After Reaching 2000, Polanco Still Looking Ahead
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After Reaching 2000, Polanco Still Looking Ahead
Marc Narducci
Placido Polanco has enjoyed a highly productive career, a fact we were reminded of when he earned his 2,000 career hit on a two-run home run off David Carpenter in the Phillies 5-1 win over the Houston Astros on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.
He became the 269th player in Major League history to reach the 2,000 hit mark. While Polanco said he is proud of the feat, it’s something he will enjoy when his playing days are over. And according to the 36-year-old third baseman, he doesn’t see the end of his career for quite some time.
“It will be nice to look back on something like this when I retire but right now I’m focused on this season,” Polanco said before this afternoon’s game with Astros. “I still feel I have a lot of baseball left.”
This is the final year of his three-year $18 million deal, with a mutual option for 2013.
Even though he earned his second all-star berth last year, Polanco suffered through an injury plagued season. He had both a back injury and then a sports hernia. After the season he underwent surgery to repair the sport hernia.
“The injuries were frustrating and it’s great to be able to play every day and grind it out,” Polanco said.
There are obviously many quality players who reached the 2000-hit plateau but also a number who just missed, including clutch players such as Willie Horton (1993), Dusty Baker (1981), Fred Lynn (1,960) and Jim Edmonds (1,949) to name a few.
It’s quite an accomplishment for Polanco, who said the fan who caught his home run ball, gave it back to him in exchange for an autographed bat.
Right now the only milestone Polanco would like is to help the Phillies win a sixth consecutive National League East title. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t able to sneak a moment of reflection upon his milestone.
“I have been very fortunate to be around the right people and teams,” he said. “I appreciate everything but right now, but main thought is helping us get to the playoffs.”
Just as I said all last year about Ibanez, I'm open to bringing Polanco back next year -- if we can get more power production from second base and/or left field. The leading third base options are Youkilis (always hurt, bad clubhouse) and Wright (way expensive). Galvis could work on playing 3B in the off-season and could be a super sub behind Polanco, Rollins and the 2013 2B in 2013.— eman- Polanco should be the sub. If he's open to backing up Utley, Howard, 3b, he'd be a great 1st bat off the bench....— cdedrick05
- Next year polanco fills in at 2nd and 3rd for Galvis and Utley. If galvis can learn second he can learn third and has the arm for it. He will get plenty of work with utleys knees and filling in at 3rd for galvis, he wieghs about 180 pounds and the season is long— Trot
- You people are crazy. You want to put another guy with no power at third? Do you ever learn? We need someone with power. Polanco can be a back up or not on the team. Utley may be done and if he isn't he won't be what he once was. Galvis is either going to be the shortstop or second baseman. He can be the utility man we are missing.— MoRacker
- Cant believe knocks on Polanco. PP is a profesional outstanding glove and 300 lifetime avg. It seems some bloggers would rather have a 240-250 hitter if he hits 20 HRs. What difference does it make where your power come from 2B, 3B, SS. Its true Phills need middle of order batter but Polanco's defense saves many runs.— Don w
- Some of the comments on Polanco are just plain stupid. The guy is a professional hitter. .300 lifetime avg, moves the ball the right side of the field when he needs to, can lay down a bunt, hit a sac fly, plays gold glove 3rd base when he's always been a 2nd baseman (which I still can't believe Wade let him go instead of moving him to 3rd, David Bell still makes me puke) and he was a freakin all star just last year. Not to mention plays the game the right way and is positive clubhouse guy. The Phillies are lucky to have him and would be stupid to let him go. Move him to 2nd next year b/c Utley is DONE and find somebody stupid enough to take J-Hole even if you have to eat some of his contract (Great move RAJ) and figure out something at 3rd base. Maybe the Muts would take Rollins+Hamels for Wright. Sounds crazy but they need a SS and another arm they can sign longterm and and the Phils need a power bat. Could work :)— JuanSamuel4prez
