Phils Minus Chooch Win Second Game Of The Year

Yesterday is what you want to see as a Phillies fan. They got down early 2-0 after Brett Myers let off a two run home run. Then, they caught up to take the lead 3-2 on a Ryan Howard bases loaded clearing double. Following, Myers gave up another home run to make it 3-3, but then Jayson Werth smacked a two-run triple to put the Phils up 5-3. Myers let up his third homer of the game and sixth of the season to make it 5-4, but then the Phils controlled the rest of the game to win 8-4. Brad Lidge was solid in the ninth inning even though it was not a save opportunity. 

They won without Carlos Ruiz, who was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained oblique. Lou Marson was called up from Lehigh Valley to take his place for the time being. 

On the game though, there are some positives and some negatives. The positives are the Phillies hit off of a very promising pitcher in Jorge De La Rosa. Another positive is Myers stayed within himself even though he gave up some long balls. That's where the negative comes in though. Myers is giving up way too many long balls. You can say it's early in the season blah blah blah. OK. In two starts and 13 innings of work, he has given up six home runs. Sure, they have come in two of the biggest hitters parks in the league, Citizens Bank Park and Coors Field, but it would be nice if Myers could improve that area of his game a bit. 

None the less, the Phils won and are 2-3 right now. Let's hope Chan Ho Park can help them get to .500 with a series win over the Rockies in Colorado this afternoon.

Tra Thomas, Carlos Ruiz, Sean Jones, McLaren Out, Phillies and 76ers...Oh My

So...yeah...we've missed a crap load of news here at "South Broad Street" over the past couple of days. 

First off, which is the most recent news, Tra Thomas has agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Donovan McNabb is now the longest tenured Eagle, but unless the Birds get weapons, that won't be for long.

Carlos Ruiz hurt his neck in one of those ridiculous World Baseball Classic games, but returned to the Panama lineup after feeling fine. Fortunately for us Phillies fans, Panama was eliminated yesterday. 

Hey...the Eagles have signed safety Sean Jones. WHO CARES! The deal is worth $3 million over one-year.

Recently acquired defenseman for the Flyers Kyle McLaren failed his physical and is out of town. WASTE OF OUR TIME!

The Phillies lost to the Braves 7-2 yesterday due to another poor outing from Carlos Carrasco. Can we cross this guy off of the fifth starter's contentions list?

And, with possibly the most embarrassing news for last, the 76ers lost last night in Oklahoma City to the Kevin Durant and Jeff Green—less Thunder 89-74 to fall to 30-31 on the season. 

If I didn't have so much to do with the ALL-PHILLY TEAM balloting I would analyze more, but that might come later.

Ruiz or Coste?

Obviously the initial answer would be Carlos Ruiz. 

"Chooch" stepped up big time in the playoffs, especially in the World Series and Chris Coste's production dimmed off towards the end of the regular season.

Not to mention, Ruiz is the better defensive player and that is more important for a catcher. Or is he?

In a very interesting article written in today's Philadelphia Daily News, Paul Hagen breaks done stat-by-stat/category-by-category the difference, or lack there of, between Chooch and Costey. 

If you were to ask me straight up, no stats, who I would want behind the plate, I would say Ruiz. But, this article does not stop me from thinking twice. Obviously, baseball is not all about numbers, but stats are a large part of it. 

These stats clearly show the similarities in numbers between the two catchers. 

Clearly, the Phillies go on a "feel" basis of who they want. They feel they want Ruiz and they feel they want to try other options at back up. That is why they brought some of those new catchers in. 

At the same time though, Coste is definitely getting slated. He is not a liability by any means. I guess he just sums in up best.

" 'Baseball people have always assumed that I was a weak defensive catcher, and once the label of poor defense was attached it became nearly impossible to shake. I could block a thousand dirt balls in a row, but the first one that gets by me is the one people will remember. Believe me, I don't claim to be a defensive wizard. I am Carlos Ruiz' biggest fan. He deserved to be the World Series catcher and deserves to be the starter in 2009. I do know that I'm far better than what people think.' "

What do you think? 

Before reading this story, who would you rather have had?

After reading this story, is that answer the same?

For me, it is. I still would rather have Chooch. But, I would rather have Coste as my back up than any of the guys they brought in to compete for that spot.

But enough of my opinion. You tell me what you think.