A Crucial Year for J-Roll

By Amy McCormick

We all know and love Jimmy Rollins for three reasons (other than his athleticism): his leadership, his personality, and his swagger.  Though once thought of as arrogant and not received very well in this city, Jimmy has an infectious, endearing personality that Phillies fans can’t get enough of.  No one else could pull off making predictions the way that J-Roll does.  No one else can light up a city with his smile the way J-Roll does.  And no one sprays bottles of champagne quite the way J-Roll does.

Jimmy is coming up on a contract year, and it raises the question: will he remain a Phillie? There are some factors that will influence the Phillies’ decision making process, such as budget, that I won’t get into.  I’d rather focus on why we’d want to keep Rollins and why Rollins would want to stay.

As a batter, Jimmy’s numbers have dwindled from the .290s to about .250 over the past several years.  Granted, in 2010, he played only 88 games due to injury.  His WAR was only 1.7 (consider that it was 6.1 in his MVP year, 2007).  Now, don’t get me wrong, and save the hate mail.  I love Jimmy Rollins and think that he’s a great shortstop; I’m merely stating facts.  Truth be told, Wilson Valdez is the same age, had the same WAR in 2010, and a better batting average.  I’m hoping that Jimmy’s numbers from last year were due more in part to his injury than to his age.  The man is 32 years old.  Outside of MLB, 32 is actually quite young (says the 32 year old writer).  In terms of baseball, though, he’s just not getting any younger.   

I wish my man Cole Hamels could give me some inside information in terms of what Jimmy wants to do in 2012.  He doesn’t like talking about it, though.  Some “man code” or whatever.  My opinion is that J-Roll will want to complete his career in Philadelphia.  It’s all he knows as a Major League player … and who wouldn’t want to be a part of the greatest team on earth?  I think he has found a niche in the clubhouse (and the city) as a true leader, and at this point, it’s hard to picture the team without him. 

What do I want to see from Jimmy this year? Personally, I think he’s our best bet for a leadoff hitter.  What I’d like to see from him, though, is some patience at the plate.  I started a drinking game last season – take a shot every time Jimmy pops out on the first pitch – and frankly, my husband started to get a little sick of me being belligerently drunk by the end of a game.  Rollins needs to wait for his pitch, find a gap, and get on base.  Period.  I want to see him stealing second unless notified otherwise.  I want him healthy, above all else, but I also want him to be aggressive in every sense.  I want to see him fielding balls like the beast we all know he can be, getting base hits and getting himself into scoring position. 

I have confidence that Rollins can have a standout season, and I think he’ll be able to get the Phils to pay him well in a new contract.  I’d like to see him stay in Philly, but I think there’s a lot depending upon his performance this season.  I’d love to see his prediction of 100+ wins this season proven to be true.  One thing is for sure, though.  I want Jimmy healthy, focused, and playing 162 games to lead the Phillies to his bold prediction.  Bring it, J-Roll.  Swagger and all. 

Phils-Braves Breakdown

                                                                                                               By Chris Kiel

I know it’s been quite awhile since I wrote a blog but I’ve been very busy lately. And of course by very busy I mean lying around on the couch.  Originally I was going to do a preview of the NL East but I’ve decided to do a position by position comparison of the Braves and Phillies.  I do think the Phillies are going to win the division but I think the Braves are going to give us some stiff competition. (I said stiff…. Lol!)  Even before the all the injuries suffered by the Phillies they weren’t going to walk away with the division. So lets breakdown the two teams.

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz/ Brian McCann   

            I’m going to start with this because I think my opinion here will create some controversy. Let me start out by saying I love Chooch. However, I would take McCann over him. And before I get crucified let me say why. Chooch’s best quality is his defense but I would trade his defense for McCann’s offense. I know Chooch calls a great game but our staff would still be dominant with McCann back there. McCann is not a bad defender. However on offense McCann is way ahead of Ruiz. Last year Chooch had a career year and hit .300 with 8 hrs and 53 RBI’s in a career high 121 games.  McCann battled eye problems all year and had his worst season and batted .269 with 21hrs and 77 RBI’s.  Before that he averaged 22hr’s 95 RBI’s while batting .295.  He’s also never played less then 130 games. He’s also 27 years old and entering his prime.

Advantage Braves

1^st base: Ryan Howard/ Freddie Freeman

            The Braves are going to start the 21 year old rookie Freeman at first.  Freeman has great potential. He has shown the ability to hit for power and average at the minor league level.  Freeman did get 24 AB’s with the big club last year but is very inexperienced. It’s hard to say what you’re going to get out him.  I’m not really going to go into detail about Howard. He’s one of the best sluggers in the game and was recently ranked as the number 6 1^st baseman in the league.

Advantage Phillies

2^nd base: Wilson Valdez, Luis Castillo / Dan Uggla

            If the Phillies had a healthy Utley they would have the advantage but they don’t. The Braves made a good move getting Uggla. While watching him in the field can be painful he can mash the ball.  He has four straight years of 30+ homeruns and hit a career high .287 last year. The Phillies are probably going to start with a Valdez/Castillo platoon.  Valdez is solid defensively but my 90 year old grandmother could hit better then him. Who knows what we’ll get out of Castillo? I personally don’t think Utley will be back for awhile, maybe not all season.

Advantage Braves

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins/Alex Gonzalez

            The Braves acquired Gonzalez in a trade last year. Gonzalez is a solid veteran player. He’s decent at the plate. He’s averaged 16 hr’s 71 RBI’s a year over the course of his career. He’s a good fit for the Braves. Now let’s look at Rollins. I still think Rollins is better. How much better remains to be seen. Rollins has been in decline the last few years. I think Rollins is going to have a good year but who knows?

