Beerleaguer - Phillies Blog, Baseball News, Trade Rumors & Spirits
Phillies Blog, Baseball News, Trade Rumors & Spirits
Home
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Aug 12, 2009 7:01:15 PM
NEXT POST
Pedro stops by Phillies en route to Cooperstown
No disrespect to Grover Cleveland Alexander, Steve Carlton or Robin Roberts, but tonight, Pedro Martinez becomes the best pitcher to ever wear a Phillies uniform. The undeniably excellent career of Pedro Martinez continues tonight when he makes his first appearance with the Phillies, the fifth stop in an 18-year baseball legacy. In true Pedro fashion, its taken only a few short weeks for the compelling three-time Cy Young winner to be the focus of a ridiculous amount of hullabaloo. And...
PREVIOUS POST
Postgame: Phillies bust out the bats, win easily 12-5
Staked to a comfortable lead, Pedro Martlnez won his 215th career game in comfortable fashion, allowing three runs and striking out five over five frames on a night when the Phillies' dormant bats finally came alive. I'm neither here nor there on Pedro's night, his first since Sept. 25 of last season, but love the Phils' 7-for-11 w/RISP, and thrilled how Jimmy Rollins has reasserted himself as an offensive threat. The Phils got the matchup they needed with Jeff Samardzija...
J. Weitzel
6
Following
458
Followers
Search
My Other Accounts
Google Plus
|
https://plus.google.com/110683369413370214357
Twitter
|
beerleaguer
Recent Comments
Tal Venada:
On
Follow Phillies updates from Beerleaguer on Twitter
Tal Venada:
Storyline: Prospect or Suspect, Phillies? is he...
|
more »
On
Follow Phillies updates from Beerleaguer on Twitter
Tal Venada:
Storyline: Clues to Tomorrow’s Phillies is here...
|
more »
On
Follow Phillies updates from Beerleaguer on Twitter
Game On!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:11 PM
to start the evening
and a game of importance:
a wondrous graphic
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:12 PM
wow. awesome header picture. that's why BL is singular in a constellation of MLB blogs.
Posted by: TNA | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:15 PM
That's some serious photoshop work right there.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:16 PM
PEDRO!!
Let's get started!!
Posted by: mikes77phillies | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:16 PM
So would Smoltz be able to work out of the BP at his age? I mean, he could be a good option for as short burst. From watching him this year in Boston, its been more of a big inning thing for him rather than a general level of sucking.
At maybe $1 million remaining on his deal, it might make sense to check him out if he can pitch out of the pen.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:17 PM
"Pedro" looks like the old Gap logo font from the 70's.
Posted by: doubleh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:18 PM
intimidating
Posted by: gobaystars | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:18 PM
My only question is why is Pedro on that graphic with Jamie Foxx?
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:23 PM
By my quick calculation, Lidge has come into 8 games with the Phillies up by a run in the 9th. The result of those 8 games: 3 saves, 5 blown saves. Ouch.
Come on Pedro.
Posted by: Spitz | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:23 PM
6 innings, 2 runs, 5 k
Posted by: TampaxJackson | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:27 PM
On the over/under thing, something occurs to me.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:27 PM
There's always a way to game the system.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Most impressive Pedro Stat:
1997-2003 (7 seasons)
118-36 (.766), 1761 K in 1408 IP, 2.20 ERA, 0.940 WHIP, 213 ERA+
Ridiculous, simply ridiculous.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:28 PM
If you take the over, that is.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Incidentally, 'Jackson, that's a borderline tag.
.
.
I like it.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:29 PM
I'm on vacation at Gulf Shores, Alabama with my family. Tonight, they wanted to go out and eat a vacation dinner at a fancy expensive restaurant. Wrong! Thanks to Pedro and ESPN, we are dining in tonight in the hotel room with Domino's finest pizza. Go Pedro!
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Lake Fred, you are a true fan.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Nolasco struggling in Houston. 5ER in the 1st. Could be a rough night for the NL East all around, but I sure hope not.
Posted by: doubleh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:34 PM
The other way to game the over/under thing is to begin a discussion of the Monasterios deal. Or even Lidge for Bourn. Or Blanton for prospects. Or Padilla for nothing. Or how much money we still owe Thome at this point in the season.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Wait, Domino's makes pizza?
Posted by: joe l | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Honestly, I still don't think we ever become a World Series champ team without jettisoning Bobby Abreu. He was a no-talent hack while he was here.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:37 PM
gobaystars, you asked this afternoon about Larry Bowa's offense.
As others have noted, he played in an era when defense was the primary reason teams had SS on the field.
Bowa still has the highest lifetime fielding percentage of any SS - ever.
He still managed to get 2191 hits in 16 seasons. He was also a pretty good base stealer - 318 lifetime.
