So in light of RAJ's latest run of signings, I realized that sometimes I really don't want to root for the Phillies. But I'm not a traitor, and I'm not about to give up on my team just because the GM is an idiot. However, it does make me jealous that other teams have front offices that, you know, actually think. So I've decided to write a post on the team I wish I rooted for...
If I was starting a MLB team I would first look for two things, players who are young, but still somewhat proven, and veterans who still have something left in their tanks. I would back that up with solid drafts picks, great young pitching, and one or two superstar players. That would be my recipe for success not only because I've seen it somewhat work with the 2012 Nationals, but I've seen a mini-dynasty of a franchise emerge from the Midwest. Yes, I'm talking about the St. Louis Cardinal's. Don't get me wrong, often times I find myself rooting against GM John Mozeliak's team, and the Redbirds have caused me much heartbreak, but they always find a way to position themselves really well coming into the postseason. They have only won one division title in the past 3 years, yet have 3NLCS appearances, 2 Nationals League Titles, and 1 World Series Championship. Not to mention they have done this with a core of players that they themselves drafted. This is the team that I look at jealously when RAJ makes another moronic move. I thought that the Freese-Bourjos trade was great way to fill a need, and it accounted for the possibility of Carlos Beltran leaving the team by adding yet another competent outfielder to the team. I also like the Jhonny Peralta, because, as much as I dislike anyone with a PED background, the Cardinals were in desperate need of a SS and I believe that a clean Peralta can still put up decent numbers for that position. I fully expect to see the Cardinals in playoff position come next September, and I can't wait to see what they pull together next season. As for the Phillies...I can't say as much...but I'll still be loyally rooting for them come opening day.
Honorable mention goes to the Rays, who always seem to be in the Postseason mix despite one of the lowest payrolls in the game. But the Cardinal's postseason reputation give them the slight edge for me.
As for blogs this off season, they will be few and far between, but I'm sure I will have something up around Christmas Break.
Ciao!
~TBC
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
To Doc
Dear Roy Halladay,
If this truly is the end of your career in the Phillies pinstripes, know that you will be sorely missed by all Phillies fans. Even though it didn't end well, we will always hold on to the memories of your 4 seasons in Philadelphia. The perfect game, the postseason no-hitter, the Cy Young Award, and the 20-win season all have a special place in our hearts. For myself personally, the first time I saw you pitch was the 2010 NLCS and you stole my heart with you tenacity and ability to keep your team in the game even when the chances were slim. I can't imagine a whole season with out your leadership and grit. I noticed that whenever you went on the DL, the team went on to an extended slump. People say that intangibles don't play a factor in winning games, but I know that we have an exception with you. I literally don't even want to think about the possibility of you wearing another uniform next year. You are such an inspiration to me and the rest of the Phillies fandom. Um...I know that I had more to say but I can't put it into words. If you decide to call it a career, just know that I consider you a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher. I mean I can't even put it into words how much I appreciate you!!!!!! You were my first favorite player, and they say the first one is the sweetest. Cheers to your career!
Sending you Brotherly (sisterly?) Love from...well not really the City of Brotherly Love but close enough.
~ Teenaged Baseball Chick <3
If this truly is the end of your career in the Phillies pinstripes, know that you will be sorely missed by all Phillies fans. Even though it didn't end well, we will always hold on to the memories of your 4 seasons in Philadelphia. The perfect game, the postseason no-hitter, the Cy Young Award, and the 20-win season all have a special place in our hearts. For myself personally, the first time I saw you pitch was the 2010 NLCS and you stole my heart with you tenacity and ability to keep your team in the game even when the chances were slim. I can't imagine a whole season with out your leadership and grit. I noticed that whenever you went on the DL, the team went on to an extended slump. People say that intangibles don't play a factor in winning games, but I know that we have an exception with you. I literally don't even want to think about the possibility of you wearing another uniform next year. You are such an inspiration to me and the rest of the Phillies fandom. Um...I know that I had more to say but I can't put it into words. If you decide to call it a career, just know that I consider you a sure-fire Hall of Fame pitcher. I mean I can't even put it into words how much I appreciate you!!!!!! You were my first favorite player, and they say the first one is the sweetest. Cheers to your career!
Sending you Brotherly (sisterly?) Love from...well not really the City of Brotherly Love but close enough.
~ Teenaged Baseball Chick <3
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Nationals Park Journal
So for those of you without access to my G+ page, I must explain. Last night I went to the Nationals-Phillies game. I decided to do a live journal. Below is my experience.
5:41pm- We just got off 270 onto 495. Looks to be about 20 minutes until we get there. I'm super excited and can't wait to get there We've got seats that are pretty much in the stratosphere on the right field side. I'm pretty bummed that we aren't on the Phillies side, but I'm glad that we get to see this great pitching match-up. GPS says we are getting there at 6:11.
7:05pm- Middle of the 1st- We got to our seats just as the game was beginning. Our seats are pretty good. We are pretty much right behind the foul pole. 3 up 3 down for Gio, and Denard Span extends his hit streak to 25 in his first at bat. Hamels walks Zim, not off to a good start.
7:54pm-End of the 3rd-Well the Nationals went up right after I put my pad away. It's been a pretty good game, with enough hits for it not to be boring, but few ruins. Only regular not in either lineup is LaRoche. Ruiz with a long double into the left hand corner. Gio has been sharp, Hamels fair. Nats 1, Phils 0
8:37pm-End of the 5th-Phils had a huge top of the 5th, scoring four off Gio and taking the lead. Started with Mayberry's eleventh homer and you could tell who the Phillies fans were because there were random people on their feet cheering. Galvis with a single just now. It ended with Ruiz's bases clearing double and just like that it was 4-1 Phils. Nats answer was Span getting on leading off and stealing second and third. Nats 1, Phils 4
9:42pm-That was a nail biter. Nationals score three on four Phillies pitchers. Harper with the big double. I was literally shaking! Rosenberg finally gets Ramos for the third out of the inning and the Phils barely escape with their lives. Nats 4, Phils 5
10:26pm-Papelbon gets Ramos to groundout to Rollins to end the game. Phillis win 5-4
So...That's my journal! I had a great time! One other note they played "Take on Me" during the seventh inning stretch :) See even the ballpark misses Michael Morse!
I have lots of pictures that I will post as soon as I get them uploaded!
~TBC
5:41pm- We just got off 270 onto 495. Looks to be about 20 minutes until we get there. I'm super excited and can't wait to get there We've got seats that are pretty much in the stratosphere on the right field side. I'm pretty bummed that we aren't on the Phillies side, but I'm glad that we get to see this great pitching match-up. GPS says we are getting there at 6:11.
7:05pm- Middle of the 1st- We got to our seats just as the game was beginning. Our seats are pretty good. We are pretty much right behind the foul pole. 3 up 3 down for Gio, and Denard Span extends his hit streak to 25 in his first at bat. Hamels walks Zim, not off to a good start.
7:54pm-End of the 3rd-Well the Nationals went up right after I put my pad away. It's been a pretty good game, with enough hits for it not to be boring, but few ruins. Only regular not in either lineup is LaRoche. Ruiz with a long double into the left hand corner. Gio has been sharp, Hamels fair. Nats 1, Phils 0
8:37pm-End of the 5th-Phils had a huge top of the 5th, scoring four off Gio and taking the lead. Started with Mayberry's eleventh homer and you could tell who the Phillies fans were because there were random people on their feet cheering. Galvis with a single just now. It ended with Ruiz's bases clearing double and just like that it was 4-1 Phils. Nats answer was Span getting on leading off and stealing second and third. Nats 1, Phils 4
9:42pm-That was a nail biter. Nationals score three on four Phillies pitchers. Harper with the big double. I was literally shaking! Rosenberg finally gets Ramos for the third out of the inning and the Phils barely escape with their lives. Nats 4, Phils 5
10:26pm-Papelbon gets Ramos to groundout to Rollins to end the game. Phillis win 5-4
So...That's my journal! I had a great time! One other note they played "Take on Me" during the seventh inning stretch :) See even the ballpark misses Michael Morse!
I have lots of pictures that I will post as soon as I get them uploaded!
~TBC
Friday, August 16, 2013
OUTRAGE!!!!!
Okay, it's rant time!
By now, most of you have probably heard the news that Charlie Manuel was fired as manager of the Phillies, less than month from completing what would have undoubtedly been his last season with the team anyway. This is a move that completely confused and quite frankly, really bothered me. This is the guy who lead this team to one of only two world series titles they can call theirs, not to say anything about the five consecutive division titles from 2007-2011. You'd think the front office could think of a more respectful way to part ways with the man who lead one of the greatest Phillies teams of all time than dumping him mid-season. I don't care if they want Ryne Sandberg to get experience with the players (which he is getting being the third base coach, DUH!), this is a total disgrace to Charlie. Don't get me wrong, I've had my moments of frustration with Charlie, but I respect him enough to quietly let him so his own way at the end of the season.
This is the last straw for Rueben Amaro, at least in my book. I have been fed up with him for a while now, and I have had enough. Signing players like Ryan Howard to contract extensions multiple years before their previous contracts ended and making bone-headed moves like adding Delmon Young is bad enough, but totally disgracing the man who lead your team to the WORLD SERIES! loses all of my respect. Guys, it's not Charlie's fault that he has to play the Youngs and other player like them, it's the fault of the guy who put them on the team!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amaro needs to go, ASAP!
That's enough of a rant for now :)
Charlie, know your are respected and your presence will be missed! Thanks for a great run!
~TBC
By now, most of you have probably heard the news that Charlie Manuel was fired as manager of the Phillies, less than month from completing what would have undoubtedly been his last season with the team anyway. This is a move that completely confused and quite frankly, really bothered me. This is the guy who lead this team to one of only two world series titles they can call theirs, not to say anything about the five consecutive division titles from 2007-2011. You'd think the front office could think of a more respectful way to part ways with the man who lead one of the greatest Phillies teams of all time than dumping him mid-season. I don't care if they want Ryne Sandberg to get experience with the players (which he is getting being the third base coach, DUH!), this is a total disgrace to Charlie. Don't get me wrong, I've had my moments of frustration with Charlie, but I respect him enough to quietly let him so his own way at the end of the season.
This is the last straw for Rueben Amaro, at least in my book. I have been fed up with him for a while now, and I have had enough. Signing players like Ryan Howard to contract extensions multiple years before their previous contracts ended and making bone-headed moves like adding Delmon Young is bad enough, but totally disgracing the man who lead your team to the WORLD SERIES! loses all of my respect. Guys, it's not Charlie's fault that he has to play the Youngs and other player like them, it's the fault of the guy who put them on the team!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amaro needs to go, ASAP!
That's enough of a rant for now :)
Charlie, know your are respected and your presence will be missed! Thanks for a great run!
~TBC
Monday, August 12, 2013
Depressed...
You know it perfectly sums up the Phillies second half to say that a team who has been struggling as much as they have, the Nationals, pretty easily swept them. Let's just say that the 2013 season has been a going down hill like a snowball for the Phillies. At this point, I can say that pretty much all I'm looking forward to is the prospect of getting a high draft pick this next year. It hurts to say it, but this team really needs to rebuild.
As for the Nationals, their prospects aren't looking much brighter. I hate to say it's over, but it's practically impossible to erase a 14.5 game lead at this point in the season. A Wild Card is still a possibility though, if the Nationals use the sweep of the Phillies as a springboard to an extended winning streak.
So, I'm stuck...It's getting to be almost playoff time and I have no idea which team I want to root for. I will probably end up rooting for the Rays or the Red Sox, but I would really like to have a NL to root for as well. Maybe the Pirates (BTW, they have to win 12 more games to break the losing season streak)...
This whole thing is incredibly depressing...
~TBC
As for the Nationals, their prospects aren't looking much brighter. I hate to say it's over, but it's practically impossible to erase a 14.5 game lead at this point in the season. A Wild Card is still a possibility though, if the Nationals use the sweep of the Phillies as a springboard to an extended winning streak.
So, I'm stuck...It's getting to be almost playoff time and I have no idea which team I want to root for. I will probably end up rooting for the Rays or the Red Sox, but I would really like to have a NL to root for as well. Maybe the Pirates (BTW, they have to win 12 more games to break the losing season streak)...
This whole thing is incredibly depressing...
~TBC
Monday, August 5, 2013
That post about Biogenesis
MLB is supposed to drop their decisions on the Biogenesis scandal later today. Sources tell us that the punishment for most players will be a suspension for the rest of the year. A-Rod is the outlier, with his suspension reportedly being for all of this season and next season. As far as we know, their are about 10 players total that will be suspended. I'm ready to get this whole mess over with, but if players appeal suspensions, this may drag into next season. Personally. I can't stand the appeals process. If MLB has enough evidence to suspend you, they should be able to keep you off the field for as long as they see fit. All players are, after all, employees of MLB.
One thing that I'm glad that MLB is going to do is not re-suspend Melky Cabrera, Big Fat Bartolo Colon, and Yasmani Grandall. Since they connected their earlier suspensions to Biogenesis, there is no reason to punish them twice for the same offence.
And that's pretty much all!
~TBC
One thing that I'm glad that MLB is going to do is not re-suspend Melky Cabrera, Big Fat Bartolo Colon, and Yasmani Grandall. Since they connected their earlier suspensions to Biogenesis, there is no reason to punish them twice for the same offence.
And that's pretty much all!
~TBC
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