Advantage Philles

3^rd base Placido Polanco/Chipper Jones

            This is a hard one to do. Both are veteran players with some injury issues.  Based on their whole careers Chipper is better. He’s probably a Hall of Famer. Polanco has been a very good player throughout his career. Chipper missed a lot of time last year and is about to be 39. He still has more power then Polanco but Polanco should hit for a higher average. Chipper has looked good this spring but I’m going to go with Polanco.

Slight Advantage Phillies

Centerfield: Shane Victorino/Nate McLouth

            McLouth had a terrible year last year. He literally almost didn’t hit his weight. He is listed at 180 lbs and he hit .190. If he bounces back he can put up some decent numbers. He has decent power and speed. Last year Victorino hit a career high in homers but a career low in avg. I would like to see him put the ball on the ground more. He should also have more then 34 steals. In the field he covers a lot of ground.

Advantage Phillies

Left Field: Raul Ibanez/Martin Prado

            Last year Prado played 2^nd but with the addition of Uggla he moves to left.  Prado really came into his own last year while making the All-Star team. He even finished 9^th in the MVP voting.  Prado only hit 15 hr’s which isn’t a lot for a corner outfielder but he hit .307 and scored 100 runs. Ibanez got off to a sizzling start his first few month here in 2009, but has been inconsistent at best since then. The other issue with him is that he turns 39 in June which is ancient for an everyday player who is not a DH.

Advantage Braves

Right Field: Ben Francisco/Jason Heyward

            What can I say about Heyward? This kid is the real deal. He has a huge ceiling. He can hit for power and average and is patient at the plate. As a 21 year old he more then handled major league pitching last year while making the All-Star team. I think Francisco will have a solid year. He won’t put up Werth numbers but he will be good enough out there. Also expect Mayberry to see some playing time.

Advantage Braves

Starters Hallady, Hamels, Lee, Oswalt, Blanton/ Lowe, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens

            I won’t go into details about the Phillies starters. We’ve all heard about the stats and accolades they’ve won. They are probably the best starting rotation in the league. The one thing I will say is that you should expect a monster year out of Hamels. While not as good as the Phillies the Braves rotation is nothing to sneeze at. Lowe and Hudson are solid veteran pitchers and Hanson and Jurrjens are good young pitchers.

Advantage Braves……Just kidding!!

Bullpen

            Honestly I don’t know much about the Braves bullpen. I do know they have some young arms that can throw gas. Their closer is Craig Kimbrel who is only 22. They also have a few veteran arms in there if Kimbrel falters. George Sherrill and Scott Linebrink are capable of taking over. The Phillies bullpen has some question marks in it. The injury to Lidge hurts because it changes people’s roles. Contreras will take over as the closer and Madson will remain the setup man. They should do a good job. What we don’t know is what we’ll get out of JC Romero, Danys Baez, and Kyle Kendrick.

Advantage….Oh let’s call this a push

One more major advantage the Phillies have is their schedule. The record for the Phillies opponents in April was .471 last year. They open the season against the Astros and Mets which should get them off to a good start. The Braves have a tough 10 game West Coast trip in April.  If the Phillies open up an early lead on the Braves it will really help later on in the season.

            So as you can see the gap between the Phillies and the Braves is not that large. It doesn’t leave a large margin for error. The Phillies have a lot of question marks with the health of their players. In the end though I expect the Phillies pitching to lead them to the division title

Shane and Raul Collide

By Amy McCormick

On Monday, the Phillies played the Red Sox in a Spring Training game.  In the top of the fifth inning, Red Sox third baseman Nate Spears knocked a ball into the gap between left field and center field.  Apparently, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino forgot what they surely learned the first day of Little League - the "I got it" rule - and they collided.  Shane caught a shoulder to the face, brusing his eye and injuring his jaw.  Raul appeared to be uninjured.

Shane remained on the ground for a few moments, which was long enough for Phillies fans everywhere to have 2010 deja vu - injuries left and right.  Three minutes felt like thirty; it was long enough for me to think, "There goes our outfield." After a few moments, Victorino got up from the field and was able to walk on his own.  Spears reached third on a triple, by the way.

Victorino, ever the trooper, said that he could have finished the game.  Instead, the staff insisted that he come out as a precaution.  Josh Barfield, playing third base, moved to center field, and Wilson Valdez moved to third base.

Thus far, it seems that Shane has not experienced headaches, but is expected to undergo testing for a concussion (it's not likely that he sustained one).  Thankfully, Vic seems to have very minor injuries.  We all know it could have been worse - and we all remember our starters dropping like flies last season.  I can only hope that we don't have any more little scares - even if it was only for about three minutes - because my anxiety can't take it.  Stay healthy, guys. 

Signing Luis Castillo

By Amy McCormick

Well, the Mets released second baseman Luis Castillo, who was fairly unpopular among the Mets’ fan base (I know, I didn’t realize they had one, either).  No one else showed legitimate interest in signing him, so the Phillies decided to make a minor league deal with him yesterday.  He cleared waivers yesterday afternoon.  He is due $6 million this season, but the Mets will pay most of that.  The Phils agreed to the league minimum, $414,000. 

Some Philadelphia fans are in an uproar, and I think I know why.  First, it means that the beloved Chase Utley will be out with his knee injury for longer than they’d like.  Second, he was let go by the Mets.  It seems like an insult to Phillies fans to bring in someone that even the Mets don’t want.

