Morning happy hour: Beerleaguers revel in the rally

Good morning.

“How many monumental closer meltdowns have the Phillies now benefited from this year? There was the game that Werth tied with 2 outs in the 9th at San Fran, Carlos Marmol in Chicago, Leo Nunez in Florida, now this. They've really stolen their share of wins this year. Sort of compensates some for watching Brad Lidge the last couple of seasons.” - RSB

“The Phils are now scoring runs without the long ball. They have gotten back to running again and have shown an ability to string hits together and keep innings alive with walks/patience at the plate. Hope this continues even when Utley and Howard return. If they could ever get their leadoff hitter going, look out. … Besides Mariano Rivera, there aren't many lights out closers in baseball. Broxton literally looked scared to death tonight. He didn't want to throw his best pitch. He wanted to nibble. He faced 5 guys and they all reached base. … Why would anyone leave a Phillies game early? Some of the best memories of Phils games in the past 4 or 5 years, are of 9th inning/extra inning wins. How many more times do we have to be reminded that this team, no matter who is in uniform, plays 27 outs? Its truly what seperates them from about any other team in baseball.” – denny b

“How 'bout a little love for Valdez? He's been the target of a lot of hatin' at BL - but all-in-all he's done a very adequate job of filling in for Utley. How many BL posts were there asserting before the trading deadline that Amaro picking up a second-string infielder was the key to the season?” – phlipper

Beerleaguer: If you tuned out like many viewers did, do yourself a favor: find a television set and turn on one of the morning highlight shows. Watch Chooch dance between first and second in an attempt to dodge the tidal wave of teammates surging from the dugout. You’ll never forget it. Viewers who gutted it out are still trying to wrap their head around the final two frames. Was it just another meltdown or the Phillies at their opportunistic best? A little of both I’d say. Chooch shot down Broxton with a clutch double off the wall, one of my favorite plays in baseball, especially when it caps a walk-off rally. But the ball that short-hopped Casey Blake and plated a pair was a killer considering it should have been turned into a twin killing. How on earth did that get through?

Revel in the eighth inning, too. The Phils opened the frame with a single, single, single, double, and then Wil-Val’s RBI poke to complete the four-run rally against big loser Ronald Belisario. All these manufactured runs without the long ball are a good sign heading into Citi Field.

Comments

[Sophist]

Blake's error was a turning point, but he'd made a good play in the 8th off Ruiz' bat too. Wonder about the ump's zone too. I recall hearing he was a AAA ump, and Ausmas had some choice words with him while Ruiz dodged the flooding bench.

EFF - How do you hit a 300 foot pop-up? I'm pretty sure a pop-up, by definition, doesn't leave the infield (or maybe goes a few feet outside it). Pop-ups are flyballs that stay in the infield. Not sure I've heard anyone besides TMac say otherwise.

The pen. Was Romero all that bad last night? Sounded like an E5 and a bloop hit. He was reported to say he'd "figured it out" a few days ago. I'm inclined not to trust him, but doesn't seem he was terrible last night.

Durbin has had an excellent season. 8.3 K9, 3.3 BB9. Matching his K9 rate from last year but dropping his walk rate by 3 batters per nine innings. This would easily be his best MLB season if he keeps it up (he hasn't thrown 50 IP yet this year). Even including last night he's allowed only 3 out of 15 inherited runners to score.

Baez had a perfect inning. Didn't he get the win?

[ozark]

Any links to Vin Scully's audio of the 9th inning?

[keith]

I went to bed sad. I work up, realized I missed an epic comeback, got really happy they won and then sad and mad at myself for losing faith. I guess I am a front runner? Lucky this is Friday and I can drown myself into believing I am not. All those years with Micky Morandini and Kevin Stocker and I bail on the team when they needed me the most. From here on out, I pledge to watch the game ALL the way through...unless wife promises sex, like last night.

[J. Weitzel]

I still can't figure out how that ball got through Blake.

[J. Weitzel]

Valid excuse, keith.

[keith]

Thanks, JW. She got me at the low point during the game and I caved in. Women....they know.

