tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66556612781118760852024-02-20T21:08:34.338-05:00Philly Sports HistoryCovering Philly sports and the city's legendsJohn Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-78620116562122062762010-01-25T16:30:00.010-05:002010-01-26T06:49:24.230-05:00Will History Hurt Kentucky?Kentucky's rise to the Number 1 spot in both college basketball polls this week signals a major triumph for a program that was so bad last season it missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years and cost coach Billy Gillispie his job.<br /><br />What John Calipari has done in resurrecting Kentucky is virtually unprecedented and shows the power of recruiting. Why? The players flourishing at Kentucky could just as easily have been overwhelming Conference USA opponents as members of Calipari's old Memphis team this season.<br /><br />Four of Kentucky's top seven scorers are freshmen thanks to Calipari, including All-America candidate John Wall (17.0 ppg., 6.9 apg.), forward DeMarcus Cousins (15.4 ppg., 9.5 rpg.), and guard Eric Bledsoe (11.3 ppg.).<br /><br />Junior forward Patrick Patterson (15.9 ppg., 7.8 rpg.), a possible NBA early-entry candidate last year, is icing on the cake.<br /><br />The Wildcats still face an historical uphill battle this season.<br /><br />Syracuse in 2003 and Louisville in 1986 are the only teams since 1985 to win the national championship the year after missing the NCAA Tournament the previous year.<br /><br />For Syracuse, freshmen Carmelo Anthony and Gerry McNamara led the way, as well as Philly native sophomore Hakim Warrick.<br /><br />Before that, the 1986 Cardinals were led by--you guessed it--freshman Pervis Ellison, the tourney's Most Outstanding Player. The 1985 season was the first year 64 teams were invited to the tournament.<br /><br />Historical precedent offers Kentucky a good news/bad new scenario. Since '85, just four teams have even reached the national championship game after missing the tourney the preceding year: Georgia Tech in 2004, Syracuse in 2003, Michigan in 1992, and Louisville in 1986.<br /><br />The good news: Every team except Georgia Tech was led by freshmen in prominent roles. Syracuse had Anthony and McNamara, Michigan had the Fab Five, and Louisville featured Ellison.<br /><br />The Wildcats aren't the only team hoping to repeat the success of Syracuse and Louisville. Other current top 25 teams that missed last year's NCAA Tournament include Kansas State, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Mississippi, and Baylor.<br /><br />Are Kentucky's freshmen up to the challenge?John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-78024870255842007152009-11-03T17:40:00.004-05:002009-11-04T07:27:51.619-05:00Making HistoryThe last time the Phillies played a World Series Game 6, it ended with Joe Carter jumping around the bases after his Series-winning home run in 1993. With that unpleasant reminder out of the way, here are a few historical notes heading into tonight's do-or-die Game 6.<br /><br />Chase Utley, with his 5 World Series home runs this season, and Ryan Howard, with his 12 Series strikeouts, have tied major-league records, but there are plenty more records out there for this year's team.<br /><br />With 10 home runs already in this World Series, <a href="http://phillysportshistory.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-long-in-postseason.html">the Phillies now have 24 this postseason</a>, breaking last year's club record of 18. The major-league high is 27 held by the San Francisco Giants in 2002. Only the Rays last year and the Houston Astros in 2004--both had 26--have hit more in one postseason. (The Yankees this year have 5 against the Phillies and 19 overall.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/howarry01.shtml">Howard</a> holds the franchise playoff record with 25 career RBI (in 31 games), but he's not alone in breaking the old Phillies mark of 16 set by Mike Schmidt in 36 games. Shane Victorino (23 in 31 games), Utley (19 in 31), and Jayson Werth (17 in 30 games with the Phillies) did as well. And Raul Ibanez (13 in 14 games with the Phillies) and Carlos Ruiz (13 in 31) are close.<br /><br />Also, Howard's 15 RBIs this postseason is just 4 behind the all-time single-season record, currently held by Boston's David Ortiz in 2004, Anaheim's Scott Spiezio in 2002, and Cleveland's Sandy Alomar in 1997. However, New York's Alex Rodriguez has 18 this postseason.<br /><br />And one last follow-up on <a href="http://phillysportshistory.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-pinch.html">a previous post</a>, the Phillies still have yet to get a pinch-hit this postseason. Pinch-hitters or players who replaced starters are now 0-for-20 in 2009. The last Phillie to get a pinch-hit in the postseason was Geoff Jenkins, whose sixth-inning double in Game 5 last year ignited a rally.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-51342628853447674942009-10-31T19:29:00.005-04:002009-11-04T07:15:24.756-05:00In A PinchHow long has it been since a Phillies pinch-hitter got a postseason hit? The last guy to do it is no longer with the team.<br /><br />Players who either pinch-hit or replaced starters during the game are 0-15 this postseason. The blame can be shared across the board as four players are among the hitless. Miguel Cairo, not on the World Series roster, is 0-5 this postseason. Ben Francisco is 0-4 as a pinch-hitter or mid-game replacement, while Greg Dobbs is 0-4 and Matt Stairs is 0-2 with two walks.<br /><br />The last Phillie pinch-hitter to get a hit played a significant role in the team's 2008 World Series title. Geoff Jenkins ripped a sixth-inning double during the re-start of Game 5 in 2008.