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Fun with April numbers

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45 comments

Fun with April numbers

POSTED: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 1:07 PM

Andy Martino

Here are some April numbers I compiled while I made like Arlen Specter and enjoyed a morning waffle. Look for a more complete list in tomorrow's Inquirer.

· 9: come-from-behind victories.

· .270: the team batting average, up from .255 in 2008.

· .241: leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins’ on-base percentage.

· 7: Home runs by free agent acquisition Raul Ibanez.

· .359: Ibanez’s team-leading batting average

· 3: stolen bases by the 36-year-old Ibanez, sharing the team lead with Shane Victorino.

· .254: Pat Burrell’s batting average with Tampa Bay. He has one home run.

· 2: Regular chants at Citizens Bank Park that sound like “boo”: “Ra-ooool” for Ibanez and “Louuuuuuu” for rookie catcher Lou Marson.

· 8: The major-league leading amount of home runs allowed by Brett Myers.

· 4.83: Myers’ team-leading earned run average.

· 0: Wins by Cole Hamels.

· 93: The velocity in miles-per-hour of Hamels’ fastball before he sprained his ankle on Tuesday.

As a new Philadelphian, I have two questions for you residents. Having watched Myers for all these years, how concerned are you right now? And, does it bother you that the senator you elected from one party has switched to another, or has the guy earned the right to fight for his re-election?

45 comments

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Comments (45)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:17 PM, 04/30/2009

Myers no longer has the speed on his pitches so he needs to start pitching with his head and learn to work around his fastball. You don't need a blazing fastball to be a good pitcher.That being said he has not performed as well as the team has expected and I think the Phils will let him test the fa market.We do need him this season so I hope he starts pitching a little more consistent.

— pattymac3

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:41 PM, 04/30/2009

— jeff gross

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:03 PM, 04/30/2009

James TL...look at what Oliver Perez, the king of inconsistency got from the Mets this year....Myers will take that from the Cubs, Braves or Red Sox in a heartbeat. If he has any intention of staying on here, he'd better start making better pitches and double up on the ADD meds.

— Mark1npt

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:03 PM, 04/30/2009

— Mark1npt

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:07 PM, 04/30/2009

phillygreg gets my support for comment of the week. Not only is he insightful, but he has the guts to reveal his name!

— Baci

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:21 PM, 04/30/2009

Andy, most Philadelphians are interested in politics, government, and life besides baseball. As to Myers, I worry about his effectiveness in light of his decreased velocity. I don't see him being consistent enough to have a great year. I hope I'm wrong about him. As to Specter, he's a moderate, and as such, he was pushed out of his party by extremists. He'll be the same guy as a Democrat. Good move on his part. And, as a baseball fan, I like the stats. Keep 'em coming.

— CenterCityPhan

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 5:52 PM, 04/30/2009

I don't know if phillygreg revealed his name or not, but I like the comment and don't mind the question - Andy's asking us for our opinions this time around. Specter can do what he wants, but face it, the Reps didn't want him and the Dems may find they don't want him but they're stuck. As for Myers, he can't get the ball over the plate and I don't think he will on a consistent basis. It's like watching a golfer with the yips except this affects a team, not one guy.

— oldecityslicker

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:17 PM, 04/30/2009

The great game of baseball is sacred, religion and poitics are not. I vote with the majority, keep the board clean. Myers has to rely more on his breaking ball now that his days of a supplement enhanced mid- 90s fastball are gone. Problem is he can't locate it very well. He'll throw a knee buckler and then follow it up with a spinner over the heart of the plate.

— RAS

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:35 PM, 04/30/2009

MARK......One key point to make about Perez is that he's a lefty. Most teams will sign any lefty with a pulse AND overpay for him as well. Myers will certainly get a decent offer from someone, after all even Adam Eaton was picked up by the Orioles, but if he stays on his current course I can't see him getting a 4-year deal for a pile of money.

— bski

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:53 PM, 04/30/2009

most republicans didn't consider specter a republican anyway

— en37

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:01 PM, 04/30/2009

Yes, most Philadelphians are interested in politics, government, and life besides baseball. But I guarantee you I don't come to this blog to discuss them. I agree with randy w: You were on the right track until you went there. Bad move.

— bobby

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:14 PM, 04/30/2009

Must respectfully disagree, Bobby. A blogger by definition offers opinions and encourages discussion. If you don't have an informed opinion on a topic, then stick to what you know. Some of us enjoy debating and discussing thought-provoking topics. But I do enjoy your comments. You certainly have a point of view! We Philly fans are definitely opinionated.

— spinmeister

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:15 PM, 04/30/2009

Dude you're from N.Y. which means we already don't like you so don't bring your liberal politic ideas from there down here on our sports section.

— Brens28

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:27 PM, 04/30/2009

Myers will always be a hard head,at least he has given the Phillies some innings (31.2 so far) and with how this team can put up runs right now I am not too concerned yet, but Myers and the rest of the staff need to have a shut down game at some point. Specter is a fool, if he had a backbone he would have ran as an independent but since politics in this country are controlled by two cults known as the democratic and republican parties nothing will change. Just another spineless politician looking out for him self.

— lcd24

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 10:17 PM, 04/30/2009

spinmeister, I'm not against political debate. I certainly do my share of posting on that subjecft elsewhere. But I'll speak for myself when I say that I come here to discuss one topic: our Fightin' Phils. This blog has historically been, with a few notable exceptions, a very friendly and respectful place to post thoughts about the team. Unfortunately, I've found that political discussions these days are typically neither friendly nor respectful. Lots of name calling and personal insults. Personally, I have no interest in bringing that atmosphere to this blog. Oh, and GO Phils!

— bobby