[Sophist]

Valdez has gotten plenty of praise in the comments section. The main Valdez dispute arose because some people wanted to call him a "savior" of the Phils season. That seemed a bit bunch for a guy with a sub 70 OPS+ and a .190 BA over the last few weeks at the time in question. But he definitely deserves some praise overall. Additionally, he has a 6 game hitting streak and has hit in 10 of the last 12 games (.354/.380).

[Jack]

I love how pumped Sweeney is to be on this team. His walk was huge last night. Making his contribution like Russell Branyan did in 07, or Stairs in 08.

Classic late-season veteran pickups. A Gillick specialty.

[Bubba]

Later Dear, the Phillies game is on......

Yeah, right!

[clout]

You can't talk to my mami like that!

[joe]

anyone got a link to the ruiz dance? i can't find it on he normal places (espn...)

[clout]

keith: Did it ever occur to you that the reason they won was BECAUSE you stopped watching?

[awh]

At this link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=10901987&query=%26game_pk%3D265524

you can take a look at Chooch's recent clutch hits to win games. Marlins, Mets, Dodgers...

It's titled "Must C Clutch"

[Jack]

You can tell the dominant demographic of BL posters by the fact that everyone understands Keith's situation.

[Sophist]

Jason, yeah, I still can't figure out how that puck got by Leighton either (and he wasn't even thinking about turning a double play).

[Bob]

From very late last thread.

I commented a couple of days ago about how I would never feel sorry for Mets fans, no matter what befell them.

But I do find myself feeling a little sorry for Jonathan Broxton. I'm thrilled about all three of the wins for the Phillies, of course, but the guy has got to be hurting at this point.

After the game and looking at the Broxton graphic that Jason posted, I scouted the web a bit and found his Wikipedia site altered to taunt him, and there was another site called "Jonathan Broxton Sucks" that was pretty much filled with hate for the guy, presumably by Dodgers fans, that dated from way back.

I mean, the guy is likely one of the top half dozen closers in baseball. It's a tough position. He does his best. Reminds me a bit of the "fans" who vandalized Mitch Williams' house years ago. Kind of sad and ugly.

[R.Billingsly]

The funny thing about Blake -- I imagine he was brought in for defensive purposes. He wasn't part of a double switch, as he was inserted into Belliard's spot in the order.

Funny how things work out. Or don't work out, depending on who you are.

[phils and nova]

what a team, what a win.

its such a great feeling getting to work on a friday morning and no one is talking business. every co-worker is asking each other if they watched the game.

Mike Sweeney -- I love this guy and am so happy for him. I'm 25 years old and grew up in wilmington, de and i watched mike play for the wilmington blue rocks back in 92 or 93 when i was 8 years old. i was ecstatic when i heard the phils got him from seattle and i think he brings such a great attitude to the clubhouse plus he can hit -- fantastic acquisition by rube.

did you know?

He and robin roberts are the only players to have their numbers retired by the blue rocks.

[Andy]

say it ain't so, Joe
(but you can't, cause it happened):
the Broxton is dead

[awh]

That link also has a video of that little kid "putting the hex" on Broxton.

I don't know who that kid is, but he's famous in his neighborhood this morning.

[Chris]

It has become apparent to me, even though he has only been with the Phils for a handful of games, that Mike Sweeney is a class act. I am glad to have him in the fold and he seems to fit very nicely in the clubhouse.

[rauls grandpa]

Billingsly,
Beside that slapshot the other night, all Blake is known for is defense. I love to see Bill Buckner-esqe 5 hole wicket shots like that.

Keith, give it a few years. You'll want to feign back injuries instead of "getting busy" with the missus.

[awh]

keith, I was at the game, Section 324, against the Nats in April 2009, where the Nats took an 11 - 7 lead in the top of the 8th, after the game was tied 7 - 7.

1/3 of the "fans" left. My buddies and I kept yelling at some of the people who were leaving to "stick around...you don't quit on this team".

We had learned in the "The Year of the WFC" that this team can come back on anyone.

We were vindicated in the bottom of the 8th: the Phils scored 6, the last 4 coming on a Salami by Raul (the 2nd of the game - Howard had hit one earlier).

