Scheduled for the Bank are Billy Bob Thornton, Outkast's Andre 3000, Jamie Kennedy, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Pearl Jam and Tom Brokaw.
Meanwhile, this is only the second time in baseball history that a World Series game will be played on Halloween, the first was during the 2001 Series, which was pushed back after 9/11.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Phillies turn to shaky Hamels, as World Series shifts to Philadelphia
By Chris Ruddick
Cole Hamels tries to put a shaky postseason behind him this evening when the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees play a pivotal Game 3, as the World Series shifts to Citizens Bank Park.
Cole Hamels tries to put a shaky postseason behind him this evening when the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees play a pivotal Game 3, as the World Series shifts to Citizens Bank Park.
Nine of the last 10 teams to win Game 3 when the World Series was tied 1-all went on to take the title.
Hamels was sensational last postseason, posting a perfect 4-0 mark with a 1.80 earned run average in five starts, while taking home MVP honors in both the NLCS and World Series.
However, it has been a different story this time around, as he has followed up a subpar regular season with an even more inconsistent postseason, going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts, none of which have seen him last past the sixth inning.
"Cole Hamels his pitched some good games this year," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said on Thursday. "The biggest part I would say is the consistency. When he's on, he's very capable of beating anybody. I'm hoping when he pitches that he's on."
The 25-year-old left-hander, who threw a total of 262 innings in 2008, was 10-11 with a 4.32 ERA in 32 starts during the regular season.
New York, meanwhile, will counter with the winningest pitcher in postseason history in left-hander Andy Pettitte. Pettitte pitched his team to the AL Pennant and picked up his 16th career playoff win in Game 6 of the ALCS on Sunday, as he held the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to a a run and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
"What can you say about him?" Derek Jeter said after that pennant-clinching victory. "He's a guy you want to see on the mound in that situation. He's pitched in every big game. He's had a lot of success. You never see him fazed by anything. We have a lot of confidence in him."
Pettitte has been tremendous this postseason, going 2-0 with a 2.37 ERA, while pitching into the seventh inning in each of his three outings.
As good of a postseason pitcher Pettitte has been, though, he has struggled at times in the World Series, as he is just 3-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts. This will be his first start in the Fall Classic since pitching for Houston in Game 2 against the Chicago White Sox in 2005.
"This is what we play for," Pettitte said. "This is what we set out for in Spring Training. Obviously, to be able to get there and to accomplish that, it's awesome. I just feel very fortunate and very blessed to be on this team."
New York evened this best-of-seven set at a game apiece on Thursday, as A.J. Burnett outdueled Pedro Martinez while Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui each homered, helping the Yankees to a 3-1 victory.
Philadelphia used a superlative effort from Cliff Lee to take Wednesday's opener, 6-1, at Yankee Stadium.
Burnett (1-0) countered with a gem of his own in his first career start in the Fall Classic, surrendering just one run on four hits and two walks in seven frames. The hard-throwing righty also struck out nine against the team that roughed him up for five runs in a six-inning start back in May.
"After last night I wanted to come out and set the tone early, be very aggressive," Burnett said following the game. "I went out tonight with confidence and the game just rolled by."
Jorge Posada added a pinch-hit RBI for the Yankees, and Mariano Rivera closed it out with a six-out save, highlighted by an inning-ending double-play ball off the bat of Chase Utley in the eighth.
Martinez (0-1), the longtime Yankees rival and lightning rod for media attention, turned in a quality outing for Philadelphia, ending with a line of three runs on six hits and two walks with eight punchouts in six-plus innings.
"He wasn't afraid to throw inside to hitters. He got hurt by the longball by their left-handed hitters," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said of Martinez. "It was a close game and we couldn't pull it out."
Matt Stairs knocked in the lone run for defending champion Phillies, whose 1- through-4 hitters went 1-for-13 with three walks and six strikeouts, four coming from Ryan Howard.
With an intentional walk in the third, Utley extended his postseason record by reaching base for the 27th consecutive game for the Phillies, who are attempting to become the first repeat World Series champion from the National League since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76.
Entering this series there were no two hotter hitters at the plate than Alex Rodriguez and Howard, the NLCS MVP. However, the two sluggers have combined to strike out 12 times through the first two games.
Both players are in position to top the World Series record that Royals outfielder Willie Wilson set in 1980, when he struck out 12 times against the Phillies in 1980.
Things don't figure to get any better for the two on Saturday, as Rodriguez is 0-for-4 lifetime against Hamels, while Howard has just one hit in 11 at- bats against Pettitte.
Now the series moves to Philadelphia, where the Phillies are 11-1 over the last two postseasons.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
Sixers top Bucks in home opener
By Steve Cwitkowitz
Andre Iguodala scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists, as the Philadelphia 76ers captured their 2009-10 home-opener with a 99-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Andre Iguodala scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists, as the Philadelphia 76ers captured their 2009-10 home-opener with a 99-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Elton Brand finished with 17 points, while Samuel Dalembert had a strong game with 10 points and 12 boards for the 76ers, who were coming off a season- opening 120-106 loss at Orlando on Wednesday. The win marks the first for new Philadelphia head coach Eddie Jordan, who was hired to replace interim coach Tony DiLeo in the offseason.
"It was a gutsy, gut it out type win," Jordan said. "Samuel (Dalembert) defended the rim, Andre (Iguodala) did a nice job of taking over late and Lou (Williams) was the quarterback."
Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young ended with 16 and 13 points, respectively, for Philadelphia.
"I thought we played hard and played well," Iguodala said. "We are just trying to do things the right way and let everything else take care of itself."
Michael Redd had 17 points for the Bucks, who were playing their season-opener after missing the playoffs for a third straight year and struggling to a 34-48 record in 2008-09. Milwaukee's first round draft pick, Brandon Jennings, had a solid effort in his NBA debut with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
"People are going to pick up the stat sheet and see, rightfully so, we didn't shoot the ball well from the perimeter," said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "We didn't shoot well from three, we didn't shoot well from the line and had too many turnovers."
The Sixers lead 23-18 after the opening quarter. However, a Redd jumper and a three-pointer sandwiched around a Ersan Ilyasova layup with nearly 7 1/2 minutes to play in the half ignited Milwaukee on an 18-6 run and a 40-36 advantage with just under three minutes left.
Both teams traded baskets and free throws in the remaining time and the Bucks held a 47-41 edged heading into the break.
Philadelphia came out of the locker room, and behind some tight defense went on a 12-4 burst to start the third, grabbing a 53-51 lead with 7:23 to play in the quarter. The Sixers made 19-of-20 free throws in the stanza and led by a 76-67 margin after three. Iguodala and Brand each went for eight points apiece in the quarter, when the Bucks struggled by going 6-of-22 from the field.
Jason Kapono hit from beyond the arc early in the fourth and the Sixers were up by double-digits. The Bucks used a 9-0 run near the midway point starting with an Ilyasova three, eventually cutting the deficit to 88-83 with a shade under five minutes to go. Kapono then stepped up and hit another triple, this time from the left corner and the hosts regained a double-figure lead after a 10-0 surge.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Flyers recall Laliberte
The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled right wing David Laliberte from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.
Laliberte, 23, has one goal and five assists for six points through eight games with the Phantoms this season. He is tied for the team lead in assists (5) and tied for second on the club in points (6). He has also recorded five of his six points on the year in his last four contests, registering at least a point in three of his last four games.
Last season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, Laliberte posted 48 points (28G,20A) in 70 games, finishing third on the team in goals (28). He also registered one assist in four Calder Cup playoff games with the Phantoms.
In parts of three seasons of play in the AHL (2007-08 to 2009-10), Laliberte has recorded 63 points (32G,31A) and 66 penalty minutes in 105 games, all with the Phantoms.
A native of St-Liboire, Quebec, Laliberte was originally selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with the Flyers on May 17, 2007.
Laliberte, 23, has one goal and five assists for six points through eight games with the Phantoms this season. He is tied for the team lead in assists (5) and tied for second on the club in points (6). He has also recorded five of his six points on the year in his last four contests, registering at least a point in three of his last four games.
Last season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, Laliberte posted 48 points (28G,20A) in 70 games, finishing third on the team in goals (28). He also registered one assist in four Calder Cup playoff games with the Phantoms.
In parts of three seasons of play in the AHL (2007-08 to 2009-10), Laliberte has recorded 63 points (32G,31A) and 66 penalty minutes in 105 games, all with the Phantoms.
A native of St-Liboire, Quebec, Laliberte was originally selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and signed a three-year entry level contract with the Flyers on May 17, 2007.
Donaghy won't go away
By John McMullen
Philadelphia, PA - For nearly 30 years on the day before the Oscars, the Golden Raspberry Awards have celebrated the worst Hollywood has to offer.
There is the obvious stuff like Worst Picture, Worst Actor and Worst Actress, along with a series of unconventional categories like Worst Screen Couple and Worst Sequel.
Since sports is just another brand of entertainment, I am hoping "The Razzies" expand. In fact, I am waiting with bated breath for the Worst Official category.
Talk about some worthy candidates.
