Archive: May, 2009
Andy Martino
Wow, whole lotta lefties on the dance floor for game two.
Phils
Rollins SS
Utley 2b
Ibanez LF
Howard 1B
Stairs RF
Victorino CF
Dobbs 3b
Ruiz C
Carpenter RHP
Gnashionals
Guzman SS
Johnson 1b
Johnson 1b
I don’t believe in Zimmerman 3b
Dunn RF
Willingham LF
Harris CF
Belliard 2b
Nieves C
Cabrera RHP
I’ve seen Daniel Cabrera face the Yankees many times as an Oriole. He was always a guy who had tremendous stuff and potential, but absolutely no control. The O’s finally gave up on him, and he’s currently 0-4 with a 4.98 ERA for the Nats.
I asked Rich Dubee this morning what to look for from Andrew Carpenter, and he said, “Don’t know. Haven’t seen him much.” I watched Carpenter twice in Clearwater before he was sent down, but he was working on a changeup more than seeking to retire hitters.
So this game is what you’d call unpredictable. Also, it’s supposed to rain. Argh, they’re pulling the tarp out right now.
***
The day after President Obama noted the decline of African-Americans in MLB, all players on both teams will wear the number 42 tonight, in honor of Jackie Robinson. The
April 15 rainout was Jackie Robinson day, so we’re all turning back the mental calendar.
***
Brad Lidge looked pretty good in the ninth inning today, as questions swirled about his recent performance. As you know if you’ve been reading, Lidge swears that he’s healthy and confident. He allowed only one hit, got lucky by snaring a liner back to the mound, and pumped his fist after recording the third out. Manuel wouldn’t commit to whether Lidge is available for game two.
***
It’s not yet totally clear what the Phils are doing about Miguel Cairo or his roster spot, but I’m working on finding out for you. Check back for updates on that.
UPDATE, 6:29pm: A good horse race gives me goosebumps. Good for the lady horse. Anyhoo, just spoke with Phillies exec Scott Proefrock about the Cairo situation, which remains fluid. Cairo has the right to refuse a minor league assignment and has not yet decided what to do. If he clears waivers and accepts the assignment, he’ll report to Lehigh Valley. He will be required by MLB rules to remain there for a minimum of 10 days.
Proefrock said that the team has not yet decided to do with the 25th roster spot, and might not decide until after Monday’s off-day. As to the possibility of bringing up a minor leaguer, he said: “You’re not going to want someone who would be better off playing in the minor leagues.”
He also reiterated the team’s stance since before spring training: “We’ll still be looking for an upgrade with the righthanded bat off the bench."
If Cairo goes to Lehigh and does well for 10 days, he could be back. Basically, the situation has yet to be resolved.
Andy Martino
Here are the lineups for Part I of Epic Baseball Day in Washington:
Phils:
Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Victorino CF
Ibanez LF
Howard 1b
Werth RF
Feliz 3b
Coste C
Bruntlett 2b
Myers RHP
Gnats:
Guzman SS
Johnson 1b
I don't believe in Zimmerman 3b
Dunn RF
Willingham LF
Bard C
Harris CF
Hernandez 2b
Olsen LHP
No word yet on whether Utley will play in the second game, but I’m not surprised that Manuel avoided playing him for 18 innings, given that nagging foot thing and the slump he’s been in.
Andrew Carpenter pitches in the nightcap, a move that forced the Phils to designate Miguel Cairo for assignment.
Andy Martino
There will be a full story about the Phillies White House visit up on Philly.com soon, but I thought you might be hungry for a blog post on an interesting day. The team toured the building, and then players and staff met the President in the Oval Office before joining the Obama on the South Lawn for a brief ceremony.
The new guys—Raul Ibanez, Chan Ho Park, Jack Taschner and Miguel Cairo--were not invited; all current Phillies who participated in last year’s postseason chose to attend. Senator Bob Casey, a pro-life Democrat and Arlen Specter, a new Democrat at 79, were also there (you Pennsylvanians have offbeat Democrats, I must say). At the end of the ceremony, Jimmy Rollins presented the 44th president with a Phillies jersey with the number “44.”
