Hamels/Myers Clash

"After a frustrating loss in Game Three, the Phillies' Cole Hamels let it slip that he "can't wait for (the season) to end." The comments did not sit well with manager Charlie Manuel -- and at least one teammate. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that pitcher Brett Myers and Hamels had a "short but tense" confrontation in clubhouse following the Game Five win over the Yankees. As Myers walked past Hamels near Hamels' locker he said, mocking, "What are you doing here? I thought you quit." Brown reports that Hamels responded with an expletive. Myers then was guided away by a team official before the situation could escalate (ESPN)."

I don't think for a second that Hamels is quitting on his team. He is having an off year, and I don't blame him for wanting it to be over. That was just frustration, and I find it hilarious that Myers is the one who called him out. Myers sucks, and has been in trouble for hitting his wife, so who the fuck cares what he says. Hamels is something special, and could still end up being the hero if this series going 7 games.

Thoughts for baseball's second half

Seeing as it’s been months since I’ve written anything, I thought this would be a good time for some post-all star break MLB thoughts.

-I am worried about Mike Lowell’s hip and what losing him for an extended period of time could mean to the Red Sox. Theo Epstein is going to need to decide quickly (within the next few weeks, obviously) if Lowell is going to be able to continue being an everyday player when he returns from the DL. Despite his 25-game hitting streak, Scott Rolen would not be the answer. He's just as brittle as Lowell...and he's generally regarded as a douche.

Allow me to go on a random tangent here: I was thinking about all Lowell has accomplished in Boston the other day and I’m not sure fans realize how good he was in 2007. He and Mike Schmidt are the only two third basemen to drive in 120 runs and win the World Series the same year. Some pretty good company there.

-If I’m the Phillies I like the Pedro signing but they’re going to need Roy Halladay to have any chance at repeating. No one has really talked about it much but Cole Hamels is suffering from Josh Beckett syndrome – i.e. going deep into the post season and carrying a staff and paying for it the next year. Look at the 2005 White Sox. How many of those guys were the same after all those playoff innings? Halladay could take a great deal of pressure off of Hamels to return to October ’08 form.

-How is it that the Rangers have been relatively healthy (with the exception of Josh Hamilton) while the Angels have been ripped with injuries all year (John Lackey, Earvin Santana, Vlad…the list goes on) yet Anaheim is 1.5 games ahead of Texas? This might be Mike Scioscia’s best year managing.

-Did anyone else see how fast Justin Upton got down the line when he nearly beat out a hard ground out to short in the All-Star game? I would love to watch him play every day.

-Those who think Joe Mauer is going anywhere are dreaming. I’m talking to you, WEEI caller who proposes Javier Lopez and Julio Lugo for the best young hitter in the game. There is no way Minnesota will let a hometown, home-grown talent get away when they’re moving into an outdoor park.

Side note: The Twins new park in March and early April will make San Francisco’s seem like a sauna. That place is going to brutal to play in early in the season.

-David Ortiz’s resurgent June (7 home runs, 18 RBI) was a good sign and certainly gives us optimism for the second half but from a historical perspective it doesn’t tell us much. The two guys he has been most compared to are Jim Rice and Boog Powell. Powell completely fell of the face of the earth and never at any point after his last good season in 1975 did he come close to Ortiz’s June.
Rice, on the other hand, was up and down his final few years. He had some very good months like a 5 home run, 15 RBI July in 1987 or 4 homer, 23 RBI June of 1988. That trend actually scares me because Ortiz’s June might not be a prelude of things to come but more of a blip on the radar like Rice’s quality stretches.

Cole Hamels Injury Update

"Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels will return to the team's spring training camp Tuesday night in Clearwater, Fla., after spending part of the day having his elbow examined by team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti. The diagnosis was inflammation of his left elbow, and Hamels received a shot of anti-inflammatory medication. No structural damage was found, and Hamels plans to restart his throwing program within two days (ESPN)."

Great news for Phillies fans as it looks like he will be back very quickly. At most he'll miss the first week of the season, and with all the days off teams get in the beginning of the season it really shouldn't be that big of a deal. Like a said in my preview for the Phillies, they will not go anywhere without him. Hamels was the MVP of the World Series, and really is one players this team can't afford to lose.

Phillies Season Over Before It Starts?

