Phriday Phillies Links Phor You: Summer of '69, The Meetings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

by Wet Luzinski on May 28, 2010 7:45 AM EDT

Let's just get this pain party started by going right to the belly of the beast:

N.Y. Post: Pelfrey's Gem Leads to Mets' third straight shutout. Or here:

Pelfrey Leads Mets to Third Straight Shutout where this is really all you need to read:

"It was the most amazing series I've ever been a part of," right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "The pitching staff was awesome."

Conlin: From one extreme to the other in Philly sports. After he gets the exhaust out of the tailpipe, I'll have to admit I've been having the same thoughts as Conlin about the Phillies lineup (::shudders::), although really, left unsaid is that Rollins' absence makes all of it moot. (Meaning debatable, with a connotation of irrelevant, you clowns, not mute. In the midst of this slump, if I see any one of you not blogging the right way, not doing the little things right, so help me...)

Placido Polanco is determined to get his boogies out. h/t to meech.one at the Fightins, who, by the way, is on a Phillies run-scoring hunger strike. And as for you, Mr. Peanut, last night's performance deserves this one to be spread around, even if it was just a scratch. Solidarity!

Phillies aren't concerned with Howard as singles hitter. Yeah, but if it was my $125 million, I might be.

Marlins-Phils Set for NL East Showdown. Next on the doorstep: the Marlins. The rest of the division is now within three games of the Phillies.

Lidge throws, could return Monday. Oh, um. Okay. If he comes in to save the streak-stopper, I... I... just don't know what I'll do.

In that same article, you may want to read how Rich Dubee's influence and a Joe Blanton headcold contributed to the Mets' baserunning adventures. Zolecki also reported another postgame meeting.

Slump baffles Thompson. So is being a major league hitting coach the best job in the world, or the worst?

Braves 8, Marlins 3. Chipper, Escobar Pile Up Hits to take series. Just wonderful.

Giants 5, Nationals 4. Seventh proves unlucky for Dunn, Nationals.

Out of time to do minor leagues. I believe Drew Naylor threw another nice game. Will attempt to fill in as the day permits, or you can hop to it in the comments.

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Comments

As someone pointed out before, this slump couldn’t have come at a better time with Flyers-mania sweeping the city. Sensing more frustration than panic with the team. But if one columnist has his way, Minaya will make a play for Cliff Lee. Now THAT would be cause for alarm…

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/columns/story?id=5228180

by Boundforbeach on May 28, 2010 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

With what? They’re the cheapest drafting team in the league, and they’ve got maybe a handful of interesting guys – Mejia, Flores, and Martinez. Davis isn’t a stud, Niese might be a #3 starter someday, and Havens is out of position. In my opinion, the Mets’ farm system is too gutted for pretty much any star trade to make sense as anything other than Minaya trying not to get fired. They might have a decent year or two if they snag Lee, but at the cost of the next ten years as they rebuild from burning down their own house.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on May 28, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

On a semi-related note, Steve Phillips is still an idiot.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Good point. Maybe we should be rooting for Minaya, in a last act of desperation, to completely gut the farm and send them back to the stone ages…

by Boundforbeach on May 28, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we should. How many more games would Lee win for them over the last two months of this season? I’ll take my chances. I think we’d still come out ahead.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I admire your faith

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Why is it so hard to believe? The absolute worst-case scenario for us would be that Lee would give the Mets five more wins than they otherwise would have had. (The likeliest outcome is more like two or three wins.) I think our team is more than five games better than the Mets’ team, so as far as I’m concerned, Omar can fire away. He’ll hurt his future, without hurting our present.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I admire your faith that in September we will be in a position where this will matter, not that Lee will improve them by enough. I am going back to my 2008 playoffs view of the Phillies— if they win, it is a great and beautiful thing, that I will love and enjoy… but I do not expect them to win. It made winning fun and surprising, and losing much less painful.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that all depends with what happens with Beltran. If he comes back strong, the addition of Lee could make the Mets pretty formidable. Beltran, Bay, Reyes and Wright isn’t too shabby. Santana and Lee leading there rotation and they also have a strong BP. I think we have more depth in the rotation but our BP is still a question mark – Big Truck has been the sleeper new addition but he’s in unfamiliar terrority – he’s never gone an entire season in the BP. Brad Lidge is according to Jimmy James still but a “cipher, cipher….wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce.” However we will have Madson back.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

By the way, I agree with this. It’d be worth seeing if we could dodge a Clifton + Mets bullet over the season’s last two months if it meant the Mets saying good bye to (say, for argument’s sake) Mejia, F-Mart, and Ruben Tejada.

