Liberty Ball

There’s no doubt that Ryan Howard had a historic season.  While he might not win the MVP, his peers honered him by awarding him the NL Outstanding Player and the Player of the Year award.  Howard set a franchise record when he hit 58 homeruns.  Howard also set a record for the most homeruns by a second year player ever.

At first, I was really jacked when I read this.  Then I got to thinking how while Soriano is definitely a solid player, I wouldn’t neccesarily think he’s better then Bobby Abreu.  He’s certainly younger, but with guys like Chase Utley and Ryan Howard already in the lineup, how much more power do you need.  We need a nice table setter and Abreu would have fit that bill.

Not that I wouldn’t be happy if we signed Soriano, I’m just not sure if we wouldn’t have been better sticking with Abreu.

Aaron Rowand, who was the cornerston of the Jim Thome trade, Had Rowand taken his, he would have made $3.25 million and had the Phillies taken theirs, Rowand would have made $5 million.  Instead, Rowand will head to salary arbtitration.  So you’d think Rowand would be looking for more then $3.25 million and the Phillies would come in with an offer below $5 million.  Rowand had a mediocre year and he played only 109 games because of a variety of injuries.  There’s no doubt that Rowand plays hard, but sometime it’s at his own expense.

 Mike Schimidt’s Hall of Fame career didn’t get off to a good start.  in fact in Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract , James listed Mike Schmidt as having the worst rookie season of any player who’s in the Hall of Fame.  The only thing Schmidt seemed to do well was strikeout.  In only 367 at bats, Schmidt struck out 136 times and it would be the only season until 1988 where Schmidt had an OPS+ of less then 111. 

On June 27, 1973, Mike Schmidt had his first two homerun game.  He drove in five of the seven runs the Phillies scored in that game.  On August 10, 1973, Mike Schmidt had his only three hit game of the season and he also homered twice in that one.  Generally though, Schmidt wasn’t driving in runs unless he hit homeruns.  For most of the season he actually hovered right above the Mendoza line but after August 10, 1973, his batting average never got above .220.  He went 0 for 25 in the final seven games of the season and that dropped him below the .200 mark at seasons’ end.

Of course this would be the end of the bad for Mike Schmidt.  By 1974, he was already contending for the MVP and as Mike Schmidt went, the Phillies went and the team continually improved throughout the rest of the decade.

Here’s a look at Mike Schmidt’s numbers in 1973:

Games 132
AB 367
Runs 43
Hits 72
Doubles 11
Triples 0
Homeruns 18
RBIs 52
Walks 62
Strikeouts 136
Stolen Bases 8
Caught Stealing 2
BA .196
OBA .324
SLG% .373
OPS .697
RC 47
RCAA -9
RCAP -12
RC/G 4.09
ISO .177

For those of you who don’t stop by A Citizen’s Blog (why aren’t you) regularly, he’s recently been doing some fantastic columns that focus on the Wiz Kids and the 1950 Phillies.  The two latest columns are on Curt Simmons and Robin Roberts.

The Phillies signed Jamie Moyer for two more years and they’ll play him $10.5 million over the life of the contract.  When this thing expires, Moyer will be just short of 46 years old (unless the Phillies are in the World Series, then he might be playing still).  I have mixed feelings about this deal.  That seems like a lot of money to pay someone pushing 44 but left handers don’t grow on trees.  And it’s not like Moyer is a power pitcher who could lose his stuff.  He did have a pretty good run with the Phillies in September so if he can duplicate, we might have a bargain on our hands. 

It looks like the Phillies might be looking to deal Pat Burrell.  I’ve always been a fan of Burrell’s but this Jeckyl and Hyde, one season he’s good, one season not too good, is making it tough on the team.  The primary concern was protecting Ryan Howard, and Burrell didn’t do a very good job of that in 2006.  Jeff Conine would be the logical choice to fill in at left field unless the Phillies picked someone up on the free agent market to fill that spot.

Here’s an update on how the Phillies are doing in the Arizona Fall League.  Gavin Floyd had a rough start and Gio Gonzalez was roughed up as well.

Well, the Tigers are in and it’s between the Mets and the Cardinals in the National League.  Unfortunately, the Phillies are sitting this one out this year, again.  I’m rooting for the Tigers in this one.

The Phillies have had two deaths in the family the past week.  First there was Cory Lidle and his tragic plane crash.  And then Johnny Callison passed at the age of 67.  Callison was a great player for the Phillies and won the NL MVP back in 1964.  The outfielder was a three time All Star.

Gavin Floyd is one of seven Phillies playing in Arizona Fall League.  It sure would be nice if Floyd could get back on track.  Gio Gonzalez, who had a disappointing season at Double A after we got him the Jim Thome trade, also needs to work out some kinks.  You can follow the AFL up to it’s conclusion on November 18, 2006 at the official AFL website.

