Pence: 'It's World Series or bust' in 2012
Calling the 2011 Phillies "one of the greatest teams ever assembled to not win the World Series," outfielder Hunter Pence says the 2012 edition will have a hunger to take care of unfinished business.
Pence: 'It's World Series or bust' in 2012
Daily News staff
Hunter Pence hopes he'll be celebrating a World Series title with the Phillies in 2012. (Staff File Photo)
Calling the 2011 Phillies "one of the greatest teams ever assembled to not win the World Series," outfielder Hunter Pence says the 2012 edition will have a hunger to take care of unfinished business.
"I'm getting ready every day," Pence said during an interview on WIP. "We have a lot of unfinished business to do this year. It can't get here soon enough. I think a lot of us are looking forward to this year."
He also used the phrase "World Series or bust" in describing the mood of the team as the countdown to spring training continues.
"Our goals are to the stars right now," he said. "It's World Series or bust and I'm going to do whatever it takes for that."
Pence was asked if he replays in his mind moments from the Phillies' loss in the National League Division Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It haunted me for a little bit," he said. "Not something I really want to dwell on. I think at this point it's turned me into more of incredible hunger this offseason. I've been just every day taking it out and really firing me up for this season. I would have conversations with Chase and several of the veterans after winning the divsion. I'd say, I know you've been here a lot, this is a big deal, this is awesome and enjoy it. [They'd say] Yeah, it's a big deal but it's not ... It doesn't matter if you don't get it done in the playoffs. I learned a lot, but it changed my viewpoint on a lot of things. I understand a little more of what's needed. I think it's something with baseball, there was not necessarily anything that Charlie could have done or any of us could have done, it's a game of small, small things ... It wasn't in the cards for us, no pun intended."
As for the Cardinals going on to win it all, Pence said, "You hit the hot team. It's unfortunate that it ended that way. I still feel like we were a lot better than we ended up, but that's the way it goes in baseball. You play 10 of them, you might have been 5-5 but they got the first one on us."
In reflecting on last season, Pence said, "We had a great season. For all the stars to line up, as whole, it was a wonderful game 162, a wonderful palyoffs, all the way up and down. There were so many late games. we definitely have something to come back to this year. I think we're still looking strong. There is a lot of talk with all these trades and new signings that the Phillies are getting old, but I think you're going to see a healthier Chase Utley that doesn't have to jump into the season with a knee injury. Those kind of little things you don't take into account."
Pence is the lone arbitration-eligible player not to sign in advance of yesterday's deadline to exchange salary figures. The sides will continue to work on a 1-year deal up until the hearing. Pence went to arbitration last season with Houston and won.
"I haven't heard anything about an extension," he said. "I'm pretty confident we're going to be working on a deal for this year. I still have two years of arbitration, I understand that. I love to be in Philly. I absolutely enjoy every moment -- the organization, the fans, the city, a lot of things to be happy about for being there. I let my agency handle all of the discussion. When they tell me, what the options are, I trust their judgment and go from there."
With Ryan Howard likely not available until May after offseason surgery, Pence could be a possibility to hit fourth in the lineup.
"That's up to Charlie," he said. "It doesn't really matter. Whatever the situation it is, I'm going to go up there and be ready to hit and be ready to do what it takes to win ballgames. Ultimately, that's all that matters -- winning ballgames. My confidence has gotten better every year. I feel like I've learned a little more."
Comments (109)
"sometihng" Really? Again, spell check is not that hard to do.— mikemaddog- spoke too soon. "divsion"— mikemaddog
- If he really feels this way why didn't he accept the Phillies salary increase? The thought has been "world series or bust" since the Phillies signed Lee and Halladay and both have been a bust (except for personal accomplishments).— rolenfan
- The Philadelphia Yankees surely have a chance to buy a WSC this season. — dontlikeneocons
- And a couple more. "neccesarily" and "palyoffs". Embarrassing— mikemaddog
- You be sure to let us know when something you've written appears online or in the newspaper. Something that contains an actual byline and not "mikemaddog." Now go back to listening to WFAN. — PhightinPhil
- I'm gonna have to agree with mikemaddog. It's one thing to see bad grammar/spelling in the comment section, but in an article from a professional writer? I know this is just a blog, but spell check doesn't take that long. "Daily News Staff" who posted this should be embarrassed. — hoyaray
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- "If he really feels this way why didn't he accept the Phillies salary increase?"
