Blog Archives

The Most Recent Cycle Hit For All Teams (Updated for Freddie Freeman, 6-15-2016)

FreddieFreemanCapture

KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES

The First Cycle of the Year!

And true to 2016 Atlanta Braves style, the team almost lost the damn game. It took extra innings, but Freddie Freeman made the list. This might be the highlight of Atlanta’s season!

Here is the list, updated for today’s action!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Jake Arrieta, April 21 2016 )

John Minchillo-AP

John Minchillo – AP

FIRST NO HITTER OF THE YEAR!!

Evidently Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer are the only pitchers allowed to throw no hitters! Well, Arrieta was given plenty of run support and earned it with his second masterpiece in less than a year.

Who knows? Maybe it will be a magic year for the Cubs.

 

It is time to update my list!

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 16, 2016

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Credit R. Scott Rogers

Phil Hecken and Jim Vilk return to the podcast for more uniform talk, including a few potential styles for the Washington Nationals.

It is a “Don’t win with ugly uniforms” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Follow Phil Hecken on Twitter by clicking HERE

Follow Jim Vilk on Twitter by clicking HERE

Read the rest of this entry

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Max Scherzer, October 3, 2015 )

AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

TWO NO HITTERS IN ONE YEAR!!

 

Well you can not blame Max Scherzer for the Nationals’ woes! He came to DC and found himself getting two no hitters in the same year!

The last time someone did two in one year it was Roy Halladay doing one in the regular season and another in the the Division Series.

Scherzer had the second game of a lifetime and Washington has its third no hitter since the last day of the 2014 season after not having one since 1931.

Not a bad way to say goodbye to the season for Scherzer.

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Jake Arrieta, August 30, 2015)

Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

I think the Cubs have their Wild Card Game Starter!

No offense Jon Lester. But I have a feeling that Jake Arrieta is the right man for the job.

No hits, 1 walk, 1 error and 12 strikeouts? And the Dodgers get no hit AGAIN in the last 2 weeks.

Not a bad night for the man we can all call the Cubs ACE!

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Mike Fiers, August 21, 2015)

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

ASTRONOMICAL!

Mike Fiers pitched a masterpiece tonight. The Astros pitcher threw a no hitter and totally shut down the reeling Dodgers, retiring the last 21.

It is the kind of game that could be the inspiration for ONE first place team and the low point for another.

And while we are here, let’s salute Roy Oswalt, Peter Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel andBilly Wagner . They were the Astros pitchers who combined for a no hitter back in 2003. It was fun for them to be listed here until tonight.

But this is Mike Fiers night!

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent Cycle Hit For Each Team (Updated for Matt Kemp, August 14, 2015 )

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP

THE FIRST PADRE CYCLE!!!

 

No Padre has ever thrown a no hitter. No Padres team has ever won the World Series. No Padre had ever hit for the cycle… until now.

Matt Kemp hit a fly ball that ricocheted off the right center field wall in Coors Field. By the time he stood at third base, the cycle was achieved.

This has been a rough year for the Padres and for Kemp, but this hit must have felt sweet.

Here is the list, updated for today’s action!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Hisashi Iwakuma, August 12, 2015 )

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

 

A Masterpiece for Iwakuma!

This has been a let down of a season for the Seattle Mariners, but what a highlight for Iwakuma. The 5th no hitter in Seattle Mariners history and the first since the perfect game by Felix Hernandez in 2012.

It was also his first career complete game. It is a good thing they didn’t bring in Fernando Rodney for the 9th.

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent Cycle Hit For Each Team (Updated for Adrian Beltre, August 3, 2015 )

SportsGrid.com

SportsGrid.com

Adrian Beltre with the Tri Cycle.

The Rangers third baseman, who is quietly assembling a Hall of Fame resume, joined Bob Meusel, Babe Herman and Long John Reilly in the exclusive “Three Cycles in a Career” club.

OK, it isn’t quite Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Mays… but it is kind of cool.

