Haven't we been here before? Of course we have, but the majority of people reading this blog won't remember (or maybe weren't even born) when the Phillies last faced The Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS in 1983. I was just a kindergardner who remembers my neighbor's Moses Malone poster hanging proudly in his bedroom. It was only a few years later when I realized the signifigance of that poster. Oddly enough that year, the Sixers dusted the Lakers in four games to win the 1983 NBA Finals: to this day the LAST title that this town has seen. To add irony to the matter, the Phillies were in Los Angeles playing the Dodgers that night in May of 1983. As far as championships go, it seems that we either face a Los Angeles team, or have to beat them to get there. The Lakers robbed us of another NBA title in 2001,so now it's our turn.
The Phillies bats seemed to be heating up on Sunday as Jimmy Rollins and a rejuvanated Pat (Bring Back the Bat) Burrell slugged three home runs (two by Burrell) en route to a 6-2 Phillies win to clinch the NLDS against Milwaukee. After everything this frnachise has been through since their arrival in 2000, it was quite poetic that Rollins and Burrell sealed the deal. If Burrell has indeed found his stroke again, this means trouble for the Dodgers simply because they won't have the luxury of walking Ryan Howard to face him. Keep in mind that Howard has nine career home runs against the Dodgers, so he must make their pitching staff pay for mistakes.
Although the media is foaming at the bit for a Dodgers/Red Sox World Series and will always profess their undying love for Joe Torre and a hungry Manny Ramierez who is playing for a contract, you have to wonder if the Dodgers sweep against the Cubs was a result of them playing that well, or the Cubs simply falling apart once again. My guess is that it's a little of both. Their pitching has been more than consistent, with Derek Lowe always a threat in the postseason. Throw in Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda and the Dodgers can be dangerous. However, Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Jamie Moyer at their A game are better than the Dodgers top three at their A game.
Despite the bias of the media, the Dodgers and their mediocre 84-78 record in the World Series would once agian show how weak the National League can truly be. Everyone is making a big deal about how it's been 20 years since the team won a World Series. My response to that is best exemplified by a quote from the late Chris Farley: "WELL LADEE FREAKIN' DA!" It's been 28 long, frustruating years for the Phillies. The Dodgers have won two championships during this span and the Phillies have lost two. Nobody is crying for us. But then again, it's Philadelphia. We will NEVER be the media darlings.
Simply put, if the Phillies can hit the way they are capable of hitting, they can take the Dodgers in six games. If not, they could be swept right out of the NLCS, maybe stealing a game if they are lucky. If they are meant to win, it will happen.
I've counted them out several times this year and they have proven me wrong every single time. Many things must go right, just as they did against the Brewers. Why count them out now? They may be just getting started. Let's hope for the fans in the best city in the world that they are.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Fightin' Phils go for the sweep
After witnessing one of the most memorable games in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday afternoon, you just have to sit back and tip your cap to this team. The play of the Phillies has been erratic at times this season, and I know it's just the inaugural round of the playoffs, but in just two games the Phillies have made me believe that almost anything is possible with this team. Many experts went on record saying that the Brewers would be in good shape if they were able to split two games in Philadelphia. The Phillies needed to win game one just to alleviate the pressure of facing C.C. Sabathia in game two, and also to get the monkey off their back from their short exit in the previous year's NLDS. Not only did they take game one, they decided to take game two to take a commanding series lead back to Milwaukee. The last time the Phillies were up 2-0 in a postseason series was.... dare I say it- 1980. A win tomorrow could put the team in the NLCS for the first time since 1993. Before we jump the gun, let's talk about yesterday's legendary game.
The challenge that was C.C. Sabathia was not one that Phillies fans were looking forward to after Wednesday's thrilling game one victory. In addition to facing Sabathia, there was the question as to which Brett Myers would show up for the Phillies- the one who got rocked in his final two appearances this season, or the one who resembled Bob Feller after he was recalled from the minor leagues in late July. After a shaky start, Myers settled down, not walking a batter after forcing in a run in the first inning and only surrendering one more hit while striking out four.
However it wasn't Myers pitching that turned this series in the Phillies favor: it was his at bat in the bottom of the second inning which may be the turning point in the entire series. A .069 hitter in 2008, Myers miraculously (Yes- that is the only word to describe his at bat) fought back from a 1-2 count to foul off three pitches and work a walk against Sabathia, who by this time was clearly rattled (whether by the fans, Myers at bat, or both). At first, the fans seemed to cheer Myers for his valiant attempt to keep the inning alive and the realization that at least the lineup would be turned over if he would fail to reach base. Then something came over the stadium. You really can't explain it unless you were there. It was if the tides had turned, and the ghost of Burt Hooten in 1977 was reincarnated in Sabathia. He was not the same pitcher after the Myers at bat. A Jimmy Rollins walk set the stage for Shane Victorino, who promptly smacked a 1-2 pitch into the left field seats for the Phillies first ever post-season grand slam and the first of his career. It's safe to say that the seemingly invincible Sabathia was not so invincible after all. With one swing of the bat, the Phillies seized the game's momentum. And although they had seven more innings to play, the game was unofficially theirs.
In the first two games, the Phillies simply did what championship caliber teams do in the playoffs: 1. Work the pitcher 2. Be aggressive on the base paths 3. Capitalize on other teams mistakes, and most importantly 4. Show plate discipline. The latter is something several Phillies have struggled with at times this season. The beginning of this change was evident in game one, in which last night's hero Victorino took a bases loaded walk to force in the Phillies third run. As recently as three weeks ago, there was a chance that Victorino waves at that pitch. However, this is the playoffs: No more padding stats for the season, no need to play hero. Not that I am insinuating that the Phillies play for stats, but the end result justifies everyone's needs come playoff time. The Phillies have also managed several double steals in this series, which can make the difference between zero runs, and two runs. And in the playoffs, ANY run can make a difference. Maybe Mike Cameron catches Chase Utley's line drive in game one on a May afternoon. Point is, he didn't, and the Phillies made him pay for it.
The exciting thing is that the Phillies seem to get it. With each passing game, they aren't playing tighter, but they're playing looser. They aren't arrogant but confident, emphasizing that this series is far from over. The scariest scenario is that the Phillies are far from peaking as a team offensively. The Phils have only scored in 2 out of 18 innings in the postseason. If the team makes it to the NLCS, Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell will have to improve. If Hamels and Myers can stay in top form, the Phillies will be in good shape. Milwaukee is a solid baseball team, but the competition increases as the playoffs go on.
If the Brewers lose in game three, this will likely be their last hurrah with the expected trade of shortstop J.J. Hardy, and with starter Ben Sheets often injured and facing free agency. Moreover, you have to give credit to Sabathia for the job he has done with the Brewers. He is a decent guy, and his willingness to take the ball every third day during the stretch run with his free agency pending has earned him lifelong respect for his probably soon to be ex-teammates. Judging by the radar gun at Citizens Bank Park, it's not like Sabathia was running out of gas after pitching on just three days rest for the fourth time this season. The Phillies simply got to him. He will still make good money come wintertime, but his contract will in all likelihood exceed the entire payroll of the Brewers.
By winning Saturday, the Phillies will be one step closer to the NLCS. Let's not get cocky yet, the Phillies certainly aren't.
The challenge that was C.C. Sabathia was not one that Phillies fans were looking forward to after Wednesday's thrilling game one victory. In addition to facing Sabathia, there was the question as to which Brett Myers would show up for the Phillies- the one who got rocked in his final two appearances this season, or the one who resembled Bob Feller after he was recalled from the minor leagues in late July. After a shaky start, Myers settled down, not walking a batter after forcing in a run in the first inning and only surrendering one more hit while striking out four.
