Style Points: Phillies 4, Braves 3 (13)
by dajafi on Sep 29, 2011 12:21 AM EDT
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PrintSo it was that in the last game of the season, facing an opponent living and dying with every pitch, behind a late-game lineup featuring Brian Schneider, Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez and a sequence of extra-inning relievers that won't see meaningful playoff innings, that the 2011 Phillies made their lasting mark as the best team over 162 games in the long history of the franchise. In the bargain, they went Full Sherman on the hated Braves, tossing the last shovelful of dirt on an Atlanta collapse that ranks with the '64 Phillies, '95 Angels and '07 Mets as the worst in baseball annals. You were expecting something different?
The game had a schizophrenic aspect from the first pitch, as the Braves sent ace Tim Hudson to the mound against forgotten former fifth starter Joe Blanton. Rolling out their almost-regular lineup at the start (Shane Victorino having gotten the night off with minor back inflammation), the Phils took a 1-0 lead as Ryan Howard doubled in Hunter Pence in the first. Atlanta knotted the score on a Michael Bourn speed run--single, steal, groundout advance, sac fly--and two innings later took a 3-1 lead as Dan Uggla hammered an 0-2 mistake from Cole Hamels, getting some work in a relief stint, into the seats.
Then it started getting weird. Still down 3-1--thanks to a brilliant Pence throw to nail Uggla at the plate on a Jack Wilson single that ended the sixth--the Phils threatened with runners at the corners and one out in the seventh when Carlos Ruiz hit what looked like a dead double-play ball right at shortstop Wilson. But the veteran booted it as Raul Ibanez came home with the second Phillies run. Victorino came on to pinch-hit against reliever Eric O'Flaherty, absolutely crushed one offering foul... and grounded into an inning-ending double play started turned by Wilson.
Meanwhile, the Phils' veteran relievers continued to hold Atlanta off the board. After three innings from Hamels, Vance Worley worked out of trouble, followed by a clean seventh from Brad Lidge and a dominant eighth from Ryan Madson. In the top of the eighth, the Phils had loaded the bases against clearly gassed Braves lefty Jonny Venters, but couldn't break through. They got their last shot in the ninth facing Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel, finishing up a likely Rookie of the Year campaign. Placido Polanco led off with a single, and gave way to pinch-runner Pete Orr. Kimbrel struck out Carlos Ruiz on a full count, but loaded the bases by walking Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins. Chase Utley followed with a sac fly to left that tied the score. Hunter Pence followed with another walk, and Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez reluctantly came out to lift Kimbrel... in favor of Kris Medlen, who had pitched one lone inning all season after a long injury rehab. But the move paid off as he induced a foul-out from Michael Martinez.
(NOTE: WHILE I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS RECAP, THE RED SOX JUST MELTED DOWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH, AND THE RAYS WON IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 12TH. A PRETTY DECENT NIGHT OF BASEBALL ALL AROUND.)
Michael Stutes came on to pitch the ninth, and turned in his most dominant outing in months. But now the reality of the two teams' circumstances seemed to conspire against the Phillies: Howard was out of the game, as was Victorino, and Ruiz soon followed. With Antonio Bastardo evidently unavailable, the Phils' hopes of setting a franchise single season win record, and the Braves' of playing into a 163rd game to keep up with the Cardinals after their 8-0 win over the Astros, came down to a handful of relievers who would be going home after the game, win or lose. Michael Schwimer came out for the 10th, stranding Bourn after Martinez made a great running catch of a deep drive from Chipper Jones. He set them down 1-2-3 in the 11th, and Justin De Fratus survived a leadoff Jason Heyward single in the 12th, stranding him at third.
The 13th was the fateful inning for the Phils. After Domonic Brown (yes, him) struck out to lead off the frame, Schneider worked a walk, and two batters later moved to third on a Chase Utley single. Pence followed, blooping a single just over Freddie Freeman at first to score Schneider and give the Phils a 4-3 lead. David Herndon, probably battling Blanton for the last spot on the staff, came on looking for his first career save. He struck out Jones on a nasty breaking pitch, walked Uggla after a couple very close pitches, fell behind Freeman 3-1... and induced a game-ending 3-6-3 double play, cementing the Braves' collapse, giving the Phils their 102nd win of the season, and securing Charlie Manuel's franchise-record 646th win.
Now the focus will turn to a tough first-round matchup with the Cardinals, who won six of nine regular season meetings, boast three good-to-excellent starting pitchers, and feature an inner-circle Hall of Famer in his prime in Albert Pujols. This is the part that's the most fun, and the most agonizing... but not, in terms of the team's caliber, the most meaningful. Over the 162 games now completed, this edition of the Phillies is the best one they've ever put on the field. It's been a joy to watch them... which isn't to say they, or we, are satisfied.