Bad news for Shin-Soo Choo who didn’t even last 3 weeks on this list!

Meanwhile Beltre is on here twice as the most recent cycle for the Rangers and the Mariners.

 

Here is the list, updated for today’s action!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Cole Hamels, July 25, 2015)

David Banks/Getty Images

David Banks/Getty Images

 

If this is Cole Hamels final game with the Phillies, what a way to go!

The Phillies should take advantage and trade Hamels RIGHT NOW before anyone thinks he has any arm issues. Getting an ace fresh off of a no hitter?

I think he is in good shape.

This is also the first no hitter thrown against the Cubs since Sandy Koufax in 1965. A cool fact but the end of a Twitter account called @CubsNoHitStreak which reminded the world of their ability to break up no nos in every game since.

Alas, it is no more.

A few more thoughts… Cole Hamels has started more no hitters since September 1, 2014 than the Padres and Mets have had in their history combined.

But his last no hitter was a combined one, so that means Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon are off the list now.

They didn’t last long… not as long as Indians pitcher Len Barker who has been on this list since 1981.

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent Cycle Hit For Each Team (Updated for Shin-Soo Choo, July 21, 2015)

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP

First Texas cycle in 2 years!

Lots of people hit their cycles in Colorado. Choo is the latest. In fact his teammate Delino DeShields almost joined him if only he could have connected for a Coors homer himself.

Either way, it was safe to say that humidor or no humidor, it was a good night to hit in Colorado (except for the Rockies who were shutout, 9-0.

Here is the list, updated for today’s action!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for Max Scherzer, June 20, 2015 )

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Max Scherzer gets his first no hitter!

He nearly got a no hitter in his last start and nearly threw a perfect game (ah those hit by pitches.) I think he will take it. Man, Jordan Zimmermann didn’t last long on this list. After no Washington no hitter since Bobby Burke’s gem for the Senators in 1931 and no franchise no hitter since Dennis Martinez’s perfecto in 1991, Zimmermann ended the regular season of 2014 with a no no.

Now Scherzer takes Zimmermann’s place. And by the way he has been pitching, he will be back.

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent Cycle Hit For Each Team (Updated for Brock Holt – June 16, 2015)

 (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The First Cycle Hit for 2015!

With all the great hitters in baseball, naturally it is BROCK HOLT of the Red Sox who gets a single, double, triple and homer. Granted, I am not thrilled that he wears Wade Boggs’ number 26, but this is a day to celebrate.

Good bye John Valentin, no longer on this list.

I have compiled a list of the most current no hitter for each franchise, but here is the companion list for the cycle. Is it harder to hit for the cycle? Probably. But Holt did it!

Here is the list, updated for today’s action!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated for June 9, 2015 )

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The first No Hitter of 2015!

Lots of Giants greats have thrown no hitters, from Christy Matthewson to Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Now add Chris Heston to the list. Just think. In 2013, the Giants designated him for assignment and anyone could have picked him up.

I bet the Giants are glad nobody did.

With a 5-0 masterpiece, Chris Heston has his own piece of history and removes his teammate Lincecum from this list.

I am sure Tim is fine with it.

It is time to update my list!

An 154 MLB Game Schedule Makes A lot Of Sense – Even For Separating The Record Books

Major League Baseball used to run on a 154 game schedule before 1961  In that year, the American League added two new franchises in expansion, with the Caliornia Angels and the Washington Senators.  The National League played one more season with the 154 games mark before they also converted to the new 162 game season.

Major League Baseball used to run on a 154 game schedule before 1961 In that year, the American League added two new franchises in expansion, with the California Angels and the Washington Senators. The National League played one more season with the 154 games mark before they also converted to the new 162 game season in the 1962 campaign.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

Nice Idea, Doubt It will happen anytime soon though

I have been a longtime advocate of a 154 game schedule. I believe you could draw back the clock and have an official record book for the 162 game schedule and also the 154 ame schedule.  Guess what that would do?  Set back the single season HR mark to 60 by Babe Ruth in 1927 again.

