2006 Philles Season Thread

SunMo · May 22, 2006, 02:43:52 PM

good...ugly farg

PoopyfaceMcGee · May 22, 2006, 02:52:11 PM

Ha, and the guy who played "The Duke" was actually a major league catcher:

QuoteFormer Major League baseball player & longtime member of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1972-1985). Also played for the Seattle Mariners in 1986. Member of the Dodgers World Series teams of 1974, 1977, 1978 & championship team of 1981 (co-Series MVP). A catcher during his playing days, but portrayed a relief pitcher in "Major League". Created stir during his career by posing nude for Playgirl Magazine.

BigEd76 · May 23, 2006, 01:22:13 AM

Braves are only 1 game behind the Phils now

PhillyPhreak54 · May 23, 2006, 02:50:53 AM

Quote from: MDS on May 22, 2006, 12:48:13 PM
Abreu shouldnt lead off. He's too important in the middle of the order and it basically marganilizes his skills. Right now Victorino should be leading off and Rollins should be 6th or 7th.

I agree. Bobby needs to stay in the 3rd hole.

And for those who say that he flat out refuses to do so, here is a piece of the article when he hit leadoff a few years ago.

QuoteBobby Abreu batted leadoff for the Phillies in the first game of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park on Friday. Moving Abreu to the top spot in the order has been frequently discussed as a means to help ignite the sputtering Phillies offense. Abreu has been reluctant to accept the role but said before Friday's game that he would do whatever he can to help the team win. Abreu did, however, make it clear that he viewed the move as a short-term solution."This is something we were talking about before Spring Training," Abreu said. "Then coming out of spring training we started talking again. I'll do it for the team, you know. We need a leadoff hitter right now. I'll go out there and do the job. It wasn't like it was a surprise."

Abreu is batting .278 with 9 home runs and 40 RBI. His on-base percentage is .391 making him one of the more likely candidates to bat leadoff. Still, Abreu has been adamant in saying that he prefers to bat in the middle of the order. "It's not about contracts or money," he said. "It's about being more comfortable batting third or batting fourth. I don't have the same feeling [and am not] as comfortable in [the leadoff] spot."

While the responsibilities of a leadoff man are in stark contrast to those of a No. 2 or 3 hitter, Abreu doesn't plan on altering his approach at the plate. He also doesn't expect opposing pitchers to work him any differently.

"I don't think I need to change my game," Abreu said. "It will be the same. I've been taking pitches. I'm just going to do my job and get on base for the guys behind me. I don't think I have to change my approach."

"I think they pretty much know how they're going to pitch me. I don't think they're going to change when I bat leadoff."

When asked if he would be open to leading off long-term if he had some success in the role, Abreu smiled and shook his head. His reaction spoke louder than words.

So he said he'd do it to help the team but didn't want to do it long term because of it hurting his comfort zone. Let's get off the "but its good for the team" kick for a minute.

What if Bobby is moved to leadoff and gives it his best shot and isn't the same Bobby? What if his average suffers? What if he has a prolonged slump? Well my guess is that the people who dislike him would say he is not giving it his all and therefore he is sabotaging the team by doing poorly.

But what if he struggled in the 1-hole like Utley struggled in the 4-5 hole this year? Look at what happened to his numbers once he was moved to the 2-hole.

I can't find the breakdown right now, but I believe that Bobby's average when hitting 4th is like 50 points lower than his career average. The whole point to this is that some players have their comfort zones in the order. And Bobby's is hitting in the 3 hole.

So would you take Bobby as a leadoff hitter if he was batting .255 and not driving the ball like he can? He'll still get his walks and his OBP will be good, but you've got to hit the ball.

Jimmy is the leadoff guy until they get someone else in the offseason. Our new leadoff hitter isn't in a Phillies uniform yet.

I would drop Jimmy out for the rest of this week as a wakeup call and plug in Victorino. And when Rowand comes back he goes back to #1 with Aaron hitting 6th.

Rome · May 23, 2006, 08:03:49 AM

Oh, no! He might have to leave his "comfort zone" and do what's best for the team!

Jesus...

ice grillin you · May 23, 2006, 08:18:09 AM

Oh, no! He might have to leave his "comfort zone" and do what's best for the team!

Jesus...

for real...phreak you need to let go of bopbbys penis

the guy will not bat lead off and said so even tho it would be for the betterment of the team...hed be light years better than rollins or anyone else they have and its not like they would miss him in the middle of the order as the one thing they do have in the lineup are tons of hr's and rbi's

ooooh but he would be uncomfortable...who gives a shtein about his comfort zone...this is about giving the team the best chance to make the playoffs

Geowhizzer · May 23, 2006, 08:34:17 AM

Here is what I think Phreak's point is:

It's not that Abreu was unwilling to bat leadoff, at least in the short term. However, ballplayers, if nothing else, are creatures of habit and routine. Batting leadoff could result in a drop-off in Abreu's production, and even in OBP.

Personally, I still like the idea of Victorino, in the short term, being put in the leadoff spot. Give Rollins a break. When Rowand comes back, mix things up a bit. Lots of players are slumping (Burrell is batting <.200 in the past few weeks). Victorino seems to be able to get on base, and may be the fastest player on the team.

ice grillin you · May 23, 2006, 08:37:55 AM

It's not that Abreu was unwilling to bat leadoff

that exactly what it is...but lets call the rest of the season the 'short term'...will he do it then

However, ballplayers, if nothing else, are creatures of habit and routine

boo hoo

ice grillin you · May 23, 2006, 11:22:57 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=themosthatedmaninamerica&prov=tsn&type=lgns

PhillyPhanInDC · May 23, 2006, 01:31:09 PM

Some blurb in the Palm Beach Post about Dontrelle Willis:

Quote
The Arizona Republic reported Monday that the Diamondbacks have had discussions with the Marlins about acquiring Dontrelle Willis to form a solid 1-2 punch with Brandon Webb. Scouts for the Yankees, Phillies and Cardinals attended Sunday's game at Tropicana Field when Willis allowed three runs in a complete-game loss to the Devil Rays.

Willis would be sweet here in Philly, but it'll never happen. $:-\$

phattymatty · May 23, 2006, 01:36:13 PM

i guess they sent scouts because they've never heard of him yet.

MDS · May 23, 2006, 01:43:24 PM

Theyd want Floyd. And they can have him.

SunMo · May 23, 2006, 01:49:59 PM

give 'em Gio Gonzalez, Floyd, and Bourn

PoopyfaceMcGee · May 23, 2006, 02:25:42 PM

Quote from: Sun_Mo on May 23, 2006, 01:49:59 PM
give 'em Gio Gonzalez, Floyd, and Bourn

Geary is a dealbreaker, though.

Rome · May 23, 2006, 02:52:42 PM

Unless Manuel is a complete retard (which he clearly is not) then even he knows that Rollins isn't suited for the leadoff position. He's a rotten leadoff hitter simply because when his swing leaves him, he becomes utterly useless out there. Conversely, even when Abreu is in a slump, he still gets a ton of walks, and that's crucial for a lead-off guy. He's the straw that stirs the drink.

Personally, I'd sit down with Bobby and lay it on the line: Bob, you're the leadoff hitter until further notice. If that upsets you or your comfort zone, that's too farging bad. If he didn't accept his role, I'd trade his ass for whatever I could get for him.

Hopefully someone would be desperate enough to trade a #1 starter for him but if that didn't work out, I'd take prospects for him.

Something has to be done about that group and "me-first" head-cases like Abreu are part of the problem, not part of the solution.