Does Atlanta's Pitching Come Close to Philadelphia's?

By Amy McGinnis

My short, biased answer is, of course, "No."

Even with the back end of our starting rotation leaving small question marks, there is simply no other team in MLB with three aces.  That being said, I think Atlanta comes closer than New York, Washington and Miami in the NL East's quest to match Philadelphia's pitching.

There really isn’t room for argument when your team has Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Although I do see a few teams in baseball with great pitching staffs - Angels, Rays and Giants to name a few - I think that the Braves fall just short. Long gone are the days of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz; however, it seems that the Braves are doing their best to compete with Philadelphia’s pitching in 2012.

The #1 and #2 spots in Atlanta’s rotation should be Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.  RHP Tommy Hanson is built like Roy Halladay, but he pales in comparison. In 2011, Hanson went 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.169 WHIP. The then-24-year-old pitched no complete games last season. It’s actually sort of unfair to compare Hanson to Halladay; Doc is superhuman, anyway.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Jurrjens is Jair’s interview during the July 9^th game at Citizens Bank Park when Cliff Lee went yard. “Oh no, no, no … are you kidding me?” Classic. Last season, Jurrjens went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.224 WHIP. All three of these statistics are better than his five-year career averages. The RHP is only 26, but has had knee problems that could prove to be an issue in the future.

Tim Hudson (16-10 in 2011 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.140 WHIP) is expected to be out until the end of April or beginning of May due to a back operation. The RHP played the entire 2011 season while injured. An injured pitcher in his mid thirties doesn’t pitch that well as a fluke. If he is able to make a full recovery, I expect Hudson to post good numbers. In his absence, Brandon Beachy will most likely pitch in the #3 spot. Beachy had a 7-3 season in 2011 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.207 WHIP. Not bad for his first full season in the bigs, but not exactly on par with Hudson, either.

In the #4 spot, I expect to see Mike Minor, a LHP who went 5-3 last season with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.488 WHIP. In my opinion, Minor is a run-of-the-mill #4. He performs well enough (and could show improvement over time, especially since he is only 24), but for now, he’s a good addition to the rotation and fits in well as a #4.

I’m eager to see who earns the #5 spot.

Atlanta is most dangerous in their bullpen. Philadelphia made some offseason adjustments to its bullpen, most notably, adding Jonathan Papelbon. I fully expect our ‘pen to perform well. It would be naïve, however, to ignore what the Braves have in store.

To begin with, Atlanta’s bullpen is very young. What they may lack in years of experience, they make up for with raw talent. Arodys Vizcaino, Cristhian Martinez and Anthony Varvaro all provide depth to the bullpen, but Jonny Ventners and Eric O’Flaherty as setup men are fierce. Of course, they’re setup men for Craig Kimbrel, the Braves’ closer. This kid is unreal. He has a 96 mph fastball and posted 17.4 K/9 in 21 appearances (not a typo). Kimbrel is reason enough for Braves fans to fill that stadium (maybe they’ll start to catch on).

Though there have been some roster changes in the NL East this offseason, I think Atlanta offers the best pitching behind Philadelphia. The bullpen should more than make up for any gaps in the starting rotation, and I plan to enjoy watching the Braves try to keep up.

The Female Fanbase

By Amy McGinnis

We all know that Phillies fans have a certain reputation that is generally less than favorable and, in my opinion, not an accurate picture of the fanbase as a whole.  It seems to me that Phillies fans are the ones who are able to give you fair illustration of what the fans in this city are like.  Yes, there are some who are over-the-top and belligerent; however, for the most part, we're an intelligent and passionate group of people.  Well, what about female Phils fans? The reaction I get from male fans is sometimes interesting, to say the least.  I've been told to get back in the kitchen on more than one occassion.  I wanted to see how other women in the stands feel about it.  I talked to Karrie Woodruff, Stacey Lucas and Colleen Lucas, three ladies who know their stuff.  (They're all spoken for, by the way, so calm down.)

Before I get ahead of myself, I'd like to note that I am not attempting to criticize any females who enjoy baseball for different reasons.  I know there are plenty of women who enjoy the nice weather and tight pants.  My goal is to shine a light on those of us females who know and love the sport.  That being said ... what is it like being a female Phillies fan?

Stacey says that her favorite part of baseball is the comeback, and Colleen agrees.  The thrill of a rally in the 8th, a walk off homerun ... anyone who says baseball is boring hasn't watched a game with these girls. Karrie enjoys the strategy involved in the game.  Personally, I love that there is no time limit on games.  We've all been to the Vet and CBP into the wee hours, thinking, "Guess I'm just not sleeping tonight.  Oh well."

I love that, among four women, we have four different favorite players.  Karrie likes Jim Thome, explaining, "He doesn't juice, he plays hard, always give it his all and loves the game. Plus, as much as he gives on the field, he gives that much off the field to the community he is in. I also like the way he holds that bat before he settles into his ready stance."  Colleen likes Jimmy Rollins, citing his "cocky confidence" and "total understanding of Phils fans." It seems that Stacey and I are in the same boat: when asked who our favorite players are (Chase Utley and Cole Hamels, respectively), a lot of the time men smile at the answer and say, "Of course he is." I have explained myself more times than I care to admit as to why Hamels is my favorite.  His changeup, the focus and maturity he has acquired over time, the way he pitches rather than just fires the ball, the way he reminds me of a taller Tom Glavine ... I could go on.  Stacey likes Utley because he "plays the game like it should be played." She describes his fielding as "old school," and she loves that he hustles everything out, "even a clean shot to the second baseman."  As much as I love talking about baseball, I almost dislike being asked who my favorite player is, because I feel the need to qualify my answer.

I wondered if Karrie, Stacey and Colleen got similar reactions from men when it became apparent that they know what they're talking about.  I will say that, generally speaking, our answers are the same.  Guys seem surprised that when we open our mouths "Ohmygawd he's so hot" doesn't come out.  I think that when I was younger, I felt the need to try to prove myself in conversations; I got over that.  It seems that it doesn't occur to some men that girls know baseball (Colleen says, "I don't think it should be that big of surprise").  In all of our experiences, that initial amazement usually diminishes rather quickly.  It seems that most men think it's cool when a woman can enjoy sports with him.

I love raising my three daughters to be Phillies fans.  I love watching games with them, answering their questions about everything that's going on in the game, and knowing that they're likely to fall in love with baseball the same way I did.