Baseball is loaded. You have "Mr. Confrontation" himself, "Cowboy" Joe West, the "highly-regarded" Tim McClelland and the latest World Series embarrassment Brian Gorman.
McClelland's my favorite, In the American League Championship Series. New York's Nick Swisher was at third base when Johnny Damon lofted a fly ball to Angels center fielder Torii Hunter. Swisher tagged up and easily scored. Or did he? Anaheim protested, saying Swisher left early and McClelland agreed, calling Swisher out.
Here's the funny part. Replays clearly showed Swisher never left early and revealed McClelland was never even looking at Swisher.
So why overturn it?
"In my heart I thought he left too soon," McClelland said. Then, when confronted with video, McClelland blurted out this gem: "After looking at replays, I'm not sure I believe the replay of the first one."
You can't make that stuff up.
Football isn't much better. The great Ed Hochuli is obsessed with getting camera time so he can give you tickets to his own personal "gun show." Meanwhile, NFL insiders talk about winning all "four phases" when Ron Winter is the top zebra -- offense, defense, special teams and his atrocious calls.
Of course, the real heavyweight nominee for the World's Worst Officiating Razzie has to be disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy. After all, he is the only felon in the running...so far.
While serving time in a federal prison, Donaghy penned a book outlining the corruption in NBA officiating, something he certainly is an expert on.
His publisher, Random House, reportedly balked at releasing "Blowing the Whistle: The Culture of Fraud in the NBA," citing liability concerns.
However, Deadspin.com acquired excerpts of the book where Donaghy alleges things like officials "sometimes" give star players like Kobe Bryant favorable calls, some refs have it in for some players and coaches, and a home team is more likely to get a favorable whistle.
Wow...talk about groundbreaking stuff.
Steve Javie gives Kobe more rope than Willie Green, Joe Crawford hates Tim Duncan. Homecourt means something.
None of that could have possibly soured Random House so what gives?
Well, Donaghy also offered a far more explosive allegation involving veteran referee Dick Bavetta.
"Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation," Donaghy wrote. "He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle -- and not so subtle -- cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series."
Donaghy cites the 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 6 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings as an example of Bavetta's skills. Sacramento had a 3-2 edge in the series and the referees assigned to work were Bavetta, Bob Delaney, and Ted Bernhardt.
"As soon as the referees for the game were chosen, the rest of us knew immediately that there would be a Game 7," Donaghy wrote. "A prolonged series was good for the league, good for the networks, and good for the game. Oh, and one more thing: it was great for the big-market, star-studded Los Angeles Lakers."
Donaghy claimed in a pregame meeting prior to Game 6, the league office sent down word that calls that would have benefited the Lakers were being missed by the referees.
"This was the type of not-so-subtle information that I and other referees were left to interpret," Donaghy said. "After receiving the dispatch, Bavetta openly talked about the fact that the league wanted a Game 7."
"If we give the benefit of the calls to the team that's down in the series, nobody's going to complain," Bavetta stated, according to Donaghy. "The series will be even at three apiece, and then the better team can win Game 7."
Of course, Sacramento went on to lose Game 6 as the Lakers were repeatedly sent to the foul line by Bavetta and company. Whispers about that game have been commonplace around the league for years.
For what's it's worth, I don't buy it.
I'm not naive. Scandal in sport has been around forever. Boxers will always take dives and tennis players will always tank matches, but you will never see a wide-ranging conspiracy in the four majors unless you're Oliver Stone. The media scrutiny is just too great.
If David Stern ordered Bavetta, Crawford, Javie or Delaney to fix games, why in the world was 2007-08 the first time since 1987 that the league's two "marquee franchises" faced off in the finals? Why are there so many playoff series with "marquee teams" that are lopsided?
Envelope please...The winner for World's Worst Official...
Take your pick...
Donaghy wins for Best Fiction Writer.
 |
There is the obvious stuff like Worst Picture, Worst Actor and Worst Actress, along with a series of unconventional categories like Worst Screen Couple and Worst Sequel.
Since sports is just another brand of entertainment, I am hoping "The Razzies" expand. In fact, I am waiting with bated breath for the Worst Official category.
Talk about some worthy candidates.
Baseball is loaded. You have "Mr. Confrontation" himself, "Cowboy" Joe West, the "highly-regarded" Tim McClelland and the latest World Series embarrassment Brian Gorman.
 |
Here's the funny part. Replays clearly showed Swisher never left early and revealed McClelland was never even looking at Swisher.
So why overturn it?
"In my heart I thought he left too soon," McClelland said. Then, when confronted with video, McClelland blurted out this gem: "After looking at replays, I'm not sure I believe the replay of the first one."
You can't make that stuff up.
Football isn't much better. The great Ed Hochuli is obsessed with getting camera time so he can give you tickets to his own personal "gun show." Meanwhile, NFL insiders talk about winning all "four phases" when Ron Winter is the top zebra -- offense, defense, special teams and his atrocious calls.
Of course, the real heavyweight nominee for the World's Worst Officiating Razzie has to be disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy. After all, he is the only felon in the running...so far.
While serving time in a federal prison, Donaghy penned a book outlining the corruption in NBA officiating, something he certainly is an expert on.
His publisher, Random House, reportedly balked at releasing "Blowing the Whistle: The Culture of Fraud in the NBA," citing liability concerns.
However, Deadspin.com acquired excerpts of the book where Donaghy alleges things like officials "sometimes" give star players like Kobe Bryant favorable calls, some refs have it in for some players and coaches, and a home team is more likely to get a favorable whistle.
Wow...talk about groundbreaking stuff.
Steve Javie gives Kobe more rope than Willie Green, Joe Crawford hates Tim Duncan. Homecourt means something.
None of that could have possibly soured Random House so what gives?
Well, Donaghy also offered a far more explosive allegation involving veteran referee Dick Bavetta.
"Studying under Dick Bavetta for 13 years was like pursuing a graduate degree in advanced game manipulation," Donaghy wrote. "He knew how to marshal the tempo and tone of a game better than any referee in the league, by far. He also knew how to take subtle -- and not so subtle -- cues from the NBA front office and extend a playoff series or, worse yet, change the complexion of that series."
Donaghy cites the 2002 Western Conference Finals Game 6 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings as an example of Bavetta's skills. Sacramento had a 3-2 edge in the series and the referees assigned to work were Bavetta, Bob Delaney, and Ted Bernhardt.
"As soon as the referees for the game were chosen, the rest of us knew immediately that there would be a Game 7," Donaghy wrote. "A prolonged series was good for the league, good for the networks, and good for the game. Oh, and one more thing: it was great for the big-market, star-studded Los Angeles Lakers."
Donaghy claimed in a pregame meeting prior to Game 6, the league office sent down word that calls that would have benefited the Lakers were being missed by the referees.
"This was the type of not-so-subtle information that I and other referees were left to interpret," Donaghy said. "After receiving the dispatch, Bavetta openly talked about the fact that the league wanted a Game 7."
"If we give the benefit of the calls to the team that's down in the series, nobody's going to complain," Bavetta stated, according to Donaghy. "The series will be even at three apiece, and then the better team can win Game 7."
Of course, Sacramento went on to lose Game 6 as the Lakers were repeatedly sent to the foul line by Bavetta and company. Whispers about that game have been commonplace around the league for years.
For what's it's worth, I don't buy it.
I'm not naive. Scandal in sport has been around forever. Boxers will always take dives and tennis players will always tank matches, but you will never see a wide-ranging conspiracy in the four majors unless you're Oliver Stone. The media scrutiny is just too great.
If David Stern ordered Bavetta, Crawford, Javie or Delaney to fix games, why in the world was 2007-08 the first time since 1987 that the league's two "marquee franchises" faced off in the finals? Why are there so many playoff series with "marquee teams" that are lopsided?
Envelope please...The winner for World's Worst Official...
Take your pick...
Donaghy wins for Best Fiction Writer.
Blanton will start in Game 4
Charlie Manuel has announced that Joe Blanton will be the starting pitcher in Game 4 Sunday night against the Yankees.
"(Lee) hasn't pitched on three days' rest, although I talked to him and he told me he had, or I thought he did," Manuel said. "I also like him in Game 5 because we've got an offday Tuesday. If it goes seven games or something, that would be on his bullpen day and he might be able to pitch or whatever ...
"I don't think he's ready for it on three days' rest. That's really pushing him because he's never done it before. If he had done it before like CC (Sabathia) has, and CC pitched consistently last year on three days' rest. I think you're taking a chance on really pushing him. He's the kind of guy that he gets into the game and with his adrenaline going and everything, and definitely we don't want to hurt him.
"(Lee) hasn't pitched on three days' rest, although I talked to him and he told me he had, or I thought he did," Manuel said. "I also like him in Game 5 because we've got an offday Tuesday. If it goes seven games or something, that would be on his bullpen day and he might be able to pitch or whatever ...
"I don't think he's ready for it on three days' rest. That's really pushing him because he's never done it before. If he had done it before like CC (Sabathia) has, and CC pitched consistently last year on three days' rest. I think you're taking a chance on really pushing him. He's the kind of guy that he gets into the game and with his adrenaline going and everything, and definitely we don't want to hurt him.