Crowning Fangraph:
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Sherman jokes at the Braves’ expense will always be funny.
by Metatwaddle on Sep 29, 2011 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
more good quotes
I would make this war as severe as possible, and show no symptoms of tiring till the South begs for mercy.
My aim, then, was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. Fear is the beginning of wisdom.
War is the remedy that our enemies have chosen, and I say let us give them all they want.
Atlanta is ours, and fairly won.
Behind us lay Atlanta, smouldering and in ruins, the black smoke rising high in air, and hanging like a pall over the ruined city.
by ThinMountainAir on Sep 29, 2011 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
A funny thing happened While the Phillies were marching through Georgia
The Barves had an epic collapse, and it’ll be totally ignored by the media because the Red Sox completed their collapse an hour later. Barves fans will be left to mope alone, forgotten, and ignored after being swept at home by the team that they hate most, who along the way cemented their best regular season of all time.
Of all time!
Epic FanGraph
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses. Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
by Eaglesadvocate on Sep 29, 2011 12:29 AM EDT reply actions
Dear Phillies,
Its finally playoff time again. And here’s my only request. Please win it all. When you won in 2008, I was in boot camp. My CCs mentioned it 3 days after and I cheered out loud. Best ass beating ever. But the point is I want to experience that for real and not see the win through DVD… :(.
So pplease please please please kick some ass this postseason. A no-hitter is nice, a championship is even better.
Love, The Fish
Who is the third cards pitcher? Garcia and carpenter are the ones I think are good. Is it Lohse? I feel he is overrated.
Unfortunately, I'm going to miss Game 1 of the NLDS.
I have a wedding + reception to go to unfortunately. However, I feel bad for one of my friends. He has tickets to the game and can’t go…. because he is the groom’s brother and Best Man.
THAT sucks.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
I have two tickets Saturday, also. Wife made getaway plans for the weekend without consulting me or the baseball playoff schedule. I love you and stuff, but…Doc…
Why look'st thou so?' -"With my crossbow
I shot the Albatross."
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 29, 2011 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Name your price
"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 Sep 29, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Vestigial traits please
I eat sentimentality for breakfast, but stats stop me dead in my tracks
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Sep 29, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
i live in wayne and will gladly send my blonde gf in heels w cash
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Lol
I’d recommend people but the asking price is pretty friggin high… He already has an offer for $900
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
for 2 tickets of course.
"They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds." - Wilt Chamberlain
check out the" how to dress" chart in braves locker room
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:45 AM EDT reply actions
You must be stoked that Herndon got a save too. Smartest Taco Alive
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
just playin good call www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuMJBLio7FU
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
That reminds me...
You still owe me gas money for the time machine, dude.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
confirm pennzoil does say funner, kid in car w dad halfway through
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:58 AM EDT reply actions
Even though this is what I said I wanted, the gratuitousness of the cruelty is almost too much. I almost feel like the Count of Monte Cristo after the revenge he takes on Villefort also results in the deaths of his enemy’s entire family including his young children.
I’m sure I’ll feel fine in the morning though.
eh, they went 9-18 in sept. fuck em
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Taco, imma buy you a drank.
"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 Sep 29, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I love drank
It's only gonna get funner
by VanceinmyPants on Sep 29, 2011 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions
a marvelous and appropriate literary reference. Compassion battles Schadenfreude for a little space.
Winning is fun.
by flyersfaninchicago on Sep 29, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
what a bum carl crawford is, night all, thank god playoffs are finally here almost can’t believe it
by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Sep 29, 2011 1:01 AM EDT reply actions
Also, as long as I’m doing high school literary allusions, I might as well do one more. I think the message of this season from the Phillies to the Braves is:
All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always — do not forget this, Talking Chop — always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of your future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.
Phillies as Big Brother? Eh…
Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
How does one team assert its power over another?
By making it suffer.
by flyersfaninchicago on Sep 29, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Holy Bleepity Bleeping Bleep!!! I love baseball!
Trivia question for the ages: Who recorded the save in the Phils record breaking 102nd win? David Freakin Herndon!
Joe Savery is good people
Parallel trivia question: who recorded the 102nd win? De Fratus. De who? Exactly.
Bob.
by The Dark on Sep 29, 2011 1:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This has to be the best night of baseball ever, right?
I’m too wired. Not going to sleep for a while.
The Good Phight, NotGraphs, Twitter, fun!