The Phils won 13 - 11.

Never, ever ever ever ever ever ever ever....quit on this team.

[keith]

@clout

I used to be superstitious like that until 2008. Before that date, I would try just about anything to make them win. But, in 2008, I flipped off the baseball gods and told all my Mets friends, Phillies are winning the world series. I pushed all-in. I sent texts to them after every inning saying this is our year. My last text to them that year was this...Lights Out! Game Over! when Brad was walking in. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. So no, I do not think it was because I stopped watching.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3653712

Enjoy!

[BobbyD]

Paul Hagan seems to know some beerleaguers:

"When Werth got off to a hot start, the signs being held up in the stands at Citizens Bank Park read "Werth Every Cent," a subtle pressure on the front office to spend whatever it would take to keep him.

Then he went into a deep slump. The e-mails began to flood in, cleverly offering the opinion that he was Werthless and suggesting the Phillies should trade him as quickly as possible.

Now he's hitting again and is loudly cheered when he steps in the batter's box. Imagine that.

Or what about Raul Ibanez? A month ago, many wanted to see the Phillies simply release him. Now he's helped carry the team for a month while Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard have been out and the "Raauuuuul" chants are once again echoing around Ashburn Alley.

Charlie Manuel is either the best manager in Phillies history or a complete moron and it can change from inning to inning, pretty much depending on whether his most recent move has worked out. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is either an executive-of-the-year candidate or should be fired, depending on how the winds are blowing on any given day.

The bench was the worst. Ever. Now Ross Gload's strained groin is a big loss and it's hard to imagine how the team could have stayed afloat without the undervalued contributions of Wilson Valdez."

And I'll add Domonic Brown. He was clearly ready for the show, but apparently he wasn't. Good thing we didn't trade Werth and play Brown during the home stretch of a pennant race.

[Sophist]

awh - We learned before 08 not to quit on the Phils.

[denny b.]

Sophist,

Romero wasn't terrible last night. He was at least throwing strikes and his velocity was very good.

As long as he keeps throwing decent amounts of strikes, he ought to work his way out of this.

Baez was shaky too, as Podsednik's DP ball was a one hop rocket right at Rollins. At least he found a way to not give up a run.

The Dodgers used 2 relievers last night (and faced 9 hitters between the 2 pitchers) and they all reached base. Hard to believe.

Is there anything more frustrating then watching Blanton give up runs IMMEDIATELY after his team just scored in the prior half-inning? I don't have the stats in front of me, but it seems like Blanton does this all the time. Last night he gives up his customary couple of runs in the 1st inning, settles down, sees his team scratch across 2 runs and then on cue, gets right back into trouble again once the game is in the balance. Blanton was very lucky to get out of that game with only 4 runs given up.

I just don't think he's very mentally tough. He seems to cave in too quickly, when a call goes against him or a hit falls in somewhere. Or maybe he's just not talented enough to get through things? Whatever it is, his individual performance this year has been the biggest disappointement of the season.

[Lake Fred]

I moved into a new apartment last night. I hooked up the cable, but it didn't work. The complex has wifi out by the pool area, so I lugged a laptop out there to find the cable provider's phone number. While there, I checked out the Phillies score. The Phils were down, 9 to 2 in the 8th. I went to bed thinking the Phils lost. Told my wife the bad news. This morning, I told my boss that the Phils lost, then, I fired up BL and discovered.....the Phils won!! Wow!!!

Just the opposite of the day before's blueprint game. This game had our steadier relievers, like Durbin & Contreras, along with "I'll start calling him Romano Cheese" (J.C. Romero) giving up runs. Bulldog "Mr. Hyde" Blanton didn't do it, either, and then "Blow 'em Wild" Baez gets through a quick inning for the win. Amazing!!

[MichaelZ]

Thank you TiVO

[awh]

Chris, Sweeney had almost a DITHL look inthat interview.

He's already called it "heaven" to be on Phillies and have a chance to win, but I think he was being complimentary and engaging in a little hyperbole.

After last night, he looks like he really understands:

This team is never out of a game and takes the field every night expecting to win.