<br /><br />The last Phillie on the 2009 World Series roster to get a pinch-hit was...surprise, Eric Bruntlett, who hit a home run in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-45143882586814787202009-10-27T11:05:00.003-04:002009-10-27T11:21:45.432-04:00One And DoneHow important is it to win the first game of the World Series, especially if you're the visiting team? If history is any indication, it's simple: lose and you're toast.<br /><br />Only once in the last 26 World Series has the visiting team lost Game 1 and then won the Series. That occurred in 1992 when Toronto dropped the first game, but rallied to beat the Braves in six games.<br /><br />And it's not just the visitors who can't afford to lose Game 1. Just three teams have lost Game 1 in the last 21 World Series and still managed to win the series. Those were the Angels in 2002, the Yankees in 1996, and the Blue Jays in 1992.<br /><br />Historically, Phillies teams have done well in the first game of a postseason series, going 12-6. They're also 4-2 in the first game of the World Series, having lost Game 1 in 1950 and 1993.<br /><br />The current group of Phillies are 5-0 in the first game of their last five series, with their last loss coming in Game 1 of their 3-0 series loss to Colorado in 2007.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-10787223055700938552009-10-25T19:15:00.010-04:002009-10-25T23:27:09.543-04:00The Phillies' Postseason StarsIt can be easy to take this talented group of Phillies for granted, even with one World Series title and another possibly on the way. That's because they're the deepest team in Phillies history; when several players are off, several others step up.<br /><br />How else to explain the fact that six--six!--Phillies are having postseasons that so far rank among the best in team history. (On a <a href="http://phillysportshistory.blogspot.com/2009/10/phillies-nlcs-best-and-worst.html">previous blog entry</a>, I looked at the best single-series NLCS postseasons in team history.)<br /><br />For argument's sake, I'm considering only those players in team history who played at least two postseason series in one year, meaning players from 1915, 1950, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, and 2007 are disqualified. Jay Johnstone went 7-for-9 in 1976, but it's not fair to say he had the best-hitting postseason in team history. That means players from 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, and 2009 merit consideration.<br /><br />This year's top performers include NLCS MVP Ryan Howard--on pace for the best postseason in Phillies history--two-game winner Cliff Lee, earned-run-free Brad Lidge, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Surprisingly, neither Jimmy Rollins nor Chase Utley has enjoyed a noteworthy postseason either in 2008 or 2009.<br /><br />Including those six, whose final numbers depend on the 2009 World Series, here are the top postseasons in Phillies history, including the 10 best by everyday players and the seven best by pitchers.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Player Year G H BA R HR RBI OBP Slg % OPS</span><br /><ul><li>Ryan Howard 2009 9 11 .354 8 2 14 .461 .741 1.202</li><li>Lenny Dykstra 1993 12 15 .312 14 6 10 .450 .729 1.179</li><li>Shane Victorino 2009 9 13 .361 8 3 7 .439 .722 1.161</li><li>Gary Matthews 1983 9 10 .333 5 4 9 .411 .733 1.144</li><li>Jayson Werth 2009 9 9 .281 10 5 10 .394 .812 1.206</li><li>John Kruk 1993 12 14 .298 8 1 9 .431 .468 .899</li><li>Carlos Ruiz 2009 9 9 .345 4 1 7 .500 .500 1.000</li><li>Pete Rose 1980 11 14 .325 5 0 3 .431 .348 .779</li><li>Pete Rose 1983 9 11 .343 4 0 1 .388 .375 .763</li><li>Larry Bowa 1980 11 15 .348 5 0 2 .391 .372 .763</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pitcher Year Rec. IP H ER BB K ERA Saves</span><br /><ul><li>Cliff Lee 2009 2-0 24.1 14 2 3 20 0.74</li><li>Cole Hamels 2008 4-0 35 23 7 9 30 1.80</li><li>Brad Lidge 2008 0-0 9.1 6 1 3 13 0.97 7</li><li>Brad Lidge 2009 1-0 4.0 6 0 3 4 0.00 3</li><li>Steve Carlton 1983 2-1 20.1 18 3 8 20 1.50</li><li>Curt Schilling 1993 1-1 31.1 24 9 7 28 2.61</li><li>Steve Carlton 1980 3-0 27.1 25 7 17 23 2.32</li></ul>John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-89421681298315871882009-10-21T07:38:00.003-04:002009-10-21T08:42:17.460-04:00Catching OnWhat is it about catchers starring in the National League Championship Series? Through four games, the Phillies' Carlos Ruiz leads the team in batting average (.500) and on-base percentage (.667), is tied for the lead in hits (5), runs (4), and walks (4), and is second to Ryan Howard in RBIs (4), slugging percentage (.900), and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at 1.567.<br /><br />If it weren't for Howard, Ruiz would be the runaway leader for NLCS MVP. That's not so uncommon among National League catchers.<br /><br />In the past 10 years, three catchers have been named NLCS MVP--while none have <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span> won the award in the American League since its AL inception in 1980. The three were Ivan Rodriguez with Florida in 2003, Benito Santiago with San Francisco in 2002, and Atlanta's Eddie Perez in 1999.<br /><br />Two other catchers have won the award since it began in the NL in 1977: Atlanta's Javy Lopez in 1996, and Darrell Porter of St. Louis in 1982.<br /><br />Ruiz's numbers so far compare favorably with the best NLCS showings of recent years. Here's a comparison:<br /><br />2009 Carlos Ruiz .500 BA, .667 OBP, 1.567 OPS, 5 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI<br />2006 Yadier Molina .348 BA, .423 OBP, 1.075 OPS, 8 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI<br />2003 Ivan Rodriguez .321 BA, .424 OBP, 1.031 OPS, 9 H, 5 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, MVP<br />2002 Benito Santiago .300 BA, .364 OBP, .964 OPS, 6 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, MVP<br />2000 Mike Piazza .412 BA, .545 OBP, 1.487 OPS, 7 H, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI<br />1999 Eddie Perez .500 BA, .524 OBP, 1.424 OPS, 10 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, MVPJohn Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-33087513088020526312009-10-20T16:26:00.004-04:002009-10-20T16:59:04.441-04:00Perfect In The ClutchCole Hamels has history and experience on his side in Wednesday's NLCS game against the Dodgers. The Phillies, ahead 3 games to 1, will advance to the World Series with a win, and the team is historically perfect in such series-clinching situations.