Of course, especially with a winning team like the Phillies, fandom can become very trendy.  I think all four of us agree that we don't care if other people, male or female, enjoy baseball for different reasons than we do.  Every single one of us knows, appreciates, and loves different things about the sport.  That's what makes for good conversation and even debate.  Everyone brings something unique to the table.  Just don't bring a condescending attitude, because someone with a uterus just might run circles around you with her knowledge.

Keeping Kendrick

By Amy McGinnis

This weekend, the Phillies announced that they signed an extension with Kyle Kendrick,who had originally signed a one-year deal for $3.585 million in an effort to avoid arbitration.  The extended contract is set to pay Kendrick $7.5 million over two years, locking him up through the 2013 season.

I've heard different opinions about this move.  There are some fans who think that an emergency starter isn't worth that kind of money.  These are probably the same fans who like to criticize Kendrick and use him as a scapegoat when things aren't going well.  I've never really understood the disdain for Kyle.  He's not Roy Halladay.  He never will be.  Then again, no one ever will be.  Doc is a freak of nature.  That being said, Kendrick has served this team decently well as a starter and as a relief pitcher. 

Kendrick has a  fastball that sits around 90-93, and since he had been using it entirely too much, he has changed his repertoire somewhat over the past few years.  His changeup is average, and he knows enough to not really use his curveball.  Kyle replaced his slider with a cutter, which has been looking better and better.  Is Kendrick an ace? No.  Is he a solid #4 or #5? I think so. 

Something we need to remember is that KK is only 27 and has the potential for continued growth.  Don't look at his 8-6 record from 2011.  Look at his 3.22 ERA and 1.221 WHIP (both were his best since he has been with the Phils).  Aside from the numbers, Kendrick seems to do what is asked of him without complaining.  I'll take that attitude any day of the week.

It remains to be seen how the back end of the rotation will look once the season is underway.  One thing is for sure: I want to see Kyle give fellow RHP Vance Worley a run for his money.  Some healthy competition will only benefit the pitching staff, and Vance is entering his sophomore season with all eyes on him.  I really do like both pitchers, but I think Kendrick's experience might give him an edge.  At the end of the day, I want both of them to bring it. 

I don't mind debating the matter with other fans, but I have nothing to say to people whose only argument is "Kendrick sucks." Come up with something better than that and we'll talk.  Until then, I'm counting down til Phils-Yanks on March 3rd.

Perspectives From Fans Throughout the NL East

By Amy McGinnis

I think I speak for all of you when I say ... thank God baseball is back.  Spring Training is officially underway, now that pitchers and catchers have reported in Clearwater, and as a Phils fan, I couldn't be happier.  It makes me wonder, though, how fans throughout the NL East feel about the upcoming season.  After all, I don't typically hear their points of view.  I started asking around, looking to pick the brains of fans.  Thanks to Facebook (and a few of my friends who were happy to throw friends of theirs under the bus and volunteer them for me), I was able to get my hands on some.  Well, sort of.  I couldn't find a Marlins fan.  Anywhere.  Seriously.  I searched.  I went so far as to lurk on their fan pages, and no one would talk to me, even after I promised that my intention was not to make them look bad.  So, there you have it, kids ... the Marlins' fanbase is not represented in this post because no one would admit to being a part of it.  That being said, I'd like to genuinely thank the following people for their time and input: Chris Leming (Mets fan), Chris Innella (Phillies fan), Bob Klossner (Nationals fan), and Steven Holloway (Braves fan).

Obviously, these four men have different views; however, what I find interesting is the similarity among their feelings toward their own teams.  They're all die-hards.  Steven Holloway says that Atlanta is his team "no matter what." Bob Klossner, who grew up in the D.C. area, says that he's probably the only person in San Francisco wearing a Nats hat.  Chris Leming finds being a Mets fan to be frustrating at times, but will "root for them anyway, savor the good times, and hope they overachieve." Chris Innella sums up being a Phillies fan in a few short words: "It's a way of life." For each of us Phils fans, there's a fan in another city who feels the same way about his baseball team.  Apparently, Mets fans don't appreciate that the world views them as obnoxious loudmouths (sound familiar?).  Chris Leming tells me that Mets fans are well-informed, intelligent, and passionate; he adds, "We know our baseball." Funny that Chris Innella used essentially the same words about Phillies fans.

Let's look at each of the four teams (sorry, any Marlins fans out there ... show yourselves next time). 

Leming says that for the upcoming season, the Mets' budget reduction isn't helping any (he adds, "Thanks, Bernie Madoff.").  Since money is an issue, he'd like to see improvement in the farm system.  His suggestions for ways the Mets can win the NL East in 2012? Easy: minimal injuries.  For the Mets, that is. It would also take "season-ending injuries for Roy Halladay, Shane Victorino, Cliff Lee, Tommy Hanson, Craig Kimbrell, and Brian McCann."  Leming, like many of us, is interested to see how Miami's new ballpark will impact the season. 

Braves fan Steven Holloway also has his eyes on the Marlins and their offseason acquisitions.  It remains to be seen if new Marlins talent will draw more ticket sales, though.  How would Atlanta do a better job filling seats? "Better offense," says Holloway. "And winning." He also mentions that he and fellow Braves fans would hate to ever see McCann, their "hometown hero," leave Atlanta.

In light of the Nationals' campaign to take back their ballpark from Phillies fans, I have to wonder what their plan is to draw local sports fans.  Bob Klossner says that it's possible if Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth play to their potential.  The addition of Brad Lidge (you're welcome, Washington) and Gio Gonzalez to the bullpen is "vital," he notes.  If Werth could just bump his batting average by a good 60 points, he'd be able to provide some run support.  Additionally, Ryan Zimmerman's health is a concern for Nats fans, considering there isn't really a viable replacement for third base.

I wasn't going to include a Phillies fan in this post, because I assume that most of us have the same perspective.  While that may be true, I asked my friend Chris Innella anyway, because he's more articulate than I am and I knew he would represent our fanbase well.  Innella notes that there have been several changes throughout the division, and is excited for the additions the Phils have made to their bench and bullpen.  Wigginton, Nix, Thome and Pierce offer our bench an "offensive edge over last season" and Papelbon, Willis and Horst should add "quality depth to our young 'pen."  Although he'd like to see the pursuit of some younger talent, Chris thinks that the NL East is winnable if the Phils continue to do what they've been doing the past five years.  After all, we have the best pitching rotation, one of the better lineups, a new bench, an improved bullpen, and of course, Chooch.  No one calls a game like Carlos Ruiz. 

