Thome Nears 600th Homer: Does Anybody Care?

 

My Fellow Phans,

So, I’m taking a break from our current Phillies to look back at a past Philadelphia superstar nearing a milestone.

I’m sure you don’t have to be an avid baseball watcher or, even a baseball watcher at all, to know that Derek Jeter joined the impressive 3000 hit club this season. I mean, how could you miss it? The media was swooning over this one event. We couldn’t hear enough about Jeter and his quest for 3000 from ESPN and other networks.

Now don’t get me wrong. I offered Jeter nothing but my personal congrats on his historical achievement. I just didn’t understand why it was the only thing to talk about.

Well, that day has long passed and now we sit with another superstar on the brink of a milestone although you wouldn’t know it by the media coverage. In fact, anyone that doesn’t watch the game regularly, lives in the city of New York, or dwells in a market outside of those in  Cleveland, Philadelphia, or Minnesota may not know at all that first baseman Jim Thome sits on the brink of 600 career homers. 

I scrolled eagerly through the ESPN MLB Page in search of any recognition of Thome’s pending accomplishment. At first I found nothing. So, after I scanned through twice quickly, I finally searched for Thome’s name on the page and found it only once. About two-thirds of the way down on the right side was a small “Thome Tracker”. A small square stating Thome’s career homer status and next game. It was hidden and may be easily passed by anyone that didn’t know what to look for. At least ESPN gives some acknowledgement. Yahoo’s MLB page doesn’t contain ay information on Thome anywhere on it.

Now I ask you, what gives with the lack of coverage for one of the most well liked, fan friendly players in the game today?

Here is a man that powered massive home run totals during an era when players’ muscles outweighed their bodies due to the supplements they took. Nearly all of the big “power” hitters during that era were accused and later discovered to have “cheated” the game in some fashion or another. One hitter whose name was never mentioned in those headlines: Mr. Jim Thome. He played the game right his entire life and now, thanks for a select bunch of chumps, is being pushed aside on the brink of an elite club.

Not many players have reached the 600 home run plateau. Even fewer have with an untarnished mark. Those include Hall of Famers Hark Aaron, Babe Ruth, and future first-ballot inductee Ken Griffey Jr. Other players such as Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa have had their records tarnished forever due to steroids.

Why does Thome mean so little to everyone? The man is a future Hall of Famer and a staple gentleman. In 2009, the man was voted by his peers as the nicest ballplayer in the game. I mean, I think the man has earned his due.

The lack of media attention in this quest a total slap in the face. I’m sure Thome wouldn’t be the one to complain, but as a huge fan of Jim’s since his days in Philadelphia, it is something that really bugs me.

It makes you ask yourself what really makes Jeter and Thome that much different?

The answer is a resounding… nothing.

I know he’s not a Yankee and never played in a major market, Philadelphia wasn’t really a major market when he played, but why treat him any differently? Whether you play in New York or you play in Minnesota, there is no change in difficulty in achieving these milestones.  A location should not make one milestone any more important than the other.

If you want to get technical, four times as many people have obtained 3000 hits compared to 600 home runs…

So, it begs the question, which milestone is more impressive?

Both Jeter and Thome are going to achieve or have achieved grand milestones this season, and only one is getting the coverage he deserves.

That needs to change. Now.

Give Jim Thome and his 598 homers the coverage they both so richly deserve. Let one of the good guys of the game how much you appreciate what he has done in his career.

Make it fast since this great milestone will come much faster than you know.

T-Minus 2 homers and counting…

Note: In honor of Thome’s milestone, I have added a Thome Countdown on the right side of my blog. I will update it daily if his home run total changes. If national media outlets won’t give him credit, I will do my best to give him some credit. Sadly, tonight it seems he is off so his total may not change. 

Nemesis Returns: Phillies face Giants in Critical Series

 

My Fellow Phans,

We sit just a few hours away from the opening game of the Phillies’ four game series against the Giants. Now, this is a pretty big deal. Defending NLCS foes are facing off; two of , if not, the best pitching staffs in all of baseball are going to head to head.

