Some Phillies Links For You - April 22, 2010: Doc's Masterpiece, Minor Scuffles, Polly Hurt

by WholeCamels on Apr 22, 2010 8:22 AM EDT

Polanco leaves with bruised left elbow | phillies.com: News
Wonderful news...

Stephen Strasburg dominates in 3-0 win over Reading Phillies
They got a hit? I thought Strasburg was supposed to be good...

Halladay throws five-hit shutout against Braves | ajc.com

"We had a couple of chances," McCann said. "Breaks didn't go our way." Hudson added, "Today they had a little bit more luck on their side than we did. When you've got a guy like Halladay on the mound and they get a little luck on their side, it's just tough to beat them."

The excuse-making Braves rear their heads yet again. Let me guess, "That ball Glaus hit would have been a home run in Philadelphia!"

Benson's journey continues Friday vs. Philly | MLB.com: News
I wonder how Mrs. Benson likes Tempe.

"Chris Wheeler" retires from Twitter?
Good luck, Muffin. We'll always have our memories.

Phillies Notes: Manuel stands by Madson | Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/22/2010
At this point, what's the alternative?

Daisuke Matsuzaka helps Pawtucket double up Lehigh Valley in his final minor league start | - lehighvalleylive.com
Facing these (future) big leaguers isn't good for the minor league teams' win/loss totals.

Colvin rained on again as 'Claws fall in slugfest | APP.com | Asbury Park Press
Yecch, not so good.

South Atlantic League notebook | MiLB.com News
The Phillies drafted Jiwan James as a pitcher in 2007. Three years later, the Florida native is excelling as an outfielder.

Crashburn Alley " On Ryan Madson: Relax
Bill tries to assuage our fears about our closer-of-the-moment.

Cubs 9, Mets 3: "Oh, We Have A Game Today?" - Amazin' Avenue
The Mets drop another series, this time to the Cubs.

Reserves lead way in Astros victory over Marlins - The Crawfish Boxes
Astros, doing the Lord's Work, top the Marlins by a score of 5-4.

Washington Nationals 6-4 Over Colorado Rockies, But Ryan Zimmerman and Jason Marquis Go Down. - Federal Baseball
Does the Jason Marquis injury open the door for Stephen Strasburg?

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Comments

McCann isn't really whining

I recognize the fun factor here, but McCann’s statements, in all fairness, are not “whining” along the lines of “high school field” and the like. There were some great plays that, but for a couple of inches either way (the DP ball, for instance), perhaps the outcome of the game is different.

Let’s all assume he is referring to BABIP variability in a colloquial, “ballplayer” manner. The Braves and Phillies will stoke each other’s fires all year, but this is really reaching, honestly.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Apr 22, 2010 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

boo

Way to slam the brakes on the Whining Braves Express!

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 22, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

And you conveniently ignore Chipper Jones’ comments on Halladay, which read:

“In my years here, there have been two guys that have commanded the strike zone like that, that I’ve actually faced,” Braves veteran Chipper Jones told reporters of Halladay.

“Rocket (Roger Clemens) was the other one. What’s not to be impressed about him? He’s the real deal.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100422/sp_nm/us_baseball_phillies

by fphjr01 on Apr 22, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

That was nice of Chipper. He still sucks though.

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Neither statement was really whining, per se. But honestly, they could be applied to about 4,000 games every MLB season. Unless you lose by 5 or more runs, you could point to 2 or 3 things in every game that were difference between a W and an L.

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Hudson’s quote sounds a bit whiny. Halladay throwing a shutout isn’t lucky. If it was Kendrick, with Contreras relieving and Baez closing, he’d have a point, but not with Doc.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Apr 22, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

eh, you can interpret an element of luck into any baseball game if you were the loser. It’s borderline, but not so stupid it annoys me.

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

These quotes don’t bother me as much as the “high school field” and “that would/wouldn’t be a HR in CBP/TF” bullshit. Or last year when Cox complained about the weather. I think when Bobby Cox just breathes it annoys me, however.

"Tortorella’s got it all wrong ... Gaborik shouldn’t be messing with our skilled player." -Peter Luuko

by doubleh on Apr 22, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Let’s all assume he is referring to BABIP variability in a colloquial, "ballplayer" manner

this why carpenters hate architects

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s funny because it’s true.

by kazz on Apr 22, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 22, 2010 1:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

well i still hate your team

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t like the Phillies either, but certainly have a ton of respect for Utley, Halladay, Polanco and Werth. Howard, Victorino, JC Romero and Rollins are a different story though.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 22, 2010 2:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Nobody bothers hating the Pirates (except maybe their own fans), so I always figure it’s a compliment when people complain about hating Phillies players. You have to be a certain level of good for opposing fans to bother complaining about you.

