Phillies CF Prospect Tyson Gillies arrested in Florida on felony cocaine possession charge
by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 12:59 PM EDT
Email
PrintPhillies minor league outfielder Tyson Gillies, one of the three prospects shipped from Seattle in last December's Cliff Lee trade, has been arrested in Florida on cocaine possession charges stemming from an incident occurring this June.
The Phillies have issued a brief statement, acknowledging the arrest but declining to comment further citing the ongoing investigation.
Gillies, 21, had struggled with hamstring injuries all season, posting just a .238/.286/.333 line in 113 plate appearances in Double-A Reading.
More on this as it develops. Possibly the most troubling question, from a baseball perspective, is how a felony conviction would affect the British Columbian Gillies' ability to work in the United States.
282 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
hunch
They probably had an informant and/or detective sell him the stuff back in June, and were waiting for any number of reasons (securing informant’s cooperation, etc.) before making arrest.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
I know that drugs are illegal and really unhealthy and all that stuff, and not to start a political argument on here or anything but…I feel like it’s just a huge waste of taxpayer dollars to have sting operations to catch drug users.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
I mean, it doesn’t help them recover in the long run. Look at Robert Downey, Jr., for instance.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Yes, but see we have to win the war on drugs, and getting users is hella easier (and looks better on tv) than targeting the sources
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Played well on tv, and not was, is
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That depends how they are handled. While O was a law clerk I had the opportunity to work with the drug court program in New Jersey. An alternative to incarceration, it works with addicts to help them get their lives back on track, including rehab (residential and out patient as necessary) and other supports. The defendants have to check in frequently with the court over their special probation period (weekly at first), and suffer penalties for positve drug tests, failure to pay fines or become gainfully employed. I had the opportunity to see a number of success stories there, and the statistics were showing a lower recidivism rate among drug court defendants than standard prison (which I will agree does not work).
by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 2:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed, with “users” being the key word. By all means, infiltrate the cartels and the meth labs and what have you, but sting operations directed at users has always struck me as cutting a head off a Hydra.
Exactly. Users and small-time dealers are not the problem.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
But like i said above, easier to bust and it looks good on tv and on police stats.
Going after the big organizations is a job for the feds and other countries, but see, in this country, those big agencies focus on one thing and one thing only these days
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I live in Florida and they would rather arrest guys for pot than get some scumbag who beats down homless men. Trust me I know.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Aug 20, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
It isn’t just pot they are nuts about pot, it is all drugs except scrips, then anything else it is crazy that a guy can key your car and smash the window eyewitness and they are like deal with yourself then go up the street and bust some black dudes smoking a blunt.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Aug 20, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
is there a distinction between simple “possession” and trying to purchase it?
by Boundforbeach on Aug 20, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
If the evidence is inconclusive, they have to send it to a lab for testing. That can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. Usually this happens when the suspect doesn’t cooperate, the officer finds something when given permission to search or frisk, they ask to the suspect “what is this substance?”, they don’t respond. They don’t have to arrest you on the spot. They can send you on your way as long as your do not appear to be intoxicated. They will confiscate anything they need, send you on your way, send the evidence to a lab for proper testing to be able to determine that this substance, is infact an illegal substance, or nothing of note. Once they can accurately determine the substance is indeed illegal, they will charge you and consider you arrested at the time. Even though you were charged weeks to months later, the record would say that on the night in question, you were arrested for _____________________. That is one of the reasons why this was not heard about in June.
I meant to say that is one of the reasons why this MAY NOT HAVE BEEN heard about in June. I didn’t mean to ultimately say THIS IS THE REASON WHY. I do not know that. But this could be one of many possibilities. But just to shed some light on the legal process. In the end, I am saying that this may not have happened, but this does happen in these matters and this may have happened in this situation. But no one will know for sure until the details are leaked.
alright, so it sounds like that is somewhat…..exactly how it happened…..
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office says Gillies was arrested Friday and released on $2,000 bond. The arrest stems from an incident in June, when a deputy spotted Gillies alongside a road waving a shirt at passing motorists.