Welcome to Baseball Heaven, Mr. Sweeney!

[Kutztown fan]

How nice is it that we can savor a fantastic win today. We're so fortunate to have this team - every single player. I'm sure every Phillies' fan is high as a kite today. Contrast that to what Met fans are dealing with today. Or Dodger fans. Or Brave fans.

[Jack]

I wonder if anyone still thinks Werth is having a "bad" season.

He's 2nd on the team in AVG (behind Polanco), 1st in OBP, 1st in SLG, and has now adequately filled in at CF for 15+ games while Victorino was hurt.

Where would this team be without him?

[Hbgphan]

Hard to beleive Harry, hard to believe.

[rauls grandpa]

Kutztown Fan,
I only hope that azz-scalding didn't take the air out of the Dodgers. I hope they are super PO'd and want to tear the Braves apart this weekend.

[R.Billingsly]

But, but, but...Werth doesn't hit with runners in scoring position. He's terrible.

He also leads the team in runs scored. He may not be driving them in (although he is 2nd on the team with 60 RBIs), but he's scoring them. But, let's forget about that.

[awh]

Oh, and keith...that's why people have TVs in the bedroom.

[limoguy]

Like b_a_p_ I thought the 8th was the 9th and they lost 9 - 6.

That never happened to me before and probably didn't him either.

Truly, this is Chooch's team.

[R.Billingsly]

Raul's Grandpa:

With you 100%. Let's hope the Dodgers are incensed by that loss and take it out on the Braves.

[Sophist]

denny - Thanks on Baez since I was in the car listening. Franzke asked LA about the "lazy hand" and LA, of course, had no idea what he was talking about but asked if it was something like what happens when they go out to dinner with Wheels and the check arrives.

re Blanton. I wouldn't say "he's not tough mentally." Sounds like the Hamels crap all over again. His K/BB is good (and his K rate has climbed as the season has gone on), but his H9 is up 2 per nine from last year.

His BAbip is about .350 in June-July-August. He's giving up a much higher rate of singles this year while his XBH% is identical to last years. He's not a great pitcher, but he's not this bad either.

[Mr. Mack]

Like some others, I feel bad for Broxton. Just like I fel bad for Lidge after he does it (although not at that moment!). Fans dislike for a player is natural, especially when he doesn't perform up to their expectations. I am guilty of bashing guys here on BL, but it is no different than cussing him out, yelling at the TV (which my wife & kids thinks is a sure sign of lunacy) and then praising him the next night when he does well. Hey, at least I'm honest! LOL.

I do think that it gets taken too far sometimes though by some fans. After all, 'fan' is just short for fanatical. Fortunately there has never been a South American soccer stadium-type riot after a blown save in any MLB park, however if there is a few more Lidge screw ups in th estretch run, it may be wise for the Philly Blues to bring out the dogs around the CBP perimeiter! Either that or extra tazers.

I'm sure the guys pitching don't feel too great after serving up a blown save either. The saddest story of any MLB player not putting the loss behind him was Donnie Moore of the Angels in the '86 ALCS. One pitch away from sending the Angels to what would have been their first ever AL Pennant and he gave a up a HR to tie the game which they eventually lost. They ended up losing the series after dropping the next two games and he was forever linked to that blown save. three years later he shot himself in a domestic dispute.

[Sophist]

Just bat Werth lead-off once Howard comes back. Or even now. His RISP numbers won't stay where they are, but he should be the lead-off hitter for a variety of reasons.

[rauls grandpa]

Billingsly,
Jim Tracy would take that sh!t. I bet Torre is fuming inside, rubbing that giant nose of his.

[awh]

dennyb, Blanton started the year on the DL.

I would not be surprised to find out at the end of the season that his injury has been nagging him all season.

He's just not the Blanton were know and love.

[EastFallowfield]

Sophist,

I was watching MLB Network yesterday afternoon, as they jumped from game to game, and heard a high fly to the outfield called a popup in one of the other games.

At one point does a popup become a flyball? When an outfielder catches it? If JRoll ranges into shallow left center, is it a popup or a flyball?

