worley and taylor impress in shutout

Righty Vance Worley was pretty much the story of the game last night.

Oh, that pop-up trot! The Altoona Curve batters were hapless against Worley through seven.

With Michael Taylor on third, Brian Stavisky grounds out to end a threat.

Vance Worley combined with relievers Josh Shortslef and Sergio Escalona in a 2-0 shutout of the Altoona Curve last night at First Energy Stadium in Reading. Worley, a strapping righthander who wears very cool glasses on the mound, was strong. He walked the first batter of the game, then retired the next three. He allowed a single to the leadoff hitter in the second, then, using a fastball that was around 93 and an effective curve, set down the next 15. In the 7th, he allowed singles to the first two batters. Catcher Tuffy Gosewich picked off one at first, and Worley struck out the last two men he faced to end the inning and his night. He struck out seven and walked just one. It was a good outing for the 22-year-old, who was jumped this year to double-A.

Outfielder Michael Taylor, a big brown-eyed handsome man, also impressed, going three for four on the night. He doubled with resounding crack of the bat in the first, then scored on a Brian Stavisky single. Taylor also singled twice. He was part of a double steal in the third which allowed leadoff man Quintin Berry to score when the Curve catcher threw wildly to third.

OK, it's only April, and Worley and Taylor have barely started their professional careers, but wow they are looking good.

Some Reading area elementary students did a sweet, sweet job with the national anthem. Attendance was under 2,000, but the kids in the stands provided energetic cheers and chants all game long.

ding-dong

Chase Utley heads home after his second blast against the Nats last night.

Three Phillies rang the bell last night at Citizens Bank Park: Feliz, Ibanez, and Utley, who did it twice.

Cole Hamels breezed through 4.1 innings, then stumbled off the mound fielding a bunt by Nats' pitcher John Lannan, twisted an ankle, and fell into a frustrated heap. Chad Durbin replaced him and was outstanding, going three and 2/3 innings and allowing just one hit, a solo homer to Adam Dunn that disappeared deep into the second deck. Stalwart Clay Condrey came in to finish things off in the 9th and the Phillies handled the Nationals 7-1. For the second half of the game several relief pitchers hung over the bullpen fence, watching their guy Chad shine--and give them a much-needed respite. It was cute.

All of the offense was via the home run. Chase Utley started it with a 2-run shot. Pedro Feliz added a 3-run smack of his own. Utley's second homer was a bomb to right center. Raul Ibanez capped it off with a solo homer to left center. Starter John Lannon, who debuted a couple of years ago at Citizens Bank Park, broke Utley's hand in that game, then hit Ryan Howard and got tossed for his efforts. Since then Utley has owned Lannan.

On Charlie Manuel bobblehead night, a sellout crowd was on hand. The heat and humidity had abated thanks to an approaching coldfront and the weather was simply wonderful for baseball.

phils win 13-11 'shootout'

Scott Franzke nailed it. Last night's game with the Nationals was indeed a 'shootout', marked by some terrible pitching (Joe, what were you thinking?) and a lot of moonshots. The Phillies mounted not one, not two, not three, but four comebacks. They were down, variously, 2-0, 6-2, 7-6, then 11-7 until a six-run 8th put them up for good.

The Nats scored eight of their 11 runs on five homers, all of them mammoth shots which hit the batting eye, bounced onto the concourse, or ended up in the second deck. Unseasonably hot and humid, it's suddenly 'hittin' weather' here on the East Coast, but as Larry Andersen said on radio, "Those balls would have gone out in a blizzard."

The Phillies took a more economical approach, with just two home runs, both grand slams. Ryan Howard's GS to dead center in the 5th briefly tied the game at six and Raul Ibanez' laser line drive to right in the 8th put the Phillies up 13-11. Rau-uuuu-ll! Ryan Madson came in for the save in the 9th and threw heat.

The moment it ended, I called Mrs. October, who had called mid-game to ask me to call when it was over. "What a game," was how she answered the phone. "What a game."

So why was Ryan Madson closing? Because Brad Lidge is nursing a swollen knee, the same knee that he had surgically repaired a couple of years ago. An MRI has revealed no structural damage but uh-oh. Carlos Ruiz, meanwhile, was scratched from his third rehab appearance with Lehigh Valley because of discomfort experienced during batting practice. It does not sound as if he will be making an immediate return to Philadelphia. Again, uh-oh.

The IronPigs meanwhile were locked in a pitching duel between Clay Bucholz and Drew Carpenter. The PawSox scored an early unearned run, then Johnny Jr. mashed a solo homer to tie it up. In the 12th, the 'Pigs finally pushed a run across to beat the Sox 2-1. Again, what a game.

charlie and chase

Gotta love these two quotations about the weekend series in Miami:

"When you blend the talent and the hustle like we did all weekend, good things are going to happen," said Charlie Manuel.