I’ve been asked by several people how I feel about the deal, and I honestly didn’t have much of an opinion until now.  I really feel that Chase will be out for a decent chunk of time.  He hasn’t played in one exhibition game this spring, and I have a sinking feeling that the damage to his knee is degenerative (strictly my own speculation).  The truth is, signing Castillo really doesn’t pose any risks, and it could pay off for us.

If you look at Castillo’s numbers from 2010, they’re pretty dismal.  He posted a .235 batting average and played in only 86 games due to a foot injury.  And truth be told, he has lost some of his range in the field.  If we look at previous years, though, his performance is much different.  His career batting average is .290 … in 2009, it was an impressive .302 with a .387 on base percentage.  This could mean one of a few things, and I tend to believe that he had a slump season last year because of his injury.  Thus far in spring training, he has been hitting .286. 

We need some depth in the infield.  I suspect that Wilson Valdez will play on Opening Day (and throughout most of Chase’s absence).  Now, though, we can add Castillo to the group of infielders (Martinez, Orr, Barfield, and Young) competing for a spot on the team.   I’d like to see Castillo play to his potential and do some damage at the plate.  It’s also an advantage that he, like Delwyn Young, is a switch hitter.

I know that Castillo is no Chase Utley.  None of the five players I have mentioned even comes close.  We need to deal with the situation at hand, though, and that is that Utley is out indefinitely.  Until he is 100% healthy, we need substitutions.  Signing Castillo, at the bare minimum, isn’t going to hurt the Phils at all. 

I Implore You ...

By Amy McCormick

As Phillies fans, we love to spend time at Citizens Bank Park.  To me, it’s better than Disneyland.  It’s my happy place.  In order to keep it that way (and let’s face it – if I’m not happy, no one’s happy), I implore you to follow a few basic rules if you plan to sit anywhere near me at a game.

The Star Spangled Banner.  The Phillies organization usually does a pretty good job of inviting talented singers to sing the anthem before the start of the game.  If you were asked in school to be a “listener” during chorus, please do not sing along.  Just remove your hat, put your hand on your heart, and listen.

Going To and From Your Seat.  This is a huge pet peeve of mine.  Staff should not allow you to re-enter your section until a play is complete.  That is to say, wait until it’s between batters.  The same goes for getting up to go to the bathroom or to get food.  I’d actually prefer if you’d wait until the middle or end of an inning.

Umbrellas.  In the event of a slight drizzle or even a rain delay, I’ll give you two choices: grow a set and relax, because it’s just water, or go stand where you can stay dry.  Umbrellas obstruct others’ view.  It’s rude, and to be honest, you kind of look like a pansy.

Talking.  There are several points I need to make here.  Please do not have loud conversations about non-baseball related topics.  I don’t care what’s on sale at Acme, who’s taking whom to Homecoming, or how much your new kitchen floor will cost.  On the flipside, don’t be a know-it-all.  You know the type: he thinks he could do a better job at shortstop than Jimmy and has something to say about every single play.  Last, but not least, never mention to me that I know “a lot about baseball for being a girl.”

Catching a Ball.   If I were lucky enough to catch a ball, I’d do one of a few things, and I invite you to do the same.  If it were a foul ball, or a Phillies homerun, I’d hand the ball over to a nearby child.  If it were a visitor’s homerun, I’d throw it back on the field, because I’m just that obnoxious. Chances are, if you don’t do the same, you will be booed by many fans (myself included).

Joking About Rushing the Field.  If I hear one more person say, “Do you think I’d get tasered if I ran out onto the field right now?” I might scream.  You know you’re not running onto the field.  And chances are, there’s an off-duty police officer sitting in your section who would be happy to accommodate you anyway.

Drinking.   I would be a huge liar if I said that I didn’t drink at Phils games.  I want you to have a great time at CBP and drink and enjoy your experience.  Please know your limits, people.  No one wants to hang out with someone who is falling-down, sloppy drunk.  No one.

I don’t ask much.  We all pay good money to watch a game and enjoy all that Citizens Bank Park has to offer.  I simply request that you not act like a jerk while you’re there. It will be an enjoyable evening for everyone if you follow a few simple guidelines.  Enjoy your time at the stadium and cheer as loudly as you can for the Phillies!

The Once and Future King

By Amy McCormick

I’d like to begin this post by clarifying that I cannot stand females who watch baseball or choose a favorite player because someone is attractive.  It’s a huge pet peeve of mine.  For those of you who know me, you know that I know a little bit about Phillies baseball.  That being said, I’ve been having a love affair with Cole Hamels since 2007.  He just doesn’t know about it.

Fans seem to go back and forth when it comes to Hamels, but I’ve always had faith in him.  I’ll group his seasons the way that a lot of us group fans: pre-2008 and 2008 – present. 

2006 – 2007  Cole made his Major League debut with the Phillies on May 12, 2006.  He posted 9 wins and 8 losses that season with a 4.08 ERA.  Not exactly stellar, but for a rookie, those are respectable numbers.  In 2007, Cole won 15 games and lost 5, with an ERA of 3.39.  It was then that people started to take notice of the lefty. 

2008  Hamels posted a 14-10 season with a 3.09 ERA in 2008.  In the National League, he was first in WHIP (Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched) with 1.082.  He won the National League Babe Ruth Award and became an instant fan favorite.  Suddenly, everyone loved Cole.  He was our ace, and we all had confidence each time he took the mound.  In the postseason, he won four games and lost none.  This earned him the MVP awards for both the NLCS and the World Series.