However it wasn't Myers pitching that turned this series in the Phillies favor: it was his at bat in the bottom of the second inning which may be the turning point in the entire series. A .069 hitter in 2008, Myers miraculously (Yes- that is the only word to describe his at bat) fought back from a 1-2 count to foul off three pitches and work a walk against Sabathia, who by this time was clearly rattled (whether by the fans, Myers at bat, or both). At first, the fans seemed to cheer Myers for his valiant attempt to keep the inning alive and the realization that at least the lineup would be turned over if he would fail to reach base. Then something came over the stadium. You really can't explain it unless you were there. It was if the tides had turned, and the ghost of Burt Hooten in 1977 was reincarnated in Sabathia. He was not the same pitcher after the Myers at bat. A Jimmy Rollins walk set the stage for Shane Victorino, who promptly smacked a 1-2 pitch into the left field seats for the Phillies first ever post-season grand slam and the first of his career. It's safe to say that the seemingly invincible Sabathia was not so invincible after all. With one swing of the bat, the Phillies seized the game's momentum. And although they had seven more innings to play, the game was unofficially theirs.
In the first two games, the Phillies simply did what championship caliber teams do in the playoffs: 1. Work the pitcher 2. Be aggressive on the base paths 3. Capitalize on other teams mistakes, and most importantly 4. Show plate discipline. The latter is something several Phillies have struggled with at times this season. The beginning of this change was evident in game one, in which last night's hero Victorino took a bases loaded walk to force in the Phillies third run. As recently as three weeks ago, there was a chance that Victorino waves at that pitch. However, this is the playoffs: No more padding stats for the season, no need to play hero. Not that I am insinuating that the Phillies play for stats, but the end result justifies everyone's needs come playoff time. The Phillies have also managed several double steals in this series, which can make the difference between zero runs, and two runs. And in the playoffs, ANY run can make a difference. Maybe Mike Cameron catches Chase Utley's line drive in game one on a May afternoon. Point is, he didn't, and the Phillies made him pay for it.
The exciting thing is that the Phillies seem to get it. With each passing game, they aren't playing tighter, but they're playing looser. They aren't arrogant but confident, emphasizing that this series is far from over. The scariest scenario is that the Phillies are far from peaking as a team offensively. The Phils have only scored in 2 out of 18 innings in the postseason. If the team makes it to the NLCS, Utley, Ryan Howard, and Pat Burrell will have to improve. If Hamels and Myers can stay in top form, the Phillies will be in good shape. Milwaukee is a solid baseball team, but the competition increases as the playoffs go on.
If the Brewers lose in game three, this will likely be their last hurrah with the expected trade of shortstop J.J. Hardy, and with starter Ben Sheets often injured and facing free agency. Moreover, you have to give credit to Sabathia for the job he has done with the Brewers. He is a decent guy, and his willingness to take the ball every third day during the stretch run with his free agency pending has earned him lifelong respect for his probably soon to be ex-teammates. Judging by the radar gun at Citizens Bank Park, it's not like Sabathia was running out of gas after pitching on just three days rest for the fourth time this season. The Phillies simply got to him. He will still make good money come wintertime, but his contract will in all likelihood exceed the entire payroll of the Brewers.
By winning Saturday, the Phillies will be one step closer to the NLCS. Let's not get cocky yet, the Phillies certainly aren't.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The moment of truth for the 2008 Phillies
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Phillies statistically find themselves in a better position than they were last year. In addition to facing the lowly Washington Nationals to close out the regular season, the Mets are playing the Florida Marlins at home to hopefully close out their ENTIRE season. Getting a feeling of deja vu yet?
Out of the three teams vying for the final two playoff spots, one has to like the Phillies chances better than the Mets or the Brewers. In saying that, this weekend could very well be one the pivotal moments in the history of this looooooooooong suffering franchise of the Phillies. Win, and all is well. Lose, and you can just chalk up ANOTHER disappointment in the history of Philadelphia sports. Philly fans are tough and resilient, but everybody has a breaking point. And to furthermore prove that nothing is EVER easy in Philadelphia, mother nature plans of wrecking some severe havoc on the tri-state area this weekend. I won't even get into all of the possibilities that could happen with these games if inclimate weather prohibits the teams from playing because frankly, it's too damn confusing and the situation is too lengthy and complicated. So I'll make it easy.
If the Phils win out, they are division champs for the second consecutive year. If they fall to Washington and slump to the Wild Card, or even worse lose all three games and fail to make the playoffs, it may be the final straw for the fans in this town as far as baseball is concerned. Philly fans are desperate for a winner. And while we absolutely have an undying hatred for The New York Mets, even the most grandiose of haters has to admire their grit and determination.
In saying that, the possibility of losing your division to the much malingered and injury depleted Mets squad is like losing a fist fight to somebody with no arms. And with many, many Phillies headed for salary arbitration, ownership will almost surely use this excuse for not trying to improve the team this winter. The National League East is often known as the National League least, and this will furthermore reinforce these opinions of Phillies fans and the so-called experts alike if the Mets manage to pull this thing off. At this point, you HAVE to win the division. Facing the Cubs (although there are concerns about the overall health of the team) at Wrigley Field will not be fun in a first round matchup. I would much rather take my chances with Milwaukee (possibly minus Ben Sheets) or even the inconsistent Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Truth be told, the winner of this division has a legitimate shot at a World Series berth if they are lucky enough to hold off the (even more cursed than the Phillies) Cubs if both teams find themselves in the NLCS.
In addition to having the division title at stake, the two losses at home to the lowly Atlanta Braves and the second consecutive rough outing by Brett Myers has raised some cause for concern even though the Phillies are on the doorstep of the postseason. To be fair, the Phillies had won ten out of their last eleven games, and flat out pulverized the Braves in 2008, but they really picked the wrong time to fall flat. As for Myers, rumor has it that he has recently suffered from a mechanical glitch in his delivery. For the team's sake, one hopes that this is true. With Cole Hamels (whether fairly or unfairly) recently wearing the tag of the "pitcher who can't win the big game", Myers has become your ace in the hole. Major, major trouble lurks on the horizon if the Phils make the playoffs and neither Hamels or Myers can keep it together.
Every year brings new surpises to a team. The Phillies are one of the healthiest teams in the major leagues. You never know when the injury bug is just around the corner (see Atlanta-2008). That is why you have to win NOW. With the Mets payroll about to explode in 2009, who knows when this team will get another legitimate chance. You know what they say about karma, but you can't tell me the Phillies used up all of theirs last year? Can you?
Out of the three teams vying for the final two playoff spots, one has to like the Phillies chances better than the Mets or the Brewers. In saying that, this weekend could very well be one the pivotal moments in the history of this looooooooooong suffering franchise of the Phillies. Win, and all is well. Lose, and you can just chalk up ANOTHER disappointment in the history of Philadelphia sports. Philly fans are tough and resilient, but everybody has a breaking point. And to furthermore prove that nothing is EVER easy in Philadelphia, mother nature plans of wrecking some severe havoc on the tri-state area this weekend. I won't even get into all of the possibilities that could happen with these games if inclimate weather prohibits the teams from playing because frankly, it's too damn confusing and the situation is too lengthy and complicated. So I'll make it easy.
