No doubt about it: Andy Tracy has been the face of the IronPigs in the first three years of the franchise's existence. The genial slugging first baseman is popular for his work on the field and in the community. Tracy, however, turns 37 in December and his return to the 'Pigs is uncertain. In 425 AB’s this year, Tracy hit .275/.373/.492 with 21 HR and 80 RBI. Does he want to continue playing? If so, with the IronPigs? Do the Phillies want him back? Does he want to try managing? Lots of questions abound about Tracy and other IronPigs. This year was another disappointment for the Lehigh Valley franchise, which finished 58-86. I listened to the final game of the season as I drove to Philadelphia on Monday. Down 3-2, the 'Pigs tied it in the 9th on a Neil Sellers home run but were unable to do anything else. Radio reception faded in the 11th with the score still tied. In the 12th, the Yanks won it 4-3. That was the story of the 'Pigs this year, an absolutely dismal record in one-run games and an inability to overcome deficits, both no doubt contributed to manager Dave Huppert losing his job. To the media, Huppert was laidback and congenila; many fans, however, found him phlegmatic.
In the end most managers are only as good as their players. Given the Phillies' recent record of aggressive trades, few prospects have reached Lehigh Valley. The foursome of Carrasco, Taylor, Donald, and Marson, who highlighted the 2009 season were all gone by the July 31 trade deadline. Domonic Brown's July debut in Triple-A caused a frisson but by mid-August he was called up to Philadelphia. That left an assortment of up-and-coming bullpen pitchers, including Scott Mathieson, something of a miracle man, and the promising Michael Schwimer, Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo.
Mention should be made, though, of minor league stalwarts Rich Thompson, a speed demon who plays the game right, and Melvin Dorta, who came out of limbo in Reading and just hit everyday while playing whatever position he was asked to play. If the two are not back with the 'Pigs, they are sure to find good gigs elsewhere. Special mention goes to Brian Bocock, a former Giant draft pick with a reputation for slick defense and anemic offense. Somehow mid-season, Bocock started hitting, getting his .167 average up to almost .230 Modest results perhaps but the transformation was astounding to watch.
Starter Vance Worley debuted late in the season, appearing in eight games. I've been tracking Worley since last year at Reading but doubt that he made much of an impression on most 'Pigs' fans. That of course changes now that he is with the big team. Otherwise, Brandon Duckworth and Nate Bump, former major leaguers holding on for another shot, were fun to watch. Brian Mazzone and Andrew Carpenter maybe not so much. Mazzone works too slowly for me, while Carpenter is both slow and plodding. Too often I found myself bailing out of games the two were to start.
In their first three years of existence, the IronPigs have drawn over 1.8 million fans but they have yet even to reach .500 as a team. Next year is sure to bring lots of changes to the IronPig roster and staff but fans are sure to greet the 2011 season with lots of laughs, cheers, and oinks.
One last thing: the radio tandem of Matt Provence and Jon Schaeffer do a very good job, not easy to do when the team keeps losing. Their ever-changing supporting cast, however, has been forgettable.
