Joe Blanton is a very unassuming young man. He stepped into a very assuming role however as he took the ball for game four of the 2008 World Series. Blanton stepped up big time by pitching six plus strong innings only allowing two runs and even belting a home run to earn his first world series win!

Jimmy Rollins got things started offensively for the Fightins as he usually does when they succeed with a lead off double in the first inning. Rollins advanced to third on a ground out and was actually out in a run down on a ball hit back to the mound by Ryan Howard but was called safe by the ump! Rollins scored on a bases loaded walk by Pat Burrell. The Phillies went up two to zero as Pedro Feliz stroked a two out single to plate a run. The Rays scored their first run on a Carl Crawford solo home run in the third inning.

Ryan Howard put the Phillies up by four with a three run home run in the fourth inning. The big man took a curve ball out to the left field seats! Pinch hitter Eric Hinske took a Blanton fastball out to center field in the fifth to make the score 5-2 but Joe Blanton the hitter got it back by turning a Edwin Jackson 95 mph fast ball into a left field tater in the Phillies fifth ! It was Blanton’s first ever major league home run!

The Rays threatened in the seventh putting two runners on but skipper Charlie Manuel played bullpen shuffle bringing in Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson in to get out of the inning with no damage. Madson pitched a perfect eighth striking out both Carlos Pena and Evan (Eva) Longoria in the midst.

Jimmy Rollins got his third hit of the game in the eighth as he doubled off the wall. He could have been credited with four but the official scorer gave the Rays second sacker an error on a ground ball in the hole earlier in the game. Pretty simple equation for the Fightins, J-Roll gets on they win!! Jayson Werth belted a home run to score Rollins and put the Fightins up by six! Ryan Howard belted another bomb after teammate Chase Utley reached to make it 10-2 Fightins. Howard ended up with five RBI’s in the game! J.C. Romero pitched the ninth to finish the game.

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Cole Hamels goes in game five in a rematch of game one as Scott Kazmir throws for the Rays. Jamie Moyer’s performance in game three was even more remarkable considering he was battling a three day stomach virus that had kept him up most of the prior night! The man is a real pro! One win away boys from being known as the best of 2008 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, kudos to the Phillies advance scouts in supplying the team with a great advance plan on these young Ray hitters. The game plan has been perfect thus far……….one more big one to go !

What a great comeback by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night! Trailing 5-3 heading into the eighth inning, things did not look good for the Phillies. However, Shane Victorino stepped up bigtime and hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 5-5. It was then pitch hitter Matt Stairs turn to go yard as he delivered the game winning moonshot off of Jonathan Broxton and the Phillies beat the Dodgers 7-5.

Besides the four runs in the eighth inning, the Phillies jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning with two runs. Chase Utley had a rbi double while Jason Werth scored on a rbi ground out by Ryan Howard. Howard would end up scoring the Phillies third run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch as well.

Starting pitcher Joe Blanton tossed five innings as he gave up three runs on seven hits. He did strike out four batters but also walked four batters. It would have nice to see him pitch a little deeper into the game but luckily for the Phillies their bullpen pitched well enough to get the victory.

Chad Durbin was the only relief pitcher to give up any runs as he allowed two in the sixth inning and was quickly pulled. Ryan Madson threw 1 2/3 innings to get the victory in the game. Brad Lidge threw 1 1/3 innings to get the save. Scott Eyre also got into the game as he recorded one out.

Now the Phillies are up 3-1 in the series and will be looking to close things out in L.A. on Wednesday. They will be sending Cole Hamels to the mound and he will be facing off against Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers. I like the Phillies chances of closing out the series with Hamels on the mound that is for sure!

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Brett Myers led the charge in game two for the Phillies but once again he did it in a extraordinary way, with his bat!  Myers had three hits in the game and cleared a bases loaded spot with a double down the right field line in one at bat.  Shane Victorino also had a big day for the Phillies.  Brad Lidge and his bullpen mates Chad Durbin, Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero pitched scoreless relief behind Myers to earn holds and a save.   Off to tinseltown hopefully to close this series out!

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Condolences to skipper Charlie Manuel who found out before the game that his mother had passed away, Manuel managed the game despite the heavy heart.  Shane Victorino also found out some bad news after the game as he was told his grandfather had passed away back in Hawaii.   Am in Shanghai for the week so apologize for the brevity, only able to rehash what I read for the rest of the series.