The deputy said Gillies appeared to be intoxicated, so he drove Gillies to his hotel. After Gillies left the car, the deputy said he found a small bag of white powder where he had been sitting. The sheriff’s office says the powder tested positive for cocaine.
The officer cannot assume what he has is illegal, but knows it is. So he sent to the lab, after a month or so of testing, it was determined to be an illegal substance.
that is very fishy. But yes, it appears he dropped it in the officers car. I would like to hear Tyson’s side of the story.
And the shirt waving a other cars? Was he auditioning for the next season of the jersey shore?
Could have been a white shirt…stranded motorist. Also, could have been out of his mind on drugs and thought they were the alien mothership coming to get him.
I do want to hear this kid’s side of the story, though. To leave drugs in a cop car is so unbelievably stupid that I have a hard time believing it.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Or the cop arrested someone else earlier and the bag belonged to that person. There are a lot of loopholes in that story.
I would assume, unless the cop is stupid, that he asked Tyson if the bag was his…the article below says the cop told him he was sending the bag to the lab to be tested. So either the cop is lying about the details — we have no idea what the other side of the story is because Gillies hasn’t told it yet.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Whoops, pretty much regurgitated this down below.
It’s almost an either/or scenario, right? Either that bag didn’t belong to Gillies, or he’s just really, really dumb. And Occam’s razor points toward the latter.
The really dumb part was willingly taking a ride from a cop.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
Or calling the cop an asshole for doing so after telling him yer gonna be a big leaguer someday. Just supposition, but this is where douchebaggery begets white baggery.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it’s possible… Gillies, having grown up with one white parent in British Columbia, would be exactly the kind of black kid not to know how to deal with certain kinds of cops you might run into in a Southern state.
I’m wondering if he talks loud because of his hearing problem. Factor in drunk/loud/3.20a.m. – we got ourselves here a sitcheashun, boss Hog.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Cliff Lee wouldn’t have been caught with cocaine.
"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 Aug 20, 2010 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
Just got to this thread with the intent of posting EXACTLY THIS. so boom with the rec’ing.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I was waiting for the Cliff ref. Took too long
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Aug 20, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
It was the 2nd post overall, what more do you want? I’m not some sort of post-apocalpytic psychic freak like Taco Pal.
"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 Aug 20, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
We do, if only because you can read my mind. I say post-apocalyptic psychic freak with all the caring in the world.
"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 Aug 20, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Having grown up in the Reading area I’m surprised it’s not H, easier to get H than weed in that city.
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
Arrested in Florida, yes.
Wasn’t he still in Reading in June?
If not, it doesn’t change the fact that he was in Reading for a good portion of the season and he does cocaine (or at least was holding it for a friend).
"Call me dumb, call me stupid, whatever. I block shots."
Florida police can’t arrest you for something you did in Reading. Unless maybe you mail drugs to Florida or something.
Yes they do. If there is a warrent for your arrest for drugs in another state you can be sure Florida is going to get you aand send you packing.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Aug 20, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
If a warrant is issued for you – sure – but they are arresting you because of the warrant, the charge is in reading, not florida, no"
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
They see it here as a change anywhere in the US is like it happened here.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Aug 20, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Charge I mean a charge here and they still book you and could take about 2 weeks to get sent to the place where your charges stem from.
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Aug 20, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Mailing them is out of their purview too— that earns you fed pen time!
by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 3:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Over at Phuture Phillies, a few folks are discussing how this incident might play vis Kevin Angelle’s release just a couple of weeks ago. Considering how Angelle’s release hasn’t been contextualized or explained by the Phillies at all, to the best of my knowledge, one wonders how they’ll handle the fallout here.
Yeah, hard to say. I would hope that the Phillies wouldn’t cut someone solely over a first offense for possession. Obviously we don’t know what the situation was with Angelle, nor do we know if there’s anything else for Gillies.
Well that and Angelle was not a top 10 prospect. I have little doubt that Gillies high ceiling will factor into the decision.
Oh, absolutely, and realistically — due to his usually unfortunate linkage to Cliff Lee — the general public are much more likely to know Gillies than Angelle, which should factor into the publicity here quite a bit.
