Phillies Nation

124 Responses to “The Man Beats The Mets In 11”

1. Dan Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:15 am

   Chase Utley, YOU ARE THE MAN!

2. nate Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:16 am

   “The Man had three hits, driving in two. He has two home runs in the three-game series.”

   actually i think he’s had three so far this series.

3. pb Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:21 am

   Chase Utley? Yeah he’s in my Wolfpack

4. 4daysrest.com Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:26 am

   This was such a big win. Taking the game tomorrow will be a big blow to the Mets because they’ll have left the series in a bigger hole than when they came in: 4 games down.

   K-Rod really seems to stump our hitters but I have a feeling that we’ll get his number sooner or later. Glad to see Chase hitting in the clutch, and Werth really saved that one for us tonight.

   All around, these games have been great. A little bit too hair-pulling and nail-biting for me in June, but great entertainment.

5. Keith Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:37 am

   about to watch the game again lol

6. Keith Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:38 am

   bottom of the 5th on CSN if anybody wants to watch

7. mike s. Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:41 am

   huge win.

   need moyer to not suck tomorrow

8. eli Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:52 am

   I actually went gay for Chase Utley. I was straight until I started idolizing him based on what he did to my Mets every year. He is the reason I went gay, I wish he wasn’t married or i’d be on that man like white on rice.

   GO METS!

9. Dan Says:
   June 11th, 2009 at 1:53 am

   Here’s hoping for another great outting by Moyer tomorrow, if not then here’s hoping for the bats to go crazy.

10. Mazinman Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 2:00 am

    A recommendation to the website. I think that when Utley is the player of the game, like he was today, the Ashburn award should be renamed the Harry Kalas award based on the fact that all of us end up saying Harry’s classic “Chase Utley you are the man!” line about a thousand times.

    Awesome catch by Werth too. Talk about truly nerve wracking moments there.

11. Dan Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 2:06 am

    Personally I think the Ashburn should be shared by Werth and Utley this week. Both were equally clutch at the right times.

12. mikeB Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 2:13 am

    I think too that the Phillies will catch up with K-Rod eventually. They have not seen much of him except for an inter-league series last year and have to become familiar with his pitching. The smartest answer to K-Rod though is not to get into those close game situations where they might have to wind up facing him which, I guess, is easier said than done.

13. Geoege Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 7:32 am

    Anyone who uses racist terms such as the “spics,” used by Ray, should not be allowed to post here.

14. joedad Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 7:43 am

    Gotta give props to the bullpen for not allowing a run in 6 innings.

15. Uptown MIke Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 7:47 am

    Ray,

    Just something you should know before you prove your stupidity,

    It was one of those “Spics” who got the Phillies out of a jam late in the game…..
    Romero.

    Oh and the MVP of the Phils.. Ibanez

    Be easy with the racist junk..

    Before some of those “Spics” refuse to want to go to Philly to play because of racists like yourself.

16. The Don Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Don’t any of you guys have jobs? I just read the post from Eli. What’s the average age on here…12?

17. rivlez Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:00 am

    That was possibly the luckiest game EVER for the Phils.

18. rivlez Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:02 am

    Utley should not have the Ashburn award!! Are you kidding me? Think of it this way, Utley wouldn’t have had the chance to do sh*t if it wasn’t for Werth. So change that to Werth instead of Utley.

19. Jeff Y. Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:03 am

    Werth’s catch was great. Chase is the man. Let’s win the rubber game tonight.

20. Joe Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:21 am

    I read somewhere that Sheffield leads the Mets this season with four home runs at Citi Field. Next, of course, is Chase Utley with three. Amazing.

21. SpinJamin Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:32 am

    YES!!!! If Phillies take this series it just lets them breathe a little easier when thinking about the Mets. I don’t think either way this series matters that much in the grand scheme of things unless one team was able to sweep, but since thats not happening a series win would be nice just to push the Mets back a little. Plus I hate the Mets

22. Woodman Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:34 am

    For all those Muts fans who come on this site and pound their chest about their “new & improved bullpen”, here’s a stat for you: last night’s loss was the 6th time the Muts have blown a 3-run (or larger) lead to lose this year already. Yikes!