"And I think Blanton fits for us because I think we want to keep (J.A.) Happ in the bullpen, especially kind of in the middle where he could do some innings. Also Joe pitched last year in the World Series and he's got a little bit more experience."
Yanks -Phils continue to pull strong numbers
FOX recorded an 11.7 national rating for Game 2 of the World Series, up 44 percent from last year and 18.9 million viewers, up 48 percent.
Harris, Westbrook questionable
Eagles coach Andy Reid says there is a chance Macho Harris plays Sunday and is questionable. My guess is Sean Jones gets the start and keeps the job.
Meanwhile, Brian Westbrook is having another concussion test today and is questionable. He ain't playing folks.
DE Chris Clemons was held out of a practice with a sickness. Considering Philadelphia has declared a "Swine Flu Emergency," that's always a concern. Pass the Purel.
Meanwhile, Brian Westbrook is having another concussion test today and is questionable. He ain't playing folks.
DE Chris Clemons was held out of a practice with a sickness. Considering Philadelphia has declared a "Swine Flu Emergency," that's always a concern. Pass the Purel.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Villanova 5th in AP Preseason Poll
Villanova is ranked fifth in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 basketball poll. The Wildcats are No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today (coaches) vote.
Kansas was first in both polls.
Yanks bench Swisher
The Yankees have benched struggling right fielder Nick Swisher, who is hitting a miserable .114 in the postseason is 11 for his last 77 dating back to the regular season. Veteran utilityman Jerry Hairston will replace Swisher in right and hit seventh in the Yankees lineup.
Hairston has a history of success against Pedro Martinez with eight hits in 24 ABs and a .907 OPS.
However, Hairston has played just 72 of his 1,010 regular-season games in right field. He last played there on Sept. 7, coming in for an inning at the end of the first game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays.
If I were Yankee manager Joe Girardi, I would have inserted the speedy Brett Gardner in center and moved Melky Cabrera to right, improving the team's speed and defense.
Meanwhile, the light-hitting Jose Molina will start and catch the mental midget that is A.J. Burnett. For whatever reason Burnett doesn't feel comfortable throwing to Jorge Posada, one of the best hitting catchers in the game. Molina is certainly a better catcher than Jorge but that would be like benching Ryan Howard for Dobbs or Chase Utley for Eric Bruntlett because they are better fielders.
Hairston has a history of success against Pedro Martinez with eight hits in 24 ABs and a .907 OPS.
However, Hairston has played just 72 of his 1,010 regular-season games in right field. He last played there on Sept. 7, coming in for an inning at the end of the first game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays.
If I were Yankee manager Joe Girardi, I would have inserted the speedy Brett Gardner in center and moved Melky Cabrera to right, improving the team's speed and defense.
Meanwhile, the light-hitting Jose Molina will start and catch the mental midget that is A.J. Burnett. For whatever reason Burnett doesn't feel comfortable throwing to Jorge Posada, one of the best hitting catchers in the game. Molina is certainly a better catcher than Jorge but that would be like benching Ryan Howard for Dobbs or Chase Utley for Eric Bruntlett because they are better fielders.
Phillies' Dobbs out with the flu
Phillies utilityman Greg Dobbs has been sent back to Philadelphia with the flu.
Any mention of the flu this these days means H1N1 or the “swine flu” is on the table and tThe Phillies have not ruled out that diagnosis, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
“We sent him home because we didn’t want him contaminating the other guys,” Amaro said. “It got to the point where he was too sick to function.”
Any mention of the flu this these days means H1N1 or the “swine flu” is on the table and tThe Phillies have not ruled out that diagnosis, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
“We sent him home because we didn’t want him contaminating the other guys,” Amaro said. “It got to the point where he was too sick to function.”
Eckel finds home in Big Easy
The Saints placed FB Heath Evans on injured reserve today and signed former Eagle Kyle Eckel to take his roster spot.
World Series Game 1 up 34 percent
No surprise here. Fox did a 13.8 overnight rating for Yankees-Philles Game 1; up 33.9 percent from the 10.3 for Philly-Tampa Game 1 last year.
It was the best Game 1 overnight rating since RedSox-Cards in 2004 did a 15.2.
It was the best Game 1 overnight rating since RedSox-Cards in 2004 did a 15.2.
World Series Game 2 Preview
Philadelphia Phillies (8-2) at New York Yankees (7-3), 7:57 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Philadelphia - Pedro Martinez (0-0, 0.00) New York - A.J. Burnett (0-0, 4.42)
Pedro Martinez faces the New York Yankees on the biggest stage of them all tonight, as he tries to give the Philadelphia Phillies a commanding two games to none lead in the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
Hated by Yankee fans during his time with the Boston Red Sox, then later with the Mets, Martinez, is no stranger to the Bronx. In 32 regular-season starts against the Yankees, he has a record of 11-11 with a 3.20 earned run average.
"I think in every aspect, the way you guys have used me and abused me since I've been coming to [Yankee] Stadium," said Martinez on being cast as the villain to Yankee fans. "I remember quotes in the paper, 'Here comes the man that New York loves to hate.' The man? None of you have ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what I'm all about as a man. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things and have written so many things [about me]."
The veteran right-hander had been 8-4 in the old stadium and pitched perhaps his best game there back in 1999 when he allowed one hit and struck out 17 in a complete game win.
This, though, will be his first appearance in the new ballpark.
"I don't know if you realize this, but because of you guys, in some ways, I might be at times the most influential player that ever stepped [on to the field] at Yankee Stadium," said Martinez. "I can honestly say that."
Martinez has also made six postseason appearances against the Yankees, while posting a mark of just 1-2. He started Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS at the old Yankee Stadium and had the Red Sox on the verge of a victory before the Yankees rallied and eventually won the game in extra innings on an Aaron Boone homer.
This will be his second World Series start. Martinez earned a victory for Boston in Game 3 of the 2004 Fall Classic against St. Louis. He twirled three- hit ball over seven scoreless innings at Busch Stadium, one day before the Red Sox won their first title in 86 years
The Phillies signed Martinez at the All-Star break and the three-time Cy Young winner made nine starts this season, posting a record of 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA.
"Actually, I didn't know as much about him, but I thought at times that he was cocky, which is fine," Manuel said. "Sometimes to be good you've got to be cocky, and sometimes [as a manager] you've got to let someone be who they are. Since I've gotten to know him, not only is he competitive, but he really studies the game and loves baseball. He's a baseball guy."
After being skipped in the Division Series against Colorado because of a postponement in frosty Denver, Martinez started Game 2 of the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers and threw seven shutout innings while yielding just two hits. He did not factor into the decision after the Dodgers rallied against the Philadelphia bullpen for a 2-1 victory.
Philadelphia can only hope for the same type of effort from Martinez tonight that it received from Cliff Lee in Game 1 of this best-of-seven series on Wednesday, as the left-hander dominated the potent Yankees lineup with a complete-game gem in a 6-1 win.
Lee (1-0) surrendered just an unearned run in the ninth and struck out 10 without walking a batter to toss the first complete game in the World Series since Florida's Josh Beckett threw a gem in Game 6 of the 2003 Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium.
"I definitely have confidence. I have always been that way. This is the stage I've wanted to get to since I was a little kid," said Lee.
While Lee took care of business on the hill, Chase Utley provided the offense, as he became the first left-handed hitter to hit two home runs off a southpaw pitcher since Babe Ruth in 1928.
Utley, who had just one home run since mid-September, drilled two shots to right off of Yankee starter CC Sabathia and set a major league record in the process, as he reached base safely in his 26th straight postseason game.
"My approach is trying to make him work a little bit. He is a big, strong guy who can work a little bit. I was trying to hit the fastball," said Utley.
Raul Ibanez added a two-run single for the Phillies, who are attempting to become the first repeat World Series champion from the National League since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76.
Sabathia (0-1) struggled with his command and was charged with the loss, as he surrendered two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks over seven frames.
"CC got some balls in the middle of the plate to Utley and he made him pay," stated Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Derek Jeter had three hits for the Yankees, while Alex Rodriguez, who had entered this series hitting .438 this postseason, struck out three times, as New York lost its fourth straight World Series game.
Hoping to even things up for the Yankees tonight will be righty A.J. Burnett, who has yet to receive a decision this postseason, while pitching to a 4.42 ERA.
After two impressive starts in these playoffs Burnett surrendered four first inning runs to the Angels in Game 5 of the ALCS, before exiting in the seventh after allowing six runs and eight hits. He endured an up-and-down first year in pinstripes, going 13-9 with a 4.04 ERA.
"I won't change anything as far as my plan or my attack, just maybe not be so careless from the get go -- just throwing balls over the middle to get strike one," Burnett said.
Burnett has had little success against the Phillies in his career. He lost to them earlier in the season and is just 5-8 lifetime against them with a 4.75 ERA in 17 games, 16 of which have been starts.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
Phils dominate Game 1
By Jared Trexler
Chase Utley became the first left-handed hitter since Babe Ruth to have a multi-homer game in the World Series off a southpaw pitcher, and Cliff Lee dominated the potent Yankees lineup in a complete- game gem, as the Phillies took Game 1 of the Fall Classic from New York, 6-1, at Yankee Stadium.
