Results tagged ‘ John Mayberry Jr. ’
Dead Last
I am not sure which word in my article title is more disturbing; “dead” or “last.” If you haven’t looked at the NL East standings lately, take a moment to prepare yourself for the worst. The Phillies are dead last and the only team in the division that is playing under .500 baseball.
At the start of the year, we all figured they might snap out of it but that is just not happening. They just plain suck. And that fact was no more evident than last night against the Mets in a 7-4 loss after leading by 4 runs at the start of the game.
Here is what we have learned about this Phillies team recently: They cannot hold a lead. The bullpen stinks. The offense is schizophrenic; you never know what might happen next. Wikipedia defines schizophrenia as “…disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social or occupational dysfunction.” That about sums it up.
The Phillies took a quick 4-run lead in this game, thanks in part to a Hunter Pence 2-run homer. John Mayberry Jr. had 2 hits and is starting to find his swing. But that is where the good new ends.
Joe Blanton left the game with 2 outs in the 7th inning and 2 runners on base. Then Chad Qualls punched him in the gut by allowing both runs to score. Adding to the disaster, Pete Orr botched a play at second base, which led to the Mets to taking a 5-4 lead.
Late in games, a one run deficit seems almost impossible to overcome for this team. So as if that were not bad enough, reliever Michael Schwimer added 2 more Mets runs in the 8th. That was the nail in the coffin.
You could not even change channels last night for some relief. The Flyers lost and were ousted from the playoffs. The Sixers lost and have to play again on Thursday. There was no escape…it was a very bad day for Philly sports.
But the drama continues tonight as the Phillies will attempt to salvage one lousy game from the lousy Mets. Ugh. Cliff Lee will come off the DL and pitch starting at 7:05pm…he is our only hope for a win :O(
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Blanton’s Hillbilly Handfishin’ Snares Marlins
A player’s entrance music selection says a lot about their personality. Joe Blanton’s choice is “Hillbilly Deluxe” by Brooks & Dunn. Tonight against the Marlins, Blanton used his Hillbilly-style to reel in the Fish.
Having nearly a year off with a sore elbow, the rest seems to have done Blanton some good. He has zip on his fastball and is throwing it wherever and whenever he wants like there is not a care in the world. If he can stay healthy, Blanton could be a huge boost for the Phillies this year.
The one run he gave up kept the team in position to win. He was helped out by solo home runs from Shane Victorino and Ty Wiggington. And a single from John Mayberry Jr. knocked in Hunter Pence who had another multi-hit game tonight.
Rookie Freddy Galvis looks sharper at second base every day and tonight, he was very good. Despite an error in the 6th inning, Galvis made a lot of other really tough plays. It is hard to believe he never played second base before this spring. Galvis also had a bunt single in the 7th.
The 3-1 win tonight gave the Phillies a series win over the Marlins, 2 games to 1. And this weekend, the Mets come to town. Friday night’s game time is 7:05pm.
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Photoshopping by Jenn Zambri Photography
Four Games, Three Loses and a Whole Bunch of Questions
The start of the 2012 season has not gone well for the Phillies. And that is putting it nicely. Losing 3 out of the first 4 games with the ugliest one coming Monday afternoon at the Home Opener has many people worried about this team.
It could just be a slow start…or it may be a glimpse of the future Phillies. Let us all hope it is just a slow start.
The Phillies offense wasted good pitching performances from Cliff Lee and Vance Worley in back-to-back games against the Pirates. Then yesterday against the Marlins, Cole Hamels was not sharp and basically, the entire team sucked.
Home team fans looking for some home run excitement got it…only from the wrong team. The Marlins took Hamels, Joe Savery and even closer Jonathan Papelbon deep. As for scoring, most of that came from the Marlins as well.
The worst thing I can say about the new Miami Marlins after that performance is that their uniforms are hideous. Take that, you dreaded fish!
The only bright spot in the game was seeing rookie Freddy Galvis finally get a hit. His first major league hit was an RBI-double that knocked in both Shane Victorino and John Mayberry Jr. But that was literally the only offense in the game from the Phillies.
I am stretching to find the positives here so I will add that I approve of Papelbon’s entrance music. His selection was a great mystery until the home opener yesterday. He chose “Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains, which is in my personal top 10 of the greatest rock songs ever. So there, another positive ;o)
But sadly, that is where the fun ends. Just keep telling yourself, it is only 4 games…
Here are ALL my photos from the Home Opener! There are a lot..enjoy!
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Phillies Opening Day: One Game, One Win
In the 10th straight opening day start of his career, Roy Halladay was nearly perfect. Through 8 innings against the Pirates, he allowed only 2 hits, both of which came in the 1st inning. After the 1st, he was unhittable.
