Philadelphia Phillies Blog Posts

A game for the record books

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:54:42 EST

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard put themselves in the record books in back-to-back at-bats in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the World Series in Philadelphia. Each tied an offensive mark originally set before Phil Coke, the Yankee pitcher who faced the duo, was born. Utley matched Reggie Jackson, who hit five home runs in the 1977 Fall Classic. Jackson, incidentally, was in his first year in Yankee pinstripes. Howard tied Willie Wilson, whose 12 strikeouts in the 1980 World Series were at the hands of none other than the Phillies. (Howard went on to set a new record in Game 6.)

How ‘bout that?

How about Chase Utley? His five home runs against Yankee pitching were one fewer than all of his teammates combined for during the six-game series. Utley absolutely carried the offense, either scoring or driving in 15 of the 27 runs the Phillies put up against the Yankee hurlers.

Continue reading "A game for the record books"

Mike Tyson Ricky Hatton UFC Tom Cable Yankees Raiders Manny Pacquiao

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:45:27 EST

The Yankees, Not the Red Sox, Were the Team of this Decade

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday night in the Bronx to win their record 27th World Series championship in team history.

The Yankees, who went 103-59 to establish the best mark in Major League Baseball in the 2009 season, simply outclassed the Phillies over the course of six games.

“I really believe in this club,” said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, who was widely scrutinized for his decision to utilize a three-man rotation throughout the playoffs. “I’ve always believed in this organization, the job the Steinbrenner family has done, Cashman and his staff and it’s where we wanted to be and the guys did it.”

Despite New York’s exorbitant payroll that exceeded $208 million, Girardi stressed that the Yankees chemistry and perseverance is what ultimately brought another crown to the Bronx.

Continue reading "Mike Tyson Ricky Hatton UFC Tom Cable Yankees Raiders Manny Pacquiao"

The Yankees Not the Red Sox Were the Team of this Decade

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:36:36 EST

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday night in the Bronx to win their record 27th World Series championship in team history.

The Yankees, who went 103-59 to establish the best mark in Major League Baseball in the 2009 season, simply outclassed the Phillies over the course of six games.

Despite New York’s exorbitant payroll that exceeded $208 million, Girardi stressed that the Yankees chemistry and perseverance is what ultimately brought another crown to the Bronx.

Continue reading "The Yankees Not the Red Sox Were the Team of this Decade"

St Louis Awful October and World Series Preview

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:36 EDT

It's been a while since I've written anything. It has certainly been a tough month. The Blues started their season by picking up a couple of huge wins over the Red Wings in Sweden, but now they've began to be plagued with injuries again. They've gone just 2-4-1 since returning to the United States and have lost Barret Jackman, T.J. Oshie, D.J. King, and Alex Steen to injuries. They were already without captain Eric Brewer. The only benefit to Jackman being out is that it's giving Alex Pietrangelo a chance to get some playing time. He recorded his first NHL goal on Saturday against Dallas. Unfortunately, nobody else scored in a 4-1 loss. The team admitted that they became unfocused after Dallas forward Steve Ott laid a cheap shot on Carlo Colaiacovo. That's fine if I'm playing a video game. If one of my guys gets hurt in playstation hockey, I spend the majority of the game afterwards trying to injure the other team, especially the player that got my guy hurt (Oh yeah, I go back in instant replay, find the guy, and place a personal vendetta against him for the rest of the contest).

Continue reading "St Louis Awful October and World Series Preview"

Andy Pettitte is a Hall of Fame Pitcher

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:21:20 EDT

Lefthander Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 5-2 Sunday night in the Bronx to capture their 40th American League Pennant.

Pettitte, 37, a two-time All-Star selection who has accumulated the most victories of any MLB pitcher since 1995, allowed only seven hits and one earned run in 6 1/3 innings.

“He did what he has done his whole career,” said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter of the 2001 ALCS MVP.

The native of Texas is set to make his eighth appearance in the World Series when the Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday evening.

Many onlookers have long considered Pettitte to be a serviceable pitcher who is not among baseball’s elite hurlers.

Those skeptics are simply incorrect.

Continue reading "Andy Pettitte is a Hall of Fame Pitcher"

Did you say you played for the Dodgers Or was it the Phillies

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:52:06 EDT

In the National League Championship Series, fans of both teams saw familiar faces wearing the opponent’s uniform. Dodgers Jim Thome, Vicente Padilla, and Randy Wolf used to play their home games in the City of Brotherly Love, while Phillies Jayson Werth, Pedro Martinez, Chan Ho Park, and Paul Bako once upon a time bled Dodger Blue.

