Phils lose. Hits would help.
Wish I could add more analysis of the game, but I didn't watch a pitch. In the past I could tolerate Jon Miller and Joe Morgan during ESPN games, though I would have to switch them off at times in order to cleanse my listening pallette. But the addition of Steve Phillips to the broadcast is too much for me to tolerate. So no Sunday night games for this guy. I'll try and catch them on Tuesday. CATCH THEM GET IT!!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Welcome Back
We are back from resting season. At least I am. Jim still may be on the streets of New York looking for his mp3 player.
So what have we missed? Someone, most likely Adam Eaton, slipped some Krytonite into Cole Hamels' Campbell's Soup. This probably had something to do with Eaton being released (that and the fact that he is a terrible pitcher). Geoff Jenkins also got the boot so the Phillies could flirt with Gary Sheffield. Chan Ho Park will be in the Phillies starting rotation which would be exciting news if it was 2000. Other than that, it was a pretty quiet Spring in Clearwater.
Here are some quick predictions by yours truly:
Ryan Howard will finally get off to a hot start. He'll have 30 home runs by the All Star Break.
Chase Utley will struggle early because he came back too soon from his crazy hip surgery. I don't think I'm going out on too far of a limb with this one.
Brad Lidge will blow a save. In fact, he may blow two.
Pedro Feliz will cause me to consider throwing my laptop into the middle of the street.
Shane Victorino will post a .700 OPS, which will cause the Phillies to make a move for another outfielder.
The Phillies will end up winning 88 games, which will be good enough for the Wild Card. Unfortunately, the Mets will win the Division.
NL Predictions:
East: Mets
Central: Cubs
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Phillies
NL Winner: Diamondbacks
MVP other than Pujols: Prince Fielder
Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Predictions:
East: Red Sox
Central: White Sox
West: Angels
WC: Rays
AL Winner: Red Sox
MVP: Grady Sizemore
Cy Young: Jon Lester
Unfortunately for most of us, the Red Sox will win the World Series.
Raul Ibanez might not be the player that Pat Burrell was, but he is definitely a much better actor.
So what have we missed? Someone, most likely Adam Eaton, slipped some Krytonite into Cole Hamels' Campbell's Soup. This probably had something to do with Eaton being released (that and the fact that he is a terrible pitcher). Geoff Jenkins also got the boot so the Phillies could flirt with Gary Sheffield. Chan Ho Park will be in the Phillies starting rotation which would be exciting news if it was 2000. Other than that, it was a pretty quiet Spring in Clearwater.
Here are some quick predictions by yours truly:
Ryan Howard will finally get off to a hot start. He'll have 30 home runs by the All Star Break.
Chase Utley will struggle early because he came back too soon from his crazy hip surgery. I don't think I'm going out on too far of a limb with this one.
Brad Lidge will blow a save. In fact, he may blow two.
Pedro Feliz will cause me to consider throwing my laptop into the middle of the street.
Shane Victorino will post a .700 OPS, which will cause the Phillies to make a move for another outfielder.
The Phillies will end up winning 88 games, which will be good enough for the Wild Card. Unfortunately, the Mets will win the Division.
NL Predictions:
East: Mets
Central: Cubs
West: Diamondbacks
WC: Phillies
NL Winner: Diamondbacks
MVP other than Pujols: Prince Fielder
Cy Young: Johan Santana
AL Predictions:
East: Red Sox
Central: White Sox
West: Angels
WC: Rays
AL Winner: Red Sox
MVP: Grady Sizemore
Cy Young: Jon Lester
Unfortunately for most of us, the Red Sox will win the World Series.
Raul Ibanez might not be the player that Pat Burrell was, but he is definitely a much better actor.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Myths by Raul
There are numerous people in the Philadelphia area who were overjoyed at the news of the Phillies signing Raul Ibanez, meaning the door has shut on the Pat Burrell era. I have issues with the signing, particularly the general idea of signing a 37 year old to a three year contract. That said, I think he will be an adequate replacement for Burrell in 2009.