For the second straight season, the Phillies were in it until the final day.  This year they needed to win and get some help but I feel better this year because the team was given up for dead at the trade deadline.  Then again, if they hadn’t traded Abreu for nothing………

I’ll be running down the season in the next couple of weeks but let’s take one last look at the Phillies final series of the season.

Pat Burrell homered twice in the Phillies blowout win on Friday.  He scored four runs and drove in three while Jamie Moyer coasted to an easy win.  He was 5-2 while with the Phillies.  Scott Victorino also had a nice game.  He went five for six with three RBIs and two runs in the 14-2 blowout win.

The Phillies also got it done on Saturday.  Ryan Howard singled home Scott Victorino in the third inning to give the Phillies a 4-3 win and that was the first lead of the game for the Phillies.  Oddly, it would hold.  Randy Wolf pitched only 1 2/3 and Ryan Madson picked up the win.

The winning came to an end yesterday but the Phillies gave baseball fans a couple of extra innings to watch before checking in for the season.  It was fitting that Ryan Howard drove in the tying run in the seventh to send the game into extra frames but the Phillies lost in the eleventh on Danny Sandoval’s error at shortstop.

I may or may not do playoff predictions.  None of the teams in there really excite me.   I do find the Padres intriuging and I could always root for Abreu and Lidle for the Yankees but I think I’m going to have to wait and see until the games actually start.

Well, this looks like it’s the beginning of the end.  The only way the Phillies can win the Wild Card outright is if they win their last three AND the Dodgers lose their last three.  Worst case scenario, the Phillies are playing this weekend with that final playoff spot in the Dodgers hands.  And all because they couldn’t take care of business against the Washington Nationals.

The Phillies jumped out to a quick 2-0 in the first inning of Tuesday’s game, but they didn’t score again until the ninth inning.  In the meantime, the Nationals put up four runs, which ended up being just enough to win the game.  Bret Myers took the loss despite having a decent start and Chase Utley went three for five with a run and an RBI.

Wednesday was the lone win and that took 14 innings.  The Phillies came back from a 4-1 deficit to tie it, but then Tom Gordon gave up a run in the ninth to send the game into extra frames.  Each team scored in the tenth but the Phillies finally finished it with two runs in the fourteenth on Jimmy Rollins two run triple.  Chase Utley homered and drove in two runs in the 8-7 win.  The two RBIs pushed him over the 100 RBI mark.

Last night’s game was disappointing because of how pathetic the Phillies hitting was.  One run on five hits doesn’t cut it.  And that one run scored on an error.  Jon Lieber was mediocre and gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings.

If there was ever a must win time, it’s now.  The final series is against the Marlins.

What a run.  The Phillies were all but given up on at the trading deadline and here they are a half game up on the Dodgers for the Wild Card with a week to play.  They’re latest escapade was a three game sweep over the Florida Marlins.

Ryan Howard went yard with his 58th homerun on Friday.  He also walked three times as teams are now avoiding him like the plague.  His homerun was a big three run shot that extended the Phillies lead to 4-0 and ended up being the difference in the game.  Cole Hamels struck out ten and gave up only one run in 6 2/3 innings.  Tom Gordon picked up save number 33.

Rookie catcher Carlos Ruiz was the unlikely hero in yesterday’s game.  He had two hits and he drove in three runs in the Phillies 8-6 win.  Tom Gordon was roughed up for two solo shots in the ninth but he buckled down and ended up finishing up the game for the Phillies.  Jon Lieber gave up only two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in seven innings of work.  Jimmy Rollins hit homerun number 23 and Ryan Howard singled and walked twice.

Chase Utley had a big game today and the Phillies bats really picked up the pitchers.  Utley homered twice and drove in four runs while Chris Coster homered and drove in three.  Jimmy Rollins and Pat Burrell also went yard in the 10-7 win.  Jamie Moyer picked up the win despite giving up five runs in only six innings of work.

Next up is a make up game agains the Astros then the Phillies hit the road and play at Washington and Florida.  A win tomorrow will put the Phillies a full game up with six left to play.  Every game is huge so hopefully the Phillies keep this winning streak going.

The Phillies have been hanging in there for a long time and they’re finally on top of the Wild Card standings, al beit with another team.  They did it with two wins against the Cubs this week.

Things didn’t start out well for the Phillies on Monday.  The Cubs jumped out to an 8-0 lea by the fourth inning and while the Phillies staged a comeback, the pitching failed them again.  Jon Lieber was gone in the third inning and the pen didn’t do much better.  Jose Hernandez hit a grand slam in the 11-6 loss.

The Phillies got back on track Tuesday.  Jamie Moyer threw a very nice game.  He gave up a single run on six hits over seven innings of work.  Jimmy Rollins hit his 22nd homerun and Abraham Nunez had two RBIs in the 4-1 win.

The Phillies locked up the series yesterday.  Bret Myers struck out twelve in a complete game win.  Chase Utley and Pat Burrell both homered in the 6-2 win both hitters drove in two runs.