Chase Utley became the first left-handed hitter since Babe Ruth to have a multi-homer game in the World Series off a southpaw pitcher, and Cliff Lee dominated the potent Yankees lineup in a complete- game gem, as the Phillies took Game 1 of the Fall Classic from New York, 6-1, at Yankee Stadium.
Lee (1-0) struck out 10, didn't walk a batter and scattered six hits and surrendered an unearned run in confusing the middle of the Yankees order and making several highlight-worthy defensive plays, including a behind-the-back stab on a grounder up the middle in the eighth for the defending World Series champions. He tossed the first complete game in the World Series since Florida's Josh Beckett threw a gem in Game 6 of the 2003 Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium.
"I definitely have confidence. I have always been that way. This is the stage I've wanted to get to since I was a little kid," said Lee.
Utley, who had hit just one home run since mid-September, drilled two homers to right in the first six frames off Yankees ace CC Sabathia (0-1). The Yankees southpaw surrendered two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks over seven frames.
Utley is the third left-handed hitter to have a multi-home-run game off Sabathia. Jim Thome and Ichiro Suzuki are the others to achieve the feat.
"My approach is trying to make him work a little bit. He is a big, strong guy who can work a little bit. I was trying to hit the fastball," said Utley.
Raul Ibanez added a two-run single for the Phillies, who are attempting to become the first repeat World Series champion from the National League since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975-76. In the process, they are trying to win their third world championship, far fewer than the 26 World Series titles already in the Yankees' hardware case.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday night with Pedro Martinez slated to pitch for the Phillies and A.J. Burnett for the Yankees.
It was an incredible performance for Lee, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. The lefty threw 80 of his 122 pitches for strikes and has given up two earned runs in 33 1/3 innings during the postseason.
Utley spoiled several Sabathia offerings in the third before hitting the ninth pitch of the at-bat just over the wall in right. It was the first home run by a member of the visiting team at Yankee Stadium this postseason. The home run also pushed Utley to 26 consecutive games reaching base in the postseason, moving him past Boog Powell for the all-time record.
Utley clobbered a four-seam fastball deep into the right-center field seats with one out in the sixth, a towering shot that looked far different than his home run in the third inning. His second shot gave the visitors a 2-0 edge. Babe Ruth's multi-homer game off a southpaw came for the Yankees in Game 4 of the 1928 World Series, when he hit two off Bill Sherdel.
"CC got some balls in the middle of the plate to Utley and he made him pay," stated Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Meanwhile, Lee continued to dominate, even through an interesting play in the fifth. With a runner on first and nobody out, Robinson Cano hit a liner to Jimmy Rollins, who caught it just above the ground, tagged second just in case and fired to first. The runner on first, Hideki Matsui, wandered off the base and Ryan Howard tagged him for the double play, which was called after the umpires convened to make a decision.
The Phillies' speed and a clutch at-bat added two insurance runs off the Yankees bullpen in the eighth. Rollins worked a walk off Phil Hughes and stole second in front of Shane Victorino's free pass. Damaso Marte entered to pitch, and Howard's one-out fly ball to right moved Rollins to third before Jayson Werth walked to load the bases for Ibanez. The outfielder didn't capitalize during his first bases-loaded chance in the first inning, but he rolled a two- run single into right for a 4-0 edge.
The National League champs tacked on two more runs in the ninth on Victorino's RBI single off Brian Bruney and Howard's RBI double off Phil Coke, making it a 6-0 game.
"That is how good teams play. We were able to tack on runs at the end of the game," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
Lee gave up an unearned run in the ninth as Mark Teixeira's grounder up the middle with two runners on was fielded by Utley, who flipped to Rollins, but the throw to first sailed into the dugout, allowing Derek Jeter to score.
Jeter had three of his team's six hits, but Lee's greatest success came against the middle of the Yankees lineup. Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada -- the 3-5 hitters -- were a combined 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts.
The Phillies' patience immediately ran up Sabathia's pitch count in the first. After two quick outs, Utley worked a work and Howard slammed a fastball into the right-field corner for a double. Werth took a free pass and Ibanez ran a 3-1 count, but Sabathia induced a groundout on the next pitch to escape any damage despite a 24-pitch frame.
New York got its first hit on Posada's one-out single in the second. Lee navigated the frame and struck out four through two innings.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Eagles sign running back
The Eagles signed RB P.J. Hill off of the Saints practice squad and placed LB Omar Gaither on IR, ending his season.
Hill (5-10, 218) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Saints in 2009, and rushed 26 times for 128 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns during the preseason. He signed to the team’s practice squad on 9/7/09 after being released as part of their final roster cut down.
A native of East Elmhurst, NY, Hill played collegiately at Wisconsin, where he joined former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne as the only running backs in school history to gain more than 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons. He finished his career with 770 carries for 3,942 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 42 touchdowns. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year after rushing for a career-high 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2006.
Hill (5-10, 218) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Saints in 2009, and rushed 26 times for 128 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns during the preseason. He signed to the team’s practice squad on 9/7/09 after being released as part of their final roster cut down.
A native of East Elmhurst, NY, Hill played collegiately at Wisconsin, where he joined former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne as the only running backs in school history to gain more than 1,000 yards in each of their first three seasons. He finished his career with 770 carries for 3,942 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 42 touchdowns. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year after rushing for a career-high 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2006.
Jackson named NFC Offensive Player of the Month
OFFENSE: WR DESEAN JACKSON, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
- Jackson had a 67-yard touchdown run and a 57-yard TD reception in the Eagles’ 27-17 win over Washington.
- He is only the second player in team history to have a 50+ yard touchdown run and reception in the same game, joining BOSH PRITCHARD, who accomplished the feat in 1949.
- Over the past 20 years, only two other players have recorded a 50+ yard receiving and rushing touchdown in a game (CHRIS JOHNSON & CLINTON PORTIS).
- Jackson has scored five touchdowns (three receiving, one punt-return, one rushing) this season and all have been for at least 50 yards. He is only the fifth player in NFL history to record a receiving, rushing and punt-return touchdown in each of his first two seasons.
- He has scored a 60+ yard touchdown in four of the first six games of the season, only the fourth player in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
- In his second season from California, this is Jackson’s second career Player of the Week Award and first on offense. He was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Kickoff Weekend.
- Jackson joins running back BRIAN WESTBROOK as the only Eagles to win weekly awards for both offense and special teams.
Gagne to get second opinion
Flyers winger Simon Gagne, who is struggling with a pair of sports hernias, will get a second opinion tomorrow in Canada.
There is still no timetable for his return but the club admitted surgery is a virtual certainty.
There is still no timetable for his return but the club admitted surgery is a virtual certainty.
Westbrook suffered retrograde amnesia
Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder informed the media today that RB Brian Westbrook suffered retrograde amnesia when he was whacked against the Redskins. According to Burkholder, Westbrook lost about 20 seconds of memory. Don't count on him vs. the Giants no matter what games the Birds play.
New York - Philadelphia: Let's get it on!
By Chris Ruddick
I have heard it called the Liberty Series. I have heard it called the Battle of the Broads...Broadway versus Broad street, get it?
I am just going to call it exactly what it is: the most anticipated World Series I can remember. I don't recall the last time I actually got ready to watch a World Series when I truly felt that I was watching the two best teams in baseball.
Truth be told I am originally from New York. I grew up idolizing Don Mattingly and I loved the New York Yankees. You could probably describe me as one of those elitist Yankee fans who people around the country can't stand. I refer to them as the Varsity and I love the fact that they spend a lot of money.
They make the most money, why can't they spend the most? There is a reason why television ratings won't be in the toilet for this World Series. How many other teams would have beaten the NFL in the television ratings battle on Sunday night?
I know it is probably taboo to root for teams in this profession, but it is not 1950 anymore. The media are fans just like anyone else. Some like to think they are different, but they are not. It does not change the fact that I can look at this series objectively.
So now that we all know where we are coming from, let's get down to business.
On paper, the Yankees are the better team. They won 103 games in the better league. They have a stronger lineup. The Phillies may have more depth in their rotation, but they can't match the top-three starters of the Yankees. And the bullpen is not even a discussion with the great Mariano Rivera in the equation.
So, this should be an easy pick here, right? Wrong.
I said it a few weeks ago and I still believe it. The Phillies have IT. I am not sure exactly what IT is, but they have IT. They are not going to be intimidated playing the big, bad, Yankees.
And they shouldn't be, they are the world champions.
Everyone knows about Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, but more often than not, it is the secondary players like Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz who kill you. They are as close to an American League team as there is in the National League.
There is just something about this team that makes you think they are never out of it. Even though they won last year, you still get the sense that the Phillies are hungry.
In case you haven't heard, Jay Z will be performing before Game 2, and for some reason, the movie Rocky IV keeps popping into my head. James Brown sang "Living in America" before the Apollo Creed-Ivan Drago exhibition. Creed was there dancing around with Brown, while Drago just watched, getting ready to (literally) kill him.
Couldn't you just see Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter bopping their heads along with Jigga, while in the other dugout, Werth and Victorino get ready to pounce?
Either way it is going to be a great series. I will be shocked if it was a whitewash either way.