"World Series MVP Cole Hamels was scheduled to have his pitching elbow examined Tuesday in Philadelphia by Phillies team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti (Sportsline)."

Never a good things when a pitcher is having trouble with his elbow, but according to the Phillies they don't think it is serious. The good news is that there is no pain, it is just stiff. Hopefully Hamels is fine, because he is one of the most exciting pitchers to watch, and the Phillies season would be a lost cause without him.

Cole Hamels' Wife = Awesome

So apparently SI did some feature on Phillies stud ace Cole Hamels and used his friends and family to add some color. I did not actually read the piece myself and instead let Deadspin do the dirty work for me.

His wife, Survivor alum Heidi Strobel, discussed the plans for the family. Specifically, how they plan to adopt some AIDS riddled kids from Sengala or Ethiopia...which ever one is not fictional, they are all so confusing. This is all well and good, plenty of celebrities have taken up the cause - though I'm not so sure they have gone after the ones ALREADY infected with AIDS. The last thing anyone needs is some AIDS baby getting a little too bitey with the dog then before you know it you are putting old Yeller out to pasture, but I digress.

The real point of the story is Heidi's rationale for adopting these kids -

"We're in the process of adopting an AIDS orphan from Ethiopia. Maybe two. I'm so pumped. I'd adopt six if I could. When I was five years old-I grew up in a very rural town in Missouri, and I had never even seen a black person-they asked us to draw a picture of ourselves in the future, and I drew myself holding hands with a line of tiny black stick figures. I've always wanted this."

And cut.

Phillies Lock Up Hamels

"The Philadelphia Phillies have avoided arbitration with World Series MVP Cole Hamels, agreeing with the left-hander on a three-year, $20.5 million contract, a source close to the negotiations confirmed Saturday to ESPN.com (ESPN)."

Great move by the Phillies. Hamels is one of my favorite young pitchers, and was very key in the Phillies run last season. I think Philly will be challenging for another World Series title for as long as they have this stud left hander. Not a bad price for him at all. It is amazing that teams are able to avoid arbitration while not really having to give up a big contract (Pedroia, Youk, ect). Once again great move, now all they have to do is find a way to sign Howard long term. That will be a lot more challenging.

Oh yea, and Hamels gets to wake up next to this every morning.

-BMack

Cole Hamels says Mets are Choke Artists

In an interview on WFAN today with Joe Beningo and Evan Roberts, Hamels was promoting the Phillies' World Series DVD when he was asked outright, "Do you think the Mets are choke artists?"

he responded:

"Last year and this year I think we did believe that [they were choke artists]," he said. "Three years ago we didn't because they smoked everybody, and I think we all thought they were going to win it all. Unfortunately that didn't happen. But, yeah, that's kind of what we believed and I think we're always going to believe that until they prove us wrong.

"For the past two years they've been choke artists."


Fuckin right. Cole has some balls for saying this, but he also has some credibility. We all saw how the Mets have finished the last two seasons. Im sure your typical NYM fan will throw a hissy fit, cuss out Hamels and do nothing but heighten the already huge rivalry. But you know what, Hamels is right. And not only is he right, but hes a World Series MVP who isnt afraid to talk that shit. the Mets breakdown two years ago was historically awful, the worst collapse ever. Last year wasnt historic, but it was typical and equally as significant of a choke

The Mets and their fans can bitch bitch bitch all they want, its not going to make up for the fact that Hamels is right. I love it when athletes talk shit so blatantly and dont seem to hold themselves back, i respect that immensely. And you know what, any intelligent baseball fan cant argue with Hamels. the media has been saying this for two years, he didnt say anything we didnt already know or havent heard from ESPN forever now. And until the New York Metropolitans prove it false, they will remain the appropriately labeled 'choke artists'.

Phillies One Win Away

Talk about encouraging, last nights 10-2 win was exactly what Philly fans wanted to see. Rollins got on base 4 times and is finally hitting the ball like the leagues MVP, Ryan Howard hit 2 homers to left then to right and looked like the leagues leading HR and RBI man.


And then theres Joe Blanton. This cat was an ace last night. When the Phillies picked him up in late July I was skeptical, especially since CC Sabathia and Haren were available. But turns out the Phils are 12-4 when he takes the mound, and last night he played the game of his life. I say played because he closed his eyes and blasted a solo home run to make up for one of the ones he gave up. Ata boy Joe, do your thing.


the Rays simply look out of their swagger that led them here. The media will jump all over the Phillies doing poorly with RISP, but Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria havent gotten a hit yet this WS and the 2 of them combine for 15 Ks. Without those guys swinging well, the team just cant win.

Tonight could be the best night of my sports life. Coming home from the hospital after being born i was wrapped in a phillies blanket, since day 1 i have loved this team. My entire life has been a patient fan and the time is up. Cole pitches tonight and he simply doesnt lose. He's 4-0 in the post season, the only Philly pitcher to ever do that, and tonight he looks to make it 5-0 and lead the Phillies to the..dare i say it..National Championship.


holla

Phillies Take Game 1

Last night the knot in my stomach was actually a little bigger than my stomach itself...this caused me great discomfort. i was nervous, i was anxious, i was in a state of shock that i was actually watching the backstreet boys sing the national anthem.

i went up to a bar near my house to be in a public setting while i watched the game. Plus they had $1 hot dogs and $1.50 drafts all night...this helped the knot i just spoke of. i saw alot of old friends who came up to watch the game as well, it was truly like a blast from the past: old friends, and old feelings of Philly pride all building back up within me. It was going to be a good night.

Jimmy Rollins popped out, Jason Werth got walked, and then Chase tried to put down a bunt on the pull-shifted infield. Charlie Manuel would later say that was all him. Well he fell 0-2 in the count, fouled one off, then worked it to 2-2. Kazmir then dropped a meatball right in Utley's wheelhouse and he didnt miss. Charlie Manuel would later say that was all him.


the local establishment i was at erupted. "Shots for everyone" the bartender yelled. And shots we took.....and shots we took.


The game would test the nerves of Philly fans from there on out. What should worry people the most are two things: 1. Ryan Howard looks like a fish outta water right now, and 2. the Phillies left 11 men on base last night--8 in scoring position. these two issues have been issues most of the post season, but this is a team that will capitalize on missed opportunities more so than the NL teams the Phillies played. not to mention, the only reason they didnt put up more runs (TB) was because hamels was on the mound and throwing 7 strong innings yet again. The only thing that matters is the final score.


Tonight Brett 'the bat' Myers takes on James Shields. Tonight the pitching match up is in TB favor, that being said I would look for a more high scoring game. Hopefully Myers can go out there and have a quality start and the big names for the phillies (Rollins, Howard, Burrel) need to be productive.




I left the bar drunk, smiling, with a full and knot free stomach.

World Series Opens Tonight

Tonight in Tampa FL, two of the best left handers in all of baseball square off in game 1 of the WS: Hamels and Kazmir. As I said in both the previous rounds, the Phillies need to win when Hamels is on the hill. He's there best pitcher, and is always going to give them a chance to win more so than the rest of the rotation. Kazmir and Hamels have been compared to one another their entire careers, dating back before they were drafted. They were both drafted in 2002 and were 3 picks apart in the draft. kazmir was brought up by the mets, but since they hate keeping their young studs, he was traded before he and Hamels ever had a chance to face off in the NL east. based on their postseason performances, you have to lean towards Hamels tonight, but it all comes down to either offense being able to hit these guys.




The next major concern is how the Phillies will handle the DH spot. In the games during the regular season vs. the AL the Phillies have used Dobbs, Stairs, and Big Daddy Ryan Howard in that slot but tonight Charlie Manuel has hinted at using back up catcher Chris Coste as the DH.

I dont mind this move, hes the best right handed hitter to go up against Kazmir, but it makes me nervous to have both Phillie catchers active in the game.

Will the down time hurt the Phillies?
Will the Rays continue to hit so fucking well?
Can the Phillies' starters go at least 5-6 innings each game?
Did the end of the ALCS reveal weakness in TB bullpen?

I am nervous. I have waited a long time to watch my team in the WS. And to me game 1 is the most important in the WS. I heard a stat that something like 10 out of the last 11 world series were determined by the winner of game 1. Stats like that dont hold that much weight with me, but shit...cant ignore it.

ESPN First take yesterday claimed this to be a boring WS, and of little intrest to the whole country. they say you need a 'villian' in the series, some team that people love to root against in order to make it interesting. Well thats them, i got my villian--

Fuck you TB mascot, ya fuck.

