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Madson Is The Phils Go-To Guy
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, October 11, 2008 03:06 PM
Watching the league championships and World Series every year, I’ve been jealous of many things. Among them, a team that featured a hot-shot eighth-inning reliever who always made the big pitches. Last year’s Red Sox had Hideki Okajima. Those great Braves teams had Mike Remlinger. Those early Yankees teams had Mariano setting up John Wetteland, or Jeff Nelson setting up Rivera. The list goes on.
You’re watching a new name rise: Ryan Madson.
Charlie Manuel brought Madson in to defuse a seventh inning Dodgers rally. Though Nomar Garciaparra took his very first pitch into right field to put two on base, Madson settled in and induced a fly ball from Casey Blake. Though it wasn’t easy, Madson escaped the seventh.
He clearly likes it in the eighth, now.
Madson dialed it up in that inning, striking out Rafael Furcal and Russell Martin in a one-two-three frame. His fastball was clocked at 96 at its best, and he kept with it since nobody was getting wood on it. In fact, he made Martin look silly on one heater. Once Martin had caught up enough to foul off a fastball, then take one high, Madson went to his trusty changeup. See. You. Later.
A mea culpa to Madson: I dismissed him as the eighth-inning guy a while back, citing his poor eighth inning splits. Too often we look to numbers, but when it comes to relief pitching, you can toss numbers out the window. Relief pitching is about emotion control, raw stuff, and a little bit of luck. Madson might not be tailored for the rollercoaster of starting a ballgame, and he might not have it all the time, but right now, he’s making the best pitches of his life when he’s throwing the most important pitches of his life.
I watched that eighth inning at a local bar, and a couple biker guys who were glancing at the game periodically stopped dead when Madson was rifling. “God damn,” they remarked, as Madson brushed off Furcal and Martin. And the FOX cameras panned the controlled Madson amidst a sea of frantic white towels. I knew it then — we got ourselves a go-to setup guy.
October 11th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I was also one of those guys that wasnt sure if he could handle the 8th. ive always been and huge madson fan, dating back to when he was a young pitcher for the Red Barons. I really thought he would eventually turn into a solid 4-5 starter, but having him be so dominate in the 8th is just a good. Madson has been very unappreciated much of his career but its great to see him get the respect he deserves. Heres to Madson continuing doing what he is doing. YOUR THEN MAN MADSON! KEEP IT UP!
2 down 2 to go!
Moyer has two more games left this year in him. Tomorrow and when the time comes the the series we dare not speak of.
LETS GO PHILLIES!
October 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Blazing sun across our face, later Dodgers twilight fate
Squinting eyes adjust, Phillies grinding at the plate
It’s not what we want or the Phillies need
It’s playing baseball in October; yes I’m on bended knee
Joe Torre folded arms looks stern with Myers’s blasts
As they take flight over outreached blue grasps
Walking blue relief corpses in line to meet the mound
Muttering their words with each hit that the red pin strips crown
Time like liquid lead walks as it slowly hoards the day
Cheers, moans, smiles abound as each zero is posted to stay
Smooth object careens across the infield heads
As Flying Hawaiian jumps, and catches, a red letter day
The final one standing on higher ground
Will he rise up or cause a let down?
Strikes and walks which path will he will take?
Holding breaths, then one last swing, and a win for our sake
October 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
That’s a great poem. Wow.
October 11th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Ya know, I actually have to agree with Joe Buck and/or Tim McCarver on something. They commented on Madson’s velocity improving of late and suggested it was because he went from a 2+ inning guy to a one-inning set up man. Less fatigue on his arm = stronger = more velocity.
So do the Phils sign this guy to a long-term contract, give him another 1-year deal, or let him go to arbitration. I’d lock this guy up. He has shown some incredible progress this year, and I think we have either a stud set up man, or a future closer on our hands. Sign him now and sign him cheap before he realizes his potential and wants tens of millions.
(Sorry for the duplicate post - this is in the gameday thread as well - but I figured it would get more views here.)
October 11th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
They will give him one year deal. no more that’s the phillies way. The smart thing is to give him three years with a fourth year opition. His agent will most likely try to see if teams are interested in him as a closer. This would drive up the price, so if now they can sign him to a three million a year deal for three years.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Just read on espn Charlie will not miss any games, the funeral is set for Thurday night and Friday morning. He will leave team after game 5 (which hopefully won’t be necessary) and return Friday afternoon before Game 6. they also report that vic will attend grandmothers funeral which will be scheduled for an off day.
October 12th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Thanks Rob. What a day it was baseball. I wish we could have every one of these series games at home this week while we’re getting this true baseball weather.
Ryan Madson has grown up in the big leagues. That scared look in last year’s playoffs has dissolved into a quiet fire in his eyes. He’s a solid young relief pitcher who has found a way to increase his velocity and still control the strike zone. He deserves a comfortable contract for his efforts when the time comes. The office has to be aware what else is in the league and what he offers for his position.