Game 1 is going to be huge for both teams. For one, the Yankees can't afford to lose and have their season rest on A.J. Burnett in Game 2. The same has to be said for Philly with regards to Pedro Martinez in the second game. I don't care how good he looked in the NLCS.
The CC Sabthia-Cliff Lee matchup is about as good as you are going to get. Actually, for those of you care about this sort of thing, it is only the sixth time in Series history that former Cy Young Award winners will be squaring off.
And we might get that matchup three times in this series.
With that said, though, let's not forget these two teams led their respective leagues in home runs. So if you are expecting a 2-1, 3-2 game on Wednesday, or in any game over the next week or so, for that matter, this might not be the series for you.
I fully expect four-plus-hour games and a lot of runs. In other words, take a nap if you plan on watching the post-games interviews.
All the Phillies have to do is get a split in New York. If they do that, they will be in good shape. I think they will win two of three either way at Citizens Bank Park.
I can't believe Charlie Manuel is pitching Martinez in the Bronx. I think he is just asking for trouble in that one. I don't think he is going to pitch well. I don't think Burnett is anything special either, but if it is a battle of bullpens, I like New York's chances.
That is why tonight is so important. It is going to be the difference as far as who has the lead back in the Bronx in Game 6, because like I said before, the Phillies will win two of three at home.
With all due respect to Ryan Howard, this whole postseason has been about Alex Rodriguez. I said before the playoffs started that I thought he would be huge. It wasn't exactly a bold prediction. All you had to do was watch him during the year to realize that he was a different player.
I don't expect him to go away in this World Series, but I don't expect him to carry the Yankees either. Mark Teixeira started to show signs of life towards the end of the Angels' series. He will be the offensive difference- maker for the Yankees.
As much as I like the Phils' grit, everything just points to the Yankees here.
I don't think Cole Hamels can just flip the switch. He has been mediocre all season, and Manuel must feel the same way or he would be starting Game 2 in the Bronx instead of Pedro. As average as New York's bullpen has been in these playoffs, it was a huge strength for it in the second half, whereas the Phils entered the postseason with the worst bullpen situation of all.
The Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine is safe. The National League will not have a repeat champion. I expect the Yanks to win the first two games in the Bronx, lose two of three in Philly, then return home with a 3-2 lead next week.
PREDICTION: YANKEES in SIX
WORLD SERIES MVP: MARK TEIXEIRA
Yanks - Phils Game 1 Preview
By Chris Ruddick
Philadelphia Phillies (7-2) at New York Yankees (7-2), 7:57 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Philadelphia - Cliff Lee (2-0, 0.74) New York - CC Sabathia (3-0, 1.19)
Former teammates and the last two American League Cy Young Award winners square off this evening when the 105th edition of the World Series gets underway, as CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees welcome Cliff Lee and the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies to Yankee Stadium.
"We're close," Sabathia said about his relationship with Lee. "We have always been. We came up together. We opened up the new stadium this year against each other [a 10-2 win for the Indians and Lee], and that was pretty cool. It's just weird, because a couple of years ago, we were talking about pitching in a World Series together. Now, we're in different clubhouses."
Teammates with the Cleveland Indians just 16 months ago, Sabathia was the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2007 before Lee took home the honors a year ago.
"It's bittersweet," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said earlier in the week. "You don't work in this game without building a personal attachment to guys. So I look out there and see those two guys, and, as people, I'm excited for them. I'm excited for them to show their talent on that stage, I'm excited for them to get that type of exposure.
"And yet I'm bitter that they're not doing it in the Indians uniform."
Tonight's matchup will mark just the sixth time in history that former Cy Young winners have squared off and the first time since Game 4 of the 1999 World Series when Roger Clemens and John Smoltz faced off.
"CC loves to pitch and he's very competitive, and Lee has the same kind of makeup, too," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said. "So it has a chance of being a good game."
On the heels of just its second World Series title in franchise history, Philadelphia will try to become the first repeat champion from the Senior Circuit since the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine teams in 1975-76.
Unlike last year, though, when they ran roughshod over a Tampa Bay Rays team that was in the midst of their first-ever postseason run, the Phillies will be facing a franchise that is synonymous with baseball in October in the New York Yankees, who will be appearing in their 40th Fall Classic, as they shoot for an unprecedented 27th World Series title.
"I think there's definitely a special mystique when you walk into Yankee Stadium, new or old," Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth said. "It's the cathedral of baseball. It's where everybody wanted to play as a kid. It's Yankee Stadium. As far as that goes, there might be something to that. A little bit of motivation, something like that. But all in all, it doesn't matter who we play or where we play. I think everybody knows that we've got a job to do and we know how to do it."
One year after New York had its 13-year string of reaching the postseason stopped, the Yankees did what everyone expected them to do - spend money. And spend they did, as they paid a combined $423.5 million last winter for the services of three players: starting pitchers Sabathia (7-years, $161 million) and A.J. Burnett (5-years, $82.5 million) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (8-years, $180 million).
The moves paid off, as the Yanks returned to the postseason after winning the AL East for the 10th time in the last 12 years with a major league best 103 wins.
There is no secret as to why New York is in the position that it is and that is its incredible lineup.
The Yankees finished the season with the most home runs in the American League, a franchise record 244, the most runs scored (915), most RBI (881), top slugging percentage (.478), top on-base percentage (.362) and tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the most hits in the league with 1,604.
New York had seven players top 20 home runs with Derek Jeter coming close to that mark with 18.
New York had its way with the Minnesota Twins, sweeping them in the ALDS before gutting out a six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALCS to return to the World Series for the first time since 2003 when it fell in six games to the Florida Marlins.
Alex Rodriguez has been the driving force behind the Yankees impressive run, as he has put any lingering questions about his ability to perform in the clutch behind him with a terrific postseason.
Through nine games Rodriguez has hit .438 with five home runs and 12 RBI, while coming up with big hit after big hit for the Yankees.
While Rodriguez has seemingly exorcised his postseason demons, Derek Jeter, as he has done his whole career, continued to thrive in October. Jeter has scored nine runs in the postseason, while hitting .297.
If the Yanks are going to get past the gritty Phillies they are going to need more from Robinson Cano, Teixeira and Nick Swisher, all of whom have struggled this postseason.
While Rodriguez has taken care of business at the plate, Sabathia has been the anchor on the mound, going 3-0 with a 1.19 earned run average in his three starts. Sabathia was 2-0 and allowed just two runs in 16 innings in the ALCS win over the Angels to win MVP honors.
Sabathia has struggled in his career against the Phillies, going 1-2 with a 5.55 ERA in four career starts against them, including a playoff loss with the Milwaukee Brewers last year.
Of course, though, it all ends with Mariano Rivera, who is not only the best closer to ever appear in the postseason, but quite possibly the best pitcher - period - to throw in the playoffs.
Rivera has been dominant again in this postseason, saving three games, while pitching to a 0.84 ERA.
While the Yankees are the last team to capture consecutive World Series with three straight wins from 1998-2000, Philadelphia will be playing in consecutive Fall Classics for the first time in team history.
If the Yankees have the best lineup in baseball, the Phillies are a close second. There was not a better lineup in the National League than that of the Phillies, who finished the regular season leading the league in runs (820), doubles (312), home runs (224), total bases (2,493), RBI (788) and slugging percentage (.447).
The Phillies had five players go over 20 home runs, with four of them topping the 30 barrier.
After capturing their third straight NL East crown, the Phillies started their title defense with a four-game victory over the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, before disposing of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second straight year in five games of the NLCS.
Led by the mid-season acquisition of Lee and the heroics of slugger Ryan Howard the Phillies find themselves back in the Fall Classic for the sixth time in team history.
Lee has been everything the team envisioned he would be when they acquired him near the trade deadline, as he went 2-0 in his three postseason starts, while surrendering just two earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.
Like Sabathia, Lee has struggled against his opponent tonight, as he is just 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in nine starts against the Yankees. However, he beat Sabathia in the first-ever game at the new Yankee Stadium, before falling to the Yanks on May 29.
As good as Rodriguez has been this postseason, Howard has been every bit his equal, driving in 14 runs, while hitting a robust .355. His eight RBI in the LCS helped him pick up MVP honors.
Werth, one of the unheralded Phillies stars with 36 home runs, had struggled in the postseason, but belted two homers in Philadelphia's Game 5 clincher over the Dodgers and is hitting .281 in the playoffs.
Closer Brad Lidge has also regained his form in the postseason. After blowing a league-high 11 saves during the season, including two to the Yankees, he has saved all three of his opportunities and has yet to allow a run in five games this postseason.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
Learning From Mistakes
By Greg Wiley
As many of you know, I am a huge baseball fan, more specifically a huge Mets fan. During the season, since I live outside of Philadelphia, I order the baseball package offered by DirecTV and watch just about every Mets game. In recent years it's become somewhat of a father-son bonding experience. Junior Bear has even become a Mets fan like me. I haven't forced this on him (swear it), I think he just likes what I like right now.
In addition to the Mets games, I like watching just about any baseball game that's on and Junior Bear will watch along with me. One of the channels offered with the baseball package is a "mix channel" that shows eight games on one screen. Junior Bear especially likes this channel and will stand at the TV and ask me who he should root for in each game.