If the Phils win out, they are division champs for the second consecutive year. If they fall to Washington and slump to the Wild Card, or even worse lose all three games and fail to make the playoffs, it may be the final straw for the fans in this town as far as baseball is concerned. Philly fans are desperate for a winner. And while we absolutely have an undying hatred for The New York Mets, even the most grandiose of haters has to admire their grit and determination.
In saying that, the possibility of losing your division to the much malingered and injury depleted Mets squad is like losing a fist fight to somebody with no arms. And with many, many Phillies headed for salary arbitration, ownership will almost surely use this excuse for not trying to improve the team this winter. The National League East is often known as the National League least, and this will furthermore reinforce these opinions of Phillies fans and the so-called experts alike if the Mets manage to pull this thing off. At this point, you HAVE to win the division. Facing the Cubs (although there are concerns about the overall health of the team) at Wrigley Field will not be fun in a first round matchup. I would much rather take my chances with Milwaukee (possibly minus Ben Sheets) or even the inconsistent Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Truth be told, the winner of this division has a legitimate shot at a World Series berth if they are lucky enough to hold off the (even more cursed than the Phillies) Cubs if both teams find themselves in the NLCS.
In addition to having the division title at stake, the two losses at home to the lowly Atlanta Braves and the second consecutive rough outing by Brett Myers has raised some cause for concern even though the Phillies are on the doorstep of the postseason. To be fair, the Phillies had won ten out of their last eleven games, and flat out pulverized the Braves in 2008, but they really picked the wrong time to fall flat. As for Myers, rumor has it that he has recently suffered from a mechanical glitch in his delivery. For the team's sake, one hopes that this is true. With Cole Hamels (whether fairly or unfairly) recently wearing the tag of the "pitcher who can't win the big game", Myers has become your ace in the hole. Major, major trouble lurks on the horizon if the Phils make the playoffs and neither Hamels or Myers can keep it together.
Every year brings new surpises to a team. The Phillies are one of the healthiest teams in the major leagues. You never know when the injury bug is just around the corner (see Atlanta-2008). That is why you have to win NOW. With the Mets payroll about to explode in 2009, who knows when this team will get another legitimate chance. You know what they say about karma, but you can't tell me the Phillies used up all of theirs last year? Can you?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Ryan Howard, McNabb, Dawkins, and my two cents
Right now, from this point on, you will NEVER hear me slam Ryan Howard again. Yes, I was one of many who bashed number six several times this summer when weeks went by where it looked like he never seen a baseball in his life. However, in my twenty plus years of watching this team, only three players come to mind who are, as once phrased by Jim Fregosi- "red light players": 1. Lenny Dykstra 2. Curt Schilling and 3. Ryan Howard These are indeed special players. Players who thrive when the camera light turns on, when pressure is on, and when the games count now more than anything. Only three players in a cast of thousands over the last two decades is not very good. That is why the Phillies have no choice to give Howard the money that he commands for a long term contract. Although an energized Jimmy Rollins has helped revitalize the bats with help from Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino, Howard has taken his performance to another level. Make no mistakes, Howard's game still has his holes (strikeouts, Ricky Jordan's disease), but when he turns it on like he is right now, his pluses outweigh the minuses. Oh, and the fact that the Phils are probably going to the playoffs helps as well. The team currently has seemed to recapture the magic from 2007 that enamored them to the entire tri-state area. It didn't seem like it was always there this summer. For now it has unquestionably returned, and that's enough for me to be a believer. With Ben Sheets having more arm problems, it looks like Milwaukee may miss the playoffs again, and that the Mets may not hold onto the division, but could very well be the NL Wild Card. It could make for a very interesting NL Playoffs, and with two of the most cursed teams in baseball possibly going head to head for a World Series berth, something's got to give.
Which now brings me to the Eagles. After Monday night's heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football (also known as "The One That Got Away", several questions were answered regarding the 2008 squad, and several more have arisen:
1. The Eagles CAN compete with the big boys, but can they BEAT the big boys- In divisional games, the teams always take their game to another level, and Monday's game was no exception. I hate the Cowboys, but you have give credit where it is due. The Eagles rattled Tony Romo several times, with one of the times resulting in a touchdown. To Romo's credit, he didn't let it rattle him and he pulled out a victory. The Eagles could have put Dallas away on several possessions, but failed to do so and it cost them the game. Failure to penetrate the end zone in the second quarter when the score is 27-21 would have put the game out of reach. The Eagles however, only managed a field goal and the rest is history. Championship teams have that killer instinct to put teams away. The Eagles don't have that, and they had better find it if they wanna be considered a serious contender.
2. Donovan McNabb CAN still play, but he can't close the game- If you look at McNabb's numbers for Monday (25/37 with 281 Yds Passing) it's obvious that if he stays healthy, he has several good years left in his 31 year old body. The bad news- McNabb plays one of the best 57 minute games in the NFL. Problem is that there are the three other minutes in the game that have had Eagles fans scratching their heads for the last decade. Hall of Fame QB's take their team down the field and execute. All anyone needs to know about Donovan McNabb's career should watch that Monday Night Football game, which sums up his career in a nutshell (even more so than the Super Bowl). I couldn't help but feel that I was watching the same game that I have been watching for the last ten years when the Eagles lost Monday night, and the fumble and overthrow on third down in the fourth quarter were unacceptable.
I am one of the rare oddities who is in the middle of the road when it comes to Donovan McNabb. I am more of a supporter than a basher. We are watching the best quarterback in the history of the franchise. The Eagles will win a Super Bowl one day, but four consecutive trips to the NFC Championship Game may never happen again. There is nothing I would change about McNabb's game, except for those final three minutes. A "red light player", he has yet to prove. And after ten years in the NFL, I get this sinking feeling that we may never see those final three minutes we've all been waiting for from Donovan McNabb.
4. Brian Dawkins- From one athlete who still can play, to an Eagles legend whose game is becoming the most painful one of all to watch. At 34 years of age, Dawkins obviously is not the force he once was, and several plays on Monday night in which he seemingly was burned by Jason Witten and Terrell Owens multiple times has only brought more speculation to the fact that Dawkins game is fading. One of the classiest Eagles of all time, I hope that Dawkins is smart enough to know when his playing days are over and doesn't overextend his welcome and become a detriment to the team like so many other athletes have done in the past. A man of his stature should exit the game gracefully.
Which now brings me to the Eagles. After Monday night's heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football (also known as "The One That Got Away", several questions were answered regarding the 2008 squad, and several more have arisen:
1. The Eagles CAN compete with the big boys, but can they BEAT the big boys- In divisional games, the teams always take their game to another level, and Monday's game was no exception. I hate the Cowboys, but you have give credit where it is due. The Eagles rattled Tony Romo several times, with one of the times resulting in a touchdown. To Romo's credit, he didn't let it rattle him and he pulled out a victory. The Eagles could have put Dallas away on several possessions, but failed to do so and it cost them the game. Failure to penetrate the end zone in the second quarter when the score is 27-21 would have put the game out of reach. The Eagles however, only managed a field goal and the rest is history. Championship teams have that killer instinct to put teams away. The Eagles don't have that, and they had better find it if they wanna be considered a serious contender.
2. Donovan McNabb CAN still play, but he can't close the game- If you look at McNabb's numbers for Monday (25/37 with 281 Yds Passing) it's obvious that if he stays healthy, he has several good years left in his 31 year old body. The bad news- McNabb plays one of the best 57 minute games in the NFL. Problem is that there are the three other minutes in the game that have had Eagles fans scratching their heads for the last decade. Hall of Fame QB's take their team down the field and execute. All anyone needs to know about Donovan McNabb's career should watch that Monday Night Football game, which sums up his career in a nutshell (even more so than the Super Bowl). I couldn't help but feel that I was watching the same game that I have been watching for the last ten years when the Eagles lost Monday night, and the fumble and overthrow on third down in the fourth quarter were unacceptable.
