A belated rundown of the Phillies vist to Shea stadium this past week.
First: The good.
The Phillies went to NY and spoiled the Mets home opener with a 5-2 win, leaving 13 runners on base along the way. Despite the win, I still remain concerned about these high LOB numbers. However, that number is mitigated by pushing five runs across.
Jamie Moyer had a pretty good outing, going six innings and giving up two runs. Pitching like that can carry a team. Especially when the bullpen doesn't give up any further runs.
Next: The bad.
The Phillies were so wretched (4 errors) in their 8-2 loss to the Mets, the New York Times opined that the Phillies looked like the Mets in that game. The LOB was nine this time.
This number was overshadowed by Kyle Kendrick's troubling pitching line. Most notably: 2 1/3 IP, 7 Runs (1 earned!), 6 walks and 0 strikeouts. I like Kendrick and think he has the potential to be a good pitcher. But we need to see that now.
Game three ended in a 4-3 Phillies loss in 12 innings. Sucks to lose game like that, after so much time and so many innings invested. Back to hideous LOB numbers: 13 in this one. Maybe I'm making too much out of this, but it bugs me that the Phillies get baserunners and strand them.
Adam Eaton again turns in a workmanlike pitching performance, giving up 3 earned runs over 6 innings, walking 2 and striking out 5. Too bad he couldn't get a win for this performance. I feel a little better about Kendrick's struggles seeing these numbers.
So two losses to division rival Mets and 35 runners left on base. How quickly optimism is replaced by pessimism. But the season is young.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Hank Aaron: 34 Years Since 715
When I was in second grade, I did a book report about Hank Aaron. I told my class about his 715th home run, hit on April 8, 1974, off Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Al Downing. I gave a statistical rundown of this great player, and knowing me, I'm sure I drew an "in action" picture of Hammerin' Hank.
Now that the 34th anniversary of this momentous homer is here, I pause to reflect.
That record, and Aaron's eventual total of 755 homers seemed unassailable to me as I grew up watching baseball. It just seemed that nobody would stick around long enough to challenge it. Year after year, this thought was further emphasized as great home run hitters like Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson retired well short of the mark.
Aaron never hit more than 48 homers in a season. He just consistently produced decent numbers throughout the years. He hit for average (lifetime .305 BA), and, in 1973, even managed a 40 homer season at age 39. He ended the 1973 season at 713, needing only one homer to tie. He hit number 714 on April 4th off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jack Billingham.
And even into baseball's steroid era, the record lived on. Until Barry Bonds came along. He now holds the record, but he has no team, and he also has little to no credibility among the crankier baseball fan base, of which I consider myself.
I remember as a fan how incensed I was when Mark McGwire passed Mantle, Schmidt, Jackson and then Harmon Killebrew on the all-time career homer list. Thankfully, he didn't get to pass Frank Robinson or Willie Mays.
I can only imagine how Aaron must have felt as his record was eclipsed by Bonds. He must have been dismayed at the very least. He endured unimaginable hate mail and death threats simply for hitting home runs. As much as that record probably cost him emotionally, I wish there was some way to put him back on top.
In my mind, anyway, he is still on top. Even if the record books won't show that anymore.
Congratulations, Hank Aaron. You were one of the best, and on this anniversary of your great achievement, I, as a baseball fan and purist, salute you. To me, you are still the Home Run King.
Source: Mostly my memory...and this link for fact checking.
Now that the 34th anniversary of this momentous homer is here, I pause to reflect.
That record, and Aaron's eventual total of 755 homers seemed unassailable to me as I grew up watching baseball. It just seemed that nobody would stick around long enough to challenge it. Year after year, this thought was further emphasized as great home run hitters like Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson retired well short of the mark.
Aaron never hit more than 48 homers in a season. He just consistently produced decent numbers throughout the years. He hit for average (lifetime .305 BA), and, in 1973, even managed a 40 homer season at age 39. He ended the 1973 season at 713, needing only one homer to tie. He hit number 714 on April 4th off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jack Billingham.
And even into baseball's steroid era, the record lived on. Until Barry Bonds came along. He now holds the record, but he has no team, and he also has little to no credibility among the crankier baseball fan base, of which I consider myself.
I remember as a fan how incensed I was when Mark McGwire passed Mantle, Schmidt, Jackson and then Harmon Killebrew on the all-time career homer list. Thankfully, he didn't get to pass Frank Robinson or Willie Mays.