However, this series means so much more to the Phillies than just in the standings. Last season, the Phillies had the best record in the majors, as they do this season, and were taken out by San Francisco in the postseason.  The Phillies need this series to prove something to the Giants, the league, and most importantly, themselves.

Dating back to last year’s postseason, the Phillies have barely touched any of the Giants top pitchers. They have fizzled against Lincecum, despite the overly high number of baserunners via walks hes allowed. They have been slain by Cain and even have their share of share of struggles against the overly obnoxious Jonathan Sanchez. The only starter they seemed to have any luck against is Barry Zito, whom the Phillies will probably not see again this season.

So, why should this be an issue? “They’re not in our heads,” Charlie Manuel said last week. “I don’t think so. Really, I don’t think so at all.”

Whether or not, Charlie is correct in his assumption. The Phillies need to put together a good showing in these four games. The Giants are riding high on their cocky swagger with their immature teenage haircuts, rodeo clown attitudes, and fakely extended beards.

The Phillies need to knock the Giants down a peg. Show these guys that the Phillies are the true champs of the NL and that they will have serious troubles with us come October.

Put these Hairy Giants back in their place, Phillies.

“I think we can get ‘em, if you want to know the truth,” Charlie Manuel said. “I know we can get ‘em. It’s just a matter of us putting it together and for us to play the right way.”

Well, the time to play the right way is now, boys.

Let’s take them down!

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Well, now that that is out of the way, here is the primary information for this series:

Phillies (71-39 1st- NL EAST) @ SF Giants (62-49 1st – NL West)

All Games in EST

Thursday, August 4:

10:15 @ AT&T Park – CSN

Cliff Lee (10-7 3.14) vs. Madison Bumgarner (6-10 3.80)

Friday, August 5:

10:15 @ AT&T Park – CSN

Vance Worley (7-1 2.33) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (4-5 3.81)

Saturday, August 6:

4:10 @ AT&T Park – Fox 29

Cole Hamels (12-6 2.62) vs. Matt Cain (9-7 3.10)

Sunday, August 7:

4:05 @ AT&T Park – PHL 17

Roy Oswalt (4-6 3.79) vs. Tim Lincecum (9-9 2.77)

Bring it on San Francisco!

Until we meet again Phillies Phans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!

Phillies (68-39) @ Colorado Rockies (51-57)

 

My Fellow Phans,

Our Phillies are riding on a 3-game winning streak. After a miserable series against the Giants, the offense bounced back, Hunter Pence was acquired and the Phillies went on to sweep the upstart Pirates. I apologize for the lack of preview for the Giants series, I was down the shore last weekend and barely got any chance to get online.

Pence is top notch talent and will help this team much more than anybody can imagine right now.

The Phillies are leaving the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park and venturing onto a big 10 West Coast road trip through Colorado, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

West coast trips are always tough and this one is no different. The Phillies  could win a bunch of games on this trip, but let’s let the games play out before we make any bold predictions…First stop: Coors Field in Colorado.

Phillies (68-39; 1st – NL East)  vs. Rockies (51-57; 3rd – NL West):  

(All Game times are in EST)

Monday, August 1:

8:40pm @ Coors Field – CSN

Cole Hamels (12-6 2.61) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (8-8 3.50)

Tuesday, August 2:

8:40pm @ Coors Field – CSN

Kyle Kendrick (5-5 3.52) vs. Aaron Cook (2-5 5.05)

Wednesday, August 3:

3:10pm @ Coors Field – CSN

Roy Halladay (13-4 2.44) vs. Jason Hammel (6-10 4.65)

Breakdown:

The Phillies are facing a couple familiar foes this series.

Chacin pitched back when the Rockies came to Citizens Bank Park. He surrendered just a single run in 7 strong innings in a winning effort against the Phillies. He pitched against Kyle Kendick, who gave up 5 runs in 3 innings. The Phillies lost the game, 7-1. Chacin leads the Rockies in Wins, ERA, Innings, and Strikeouts. With Ubaldo Jimenez gone, this guy is essentially the ace of the staff.