Game three is Sunday, the “older ace” Jamie Moyer takes the hill for the Fightins trying to earn win # three of the best of seven series.

The first round of the playoffs starts tommorrow so I thought it would be a good time to review the matchup and predict the outcome.   Cole Hamels will face off in the first game against a relative unknown Yovani Gallardo.  Gallardo only threw 24 big league innings this year but my son tells me that Gallardo has a live arm and is one to watch in the future.  He had knee surgery only four months ago but worked very hard to push himself back to the show.  The Phillies historically struggle against pitchers they have not seen so not sure what to expect with facing Gallardo.  Hopefully they will figure him out early and get to the Brewer Pen which I think is a weak spot.

The  regular season series went to the Phillies by a count of 5 to 1 in the six games played, included in that tally was a four game series sweep in September that set the stage for the Fightins drive to the N.L. east division title.   It is acknowledged that the Phillies have yet to face Brewer superman C.C. Sabbathia as his turn was not included in the September series and that may have indeed put a different slant on the outcome. 

The Phillies will open the playoff series with young ace Cole Hamels who battled nerves in last years playoff round against Colorado.  Hamels has outstanding stuff and when he is on is very tough to beat, the Phillies have not given him much in offensive support this season else the 14 wins he did get may have been more like 18 to 20.   Sabbathia was forced to throw on Sunday so the Brewers will not have their ace to match up with Hamels in the opener but rather will pitch him in game two on three days rest once again.  No one else in the Brewer starting rotation puts much fear in me at this point, Ben Sheets would but he is hurting physically.  The Phillies will follow Hamels with  righthander Brett Myers, his first playoff start, and then the staff’s best starter Jamie Moyer (16 wins)  in games two and three.  Philadelphia’s bullpen is amongst the best in the game anchored by Brad Lidge who had 41 saves in 41 tries, the team is perfect when leading after eight innings going 79 and 0 when that happens.   Key to the team success will continue to be the relief firm of Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson as they most assuredly will be counted on for innings 7 and 8 and potentially as early as the sixth.  The eighth inning has been the achilles heel this season so these boys gotta step up for the Fightins to have continued success.

Philadelphia’s offense is keyed by National League Home Run and RBI champion Ryan Howard who had a torrid September to carry the team on his back, in my opinion he is the National League MVP.  Other keys to the series will be the spark ignited both defensively and offensively by Jimmy Rollins, as he goes so do the Phillies.  Shane Victorino has been the most consistent Phillie offensively and will have to continue to do so and second sacker Chase Utley will need to continue his steady “best in the game” form at second base.  Jayson Werth and Pat Burrell had big hits down the stretch along with Greg Dobbs who led the National League with over 20 pinch hits this season.  The Phillies led the league in homeruns this season collectively, in short they are a very good offensive ballclub.

The Brewers counter with Ryan Braun and Prince Feilder in the power department and Mike Cameron is one of the games best defensively in the outfield as well as at the plate with 25 bombs this season. Corey Hart and J.J. Hardy are very good players as well and will be a challenge to the Phillies.  Milwaukee did struggle in September,(11-16), and are not as strong in the pen where Solomon Torres,( 7 blown saves), is the closer.  Eric Gagne imploded many times down the stretch so I feel if we can get to their bullpen early we can do some damage with our offense. 

Overall I think that the Brewers  really scuffled in September resulting in the firing of Ned Yost as the  manager and rode Sabbathia heavily to get to the playoffs. I’m hoping that they may be spent by doing so, they also come into the playoffs relatively inexperienced.  Sabbathia pitched on short rest for most of September and albeit he is a true stud should be running on a low tank.  I think that the Phillies are deeper in pitching, are overall better on offense and are at least a match as a defensive team.  It is my opinion that they will win the series in four games, hope that I am right!

Veteran Jamie Moyer took the ball for the Fightins and he started out by retiring the Nats in order in their first at bat but unlike last night the Phillies also went down in order in the first.  The game remained scoreless till the bottom of the fourth when Chase Utley scored on a sacrifice fly out by Pat Burrell.  Ryan Howard also scored in the inning on a sacrifice fly by  Carlos Ruiz.  Utley and Howard had led off the inning with consecutive singles, Shane Victorino also singled in the inning.  The Phillies scored two but left the bases loaded to end the inning.