<br /><br />The Phillies as a franchise are 6-0 in games in which they can possibly clinch the NLCS or World Series. Hamels is one of just four Phillies pitchers to start such a game. The others: Steve Carlton, Marty Bystrom, and Tommy Greene, with those last two names making for a great trivia question.<br /><br />Bystrom was the first Phillies pitcher in team history to start a possible series-clincher, when he took the mound against Houston in Game 5 of the best-of-five 1980 NLCS. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 earned run. Dick Ruthven, a starter working in relief, got the win in the 10th inning.<br /><br />Carlton twice won series clinchers, first taking Game 6 of the 1980 World Series against Kansas City, and then Game 4 of the best-of-five 1983 NLCS against the Dodgers. Greene won Game 6 of the 1993 NLCS by defeating the Braves with 7 innings of 5-hit ball.<br /><br />Hamels, of course, started both deciding games for the Phillies in 2008, beating the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS. He got a no-decision against the Rays in rain-delayed Game 5 of the World Series, as J.C. Romero took the win.<br /><br />In those six games, Greene is the only starter to allow more than 2 earned runs. Here's a list of all six.<br /><br />1980 NLCS Bystrom 5.1 IP 7 H 1 ER no decision<br />1980 W.S. Carlton 7 IP 4 H 1 ER Win<br />1983 NLCS Carlton 6 IP 6 H 1 ER Win<br />1993 NLCS Greene 7 IP 5 H 3 ER Win<br />2008 NLCS Hamels 7 IP 5 H 1 ER Win<br />2008 W.S. Hamels 6 IP 5 H 2 ER no decisionJohn Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-17005616677014038912009-10-19T07:11:00.004-04:002009-10-19T07:42:56.655-04:00One More For The AgesIn the first game of the Phillies' 2008 World Series Championship run, Cole Hamels pitched a gem against Milwaukee. He allowed just two hits--at the time the fewest allowed by a starter in team playoff history--threw 8 shutout innings and struck out 9. I called it <a href="http://phillysportshistory.blogspot.com/2008/10/game-for-ages.html">one of the Phillies' best playoff pitching efforts ever</a>, ranking it just below Steve Carlton's 1980 World Series Game 6 clincher, after reviewing every Phillies playoff game in team history.<br /><br />Now, after Cliff Lee's brilliant Game 3 effort last night--plus Pedro Martinez's NLCS Game 2 and an additional Cole Hamels outing later in 2008--the list needs some updating. Seems the Phillies are in the Golden Age of playoff pitching, considering Hamels, Lee, and Martinez bumped off legends like Grover Cleveland Alexander and Curt Schilling (and Danny Jackson) from the list.<br /><br />Here's an update to the Phillies' top 10 postseason pitching efforts, with World Series games in bold. All the others were either NLCS or NLDS games, and all were victories except for games by Martinez and Konstanty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1980 Carlton</span>: 7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 7 K 110 p (72 strikes)--won W.S.<br />2008 Hamels: 8 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 9 K 101 p (67 strikes)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1993 Schilling</span>: 9 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 3 BB 6 K 147 p (99 strikes)<br />2009 Lee: 8 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 10 K 114 p (76 strikes)<br />2009 Martinez: 7 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 87 p (57 strikes)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1983 Denny</span>: 7.2 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 5 K 109 p (73 strikes)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1950 Konstanty</span>: 8 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 0 K no pitch count<br />2008 Hamels: 7 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 101 p (67 strikes)--won NLCS<br />1980 Carlton: 7 IP 7 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 K 105 p (66 strikes)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>1983 Hudson: 9 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 9 K 120 p (84 strikes)John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-17690246391619204272009-10-18T07:36:00.002-04:002009-10-18T09:11:05.613-04:00Winning In Spite Of ThemselvesChase Utley's second error in as many games underscored the playoff pressure players feel. Utley is now tied with Jimmy Rollins for the team lead in errors with three over the last two seasons.<br /><br />But the Phillies haven't let their defensive lapses stop them. Amazingly, the Phillies are 10-2 in the last two postseasons in games in which they've made an error.<br /><br />Just how unlikely is that? Well, through the first half of 2009, the Phillies had the exact same number of wins in games in which they made an error. They were 10-14 through the first 81 games. For the year, the Phillies were 29-25 when they made an error.<br /><br />They had just 76 regular-season errors and a .987 fielding percentage; in the National League, only Pittsburgh had fewer errors (73) and a higher percentage (.988).John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-23217954540955838892009-10-16T04:52:00.003-04:002009-10-16T06:08:50.755-04:00From MVP To Least Valuable?Jimmy Rollins has a reputation as a star who shines brightest in the big games. It might be time for a makeover.