I asked each of the guys which team is the biggest threat in the NL East.  It's no surprise that the unanimous answer was Philadelphia; however, everyone seems to agree that we should start to see things change within the next few years.  Holloway says that the Phillies simply "have the strongest pitching rotation." Klossner adds that even without Howard in the lineup, the Phils are "very, very dangerous." Personally, I'm happy to see the rest of the division start to stack their teams as if they're ready to compete.  I enjoy the race.  On another personal note, I think it's a sad state of affairs when Miami is paying a ton of money to bring quality baseball to a town that doesn't seem to care.

I'm excited for the season to start, and it seems that fans from all over the East look forward to it, as well.  I'm grateful to have gotten insight into the minds of fans from other cities. 

I'd also like to thank Courtney Bennett and Joe Wombough for pointing me in the direction of Bob Klossner and Chris Leming. 

Oswalt Remains Unemployed

By Amy McGinnis

With ten days left before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Clearwater, it seems that Ruben Amaro, Jr. has no plans to offer Roy Oswalt a contract.

Little Roy is seeking a one-year contract, but with the Phils, there seems to be one thing standing in his way. "We really don't have any room for him. We have five, six starters, and our resources are about where we want to be right now," Ruben said. "I think he wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't know that's feasible or a real possibility."

Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt missed portions of the 2011 season due to injuries, and some would say that the two RHPs are interchangeable.  It makes sense: each has four pitches, postseason experience, and less-than-stellar numbers from their abridged season last year.  The biggest difference is that Blanton will be making $8.5M this season, and Oswalt appears to be set to make nothing. 

If we look at last season's numbers, they're not a fair assessment for either pitcher, since Oswalt pitched 139 and Blanton pitched just 41.1.  The fact is, though, that Blanton's 1-2 record, 5.01 ERA and 1.476 WHIP fall just short of Oswalt's 9-10 record, 3.69 ERA and 1.338 WHIP.

So, let's visit a fantasy land for a minute where another team would agree to take Blanton for this season.  I would love to have Oswalt back for one more year.  I've always been a big fan of his.  His tempo still impresses me, because he wastes no time between pitches.  He and Blanton each throw a fastball in the low 90s, but Oswalt always looks more aggressive.  In addition to the fastball, Blanton and Oswalt both throw a curveball, slider and a changeup (Oswalt added the Vulcan changedup in 2010). 

In this fantasy land of mine, Blanton gets picked up and we suddenly have room for Little Roy (insert inappropriate joke about Roy and Joe taking up the same amount of room).  I like Oswalt's attitude and grit.  Remember Manny Ramirez's line drive to the back of Little Roy's ear? Oswalt stood up and adjusted his hat.  Dubee had to say, "Yes, you are leaving this game to get checked out."  Remember Oswalt playing left field in August 2010? I love that little redneck and I think swapping him for Blanton for 2012 would reap big rewards.

To be fair, I don't mean any disrespect to Blanton.  I think he serves well as a #4 or a #5.  He catches a lot of criticism in this city, and most of it is unfounded.  My intention is not to badmouth Big Joe, so save the hate mail.  I prefer Roy Oswalt, though, and I think he'd make a good addition to our rotation this season.  In my fantasy land, anyway.

Farewell to Andy Musser

By Amy McGinnis

Andy Musser served as a Phillies broadcaster for 26 years, including covering two World Series.  In 2001, he left the organization to pursue other endeavors.

On Sunday, January 22, Andy passed away in his Wynnewood home.  The cause of death has not yet been made public. He was 74 years old and leaves behind a wife of 50 years, children and grandchildren.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sympathy to the Musser family, as I wish them peace and strength at this tough time. 

Andy, say hello to Harry for us. 

A Look at the Vanimal

By Amy McCormick

Our famous pitching rotation of 2011 was expected to bring home another World Series trophy for this city.  We all know how that worked out.  With injuries for Oswalt and Blanton, we had some holes to fill.  An obvious choice was RHP Vance Worley, who had surprised most of us in September of 2010 when he was able to hold his own on the mound. 

In 2011, Worley posted an 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA.  More of last season's stats (skip ahead if numbers make your head hurt): 131 2/3 IP, 119 K and 46 BB.  His averaged 8.1 strikeouts, 3.1 walks and 0.7 homeruns per nine innings pitched.  That's the quantitative data, and it's pretty self-explanatory.

In a qualitative sense, Worley was great at locating his sinker and getting called strikes.  Do you remember watching hitters swing and miss?  Neither do I, because it didn't happen often.  Why was that? Well, to begin with, Worley doesn't have much of an off-speed pitch.  It also helped that many batters were facing him for the first time, not knowing exactly what to expect.

What should we expect this season?  From opponents, I think we can expect batters to look alive.  There's a lot of footage of Vance for teams to watch at this point.  If this is the case, then I think it's safe to say that what worked in 2011 will not work in 2012.  In my opinion, he'll need to keep batters guessing - get them to swing and miss pretty consistently - if he wants to continue to be successful.  Called strikes aren't going to cut it; I think we'll see batters getting aggressive.

I like Vance Worley, for a few reasons.  I think he's a talented kid who has potential to be a solid #4 or #5.  I was impressed with him when he was originally called up from Lehigh Valley because a lot of kids his age can buckle under the pressure (looking at you, Dom Brown).  In a post-game interview once, when asked what had gone wrong during the game, he stated, "I sucked." I loved it.  No excuses, no blaming anyone else.  He recognized that his performance that night was just not good enough and that he would need to do better.  It's refreshing to me when a professional athlete admits that openly.  What I want to see is a continued sense of what works and what doesn't. 

There's a lot of chatter about fans expecting Vance to unravel during his sophomore season, and while that is based on previous experiences, I don't think it's a fair expectation for Worley.  I am optimistic that he will recognize that he needs a strong off-speed pitch and that he needs to work the corners.  And who knows - maybe opponents will be too preoccupied preparing to face Roy, Cliff and Cole, and they won't do their homework on Vance.  Stranger things have happened.

I want to see big things from this kid.  I've seen enough that I recognize his talent and skill - now I need for him to prove to me that he can switch things up enough to succeed this season. 