"It's always nice to have a comfortable lead, but it's nicer to win games like those last two, when you have to battle," said Chase Utley. (Italics are mine.)

at last a laugher

Jamie Moyer continued his uncanny mastery of the Marlins--he is now 12-1 lifetime against them--and the Phillies took advantage of 11 walks, two hit by pitches, one wild pitch, and several miscues by the Fish to breeze to a 13-2 win yesterday afternoon. A sweep in Florida is sweet; the Fish have now lost six in a row to Pennsylvania teams. Yesterday's game was also the first in which a Phillie pitcher did not allow a home run. (Apprised of that, Moyer's dismissive response was, "Woohoo!") So that particular dubious record stops at 16.

The Marlins have a young, dangerous starting rotation and a power-laden lineup but their bullpen is sketchy and their defense continues to be wretched. If they ever put it all together, watch out.

Raul Ibanez' defense, on the other hand, is not, so far, as advertised. He continues to make nifty defensive plays in the field and smart moves on the base paths. Jimmy Rollins, still slumping, sat again yesterday, then left the dugout after the game with hugs from Charlie Manuel.

Best of all from the weekend, the Phillies look again like their tough, resilient selves.

Jayson Stark being interviewed yesterday about his new book had this salient point: The Phillies last year seemed to have embraced the franchise's negative history and made it work for them while the Cubs by contrast got swallowed up by theirs.

just another nailbiter in miami

All of the Phillies' wins this season have been of the come-from-behind variety. Last night's was another. After the Fightin's took a 2-0 lead on solo home runs by starter Chan Ho Park and Ryan Howard, Park turned around in the 4th and gave it up via long ball to Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla to give the Fish a 4-2 edge. But that was all Park allowed in seven innings of 4-run, 5-hit ball. The Phillies crept closer in the 6th, tied it in the 9th, and went ahead 6-4 in the 10th. The bullpen was again sterling, though Brad Lidge, after getting two quick outs in the 10th, loaded the bases and just escaped via the strikeout. Maybe it's the early season or the end of the streak, but Lidge is going through a shaky patch. It underscores how remarkable his perfect 2008 season was.

I ended up clicking back and forth between the Phillies and the 'Pigs, who were being no-hit through six by PawSox knuckleballer Charlie Zink. John Mayberry Jr. then led off the bottom of the 7th with a booming home run. The 'Pigs scored another two runs in the frame without benefit of a hit. It was a bizarre inning. Down 4-3 in the 9th, Jason Donald picked a grand time for his first home run of the season to tie it up. But it was the PawSox who capitalized in extra innings to win the game.

victorino fuels comeback with grand slam

Cotton candy at a stand before Thursday's game at Citizens Bank Park. How can this stuff still be made, much less eaten?

It was remote madness last night, switching from the Phillies to the IronPigs to the Sixers. Hate to say it but I had no faith in the Phillies last night. Brett Myers never fares well against the Fish and promised to fare even less well against Josh Johnson. Sure enough, Myers gave up a 3-run homer to Uggla in the first. Johnson, meanwhile, had his way with the visiting hitters. But give Myers credit. Despite laboring mightily, he kept the score 3-0 through six. Clay Condrey then pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Fish closer Matt Lindstrom came in to finish things off in the 9th. Several walks and hits, including a Shane Victorino grand slam, later, the Phillies were up 7-3. Ryan Madson finished things off for the Phillies, allowing two base runners but striking out the side. From trailing 3-0 to winning 7-3, wow, what a comeback!

The Phillies have now broken their own record, set on Thursday, for most homers allowed in consecutive games at the start of a season. That would be 15. Whatever has happened to the taut pitching of last season?

In Allentown the Pawtucket Bosox got off to a 3-1 lead but in the third the IronPigs had their own seven-run uprising in what ended as a 13-3 rout of Pawtucket. Jason Donald may have been showcasing his talents. He made several nifty plays at shortstop and went 3/4 at the plate. John Mayberry Jr. too seems to have found a groove. But the mighty blow was a mammoth shot by Mike Cervenak. Lots of fireworks on fireworks night at the ballpark.

Also announced yesterday, on July 14 Bob Dylan will perform with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp at Coca-Cola Park. Too bad that's the night of the All-Star game. This year is the one year I do not want to miss that game, because Charlie Manuel will of course manage the NL team.

Then there were the Sixers, hosting the Magic in Philadelphia in Game 3 of the play-offs. Off to a solid start in the game, the Sixers saw their 17-point lead dwindle to two in the 4th. The Magic several times tied the score but the Sixers always answered back, finally winning on an improbable shot by Thaddeus Young with two seconds left on the clock. Way to go! I begin to think the Sixers may win this. The Magic look all kinds of out of sorts.

worth the wait, tales of the 2008 phillies

While reading Worth the Wait, Tales of the 2008 Phillies, Jayson Stark's fast-paced book on the Philadelphia Phillies' heady postseason run to the World Series, I couldn't decide if Stark talks the way he writes or writes the way he talks. If you have heard this baseball expert, now with ESPN, you will know what I mean. The book is a quick, amusing read, though for my taste Stark belabors the accursed mentality which has been a part of sports in cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago. Stark is a Philadelphia native and resident and no doubt he is in touch with the local mindset. I got very tired of all that years ago. If a team has poor ownership and poor management, on the field and off, it's likely to be 'cursed'. As Stark points out, that was not the case with this current Phillies team. He also captures wonderfully well the sheer joy shared by the team, its fans, and the city last October. It was something unique. And it still brings a smile just to think about it.