I can only imagine how Aaron must have felt as his record was eclipsed by Bonds. He must have been dismayed at the very least. He endured unimaginable hate mail and death threats simply for hitting home runs. As much as that record probably cost him emotionally, I wish there was some way to put him back on top.
In my mind, anyway, he is still on top. Even if the record books won't show that anymore.
Congratulations, Hank Aaron. You were one of the best, and on this anniversary of your great achievement, I, as a baseball fan and purist, salute you. To me, you are still the Home Run King.
Source: Mostly my memory...and this link for fact checking.
Phillies Split With Reds: Pitching Concerns & LOB
So a lot of preseason talk focused on the Phillies and their questionable pitching, with lots of noise raised for both the starting pitching and the bullpen.
Now after a split with the Reds, the Phillies (3-4) have made it through April looking better than they have in years past. Here's hoping this trend continues.
Before getting to the Reds series, I'd like to revisit the last game against the Nationals. Jamie Moyer, considered a stabalizing force of the staff, gave up six runs over 3 2/3 innings in an 8-7 win over the Nats. The bullpen did fine in that game, using six pitchers over the final 6 1/3 innings and giving up only one run. The bad news: 14 LOB.
As for the Reds, the Phils earned a 2-2 series split. Which is actually a pretty good result, considering that after Sunday, I would not have been surprised with the Reds taking three games.
The first matchup, Friday's 8-4 win, featured a two-homer effort from Chase Utley, but that was mitigated by pitcher Kyle Kendrick's four earned run performance. The LOB number was back to decent levels, as the Phils only registered five in that category.
Saturday's 4-3 loss wasn't all bad - Ryan Howard cracked his first homer and much maligned Adam Eaton threw 7 2/3 innings of 3-run baseball, definitely good enough to win with this lineup, and possibly a ray of hope for that guy? Philly fans can hope! Unfortunately, Chad Durbin gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth and absorbed the loss. LOB: 6. Still not bad.
Sunday's 8-2 loss was just as bad as it sounds. Brett Myers and Clay Condrey combined to surrender four runs and 12 hits to the Reds. A positive: Brad Lidge worked a scoreless, hitless 8th inning. LOB: 7. Again not bad.
Monday's 5-3 win was a classic Phillies performance: Homers in the first inning by Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell staked the Phils to an early lead, and two more homers in 3rd inning from Burrell (.435 average?? contract year) again and Geoff Jenkins sealed the deal. Cole Hamels pitched the kind of game the Phillies desperately need: 7 innings, 5 hits and 2 runs. Tom Gordon managed to pitch a hitless 8th and Lidge closed it out, but gave up a run while earning his first save as a Phillie. LOB: 7.
All in all, not a bad series. The win in the last game gives me hope for the Mets series. This ought to be a good one, especially as the Mets are coming off consecutive losses to the Braves.
Now after a split with the Reds, the Phillies (3-4) have made it through April looking better than they have in years past. Here's hoping this trend continues.
Before getting to the Reds series, I'd like to revisit the last game against the Nationals. Jamie Moyer, considered a stabalizing force of the staff, gave up six runs over 3 2/3 innings in an 8-7 win over the Nats. The bullpen did fine in that game, using six pitchers over the final 6 1/3 innings and giving up only one run. The bad news: 14 LOB.
As for the Reds, the Phils earned a 2-2 series split. Which is actually a pretty good result, considering that after Sunday, I would not have been surprised with the Reds taking three games.
The first matchup, Friday's 8-4 win, featured a two-homer effort from Chase Utley, but that was mitigated by pitcher Kyle Kendrick's four earned run performance. The LOB number was back to decent levels, as the Phils only registered five in that category.
Saturday's 4-3 loss wasn't all bad - Ryan Howard cracked his first homer and much maligned Adam Eaton threw 7 2/3 innings of 3-run baseball, definitely good enough to win with this lineup, and possibly a ray of hope for that guy? Philly fans can hope! Unfortunately, Chad Durbin gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth and absorbed the loss. LOB: 6. Still not bad.
Sunday's 8-2 loss was just as bad as it sounds. Brett Myers and Clay Condrey combined to surrender four runs and 12 hits to the Reds. A positive: Brad Lidge worked a scoreless, hitless 8th inning. LOB: 7. Again not bad.
