2007 Baseball Season is about to start--talk about anything you want

[pilferk]

As much as I'd love to pile on the Yankees for shitting the bed, I have to give a great deal of credit to the Rockies.  They have been playing MUCH better ball of late (best record in the majors the last 30 games or so, took 2 of  3 AT Fenway last week).  And I don't have the stats to back it up, but pitching/hitting at Coors field ain't what it used to be.  Sure there are still plenty of runs scored in the thin air, but the days of routine double digit scores seem to be over.  Up until the last couple years I NEVER would've touched a Colorado pitcher for my fantasy teams but I had Fuentes his first year as a closer and have had Jeff Francis the last 2 years.  I used to avoid starting guys when they pitched at Colorado, not anymore, for the most part.

The Rockies pitchers certainly overperformed their season stats...can't take away from that.  They did it by staying away from contact, and getting WAY ahead in the counts to the Yanks hitters (it seemed like every count was 0-2 or 1-2) who weren't patient at all.  THAT's when this lineup has it' biggest issues and "falls asleep"...when they get over-anxious at the plate.  In addition, the Rockies are the exact type of team the Yanks have had trouble against the past few years: Fast, lots of speed on the bases, and willing to play "small ball" rather than slug it out with the Yanks.

The games were not AWFUL losses...they were all close, but they hurt more because the Tigers and Sox were able to win their games.

On the Coors field...since the humidor was put in, it's not the homer dome it once was.  Still, last year there were more doubles and triples hit in that park than any other park in the NL....and maybe in MLB (I'll have to check).  While, again since the advent of the humidor, it's not a 10 run ballpark anymore, it's still a hitters park, and one that SHOULD have, in theory, helped the Yanks offense.  Instead, they all looked like they had altitude sickness and were rushing at the plate.

[Krispy Kreme]

Sosa hit number 600 this week against the Cubbies. He is on pace  for  a 100 RBI season. Is  he  a Hall of Famer (one of only 5 persons ever  to hit 600 or more homers)? And does  he get comeback player of the year if he gets 100 RBIs?

I say yes to both.

[sandman]

Phillies Closing in on 10,000!

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Mitch Williams was signing autographs before the Philadelphia Phillies played an interleague game last week when a young boy spotted the former reliever in the suite level.

"Dad, dad, who's that guy?" the excited voice shouted. "Did he play for the Phillies?"
The father stared toward the pitcher once known as "Wild Thing," and muttered a profanity under his breath. He shook his head and turned away before answering the child's question.

"Well, son, that's the bum who blew the '93 World Series for us. He broke our hearts," said Ralph Venuto, a 37-year-old lifelong Phillies fan.

Without hesitation, 6-year-old Matthew looked up at his pop and replied in typical Philly fashion: "He stinks!"

Fourteen years later, some still haven't forgiven Williams for surrendering the game-ending homer to Joe Carter that gave the Toronto Blue Jays their second consecutive World Series title. It was an agonizing defeat for a team - and a city - that's too familiar with losing.

No franchise in any sport has lost more games than the futile Phillies. Now, they're nearing an ignominious mark: 10,000 losses. Going into Friday night's game at St. Louis, the Phillies were 10 shy of that unimaginable number.

It would take one loss every day for more than 27 years to reach 10,000. To make it worse, the Phillies have just one World Series championship (1980) in 125 years.

"If you've been around that long, you're going to have a couple losses," reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard said, minimizing a milestone the current players would rather not discuss.

In a hard-core sports town with passionate fans starved for a championship - it's been 24 years since the 76ers captured the NBA title - a few of the faithful have chosen to embrace the moment and commemorate many years of misery.

One Web site, celebrate10000.com, offers long-suffering fans an opportunity to share stories and buy a T-shirt or pint glass stamped with the box score from the 10,000th loss. Site founder Charley Debow is a season-ticket holder who grew up in nearby Willow Grove.

"It's not to throw mud in the Phillies' faces," the 28-year-old said. "It's to show the city and the world that Phillies fans are a different breed. To go through all the losing and we still follow them. Every year when spring training comes, we forget about last year."