I have a feeling I’ll be telling by grandchildren about these last two days 50 years from now.
It's only gonna get funner
by VanceinmyPants on Sep 29, 2011 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I think part of it is how fast it all was. Baseball moves at a walking pace, and much of the tension in games is in the waiting. But tonight was speed and adrenaline, on fast forward, Something Wild(Card).
by flyersfaninchicago on Sep 29, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions
So the Red Sox had a one-run lead with two outs and nobody on in the 9th, while the Rays had a seven-run deficit with two innings left in the game, and the Rays took the wild card. Unbelievable,
So I googled "Baseball is Awesome" and this was the first image...no joke
"You play to win the playoffs, and we let 'em off the hook!" -Herm Mora Green
by jrobulls on Sep 29, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Over 400 let’s get em next year comments on TC, and this is by far the best.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
How many comments reference not being able to wait until the Phils are old and terrible? That seems to be a common theme over there as well
Joe Savery is good people
Sort of reminiscent of that joke about how Brazil is the country of the future and always will be.
The Braves are the future of the NL East, and they always will be.
Wouldn’t by that analogy the Braves be Great Britain? They were great once, they aren’t now, but they could be again.
Sometimes I make a good comment. Sometimes I make a bad one. Really it's all a crapshoot.
by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 29, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
This photo of a rice cake is more artistic merit than that
And titles mang, esp. on the animated gifs.
Talking Chop, keeping it classy
Its great that we still owe Lowe $14 million. Our next right field superstar is worse than Francouer ever was. Our manager has faith in Scott Linebrink. I would rather consume my own urine than watch Linebrink pitch in a big moment. This stings like no other year, injuries be damned, I am pissed, and will blame everyone from Frank Wren to Kenshin Kawakami to that asshole that won a million bucks on a video game perfect game last year. I hope Hunter Pence slips and falls and has a bat accidently slip into his anus. I also hope that Charlie Manuel has back tax issues and is sent to fort leavenworth for 30 years. Ok, I done with my rant. No I am not, screw the phillies, you pack cheesesteak fat bastards. No one likes you, I hope a rampant case of face aids is beset upon phillies fans. I hope I kept this clean enough to stay, because it is pure meltdown stuff, nothing more. — Link
Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
I’m done, wait no I’m not, oh, yahba, urba, AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's only gonna get funner
by VanceinmyPants on Sep 29, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Heh...
Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.
by TheOrangeCone on Sep 29, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
How appropriate was it that ex-Brave favorite Scott Proctor served up the homer to Longoria?
by phillyinportland on Sep 29, 2011 5:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I feel like this is worth posting again - From Talking Chop:
At least we get the FRONTPAGE WORST COLLAPSE IN HISTORY
by supyoscn on Sep 28, 2011 11:41 PM EDT
Nope. Even that shit’s gonna get pushed to the page 6 of history. You can’t even FAIL right.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Sep 29, 2011 1:20 AM EDT reply actions
And what the hell, SBN is already irrevocably destroyed tonight...
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Sep 29, 2011 1:22 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs
My Favorite
Does misery love company?
Over the Monster — SB Nation’s Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 29, 2011 12:56 AM EDT reply actions
It's only gonna get funner
guy from Sox site posting on TC
It's only gonna get funner
by VanceinmyPants on Sep 29, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey Atlanta...
How you eh…How you comin’ on that Wild Card you working on?..huh? Have a comfortable lead there?
Joe Savery is good people
We need a highlight reel of early season TC quotes. You know. How their rotation was as good as ours, and how their bullpen was Clearly Superior.
I would work on it myself, but I’m all hopped up on Schadenfreude and probably shouldn’t be operating a laptop.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
I don’t violate the territories. I think I’ve been over there 10 times if that. It is too voyeuristic for me.
The high road is the better bet, yeah. I do like seeing crow on the menu, however.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Sep 29, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Now,
don’t give me that much credit. I’m too much of a fuck-up to just take high road (though I have my moments) and if there’s a short cut, I’ll take it unless I have something to prove like the futility of my false pride. It’s more about keeping my side of the street clean more or less. There’s also the practical consideration of finding the best way to waste my time (I’m already on here enough) and as someone who has spent more than enough time joyriding with Cthulhu, it’s bit too pedestrian a way too get your rocks off for me. Feels a bit suburban, hence the voyeuristic aspect of it in terms of detachment. (As I said, I’m already on here enough). But hey, If I got off on it, I’d do it, I just don’t . Yeah, I was even a snobby hedonist . Bottom line, It’s not like I have any sympathy for them, they’re a bunch of god damn unicorn fuckers after all.
