The Colbert Report, volume infinity
Well, the Phillies projected optimism after the game, despite Hamels’ injury. Charlie Manuel said that while the dugout was quiet and teammates were concerned immediately after their ace sprained his ankle, x-rays were negative and revealed a “mild sprain” and that Hamels would make his next start. Because of Thursday’s off-day, Hamels has six days before that happens, and he said that would be enough. The pitcher was clearly and justifiably upset in the fifth inning, but later tried to downplay the darkness. Some quotes from the morning story: “It’s not severe, so I’m not planning on missing a start...Obviously, we’re going to see how it feels the next couple days, but I think it helps that we have an off day.” “(There was) some frustration, but almost comedy, because the last time I felt like I was doing really well and obviously got hit and that knocked me out of the game,” he said. “This time, I felt like I was finally getting in a good groove again, and it happened. But I don’t know what else to do but just kind of laugh about it, because it’s not serious.” As he spoke, he smiled, laughed and wore a light bandage wrap around the ankle. Reasonable people understand that Hamels’ last two injuries, this and the Prince Fielder liner he took off his left shoulder on Thursday, were freakish and not indicative of fragility. His stuff was terrific tonight and his velocity up to 93 in the first inning, and the team hopes that this setback will be as minor as they say. Of course, the next few days will determine that. *** Also, the Inquirer has learned that Chase Utley is a good baseball player. *** Those who watched the game understand that Chad Durbin’s 3 2/3 innings of relief were crucial. He took the mound at a dark moment, and held the sucker down. The reliever allowed only run, an Adam Dunn homer. “His stuff is plenty good right now, so it’s just a matter of time,” Durbin said of Hamels. *** Check the morning paper for updates on Lidge, Ruiz, J.C. Romero and other Phillies-related business.
The Colbert Report, volume infinity
Andy Martino
Well, the Phillies projected optimism after the game, despite Hamels’ injury. Charlie Manuel said that while the dugout was quiet and teammates were concerned immediately after their ace sprained his ankle, x-rays were negative and revealed a “mild sprain” and that Hamels would make his next start. Because of Thursday’s off-day, Hamels has six days before that happens, and he said that would be enough.
Other than Rollins ankle sprain, the Phils got off easy on the injury front last year. So you gotta figure the baseball Gods will load them up a little more on this front this year since they are the defending champs. Their two best pitchers are already dinged up. It will be a good test of their mettle and depth. I hope they don't wait too long to DL Lidge. Recall how they malingered with J-Roll for three weeks last year before making a decision to DL him.— RAS
I agree, bmoney. Gillick's always had an eye for talent.— Baci- Thanks spinmeister and bski. Those are some good posts. I guess that was Gillick's departing gift to us. I remember he said similar things before last season about how Pete Happy's numbers would go up from SF.— bmoney
- Good point on Durbin, Andy. His performance was key, especially coming in cold.— Baci
- It was just one little boy Frank. The rest of us no a real deal when we see one. I don't miss Burrell at all. All he could do was beg a walk and hit an occasional HR. He was slow in the field and on the bases. I'm sure that Ibanez won't do what he's done so far, but he's a solid player.— James TL
- Come ON guys. Hamels is unlucky at worst. He's one of the best pitchers in baseball, and if you want him to stick around for his entire career (and yes, you DO) I suggest you wake up and RESPECT the World Series MVP. The guy is lights out, and we're lucky to have him.— Frank Lloyd Wrong
- spinmeister.......I figured that Gillick was integral in the Ibanez signing and that article confirmed it. Not only that, I'm sure that Looper, having just come into our front office from Seattle, voiced his support for the acquisition.......I know we’re only one month in, but Ibanez has been even better than advertised. He is just a much better hitter than Burrell, not to mention his base running and defense so far. He is much more balanced at the plate, he hits just about everything hard, and his outs are usually productive. That, plus the lineup in which he finds himself, plus the park in which he will hit for 81 games a year should add up to a lot of production. Could we possibly get 3 years of this? I don’t mean what we’ve gotten this April of course, that’s unrealistic. I mean a solid, professional hitter who gives us consistent production on a daily basis.— bski