Some fans want to celebrate with a parade on Broad Street, a tradition normally reserved for championship parties and the annual Mummers march on New Year's Day, Philly's version of Mardi Gras.

"I was 3 when the Sixers won, so I don't remember it," said Joe DiRenzi of South Philadelphia. "At the rate these teams are going, I might be 50 before somebody wins again. Might as well celebrate this. We're the best at losing."

Don't expect the Phillies to go along with any wild plans. They won't set off fireworks, flash "10,000" on their giant video screen or even acknowledge the dubious achievement. And, really, why should they?

"We don't celebrate losing," said Larry Shenk, vice president of public relations. "In my lifetime, the only team that celebrates losing is the Washington Generals when they play the Harlem Globetrotters."

Shenk joined the team in 1964 - the year of the infamous collapse when the Phillies held a 6 1/2-game lead with 12 to play only to blow the National League pennant by losing 10 straight.

A generation of fans remains haunted by the way that season ended. Old-timers still blame manager Gene Mauch for panicking and starting aces Jim Bunning and Chris Short seven times during the losing streak. Those who witnessed Cincinnati's Chico Ruiz steal home with slugger Frank Robinson at the plate in the 1-0 loss that started the skid still have nightmares about that play.

"The Reds manager (Dick Sisler) said if Ruiz would've been thrown out, he should've just kept running back to the minors. Nobody did that with Robinson at the plate," said Joe Cammarota, a fan since 1943.

Thrifty owners concerned more about the bottom line than winning it all have plagued the Phillies throughout the years. Even when they spent the big bucks, it didn't always pan out. High-priced free agents often flopped in Philly. Die-hards still shudder when they hear the names of Lance Parrish, Gregg Jefferies and Danny Tartabull.

Sometimes rewarding their own All-Stars backfired. Lenny Dykstra ($25 million) and Darren Daulton ($18 million) signed huge contracts after helping the Phillies win the pennant in 1993. Neither played 100 games in any season afterward due to injuries.

Pat Burrell ($50 million) earned a hefty deal after a breakout year in 2002, but his inconsistent performance has made him a whipping boy for frustrated fans.

It's not uncommon to see star players demand trades, either. Curt Schilling and Scott Rolen forced their way out of Philadelphia and won championships elsewhere. Others like J.D. Drew - yes, he's the guy who had batteries tossed at him from the stands - refused to come here.

There were plenty of foolish trades along the way, too. In 1917, pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander was sent to the Chicago Cubs after three consecutive 30-win seasons. Pitcher Ferguson Jenkins (1966) and second baseman Ryne Sandberg (1982) also had Hall of Fame careers after being traded to the Cubs. And, the still active Julio Franco was one of five players sent to the Cleveland Indians for Von Hayes a quarter-century ago.

It was just an odd coincidence that pitcher Don Cardwell tossed a no-hitter just two days after he was traded to the Cubs in 1960. At least the Phillies got second baseman Tony Taylor in that deal.

Fans were thrilled when All-Star pitcher Freddy Garcia was acquired last December. But, Garcia has one win and a shoulder injury that may require season-ending surgery. By the way, he's making $10 million this year.

Somehow the wrong brother always ended up in Philadelphia. Vince DiMaggio, Frank Torre, Ken Brett and Mike Maddux played for the Phillies. Joe DiMaggio, Joe Torre, George Brett and Greg Maddux never did.

Originally called the Philadelphia Quakers, the team's name was changed to "Phillies" in 1890. Though they briefly used the alternate name "Blue Jays" in 1943-44, the Phillies are the oldest continuous one-nickname, one-city franchise in American professional sports.

The Quakers replaced the disbanded Worcester Worcesters and played their first game on May 1, 1883. Of course, they lost that one and finished 17-81 in their inaugural season.

In 1904, the Phillies lost 100 games for the first time. They would reach triple digits in defeats 12 times from 1921 to 1945. A 23-game losing streak in 1961 - the only year the Phillies lost 100 games since '45 - is the longest in baseball's modern era.

