Okay, Phillies, so you listened. I called for you guys to sweep the Marlins, and you went out and did it. Nice job.
But now we gotta talk about the pitching. Dudes, seriously? I've been told by an endless array of other writers how y'all had career years last year, and how this pitching staff was no great shakes, and how - beyond Cole Hamels - y'all ain't got much going on.
And you're proving the point! Doesn't that kind of smack talk tick you off? It ticks me off and I'm not even the focus of the criticism!
I think it's awesome that you can get down by four runs, come back, give up the damn lead again, and then score the win on a grand slam. It's a great way to end a game, and Raul Ibanez is the shiznat....but, come on guys. I mean, 13-11? That's great stuff for highlights, but not so great for fans that would prefer 13-2 laughers. Does anyone remember laughers??? (does anyone remember Led Zeppelin?)
All right, check it:
* Brett Myers leads the starters with a 4.91 ERA going into tonight's game. And he's given up eight homers. This was a problem last year too - and that demotion did him a world of good. Just sayin'...Tell you what - go a game without giving up a homer and I'll ease off the gas a bit.
* Jamie Moyer (and I will refrain from making a joke about his age because he is currently the best Phillies pitcher) is next with a 5.09 ERA. But he gets a pass because he is also 3-1. Keep up the good work, buddy.
* Cole Hamels is tied with Brad Lidge with a 7.27 ERA. Despite his chiropractor, Hamels has been oft injured and we're still waiting to see the pitcher who was lights out in the playoffs and World Series last year. Now Lidge is nursing an injury. The fool national broadcasters always prattle on about "If they can avoid injury" - I guess there is something to this.
Oh yeah, I'll give Hamels and Lidge a pass because...well, because they were lights out in the playoffs and World Series last year! But - I'd still like to see some quality outings, boys. Okay?
* Joe Blanton? Hmmm...I'll give him some space. He's been pretty....awful thus far, but he did have some great moments last year. Time to get going, dude. Sooner the better.
* Chan Ho Park. Why? All I have to say. I got nothin' else. I'm ready to see what JA Happ can do in the starting rotation. Or Pedro Martinez. Anyone. Bueller? Bueller? Frye?
But it's not all doom and gloom. Ryan Howard has a .273 batting average, which is about 100 points higher than last year. Chase Utley and the aforementioned Ibanez have been...spectacular. Nothing new there. Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino have been steady as well. Offensively, the Phillies are starting to roll.
And then there's the Mets, who were the darlings of the prognosticators when the season began. So...I ask the question again: Beyond Johan Santana and Fransisco Rodriguez, who do they have for pitching? Amazingly, they may have a more underwhelming pitching staff than the Phillies do.
All that hand wringing over whether or not the Phils could keep up with the Mets, and it was the Marlins that were the problem. Well, after running into the buzzsaw that is the Pittsburgh Pirates (a three-game sweep), the Fish were swept by the Phils, and suddenly, the NL East was within 1 1/2 games.
And the Mets (mired in 4th place) are hardly a factor. If this keeps up, they will at least spare their fans the ignominy of choking away the NL East in the last week of the season. Oh, and...was that the Met bullpen that blew that save tonight? Maybe some more tinkering is necessary.
Of course, I mock at the Phillies peril, as the two teams open a three-game set this weekend, presumably to duke it out for bragging rights in the NL East. And it may not matter, as the Marlins square off against the Cubs this weekend, so I doubt that the standings will change much for any of these three teams.
And Atlanta? At 10-11, they hold third place in the NL East, and certainly warrant some conversation. They're just as inconsistent as the Phils, Mets and Marlins. At this point, any of the three could win the division. The Braves, in my mind, have an edge this weekend, as they take on the struggling Astros.
Yes, so far, it's been a crazy, fun season. I hope that May is a little more stable for the Phillies, but I'm sure we'll see more of the same. And that's fine - nothing wrong with a little excitement in baseball. But it would be nice if they won some games before the 8th and 9th innings.
And with an 11-9 record, and no more games in April, the Phillies have guaranteed their second consecutive winning April. Well done, boys - here's to ya. Now for the tough love part - get yer heads outta yer butts and get that pitching straightened out.