23. Scotty Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 8:35 am

    I say Utley gets the award. How many homers does he need to hit? And the game winner? Werth should be up there to hand it to him, though. Only he makes that catch.

    Thank gods we answered the call last night. Let’s do tonight what we need to do all season: win the series.

    Eyes on you, Jamie!

24. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:17 am

    2 of the best games ALL year. Great series!

25. Ryk Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Woodman, the Mets bullpen didn’t come into play until the score was tied at 4. Yeah, their pen did let in the winning run, but they pitched well last night. 2 amazing games so far. Hopefully Jamie can give us a 4-game lead.

26. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:24 am

    We should have a seperate award.. THE HARRY KALAS AWARD.. where we vote on the the underrated performer of the game..

    Chase was clearly the man last night.. but Werth’s great defense.. Chan Ho Park solid out of the pen..

    or actually the entire bullpen.. that could be something that we vote on (maybe up until 10am the day after a game)..

    Tim picks the Ashburn Award winner.. WE pick the KALAS award winner?

27. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:29 am

    Why can’t Hamels hold runners at all??? That bothers me.. and has hurt them in the past.. BJ UPTON stealing bases while running in sticky-mud .. against Hamels throwing only fastballs, and Upton still swiped the bag in WS Game 5 – Part #1

    Pelfrey looked good last, up until his final inning.. where he left the game with runners all aboard..

    David Wright made his 8th error of the season! … Is he a corner-OF, or 1b in the future??

    K-Rod looks good.. I didn’t remember him being this good for the Angels (yea he got the saves record.. but he looks almost untouchable right now with a .154 Batting Average Against.. a 0.61 ERA.. and a 0.94 WHIP) …

    16 runners left on base for the Mets.. only 4 runs on 16 hits..

    What a series this has been so far..

    Let’s Go Phils!!!

28. R.C. Cowie Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am

    We’ve been doing the Jeltz award since 2004. The Ashburn Award since 2008 since we coudn’t be negative all the time.

    I think those two are good enough.

29. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:36 am

    If we’re picking an award I say the Phillies bullpen gets it for last night. Truly a remarkable job by all to keep the Phils in it so the “The Man” could do his thing..

    And what can you say about Jayson Werth……..I think it took me something like five full minutes to pick my jaw up off the floor after witnessing that. Unbelievable.

30. Woodman Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:39 am

    ryk: Pelfrey left the game with a 4-1 lead. It was not tied when the “bullpen came into play”. Green blew the save & Parnell lost the game. How is this not bullpen related? Geez!

31. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am

    I’m with Don M on this….how bout the rest of you Phils faithful??

32. Manny Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am

    I don’t think Chan Ho looked too solid last night, Don… He let guys on base (Romero did this too) and had it not been for Werth’s amazing catch, he would’ve lost the game. In the end, he did his job… but man it was nerve wrecking.

33. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Is this a crazy game or what??? The Phillies should have probably won game one (you take the lead off of Santana late in the game and then let him hit a game tying double the next inning… absurd) but they had NO business winning that game last night. Thankfully, the Phillies are a great defensive team… the Mets flashed some decent leather, too. This has been a great series.

    The Phils can hit the long ball but living and dying by the long ball is tough to swallow sometimes… but when our guys come through it is like a shot in the arm (no pun intended).

    The best part of last night’s game was the encounter between Pelfrey and Utley… someone is getting thrown at tonight. With Moyer on the mound, the Mets will feel tough enough to do something… I would like to see them throw at someone with Bastardo on the mound!

34. Maverick Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:47 am

    “We’ve been doing the Jeltz award since 2004.”

    Dude clearly ur lyinh…..the internet just started like 3 years ago…

35. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:48 am

    http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090610&content_id=5253484&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

36. R.C. Cowie Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Ha, awesome.

37. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:51 am

    oh

    like when I said.. “Jonas Brothers?” as one of the sets of concert tickets you guys are giving away?

    Or how I steadily thank you guys for having this site and tell you guys to Keep Up The Good Work

38. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:54 am

    The internet started like 3 years ago… I hope that you’re joking.

39. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 9:59 am

    Aww snap… it’s on now.

    How about we talk about the Phillies? Some decent picks on the second day… a couple kids that might not be signable.

40. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:03 am

    8th round pick Jonathan Singleton, 1B
    School & Hometown: Millikan HS; Long Beach, CA
    Specs: 6′2, 220, Bats L, Throws L
    Skinny: Singleton is a big, left-handed, power-hitting first baseman that put on a show at the PG National Showcase HR Derby, winning he contest while hitting a number of balls in the upper deck at the MetroDome. Singleton has also shown some solid hitability and athleticism, but make no mistake; his lefty power is his calling card and his meal ticket.

41. R.C. Cowie Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:07 am

    We will have something about day 2 of the draft later. Furthermore, Don M. check your email. You’ll appreciate it.

42. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    14th round pick, Jacob Stewart, is apparently the cream of the crop… a kid with first round talent that is apparently set on playing football for Stanford… would you rather play football for Stanford or baseball for the WFC? That’s a no brainer, in my opinion.

43. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Thanks Mr. Cowie… I’ll be doing my own due diligence throughout the day.

    Brody Colvin is another notable 2nd day draftee… a big HS RH pitcher (6′4″ 185 lbs) from St. Thomas More (LA). Scouts say that he has a lively 93 MPH fastball and a 70-73 MPH slurve that needs attention. He was high on the Mets’ radar screen… he was ranked the 43rd best draft prospect pitcher by baseball america.

44. Richie Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:30 am

    Not for nothing guys, but who the “F” does Mike Pelfrey think he is saying anything to Chase Utley. He is lucky to even be a Major League Pitcher. He only came up last year because the Mets rotation was God awful and had senior citizens breaking down left an right. I know that he has pitched well since and deserves to be there now, but you don’t open your scumbag mouth to the WFChamps. Especially Chase! I wish Hamels would’ve hit him in the face on his next at-bat. Anyway, it looks like it really shook Utley up though. Haha! That’s all he needs is more fuel in his fire!

45. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Chuck-

    I can’t see them getting Singleton AND Susac AND Colvin. Definately need 1 of those. All 3 would salvage this draft somewhat but our picks for the most part are just blah. Soooo many College Seniors and alot of them are fromt he same schools. Weird draft.

46. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Well, if they can sign some of these guys I think it will allow them more flexibility to trade some of their better prospects at the deadline for that elusive starter they STILL need.

47. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Geoff-

    True but who do they trade. Galvis/Brown are injured. Donald might still have a lingering injury. I’d hate to give up Taylor.

48. Maverick Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am

    “Don M. check your email. You’ll appreciate it.”

    yup… pretty sure RC Cowie sent him a virus…. nice work!

49. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Yo Rob… Holla

50. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    With all of that advertising on the outfield wall at Citifield, do you think it would be possible if all of us chipped in some cash, and we got some large donors involved too, and we paid to get a giant photo on Chase Utley placed on the outfield wall in rightfield, right where he keeps hitting all of the home runs? Right next to the Modells’s Zone.

    It is like they designed that section of the park based on his swing.

    And yes, Chan Ho pitcher great last night. He had a few absolutely beautiful pitches. And last night was the perfect situation for Madson, he got to be the closer, but in the 11th inning, which is probably what he is more used to.

51. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am

    Well, if they can actually sign Susac, that DEFINITELY makes Marson an easily tradeable asset. I dont want to move Brown or Taylor, BUT if the Phils can sign some of these guys that I like from their draft it makes them less untouchable. Well, one of them.

    I think they REALLY had a good draft actually. There are 4 or 5 guys I think are going to be GOOD prospects and add depth to the organization. Its so hard to tell with baseball, but they definitely got about 5 pitchers I like and 5 position players I like.

52. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 10:56 am

    They took a lot of risks with better talent with signability questions. If they can get most of those types signed then theyre in good shape.

53. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Adam Buschini… a versatile infielder hit .422 for a reputable Cal Poly team. Ranked in the top 20 in batting average with a formidable .488 OBP… should be higher, considering his .422 ba but his .730 slugging percentage is certainly likeable.

    Stephen Kohlscheen… was drafted in 2007 by the Florida Marlins; chose to play baseball for junior college Cowley County Community College (made it to the JUCO Division 1… team ERA below 3). Kohlscheen is a monster (6′7″, 205 lbs).

54. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:03 am

    “They took a lot of risks with better talent with signability questions. If they can get most of those types signed then theyre in good shape.”

    Oh no doubt, but that’s a big if. And I don’t know about Marson. I mean at first I would have said keep D’Arnaud and trade MArson but now it might have switched.

55. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Well its a better investment to overpay in the draft for better talent than it is in Free Agency thats for sure.

56. Miles Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Just a question to Geoff and others….how do you gauge all of this high school talent and say whether you like the picks or not? Obviously they are all stud athletes but that is all we really know.

    On a side note, as great as Werth’s catch was (I almost broke my TV in celebration) you can’t use that “Utley would have never even been up to bat” logic when deciding a player of the game.

    Werth would not have made the catch if Utley had not hit his first bomb, and you could very easily argue that Utley is the one that got Pelfrey off of his game. After pissing him off in the 6th, he hit the ball hard to make the last out and then Pelfrey never got another one.

57. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Rob Cowie > Life

58. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Susac… a sub 1.9 pop time is pretty good for anyone, let alone a HS’er (makes me question how accurate it is). That’s why he’s rated so high… possibly the best defensive catcher in the draft (the strongest arm) but he might not amount to much at the plate. The other catcher we drafed, Kyle Lafrenz, was drafted by the Giants in 2007, chose to transfer and play for Indiana State… has some pop and a legit 1.9 pop time is pretty good.

    Both are far from Ruiz or Marson.

    How about this little nugget… Mark Doll, 2008 SSAC pitcher of the year, has compiled a record of 21-3 over the past two seasons pitching for S. Poly State University. 6 complete games this year… 20 BB’s in 67 ip… most notably, Mark’s teammate and fellow senior: Drew Saberhagen. In case you’re wondering, his father would be Bret.

59. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Well I like the college players they got and the HS players are either toolsy or have good stuff. Good farm systems will know what to do with raw talent…thats what I like.

60. GT Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am

    somebody want to explain what paul bako was doing pinch hitting last night?

61. Chuck P Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Besides sucking…

62. Georgie Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Well, it’s a slow day, so can I just say that even though Bako sucked, he has some awesome dimples.

    Don/Rob, would either of you care to share that e-mail with the rest of the class?

    Sorry to interrupt the draft convo, carry on…..

    Oh, great game last night, I knew they were going to come back, I had that feeling.

63. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:55 am

    THIS is a great video (In my opinion).. dealing with the Ibanez-steriod BLOG post. And while I didn’t read that Ibanez article.. or the report from the Inquirer that brought it to Raul’s attention.. this video basically says that once you put your thoughts down, and then hit ENTER.. you should be held accountable for your words.

    That probably applies more to Tim Malcom & Crew than it does to the rest of us.. but it makes good points about not typing in nonsense.. and being responsible and respoectful .. as bloggin is being labeled “The New Media”

    http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article_external/688540

64. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Bako was batting because Manuel did not want to put Stairs in, and then have the Mets put Feliciano in. He was saving Stairs for later in the game. He wanted a right handed batter in so that they would keep Green in the game. It was not a great move, but pretty much the only move he could have made.

65. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Unless we brought someone else up instead of Bako, but I digress.

66. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    Great video………yeah, good point about being thoughtful and respectful when posting comments. It’s really easy to get carried away and just think that you are safe because you are sitting in front of a screen and there’s noboby else around.

    On the Bako PH move….I was scratching my head too, but I understand what was going on too with saving Stairs for later. TV guys were right on that as well. Of course, Bako gets on base then the move makes Charlie a genius.

67. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    I give Charlie credit, he believes in his guys and isn’t willing to take chances. He’s more of a thinker than most give him credit for.

68. Bruce Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Some observations:

    Werth had to make a great catch. I realized it was a spontaneous decision on his part but was it a wise choice instead of playing it on a hop? It was a risky gamble to say the least. If the line drive went one inch or two further from Werth, the ball game is over and Mets fans are celebrating and anticipating a sweep in tonight’s game. Ahh.. a game of inches.

    Do you think the Mets were highly motivated in their at bats against Hamels? Did they have Hamels’ words “choke artists” in mind? Just wondering.