This mindset of his has carried over into the baseball playoffs. He feels a need to root for one team over another even though I keep telling him it doesn't matter who we root for because the Mets aren't playing (something I am used to saying this time of year).
Well, being Mets fans in Philadelphia we have a special dislike for the Phillies. And being a Mets fan anywhere, I also hate the Yankees. Actually, I don't really hate the Phillies, it's more the fans I don't like. But when it comes to the Yankees I hate everything about them, fans, players, everything!
So, you can see how this upcoming World Series is going to be one of the toughest... no, THE toughest World Series I have ever endured. I have pondered the question since the Phillies beat the Dodgers in the NLCS who I would pull for, the Phillies or the Yankees.
I have played out every argument (I won't waste your time with all the particulars) and I keep coming to the same conclusion -- nobody. I don't want anyone to win. I actually want... never mind I won't say that, but point is I want both teams to endure a painful loss. A very painful loss. Problem is, there can be only one loser and I am sick over that.
As a result, I am trying to ignore everything about this series. Usually a faithful sports radio listener, I have resorted to listening to elevator music to just ease my emotions. I try to keep a positive attitude at home. I mean, Mama Bear, Peanut Bear and Cookie Bear are Phillies fans and I don't want ruin it for them, but it's very hard.
It got even harder last night when Junior Bear asked me, "Dad, we like the Mets so we have to root for the New York team. Will you root for the Yankees with me?"
I wanted to tell my son I supported him and his decision, but I had trouble. You want to say, "Sure son, I'll root for the Yankees." But I didn't. I didn't say no, but I didn't say yes either. I said, "You can root for whoever you want."
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy he doesn't want to root for the Phillies, but I can't accept the rooting for the Yankees. How could any self-respecting Mets fan root for the Evil Empire? Well, I can't do it. I won't do it!
I imagine this is the just the first of many decisions Junior Bear will make that I won't agree with. Part of your job as a parent is to let your children live their lives and make their own mistakes so they learn from experience. Let it be known right now, that this is the first mistake I am letting Junior Bear learn from. Trust me, I'm not happy about letting him do this, but at the age of six, it's better he learns now rather than later. I just hope this doesn't scar him for the rest of his life.
Visit Greg Wiley's Papa Bear Memoirs...
Sixers open season in Orlando
By John McMullen
The reigning Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic open up defense of their crown Wednesday when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in a playoff rematch at Amway Arena.
The reigning Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic open up defense of their crown Wednesday when they play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in a playoff rematch at Amway Arena.
The Magic, who downed the Sixers in six games in last year's Eastern Conference quarterfinals, made it all the way to the NBA Finals for just the second time in franchise history. When all was said it done, however, it was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers who were celebrating a championship in Orlando.
With no 2009 draft picks, the Magic attempted to get better by trading youth for experience, shipping swingman Courtney Lee, guard Rafer Alston and center Tony Battie to New Jersey in a blockbuster deal that landed All-Star Vince Carter along with Ryan Anderson.
That deal is expected to help offset the loss of star point-forward Hedo Turkoglu, who moved to Toronto as part of a four-team trade that brought Orlando cash considerations.
Mix in free agents Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass and Jason Williams, and Orlando has some fresh blood.
"We don't care about who scores, who has the best numbers," star center Dwight Howard said. "At the end of the day we just want to win. I think we have a great team and I think the chemistry will be fine."
The Sixers, meanwhile, also have a new look and figure to be one of the more interesting teams to follow this season as basketball chief Ed Stefanski continues to mold the team in his image.
Interim coach Tony DiLeo, who replaced Maurice Cheeks during the season last year, was kicked back to the front office and replaced by Eddie Jordan, the highly-regarded former Washington Wizards mentor, who brings his vaunted Princeton Offense up I-95.
The team also let veteran point guard Andre Miller walk to Portland and handed the keys to the untested Lou Williams, a high-octane offensive player that thinks shot first. Meanwhile, former All-Star forward Elton Brand will try to return from yet another injury and fit in with the Sixers' best player, swingman Andre Iguodala.
Brand, a two-time All-Star, was coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon that cost him most of the 2007-08 season. He didn't look healthy when he took the floor with the Sixers last year and wasn't a good fit for the team's up-tempo running game. A torn labrum in his right shoulder sidelined Brand again and the Sixers righted the ship without him, making a playoff run under DiLeo.
"The main thing is, it wasn't Elton," Iguodala said. "We didn't really have a concrete plan (last year). I think we had a Plan A, but no Plan B, C, so on and so forth. Just pound it inside and see what happens from there. Once that was shut down it was kind of hectic instead of playing our game and going with the flow."
With Jordan and the Princeton offense now employed, the Sixers are hoping to finally garner a return on a massive investment. Jordan explained to the media how his philosophy is designed to work earlier this offseason.
Williams will dish to Iguodala when approaching midcourt on the dribble. It will then be Iguodala's job to pass ahead to the forward (either Thaddeus Young or Brand). The forward will continue to move the ball inside to the center (Samuel Dalembert or Jason Smith). After each pass, a variety of options exist. The guard making the original pass to the forward will cut to the basket as the center is getting the ball. The center can drive, look backdoor or pass out to a forward for a jumper.
According to Jordan, Brand seems like a natural fit for the offense. He can pass, he has a nice mid-range jumper from the elbow and he can move inside to the pivot at times. In fact, Jordan envisions Brand, Iguodala and Young much in the same way Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler excelled in the offense in Washington.
"It's going to take time," Brand said of the new offense. "I know we can put the basics in, but once we have the basics, it's still more plays, more layers we can add."
Of course Brand must stay on the floor to make things work.
Orlando swept the three-game regular season series between the two clubs last season and has won four straight and eight of nine overall against the Sixers.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Phillies add Myers
The Phillies have added pitcher Brett Myers to the World Series roster and taken utilityman Miguel Cairo, a former Yankee, off.
Hogan joins TNA
-Courtesy of TNA Wrestling
“Hulkamania” is back! The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, is joining Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), the fastest rising wrestling organization in the world and home to one of cable television’s highest rated shows for young men, TNA iMPACT! The announcement was made today by TNA Wrestling in conjunction with Spike TV at a press conference held in New York City.
“Hulk Hogan is one of the world’s top pop culture icons and the biggest superstar in the history of professional wrestling. We are truly excited to welcome him into the TNA family,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “Our goal is to become the world’s biggest professional wrestling company. Hulk defines professional wrestling and we look forward to partnering with him in a variety of ways as we continue to grow TNA globally.”
“I’m thrilled to be jumping back into the world of professional wrestling,” said Hogan. “My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now. TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner. I firmly believe now is the time for some change at TNA as they are positioned to jump to the next level in their development and I’m here to work with Dixie to help make that a reality.”
Through Hogan’s partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television, the deal with TNA was negotiated by longtime Hogan colleague Eric Bischoff. Additionally, BHE TV has inked a first-look deal with TNA and will be working with the organization to develop new programming extensions of the TNA brand.
“Hulk Hogan adds yet another level of star power that positions TNA iMPACT as Spike TV’s version of ‘Must-See TV’ on Thursday nights,” said Kevin Kay, president of Spike.
“Hulkamania” is back! The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, is joining Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), the fastest rising wrestling organization in the world and home to one of cable television’s highest rated shows for young men, TNA iMPACT! The announcement was made today by TNA Wrestling in conjunction with Spike TV at a press conference held in New York City.
“Hulk Hogan is one of the world’s top pop culture icons and the biggest superstar in the history of professional wrestling. We are truly excited to welcome him into the TNA family,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “Our goal is to become the world’s biggest professional wrestling company. Hulk defines professional wrestling and we look forward to partnering with him in a variety of ways as we continue to grow TNA globally.”
“I’m thrilled to be jumping back into the world of professional wrestling,” said Hogan. “My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now. TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner. I firmly believe now is the time for some change at TNA as they are positioned to jump to the next level in their development and I’m here to work with Dixie to help make that a reality.”
Through Hogan’s partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television, the deal with TNA was negotiated by longtime Hogan colleague Eric Bischoff. Additionally, BHE TV has inked a first-look deal with TNA and will be working with the organization to develop new programming extensions of the TNA brand.
“Hulk Hogan adds yet another level of star power that positions TNA iMPACT as Spike TV’s version of ‘Must-See TV’ on Thursday nights,” said Kevin Kay, president of Spike.
The Yankees have World Series title No. 27 in their sights
By Chris Ruddick
If I had a nickel for every time I heard a Philadelphia Phillies fan say that they wanted to play the New York Yankees in the World Series over the last couple of weeks, I'd be a rich man.
In the back of my mind, though, I kept thinking, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
These are not the playoff neophyte Tampa Bay Rays, who seemed to just be happy to be there a year ago. This time around the Phillies will be taking on a team that is as synonymous with October as picking pumpkins and falling leaves. These are the New York Yankees, 26-time world champions, who will be making their 40th trip to the World Series.
The Varsity if you will.
As Newsday blared across the back page of the sports section on Monday, "Back where they belong." Owner George Steinbrenner may have said it best in a statement on Monday when he declared, "We're looking forward to our 27th ring."