- bski, good info. Also, I listened to Andy yesterday on Mike Gill's show. Andy described Raul's presence in the clubhouse. He observed that Ibanez is a quiet leader who leads by example. Many of us miss Burrell's presence and outgoing personality. But Raul's been a great addition on and off the field.— spinmeister
- bmoney.........I found the article that answers your question. Here is the link: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/39543822.html It is an interview of Gillick from 2/13/09. Here is the part you are interested in: Q: Did you push for the Raul Ibanez signing? Why? A: Yes. Let me put it this way: He fits in our clubhouse. He's a very positive guy in our clubhouse. He's probably going to hit in our ballpark with more power than he did in Seattle. Fundamentally he is a very sound player who makes very few mistakes. He's a hard worker, maybe to the point where he wants to be a perfectionist. But he brings a very positive approach to the clubhouse. Don't ask me how, he drove in 110 runs over there (in Seattle) last year with a club that didn't score a lot. I think he's going to do well here . . . He's a good hitter. And he hits well against lefthand pitching. The tough lefthanders are going to get guys out anyway. But I think Raul against the average to a little above average guys, he'll handle them. The guys who are real good ones will give anybody fits. And as I said before, 80 percent of starting pitchers are righthanded in this league..................There's your answer.— bski
- Go easy on philly7, Slicker, that's a pretty insightful comment for an eight-year-old. Posting it six times showed incredible dexterity and wit.— Baci
- Philly7, you are so off on this one. Cole's had nothing but tough luck this year. I wish Lidge would have spoken up earlier in Colorado when he didn't feel 100% (bet he does now too) and I give Hamels credit for getting his elbow checked out in spring training.— oldecityslicker
- Ibanez has "Gillick" written all over him...PK— PhillyTheKid
- Maybe Cole needs some sort of exorcism to chase the bad karma away. He just can't seem to get break (no pun intended). nice win last night. Refreshing not to have to play catch up last night. Also nice that it was quickest game to date.— KarenA
- Well stated, RWR. This team knows how to win.— Baci
- Andy -- do you think Amaro should get credit for signing Ibanez, or do you think while his way out Gillick influenced the signing of another Seattle guy?— bmoney
- Zwarte - its his full name, Colbert Michael Hamels. And the poor guy can't catch a break right now. I know his injury history makes it very frustrating whenever something goes wrong, but I fail to see how he can be blamed in any way for leaving the last two games. The way he rolled his ankle last night, I will be thrilled if he doesn't miss a start, because that looked bad. Bright side to all of this - virtually nothing has gone right for the Phils so far this season except the awesome play of Raul Ibanez, and yet, 3 games over .500 before the end of April, nice five game winning streak, 1/2 game out of first. Just think how good they'll be when they start to catch a few breaks.— RollinsWasRight
- I feel better after reading Coles' comments. Let's look at the bright side (hard for fans to do). We're a half game out of first place without our catcher and with the worst pitching to date in the league. Every team will sustain injuries. Things could be a lot worse. Our bats are alive, our pitching will get better. We have talent in the system.— CenterCityPhan
- Once you ban philly7 he will have to sit next to his Daddy, the 10GUY, and CAP to his pathetic heart's content.— mick314
- I agree, NickEeeee. Colbert has had two unlucky breaks in a row. The good news is that his stuff and speed is back.— spinmeister
- philly7: it's past your bedtime, and tomorrow is school day. Grow up. The guy just gave this city a World Series, the Phils are 11-8, and its only APRIL.— NickEeee
- PS....Cholly gets to pick the reserves for the NL All Star team this year......it's crowded OF on the ballot.....if by some chance the Philly fans don't get Ibanez voted in you can be sure that Cholly picks him.....he is the real deal we have lacked for many years.— Mark1npt
- Nice job by everyone tonight....the Nats look like the most demoralized team I've ever seen...that 13-11 game just sucked all the life right out of them.....Raul "5 Tool" Ibanez keeps on rockin'....what a signing...if he plays til he's 50, he still won't be the 1 Tool player that Pat Burrell has become......Garciaparra hurt again for the A's.....doesn't it look good that we didn't get to sign him? Sheffield hitting about .180....glad he picked the Mets to stink up.....can it get any better?— Mark1npt