<br /><br />Rollins, a three-time All Star and the 2007 NL MVP, has been the least productive Phillies regular in the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/">last four postseason series</a>. Since the start of the 2008 NLCS, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=rolliji01&t=b&post=1">Rollins</a> is hitting just .208, with a leadoff-hitter's nightmare .253 on-base percentage. He has just 1 home run and 1 RBI during the 15-game stretch.<br /><br />He also leads the team in errors for the past two postseasons combined with three, which doesn't count his delayed toss to Chase Utley that threw off the play's timing in last night's game.<br /><br />By comparison, Pedro Feliz, the next-worst productive regular, is hitting .229 over the last four postseason series, with 3 RBIs and a .312 OBP. He also has no errors the last two postseasons.<br /><br />Rollins' inability to draw walks--amazingly, he has just 1 in the last 10 playoff games--is a major weakness for a leadoff hitter batting in front of 30-home-run sluggers like Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez. It's also why Rollins is able to claim a 5-game playoff hitting streak; since he never walks, he typically records 5 at-bats a game, as he has for 11 of the last 15 postseason games.<br /><br />It's possible either hitting coach Milt Thompson or manager Charlie Manuel has encouraged Rollins to be more patient at the plate recently, since he has seen significantly more pitches over the last three playoff games. He has averaged 5.2 pitches per at-bat in the last three games, compared to 3.76 per at-bat in the 12 previous games dating to the 2008 NLCS.<br /><br />If that doesn't work, might Manuel consider dropping Rollins in the lineup? Even if Manuel did nothing more than flip Rollins and Feliz, the team would see an improvement in the on-base percentage of its leadoff hitter.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-83173175316131975862009-10-15T14:12:00.002-04:002009-10-15T14:27:16.086-04:00And Then There Was OneThings change fastball in baseball, as Brett Myers found out today. The Phillies' 2009 opening-day starter was not included on the team's NLCS roster.<br /><br />His mid-season hip surgery, and a subsequent eye injury in August, kept Myers off the field for long stretches of the season. Still, Myers pitched in relief in eight games during September and October, as well as two-thirds of an inning in the NLDS against Colorado.<br /><br />The absence of Myers, as well as Kyle Kendrick, from the 2009 NLCS roster means that only one Phillies pitcher remains active for the NLCS who was on the team's playoff roster just two years ago: Cole Hamels.<br /><br />Besides Hamels, the other pitchers on the 2007 NLDS roster were: Myers, Kendrick, and Clay Condrey (all of whom weren't chosen), Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero--both of whom are injured--and Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa, none of whom are with the team.<br /><br />Talk about a change-up.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-11847916741164412122009-10-14T12:09:00.004-04:002009-10-14T13:47:28.044-04:00The Phillies' NLCS Best And WorstIt seems it wouldn't be a National League Championship Series for the Phillies if they didn't face the Dodgers. This will be the eighth NLCS for the franchise--and the fifth time the team has played Los Angeles.<br /><br />The teams are split historically, with L.A. winning the first two league championship series (1977, '78) and the Phillies taking the NLCS in 1983 and 2008.<br /><br />Including the club's three other NLCS appearances in 1976 (vs. Cincinnati), '80 (Houston), and '93 (Atlanta), here are the best and worst Phillies NLCS performances by position.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The best:</span><br />C: Bob Boone, 1977: .400 BA<br />1B: Pete Rose, 1980: .400 BA, .520 OBP<br />2B: Manny Trillo, 1980: .381 BA, .935 OPS, 4 RBI, NLCS MVP<br />SS: Larry Bowa, 1978: .333 BA<br />3B: Mike Schmidt, 1983: .467 BA, 1.329 OPS, 5 runs scored<br />LF: Gary Matthews, 1983: .429 BA, 1.571 OPS, 3 HR, 8 RBI, NLCS MVP<br />CF: Garry Maddox, 1980: .300 BA, 3 RBI<br />RF: Jay Johnstone, 1976: .778 BA, 1.911 OPS (7-for-9 in three-game series)<br />P: Steve Carlton, 1983: 2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13 K in 13.2 IP<br />P: Curt Schilling, 1993: 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 19 K in 16 IP, NLCS MVP<br />P: Cole Hamels, 2008: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 13 K in 14 IP, NLCS MVP<br />P: Brad Lidge, 2008: 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6 K in 4.1 IP in 4 G<br />P: Mitch Williams, 1993: 2-0, 2 saves, 1.69 ERA, 5 K in 5.1 IP in 4 G<br />P: Ryan Madson, 2008: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 K in 5 IP in 4 G<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The worst:</span><br />C: Bo Diaz, 1983: .154 BA, .231 SLG.<br />1B: Richie Hebner, 1978: .111 BA<br />2B: Joe Morgan, 1983: .067 BA, .176 OBP<br />SS: Jimmy Rollins, 2008: .143 BA, .217 OBP, 8 strikeouts<br />3B: Mike Schmidt, 1977: .063 BA, 1 RBI<br />LF: Pete Incaviglia, 1993: .167 BA, .167 OBP<br />CF: Garry Maddox, 1976: .231 BA<br />RF: Jim Eisenreich, 1993: .133 BA, .200 SLG<br />P: Jamie Moyer, 2008: 0-1, 40.50 ERA, 6 ER in 1.1 IP<br />P: Larry Christenson, 1978: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 6 ER in 4.1 IP<br />P: Jim Lonborg, 1977: 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 5 ER in 4 IP<br />P: Ron Reed, 1980: 0-1, 18.00 ERA, 4 ER in 2 IP in 3 G<br />P: Larry Andersen, 1993: 0-0, 15.43 ERA, 4 ER in 2.1 IP in 3 G<br />P: Tug McGraw, 1976: 0-0, 11.57 ERA, 3 ER in 2 IP in 2 GJohn Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-84625512170565421782009-10-12T09:37:00.002-04:002009-10-12T10:35:45.239-04:00The Phillies' Best Postseason CatcherCarlos Ruiz twice gave the Phillies the lead in Sunday's 6-5 win with RBI singles. He also moved into a tie for the team record for most career postseason RBIs by a catcher. (Granted, the Phillies postseason records aren't like the Yankees'--Yogi Berra had 10 RBIs in the 1956 World Series alone, and 39 for his career.)