It hasn't always been losing and bad times, though. A close look at the numbers shows the Phillies actually have a winning record in two of the three centuries they've existed. They had a .518 winning percentage in the 1800s and entered this season at .508 in the 2000s. The 1900s were tough, with 1,290 more losses than wins.

Since moving to Veterans Stadium in 1971 and then to Citizens Bank Park in 2004, the Phillies have posted a winning record overall.

Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Chuck Klein, Richie Ashburn, Ed Delahanty, Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts and Bunning played in Philadelphia all or most of their careers.

And, the Phillies have the Phanatic, one of the more entertaining mascots around.

The Phillies captured the first of five NL pennants in 1915, but lost the World Series to Babe Ruth and the Boston Red Sox in five games.

It took 35 years for the Phillies to return to the World Series only to get swept by the New York Yankees in 1950. Led by Ashburn, Roberts, Del Ennis and other youngsters, the "Whiz Kids" were supposed to be no match for the mighty Yankees. But the first three losses were each by one run, including a 1-0 margin in the series opener when relief specialist Jim Konstanty was called on to start.

"That was the toughest loss," said Maje McDonnell, a coach on the '50 team. "We could've had them if we won that first game."

The late 1970s were the glory days around here. Schmidt, Carlton, Greg Luzinski and Larry Bowa helped the Phillies win the NL East division three straight years from 1976-78. But they failed to win the pennant each time.

After adding Pete Rose in free agency and replacing manager Danny Ozark with the fiery Dallas Green in 1979, the Phillies finally won it all in 1980. A thrilling five-game NLCS against the Houston Astros featured several comebacks and four extra-inning contests. Still, the Phillies had enough left to beat the Kansas City Royals in six games in the World Series.

The image of Tug McGraw throwing his hands in the air and leaping off the mound after striking out Willie Wilson to clinch the championship is a permanent fixture in every fan's mind.

When the Phillies lost to the Baltimore Orioles in the 1983 World Series, they were an aging team finishing a fine run.
 
A stretch of losing followed with only one trip to the playoffs in the past 24 years. The Phillies came close the last two seasons, battling for an NL wild-card spot down the stretch before disappointing in the final weekend.

With young stars like Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels, this team could be contending for a while. If they don't make the playoffs soon, fans will blame manager Charlie Manuel, perhaps the most ridiculed man in team history.

After all, booing is as much a part of Philadelphia as the Liberty Bell and cheesesteaks.

[freedom78]

Phillies Closing in on 10,000!

Thank you.  You've given a Cubs fan a reason to smile.   

[pilferk]

Phillies Closing in on 10,000!

Why are you torturing yourself?  You must love self-flagellation.

[sandman]

Phillies Closing in on 10,000!

Why are you torturing yourself?? You must love self-flagellation.

24 years of losing...i guess i'm used to it. 

[sandman]

that was great seeing gold glove winner bobby abreu getting chewed out on the bench by torre for more pathetic OF play. i love it. and he thought philly was rough. 

phils are only 2.5 games out with a 4 game series vs. the mets coming up. unfortunately, due to injuries we'll be starting two call-ups in two of the games, while the mets will be starting their top 4 SPs.

[Krispy Kreme]

Royals sweep the Angels  to close  within 13 games  of .500!!!
Next thing  you know, the Royals will escape the cellar for the first time since.....well, forever.

[Krispy Kreme]

Frank Thomas hits homer number 500--is he Hall of Fame material? never  used steroids or anything else. let's say he plays this year and next, ends up with  like 540-550  homers  total. Is  he  in?

[faldor]

Frank Thomas hits homer number 500--is he Hall of Fame material? never? used steroids or anything else. let's say he plays this year and next, ends up with? like 540-550? homers? total. Is? he? in?

Absolutely HOF, he was putting up monstrous numbers for most of the 90's.  He had a few bad years but bounced back nicely.  He's a no doubter, first ballot in my mind.

