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' 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 ….

LOLMets

By Amy McCormick

We fans really needed to see the Phils destroy the Mets tonight, after the weekend we had.  What a bizarre weekend it was at CBP South!  Rain delays, two consecutive “starts” for Oswalt, and an uncharacteristic few days for the bullpen seemed to throw the Phils for a loop.  While I was impressed (relieved, excited, I could go on) by Oswalt’s outing on Saturday, it seems that his performance was the only highlight of the series.  Well, that and Schwimer’s debut.  Phils lost the series.  To the Nationals.  Seriously.  During the rain delay on Sunday, I joked that I would write a post titled “Mother Nature Interrupts Halladay Beating Wang; He’s Unable to Finish.” I was too depressed by the end of the game to even bother.

So, what’s a team to do after such a series? How do the Phils get their mojo back?  What’s a good pick-me-up for players and fans alike?

Beat up on the Mets.  Duh.

And did they ever.  Cliff Lee records his 14^th win of the season and the Phils are now 82-44.  We saw homers from Pence and Mayberry, a triple from Vic, and a double from Chooch.  Phils win, 10-0.  If it had been a Little League game, it would have been called after six innings.  There’s no mercy in the bigs, though … not even for the Mets.  Ricky Bo said after tonight’s game, “This is what the Phillies should have been doing to the Washington Nationals.” True.  One thing (of many) that I love about our team, though, is the ability to shake it off and put a bad game behind them.

We’ll see New York again tomorrow night at 7:05.  It just doesn’t get old for me.  LOLMets.

Victorino is Effective in Leadoff Spot

By Amy McCormick

At the start of the 2011 season, I had my doubts about Shane Victorino batting in the leadoff spot.  He wasn’t entirely successful in that position last season, when it seemed that our lineup changed nightly.  While Jimmy Rollins isn’t exactly stellar when batting first, I figured he was our best bet.  I admit that I was wrong.

First, let’s look at the numbers.  Last season, Jimmy Rollins played just 88 games due to injury.  He hit .243, which I don’t need to tell you is awful, and had an OBP of .320.  He stole seventeen bases and scored 48 runs.  The Phils currently have 22 games in the books for 2011.  Shane Victorino is hitting .295 with an OBP of .360; he has stolen four bases and scored fourteen runs.  Now, stay with me, because there’s math involved.  If Victorino in 2011 has played ¼ the games that Rollins did in all of 2010, then his projected numbers for 88 games this season would be 56 runs scored and sixteen stolen bases.  I realize there a lot of numbers here, but the bottom line is that when it comes to batting in the leadoff spot, Shane’s numbers are better than Jimmy’s were last year.

Now, let’s consider the functions of a leadoff hitter.  First and foremost, it’s his job to get on base.  Whether it’s by drawing a walk or getting a base hit, his job is to get himself to first and then into scoring position.  Both Rollins and Victorino are capable of stealing more bases than they have been, and I’d like to see them be more aggressive about it.   The leadoff hitter needs to distract and annoy the pitcher by taking a lead off the base in an attempt to keep him unfocused.  Jimmy and Shane are both good at accomplishing this.  Baserunning involves more than just stealing, though.  General speed is important; Rollins is quick, but Victorino is quicker. 

In addition to getting on base, the leadoff hitter has another important task that Jimmy Rollins likes to dismiss: work the pitcher.  It’s important to see a lot of pitches, but J-Roll is infamous for swinging at the first pitch that comes his way.  Shane seems more patient at the plate,  waiting for a pitch that will allow him to find a gap and get a base hit.  Forcing the pitcher to throw a lot of pitches accomplishes two things: it tires him and it gives the Phils a chance to see what he’s throwing on that particular night. 

It seems that power hitters get all the recognition for the runs they drive in; if it weren’t for quality leadoff hitters, though, there wouldn’t be runners to score.  Victorino has been showing that he’s extremely effective batting in the number one spot.  If Chase Utley returns this season, there will be some rearranging to do with the lineup, but I think that Shane should stay at the top of the order.  He’s proving that he is successful there.

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. 

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.