FWIW, I should hope that they don’t cut Gillies for this one instance, either, but I was pretty frustrated by their tight-lipped response to Angelle, who was a pretty damn promising guy himself. Consistency is really only a perceived virtue organizationally, but I’d imagine they’ll try to fudge the appearance of it somehow.
Is there a possible situation where Angelle possibly asked to be released and asked that the phillies keep mum about why? I’m not saying this is what happened, but might they be keeping mum about the why as a favor to him?
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Anything’s possible. There’s just no information out there.
In that sense, the organization was actually quite wise not to reveal anything. By doing so, they ensured that the Angelle situation would set no precedent for anyone else.
Also, even if Angelle really was released for disciplinary reasons, they probably did him a favor by not being specific.
I was reading on Hardball Talk that Gillies is ‘legally deaf’….I wonder what the hell that even means. As one with a hearing loss, I still had never heard of that term before this article.
Ironically, when I heard about this, the idea of his Canadian citizenship was actually the first thing I thought of, and how this would affect his career.
I believe it’s the equivalent of legally blind – my vision is like 20/600 – so i’m considered legally blind cause i can’t see crap without corrective lenses?
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I have been reading further up, and no one can agree on a definition of it – mostly because hearing (or lack thereof) doesn’t prevent people from operating heavy machinery, whereas vision does.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
So the argument is that you don’t need to hear to operate heavy machinery, like a car?
Horns, Sirens, Alarms – these are things you don’t need to be aware of?
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I know several deaf people that drive cars. But hearing impairment is not necessarily an impediment to driving, whereas visual impairment is.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
And my argument is that you are an impaired driver if you are deaf due to the fact that you can’t hear what’s around you. I could drive without my lenses, i’d be severely imparied but i could see shapes
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably a matter of degree, I am sure, and that is also for the various jurisdictions to consider.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a friend who is legally blind. Even with her glasses she still can’t drive a car and can’t read a book without magnification.
If i don’t have my very strong contact lenses in, I can not drive (big l on the license) read a book or even see the 34" high def I have even though my couch is only about 10 feet away…i can see blobs but make nothing out.
My vision has been worsening since second grade mostly and still hasn’t stabilized. Just sucks
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
i can see blobs but make nothing out.
In Pablo Sandoval’s case, he looks exactly the same.
Sorry to hear about your vision; I assume the laser eye surgery available does not correct the condition you have…?
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Couple reasons on the lasik
1. Your eyes are supposed to be stable for at least a year before you consider it. Mine haven’t been yet
2. I have two stigmatisms (woo hoo) and lasik isn’t great at correcting those
3. I know people who have had some unpleasant, though not horrible side effects, for instance my boss is now much more sensitive to light. I wear disposable contact lenses, it’s 38 bucks for a 45 day supply, to me that’s a solid easy expense.
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, astigmatism sucks, I have them in both eyes but I can’t get contacts.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Why can’t you get contacts – they do make astigmatic contact?
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
They do, but they would have to be hard contacts, I think, and my med plan doesn’t cover eyewear, so I pay cash for my spectacles every time I need a new pair.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Hard lenses? Ugh that sucks. I could never do hard lenses, not as good a fit and not disposable (not having to wash is key)
I don’t have a vision plan either, i get one check up a year and spend 300 bucks a year on the contacts – to me that’s better than the surgery.
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I have mild astigmatism in both eyes and wear Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism. Soft lens. Not sure if people with more severe astigmatism can wear them, though. YMMV.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
Mine is pretty severe, and also with slight variances in each eye, which also complicates matters. I can go to Sam’s Club at get my glasses for under 250, when they would cost 5-6 hundred at a Lens Crafters.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I get my glasses and contacts at Costco (I save $10/box on my contacts, which by itself pays for my annual Costco membership fee).
BTW I dig how this thread has (d)evolved into a discussion of corrective eyewear.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
And it all started because of the revelation of our Coke-head prospect has a hearing loss.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Now I’m going to be sad every time I see that commercial with Gillies getting the Screwball autograph for that kid.