Getting Antsy

By Amy McCormick

Well, gang, I haven't written so much as one word since we signed Thome. This has seemed like an endless offseason thus far.  I'm getting very eager for things to get underway in Clearwater.  There's not much to report, really; I'll put my two cents in on some things that have happened, though.

Ryan Howard seems to be healing in an expected timeframe.  No one expected him to start at first in April, and if you're like me, you'd much rather he take his time getting fully rehabilitated this time.  The timing of his injury is probably the only silver lining to the whole incident.  At least it didn't happen in August, right?

Ryan Madson agreed to a one-year deal with the Reds.  As much as I don't like to see him go, I'm not surprised.  Acquiring Papelbon was a clear indication that Amaro was making other plans; for a short while, though, Mad Dog was just sitting at home, waiting for his phone to ring.  While I would have loved to see him stay in Philadelphia, I would have hated to watch him sitting in the bullpen, waiting for the phone to ring.  It didn't make sense to have Madson and Papelbon, even if the money allowed it, and I wish Ryan the very best.  It's hard not to like a dude who kicks chairs. 

Jamie Moyer signed a minor league deal with Colorado.  Minor league? At 49 years old? C'mon, Jamie, you really want to go out like that? He's one former Phillie who will undoubtedly always be well-received in this city, and I would love to see him in a pitching coach position in the future.  I hate, hate, hate that he signed a minor league deal.  I hate it.

Say what you want about Wilson Valdez ... "He's no Chase Utley." No shit.  He's a substitute infielder with a mediocre bat.  That being said, he has proven to be extremely dependable, filling in at second, short, and third (not to mention his stint as a relief pitcher last May).  The Phils signed a $930,000 contract for one year in an effort to avoid arbitration.  There's not much to argue about here - it was a smart move.  Valdez will never be an All-Star, but his "I'll do whatever my team needs" attitude is pretty priceless.  I'm glad to see him sticking around.

Jimmy Rollins and his wife Johari are expecting their first child.  Let's hope this pregnancy is not a distraction (I'm looking at you, Heidi Hamels, circa 2009).  Best wishes to JRoll and his family ... I'm hoping for a boy with a big gap-toothed smile and some swagger. 

Something that needed to be addressed this off-season was Cole Hamels.  He'll be a free agent after this season, and I'd say it's a safe bet that a team or two might be after my favorite LHP.  At 28 years old, he surely has years ahead of him in his career; Philadelphia would be stupid if they let him walk away.  Some people were upset when they learned that he agreed to a one-year, $15M deal, but it was purely to avoid arbitration.  Hopefully, a long-term deal will be taken care of during Spring Training.  I wouldn't want to see our rotation without him.

On a non-Phils note, Yu Darvish and Texas signed a ridiculous deal of $60M over 6 years.  Sure, the kid has sick numbers in Japan.  We all know that MLB is (pardon the obnoxious pun) a whole new ballgame.  I think it 's foolish to throw so much money at a pitcher who hasn't proven a single thing yet.  Most of you know that I think contracts in general have become a joke.  (I don't care if you're Albert Pujols.  Ten year contracts are ridiculous, and I only see agents inflating the issue over time.)

Well, kids, that's it for now.  I'm counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report (30, if you're wondering).  I'm ready to get this season underway already.  Let's do this.

God's speed, Mad Dog.

Thome Comes Home

By Amy McCormick

This past season, the Phillies’ bench left something to be desired.  It might not have been our biggest issue, and I always assumed that it would be addressed during free agency.  We all remember the exclamation point that Ryan Howard put at the end of the NLDS: he tore his Achilles tendon during the last out of the series.  Among other matters, we now had a lackluster bench and a hole at first (for at least the beginning of 2012). 

Paging Jim Thome ….

News broke yesterday that Thome, now 41, will return to Philadelphia for a one year deal.  You remember Jim Thome, right?  The one who is largely responsible for getting seats filled in Citizens Bank Park?  Word has it that the Phils offered him $1.25M, and once he passes his physical, he’ll be set to start Spring Training in Clearwater in February.  Yes, I’m already counting down.

There could be an argument that we need to make this team younger, not older.  I would consider listening to such an argument if it weren’t Jim Thome.  My Facebook page blew up the night we all watched him hit his 600^th homerun.  He’s a player who left Philadelphia but never lost the love and support from this city.  He’s that guy everyone loves because he loves the game, plays hard and carries himself respectfully (Jayson Werth should be taking notes). 

So, what does this mean for the Phillies?  Let’s start from the inside out.  Thome promises to have a positive impact in the clubhouse.  I remember (not fondly) the eight game skid after the Phils took the East in September.  I kept thinking that someone needed to step up and say something in the clubhouse.  Even as a DH, I think Thome can fill a leadership role; at the very least, he will lead by example. 

On the field, Thome’s a no-brainer sub for Howard at first.  It needs no explanation.  Did you know that Thome’s middle name is Howard? Now you do.  At the plate, Thome, a lefty, will offer consistency.  In 2011, his BA was .245 (not exactly stetllar) but he had 50 RBIs and 15 HRs (in 324 plate appearances).  If he can produce solid numbers for the Phils in 2012, he will cap off a HOF career in the City of Brotherly Love with (it had better happen) a ring.

This move is extremely low-risk, has a potentially high payoff, and makes fans extremely happy.  Dust off your #25 jerseys, kids.  Thome’s coming home.

Should Jimmy Stay or Should He Go?

By Amy McCormick

Since the untimely demise of the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies, there’s not much to talk about.  Sure, we’re watching the league championship series, and we’ll watch the World Series, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll do it bitterly.  I predicted a Rangers-Phils series and I’m not going to get it.  Sigh.  I suppose it’s time to start thinking about next season.

A big question that has been on the minds of Phillies fans all season has been: will Jimmy Rollins return once he is a free agent?  There are a few things to consider here, and as always, I’ll throw in my two cents along the way.

J-Roll has only ever known baseball in Philadelphia.  He’s just three months older than I am (so please save the “but he’s so old” comments) and came in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft.  He and I weren’t even old enough to vote then; he’s been with the organization a long time.  He has spent the last decade in the bigs, serving as the team’s leader, whether you like to admit that or not.  Jimmy’s charisma alone is enough to make fans optimistic.

