Results tagged ‘ basketball ’
Geoff Jenkins Released; 5th Starter Determined
In a surprise move, the Phillies released Geoff Jenkins today, content with eating the over 8 million dollars they owe him. The Phillies are trying to find another right handed bat to balance out the line-up and Jenkins is a lefty, so he does not fit into the plan for 2009. However, picking up Jenkins to begin with was not a great move, which I stated way back when that happened. His numbers were steadily declining with his age and the Phillies more than overpaid for him. What I did like about Jenkins though throughout 2008 was his personality, his work ethic and they way he fit into a tight knit clubhouse. Jenkins is a super nice guy with a great sense of humor. He will be missed. I have a few photos of Jenkins for you throughout this piece to remember him by.
And now on with my rant; Todd Zolecki has reported that the Phillies may now be interested in Gary Sheffield who was just released by the Detroit Tigers. Let me state for the record that as much as I opposed picking up Jenkins in 2008, I am even more convinced that Sheffield is a far worse idea.
I’d rather have 2 Jenkins’ than one Sheffield. And here are the numerous reasons why:
In 2 years with the Tigers, Sheffield played in a TOTAL of 18 games in the field. Yes, 18 out of like 324 games; he served as the team’s DH. Therefore, at 40 years of age, it is obvious Sheffield can no longer field. Not to mention Sheffield himself said publicly that he wanted to go to the Rays, an America League team. Apparently, he knows he can no longer play outfield and thus, prefers the DH role. So, if the Phillies pick up Sheffield, are we then saying we believe Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, who have been injury prone in the past, will stay healthy ALL year long? Not to mention Raul Ibanez, who is 36 year old. Someone please hire us a Geriatric Nurse, quick!
So you say Sheffield can hit? Sure, 20 years in the majors and he stands at 499 home runs. Great. But his numbers in the last 2 years, as he has gotten older, have declined. He hit .265 in 494 at-bats in 2007 and then hit .225 in 418 at-bats in 2008. You cannot say he did not get his AB’s, because as the regular DH, he did. How can the Phillies, or any other team, expect improvement if he gets to hit off the bench only once every 2-3 games?
And then there is my favorite issue: personality. Sheffield is the same guy who picked fights with Joe Torre and Derek Jeter of the Yankees; two of the MOST respected guys in baseball. He called Torre a racist and then turned around and said Jeter “ain’t all the way black.” Hypocritical, if you ask me. Not to mention, Joe Torre is one of the best managers in the game and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Not convinced yet? How about the steroid allegations? Sheffield admitted to using steroids, Do you believe it? Read the article here about Sheffield’s issues, and former relationship with Barry Bonds, and judge for yourself. And even if the man is innocent, do the Phillies really need that kind of distraction in their clubhouse? Again, I’d rather have 2 Jenkins than one Sheffield.
except that he says he did not know they were steroids. How many times have we heard players say that now?
I do hope my rant has been a waste of time and that the Phillies do not go anywhere near the problem child, Sheffield. But as in life and baseball, stranger things have happened. Crossing my fingers and toes that this will NOT be the case here…
UPDATE: The Phillies have contacted Sheffield’s agent. UGH! No word yet on what will happen next.
Also, in a day filled with weird news, the Phillies also just announced that Chan Ho Park has won the 5th starters spot! JA Happ’s future is uncertain except that he, Gary Majewski, Jack Taschner and Bobby Mosebach will now compete for 2 bullpen spots.
(All Photos by Jenn)
***Visit the Phillies Phollowers Online Shop today!***
(Store is non-profit, but lots of fun! I hope you enjoy our artwork!)
*Read more about the Phillies at MY OTHER HOME PAGE! Phillies Phollowers has joined forces with Phightin’ Phils Phorum! Remember also to check out the homepage, My Team Rivals and my very own Miami Dolphins page, The Dolphin Pod!
Phillies Honored at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Award Banquet
The Philadelphia Phillies, for the second year in a row, won the PSWA’s annual “Team of the Year” award at Monday night’s award dinner. Charlie Manuel, Brad Lidge and Ruben Amaro Jr. were on hand to accept the award. Prior to Manuel’s acceptance speech, comedian Joe Conklin
did an amazing and hysterical impersonation of Charlie, as well as Harry Kalas (MC for the night), Cole Hamels and others. It was so funny, Amaro was in tears and I thought Manuel might laugh himself right out of his chair. Lucky for you, I got it on video! After Conklin, you will see Manuel’s acceptance speech and also Brad Lidge’s acceptance speech for winning the “Outstanding Pro Athlete” award.