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

shoot me

by vfb on May 28, 2010 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

by Boundforbeach on May 28, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Help is on the way...

by Boundforbeach on May 28, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Only if he can run bases on the fourwheeler— maybe he could mow down the Marlins for us!

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

If Lidge comes in to save the streak stopper....

I will probably be too happy with the fact that we have a crooked number (or at least a number that does not look like a goose egg) to care.

Let’s have a little guessing game… first run scored (either runner to cross the plate, or hitter to make the rbi), date, and inning.

One more shutout ties the record… please, please Phillies, in the name of all that is good about baseball, do not get yourself on the wrong side of another history book.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

That Drew Naylor is a machine. Dude is old school.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

minors

I see Austin Hyatt gave up 9 runs in 1 inning last night. He’s got to be hurt, right? PF, if you’re around, have you heard anything? I know the odds were always that he would come down to earth eventually, but that’s going straight through the floor into the basement in the space of about two weeks.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

yo, in the midst of a slump anything not prospect porn is hereby banned.

by Wet Luzinski on May 28, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Alright then, this should cheer everybody up. Jonathan Singleton through 14 games…

59 PA — .429/.508/.755 — 15.3% BB — 20.4% K — .326 ISO

…at age 18 in a tough hitter’s park. And of course, there’s what KG said about him the other day…

An 8th-round pick last year out of a Southern California high school, Singleton had classic first base tools, including plenty of raw power, but also enough hitting mechanics to project as a high-average hitter, but he was also seen as extremely raw. A surprisingly good debut last year excited the Phillies, and after spending the first part of the year in extended spring training, the team opted to test him at Low-A instead of the New York-Penn League, and he’s responded by going 19-for-44 (.432) with 34 total bases in his first 13 games. There’s explosive potential here.

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

In the 2 at bats Singleton recorded before I was forced to flee Lakewood because of the wrath of God was upon New Jersey he smashed the ball twice for a single and a very long double respectively. Dude also runs pretty well, kinda fleet of foot for a big guy.

As for Cosart’s last outing last night the dude was cruising until the 4th inning at which point it became a mixture of poor luck (big Singleton dropped liner) and erratic command. He threw his curve ball often last night, and while he was hitting 95-97 on the gun with, his curve was inconsistent being at times a beauty of a pitch while other times bouncing before the plate. A pitch which I can only assume was a change up was also thrown intermittently for mixed results. A poor outing, but he’s also in Low-A baseball right now, so don’t read too much into it.

Bonus note: Jiwan James had two at bats. Combined he saw two pitches and grounded out to the shortstop each time.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on May 28, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for this.

Great to hear that Singleton passes the eye test, because his numbers are certainly fantastic. And you’ve also highlighted exactly why Cosart needs to be moved slowly — he has front of the rotation potential, but a lot of work to go with his secondary stuff and command.

On the flip side, disappointing to hear that about Jiwan. I can’t help but feel that once he got in a slump, he started pressing, because he’s shown flashes of solid aptitude at the plate (as far as patience and strike zone control go).

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t help but get excited about Singleton, then I remember “crap 5/125”. The Phillies may have another Jim Thome situation on their hands at this rate.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on May 28, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Could you tell how his arm was? Maybe we can teach him to play left.

If we tried it with Ricky Jordan, no reason not try it with this guy.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I question the wisdom of converting another infield prospect to the outfield, but next time I go if he’s still there I’ll try and make an educated guess.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on May 28, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t do it now, by any means. LF isn’t hard to learn if you have the physical skills, so it’s not like he would need a huge head start. Just an idea to keep in reserve if we need it when 2013 rolls around.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Singleton could end up the top prospect in the system by the end of the year at this pace. I’m not too worried about the Thome/Howard comparison as the kid’s 18 in Low A ball and it’s probably going to take 5 years for him to progress, develop MLB ready skills, etc. I love his skills and potential, but it’s way too early to consider him to be blocked by anyone or requiring a position change to move forward. He’ll be 24 when Howard’s contract expires, which, by all means, is about when I would expect him to be MLB ready anyway.

by Cormican on May 28, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

No, he was not hitting 95 with a curve, I meant to remark that about his fastball. For completeness sake it was usually 75-77.

"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez

by Jose and the Contrarians on May 28, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

95 mph curve would be pretty awesome tho.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I’d be more excited with the 110 MPH accompanying fastball…

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on May 28, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t heard or read anything. That’s now three pretty bad starts right in a row, so there’s definitely reason to speculate. I’ll keep my eyes peeled and see if I can find anything, and of course we’ll know something if Hyatt doesn’t make his next start in a couple of days.