    Manuel did have another righthanded bat on on his bench besides Bako for pinchhitting. His name is Eric Bruntlett. Bako is supposely the team’s emergency catcher especially in an extra inning game as last night. If Coste were injured in the game, who would be his replacement?

    Had Mets’ David Wright stayed back in fielding the ball instead of charging in and trying to field the ball on an in between hop, would he have enough time to throw home and nail Ibanez, the runner?

    Ahh..h, you got to love baseball.

69. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Bruntlett is the emergency Catcher

    Bako hits LEFTY.. and the Mets had a RHP on the mound..

    If we put in Stairs, they counter with Feliciano .. and if they would have brought Feliciano in to face Bako.. Charlie would have put Bruntlett in to hit..

    That is the kind of thing that is so cool about a close game in the National League.. in the American League everyone just keeps swinging becuase pitchers don’t have to hit.. you never double-switch, etc

70. Doug Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    I love how everyone on here forgets the game would have been over in the 9th had the umpire not incorrectly called Beltran out at first on that “double play.”

71. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Werth’s catch was unbelievable, to say the least. Yeah…he took a risk but playing it safe probably would have only prolonged the inevitable. Plus, I’m not so sure HE thought it was a risk. He’s fast, has great range, and his reach is really long because of his frame. My money says he committed to making the play because he felt he had a damn good chance to make it.

    I’m sue the Mets were extremely motivated to get to Hamels….why wouldn’t they be?? Just lucky for him that his teammates pulled him out of the water.

    On the Bako thing…I’m pretty sure Werth can catch in an emergency…came up as a catcher with the Orioles if I’m not mistaken.

72. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    Yeah, Chucks right..Werth is the emergency catcher after Bako or Coste.

73. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Doug -

    Let’s be fair, IF Castillo was correctly called out than the Mets would have probably scored 1 less run and the ENTIRE game would have transpired differently. OR if Beltran, the best CF in the game, doesn’t make a bad catch, the game would probably end up MUCH differently. SO as much as I LOVE to blame the umpires, this was all the Mets failing in the clutch and the Phills being clutch.

74. Brett Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Werth is the emergency catcher. One game last year, Charlie wrote him in as catcher on the lineup as a joke. Werth stared going around to all the pitchers getting all their pitches and signals straight.

75. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Werth was drafted as a Catcher.. and was the Emergency Catcher up until this season.. where I’m 99% sure that they named Bruntlett as the Emergency Catcher in Spring Training.

    that 1% means that I could be wrong though.

76. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    doesn’t make a bad catch? I’m pretty sure he didn’t catch it, he flat out dropped it because he was scared of hitting the wall, and let the ball hit the heel of his glove.

77. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Bruntlett plays enough positions, might as well put him as emergency manager if Charlie gets thrown out.

78. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Didn’t hear about that story, Bruce…..pretty funny stuff..

79. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    I have to believe Werth can’t really catch anymore. I mean he hasn’t done it in so long and I believe Don is right about Bruntlett. Plus, what does it matter, I think if we come to the point of needing a 3rd catcher, we have bigger problems than who is catching.

    I think the best thing about Bako’s AB was he didn’t hit into a double play.

80. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/42311577.html

    from April 2nd

    “A new catcher

    Wander over to the Carpenter Complex this afternoon and you might find yourself asking, “Who is that masked man?” If you arrive for the right inning or two, the answer will be Phillies utility man Eric Bruntlett, who is getting a tryout this spring as the team’s emergency catcher. Bruntlett caught a bullpen session from righthander Joe Blanton Tuesday and had his catching equipment in the dugout at Steinbrenner Field yesterday.

    Jayson Werth, who was drafted as a catcher, has been the team’s emergency catcher the last two seasons. But because of Werth’s new role as the Phillies’ everyday rightfielder, Bruntlett likely will wind up the guy. If Bruntlett were to get into a game as a catcher this season – the only way that would happen is if both Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste go down with injuries – it would give him the distinction of having played eight of the nine positions on the field at some point during his 6-year career.

    But don’t expect him to ever accomplish all nine.

    “I’m not going to pitch,” he said. “I’m not doing that one.”"