- rolenfan: the two are related, how?
And calling Lee and Halladay busts is truly LOL-worthy.— schmenkman - schmenkman---Do Halladay and Lee have a world series ring?— rolenfan
- @mikemaddog: you have impressed me with your proofreading skills. Wow.— gho_matt
- Note the enthusiasm. Lets hope it rubs off on JStroll.— NewMick314
- Yea. Dream Team. When you go "all in" in 2011, you have to deal with 2012 and beyond. That's what going "all in" means. This team is old and the window has closed. Thanks again for '08.— dragoon6
- These phillies talk a big game and don't get it done. Wasn't last year "World Series or Bust"??? They also said they were going to play small ball last year and swung and miss in the playoffs. Unless Mayberry hits 40 bombs this year, the phils will be out in the first round again.— ArtieLange
- You may be onto something there Artie...They just might go all the way if Junior has 40 dingers in the playoffs...Have you shared your idea yet with Ruben... — stan the man too
- "These phillies talk a big game and don't get it done." What's your excuse? You sound like a frontrunner ingrate.
— road515 - rolenfan, do you only start paying attention on Oct. 15th of each year? If so, that's too bad -- you're missing out on a great show.— schmenkman
- What do you expect on the halladay and lee comments, he's a rolen fan. he's still crying on his mommy's skirt. just don't be too rough on him.— spittooncj
- if howard truly share the opinion "world series or bust", he will do something to change his approach to hitting, something that involves being more consistent, laying off the low and away pitches, in general, displaying the type of discipline at the plate that was missing in the last AB's of the phillies season for the past two years. and instead of running around ghana, rollins would do better to start getting his head into the upcoming season and start trying to fix many of the shortcomings he has developed since his mvp season.— zwarte piet
- The man with the racist screen name laying blame at the feet of the black players on the team and disparaging Jimmy Rollins for making a humanitarian trip to Africa. Shocking. — phillyl0
- racist screen name? what? nobody understands anything you are saying.. i guess rollins and howard must be your favorite players or something... why cant you think of anything to say that defends their performance and their attitude towards their job instead of trying to attack me with some baseless accusation of racism? the reason why is because there is no defense for the lazy approach to the game of rollins and howard.
and btw, i think it is admirable that rollins is trying to reach out to the underprivileged in africa, i just question where his priorities are: to the team who just overpaid him for 3yrs/33million or for his own personal agenda. this is not the first time rollins has made us question his priorities, e.g., whines if he cant hit leadoff, insists on swinging for the fences from the leadoff spot, etc..— zwarte piet - Exactly. Howard is likeable, he's invited to my house any time for burgers, but he's a lazy ballplayer.
He can't hit a breaking ball to save his mother, and he won't work to fix what is basically his downfall as a major leaguer.
He was a superstar a few seasons ago. Now he's the punchline of a joke.— fmMD - Pence has the proper attitude for this time of year -- like 5 or 6 other teams, they SHOULD have their sights on the WS.
Realistically, I hope they win the division, and we'll take our chances in the playoffs.
A 102-win team is not that different from a 90-win team. Applied to a 5-game series, it’s the difference between 3.1 wins and 2.8 wins. So it’s no wonder that every short series is a crapshoot which is determined by who happens to get hot or cold, or who gets the bounce, or who gets the call.
