Phriday Phillies Links Phor You, June 18, 2010: You Gotta Wanna Play the D, Auld Sod, Scout Survey Says!

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 7:45 AM EDT

I like this picture for obvious reasons, but the reactions of the fans are great here. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

N.Y. Times: Against the Phillies, Yankees' Offensive Spigot is Quickly Shut Off. Also,

Polanco's catch highlights night of great D. The plays the Phils turned in last night were spectacular. Be sure to also see video of the Contreras and Werth plays.

Brookover: What's behind Phillies' funk? The old "talk to the scouts" (likely the Twins' and Indians', I'd figure) story angle. j reed, this quote is for you:

Ibanez, 37, is the player who concerns the two scouts the most.

"I think he's having leg problems," one scout said. "He doesn't look as strong to me in his lower half and I think it's contributing to his problems. I know he had the groin surgery. The combination of age and wear and tear could be affecting his stability."

Kevin Riordan: Fan First to get Phillies Sod with Series Roots. Roots, roots, roots from the home team. From yesterday's Inky.

Rollins Could Return to the Phillies on Sunday. Bringing with him gifts of optimism from the Florida sunshine tree.

Phillies-Twins Preview. It's been six years since the Phillies saw them. They gots Joe Mauer 'n Thome 'n shit. Here's from the other side. And feel free to poke around SBN podner Twinkie Town.

Phillies Notes: Eager Mathieson gets call. Bother. He should have been in last night's game.

A day after Utley set up a voodoo-like display with bats, fruit, and Red Bull in the clubhouse, it was replaced by a Darth Maul bobblehead and a shot glass of rum - an obvious salute to the movie Major League. Apparently voodoo icon Jobu was unavailable for service. "Whatever it takes," Manuel said.

Do not mock Base-Ba'al!

NL East Roundup: The division is starting to take on that bifurcated look:

Talking Chop: The Braves Beat the Rays 3-1 As Tim Hudson Dazzles.

Amazin' Avenue: Mets 6, Indians 4: Broomstick At The Ready, Dickey Steams Cleveland. And FWIW, here's a fancy stats look (sub req'd) at the Mets as they head over the East River to face the Yankees this weekend. Vic had his opinions, too, which I'm sure will cement him as a Mets clubhouse favorite.

Federal Baseball: Washington Nationals Swept Out Of Detroit, Tigers Win 8-3.

Fish Stripes: Fish Wrap: Marlins 4, Rangers 6

Minor Leauges:

Lehigh Valley 2, Scranton Wilkes-Barre 0. Beating the Yankees on 2 out of 3 organizational level matchups last night. Brian Mazone with a good performance.

Reading 6, Bowie 4. Matt Rizzotti slam!

Lakewood 4, Kannapolis 1. Way to go, Wertz!

Tampa 4, Clearwater 2.

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Comments

I like the guy with the dark hair in the middle the best. Thats 100% yankee italian right there. Though the by Valdez’s knees looks pretty funny too.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Jun 18, 2010 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

You just know he’s yelling “Marone!”

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by JasonB on Jun 18, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

In hair products alone, he’s yet another oil spill to be monitored.

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

D'oh...

Though the WOMAN by Valdez’s knees looks pretty funny too.

Oh how I love to forget words.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Jun 18, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw the highlight on the ESPN top plays last night, but they ruined it for me. I believe they described it as “Placido Polanco pretending to be Derek Jeter,” or words to that effect.

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

Kendrick video. It’s funny how all three of his strikeout victims, as they walked back to the dugout, turned around and looked back at the mound as if to say “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

The enemy’s view of last night’s game.

It was “that sort of night” as they say, and I’m not going to waste any internet space recounting it, as I’m sure none of you want to relive it either. Yankees line drives being caught, Phillies check swings landing for singles, a Victorino Yankee Stadium special, and Andy Pettitte getting absolutely no run support.

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

It’s unbelievable. The Philles shrink the dimensions of every ballpark they play it. It’s such a joke!

by zfg on Jun 18, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I know! Even home teams aren’t safe from us! Their own ballparks turn against them when we come to town!