And it is a very good thing, too. Because the Phillies offense got off to a bit of a slow start with a few exceptions. Carlos Ruiz went 3 for 3 and drove in the only run of the game in the 7th inning. John Mayberry Jr. help set up Chooch with 2 hits and made several key plays in left field.
The only other offense was a bunt single from Jimmy Rollins and a single from Mr. Fantastic himself, Halladay. There was little else the Phils could have asked from Halladay today.
The sad story of the day was rookie Freddy Galvis. In his first major league game, Galvis started his career with 2 straight double play balls. His third at-bat would have been a double play as well if there had been a runner on 1st at the time and less than two outs. For the finale, Galvis struck out.
It was not pretty, but give the rookie some time. Hopefully, he will bounce back in game 2.
Not wanting to drain his ace too early, manager Charlie Manuel pulled Halladay after the 8th and gave their new closer a shot in the 9th. Jonathan Papelbon was as advertised. He reached 95 on the gun and sent the Bucos down in order.
The Phillies sauntered off with a slim 1-0 win over the Pirates. If this is any indication of the season to come, hang on Phillies fans, it is going to be a nail-biting 161 games remaining!
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
Back in Philly; Back in Action
The Phillies returned home to play the 1st of 2 exhibition games on Monday night in preparation for Opening Day on Thursday. I had a very nice seat 22 rows behind home plate, but sadly, my camera died a few weeks ago. So I apologize in advance for the crappy photos I took with an old camera while the good one is getting repaired.
Joe Blanton started the game and actually looked pretty good. His fastball had some zip which made his change-up effective. He actually had a no-hitter going through 3 1/3 innings. That may not seem like much, but considering he missed most of last season with a bum elbow, this is serious improvement. The Red Phanatic agreed:
During the game, we saw some old faces, like Placido Polanco who appears healthy, Hunter Pence and Jimmy Rollins:
And there were many new faces, like Juan Pierre and Ty Wiggington. Pierre looked good at the top of the line-up with a double and a stolen base.
But the big moment of the evening was Jim Thome’s first at-bat in his return to Citizen’s Bank Park. He received a hearty ovation although he played it cool.
Before the game, I wandered the stadium looking for the “mystery” player sightings that were promised. I found Juan Pierre playing a running game with some kids, John Mayberry Jr. signing autographs at the kids play area and David Herndon serving soda.
None of the players I ran into would sign autographs according to their body guards/escorts. When I got home, I saw other guys on TV who did sign, like Cole Hamels and Charlie Manuel. Hey Phillies…what’s up with that? Even more annoying, Pierre was standing alone waiting to get in that running game when NO ONE except me recognized him…being the ONLY person to ask for an autograph, you’d think they would have let him do it for ONE person. Same with Herndon…only one there…no autographs.
So thank God for Ricky Botallico! The former Phillies closer not only signed autographs (for a LOT of people) but he asked me to take a photo with him! That’s right…I did not ask. He did. I cannot remember the last time I saw any current or former player volunteer for a photo. He made my day…Ricky, you are the best!
Here is the rest of my Photo Album from the game. I hope to have a real camera again soon!
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Spring Has Sprung: Phillies 2012 Edition
The start of spring training is always an exciting time. It means a new year, new players and another shot at the World Championship. For me, the day pitcher’s and catcher’s report does not exactly conjure the urge to cheer out loud; it is more a feeling of relief. It is time to exhale…
Because all winter long, I have been holding my breath waiting for spring to arrive and it is finally here! Winter is the worst season for baseball addicts. You can try to distract yourself with the holidays, football, hockey and hoops, but it is just not the same. And there are so many down days and so much time to fill.
Now, like a child on Christmas morning, we all feel the anticipation of the new season upon us. Just as excited must be Roy Halladay, who arrived to spring training in style. This appears to be a 1932 Ford Roadster; the photo was tweeted by Matt Gelb:
As spring training rolls forward, here are a few things to keep your eyes out for:
Who’s on First? – After Achilles surgery, Ryan Howard will be out of the line-up until at least May, probably longer. Will John Mayberry take over? Or, will he start in left and leave 1st base to new Phillies Laynce Nix and Ty Wigginton? My preference is the latter.
What’s on Second? – The “who” here is Chase Utley. The “what” is what shape will he be in after nursing a bum knee throughout the 2011 season.
Juggling of the Bullpen – There are some significant changes to the pen this year starting with new closer Jonathan Papelbon. But that role is set, so what about the rest of the pen? What role will Kyle Kendrick fill? Will Dontrelle Willis be a real contributor? And can Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes move past the awful ending to an otherwise solid 2011 season? Add Chad Qualls and a possible return from Jose Contreras and this has the makings of a huge soap opera.