Remember Aaron Cook? - We haven’t face Cook in awhile although from what I remember about him, he always pitches well against the Phillies. His career stats beg to differ: (1-6 6.05 ERA). I still remember him pitching a 1-0 game against Brett Myers. If I recall correctly Ryan Howard hit a solo homer off of Cook for the lone run…So after mentioning the game, I decided to look it up and I was dead on. Here is the box score of Cook' best start against the Phillies.

The Rockies have a solid offense having scored the 5th most runs in the National League. Our aces will look to put a stop to that. They bring with them, the best power hitting shortstop in baseball with Troy Tulowitski and a perennial 5-tool star in outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. Don’t forget to look out for first baseman, and future HOFer, at least in my book, Todd Helton. He’s having yet another good season.

They are a good team on their home field at Colorado. The Phillies will need to be on their toes to win this series.

Analysis:

The last time the Phillies played the Rockies, they scored just 3 runs in a brief 2 game series in Philadelphia.

I think they will score more than 1.5 runs a game this series. Right now, the Phillies are in a groove. Pence was a bow put on a lineup that showed some serious life last month.

If the lineup continues to produce, the Phillies will easily win this series. If not, it will be a dogfight through these next three games against the Rockies.

The Phillies need to concentrate on the Rockies before their big 4-game series with the Giants starts. Just because the Rockies are a sub-500 team, it doesn’t make them a bad team. They are just a talented bunch that came under some hard times this season.

I think they win this series.

Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Reading and Go Phillies

Welcome to Philadelphia, Hunter Pence!

 

This past week, the Phillies made a big splash with the acquisition of star right fielder, Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros.

Now, Before I go ahead with your preview for this Rockies series. I thought I would take a post here and offer a big Philadelphia welcome to Mr. Hunter Pence.

Ever since his entry into the league, Pence has been one of the most dynamic players in the game. He’s got a nice skill set; speed, power, hitting for average, and one hell of an outfield arm.

I heard some people questioned acquiring him. I read a report that stated he was not the right hitter to bat behind and protect Ryan Howard. I have to say that I highly disagree with all of these sentiments. Pence brings a lot to the table and will assist greatly here in Philly.

At the plate, the Phillies got a .300 hitter. He’s right handed and fits in nicely in that 5th spot. He is that right handed bat that the Phillies have been “lacking” all season. Not to mention, he has the capabilities of hitting the ball out of the park on a routine basis.

In the field, we have a serious defensive upgrade over Domonick Brown and gives the Phillies, with Shane Victorino,  two of the best outfield arms in the game.

Pence is a 5-tool All-Star. Granted his power numbers may be down this year, but he still is an elite hitter in the game and one to be feared.

On top of all this. I think his best attribute is his personalities. He’s relaxed, yet gritty and hard-paying. He’ll give 110% night in and night out.

He’s the type of player that fans in this town will instantly fall in love with, if they haven’t already.

He’s the type of player that’s a perfect fit for this team.

Welcome to Philadelphia, Hunter Pence!

SF Giants (59-43) @ Philadelphia Phillies (64-37)

 

My Fellow Phans,

So the Phillies are coming off of a series win against the Padres although they did miss a golden chance to sweep them yesterday.

Next they face the Giants. It is the matchup that all fans in this area have been waiting for since the Phillies’ season last year was ended by SF in the NLCS. Excitement is building and for some, tension is high as the defending World Champions come to town.

Bruce Bochy got his wish as you will see with the pitching matchups this series. His scheming during the All-Star Game set up a series against the Phillies minus the top 2 in the Phillies rotation; Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.

That doesn’t mean the Phillies are going into this series unarmed. I still believe in our chances to win this series despite the Bochy Factor.