2009  This was the year that fans dropped Hamels like a hot potato.  He seemed to be in a funk all season, winning 10 games and losing 11.  His ERA was a career-high 4.32.  “Fans” wanted him to be traded.  A lot of people didn’t realize that a) he was only 25 years old, and b) the skills he had shown the three previous seasons were not a fluke.  I don’t have a scientific reason for why he had a season-long slump; however, I knew he would rebound.  People tried to make sense of his bad season.  “He has a 2008 hangover.” “His head’s not in the game because his wife is pregnant.” I heard a lot of off-the-wall reasoning.  Truth be told, none of us knows what happened with him in 2009.  Even with two postseason wins, Philadelphians wanted Cole gone.

2010  I hoped that Hamels would re-emerge last season as the ace that I know he is.  His pitching was on point, although his win-loss record doesn’t reflect it.  Offense gave Cole no run support, so even with a 3.06 ERA and a new pitch – a nasty cutter – there were games that he should have won.  He tweaked his mechanics, and right-handed batters suddenly didn’t have him all figured out.  His average WHIP over five seasons is 1.176, and in 2010 it was 1.179.  It was last season that the Hamels Bandwagon loaded up again, and people came out of the woodwork to cheer him on.  The best way to sum up Cole’s 2010 season is to say that he did his job, but the offense fell short.  He won one game in the NLDS against the Reds, assisting the team in their advance to the NLCS.

2011  What can we expect from Mr. Hamels in 2011?  I’ll admit that this is mostly my opinion.  I think we’ll see batters guessing, because Cole will use all four of his pitches.  He has improved the velocity of his fastball; it used to be around 90 mph and now is consistently 92 mph (sometimes getting to 96 mph).  His curveball needs some improvement, but of course, there’s his cutter and change-up.  I think he’ll continue to be more and more unhittable.  I predict an ERA between 3.00 and 3.25 and 14 wins.

As part of such an outstanding rotation, Cole Hamels will surely attract more and more fans this season, even in such great company.  I look forward to seeing him pitch well into October.  As the youngest of the five starters, Hamels has a bright future ahead.  I plan to enjoy being his biggest fan (and girlfriend) for years to come.

Victorino Pays it Forward



By Amy McCormick

The Roberto Clemente Award is named after the Hall of Fame right fielder who died in a plane crash while on a mission to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua in 1972.  Every year, each team in Major League Baseball nominates one player whose dedication to community service has been outstanding.  In 2010, The Phillies nominated Shane Victorino. 

Last year, the Shane Victorino Foundation was established in an effort to serve under-privileged youth in both Philadelphia and his home state of Hawaii.  To launch the organization, Shane pledged $900,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Nicetown in Philadelphia.  “The big picture is: it’s about the kids.  It’s not about where we live or where we come from,” stated Victorino.  “It’s about giving back to the community and giving back to the kids and being a role model.”  (Clearly, Shane and Charles Barkley don’t see eye to eye on the role model issue.) 

The Flyin’ Hawaiian is no stranger to humanitarian efforts.  “My father and mom were always involved in the community, not so much financially, but they would give their time and effort,” Victorino said.  “And you could see the good in what they did.  So it means a lot to give back to the community.  If you’re in a position to give back, I think it means a lot to help others.”  While several Phillies dedicate time, energy and finances to various charities, Shane and his efforts stand out. 

It seems to me that Hawaii would be an obvious choice for Victorino to focus his charity work.  Many Hawaiian at-risk youths have benefited from his work to encourage recreation and wellness.  What is special about our centerfielder is that he considers Philadelphia to be his second home.  The fact that he devotes time and money to the under-served youth in this city speaks volumes about his character. 

Friday, Japan’s colossally devastating earthquake spawned some large waves in Hawaii.  Thus far, it appears that there isn’t much damage in the United States.  If I had to venture a guess, though, I’d say that Shane Victorino will be involved in any Hawaiian relief efforts that may take place.  I love that he uses his celebrity (and large paycheck) for good; he sets a good example for others in the spotlight.  He understands that kids look up to him, and he does his best to show them that he cares.  He puts his money where his mouth is.  His positive effect on the youth in both Hawaii and the city of Philadelphia is recognized, well-received, and appreciated. 

A Memorable Night at CBP

By Amy McCormick

I went to my first Phillies game as a child.  It was at The Vet, and I won’t tell you what year it was.  Since then, I’ve been to countless games.  I wish I could say that I’ve attended a post-season game, but that would be a lie.  The most fun I’ve had at a Phillies game is still pretty vivid in my usually forgetful mind.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, and a friend of my husband’s asked if we wanted his tickets to that night’s game.  I was hesitant, because our two older daughters had school in the morning, and it meant we would need my mom to baby-sit our three girls.  Somehow, things fell into place, and Mike and I ended up on our way to South Philly.

It was September 30, and I remember thinking how it was way too cold outside.  We were bundled up, though, and ready to watch Pedro Martinez pitch.  At one point, Mike went to get us some hot chocolate, and I’ll never forget how disgusting it was.  Of course, I didn’t care.  I was there to watch the Phils battle the Astros, and there was the possibility that the Phillies could clinch the NL East that night.  I figured it would happen the following night, just because that’s the kind of luck I have.