The Infirmary – One of the biggest question marks on an aging team is can they stay healthy? Many players had off-season surgery including Cole Hamels, Placido Polanco, Hunter Pence and, of course, Ryan Howard. Jimmy Rollins has only played around 1/2 of the last two seasons due to injuries. And this year, he has a brand new contract, making his continued health a real priority.
The Contract Situation – Cole Hamels is on board for the year. But unless the Phillies ink a long-term deal with him this spring, they are likely to lose him in free agency next year. The question is, how much of a distraction will this be? Personally, I think the Phillies need to cut a deal now and be done with it.
Luckily, this year fans will have more opportunities to see these dramas play out thanks to expanded TV coverage of spring training. Comcast has published a list of all 14 games that will be aired plus many news and social media events. This is the first time EVER that you can see every Phillies spring training game without travelling to Clearwater.
Of course, I would rather be in Florida. However, this is a great alternative. With the early March games being aired, you can see a lot of young guys and prospects play that without the TV coverage, you normally would not. In prior years, those players were already sent back to the minors by the time games began to air.
Changing the subject to a more personal note, many of you who follow my blog regularly know that I generally post new content frequently. However, this off-season has been a tough one for me. It seems like life keeps tossing me curve balls. I have been quite ill all off-season. Then a short time ago, my cat of 15 years passed away in my arms. I had to have surgery just 6 days after that happened and am still recovering with another surgery on the horizon.
I will live, but it has been a rough go for a while here. So I thank you all for continuing to follow my silly little blog :O) I hope to be back on track with regular postings and some fun photos real soon. And what could be a better cure for that which ails me than baseball?
Thank goodness, Spring Training has sprung!
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Questions That Loom Over the Phillies 2012 Season
A new year is upon us and a new Phillies season is almost here, with Spring Training to begin in just over a month. A few off-season signings have solidified some areas, where other areas may still be of concern. Here is my list of Phillies looming questions by position:
The Starting Rotation - The projected starters and order are Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Vance Worley. Halladay and Lee are no brainers. Hamels is recovering from elbow surgery but reports are that he is throwing and feeling fine.
This means the two questions remaining are Blanton and Worley. Blanton sat out most of 2011 with a bum elbow and chose not to have surgery this offseason. How he will respond in 2012 is a mystery. However, Kyle Kendrick will be waiting in the wings to fill in should Big Joe go down.
And the question for Worley is simply, will he suffer the sophomore slump or pick up where he left off in 2011. Either way, the Vanimal will be fascinating to watch.
Catcher - Carlos Ruiz returns as Batman with Brian Schneider backing him up as Robin. Choooooch! No questions here.
1st Base – The sight of Ryan Howard tumbling to the ground in agony to end the Phillies 2011 season still burns in our collective memories. Beat-writer Todd Zolecki reports that Howard is recovering well from Achilles surgery and is now beginning a light exercise program.
Still, Howard will miss some time. Experts predict that John Mayberry Jr. will pick up most of the time at 1st with an occasional appearance from Jim Thome. This seems like a terrible shame for Mayberry who should simply be handed left field and allowed to get comfortable there for the long haul. Instead, the Phillies will probably platoon Laynce Nix in left with someone like Scott Podsednik.
My suggestion? Give Nix a shot at 1st base and leave Mayberry in left. Nix has played 1st before and with some work in Spring Training, he could work his way into the role easily. Of course, I have no real say in the matter.
2nd Base – Can Chase Utley start and end a whole season at 2nd with his health intact? We shall see…
Shortstop – Jimmy Rollins returns with a fresh 3-year deal. The question here is that same as that of the other Phillies aging players…can he stay healthy?
3rd Base – I hate to beat a dead horse, but can Placido Polanco stay healthy at 36 years of age, coming off sports hernia surgery? We hope so. Polly’s contract is up after 2012, so who will be our 3rd baseman in 2013?
My suggestion? Glad you asked. Have minor league prospect Freddy Galvis spend the year working on a move from SS to 3rd. Galvis is almost major league ready but out of options with J-Roll resigned at SS for 3 years. Either Galvis becomes trade bait or he finds another way to be useful to the Phils.
Outfield - As I mentioned before, Mayberry should be the left fielder but it may wind up being Nix until Howard gets healthy. At least center and right are set: Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence will both be back and ready to play.
The Bullpen – Once again, the Phillies pen is a huge question mark. The Phils saw rookies and younger, less experienced players, like Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo, rise and fall throughout 2011. The status of veteran Jose Contreras is mostly unknown since having elbow surgery. Other veterans, like Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson are gone (for now). However, neither Lidge or Madson have found homes. Could they return? It’s a long shot….but not impossible.
