A star is born
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A star is born
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
At first glance, romance has suffered a slow death over the past couple of decades in American society. Album covers have been replaced by I-Tunes receipts. Long phone conversations have been replaced by 140-character texts. Games of stick ball have been replaced by games of Grand Theft Auto.
Covering baseball is no different. Deadlines are earlier, players are less accessible, and the powers that be won't even let you bring a flask of Jack Daniels into the press box anymore.
Ah, the good old days.
But really, weren't they saying the same things when flapper dresses replaced hoop skirts and the Beatles started playing that confounded Devil's music?
As the noted philosopher Hugh Grant observed in the opening scene of Love, Actually, "General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see it. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girl friends, old friends. . .If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspcion - love, actually, is all around."
Which brings me to a night in Clearwater two years ago, when a group of sports writers sat at a dimly-lit bar just west of the beach and drank beer and ate grouper sandwiches and talked about baseball. There was nothing newsworthy, and certainly nothing dignified, just a few scribes decompressing from a week full of meaningless at-bats and carefully-monitored pitch counts.
During the conversation, one unnamed scribe piped up with a question concerning a speedy little Hawaiian who was attempting to replace Aaron Rowand in center field. The spring had been full of many questions -- What will the Phillies get out of Adam Eaton? Will the bullpen thrive? Can Brad Lidge rebound from knee surgery? -- but few of them involved Shane Victorino's ability to slide into an everyday role. It seemed to the unnamed scribe that people were taking Victorino's performance for granted, that they were making the mistake of assuming that the .284 batting average and .345 on base percentage he had produced over the previous two-plus seasons as a part-time player would accompany him to his new role.
"What has Shane Victorino done to deserve the benefit of the doubt?" the unnamed scribe asked.
Two years later, I -- um, I mean the unnamed scribe -- has seen the light.
Despite Cliff Lee and Brad Lidge and Raul Ibanez, one of the most important story-lines of the Phillies season thus far has been the emergence of one Shane Victorino. Just under 2,000 at-bats into his major league career, it is now safe to say that what fans have witnessed over the past couple of years is the birth of a star.
Through 113 games, Victorino is leading the team with a .316 batting average and is second with a .380 on base percentage. He has already set career highs in doubles (31), triples (8) and walks (45), and his five RBI shy of the career-high 58 he set last season. He is hitting .302 against righties, .348 against lefties, .316 with runners in scoring position, .625 with the bases loaded, .375 with a man on third and two out, and .304 with runners in scoring position and two out.
He is also well on his way to a second Gold Glove.
In the Phillies' last seven games, against some darn good pitchers, Victorino is hitting .414 with nine runs scored. Of those seven games, he has had multiple hits in five of them. Victorino has been the team's most consistent hitter this season, which was the one aspect of his game that seemed to be lacking last year. He is tied for the team-lead in runs, and is second in at-bats.
Is it a coincidence that whenever something exciting happens, Victorino is in the middle? Remember the benches-clearing incident at Dodgers Stadium last year? The grand slam of C.C. Sabathia? The showdown with Julian Tavarez? The beer-dumping incident? If there was any doubt that Victorino deserved the final spot in the All-Star game, he has eliminated it over the past month.
There's no doubt that the vast majority of the 52 sell-out crowds at Citizens Bank Park this season have flooded the gates to guys like Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels and Chase Utley and Cliff Lee.
But Victorino has been worth the price of admission.
^
Some quick thoughts:
1) Where's Greg Dobbs? The Phillies' super-sub has not logged an official plate appearance since Aug. 11 in Chicago. But he has been more a victim of his starter's success than anything else. Thanks to a complete game by Cliff Lee, an eight-inning outing by J.A. Happ, and the combination of Pedro Martinez and Jamie Moyer two nights ago, the Phillies have not used a pinch-hitter in any of their last three games. Charlie Manuel tried to pinch-hit Dobbs on Aug. 15 in Atlanta against righty Kenshin Kawakami, but Bobby Cox responded by bringing in lefty Eric O'Flaherty, which prompted a switch to Ben Francisco. In the Phils' last seven games, they have used just four pinch-hitters.