Pedro pitched four innings and let up three runs.  We were losing 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, when the Phils took full advantage of an error by Houston and scored four runs.  Kyle Kendrick came in to pitch innings 5-7, during which the Phils tacked on five more runs, making the score 10-3.  Citizens Bank Park started to get nice and loud.  Chad Durbin pitched the eighth inning, and Scott Eyre pitched two outs of the ninth.  For the last out, Brad Lidge came running from the bullpen.  If you’ll remember, 2009 was the season that everyone hated Brad Lidge and would have run him over with his or her car if given the chance.  Mike and I still loved him, and we were glad to see Charlie put him in for the final out.  The man threw one pitch.  A ground out ended the game, and the stadium went crazy.  Fireworks exploded in the sky. 

Some fans decided to leave in an attempt to beat traffic.  Not us.  We moved to section 117 with a bunch of other fans, and watched as the players came out of the clubhouse in their “NL East Champs” gear.  Music was blaring.  Of course, we all sang along to the audio of Harry singing “High Hopes.” The most touching and emotional part of the evening was when the team jogged together over to left field where the sign for Harry Kalas was.  Since Harry had passed just five months before, his absence was especially obvious and sad.  The whole scene was very bittersweet for all of us.  There was an extremely tall man in front of me, so I stood on the seat.  I didn’t care; I wanted to see. 

Finally, it was time to go home.  It was late, and we needed to get up early.  I never thought I would have so much fun in freezing cold weather, but I will never forget that game.  Thanks, Mike, for an impromptu date night.  You kept me warm and I had a blast. 

The Mad Dog

by Christopher Kiel

            Before I start let me say that this blog is at the request of my brother who loves Ryan Madson.  I think he likes him because he is the only person I know who is as tall and lanky as Madson!! In all seriousness though, Madson has been an important (and somewhat overlooked) part of the Phillies for the last few years. The casual fan knows all about our starters and Brad Lidge but probably doesn’t realize how important Ryan Madson is. So lets take a look at his career.

            Madson was drafted out of High School  by the Phillies in the 9^th round of the 1998 Draft. Madson spent 6 seasons in the minors. After getting a cup of coffee with the Phillies at the 2003 he came up for good in 2004. For all you bandwagon fans out there a cup of coffee means you’re in the majors for a brief time. For all you illiterates out there brief means short. Ha ha!!   As a 23 year old rookie he went 9-3 with a 2.34 era.

            After 2 years as a reliever the Phillies decided to make Madson a starter in 2006.  The Phllies had high hopes (No pun intended Harry)  for him as a starter. Madson  had success as a starter in minors. Armed with three pitches (a fastball, a cutter and a slider) Madson had the tools to excel.  While he did have 11 wins that season he had a very high era. Ryan did have some good games but he was plagued by inconsistency. By August he was back in the bullpen. I think the Phillies didn’t give him enough of a chance. But what do I know? I also think Madson felt the same way.

            The next season Madson was back in the bullpen for good. Could he have been a good starter? I guess we’ll never know.  The next few seasons he was a very reliable setup man. Eventually he moved into very important role of 8^th inning setup man. I feel that having a good setup is as important as having a good closer. If you can’t get to the 9^th inning with the lead then having a good closer is pointless.  Kinda like a pencil without lead. Get it?  (See if a pencil doesn’t have lead in it, it has no point on it). In 2008 Madson was terrific down the stretch and into the playoffs. 

            Now let’s get to the part where people have some issues with Madson. In 2009 as Brad Lidge struggled with injuries Madson was picked to be the closer. Many people including this guy were excited to see what Madson could do. For a few years people had viewed Madson as the closer of the future.  Let’s just say Madson didn’t excel in this role.  Can he eventually become the closer? I have a theory on this but we’ll get to that in a minute.  Last season started a little shaky for Madson. The he got into a fight with a folding chair and lost. After a Blown Save Madson kicked a folding chair and broke is toe.  I say this is the best thing that ever happened to him.  I think it taught him not to take things so seriously and just let them go and move on which is an important quality for a reliever to have.

            After his return from the DL  in July, he had a 1.64 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 46 appearances.  He continued this dominance into the playoffs. He only allowed one run in the post season.  Unfortunately it was the run that won the NLCS for the Giants. 

            So what will this season bring for Madson? Only time will tell, but in my not so humble opinion Madson will have a great season.  I think that if Lidge struggles Ryan will have no problem stepping in as the closer. Madson is older and more mature this time around. I recently saw an interview where Madson talked about how he worked on his focus in the off season. It worked for Hamels last year. Also, Madson is a free agent after this year and if he wants to make some bank he needs a good season. 

Ut-oh ...

By Amy McCormick

We’ve all known for weeks that Chase Utley has an injured right knee.  The mystery has been how severe the injury actually is; Utley has been known to play through pain, and Ruben Amaro, Jr. is famous for not divulging information.

There are a few things we need to look at here.  To begin with, let’s examine the actual damage to his knee.  Physician for the Phillies Michael Cicotti says that Chase has patellar tendonitis, chondromalacia, and bone inflammation.  What it boils down to is that Utley is in pain when he bears weight on his right leg.  He’s been able to swing the bat, because he’s a lefty, but running and playing defense are just too painful.  There is a chance, since he has had issues with the knee before, that the condition is degenerative.  Cartilage does not repair itself, and there’s a strong possibility that Chase will be faced with a decision: suck it up and play through the pain, or undergo surgery.