Look at some other successful teams’ last 5 playoff appearances:
Braves (last 10 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Red Sox (last 8 years): 2 WS appearances, 2 WS wins
Cardinals (last 8 years): 3 WS appearances, 2 WS wins
Yankees (last 6 years): 1 WS appearance, 1 WS win
Giants (last 15 years): 2 WS appearances, 1 WS win
Angels (last 8 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Dodgers (last 16 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Rangers (last 16 years): 2 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Phillies (last 5 years): 2 WS appearances, 1 WS win
As we know all too well, even having the best record is no guarantee: since the new format began in 1995, the team with the best record in the regular season has won the WS 3 out of 17 years (18%)
The Phillies are neither one of the best, nor one of the worst in capitalizing on their playoff chances. Assuming and expecting that they go to the WS every year is extremely naive and unreasonable.— schmenkman - spittooncj--First of all jerk, I'm not a "he". Second of all, am I wrong? Do Halladay and Lee have a world series ring like Hamels?
schmenkman, if you don't watch the Phillies with the intention of getting to the world series, you're wasting your time watching.— rolenfan - Yes, you are wrong. If Halladay and Lee are busts because they didn't win a ring, then so are Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Ryne Sandberg, Tony Gwynn, Mike Piazza, Ken Griffey Jr., Ernie Banks, Willie McCovey, Ty Cobb and Ted Williams, along with 40 percent of all the players in the Hall of Fame. Among the immortals who were not busts for the Phillies, by your definition, were Eric Bruntlet, Pedro Feliz, Greg Dobbs and Joe Blanton. You don't even know what you don't know, moron. — phillyl0
- Let's appreciate Hunter's enthusiasm, be nice to one another today and not get all worked up about a typo or two.— dasher
- IT'S CALLED SMALL BALL. WE NEED BATS, BIG TIME.— Pete60
- This isn't one you have to analyze too deeply. Pence is enthusiastic, hungry, a bit brash, and good. Papelbon pretty much in the same boat, and he'll want to prove himself after a 4-year deal in the National League. Halladay and Lee haven't won World Series titles. Utley probably wants to extend his career. We have a lot of guys with things to prove and some new blood that seems more open and outspoken about it. I like it.— eman
- Way to be lazy and just transcribe what he said on the radio. No wonder Gelb and Salisbury kick Murph's tail on the Phils beat.— asmthx
- schmenkman, good post. To those who think a season is a waste of time because the end doesnt work out the way you want it to must have a hard time appreciating art and the wonders of the world. Baseball isnt science...its a game and the difference between winning and losing in any inning, any game, any series, can turn on one small bounce.
Rolenfan, I watch virtually every phillies game and I love every second of every game, even if Im disappointed that they lose. To say I or anyone else is wasting their time bc we can survive w/o a ring at the end is stunningly short sighted. Ill take my view of the world and life, thank you.— TheLon - When the Phillies play as badly as they did for the last two weeks of the season, and the fans see the first round failure coming weeks away, its a failure.
If you're just a "fan of the game", that's great, but it has nothing to do with the Phillies other than they're one of dozens of MLB team.— fmMD - Pete60 - "WE NEED BATS, BIG TIME."
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For the last 2/3+ of the season after Utley replaced some of the worst hitters in baseball, they had the highest-scoring offense in the league, with among the fewest games of 3 runs or less.— schmenkman - I like most of what Pence has to say, but I hate the "it wasn't in the cards" and "there's nothing Charlie or we could've done" stuff. You mean you couldn't scratch out two runs in a game five, it was just destiny or something? That's a loser's lament.— dblankj
- Or maybe in game 2, Cliff Lee could have held onto the four-run lead they handed him.
— phillyl0 - Cliff Lee's performance was one of the biggest reasons we didn't advance to the WS last year (there is no doubt in my mind we would have swept the Brewers in the NLCS). The BIGGEST goof was letting the Cards sneak into the playoffs to begin with. Blame that one on Cholly and his desire to be associated with "coaching" a 102 win season...