Washington scored in the top of the fifth to make the count 2 to 1.   Jayson Werth had a play on a hard hit liner that would have been the third out of the inning but he dropped the ball when he crashed into the right field fence.  Werth made ammends in the bottom of the fifth when he blasted his 24th home run of the season to put the Phillies back up by two. 

Jamie Moyer pitched another good ball game as he went a very professional six innings.  Moyer only yielded one run on six hits.  He was pulled in the home sixth for pinch hitter Matt Stairs.  Chad Durbin was first relief in the seventh and he faced the minimum of three batters to end the inning.  Ryan Madson was called upon to pitch the eighth and although he gave up one run held the lead at 3 to 2 ! 

Shane Victorino got his third hit of the game in the bottom of the eighth, a two out single.  Pedro Feliz then delivered a clutch double to score Victorino to give the Fightins an insurance run for the closer!  

Brad Lidge came on in the ninth and needed that insurance run as the Nats scored one and loaded the bases with one out !  He then coaxed Ryan Zimmerman to hit a ground ball that Jimmy Rollins made a diving back hand stop on, flipped to second baseman Chase Utley who then completed the double play with the toss to first!   Great great great play by J-Roll!!!!!

Lidge earned his 41st save in 41 tries!  The Phillies went 78 and 0 when leading after eight!  We are the Champions of the East once again!  Tip of the cap to the Mets! Great race, hope you boys get in also!

The Celebration

Many fans stayed in the park and similiar to last year players came back out of the clubhouse to circle the field and acknowledge the fan support.  Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz borrowed bikes from Philly’s finest police officers and circled the field, Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard rode the grounds crew cart around, Pat Burrell had his dog Elvis on the field,  Jimmy Rollins danced with his mom behind the plate, the legend Harry Kalas sang “High Hopes”……………….. it was just a mass celebration and a great ending to the regular season!   Nothing brings a city and area together like a sports franchise that wins!   If these boys can rattle off a few more and somehow get to the World Series our area would explode!   Time to celebrate a division but far from done this go round!  Lets have three more champagne parties !

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SI.com reports that GM Pat Gillick may be leaning to returning next year to the Phillies rather than retiring.  Gillick is widely recognized as one of the best GM’s in the game, he has a pretty sweet deal with the Phillies as he is able to place heavy reliance on Assistant GM’s Ruben Amaro and Mike Arbuckle and serves in more of a governance role rather than having to deal with day to day operations.  I think it would be great to have him come back.

Brett Myers took the hill for the Fightins in the series finale against Atlanta and staggered thru a shaky first inning as the Braves hit him hard and often.  They scored two runs in the first frame on four hits before he was able to coax a ground ball double play ball to end the inning.   The Phillies bounced back in the second to score one as Pat Burrell doubled, went to third on an infield hit by Shane Victorino and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz.

The Braves got the run right back in the third as the key blow was a triple by Brian McCann.  Chase Utley hit his 33rd home run of the year in the home third to make the score 3-2.   Big Ryan Howard tied the game with his 47th home run in the fourth.   Pat Burrell got his second double as he hit an outside pitch perfectly down the right field line which albeit he did not score was a great sign that he is seeing the ball again!  The Braves re-took the lead in the fifth as Brian McCann doubled to score Martin Prado.   That marked the end of Brett Myer’s evening as Charlie Manuel went to Chad Durbin.  Durbin came in and gave up an unearned run on a Ryan Howard error and another on single by Brandon Jones.  Charlie then lifted Durbin for Scott Eyre to face pinch hitter Chipper Jones, remember this is only the fifth inning!    Chipper bombed Eyre with a three run home run……….. Braves took a 9 to 3 lead!

The Braves added a run in the eighth to make it 10-3, included in the mix was a steal of second base up by six…………..old school thought process was to put the next pitch in the batters ear!  J.C. Romero chose not to do that, guess these are not old school times!  There was a bench clearing in the bottom of the eighth though when Julian Taveras chose to physically run over to third base and attempt to “pick off” Shane Victorino.  Victorino took exception with it noting the score to Mr. Taveras!  Both benches cleared shortly thereafter.  No ejections though.  The Phillies did pick up a run to tighten the score to 10-4.