The idea has lots of merit at its starting point, but a lot of the big market clubs like New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, Philadelphia Philies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and LA Angels would hate voting for this for sure, as it would cut into revenue’s based largely on attendance alone, but for the other clubs I could see them not dropping by much in attendance at all aggregate for the whole lump sum of a year.

I think it would only work if they increased the Post Season to a bet of 7 LDS Round once the Wild Card Winners were determined. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 20, 2015

Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

What are match ups we can hope for in the 2015 World Series?

An all expansion team World Series? That has never happened before.

A World Series in Seattle? That has eluded history.

Or what about match up between original franchises that we have never seen?

It is a “Getting WAY ahead of ourselves” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 29, 2015

Boston Globe - Kevin Paul DuPont

Boston Globe – Kevin Paul DuPont


Can you picture an MLB where the Red Sox are not in Boston? Or are in a dome? Or the Houston Cardinals?

It almost happened.

It is an alternate universe episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Follow Kevin Paul DuPont on Twitter by clicking HERE

 

Read the rest of this entry

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For September 28, 2014 )

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The first Washington No Hitter since 1931!

No Washington Nationals pitcher has ever thrown a no hitter. The last one thrown representing Washington? Bobby Burke, who no hit the Red Sox in August of 1931.

That’s all over now!

Jordan Zimmermann threw the first Washington Nationals no hitter (and the first in Franchise History since Dennis Martinez‘s perfect game as a member of the Montreal Expos.)

9 complete, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts of the Marlins, who for the second straight year end the season on a no hitter. Last year Henderson Alvarez won 1-0 over Detroit. This year the Marlins LOST 1-0.

Odd symmetry.

Safe to say, Jordan Zimmermann looks solid for this post season.

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For September 1, 2014 )

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

Hey Phillies Fans! You finally have something to cheer about!

I bet when Jonathan Papelbon didn’t get dealt this trade deadline, he didn’t think he would be closing out a no hitter.

Cole Hamels gets his name in the no hitter ledger, but now so do Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Papelbon of all people. A 7-0 win for the Phillies was NOT exactly what the Braves needed right now, but the Phillies have a highlight for the season.

Sadly that means taking Roy Halladay’s Division Series no hitter off this list, but oh well. History waits for nobody, especially not Jake Diekman,

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For Tim Lincecum, June 25, 2014)

AP Photo/Eric Risberg

AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Is Tim Lincecum done? NOT TODAY!

The Giants needed to have a decent pitching performance and give their bullpen a break. What did they get? A masterpiece from Tim Lincecum. For the second straight season, Giant fans can say “Tim is not a Cy Young contender anymore, but at least he gave us a no hitter this year.)

The list of Giants pitchers with more than one no hitter? It is short but impressive:

Christy Mathewson
Tim Lincecum

Good company to be in.

And like last year, Lincecum did it against the Padres, the only remaining franchise without a no hitter.

(Yes, I know, the Washington Nationals haven’t had a no hitter either. They had no hitters when they were the Montreal Expos.)

 

It is time to update my list!

The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For Clayton Kershaw, June 18, 2014)

Chris Carlson - AP

Chris Carlson – AP

The second Dodger no hitter this season!

Well Josh Beckett didn’t last long on this list! Less than a month ago, Beckett threw the first no no of the year. Tonight, the ace of the Dodger staff showed the Rockies why he is a multiple Cy Young winner.

In fact, only Hanley Ramirez‘s error kept him from being perfect.

It is safe to say that he will take it.

Still no San Diego Padres nor Washington Nationals no hitter yet (although the Nationals franchise have no hitters as the Expos and the city of Washington had some with the Senators.)

It is time to update my list!