2) What's up with Cliff Lee? I was asked this question this morning on ESPN First Take. A few observations: First, Lee has been pitching well for most of the season, he was just the victim of awful run support in Cleveland. The Indians failed to score more than two runs in 10 of his 22 starts this season. It took him 14 games to reach four victories in Cleveland. It has taken him four to reach four in Philadelphia. Second, that run support, along with a great defense, has enabled Lee to do what he does best -- throw strikes. In his 22 starts for Cleveland, 67 percent of his pitches went for strikes. In his four starts for the Phillies, that number is 71 percent.
3) Also on First Take, I was asked whether Cliff Lee's performance has taken any attention away from Michael Vick. At the beginning of the season, if you would have told me that I would be asked a question involving both Lee and Vick, I would have figured that I was out of a job.
Nice post Murph, like always. I've been saying for a while that Victorino is the heart and soul of this team and the spark plug of last year championship team.— EL Zorro- Where is the moron scribe, now, at AOL that called Victorino, light hitting after the slam against CC in the playoffs? Perhaps this idiot would do a mea coupa. Victorino is anything but light hitting.— brinkmang
- Murph - Love Actually? Seriously? Lets not make a habit of quoting Hugh Grant.— Gary Varsho
- Is Victorino a star? No questions asked.— Jeffrey
- nice post, but I've got one question: wouldn't west of the beach in Clearwater be in the Gulf? (Unless there's bay-side beach--then it would work.)— lutton
- True, you get it all with Shane....offense, defense, speed. But the thing that really makes him so special is the lethal combo he brings to the game + skill + attitude. The smile, the fire, the game face, the hustle, never ducking reporters or questions, what a great teammate. Did we hear him complain one time when Cholly was juggling his spot in the order, batting 2nd one day, 6th the next ? He's the complete package, an ultimate gamer, and my pick for the mvp of this team.— rockinginthefreeworld
- Murph...great post...way better then Conlin's self serving drivel...reminding us that he coined the term Secretary of Defense for Maddox.— bigredmachinefan
- Really he should be the leadoff hitter. What a sparkplug he is. MVP of the team this year.— lefty1117
- I saw Victorino become a star last year in the Dodgers series. He was so full of confidence, it was infectious. I think many of the Phillies fed off of his exuberence - as well as how he backed it up.— Bobphxville
- The opening is a little cynical for a young guy though.— HandNik
.625 with the bases loaded - oh man - wow - that's unbelievable - holy smokes...that's the kind of info I want in my news articles - those averages are better than I thought (perception is everything) The Love quote needs to explained(???) - Shane loves the game as well as the entire team - they are a real team over there in that clubhouse - here's hoping the fun continues for them and us...Go Phillies!