Where do the Phillies have an advantage? The Yankee lineup is better. Their pitching staff is better. And, I don't think you really want to compare bullpens either. All things being equal, the Yankees should roll here. But, of course that is why you play the games.
New York is full of stars, but it has been its biggest star who has carried it through this postseason. Alex Rodriguez came into the playoffs with a ton of questions regarding his ability to perform in the clutch, specifically in the playoffs. But, like Barry Bonds in 2002, A-Rod has quieted those critics with an absolutely scintillating postseason that has seen him hit .438 with five home runs and 12 RBI, while coming up with big hit after big hit for the Yankees.
Rodriguez just seems to be on a magic ride. The only thing missing from his Hall of Fame career is a World Series ring. You heard all season long how he was just a different player. The way he carried himself. The way he interacted with his teammates. Everything was just different and it seems to be true.
"It's been a dream of mine since I was five years old to play in the World Series," Rodriguez said. "In order to win the World Series, you have to get there, and we've done that now."
As good of a postseason as Ryan Howard has had, this postseason has been all about Rodriguez and that does not figure to change this series.
The Yankee lineup is relentless and there is not an easy out 1-through-9. People like to point to Nick Swisher, who has been awful through the first two rounds, but keep in mind he hit 29 home runs this season.
If A-Rod's heroics are not enough. How about CC Sabathia's domination this postseason. The Phillies like to hang their hat on their own ace, Cliff Lee, but he will be neutralized by Sabathia, who has been every bit as good as Lee has this postseason.
"Both of them are good pitchers," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "CC loves to pitch and he's very competitive, and Lee has the same kind of makeup, too. It has a chance of being a good game."
Sabathia, the ALCS MVP, has won all three of his starts in these playoffs and has pitched to a 1.19 earned run average. The Yankees, like they did in the previous series, intend to pitch Sabathia three times this series if they need to. Philly plans on doing the same with Lee, who has never pitched on short rest in his career.
Not to mention Manuel intends on pitching Pedro Martinez in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. Did he forget who Pedro's daddy was? The Yankees have owned Martinez in the playoffs over the course of his remarkable career. He is just 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against them, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.
If that is not enough, you cannot argue the advantage the Yankees have at the end of the game. While Philly throws out Brad Lidge, who has been perfect this postseason, despite blowing a major league high 11 saves during the season, the Yankees end it with the greatest postseason closer of them all in Mariano Rivera.
Like a fine wine Rivera seems to get better with age. He has three saves this postseason, but is 8-1 lifetime in the playoffs with 37 saves and an amazing 0.77 ERA in 84 games.
I have heard people say that all the Yankees have to do is show up on time to win this series. Well that may be a little exaggerated, but the bottom line is if both teams show up and perform as they should, the Yanks will win.
Sorry Yankees, but Phillies are the team to beat
By Michael Rushton
It's a timeless saying, but to be the man you have to beat the man.
Guess what Yankee fans, the Phillies right now are the man.
While New York and its legion feel that they deserve to win a championship this year, whether it is because they think they have the better team or something about a near-decade title drought in the Big Apple, it is Philadelphia that has thus far successfully navigated the road of a repeat champion.
The clearing in the thick forest of adversity is within sight.
The Phillies are the first team to play in back-to-back title games since, yes, the Yankees appeared in three straight from 1999-2001. But before New York fans start pumping out their chest, remember that Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams and Paul O'Neil won't be taking the field on Wednesday night.
Who will be taking the field? How about National League Championship Series MVP Ryan Howard. No player, not even Alex Rodriguez, has been locked in this postseason more than Howard. And he didn't even need Kate Hudson to do it.
You want game-changing hits? Howard has them.
A game-winning sacrifice fly in Game 3 of the NLDS versus Colorado. How about a game-tying two-run double off of Rockies closer Huston Street in a Game 4, 5-4 victory that wrapped the series.
But Howard doesn't just save his hits for the end. The "Big Piece" set the tone in Philadelphia's 11-0 victory over the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLCS with a first-inning triple that scored two runs. The next game, he hit a two- run homer in the first inning of Game 4, an eventual 5-4 walk-off victory for the Phillies.
That also marked his eighth straight game this postseason with a run driven in, an MLB record.
Howard hit .333 in the NLCS with two homers and eight RBI. In 26 career postseason games, the big first baseman has six homers and 24 RBI.
A-Rod? Twelve homers and 29 RBI in 48 playoff games -- 22 more than Howard.
"It's a completely different animal from the regular season," said Howard of the postseason, "and you just know that in order to get to where you want to be, you've got to step your game up and you've got to be on your A game and just go out there and get things done."
Yankees fans may think the New York's pitching staff won't have a problem shutting down Howard. But don't sleep on Philadelphia's rotation either.
The ace, Cliff Lee, won seven of his 12 starts after getting traded to the Phillies and is 2-0 in three postseason starts this year with a 0.74 earned run average.
Yes, Lee is 4-4 with a 5.02 ERA in his career versus the Yankees, but those numbers don't reflect the type of pitcher Lee has become. In his 2008 AL Cy Young Award-winning campaign, the lefty threw seven scoreless innings of six- hit ball with seven strikeouts in his lone start versus New York. He split two starts versus them this year, posting a 3.00 ERA and nine strikeouts over 12 innings.
Some have laughed at Pedro Martinez starting Game 2, but bottom line is that Martinez pitched himself into that outing by holding the Dodgers to two hits and three strikeouts over seven innings of his lone 2009 postseason outing.
"Pedro has been in the big environment," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "He's pitched about everywhere you can pitch. I don't think nothing is going to really bother him or get him upset."
Also, though he hasn't shown it this year, Cole Hamels is just one year removed from his 4-0, 1.80 ERA postseason in 2008 that netted him NLCS and World Series MVP honors.
Most importantly, the Phillies, as defending champions, have their swagger. The majority of this roster was here last year, when the Yanks were playing golf.
"For the most part it's fairly the same," Chase Utley told the Phillies' official Web site. "We have a few new pitchers. Obviously, the addition of Raul [Ibanez] is different. I think the experience that we got last year makes us a better group overall. Individually, I think we've all improved. Not necessarily statistics-wise, but mentally we're tougher than we were last year."
Sounds like a winning formula to me.
Ring of Honor HDNet TV taping on Nov. 5
-Courtesy of ROH
Ring Of Honor
November 5th, 2009- 7:00 pm belltime
The Arena (former New Alhambra Arena/ECW Arena)
7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Tickets are available at www.rohwrestling.com or by calling (215) 781-2500.
End Of An Age Rematch
Tyler Black vs. KENTA
Special Challenge Match
Colt Cabana vs. Chris Hero with Shane Hagadorn
Scheduled to appear:
-ROH World Champion Austin Aries
-ROH World Tag Team Champio Davey Richards
-Roderick Strong
-Jay & Mark Briscoe
-Kevin Steen
-El Generico
-Kenny Omega
-Joey Ryan
-"The King of Old School" Steve Corino
-Kenny King
-Rhett Titus
-Delirious with Daizee Haze
-Necro Butcher
-Claudio Castagnoli
-Erick Stevens
-Sonjay Dutt
-Sara Del Rey
Ring Of Honor
November 5th, 2009- 7:00 pm belltime
The Arena (former New Alhambra Arena/ECW Arena)
7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Tickets are available at www.rohwrestling.com or by calling (215) 781-2500.
End Of An Age Rematch
Tyler Black vs. KENTA
Special Challenge Match
Colt Cabana vs. Chris Hero with Shane Hagadorn
Scheduled to appear:
-ROH World Champion Austin Aries
-ROH World Tag Team Champio Davey Richards
-Roderick Strong
-Jay & Mark Briscoe
-Kevin Steen
-El Generico
-Kenny Omega
-Joey Ryan
-"The King of Old School" Steve Corino
-Kenny King
-Rhett Titus
-Delirious with Daizee Haze
-Necro Butcher
-Claudio Castagnoli
-Erick Stevens
-Sonjay Dutt
-Sara Del Rey
2009 World Series position-by-position breakdown
By Chris Ruddick
The New York Yankees' quest for an unprecedented 27th World Series title begins on Wednesday when they face the reigning champion Philadelphia Phillies.
After winning a major league-best 103 games, New York had its way with the Minnesota Twins, sweeping them in the ALDS before gutting out a six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALCS, putting it back the World Series for the first time since 2003 when it fell in six games to the Florida Marlins.
The Phillies, meanwhile, will be trying try to do something that no National League team has done since 1976, as they try to become the first repeat champion from the Senior Circuit since the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine teams in 1975-76.
After capturing their third straight NL East title, the Phillies started their title defense with a four-game victory over the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, before disposing of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second straight year in five games of the NLCS.
Unlike last year, though, when they ran roughshod over a Tampa Bay Rays team that was in the midst of their first-ever postseason run, the Phillies will be facing a franchise that is synonymous with baseball in October in the Yankees, who will be appearing in their 40th Fall Classic.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of closer Brad Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the matchups at each position:
CATCHER
Jorge Posada has come up with some timely hits for the Yankees this postseason and is one of the best offensive catchers to ever play the game. However, despite all of that, he could be on the bench when A.J. Burnett pitches in Game 2. Manager Joe Girardi has had Burnett throw to light-hitting Jose Molina in the first two rounds, but don't be surprised if that changes here.