[awh]

I posted this last night during the game thread:

In fairness to Blanton, he only gave up one hard hit ball in the 3 R 1st inning.

The rest were little bloops and seeing eye GBs.

As Sophist said, he's not great, and he wasn't last night, but it's not like they rocked him with a bunch of hard hit balls.

[denny b.]

Sophist,

My thought on Blanton's mental toughness, is that he ALWAYS seems to cave in, late in games, usually when his team has battled back close in the game.

Is it just bad luck? Is it a lack of stamina? Is he just not a good enough pitcher to get through those instances?

Its just happened too much this year. You can almost predict it, before it happens. Happ battled his way through in those instances last year. Kendrick has battled his way through and gotten out of trouble many times both this year and in prior years. Blanton just seems to wilt.

I just don't see him ever turning it around this year and going on one of those 3 or 4 start stretches (like he has in the past) where he clicks off solid 7 inning, 1 ER performances. Just looks like he's too mentally fragile this year to expect that.

[EastFallowfield]

But what would we do for miracle wins without Blanton? Seems like a lot of them come in his starts....

First start at Shea...So Taguchi even got a big hit...

Last year on WFC Ring day vs the Braves...

And again vs Nats in April 09, 6 run 8th..,

6 run 9th vs Reds in June...

And last night.

[CJ]

My favorite part about the clips of the kid putting the hex on Broxton? The absolutely smokin' hottie sitting behind him.

[CJ]

San Francisco Giants just dealt for Jose Guillen.

[awh]

CJ, she was hot, but it looked to me like she spoke to the boys.

I think whe was their Mom. :)

[Sophist]

denny - I think it's a stamina issue (given his injury) as well as the general fact that pitchers are less effective the 3rd time through a lineup.

EFF - just because there isn't a definitive boundary between what I call a pop-up and an outfield fly doesn't mean there isn't a distinction. Just for reference MLB Advanced Media guidance on scoring says that a pop up is "a ball hit on a high, short arc that is caught on the fly by an infielder only; used only for balls fielded by infielders, NOT by outfielders.” A PU is an infield fly or, to allow some room for ones that just leave the IF, a FB caught by an IF.

TMac calls 300 foot flyballs pop-ups. It's not a big deal, but it falls on a long list of nonsense. If he called these things "popflys" it would be more accurate, but just about every thing the guy does is irksome.

[Sophist]

awh - looked a little young to be their mom, didn't she?

[Emmett]

Is this Iowa?

No, this is Philly.

Gillick is a puppetmaster in every sense of the word. His muse, Rube, will hopefully soak in the technique Gillick has crafted over the years where he understands how important each string is to make your proverbial marionette dance in rhythm. Gillick just doesn't look at talent or stats; he looks at the whole mind, body and spirit of the player and understands what little missing piece the team needs to flue it's fire. There is nothing more to say about Gillick other than at this time his stamp on this franchise is that of lore, myth, legend.

God I love this team.

That win epitomized the phils teams of old of the past 3 years. I wasn't never out on this team, but now I'm all in.

[Sophist]

Gillick looked right into Freddy Garcia's soul.

[clout]

Emmett: And your post epitomizes Beerleaguer. To the extent that the team is successful it is all because of Gillick. When there is failure, it is all because of Amaro.

Well done.

[Kutztown fan]

It's a good day when all we have to complain about are TMac and someone giving a shout-out to Gillick.

[awh]

Sophist, for the umpteenth time:

It's "TBag" NOT "TM*c".

[Sophist]

clout - Are you saying that giving $40M to Flash, Jenkins, and Feliz was a *bad* idea? I think Gillick's "body" measuring device was not correctly correlated when those deals went down.

[Emmett]

Clout:

I think Gillick is a great mentor for Amaro, that's my point. I don't look to blame Amaro during our slides and haven't, this team has enough talent as everyone knows to win. When they were underachieving it had nothing to do with Amaro, but we look for answers as fans and the glaring and obvious move of not keeping Lee is what people use to associate losing with. Amaro has done fine and I commend his bold move to get Oswalt while not letting the possible blunder of not keeping Lee effect the present.