    ….
    Hopefully we never have to find out which guy they would actuall use

81. Eric Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    >>Bruntlett plays enough positions, might as well put him as emergency manager if Charlie gets thrown out.

    +1

82. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    Sect. 113 and Don…Since Werth was a first round pick as a Catcher…i’m sure he could put the gear on and do it if he had too. While i don’t know if Werth or Bruntlett is the emergency catcher (who really cares and honestly, do they actually come out and say it?) but i just assumed Werth was considering he played it for most of his career up until the majors and Bruntlett would be just winging it IMO, he is a SS, he plays every other position so he can feed his family.

83. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    I’m sure Bruntlett can catch. I’m just pretty certain that I heard last year that Werth could catch in an emergency. And if we need a 3rd catcher it IS a fairly big issue, 113. Who would you propose putting into that situation?

84. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    actually* use
    …

    I just remember reading that once Werth was named as the everyday RF.. that Manuel called Bruntlett and asked him about being the “Emergency Catcher”..

    I think one guy on each team needs to hold that official title, but I am not sure why.. I don’t know what moves it allows you to make if that E.C. is needed in the game? Especially in the National League where we don’t DH anyway

    anyone know why that title matters??

85. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    So because Bruntlett caught Blanton in a bullpen, he can all of a sudden go into a game? lol

    I catch the pitchers on my team during practice, but i don’t think i could doit with a batter in front of me. Thats a whole different scenario.

86. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Thanks for clarifying, Don…didn’t realize Bruntlett’s tryout. Makes sense.

87. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Little Guy- Yeah Werth is athletic enough. But also, I would rather weakend our bench and catching by making Bruntlett the catcher than weaken 2 positions putting Werth at catcher, which he hasn’t done in awhile, and replace Werth with someone like Stairs.

    No offense to Stairs.

88. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Don and others…my point is, who would you feel more comfortable with behind the plate in an emergency?

    Werth, who was drafted in the FIRST ROUND as a Catcher.

    Or.

    Bruntlett who was trouble judging fly balls and someone who just started doing it in spring training?

    I’d take Werth, he’s the superior athlete on the team.

    Werth is the Man

89. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

    113, Oh i def agree with you that Bruntlett should doit first because Werth is a better outfielder. But honestly, if you had too, you could put Bruntlett in right and just have Werth catch, but i feel you.

90. Chuck Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    I don’t know if that title matters except so that the E.C. knows his role and isn’t surprised if the situation presents itself. I mean catching IS a fairly demanding position and I’m sure that a player would want to be as prepared as he could in case he had to do it.

91. From Section 113 Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    Chuck- I just think the emergency catcher is overrated. I mean when was the last time we used a player at catcher who wasn’t their primary position?

    Yes it’s important to have one, like it’s important to give your neighbor a spare key or hide one outside, but how many times have you used that spare key? I mean I can’t remember one instance in the past 2-3 yrs where we used someone not named Marson/Ruiz/Barrajas/Coste/ at catcher.

    I think Bruntlett is fine. And what I really meant is, if we need an emergency catcher than that’s most likely due to injury and that would have more long term effects to the team, especially if it was Ruiz, than 1 game where we used an emergency catcher. That’s all I was thinking about. Hopefully that clears that up.

92. Bruce Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    Don M says~ “..If we put in Stairs, they counter with Feliciano .. and if they would have brought Feliciano in to face Bako.. Charlie would have put Bruntlett in to hit..”.

    Interesting scenario where Bako’s name is officially announced and no longer available when Charlie decides on Bruntlett to face Feliciano. So Werth would be your emergency catcher? I wonder how he would handle Romero’s nasty pitches as catcher?

93. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    my head is spinning from all this EC talk..

    I would imagine that Bruntlett has practiced more times than just that one mention of catching Blanton..

    They do “practice” everyday before games.. hitting, fielding, situations.. stretching, throwing, running, .etc..

    Bruntlett is pretty scrappy and would probably do a good job of blocking balls down.. It would make sense to keep Werth in his usual spot, instead of weakening TWO defensive positions in RF and C..

