Winning on the Long Ball

by pacino on Aug 29, 2006 12:21 PM EDT

Lost in all the talk about the burgeoning team chemistry was this little nugget buried at the bottom of Yahoo's recap of Monday's 8-3 loss to the Mets:

The Phillies have hit 38 homers this month. The team record for August is 39, set in 2004. Howard tied Mike Schmidt for the club record for homers in August with his 12th this month. Schmidt hit 12 in August 1975.

Who'd have thunk it, huh? All this team chemistry, small-ball and willing to victory has produced probably the best power output for the Phillies of all-time, for both an individual (Howard) and the team. Somehow this has gotten such esteemed experts as John Marzano, who continues to beat on 'the little things' night after night from his cozy chair at Comcast Sportsnet's studios.

But let's not all turn into little Johnny Marz's...spread the word about the Phillies power, as I have done. Take note that our MVP-candidate is Ryan Howard, and not little-ball master Abe Nunez. Take note that our leadoff hitter doesn't have to steal first, or second, when he hits a double. And in fact, he can just jog around the bases when he hits a homer. Pat Burrell may take a lot of called thirds, but the many does belt some over the fence, and also gets on base at a healthy clip. Our second baseman is thought of as the best in the league not for his 'grit', but for the way he hits. People just like him more because his jersey gets dirty. David Dellucci has provided a healthy batting average, a healthy eye, and a helping of doubles and homers.

This is the Phillies' bread and butter folks. Power. Pure, uncompromising power. Learn to love it. Leading the Majors in runs since the all-star break takes a bit more than bunting guys over and stealing bases.

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personally

since they lead the league also in OBP, Hits, and BA which leaves good pitches see. They are killing the month of aug. in runs and rbi.

"Take note that our leadoff hitter doesn't have to steal first, or second, when he hits a double. And in fact, he can just jog around the bases when he hits a homer"

that statement right there is why Rollins is a good leadoff hitter, and dont forget when on first he can steal.

by Philsin06 on Aug 29, 2006 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

re

You got some of what I was trying to convey, but not all of it

http://hugetinymistake.wordpress.com/

by pacino on Aug 29, 2006 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Rollins

Compared to the stomach-turning alternative that's now being rumored on mlb.com--I can't even type the name through my nausea, but it rhymes with Ron Sucking Thee Air--Rollins is a golden god of the leadoff spot.

As discussed in other threads, if the Phils had a viable alternative (maybe Bourn or Victorino down the road) with a higher on-base percentage, I'd prefer he hit 2nd or 6th where his power would produce more runs. But he provides a lot of value leading off.

I think pacino's point--which I agree with--holds for the 2006 Phils as it did for the 2005 White Sox. While media types for some reason prefer to ascribe success to grit, hustle, and the sacrifice bunt, the best way to score runs is still to hit the ball out of the yard. Other things being equal, teams that do that more tend to fare better. One could argue that with the pre-August Phils, other things weren't equal, but that's a separate discussion.

by dajafi on Aug 29, 2006 5:03 PM EDT reply actions