I am one of the rare oddities who is in the middle of the road when it comes to Donovan McNabb. I am more of a supporter than a basher. We are watching the best quarterback in the history of the franchise. The Eagles will win a Super Bowl one day, but four consecutive trips to the NFC Championship Game may never happen again. There is nothing I would change about McNabb's game, except for those final three minutes. A "red light player", he has yet to prove. And after ten years in the NFL, I get this sinking feeling that we may never see those final three minutes we've all been waiting for from Donovan McNabb.
4. Brian Dawkins- From one athlete who still can play, to an Eagles legend whose game is becoming the most painful one of all to watch. At 34 years of age, Dawkins obviously is not the force he once was, and several plays on Monday night in which he seemingly was burned by Jason Witten and Terrell Owens multiple times has only brought more speculation to the fact that Dawkins game is fading. One of the classiest Eagles of all time, I hope that Dawkins is smart enough to know when his playing days are over and doesn't overextend his welcome and become a detriment to the team like so many other athletes have done in the past. A man of his stature should exit the game gracefully.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Playoffs or not, expect changes in '09 for the Phils
After yesterday's humilaition at the hands of Tim Redding(?)and the streaking (yes, I said streaking) Washington Nationals, the Philadelphia Phillies are slowly but surely losing momentum in this free-for-all we call the National League East. With emerging MVP candidate Carlos Delgado's two-run, game-winning homer against the now Ben Sheets less Brewers, the Mets now hold a two game lead on our fighting Phils. There are twenty four games left in this season, but the Phillies MUST, I repeat MUST take the remaining two games from Washington, and MUST take two out of three from the Mets this weekend at Shea to even have a hope of staying alive in this race, or by Sunday this thing could be all but over.
Whether the Phillies make the playoffs or not this year (and right now, I still have to go with the Mets) this will be a different Phillies team in 2009. Some faces will definately be gone, some may be traded, and some may be gone who shouldn't go. Let's weigh out some of the scenarios:
Ryan Howard- I understand that this is a very controversial topic. Let's be honest, Phillies brass will obviously try to find reasons not to give Howard a pay increase for 2009. Numbers are numbers however, and expect Howard to be awarded somewhere in the range of $14 million for next year alone in the arbitration hearings. This will not thrill the Phillies one bit. Casual fans will think I'm crazy, but don't be surprised if the Phillies attempt to trade Howard for front line starting pitching or major prospects. It is almost defniate that Howard will be leaving Philadelphia after 2010 and the Phillies will get nothing for him in return if time is running out (see Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling). Plus, Howard wants way too much money for a slugger who will surpass 200 strikeouts in a year and whose defense is a constant detriment to the team. If the Phillies can find a first baseman who strikes out way less and is a clutch hitter who plays great defense, they should at least try to acquire one. Make no mistake, Howard is not entirely to blame for the Phillies silent bats this summer, but a shakeup is needed if there are no playoffs for this team. To move Howard would be to try to improve the team, and the Phillies aren't going be confused with the Tampa Bay Rays any time soon.
Jimmy Rollins- There has been speculation that for the Phillies to get to the next level, one of the big three will have to go (Utley, Rollins, or Howard). Jimmy Rollins' performance this season on and off the field has been inexcusable and disheartening at the same time. His "anything goes" approach at the plate is getting more and more aggravating as the years go by. The fact that a leadoff hitter is not patient at the plate is mind boggling. We won't even get into the whole "front runners" comment, but rumors have it that Rollins is not happy with his current contract. If that is indeed the case, he is not exactly endearing himself to the brass to where they would want to renegotiate with him. Stories and scuttlebut surround the off-season, and don't be shocked if there was more to Rollins behavior and performance this season than meets the eye. Time will tell, but unless some team blows the Phillies out of the water with a package that may include Rollins, expect him to be back.
Pedro Feliz- Truth be told, Feliz has offensively been a letdown. That being said, I would still take him every day of the year over Wes Helms. Phillies fans have not seen that kind of defense at third base since Scott Rolen, and Feliz has a penchant for the big hit when he has been healthy more than Utley or Rollins this summer. Feliz is owed around $4 million for 2009, so chances are he will be back regarding some crazy package deal that never seems to fall in the lap of the Phillies anyway.
Pat Burrell- In recent weeks Burrell has struggled, but until then was one of the more consistent bats in an inconsistent lineup. Burrell has his holes, but has more of an upside than downside. He will be 32 in October and probably has a few good years left. He loves playing in Philly, and only two players in the history of this long suffering franchise have hit more home runs than he has. With his power numbers still strong, that has to count for something. If this team ever miraculously wins a World Series, it would be nice for Burrell to be part of that. He has earned the right to stay here, and he probably would take a hometown discount to do so. With the Phillies high on prospect Greg Golson and with Jayson Werth coming into his own in right field, Burrell may be expendable. Another possibility is trading Ryan Howard and moving Burrell to first base. Burrel's return is probably 50/50, but let's hope they "BRING BACK THE BAT".
Carlos Ruiz/Chris Coste- To be fair to Ruiz, he is praised for handling the pitching staff the way he does. As far as offensively, he has been the weakest link in the Phillies lineup all year. More was expected out of Ruiz after a solid regular season and also in the NLDS. If the offense was running on all eight cylinders, people wouldn't even care that Ruiz is hitting .221. Fact of the matter is, the offense isn't consistent, and people now start to point fingers. Coste is the ultimate team guy and a great success story. However, Ruiz's shortcomings with the bat have pushed Coste into the everyday lineup more times than the Phillies would have hoped, and as a result he is getting exposed. Coste may return in 2009 because he can hit, and is capable of playing third base and first base in a limited role of the bench. Ruiz is younger and a solid defensive catcher, so that may make him more tradeable. Chances are that prospect Lou Marson will not be ready come opening day 2009, so expect the Phils to sign a stop gap catcher (Benito Santiago-1996) while Marson is the backup.
Brett Myers- This may be the biggest question mark of them all. To say that Myers is the team's second half MVP is not a stretch to say the least. Myers has been nothing short of spectacular since his demotion to the minor leagues this summer, and he is solidifying himself as a dominant number two starter in the big leagues. At the same time, Myers performance during the last several weeks could also have the Phillies using him as trade bait in the off-season. Myers is slated to make $12 million next year and has long expressed his desire to be a reliever. With Brad Lidge locked up for the next three years, Myers will not get the chance to close. Due to his newfound success as a starter, it is possible that Myers may want to continue starting. We'll have to wait and see on this one. With Kyle Kendrick increasingly inconsistent and Carlos Carrasco not quite ready for the bigs yet, I would say the chances are maybe more than 50/50 that he will return, unless the Phils can acquire a better starter, or just want to give Myers and the team a fresh start.
Adam Eaton- The fact that Eaton couldn't get ANYBODY out in the minor leagues is a total disgrace to himself, the fans, and the organization. It's not that the post-Giles regime doesn't spend money, they don't spend it wisely. There was no bidding war for Eaton. The Phils simply gave him a three year deal at the price of around $25 million dollars. That is why he will be on this team next year. The Phillies wouldn't even cut So Taguchi, so you know they won't dump Eaton. And forget the fact about trading him anywhere and taking on half of his salary. If Eaton had any character, he should retire, or donate a portion of his salary to charity. I know that is easier said than done, but I would love to make millions of dollars and do my job less than half assed. All the money in the world can't take the place of embarrassment.