The Phillies get their last day off today then the Marlins come to town for three games.  Ten games left and all we have to do is outplay the Dodgers.

We finally have some seperation.  The Dodgers have now slipped out of first place in the NL West so they sit atop the Wild Card standings.  Just a game back of them sit the Phillies, who have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Giants.  So with two weeks left, the Phillies are definitely in the upper tier as far as the Wild Card contenders.

Pat Burrell hit a grand slam in the first inning on Friday and it looked like the Phillies were going to cruise to a nice easy win over the Astros.  Unfortunately, Roger Clemens was more like Roger Clemens the rest of the way and the Phillies didn’t score the rest of the game.  The Astros then tagged Bret Myers in the third inning for three runs and it was a one run game for the most of the game.  Tom Gordon got into trouble in the ninth, but he picked up his 30th save of the season in the 4-3 win.

David Dellucci homered yesterday for the Phillies and Abraham Nunez and Jimmy Rollins both drove in two runs in the 7-2 win.  Cole Hamels had a very nice game.  He struck out eleven and gave up two runs in 7 2/3 innings of work.

Ryan Howard continued his magical season and hit homerun number 57 today.  Mike Lieberthal hit two homeruns and Jimmy Rollins hit one in the 6-4 win.  Randy Wolf was solid and gave up three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.  He’s now 4-0 on the season.  Gordon once again got into trouble but he pitched out of it and picked up his 31st save of the season.

Next up is three against the Cubs.  It’s imperative that the Phillies take care of business against one of the basement dwellars in the National League.

The Padres are definitely playing well.  They took two of three over the Reds this week, and that cancelled out the Phillies two of three over the Braves. 

Tuesday’s game was rained out so that turned Wednesday into a doubleheader.  Things didn’t start out well because Randy Wolf was bounced after only two innings.  Fortunately, the pen got the job done and the Phillies came back.  It was actually an error that resulted in the tying and go ahead runs so the Phillies got some help.  Rick White picked up the win relief.

Jon Lieber got the job done in game two.  He gave up two runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.  Jimmy Rollins hit homerun number 20 and Carlos Ruiz went yard with his third.

Chuck James held the Phillies in check last night.  We didn’t even score until the ninth and then it was only one run.  Jamie Moyer was pretty mediocre and he dropped to 2-2 since joining the team.

Next up is three against the Astros.  It doesn’t matter who we play now, we just need to win.

This was a tough series.  The Phillies got off to such a nice start, but the Marlins put together two wins in the final two games and ended up with a split.  And in this anything goes race, the Giants of all teams have pushed themselves ahead, at least momentarily, of the pack in the Wild Card race.  Right now, the Padres are beating the Giants and if that holds, the Padres will have a 2 1/2 game lead for the Wild Card with the Phillies, Marlins and Giants all tied for second place.

The Phillies ran up the score on Thursday.  Ryan Howard hit homerun number 54 and Chris Coste, Chase Utley and Jeff Conine all went yard as well.  Jon Lieber wasn’t fantastic but he got the support so he improved to 7-9 in the 14-8 win.

Friday was all Ryan Howard and Jamie Moyer.  Ryan Howard hit homeruns number 55 and 56 and drove in all three Phillies’ runs.  Jamie Moyer gave up a single run on five hits in eight innings of work. It’s nice to see Tom Gordon back and he picked up his 28th save of the season.

Yesterday, the Phillies luck ran out.  Chase Utley did hit best Ryan Howard imitation and he went deep twice with a pair of solo shots.  Jeff Conine singled home Scott Victorino in the ninth inning to tie the game up but in the tenth, Arthur Rhodes walked three guys and then Brian Sanches gave up a single that drove home the winning run.  Ryan Howard was two for two with four walks.

Today, Dontrelle Willis blanked the Phillies.  Ryan Howard had two of three Phillies’ hits and Cole Hamels threw a ton of pitches in four innings of work.  He walked five guys and struck out three.

Next up is three against the Braves, who are also still in the mix.  The Phillies can’t afford to lose a single series the rest of the way.  Heck, it’s almost like they can’t afford to lose a single game because some other team will shoot ahead of them in the standings.

The Hardball Times has a nice look at what’s become a four team race for the National League Wild Card.  Of course either the Dodgers or Padres will also win the division, but it’s nice analysis.

One game was rained out so the Phillies and Astros only played two games.  Tuesday’s game will be replayed on September 25.

Chase Utley is living in Ryan Howard’s shadow right now, but he’s no less important.  Utley hit a huge walk off homerun in the tenth inning to win it for the Phillies on Monday.  Ryan Howard also homered in the 3-2 win and Cole Hamels was just as good as Roger Clemens in this one.  Hamels struck out eight in eight innings.

Yesterday, Randy Wolf and Ryan Madson were bounced around by Lance Berkman.  Madson took the loss and he is now 10-9.  Carlos Ruiz an