<br /><br />Ruiz is now tied at 7 with Bob Boone and Darren Daulton. With one more RBI this series, he'll also tie Boone ('80 World Series) and Darren Daulton ('93 World Series) for most RBIs in a postseason series with 4.<br /><br />Ruiz has been a standout in his <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruizca01.shtml">five postseason series</a>, hitting at least .313 in four of them. He's at .333 against Colorado with three RBIs, following up on last year's World Series when he hit .375, with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, a .500 OBP, and a 1.188 OPS.<br /><br />Ruiz's continued productivity is unique among Phillies catchers in the postseason. All Phillies catchers combined had just 2 RBIs in the club's first five postseason series (1915, '50, '76, '77, '78). The Phillies' first postseason RBI by a catcher wasn't until Boone got one--and only one--in 1976.<br /><br />Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20091012_Ruiz_came_up_big.html">Ruiz has now reached base safely in seven straight games</a>. Not coincidentally, in his three full seasons as a starter, the Phillies have won the National League East all three years.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-70209075244734743622009-10-09T12:17:00.003-04:002009-10-09T12:25:54.891-04:00Werth Streaks AheadJayson Werth’s eighth-inning home run did more than just offer hope to the Phillies in Thursday’s 5-4 loss. It also extended his postseason hitting streak to 11, giving him the highest total among active major leaguers. He was tied with Scott Rolen, who has a 10-game streak.<br /><br />Werth also moved closer to the <a href="http://philliesinsider.mlblogs.com/">Phillies’ postseason hitting streak record of 13</a>, held by Greg Luzinski. The Bull got hits in his first 13 postseason games, from the 1976 NLCS against Cincinnati into the 1980 NLCS against Houston.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=luzingr01&t=b&post=1">Luzinski hit .326 during his postseason streak</a>, going 16-for-49 through Game 2 of the ’80 NLCS. Then, Luzinski went colder than Colorado in October.<br /><br />In his next 10 postseason games, including three ’80 NLCS games, three ’80 World Series appearances, and four ’83 ALCS games with the Chicago White Sox, Luzinski had just four hits in 33 at-bats, for a .121 average.<br /><br />Unlike Luzinski, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=werthja01&t=b&post=1">Werth got off to a slow start as a hitter in the playoffs</a> before catching fire. He hit .235 in his first six playoff games prior to the 2008 season, when he played in the 2004 NLDS as a Dodger, and then the 2007 NLDS with the Phillies.<br /><br />However, Werth is hitting .348 (15-for-43) during his streak, which began in Game 2 of the 2008 NLCS against Los Angeles.<br /><br />The major-league record for <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/947">longest postseason hitting streak is 17</a>, shared by three players: Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, and Hank Bauer.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-75779933742712802322009-10-09T09:14:00.002-04:002009-10-09T09:36:07.497-04:00From Start To FinishCharlie Manuel's decision yesterday to use starting pitchers Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ as relievers, while controversial, was hardly unprecedented in Phillies postseason history. And, except for one spectacular exception, the past results matched yesterday's loss.<br /><br />Yesterday was the ninth time in Phillies history that a manager resorted to using a starting pitcher as a reliever in the playoffs. The team's record when it happens is now 1-8.<br /><br />Here are the eight occasions when the Phillies lost:<br /><br />Game 2 2009 NLDS: Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ<br />Game 2 2007 NLDS: Kyle Lohse<br />Game 3 1993 NLCS: Ben Rivera<br />Game 5 1983 NLCS: Marty Bystrom<br />Game 1 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer<br />Game 3 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer<br />Game 4 1950 World Series: Robin Roberts<br />Game 5 1915 World Series: Eppa Rixey<br /><br />And the only time the Phillies used a starter as a reliever in the postseason and the team won was in Game 5 of the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1980_NLCS.shtml">1980 NLCS against Houston</a>. In an electric series finale, manager Dallas Green turned to both Larry Christenson (in the seventh inning) and Dick Ruthven, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198010120.shtml">who came on in the ninth and also pitched the tenth inning</a> to get the win.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-34040547930239841382009-10-07T19:42:00.003-04:002009-10-07T21:34:52.770-04:00Rollins Gets DefensiveNewcomers Cliff Lee (a complete-game victory) and Raul Ibanez (2-4, 2 RBIs) carried the Phillies as they began their World Series title defense. But the longest-tenured Phillie made a quieter impact in a way that typified his season and his career.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rolliji01.shtml">Jimmy Rollins</a> made a running catch down the leftfield line early in the game, then made another wind-impacted into-leftfield-back-toward-the-infield catch that typified the Gold Glove defense he's displayed since his first full season as a starter and 2001 22-year-old All Star.