A last second note was handed to me a few moments ago. Tim Lincecum, tonight’s scheduled starter, has been scratched from his start. Barry Zito will pitch in his place. With this new change, I am flip flopping the two players in my preview. There is no, I repeat no, confirmation of Timothea pitching tomorrow, but for now I am listing him as the opponent to Cole Hamels.

Giants / Phillies Preview:

Tuesday, July 26:

7:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – myPHL17

Vance Worley (6-1 2.02) vs. Barry Zito (3-2 4.78)

Wednesday, July 27:

7:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – CSN & ESPN

Cole Hamels (12-5 2.62) vs. Tim Lincecum (8-8 2.90) *

Thursday, July 28:

7:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – CSN

Kyle Kendrick (5-4 3.45) vs. Matt Cain (8-6 3.06)

Breakdown:

At first glance, the Phillies look overmatched this series. However, I believe this to be far off. The Phillies and Giants are very similar teams. Both have excellent rotations with average lineups. The Giants edge the Phillies in ERA, but sit next to last, behind their division rival, the Padres in runs scored.

Yes, the Phillies will be facing a tough staff, but the light-hitting Giants lineup will be facing some quality starting pitching as well. In just pitching matchups alone, the Giants have a slight edge, but overall the Phillies have a stronger offensive club.

Analysis:

Before we all panic about this series, remember that the Phillies have beaten Matt Cain a few times before. Even the Giants appear weary of him pitching in Philadelphia, look at last' year’s NLCS for proof of this. We also beat Barry Zito too.

I think the Phillies can win 2-of-3 this series. Yes, I will warn all you fans now; this will be an excruciatingly tough series to watch offensively. Matt Cain is a flyball pitcher pitching in a hitter friendly ballpark where the ball flies during warm weather. Let’s hope the Phillies can take advantage.

I will keep tabs on this Lincecum situation and do my best to update you accordingly.

Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy Reading and Go Phillies

Lidge Back: Baez Put Down (& more Updates)

 

My Phillies Phans,

Today the Phillies announced that Brad Lidge has finally been activated and Dannys Baez has been designated for assignment.

Now on the field, Baez had his share of struggles as he went 2-4 with an abysmal 6.25 ERA during the 2011 season with the Phillies.

Ill admit, I am glad to see him go to some extent, but give the man some credit. He pitched a week’s worth of innings in a single game back during that 19 inning marathon against the Reds. Yes, stat-wise he wasn’t too good, but that game he gave it his all. I’ll also admit that I had forgotten that game recently with his struggles, but it is something that should never be forgotten.

A for Lidge, he has been battling arm injuries that caused him to miss the start of the season. Brad has worked hard to get himself back to this point and the hard work has paid off a he will debut tonight.

The right-hander was 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA during an eight-game rehabilitation stint with Class A Lakewood and Double-A Reading, walking two batters and striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings

Some people are badmouthing Lidge even before he has thrown a pitch this season. Anyone remember that the man threw to an 2.96 ERA last year. Can we give the man a shot before we crucify him again.

That’ all I am asking; patience people, patience. You guys are fans of one of the most frustrating teams, at times, in all of Major League Baseball. I see no reason why can’t be patient with Lidge.

Give the man a break; its only his first day.

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In other injury news:

- John Salisbury, via twitter, reports that Roy Oswalt is recovering nicely:  “Roy Oswalt is picking up rehab pace. He is pitching to hitters Mayberry, Brown, Francisco and Valdez right now at CBP.”

- Jose Contreras received a second opinion on his ailing arm that was just the same as the first. “He told me everything is OK, and I had just a little inflammation,” Contreras said. “There was no structural damage.” - Contreras could possibly return in mid-August.

- Joe Blanton’s situation has gone from bad to worse. Matt Gelb reports that Joe has stopped his throwing program and will return to Philadelphia for an examination by a physician. There is no real timetable for return.  Blanton is suffering from what has been diagnosed as “an impingement that is causing inflammation”. I am honestly not sure what that means, but it doesn’t sound good.