That said, I strongly disagree with a lot of the hyperbole that has been thrown out by those who support the Ibanez deal. Such as......
Myth #1 - Raul Ibanez is a better hitter against left-handed pitching than Pat Burrell is.
In 2008, Ibanez had a career year hitting against left handers, putting up an OPS of .866. But every other year prior to '08, Ibanez had never even cracked .800 OPS against lefties. For his career, Ibanez is .268/.322/.411 against lefties. I would not be as concerned about these numbers if every lefthander over the age of 14 had not already figured out how to pitch to Ryan Howard.
Myth #2 - Raul Ibanez is a better hitter than Pat Burrell
If the year was 1983 and all we had were the back of baseball cards to argue with, then I would agree that with this Myth. But it isn't 1983, and only dopes use batting average and RBI to measure a hitter's production. In the last three years, Burrell has had an OPS+ of 122, 127, and 125. Ibanez has had OPS+ of 125, 121, 124. That is about as close as you can get in comparing two players over a three season span.
Myth #3 - Raul Ibanez is more consistent than Pat Burrell
I guess this comes down to your definition of consistency. People always would dwell on Burrell's hot and cold streaks, but just ignore the months where he put up numbers similar to his career stats. In 2008, both Burrell and Ibanez had two months with OPS under .800 and one month over 1.100. Same in 2007. Both players typically put up the same numbers on an annual basis. That is my definition of consistency.
Myth #4 - Raul Ibanez is less likely to decline than Pat Burrell
I am not a doctor and I haven't seen their medical records. But I have a difficult time believing that a 37 year old baseball player playing everyday does not present an injury risk, regardless of what great shape he is in. Getting old sucks.
Myth #5 - Losing a first round draft pick is not a big deal
This is an insane idea. And not only will the Phillies forfeit their first round pick by signing Ibanez, they also will not receive any compensation picks for Burrell because they did not offer him arbitration. Unless the Phillies plan on using that money to spend over slot for their additional picks, losing a first round draft pick is never a good idea.
I'm tired of typing. Type to listen to Barney Frank mumble and rumble. Welcome back us.
That said, I strongly disagree with a lot of the hyperbole that has been thrown out by those who support the Ibanez deal. Such as......
Myth #1 - Raul Ibanez is a better hitter against left-handed pitching than Pat Burrell is.
In 2008, Ibanez had a career year hitting against left handers, putting up an OPS of .866. But every other year prior to '08, Ibanez had never even cracked .800 OPS against lefties. For his career, Ibanez is .268/.322/.411 against lefties. I would not be as concerned about these numbers if every lefthander over the age of 14 had not already figured out how to pitch to Ryan Howard.
Myth #2 - Raul Ibanez is a better hitter than Pat Burrell
If the year was 1983 and all we had were the back of baseball cards to argue with, then I would agree that with this Myth. But it isn't 1983, and only dopes use batting average and RBI to measure a hitter's production. In the last three years, Burrell has had an OPS+ of 122, 127, and 125. Ibanez has had OPS+ of 125, 121, 124. That is about as close as you can get in comparing two players over a three season span.
Myth #3 - Raul Ibanez is more consistent than Pat Burrell
I guess this comes down to your definition of consistency. People always would dwell on Burrell's hot and cold streaks, but just ignore the months where he put up numbers similar to his career stats. In 2008, both Burrell and Ibanez had two months with OPS under .800 and one month over 1.100. Same in 2007. Both players typically put up the same numbers on an annual basis. That is my definition of consistency.
Myth #4 - Raul Ibanez is less likely to decline than Pat Burrell
I am not a doctor and I haven't seen their medical records. But I have a difficult time believing that a 37 year old baseball player playing everyday does not present an injury risk, regardless of what great shape he is in. Getting old sucks.