Jimmy likes being here.  I have no doubt that he wants the Phils to meet his salary requirements.  "I look good in red, I think," Rollins has said. "You go back to when I got drafted, I didn't know much about the Phillies. But when I put that hat on, looking at those first pictures when I got drafted, holding a bat, you know, and a Phillies T-shirt on, it started to look real good on me. I think I've worn it pretty well over the years. I really haven't thought about putting on any other colors other than the red-and-white pinstripes."

It seems that the Phillies would like to keep Jimmy as well.  "There's no question we want Jimmy back and be in our uniform and play shortstop for us for the next several years," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "Whether that happens kind of depends on if we get to the finish line on it. But Jimmy knows where we stand. Those things will be private."  As usual, don’t expect RAJ to spill any details; we’ll have to wait until the deal is signed (or not signed) to hear what went on in negotiations.

So, if Jimmy was 2007 NL MVP and a Silver Slugger, and he’s a three-time All-Star, why is there even a debate about whether or not he should stay? Well, to begin with, he hasn’t put up numbers anywhere near his MVP season since, well, 2007.  It could be that he’s not getting any younger.  It could be that injuries have kept him from playing full seasons.  Whatever the reason, 2007 Jimmy and 2011 Jimmy are hard to even compare.  It’s symptomatic of those respective teams, as well.  In 2007, the Phils fought like hell (and were thrilled to have won) the NL East.  In 2011, complacency took over.  In 2007, Rollins hit .296.  In 2011, he posted a .268 batting average.  His defense has been fine, but the “take a shot every time Jimmy pops up on the first pitch” drinking game got old awhile ago.  Personally, I don’t like change just for the sake of change.  But sometimes, things get static; sometimes, they gradually slide downhill.  For me, it’s a toss-up: Jimmy’s leadership / personality / swagger or some new, younger (yes, I said it) blood at shortstop?  Rollins has made it very clear that he wants five years.  With his downhill trend, I don’t know that I’d sign him for five.  He’ll be 38 right after that fifth season, and I don’t care how much yoga his wife has him do … his speed, reflexes and range of motion will gradually decline. 

The Phillies’ payroll is expected to mimic this past season’s pretty closely.  That being said, we’re looking at a potentially large chunk of change being saved if we unload a few players whose contracts will be up.  Madson, Ibanez, Hamels and Lidge are signed through 2011, and Oswalt has a $16 million option.  As much as I love Little Roy, I see Hamels as the only must-sign in that group.  If that’s the case, then maybe the Phils could afford to pick up a new shortstop while they’re shopping for closers. 

I like Jimmy Rollins.  I always have.  He’ll be the first to tell you, though, that this is a business.  He’s not the only one in a Phillies uniform that I think should move on, but Charlie Manuel is another post for another day.  It doesn’t make me happy to say it, but my vote (sometimes I like to pretend that I actually get one) is to not break our backs to meet Jimmy’s salary demands.  As usual, we’ll have to wait and see.  In the meantime, let’s watch Phillies-less baseball with total disdain and wish for quick, easy recoveries for our injured and surgery-bound … including, but not limited to, but especially Cole Hamels.

Saying Goodbye

By Amy McCormick

I’ve been waiting to write this post, because I haven’t been ready to talk about it.  I still don’t know that I am, but now is as good a time as any, I suppose.  I will say that I’m not ready to start discussing who will start at first next season and whether or not the Phils will resign Jimmy.  I can’t handle that right now.  To say that I’m upset and disappointed would be a gross understatement. 

This season was our year.  It was not a rebuilding year or a transitional year.  This team was built for a World Series win.  Ruben Amaro, Jr. assembled a team that was Fall Classic or bust.  After our Cliff Lee Christmas gift last year, it seemed our fate was sealed.  Who could possibly contend with a Halladay-Lee-Oswalt-Hamels-and-oh-yeah-Blanton-too pitching staff?  Well, no one.  Our starting pitching was never really an issue, not even with injuries.  Our bullpen, though they had plenty of “off” nights, seemed to hold their own, too.  Our defense was fine. 

What went wrong?

It’s the same story I’ve been complaining about all season.  Outstanding pitching can only get us so far; with no run support, it’s pretty tough to compete.  Everyone thought the return of Utley would be the answer to our prayers.  For a short while, The Utley Effect did boost offense; it didn’t last.  On July 29, or RAJ Day in Philadelphia, we acquired Hunter Pence.  Pence, welcomed with open arms, was what our lineup needed: a right handed bat in the five hole.

So, what the hell happened?

It’s so hard to say, and I hate to be a Monday morning quarterback about it.  The thing is, though, we’re all left with that burning question: How does a 102-win team get eliminated by the wild card in the first round of the playoffs?  It’s hard for me to get angry, because the truth is, we were outplayed.  Period.  The better performance advanced to the NLCS.  I’ve heard lots of answers and theories; the lineup should have been switched, Charlie should have been fired last year, etc.  I can’t come up with anything more than the fact that we just couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn and not even Doc could save us from that. 

So, in the past day or so, my emotions have run the gamut from shock to disappointment to heartbreak.  It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.  I hate to be a crybaby about it, and of course I wanted that parade
… it’s just baffling.  For someone who doesn’t love sports, I’m sure it seems silly, but this really is hard to handle.  If one more person says “There’s always next year” to me, s/he will get an earful.  It won’t be the same 25 guys next season, and this was our year to win.  It didn’t happen.  Let me mourn that, please.  We’re saying goodbye to the season and to this specific team.

To all my fellow Phils fans, I know that we’ll never stop loving this team.  Maybe the silver lining is that there will be fewer bandwagoners eating up all the tickets next season …. In any event, pitchers and catchers will report in four months and we’ll start this whole thing over again.  In the meantime … I’ll still be wearing my Phillies gear and sending well wishes to all the injured and surgery bound players.  Chin up, kids.  The sadness only means that you’re passionate, and that’s a damned good thing.

For the Love of the Game

By Amy McCormick

It’s the eve of Game 5 of the NLDS.  Best of 1, as they say.  The Phils and Cards are back in Philadelphia and the Phillies will send Roy Halladay to the hill in an effort to stifle the Cardinals’ offense and shut this series down.  The past four games have been anxiety-inducing, at least on my end, so it seems only right that we’ve been forced into a Game 5. 

