Its Official: Carlos Ruiz Has Earned It!!!

Carlos Ruiz has proven time and time again that he is not the future catcher of this ball club. He is the catcher of this ball club... NOW!

Carlos Ruiz's bases clearing double in the 4th inning of tonight's ballgame was enough to make me stop preparing for my wife's birthday and run to my computer to announce this news.

I have no idea why Rod Barajas still gets playing time. Every time Carlos Ruiz starts, he performs. He stole home tonight... that's the first time in 10 seasons a Phillie has stole home. (Scott Rolen was the last to do it in 1997).

Currently Ruiz is hitting, .273 with 6 HRs and 36 RBIs. And this has been done with Barajas stealing about 80 of his ABs... getting about 15 starts too many.

To Manuel's credit it appears as if he's getting it. It does seem like Ruiz has been playing more and resting less. Next year I expect Ruiz to play in 140 plus games. None of this 110/50 game split. Ruiz is our starter, Ruiz is a gamer...

Ruiz has earned it!

No ifs, ands or Barajas....

Larry Bowa Loses His Cool

Warning: This video contains fowl language and ridiculous gestures.

Am I the only one who thinks this the kind of attitude we need in the clubhouse? Now I'm the first to say that every player is different and every player should be treated differently. Some respond to criticism, while others need to be coddled. Regardless, Larry Bowa bleeds baseball. And what's even better is that I'm convinced to this day, he still bleeds Phillies' red.

Sometimes a good manager is effective with a certain group of players. I think this current team is the perfect fit for someone like Bowa.

Chase Utley, Aaron Rowand, Brett Myers... a match made in heaven.

I'm hoping the Phillies don't make the playoffs this year just to get Fuqua Manuel out of here.

What do Jon Lieber, Robin Roberts and John Denny all have in common?

Answer: They will never pitch for the Phillies again.

It appears as if the Phillies' pitching woes have just gotten that much worse. Is it too early to start thinking about Eagles' training camp... which by the way begins in 34 days.

Jon Leiber has hurt himself in a freak accident taking a mis-step after surrendering a single, which incidentally scored a run, bringing his June ERA to 6.66. That's not good karma. Let's burn his uniform, sacrifice a chicken, and hire clairvoyant to rid the Phillies of this awful curse.

It is quite possible that Jon Lieber will have season ending surgery and not pitch again this year. Here's a full report on Lieber's injury. With Freddy Garcia and Tom Gordon already on the DL, the Phillies' already thinning staff has just gotten that much thinner, kind of like Brett Myers' hairline. (see pic to the left)

Speaking of Brett Myers... will the Phillies ask him to return to the starting rotation? If that's the case, who is our closer?

Jamie Moyer has already volunteered to be part of a 4 man rotation. Which will allow Myers to stay in the pen. Moyer is a true gamer and is tough as nails. Jamie Moyer is 44 years old and he's still pitching deep into games and has arguably been our most consistent starter. (Hamels is his only competition, unfortunately)

So what are the Phillies to do? They've listed a whole lot of names from AA Reading, AAA Ottawa and haven't ruled out a trade. The Good Phight has a few of those suggestions. And even though Lieber was the most likely candidate to be traded... it was me, the prognosticator of all prognosticators that said something like this was bound to happen and it was a good thing to have 6 'quality' starters. (Please note, quality is used very loosely here.)

I've always thought the Phillies should have kept all 6 starters and used one in the bullpen. I had no idea it would turn out to be Myers, in a closer's role. Regardless. Our 6 starters has now dwindled down to 3.

I also pleaded with Pat Gillick on numerous occasions to keep Aaron Rowand. I think we're all glad he did.

But now, with the Phillies realistically in a position to make a move towards first place and make the playoffs. What doe Gillick do?

Is it time to try and get something for Pat Burrell? Do we now trade our beloved Aaron Rowand? Should we package a few of our young outfielders? I don't know. I'm not paid the big bucks to make these decisions. I'm a little worried that I'll be disappointed with what goes on... all we can do is wait and see.