Comment removed.- Victorino has been the spark that Rollins hasn't been most of the season. He is why we have done so well scoring runs with a .240 lead off man. When they are both clicking it is impressive. But, no crying and no chick flics in baseball, please— bamaphillyfan
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- Yes, much than Conlin's. However, I don't like the duplication of DN discussion-- especially on a fairly subtle (but convincing) point such as Vic, when there are so many other stories to discuss about the Phils. (Of course that might be the only way to get folks to read Conlin-- to see if Murph one upped him...) Usually, I don't like to see High Cheese and Phils Zone cover the exact same topic... but Martino seems MIA/asleep-at-the-wheel still talking about Colvin. Murph, you maybe single-handedly putting yourself out of work, as a) we all know the game stories before they hit the print and b) your free-to-access blog is the only other story/column usually worth reading!— randy_w
- What kind of raise could Victorino expect next year in arbitration? What kind contract could Werth get in 2011 assuming he puts up similar numbers next year too?— crazycurt623
- Who would have thought, as we entered last year's season that in only 1 year Dave Murphy would have risen to become the chief Blogger on the Phillies, replacing Todd "The Zone" Zolecki?— fan_in_jerusalem
The comparison somebody drew between the Conlin and Murphy treatments of Victorino is telling. I still can't believe Conlin wrote about giving Garry Maddox his nickname. Does the man have any self-awareness at all? Anyway, nice piece, Murphy. Get an ego enema, Conlin.- crazycurt623: Expect Victorino to get a very nice raise and for Werth to be playing elsewhere after 2010. With both Taylor and Brown in the system, replacing Werth, who will be able to expect a 3-4 year deal averaging 5-8 million a year, will be a easy cost saver while we should expect the same kind of numbers from our top prospects.— fan_in_jerusalem
- I had asked yesterday about Dobbs. Would Charlie give him a shot at 3rd to rest Pedro as has has in the past? Against a mean rightie?— KGKoons
- grouper sandwiches are tasty— horhey
- Did some of you Conlin haters miss this in Murph post?: "What has Shane Victorino done to deserve the benefit of the doubt?" the unnamed scribe asked. Two years later, I -- um, I mean the unnamed scribe -- has seen the light.— EL Zorro
- No, we caught it. It's one thing to admit you were wrong about a player and another to praise yourself for giving someone a nick name.— fan_in_jerusalem
- I don't think you really got it— EL Zorro
- Actually the entire outfield is pretty stellar this year. I wonder how this outfield ranks with other great Phillies outfields?— Grazman
- I have no idea how close the Phillies ever came to giving Rowand the ridiculous contract he eventually got from SF, but the decision to let him walk looks pretty brilliant in hindsight. Victorino is a far better player than Rowand, at a much better price.— paolibulldog
- Good stuff Murph! Shane fun to watch. I first meat in in Clearwater in 2005. He was such an unknown at the time that we was at Frenchy's Tiki bar after the game, I'll note he was drinking water. I saw him next when he was called up when the roster expanded in September playing Houston. He's been up ever since! He's on his way to be one of the great but has a way to go to be in the same areana as Hiswhitness! Go Phils— Goirish77
Two things: a big reason the Eagles signed Dogkiller Vick is because the Phillies are inching in on their TV time and press coverage in general in the local market. Second--here's a post from the other day I made on Sam Donnellon's complaint about Shane demanding justice for the Chicago beer-dumping incident...I know a lot of you writers don't like Victorino. He's got a little Curt Schilling in him--another gamer and fan favorite you guys used to love to hate. He speaks his mind as if he were talking straight to the fans and not to you writers. That really gets under your skin, so you love to knock him every time he gets caught stealing or is too impatient at the plate. Early last year you and your buddies openly mused one night on DNL that watching Victorino in center makes you realize how much we lost when Aaron Rowand left. Oh really??? One of you joked about how he "takes the longest route possible to catch a fly ball," as you all warbled in laughter. Maybe so but he's got a ring and he plays harder than 99.9% of the league. Don't be surprised if he racks up an MVP award in the next few years. Maybe then you'll write a complimentary article, such as you finally had to acknowledge with future Hall of Famer Curt Schilling. But only after he left town after begging for years to stay and build a winner. What foolish dreamers players like Schilling and Victorino are. That's why us fans loved them from day one.- Comment removed.