I am not holding Gillick solely accountable for success, I just don't think there's a better GM/associate out there that understands how the intangibles of a player are just as important to a team's success.

[Sophist]

"Speaking of tea bags, Sarge, Torre and the Dodgers will be in town August 11th, 12th, and 13th. Come for Allergy Awareness night on the 11th! Aaaaall fans will receive a free bronchospasm screening courtesy of Teva Respiratory. How about that!?"

[Sean]

The kid turned around at one point after a big hit in the 8th and gave a pound to the girl behind him. I've never seen or heard anyone fist-bump his mom. And she was smoking hot.

[Bedrosian's Beard]

Emmett: you should have known that you are not to praise Gillick around here. Some might tell you that he and So Taguchi both contributed the same amount since they were both a part of the Phillies.

[Emmett]

Look clearly no GM is perfect. To help this team out of the bomb shelter of the NL he shook some things up, over-paid for guys like Flash but in the process sent a message that we're going to spend money and address our problems rather than put faith in unproven farm prospects after years of mediocrity. You need to get a feel for a team and initially thats almost impossible to do. He corrected whatever didn't fit and created a pretty decent product that has flourished for the last 4 years. I don't understand how praising a guy for that is wrong. It comes down to the players producing on the field of course, but talent alone does not correlate to success. It's all about chemistry and creating a union where the talents and personalities check and balance themselves. That's where I think he's a visionary.

[RSB]

I forgot about the game against the Reds when they were down 7-1 in the 9th. So what's that, five completely improbable wins this year? Improbable even by the Phillies' standard.

Denny B.'s point about scoring without the longball is an important one. This team has learned how to play better baseball out of necessity with the big boppers absent through long stretches this year, and they have been far more enjoyable to watch in their depleted state than they were with all hands on deck. I hope they can carry this brand of ball over when they get all the regulars back in there. Utley and Victorino are two who need to stop playing so much of a big man's game and spray the ball around a little more.

[denny b.]

A couple more points...

In watching the MLB Network telecast, there were 2 humorous moments..

1. When Cholly came out to yank Blanton in the 6th, they showed him as he came up the dugout steps and onto the field. As he made his way onto the field, he took out his gum out of his mouth and threw it down. Kinda like, "Ahh damn, I gotta get this guy again???"

2. Bob Costas gave the "Innings Eater" quote to describe what Blanton was supposed to give the Phils. I think that was as he was exiting the field in the 6th inning.

[Bubba]

Can they put Chooch's plaque on the Wall of Fame now?
Whatever Dalton, Lieberhal, Boone,or even Smokey Burgess have done in the past doesn't matter.Chooch is now secured his place as a Phila. legend.

JW has been giving him props over several posts theses last weeks, but last night was classic little big man stuff.

[MG]

Emmett - You sound like you have inherited "Deification Disease." Overflowing praise that leans to the abstract for a leader of a organization when things go well overlooking strategic, operational, and personal flaws.

[awh]

Kutztown, I was thinking the same thing:

In 1/2 hour last night I went from being depressed - the Phils were about to lose a home series to the Dodgers, a team I hate and have hated since the late '70s - to being elated.

So yeah, having to listen to TBag is the only thing we have to complain about this morning.

OTOH, to my and other posters credit, we complain about TBag even when the Phils win games by scoring early and staying ahead.

He's just an awful baseball announcer. As Sophist noted above in his discussion of "pop-ups", the man doesn't understand basic baseball language.

The fact that Dave Montgomery and Co. feel OK about subjecting their viewing audience to his stupid comments and MOTO analysis night after night speaks volumes to the regard they have for said audience.

Their ratings are up because they've been competitive the last several years, and because they've been to the WS twice and won once in the last two season.

Montgomery could put a chimpanzee on the air and they'd still draw the same audience....

Hey, did they already do it? Maybe I'm on to something?

[clout]

Gillick is certainly worth of praise. But he also made mistakes, and Amaro has made some excellent moves, even though the BedBugs of the board refuse to admit those facts.