Spring Training is going to be huge in determining the make-up of this bullpen. There will be a lot of opportunities for younger guys to step up and steal a spot. It will also be interesting to see if Dontrelle Willis can conjure up some of his early career magic or if he will slide back into oblivion.
And of course, the closer question was answered with the signing of Jonathan Papelbon. The only question here is will Papelbon play up to his huge salary?
The Bench – Both Thome and Wilson Valdez are set. The rest of the bench could consist of any number of new signings or guys like Michael Martinez and Pete Orr. Again, Spring Training should be very interesting.
FYI - Totally off topic, if anyone has noticed some of my photos and albums mysteriously gone missing, this is due to an unexpected issue with the site I was using to store them. I am in the process of getting it all loaded to a new site and will be working on updating older blogs as I am able to. For now, all 2011 albums are back up and can be found under my 2007 – 2011 Photo Archives. Thank you for your patience while I get everything back up and running :O)
I would like to thank all of my loyal readers for stopping by and helping to make Phillies Phollowers the #1 Phillies Fan MLBlog for the 4th straight year. Among all team MLBlogs, I ranked #10 in 2011.
Many thanks to everyone in the MLBlogs community and congrats to all the leaders!
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
Bye, Bye Benny
With a plethora of outfielders now in the Phillies system after a few signings, Ben Francisco has been traded Toronto for Minor League relief pitcher Frank Gailey. Gailey, 26, is from Philly and has a record of 23-15 with a 2.45 ERA in 175 appearances in the minors.
Francisco had a promising spring training before the 2011 season, but his hot streak ran cold quickly. While Francisco was not consistent as a starter, the bench role did seem to suit him well. He hit .269 with 4 RBI in 2011 and .289 with 7 RBI in 2010 as a pinch hitter.
But John Mayberry Jr. clearly outplayed him this past season. And with the new additions of Scott Podsednik and Laynce Nix plus Domonic Brown on the roster, the outfield is full.
However, the Phillies seem to have some concerns about Brown’s future and they seem intent on giving him more time in the minors before they bring him up again. Brown should be major league ready by now, but the Phils do not seem convinced.
If this is true, why not trade Brown now while he is still listed as a top prospect? Because if they give him another shot in the bigs and he bombs again, his value will go right out the window. At least now, they could get something in return for him. Just a thought…
In other news, Jimmy Rollins is still in limbo, although rumors are flying that a deal is imminent. J-Roll has not gotten much interest from other teams so resigning him at a descent price may be getting a little easier.
So what has J-Roll been doing while he waits? Apparently, tweeting about “Ryan Braun’s positive drug test“: “I really hope Braunie’s initial test is not upheld. Either way people are gonna judge him. I believe him though.”
Braun was named the NL MVP this year. So this may be the worst timing ever, although many people think the test was an error or some weird medical condition. Whatever the case, we will not have a real answer anytime soon as Braun is appealing the ruling which, if he loses, will end in a 50-game suspension.
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Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*
Award Season: Which Phillies Made the Grade So Far
Despite an early exit from the playoffs, the Phillies 102 regular season wins and stellar individual performances have earned some players much deserved honors.
Earlier this offseason, Placido Polanco was awarded a Gold Glove for his work at third base. Polly also won the award playing second base for the Tigers in 2007 and 2009. He and Darin Erstad are now the only two players in big league history to win a Gold Glove at multiple positions.
MLB.com also handed out awards on Monday. Ryan Howard was named the club’s Player of the Year, while right-hander Roy Halladay was chosen the team’s Pitcher of the Year. And rookie right-hander Vance Worley was voted the Breakout Player of the Year.
Not to be outdone, the Philadelphia chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America put its two cents in as well. Center-fielder Shane Victorino was the winner of the Mike Schmidt Award for Most Valuable Player and left-hander Cliff Lee received the Steve Carlton Award for Most Valuable pitcher.
The big awards come out next week which will include Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and the Cy Young award. It is expect that many Phillies will be considered for these top honors, but realistically, none of them will win. Charlie Manuel is overlooked every year in the manager category; Worley will probably lose out to Freddie Freeman. As for the Cy Young, both Halladay and Lee will probably get passed over in favor of Clayton Kershaw who had 21 wins and an almost invisible 2.28 ERA.
Of course, anything can happen. But those are my predictions…how about you? Leave your best guess in the comments and we will see who gets it right.
And if anyone missed it, here is my annual Phillies Photo Tribute slideshow. Enjoy!
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Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*
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