Assuming that Chase will be out for an indefinite amount of time, a question arises: will his absence have an impact on the Phillies? The answer to that question is a resounding YES.  Since 2005, no other second baseman has had more homeruns or RBIs.  If you look at WAR (Wins Above Replacement) numbers, you’ll see how many wins to which a player contributes compared to a how a replacement-level player would perform.  Over the past four seasons, Utley’s WAR average is 7.18.  Wilson Valdez, a possible substitute for Utley, has averaged 0.35. 

This leads to the next question: who will play second base? A middle infield position is not an easy one to fill, and Chase’s bat would be missed as well.  An obvious option is Wilson Valdez, who served as a substitute infielder through much of the Phils’ injury-riddled 2010 season.  Other possibilities are Michael Martinez, Delwyn Young, and Josh Barfield.  That’s just about it, right?

Maybe not.

Apparently, Charley Kerfield, a Phillies scout, has been watching the Texas Rangers.  More specifically, he has had his eye on Michael Young.  It seems that Michael Young trade rumors come up every now and then, so we shouldn’t count on a deal until we see it.  If we were to sign him, we’d surely end up sending pitchers to Texas.  That being said, Young can play 2^nd, shortstop or 3^rd.  The Phils could move Polanco to second base and have Michael Young at third base.  He posted a .284 batting average last season, and is a right-handed batter.  In our lefty-heavy lineup, that could be very beneficial.

It seems that there are still several unknowns at this point, and we’re all waiting to see what happens next.  I sincerely wish Chase Utley the best in his recovery and hope that he rejoins the team – healthy – as soon as possible.  In the meantime, we’ll have to stay tuned.

A Rookie's Guide to Clearwater

By Amy McCormick

I’ve always wanted to visit Clearwater for the Phillies’ Spring Training.  Hopefully, next year, I’ll be able to make it happen.  I want to make the most of the experience, so I looked for some insiders’ tips. Here is what I’ve learned.

Where to sit. Apparently, players will only give autographs to those sitting in sections 119 and 120.  If your seats are in a different section, you can swap them for tickets, as long as the new tickets are less expensive.  In order to do this, you need to get to the ticket office at 9:00 am.  I’ve been told that the staff is quite strict about not letting you into a section unless you have a ticket to be there.

When should I arrive for the game?  The gates open at 10:30 am for a 1:05 game, but the players don’t arrive until around 12:20.  If you’re fortunate enough to be sitting in section 119 or 120, you can ask players for autographs.  If you have children with you, have them ask, and politeness is key.  A player is more inclined to sign an autograph for someone (especially a child) who addresses him as “Mr. Hamels” rather than “Cole.” Remember to say please and thank you!

What do I do until 12:20?  There are other fields at the Carpenter Complex, and you might be able to see some of your favorite players working out.  The complex is located just past the stadium on Old Coachman Road.

How does it compare to CBP?  You’ll spend as much money, even for parking.  You can get your hand stamped for re-entry if you wish to travel from field to field.  You cannot bring any food or drink into the stadium. 

Where can I eat?  I hear that Lenny’s, Frenchy’s Rockaway and Palm Pavilion all have good food. Lenny’s has excellent breakfast, and some of the minor leaguers eat there.  For dinner, Pete and Shorty’s on Route 60 West is supposed to be good.

Where is a good place to stay?  This really depends on who is going.  A family of four will obviously want different things than a couple of bachelors on vacation.  Clearwater Beach is different from Clearwater, and the impression that I got was that Clearwater Beach is the more desirable side. You have a wide variety to choose from; and you can stay in anything from a hotel room to a suite to a resort.

What else is there to do in Clearwater?  If you ask me, I’d go to Clearwater for one thing and one thing only.  That being said, there’s always the beach, and there are golf courses, a library, an aquarium, and shopping.  Magnolia Street seems to be the place to go for bars, restauraunts, and shopping.  At Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach, at around 3:00, vendors open and there are street performers.  Like I said, though, if I am ever fortunate enough to make the trip, I will be there for baseball, baseball, and more baseball.

For those of you lucky enough to visit Spring Training, I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your experience.  When in doubt, ask a staff member. 

I’d like to give a special thanks to Cheryl Rothwell-Hansbury, Beth Siwy MacKinnon and Janine Jorett Williams for their help with compiling information.

Is it Ok to be a bandwagon fan?

                                                                                      By Christopher Kiel

Ever since the Phillies won the World Series a lot of people have become Phillies fans. For some hardcore Phillies fans this has caused some problems. As a lifelong Phillies fan I have mixed feelings about this issue.  So let’s take a minute to put down our Schmitters and $7 dollar beers and look at the pros and cons.

Pros:  Well the most obvious is that all these new fans means the Phillies are winning. This is still a fairly new experience for me.  The Phillies have played 33 seasons in my lifetime and made the playoffs 9 times. The first 4 times came before I was in kindergarten and the last 4 have come the last 4 years. So for those of you not good at math that’s 1 appearance for most of my life. The next pro is that they are filling the stadium and selling merchandise which means they have money to keep signing players. I’m not missing the days of players leaving for more money and when signing Travis Lee was a big move.  It’s also nice that I don’t have to be embarrassed to be a Phillies fan anymore! Lol!   Finally, it makes happy to see my favorite team getting so much love.

Cons:  All these fans that fill the stadium means the Phillies keep jacking up ticket prices. This is the 4^th season I’ve had season tickets and the price has gone up every year. When does it stop? Soon I hope. I mean I don’t want to have to refinance my mortgage just to buy Phillies tickets.  Also, all the concession and parking prices are going up too. It is also harder to get tickets because all the games are sold out.  The biggest con most lifers complain about is that we have to listen to fans who know nothing about the Phillies make ridiculous statements that make no baseball sense.