A low-scoring sweep of the Mets would go a long way to repairing my fractured confidence in the pitching staff.
Go Phils!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
An Open Letter to the Phillies: Get Yer Heads Outta Yer Butts!
Come on! That pretty much sums up my reaction to what my radio was telling me last night. A no-hitter? To Dave Bush? Who is 44-46 for his six year career? At least they had the decency to wrap it all up before I even got home from work!
No disrespect to Bush, but - come on!!! What the hell's up with the Phillies?
Here are two statements that emphasize my level of negativity toward them at this moment:
1) Ryan Howard went 0-4 last night...but at least he didn't strike out. Yay! What a consolation.
2) I am not even going to moan about their LOB numbers.
You lollygag to first! You lollygag to second! You know what that makes you? A sorely underwhelming and uninspiring team!
And Phillies fans are funny. We're conditioned to bring out all the usual cliches and reasons why it's okay that the Phillies aren't looking like defending World Series champs right now.
* Cliche/Reason: It's April. They always start slow.
* Retort: Not always. If I am remembering correctly, they started 17-5 in 1993 and never looked back. Last year, they posted a winning April (15-13) - barely.
* Cliche/Reason: They're a warm weather team.
* Retort: Who isn't? And...since when? They're not a warm weather team from a geographic perspective. And don't give me that a lot of the guys are from California. Most of the guys on the team have at least one year of playing baseball in crummy Northeast weather. And if you're not a cold weather team, how on Earth did you win the World Series??? Newsflash: Baseball is played in April, May, September and October - none of these are summer months.
* Cliche/Reason: It's a marathon, not a sprint. There's still 148 games to go.
* Retort: Well, you're 6-8 with six games left in April - three against the Marlins (11-4) and three against the Nationals (3-11). And before any aspersions are cast at the Nationals, let me point out that the Phils are only three games better than them right now.
I don't want to hear it. I get the impression that the Phillies fans in general are okay with how things are going. I do not necessarily agree. A saving grace is that the Mets are also struggling. But Florida ain't.
And just because the lowly Pirates just finished a sweep of the Marlins, that don't (or shouldn't) mean diddly for the Phils. After all, before that series, the Marlins were cruising along at 11-1.
Clearly, I don't expect Florida to keep up a pace like this, but, honestly, I doubt I am the only one who believes that the Phillies going into Florida playing like they are now could really turn this season on it's ear. It's very likely that the Marlins could emerge with a sweep.
Time to wake up Phillies. Time to forget about that trophy and concentrate on the 2009 season. Sadly, their pitchers have given up at least one homer in every game this season. Ryan Braun feasted on Phillies pitching, batting .800, slamming three homers and driving in six.
I'm not giving up or renouncing my Phillies fandom. I'm far too committed for that. Go Phils! But they're really pissing me off right now.
A three game sweep in Florida would go a long way to repairing my fractured confidence in them.
No disrespect to Bush, but - come on!!! What the hell's up with the Phillies?
Here are two statements that emphasize my level of negativity toward them at this moment:
1) Ryan Howard went 0-4 last night...but at least he didn't strike out. Yay! What a consolation.
2) I am not even going to moan about their LOB numbers.
You lollygag to first! You lollygag to second! You know what that makes you? A sorely underwhelming and uninspiring team!
And Phillies fans are funny. We're conditioned to bring out all the usual cliches and reasons why it's okay that the Phillies aren't looking like defending World Series champs right now.
* Cliche/Reason: It's April. They always start slow.
* Retort: Not always. If I am remembering correctly, they started 17-5 in 1993 and never looked back. Last year, they posted a winning April (15-13) - barely.
* Cliche/Reason: They're a warm weather team.
* Retort: Who isn't? And...since when? They're not a warm weather team from a geographic perspective. And don't give me that a lot of the guys are from California. Most of the guys on the team have at least one year of playing baseball in crummy Northeast weather. And if you're not a cold weather team, how on Earth did you win the World Series??? Newsflash: Baseball is played in April, May, September and October - none of these are summer months.
* Cliche/Reason: It's a marathon, not a sprint. There's still 148 games to go.