— Sam Crow - Howard has changed his approach to hitting a few times such as moving up in the box and pulling the pitch more. I would like to see him going to left-center and straightaway more. Its also been blogged that Howard does not care. What nonsense he came into camp in much better shape last two years dropping around 20-25 lbs. This is not someone who does not care.— Don w
- I hope Pence hits better than he did in the NL playoffs. The Cardinals know how to pitch him because they played the Astros (same division) often.— dtsjr
- Nice comments but I was hoping to see Pence had signed. Hopefully he and Chase both are healthier than last year, sounded like Pence had sort of that same, nasty injury. Both were a long way from themselves in the playoffs.— PhillySubsMac
- "Both were a long way from themselves in the playoffs."
-- PhillySubsMac, I don't think you meant to lump Utley in this -- .438 average, .571 OBP, .688 Slugging percentage.— schmenkman - Good answer Hunter— shawnmac
- Schmenkman, you've out done yourself this go - good commnet post and data.
All I remember, after the 76'ers' aborted runs was Malone's FO, FO, FO, or was it MO, MO, MO.
With Pence's comments, I worry that it adds kindling to the fire, that already rages in the souls of many posters here; and when or if it isn't delivered, OMG, the fallout of the raging fire will be akin to Chicago in the 1880's. This town will burn down.
So I appreciate Hunter's enthusiasm, and optimism, which obviously I share, but I would just rather everyone - players and posters - keep the braggadocio to themselves.
Produce, Win. Award. Accolades.
— 24sDad - guess that means "bust" then -- team with no hitting and no bench and no genius as manager don't win WS— warbiscuit
- PeaceMuffin did you forget to take your happy pill again this morning...come on smile, we know you can do it:):):) — stan the man too
- Already busted. This team couldn't get it done last year, so what makes you think they'll get it done this year? They aren't any better, just older. I'll always root for the Phillies but my expectations are much lower this year. I'll be shocked if they make the playoffs.— Sam Crow
- Schmenkman - "The Phillies are neither one of the best, nor one of the worst in capitalizing on their playoff chances." FALSE !!! - Last year the Phillies became the first team in baseball history to have the best record 2 years in a row and failed to reach the World Series. This makes them "an all time CHOKE team".
— VitoCorleone - This is sooooooooooo funny. You guys have 3 blizzards to go before the first pitch is thrown and you're acting like they already blew the playoffs. Hammer on the Eagles for while.— MFinSC
- This is sooooooooooo funny. You guys have 3 blizzards to go before the first pitch is thrown and you're acting like they already blew the playoffs. Hammer on the Eagles for while.— MFinSC
- Haters. Haters. Haters. If reading misspellings and cheering for your baseball team makes you this miserable, why do you do it? Surely there has to be better things in your life to do besides making yourself miserable. Cheer up folks. It's a sport for crying out loud.— LancasterLouie
- does he mean making the world series, or winning it? if not the Phils, who is the favorites in the NL right now? maybe the cards, despite losing Pujols, Larussa and Duncan. Hunter is going to need to carry this offense for at least half the season, if not more. What remains to be seen is if Hunter can hit playoff pitching. Better pitchers in playoffs, who take more advantage of Hunter's lack of discipline at the plate. Not being negative, just real.— jim715
- 100% agree with your observation that Pence is undisciplined and can't hit playoff pitching. Say what you want about Werth and Burrell, but they both had better plate discipline. The '08 team was better than people give them credit. In addition to Werth and Burrell, Feliz @ 3B, Moyer and the wife beater all came up big and contributed when it mattered most. — Sam Crow