SS was, until fairly recently, looked at as a defense first position.
That's why guys like Phil Rizzuto (1588 hits, 13 seasons) and Pee Wee Reese (2170 hits, 16 seasons), Arky Vaughan (2103 hits, 14 seasons) and Travis Jackson(1768 hits, 15 seasons) are in the HOF.
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:39 PM
joe -
On Staten Island, you want to skip the Domino's and call either Joe and Pats or Denino's. A lot of blue collar folks prefer Denino's, but the Joe and Pat's is an amazing thin crust margherita pizza made with garofalo bufala. Great stuff. Plus their walking distance from my house.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:39 PM
NEPP: Oh, God no...did you have to bring that up? Brace for the deluge.
Posted by: doubleh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Rizzuto is more in the HOF because of the team he played for.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:40 PM
NEPP, are you taking over for clout as the resident agent provocateur?
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:41 PM
NEPP - I suppose you thought Burrell was the second coming of Chuck Klein, too. (Except without the defense, speed and batting average.)
(See, if we can get an Abreu/Burrell/Ibanez discussion going AND a who-makes-the-best-pizza? The over gets it easy.)
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Chuck Klein doesn't hold a candle to Pat's greatness.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:42 PM
(hh - He's counting on the deluge. Remember? He predicted we'd break 800 posts tonight.)
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:43 PM
NEPP, I agree about Rizzuto, but do you disagree about my overall point?
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Yeah, but Sam Thompson makes Burrell and Klein look like nanny goats.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
hh, calm down.
Maybe clout will miss that post.
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Andy - I'm stuck in the Boston burbs, ie, pizza wasteland. There's an overpriced chain, Upper Crust, that's decent, but for anything good you gotta head into the North End of the city.
Posted by: joe l | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
No, I completely agree on your point about SS. It has always been a defense first (and very often defense only) position. Ripken was one of the first to break that mold.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
awh:
What's Arky Vaughn's career OPS+?
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:44 PM
Yeah, there's no pizza in the Boston burbs. Well, when I lived there, there was one decent place out in Westford but that's pretty far out there.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Right on about Bowa. And whoever said Rizzuto is in the hall because of team he played for is half right. His broadcasting career was part of it too. His friends in the veterans committee voted him in. Biggest sham in the hall.
Posted by: gobaystars | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:46 PM
At age 23, Arky Vaughn did this:
.385 .491 .607 1.098
I'd take that from a "defensive shortstop."
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:46 PM
joe l, while boston pizza isnt as good as new york, its far from a pizza wasteland. try finding a good slice anywhere in california. you have to hunt really hard in SF. In LA, its impossible.
Posted by: Spitz | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:47 PM
baystars: I hear the Money Store financed the get out the vote campaign.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:47 PM
I remember living in N. Virginia...it was impossible to find good pizza or any type of hoagie/sub shop. Total wasteland on that type of food.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:49 PM
im freaking excited...
though I'm skeptical that he will post any kind of numbers better than our man Pappy.
but I'm still excited.
Posted by: Baumer | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:49 PM
(NEPP - if we can clear the first comment page before the game starts, we'll be in pretty good shape.) (At least to make the 350 level.)
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:49 PM
The better Pedro does, the higher the count will be. Of course, if he completely and utterly implodes, it might be really high too.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Spitz - When we lived in Oakland, we used to go to this place on Alameda run by Afghanis. The sauce was too sweet, but the crust (ever had Afghani bread?) was absolutely dynamite.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Andy, Vaughan's OPS+ is pretty high at 136.
Keep in mind, though, that he was voted in before advanced stats like that were used to evaluate players.
Besides, if OPS+ were the only tool they used, Luis Aparicio (OPS+ 82) wouldn't belong, would he?
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
I wonder how pumped he'll be in the 1st? I'm guessing he hits 93/94 in the first and then settles down and pitches at 88-90 the rest of the way.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Always been a big Pedro fan. I was tested the last couple years while he was with Mets. Suprising how easy it was for me to root against him once he became a Met. Now I get to like him again... Hopefully.
Come on Pedro. Turn back the clock.
Posted by: mikes77phillies | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Yeah, but Aparicio was a defensive wizard...and a great speed threat early in his career (500+ SB). He's a legit HOF.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:52 PM
awh - I actually agree with your point. I was just saying that Vaughn didn't belong on your list. He killed the ball. Every year. Forget the advanced stats, people knew what he was hitting relative to other guys. Ask clout, he used to go to Forbes just to watch him. I bet.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Andy - thanks for the recommendation. I'll have to check that out. I live near Zante's Pizza in SF, which is famous for Indian Pizza - made on nan bread with Indian spices. Pretty good stuff for the once in a while, but definitely not the old standby pizza places common on every corner in east coast cities.