[tim_m]

Frank Thomas hits homer number 500--is he Hall of Fame material? never  used steroids or anything else. let's say he plays this year and next, ends up with  like 540-550  homers  total. Is  he  in?

Absolutely HOF, he was putting up monstrous numbers for most of the 90's.  He had a few bad years but bounced back nicely.  He's a no doubter, first ballot in my mind.

I would have to agree. HOFer all the way.

[freedom78]

Frank Thomas hits homer number 500--is he Hall of Fame material? never  used steroids or anything else. let's say he plays this year and next, ends up with  like 540-550  homers  total. Is  he  in?

I think he's in, but not a first balloter.  Any sluggers in the roids era are probably going to struggle to be first ballot...if only because self-righteous writers want to at least hint at some sort of contempt for those about whom they write (and off of whom they make their living, I might add). 

[faldor]

Frank Thomas hits homer number 500--is he Hall of Fame material? never? used steroids or anything else. let's say he plays this year and next, ends up with? like 540-550? homers? total. Is? he? in?

I think he's in, but not a first balloter.? Any sluggers in the roids era are probably going to struggle to be first ballot...if only because self-righteous writers want to at least hint at some sort of contempt for those about whom they write (and off of whom they make their living, I might add).?

Thomas' career BA has dropped greatly in the 21st century, down to .303 now (still very good).  But from 1990-2000 his BA/HR/RBI were as follows - .330/7/31, .318/32/109, .323/24/115, .317/41/128, .353/38/101, .308/40/111, .349/40/134, .347/35/125, .265/29/109, .305/15/77, .328/43/143.

I think you could argue heavily that Thomas was the 3rd best player in the majors in the 90's behind Bonds and Griffey.  As for the steroid issue, the Big Hurt has never really been under speculation.  He's a well respected individual, unlike Bonds.  No scandals, that shouldn't have an impact on his HOF consideration.

[mikegiuliana]

all I can say is I'm glad the yanks got the rocket, he can save them now cashman out, torre out.. lets go mets..

[Krispy Kreme]

Bonds, in a last minute  push, gets voted into the All Star game  by the fans. Imagine that.

[freedom78]

Bonds, in a last minute  push, gets voted into the All Star game  by the fans. Imagine that.

Yeah, but those fans votes had extra power, because this is the 'roids era. 

[Krispy Kreme]

So it's like 1 vote  = 2 votes. 

[Krispy Kreme]

There's a lot going  on...

Clemens wins number  350.

Padres trade for Milton Bradley ( )

Randy Johnson goes on the DL again with a bad  back, third  time this season. I bet  this is it for him. Last season.

Cubbies  have gotten hot and may make a  push in the second  half.

Best  of all, wife  of A-Rod wears a t-shirt to the ballpark that says "Fuck You" on the back. How  fitting. I guess  that is how they, or she, feels  about NY. You sort of wonder  about her  thought process and how she felt  that might be appropriate  for a sport that tries  to sell itself  to young people.

[freedom78]

Cubbies  have gotten hot and may make a  push in the second  half.

I'm not sure what to think about my Cubbies chances, and what they should do.  It's easy to say they should make a trade, and they certainly have too many outfielders, but what do they need?  The bullpen hasn't done great (much better lately), though if they pitch like they're capable, it should be a team strength.  The bats are suddenly alive.  The starters seem to have bounced back from any rough patches.  If this team plays as capable, they should go on a tear during the second half, and they still have a chance to win the division.   

When they won the Central in 2003, they made some key trades, acquiring Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez, but those filled very specific needs, after their center fielder was lost for the year and Mark Bellhorn (at 3rd) wasn't hitting for them.  Now, when they've had poor play or injuries, they've called up players from the minors who have done really well.  Maybe if a team has a good bullpen arm and wants an outfielder, but I just don't see an obvious way to go, before the end of the month. 

Then again, when you've won ten of eleven, it's easy to feel that way.   

[Krispy Kreme]

I am pulling for  the Cubbies! Was born in Chicago, haven't been there in years, but the Cubs  hold a soft spot in my heart forever.