- Shane is da man.All of the folks out here in L.A. were clamoring for Ethier,Manny, and Kemp to be in the OF for the all star game. Shane is way better than Kemp. This team is stacked and if Lidge can work out the mental aspects of the game, Repeat champs!! Phillies vs Yankees World Series.— phillyfunk
- I honestly dont think he was referring to Conlin, EZ, but rather to himself. Remember, Rowland was not only a fan favorite, but a great player for the Phillies when he was here. He had a career year his last one in Phila. Can be expected that a new writer would wonder about a new CF and how he'd work out. COnlin wouldn't have had the brains to think about this— fan_in_jerusalem
- Shane is da man.All of the folks out here in L.A. were clamoring for Ethier,Manny, and Kemp to be in the OF for the all star game. Shane is way better than Kemp. This team is stacked and if Lidge can work out the mental aspects of the game, Repeat champs!! Phillies vs Yankees World Series.— phillyfunk
- To answer the question about Blanton's run support. He has faced Lincecum, Jurrjens (who kills the Phils) and Nolasco. It is not a lack of focus, just good pitching against Heavy B.— WiffleBall
- He excelled in the playoffs last year and carried it right over into this year. Keep it up Shane, you the man.— TheDude
- Odd that yours and Mr. Bill's pieces should run today. Last night (in between marvelling at what Mr. Lee was doing at times) I was thinking about our Flyin' Hawaiian. About what he is bringing to the team this year, and that he was my favorite player on this club. Without remembering too many stats, I was trying to remember the last time anybody ever tested his arm.......and I think it was the All-Star game. Sometimes you wonder if he'll make the catch, but you KNOW he'll at least get there. And I just don't remember if any have clanked off his glove....couldn't be more than one or possibly two. Mostly I think :"if it stays in the park, he will catch it." That seed he rocketed out to left field to score Lee without a throw was just magnifiscent too.....no wonder he is my favorite player.— TBear
- He had my vote for the post season MVP last year, from his grand slam off Sabathia, to the tying homer in L.A., to his two rbi's in the first half of the winning game of the World Series, and to top it all off he played incredible defense the entire time.— PhillySportsPhan007
- Victorino should have been the NLCS MVP last season. Guy really stepped up his game down the strecth last year and it just keeps getting better.— wtphillies
- Richie Allen ... You're comment wasn't any good the first time you posted. Why make us read it again? (a) Which sports writers don't like Victorino, and what's your evidence? (b) Curt Schilling was a tremendous big-game pitcher, but he's a borderline Hall of Famer. Never won a Cy Young award and had way too many mediocre seasons. I hope he gets in but won't be surprised if he doesn't. (c) Comparing Schilling to Victorino in any context is insane. Victorino is hugely popular with his teammates. Schilling was hugely unpopular. Victornio has the sort of energy that can lift up a team. Schilling had the sort of energy that could make a team wish he would stay home on the days he wasn't pitching.— phillyl0
- wtphillies ... MVP? Victorino hit .222 in the NLCS. He had a great NLDS, but there's no MVP for that series.— phillyl0
- Murph was just looking for a reason to wax poetic...sports writers don't get that chance very often.— fiyabear
- July 8, 2007 - Colorado. Tarp is flapping around during a crazy storm, wrapping up one of the ground crew members. First person off the bench, followed quickly by the rest of the team, Shane Victorino. I knew then, that the Phils had a special player. Oh yeah, he hit a homer that game, too.— Nova&PhilsfaninCT
- About time you posted a good piece. Good Job— Living_Legend
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- Shane is great...and every day he shows why....but to put him ahead of Gary Maddox is a bit premateur....— nuggett
- PhillyI0--did you read Donnellon's column earlier this week? It was virtually a personal attack on Victorino for having the audacity not to let the perpetrator get away with the crime. Also, Murph in this story writes ""What has Shane Victorino done to deserve the benefit of the doubt?" Two years later, I -- um, I mean the unnamed scribe -- has seen the light". Murph's column here is making my point--the writers are coming around on Victorino after watching him day after day--finally. But it has taken a while. And Curt Schilling WILL be in the Hall of Fame. A borderline Hall of Famer is still a Hall of Famer. Just ask Bill Mazeroski and Jim Rice. And Schilling cherished and excelled in the spotlight just like Victorino. Your teammates don't have to love you. Haven't you heard any of the Tim McCarver-Bob Gibson stories. What do you want--"Love" or World Series Rings?