Minnesota Twins State Of The Union For 2014

The Minnesota franchise has been through predicament before.  From 1987 - 1991, the club won World Series and was one of the best clubs in the timeframe, but this was followed by a losing stretch from 1993 - 2001.  The Twins then reeled off 6 Division Titles, and built a new baseball park from that success.  Now they have suffered 3 straight 90+ Loss seasons, and look to run into a 4th straight.

The Minnesota franchise has been through predicament before. From 1987 – 1991, the club won World Series and was one of the best clubs in the timeframe, but this was followed by a losing stretch from 1993 – 2001. The Twins then reeled off 6 Division Titles, and built a new baseball park from that success. Now they have suffered 3 straight 90+ Loss seasons, and look to run into a 4th straight.  The young pieces are there to turn this thing around in the next few years, however Miguel Sano went down to a season ending injury. while Alex Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia struggled in their Rookie Years.  Byron Buxton, the top Baseball prospect is also going through a minor injury ailment to his left wrist.  On a bright note, Kyle Gibson made the Starting Rotation.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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Miguel Sano being hurt for the entire was a definite early downer to begin the spring.  This team still has many young new  core players, and have finally listed Kyle Gibson as a Starter in the Rotation in the #5 slot.

Oswaldo Arcia, Aaron Hicks and Byron Buxton may also provide a big splash to the franchise that is needed for many years moving forward.

You add in 3B Trevor Plouffe and SS/2B Brian Dozier possibly earning spots for the long-term, and the majority of their lineup with be made up from players from their early to mid – 20’s.

The year starts with Joe Mauer moving over to 1st, the departure of longtime veteran Justin Morneau, and 2 former players are trying to resurrect their careers with Minnesota.

Jason Kubel and Jason Bartlett are both back in the Twin Cities trying to make the squad. Read the rest of this entry

The Minnesota Twins Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward

In 2014, Joe Mauer will be in year #4 out of the 8 YR/$184 MIL extension that he signed.  The 30 Year Old native of Minnesota returned more to what his usual Career numbers resemble in 2013 - with a 3 Slash Line of .324/.405/.880.  Perhaps the club will now move him to 1st base permanently with the departure of Justin Morneau.  The 2009 AL MVP, and former 3 time Batting Champion is now the Active Leader for Batting Average at .323 - and has a lifetime .405 OBP. Mauer is a 6 time ALL - Star - and will need to continue his offensive flair making #23 MIL annually until the end of the 2018 season.

In 2014, Joe Mauer will be in year #4 out of the 8 YR/$184 MIL extension that he signed. The 30 Year Old native of Minnesota returned more to what his usual Career numbers resemble in 2013 – with a 3 Slash Line of .324/.405/.880. Perhaps the club will now move him to 1st base permanently with the departure of Justin Morneau. The 2009 AL MVP, and former 3 time Batting Champion, is now the Active Leader for Batting Average at .323 – and has a lifetime .405 OBP. Mauer is a 6 time ALL – Star – and will need to continue his offensive flair making $23 MIL annually until the end of the 2018 season.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

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With Justin Morneau leaving the club via a trade at the deadline this campaign, the Twins are starting to resemble the ‘Metrodome’ style – version of the team in terms of having a lower payroll .

Joe Mauer ($23 MIL in 2014) is the only player that stands to make over $10 Million next year.

As of right now, the players they have signed, Josh Willingham, Kevin Correia, Ryan Doumit, Glen Perkins and Jared Burton are the only Veteran’s signed long – term – and they make $23 MIL as a collective unit.

At 5 players – and only $46 MIL on the books, the Twins have a chance to go shopping on Free Agents.

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

2013 Twins Mid season highlights – Best of the year Anyway – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance is Advised

Read the rest of this entry

Add Another Season Of Misery For The City Of Washington: 80 Years + 3 Franchises Have Disappointed

The Nationals are just the latest in a string of failures the city of Washington has seen.  It has been 80 years since an MLB club from the District has seen World Series Baseball, and now they will have to wait another season.  Despite being the Preseason favorite to make the Fall Classic, Washington has missed the playoffs outright,

The Nationals are just the latest in a string of failures the city of Washington has seen. It has been 80 years since an MLB club from the District has seen World Series Baseball, and now they will have to wait another season. Despite being the Preseason favorite to make the Fall Classic, Washington has missed the playoffs outright in 2013.