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Judas

Excerpt from today’s beerleaguer blog:

I’m reminded that baseball is a game of cheats and liars. The Phillies were issued a warning from baseball. The Phillies, one of the mightiest offenses baseball, fail to score a run in three games against one of the teams that implicated them. Three consecutive shutouts.

It’s an abnormality worth discussing in the context of these allegations, even if there are more logical explanations (just a cold spell, injured and short-handed, eephus pitch and knuckler woes). We know they were tentative and lacked intensity this series; we saw it with our own eyes and they held closed-door and player-only meetings to discuss it. To a certain degree, I believe these circumstances are interconnected.

http://beerleaguer.typepad.com/

by Boundforbeach on May 28, 2010 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t care so much about “betrayal” in this context, but I do care about stupidity. That’s, like, really stupid.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Beerleaguer is usually fairly rational, but I’ve been fighting this all day on the site. It’s beyond stupid.

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

So, of course, there are a couple of Met fans jumping all over this and saying this diminishes the Phillies accomplishments over the past few years greatly. To which I reply, so should the ’86 Mets accomplishments be dismissed because of known cocaine and alleged steroid use?

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

If I ever write anything as stupid as that Beerleaguer guy did, I hope I get stripped of my associate blog lord status. That’s how dumb it was. Too bad nothing like that is going to happen to him.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Generally, I like what Weitzel has to say—but this just seemed like knee-jerk reactionary stuff to me. This is something a blog would write to increase their readership.

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t get too worked up about it. As I said below, Weitzel’s pretty level-headed and there’s simply no way he’s doing it to be contrarian or to increase his readership; I think it was genuine frustration seeping through. I still think he’s one of the better Phillies writers out there.

As for any Mets fans implying that this diminishes the Phillies’ accomplishments over the past few years… well, they’re nothing but trolls.

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I shouldn’t have replied to the troll because you can’t reason with stupid. They just never get it. But I wasn’t the first, so it wasn’t all me. LOL.

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I was borderline shocked when I saw Weitzel’s rant last night, but I think he tempered it with his last line today (which you omitted)…

But just like many a barroom rant, I could regret it in the morning.

He’s generally pretty level-headed, and I get the sense the recap last night and the post today were mostly the product of frustration.

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that we are all at that point… it is easy to mometarilly look up from the trees, see the forest, and get perspective… but then, you watch the game, and things are bad (again), and it just starts to feel like we are not going to get it turned around… it begins to feel like they can’t hit, run, field, etc… and that the losing is just not going to stop. They say that the best elixer for losing is winning… I think we all will be happier, and this blog will sunny up, if they get a few wins soon.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I just read the blog again, and while I hate to hear a conspiracy theory… and I really hate to believe that it is true, I can understand beginning to wonder if all of this is not something more than bad luck… I mean, the Phillies do not look like themselves, and other than the three games in Milwaukee, and the clobbering of the Pirates, they have not looked quite right in almost two weeks. While I disagree with his conclusion, I understand the place that it comes from.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, I just love how these articles are spinning that the met’s pitchers were amazing? How many walks in the series? I count quite a few. They did not pitch that great. The Phillies just are not hitting right now. That is pretty obvious.

by PhilsForever on May 28, 2010 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Phillies’ lifetime stats vs. Chris Volstad

Victorino 3 for 15, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 K
Polanco 0 for 0
Utley 2 for 12, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K
Howard 6 for 15, 4 HR, 1 BB, 2 K
Werth 1 for 14, 0 BB, 7 K
Ibanez 2 for 8, 2 HR, 1 BB, 1 K
Ruiz 3 for 9, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Valdez 3 for 4, 1 BB, 0 K

Marlins’ lifetime stats vs. Kyle Kendrick
Coghlan 1 for 1, 0 BB
Sanchez 0 for 0
Ramirez 4 for 15, 2 2B, 0 BB, 1 K
Cantu 5 for 9, 2 HR, 2 BB, 0 K
Uggla 5 for 14, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K
Ross 3 for 8, 1 3B, 0 BB, 3 K
Paulino 1 for 6, 0 BB, 1 K
Maybin 0 for 3, 0 BB, 1 K

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

Werth 1 for 14, 0 BB, 7 K

Sweet Jeebus! Is that accurate?

by Cormican on May 28, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep, and per doubleh’s post below, it looks like Charlie saw it too.

I don’t mind giving Werth a day off, but batting Valdez in the 2-hole based on his lifetime 3 for 4 reminds me of that one time Chris Roberson went 4 for 4 in one game and Charlie promptly batted him leadoff the next day.

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it sort of seems knee-jerk reactionary and isn’t like Cholly to play the percentages. He usually sticks to his lineup regardless of slumps. I don’t like this one bit.

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Fewer GIDP opportunities out of the 2 hole?