<br /><br />His offense, when better or worse, gets the most focus, but Rollins could join <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#multi">a select group of shortstops in major-league history</a>. Rollins has won two straight Gold Gloves. If he wins a third this season--highly likely, since he made just six errors all year--he'd trail just seven shortstops all-time who have won more. And just two National League shortstops will have topped his three: Ozzie Smith and Dave Concepcion.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-81003283259560132732009-10-06T20:33:00.006-04:002009-10-07T08:08:43.618-04:00Comparing 2009 vs. 2007 NLDS RostersIt's not surprising if this year's Phillies' pitching staff doesn't dwell on the team's 2007 NLDS loss to Colorado. That's because so few of the 2009 pitchers were around in 2007.<br /><br />When the Phillies released their NLDS roster Tuesday, just three pitchers remained from the NLDS roster from 2007: Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Kyle Kendrick. The rest are either injured (Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero), not selected (Clay Condrey), or gone (Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa).<br /><br />Half of the position players are gone, too, including Wes Helms, Tadahito Iguchi, Abraham Nunez, Michael Bourn, Pat Burrell, and Aaron Rowand. The six remaining regulars are Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth.<br /><br />Catcher Carlos Ruiz is still around, but Chris Coste and Rod Barajas aren't. Half of the everyday starters return from the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI200710030.shtml">2007 Game 1</a>: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Howard.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-55994806760515508062009-10-05T12:07:00.005-04:002009-10-05T14:26:52.028-04:00World Series Champions' Magic NumberBaseball has seen all sorts of world championship pitching staffs since the start of the modern World Series in 1903. One star young pitcher would lead his championship team in wins one year (<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruthba01.shtml">Babe Ruth</a>, with 23 wins for Boston in 1916) and then go on to become the all-time leading home run hitter and win four more World Series as a legendary outfielder for the team's rival.<br /><br />There would be teams with a 34-game winner (Boston's Joe Wood in 1912) and ones with seven pitchers who'd record at least 10 wins (<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1976.shtml">Cincinnati's 1976 Big Red Machine</a>).<br /><br />But never in baseball history has a team won the World Series if its winningest pitcher didn't have at least 14 victories for the team during a full season. (Fernando Valenzuela led Los Angeles with 13 in strike-shortened 1981.) In fact, just two World Series champs had a winningest pitcher with less than 15 wins: the 2003 Florida Marlins with three 14-game winners, and the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, led by John Candelaria (14).<br /><br />In other words, the odds aren't in the Phillies' favor heading into the playoffs. And it doesn't look too good for L.A. either.<br /><br />The winningest pitcher on both teams finished with just 12 wins. The Phillies' Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, and Jamie Moyer reached 12, while Chad Billingsley had 12 for the Dodgers. Every other team in this year's playoffs features a pitcher with at least 15 wins.<br /><br />And you thought it was bad for the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2009.shtml">Phillies</a> that their closer is 0-8 with 11 blown saves and a 7.21 ERA.<br /><br />Looking for a bright side, or perhaps an asterisk to the rule? <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leecl02.shtml">Cliff Lee</a> finished with 14 total wins for the season if you count the seven he won before his trade from Cleveland.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-61136260656666352822009-10-02T09:58:00.004-04:002009-10-02T10:28:09.201-04:00Going Long In The PostseasonThe Phillies will enter the postseason as the National League's top power-hitting team. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2009.shtml">They lead the league</a> in home runs, runs, slugging percentage, and total bases heading into the weekend series with Florida. Their 220 home runs is the most in team history, surpassing the previous high of 215 set in 2004.<br /><br />The team also <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/">leads the majors in grand slams with 11,</a> four more than the next closest teams. This season they also became just the 12th team in baseball history with four players to hit at least 30 home runs (Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, and Chase Utley).<br /><br />What will all that power mean in the postseason?<br /><br />Well, the Phillies set a team record with 18 postseason homers last year, topping the 14 hit by the 1993 National League champs. Only seven teams in baseball history have hit more during one season, including their 2008 World Series opponent. Tampa Bay's 26 last year is one shy of the record, held by the 2002 San Francisco Giants.<br /><br />Of those seven teams, however, only the 2002 Angels (24 HRs in 16 games) and the 1995 Braves (19 HRs in 14 games) went on to win the World Series. (<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=3646788&vkey=ps2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb">The full list is here</a>.)<br /><br />Six of the team's eight starting regulars have hit postseason home runs, with Ryan Howard's career total of five tying him with Greg Luzinski and Gary Matthews, one behind all-time team leader Lenny Dykstra. Ibanez and Pedro Feliz are the two Phillies who've yet to hit postseason home runs. Ibanez reached the '00 postseason with Seattle, while Feliz played in the '08 playoffs, as well as in '02 and '03 with San Francisco.