Kyle Kendrick- Maybe someday, Kyle Kendrick will be a consistent major league pitcher. However, that time is not now, and he is hurting the team more than he has helped them since the All-Star break. His ERA is now 5.08, and he will probably be bumped in the rotation on Sunday in place of Cole Hammels at Shea Stadium. Kendrick was a godsend last summer, and the Phillies wouldn't have made the playoffs without his help. In saying this, he is not helping them now, and with Carlos Carrasco waiting in the wings, don't be surprised if the Phils shop him around this offseason. Kendrick's control is way too shaky to make him a bullpen pitcher, and the Phils can't afford to keep putting lackluster pitching out on the mound when you are fighting for your playoff lives in September.
Jamie Moyer- Moyer was supposed to spend the final month of 2006 with the Phillies, then call it a career. He was so rejuvanated that he returned to the team in 2007, helped the Phillies clinch the NL East on the final day of the season, mentored young pitchers like Hammels and Kendrick, and has been the healthiest and most consistent starter in 2008. Veterans like Moyer don't just grow on trees, and at 45 years of age he is probably older than some trees. Moyer not only plans to keep pitching in 2009, he may plan to pitch after that season as well. Only problem is, the Phillies might not want him back. It is a valid point, but Moyer has shown no signs of slowing down this year and until he proves otherwise, he should be allowed to finish his career here. As much as I knock the Phillies, they have a better chance of winning a title than Seattle, where Moyer still makes his home and where Phillies GM Pat Gillick will likely wind up in 2009. The quote by assistant (and likely future) GM Ruben Amaro Jr. concerning the possible chances of Moyer not returning next year were untimely and classless. A classy act like Moyer should be entitled to have his affairs kept private until the off season. Odds are probably 50/50 he returns.
So Taguchi- Taguchi is hitting .198 and his fielding has been even more horrendous. The fact that he is even still on this team is an insult to the Philly fans as well as the players on the team. Odds are almost %100 that he will not be back. I said almost because the Phillies are never one to respect their fan base, they just take our money, no questions asked.
Geoff Jenkins- Jenkins has been a major disapointment, but as we all know, the Phillies will not eat salary and Jenkins is owed $6.5 million in 2009. Unless the Phillies try to trade him (and their probably won't be many takers for a 34 year-old former slugger with slow bat speed), expect Jenkins to be back, but in a limited role due to the emergence of Jayson Werth as an everyday player.
The Phillies Bullpen- The bullpen has probably been the most consistent part of the team from the start of the season up until the last week. Relief pitchers are spotty (see Rheal Cormier) and are known to have great years followed by horrendous ones. Chad Durbin has been the most consistent reliever who is not named Brad Lidge all season, but now is showing signs of leaking oil. There is no way to tell if his shoulder can take the pounding of another year in the pen. Durbin's upsode is that he is relatively young. Ryan Madson has pitched well more times than not, but the "deer in the headlights" look when he enters the eight inning is hit or miss. The Phillies acquired Scott Eyre as a lefthanded specialist to compliment J.C. Romero (and also because his contract will expire soon). Eyre has been solid so far, and the Phils would be wise to bring him back in the same role next season, though they may decide to go with J.A. Haap instead. Rudy Seanez has pitched well at times, but he is injury prone and nearing 40 at season's end. Not a good combination for a reliever (see Tom Gordon). Clay Condrey has pitched well in mop up situations, but his spot next year will probably be vacated by the more expensive and less reliable Adam Eaton. In closing, most of these guys will be back than not, but expect some replacements for the older veterans.
One thing is for certain, the Phillies will be a different team than the one you are looking at for the final weeks of 2008. For better or worse remains to be seen. The team has been a consistent 80 plus-win team for almost a decade now. Management will be the key factor as to whether this team has reached the pinnacle of their ability, or will now begin the downward spiral that permeated the 1990's. With rumors of Mark Cuban clamoring to buy the Cubs, and with the estimated $800 million dollar value of the Mets after moving into their new stadium in 2009, the Phillies brass and players have their work cut out for the them, not just for the next few years, but for the next few decades.
Im sure however, that Phillies management is right on top of things, is up to the challenge and everything will be fine.............................(Insert joke here)
Whether the Phillies make the playoffs or not this year (and right now, I still have to go with the Mets) this will be a different Phillies team in 2009. Some faces will definately be gone, some may be traded, and some may be gone who shouldn't go. Let's weigh out some of the scenarios:
Ryan Howard- I understand that this is a very controversial topic. Let's be honest, Phillies brass will obviously try to find reasons not to give Howard a pay increase for 2009. Numbers are numbers however, and expect Howard to be awarded somewhere in the range of $14 million for next year alone in the arbitration hearings. This will not thrill the Phillies one bit. Casual fans will think I'm crazy, but don't be surprised if the Phillies attempt to trade Howard for front line starting pitching or major prospects. It is almost defniate that Howard will be leaving Philadelphia after 2010 and the Phillies will get nothing for him in return if time is running out (see Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling). Plus, Howard wants way too much money for a slugger who will surpass 200 strikeouts in a year and whose defense is a constant detriment to the team. If the Phillies can find a first baseman who strikes out way less and is a clutch hitter who plays great defense, they should at least try to acquire one. Make no mistake, Howard is not entirely to blame for the Phillies silent bats this summer, but a shakeup is needed if there are no playoffs for this team. To move Howard would be to try to improve the team, and the Phillies aren't going be confused with the Tampa Bay Rays any time soon.
Jimmy Rollins- There has been speculation that for the Phillies to get to the next level, one of the big three will have to go (Utley, Rollins, or Howard). Jimmy Rollins' performance this season on and off the field has been inexcusable and disheartening at the same time. His "anything goes" approach at the plate is getting more and more aggravating as the years go by. The fact that a leadoff hitter is not patient at the plate is mind boggling. We won't even get into the whole "front runners" comment, but rumors have it that Rollins is not happy with his current contract. If that is indeed the case, he is not exactly endearing himself to the brass to where they would want to renegotiate with him. Stories and scuttlebut surround the off-season, and don't be shocked if there was more to Rollins behavior and performance this season than meets the eye. Time will tell, but unless some team blows the Phillies out of the water with a package that may include Rollins, expect him to be back.
Pedro Feliz- Truth be told, Feliz has offensively been a letdown. That being said, I would still take him every day of the year over Wes Helms. Phillies fans have not seen that kind of defense at third base since Scott Rolen, and Feliz has a penchant for the big hit when he has been healthy more than Utley or Rollins this summer. Feliz is owed around $4 million for 2009, so chances are he will be back regarding some crazy package deal that never seems to fall in the lap of the Phillies anyway.
Pat Burrell- In recent weeks Burrell has struggled, but until then was one of the more consistent bats in an inconsistent lineup. Burrell has his holes, but has more of an upside than downside. He will be 32 in October and probably has a few good years left. He loves playing in Philly, and only two players in the history of this long suffering franchise have hit more home runs than he has. With his power numbers still strong, that has to count for something. If this team ever miraculously wins a World Series, it would be nice for Burrell to be part of that. He has earned the right to stay here, and he probably would take a hometown discount to do so. With the Phillies high on prospect Greg Golson and with Jayson Werth coming into his own in right field, Burrell may be expendable. Another possibility is trading Ryan Howard and moving Burrell to first base. Burrel's return is probably 50/50, but let's hope they "BRING BACK THE BAT".