By James O’Hara (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

Follow the MLB Reports on Twitter  

On Oct. 1, 1971 in the last game played by the Washington Senators at RFK Stadium, fans began tearing apart the stadium and field to claim souvenirs. Much like the current Washington Nationals are tearing apart Washington, D.C.

A lot is made of the Chicago Cubs (not winning a World Series since 1909 – or playing in one since 1945) and Boston Red Sox decades long pursuit of World Series titles and the pressure from it – before knocking the monkey from their back in 2004.

But that cannot compare to the pressure of being in town without baseball for 33 years – and having not played in the World Series at all since the Joe Cronin led 1933 squad lost.

From 1971 – 2004, Thirty-three World Series champions were crowned without a team from Washington, D.C. even entering the fight.

It is almost fitting in a way that the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, as you are talking about 1 of 2 teams in the MLB currently, that have never played (other is Seattle)  in a World Series before. The Expos/Nats club is now completed its 46th season in the MLB.

It is almost fitting in a way that the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, as you are talking about 1 of 2 teams in the MLB currently, that have never played (other is Seattle) in a World Series before. The Expos/Nats club have now completed their 45th season in the Majors without showing up in the “Fall Classic”.

Read the rest of this entry

2 And A Hook Podcast Ep #8: Dodgers (Puig Especially), White Sox + Braves Talk With Awesome Guests!

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Thursday, June.20/2013

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball:  ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran )

On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I talked with MLB Reports Braves correspondent Bob McVinua (www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com) about the Atlanta Braves season so far, what’s to come for them the rest of the season plus other things…

Then I talked to MLB Reports Dodgers correspondent Enrique Rivera about their phenom Yasiel Puig, if the Dodgers somehow can get back in the playoff race amongst other issues…

Also I interviewed MLB Reports White Sox correspondent Brian Madsen about the White Sox offensive struggles, is their farm system producing any future ball players & other stuff…also I do my Stats & Facts segment as usual so check out this baseball podcast that talks baseball like it outta be!!! SPREAD THE WORD!! Thank you all for your support!!!

People in this Podcast:

Bob McVinua (MLB Reports Guest Braves Correspondent – About 9 Minutes in and a 21 Minute Segment)

Enrique Rivera (MLB Reports LA Dodgers Correspondent – 31 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) 

Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent- 53 Minutes In and a 17 Minute Segment) 

(Stats and Facts done by James at the 1 Hour and 10 Minute Mark for 20 Minutes and for the 1st 9 Minutes.)

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An American Hobby: Baseball Memorabilia – Harmon Killebrew’s 1955 Topps Rookie Card

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Saturday, April.20, 2013

Killer was an 11 Time All - Star and an 6 time HR King and led the AL in RBI 4 times as well. He also hit 40+ HRs 8 times. The man had a Hall Of Fame Career.  The Phillies could take a page out of Killebrew's patience...He Walked 1559 times  in 2435 Games Played.  His 3 Career Slash was .256/.376/.884. Killebrew also had a great eye leading the League in Walks in 4 separate seasons (66', 67', 69', 71).

Killer was an 11 Time All – Star and an 6 time HR King and led the AL in RBI 3  times as well. He also hit 40+ HRs 8 times. The man had a Hall Of Fame Career. Killenbrew also had a great eye – in leading the American League in  Walks in 4 separate years.  Overall, he Walked 1559 times in 2435 Games Played. His 3 Career Slash was .256/.376/.884.

By Lee Edelstein (‘Baseball Memorabilia Enthusiast’ – visit his website here)

MLB Reports:  We are pleased to present you with Baseball Author Lee Edelstein as the newest writer with us at the Reports.  Lee will be providing us with great stories about baseball memorabilia on a regular basis.