    Werth was drafted as a Catcher.. but if he was good at it, he would still play there. instead, they moved him to the OF to use his speed and athleticism (spell check that)

94. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Wow I know it is the day after but you in here talking about emergnecy catcher.
    Anyway, just finished watching the game on DVR this morning, was on here last night following on MLB.com until the 10th.
    I regress, some of the defensive plays by both teams were sick, Tatis twice at first base kept the muts in the game,
    And of course Werth play saved the game
    Utley is the man his at bat in the 6th might have been what help us get back in the game, Pelf never got another out.

95. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    I was also wondering where all the Tashner/Park haters today. I am not saying either of them are great, but all the sh*t some people give Tashner, he has done a decent job. Durbin did load the bases, but Eyre did his job and had a big K. Park came in a pitched well, what two hits, both with 2 outs, that was a big hold and win for the guy, so can we get off his back. His one real bad outing came with an 8-0 lead, yea I know he should come in with the same intesity but he did not, now he knows what it feels like to come in and help this team win when needed maybe he will be more than servicable.

    One more thing Yes JRoll was 0-5 in the lead off but he did have much better at bats than earlier in the year give him a week and if he can not hit from the lead off move him back down. But he hit the ball hard almost every time and got robbed twice

96. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Hey, as long as were talking about un-official team roles…Madson and Romero split time as the team barbers..

97. Geoff Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Rollins has to stay in teh 6-hole until he restores his average, period.

    Youre always the guy who says nothing until someone comes out and rips someone, and then STILL says nothing to wait until that player has a good game. THEN you come out and rip people for ripping that player when they had a bad game as if you had been there all along. You do that ALL THE TIME. What the heck is that man? Thats so lame.

98. Don M Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    I’m not even sure what Geoff’s comments mean.. but I think they meant business!

99. The Little Guy Says:
    June 11th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Don, i think Geoffs talking about me… but i disagree, the only person i rip on here is you because you continually bash every player after a sub-par game, but when a player has a good game, (Moyer, Rollins) you never give them credit, but you find something to be-little them again!

    Second of all, where did that come from? You get your little panties in a bunch over non-sense.

    You know what i say is true, and everyone else that comes on here knows it too. Stop whining and put down your Jason Donald pictures..

100. Don M Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

     was THAT about me, or Geoff ??

101. Keith Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

     is Jason Donald even that good to have pics of him?

102. Geoff Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

     It was at beta sigma shag. I dont mind you guys doign it because youre always on here (Don M, TLG). But that other guy is all quiet until he resurfaces out of the woodwork acting like he is on some kind of high horse. i think its more annoying than the stuff that i do.

103. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

     Don M:

     Geoff lol

     I respect every thing you say on here, and its 95% unbiased and true

104. Keith Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

     Donald’s Ducks!

105. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

     Okay Geoff, i respect that haha.

     I respect you, but think some of the stuff you say on here is wacky tobaccy.

106. Geoff Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

     let us all hug and make up

107. Geoff Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

     I didnt say that…

108. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

     On JRoll, i think everyone on here believe he should be in the six hole till he gets rolling on all cylinders, but we know Manuel isn’t going to keep him there.

     It’s kind of a let down, something works one night, than Manuel just goes back to his old ways and the offense takes a nap till the 6th inning?

     Also, i want to offer up this question…

     How does one style of pitcher (sinkerball pitcher) DOMINATE the Phillies continuously, it seems like it’s been that way for like 2 years now, why? Why?

109. Keith Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

     Jimmy can’t get a hit every night

110. Don M Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

     94%
     …

     I’m a big believer that we should support the decisions that the Front Office makes.. and support the players that are on the roster.

     LATELY.. they have been very, very good at figuring out what moves to make, what moves not to make, which pieces to add to the roster, etc..

     Sometimes players will make errors.. but if it’s a player like Feliz, I give him a pass because he generally plays GREAT defense. .. When it’s a player like Bruntlett, I can’t fault him because he gives it his all, and it’s really tough to perform a job when you don’t get regular opportunity’s to “hone your skill”

     I am fine with other people holding different views … as long as you can give resons behind your commets.. (acountability on blogs issue).. this site is great because of the user-feedback, based off of the solid topics posted by Tim..

     Lets not get into name calling matches with Mets fans, Mutts fans, Gnats fans, or each other…

111. Keith Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

     name calling will continue around 7:10 and u know it lol

112. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

     Keith, i know, and i understand that.