At yesterday's game, a couple with a 10-month-old baby was next to me. "It's her first game," said the mother, then quickly added, "but I did bring her to the parade."

Speaking of 'curses', its' been 24 years since the Hanshin Tigers last won the Japan Series. When the Tigers clinched the Central League title on the way to the 1985 series, jubilant fans tossed a statue of KFC's Colonel Sanders into the Dotenbori River in Osaka. And there the statue stayed, giving rise to the 'curse of Colonel Sanders'. This March, in an effort at reversing fortune, the statue was retrieved from the bottom of the river. So how are the Tigers doing this year?

stairs spoils bush no-no

The Phillies needed more than a rally cap yesterday. In the end the Brewers and their fans, like this guy here, were the last ones standing.

A day after almost blanking the Phillies in a 3-1 win, the Brewers capped off their second win of the series with a serious no-hit bid by area native Dave Bush. With his parents, longtime Phillies' season-ticket holders, in the stands, Bush had a no-hitter going through seven. It began to feel like destiny when pinch-hitter Gregg Dobbs, leading off the eighth, was thrown out at first on a spectacular play by third baseman Bill Hall. Then up came Matt Stairs, also pinch-hitting, and there went the no-hitter and 6-0 shutout. Stairs' high-arcing homer bounced off the right foul pole to mixed cheers. Really, did it matter? The Phillies haven't been no-hit since 1978. If it was going to happen, then what could be better than at the hands of a local guy.

For Phillies fans, Bush wasn't even the big story of the game. In the fourth, Prince Fielder smashed a line drive off the pitching shoulder of starter Cole Hamels. He left the game, the rest of the season flashing before the collective eyes of the crowd. After the game, Hamels said he was fine. He suffered a shoulder contusion but hopes to make his next start. Thank the gods for small favors.

The Phillies now take their limp pitching and offense to Florida, always a house of horrors for them. With the Marlins smarting from a sweep by the Pirates, it could be a frustrating weekend.

ra-u-u-u-u--u-l

Driving back from the park last night I listened to the rain delay broadcast on the radio. A man also driving on the Schuylkill called up with a question about Raul Ibanez, on behalf of his 10-year-old son. The guy's son wanted to know why Ibanez was getting booed each time he came to the plate or did in the field or on the bases. The guy couldn't tell him, hence the phone call in the rain. I had to laugh and so did broadcaster Scott Franzke, who explained that fans weren't booing him, they were Rauling him, in effect making his name pretty much an elongated 'u'. It's funny but it's true.

Lou(uuuu) Marson, the rookie catcher now backing up for the injured Carlos Ruiz, gets something of the same treatment. So for that matter does Ruuuuuiz. Same for Lou(uuuu) Williams of the Sixers and Claude Girou(uuu)x of the Flyers. The other night at an IronPigs game, I noticed when back-up catcher Paul Hoover, now playing daily because Marson is in Philadelphia, came to bat that he had become Hooooov to the crowd.

Something there is about that 'ooh' sound. Maybe that's why the boo is so popular.

getting on track

Half of the fans in attendance were not yet in their seats when the Phillies started batting around in the first inning.

Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun got the scoring started in the 1st with a solo home run. In the bottom, the Phillies batted around, putting four on the board. They later batted around again, winning the game 11-4. Braun was all the offense for the Brewers, with the solo shot in the 1st, then a two-run homer and an RBI single. Jamie Moyer was solid for six, even though the Brewers took a patient approach at the plate.

With the exception of a solo homer by Pedro Feliz, who is looking good early on, the Phillies scored all of their runs on singles and doubles. Shane Victorino had some key hits and made his usual defensive plays. Ibanez continued to shine. Among his contributions last night: a walk, followed by a steal of second, an advance to third on a wild pitch, then a waltz home on a sacrifice fly by Chris Coste.

The weather was idyllic through four, then a wicked wind came up, scattering fans in the upper deck, where I was last night. Rain came pelting down in the top of the 7th, followed by thunder and lightning. That's when I bailed and the game went into a delay. By the time I got to the car, I was soaked. An hour and 18 minutes later, when I was about 15 miles from home, play resumed. Clay Condrey and Jack Taschner came in to finish things up.

2008 lou gehrig award to shane victorino

Way to go, Shane! Phi Delta Theta fraternity has announced that Shane Victorino will receive the 2008 Lou Gehrig award. The award is given annually to the player who best embodies the giving spirit of Lou Gehrig, who was a member of the fraternity while at Columbia University. Anytime a ball player is linked with Lou Gehrig it's all to the good. What an honor. Congratulations.

a sweeping statement

The Japanese flowering apricot out front is finally in heady, fragrant bloom. This is the first year it has been covered in blossoms, though it still looks like a shrub rather than a tree.

Phillies, Sixers, Flyers. All got much-needed wins yesterday. First of course the Phillies. Trailing the Padres 4-0, they came back 4-2 in the 6th on a Chase Utley homer. Jimmy Rollins, pinch-hitting in the 8th, hit a solo jack to make it 4-3. Ryan Howard led off the 9th with a bloop single. Raul Ibanez followed with a 2-run walk-off homer that earned him a pie in the face from Shane Victorino. Said Ibanez later, It felt good. They could spit in it if they wanted and it would be OK.