Myth #5 - Losing a first round draft pick is not a big deal
This is an insane idea. And not only will the Phillies forfeit their first round pick by signing Ibanez, they also will not receive any compensation picks for Burrell because they did not offer him arbitration. Unless the Phillies plan on using that money to spend over slot for their additional picks, losing a first round draft pick is never a good idea.
I'm tired of typing. Type to listen to Barney Frank mumble and rumble. Welcome back us.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I'm already done enjoying it
Our self imposed ban during the playoffs is over. Let's get back to making fun of stuff.
Bill Conlin is a sap
TWENTY-EIGHT years vanished in the heartbeat it took for Brad Lidge to deliver one final, unhittable slider to Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. Then, 1980 was suddenly 2008 and it was Lidge, not Tug McGraw, leaping joyously into the gelid South Philly air, and waiting for an avalanche of whooping teammates to engulf him. Brad sank to his knees in a spread-eagle prayer, beckoning toward Ruiz, who leaped into his arms.
I realize that times are tough for newspapers, but seriously Bill, this is no way to advertise your services to romance novel publishers. Send them a manuscript and they will get back to you. That is how it has always been done.
In what could be his final at-bat of the Phillies career he resuscitated with solid 2007-8 seasons, Pat Burrell began the eighth with a double to deep center that just missed leaving the Bank.
Pat Burrell's splits:
'05: .281/.389/.504
'06: .258/.388/.502
'07: .255/.400/.502
'08: .250/.367/.507
THESE ARE PRACTICALLY THE SAME. I don't understand this notion that Burrell became a different hitter the last two years.
History will record that Pedro Feliz, brilliant on defense all year but an offensive disappointment, drove in the winning run with a single to center off soft-tossing submariner Chad Bradford.
What was Conlin expecting of Pedro Feliz? That at age 33 he would suddenly turn into a different hitter, one that was patient at the plate? He did exactly as he was expected to. I expected something along the lines of .250/.300/.420 and he ended up a little short in the SLG department. Players don't suddenly get better at age 33, at least not in the post steroids era.
Lidge did not have his best stuff.
then
His drop-dead slider has had nastier bite. His fastball has had more late life.
Maybe Conlin was delirious when he sent his column in, which explains the obvious contradiction. And we know that the Inquirer and Daily News does not spend money on a sports editor.
Oh and congratulations to the Phillies. But I don't congratulate fans because you didn't do anything. Now don't burn the city down. Just Willie Green's house.
Bill Conlin is a sap
TWENTY-EIGHT years vanished in the heartbeat it took for Brad Lidge to deliver one final, unhittable slider to Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. Then, 1980 was suddenly 2008 and it was Lidge, not Tug McGraw, leaping joyously into the gelid South Philly air, and waiting for an avalanche of whooping teammates to engulf him. Brad sank to his knees in a spread-eagle prayer, beckoning toward Ruiz, who leaped into his arms.
I realize that times are tough for newspapers, but seriously Bill, this is no way to advertise your services to romance novel publishers. Send them a manuscript and they will get back to you. That is how it has always been done.
In what could be his final at-bat of the Phillies career he resuscitated with solid 2007-8 seasons, Pat Burrell began the eighth with a double to deep center that just missed leaving the Bank.
Pat Burrell's splits:
'05: .281/.389/.504
'06: .258/.388/.502
'07: .255/.400/.502
'08: .250/.367/.507
THESE ARE PRACTICALLY THE SAME. I don't understand this notion that Burrell became a different hitter the last two years.
History will record that Pedro Feliz, brilliant on defense all year but an offensive disappointment, drove in the winning run with a single to center off soft-tossing submariner Chad Bradford.
What was Conlin expecting of Pedro Feliz? That at age 33 he would suddenly turn into a different hitter, one that was patient at the plate? He did exactly as he was expected to. I expected something along the lines of .250/.300/.420 and he ended up a little short in the SLG department. Players don't suddenly get better at age 33, at least not in the post steroids era.