Those were the nuts and bolts, and I have to credit the president for turning this into more than a cheesy political photo op. While he offered the obligatory platitudes about the team, his speech also had a focus, namely the social engagement of some Phillies.
“Chase (Utley) works on behalf of pediatric hospitals. Brad (Lidge) supports our wounded warriors. Cole (Hamels) helps those suffering with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Ryan Howard is a national face for the Boys and Girls Clubs, participates in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and takes an active role in mentoring inner-city students,” he said.
He also noted the important problem of the continued decline of African-Americans in baseball. “As the number of African American kids taking up baseball is in severe decline, the impact of having role models like Ryan and Jimmy to look up to just can’t be measured,” Obama said.
What the president did effectively was highlight the inseparable connection between sports and politics. Social ills, economic issues involving use of taxpayer money to fund stadiums, problems with drugs, race and other issues appear in sports because sports is part of—not a break from—American society. Jimmy Rollins addressed this afterward when he said that people advised him against becoming politically involved, but he concluded, “I’m a U.S. citizen first.”
We’re all citizens before we’re athletes, sports fans or anything else, of course, and Obama rightly praised many Phillies for their engagement. Hopefully, that will encourage those who do not step far enough outside themselves to do so in the future.
***
Here is the full text of Obama’s speech:
Hello, everybody. Please have a seat. Please have a seat. Thank you. Welcome to the White House -- and congratulations to the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.
We originally planned to do this last month, but postponed it after the loss of the legendary voice so familiar to any sports fan, the hall-of-fame announcer, the great Harry Kalas.
And Harry left us as he lived -- in the ballpark, preparing to call another game for his beloved Phillies. And I know a season without the warm comfort of his voice is difficult, but I also know this, that Harry is here with us in spirit today and he is proud of all of you.
He waited 28 years to call another World Series championship run -- and what an unbelievable run it was, full of come-from-behind wins by an underdog team that loved to prove the prognosticators wrong. And so we share something in common there, because nobody thought I was going to win either.
We originally planned to do this last month, but postponed it after the loss of the legendary voice so familiar to any sports fan, the hall-of-fame announcer, the great Harry Kalas.
And Harry left us as he lived -- in the ballpark, preparing to call another game for his beloved Phillies. And I know a season without the warm comfort of his voice is difficult, but I also know this, that Harry is here with us in spirit today and he is proud of all of you.
He waited 28 years to call another World Series championship run -- and what an unbelievable run it was, full of come-from-behind wins by an underdog team that loved to prove the prognosticators wrong. And so we share something in common there, because nobody thought I was going to win either.
This is a team that never gave up. You weren’t supposed to win your division. You weren’t supposed to win postseason series against the Dodgers or the Rays. And even though the stretch between the top and the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 5 took two full days of rain -- you came out before the toughest fans in sports to win Philadelphia’s first major championship since 1983.
And so this was truly a victory for both young folks, but also the young at heart -- those who waited nearly three decades, and a new generation of fans that had been waiting their entire lives. It also, as I mentioned to the team back here, was not just a victory for the people of Philadelphia -- but for some longtime fans like Joe Biden, and my campaign manager, David Plouffe, who -- I’m not sure whether he cared more about my victory or the Phillies’ victory -- but it was a close call -- as well as folks from the entire Delaware Valley.
This is a team made up of guys who don’t quit: Cole Hamels, the unbelievable playoff ace. Chase Utley, a throwback who plays hurt, and plays hard and never complains. Brad Lidge, who came to the Philly organization looking for a fresh start and who went a perfect 48 for 48 in save opportunities all season long, and who wiped away 28 years of near-misses and heartbreak with that final strikeout.
And guys like our manager here, Charlie Manual, who lost his mother during the playoffs. And I know how tough that is. I lost my grandmother in the middle of my election. And, Charlie, I admired your perseverance during those trying times. I know how hard that must have been on you.