Charlie Manuel sat Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth, both scuffling badly. Manuel said in his pregame show that he wanted Jimmy to spend the game in the batting cage swinging "till he was blue in the face". I don't know if that happened but when called on to pinch-hit in the 8th, J-Roll came up big. Ryan Howard made two spectacular diving defensive plays at first, a testament to the offseason work he put in with new third base coach Sam Perlozzo. Raul Ibanez, who has already won hearts with his steady play, wowed the sell-out crowd on hand for the Phanatic's birthday. Sorry, Burrell-lovers, but Ibanez may more than earn his contract through his effect on the rest of the line-up. As they say, hitting is contagious. Watching how Ibanez goes about his baseball business should be a lesson to all.

Cheers for Andre Iguodala and the Sixers, who went down on the road by 19 points in the third quarter to the far-better Magic, then clawed their way back to within three. They finally tied it on a Donyelle Marshall three-pointer, then went ahead 100-98 on a pull-up jumper by Iggy with 2.2 seconds to go. That after Iguodala had missed two crucial free-point throws. Surprise, surprise! The Sixers have taken homecourt advantage from Orlando. Let's go, Sixers!

Last, the Flyers, down two in the series, beat up on the Penguins. Nothing like a sweeping kind of day.

kalas memorial

Fans created an impromtu memorial to the late Harry Kalas at the Mike Schmidt statue outside the third base entrance to the ballpark.

The ballpark tribute held this afternoon to Harry Kalas was remarkable. Greeted by co-owner Bill Giles and CEO Dave Montgomery, thousands of fans filed into the ballpark this morning to pay their respects to Harry Kalas, whose casket was placed behind home plate. Some stayed for the afternoon memorial service, held in warm sunshine and mild breezes. Governor Rendell and Mayor Nutter, who both have distinctive speaking voices, gave fittingly personable tributes. Jamie Moyer, who grew up listening to Kalas, spoke for the current players. Mike Schmidt gave a beautifully eloquent and profound eulogy to his late friend. Then 19-year-old Kane Kalas, displaying stunning composure, spoke intimately and movingly about his father, as his older brothers looked on.

At the end, all joined in singing High Hopes, Kalas' signature song, then his "traveling company", made of present and former Phillies players and personnel, formed a double line and hand over hand carried the casket to the hearse. Starting with the suited oldheads and moving through former players, then lastly on to the uniformed members of the current team, it made for a vividly emotional scene. As Kalas had wished, Bridge over Troubled Waters played at the end.

I only happened to see the tribute on television and am glad that I did. The Phillies do ceremonies better than most; none do them better.

Last night's game, kids' opening night at the park, started with some kids helping hand out player awards from 2008: Gold Gloves to Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, the Mel Ott award for most homers to Ryan Howard, the Silver Slugger award to Chase Utley, and the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year to Brad Lidge.

Brett Myers got the start and was mildly effective for six. May that be a step in the right direction. The game went back and forth with the scrapping Padres. I left after the 7th in part to listen to the radio broadcast. Madson again allowed a go-ahead run in the 8th, then the Phillies came back to go ahead. Time for Brad Lidge in the 9th, which turned out to be when he finally blew his streak of perfection, which went back to September 23, 2007 while he was still with the Astros. A splendid run: 47 consecutive saves in the regular season (the third-longest such streak in baseball history), plus seven more in the post-season. Many kudos to Mr. Lidge. In the end the Phillies lost 8-5.

After the many emotional highs and lows of the past two weeks, I cannot fault the team for anything. I only hope that they soon get into some kind of baseball rhythm. Yo, pitchers, time to get it together. Raul Ibanez leads the offense, which has been pretty good, but Jimmy Rollins needs to get on track, and on base, for this team to do what it should.

Lincecum Pitches a Gem: Giants Lose

Lincecum sacrifice bunts awkwardly but successfully moving a player to second

For the first 8 innings we watched a fabulous ballgame between the Giants and D-backs. Lincecum was on his game, mowing down the D-back rotation in record time. Doug Davis pitched equally well, though his game was slower and more deliberate. Too bad the Giants stranded players nearly every inning. Too bad Wilson came in on the 9th and allowed 2 D-backs to score. The Giants had no comeback in them; they were mowed down 1-2-3. That last inning was the game that I'm used to seeing with the Giants this year - no offense, no thrill, ho-hum. Come on Giants - wake up!

hk

Tonight is Harry Kalas tribute night at the ballpark. It is of course a sell-out crowd. The players are wearing a black circular patch with HK in white just over the hearts. They will wear the patch throughout the season. Kalas' three sons, Todd, Brad, and Kane, threw out the first pitch to players representing three generations: Mike Schmidt, John Kruk, and Jimmy Rollins. Todd, a broadcaster with the Tampa Bay Rays, got to broadcast one inning with his father during the World Series, which was cool. Kane, the youngest, sang the national anthem before the game.