Lidge did not have his best stuff.
then
His drop-dead slider has had nastier bite. His fastball has had more late life.
Maybe Conlin was delirious when he sent his column in, which explains the obvious contradiction. And we know that the Inquirer and Daily News does not spend money on a sports editor.
Oh and congratulations to the Phillies. But I don't congratulate fans because you didn't do anything. Now don't burn the city down. Just Willie Green's house.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
2008 NFL Predicitons
Because it'd be silly to share my 2018 NFL predictions, although I do have them ready (hint: the Raiders will be better), here they are for 2008.
On a sadder note, I can't access this damn blog from work any longer thanks to a new web blocking program which would make the North Korean government jealous, so I am trying to post at night. I haven't been around at night though, which makes that very difficult. Blargh, who cares, right? On to the picks-
NFC East-
Cowboys
Eagles
Giants
Redskins
NFC North-
Vikings
Bears
Packers
Lions
NFC South-
Panthers
Saints
Bucs
Falcons
NFC West-
Seahawks
Who gives a shit?
Wild Cards- Eagles and Saints
AFC East-
Pats
Bills
Jets
Fins
AFC North-
Browns
Steelers
Bengals
Ravens
AFC South-
Jags
Colts
Texans
Titans
AFC West-
Chargers
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Wild Cards- Colts and Bills
NFC Champs- Vikings
AFC Champs- Chargers
SB Champs- Chargers, thus ending the universe (see the Norv Turner Theory of Heat Death)
On a sadder note, I can't access this damn blog from work any longer thanks to a new web blocking program which would make the North Korean government jealous, so I am trying to post at night. I haven't been around at night though, which makes that very difficult. Blargh, who cares, right? On to the picks-
NFC East-
Cowboys
Eagles
Giants
Redskins
NFC North-
Vikings
Bears
Packers
Lions
NFC South-
Panthers
Saints
Bucs
Falcons
NFC West-
Seahawks
Who gives a shit?
Wild Cards- Eagles and Saints
AFC East-
Pats
Bills
Jets
Fins
AFC North-
Browns
Steelers
Bengals
Ravens
AFC South-
Jags
Colts
Texans
Titans
AFC West-
Chargers
Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Wild Cards- Colts and Bills
NFC Champs- Vikings
AFC Champs- Chargers
SB Champs- Chargers, thus ending the universe (see the Norv Turner Theory of Heat Death)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
No Country for a Crappy Team Like Washington
Wow, how about that Brett Myers? With the exception of his first game back from his banishment to the minors, he has been outstanding. He now has a better ERA than Kyle Kendrick, which means everyone should be turning on Kyle very shortly. In other pitching pariah news, Adam Eaton gave up 6 runs in 6 IP last night in Reading because he sucks.
Speaking of turning on people, this whole Jimmy Rollins thing is ridiculous. A year ago, he was the most popular athlete in the city after his boasting about the Phils being the team to beat and his MVP-like performance. This year, he may as well be a DHS employee running a dog fighting ring out of a crack house. Part of that is his performance, which has been subpar. And his comment about Philly fans being front runners is still pissing people off even though it is TRUE. Just the fact that there was and still is such an uproar over his comments only serves to help prove what a bunch of over-emotional whiners and doomsayers Philly fans can be. And yes, I include myself in that.
Speaking of turning on people, this whole Jimmy Rollins thing is ridiculous. A year ago, he was the most popular athlete in the city after his boasting about the Phils being the team to beat and his MVP-like performance. This year, he may as well be a DHS employee running a dog fighting ring out of a crack house. Part of that is his performance, which has been subpar. And his comment about Philly fans being front runners is still pissing people off even though it is TRUE. Just the fact that there was and still is such an uproar over his comments only serves to help prove what a bunch of over-emotional whiners and doomsayers Philly fans can be. And yes, I include myself in that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)