* Retort: Well, you're 6-8 with six games left in April - three against the Marlins (11-4) and three against the Nationals (3-11). And before any aspersions are cast at the Nationals, let me point out that the Phils are only three games better than them right now.
I don't want to hear it. I get the impression that the Phillies fans in general are okay with how things are going. I do not necessarily agree. A saving grace is that the Mets are also struggling. But Florida ain't.
And just because the lowly Pirates just finished a sweep of the Marlins, that don't (or shouldn't) mean diddly for the Phils. After all, before that series, the Marlins were cruising along at 11-1.
Clearly, I don't expect Florida to keep up a pace like this, but, honestly, I doubt I am the only one who believes that the Phillies going into Florida playing like they are now could really turn this season on it's ear. It's very likely that the Marlins could emerge with a sweep.
Time to wake up Phillies. Time to forget about that trophy and concentrate on the 2009 season. Sadly, their pitchers have given up at least one homer in every game this season. Ryan Braun feasted on Phillies pitching, batting .800, slamming three homers and driving in six.
I'm not giving up or renouncing my Phillies fandom. I'm far too committed for that. Go Phils! But they're really pissing me off right now.
A three game sweep in Florida would go a long way to repairing my fractured confidence in them.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Voice in My Head: Thoughts About Harry Kalas
How does one describe what someone they've never met means to them? It's more an amalgamation of memories for me. Countless spring, summer and fall evenings (and an occasional afternoon) spent watching channel 48, 29 or 17 to catch the Phillies.
In the pre-cable, pre-internet, pre-cell phone (can you believe there is such a thing?) days of following baseball, there was the daily newspaper, the evening news, This Week In Baseball (...with Mel Allen...), baseball cards and the clock radio that my parents had in the kitchen.
I listened to many a game on that radio, blissfully content that this is how baseball games are supposed to be enjoyed. The rich, vibrant descriptions, the sound of the crowd, the crack of the bat and Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas.
There are no specific calls that I remember, but I know that any and all significant Phillies moments are peppered with Mr. Kalas' classic voice. I remember watching every game of the 1980 NLCS between the Astros and Phillies and hanging on every pitch, every swing, and finally - the sweet final out that sent the Phillies to the World Series.
I remember watching the 1980 World Series: Peter Rose's save of Bob Boone's drop (is it any wonder I am such a Pete Rose fan?), Tug McGraw's strikeout of Willie Wilson to end the series (with the cops on horesback lining up behind the plate, anticipating this great moment) and the parade. Awesome. "We Win" in giant font on the front page of the Philadelphia Daily News (I have a copy somewhere in my basement) and Mike Schmidt's words to the crowd "Take this World Series and savor it. 'Cause you all earned it!" (I think that was it...I apologize if I've misquoted - I'm just writing from memory here).
Then there are smatterings of other Phillies memories - coming home from school just in time to watch the Phils and Expos square off in day games in the 1981 playoffs. Watching the 26-7 game in 1985 (I think) in which Von Hayes hit two homers in the first inning.
The lean years - 1985-1992. The 1993 playoffs in which Curt Schilling could not have been more spectacular. Pretty much willing the Phillies to defeat the Braves. On to the World Series, where Joe Carter's homer still haunts Phillies fans like myself. I don't know about other Phils fans, but the win in 2008 doesn't ease the disappointment of Carter's bomb. But we move on, and see what the future brings.
The Francona/Bowa years where the Phillies finally started to show some promise. The hiring of Charlie Manuel, which left me (and I'm certain plenty of other Phils fans) scratching my head. But the rewards came quickly - the NL East crown in 2007, and, of course, the World Series in 2008.
And through it all, the voice of Harry Kalas. I didn't realize until the last couple of years just how much a part of my childhood Harry Kalas was. I think it started when Richie Ashburn died. I realized then that I'd never hear Whitey's witticisms and his down-home, practical approach to calling a game. He knew when to remain silent.
Harry Kalas joked, laughed, entertained and brought the game to life. When something great was going on in the game, you, as the listener had no doubt that it was great. His excited screaming about Mike Schmidt's 500th homer, the final pitch of the 1980 World Series, the pitch that propelled the Phillies into the 1993 World Series, the call for the last out of the 2008 World Series.