Posted by: Spitz | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Ten minutes to go and we didn't even break 50 comments yet. I'm gonna have to start writing haikus. Or maybe Burma Shave posts. I've never tried that.
(Oooohh. Or I could use an html tag and "forget" to turn it off. Then about a dozen people would try to turn it off themselves. I bet no one's done that before.)
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:55 PM
@NEPP - I'm out in Acton, which is pretty close to Westford... happen to remember the place?
Posted by: joe l | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:56 PM
Its in the shopping center across from the Market Basket...can't recall the name. There was also a decent place in Groton.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Spitz - It was a while back. I left Richmond in 2003; so it might be closed or under new ownership.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:57 PM
Its in the same shopping center as the D'Angelos Sandwich shop.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:58 PM
If we're going to use OPS+, then Leo Durocher (66), Red Schoendienst (92) and a few other guys don't belong in the HOF either.
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:59 PM
WHEN YOUR STAFF IS GETTING LAMER
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Durocher's in as a manager.
Posted by: Noah | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:00 PM
AND YOU DON'T MIND GOING RETRO
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Andy, did you hear about the toll collector that got shot on the Richmond Bridge last night? Horrific story - I'm sure its on CNN or at least SFGate still.
Posted by: Spitz | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Rabbit Marranville?
82 OPS+
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:00 PM
GET YOURSELF A HALL OF FAMER
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Pedro in a Phillies uniform...awesome.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:01 PM
AND HIRE YOU SOME PEDRO
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:01 PM
No Joe Morgan?!?
YES!!!!!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:01 PM
NEPP, I didn't say Aparicio didn't belong. I was merely pointing out that using one measure can give a misleading impression of a player's career.
Posted by: awh | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:02 PM
BURMA SHAVE.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Why the heck do they have to black this out? It's in Chicago for chrissake!
Posted by: dlhunter | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Ooops...misread your post then. Its a good point. There is far more to a player than his OPS+.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Spitz - No. I didn't hear that. Sounds awful. People can do stupid things.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Reporting for duty to help with the over/under comment count on the game thread with inane comments like "Woohoo", "Ugh", and "Oppo Boppo!!!!"
Posted by: NCPhilly | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Well done, Andy.
Posted by: Hope SE | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:04 PM
@NEPP: Pizza express? (BTW, I dunno which is more overrated, TC Lando's or D'Angelo's.)
Posted by: joe l | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:05 PM
For once, I won;t be disappointed if the Phils go 1-2-3 in a quick top of the first!
Posted by: Spitz | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:06 PM
D'Angelos is completely overrated. Their stuff is okay but nothing special.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Yeah, Pizza Express was decent (though sometimes they didn't cook it long enough). Other than that, they were reliable for non-Pizza Hut/Dominos pizza.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:08 PM
As a child I lived in North Jersey and was subject to, among other indignities, mets and yankees broadcasts on a daily basis. One time during Rizzuto's reading of the birthdays he said "happy birthday Bobby from your aunt and soon to be uncle. Uhh is that some kind of a change she's having?" To which his broadcast partner had to chime in "No Phil I think they are getting married." Amazing.
Anyway, I wanna see everyone "Getting Casual" tonight!
Posted by: gobaystars | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Where does this Pedro start rank in most anticipated starts in Phillies history?
Top 20? Would you go Top 10?
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Come on Jimmy!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:10 PM
At least Jimmy made him work for it. Let's wear this guy down.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Phils in Florence is a wonderous thing. Catch the first few innings if Pedro tonight via mlb app.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Cub Announcer about the Phillies hitters:
"If they sense you can't find the strike zone, they'll just wait you out."
I swear. You can't make this stuff up.
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:12 PM
VICTASTIC!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM
woo-hoo
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Victorino is actively helping Martinez.
Posted by: NCPhilly | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Now with a guy on 3rd and 1 out...WE NEED TO SCORE THIS RUN.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Hey now!
Posted by: dlhunter | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:14 PM
At least Bradley's getting some cardio work in here.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:14 PM
TTI - I know I eagerly awaited Tyler Green's first start.
Go Uts!
Posted by: Andy | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Sleeping Giant awakened?
Posted by: joe l | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:14 PM
RYNO WITH THE TRIPLE!!!!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Hey now!
Posted by: dlhunter | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Phillies have found a spot they like... right field corner. Howard flashing some speed! Did not look like a triple hit.
Posted by: NCPhilly | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
fastest big man in the league HANDS DOWN!
Posted by: redbeard | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Will Pedro debut at the plate before the mound?
Posted by: dlhunter | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM
I'm sensing a change of season...
Posted by: Casey | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM
That helps the avg w/ RISP
Posted by: SmokyJoe | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM
How does Howard you beat the shift for a triple?
Posted by: Hope SE | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:16 PM