I hope the press doesn’t exaggerate this too badly (he was traded for Cliff Lee, don’t forget!!!!!). Possession doesn’t indicate that he’s a crackhead. With all the drug testing they do in professional sports, GIllies would have to be pretty stupid to actually use the stuff. Besides the health effects, of course.
But now the poor kid is never going to escape the stigma.
"Clever girl."
If the details are bizarre aren’t they inherently interesting. Come on Gelb, use your characters wisely, man.
I’m just glad he didn’t say “troublesome” or “bad” news; “interesting and bizarre” would not seem to include “doing toots off Jarred Cosart’s chest”.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
Cecilia Barreda, the public information officer for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, said the original incident occurred June 11 in Clearwater.
A patrol officer witnessed Gillies standing on the shoulder of Route 19 near Enterprise Blvd. in Clearwater at 3:24 a.m. Gillies was waving a white shirt at passing motorists. The patrol officer stopped to speak with Gillies and noticed he was intoxicated.
Gillies told the officer he was waving the shirt so his friends could see him. He told the officer he was trying to find a way back to his hotel down the street after spending several hours at Freaky Tiki, a nearby bar.
The officer asked Gillies if he had enough money for a taxi to take him back to the hotel. He did not, so the officer offered a courtesy ride for Gillies.
After the officer dropped Gillies off at the La Quinta, where he was also staying in June, he noticed a bag of white powder on the back-seat floor of the police cruiser. The officer stopped Gillies, took down his information and told him the bag would be sent to a lab for testing and he could be charged in the future.
Either: (1) there’s something awry going on; or (2) Gillies might just be that dumb.
Well… to quote a wise man (Mike Tyson in The Hangover): “We all do stupid s**t when we’re f**ked up.”
I’ve never been so f***ed up that I willingly get into a cop’s car.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
seriously though, even when your messed up I think you still should have enough smarts to not get in the back of a cop car holding cocaine.
And mostly, I would never even think getting a ride from a cop is a good idea when I have been drinking.
by Clyde Simmons on Aug 20, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I would never even think getting a ride from a cop is a good idea.
I fix’d it.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
or get to wear one of those sweet hats
by Clyde Simmons on Aug 20, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
We got a thing down here called the Napoleonic Code, son.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
This is actually a fantastic point. Gillies sounds like a good kid, so maybe we’re dealing with a blackout night here.
On the other hand, even when blackout, you have to be able to draw a line at some things… and carrying around a baggie of cocaine when you’re a professional athlete is clearly on the taboo side of that line.
Hey, maybe we’ve got the next Tim Raines here.
by ThinMountainAir on Aug 21, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe the cop is a Marlins fan and saw the opportunity to plant drugs on a Phillie Prospect.
Of course, this whole theory is based on the Marlins having fans.
by Clyde Simmons on Aug 20, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, they have “a” fan, if the Onion is a reliable source of news, lol
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
(2) Gillies might just be that dumb
Kind of funny that one of WL’s first reactions to Gillies was he “reminded me of Victorino”
Just like on the field, it’s the end of August and we still don’t know if Gillies really does blow.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 21, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m partially embarrassed that it took me until late this morning to zing like that.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 21, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Shit, I can’t spell his name right….ahem, Ronny Paulino.
by WanderingMoses on Aug 20, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
In case anyone cares...
The Braves are losing to the Cubs 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th. In Chicago.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
tonight's lineup vs. marquis
Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Werth, Ibanez, Victorino, Sweeney (?), Ruiz, Halladay
I would think Gload over Sweeney…does Sweeney have good numbers vs Marquis?
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Possible in Inter league.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Then Gload must totally suck vs Marquis.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
So then I wonder why go with the righty vs righty.?