Even the more mundane calls became "Hammer of the Gods" like when Harry intoned. He could call a strike out or a ground out as well as a homer or a game winning single. ESPN's Mike Greenberg said this morning that listening to a Harry Kalas montage is listening to a baseball game as it's supposed to sound. As it's supposed to be called.
Seriously, I don't think I would have the same great memories of these events if not for Kalas climbing out of my radio, sitting down next to me and sharing his enthusiasm for these great moments he was witnessing. He was a storyteller of my favorite kind of stories. Baseball stories.
It's hard not to sound corny here...I will miss Harry Kalas. This great friend that I've never met. The baseball moments we shared. Rest easy, Harry - and thanks for fostering my love and enthusiasm for this great great game.
In the pre-cable, pre-internet, pre-cell phone (can you believe there is such a thing?) days of following baseball, there was the daily newspaper, the evening news, This Week In Baseball (...with Mel Allen...), baseball cards and the clock radio that my parents had in the kitchen.
I listened to many a game on that radio, blissfully content that this is how baseball games are supposed to be enjoyed. The rich, vibrant descriptions, the sound of the crowd, the crack of the bat and Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas.
There are no specific calls that I remember, but I know that any and all significant Phillies moments are peppered with Mr. Kalas' classic voice. I remember watching every game of the 1980 NLCS between the Astros and Phillies and hanging on every pitch, every swing, and finally - the sweet final out that sent the Phillies to the World Series.
I remember watching the 1980 World Series: Peter Rose's save of Bob Boone's drop (is it any wonder I am such a Pete Rose fan?), Tug McGraw's strikeout of Willie Wilson to end the series (with the cops on horesback lining up behind the plate, anticipating this great moment) and the parade. Awesome. "We Win" in giant font on the front page of the Philadelphia Daily News (I have a copy somewhere in my basement) and Mike Schmidt's words to the crowd "Take this World Series and savor it. 'Cause you all earned it!" (I think that was it...I apologize if I've misquoted - I'm just writing from memory here).
Then there are smatterings of other Phillies memories - coming home from school just in time to watch the Phils and Expos square off in day games in the 1981 playoffs. Watching the 26-7 game in 1985 (I think) in which Von Hayes hit two homers in the first inning.
The lean years - 1985-1992. The 1993 playoffs in which Curt Schilling could not have been more spectacular. Pretty much willing the Phillies to defeat the Braves. On to the World Series, where Joe Carter's homer still haunts Phillies fans like myself. I don't know about other Phils fans, but the win in 2008 doesn't ease the disappointment of Carter's bomb. But we move on, and see what the future brings.
The Francona/Bowa years where the Phillies finally started to show some promise. The hiring of Charlie Manuel, which left me (and I'm certain plenty of other Phils fans) scratching my head. But the rewards came quickly - the NL East crown in 2007, and, of course, the World Series in 2008.
And through it all, the voice of Harry Kalas. I didn't realize until the last couple of years just how much a part of my childhood Harry Kalas was. I think it started when Richie Ashburn died. I realized then that I'd never hear Whitey's witticisms and his down-home, practical approach to calling a game. He knew when to remain silent.
Harry Kalas joked, laughed, entertained and brought the game to life. When something great was going on in the game, you, as the listener had no doubt that it was great. His excited screaming about Mike Schmidt's 500th homer, the final pitch of the 1980 World Series, the pitch that propelled the Phillies into the 1993 World Series, the call for the last out of the 2008 World Series.
Even the more mundane calls became "Hammer of the Gods" like when Harry intoned. He could call a strike out or a ground out as well as a homer or a game winning single. ESPN's Mike Greenberg said this morning that listening to a Harry Kalas montage is listening to a baseball game as it's supposed to sound. As it's supposed to be called.
Seriously, I don't think I would have the same great memories of these events if not for Kalas climbing out of my radio, sitting down next to me and sharing his enthusiasm for these great moments he was witnessing. He was a storyteller of my favorite kind of stories. Baseball stories.