MLB Reports

An American Hobby

Blog 10

Harmon Killebrew

This week’s article features a member of the 500 Home Run club.

During the decade of the 1960’s, sluggers named Hank Aaron,Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Willie McCovey, Ernie Banks, and Frank Robinson, in the prime of their careers, bashed balls out of the ballpark in record fashion.

In 1961, Mantle and Maris duked it out as the baseball world watched their assault on Babe Ruth’s single season Home Run record. But after the dust had settled on the 60’s, it was a quiet gentleman named Harmon Killebrew who wound up hitting more Home Runs in the decade than anyone else.

Nicknamed “The Killer”, although he was anything but, he pounded 393 Home Runs in that ten year period:

Harmon Killebrew Tribute:

Read the rest of this entry

Fixing The Phillies Offense: All Good Things To Those Who Wait

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Friday April 19, 2013

Ryan Howard once was an extremely great OBP Player before the last couple of years  In his MVP year (2006) - he was 5th in the NL with a .425 OBP.  He went for a .392 clip in 2007, before a precipitous fall to .339 in 2008.  2009 saw a .360 mark, 2010 - .353, 2011 - .346 and finally a Career Low in 2012 for the tune of a .295 OBP.  This year he is not much better at ,303.  Howard's Career 3 Slash Line is still .271/.363/911 but plummeting.

Ryan Howard once was an extremely great OBP Player before the last couple of years In his MVP year (2006) – he was 5th in the NL with a .425 OBP. He went for a .392 clip in 2007, before a precipitous fall to .339 in 2008. 2009 saw a .360 mark, 2010 – .353, 2011 – .346 and finally a Career Low in 2012 for the tune of a .295 OBP. This year he is not much better at ,303. Howard’s Career 3 Slash Line is still .271/.363/911 but plummeting.

By Chris Creighton (Phillies Correspondent via http://www.warrroomphilly.com – visit the website here

The late, great Harmon Killebrew, author of 573 Home Runs during his Hall of Fame career, was also exceptionally talented in another skill when he stepped to the plate: drawing Walks.

Charlie Manuel knows this better than most because he played alongside “Killer” for four years as a member of the Minnesota Twins in the late 1960’s. Over dinner, in the clubhouse and on the bench they’d talk baseball quite a bit, mostly about the art of hitting. Manuel said of Killebrew:

HR Derby Between Killerbrew vs Mantle Part 1:

HR Derby Between Killerbrew vs Mantle Part 2:

“Killer used to preach to me that the most important thing was getting strikes [to swing at]. He said he didn’t like to walk, but that he had to take pitches to get good strikes.”

 MLB.com / Hal Bodley, May 17, 2011

Killer was an 11 Time All - Star and an 7 time HR King. He also hit 40+ HRs 7 times. The man had a Hall Of Fame Career.  The Phillies could take a page out of Killebrew's patience...He Walked 1559 times  in 2435 Games Played.  His 3 Career Slash was .256/.376/.884.

Killer was an 11 Time All – Star and a 6 time HR King. He also hit 40+ HRs 8 times. The man had a Hall Of Fame Career. The Phillies could take a page out of Killebrew’s patience…He Walked 1559 times in 2435 Games Played. His 3 Career Slash was .256/.376/.884.

Amen to that. Killebrew didn’t need to say much at all on the matter as his patience did all his preaching for him. He led MLB in free passes four times in his career – with a high mark of 145 drawn in the 1969 season. It’s not a coincidence that he went on to hit 49 Home Runs and drive in 140 RBI that Summer. 

And in his best seasons, Killebrew would crack the 100-Walk plateau seven times while reaching 90+ Bases on Balls in three other campaigns.

Killebrew’s 1969 MVP season totals:

Year AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
1969 555 106 153 20 2 49 140 145 84 .276 .427 .584 1.011

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/19/2013.

Returning to present day, the Phillies are mired in a severe slump where they’re finding runs are about as hard to produce as water from a dry sponge.