Philadelphia Sports Writers Awards Banquet 1/26/09 w/Phillies
http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=51208736,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor=
The World Series Trophy was also on-site and photos were being taken and printed on the spot. However, you were not allowed, for some odd reason, to use your own camera. But as many of you are aware, I take photos until someone tells me to stop. So, here ya go:
I am a bit perturbed about the “No personal photos” thing as at every other stop on this trophy tour, people have been allowed to take photos. Why then, at a dinner where you had to PAY to go, do they decided there will be no photos? Frankly, I do not care what the excuse. It is ridiculous. This is just one more annoyance, along with the hike in ticket prices, lack of Winter Tour events (like Kid’s Fest, which was eliminated this year) and even special event prices going up (Baseball 101 will be $20 MORE this year) that have me a tad upset with this World Championship pillaging of the fans. Ok, ok, I am done whining for now… Sorry, had to vent :O)
Anyway, among the many highlights of the evening, Bernie Parent, hockey Hall of Famer and Conn Smythe Award winner when the Philadelphia Flyers won Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, gave his own sort of award to Brad Lidge.
Back when Parent was a goalie, the saying amongst fans was, “Only The Lord Saves More Than Parent.” Well, Parent made a new sign that said, “Only The Lord Saves More Than Lidge” with a big baseball on it and presented it to Lidge (see photo) while accepting his own “Living Legend” award from the PSWA.
Also present at the dinner was Philadelphia Eagles defensive back, Sheldon Brown, who took home the media’s “Good Guy” award for his accessibility and friendly manner when dealing with the press. Former 76er, Darryl Dawkins was also there along with
Sixers current GM, Ed Stefanski, who was seated right next to me at dinner (see photo). Dionte Christmas of Temple basketball, Steve Sabol of NFL films who won the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Dan Baker, Phillies announcer, and the list goes on… The full list of winners and attendees can be seen HERE.
Also of note, Harvey Pollack, 86, was given a surprise award at the dinner (also for Lifetime Achievement, I think?). Pollack is an expert NBA statistician, currently with the 76ers, and the ONLY original NBA employee (since 1946) currently working with one of the 30 NBA teams.
Pollack is also the only person who has a ring from all four championship years in Philadelphia – the Warriors in 1947 and 1956, and the Sixers in 1967 and 1983. Here he is with Harry Kalas accepting the award. Two legends together; truly amazing.
And as always, I have put together a Photo Album of more pictures from the PSWA event. Hope you like it and, as always, feel free to leave you comments below.
Read more about the Phillies at MY OTHER HOME PAGE! Phillies Phollowers has joined forces with Phightin’ Phils Phorum! Please check out our site and bookmark it.
And for the football fans, I have also started a Miami Dolphins page, The Dolphin Pod! All Dol-Fans, and anyone else who wants to say hello is welcome!
Remember also to check out our homepage My Team Rivals and our Phillies, Flyers, Eagles, Billy Penn Curse, Reinstate Pete Rose, Phillies Mets Rivalry, Phillies Marlins Rivalry, and Phillies Braves Rivalry pages!
Phillies Night At The Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers hosted “Phillies Night” on Saturday at the game vs. the New York Knicks. An annual tradition, those participating were the Phanatic, Brad Lidge, Shane Victorino, Ryan Madson and some guy, possibly from the Reading Phils,
whose name I could not make out when they announced it. If anyone knows who this guy is, please let me know! Mystery guy replaced Cole Hamels who was scheduled to appear, but was a no-show. We know he was in town because he taped “Meet the Phillies” at Citizens Bank Park earlier in the day. No statement was made as to why he did not appear. I assume his wife decided he was not allowed to play basketball, for fear his million-dollar arm may fall off :O) Or maybe he felt he needed 4 days rest in between events. Just a guess…
Anyway, Brad Lidge gave the ceremonial “tip-off” before the game:
And during half-time, the 4 guys had a “3-point shoot-out,” which Victorino won, hands down. Madson and Lidge should not quit their day jobs. Although, Lidge looked like he had more fun than anyone else :O) He was all smiles.
The World Series trophy was on-hand for fans to check out. And during game time-outs, the Phanatic and the ball girls tossed t-shirts to the crowd, raced some weird giant, inflatable bunnies and wandered around with the Sixers dancers. They even played beach ball volleyball in my section…got whacked on the head a few times, but I think I will live…not much up there to injure :O) It was entertaining to see the Phanatic play with Hip-Hop, the Sixers mascot. Hip-Hop is a grown man in a giant, scary bunny outfit. Not sure who came up with that one, but I am sure it was after a nightmare having to do with large rabbits attacking them. Or maybe they have seen Monty-Python’s “The Holy Grail” one too many times? You be the judge.
I have put together a Photo Album of these, and more Phillies shots from the game, a Donavan McNabb (Eagles) sighting, and some Sixers game shots as well. Enjoy!
Read more about the Phillies at MY OTHER HOME PAGE! Phillies Phollowers has joined forces with Phightin’ Phils Phorum! Please check out our site and bookmark it.
And for the football fans, I have also started a Miami Dolphins page, The Dolphin Pod! All Dol-Fans, and anyone else who wants to say hello is welcome!
Remember also to check out our homepage My Team Rivals and our Phillies, Flyers, Eagles, Billy Penn Curse, Reinstate Pete Rose, Phillies Mets Rivalry, Phillies Marlins Rivalry, and Phillies Braves Rivalry pages!
Phillies Phollowers
Recent Comments