Phillies Breakfast Links, November 4, 2009: Old Goats, Smearing Hamels, Silent Chase
by WholeCamels on Nov 4, 2009 7:56 AM EST
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Tastykake Soft, Hamels Can't Do Game 7 -- FanHouse
Jay Mariotti, with the worst thing I've ever read.
Gonzo: Some jokes have truth to them
No smear campaign too absurd...
WHO’S PEDRO’S DADDY? - Philled In
Terrific blog post by Scott Lauber about Pedro Martinez's mentor.
Pedro Martinez looking at Game 6 start for Phillies as 'a blessing'
I really hope this isn't the end of the Pedro Martinez Era in Philadelphia, but if so... it's been incredibly fun.
Cleveland Indians Ace Cliff Lee: The Southpaw Straphanger
An older story, but awesome nonetheless: Cliff Lee, Duke of New York, Subway King.
Girardi has put Yankees in bad position
It's amazing, the New York press is writing like they're the ones down 3-2. Not that it ultimately means a thing, but, it's funny.
Phillies Give All Fans Reason to Cheer Against Yankees - Eric Ortiz - NESN.com
Thanks, I guess. We'll fight your proxy battles, I suppose.
Best Second Baseman Ever? Utley Makes a Case - WSJ.com
Uh, no. I think very highly of the guy, but... no.
Chase Utley on Track to Be the Next Derek Jeter
KILL. ME. NOW. He's BETTER. Always has been.
Phillies Scoop: Manuel won’t finger Shane’s return date
How horrendous would it be to have Eric Bruntlett as the DH? Might as well surrender.
Phillies' Utley quietly making a big stir
One good thing to come out of this is that the rest of the world gets to see what we've known for years: Chase Utley is awesome. the odd couple.
Bob Ford: Short rest for pitchers was once routine in Series
WE KNOW!
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DH
This situation with the DH is very concerning, given Victorino’s injury. Bruntlett in the lineup for a game 6 would be a disaster. If Victorino really can’t play, the Phillies need to put him on the World Series “DL” and call up someone like Mayberry.
If Victorino can’t go, then Stairs has to DH. I don’t care that it’s against a lefty; Stairs at least has some ability to see pitches and draw a walk, whereas Bruntlett brings absolutely nothing to the table with the bat.
What a Morton’s Fork. Stairs against a lefty, or Bruntlett. Uggh. I’d probably start Bruntlett and hope that we can chase Pettitte in the early innings, then put in Stairs assuming the relief pitcher throws right. Not sure what else can be done.
by Boundforbeach on Nov 4, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
Is Dobbs on the playoff roster?
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
He also has a higher career walk rate vs. lefties than Stairs (by a sliver). I’m as surprised as anyone.
I know, I saw that. And career numbers are a pretty good indication because they involve a much larger sample size.
But I can’t get over how bad Bruntlett has looked all year, even against southpaws. I have no faith in his ability to give us good at bats. I guess you can make an argument that starting him in LF and DH’ing Ibanez would give the Phils a bigger overall boost than simply DH’ing Stairs… but on a gut level, that just seems like overthinking it. And I’m not a baseball fan that usually knocks an idea because it’s overthinking.
At the risk of overthinking further, I’d prefer Stairs-Ibanez because a pitcher still has to respect Stairs’ ability to go yard. Bruntlett has 11 home runs his entire career, and only 2 since 2006. Stairs has 13 seasons where he’s hit more than 11 home runs, including last year.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
I don’t know how recently this was posted, but “Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino says his hand is fine, despite being hit by a pitch Monday during Game 5, and he expects to play in Game 6 of the World Series against the New York Yankees Wednesday night.”
Gonzalez is, in my view, the worst human being to inhabit the Philadelphia sports (print) media in my lifetime. He’s worse than Conlin. Conlin’s just a jerk, but his views are at least sincerely held. Gonzalez has made a conscious decision to benefit himself by telling people what they want to hear. His game is to find irrational animuses that reason might overcome, and then feed them by justifying people’s rationalizations instead of affirming the truth.