Also, seeing Dobbs at 3d will quickly make us forget Polly’s defensive issues from last night.

by zfg on May 28, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

he’s gotta rest him at some point.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Polanco just had a rest day on Sunday. Werth just had one last Thursday… That being said, I have thought that there was going to be some major shake ups if they did not score a run soon. I just look at that lineup and doubt that there is a chance in heck they score a single run any way but by accident or somebody hitting a homer.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Lineup Tonight

Matt Gelb (via Twitter): “It’s a major shakeup: Victorino 8, Valdez 6, Utley 4, Howard 3, Ibañez 7, Gload 9, Dobbs 5, Ruiz 2, Kendrick 1”

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

So, we’re just conceding tonight’s game then, yes?

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on May 28, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh

What else can you do at this point? Nothing else is working, right?

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

As a general premise, I don’t mind Charlie shaking things up, but I don’t think this is either the right way or the right circumstance to go about it. As TP said above, it’s just wrong to stick Valdez in the 2-hole anywhere but in Triple-A, and with Kendrick and his career 3.9 K/9 mark on the bump, it strikes me as just dumb to actively weaken the defense to this extent (Dobbs at 3B and Gload in RF… ugh).

by PhillyFriar on May 28, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

This… a thousand times over…

And Exxon will promptly go 4 for 4 with 5 RBIs, and Gload will throw 3 people out at second… Just to spite us!

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on May 28, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Spite us, boys! Strike us down with all of your hatred!

by taco pal on May 28, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Your hate makes you strong!

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on May 28, 2010 6:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Joining the Darkside has it priviledges ....

We didn’t say you’d become a bad ass.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I could live with that. I’d rather be wrong than watch more wretched baseball.

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

by doubleh on May 28, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this the point where it is ok to go on strike— I was thinking of ignoring them unless and until I get a text message that says that they have scored a run?

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah right, you’ll be watching the carnage. Now keep in mind carnage can go either way.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

The question is, if I know that it is going to be bad, why can’t I just ignore them??? Further, considering our last week, what reason, other than the potential for miracles/ Jedi mind tricks do I have to believe that we will not be on the receiving end?

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s official ex-football fan- you are a baseball junky. No more weekend binging … welcome to the daily fix, chasing the dragon is a bitch. Just wait till the All-Star break – gettin’ dope sick is fun.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I am not an ex-football fan… trust me (recently I tried to count the days until the start of Patriots season)— I am a current football fan who loves baseball too, and depending on the day which I would rather see (with my ultimate day involving both in such a way that I can see and enjoy both games separately). At this point, I do not know that I can deal with another goose egg evening… it is like torture— and I am trying to promise myself and my phone that I will not do that every night— I mean, the last time I saw this many donuts was at the donut stand.

However, you are probably right (in as much as Gameday counts, if for no other reason than that I was so addicted that I listened to the entirety of Spring Training on really bad gameday audio). I do not know why I will be there, just that it is like I can not look away like I did in past years.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s how I look at it, another goose egg would represent a pretty cool statisical oddity. After wearing the 10,000 losses Crown of Thorns this stuff, though annoying, gets easier to deal with.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually if we put up another goose egg, that will represent the 4 zeroes in the 10,000 losses Crown of Thorns.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess… It is just tough for me to see them go down like this… I mean, back when we hit 10,000 losses, I did not see them as winners… Now, I see these losses piling up, losing through such a complete drought of offense that I am about to send out an Amber alert for their bats, and it makes me believe that we are on our way back to the dark ages… Is this the same team we saw only a week ago Monday, who cruised over everyone??? I swear that if/ when they start winning again, I will not take scoring for granted, nor will I consider any team a cupcake.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 7:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

In some ways you have to wonder if this is something of a sacrifice game— (I had at one point come up with a similar lineup, except that I put Castro in at 2nd base, and Francisco in Left), as an attempt to rest everyone. I had thought that a Kendrick start was the logical time to go for a sacrifice game if you were going to, as he is their most volatile pitcher, and has the least chance of keeping the score down to a point where our weak offense could succeed. What I hope is that the rest helps Werth and Polanco, and helps things get better…. but I can not help but feel that everytime that the season feels like it has bottomed out in the past week, we find out that it is the headlamp of an oncoming train…. Why even bother to keep Ruiz in— if we are not going to try, then lets try to get everyone rested.

by dannijd on May 28, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s abit of good news. I had to bench Rod ’’the Barrage" Barajas on my TGP phantasy team because he had a little red cross by his name. I hope he gets gangrene and his arm has to get amputated with a rusty Civil War bone saw that some metal detector geek found roaming the grounds outside of Getttysburg.

by j reed on May 28, 2010 6:07 PM EDT reply actions