Monday's 5-3 win was a classic Phillies performance: Homers in the first inning by Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell staked the Phils to an early lead, and two more homers in 3rd inning from Burrell (.435 average?? contract year) again and Geoff Jenkins sealed the deal. Cole Hamels pitched the kind of game the Phillies desperately need: 7 innings, 5 hits and 2 runs. Tom Gordon managed to pitch a hitless 8th and Lidge closed it out, but gave up a run while earning his first save as a Phillie. LOB: 7.
All in all, not a bad series. The win in the last game gives me hope for the Mets series. This ought to be a good one, especially as the Mets are coming off consecutive losses to the Braves.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Whew! Phillies Fans Can Breathe Easier...
Despite a not-so-great pitching performance from Jamie Moyer, the Phillies sneaked away with an 8-7 extra-inning win over the mighty Washington Nationals.
Winning on the 'strength' of three walks doesn't have the pizzazz of a walk-off homer, but at least the win had the highlight of good baserunning from reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins.
Okay, now that the Phillies (1-2) have a win under their belt, maybe they can calm things down. The hitting is heating up a bit and Tom Gordon's ERA is down to 33.75 from a Sputnik-like 135.
I was starting to think that the Nationals (3-1) were going to run away with the NL East. I could just see the ESPN baseball savants Kurkjian, Olney, Stark and Gammons drinking an extra cup of coffee as they wrack their brains coming up with the explanation as to how they knew the Nats would win the East all along....
And then, as I was writing this, I watched the end of the Pirates/Braves game. Atlanta loses 4-3 in extra innings. How nice - now the Phils aren't even in last place in the NL East anymore, as the Braves (1-3) have snatched that 'honor' from them. Awesomely, the Pirates are 2-1! Who saw that coming?? Nice going, Buccos - keep it up!
Back to the NL East, it's been shaky thus far, but the Phillies are at least playing as good as the Mets, Braves and Marlins thus far. I am expecting the Nationals to come back to Earth any minute now.
Now the Phils head to Cincinnati (2-1) for a 4-game weekend series and then off to battle the prognosticator anointed ones - The New York Mets - the following week.
Seven games in seven days. This would be a good time for the Phillies to make a positive statement. Phillies fans - are you psyched? You should be - this is exactly what they need.
* * *
SJ's Mets Rambings: Pedro Martinez is out for 4-6 weeks. This is a blow to the Mets, but not a really really significant one. Unless you're the team's accountant. Other than the financial aspect of this news, I imagine the Mets will get through this setback just fine. They still have Johan Santana and John Maine.
And I think it's pretty safe to say that anyone using objective thought didn't expect more than 10 or 12 wins from Martinez anyway. They'll get him back in the May-June timeframe, so there will stll be plenty of season for him to see what's left in the tank.
* * *
SJ's Braves Rambings: Mike Hampton was scratched from a start against the Pirates. This is of little interest to me, as I have never been a fan of Hampton...and the guy hasn't thrown a meaningful pitch since, like, 1975. Okay, it was 2005. I hope he just farts around for this season, closes out his contract and retires. It's the only decent thing to do.
Winning on the 'strength' of three walks doesn't have the pizzazz of a walk-off homer, but at least the win had the highlight of good baserunning from reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins.
Okay, now that the Phillies (1-2) have a win under their belt, maybe they can calm things down. The hitting is heating up a bit and Tom Gordon's ERA is down to 33.75 from a Sputnik-like 135.
I was starting to think that the Nationals (3-1) were going to run away with the NL East. I could just see the ESPN baseball savants Kurkjian, Olney, Stark and Gammons drinking an extra cup of coffee as they wrack their brains coming up with the explanation as to how they knew the Nats would win the East all along....
And then, as I was writing this, I watched the end of the Pirates/Braves game. Atlanta loses 4-3 in extra innings. How nice - now the Phils aren't even in last place in the NL East anymore, as the Braves (1-3) have snatched that 'honor' from them. Awesomely, the Pirates are 2-1! Who saw that coming?? Nice going, Buccos - keep it up!
Back to the NL East, it's been shaky thus far, but the Phillies are at least playing as good as the Mets, Braves and Marlins thus far. I am expecting the Nationals to come back to Earth any minute now.