I love baseball.  I love the edge-of-your-seat games in the postseason, the chilly games in early April, and all the ones in between.  Baseball means more to me than a hobby for seven months of the year.  It has provided more than that for me.  Baseball has done its part to keep me sane at times.  It has been that consistent comfort when I’ve needed it.  It has been the distraction from life’s issues that I am sometimes not ready to deal with.  There have been times in my life when I have thrown myself into watching and talking about my favorite sport because it was literally the only thing that appealed to me.  During bouts of depression and anxiety, baseball has been there for me.

What’s interesting is that the man who introduced me to baseball was my father.  He gave me many things in my life, two of them positive: nice penmanship and baseball.  I remember watching the Phillies with him in the early 1980s, and unfortunately, it’s one of just two good memories I have of him.  Somehow, the fact that he instilled the love of baseball in me softens the blow of all the crap he put me through.

Who introduced you to baseball?  None of us is born knowing all that we know about the sport.  Usually someone guides us through the learning process.  Sometimes s/he merely opens our eyes to it, and sometimes it’s a close mentoring.  Have you paid it forward?

I recently started to teach a friend of mine about baseball, a bit at a time.  His prior knowledge was that “there are nine innings, three strikes and you’re out … and you can get hot dogs there.” It has been such a privilege introducing someone to the world of baseball for the first time.  Sure, I teach my daughters; there’s really no way they’ll grow up and not love Philadelphia sports.  Guiding an adult through the game is such a honor, though, and I think I enjoy the lessons more than he does. 

Bryant Gumbel once said, “Baseball is love.” That has proven to be true in my life, and if you’re reading this, then chances are the same is true for you.  If someone is responsible for sparking your interest, thank him or her.  If you’re lucky enough to pass on your love of the game, do it.  You’ll enjoy it. 

NLDS Game 3 in St. Louis

By Amy McCormick

This evening will be Game 3 of the NLDS in St. Louis.  Although I’d consider any postseason game to be “must win,” this one is especially important.  The series is tied at one win apiece, it’s just a five game series, and the Phils will be playing as visitors.  No pressure, Cole.

I have confidence in this team and this game is winnable. We need to see a couple things.

Jaime Garcia, the starting pitcher for St. Louis, finished the regular season 13-7 with a 3.56 ERA.  He has been successful against the Phillies in the past; in general, Philadelphia’s offense is better when facing a right handed pitcher (Garcia is a lefty).  He did pitch two complete games this past season, but he has no postseason experience.  Our offense needs to take advantage and get him rattled early.  I want Rollins and Utley to look at a lot of pitches.  I want aggressive base stealing.  I want momentum from the first inning, and I want the Phils to sustain it through the ninth.  Garcia pitches well at home; the Phils need to tire him out, rack up the pitch count, and work him.

Busch Stadium is a “hitter’s park,” but that might be due to the Cardinals’ offense.  Theriot, Jay and Furcal are no joke.  Pujols is limping around and still went 2 for 5 on Sunday.  We need to take these batters seriously.  Cliff Lee, my second favorite lefty, got a little bit roughed up by St. Louis on Sunday.  I want to see Hamels use his changeup effectively.  His offspeed pitches will keep batters swinging at what they think is a fastball.  You may recall Cole going 4-0 in the 2008 postseason.  This kid has what it takes to shut down even an aggressive offense.  Hopefully he locates his pitches well and retires batters with a quick tempo. 

A lot of us are nervous and excited about this evening’s game.  This is what October is all about.  This is what we’ve waited all year for.  Enjoy it.

Postseason Predictions

By Amy McCormick

The Wild Card races in both the National League and the American League are down to the wire.  In the NL, St. Louis and Atlanta are tied with an 89-72 record.  In the AL, we have another tie: Boston and Tampa Bay each hold a 90-71 record. 

Here’s where it gets tricky.  The team in each league with the best record is to play the winner of the Wild Card, as long as they are not in the same division.  This would be fine, if it weren’t for the NL East and the AL East.  Things are neck and neck in both Wild Card races, which each includes a team from the winning team’s division.  To make matters more confusing, Milwaukee (NL Central’s winner) and Arizona (NL West’s winner) are each down to tonight’s games, and so are Detroit (AL Central’s winner) and Texas (AL West’s winner).  Does your brain hurt yet? Essentially, we won’t know until the completion of tonight’s games who will be playing whom in Round 1 of the Division Series. 

This makes predictions (which I’m not accustomed to making) a little difficult, exciting, and potentially dead-wrong.  Here goes.

I say that the Phillies beat Atlanta tonight and St. Louis wins over Houston, making St. Louis the NL Wild Card winner.  This would mean that Philadelphia and St. Louis would play in the NLDS, and I’d be a jerk if I said anything other than I forecast a Phillies win.  As far as Milwaukee and Arizona go, I have to go with Milwaukee.  I love that the Diamondbacks knocked the Giants out of contention , but I don’t know that they can get past Ryan Braun.  In the NLCS, that would mean the Phillies would play Milwaukee, and again, not a jerk, so I choose Philadelphia.  I have confidence that our pitching can shut them down.

In the American League, the Yankees are the winners in the East, and they have the best record, so they will play the Wild Card winner.  The trouble is, the Wild Card is down to Tampa Bay and Boston, both in the East.  So, we move to the winner of either the Central or the West – whoever has the worse record of the two.  Well, Detroit and Texas will be battling in their games tonight to see who that will be.  My prediction is that Texas beats the Angels and Detroit beats Cleveland, leading to a tie-breaking game between Detroit and Texas.  In that hypothetical game, my prediction is a victory for Detroit.  This would make the two ALCS look like this: Yankees – Rangers, and Tigers – Wild Card.  I predict that Boston will win the Wild Card but fall apart in their series with the Tigers.  I also say that the Rangers, who do not necessarily have the pitching power to handle the Yankees’ hitting, will actually upset New York.  My NLCS would be Texas vs. Detroit.  Although I chose Detroit to beat Texas in a tie-breaker, I choose Texas to win the ALCS. 

That brings me to the World Series.  In my mind, anyway, I’m looking at Phillies and Rangers.  My vote is for Phillies in six games. Please keep in mind that this is literally the first time I’ve ever made predictions about an entire postseason, so hate mail is not necessary.  Enjoy the games!

I Should Be Charlie's Sub For a Day

By Amy McCormick

Eight.  Eight games.  Right down the toilet.  It hurts to think about, and it’s painful to see it in black and white on my laptop screen.  I suppose the insult to injury is that 75% of those losses have been to the Nationals and the Mets.