It's hard not to sound corny here...I will miss Harry Kalas. This great friend that I've never met. The baseball moments we shared. Rest easy, Harry - and thanks for fostering my love and enthusiasm for this great great game.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
What I Remember About 2008: A Phillies Year To Remember
I remember IMing with a fellow Phillies fan shortly after the World Series had ended, bringing euphoria and joy to the rudderless, unwashed masses known to the baseball world as the worst fans in baseball. For the stretch of a few weeks...we were the best fans. Effin' A.
Chase Utley said it best, in all his [expletive deleted] glory. I couldn't have said it any better myself. It was a feeling of relief, happiness, joy...and, something I can't quite put my finger on.
In the days that followed the 2008 World Series I almost felt like - it's about freaking time. It's been 28 years, what the hell have you guys been doing? Where is another World Series win? The Twins won two World Series since 1980. The Marlins won two! The Red Sox won two. So...where the hell was ours?
But I got over it real quick in late October 2008. Finally, Finally. I work in central New Jersey, and have to deal with Mets and Yankees fans. For once, I could just tell them all to shut up and let me enjoy this moment. And to think, in September, I exchanged an email with my carpool guy about how done with the Phillies we were.
So, what do I remember about 2008? Just a few things:
* Adrian Beltre's prediction - didn't pan out. Jimmy Rollins he ain't
* Telling my son about the 1980 Phillies. Some of you might remember reading this.
* Not being able to watch a game because I have DirectTV - no Comcast. Hate them.
* A positive April (more wins than losses) - The first one in a long time.
* LOB, LOB, LOB - Too many men left on base...continued all season and into the WS
* Brett Myers demotion to the minors and his triumphant return.
* The Mets meltdown - always fun to watch and write about.
* NLDS - Victorino taking CC downtown. Never a doubt after that.
* NLCS - Myers hitting against LA, Matt Stairs' blast. Never a doubt after that.
* WS - Howard finally coming to life. Brad Lidge slamming the door.
So that's what I remember about 2008. The Phillies finally delivering the World Series that their crazed fanbase has been yearning for all these years. And doing it in style. What a great year. The best freaking fans get a prize they'll never forget. Awesome!
Fun (mostly Philly-related) facts about October 29
* October 29, 1981 - Bill Giles becomes CEO of Philadelphia Phillies
* October 29, 1942 - Branch Rickey named president/GM of Brooklyn Dodgers
* October 29, 1931 - Lefty Grove, A's pitcher who won 31 games, is named the AL's MVP
* October 29, 1682 - William Penn lands at what is now Chester Pennsylvania
* October 29, 2008 - The Phillies win their second World Series.
Chase Utley said it best, in all his [expletive deleted] glory. I couldn't have said it any better myself. It was a feeling of relief, happiness, joy...and, something I can't quite put my finger on.
In the days that followed the 2008 World Series I almost felt like - it's about freaking time. It's been 28 years, what the hell have you guys been doing? Where is another World Series win? The Twins won two World Series since 1980. The Marlins won two! The Red Sox won two. So...where the hell was ours?
But I got over it real quick in late October 2008. Finally, Finally. I work in central New Jersey, and have to deal with Mets and Yankees fans. For once, I could just tell them all to shut up and let me enjoy this moment. And to think, in September, I exchanged an email with my carpool guy about how done with the Phillies we were.
So, what do I remember about 2008? Just a few things:
* Adrian Beltre's prediction - didn't pan out. Jimmy Rollins he ain't
* Telling my son about the 1980 Phillies. Some of you might remember reading this.
* Not being able to watch a game because I have DirectTV - no Comcast. Hate them.
* A positive April (more wins than losses) - The first one in a long time.
* LOB, LOB, LOB - Too many men left on base...continued all season and into the WS
* Brett Myers demotion to the minors and his triumphant return.
* The Mets meltdown - always fun to watch and write about.
* NLDS - Victorino taking CC downtown. Never a doubt after that.
* NLCS - Myers hitting against LA, Matt Stairs' blast. Never a doubt after that.
* WS - Howard finally coming to life. Brad Lidge slamming the door.