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Some of the loser element of the Fightin’s  faithful tried to start Eagles chants in the eighth…….. give me a break please, either stay with this team to the end or stay home.  

Phillies bats need to wake up this weekend or a possible early winter is at hand, what seemed like a sure playoff berth is now back up for debate.   The Fightins will send Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Cole Hamels to the mound but they will need offensive support to succeed.  J-Roll needs to lead the charge and the others must follow!

Don’t know what has happened to Brett Myers the last two games, location was horrible again as too many pitches are middle of the plate, needs to get head back into “pitching” and not “throwing” it would seem.  The Marlins and Braves simply teed off on him these last two contests. Might need him in the bullpen this last weekend and I am sure with his moxy he will make himself available!

 Three left with those pesky “Nats”, a team the Fightins should beat but have historically always played the Phillies tough, expect no different in these three.

This season has been a roller coaster ride so there the fitting end indeed is that it comes down to the last series of the season.  The Mets and Phillies have given their fans agina on many nights but hope on many others, one of the teams is gonna lose out but they have been so close all season what better way than have it decided on the last weekend of the year……..only thing better is if they played head to head to decide it !  Stay tuned Phillie fans, we have felt heartache many times but here is hoping that we are playing next week instead ! 

The Atlanta Braves drew first blood in this one as they scored a first inning run. Martin Prado doubled off Phils starter Cole Hamels and scored on Kelly Johnson’s single. The Phillies tied the game in the home second as Pedro Feliz knocked in Ryan Howard.

Atlanta re-took the lead in the third as Hamels had picked off Kelly Johnson going to third but threw the ball away allowing him to score. Casey Kotchman hit a solo home run in the sixth to put the Braves up 3 to 1. It marked the third time this year that Kotchman has taken Hamels out of the park. The big fella, Ryan Howard led off the home sixth with a triple and scored on an RBI stand up double by Pat Burrell.

Cole Hamels pitched seven effective innings for the Fightins, he struggled early with command but settled in and threw a good game. Hamels gave up 2 earned runs on eight hits and left trailing 3-2. He had seven strikeouts and only issued one walk. Scott Eyre came on in relief and got one out in the eighth before giving the ball to Chad Durbin who got the next two outs. Durbin also recorded the first two outs in the ninth before giving the ball to J.C. Romero who struck out Greg Norton to end the inning.

Mike Gonzalez closed the game for Atlanta as they won 3 to 2.

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Office talk today was whether Ryan Howard is worth the expected big money he is due to receive. If he goes to arbitration again this year he most likely will be seeking between 15 and 18 million. To sign him to a long term contract the Phillies would most likely have to pay an average rate of 20 million or more. Is the big man worth it? My opinion is yes, I think he is an unique player that only comes along infrequently. We are honored as Philly fans to see his efforts on a daily basis, yes he strikes out alot but hey he is a 50 Home Run 130 + RBI guy, how many of those folks exist ? I say he is worth the money and the Phillies should sign him as the cornerstone to our team. Just my opinion but I do not feel equal value would ever be attainable for the big fella in any trade!

Average attendance at Phillies games this year was close to 43,000 per game with 48 games to date being sold out! As stated in last night’s review this season will establish a new attendance record for the club as the attendance will go close to 3.3 million!

The Fightins need to bounce back and win the series tommorrow night. The Mets won so they gain back the game they lost last evening. As of this writing the Brewers were trailing against Pittsburgh.

Unlike in the first two games of this series Jimmy Rollins started this one by getting a hit. Rollins singled to lead off the game but was stranded in the first, however he led off the top of the third with a double and scored ahead of Chase Utley’s home run to put the Fightins up 2 -0. The Phillies added another run in the fourth as Jimmy Rollins got his third hit of the game to score Carlos Ruiz. Florida’s defense again hurt them as right fielder Cody Ross dropped an easy fly ball hit by pitcher Jamie Moyer that would have been the third out of the inning before Rollins would have come to bat !

The Marlins scored a run in the home sixth as Josh Willingham crossed the plate on a flare single by Alfredo Amezaga. Staff Ace Jamie Moyer gave the Phillies another quality start as he went six innings holding the Marlins to only one run. Moyer baffles the young Marlin hitters with location, change of speed and savvy, I am sure they are happy to not see him again this year!