[Old Phan]

Sweeney is a class act. He took responsibility for runs scored due to his error, when in reality, if the Phils lost, it would have had nothing to do with that.
I'll just assume Tennessee Joe hasn't gotten his groove back after being injured. No doubt that some of the problems are mental (you can't feel good you pitch like that) but he should bounce back next year.
Of course you have to find different ways to win when practically everyone in your starting lineup has been injured all season. The fact that the Phils are achieving shows their character.
After all, they are the Team To Beat ™

[Sophist]

Through 114 games

08: 563 RS, 159 HR
09: 597 RS, 160 HR
10: 545 RS, 118 HR

It's impressive that their HR are down by 40+ but run scoring is only down 20-50.

A lot is made of Howard's decreased power, but I think he'd have continued his power surge (ending up over 40 HR) and kept the BA around .290. He still might, though the injury may hold him back.

[clout]

RSB: "I hope they can carry this brand of (small) ball over when they get all the regulars back in there. Utley and Victorino are two who need to stop playing so much of a big man's game and spray the ball around a little more."

I couldn't agree more. The last thing I want to see when Howard, Uts and Vic return is homeruns. Who needs 'em when you can bunt a guy over to second or slap a single?

[Old Phan]

And constantly complaining about TMac is like going to a 5 star restaurant and complaining about the napkins.

[clout]

Old Phan: Sweeney has indeed been a positive addition so far. Thank goodness Gillick told Rube to get him.

[RSB]

I actually have to say that McCarthy's spot-on lip-reading job - when Torre asked Broxton if he trusted his stuff - might have been the first time I actually gained a smidgen of insight from listening to him.

[Jack]

I think Emmett's point is that the makeup of this team, both literal and figurative, and the acquisition of guys like Sweeney even under Amaro, is a direct result of Gillick's influence on the team.

It's not a matter of evaluating each and every move both of the GMs have made and trying to make some objective analysis. It was simply a statement that Gillick has clearly had an influence on the makeup of the roster, both during his reign and during Amaro's, who I imagine would be the first to admit he learned a lot from Gillick.

[Bubba]

Best "Trust the Gut" moment was CM's decision to let Chooch hit in a situation that the Dodgers and our resident booth expert Wheels expected the bunt.

[clout]

sophist: The decline in HRs is certainly due in large measure to Howard, but HRs are down throughout baseball. Context would help. How far down are the Phils in HRs from last season compared to the overall decline?

[Sophist]

OP - When you watch a baseball team 160-180 times a year, the play-by-play guy is more than the napkins. It's like going to a 5-star restaurant and having an obnoxious waiter in your ear every 5 minutes (How about those mussels! Oh, I apologize. They're clams. HAHA!)

[clout]

Jack: No doubt about it. Every good move Amaro has made is directly attributable to Gillick. Good point and well in keeping with the prevailing mindset here.

BTW, how's that washed up Ibanez doin?

[Dukes]

You think that hex kid is popular now, wait until it comes out that the girl behind him was his date to the game.

[Bedrosian's Beard]

Clout has a Davthomesque response to defend Amaro to any Gillick praise

[Dukes]

I've figured it out, Old Phan is TMac.

[awh]

OP, I'm calling BS.

A TV broadcast is inherently affected by the broadcast team. A bad broadcast team can detract a great deal, even if the team wins games like last night.

A better analogy would be that it's like going to a 5 star restaurant and having a musty smell from moldy carpets that need to be replaced.

No matter how good the meal is the background stench detracts from the overall enjoyment.

[Ryan]

Considering how good the phillies tv ratings are I don't think it matters that T-Mac is not the greatest announcer

[Old Phan]

awh, I'm sorry that he ruined the game for you. That's sucks.
I had to listen to 2 seriously dull Dodgers announcers, but I managed to muddle through. I would have rather listened to the Phils broadcast.

[awh]

And OP, just to be clear, we DO agree on Sweeney. Raul said before he got here that he was a class act and a great teammate.

Looks like we can trust Raul's judgement.

[jody reed]

the attractive lady behind the kid was his babysitter

[awh]

Sophist, I like your analogy as well.