Larry Andersen, a reliever on the 1993 team, is wearing a tie he got from Kalas during the play-offs that year. He and Scott Franzke had talked about wearing a white jacket and white shoes a la Kalas but were unable to find any.

As a tribute to Harry, the TV crew did the top of the first inning with the Padres in silence. Nothing but the sound of the crowd. It was touching. Kalas was never afraid to let the game speak for itself.

The Phillies took a 5-0 lead in the first. It's now 7-1. I don't know what will happen this game, this weekend but I do know that the Phillies have been on an emotional roller coaster since season's start. That was less than two weeks ago but it seems like forever.

shane victorino bobblehead night

Bobblehead dolls of Shane Victorino were handed out at last night's IronPigs' game with the Syracuse Chiefs. A hilarious video tribute to The Flyin' Hawaiian was also played. I want a copy!

Carlos Carrasco got the start and allowed four runs, two of them earned, in six innings. John Mayberry Jr. had a dramatic three-run homer, which briefly tied the game, but Carrasco could not hold it. The game looked like a step along the young rookie's learning curve. The 'Pigs tied it up in the 9th but ultimately fell 5-4 to a Justin Maxwell homer in the 12th.

champ back home, 'pigs trot

Entering the ballpark last night we immediately learned that Champ, the resident greeter at the clubhouse store, had been found and was back. Spooked by Friday night's postgame fireworks, he had bolted into the night but was spotted yesterday and restored to his owner, who took him off to the vet's for a check-up and a microchip.

Kyle Kendrick was on the mound last night for the IronPigs. Members of area fire companies, police departments, and EMT's were honored before the game.

Kyle Kendrick went a solid seven, giving up two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out four. Colin Balestar of the Chiefs did not fare so well. The 'Pigs got to him for three in the third and another three in the fourth, which included back-to-back triples by Jason Donald and Mike Cervenak. John Mayberry later upped the score with a solo homer. The 'Pigs tacked on another four runs in the 8th on several walks, two hit batsmen, and just one base hit in the 11-4 win.

Stars of the game: KK and Jason Donald. Donald, who was 0 for 5 in Monday's game, was on base four times, with a triple, a double, and two walks. He scored three times and knocked in one. This is the Jason Donald we've been waiting to see. Same for Kendrick.

It was again deep-freeze weather but the wind was less of a force. Early in the game some guys in my row had commented on my winter garb; several innings later all four were sharing what they called a 'man blanket.' Snort.

more about yesterday

Led by pitcher Justin Lehr (who?), some timely hitting, and some good defense, the IronPigs won their first game of the year, against the Syracuse Chiefs. The bullpen made things a bit tense but Gary Majewski came in to preserve the lead and end the game. Two defensive plays stand out. One was a sparkling a 3-4-1 doubleplay, started by Mike Cervenak. The other was a super, if crazy, throw by centerfielder Rich Thompson to catcher Paul Hoover. He was then flattened by the lumbering Brad Eldred but nonetheless held onto the ball. Way to go, guys. Tonight, weather permitting, it's Kyle Kendrick vs. hot prospect Justin Zimmerman, who will make his major league debut this Saturday in Washington. Just now it's raining and cold.

The Nationals graciously offered to postpone their opener yesterday because of the sudden passing of Harry Kalas, but the Phillies decided it was better to play. They won a 9-8 in what was something of a slugfest. Starter Jamie Moyer did, however, get the win. In fact, up and down the Phillies organization, everybody won.

The Phillies have postponed their scheduled visit today, an off day, to meet President Obama at the White House.

harry kalas 1936-2009

On the way to the IronPigs game this afternoon I tuned into the Phillies' pregame show and learned that a couple of hours earlier Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas had collapsed at the ballpark and died. It was a total shock. Larry Andersen and Scott Franzke were obviously stunned, their voices breaking and rough with emotion. As a tribute to Kalas, they scrapped the pregame show and in its place played his radio broadcast of the final inning of the World Series last year. It brought a smile, which is pretty much what Kalas did throughout his long baseball career in Philadelphia.

Harry Kalas was a superb broadcaster, with a fabulous tobacco-and-bourbon voice. He started broadcasting major league baseball with the Houston Astros, but in 1971 came to Philadelphia. His work with longtime partner Richie Ashburn, who died in 1997, was legendary among generations of Phillies' fans. The voice of the Phillies, Kalas was beloved. In return, he loved baseball, loved the players, and loved the fans. His signature home run call--Outta h-e-e-e-re!--was classic, often imitated but never duplicated. Classic, too, was his rendition of High Hopes, which he often sang with players and fans. Swing and a long drive. Swing and a miss. Struck him out. All are very Harry the K.

In 1980 when the Phillies won the World Series it was still an MLB rule that only national announcers did World Series broadcasts. That meant that hometown fans did not get to hear 'their' broadcasters do the games. Philadelphia fans raised such a protest and outcry that in 1981 MLB chanced that rule and radio broadcasts by the home teams were permitted. Such was the popularity of Kalas and Ashburn. Kalas' final call of the 2008 World Series will live forever.