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-7485508943524881412009-09-30T07:58:00.003-04:002009-09-30T09:02:02.206-04:00Utley's Power OutageThe Phillies' crawl toward the playoffs has highlighted a few problems that could await when they get there, in particular the bullpen troubles, and Cliff Lee's inconsistency. But one more question is worth asking: Is something wrong with Chase Utley?<br /><br />Utley is having the worst month of his career. He has <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=utleych01&t=b&year=2009">2 RBI in his last 14 games</a>, just 2 home runs in September--none in his last 17 games--and no multi-RBI games in a calendar month for the first time since 2003, when he played just half of August as a rookie.<br /><br />After an 0-for-4 game against Houston Tuesday, he's now 3-for-27 in his last seven games with 0 HR and 1 RBI. His numbers have fallen to season lows: .286 average, .402 OBP, .924 OPS (on-base % plus slugging %). It's the first time he's threatened to drop below .400 in OBP all season.<br /><br />One reason Utley's slide has fallen under the radar: He still <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2009.shtml">leads the team</a> in runs (111), OBP, and OPS. Leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins, with a weak .294 OBP, dreams of "falling" to Utley's .402.<br /><br />Still, Utley's slippage is reminiscent of his <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=utleych01&t=b&year=2008">2008 power outage</a>, when he had a 27-game homer-less streak in August and September, and finished with just 2 HR in September. Utley also needed hip surgery after the season, an injury he played through, but one that contributed to his struggles down the stretch.<br /><br />So that brings us back to the question: Is something wrong with Chase Utley?John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-18801822217752982402009-09-28T11:27:00.002-04:002009-09-28T11:51:27.906-04:00Rushing To The Top?The Philadelphia Eagles have had <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/eagles_files/html/RecordBook-6.html">legendary running backs</a>, including Hall of Famer <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/stevevanburen/profile?id=VAN314272">Steve Van Buren</a>, Wilbert Montgomery, Ricky Watters, Herschel Walker, Keith Byars, and Brian Westbrook. None of those players, however, holds the team's all-time record for rushing yards by a rookie.<br /><br />The record-holder is none other than <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/brianwestbrook/profile?id=BUC578164">Correll Buckhalter</a>, who ran for 586 yards in 2001--his highest total as an Eagle--and is currently on pace to top 1,000 yards for 3-0 Denver.<br /><br />Rookie <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/leseanmccoy/profile?id=MCC620232">LeSean McCoy</a> looks to give <a href="http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/rushingleadersmisc.asp">Buckhalter's record</a> a challenge this season. With 148 yards after three games, McCoy is on pace to reach almost 650 yards. (Westbrook ran for just 193 yards as a rookie.)<br /><br />Of course, Westbrook's injury boosted McCoy's playing time against Kansas City. But with McCoy showing such promise in the Eagles' version of the Wildcat offense, he hardly figures to be banished to the sidelines for long when Westbrook returns.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-70764659929202053232009-09-23T11:52:00.002-04:002009-09-23T11:56:02.830-04:00Closing ArgumentsBrad Lidge has endured one of the worst seasons in history for a Phillies closer—and that’s saying something considering the years had by the likes of Jose Mesa, Mike Williams, and Jeff Brantley.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2009.shtml">Lidge has 10 blown saves and a 7.24 ERA</a>, which <a href="http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=153730">puts him on pace</a> to have the worst ERA in baseball history for a pitcher with at least 15 saves in a season, according to baseball-reference.com. Colorado’s Shawn Chacon is the current leader with a 7.11 ERA and 35 saves in 2004.<br /><br />And, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, no team has won a World Series with a closer who blew at least 10 saves.<br /><br />With just 12 games remaining, Lidge should be safe from breaking the major-league record of 14 blown saves in a season, held by four players, most recently Ron Davis in 1984.<br /><br />Oddly enough, Lidge (31 saves) and Ryan Madson (8 saves) could team up for a bit of Phillies relief pitcher history. A Phillies reliever has recorded 30 saves 12 times. Prior to this season, just twice has one reliever reached at least 30 saves while another had more than four. And no second reliever has ever topped eight saves.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1996.shtml">In 1996</a>, Ricky Bottalico (34) and Ken Ryan (8) teamed up on a 67-95 team, while <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1995.shtml">in 1995</a> Heathcliff Slocumb (32) and Toby Borland (6) combined for a team that went 69-75 in a strike-shortened season.<br /><br />Not exactly legendary names from the past. Then again, Lidge and Madson aren’t exactly having legendary seasons; they’ve also combined for 16 blown saves.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-84288838830702938152009-09-22T16:41:00.004-04:002009-09-22T21:04:52.863-04:00Win 90, Reach The World SeriesHere's some good news for this year's Phillies team, which had 87 wins heading into the doubleheader with Florida. When they reach 90 wins, they will have punched their ticket to the World Series, if history holds form.