He apparently wants to be the next Cataldi. Heck, I think he’s even worse than Cataldi. Cataldi’s a cynic but he does it with a wink and a nod. He’s worse than Eskin too. Eskin says horrible things but does it to antagonize his audience, not to lead his audience to wrong other people. Worse than Rhea Hughes too, who is at least stupid enough to believe her own crap. Gonzalez doesn’t care whether it’s true or not, as long as it’s what people want to hear.
comments on the Hamels/soft story at the inky
There were, to be fair, many “WTF?” comments directed at Gonzalez. I view this as a ray of hope in Philadelphia fandom.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Nov 4, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions
Uh, no. I think very highly of the guy, but… no.
Maybe not yet – but some day – when his career is done – who would you put ahead of Utley right now?
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions
Career-wise?
Rogers Hornsby, Roberto Alomar (despite his attitude, he was a great player), Eddie Collins. Maybe Sandberg too. I’d say given what Utley’s done, he’s Top Ten all-time for sure. If he continues to produce at a high level for three or four more years, Top Five for sure. I’m not sure he could pass Hornsby or Collins, since both were top-tier players for 20+ years.
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
Rogers Hornsby, Joe Morgan, and Jackie Robinson spring to mind immediately. Eddie Collins too. The wayback machine would give you Nap Lajoie. And on full career merit, I guess you’d still have to place Utley behind guys who put up numbers, like Jeff Kent, Craig Biggio, etc.
But if Utley can age gracefully, then to be honest, there’s no reason he shouldn’t eventually be in the discussion. He leads all current middle infielders in career OPS+, and that ability comes coupled with fantastic defense. He’ll just need to continue to put up numbers for — even if not at his current peak level — for 6 or 7 years.
I don’t think Utley can pass Morgan, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Morgan was incredible. Utley’s still great.
History is often about perception. People will rank Morgan higher, perhaps because he was on the Big Red Machine and was a star. If the current Phillies remain consistent WS competitors (not necessarily winning it or in it every year, but in the mix) and Utley continues hitting like the last 2 years in the postseason. He may become more highly regarded. Especially if he doesn’t retire and become a douchey broadcaster.
On the Hamels talk...
Those who post both here and on BGN will recognize the saying “F ‘em, we’re winning anyways”. I really believe that if we can get through tonight, that’s the attitude Cole’s going into tomorrow’s game 7 with. Call it blind faith. Maybe I’m wrong, and he’ll have a 3 IP/6 ER clunker. I dunno. But I think he’ll throw a gem.
If there’s a game 7 – you have cole on a VERY short leash – the first time there’s a mistake by the infield or the ‘half inning’ takes too long you give him one batter – if he doesn’t have it – you pull him immediately – as long as the game flows quickly and there ‘s not ’jarring’ events be it a bad defensive play or a bad call by the ump he seems fine…for whatever reason he seems to fall apart if any of these kind of events happen…so if he goes 3 or he goes 6 in game 7 you just keep a REAL close eye on him and have someone ready as soon as something goes wrong (or half inning goes too long)…
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
I agree.
If there’s a Game 7, you have both Blanton and Lee ready to go. And you have Hamels on as short a leash as you can get.
I’m just stating my belief that if there is a Game 7, I really think Hamels will shine.
John Kruk had a riff during last year’s WS that began “Cole Hamels is from Southern California. You know what else comes from Southern California? Scripts…”
That would be one hell of a script. Struggles, turmoil, bad feelings, controversy – and finally, redemption.
Heck, another great script would be along the lines of Hamels starting, doing well but struggling near the end of his appearance, with Happ (the rookie! – never mind that he’s two years older) coming in relief. Then a clutch hit by Jimmy Rollins (the face guy who’s struggled all year), who gets advanced by Victorino (the comeback kid recovering from injury) and knocked in by Utley McDreamy. Then Lidge (the Golden Boy who fell from grace and is trying to get back) comes in to close, the Phillies win, and triumphant music plays as the Phanatic rides off into the sunset.