Carlos Ruiz/Chris Coste- To be fair to Ruiz, he is praised for handling the pitching staff the way he does. As far as offensively, he has been the weakest link in the Phillies lineup all year. More was expected out of Ruiz after a solid regular season and also in the NLDS. If the offense was running on all eight cylinders, people wouldn't even care that Ruiz is hitting .221. Fact of the matter is, the offense isn't consistent, and people now start to point fingers. Coste is the ultimate team guy and a great success story. However, Ruiz's shortcomings with the bat have pushed Coste into the everyday lineup more times than the Phillies would have hoped, and as a result he is getting exposed. Coste may return in 2009 because he can hit, and is capable of playing third base and first base in a limited role of the bench. Ruiz is younger and a solid defensive catcher, so that may make him more tradeable. Chances are that prospect Lou Marson will not be ready come opening day 2009, so expect the Phils to sign a stop gap catcher (Benito Santiago-1996) while Marson is the backup.
Brett Myers- This may be the biggest question mark of them all. To say that Myers is the team's second half MVP is not a stretch to say the least. Myers has been nothing short of spectacular since his demotion to the minor leagues this summer, and he is solidifying himself as a dominant number two starter in the big leagues. At the same time, Myers performance during the last several weeks could also have the Phillies using him as trade bait in the off-season. Myers is slated to make $12 million next year and has long expressed his desire to be a reliever. With Brad Lidge locked up for the next three years, Myers will not get the chance to close. Due to his newfound success as a starter, it is possible that Myers may want to continue starting. We'll have to wait and see on this one. With Kyle Kendrick increasingly inconsistent and Carlos Carrasco not quite ready for the bigs yet, I would say the chances are maybe more than 50/50 that he will return, unless the Phils can acquire a better starter, or just want to give Myers and the team a fresh start.
Adam Eaton- The fact that Eaton couldn't get ANYBODY out in the minor leagues is a total disgrace to himself, the fans, and the organization. It's not that the post-Giles regime doesn't spend money, they don't spend it wisely. There was no bidding war for Eaton. The Phils simply gave him a three year deal at the price of around $25 million dollars. That is why he will be on this team next year. The Phillies wouldn't even cut So Taguchi, so you know they won't dump Eaton. And forget the fact about trading him anywhere and taking on half of his salary. If Eaton had any character, he should retire, or donate a portion of his salary to charity. I know that is easier said than done, but I would love to make millions of dollars and do my job less than half assed. All the money in the world can't take the place of embarrassment.
Kyle Kendrick- Maybe someday, Kyle Kendrick will be a consistent major league pitcher. However, that time is not now, and he is hurting the team more than he has helped them since the All-Star break. His ERA is now 5.08, and he will probably be bumped in the rotation on Sunday in place of Cole Hammels at Shea Stadium. Kendrick was a godsend last summer, and the Phillies wouldn't have made the playoffs without his help. In saying this, he is not helping them now, and with Carlos Carrasco waiting in the wings, don't be surprised if the Phils shop him around this offseason. Kendrick's control is way too shaky to make him a bullpen pitcher, and the Phils can't afford to keep putting lackluster pitching out on the mound when you are fighting for your playoff lives in September.
Jamie Moyer- Moyer was supposed to spend the final month of 2006 with the Phillies, then call it a career. He was so rejuvanated that he returned to the team in 2007, helped the Phillies clinch the NL East on the final day of the season, mentored young pitchers like Hammels and Kendrick, and has been the healthiest and most consistent starter in 2008. Veterans like Moyer don't just grow on trees, and at 45 years of age he is probably older than some trees. Moyer not only plans to keep pitching in 2009, he may plan to pitch after that season as well. Only problem is, the Phillies might not want him back. It is a valid point, but Moyer has shown no signs of slowing down this year and until he proves otherwise, he should be allowed to finish his career here. As much as I knock the Phillies, they have a better chance of winning a title than Seattle, where Moyer still makes his home and where Phillies GM Pat Gillick will likely wind up in 2009. The quote by assistant (and likely future) GM Ruben Amaro Jr. concerning the possible chances of Moyer not returning next year were untimely and classless. A classy act like Moyer should be entitled to have his affairs kept private until the off season. Odds are probably 50/50 he returns.
So Taguchi- Taguchi is hitting .198 and his fielding has been even more horrendous. The fact that he is even still on this team is an insult to the Philly fans as well as the players on the team. Odds are almost %100 that he will not be back. I said almost because the Phillies are never one to respect their fan base, they just take our money, no questions asked.
Geoff Jenkins- Jenkins has been a major disapointment, but as we all know, the Phillies will not eat salary and Jenkins is owed $6.5 million in 2009. Unless the Phillies try to trade him (and their probably won't be many takers for a 34 year-old former slugger with slow bat speed), expect Jenkins to be back, but in a limited role due to the emergence of Jayson Werth as an everyday player.
The Phillies Bullpen- The bullpen has probably been the most consistent part of the team from the start of the season up until the last week. Relief pitchers are spotty (see Rheal Cormier) and are known to have great years followed by horrendous ones. Chad Durbin has been the most consistent reliever who is not named Brad Lidge all season, but now is showing signs of leaking oil. There is no way to tell if his shoulder can take the pounding of another year in the pen. Durbin's upsode is that he is relatively young. Ryan Madson has pitched well more times than not, but the "deer in the headlights" look when he enters the eight inning is hit or miss. The Phillies acquired Scott Eyre as a lefthanded specialist to compliment J.C. Romero (and also because his contract will expire soon). Eyre has been solid so far, and the Phils would be wise to bring him back in the same role next season, though they may decide to go with J.A. Haap instead. Rudy Seanez has pitched well at times, but he is injury prone and nearing 40 at season's end. Not a good combination for a reliever (see Tom Gordon). Clay Condrey has pitched well in mop up situations, but his spot next year will probably be vacated by the more expensive and less reliable Adam Eaton. In closing, most of these guys will be back than not, but expect some replacements for the older veterans.
One thing is for certain, the Phillies will be a different team than the one you are looking at for the final weeks of 2008. For better or worse remains to be seen. The team has been a consistent 80 plus-win team for almost a decade now. Management will be the key factor as to whether this team has reached the pinnacle of their ability, or will now begin the downward spiral that permeated the 1990's. With rumors of Mark Cuban clamoring to buy the Cubs, and with the estimated $800 million dollar value of the Mets after moving into their new stadium in 2009, the Phillies brass and players have their work cut out for the them, not just for the next few years, but for the next few decades.
Im sure however, that Phillies management is right on top of things, is up to the challenge and everything will be fine.............................(Insert joke here)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Mets taking a page from the '07 Phillies
It's been several weeks since a new article has been posted on this site. Since then, Jimmy Rollins has called all of the philly faithful front runners, the Phillies were swept in Los Angeles by the Dodgers, the Phillies in turn swept the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park, and the team pulled off one of the most stunning and unlikely wins in recent memory against the hated New York Mets. The Phillies were so motivated by this dramatic come from behind victory that they proceeded to blow the next three games in typical vintage Phillies fashion. All three defeats occurred at the hands of the team's increasingly ineffective bullpen, who have now blown leads in the last three games. To say that this team is consistently inconsistent is the understatement of the year. One minute the team wins five in a row, with one of the wins a seemingly insormountable comeback against their division rivals, then they proceed to blow three of the biggest games of the year. I don't get it, and I'm done trying to figure it out.