Now the Phils head to Cincinnati (2-1) for a 4-game weekend series and then off to battle the prognosticator anointed ones - The New York Mets - the following week.
Seven games in seven days. This would be a good time for the Phillies to make a positive statement. Phillies fans - are you psyched? You should be - this is exactly what they need.
* * *
SJ's Mets Rambings: Pedro Martinez is out for 4-6 weeks. This is a blow to the Mets, but not a really really significant one. Unless you're the team's accountant. Other than the financial aspect of this news, I imagine the Mets will get through this setback just fine. They still have Johan Santana and John Maine.
And I think it's pretty safe to say that anyone using objective thought didn't expect more than 10 or 12 wins from Martinez anyway. They'll get him back in the May-June timeframe, so there will stll be plenty of season for him to see what's left in the tank.
* * *
SJ's Braves Rambings: Mike Hampton was scratched from a start against the Pirates. This is of little interest to me, as I have never been a fan of Hampton...and the guy hasn't thrown a meaningful pitch since, like, 1975. Okay, it was 2005. I hope he just farts around for this season, closes out his contract and retires. It's the only decent thing to do.
A "Spalding Guide" Film For Beloved Phillie Richie Ashburn
Phillies fans like me should have a great flashback of summer nights spent listening to or watching their favorite team just by reading the name of the man affectionately called "Whitey" by his legion of fans.
Ashburn, the Hall-of-Famer who paired with Harry Kalas in the Phils broadcast booth for over 25 years, holds a permanent place in my mind as the voice of baseball. To me, no other broadcaster even compares.
A gentleman named Dan Stephenson has completed a labor of love: "Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life."
This film celebrates the life and career of one of the most beloved men to wear a Phillies uniform. From Ashburn's own 8-milimeter films to material gathered by Stephenson, this sounds like a can't-miss item for Phillies phaithful.
His excellence as a player is underscored by his winning two batting titles between 1948-1959, despite the presence of great hitters such as Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Hank Aaron. No surprise Phillies fans are voting in droves for Ashburn the player in an All-Time Phillies poll.
Ashburn was also an excellent broadcaster, bringing a steady, familiar and welcome voice to the often moribund Phils. He was often known to see a bad swing or a booted grounder and say something along the lines of "That wasn't a Spalding Guide swing."
If I am remembering the story correctly, Kalas once asked Ashburn what he meant by the "Spalding Guide swing" remarks, and Ashburn said that the Spalding Company had issued a baseball guide book with instructions on how to properly hit, field, run, etc.
Another one of my favorite Ashburnisms was when a runner was in a position to steal a base, Ashburn would say that he "looked runnerish."
The film is scheduled to debut Monday at 7 PM EST, April 14th, at the 17th Philadelphia Film Festival at the Prince Music Theater.
I won't be at this debut, but I will certainly look to get myself a copy when it is released for purchase on April 22nd.
Just for fun, here are a few trivia questions from the "Richie Ashburn's Phillies trivia" book:
1) Which teams opposed each other in the first National League game ever played? (hint: it was in 1876)
2) Starting in 1947, the Phillies have conducted spring training in Clearwater, Florida. In how many other cities have the Phillies trained?
3) What pitcher surrendered Mike Schmidt's first major-league homer?
4) Who is the youngest player ever to play for the Phillies?
5) How many Phillies pitchers have won 30 games in a season?
If you're curious, email me for the answers.
Source: This article on mlb.com.
Ashburn, the Hall-of-Famer who paired with Harry Kalas in the Phils broadcast booth for over 25 years, holds a permanent place in my mind as the voice of baseball. To me, no other broadcaster even compares.
A gentleman named Dan Stephenson has completed a labor of love: "Richie Ashburn: A Baseball Life."
This film celebrates the life and career of one of the most beloved men to wear a Phillies uniform. From Ashburn's own 8-milimeter films to material gathered by Stephenson, this sounds like a can't-miss item for Phillies phaithful.
His excellence as a player is underscored by his winning two batting titles between 1948-1959, despite the presence of great hitters such as Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Hank Aaron. No surprise Phillies fans are voting in droves for Ashburn the player in an All-Time Phillies poll.
Ashburn was also an excellent broadcaster, bringing a steady, familiar and welcome voice to the often moribund Phils. He was often known to see a bad swing or a booted grounder and say something along the lines of "That wasn't a Spalding Guide swing."