Also guys like Shane Victorino -- Shane, we don’t get that many baseball players from Hawaii in the Majors. Where did Shane go? He was around here somewhere. He was pointing out the Hawaiian flag on the carpet in there, saying "shaka" -- local boy. But that means that there are a lot of folks looking out for you.
And then Jimmy Rollins -- who I have to say made some telephone calls on behalf of our campaign before the election, and I couldn’t be more grateful to him for that.
You know, I remember giving a campaign speech in Chester, just outside of Philadelphia, one week before the election. And it was the day after rain had suspended the Series game, and it was still raining. And I told my staff, if they can suspend the World Series in the middle of a game, then the least you could do is find an indoor location for my speech. That was the coldest I may have ever been. Do you remember that, Plouffe? I mean, it was cold. But true to form, thousands of Philadelphians showed up to brave the rain and my speech, just like they had shown up to watch their beloved Phillies play. And so like this team, I tried to give them my best.
I also know how it felt for the Phillies to get this weight off their back, because my beloved White Sox finally did it three years ago after nearly 90 years of waiting. So Cubs fans out there, take heart. Anything is possible.
I also want to point out the example that each and every one of these guys, their wives, and the entire organization set with their time and efforts off the field. Chase works on behalf of pediatric hospitals. Brad supports our wounded warriors. Cole helps those suffering with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Ryan Howard is a national face for the Boys and Girls Clubs, participates in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and takes an active role in mentoring inner-city students. And on and on.
And just as the number of African American kids taking up baseball is in severe decline, the impact of having role models like Ryan and Jimmy to look up to just can’t be measured. You know, Jimmy likes to say that nothing comes easy in Philly. And that’s why I think that so many Americans found themselves rooting for this extraordinary team. As Americans, we know a little something about being underdogs. We know a little something about coming together when times are tough. And like this team, we remember a simple truth, which is that we rise and fall together, and no one individual is bigger than the team.
So, Phillies, congratulations not only for a great season but doing it the right way. Great job.
Thank you.
Andy Martino
Just a bit of news first: Charlie Manuel announced after the game that J.A. Happ will start one of the two games Saturday. Before the game, Ruben Amaro Jr. told me that the decision might not come for several days, but when Happ pitched just 2/3 inning tonight rather than hang around for mopup, the Phils tipped their hand. Of course, they could change that plan if Happ is needed for more innings tomorrow or Friday.
***
You may be freakin about Jamie Moyer, but the man himself and his manager say they are not. “I don’t see how he can get right sitting,” said Charlie Manuel, when asked if he planned to keep running Moyer out there.
Moyer was obviously downcast after the game, but said he would continue to look ahead and try to make improvements. My analysis is that it isn’t time to do anything drastic with him. He has a two-year contract, couldn’t pitch in the bullpen (and if you believe he can, Rich Dubee doesn’t; so that’s probably that unless the pitching coach is overruled), and could still work this out. It’s always easy to get alarmed and pessimistic in the moment, after your team or the team you root for has a rough night.
Having said that, neither I, you, Moyer or anyone else knows if or when he’ll improve. He possesses the competitive arrogance necessary for professional athletes, and said tonight, “If I start to doubt, then it is time for me to go home. I don’t really worry about what’s behind me.”
Reading between the lines: I still think I can pitch; I’ll let you know when that changes.
And that’s all I can really say. If the grizzled pitcher and the grizzlier manager don’t know what’s going on, I sure as heck don’t.
Andy Martino
Same lineup as last night, against another lefty starter, former Phillie Randy Wolf.
Phils
Victorino CF
Utley 2b
Werth Rf
Howard 1b
Rollins SS
Ibanez LF
Feliz 3b
Ruiz C
Moyer LHP
Dodgers:
Pierre LF
Furcal SS
Hudson 2b
Ethier Rf
Martin C
Loney 1b
Kemp Cf
Wolf LHP
Andy Martino
You don’t have to be a Phillies fan. You can be a reporter who roots for no team but appreciates baseball, and think while watching Jayson Werth dashing home after noticing Russell Martin’s negligence, that’s the coolest thing I’ve seen this year.