So before anyone wants to complain about Charlie Manual's decision to pitch to Carlos Delgado on Wednesday, taking Cole Hammels out of last night's game, or complain how the potential go-ahead run would have scored today if the umpiring crew hadn't called Ryan Howard out at first base, just remember that the Phillies bullpen was considered one of the best (if not the the best) in MLB until a week ago. And as for today, Chase Utley (who clearly has a free pass in this town) was called safe at first on the potential ending inning double play prior to Howard's at bat. Also make note that the Phillies, despite being able to finally figure out new Cubs starter Rich Harden, characteristically left ten runners on base in this afternoon's contest. If Major League Baseball presented yearly awards concerning the aforementioned category, then the Philadelphia Phillies would have more championship hardware than the New York Yankees. And that is a lot of hardware.
Meanwhile, just when it seemed that the Phillies wouldn't lose any ground to the Mets in the standings, the philly fans get the traditional double whammy when Carlos Beltran launched a dramatic two out, ninth inning grand slam to pull out a stunning 5-4 victory over the Marlins tonight in Miami.
So just like that, what was once a half game lead after Tuesday night's 13 inning marathon has now turned into a 2 game deficit in the National League East. Whether it is securing the division lead, or holding an eight inning lead, the Phillies once again show their inability to put teams away when it counts the most. Tuesday's thriller should have made every Phillie on that team feel invincible, that this division truly belongs to them and they were never going to relinquish the division lead from this point on. A win Wednesday could have made it very tough for the Mets to regain first place. Two wins against the best team in baseball would have further proven this. Yes it's true that a two game defecit is much easier to take than last year's seven game defecit at an even later point in the season, but if it's not obvious by this point, take close notice that the New York Mets are now playing the roll of the 2007 Phillies, and the 2008 Phillies may be headed for the roll of last year's Mets.
It may sound crazy, but one must take note some glaring similarities: at one point last June, the Mets had a three and a half game lead on the Phillies. In June of 2008,the Phillies had a three and a half game lead on the Mets. The Mets are without the services of their closer for an extended period of time this season and their bullpen is in shambles. Last season, the Phillies were without their closer for several months, and until the arrival of J.C. Romero, their bullpen was in shambles. When the Mets' position players weren't hitting, they were saved by their resurgent left fielder. The same can be said last year for Pat Burrell, whose dynamic second half energized the Phillies. The Mets have won every important game against the Phillies in 2008. Despite several heartbreaking losses that would have sent many teams into a tragic downward spiral, the Mets seem to come back from these losses even stronger with dramatic, late-inning, come from behind victories. In 2007, the Phillies seemed to be left for dead by the Mets in early July, until they turned a corner with a vevy of improbable victories when it seemed that all hope was lost. Last summer, the Phillies got confident. This year, the Mets are getting confident. This is shown every time Carlos Delgado pumps his fist in triumph after another unlikely Mets victory. At the same time, we are all reminded of Delgado's refusal to stand during our National Anthem. Let's try to see him make $120 million in any other country, but I digress.
At the present time, the Phillies may still have a chance to win this division. In all likelihood however, any team who wins the NL East will probably have a short stay in the October playoffs. Before people send me emails citing the 2006 Cardinals as the exception to the rule, I offer this observation: for every 2006 Cardinals, 1988 Dodgers, or even the 2003 Marlins, there are decades of 1984-ish Tigers, 1998-ish Yankees, or 2007-ish Red Sox that seek and destroy their opponents. If you don't appreciate the analogy, at least admire the Metallica reference. Simply put, things like that do not happen in Philadelphia. This is spoken from a true fan like everybody reading this. Trust me on this one, there is a difference between having faith in your team, and being a homer. Don't be the latter. Nobody on this planet wants to see this team win a World Series more than yours truly, but you will only set yourself up again for more heartache at the expense of an ownership who are counting their money while you are crying in your beer.
In the end, if I were a betting man, one should put their money on the team that looks and acts like winners despite all of their shortcomings. That was last years Phillies team. Sometimes, drive and a will to win can compensate for a lot of things. And right now, that team is not the Phillies. I hope I'm wrong on this one. To paraphrase the late, great John Belushi from Animal House: "What the $%@# happened to the Phillies that I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh?"
Meet the new boss. NOT the same as the old boss.
So before anyone wants to complain about Charlie Manual's decision to pitch to Carlos Delgado on Wednesday, taking Cole Hammels out of last night's game, or complain how the potential go-ahead run would have scored today if the umpiring crew hadn't called Ryan Howard out at first base, just remember that the Phillies bullpen was considered one of the best (if not the the best) in MLB until a week ago. And as for today, Chase Utley (who clearly has a free pass in this town) was called safe at first on the potential ending inning double play prior to Howard's at bat. Also make note that the Phillies, despite being able to finally figure out new Cubs starter Rich Harden, characteristically left ten runners on base in this afternoon's contest. If Major League Baseball presented yearly awards concerning the aforementioned category, then the Philadelphia Phillies would have more championship hardware than the New York Yankees. And that is a lot of hardware.
Meanwhile, just when it seemed that the Phillies wouldn't lose any ground to the Mets in the standings, the philly fans get the traditional double whammy when Carlos Beltran launched a dramatic two out, ninth inning grand slam to pull out a stunning 5-4 victory over the Marlins tonight in Miami.
So just like that, what was once a half game lead after Tuesday night's 13 inning marathon has now turned into a 2 game deficit in the National League East. Whether it is securing the division lead, or holding an eight inning lead, the Phillies once again show their inability to put teams away when it counts the most. Tuesday's thriller should have made every Phillie on that team feel invincible, that this division truly belongs to them and they were never going to relinquish the division lead from this point on. A win Wednesday could have made it very tough for the Mets to regain first place. Two wins against the best team in baseball would have further proven this. Yes it's true that a two game defecit is much easier to take than last year's seven game defecit at an even later point in the season, but if it's not obvious by this point, take close notice that the New York Mets are now playing the roll of the 2007 Phillies, and the 2008 Phillies may be headed for the roll of last year's Mets.
It may sound crazy, but one must take note some glaring similarities: at one point last June, the Mets had a three and a half game lead on the Phillies. In June of 2008,the Phillies had a three and a half game lead on the Mets. The Mets are without the services of their closer for an extended period of time this season and their bullpen is in shambles. Last season, the Phillies were without their closer for several months, and until the arrival of J.C. Romero, their bullpen was in shambles. When the Mets' position players weren't hitting, they were saved by their resurgent left fielder. The same can be said last year for Pat Burrell, whose dynamic second half energized the Phillies. The Mets have won every important game against the Phillies in 2008. Despite several heartbreaking losses that would have sent many teams into a tragic downward spiral, the Mets seem to come back from these losses even stronger with dramatic, late-inning, come from behind victories. In 2007, the Phillies seemed to be left for dead by the Mets in early July, until they turned a corner with a vevy of improbable victories when it seemed that all hope was lost. Last summer, the Phillies got confident. This year, the Mets are getting confident. This is shown every time Carlos Delgado pumps his fist in triumph after another unlikely Mets victory. At the same time, we are all reminded of Delgado's refusal to stand during our National Anthem. Let's try to see him make $120 million in any other country, but I digress.
At the present time, the Phillies may still have a chance to win this division. In all likelihood however, any team who wins the NL East will probably have a short stay in the October playoffs. Before people send me emails citing the 2006 Cardinals as the exception to the rule, I offer this observation: for every 2006 Cardinals, 1988 Dodgers, or even the 2003 Marlins, there are decades of 1984-ish Tigers, 1998-ish Yankees, or 2007-ish Red Sox that seek and destroy their opponents. If you don't appreciate the analogy, at least admire the Metallica reference. Simply put, things like that do not happen in Philadelphia. This is spoken from a true fan like everybody reading this. Trust me on this one, there is a difference between having faith in your team, and being a homer. Don't be the latter. Nobody on this planet wants to see this team win a World Series more than yours truly, but you will only set yourself up again for more heartache at the expense of an ownership who are counting their money while you are crying in your beer.