Chief Noc-a...Noc-a...Noc-onna make the playoffs this year!
Joe Savery is good people
by DirtyWaters on Sep 29, 2011 1:30 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs
To add insult to injury, that was the first time this season that the Red Sox lost when leading after 8 innings.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
braves 2012
Basically, if Heyward and Prado have bounce-back years, they should be a 90+ win team. Their main problem is that they have a gaping hole at shortstop and not a ton of money to fix it with unless they raise their payroll substantially.
They also have to figure out which of their nine starting pitchers they’re going to keep around.
Lowe (1 year, $15 left)
Hudson (1 year, $9 left)
Jurrjens (Arb 2 – raise from $3.25)
Hanson (Arb 1 if Super Two rules stays in place)
Beachy (min salary)
Minor (min salary)
Delgado (min salary)
Teheran (min salary)
Vizcaino (min salary)
But…but…but he was a big jerk and no one liked him!
by everybodyhitswoohoo on Sep 29, 2011 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions
What will be amusing is if they eat the bulk of his salary so that someone will take him of their hands, and then he bounces back in someone else’s uniform. His xFIP and SIERA was 3.65 and 3.60, respectively, and those numbers were pretty stable throughout the entire season.
I think the Red Sox might be interested…
Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.
by TheOrangeCone on Sep 29, 2011 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Making decisions when mad or panicked is never smart.
Why look'st thou so?' -"With my crossbow
I shot the Albatross."
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 29, 2011 8:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wasn’t really rooting against the Red Sox, personally, but one of the good things about them losing out to the Rays is that the Phillies will now probably get to play in prime time for Game 1. My guess:
Rays-Rangers 12 pm
Diamondbacks-Brewers 3 pm
Cardinals-Phillies 6 pm
Tigers-Yankees 9 pm
Interesting lineup. I checked my cable provider and they are showing that first game starts at 12 ET (9AM here), then they have the next three games spread out by 3.5 hours, so 3:30, 7:00, and 10:30 ET. Do you think they would start a Yankee game so late? As of now nothing shows on the MLB website about Saturday times. I suppose they could bunch them up and use the TNT network to cover the other game, since we know some of the games will run more than three hours.
by phillyinportland on Sep 29, 2011 5:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I bet we get the noon game Saturday. Rangers and brewers would both be playing at 11 am central time.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
You would think, except I don’t believe that Bud and the TV folks give a sh*t if those “other teams’ fans” suffer. There are precedents for this over the years. (I could be wrong, but didn’t the Rangers have to play in the AM local time last year?) The only thing they’ve really got going for them is that the Phillies aren’t the Red Sox.
I was wrong. Here were the starting times last year (EDT). This was under the old format.
Wed: Rangers @ Rays 1:30, Reds @ Phillies 5:00, Yankees @ Twins 8:30
Thu: Rangers @ Rays 2:30, Yankees @ Twins 6:00, Braves @ Giants 9:30
Fri: Reds @ Phillies 6:00, Braves @ Giants 9:30
Sat: Rays @ Rangers 5:00, Twins @ Yankees 8:30
Sun: Rays @ Rangers 1:00, Giants @ Braves 4:30, Phillies @ Reds 8:00
Mon: Giants @ Braves 7:30
Tue: Rangers @ Rays 8:00
I’m watching Papelbon answer questions from reporters, and it’s times like this where I really hate the press. The dude just helped cost his team a playoff appearance, and the reporters are badgering him to say something, and he clearly does not want to talk.
Some people don't think it be what it is, but it do.
Another bit of schadenfreude
Kimbrel blows the save in the 9th, and Freeman grounds into the season ending double play. Whichever of those two ends up with the RotY award will still have the bruise from a Phillies boot up their ass, or stamping on their face. Whichever you prefer.
Might I suggest a change in footwear?
Cleat stomping face = boot stomping face, but
Cleat up the ass >>>>>>boot up the ass … I mean, c’mon, there’s at least a Carcass song or two in there somewhere.
Regarding Kimbrel, this is the kind of thing that scars guys. Remember Mark Wohlers. The Omar Infante homer was even more traumatic than what happened last night.
Kimbrel’s a tremendous talent and I actually want to see him have a good career. But I do think there’s a non-negligence possibility that he’ll fall apart mentally. Maybe he’ll do that, then get traded, then recover due to the change of scenery. But we’re getting way ahead of ourselves now.
Great Night
Two points: All the records I see indicate Gene Mauch won 646 games as Phillies manager, so I think Charlie Manuel has tied him, not passed him, as the winningest manager in team history.