There was a moment of silence before the 'Pigs game for Kalas. The same was done before the opener at the Nationals' park in Washington, too. Just as the silence started there, you could faintly hear on the crowd mike some fan call out, "We love you, Harry!" When Scott Franzke later mentioned that, he and Andersen again lost it. It was a rough day.

When I got home, I learned that before the Phillies game several players, including Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, and Scott Eyre, had given Kalas, a confirmed cigarette smoker, a unique tribute. They got hold of a cigarette, lit it, and passed it around the dugout. Very cool, guys. Harry Kalas will be missed by all.

grip and rip does it again

Matt Stairs did it again, but this time his game-winning two-run homer came in the 9th. After Chase Utley's two-run shot tied the game at five in the 8th, Stairs put the Phillies up 7-5 in the 9th. Madson and Lidge then combined to keep the Rockies off the board and secure the win. It was Stairs' pinch-hit dramatics, though, that captured the imagination.

Not lost in all of this was another bad performance by a Phillies' starter. Chan Ho Park was ineffective, lasting just 3.2 innings and giving up five runs. Starters now have a combined ERA north of 10. The bullpen by contrast has been brilliant.

Today in Washington the Phillies get to play their third Opening Day game of the season.

snakebit

I walked into one of the ladies' rooms at Coca-Cola Park last night and came face to face with this wall-sized photomural. The IronPigs players shown, who were wearing pink for the Mothers' Day game last year, are no longer with the team. FeFe, one of two team mascots, remains.

All I can say about last night's game is the Yankees still have the IronPigs' number. I left the game on a high note, just after the 'Pigs had taken a 5-3 lead on a three-run homer by Rich Thompson. Sure enough, the bullpen came in and immediately blew it. Final score: 12-5 in favor of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

It was also incredibly cold at the game last night. I was dressed for it but finally fled my seat to stand on the sheltered concourse.

back at coca-cola park

Carlos Carrasco sparkled in his first start of the season before a crowd of 8400+ at Coca-Cola Park last night.

Before the game youngsters hung over the railing by the 'Pigs dugout, hoping for some autographs.

Carlos Carrasco threw six shut-out innings of four-hit ball, striking out four and walking none. He left with a 1-0 lead that was immediately coughed up by reliever Cecil Bowers. The IronPigs had a good chance to break the 1-1 tie in the ninth but failed. In the 11th, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees put a run across and made it stand up to win the game. Ian Kennedy, starting for the Yanks, was also brilliant. The 'Pigs whiffed a dismal total of 17 times against Kennedy and his relief corps. Was it the pitching or the hitting?

This is the third or fourth time that Carrasco has left a 'Pigs game with a lead only to see the game blown. He has yet to give up an earned run in games he has pitched at Coca-Cola Park. I'd love to see him do that at CBP sometime soon!

Lou Marson was scratched shortly before game time and is on his way to Colorado. Carlos Ruiz strained an oblique muscle in yesterday's game with the Rockies and could be headed to the DL. Does that mean Tuffy G comes to Lehigh Valley?

I had heard lots about improvements to the Coca-Cola Park menu but it looked like the usual ballpark fare to me. One change has the sweet potato fries now on the regular menu. But they weren't available! And there is way too much activity between innings at this park; almost all of it involves racing around or clubbing mascots to the ground. Give it a break, folks, this is triple-A. Other things unchanged: the P.A. announcer still sounds as if he is addressing schoolchildren.

There was a somber moment of silence before the game for Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart.

opening day at reading

Before the game, Brad Harman received a World Series ring. The Australian infielder had a brief call-up with the Phillies last spring when Jimmy Rollins was on the DL.

The Harrisburg Senators looked loose and happy as they lined up for the opening ceremony.

Swing, batta, batta, swing! The hitters did their part last night but the bullpen fizzled.

After nightfall, a big orange moon came up behind the bare trees outside the stadium, then rose high in the sky.

A record crowd of almost 8,000 fans turned out for the opening game of the Reading Phillies last evening. Tyson Brummett, the starting pitcher, was pretty much solid for six, pitching out of trouble a couple of times. The R-Phils had a 2-0 lead, but the Harrisburg Senators came back to tie it. The Phillies again went ahead 5-2 but the bullpen huffed and puffed and blew it all away. The Senators ended up winning 6-5 in 10.

Between them, the Reading and brand-new Lehigh Valley minor league parks drew one million fans last year. Baseball America last week rated the Reading park, built in the 1950's, as #3 among all minor league parks in the nation. This was quite an honor. All of the other parks in the top 10 were built in 2000 or later. The Phillies were doubly honored in the poll; number 10 was their single A park in Clearwater, Florida, which opened in 2004.

like blossoms in spring

An hour or so after posting the picture of cherry blossoms at the ballpark, I heard the news about Angels' rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart. He and two friends were killed early yesterday morning when the car they were driving in was broadsided by a drunk driver running a red light. A fourth occupant of the vehicle is in critical condition. It's a sad, tragic story. The night before Adenhart had pitched six scoreless innings against the A's. He was only 22. Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of all in the accident.

This is not a good time for the Angels. A fan was killed on Opening Day during a fight in the stands.

here we go, phillies, here we go

Cherries in bloom yesterday at the First Base entrance to the ballpark.

