideshow

Will Ruben Amaro’s Lack of Major Signings Cost Him His Job at the End of 2013?

After a very disappointing season where the Phillies finished the season in third place and a record of 81-81, the 2012 offseason has become one of the most important in recent memory.

The general manager of the Phillies, Ruben Amaro Jr., has traded for center fielder Ben Revere and third baseman Michael Young while also signing reliever Mike Adams to booster the bullpen.

In acquiring these players, they traded away starter Vance Worley, reliever Josh Lindblom and minor league pitchers Trevor May and Lisalverto Bonilla.

The major free agent splash or trade has not happened so far this offseason. After trading away Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino, it became a priority to sign an impact outfielder, who can supply some power from the right-side.

Unfortunately, the Phillies were unable to add the power bat they had on their Christmas list this year. If the Phillies have another mediocre season with their enormous payroll, Amaro may be held responsible.

Which may or may not lead to him losing his job at the season’s end. 

There are reasons why he could lose his job, but there also many reasons why he should keep it. Here are three arguments for each side of the coin, complete with a verdict of Amaro‘s future with the Phillies organization.

Begin Slideshow

« Previous Page — Next Page »