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s a good thing Polanco is on the first list.

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve always liked that guy. And to be honest, if Martin Prado had a Polanco-like career, I’d be thrilled.

"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."

by Scott Coleman on Apr 22, 2010 2:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hate and respect aren’t mutally exclusive in fandom

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed. My Mets fan buddy absolutely despises Victorino – but wishes he was on the Mets.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Apr 22, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I can think of someone even better

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a different kind of hate. Some players you love to hate. Others you hate that they exist.

Or maybe I have some unresolved issues…

by Steve J on Apr 22, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

unresolved issues…as much as it is difficult to type with the intermittent vomiting…he’s that good

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Chalk it up to it’s hockey hate….I usually loose a chromosome or two whenever I watch hockey so it took some re-evolving to even post that picture. It burns my retinas to even look at it

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, don’t think so

I respect Kobe Bryant as a player
I hope the human being suffers massive personal sadness in the next 3 months.

I don’t think anyone truly ‘hates’ sidney crosby – it’s more like envy :)

by jemagee on Apr 22, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually do, but it’s a Bettman-induced hatred. I hate that the NHL tries to cram him down our throats as the perfect player, when he’s done stuff that should have gotten him suspended (such as being the third man into a fight and donkey-punching a guy who was being held).

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Apr 22, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

But that happens in every sport – double standards for super stars are just a natura part of life

Usually though the philadelphia teams don’t have any :)

by jemagee on Apr 22, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a fantastic photo and caption of Victorino, BTW. And speaking of fantastic photos, I also happen to now love acai berries. That girl is redonkulous.

by Boundforbeach on Apr 22, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

There’s a brilliant photoshop of that picture on The Fightins.

http://bit.ly/95Lqrg

Crashburn Alley

by Crashburn Alley on Apr 22, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

awesome!

by Boundforbeach on Apr 22, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh

Nice PS there, but not what I was expecting — I read your comment to mean that some PS’ed the “acai berry chick” photo…

Actually thinking about it after the fact, however, my initial interpretation doesn’t make any sense, unless those same ad boxes on SBN happen to be on The Fightins.

by fphjr01 on Apr 22, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

I love the guy in the third row with both thumbs up in the air as Vic snags it. haha burn.

by Wet Luzinski on Apr 22, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Acai berries?

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Same here. I must be shorter than I thought, cause that flew right over my head.

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok, so I finally understand.

You may have noticed an ad on the site showing a still of a very attractive female news reporter’s face. That ad is for acai berries.

Interestingly, it would appear that the woman in the ad is not an acai berry spokesperson. She’s actually a news reporter, but her face became an internet meme and all kinds of different web advertisers started swiping the pic and using it in their ads. Her real name is Melissa Theuriau.

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

This is her… She pops up just about every time I log in.

by Boundforbeach on Apr 22, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

In that case, I agree, she is redonkulous. I would listen to her even if she calls that weird sport known as soccer football (crazy Europeans).

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

There are like a million compilations of her news clips on Youtube. Hilarious.

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Your are the TGP Infomation Kiosk

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

The french deemed her la bombe cathodique

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I love inside jokes. I’d like to be a part of one someday.

by PhillyFriar on Apr 22, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I have proposed a bachelor party game thread for you, PF.

by Wet Luzinski on Apr 22, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Right you have. That’s why I love the TGP community!

(Can we get that chick above to come?)

by PhillyFriar on Apr 22, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s called the “clitoris”:

http://www.3dvulva.com/

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Apr 22, 2010 5:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

CORNHOLIO NEEDZ TEEPEE FOR HIS BUNGHOLE

My friend ailleen made a time machine
But was keen on keeping it shiny clean
To travel back in time had always been my dream
So I hatched a scheme and jacked the pod like ween

by jemagee on Apr 22, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be awesome if you meant that entendre on purpose

by jemagee on Apr 22, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

no

Let’s face it, she would be disappointed and sad by the mere idea of sharing our oxygen.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 22, 2010 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Google indicates that her real-life husband is unattractive. But he’s a comedian, which I guess supports the common claim that women are mainly attracted to a sense of humor.

by taco pal on Apr 23, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

What size is his bank account?

by jemagee on Apr 23, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Saw an article on ESPN by Peter Keating called “Roy Halladay: Ace or ticking time bomb?” but it’s insider so I could not read.

I’m very interested to hear was rational he has. Does anyone have that has insider want to summarize?

Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=5122045&name=keating_peter&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d5122045%26name%3dkeating_peter

by Sals Stache on Apr 22, 2010 9:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Would assume it has something to do with his workload over the years.

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s essentially a look at Halladay’s top ten comparables, noting that 8 out of them had serious injuries that derailed their careers. The author does add that Halladay is actually superior statistically to all his comparables, and that his Maddux-like efficiency with pitches per inning mitigates some risk. Nothing groundbreaking, just essentially pointing out (as taco pal said) the heavy workload Doc’s had over the past few years.

by PhillyFriar on Apr 22, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe Doc figured out how to properly condition himself where baseball has failed so many others

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting. We should probably pay more attention to pitches/inning than we do. If fatigue is the problem, it stands to reason that spacing 120 pitches out over three hours with eight breaks would be less tiring than throwing, say, 100 pitches over an hour-and-a-half with only four breaks. (Even accounting for the fact that you’d throw more warm-up pitches in the first scenario.)

Not sure what would be the best way to represent this statistically though. Taking an average might not be ideal. Maybe the median?

by taco pal on Apr 22, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Mean pitches/inning + standard deviation?

Assumption for the below is that both players throw 6 innings each game.
Say you have a guy that throws 60, 70, 70, 100, and 110 pitches. His mean is 13.67 pitches per inning, median is 11.67, standard deviation is 3.61 (per inning).
Take a second guy, throws 40, 60, 80, 110, and 120 pitches. His mean’s also 13.67 pitches per inning, but his median is 13.33, and his standard deviation is 5.58.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Apr 22, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

There is no way do it without committing a McNamara Fallacy which isn’t to say you’d be actually wrong but logically false as the method of using baseball stats to conclude somthing about a complex physiological process without a model developed thru empirically measured physiological data for comparision would be a well educated guess. There might be more general model out there. If so it would be for athletes in speed/technical sports. Otherwise your essentially putting a deductive collar on an inductive argument. The value this type of investigation is to develop a hypothesis about some pattern you see in the data. Futhermore consider this. Baseball is a non contact sport that is plagued with chronic over use injuries. The frequency with which these occur suggests the the problem is systemic: these injuries occur from either overtraining/overuse , improper prepartory general conditioning or both. It is my belief that most players fall into the last category. So even if you find a general model, the deviations and similarities found in your comparison would be questionable since baseball injuries rates question whether or not the used the same proper general principles of athletics upon which the model is based.

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

that last sentence should read:

So even if you find a general model, the deviations and similarities found in your comparison would be questionable since baseball injuries rates question whether or not they used the same proper general principles of athletics upon which the model is based.

by j reed on Apr 22, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

So who takes the hill on Saturday?

The Phillies website doesn’t list a probable starter yet, and it’s highly unlikely that Happ will be ready to go at that point. Figueroa has to be the odds on favorite, but what if Moyer and/or Hamels get blown up in the next two nights and force Charlie to call on Figgy out of the pen?

There are four starters already on the 40-man roster: Andrew Carpenter, Yohan Flande, Drew Naylor, and Jesus Sanchez. Flande and Sanchez pitched last night, which rules them out; Carpenter is slated to go tonight, which would likewise remove him from the equation. Naylor is, I believe, scheduled to pitch for Reading tomorrow, so while he’d be well-rested if he skipped that start and got the call up, I don’t think he’s anywhere near ready to start a major league game at this point (and I’d be surprised if the front office didn’t agree with me).

Non 40 man options include the Friday and Saturday starters for Lehigh Valley: Brian Mazone and Ryan Vogelsong. Vogelsong has walked 14 in 15 Triple-A innings so far, so I don’t personally think of him as a realistic option. That leaves Mazone, a career minor leaguer who’s had some success at Triple-A as a good control, flyball oriented lefthander pitcher.

It’s likely going to be Figgy, but if I were the Phillies, I’d have Lehigh Valley cobble together a bullpen game on Friday to leave Mazone available in case he’s needed by the big club. Dude’s the best option we’ve got at this point. (That said, I fully expect Vogelsong to be the emergency starter because he was the “name” minor league free agent signing and got the invite to spring training.)

by PhillyFriar on Apr 22, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Whoops, looks like I posted this about 10 minutes too early…

Carpenter scratched from tonight’s start

Still think the plan should be to let Figueroa start if at all possible, but we’ll have to see what happens I guess.

by PhillyFriar on Apr 22, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, you had some good points anyway. The plan may still be Figgy and they’re just hedging bets. Or maybe they want to see what they’ve got in Carpenter in case WL’s Curse hits full bore.

by Cormican on Apr 22, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions