Some Phillies Links For You, August 30, 2010: Huggy Bear, 808 State Still Great, Westside Memories

by WholeCamels on Aug 30, 2010 8:15 AM EDT

"I grew up in a family with eight kids, so there was a lot of hugging going on," Sweeney said. "I love my teammates, so when we do something good that's just how I'm wired. I want to share that love with my teammates."

Yeah, just try explaining that to the police after you run around the shopping mall hugging people.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Rod Barajas ready to play in front of hometown crowd
Oh no, I forgot that the Dodgers have this creep now, we're doomed. At least three homers this week.

Halladay Could be Riding Cy Young Express
Is it safe to say that this guy has been even better than expected? And that's saying a lot.

Mets-Braves Preview
Time to dust off the ol' "Let's Go Mets" t-shirt and trim down to a linebeard.

A Phanatic wish
Hope he wasn't too rough with the seniors.

Berks alum sinks R-Phils
Oh crumbs.

Local roots, fond memories
Mike Sweeney really might be the most likeable man on the planet.

Report: Manny to join White Sox as early as today
Hey, the Phillies miss Manny, who routinely owns them.

Bill Conlin: Strasburg injury no surprise to one mechanic
Again, pitchers get hurt all the time.

Victorino remains proud of Hawaii's Little Leaguers
No questions asked.

Jays prospect Gose learning on the run
Former Phillies prospect Anthony Gose discusses his time at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA.

Phillies Cheesesteak: WABAC, 1984: The Trail Of Cheers
A trip-down-memory-lane look at a triumphant West Coast Trip from 1984, when the Phillies went 9-0 against the Padres, Dodgers, and Giants.

Braves Rally For 7-6 Win On Reviewed McCann Walkoff Homer - Talking Chop
Really nothing left to say here. This team's come-backitude is just incredibly aggravating. Matt Diaz lives to bring ruin to the Phillies.

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This week, ich bin ein Mets fan.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

When I think about this division race, it reminds me of Governor Sam Houston’s speech to the people of Texas in the aftermath of the state’s secession from the Union in 1861.

Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives, you may win Southern independence if God be not against you, but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of states rights, the North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear is, they will overwhelm the South.

Remember, the South had a lot of plucky come-from-behind wins from 1861 to 1863 as well.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Are you a civil war buff? How in the world did your mind come to this analogy?

by Boundforbeach on Aug 30, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Somewhat. I just really like that quote.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep. It’s a damn good quote. Never heard it before. I certainly enjoyed it more that Conlin trying to weave in a “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” reference into his Strasburg article !?!

by Boundforbeach on Aug 30, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Love it.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 30, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

More on Sweeney’s hugging. This guy is awesome:

“I’m just embracing being here,” said Sweeney, whom the Phillies acquired from the Seattle Mariners this month. “Any time I can go out there and play, whether it is as a pinch-hitter or giving Big Ryan a day off, I want to do everything I can to help this team win. It’s just . . . I don’t know. I’m thankful I was able to do that today.”

Literally, he’s embracing it. The gregarious Sweeney is well-known in baseball circles for his hugging.

“He is definitely one of a kind,” Jimmy Rollins said. “He likes to give a lot of hugs. He gave me a hug after his home run. Usually, it’s you trying to initiate the hug. He’s like, ‘Give me a hug.’ All right, Sweeney.”

Since Sweeney joined the team, his 6-year-old son, Mike Jr., has become a fixture in the clubhouse. So has the hugging.

“He can give you some hugs,” Manuel said. “He’s got a lot of energy, which is great. He’s good for our bench. He’s good for our clubhouse. Most of all, he’s good when he’s in the batter’s box.”

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 8:57 AM EDT reply actions

“All right, Sweeney.”

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I can just hear Charlie saying “He can give you some hugs” and it is hilarious.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly the same with the Jimmy quote – I can hear him saying “all right, Sweeney” and just laugh. I’m loving this guy.

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I am imagining him tilting his head to one side ever so slightly as he says those words

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Saw that ZWR is now selling a “Free Hugs” tee (the “s” in hugs is a 5). Made me laugh.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Aug 30, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

“He gun’ give you some hugs”

"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 30, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

huggin and raslin is almost the same thing

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Only separated by a leg sweep.

by Cormican on Aug 30, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I saw the Rollins hug in the dugout right after the homer. I thought it a little odd at the time. He came in…hi-fived Werth, somebody else, then hugged rollins, and gave Hamels a weak hi-five.

If anything…I thought Hamels should’ve hugged him for getting him to 3 runs of support.

by Bilzo on Aug 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Hamels was probably trying to recover from the shock of having such riches!

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 2:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

A great manager meltdown from the minors here.

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

Needs more grenade throw….

"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 Aug 30, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

What a weird souvenir to leave a game with.

by Cormican on Aug 30, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I loved that Sweeney quote. Ranks right up there with the Stairs quote from 2008.

The Mikan Drill

by JoshuaR on Aug 30, 2010 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

I heard this on ESPN radio this morning but I only caught the tail end so I may be wrong but they said the Phillies are 18-4 in San Diego since 2004.

Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!

by EREX21 on Aug 30, 2010 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah – pwnage.

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Updated BP postseason odds

Even with the disastrous Astros series we actually increased our chances to make the playoffs by .5% last week.

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

It certainly helps that the rest of the National League is playing like a bunch of turds right now.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 30, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Where can you find statistics on come from behind wins? Seems like Braves have an obscene number this year.

by quakerfan on Aug 30, 2010 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Eh, a win’s a win, they all count the same. The Braves aren’t going to win them all, and we just need to win three more than they do.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I generally agree. But in the mood for a Conlin-type narrative to explain away the pain.

by quakerfan on Aug 30, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

All the info on that you’d ever want:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/inning_summary.cgi?year_game=2010&team_id=ATL

Braves are 7-46 when trailing in the 9th. Phils are 5-51.

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

oh and the LOLMets are 0-53.

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, only 7-46. Perception’s a weird thing.

by Trev223 on Aug 30, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Talk about perception being a weird thing – the Phillies are 62-2 when leading at the start of the 9th. I’d say that record would be quite difficult for a team with a bad bullpen.

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

in 2009 they were 79-10. With a stronger closer last year they could have won 100.

Just goes to show you how much the offense has held us back this year.

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

yup. Imagine if the offense was worth a crap these last couple weeks. They’d have lost a couple and that’s it.

by Bilzo on Aug 30, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

They also have a lot of last at bat wins coming from eighth inning rallies at home.

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 2:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

They also have a lot of last at bat wins coming from eighth inning rallies at home.

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 2:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

schedules

Both the Phillies and Braves have at least 3 home games and 3 road games vs. every other NL East team (including each other).

There are only eight games that are different between the two teams’ schedules.

Phillies – 3 @ Dodgers, 1 @ Rockies, 3 vs. Brewers, 1 vs. Marlins

Braves – 4 vs. Cardinals, 3 @ Pirates, 1 vs. Mets

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

Have the Dodgers mailed it in by trading Manny?

by Nikk.m on Aug 30, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Probably, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be a walkover. They’re not a particularly good team without him, but they’re not terrible either.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Dodgers/Padres

The Dodgers feel a lot like the Padres to me, but not quite as good in all areas (particularly the bullpen).

by Romero on Aug 30, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know- after last weekend’s series at Colorado, they were 10 back in the division and 6.5 back in the wildcard (5th in the race). With or without Manny, their odds were pretty bleak. Further, Manny has spent much of this season on the DL, so it is questionable whether it was worth paying Manny’s salary to keep him.

Bigger question- in the past two weeks the Dodgers have picked up one Phillie killer (Barajas) and jettisoned another (Manny)- are they a harder or easier team for the Phillies to face?

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 3:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

My gut is that I’d rather face Barajas than Man Ram. But Man Ram is prone to complete lack of anything you may define as effort when he’s on his way out with a team. So I may have preferred a completely checked out Manny.

by Cormican on Aug 30, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Mike Sweeney: Designated Hugger

by esentman on Aug 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

Brilliant analysis from Big League Stew. Enjoy.

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

“Still, I believe Atlanta is going to win the division because I’m a Braves fan.”

by David S. Cohen on Aug 30, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

"Still, I believe Atlanta is going to win the division because I’m a ~~Braves fan~~ mouth-breathing retard."

Fixed.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Aug 30, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Those things are not synonyms?

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

“reached a season high of seven games on July 22, when the crippled Phillies had Ryan Howard(notes), Chase Utley(notes) and Placido Polanco all on the disabled list”

Yes, Big League Spew, only July 22 was 5 days after Polanco left the DL and 2 weeks before Howard went on.

by Cormican on Aug 30, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, check out comment #6!

The only thing i could possibly disagree with on this article is the mention of Utley and Halladay as being “better than any single player on the Braves” as well as saying the Phillies have a better top end of the rotation. I’ll put Prado up against Utley anyday of the week. I think that’s a wash, and statistically speaking Prado is having the better year. In terms of this year I have no problem putting Hudson up against Halladay, Huddy has been unbelievable this year and should be in the top three for the Cy Young award (ahead of Halladay who has a few more losses then Huddy). Speaking about the top end of our rotations, the Phils have Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt. Ours may not be as simple to name. Obviously Hudson is in there, and you can really pick any two out of Jurrjens, Hanson, and Lowe. I could see a split between the first two, but the third spot, in my opinion would be Jurrjens against Oswalt, and honestly Roy Boy doesn’t impress me as much as Jurrjens so I think we would have a slight edge, may be miniscule would be better put. I do have to agree that I think the Bravos have enough to maintain their lead as well as make a last post-season appearance for Bobby.

(Nothing I love more than feeding red meat to the base…)

by taco pal on Aug 30, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

What a fucking asinine group of statements. While it’s true that Prado’s has better stats than Utley this year, if you polled all the GM’s in baseball, I doubt there’s many who wouldn’t take Utley over Prado in a heartbeat. Huddy is better than Halladay because he has more wins? Oswalt doesn’t impress him? That’s like the statement on here a few weeks ago where someone said because Pujols doesn’t play well against the Phillies that he isn’t all that impressive as a ballplayer.

Fracking please.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Aug 30, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I said that watching Albert play the Phillies I was not impressed. Watching him play more, that has changed.

by dannijd on Aug 30, 2010 6:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

How much have you watched him play in the last week?

by phatj on Aug 30, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think watching him play more is what changed your opinion of him. I think being ridiculed for making one of the single dumbest comments in blog history is what did it.

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 30, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions