Commentary: I Called Those Blasts

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, October 14, 2008 09:54 AM

Casey Blake started the Dodger rush in the sixth inning, the rush that gave Los Angeles a two-run lead at 5-3. At that point, the game looked grim. I changed the channel for a few minutes — I needed to clear my head.

This doesn’t look good, I thought.

By the time the eighth inning rolled around, I was watching with caution, trying not to get wrapped up, trying not to let my emotions swallow me. I watched as Ryan Howard singled to lead off the eighth. Good job, Ryan, I thought. Then Pat Burrell flied out harmlessly. Eh, I thought. Then Shane Victorino walked to the box.

And at that very moment, I swear to you all, I thought, “he’s going yard.”

So I watched as Victorino stood against with Cory Wade. And he met the ball, and it began its ascent. “Oh, a double. Nice,” I thought as it came off the bat.

But it kept flying.

And just like Victorino, the ball flew enough to deposit itself into Phillie franchise history. Tie ballgame. I stood and hollared; we were back in business.

With the sacks erased, and one out later, Carlos Ruiz punched a pitch into left field (boy, he gets under-the-radar hits in the biggest spots). That brought in Jonathan Broxton, and that brought in Matt Stairs.

Fastball pitcher. Power vs. power. Righty vs. lefty. Stairs was due. Again, and yes, I swear, I thought, “he’s hitting this out.”

The magnificent bomb landed somewhere in the blue and white crowd, and Stairs landed in the history books with a shot heard ’round the 215.

I know it’s a cheesy thing to say “I called those blasts,” but really, it’s no stretch. Not after seeing Victorino take CC Sabathia out of the postseason picture. Not after seeing this team do its business game in and game out. Not after Chase Utley made a superb unassisted double play to save his bullpen, and Ryan Madson pitched through the seventh inning, and Joe Blanton did just enough to keep it close.

This Phillie team — as we’ve been saying all along — is all business. They do what they need to do to win (Jayson Werth said it best). And Vic knew what he needed to do. When Stairs came up, he knew, Charlie Manuel knew, the players knew, the fans knew, the announcers knew, everyone knew he had one goal: Hit a home run. That’s what he needed to do. No doubt he was going to.

So when those moments occur, when necessity matches the moment, you can bet assuredly that the Phils should come through. Whether it’s all-universe Victorino (who is stamping his Phillie legend) or all-beerleague Stairs, the guys in red find their way to victory.

Permalink Comments (66) | Trackback (0)

66 Responses to “Commentary: I Called Those Blasts”

  1. Phil Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:06 am

    My roommate called Shane’s blast and I called Stairs. To be more specific when my roommate called Victorino’s I said, if he was batting from the right side I’d agree with you. I ate my words. When Stairs came up I said, Stairs is going to jack one now, and my roommate said, no way this guy is trash. He ate his words. I’m glad we both had to eat our words and both made our own correct calls.

  2. Bonezy Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:08 am

    Tim, No lie, I thought the same thing when Vic got to the plate. When Stairs got up i thought ” Wouldn’t this be awesome if he went Yard!”. So I can Honestly say I called ! of the 2.

    Anyway. Shane should without a doubt be the NLCS MVP when we win tomorrow!

  3. Jamie Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am

    Tim, that’s crazy. When the ball left Victorino’s bat, I was thinking the same thing. I yelled to my wife – “There’s a double!” And then it kept going. Then I had a healthy man-crush on the Flyin’ Hawaiian.

    When the ball left Matt Stairs’ bat, my enormous man-crush shifted to our bald bulbous friend. What a night! What a victory!

  4. Tim Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Yes, what an emotional game. Actually, it was an ulcer-inducing game. In the sixth inning, when we were down by one run with men in scoring position, I was literally yelling at the television… loudly…VERY loudly…calling for Charlie Manuel to be fired right there in the middle of the game! He pinch hit Pedro Feliz for Greg Dobbs. What an asinine thing to do. When that didn’t work, he put up So Taguchi to pinch hit. That, of course, was even asininer and didn’t work, either. I was pulling my hair out. And then another Ryan Howard throwing error on a routine play that cost us a run. (He’s been doing that all year.) Good thing for Manuel that Vic and Stairs came through. And Lidge, as usual, made things interesting. I’m glad we have a day off today. My fingernails need time to grow back.