First time I ever saw anyone steal home in person. And first time a Phillie has done it since speedster Carlos Ruiz pulled a Jackie Robinson in 2007. It was an astute play from an smart player. Here’s a piece of how he broke it down, from Werth: “On the first pitch, (Martin) didn’t look at me. So I figured if we get to two strikes and he didn’t look at me, I was going to go.”
Please don't report me to the objectivity police. It was fun to watch. I'd root for a perfect game, too, because I've never seen one of those.
***
A lot of chatter about Rollins, naturally, and here’s what he had to say about the switch before the game. He was clearly unhappy, but took it reasonably in stride (that is to say, at least he spoke about it, though he did get snippy when asked if he would have made the same move).
Here’s some of what he said. "I don't see where else I would hit in the lineup. Today I'm batting fifth. I'm a leadoff hitter. That's what I do. It doesn't matter what the numbers say. I'm going to produce. Pretty much, especially in this lineup with all the power guys, it wouldn't really make sense to keep me in a position down in the lineup where my game is speed when I'm on."
Our columnist Jim Salisbury will have an examination of the move in tomorrow’s paper, which looked like a smart one when Rollins tied the game with a ribbie single in the fifth. Charlie Manuel said he may keep this lineup intact for another game, since they won and all. What do y'all think he should do?
Andy Martino
Here' s the interesting lineup:
Victorino CF
Utley 2B
- Poll: Do you agree with Manuel's decision? (1672 votes)
Andy Martino
There will be more on this in the paper, which you could kindly purchase in the morning , but here’s a bit more from Lidge this afternoon:
“I haven’t been throwing the ball well, and it’s embarrassing, to be honest with you, giving up so many home runs,” he said. “But that being said, I feel fine…My stuff was a little better (last night)….One thing my few bad outings had in common is that after I've given up a home run or whatever, I've kind of put in my head, 'OK, it's a one-run lead. Pitch like it. The next three guys I'll get out,” he said.
Basically, he’s clinging to the belief that he’ll work it out, as was Blanton after today’s games. “I threw the ball better than the other day in St. Louis,” Blanton said about his previous appearance, in which he allowed one run in six innings. And really, at this point, what can the Phillies do but continue working and hope the results get better? As the cliché goes, though, it’s kind of getting late early for this rotation.
Also, here’s Raul Ibanez, who plays my least favorite position, giving a thoughtful and detailed answer on why Javy Vazquez was so good today. Thought I’d pass it along, as per my duty to the public.
“What he did really well, I think, was that he got ahead a lot. He threw strike one quite a bit, and he also changed speeds. He had two or three different speeds on a breaking ball…He was using his fastball up, he was using it down, and in and out.”
Oh, by the way, that reader who asked straight up if I was ever a Mets fan was the first to actually pose the question. This whole time, I would’ve given a straight answer. You just never asked.
FYI, I’m off tomorrow, so no blog. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Andy Martino
Good afternoon from Citizens Bank. Ah, the 3:40 start. Day games allow me to go out to dinner; night games give me time to sleep in. Fox games eat up the entire day. Thanks, Rupe.
But it’s a nice day for a ballgame. Spoke with Brad Lidge a little while ago, and he said that he’s healthy, just trying to recover his mechanics after missing time due to knee inflammation. Greg Dobbs, who Charlie Manuel said was not as sharp as usual because of limited at-bats, starts at third today.
Here are the lineups:
Phils
Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Utley 2b
Howard 1B
Werth RF
Ibanez LF
Dobbs 3b
Coste C
Blanton RHP
Braves:
Johnson 2b
Escobar SS
Jones 3b
Anderson LF
McCann C
Kotchman 1b
Franceour RF
Schafer CF
Vazquez RHP
Andy Martino
The liberal elite media is reporting that the Phillies have rescheduled their White House visit for next Friday, May 15, from 11am to 1pm, when we will sip lattes and plot the destruction of capitalism.
About this blog
The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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