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/">last four times the Phillies have won at least 90 regular-season games</a> they've gone on to reach the World Series (2008, 1993, 1983, and 1980). They are the only major league team to have a streak of four years during the league championship series era, which began following the 1969 season.<br /><br />In fact, just two teams in major league history have longer streaks. The <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/">New York Yankees</a> reached the World Series every time they won at least 90 games nine straight times (1960-64, and 1955-58), and also eight straight (1947, 1941-43, 1936-39). And the <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/">New York Giants (now San Francisco)</a> did so eight times (1921-24, 1917, 1911-13).<br /><br />The last time the Phillies won at least 90 and failed to make the World Series was 1978, when the team went 90-72 and lost to Cincinnati in the National League Championship Series.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-57495086927813894612009-09-19T15:52:00.004-04:002009-09-19T16:20:40.178-04:00Roster RouletteCould two Phillies who provided memorable images from the 2008 postseason find themselves on the outside looking in during the 2009 postseason? Philly-area native Jamie Moyer, who celebrated the team's title by digging up the pitching rubber, and big-swinging, Los Angeles Dodger-beating Matt Stairs could easily be bypassed when the Phillies choose their postseason roster.<br /><br />The team simply has too much talent for 25 spots. That's a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.<br /><br />The Phillies have 12 position players that appear to be locks: Ruiz, Howard, Utley, Rollins, Feliz, Ibanez, Victorino, Werth, Francisco, Dobbs, and defensive backups Bruntlett and Bako.<br /><br />There are 9 pitchers that seem to be safe: Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Martinez, Happ, Lidge, Myers, Madson, and Durbin.<br /><br />That leaves 4 spots for 9 likely candidates, by my count: Moyer, Eyre, Romero, Condrey, Park, Walker, Stairs, Cairo, and Kendrick. The injury/recovery status of Eyre, Romero, Condrey, and Park will affect the decision.<br /><br />Walker's strong outings have made the decision even tougher for the Phillies brass. He has appeared in six games in September--among the bullpen leaders--and has a 1.93 ERA since his June call-up.<br /><br />The decision on Moyer and Stairs could be the team's toughest. Happ's emergence this season could make Moyer's role in a postseason bullpen redundant. And Stairs has slumped for large stretches of the season; still, he's a lefthanded bat off the bench.<br /><br />Last season, <a href="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20090919_Phillies__Francisco_gets_a_chance_in_center_as_Victorino_recoups.html">the team kept 11 pitchers on the postseason roster</a>. If they keep 12 this year, it would seem likely to be the 9 definites plus Walker, Eyre, and likely Romero. That would leave the 12 position player definites, plus perhaps Stairs. Or will the Phillies keep 13 pitchers (Moyer?) and 12 position players?<br /><br />In the absence of a N.L. East challenger, the postseason roster dilemma may be the most compelling question this September for the Phillies.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655661278111876085.post-15853070009788865572009-09-15T08:10:00.005-04:002009-09-15T08:42:18.233-04:00Kolb And The 2007 Quarterback ClassTwo Texas-born quarterbacks likely will lead their teams into Sunday's Eagles-Saints game. That's where the similarities end, unfortunately for the Eagles.<br /><br />Unlike three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees (Austin, TX), Kevin Kolb (Victoria, TX) has struggled on the rare occasions he's taken the field during his three seasons. In fact, at this early stage, he's one of the worst of the 10 quarterbacks taken in the <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2007.htm">2007 NFL Draft</a>. Of the 10, one became a wide receiver (Isaiah Stanback) and another is out of the NFL (Jeff Rowe).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/kevinkolb/profile?id=KOL105037">Kolb</a> and Cincinnati's Jordan Palmer are the only 2007 quarterback draftees without a career touchdown pass. And Kolb, Palmer, and Drew Stanton are the only ones who have yet to start an NFL game. Kolb alone hits the trifecta, though: he has the worst career quarterback rating of the bunch (25.0).<br /><br />The other draftees are JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, the two quarterbacks taken ahead of Kolb at 36th overall, as well as John Beck, Trent Edwards, Troy Smith, and Tyler Thigpen.<br /><br />The majority of the NFL's star quarterbacks are full-time starters by their second season, players such as Brees, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Eli and Peyton Manning, Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eagles quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. There are exceptions, including players who started in their fourth season, such as Jake Delhomme, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Cassell. And the Eagles' newest acquisition, Jeff Garcia, spent years playing in the Canadian Football League before becoming a four-time NFL Pro Bowler.<br /><br />For now, however, Kolb's ranking among the worst of the 2007 quarterback draft class stands out, even more so compared to this week's opponent. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/drewbrees/profile?id=BRE229498">Brees</a> has 174 career touchdown passes and 107 career starts. If he does start, Kolb will at least get rid of one zero on his quarterbacking resume.John Roachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07279952326242678841noreply@blogger.com0