  5. Clare Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    I called both too! I’m pretty skilled in the calling category. I neverrrr say HRs aloud though, I say it in my head and rejoice after it happens! So I definitely believe you when you say you called those two.

  6. NEPA Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    Yea, I sort of had the feeling on Stairs because he takes the biggest swings I’ve ever seen. I posted last night moments before the HR that Stairs will hopefully just close his eyes, take his usual big hack, and connect – sending it probably out of the stadium. Didn’t quite leave the stadium but it was a towering shot; one of my favorite Phillie moments waiting for that ball to land.

  7. Mark Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    When Stairs walked to the plate a conversation with a friend of mine went something like this:

    Friend: Wouldn’t it be epic if Stairs went yard here

    Me: Broxton’s fastball vs. Stairs power, just contact and that ball is gone

    5 pitches or so later:

    Me: Did we not just talk call that?

  8. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am

    It is kinda crazy how different the ballparks are… when they were hit.

    I thought Loney’s was a HR.

    I did not think Blake’s was a HR.

    and I did not think Victorino’s would clear the fence height-wise…

    Its great to be wrong sometimes!

  9. Rob Cowie Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:18 am

    I was texting friends, and of course you Tim, while I was at work. When Howard got on with a single I said “they will definitly get these runs back now.”

    How many times have we seen this team down and the come back from 2,3,4 and 5 runs down?

    I just didn’t know itwould be Victorino, who is now my favorite Phillie of the 2000s, and then Matt Stairs. Really, Matt Stairs?

  10. Chase Mutley Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:19 am

    To be honest, I called them as well but I also called homeruns every time Burrell or Howard came to the plate as well. So, I didn’t really call them, I just said “Homerun (insert player name here)” before every at bat.

  11. Tim Malcolm Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:20 am

    Yeah, Rob, I got the text, and tried to text a response, but it wasn’t sending. Something along the lines of “I can’t f**king believe this.”

  12. Chase Mutley Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    From MLB.com HEADLINE:

    “Dodgers show heart and hustle in tough defeat”

    Seriously? How ’bout “40 year old journeyman crushes un-hitable Broxton to dim the lights on this over-rated wild card team.” I would have been fine with “Dodgers lose, again.”

    I can’t wait for this f’ing series to be over.

  13. Nah_Roots Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am

    Utley’s double play was that much more crucial after those home runs.

  14. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:37 am

    “Manny is a Great Hitter, but can’t help team win games ever” …that would be a good headline

  15. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Who needs Darren Daulton and his time traveling predictions? We’ve got Tim!

  16. NEPA Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:43 am

    I think all Phillies fans “called” the Stairs home run if by “call” they mean “When I saw Stairs come up to bat I thought he might hit one out.” I know that’s how I was. When you see Stairs come up to the plate against a guy that throws 97+ MPH, obviously your not gonna say “I think Stairs is gonna leg out an infield single to Furcal.” We know Stairs is much like Branyan from last year. He’s either going to pound the ball into the stands or strikeout. So we were all 50/50 on that one.

    The Vic HR though, that’s a pretty impressive call.

  17. Greg V. Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 10:50 am

    I’m watching the highlights this morning and I still do not believe it! Without a doubt, this was an incredible game and Stairs and Victorino are it’s heroes! What more could you have asked for during October?

  18. dan Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am

    I feel bad for whatever pitchers are going to face us in the near future. Chase and Ryan are just heating up. Vic is on fire. If Jimmy and Jayson start setting the table, who knows how many runs we can score. Pat could strike at any time. Chooch is getting hits in spots where we need them (two outs to turn he lineup over or bring up Stairs). Better yet, we already know we can own Billingsley. It’s gonna be a fun game tomorrow night.

  19. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am

    I said it before, I’ll say it again.

    Victorino = NLCS MVP

  20. Chase Mutley Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:04 am

    Dan, trust me, I believe in this team but the problem with “if Jimmy and Jayson start setting the table” or “Pat could strike at any time” is that the Rays don’t need to heat up, they’re already red hot. Not to look ahead but the next series scares me to death.

  21. Rob Cowie Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:05 am

    Chase Mutley,

    Greatest comment to date. We should have a hall of fame for this sort of thing.

  22. MP Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am

    We’re we all thinking the same thing? Haha, I said to my mom, “Wouldn’t it be great for Shane to stick it to the Dodgers with a 2 run HR to tie it up?” and then Chooch with the clutch hit setting it up nicely for Stairs – what a night, what a team.

  23. Phil Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am

    As awesome and clutch as Victorino has been in the LCS, I don’t know if he deserves the MVP for it if we win, unless he comes up huge tomorrow. He’s only hitting .188 thus far. If Hamels wins tomorrow in a gem he might get the MVP or if Lidge gets a save.

  24. Richie Allen Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:24 am

    This is soooo great …I tuned in last night again when Victorino hit his blast..(I had to turn it off when the Dodgers went ahead,I felt for some reason they would go ahead if I didnt watch).
    I didnt expect Stairs blast though..but it was just as great…

    Are any of you bothered by the McCarver -Buck dissing of the Phils ..
    .That bugs me so much..It was Dodgers this..Dodgers that..There is Fonzie,Mary Hart..etc..who the f–ck cares about those fossils anyway?

  25. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:29 am

    Phil, also remember Victorino saved Game 2 with his leaping catch up against the wall.

  26. J Riz Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:29 am

    I got so wrapped in that game that I couldn’t take it and I went out of the room to catch a breather. That was after the bottom of the 7th. If I still smoked I would have been puffin away. Instead I came back 20 minutes later having missed the glory that was the 8th. It was just like the time I went to the bathroom during the superbowl halftime because I didn’t care about Timberlake or Janet and heard all my friends yell “was that a nip” as I was zipping up.

  27. Phil Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:30 am

    Good point, but if your closer saves 4 games in the NLCS without giving up a run one of which was a 4 out save, then that is deserving of something.

  28. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am

    Not trying to take anything away from Lidge or Hamels, just I feel Victorino singlehandidly saved 2 games with his offense and defense.

    But you can make strong arguments for others too, no doubt.

  29. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:38 am

    I don’t think Victorino’s catch was anything GREAT.. they were talking about it last night on the broadcast too.. It was a big out!! but it wasn’t a great catch..

    Utley hitting like .700 in the series is awesome.. Lidge getting the big outs.. CARLOS RUIZ just being the man in general.. there are lots of reasons this team is doing well right now…

  30. Richie Allen Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Looks like the Dodgers pissed off the wrong guy (Victoino) with that brushback pitch

  31. Phil Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    Yeah, Utley has been unbelievable in this series. Utley has almost a 1.500 OPS

  32. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:47 am

    Victorino is this year what Rollins was last year… a sparkplug..

    He’s not the best player on the team, and he’s not the best hitter in this series… but he’s been involved in so many clutch plays, that he has the spotlight on him right now. . and I wouldn’t be surprised in he won an MVP of the series, nor would I complain..

    But I think Utley is carrying this team right now too…

  33. Jamie Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Ethier’s catch was MUCH better than Victorino’s game 2 catch. But they don’t give the MVP to losers…

    I think the MVP goes to Vic at this point. If Burrell has a monster Game 5, then he has a chance since his BA and HR’s will be more than Vic, and his RBI’s would be close if not better.

    If Cole gives up donuts…maybe him. I don’t think Lidge will get it though. It would be:
    #1 Vic
    #2 Hamels
    #3 Burrell
    #4 Lidge

    at this point for me. Burrell could leapfrog both of them with a big game tomorrow, though.

  34. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

    I dont see how Burrell with 5 hits, 1 BB, and 2 RBIs could be higher than Utley.. who has 6 hits, 5 BB, and 3 RBI, all while playing better defense

    Victorino only has 3 hits in the series.. but 6 RBIs stand out a lot

    Depending on what happens in the next few games, but I’d go with Utley, Lidge, Victorino.. and see if Hamels can keep his posteason magic going, he would jump up the list!!