People keep asking me, “Is it ok to start worrying now?” Listen, I’m not worried.  Coming from someone with an anxiety disorder, that speaks volumes.  The reason that I’m not worried is that I know that this team has the talent, ability and skill to pull this off.  They’ve plowed through this season owning MLB.  We should rename the month of June to “Cliff” and August to “Lee.”  We should all be wearing our socks above the knees.  We should have “Good game, let’s go eat” in the dictionary with the definition, “You just got your asses handed to you by the Phils.”  I fully believe and have total faith that this is the best team in baseball.  I would marry this team if I could. 

So, what’s my problem?  I’m pissed off.  I’m frustrated.  I’m dumbfounded.  Sure, these games are “meaningless,” as we all know.  That doesn’t mean we should roll into the postseason with zero momentum.  They’re better than this.  This is not a team that mails in eight consecutive games.  We’ve seen offensive slumps this season, but this is out of hand. 

I love Charlie Manuel, but I don’t know that his style of management is what we need this week.  We need someone with zero tolerance for sloppy, lazy performances.  We need someone who won’t hold back and get in these players faces.  We need someone like me.

I’d let them know that these past eight games have been depressing to watch, and they’re breaking my heart right now.  Why end a stellar season on such a sour note? The jam-packed September schedule? Not an excuse, fellas.  Everybody’s tired, and Mother Nature happens.  What it comes down to is you either play to your potential or you don’t.  Right now, I see a lot of talent being crapped on. 

Phillies, you’re better than this.  Please pull it together.  Doc takes the mound at 2:10 today, and while I trust that he can stop the bleeding, I want to see aggressive offense, too.  We fans need a win to lift our spirits just as much as you do. 

Ten Musical Suggestions

By Amy McCormick

This five game losing streak is a depressing slump for Phillies fans.  Maybe it’s time to change some of the players’ intro songs in order to get their mojo back.  Here are ten of my suggestions. 

1. Jimmy Rollins.  Jimmy has three at-bat songs, apparently; they are “Bright Lights, Bigger City” by Cee-lo Green, “Play Your Part” by Wale, and “The Show Goes On” by Lupo Fiasco.  They’re all decent choices, but I would love to hear J-Roll come out to “Rollout” by Ludacris.  I think the reasoning behind my choice is obvious.
2. Placido Polanco.  Polly left the club years ago, and returned as a third baseman.  He came back with outstanding range of motion, instincts, and batting.  For my favorite large-headed infielder, I’d choose “Look at Me Now” by Lil Boosie and Big Head. (His current song is “I Know You Want Me” by Pitbull.)
3. Shane Victorino.  It bothers me every single time I hear “Buffalo Soldier” played at Citizens Bank Park, and for one reason: Vic is Hawaiin.  “Buffalo Soldier” is performed by Bob Marley … from Jamaica.  It’s not even the same ocean, people.  I’m a sucker for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. I know it’s kind of mellow, but so is “Buffalo Soldier.”
4. Hunter Pence.  I was so tempted to pick something from New Kids on the Block, but I resisted.  When I think of Pence, I think of three things: “Good game, let’s go eat,” a huge kid-in-a-candy-store grin, and red socks that look as though they’re probably tucked into his underwear.  I love the high socks, so I went with “Taylor Gang” by Wiz Khalifa. 
5. Ryan Madson.  Can we discuss the Journey song, please? From my understanding, it started as a joke, in reference to the headache-inducing YouTube video that Giants fans made last year.  Joke’s over.  Now you just look like a pansy running from the bullpen to a Journey song.  I’d quickly change it to “Shut ‘Em Down” by Public Enemy.
6. Carlos Ruiz.  Chooch has a case of Ryan Madsonitis when it comes to song choice.  Phil Collins? Really?  I’d get rid of that in a hurry.  I’d rather hear Ruiz come out to “Panama” by Van Halen … because he’s from Panama.  See what I did there?
7. Cole Hamels.  I couldn’t think of any songs about having dreamy dimples, so I think he should come out to 45,000 fans singing “Cole and Amy sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g …”.  His AC/DC song, “Thunderstruck,” is fine, too … I guess.
8. John Mayberry, Jr.  Follow me on this one.  Out of laziness/cuteness, I have always called Mayberry “JMJ.” I started to refer to him as “Jam Master Jay” because that’s what my friend James calls him.  That nickname is the reason I’d choose “My Adidas” by Run DMC for John Mayberry, Jr.
9. Pete Orr.  I know we rarely see Orr bat, but I’m a big fan of watching him sprint to first.  I’d love to hear the vintage version of the theme to “Speed Racer” when he is up to bat.
10. Michael Schwimer.  I think it would be appropriate to hear “Creep” by Radiohead when Schwimer runs out to the mound, for one reason: the lyric “I don’t belong here.” Sorry, kid.

I don’t know what it will take to snap this funk that the Phils are in.  Maybe hiring me as Musical Director at Citizens Bank Park would help.  I’m available to start immediately.



Cole Hamels is pictured in this post because, well, I get to choose what goes here.



Phils Clinch, Lose Four Straight

By Amy McCormick

As expected, the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East early this season.  On Saturday night, Roy Oswalt recorded the win against St. Louis.  Oswalt pitched well through seven, and Ibanez tore the game open with a grand slam.  Phils defeated the Cards, 9-2. 

Champagne sprayed from every direction in the clubhouse.  Hunter Pence looked like a five-year-old on Christmas morning.  It was time to celebrate a division five-peat, then regroup and move onto finishing the season.

Well, the celebration happened.  I've yet to see the team move on to finish the season.

The way I see it, our rotation and starting lineup should stay with their routine.  I'd like to see our positinal players put in five innings or so each game.  I know what you're thinking.  "Why risk injury? Why not let them rest? The rest of the season is a waste." I don't see it that way.  I believe in finishing what you start - there are 162 games in the season, and it would be a shame to throw away the last dozen or so games.  Do you really think our opponents want us to call it in?  If we want to get lazy and sloppy at the end, then you might as well  scrap the remainder of the season once we clinch.  Rest is important, but too much will result in rusty post-season performances. 

I've never been an "Oh well, you can't win them all" kind of fan.  There are some games that are sloppy and embarrassing.  There are some teams we should not be handing games to.  This is what frustrates me.  I know that Charlie is very much a laissez-faire manager, but in this instance, I'd like to see him get into some faces and say, "Get your pinstriped ass out there and play ball like you mean it." 