It was a totally improbable win after a dismal start to the game, to the season. Trailing 10-3 in the 7th, the Phillies sent 13 to the plate and scored eight runs on five walks, four hits--all singles--and one hit by pitch. Four Braves relievers dished out the slop. Most of their pitches were not even close to the strike zone. But credit Phillies hitters for showing remarkable restraint.

Victorino led off the inning with a ground-out. By that time maybe half of the sell-out crowd had left the stands. A contingent of college students in the section next to ours started up a chant: Here we go, Phillies, here we go. As the Phillies loaded the bases again and again and again, the chant got stronger. Pretty soon everyone in the park was on their feet, roaring with each misplaced pitch, each run scored. The Braves relievers just could not stop themselves.

By the end of the inning, the Phillies were up 11-10. Ryan Madson came in for the 8th; he and Ryan Howard combined on a spectacular 3-1 putout at first. The Phillies then added another run. Brad Lidge saved the game but first gave up a solo homerun to Matt Diaz. Final score: 12-11. The Phillies win! I later learned that Diaz was 1 for 2 off of Lidge; that one hit was a homer. Go figure.

Raul Ibanez was the star of the game, with three RBI, including a two-run homer that briefly tied the game in the second. He also scored the insurance run in the eighth.

Joe Blanton, who had a great spring, could not get out of his own way yesterday. Thanks to the delirious comeback, though, he continues to be unbeaten in a Phillies uniform. All of the starters have pretty much stunk it up so far. The team now flies out to Colorado, where Cole Hamels will make his first start of the season. Given what has gone on with him this spring, it's a big one.

4/8: ring ceremony

At last, the ring--with 103 diamonds, one for each of the 92 season wins and 11 post-season wins. An image of the Liberty Bell is carved into on one side and one of the WS trophy coming out of Citizens Bank Park on the other.

Dave Montgomery, CEO of the Phillies, handed out the rings--to Pat Gillick, Charlie Manuel, coaches and staff, and to players past and present.

My view of the ring ceremony from the 300 level. The seats were actually pretty cool.

It was gorgeous but windy and frigid yesterday for another sold-out game at the ballpark. The reason for the crowd: Ring Day. An emotional Pat Gillick was the first to get a ring; he was actually sobbing. Jamie Moyer too was tearful. Pat Burrell flew in from Boston, where his (now) Rays are playing the Sox, to receive a thunderous ovation, the biggest of the day. I had to roll my eyes at that. (Was I the only one?) Adam Eaton, up from Baltimore, predictably got a lot of boos. Sigh. I had to admire Eaton for having the onions to show up and to salute the crowd. The Phillies cleverly introduced folk hero Matt Stairs almost on Eaton's heels and turned the boos to rousing cheers.

My mother had insisted on attending this game for the ceremony. She wondered what the Braves would do while it was going on. I pointed out that they were hanging on the dugout fence throughout it all.

babes and baseball

I went to Sunday's opener with "Mrs. October" and took this photo of her during the pregame ceremony. Four women were seated just behind us during the game, but I was astounded, when I later looked at my photos, to see just how many women had been sitting around us. Mrs. October, a lifelong fan now 94, once told me that the biggest change she had seen over the years in baseball was the increase in women fans. When she was young and going to games, there were few other women in the stands.

yummy, yummy

In the rightfield corner of the park on Sunday, I caught sight of some pitchers doing stretching exercises with the trainer. The colors and shadows were hard to pass up.

I almost always make food to take to the ballpark. I did so on Sunday, too, but forgot it in the car. I happened on this photo op as I was walking to Ashburn Alley to get something for dinner. That ended up being the new vegetarian crabcake sandwich at Planet Hoagie, which I ordered with pepper, rather than tartar, sauce. At $9.25, the sandwich is not cheap but it is definitely tasty. I got a bottle of Anchor Steam to go with it. (Too bad there's no bottled Yuengling at the park.) The good, and imaginative, vegetarian food available at Citizens Bank Park continues to amaze.

more from opening day

Mayor Michael Nutter (09) welcomed the Phillies team and staff as they headed for the field for the opening ceremony.

National Guard members unfurled a gigantic flag in the outfield.

The Philadelphia Boys Chorus and Chorale performed, a color guard stood tall, and the Braves and Phillies lined up along the field.

A group of paratroopers parachuted the first ball into the park. The first guy missed the park and landed outside, which was a bit disturbing to watch. Happily, no harm, no foul.

The stands too were a sea of red. The sell-out crowd of course ended up standing for the entire opening ceremony, which started at 7:15 and went until 8:00. Among the other highlights: Chris Ferguson, a NASA astronaut from Philadelphia, presented Charlie Manuel with the Phillies' jersey that Ferguson had taken with him into space during the World Series. Another fabulous touch: Pat Gillick, architect of the 2008 team and now winner of three World Series, threw out the first pitch.

red sea

Lots of things went on at last night's opener in Philadelphia. As usual, the players entered from the outfield and walked through a sea of red, this year made up of fans selected to take part in the on-field action. Lucky, lucky, lucky!

The Phanatic of course led the team parade.

The players, coaches, etc. made their way through the sea of red.