So that's what I remember about 2008. The Phillies finally delivering the World Series that their crazed fanbase has been yearning for all these years. And doing it in style. What a great year. The best freaking fans get a prize they'll never forget. Awesome!
Fun (mostly Philly-related) facts about October 29
* October 29, 1981 - Bill Giles becomes CEO of Philadelphia Phillies
* October 29, 1942 - Branch Rickey named president/GM of Brooklyn Dodgers
* October 29, 1931 - Lefty Grove, A's pitcher who won 31 games, is named the AL's MVP
* October 29, 1682 - William Penn lands at what is now Chester Pennsylvania
* October 29, 2008 - The Phillies win their second World Series.
Phillies 2009: Rough Start, But Salvaged In The End
Yes, it's true - I reverted back to my typical fan mode and moaned about the pitiful performance by the Phillies in their first two games.
While 4-1 and 4-0 losses are not the end of the world, it's just not a good way to start a season. Especially when the team has a history of bad Aprils. I wrote a very similar article last year at this time. No need to go over familiar ground.
Well, maybe a little. Sunday's 4-1 loss: 4 men left on base (LOB). Tuesday's 4-0 loss: 11 LOB. Today's 12-11 slugfest: 11 LOB again. I suppose it could be argued that if you score 12, then leaving 11 men on base isn't so bad. I disagree, but you could argue this point.
But I'll walk away. The season is young, and World Series rings have been distributed. So everyone in the Philadelphia area ought to be feeling pretty optomistic overall. There are 159 games left - plenty of time.
Not much has changed between the way 2008 started and the way 2009 is starting. The Phillies lost winnable games in both years and I moaned about it. Now they're 1-2 and on their way to Colorado....last year, they were 1-2 and on their way to play Cincinnati.
Last year, the Phillies struggled to take 2 of 4 from the Reds. I'm hoping this year they'll surprise the crap out of me and take all three games from the Rockies. Cole Hamels will take the mound in a much-hyped start Friday afternoon amid talk of his ailing left elbow. He says he's fine, and I hope that turns out to be the case.
We need a typical Hamels outing: less than 2 runs, 8-10 Ks and 7-8 innings pitched. Of course, that also means that the Phillies need to score more than 0 and 1 runs in the game as well. But they just scored 12, so my thinking here is that they should be able to muster 3-4 runs. That would be a good start.
It's time to put the World Series win in the back pocket and get back to the business of playing the type of baseball that made them October winners. At least this year...I feel comfortable that they know the way.
While 4-1 and 4-0 losses are not the end of the world, it's just not a good way to start a season. Especially when the team has a history of bad Aprils. I wrote a very similar article last year at this time. No need to go over familiar ground.
Well, maybe a little. Sunday's 4-1 loss: 4 men left on base (LOB). Tuesday's 4-0 loss: 11 LOB. Today's 12-11 slugfest: 11 LOB again. I suppose it could be argued that if you score 12, then leaving 11 men on base isn't so bad. I disagree, but you could argue this point.
But I'll walk away. The season is young, and World Series rings have been distributed. So everyone in the Philadelphia area ought to be feeling pretty optomistic overall. There are 159 games left - plenty of time.
Not much has changed between the way 2008 started and the way 2009 is starting. The Phillies lost winnable games in both years and I moaned about it. Now they're 1-2 and on their way to Colorado....last year, they were 1-2 and on their way to play Cincinnati.
Last year, the Phillies struggled to take 2 of 4 from the Reds. I'm hoping this year they'll surprise the crap out of me and take all three games from the Rockies. Cole Hamels will take the mound in a much-hyped start Friday afternoon amid talk of his ailing left elbow. He says he's fine, and I hope that turns out to be the case.
We need a typical Hamels outing: less than 2 runs, 8-10 Ks and 7-8 innings pitched. Of course, that also means that the Phillies need to score more than 0 and 1 runs in the game as well. But they just scored 12, so my thinking here is that they should be able to muster 3-4 runs. That would be a good start.
It's time to put the World Series win in the back pocket and get back to the business of playing the type of baseball that made them October winners. At least this year...I feel comfortable that they know the way.
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