Both the Philadelphia and Los Angeles coaching staffs have ties to their LCS rivals as well. Philly first base coach Davey Lopes played for the Dodgers for 10 years (1972-1981), while his counterpart, Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan, played for the Phillies from 1992 to 1995. Taking the cake is L.A. third base coach Larry Bowa, who played in Philadelphia from 1970 until 1981 and managed the Phils for four seasons (2001-2004) before being replaced by current Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 1974 and 1975.

Continue reading "Did you say you played for the Dodgers Or was it the Phillies"

9th Inning Heroics Highlight MLB Playoffs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:15:26 EDT

After the Los Angeles Angel's escape act in Fenway Park the other night, didn't figure to see almost a replica of Philadelphia's big rally in the 9th with two outs versus Colorado. As Yogi said, "It ain't over till it's over." And, that is the truth. That is the magic of baseball. You can be one strike from going home, but manage to put a man on base, and another, then someone comes up with a big hit, like Ryan Howard of the Phillies did a few days ago. And Jason Werth drove him home with a neatly placed single to right field. That was some hitting. That rally silenced the white flag fans in chilly Denver. But the Rockies' ride is over and the Phils try for a repeat over the stubborn Los Angeles Dodgers, who refuse to lose.

The Angels - Yankee Series will be a test of wills. It will come down to a matter of execution. Who will drive in a run with two outs and a man on second? Who will make a heads up base-running play? What pitching staff will have good outings from their starters? Then there's always A-rod who is hot as the 4th of July. It is nice to see a player who is great, perform that way in the post-season. No matter what one thinks of A-rod, he is a supremely talented power hitter. It's him and then there's everyone else. Look for Yankees in 6 games.

Continue reading "9th Inning Heroics Highlight MLB Playoffs"

Giants Begin Final Home Stand of the Season

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:03:54 EDT

It's hard to believe only 10 games remain in the regular season for the Giants, trailing Colorado by four games in the N.L. Wild Card race. Although it's still mathematically possible, I just think these guys are collectively gassed (mentally and physically). Even if everything goes their way between now at the finish line, who wants to watch a three-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers or Phillies. Is it still best-of-five in the first round? Hey, no one expected them to contend this late into the season - it's been an entertaining product despite a frustrating lack of offense. All I can say is just 10 more days of Randy Winn, Fred Lewis, and Dave Roberts' expiring contract -- good bye, and good luck to you all. The

Continue reading "Giants Begin Final Home Stand of the Season"

Pedro sticks it to his old mates

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:23:30 EDT

As if the 2009 season couldn't get any worse for the Metropolitans, Pedro Martinez had to go and embarrass them on national television last night. While Tim Redding (who I can't stand) pitched his ass off for the Mets, their anemic offense couldn't help him out. The Phillies' famously potent lineup was held to just one run...

And the Mets STILL couldn't find a way to win. Pedro, whom the Mets opted to pass on this offseason, went eight strong innings without allowing a single run. Pedro struck out seven, and scattered six hits. He was featuring an 88-92 MPH fastball, a sweeping curve, and an excellent change-up to left-handed hitters.

Oh well, I guess the Mets' front office was positive that Redding was the better choice this offseason. Another real winner for this sorry organization.

Continue reading "Pedro sticks it to his old mates"

Giants Cant Score Off Pedro Martinez Lose to Phillies

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:07:05 EDT

Eugenio Velez drilled the first pitch of the game of Pedro Martinez for a home run and a 1-0 Giants' lead. Too bad that was the end of the scoring for the rest of the game in a 2-1 loss to the Phillies Thursday. Martinez looked really good with 9 strike outs over seven innings. No, his fastball is not what it once was, but he knows how to pitch, and still features a deceptive delivery with his arm angle. Philadelphia is hoping THIS will be the same Pedro they can take with them into the post season. Giants' fans may remember when Pedro came off the DL in May of '08 as a New York Met, and beat San Francisco at A.T.& T. Park. He also had two hits in that game, and Barry Zito was awful - I remember because I was there! Now Zito has regained his form, and apparently, so has Pedro, because he was Way better today then he was at anytime last year with the Mets.

Continue reading "Giants Cant Score Off Pedro Martinez Lose to Phillies"