[jerry]

If it was, $20 says that it wasn't the Mom who hired her.

[clout]

BedBeard: If you paid attention you'd see numerous criticisms by me of Amaro, including his mishandling of the bullpen and, of course, the Lee trade.

I just enjoy pointing out the idiotic, laughably biased posts by posters like you with regard to certain players, the manager and the GM.

[awh]

Dukes, LOL.

Hey, maybe she was his nanny?

[Old Phan]

Dukes, good one. Wow, my cover is now blown. I guess I dont have to wear this phony toupee now.

[clout]

Old Phan: I realize everyone has different tastes no matter how hideous, but are you suggesting that McCarthy is a better listen than Scully?

[Emmett]

MG:

Sorry to rain on your parade of loathing a successful finished product that runs well even then the big horses are sidelined. Was I a little loquacious in my praise for a GM that suddenly during his short tenure was coincidently linked to the team with the best winning percantage within 4 years of being there? sure I was. But there's more fun in fabricating someone's success then trying to cut him down for no real reason. Has he made dumb moves of course, but all the best GM's do because they actually have some stones to try some new things. I'd rather that be trotting that Astros team onto field at the bank every night, selling Myers' $3 dollar Coors original draft specials to lure fans in. I have no problem criticizing someone when they take a chance and fail, but what's the point especially after a night where we displayed the character and heart from guys like Francisco and Sweeney; guys Gillick has a knack finding through trial and error.

I don't really know what your angle or twist is in trying to get off by knocking down a guy that has done nothing other than linked this team to the postseason since arriving, amidst some poor signings yes but still took the risks we otherwise would swallow.

Just happy over a sick win. The players deserve full credit. Gillick has to take huge credit for success though as does Amaro, but not in anyway all of it.

[Jack]

Clout: Was that what I said? Nope, not at all. What I said is that Gillick has had a large influence on the makeup of this team (the one trying to win its 4th consecutive division title and 3rd consecutive NL pennant), both while he was GM and while Amaro has been GM.

Please, what is wrong with that statement? Do you think Amaro would deny Gillick's influence on this team and on his career? Of course not. He kept him on as a special adviser for a reason, and I doubt it's just a figurehead position. Of course he's still influential. What is possibly objectionable about what I'm saying?

[Old Phan]

Clout, Scully wasn't on the TV feed last night. Scully is one of the best announcers in history.

[Sophist]

clout - Phils have averaged 1.04 HR/G this year compared to 1.38 last year. NL average is .94 HR/G this year and was .96 HR/G last year. So the Phils have taken a bigger hit but that's to be expected with Rollins' injured (replaced by Castro/Valdez) and not hitting for power, and Utley injured and replaced by Ransom/Valdez, and Howard's usual late-season power surge.

But I guess what I take from those numbers isn't that the HR drop is a good thing, but that the Phils have managed to score more runs than their HR drop would have you think they could. They have 41 fewer HR than 2008 (I don't think that's a good thing) but only 15 fewer runs.

I'd think that means that RSB is on to something.

[laramie]

Great baseball game. It was the kind of game that made it impossible to concentrate on anything else. I was listening to the radio broadcast while repairing the plaster in my basement and I honestly could not concentrate on even the most repetitive tasks for those last few innings.

For all of you T-Mac haters, it's looking increasingly plausible (to me, anyway) that next year we'll see Franzke to TV, replacing T-Mac, and Jim Jackson (ugh) replacing Franzke on the radio. T-Mac's time is done. Jason has written before about how the Phillies organization is increasingly less tolerant of mediocrity on the field, and I think the attitude is about to extend into the TV broadcast booth.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Sophist's mimicry of McCarthy is pretty damn funny. I watched it on MLB so I was spared the "TBag" experience. I didn't even see the hex kid and his nanny.

Fitting ending to a game that saw far more dinks and dunks from the guys in blue than liners and homers. Kemp's hit excepted, of course. I'm forgiving Durbin on that one based on overall performance and, saving Blanton's bacon in the 6th. How 'bout that Danys Baez? He needs to have more clean innings - that is, if he needs to pitch at all.