Phillies Diary: Ben Rivera 1993

Before they imploded the Vet, the Phillies staff were giving away a big box of things left by the players who were too busy or ashamed to come and clean out their lockers.... I was fortunate enough to get my hands on some diaries... and lucky for you, I will share them with you from time to time...

October 13, 1993

Dear Diary it's me Big Ben,

We just beat the Braves to go to the World Series!!!

I can't believe what's happening here. Our team has capitalized on our amazing April record and held on to make it to the playoffs. That's great news. It's the first time the Phillies have made the playoffs in 10 years. That's a long time.

And winning the NLCS was no picnic... but we showed the Braves who was boss. I think there run of making the playoffs 3 years in a row now is over.... no way they can reload again.... Pendleton, McGriff, Blauser, Lemke... they're all over the hill... and those pitchers they have, Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux...they're overrated... i was on their team at the beginning of last year....they'll be out of baseball in a few years.

Let's face it... it's the Phillies time to reign!!!

What's better is that even if we don't win this year... I have confidence we can be there again shortly... we have a pretty good hitting SS in Kevin Stocker... his move from AA Reading has been seamless. Mickey Morandini seems to have entrenched himself as an All-Star second baseman. That could be a good Double play combination for the next few years.

And don't even get me started with Kim Batiste... talk about a clutch hitter. Did you see that hit in Game 1 to beat the Braves? Amazing... we're grooming him to be the best pinch hitter in the game.

Our outfield has Wes Chaimberlain... who is still kind of young at 27 years old, man he has a gun and he has glimpses of power and when Eisenreich decides to retire, he'll fill his shoes nicely. Tony Longmire is primed to be a super-star and I think Pete Incaviglia appears to be back to his old form... we can expect 35 homers from him next year, no problem.

And Lenny Dykstra.. what can I say about Lenny Dykstra. The man is a machine. He takes such good care of his body. Have you see that animal in the weight room? Actually, I've never seen him in the weight room... he must have a gym at home... anyway... he takes such good care of himself, He'll play until he's 40. He led the league in walks, hits and runs....And that's nice to have at the top of the order.

Ricky Jordan will have a long career as a pinch hitter, and he's good insurance behind John Kruk, and he too will be weened to take over the starting job soon.

And though our pitching staff is kind of old with Mulholland and Jackson.... me and Schilling and Tommy Greene should hold down the fort for a few years. I won 13 games this year. There's a lot to be said about that... never mind my 5.02 ERA, this team will always put up runs to support me.

I here we have a pretty good 3rd base prospect playing down in Rookie Ball with Martinsville. The organization is really high on him, has a glove like Schmidt.... his name is Scott something... he probably won't pan out... but we won't need him. Dave Hollins will do just fine. His 24 homers this year, are just the beginning of what this guy can do... his intensity alone is responsible for 4 homeruns a year.

We're going to win the series this year and be in contention for the next few years, at least to win another. And I'm confident our farm team will continue to produce superstars like Ruben Amaro Jr. and Kevin Stocker...

Mitch Williams is looking better than ever he had 2 saves and 2 wins in the NLCS...Can't wait to beat the Blue Jays!

signed,

Big Ben Rivera

Cole Hamels is in good Company... Literally....

Cole Hamels had a Jon Lieber like outing tonight. Let's hope Jon Lieber has a Cole Hamels like outing in his next start.

Hamels did not look like himself, he looked like Hole Camels again... but again...he's only human. I'll take 9 wins to 3 losses from any pitcher, any time... He'll be back.

Hamels does have some problems. He gives up the long ball. Currently, he leads the league with 17 homers surrendered in 103.2 innings, which translates to approximately 1 homerun every 6 innings, or 1.5/9 innings.

Surely this is a bad sign, but consider the following statistics.

Pitchers Who Have Surrendered the Most Homeruns in their career... I have asterisks, next to the names of the Hall of Famers. He's got a lot of innings to pitch to get there, but he would definitely be in good company... Nice to see another Phillie who is the career leader in this category.

CAREEN HOME RUNS

Pitcher HR

Robin Roberts 505*
Ferguson Jenkins 484*
Phil Niekro 482*
Don Sutton 473*
Frank Tanana 448
Warren Spahn 434*
Bert Blyleven 430
Steve Carlton 414*
Gaylord Perry 399*
Jim Kaat 394
Jack Morris 389
Charlie Hough 383
Tom Seaver 380
Jim Hunter 374*
Jim Bunning 372*
Dennis Martinez 372
Dennis Eckersley 347*
Mickey Lolich 347
Luis Tiant 346

SEASON HOME RUNS

Pitcher Year HR

Bert Blyleven 1986 50
Jose Lima 2000 48
Robin Roberts 1956 46
Bert Blyleven 1987 46
Pedro Ramos 1957 43
Denny McLain 1966 42
Robin Roberts 1955 41
Phil Niekro 1979 41
Rick Helling 1999 41
Bill Gullickson 1987 40
Robin Roberts 1957 40
Ralph Terry 1962 40
Orlando Pena 1964 40
Phil Niekro 1970 40
Ferguson Jenkins 1979 40
Jack Morris 1986 40
Shawn Boskie 1996 40
Brad Radke 1996 40
Ramon Gritz 2002 40
COPYRIGHT 2004 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group


So what does this tell you? I'm not sure, but if Hamels is being compared to Left and Left and is 8th all time in most homeruns allowed, than Hamel's Achilles heal is alright by me.

And doesn't it also seem like Cole Hamels gives up a lot of first inning runs? I would pull the stats on runs per inning, but I'm pretty tired and am fending off sleep.

PS - Say hello to Cole Hamels' wife... Heidi, she was on the Survivor. I told you he was in good company....

B-B-B-B-Boyz II Men...

Boys to men... this appears to be the mantra of the most recent Phillies surge... Come Friday, we'll really be able to separate the men from the boys when the Phillies square off against a very strong Detroit Tigers team.

Incidentally, Friday night Philly's own Boyz II Men will be honored at the 4th Annual Sound of Philadelphia/Black Music Month, for their work in the community during a pre-game tribute. I'll be sure to show up early, grab a Schmitter and a Lager and watch the awards ceremony.

I will actually be in attendance Friday night... but not because Motown Philly is back again, (go...go...) doin' a little east coast swing. But because of the one and only Placido Polanco, and I'm taking my mother-in-laws husband, kind of my second step-dad to the ballpark for father's day. I convinced my wife it was a good idea for the four of us... and I'm happy because I get to see Polanco play.

Placido Polanco plays the game the way the game should be played. He's batting .344 this year and I've always said that he will win a batting title before his career is up. If he stays healthy. The biggest reason I'd say that is because he always puts the ball in play. He rarely strikes out... here are his statistics to date.

.343 BA, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 44 runs, 33 RBI, and he's only struck out 13 times in 251 ABs.

He's been known to get hurt a lot, which doesn't bode well for staying in a groove and staying consistent. If Polanco can stay healthy I see no reason why he wouldn't keep up his current pace.

I remember being at the Phils game, when my sister and I used to have the Sunday plan and Polanco had just hit a double... then he did something that I teach my ballplayers (I was a high school coach in Atlanta, and played in college, so I know what I"m talking about)... What he did was stand on second base, and look to see where all the outfielders were standing. What this does is gives him the ability to get a better jump on the ball based on his knowledge of the outfielder's placement. If he knows they're playing a right handed hitter to pull, and the center fielder is shading to left, then a ball hit in the gap in right center, will most likely get through and it allows him to score, as opposed to stopping at third if the ball is cut off. It seems simple, but you won't find anyone else doing that. I'm sure Dave Lopes teaches that...but it was refreshing to see.

If you're at the game... look for me.. .i'll be wearing a Phillies' hat, and rooting for Polanco... (and the Phils of course)

I'll keep you updated on Polanco's stats as the season progresses.

Come Friday... will the Phillies officially turn from boys to men, and take hold of this wacky NL East? Things are looking good... and all of a sudden the radio talk show hosts will jump back on the bandwagon and take back everything they've said about Gillick and Montgomery... they sure are fickle.

Open up and say aaaahhhh!!!

aaahhhhh....

Relax for a day. The Phillies have done their job and handily taken 3 games from an underperforming White Sox club.

We can relax for at least a few hours knowing that the Phillies have helped themselves stay within 3 games of the division lead... 2 games if the Mets lose to the Dodgers tonight...

The rook looked decent in his debut. He kept them in the ball game and gave the offense a chance to win... and that is really all you need your pitcher to do.

I'm heading to the game on Friday night vs. the Tigers. Can't wait to see Placido again... what a player that guy is. It was a shame we couldn't find a place for him at 3rd base. I can't believe we opted for David Bell over Polanco.

That's More Like it... Eaton shuts down White Sox

That's more like it... an easy, uneventful Phillies victory.

The delay in postings was because of our move to Philadelphia. We are now officially settled, and can re-start our lives in our beloved hometown....

Tonight was my first opportunity to watch a Phillies game front to back on Comcast. And boy, The Sarge is terrible... When reading about his boringness on other blogs, I didn't think it would be that bad... but it is... He has got to go. And they team him up with Chris Wheeler, who I think is in love with every major league baseball player.

Adam Eaton pitched very well. He pitched 7 strong innings, and it may have been 8, had he not been taken out for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 7th.

Eaton has managed 7 wins despite his 5.42 ERA. To me, someone with a lot of decisions, usually pitches well enough to stay in ball games and be carted out there every 5th day. Remember when Schilling used to win 15 and lose 13.... you have to be good lose 13 games. (And weren't we all rooting for Schill last week with his no hit bid... tough luck!!! It would have been neat to see Curt get a no-no.)

The Phils only managed 4 hits, though 3 of them were homers. Pat Burrell started things off with a long-slow-methodical swing which just so happen to make contact with an outside fastball... it left the park.

Ryan Howard hit a "second decker" to add some insurance. And finally Jimmy Rollins added his 11th homerun of the year, once again showing his power surprising power.

PS - Brett Meyers was throwing a little bit today (with his left hand). The good news is he's out and about and probably ready to start rehabbing. Where will Uncle Charlie put him? Alfonseca seems to be doing okay... and now that the Phils have Joe Table, do we still put Meyers in the closing role, or does he take Garcia's spot. One more time through the rotation before that decision is made, as the Phils have called up Kyle Kendrick, from Reading to pitch the last game agains Chicago. How fitting is it that he's a pitcher with 3 Ks ini his name. I'm a KK also, but I don't have that third K... and I'm not a major league pitcher.

PSS - The acquisition of Joe Table (aka Jose Mesa) begs the question... Is Ricky Botallico available?

The Phillies' Fab Four

When you think of the Philadelphia Phillies, the first names that pop into your head are probably Howard, Utley and Rollins. Add to that, the best pitcher in the National League Cole Hamels.. and you've got yourself a pretty good core of great young players.

Today, The Fab Four forged forward flattening San Francisco, 5-2.

Hamels contributed greatly with a 5 hit, complete game posting his NL leading 8th victory. Rollins respectfully scored a run and recorded an RBI. Utley scored twice, and Howard hit in the clutch driving in 2.

Previously I mentioned that we would be saying the words Howard and Hamels an awful lot in the coming years. Today was no exception. Howard and Hamels helped hand homerun boy and his hackless teammates a big L.

But, Howard and Hamels.... need some help.

Phillies Offense... Like a Runaway Train

The Phillies offense has managed exactly 5 hits in the last 18 innings.

Makes me think that something is missing. Oh that's right... offense. The offense is missing. (there was no pitching tonight either, but even if Eaton pitches a 1 run gem, we still lose).

The Phillies offense is on a runaway train. Wrong ticket on a one way track. It seems like we should be getting somewhere... somehow we're neither here nor there. And it has been going on like this for too long.

This Soul Asylum video makes me think the Phillies should have a spot in the video.

"Phillies Playoff Berth: Missing Since 1993"

Pathetic... enjoy the video..