  35. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    haha.. and as crazy as it sounds… Carlos Ruiz should be up there too 5-for-12… and all of his hits are very meaningful out of that 8-hole, to turn the lineup over.. often with 2 outs!!

  36. doubleh Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    Victorino may have a .188 average, but he has 6 RBI in this series, which means all of his hits have been timely or “clutch” ones (and he the same amount of RBI than Howard, Utley, Burrell have put together).

    He also leads all MLB players with 11 RBI total in the postseason.

    You can make cases for others being series’ MVP worthy, but to bash Victorino for “only” having a .188 BA is seriously overlooking the facts.

  37. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    Ruiz has come up big in unassuming spots also.

    I just think Victorino has gotten things going in more respects then one. I just feel that without him, we wouldn’t be in this position.

  38. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    Utley’s double play at second base last night was amazing also. That was a game saver/changer also.

  39. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    I don’t know that anyone is bashing him… but its a best of 7 series.. and they still have to win 1 more game before we should worry about who the most valuable one was.

    Isn’t it so much better to debate which player is the BEST instead of which player is the WORST on the Phillies..!!!??

  40. doubleh Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

    Don: I agree; it’s a fun debate to have. It’s much better than waking up in L.A. this morning, that’s for sure.

  41. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

    Without Hamels, Utley, Burrell, Lidge, Madson, Ruiz…. Matt Stairs… we wouldn’t be in this position either!!

    That is why although people complain from time to time about ONLY getting Blanton, or Stairs.. or Scott Eyre..etc… its THOSE puzzle-piece players that you can’t win without!!

    They won’t win you the World Series.. but you can’t win without them either!! And to that you tip your cap to Pat Gillick for getting them, and Charlie Manuel for putting guys in the right spot to have success!

  42. carlvolz Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    Hey Richie Allen, I agree with you. I can’t stand Tim McCarver. He is always saying stupid things about the Phillies, about us – the Phillies Fans, baseball in general. I wish he would just go away.
    Another Point: lets get rid of the national broadcasters and let the local announcers call the games. We need Harry, Wheels, LA, Franskie, McCarthy, etc.

  43. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    Don, I think that’s the beauty of it though. You can solid cases for so many players.

    But obviously, got to get through Game 5. It’s just a fun debate to have on a relaxing off day.

  44. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    ohh…. yea its only like 9:30 in the morning out there… what a long day this most be for Dodgers fans..

    Did anyone else notice the fans right behind home plate, getting up, putting their jackets on and leaving with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th!!! Those “fans” would definitely have had stuff yelled and thrown at them in Philly.. even in the expensive seats.. what a bunch of fake fans.. “celebrities” like Penny Marshall, Pat Sajak (spelling).. etc..

    Like many have said.. I didn’t used to think anything at all about Dodger fans.. but now I can’t stand them… everytime a camera showed them, all they cared about was actually getting on TV.. not like putting Dodger stuff in front of the camera.. but actually posing for it..

  45. Andrew Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    I had an inkling we would come back, and I had a feeling Stairs would go deep, but I didn’t audibly call it. It was all in my head. It was a great game, but it sucks I went to game 3 and had to deal with the obnoxious, uninformed Dodger fans when we rocked. They acted like they won game 7, but it was sweet to imagine all those Dodger fans wallowing in their own pity.

  46. doubleh Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Mitchypoo was saying that very thing on PGL last night–why guys who call the games all year long throughout the 162 grueling season are not allowed to call the most important games of the year?

    Philly fans bitched enough back in 1980 after Kalas wasn’t allowed to announce the WS that they made allowances; perhaps we should use our powers to rectify this crap.

    I’d rather have Harry, etc., in the booth with Scully calling these games or switching off inning by inning. At least they know a little bit about the players and can offer some real insight.

    My biggest issue isn’t with the Buck/McCarver obvious Dodger cheerleading; it’s with their complete lack of knowledge on either team. To insist that the Phils were constantly throwing at the Dodgers Sunday shows they haven’t followed the team all year. Why does Utley lead the majors in HBP? Because they don’t retaliate. Pitching inside is strategy and it’s how the game is played. Idiots. McCarver should at least know that as a former “personal” catcher to one of the best lefties of all time.

  47. Dennis Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Doesn’t everyone who is a Phils fan call shots everytime a Phils batter comes to the plate? We never hear when they’re wrong but when someone hits one everyone says “I called that!” Of course you did, a Phils batter comes to the plate, you think to yourself, “Homerun…” Relax people don’t go buying crystal balls anytime soon, GO PHILS!

    Oh yea and…. “I HATE JOE BUCK!”

  48. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    I think that the home announcers should at least get a couple innings in for these national broadcasts. It isn’t uncommon for ESPN to allow the local guys to a couple innings.

    I’ve heard Harry in the booth with John Miller many times on Sunday Night. I wouldn’t have minded hearing some of the LA team. From what I hear, they have a good broadcast team also.

  49. Tim Malcolm Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    In the pregame McCarver noted that Blanton was a wild thrower. Uh, considering Blanton has one of the best BB per INN ratios out there, I wouldn’t say he’s wild. Yes, he throws all around the strike zone, but that isn’t wild. Just idiotic. Do your homework.

  50. NEPA Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

    Yea Tim – as soon as I saw that on the pitcher scouting report graphic I was thinking the same thing. He uses the entire strike zone but he’s usually very accurate. He had some control issues when first coming over, but they seem to be totally worked out for some time now. Probably had a lot to do with that minor bicep (or maybe elbow?) injury he had.

  51. doubleh Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    And if McCarver says one more time that Madson has the best change-up on the Phillies, I’ll scream. I really will.

    Hello, Tim? I would like you to meet Cole Hamels. Ever heard of him?

    Not to mention they question every strike called against the Dodgers but not the Phils–and every play at the plate the Dodgers are safe but the Phils are out. But then, those are the cheerleading points again…

  52. Tim Malcolm Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    A raw count at last night’s telecast showed FOX used the pitch tracker usually in calls that seemed unfair for Dodger hitters. There were a couple pitches that Phillie hitters probably got hosed on, but there was never a pitch tracker to see.

  53. doubleh Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Never mind the fact that their Pitch Tracker is also hideously flawed. It shows where the balls ends up, not where it crosses the plate, which is all that matters.

  54. Nationals#1 Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    I dropped a wing in my friends beer while Victorino was at bat, and he made me drink it. Mid-chug, Victorino blasted it out. Two batters later I see Stairs come off the bench and i just knew he was going to hit it out. I didn’t say anything, because i didn’t want to jinx him, but I knew it, I think everyone kind of did

  55. bonezy Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Vic right now is the most valuable Phillie on the team to this point. He is involved with everything and his stats are right up there… Even if he is passed by them the intangibles that he brought this series is enough to get my vote.

  56. Don M Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    I was beginning that think that the PitchTracker was not allowed to show pitches INSIDE the strike zone.. since none ever are… Utley got called out on a pitch that was as low-away as it can go on the PitchTracker.. but in real time did seem to be THAT bad of a call.. yes it was low and away, but not by 4 feet..

    The home plate umpire was all over the place last night.. and both teams were complaining..

    There was a time, I forget who was batting, but the 4th pitch was close, they called it low.. and when they went through the pitch sequence on the TV, the showed pitches 1,2,3, and 5 …. and then back to live action.. weird, right??

  57. Nationals#1 Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    There was one for the Phils, Tim. It was on the called strike 3 that struck out Utley, but they only showed it the next inning after they played the “Sounds of the Game” with Utley talking to the umpire. It was way outside according to pitch track

  58. NEPA Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

    Not sure if this is repeating, but Victorino is going to be on Sportscenter after the commercial break.

  59. T Marty Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

    Hey, did anybody see what the distance was on Stairs shot?

  60. phlorida Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

    How can they get away with skewing the broadcasts so badly to one team? They wouldnt show the sections of the stands with huge gaps in the seats; mannymannymannymannymanny; hollywood pricks in the crowd; i could go on and on. Oh and Mark Grace needs some new material “they throw things/rowdy/angry/blahblahblah” a$$hole. I live just outside of Tampa, and cannot ask for anything more than a DEVIL RAYS and PHILLIES WORLD SERIES!