The relief pitching roulette began once again in the seventh as Chad Durbin started the seventh and got the first out before giving up a double to catcher John Baker and a flare single to Jorge Cantu. Charlie Manuel then tapped the pen again as he brought in lefty J.C. Romero who got the second out but then proceeded to walk the bases loaded and give up a run on an infield hit which could have been much more if not for a very good stop by third baseman Greg Dobbs on the ground ball hit hard down the line. Charlie went to the pen again as he tapped right hander Clay Condrey , Condrey got out of the inning by coaxing Cody Ross to ground out to third base.

Shane Victorino led off the eighth with a single and Pedro Feliz then ripped a two run home run into the left field bleachers to give the Fightins a three run lead again! Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth to set up the final inning. Good job Ryan!

Brad Lidge finished the game and earned his 40th save in 40 tries. He struck out two in the inning. With the win the Phillies now go up 1 and 1/2 games on the Mets in the division race and maintain their three game lead on the wildcard. They now have a magic number of 4 to clinch a playoff spot. The boys came up big in Miami and now just have to finish it at home against the Braves and Nationals ! Jamie Moyer gets the win, his 15th of the season.

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The Mets bullpen blew another lead at Atlanta as they turned a 4-2 lead into a 7-6 loss. It looks as if J.A. Happ will get another start against the Braves tommorrow else Cole Hamels would have to pitch on three days rest, Hamels will probably be held back till tuesday’s game.

I sure am glad to be done with the Marlins bunch, they do not quit, have really good hitters, and some young arms with nasty stuff, the Mets have them to end the season and our buddies from New York will have a handful to deal with!

Jimmy Rollins in the last few games has not been able to jump start the offense, seems to be lunging again a bit.  In this one he struck out in his first two at bats however the Phillies did manage to score first thanks to the hapless fielding of the Marlins.   In the top of the third Carlos Ruiz reached on a throwing error by  third baseman Jorge Cantu, he advanced all the way to third as Phils starting pitcher Joe Blanton laid down a sacrifice bunt but Florida starter Anibal Sanchez threw the ball away allowing Blanton to reach.  Chase Utley then singled home Ruiz.

Blanton could not hold the lead however as Florida plated two in the bottom of the third as catcher John Baker belted a double to drive in both runs.   Shane Victorino tied the game in the top of the fourth by belting a solo home run, his 14th dinger of the season.   The Phillies re-took the lead in the sixth as Greg Dobbs singled to drive in Ryan Howard who had walked to lead off the inning.  The Phillies proceeded to load the bases and  Tadahito Iguchi pinch hit for Joe Blanton but flew out to right field on the first pitch.  Blanton did a credible job in this one as he struck out nine and only allowed three hits with two walks.  He had much better command than in prior starts and had some real pop on the heater.

The relief firm of Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson came on to pitch scoreless sixth, seventh and eighth frames albeit each was nerve wrecking especially the eighth when the Marlins put two runners on with no outs but Madson wiggled out of it with the help of a couple close calls by home plate umpire C.B. Buckner, one on a play at the plate where Gregg Dobbs threw out the runner, the call could have went either way truly and the other on a pitch that appeared to hit Cody Ross on the hand but Buckner instead ruled it hit the knob of the bat!   To Madson’s credit he did then go on to strike Ross out but the Fightins gotta fix the setup spot over the winter else they are  gonna give fans like me a heart attack !

Greg Dobbs led off the ninth with a double off the right field wall, Carlos Ruiz then sacrfice bunted pinch runner Greg Golson to third but the Phils could not score as Matt Stairs struck out and Jimmy Rollins was out trying to bunt for a hit.  J-Roll took the collar in this one.

Brad Lidge came on for the ninth and struck out the side to earn his 39th save in 39 tries despite walking the leadoff hitter.   HUGE HUGE HUGE win for this team !    Milwaukee, New York and Houston all lost so the Phillies go back into first in the N.L. East but are also now 3 games up on the wild card with seven left to play………….. HUGE HUGE HUGE Win boys !!!!!!!!!