Phillies NL Champs

Last night was one of the happiest nights of my life. Oh thats sad? Go fuck yourself. I have been waiting for this since i was 7 years old. And the last time the Phillies went to the big show i was too young to realize the significance. Well last night they reminded me by easily handling the LA Dodgers.

The only run that was given up was a shot by Manny off Hamels, and you know what...I'm ok with that.


Manny was probably so pissed last night, his teammates couldnt get on base to save their lives, and Manny would have done what he does best, produce if they had been--he was on base 3 times.

As for the World Series, I know what most people think--the AL is so much better than the NL. Ok, i can understand your argument, I see where you can think that. But this WS isn't 1 league vs. another, its one team vs another. I am frightful that the Phillies wont be able to play AL ball as well as the AL team will be able to play NL ball, but honestly...I'm not too nervous right now. A best of 7 series is just that, and anything can happen. Some of the top performers on the Phils haven't been playing that well lately either--Jimmy had a lead off home run last night but has struggled in the NLCS, and Howard hasn't gone deep in something like 33 AB (he averaged 1 every 13 AB during the season). So i feel like once the WS comes around, everyone will be ready and the power will be balanced...Plus Matt Stairs will probably hit DH and I gotta feel good about this guy gettin 4-5 AB a game.


thats what a man looks like.


Whoever they face in the AL, they will do their thing. I said it once I'll say it again.

Phillies in 6.



Holla

Phillies up 3-1

Game 4 last night was the best game so far of the NLCS. Both teams were hitting the ball well and were backed up by a pretty solid bullpen, however it was Philly's that outlasted the Dodgers going up 3 games to 1 and breaking the home team win streak of this series. I was happy to see that tempers had cooled since game 3 and they just went out and played the game. The big blows came from Shane Victorino who seems to be in the middle of all the action this post season and then a huge 2 run pinch hit home run by non other than Matt Stairs.

LA is in a must win situation now for the rest of the series to keep their season alive. The squads get a rest today and then tomorrow Cole Hamels takes the hill and there isnt anything more comforting to a Phillies fan.

Fuck The National League

There is only one October, and clearly there is only one good league in baseball. The AL from top to bottom, for the most part, is very competitive, but the NL sucks more than Jenna Jameson.

Granted the NL produces stories year in and year out it seems about the under dog, undeserving teams reaching from something more than they deserve. The Rockies were fun to watch beat up on the other chumps of the NL last year, but this year all there is to say is that the Cubs choked again, and Manny just won't go away.

The Dodgers are nice story, but they wouldn't be where they are right now if it was for that dirt bag Manny. Yes, he is a future Hall of Famer, and is the most dominating right handed hitter in all of baseball along with Pujols, Braun, and A-Rod. It still boggles my mind that the Cubs actually pitched to him. Then again, the Dodger youngins came up with clutch hits. I personally thought the Brew Crew were going to do more than just roll over and die against the Fightins but that's why they play the games.

Now we as viewers and sports fans get to see the Dodgers and Phils play for a chance to play in the Fall Classic. Doesn't that grab your interest right off the bat? For me it doesn't, sure the Phils have a Big Papi look-a-like in Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley is one the most underrated players in all of baseball, but I just don't see how any baseball fans can put themselves through watching this series. My prediction is that Hamels shuts them out in game one and start to become apart of the legendary pitchers of post season history because he just has disgusting stuff and the confidence to back it up. From there I still think that the Phils will somehow pull wins out of their ass in one way or the other to send Manny and the Dodgers on an early vacation.

Oh and Hamels has a dime piece of a wife. I now have a new found appreciation for Survior.

Phillies Win Game 1 (3-1)

This just in...Cole Hamels is dirty.

Cole Hamels was a beast today. He had a no hitter going into the 5th inning, and only let up 2 hits through 8 innings. The Phillies didn't look very good offensively against the Brewers, scoring in only 1 inning, but that was all Hamels needed as he went 8 scoreless innings with 9 Ks. The Phillies got two of their runs off a Utley double in the fifth, and tacked on one more as the Brewers walked a run home. Philly has to feel confident after this win, but Lidge still scares me. He let up a run today, and had to throw 35 pitches to get the save. We all remember when he got torched while with Houston. Still, I really like what the Phillies have offensively and eventually the Brewers are going to have to pitch to Howard, and when they do....look out.

-BMack