     But JRoll in the 6th hole takes some pressure off of his back to get the offense rolling, and it helps him focus on putting together good at-bats and getting good solid swings.

     When he puts him back at leadoff, to me, Rollins thinks to himself he has to get on base every time, that the team is counting on him and what not, putting all the pressure right back on him.

113. beta sigma shag Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

     Sorry Geoff, I am on here all the time, just don’t write in, cause everyone else says the same stuff I do.
     You always bash Tashner, and Park, and the few times i do say something is that you have to look at what they are here for they are not going to be closers, or 8th innning guys, they serve a purpose and you hope they are servicable, as Tashner has been, and outside Parks 8-0 outing when he entered the game he has pitched Ok out of the pen. I chose to speak positivly where you are most constintly negetive.

114. Don M Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

     Good sinkerballers dominate ALL hitters, ALL teams.. because of the high groundball rate.. they often get Double-Plays behind them to bail them out of innings..

     It just seems like the Phillies can’t ever hit because they are the team that we watch on a regular basis..

     I’m every other team has trouble too, which is why guys like Brandon Webb, and Chien Ming Wang have won 19-20 games in past seasons..

115. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

     Don true, but even the sub-par sinkerballers dominate them..Pelfrey, Redding, etc. It boggles my mind how a lineup chalk full of all-star talent can get shut down but a mediocre pitcher from time to time.

     I understand you can’t put up 8 runs every game, but you know what i mean.

116. beta sigma shag Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

     Also I never said he should be leading off, I like Jimmy in the 6th hole but not for the rest of the season, I think he should have stayed there for a series or two like I wrote the other day, but I don’t think he was extreamly bad leading off last night, ok his first at bat one pitch one out, is not a good start. But he hit the ball well just at people, and did not hit lazy fly balls which I think is a positive. So now Charlie moved him back up you have to keep him up there for a week, and if he still struggles send him down again.

117. beta sigma shag Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

     We see Reading tongiht, and he has pithced 4 4.2 and 6 innings in his last three starts, so I think if we can get to him early their pen is a little used up, as is ours but I think we are in better shape cause I would think that Park is the onlly one who would not pitch tonight. So that is a good sign.
     And One thing I will agree with Geoff about is the Umpire makes a big difference when Moyer Pitches, if the ump is giving him the corners I think he can dominate this line up

118. Chuck Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

     Wow…from emergency catcher talk to looking at Jason Donald pictures….I’d say this has been one of the more fascinating threads in awhile..

119. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

     I don’t like how Moyer’s success in a game hinges on what the Umpire is willing to give him. You shouldn’t have to rely on the Umpires THAT much.

     Here’s hoping they don’t hit him all over the park like the previous 2 games this year vs. them.

120. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

     I do think Moyer has turned a corner since that Reds game, and has been pitching much more effectively, so i think he will be more than servicable and keep the Phillies in the game.

121. Chuck Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

     That’s the thing with Moyer…he does have to rely on the umpire.

     I have to say…I always have that dual feeling of feeling somewhat secure with him pitching (guile, experience, tenacity….whatever) and feeling really nervous because he’s at the mercy of the umpire.

     Hopefully he has indeed turned that corner.

122. The Little Guy Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

     Haha i know exactly what you mean Chuck.

123. Richie Allen Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

     One thing that always gets me when I’m watching this team the last 2 years or so is how lucky we are to have players of this calibre.
     Utley,Howard, Hammels, Rollins,Ibanez……these guys never quit.
     They might have bad stretches but they are usually short ones.

     I used to turn off the tv when we were down,in past years,but no more of that.Somebody usually steps up.

     For someone who remembers a lot of years when we really sucked,I just wanted to say that its a pleasure to watch these guys.

124. Georgie Says:
     June 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

     Richie, that is so true. When they were down 4-1 last night, the thought of turning them off did cross my mind, and in many past seasons, I would have done exactly that. But these guys are just so competetive, and they seem like such a tight knit group, I won’t count them out of many games, no matter the score.

     When you look at other teams, we are very fortunate to have the guys that we do, defensively they are just amazing and there is an awesome play made by someone more games than not. Plus, they are the WFC, can’t forget that!

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