  So I tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to make a list of rules for all those bandwagoners out there. You can thank me later.

1. Pay attention this is the most important one.  If you want to be a Phillies fan you do it for life.  We thank you for coming aboard and we appreciate the support but you are in for good now. You can’t stop liking the Phillies if they start doing bad. And you really can’t stop cheering if they go in a slump during the season. That automatically gets your card revoked.

2.  You can’t make ridiculous statements about a player sucking for no reason. For example “Ryan Howard struck out twice today. He sucks! We should trade him”  Another one is “Joe Blanton is terrible I would trade him for a cheese steak!”   That wouldn’t work because we all know Blanton would eat the cheese steak before anyone else saw it. Seriously though, just cause a player is slumping doesn’t mean he sucks. Just because a player is not an All Star he doesn’t suck. Now if you want to say “Raul Ibanez sucks, we should trade him” that’s ok.

3. This one pertains to mostly the ladies. Just because a player is “hot” is not the only reason to like him.  I agree that Chase Utley is dreamy but he’s also a great player. While were at it Jayson Werth being “hot” doesn’t make him the best player in the league.

4. Take some time to learn about the game. Read up on the history of the Phillies. Learn the rules of the game. Maybe pay attention to what’s going on in the rest of the league. I’m not asking you to become Peter Gammons (a well known baseball expert) but just learn a little.

5. You may find this hard to believe but a lot of go to Phillies games to watch the games. Shocking I know. I have no problem (well maybe a little one) if you want to go to the games to hang out and drink with you’re friends. I love to tailgate but don’t act like jackasses in the parking lot while I’m enjoying my beer. Also don’t get plastered and then sit near me and be obnoxious the whole game. And girls I’m not there to watch and a game and listen to you chatter away bout nonsense the whole time.

So if everyone follows these rules we can all get along. 

Ryan Howard Didn't Lose the NLCS

By Amy McCormick

I’ll try to stay as impartial in this blog entry as possible.  I should include the caveat that I have loved Ryan Howard for several years now, though.  The Phillies signed the first baseman in 2001, and he was called up in September of 2004 at the age of 24.

It’s difficult to argue with Howard’s successful career thus far.  In 2005, he was named Rookie of the Year.  In 2006, he was MLB Player of the Year, National League MVP, played in the All-Star Game, and won the Home Run Derby, the Hank Aaron Award, and a Silver Slugger Award.  In 2008, Howard helped lead the Phillies to a World Series win.  In 2009, he returned to the All-Star Game and earned the NLCS MVP award.  While Ryan’s defense hasn’t been stellar in the past, it seems to be improving.  Offensively speaking, his career batting average is .279.

It seems that a lot of people find fault with Howard’s performance during the 2010 season.  The truth is, six of the eight starters posted batting averages in 2010 that were lower than their career averages.  Howard, one of the six, batted .276 last season.  We saw a monumental offensive slump in the middle of the ’10 season, and Ryan Howard essentially carried the lineup through it.

The biggest element of Ryan’s 2010 season that we need to remember is that he injured himself in August.  He missed nineteen games due to his sprained ankle, and had a season total of 550 at bats.  Mathematically speaking, his 31 homeruns in 2010 would have been 35 and his 108 RBIs would have been 122.  While we’ll never know what could have been, I’d say that those numbers could have been even higher.  Anyone who follows Phillies baseball knows that Ryan Howard’s offense heats up in August and September. 

There are some fans who argue that Howard is responsible for the Phils’ NLCS loss to the Giants.  Everyone remembers that he was the last at the plate, and he struck out looking.  What some people seem to forget is that he batted .273 in the NLDS and .318 in the NLCS.  Not to mention, it could be argued that the Phillies might never have made it to the post-season if Howard hadn’t contributed in the regular season the way that he had.

People also find issue with Howard’s enormous salary.  I’ll agree that his contract surprised me, and $125 million over five years is pretty steep.  That being said, he’s hardly the only player in Major League Baseball to be earning a ridiculous amount of money.  The bottom line is that Ryan Howard doesn’t deserve the constant criticism that he receives.  He’s a power hitter; he bats clean-up for a reason.  He’s not paid for his defense. Strikeouts are also part of the power hitter’s package.  To me, all the runs that Howard produces are far more important than his number of strikeouts.  If the Phillies weren’t paying Ryan Howard his huge salary, I tend to think several other clubs would be willing to.  Our favorite team simply wouldn’t be the same without him. 

Childhood Memories

                                                                                               By Christopher Kiel

                                                                                                      

We all had our favorite players when we were growing up.  As a lifelong Phillies fan most of my favorite players were Phillies.  So what I thought I would do is share with you some of my childhood heroes.  The players I chose weren’t necessarily the stars of their teams.  In fact for most of my childhood the Phillies were pretty bad (we were the first franchise with 10,000 losses) but I loved them anyway.

You’ll notice I left off some of the obvious choices like Schmidt, Carlton, Kruk, Dykstra, and Daulton.  I wanted to pick some of the players you may have forgotten about. So what follows is a list of just some of those players I loved.  They are listed in chronological order.

Von Hayes- Von Hayes was known as “Mr. Five for one” because the Phillies traded 5 players to the Indians for him. One of the players the Phillies traded was Julio Franco who turned out to have pretty successful career.  Because of this trade Hayes had a lot of expectations that he couldn’t quite live up to.  He wasn’t the first Phillie who had this problem and he certainly wasn’t the last. Pat Burrell I’m looking in your direction. As a kid I didn’t know anything about expectations, all I knew was our best player. Granted when you played for the Phillies in the 80’s that was like saying you were the skinniest kid at fat camp but I still loved him.