- I agree with Pence, this is World Series or bust (for the second year in a row). And as some have stated, the playoffs is a crapshoot, so my advise is to get better at that game. (A little help from the coaching staff will be welcome also.) That said, we have put all the eggs in one basket for the last 3 years and have seen this team go the other way; from WS winners to 1st round bust while getting better players. (Yeah, yeah, if Cliff Lee this and that, and if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a bicycle). The bottom line is, the FO has put a lot of effort in putting a pitching staff for the ages and acquired Pence and we failed. In the process our farm system is depleted of immediate help, especially of positions players. Our team is old, in particular our whole infield, including the catcher, with nobody ready to make a contribution, except for Freddy Galvis, maybe. In the meantime, the rest of the division is getting a lot better and younger, except the Mets. I admire the enthusiasm of some of you guys, Schmeck in particular, but is looking like the dynasty is coming to an end earlier than expected, barring a major signing or significant trade. And this is not whining or being pessimist, it's called reality.— EL Zorro
- Vito, what you fail to mention is that there have only been 3 other teams that had the best record in baseball two years in a row since the current playoff format started in '95 -- and none of those 3 won the WS.— schmenkman
TheLon: Well said. I agree. Of course it would be great if the Phillies win the WS, but regardless of how they play, it's not going to stop me from watching/listening to every game. To me, there's nothing like listening to the Phillies on the radio on a warm Sunday afternoon either out back BBQ'ing or down the shore along the bay with a bucket of crabs and some cold beer. Even if they don't win it all, the Phillies still provide a lot of enjoyment to me and my family, especially on a Sunday afternoon in the summer.- ...hey guys, Sixers are doing well before we decide to storm Citizens Bank Park with pitchforks and torches...— gilligan
- reading this article just got me hype— brownrice
- Pence should have a monster year. No one has considered what Pence's full year production will do for the Phils. Utley and JRoll back in the fold should get things rolling. Don't forget Thome as well. Good solid bench with fabulous starting pitching should do it. Hang on, the ride will be wild!!— walt1
- dream team! let's go SIXERS!— Leegles
- 102 wins-ENJOY this! A few bounces, injuries or Cliff losing 4-0 game 2 lead can wreck a 5 game playoff but this may be Phily's best sports team ever when they win their 2nd WS. Unlike Eagles they are easy to like-Hunter fits perfectly. Here's to a healthy 2012 & WS title!
- Yeah, we heard that the last 2 years. Might be better to not say it and just let it happen.— crawkert
- Lots of things happened in the playoff series against the Cards. The Cardinals were hot & had momentum. The Phillies controlled their destiny on who they were going to play, but decided to beat Atlanta the game of the season. In the actual series, Errors & lack of clutch hits hurt the Phillies. Why was Polanco even playing? It was painful to watch him try to hit— micconway
- Actually, the Braves choked. — mwcnabb
- You can have the best pitching in baseball but the Phils will never win a world series with a mediocre first basemen that hits .250 in the cleanup spot and chokes during the playoffs.— Borkey
- if he hadnt injured himself on the last out of the season, we would have been in a great position to trade him and then make a run at either fielder or pujols. we're just stuck with him now.. i dont care what his regular season numbers are if he cant be clutch in the postseason. — zwarte piet
- Yep, Howard can't even get injured right.
He's our superstar.— fmMD - This comment has been deleted. — DogBiscuitthedope
- i do have the facts, internet toughguy. howard hit .105 in 2011 postseason. in 2010 postseason, he had 17 strikeouts and ZERO rbi. this is directly related to a lack of discipline at the plate which he fails to address. back in 08 and 09 when Utley was actually a force to be reckoned with and they had Werth, Howard could afford to be a free swinger. times have changed, but howard isnt making the adjustment — zwarte piet
- STOP the negative madness. Pense is hyped and ready to hit the April season running. Maybe, just maybe, the Phighten's need some attitude that Hunter has. Time to take each game and go for it. Pense is a Phillie for 2 more seasons. Based on the "talk" of Hamel's agent, this probably will be his swan song (The Weaver Deal In Anaheim is an anomoly according to Hamel's agent...ooops). Howard will be back, Utley will be healthy this season, JRoll is happy, Mayberry Jr. gets his chance. BTW, picking up DTrain and Joel Pineiro were great moves by RAJ. No downside, but plenty of upside. Still not convinced that RAJ is finished with this line up. When things are quietest, thats when RAJ strikes.— drhoffman
- "You can have the best pitching in baseball but the Phils will never win a world series with a mediocre first basemen that hits .250 in the cleanup spot and chokes during the playoffs."