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
That’s what I am thinking to since he has only been used as a PH…once or twice in the last week.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Prado walks to leave off the 9th.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
D.Lee K’s on 3 pitches. One out, runner on first.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
I wish last night’s umpire was calling this game. That would’ve been 4 strikes.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
McCann walks. Runners on 1st and 2nd. One out.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Gonzalez walks on 4 pitches…1 out. Bases loaded.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
So a possible 3BB, 3K performance here.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Can’t anyone close a goddamn game against the Braves? This is fucking stupid.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Bases clearing triple by Ankiel. Get used to it folks. The Braves are not giving up this division.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
I don’t see that happening either. But there are still plenty of games left.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Why don’t you see it happening? The Braves are getting pretty damn lucky.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
Because they have done it enough times that I don’t think it is just luck. Like I said before, the Phillies seemed to make a living off come back wins the last few years, it became part of who they are. No reason it can’t be part of who the Braves are now.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
I think there’s a certain degree of luck and skill mixed in when it comes to dramatic comebacks. Because the Braves bullpen is so good, they can do this time and again—but it’s not a good way to live once/if you get to the postseason. Just my two cents.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Agreed. As long as Saito and Wagner remain healthy and uncurs’d.
But then again, all it takes is for me to notice such things. So here goes:
Boy, those guys have been really healthy all year despite significant injury histories!
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
They really do remind me of 2008 Phillies in that regard—starting pitching was OK but gave up a lot of early leads. Phils would always have to come back against bad bullpens of opposing teams. Our pen would always keep us in games and shut it down late.
Here’s hoping the end result is not the same as our 2008. I’d like it to be same old bridesmaid, never a bride for the Braves.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Actually...
..the Pythagorean expectation for the two teams shows that the Phillies have been “luckier” than the Braves.
Expected W/L for Braves is 73-49 and for Phils is 68-53; luck has actually put the Phillies two games closer in the standings than they should be.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
to FuquaManuel....
You can always check to see who is be replied to by clicking on the “up” button.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Maybe all of this luck is because there truly is something special going on down there.
by dannijd on Aug 22, 2010 12:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Just a point of clarification, I would think the goal is to win the division, how exactly it’s done doesn’t really matter does it?
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
My point is that the Phillies should aim to win it regardless of whether the Braves stumble. It is more than possible to win the division even if the Braves continue to play well, and that should be the goal.
Sure. But if the Braves won the division by losing 10 in a row and the Phillies went 3-7 in that 10 game span, then I wouldn’t care in the least.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
How many games have the Braves had where they load the bases in the 9th. This shit can’t keep happening. The odds are getting astronomical
Three wins in the 9th in the last week I believe. Dodgers, Nats, and now this.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
People keep saying that, that the Braves can’t keep coming back and having last at bat wins, but the Phillies have done it for the last few years, I think this is just who the Braves are. A pesky team that just doesn’t go away.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
But even the Phillies failed once in a while.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
So do the Braves…once in a while.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
I can’t remember the last time they lost with a two run or less deficit in the 9th.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
OMFG
Yahoo! Gamecast just had “Ankiel strikes out swinging” and I was about to come over and celebrate with all of yez. I’m floored.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
These balls are all in the dirt. I don’t get why the Cubs are still swinging.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I might have done the same kind of thing when I was 15 years old. But all 15-year-olds are douchebags on some level.
C’mon man. It’s not like I’m gloating over a Phillies loss. I’m just enjoying this race. Looking forward to watching you guys tonight.
I fed a fish to a pelican and Frisco bay and he tried to eat my cell phone he ran away
No, you are celebrating a Braves victory. The Braves are our rivals. It has the same effect.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
I’m confident that the Braves will come out of their defensive works surrounding Atlanta and be destroyed in the open field.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 21, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
trolling just makes me want him even more
vroom vroom
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
As frustrating as it is for us to keep winning and not be able to further narrow our margin vs. the Braves, it is equally frustrating for them to keep winning and not be able to pull away any further from us.
If the Phillies play up to their capabilities for the remaining 40-some games, the rest will take care of itself.
Bright side
As long as the phillies win today, they gain ground for the wild card, since STL and SF play.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 5:00 PM EDT reply actions
walk off walk had the 1986 Mike Schmidt cocaine PSA. Screen classic.
by Wet Luzinski on Aug 20, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Starting August 10th, the Braves have trailed or been tied in the 9th (or later) 7 times.
Aug 10- Braves trail Astros 2-1 in Houston, score 3 runs in the top of the ninth.
Aug 11- Braves lead Astros 2-1 in Houston, Wags blows the save leaves it tied
Braves score 6 in the top of the 10th.
Aug 14- Braves trail Dodgers 2-1, don’t score.
Aug 16- Braves trail Dodgers 3-1 in Atlanta, score 3 in the 9th.
Aug 18- Braves tied 2-2 against the Nats, score 1 in the bottom of the ninth.
Aug 19- Braves trailed 6-2, didn’t score
Aug 20- Braves trail Cubs 3-2, score 3 in the 9th.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 5:10 PM EDT reply actions
And most of those teams have absolutely shitty bullpens…moral of the story. Works pretty well in the regular season, but trailing going into the 9th once you hit the postseason doesn’t usually yield the same results.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Really? Houston yes, but other than that, the bullpens are decent if not good.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Dodgers have a good bullpen?!? Since when? They just demoted their closer. And Torre rides every good arm he has into the ground. Cubs certainly aren’t that good.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Kuo was basically untouchable before that game. His ERA had been 0.71 or something. In 30-ish innings.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t a broxton meltdown in the braves series cost him the closer job?
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The Braves do have a very good bullpen – it’s the one really big strength of their team – so it’s not surprising that they would do very well in the late innings. What really does indicate luck, however, is the simple fact that they are winning a lot of close games lately. Their overall run differential for the year is good, but their record has been a bit deceptive of late.
Weird thing is, in the two games they lost, they went 1-2-3 each time. So basically, if someone gets on base, assume a win for the Braves.
by philsandthrills on Aug 20, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Jayson Stark also feels they have more pitching depth over all because they also have a better #4 and #5 pitcher than the phillies
by SportingFanaticism on Aug 20, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s probably true, and may be a difference maker over the remainder of the regular season. However, if both teams make the playoffs, which appears likely at this point, the Phillies regain the advantage because their top four (and especially top three) is superior.
On the other hand, the Phillies have their rotation set up so that, weather permitting, Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt will face the Braves in all six games remaining between the two teams.
True, but the Phillies also have the advantage in the regular season.
Depth is kind of a silly concept for a starting rotation. What matters is overall quality. The Phillies’ starting pitchers are better overall. The Braves have a better #5 and arguably a better #4, but the Phillies’ advantages from #1-3 outweigh that significantly, even if you include all five spots in the analysis.
When’s the next time the braves play a good bullpen
by The Fish on Aug 20, 2010 6:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
some rough calculations of WAR/G
Phillies starting eight: 0.212
Phillies starting rotation: 0.114
Phillies bullpen: 0.011
Braves starting eight: 0.161
Braves starting rotation excluding Mike Minor: 0.104
Braves bullpen: 0.033
I can explain my methodology in more detail later, if anyone cares to know. Could use some more refinement, but I think the results are pretty much in the ballpark.
I had to exclude Mike Minor because of sample size. He’s only pitched two games, and because of rounding error, he was computing as being closer in value to Roy Halladay than Roy Oswalt. My calculations are averages anyway, so it doesn’t really matter unless Minor turns out to be an absolute stud for the next 40 games.
Basically, the Phillies have a better lineup and a better rotation, and the difference in the bullpens is nowhere near enough to overcome the first two factors. It would be closer if the Braves still had Chipper, but with or without Chipper, the fact is that the 2010 Phillies are a significantly better team than the 2010 Braves. The Braves have a bright future and they will be at least on the same level as the Phillies as soon as next year. But in 2010, they aren’t.
Now you’re just inviting them over…but the winz…we’re in first place!
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Because when it comes down to it, the team that looks better on paper is the NL East champ, right?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Aug 21, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No. In fact, even the team that actually is better sometimes doesn’t win more games. That is because life is cruel and unfair, not only in baseball but in all areas of our experience. Nevertheless, stating that the better team is, in fact, the better team, is simply stating a fact.
It's funny
That you say the Braves aren’t even on the same level as the Phillies. We could certainly argue all night about who’s the better team, but to say that they’re on two different levels is just stirring shit up.
"Look out Atlanta. Jason Heyward is going to wow you."
-Chipper
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