Our boys of Summer have been as impatient as children at church with little to no plan or approach at the plate, swinging their bats like orchestra conductors at a dubstep concerto.

Show a pitcher you’ll offer at a ball outside the zone and they’ll pitch it outside the zone. 

Too many Phillies batsmen have been all too eager to flail away in undisciplined fashion, such as Ryan Howard (3 Walks), Ben Revere (4), and even Chase Utley (4).

Of those three, only Utley is producing with two doubles, two triples, three home runs and 13 RBI, but with a very un-Utley-esque .339 OBP (career .379). Impatience has begotten impatience among the Phillies’ brass:

“Who wants to go for a walk?”
Courtesy of DelawareOnline.com

Please take note of that quote having been tweeted about two hours before game-time last night vs. St. Louis, a one-run loss which would also see the Phillies earn a big, fat zero in the walk column.

For those keeping score, that’s zero walks in four straight games. Clearly with no change in plans at the plate, our boys have forgotten that sometimes the best things in life are free.

The translation is quite simple, really, even in today’s game. So far in 2013, three of the top four National League teams in drawing walks (Reds, Rockies and Mets) are also the top three teams in runs scored.

And while the Phillies are ranked sixth in hits as a team, they are 14th (of 15 teams) in seeing ball four which again translates to scoring runs, where they rank 11th in the National League. Combine all of this with a third place ranking in Strikeouts (126), they currently sit 13th in the NL with an OBP of just .291.

To drive the point home, this is only slightly better than the cellar-dwelling Chicago Cubs and the lowly Miami Marlins. Yuck.

It took the Philles 77 years to win their first World Series in 1980, however since that time, they have been to 4 more World Series in 1983, 1993, 2008 and 2009 and took home the Trophy in 2008.  The Phillies have finished .500+ or better for every year since 2002.  However 2012 saw their streak of 5 straight NL East Division Titles come to an end.  Now that they have started slow at 6 - 10 - can they come back to make the playoffs and a have a shot at a World Series  in 2013?

It took the Philles 77 years to win their first World Series in 1980, however since that time, they have been to 4 more World Series in 1983, 1993, 2008 and 2009 – and took home the Trophy in 2008. The Phillies have finished .500+ or better for every year since 2002. However 2012 saw their streak of 5 straight NL East Division Titles come to an end. Now that they have started slow at 6 – 10 – can they come back to make the playoffs and a have a shot at a World Series in 2013?

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***

A big thank – you goes out to our Philadelphia Phillies Correspondent Chris Creighton for preparing today’s featured post..  Chris is a Phillies Phan, Baseball fan & player. He thinks that there is no better place for food and is a  proponent of the city of Philadelphia. Huge U2 fan. Phillies writer at  http://www.warroomphilly.com .

Chris says:  “Follow a Web Show covering everything in the Philadelphia Sports Scene. Sit back and enjoy from the hearts of two die-hard Philly guys here !  You can follow Chris Creighton on Twitter or the WarRoomPhilly

a war room chris

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 17, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-03-17 at 1.14.02 PM

On The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast for St. Patrick’s Day, I make a suggestion to the Red Sox to develop an Irish born star.

I also pay tribute to Joe Cleary, the last Irish born player in Major League History.

Read Charlie Bevis’ wonderful article on SABR.org about Joe Cleary HERE.

Contribute to Irish Baseball at Field O’Dreams HERE.

Subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast HERE.

The Aftermath Of The Stephen Strasburg(less) Nationals sweep in the NLDS Oct 2012

Thursday, September.06/2012

Stephen Strasburg is eligible for Arbitration after the 2013 season. He originally signed a 4 Year/14 Million Dollar Entry Level Deal after he was drafted in 2009. The salary hit for the Nats in 2013 places him tied for 3rd on the team with Mike Morse.  He will be Unrestricted Free Agent in 2017, will he remain a National?