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Besides the fact that they have already won the WS with Howard, you either have not watched much of the postseason or have selective memory. Howard has been one of the Phillies' best hitters in the postseason (by OPS):
Werth .987
Utley .902
Howard .845
Ruiz .789
Victorino .784
Burrell .688
Rollins .686
Ibanez .656
Polanco .592
— schmenkman - You know a major league player is still hungry if his agent has yet to set up a tax exempt foundation for him.— Dull
- just love that Hunter Pence is on our team. He plays the game just like all of us believe we would if we had the chance. Despite our disappointments over the past two Octobers, when April rolls around and we get the chance to root for guys like this who give it everything they've got, all is good with the world again.
Now, if only Charlie would get the guts to hit Rollins 6th or 7th and let him do what he likes to do best, drive the ball to the fences and not worry about getting on base, that would just make it all so much better.
While I wish Ruben would have addressed major needs other than the closer role this offseason, I can already feel that same energy and excitement for the fast approaching new season that I've felt for 50+ years.— advantasux - they always say philly fans just want and would appreciate a winner forever. These comments show the true colors— tremo12
- This is one of THE best feel-good stories this offseason and you guys are bickering over spellcheck. Focus on the man, fellas! You ARE permitted to be optimistic, you know. Hunter Pence is pumped up - I am - and you should be too!— dwp66
- Considering the Phils have made absolutely no progress in reagrd to putting a better product on the field this year, my money is on "bust".
Now, fire Chris Wheeler and the dead rat on his head!— kelprod2 - I've never seen such a bunch of asinine comments from such a collection of jerks over such an upbeat interview. You people really need to go root for somebody else and let this site for people who want to discern a little more in depth info about a team we like. Never been there, but maybe you ought to try the Mets or Nats sites.— cuyatm
- "100% agree with your observation that Pence is undisciplined and can't hit playoff pitching."
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Sam Crow, first, 21 plate appearances is WAY too early to reach that kind of conclusion about the playoffs.
Secondly, he seemed to change his approach after coming over in the trade:
- pitches per PA: career 3.72, post trade 4.03
- walk percentage: career 6.8%, post-trade 11.0%— schmenkman - (will be interesting to see if that continues into 2012)— schmenkman
- somebody oughta clue in this pence: hey dude, you're in philly now. this ain't hicksville, like where you came from. we do not, no, do! not! abide by flag-waving, cheerleading bullsheeut, whether it's players, management, media. unless you're named rollins, best to keep yer yap shut.— bubba church & granny hamner
- Manuel mismanaged the end of the season by taking a week off before the Braves series. When there are even more rounds of playoffs, it will be even more critical to be hot and the end of the season.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- I'm looking forward to a full season of Hunter Pence. I have my concerns about how the bats hit the post-season but you have to start out by enjoying the regular season.— s
- dogbiscuit.....please tell all of us "dopes" how the Phillies have improved since they got easily tossed out of the playoffs by the Cardinals. Maybe the rest of us have just missed all the invisible changes which make this team a better team for the season coming up??
Now, get on board...and fire Chris Wheeler and the dead rat on his head!— kelprod2 - Easily tossed? The 5-game series went to the 5th game and we lost, 1-0, to the eventual World Series champs. I guess you like being provocative at the expense of facts. Cmon. — eman
- My guess is since practically NOTHING has been done to fix the hitting problem then the answer will be BUST. Seriously, RAJ has not made one single move this offseason to improve the hitting, and it's the hitting (or lack thereof) that doomed this team the last three years, each year declining from the previous year's playoff performance. Consider us lucky if we even make the playoffs this upcoming season, Phillies fans. This team has gotten older and slower and not a darn thing was done to fix the hitting.— Kanayd
- If they don't win it all will his eyes pop out of his head?— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- It was the highest-scoring offense in the league after Utley returned, and...