This should not be vacation.  This is prep time for the postseason; the World Series is ours to lose.  I want to see grit and aggressiveness.  These past four games have bored me to tears.  I feel like Curt Schilling with a towel over my face.  Please, Phils, now is not the time for complacency.  Don't run out of steam now.  A great season should end on a high note.

Phils' Offense Battered by Myers

By Amy McCormick

Apparently, the Phils’ offense didn’t get the memo tonight that offense isn’t optional.  Victorino and Howard each went 0-4; Martinez was 0-3.  Philadelphia managed to post six hits, but only scored one run. 

Oswalt didn’t have a great outing, and Houston capitalized on that.  The Astros managed twelve hits and five runs in a game where the Phils looked like they never showed up.

Why do the Phillies struggle against Myers? I don’t really get it.  The righty doesn’t have very good numbers this season, and Houston has lost more games than the Phillies have won (not a typo).  We should not be losing to teams like Houston and Florida.

I fully understand that not every game is going to be a win, but it’s frustrating to watch the Phils get owned by a terrible team.  I guess it’s good news for Mrs. Myers that Brett left the field in a good mood tonight, though.

I want to see some aggressive offense (I’m looking at you, Ryan Howard).  Losses like tonight’s are embarrassing and they make me cranky.  Here’s hoping tomorrow night is better.  Magic number is still 6 ….

How Baseball Healed Us

By Amy McCormick

I, like any one of you reading this, remember September 11, 2001 vividly.  I was teaching my pre-kindergarten class that Tuesday morning, and when word circulated from teacher to teacher, we all realized that we needed to suck it up, put on a smile, and go about our lessons for the day.  I told my four and five year old students that we had to have indoor recess because we had run out of sunscreen (I never said it was a good lie; it’s what popped into my head at the time).  In the days that followed the terrorists’ attacks, I came to the realization that teaching those children each day was keeping me sane.  They kept my heart full of love, and they kept me too busy to be afraid.  I’ve never taken the time to thank those kids, and I think tonight might be as good a time as any. 

Something else kept a lot of us going.  Baseball was a distraction from reality.  It was three hours of escape.  Major League Baseball paused briefly after the attacks, but was eagerly welcomed back.  New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani stated, “Baseball came along at just the right moment and re-established itself as the American pastime.”  Even rescue workers at Ground Zero listened to games on the radio; it kept their spirits up as much as they could be. 

For me, that Tuesday morning ten years ago made me start to question everything’s importance. (Family? Important.  Designer jeans? Not important.  You get the point.)  When it came to baseball, I’m sure someone could have argued that it seemed silly and inconsequential at the time.  It was far from that, though, and baseball was a way for us to stay connected to a pre-9/11 America.  Having something to cheer for was monumental.

I maintain the belief that if MLB had scrapped the rest of the season, the terrorists would have gotten their way.  There aren’t many things more American than baseball; it would have been a victory to Al Qaeda if we had chosen to abandon it.  The best part, to me, is the outcome of the 2001 World Series: The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in a Game 7 thriller.  It seemed poignant that the D’backs, in their first ever title, dethroned the three year reigning champions.  The message was clear: this is America, where possibilities are endless, and a bunch of terrorists are not enough to stop us.  I am grateful and proud to live in a country where I am free to watch a sport I love.  I am thankful for those who have fought and continue to fight for my freedom. 

It would be an exaggeration to say that baseball is entirely responsible for healing us.  For me, it was a combination of things, including my students.  Those things helped me to realize that we’d make it through to the other side.

I’d like to dedicate this post to my friend Kenny, lifelong Phillies fan and sergeant in the United States Army, who was killed in Afghanistan eight weeks ago.  Rest in peace, buddy.

Utley to Miss a Few Games

By Amy McCormick

In the bottom of the sixth inning last night, Braves' relief pitcher Eric O'Flaherty beamed Chase Utley in the back of the head.  What, no brawl? I'm not ranting about how classless and trashy Atlanta is?  Although I appreciate Ricky Bottalico's musings on which Brave will pay for it when revenge strikes, I have to say that it didn't look intentional at all. 

The bright side: 

1. Chase has great instincts and managed to whip his head around and have his helmet take the brunt of the pitch.  He seemed stunned by the incident, and I'm sure it hurt(s) like hell, but his batting helmet did its job last night by keeping Utley's brains on the inside. Plus, no damage to that pretty face we love so much.

2. This incident could have have happened weeks from now.  The implications of that are obvious, I'd say.  Let's hope that this bump in the road will leave Chase feeling rested and healthy for October.

3. Wilson Valdez is no Chase Utley, but he's a pretty damned good sub.  Injuries within our lineup are never fun, but the Phils have a knack for holding down the fort well when someone is out.

4. We have some breathing room.  I'd neve suggest lying down and playing dead - but the truth is, we're 10.5 games ahead of the Braves in the East.  If we didn't have such a cushion, I'm sure there would be a lot more panic in this city right now.

5. Chase has shown us that he can bounce back from an injury and perform extremely well on the field and at the plate.  I'll be the first to admit that I was hesitant about getting excited for Utley's return from his DL stint earlier this season.  Clearly, I was wrong.  His speed and range of motion actually look better to me than they did pre-injury.

6. Our favorite second baseman is in good care.  Team doctor Michael Ciccotti and Phils' trainer Scott Sheridan are being cautious and monitoring Utley.  In a couple days, he will perform ImPACT testing, which will compare his reaction and response times to his baseline scores.  The fact that Team Utley isn't taking this lightly is a good sign - it means that everyone is working to ensure his health and safety.

Why I'm worried. Maybe I shouldn't say "worried." I'm concerned about this incident for one reason: it happened to his head.  It's a mild concussion, but a concussion nontheless. I'm generally pretty freaked out by any sort of head injury because so much could go wrong.  After getting hit, Utley turned to the home plate umpire to ask him what had happened.  I don't read lips very well, but I think the umpire replied with something in the neighborhood of  "Ummmm ... you just took a 91 mph sinker to the head.  That's what happened."

I guess the only thing we can do is wait and see (and make homemade glittery get well cards for Chase, of course).  My best advice is to sit tight and see what the doctors tell us.  Ruben Amaro, Jr. thinks that the injury is "very mild," and continues, "He got a 90-mile-an-hour fastball off the melon, so we're going to be cautious about it." Fair enough.  Get well soon, Chase.