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer):

The Nationals are my favorite National League team.  It is my firm belief that you are allowed 1 team in each League to cheer for.  The Yankees are my team in the American League.  The love for the Nationals goes back to when they were the Montreal Expos.  It was a lean time for a lot of us fans until the last few years have given us hope.  So before I go on about the contracts and payroll for 2013 tomorrow, I officially am going on record in saying that shutting Strasburg down is completely wrong.  I don’t care about ramifications of the pitcher throwing his arm out.  You never know when injuries are going to occur.  The Babying method never worked for Strasburg the first time, or for Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes for that matter.  This all stems back to the over using of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior by Dusty Baker in the 2003 year.  Innings limits were soon introduced in every franchise to protect the players and managers from going after a championship and maybe shortening their career.  It also has a lot to do with teams not being able to insure players any more. 

Insurance companies (like Lloyd’s of London) realize that they will pay out teams at a less than profitable rate for Major League Baseball players based on how much these guys make now, so they will not cover any baseball player anymore.  So Washington is freely shutting him down because they think it is the best thing to do for the player and the club.  They think  by preserving him from any injury at all, that this will prolong his shelf life and thus make the baseball team more profitable in the long run.  This is a major role of the dice and could end up setting the fan base back with a sour taste in their mouth for generations.  If Washington wins the World Series, this would be the only scenario where the question would not be brought up again.  Anything short of this and it is going to start an epic debate. Read the rest of this entry

The Philadelphia Phillies Franchise Part 2 of 4: The Hitters

Friday August.24/2012

Note from Chuck Booth:  I am attempting to bring the history for each of the 30 MLB Franchises into a 5 part series that will focus on 1. The teams history.  2. The hitters 3. The pitchers.  4. The Teams Payroll going into 2013 and 5.The Ball Park that they play in. (The stadium articles will all be done next summer when I go to all of the parks in under a month again.)  Be sure to check my author page with a list of all of my archived articles here.

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer): The Phillies have had an incredible run in the last decade of baseball.  Most of that time has been spent at Citizens Bank Ball Park which is a very hitter-friendly park.  The management was smart enough to draft a whole bunch of offensive talent like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pat Burrell, Scott Rolen, Jimmy Rollins and even J.D Drew(who never signed in 1997 with the Phillies and went back into the 1998 draft.)  They also traded Scott Rolen for Placido Polanco.  These guys have all taken advantage of the new baseball cathedral.  Ryan Howard leads all active players in HRs per AB in the Major Leagues with hitting a HR per just a little over 13 AB.  There is still a long way to go to chase down Michael Jack Schmidt.  His 548 Career HRs and 1595 RBI  lead the ALL-Time totals on the Phillies by quite a big margin.

Criteria for being put on this list was quite simple.  You had to be a player of significance on the Franchise.   Great watermarks are: 1000 hits, 100 HRs, 1000 games, if you led the league in any category for a few seasons or batted .285 or higher for the duration of your time.  This is what I was looking for to include the players on the list.  It has taken me a lengthy period of time to siphon through 130 years of baseball to bring you this list.  From Ed Delahanty and Billy Hamilton, to Richie Ashburn and Dick Allen, to Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinki, to Von Hayes, to John Kruk and Lenny Dykstra, to Bobby Abreu and Scott Rolen-to finally get us to the gentlemen aforementioned in the first paragraph.  I want this study to be as interactive as I can with the readers.  If you feel that there is someone worthy of being included in the list for hitters, please feel free to comment or send me an email to booth7629@gmail.com.  I would be glad to edit this post and add to it.  After all, if you are reading this, chances are you are a Phillies fan, I am just a baseball historian.

For Part 1 of The 4 Part Phillies Article Series:  The Franchise- click here

For Part 3 of  The 4 Part Phillies Article Series:  The Pitchers- click here

For Part 4 of the Phillies Article Series:  Team Payroll and Contractual Statuses click here

Ryan Howard Highlight reel

Read the rest of this entry

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