- while they will be missing Howard to start, they will have a full season of Pence
- should have a full season of Utley
- replaced Gload with Thome
- replaced Martinez with Wigginton
Yep, the best offense should be even better.— schmenkman - Scmenkman...you just proved the point- this team has done nothing to make them better in the post season in 2012 than they were in 2011. I guess the Phils just trot out the same team and expect a different result?
That is as dumb as the dead rat glued on top of "Wheels" head....— kelprod2 - kelprod, they are already built to succeed in the postseason, with a great starting rotation.
Oh, did you expect them to go to the World Series EVERY TIME?!!
LOL.— schmenkman - Looks like (old) bust on this tean.The window needs geritol and lots of it.It is to old to reopen.— tobyjoe
- Looks like (old) bust on this tean.The window needs geritol and lots of it.It is to old to reopen.— tobyjoe
- Another world series or bust, I 'm not buying into this hype. This team can't hit and that is a fact. We have been watching the decline for 3 years and now they are hungry. Bull****— eaglesman1
- eaglesman, they had the highest-scoring offense in the league after Utley returned, but by all means, let's ignore those 116 games and focus instead on the 5-game NLDS (where they outscored the Cardinals, by the way).— schmenkman
- Schmenkman...they have done nothing to make this team better than last year. Nothing. You are a fool if you are expecting, magically, a different result. Enjoy the regular season....they have done nothing to better their chances in the post season. The ending will be the same.— kelprod2
- wiffel ball champs speak their mind— dwilly
- "You are a fool if you are expecting, magically, a different result."
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What I am expecting is a very good team, and hopefully a division championship, but you never know from year to year (look at last year's Giants, Reds, and Red Sox).
What I am not expecting is some kind of formula that says do this and you will be successful in the postseason, because it DOES NOT EXIST.
What bit of it does exist is having a strong starting rotation. Check.
So am I EXPECTING they would go further? Of course not. I posted this earlier, but will post again:
Other successful teams' last 5 playoff appearances:
Braves (last 10 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Red Sox (last 8 years): 2 WS appearances, 2 WS wins
Cardinals (last 8 years): 3 WS appearances, 2 WS wins
Yankees (last 6 years): 1 WS appearance, 1 WS win
Giants (last 15 years): 2 WS appearances, 1 WS win
Angels (last 8 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Dodgers (last 16 years): 0 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Rangers (last 16 years): 2 WS appearances, 0 WS wins
Phillies (last 5 years): 2 WS appearances, 1 WS win
Lessons from this list:
- Phillies aren't the best, or the worst
- They've actually been more fortunate than 5 of the 8 teams
- Playoffs are a crapshoot and all you can do is get there and take your chances.— schmenkman - no guarantee phillies will be in the play-offs this season, get ready for the long grind this team choked last year down the stretch and the wheels came off against cardinals stop the WS talk and prove it.— only 9
- Part of the Philly problem when it comes to winning championships is the they seem to forget you don't win the trophy just because you say it yours. You actually have to go out and outplay whoever your opponent is. The year we won was spectacular and we beat everyone we faced. Now look at the following three years we were outplayed by the Yanks, then by San Fran, then by the Cards. Saying it's World series or bust is just as much Hot-Air as calling the EAGLES Dream Team2... The Championship is won on the field as a team outplaying every opponent. Not by trying to satisfy or answer the local media.— Lyrra
- Assuming and expecting that they go to the WS every year is extremely naive and unreasonable.