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

by PhillyFriar on Jun 18, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

A classic

"Game 7's are tough... It's a game that's made for men and our guys proved to be men today." -Laviolette

by PatterPoet95 on Jun 18, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t realize that Exxon was standing on the tarp as Peanut made the amazing catch.

by dajafi on Jun 18, 2010 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Exxon- very nice. I hadn’t seen that before. Clever.

"Game 7's are tough... It's a game that's made for men and our guys proved to be men today." -Laviolette

by PatterPoet95 on Jun 18, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I had the same thought. Looks like he’s just standing around, impassively observing. Meanwhile Polanco is shouting out of “A little help here!”

by phatj on Jun 18, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Valdez got there way after the ball was caught – Polanco caught it, Valdez took two more steps on the ground and then jumped onto the tarp to stop as Polanco rolled back to the field.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Jun 18, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Weekend pitching matchups (ERA/FIP/xFIP)

Friday: Joe Blanton (7.28/5.83/5.14) vs. Nick Blackburn (4.96/5.05/5.12)
Saturday: Cole Hamels (3.74/4.55/3.72) vs. Kevin Slowey (3.84/4.03/4.59)
Sunday: Roy Halladay (2.36/2.68/3.05) vs. Carl Pavano (3.92/3.99/3.98)

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I’m looking foward to watching big joe to see if he can respond to the challenge that KK has made to keep his roster spot. Would be nice to Blanton come out and be lights out for the next few weeks that way Happ is not rushed back into the lineup and he can get his form underhim

by sowhatifitisasportste on Jun 18, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, there's practically no variation in Pavano's line.

by Screen Name 20 on Jun 18, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

That picture is hilarious—the lady in the front row looks pissed that Polly made that catch, as if he robbed her or something.

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

by doubleh on Jun 18, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Dude on the far left in the button-down shirt looks very dainty.

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Is the guy in the second row a Baldwin?

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

by doubleh on Jun 18, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

the dingo ate her baby!

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

“You know that’s a true story? Lady lost her baby. You about to cross a motha’fuckin’ line…”

"Game 7's are tough... It's a game that's made for men and our guys proved to be men today." -Laviolette

by PatterPoet95 on Jun 18, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Guy with white hair in the light blue shirt is all “daggerz!” to the exultant Phillies fan.

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Check out his twin at the upper right. Creepy.

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

whoa, that is creepy. It’s like a Matrixesque enfilade on nonverbal hatred.

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

on=of

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

What good is a phone call, Mr. Polanco, if you are unable to speak?

by taco pal on Jun 18, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I love how all of the sudden in the new york media’s eye the yankees are in a slump. Two days removed from smacking around one of the best if not the best pitcher in baseball and they are in a slump. No credit to philly pitching here…moving on. pathetic.

by PhilsForever on Jun 18, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps they are, and Jamie Moyer put them there. ;-)

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

by doubleh on Jun 18, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

By invoking the Physical Manifestation of Base Ba’al outside Chase Utley’s locker, it opened up a vortex through which Bad Slumpin’ Luck mystically transferred to the opponent’s lockerroom.

You watch. The Yankees will slump it. Do not mock the power of Base Ba’al!

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem now is that we need to discover the protective veve against this to keep anyone else from returning Bad Slumpin’ Luck to us.

Honor is no substitute for victory.

by The Dark on Jun 18, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

At risk of creating a Great Schism, I believe that this manifestation is indeed temporal in its nature. Note that the Utley Physical Manifestaton of Base Ba’al (UPMBB) of June 16, 2010 has asymmetrical characteristics that denote a void or emptiness:

Given that there are seven bats in the formation, I believe that the void is symbolic of the missing J-Roll, aka the Eighth Regular. When the Eighth Regular returns, the potential for your problem to materialize via the above-commented vortex, while certainly a risk until that time, will be closed.

Note too that subsequent to the UPMBB, the Phillies set a timetable for the return of the Eighth Regular, I do not consider this a coincidence. Not hardly.

by Wet Luzinski on Jun 18, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions