The Current State Of The Philadelphia Phillies

OK, so this blog has been doing a real crappy job on updating what's going on with Philly sports lately. I will take the blame for that. It's run by a bunch of college kids and we all have finals right now. And if teams like the Flyers, 76ers or Eagles were just playing, it would be a lot easier to make up missed dates. But not with the Phillies who play almost everyday. So, this post is going to be about the state of Phillies since our last post, which was the 7-3 ninth inning comeback in Florida.

After that game, the Phillies won four in a row, beating the Marlins 6-4 and 13-2. The 6-4 game was another come from behind victory in the ninth inning and the Phils won it in the tenth. The 13-2 game was nice because it was a relaxing way to enjoy a Phillies game since most of them have been exciting come from behind victories. Jamie Moyer also continued his dominance over Florida in that blowout win.

After the weekend series in Florida, the Phils had a three game set at home against the Nationals. On Monday, they won 13-11. It was a game in which the Phillies hit two grand slams. One was by Ryan Howard and the other by Rauuuuuuuullllll Ibanez (more on this guy later). Howard's tied the game at 6-6 and Ibanez's gave the Phils a 13-11 lead in the eighth inning. Something to take note of is Brad Lidge didn't save this game. Ryan Madson did. Lidge apparently has problems with the knee he had surgery on before last year. He is going to throw a bullpen soon and see how he goes from there on whether or not he is going to the DL. 

Tuesday was a thrashing of the lowly Nationals 7-1. It was also Charlie Manuel Bobble Head night, which looked like a sweet give away and in a more serious story, Cole Hamels left another game early. This time it was a sprained ankle. He said it was mild though and that he should be alright. Poor Big H. He can't get a consistent outing this year so far. His last two outings he was doing well until he got hit by a line drive and then turned his ankle. 

So, after five wins in a row, the Phillies can't win every game. Last night after a first inning homer by Shane Victorino, Brett Myers gave up three runs and Jack Taschner gave up one as the Phillies lost to the "Natinals" 4-1. 

Last night's game ended the month of April as the team is off today. They start a three game home set with the hated Mets tomorrow. 

Some Thoughts On The Recent Play Of The Phillies:

-I am really liking the way this team is playing right now, minus last night. They are showing resiliency by coming from behind and their hitting is picking up for their pitching. Once this staff gets back into normal form, I feel we are going to be very good. And the past couple of games, the Phillies have been scoring runs throughout rather than in the latter innings like they did in some of their wins last week. 

One of the brightest spots so far about this season is Raul Ibanez. The guy can just flat out play baseball. He is such a ball player. He has given us more than anyone expected. We thought he would hit and he's hit better than we thought and we thought he was an "iffy" fielder and he has turned out to be a very good fielder. Quickly Ibanez is becoming a fan favorite, especially after replacing a huge fan favorite in Pat Burrell. 

Phillies Drop Two Straight To The Brewers

Unfortunately, the Phillies bats just didn't click the past two days after scoring 11 runs Tuesday night. Last night, the Phillies lost 3-1, even though Joe Blanton pitched well and today, they lost 6-1.

But, the storyline on today's game was Philly native and Conestoga High School product Dave Bush almost throwing a no hitter for the Brewers. But, who was the one who faltered the no hit bid?

The man, the myth, the legend—Matt Flippin' Stairs! Haha. This guy rules. Opposing teams should just stick a golf tee in the dirt at home plate, put a baseball there and see if he hits one out. The reason—when Matt Stairs hits a homer it is like he is teeing up on a golf ball. Unbelievalbe. He hit one way out off of the foul pole today in the eighth inning, which as mentioned ended Bush's no hitter.

Another storyline on today's game is Cole Hamels left early in the fourth inning. This is the more seroius storyline because he got hit by a screaming line drive from Prince Fielder on his throwing shoulder. In the previous at bat, he gave up a two run homer to Ryan Braun, but other than that he was crusing with six strikeouts through the first three innings. The early diagnosis on Hamels is a shoulder contusion, also known as a bruise. So, it sounds like it should be alright, but don't be too sure. You never know what can happen.

The Phillies are in Florida this weekend to take on the first place Marlins. I am really looking forward to this series.

What's Been Going Down In the Crazy World Of Philadelphia Sports

I'll admit, "South Broad Street" has been a bit behind on being up to date with what's been going on in Philly sports. So, I'm going to try to re-cap the best I can in this particular post and give my fair share of analysis.

Flyers:

-They Orange and the Black have won two straight after a very disheartening loss to the Red Wings, by defeating the Sabres in Buffalo on Friday 6-4 with Danny Briere scoring twice against his former squad and beating the hated Penguins today in Pittsburgh 3-1. Simon Gagne and Scott Hartnell scored, while Darrell Powe had an empty netter. Marty Biron made 27 saves. This could very possibly be a first round match-up in the four and five spots in the playoffs.

76ers:

-The 76ers for some reason continue to refuse to play defense out west as they fell to the Golden State Warriors on Friday 119-111. The Warriors, albeit out west, are freaking terrible. They are almost 20 games under .500. The Sixers shot a dismal 38 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three range. They are in Sacramento tonight.

Phillies:

-I'm sure you all know this already, but Cole Hamels' throwing elbow (originally said arm but it is in fact an elbow) wasn't feeling great, he went back to Philly to get it examined, but everything turned out alright and is now back in Clearwater. FEWWWW! Deep breath. However, he will probably not start on Opening Night and thus, Brett Myers will have that privilege. 

Eagles:

-The Birds signed fullback Leonard Weaver, which is a nice addition. So far, there big pickups have been Stacey Andrews, Sean Jones and Rashad Baker (who played in Oakland last year and made that big INT in the game versus Tampa Bay to help the Eagles get that playoff spot). WOOPY! But, in all seriousness, Weaver is an improvement from last year at the fullback position.

-One more Eagles note, ex-Bird Correll Buckhalter is alleged to be dealing with drugs. Well, good thing this happened when he became a Bronco and wasn't an Eagle. With the loss of Dawk and Tra, all we needed was to hear about how one of our players was "Actin' A Fool!" in a bad way.

"The Cole War"

Really New York? Really????

I'm fed up with the Mets.

For those of you who haven't heard The New York Post published an article about Cole Hamels calling the Mets choke artist. Not only did they write and article about it, they had a nice big banner across the top of the page entitled, THE COLE WAR. Isn't Jose Reyes who said, "I don't know why they always focus on us."

The Mets are looking for a fight.

Cole further explained his words last week while talking with Howard Eskin. Eskin asked him why it was such a big deal to use the word choke.

Hamels replied by saying, "The word choke means you weren't able to fully come through when you were supposed to. I think the Mets had the top teams, they pretty much had the championships in the bag and they weren't able to come through. A lot of guys will perceive them as choking in the end and not fulfilling their end of the bargain because they should have taken it. You know what? It really does show the strength and hard work and I guess the deep down guts that we have to take it away from them."

That is the perfect definition of the word choke. Hamels did no wrong. If the New York media wants to blow simple words up to create a giants controversy then let them. When late September rolls around and the Mets are looking up at the Phillies in the standings, that's when Cole, along with all the other members of the Phillies, can look at all the New Yorkers with their middle fingers held high and continue to call them choke artists.                                   

Notes On the 09 Phillies: Big H Adopting Kids and Costey Signs A Split Contract

I found this post on the7000level.com this afternoon about how Cole and Heidi Hamels plan on adopting AIDS children from Africa. 

Here is the link to the Sports Illustrated story that released that information. 

I think that is pretty cool what Big H and his wife are doing. It is pretty clear the Phillies are a team of generous individuals. While the Hamels do this, the Ulteys, Chase and Jennifer, are big advocates of the SPCA. 

My other Phillies note is something that Phillies MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki reported in his blog. He said Chris Coste and the Phils have agreed to a split contract, $464,000 in the majors and $249,000 in the minors. 

Let me tell you something, if Costey is not on the big club this season, I am going to be pissed off. He is a right handed power bat and not that bad of  a defensive catcher, even though everyone claims him to be.

Costey is the quintessential Philadelphian athlete. He can connect to the Philly fans—always getting slapped in the face, but still fighting and pulling through.

I wish him the best of luck and hope he makes the big club.

Big H Living Large

Check out Cole Hamels' new apartment in Center City within the Two Liberty Place building.

I found this video first on the700level.com, but the main source is The Philadelphia Inquirer online.