Schmenkman you said it best. 2 thumbs up!— Lyrra - Assuming and expecting that they go to the WS every year is extremely naive and unreasonable.Schmenkman you said it best. 2 thumbs up! (HTML deleted)— Lyrra
- Hey schmenman, I stand by my statement about Howard. You can fire all the stats you want at me about him but the bottom line is he just stinks, and proves it 90% of the time he is on the field. Again you don't have a .250 hitter batting cleanup, (that was his AVG. for the year, you failed to mention that statman) thats baseball 101.— Borkey
- Thursday, April 5th, 1:35 PM.— escapedcamden4monterey
- Borkey, you can stand wherever you want.
The fact remains that however good Howard is or isn't, with him batting cleanup they had the league's highest-scoring offense after Utley returned last year.
And with him batting cleanup in 2008, hitting .251 and having the worst year of his career (it's close between '08 and '11), they did pretty well.— schmenkman - Pence has a hunger to win the world series.
Unfortunately, Howard and Rollins have a hunger to sit and watch TV after the regular season ends.— fmMD - Somebody took his bitter pill today, fmMD. This looks like a cry for attention, but I'll bite:
1) "Pence has a hunger to win the world series.
Unfortunately, Howard and Rollins have a hunger to sit and watch TV after the regular season ends."
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Interesting. This insight is based on what, exactly?
2) "Exactly. Howard is likeable, he's invited to my house any time for burgers, but he's a lazy ballplayer.
He can't hit a breaking ball to save his mother, and he won't work to fix what is basically his downfall as a major leaguer."
--
- What in the world makes you say he's lazy?!
- You mean any hitter can learn to identify and hit a breaking ball if they just work harder? So you can tell the hard working hitters from the lazy ones by simply looking at their batting average. That's handy!
3) "When the Phillies play as badly as they did for the last two weeks of the season, and the fans see the first round failure coming weeks away, its a failure."
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By that logic, when they won their last 4 of the season, you must have thought they were going to roll through the playoffs.
4) "If you're just a "fan of the game", that's great, but it has nothing to do with the Phillies other than they're one of dozens of MLB team."
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What makes you think someone with that view (that the playoffs are a crapshoot) is "just fan of the game"? I've been a die hard fan of the Phillies since I was 10, but I know that historically, every team has about an equal chance to win a short series, and by actually making it to two WS and winning one, the Phillies have been more successful than most recent playoff teams.— schmenkman - I don’t jive with Pence’s comments about “not being in the Cards”. You make your own destiny and a lot of that starts with plate discipline, something this team needs in battalions. No reason we couldn’t have won that series. Lee blew a game and the offense blew the series. Jumping the wall however, and putting it behind me and focusing on things I am thankful for. Being a winning franchise year in and out, yes we missed the WS but we’re always in the mix. Having an amazing park to watch the game and finally not being a Yankees fan. I would like to see a serious dose of consistent offense through 2012. The lineup top-to-bottom does need to make plate discipline a “way of life”. Charlie should tattoo that motto in their minds and kick some tail when the players drift away from it. Being aggressive is overrated, being smart isn’t.— gslide
- @gslide, I know they're frustrating at times, and I think some if stems from a philosophy of working the count to get a pitch to drive, rather than working the count to try and get on with a walk (the Howard at bat in the NLDS being a bothersome example).
Overall I don't think discipline is that big an issue, based on their 2011 stats:
1) they swung at the fewest pitches of any team in the NL
2) had the 2nd fewest strikeouts
3) had one of the highest contact rates
4) were among the leaders in running hitters counts
5) were 6th out of 16 in walks for the year
6) and 3rd out of 16 in walks after Utley replaced Valdez/Orr/MiniMart in May
If anything, they are probably not aggressive enough, at least against pitchers with good control, causing them to get behind in the count.
— schmenkman - Where are the rest of the comments? They were there yesterday.
— Borkey - Ryan Howard is the 21st century version of Richie (aka Dick) Allen.— Borkey
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