Chatter

Word is that big Joe Blanton has been suffering from biceps tendinitis since a start he made in Los Angeles back in July,  it explains the lack of control and velocity he has had since coming to the Phillies. To his credit he has never refused to take the ball and goes out and battles each time.   In last nights game the Florida manager went to the umpires and required that Brett Myers put on a long sleeve shirt to cover his tatoo stating it was distracting, this after Phils skipper Charlie Manuel made the umpires enforce that the Marlins base coaches stay within the coaching boxes, little bit of tit for tat going on !

Much bigger crowd for this game, there was a concert and fireworks display after the game.  Albeit the crowds are generally small for Marlin home games Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas  did note during the game broadcast that they are usually very loud and supportive of the home team.

Carlos Ruiz played a heady game in this one doing the little things that often go unnoticed.  He picked off a runner at first base in the sixth, blocked the plate on a bang banger in the eighth, put down a perfect sac bunt in the ninth, blocked numerous pitches in the dirt including a nasty skidding fastball in the seventh and generally kept the calm on the field in numerous mound conferences.  The little catcher has taken a beating this year from fans and media as he has struggled most of the year offensively so he should get kudos for when he has a good game like this one !

The Brewers sure are trying to punt that wildcard spot as they lost again today 4 to 3 against the Reds, they looked lifeless on the bench and had their ace going today C.C. Sabbathia……………… maybe the big fella should come to Philly next year for more support eh!   Never too early for Hot Stove talk !!!!

By the way it is ok by me if both the Mets and Phils make the playoffs, don’t like the Mets but do respect them and their fans as they live and die for their team on a daily basis just like most of us Philly folks do for the Fightins, northeast fans are very passionate!  …………… of course I hope they are the wild card and we win the division !

Did I mention this was a HUGE win !!!!! 

Rookie J.A. Happ took the starting assignment on the hilll for the Fightins and his teammates staked him to a four run lead before he even threw a pitch!  Ryan Howard continued his torrid hitting as he singled to knock in a run, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz also singled to collect RBI’s, Ruiz had a key two out two run stroke.

Happ pitched six solid shutout innings for the Fightins allowing only three hits.  Geoff Jenkins pinch hit for him in the seventh.  Happ’s performance was much more than expected as the young lefty came up big to fill the fifth starter’s hole, it most likely will earn him another shot next week!

The Phillies added a run in the eighth as Braves second basemen Kelly Johnson had a brain cramp on a dead double play ball with runners on first and third as he forgot the outs, looked home and was then forced to go to first.  He was obviously very embarrassed afterwards! 

Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless seventh with little trouble but after getting two outs in the eighth ran into some trouble as two runners reached base.  Skipper Manuel went to the pen once more bringing lefty J.C. Romero in and he got Brian McCann on a pop out to end the inning with no damage done.    Matt Stairs hit a pinch hit home run in the ninth inning, his first as a Phillie, to lead off the inning.   Clay Condrey pitched the ninth to close out the game and gave up a run.  Final count: Phillies 6, Braves 1

 Chatter

Right, wrong or indifferent it is undeniable that skipper Charlie Manuel has been the calm throughout all occassions this season.  When the Fightins were down by four earlier in August Charlie remained confident that his team would prevail, in fact was almost “chatty” during his after game press conference which is a task he does not seem to enjoy.  He displays the kind of confidence that makes guys want to play for him,  talk shows and fans can question all they want in game moves but this guy is a proven winner and in my mind is a keeper.  He is very much like Coach Andy Reid of the Eagles in his calm and somewhat “in your face” media nature of display that it is his way or the highway!   If the Phillies make the playoffs he deserves alot of credit and it is not despite of him as some might say!   Bobby Cox has managed forever in Atlanta with that positive attitude approach and as we know has been very successful.

The Mets lost my favorite hot dog Fernando Tatis for the season when he dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball in the outfield.  I do not wish injury or hurt to anyone so hope that he recovers quickly and is back to “skipping” on the plate when he scores next season!

Shane Victorino must truly love playing in Atlanta.  He had three hits last night and followed that up with another three hits tonight.  In the previous six games at Atlanta Victorino has had multi hit games in four of them!  He gave us a scare in his third at bat when the ball hit his thumb while attempting to bunt, he did not come out of the game but did seem to favor it in his swing in the fourth at bat.