- I know jerusalem, Murph was referring to himself. My point was that he did more or less what Conlin did: get himself credit.— EL Zorro
- Nobody liked Reggie Jackson either, and almost everybody hated Ty Cobb, and both are in the Hall.— EL Zorro
- Nice post, but please don't ever involve Hugh Grant in a baseball conversation ever again. Next time try Tom Hanks or Robert Redford. When will there be room in the OF for D. Brown and M. Taylor?— david1
- You watch Hugh Grant movies?— drbob456
- You watch Hugh Grant movies?— drbob456
- Having a quote from the movie Love, Actually in this piece has forced me to ask you to please turn in your Guy Card. Your privileges have been revoked.— bcmojo
You just movie quoted Hugh Grant. I think it may be time they moved you to the obituaries pages. lol— KINGOFZED- In a poll taken by Baseball America among NL players, scouts and managers Victorino and Rollins were voted the best player at their position. Utley came in second to Hudson among 2b and Feliz came in 2nd to Zimmerman. 2 in the whole league still isn't bad. Chase was rated just fair when he first came up. This is a testament tohow hard he works.— Don w
- A few years ago a pretty boy showed up with a pen and pad and skeptical people wondered about him but you are consistently writing interesting stories that I enjoy because you stories include stats and heart and everything in between. Good job!— battery
- A few years ago a pretty boy showed up with a pen and pad and skeptical people wondered about him but you are consistently writing interesting stories that I enjoy because you stories include stats and heart and everything in between. Good job!— battery
- YOU ARE AN IDIOT .. ONE DAY YOU WILL LOSE YOU JOB.— battery
- A few years ago a pretty boy showed up with a pen and pad and skeptical people wondered about him but you are consistently writing interesting stories that I enjoy because you stories include stats and heart and everything in between. Good job!— battery
- A few years ago a pretty boy showed up with a pen and pad and skeptical people wondered about him but you are consistently writing interesting stories that I enjoy because you stories include stats and heart and everything in between. Good job!— battery
- Well apparently you removed my post and of course a couple of them were to you whoever you are. Just relax and in the future allow my appropriate comments .. thanks.— battery
- battery sometimes there is a delay. Actually, everyone needs to realize this. First click on "View All By Latest" check the top, then click View All again. It will usually show up. If not, check again in 10 minutes. If you don't put bad words in it will go through.— MFPhils
- Battery you dope there's a delay in posting comments. There is no invisible man censoring your posts.— djsaitta
- I cant even imagine the people who actually ask for a trade involving victorino.— Phillies08
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- Gotta agree with the majority on here tonight. Murph is doing a great job lately. Great insite into the innerworking of a beat writers mind (Hugh Grant reference took marbles if you ask me) and best of all your not some beatnik hippy from NY who tries to remind us that there are more important things to worry about than Philly sports. Great job.— phillyjeffsr
- As much as I like Victorino, I fear he could be the most likely casualty of the team's rising salaries. Shane is due for a substantial raise throught arbitration and has significant market value. As Michael Taylor and Domonic Brown succeed in the minors, the Phillies brass has to at least consider what they get in return for, with all due respect to Bill Conlin's recent canonization, St. Shane.— bacbank
- Bill Conlin also gave Dwight Eisenhower the nickname "Ike," and Ronald Reagan "the Gipper."— Delaware Jim
- Bill Conlin also gave Dwight Eisenhower the nickname "Ike," and Ronald Reagan "the Gipper."— Delaware Jim
- Enough with the star label. Hasn't the Cole Hamels story taught you anything? You can sing praises of Victorino all you want without hanging an anchor about his neck like some have done. Lets talk about this when his life time numbers warrent it and he is ready to retire.— Wally 24
What a stupid blog....The good old days? Murphy you are officially lame, as if that picture didn't prove it.