There were lots of happy faces and much slapping of hands.

Predictably, the game itself was anticlimactic. Brett Myers served the Braves a tasty selection, and Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, and rookie Jordan Schafer all took advantage, with some booming home runs. All the damage, to the tune of four runs, was done in the first two innings. But all the Braves needed was McCann's humongous two-run shot in the first in a 4-1 win. Derek Lowe had his sinker and slider going and the Phillies helped him by lunging early and fast. They scored only once, in the 9th, which Eric Bruntlett led off against reliever Mike Gonzales with a double. Jayson Werth got him in and with two on and one out, Ryan Howard struck out looking at a fastball down the middle. Raul Ibanez ended the game with a swinging strikeout.

It took 17 minutes and three homeruns for some boobirds to start up. I'll cut them some slack and merely call them drunken nitwits.

On the sunny side, after his first spaced-out innings, Myers settled down and didn't allow another run. New acquisition Jack Taschner pitched a 1-2-3 seventh. Eyre, Durbin, and Lidge dusted the Braves off the rest of the way. But Lowe was the star of the game.

This is the 4th year in a row that the Phillies have dropped the opener to a division rival. It's the 3rd in a row that Myers has started it. April is always the Phillies' cruelest month.

opening day 2009

Mrpotani made this postcard. It arrived yesterday, just in time for opening night in Philadelphia. And that is tonight. Derek Lowe and the Braves take on Brett Myers and the Phillies. Play ball says it all. Go Phillies! Go, A's!

afterglow

The sun hits the rightfield stands during the national anthem last night at Citizens Bank Park.

Even for a meaningless exhibition game with the Rays, it was wonderful again to be in the ballpark. I thought about not going to the game but am so glad that I did. It was Pat Burrell Recognition Night and all fans---an impressive 39,800---got a small poster of Burrell. There was also a pregame video tribute, which drew a standing ovation for the former Phil. He got another each time he came to bat. It was a tad much.

Of note otherwise: Joe Blanton got the start and pitched well, though he did not look all that slimmed down. Ryan Howard, on the other hand, looked positively boyish; he's lost his chubby cheeks. It was decidedly odd to see the Rays again. Hot prospect Jason Donald had the winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. And a guy in a Villanova t-shirt got lots of cheers each time he appeared on the big screen.

Best of all, it was simply wonderful, simply marvelous to be back in the ballpark.

phillies confidential

For months I've been meaning to write about Phillies Confidential, and now here it is just three days from the first game of the season. The subtitle of this wonderful book, by Gary "Sarge" Mathews with Scott Lauber, is The Untold Inside Story of the 2008 Championship Season. Mathews, a former outfielder who played with the Phillies in the 1983 World Series, is now a TV broadcaster with the team. Lauber is a beat writer for the Wilmington News Journal and a blogger I follow.

Mathews gets top billing, but Lauber deserves recognition. Written in a back-and-forth format, the book reads like a journal, or maybe a very well-written joint blog, with Mathews providing the insights unique to a former player, and Lauber providing a savvy journalistic approach. Though the story of the 2008 championship season, the book starts with the end of the 2007 season, which saw the Phillies claw their way past the gagging Mets to win the NL East.

On TV Mathews has an idiosyncratic flair and unflappable sense of humor, which I thoroughly enjoy. Though his signature stream-of-conscious comments were somewhat reined in, his professional acuity comes across in the easy, conversational tone and texture of the book. Which is to say that I learned a lot of subtle things about baseball from Sarge.

Rather than a day-by-day account, Phillies Confidential concentrates on key moments, acquisitions, events, and games that led to the World Series championship. Along the way, Mathews and Lauber highlight the contributions (or not) of each player and how, more than anything else, this group came to play together as a real team.

I bought the book for my mother for Christmas, then later borrowed it to read. I've since dipped into it a couple times again. When Mathews and Lauber were approached last May by Triumph Books about collaborating on the project, no one had any idea that a World Series championship was in the offing. But the sometimes frustrating and rocky season of 2008 came to a sweet and thrilling conclusion for the Phillies and their fans. Phillies Confidential captures it all. This is a very good baseball book.

speaking of stress: leyland on sheffield

Jim Leyland stressed out over his decision to release Gary Sheffield: "It's not good when you light two Marlboro's at the same time at 3 a.m., washing it down with a glass of chocolate milk."

andruw jones? puhleeze!

If the Phillies want a difficult, ageing guy in the outfield, they should have gone after Manny Ramirez. As for Gary Sheffield, his downside far outweighs his current upside. Pass, please. Another name thrown out this morning was Andruw Jones, the former superstar and defensive wiz whose abilities started to wane just about the time that mandatory drug testing came in. After a disastrous season with the Dodgers, he's now with Rangers. Why ever would the Phillies trade for this out-of-shape fellow? Enough with these guys heading into their AARP years.

As expected, Brett Myers will be Opening Day starter, for the third year in a row. Third time's the charm? He's yet to win in the role.

Rookie righty Kyle Drabek, coming back from TJ surgery, will get the start today vs. the Yankees in Tampa. It's a lollipop for his hard work and good attitude this offseason.