I’ll settle for a much more pedestrian victory, by the way. Just sayin’
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
make sure to give Chan Hoooooo, the once disgraced, disgruntled starter turned semi-lights out reliever a few minutes on screen and i think you’ve covered everything. could you give chris coste a brief cameo in the end credits?
Sure thing to Coste
And a post-credit gag reel that includes Vicente Padilla shooting himself in the leg
(OK, maybe it’s too soon for that joke, but that story’s just bizarre)
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
you can splice the padilla self shooting with plaxico in a night club and maybe even sprinkle in a dick cheney photo.
When I saw "shot" and "hunting accident," Cheney actually was the first thing I thought of
The gag reel also needs to start with:
Brett Myers: We’re still here? I thought this movie was over
Cole Hamels: * bleep * you
"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"
Someone with better editing skills should find the video of myers and that reporter and splice it with shots of Cole so it looks like he’s yelling at colle
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
oh come on
no one with a attitude like THAT is ever going to come through in the clutch
stop dreamin’
by DT1 on Nov 4, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Two to go - GO PHILLIES!!!
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
David Wells wants the Yankees to cool off Utley’s bat by intimidating him with inside pitching. Either Fernando Vina or Buster Olney said much the same thing on BBTN yesterday. I don’t think that would work though.
Since he’s better on the inside half of the plate than the outside half of the plate it probably wouldn’t work – but since it seemed to work on A-Rod – ipso facto they think it would work on Utley?
Unless of course they mean throw AT HIM and try and get him not to stand so close to the plate…Does Utley seem like the kind of guy intimidated to back up off the plate by a few inside pitches from andy petite?
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
They do mean throw at him. Or at least very close to him. The point wouldn’t be to move him further off the plate so much as to make him antsy and get him out of his “zone”. The problem is that Utley, throughout his career, has shown no fear of getting hit by the ball. If you’re crazy enough to consistently let pitches nail you without flinching, then you’re probably incapable of being made antsy.
Eduardo Perez, of all people, pointed this out after the suggestion was made on BBTN, but Vina and/or Olney remained stubborn. (Perez made up for his brief moment of clarify by saying some other stupid stuff during the rest of the show.)
Short of throwing at Chase’s head, HBPs don’t seem to bother him in the least. I’ve never seen a player so consistently shrug off being hit.
On the other hand, he’s never been hit by a Yankees pitch. The mystique and aura will make him flinch for the first time ever.
Agreed
But the comments in the Hammels-Myers spat post call BS on the post, as well. So that’s a redeeming quality.
Only if the comments are from ‘regulars’ at PA and not phillies fans pointing out the silliness ?
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
I have a question – not a shot at anyone but I see it a lot – why is Hamels so difficult to spell? I see Hammels in a lot of different places…
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions
OH that I get, too many damn t’s in his last name – I mean I spell Wades first name wrong cause he has letters in the ‘wrong’ place but never got the ‘double’ m in hamels – I just wondered :)
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
OK, that I get, there are just words when I spell them, even though my spell check says it’s correct I just look at it and go that shouldn’t be right :) Thanks
Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned
by jemagee on Nov 4, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Virus in the bullpen?
I don’t see any mention of it in today’s stories (Rich Hofmann even covered the bullpens as an issue) but I believe I heard Mitch Williams on MLBTV network last night saying that he had heard that a number of Phillies relievers were not available in game 5 due to a “virus” and that the Phillies brass had kept it very hush-hush for fear of letting the Yankees know how limited Manuel’s options were. I only heard the tail end of Williams comments, so I’m not sure if he named any names originally, like maybe Lidge or Eyre. Anybody else hear anything along those lines?
by phillyinportland on Nov 4, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions
I love that picture of Park
He looks like a movie-style secret agent
“Secret Agent Chan, Secret Agent Chan…” 
That ball hit deep! Way back! You can put it on the boooaaaard...YES!
Long drive into deep right center field! This ball is OUTTA HEEERRRREE!
R.I.P. Harry Kalas 4-13-09
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