Steve Jeltz- I’m going to say this bluntly- Steve Jeltz was a terrible player. He hit .210 in 2,000 career AB’s with 5 homers. The man couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Looking back I’m not sure why I liked him, maybe because he was so bad you couldn’t help but like the guy. 

Dickie Thon- I’m not going to lie to you one of the main reasons I liked him was because his name was Dickie. I’m giggling right now as I type this. Early in his career he had a lot of expectations to be a superstar however, he was hit in the face with a fastball in 1984. He was hampered by depth perception problems the rest of his career. On a side note does anybody remember that old SNL skit “Mr No Depth Perception”?.

Jaun Samuel- Samuel actually had a really good career for the Phillies. He finished second in The Rookie of the Year voting in 1984. He won The Sporting News Rookie of the Year award though. In his 5 seasons with the Phils he stole 235 bases, and went to 2 All Star games. Samuel has recently returned to the team as a coach. I just have to say this though with all those stolen bases why is he going to be out 3^rd base coach? Just sayin…….

Ricky Jordan-  I’ll always remember Harry saying “Riiiickyyyy Joooordan” with that drawl of his. Jordan also had that great batting stance with the bat high above his head.  Jordan played 7 seasons with the Phils and had a pretty good career mostly as a platoon player. He was also part of that 93 World Series team. 

Micky Morandini- Here’s another player who I used to love hearing Harry say his name. “Miiiiiiicky Morandini”  Morandini wasn’t the most naturally talented player but he was a “dirtball”. Which in Philadelphia automatically means you’re loved!! This scrappy 2^nd baseman did play in one All Star game and went to the World Series in 93.

            I actually have a few more players I’d like to mention but I realize this is getting long and you’re probably tired of hearing me talk. Maybe I’ll do a part 2. I’d love for you to leave some comments and let me know who your favorite players were.

The Force Behind the Fantastic Five

By Amy McCormick

By now, we’ve all been inundated with media coverage of the Phillies’ starting rotation for 2011.  Everything has been covered from “What should their nickname be?” to “Did cheesesteaks have a role in bringing Cliff Lee back to Philly?” We’re all well aware that the Halladay – Lee – Oswalt – Hamels – Blanton pitching squad promises to make history.  What else can we possibly say about these five guys?  Well, there’s one man who is the glue that holds the pitching staff together.  He was born as Carlos Ruiz, but we all know him by just one name. 

Chooch.

A real fan favorite, Chooch was signed by the Phils as an amateur free agent in 1998.  He didn’t make his debut in Philadelphia until 2006. Since then, he has gained popularity; surely, we’ve all yelled “Choooooooch!” at Citizens Bank Park.  For this upcoming season, there are a few things we should remember about Ruiz as we’re following our favorite baseball team. 

His offense.  Last season, Ruiz was the only Phillie to bat .300.  We all saw him hit a walk-off homerun in the tenth inning while playing the Cardinals last May.  Granted, it was one of just eight homers for Chooch last year, but he did knock in 53 runs.  He’s not what one would call a power hitter, but he is a right-handed batter in a lineup heavy with lefties.  To be quite honest, I don’t expect the man to hit .300 again this season; his averages in previous years don’t even come close to what he hit in 2010.  Last season, he had career-high OBP, slugging percentage, and OPS. That being said, though, I think he can be counted on to contribute to our offense.

The experience.  Ruiz has caught each of our five starters and has developed a rhythm with each.  Some of the working relationships took a little longer than others to work out some kinks, but Chooch seems to have a good feel for the styles, tempos, strengths, and weaknesses.  Roy Halladay, for example, clicked with Ruiz immediately.  Their chemistry is unmistakable. 

His defense.  Some fans seem to forget all that a catcher’s job entails.  Obviously, it’s the pitcher who gets the win or loss.  It’s the pitcher whose numbers (ERA, WHIP, etc) fans examine.  I’m not in any way discounting the work that a pitcher does; however, it’s the catcher who calls each pitch.  After Halladay’s perfect game last May, he was quick to praise Ruiz.  "We felt like we got in a groove early and about the fifth or the sixth I was just following Chooch," he said. "I can't say enough about the job he did today. Mixed pitches. For me it was really a no-brainer." In addition to calling pitches, Ruiz protects the plate well, blocks balls in the dirt, and does a decent job of catching runners attempting to steal.

He gets overlooked. Now, I have to admit, this is my biased opinion.  I am willing to admit that there are better catchers in the National League (McCann and Posey, for example), but Carlos Ruiz is a favorite of mine.  His ability, work ethic, and heart all contribute to his likeability.  He’s underpaid; in a world where players take home $15 million a year, his 2010 salary of $1.9 million seems low.  You won’t find him on any “Top Players in MLB” lists.  The fans love him, but he doesn’t seem to get the recognition that I think he deserves.

Many of us have watched the clip of Ruiz saying, “My name is Carlos Ruiz and my nickname is Chooch.” I’ll be honest.  It just doesn’t get old for me. He’s so endearing and likeable. I was at Citizens Bank Park on Fan Appreciation Day this past September, and I’ll never forget the short speech he gave to us fans.  I could be way off (the man’s Panamanian accent is pretty thick), but what I heard was, “We love our fans.  Thank you.”

We love you, too, Chooch.