In the end, if I were a betting man, one should put their money on the team that looks and acts like winners despite all of their shortcomings. That was last years Phillies team. Sometimes, drive and a will to win can compensate for a lot of things. And right now, that team is not the Phillies. I hope I'm wrong on this one. To paraphrase the late, great John Belushi from Animal House: "What the $%@# happened to the Phillies that I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh?"
Meet the new boss. NOT the same as the old boss.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Philly fans no longer fooled.....almost.
If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Big series for the fightin' Phils. If they take two out of three, they'll be in good shape. Well guess what? The result this time is no different. Having just dropped two out of three at home in one of the biggest series of the year to the Marlins in front of the biggest home crowd of the season, the Phillies once again came up short. A win today would not have exactly eliminated Florida from playoff contention. There are still two long months left in the season, but it definitely would have put the club on the ropes. The Phillies, despite remaining in first place for all but a few days of this summer, have time and time again failed to put away opponents when it has truly mattered. As a result, this division remains wide open with the Mets having won today as well. In the end, the Phillies may still win this division, but just expect a repeat of last years NLDS. Just getting to the playoffs gives you more of a chance to win than you are at home watching the games on the couch, but you can count the underdog champion story lines on one hand during the last 15 years.
The other night, one of the local radio talk show hosts presented callers with the question as to why Philadelphia fans have not rallied around this Phillies team? Despite 36 sellouts in 56 home games this season, the basic consensus form the general public is not one of strong faith regarding the Phillies chances to do anything past the first round of the playoffs. Why is this? I'll tell you why: This team is as maddening as hell. The failure once again to land an impact player at the deadline just further reassures fans that the Phillies brass may want to win, but on their terms (which everyone knows will never work). Yours truly has even sated in the previous article that I will watch the Phillies, but will never get my hopes up for them. Call it cynicism, I call it reality.
The main problem with this team is not their pitching, which is not the 1965 Dodgers staff, but nonetheless is given a raw deal by the "experts." The culprit is the offense, who has more mood swings than a pregnant woman. So inconsistent to the point that whomever our newly appointed puppet (general manager) will be during this winter, he will almost have to shake up this inconsistent lineup to find a righthanded bat who can hit to all fields and doesn't have 130 strikeouts a year. This lineup is way too predictable, full of vanilla hitters with absolutely no plate discipline. Sure the Phillies help opposing pitchers more often than not, but there have been some rumblings that NL scouts have finally found a way to get the Phillies hitters out when it counts.
Then there's the Philadelphia Eagles. It's no secret that the Lehigh camp has not exactly been an attendence magnet this year. No matter how far they jam Lorenzo Booker down our throats, how improved the defense is, or how Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are the second coming of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, Eagles fans are simply fed up with the all talk and no action approach by Joe Banner and "Mr. Lurie" to finally get this team to the top. Eagles fans have been to the tip of the summit: four consecutive NFC Championship Games, and a Superbowl that should have been theirs, regardless of Spygate, Vomitgate, or the total of 26 rushing yards in the game by the offense. Simply put, what Eagles fans feel is a lack of committment coupled by the Brian Westbrook and Lito Sheppard soap opera storylines have finally convinced fans that enough is enough. Have you ever seen more drama surrounding a football team that hasn't won ONE SINGLE CHAMPIONSHIP?! Of course you haven't. Who would have thought the king of controversy, Donovan McNabb, would go through camp unscathed and under the radar. I guess it's Philly, so you should expect the unexpected at all times. On a side note, if Shawn Andrews is indeed not well, I wish him luck and hope he gets the help he needs.
Well that's about it with the two teams in town whose ownership "always knows what they are doing", yet the results are still the same year after year. One team consisting of total jackasses, the other team who went from The Gold Standard to Fools Gold. Let's be optimistic however, the two teams most likely to win titles in this town will be starting soon. And you know what, those owners are actually tolerable. Instead of selling a bill of goods, they usually deliver the goods. And though sometimes it might not work out, they don't try and fool you: they leave that to the other guys.
On a side note, when Lurie takes some of his Eagles players to the NBA Finals games aboard his private jet, do you ever wonder if any of those guys after a few cocktails says "Jeff, we really appreciate you doing this for us, but when the heck are you going to get us that wide receiver?!!!!"
The other night, one of the local radio talk show hosts presented callers with the question as to why Philadelphia fans have not rallied around this Phillies team? Despite 36 sellouts in 56 home games this season, the basic consensus form the general public is not one of strong faith regarding the Phillies chances to do anything past the first round of the playoffs. Why is this? I'll tell you why: This team is as maddening as hell. The failure once again to land an impact player at the deadline just further reassures fans that the Phillies brass may want to win, but on their terms (which everyone knows will never work). Yours truly has even sated in the previous article that I will watch the Phillies, but will never get my hopes up for them. Call it cynicism, I call it reality.
The main problem with this team is not their pitching, which is not the 1965 Dodgers staff, but nonetheless is given a raw deal by the "experts." The culprit is the offense, who has more mood swings than a pregnant woman. So inconsistent to the point that whomever our newly appointed puppet (general manager) will be during this winter, he will almost have to shake up this inconsistent lineup to find a righthanded bat who can hit to all fields and doesn't have 130 strikeouts a year. This lineup is way too predictable, full of vanilla hitters with absolutely no plate discipline. Sure the Phillies help opposing pitchers more often than not, but there have been some rumblings that NL scouts have finally found a way to get the Phillies hitters out when it counts.
Then there's the Philadelphia Eagles. It's no secret that the Lehigh camp has not exactly been an attendence magnet this year. No matter how far they jam Lorenzo Booker down our throats, how improved the defense is, or how Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown are the second coming of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, Eagles fans are simply fed up with the all talk and no action approach by Joe Banner and "Mr. Lurie" to finally get this team to the top. Eagles fans have been to the tip of the summit: four consecutive NFC Championship Games, and a Superbowl that should have been theirs, regardless of Spygate, Vomitgate, or the total of 26 rushing yards in the game by the offense. Simply put, what Eagles fans feel is a lack of committment coupled by the Brian Westbrook and Lito Sheppard soap opera storylines have finally convinced fans that enough is enough. Have you ever seen more drama surrounding a football team that hasn't won ONE SINGLE CHAMPIONSHIP?! Of course you haven't. Who would have thought the king of controversy, Donovan McNabb, would go through camp unscathed and under the radar. I guess it's Philly, so you should expect the unexpected at all times. On a side note, if Shawn Andrews is indeed not well, I wish him luck and hope he gets the help he needs.
Well that's about it with the two teams in town whose ownership "always knows what they are doing", yet the results are still the same year after year. One team consisting of total jackasses, the other team who went from The Gold Standard to Fools Gold. Let's be optimistic however, the two teams most likely to win titles in this town will be starting soon. And you know what, those owners are actually tolerable. Instead of selling a bill of goods, they usually deliver the goods. And though sometimes it might not work out, they don't try and fool you: they leave that to the other guys.
On a side note, when Lurie takes some of his Eagles players to the NBA Finals games aboard his private jet, do you ever wonder if any of those guys after a few cocktails says "Jeff, we really appreciate you doing this for us, but when the heck are you going to get us that wide receiver?!!!!"
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