  61. phlorida Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    they said on one of the video clips on mlb.comit was 450+ but who the hell knows

  62. frankenslade Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    I love seeing how composed the Phils are compared with the Dodgers. They’ve got some good young players, but their veteran leadership is lacking. What’s Lowe doing freaking out in the first inning? Manny’s a fantastic hitter, but you know he’s all about Manny. Jeff Kent only looked like a relatively good egg next to Barry Bonds. No wonder Martin’s trying to smash his helmet at first base, Loney’s whipping his bat across the plate in disgust, Kershaw’s bugged two pitches into his appearance last night… Has anxious Larry Bowa poisoned their squad?

    Here’s something a Dodgers-loving friend put together to help the sour grapes he’s tasting go down a little easier:

    http://www.rocktownhall.com/blogs/index.php/2008/10/14/all-star-jam-sour-grapes-edition

    The series is not over, but the Phils seem to be the team able to keep their heads together. Go, Charlie!

    By the way, I too wondered how far Stairs’ home run traveled and never heard it mentioned on the Fox broadcast. The other thing I’ve yet to see, with all that Pitch Tracker and “mole’s view” nonsense, is a simple, slow-motion side angle shot for checked swings. They must have 10 times as many camera angles covered for these playoff games and they can’t show me the standard shot across the plate as a batter tries to check his swing?

  63. Sean Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    from dodger thoughts: “I don’t mind being beaten by better players and a better team, but we’re being beaten by their bums. Stairs, Victorino, and Ruiz? C’mon.”

    victorino had the team’s best average this year and has been nothing short of outstanding this postseason. dodgers fans are clueless.

  64. SJ Mike Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Sean, I’ve read countless comments from Dodgers Thoughts saying how the Phils’ bullpen is an awful bullpen, nothing special, and just all around bad middle relief.

    So one of the best bullpen ERAs in baseball is bad?

    I’ve learned very quickly that Dodgers fans seriously have no freakin’ clue.

  65. nate Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    you guys realize that ruiz is batting better than .450 this series?

  66. HARRY Says:
    October 14th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    i said to my brother, when stairs came, that broxton’s best pitch is his fastball because of the velocity on it and all stairs does, is crush fastballs. so i felt pretty good when he came up. ruiz has had a lot of under the radar clutch hits in the post season. i don’t think he has got enough credit for what he has done.

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Baseball Diplomacy
Baseball and the American City
Gospel on the Mound: Our National Pastime and the Culture of Religion

Mitchell Nathanson
Economic Issues in Sports
Business of Baseball Data and Documents
Baseball Hall of Fame Research Department
Phillies Wikipedia

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2009 salaries:

Charlie Manuel - $3 million
Ryan Howard - $19 million
Chase Utley - $15 million
Roy Halladay - $15.75 million (Toronto pays $6 million)
Brad Lidge - $11.5 million
Raul Ibanez - $11.5 million
Jimmy Rollins - $7.5 million
Jayson Werth - $7 million
Cole Hamels - $6.65 million
Jamie Moyer - $6.5 million
Placido Polanco - $5.25 million
Joe Blanton - $5.475 million
Ryan Madson - $4.5 million
J.C. Romero - $4 million
Shane Victorino - $3.125 million
Chad Durbin - $1.635 million
Greg Dobbs - $1.35 million
Ross Gload - $1 million
Brian Schnieder - $1 million
Juan Castro - $750,000
Clay Condrey - $650,000
Chris Snelling - $450,000
Kyle Kendrick - $445,000
Carlos Ruiz - $425,000
Chris Coste - $415,000
Francisco Rosario - $395,000
Mike Zagurski - $392,500
Fabio Castro - $383,000
J.D. Durbin - $380,000
Anderson Garcia - $380,000
Scott Mathieson - $380,000
J.A. Happ - $380,000
Yoel Hernandez - $380,000
Scott Mathieson - $380,000
Chris Roberson - $380,000
Brian Sanches - $380,000
Zach Segovia - $380,000
Matt Smith - $380,000
Joe Thurston - $380,000

Phillies Contracts and Salaries

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