If I am remembering the story correctly, Kalas once asked Ashburn what he meant by the "Spalding Guide swing" remarks, and Ashburn said that the Spalding Company had issued a baseball guide book with instructions on how to properly hit, field, run, etc.
Another one of my favorite Ashburnisms was when a runner was in a position to steal a base, Ashburn would say that he "looked runnerish."
The film is scheduled to debut Monday at 7 PM EST, April 14th, at the 17th Philadelphia Film Festival at the Prince Music Theater.
I won't be at this debut, but I will certainly look to get myself a copy when it is released for purchase on April 22nd.
Just for fun, here are a few trivia questions from the "Richie Ashburn's Phillies trivia" book:
1) Which teams opposed each other in the first National League game ever played? (hint: it was in 1876)
2) Starting in 1947, the Phillies have conducted spring training in Clearwater, Florida. In how many other cities have the Phillies trained?
3) What pitcher surrendered Mike Schmidt's first major-league homer?
4) Who is the youngest player ever to play for the Phillies?
5) How many Phillies pitchers have won 30 games in a season?
If you're curious, email me for the answers.
Source: This article on mlb.com.
NL East: All Going According To Plan
Well, these are some interesting results. After the first three days of play, everyone's preseason pick, the Washington Nationals (3-0) sit atop the NL East.
Meanwhile, the presumptive favorites, the New York Mets (2-1) and the Atlanta Braves (1-2) are hitting some bumps but at least they have won a game. And at 1-2, the Florida Marlins may be exceeding many prognosticators opinions of their chances.
Then we come to the Phillies. As they were left for dead by most of ESPN assembled, and many more NL East evaluators, perhaps nobody should be surprised by their 0-2 start.
Nevertheless, I am surprised. I would not have expected them to lose two games to the Nationals - and certainly not a 1-0 game like tonight. At least Cole Hamels had a relatively good game - eight innings, six Ks and two walks. Honestly, in 2008 baseball, you give up one run, you should be able to earn the win. Especially when the bullpen doesn't collapse.
I look at the numbers and one thing jumps out at me. It's not the relatively weak offensive numbers. It's too early to worry about that. I fully expect solid seasons out of the stalwart guys Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. They aren't a concern.
No - the numbers that concerns me is the LOB numbers: three LOB in both games. This tells me two things. They're not getting many men on base and they're getting outhit. Which, given their lineup, is a bit distressing.
But hold that incredulous "well, duh" comment for a moment. I know I'm not breaking news here.
The reason that I am paying attention to the LOB numbers is that for the past few seasons, the Phils seemed to be leaving a lot of men on base. From what I remember from checking box scores last year, it was not unusual to see 10 or more LOB in games for them. I hope the low LOB numbers trend continues...as long as they get hits like they did last year.
It's only two games. They still have 160 more to right the ship.
Meanwhile, the presumptive favorites, the New York Mets (2-1) and the Atlanta Braves (1-2) are hitting some bumps but at least they have won a game. And at 1-2, the Florida Marlins may be exceeding many prognosticators opinions of their chances.
Then we come to the Phillies. As they were left for dead by most of ESPN assembled, and many more NL East evaluators, perhaps nobody should be surprised by their 0-2 start.
Nevertheless, I am surprised. I would not have expected them to lose two games to the Nationals - and certainly not a 1-0 game like tonight. At least Cole Hamels had a relatively good game - eight innings, six Ks and two walks. Honestly, in 2008 baseball, you give up one run, you should be able to earn the win. Especially when the bullpen doesn't collapse.
I look at the numbers and one thing jumps out at me. It's not the relatively weak offensive numbers. It's too early to worry about that. I fully expect solid seasons out of the stalwart guys Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. They aren't a concern.
No - the numbers that concerns me is the LOB numbers: three LOB in both games. This tells me two things. They're not getting many men on base and they're getting outhit. Which, given their lineup, is a bit distressing.
But hold that incredulous "well, duh" comment for a moment. I know I'm not breaking news here.
The reason that I am paying attention to the LOB numbers is that for the past few seasons, the Phils seemed to be leaving a lot of men on base. From what I remember from checking box scores last year, it was not unusual to see 10 or more LOB in games for them. I hope the low LOB numbers trend continues...as long as they get hits like they did last year.
It's only two games. They still have 160 more to right the ship.
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