Second point, all this talk about the Phillies in 1964 having blown a lead as big as what the Braves just did – 8.5 games ahead in September – is misleading since the Phillies never led the National League that season by more than 6.5 games. They did have a lead of 8.5 over St. Louis in early September but at the same time they were only ahead of Cincinnati or San Francisco by 6.5 or less. The Braves had a clear lead of 8.5 over St. Louis. They should be recognized for holding the record alone.
by phillyinportland on Sep 29, 2011 5:37 AM EDT reply actions
Baseball Reference tells us Gene Mauch was cremated. Thought everyone should know.
I felt like I thought it hit me - Chase Utley
That is a very strange thing to note, but then they also say where dead players are buried. For example, Harry Wright’s (636 wins) remains are at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd.
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Celebrating over 50 years of slightly more Phils wins than losses: 1961-2011
I thought I might feel kind of meh this morning, but I am still giddy.
Why look'st thou so?' -"With my crossbow
I shot the Albatross."
by RememberthePhitans on Sep 29, 2011 7:10 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Even NPR was gushing about last night’s events
by taco pal on Sep 29, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
NPR gushing: Yes that’s very nice….Yes I agree……this reminds me of that pie I made in 1983….
Sometimes I make a good comment. Sometimes I make a bad one. Really it's all a crapshoot.
by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 29, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
He suggested that the Braves should trade Jason Heyward because he had a bad year and might not develop into an elite player.
I just watched the ending of the Sox-Orioles game. The O’s players were more than we-won-the-game happy. They were we-fucked-the-Sox happy. It was quite a sight.
I don’t blame them for celebrating like it was the WS. The O’s have been shit all over for the better part of 20 years by the Yanks/Sox
It really was a joy to watch a bunch of guys who were nowhere near close to contending all year celebrate like they’d just won the pennant.
by ThinMountainAir on Sep 29, 2011 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely, and especially for a team that has been irrelevant for years. Not only are they not a very good team, but they are buried in the AL East behind the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and even the Blue Jays are no slouch. And to have a moment like that on the biggest possible stage, that has got to be a great feeling for the players. Good for them and good for the Orioles fans.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Matt Gelb’s article from last night: Some astounding stats from 2011
summarized:
- first, to get it out of the way, they set a team record with only 74 errors (which more than anything highlights the problem with relying on #s of errors for judging defensive ability)
more impressively…
- team ERA of 3.02 is the lowest Phillies team ERA since 1917
- led the NL in ERA for the first time since 1952
- it was the lowest team ERA since the Dodgers’ 2.95 in 1989
- K to BB ratio of 3.22 was the second highest in history (behind only Minnesota’s 3.27 in 2006)
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Celebrating over 50 years of slightly more Phils wins than losses: 1961-2011
by schmenkman on Sep 29, 2011 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Good for the Phils setting a franchise win record. Bad that they have to go against the Cardinals now. I don’t much like this upcoming series.
suck it up
http://www.thegoodphight.com
by WholeCamels on Sep 29, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
only fans I know who immediately after casting a death blow are feeling tentative towards their next opponent, who is 3 days away…
I eat sentimentality for breakfast, but stats stop me dead in my tracks
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Sep 29, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
It was all good just a week ago, Braves feel themselves
Watch the Phillies sweep, Braves kill themselves.
Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses. Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive
by Eaglesadvocate on Sep 29, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions
After nine games, the Red Sox were 2-7 and the Rays were 1-8. A lot of people were wondering if the Sox could recover and make the playoffs; I don’t remember anyone wondering the same thing about the Rays.
In games 10 and 11, they went head-to-head, and the Rays won both (a third game was rained out). Funny how we miss the clues life gives us.
Long after the fact
Sometime last night I thought how similar Dan Johnson’s season was to John Bowker’s. His season-saving home run would be akin to the Phillies coming down to a spot where John Bowker was sent up to the plate with his .133/.188/.167, hitless since April 25th – and asked to keep the game alive.
Bowker had put up a 4-30 line for the season with one double and two RBIs. His career OPS is .664. Johnson has a better resume overall, but this season his average was .108, 9-83, with one double, one homer and three RBIs before last night. His career OPS is .739. His last hit was on April 27th. It just goes to show how even the unlikeliest event can happen in baseball.
by phillyinportland on Sep 29, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Playoff teams by payroll rank
NY (1), Phil (2), Det (10), StL (11), Tex (13), Milw (17), Arizona (25), Tampa (29).
As per Richard Justice
Sometimes I make a good comment. Sometimes I make a bad one. Really it's all a crapshoot.
by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 29, 2011 11:03 AM EDT reply actions
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