Blanton, who has still has 1 more season of his 3-year, 24 million dollar contract remaining, has started just 6 games this season composing 1-2 mark with a 5.50 ERA in 2011.

- Placido Polanco has been suffering from bulging disks in his back. He has, received injections for his injury and will be reevaluated next week.

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Rosters & Rumors:

- The Phillies signed 11th Round pick Tyler Greene. There were no details disclosed of the deal.

- The Phillies also added former Met and Diamondback Aaron Heilman to a minor league deal. The righty posted a 6.88 ERA in 32 games with Arizona before being released. I’m not sure if he will see time with the ballclub, but we shall see.

- In terms of rumors, the Phillies have been linked to such players as The Mets’ Carlos Beltran and Houston’s Hunter Pence with rookie righty Vance Worley as the key player involved.

Other players thrown around include The Padres’ Heath Bell, Mike Adams, and Ryan Ludwick as well as the Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez and the Royals’ Melky Cabrera.

* These are just names I have heard. There is most likely little truth to them, but I am just reported some things I am hearing.”

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Upcoming

The Phillies will open a four game series with the San Diego Padres tonight. Cole Hamels opens up against Padres’ lefty Cory Luebke.

Click here for more on that series.

Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies

San Diego Padres (44-55) @ Phillies (61-36)

 My Fellow Phans,

So, I am trying a new look to my series previews here. I thought it would be nice to give you some more information than I used to. Let me know what you all think. I welcome all comments and suggestions. Anyhoo, here is your new look series preview:


The first place Phillies are coming off an impressive series win over the Cubs and come home to entertain the 4th place San Diego Padres.

Here is your preview:

Friday, July 22:                                                                                                                                      7:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – CSN                                                                                                         Cole Hamels (11-5 2.71) vs. Cory Leubke (3-3 2.57)


Saturday, July 23:                                                                                                                                 4:10 @ Citizens Bank Park – Fox 29                                                                                                      Kyle Kendrick (5-4 3.34) vs. Matt Latos (5-10 4.02)


Sunday, July 24:                                                                                                                                   1:35 @ Citizens Bank Park – PHL 17                                                                                                     Roy Halladay (11-4 2.57) vs. Tim Stauffer (6-6 2.83)


Monday, July 25:                                                                                                                                  1:05 @ Citizens Bank Park – CSN                                                                                                          Cliff Lee (9-6 2.83) vs. Aaron Harang (8-2 3.29)

* All Games also on 1210 AM


Breakdown:
The Phillies begin a 10-game home stand with this four gamer against the Padres. San Diego has had a dismal year although, like most seasons, their pitching has been solid coupled with an horrible offense. Their team ERA is third best in the NL at 3.16 while they are dead last in runs scored and batting average.

That doesn’t mean that these guys are pushovers. Offensively, there is some talent there. They are led by outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who leads the team by a long shot with 11 homers and 61 RBIs. The lesser known offensive star of the Padres is third baseman Chase Headley (.299 2 HR 32 RBI).

Pitching wise, the Phillies will be facing a bunch of quality arms. The ironic part is that the best pitcher that they are facing this weekend may have the highest ERA of the bunch. Latos was a stud last year and there is no doubt that he has the stuff capable of shutting down this lineup. Although, it could really be said of any starter this weekend.

Analysis:
I don’t see the Phillies scoring as many runs as they did against the Cubs although, I can definitely see them winning 3 or 4 games this season especially with all three of their “aces” going.

Being at home we a chance to put some runs on the board. Our friendly confines usually suits the offense better especially compared to the gigantic Petco Park in San Diego. We are one of the best teams when playing at home this season and we should keep this up against the Padres.

With this optimism, I do offer some words of caution. This could possibly set up to be a trap series for our beloved Phillies. The Giants are lurking directly behind the Padres and we all know how everyone wants another shot at the defending champs. The Phillies shouldn’t overlook this light-hitting team. They have played particularly well against these guys in the past so let’s hope it continues this series.

Until We Meet Again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!