Runners also seemingly ran at will on Posada, who threw out 28-percent of potential baserunners this season.
If you think Carlos Ruiz is the weak link in the high-octane Phillies' lineup, think again. Ruiz has developed a knack for getting the big hit for the Phillies. Ruiz, who some felt should have been the World Series MVP a year ago, is having another fine postseason, hitting .346 with seven RBI, while playing stellar defense behind the plate.
EDGE: YANKEES
FIRST BASE
Two of the best first basemen in the game will square off in this series. Mark Teixeira has struggled at times in these playoffs, but has shown signs lately of breaking out of his postseason slump with five hits and four RBI in his last three games.
Teixeira, though, hasn't homered since his walk-off laser shot to end Game 2 of the ALDS. No matter how bad Teixeira has looked at the plate in these playoffs, he has saved the Yankees time and again with his glove.
Ryan Howard, meanwhile, has carried another incredible regular season (.279, 45 HR, 141 RBI) into the postseason, where he has put the Phillies on his back at times. In nine playoff games, Howard has hit .355 with two home runs and 14 RBI. His eight RBI in the NLCS helped earn him MVP honors.
The knock on Howard has always been that he was a first baseman in a designated hitter's body. However, his defense has improved by leaps and bounds since last year to the point where he is no longer a liability at the corner.
EDGE: EVEN
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley is quite simply the best second baseman in baseball. While Utley has hit .303 in these playoffs, he has only driven in two runs. Also, his defense has come into question, specifically his arm, as he had some trouble making the throw from second to first on double plays against the Dodgers.
You look at Robinson Cano's numbers and you wonder why you don't hear more about him. When you watch him play on a regular basis, you know why. As gifted a hitter as there is in the Yankee lineup, Cano struggled mightily with runners in scoring position this season, hitting just .207 in those situations, compared to his .320 overall average on the season.
Cano, though, has hit safely in his last five playoff games, but is hitting just .229 in the postseason.
EDGE: PHILLIES
SHORTSTOP
Another terrific matchup in the infield features again, two of the best at their position in New York's Derek Jeter and Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins, both of whom started the year as teammates in the World Baseball Classic.
Jeter had an MVP-type campaign for New York, hitting .334 with 18 home runs 66 RBI and 107 runs scored from the leadoff position. This is his time of the year though, and the Yankee captain has responded with another terrific postseason. hitting .297 with nine runs scored.
Like Jeter, Rollins gets the high-powered Phillies offense started, but endured a down year at the plate, hitting just .250. Rollins has also batted just .244 in the postseason, but always finds himself right in the middle of every Phillies rally and, of course, delivered the big hit in Philadelphia's Game 4 win over the Dodgers.
EDGE: YANKEES
THIRD BASE
While every other position in the infield is close, there is no argument who the better third baseman is in this series. Alex Rodriguez has exorcised his playoff demons, as he has come through time and time again for the Yankees this October, hitting .438 with 12 RBI and five home runs in the playoffs.
How Charlie Manuel handles him this series could go a long way in determining the outcome.
Pedro Feliz has been an albatross for the Phillies this postseason, hitting just .161, while leaving a small country on the basepaths. Feliz is one of the best defensively at his position, but it wouldn't kill him to get a hit with a runner in scoring position at some point in this coming series.
EDGE: YANKEES
LEFT FIELD
Johnny Damon was one of the main beneficiaries of the hitter-friendly new Yankee Stadium, as he belted 26 home runs. Damon managed just one hit in the ALDS and consistently left men on base against the Angels. Not to mention it is always an adventure for him in the field.
Raul Ibanez was perhaps the best offseason pickup in all of baseball last winter. However, after a strong start to the playoffs, Ibanez's bat has gone cold, as he is just 3-for-his-last 23.
EDGE: PHILLIES
CENTER FIELD
Shane Victorino became a household name in baseball circles last postseason, and has done nothing to hurt his big game reputation this year. Victorino has a hit in all but two of the Phils postseason games this season, while scoring eight runs. He has also driven in seven runs.
Melky Cabrera came up with a number of big hits for the Yankees this season, but also disappeared completely at times. The Yanks, though, seem to be getting the good Cabrera so far this postseason, as he is hitting .314.
EDGE: PHILLIES
RIGHT FIELD
Jayson Werth was one of the unheralded stars for Philadelphia during the regular season, as he belted 36 home runs to go along with 99 RBI. He had struggled in the postseason up until the Phils' Game 5 clincher when he hit two home runs, upping his postseason total to five, and knocked in four runs to give him 10 RBI in the playoffs.
Speaking of struggling, New York's Nick Swisher has been awful in these playoffs, hitting a mere .125, while seemingly stranding someone on base each and every time he is up.
EDGE: PHILLIES
STARTING PITCHING
It is going to be rough to be a fan of the Cleveland Indians when this World Series kicks off on Wednesday, as New York will send CC Sabathia to the hill against fellow lefty Cliff Lee.
Of course, those two are the last two Cy Young Award winners in the American League, both won when they were pitching for the Indians.
New York will reportedly opt for a three-man rotation again in this series, as A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte will follow Sabathia. If the Yanks do need a fourth starter it would be Chad Gaudin.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, will pitch Pedro Martinez in Game 2. Last year's postseason hero, Cole Hamels, is not the same pitcher he was a year ago, and has been bumped back to Game 3.
While the Yanks' top-three are probably better right now than the Phils' top- three, Philadelphia has more depth and more options with lefty J.A. Happ and righty Joe Blanton also figuring into the mix.
EDGE: YANKS
BULLPEN
There has never been a better closer in the postseason than the great Mariano Rivera, who has saved three games in these playoffs and has pitched to a 1.16 ERA in with nine saves in 20 World Series games.
However, getting to Rivera, which was a huge strength for the Yankees in the latter part of the season, has been a problem. Phil Hughes, the best eighth- inning guy in the league in the second half of the year, could be running out of steam and you never know what you are going to get from Joba Chamberlain.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, entered the playoffs with perhaps the biggest question mark of all in closer Brad Lidge, but he has responded with three saves in as many opportunities. Let's not forget, though, that he blew a league-high 11 saves during the season, two of which came against the Yankees.
Ryan Madson seems to be at his best as the team's eighth inning guy, while Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre and possibly Brett Myers are also up for relief duty.
I don't care how good Lidge has been the last couple of weeks, he is not Rivera.
EDGE: YANKEES
DESIGNATED HITTER
Hideki Matsui is one of the most dangerous hitters in the Yankee lineup. For one he is clutch, and two he hits left-handers as well as he does righties. Matsui's knees are shot and is normally removed for a pinch-runner late, but more often than not comes up with the big hit when the Yankees need it.
It looks as if the Phils will use Ibanez as the team's designated hitter in the first two games and play Ben Francisco in left. Francisco, part of the deal that brought Lee to Philly, hit .278 after the trade.
EDGE: YANKEES
BENCH
The Yankees enter the postseason with their deepest bench in years with the likes of the versatile Jerry Hairston, the speedy Brett Gardner and the slugging Eric Hinske, who will likely replace speedy Freddy Guzman.
The main reserves for the Phillies are Francisco, Greg Dobbs, Miguel Cairo and Matt Stairs. Eric Bruntlett could be used late in games for his defense, while Stairs has become one of the most feared left-handed bats off the bench.
EDGE: YANKEES
MANAGERS
In the postseason for the first time in his managerial career, Joe Girardi makes you scratch your head at times with his micro-managing style, but say what you want about him, his team won 103 games this year and has lost just twice here in the playoffs.
Charlie Manuel is back in the postseason for the third straight year with the Phillies and his fourth time overall as a manager. Manuel also led the Cleveland Indians to an AL Central title in 2001, but his team lost in five games in the ALDS to Seattle.
EDGE: PHILLIES
2009 World Series Preview - Philadelphia vs. New York
By Chris Ruddick
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: NL East champion; def. Colorado Rockies, 3-1, in NLDS; def. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1, in NLCS
NEW YORK YANKEES: AL East champion; def. Minnesota Twins, 3-0, in ALDS; def. LA Angels of Anaheim, 4-2, in ALCS
The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to do something that no National League team has done since 1976, as they open the 105th edition of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
On the heels of just its second World Series title in franchise history, Philadelphia will try to become the first repeat champion from the Senior Circuit since the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine teams in 1975-76.
Unlike last year, though, when they ran roughshod over a Tampa Bay Rays team that was in the midst of their first-ever postseason run, the Phillies will be facing a franchise that is synonymous with baseball in October in the New York Yankees, who will be appearing in their 40th Fall Classic, as they shoot for an unprecedented 27th World Series title.
"I think there's definitely a special mystique when you walk into Yankee Stadium, new or old," Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth said. "It's the cathedral of baseball. It's where everybody wanted to play as a kid. It's Yankee Stadium. As far as that goes, there might be something to that. A little bit of motivation, something like that. But all in all, it doesn't matter who we play or where we play. I think everybody knows that we've got a job to do and we know how to do it."
One year after New York had its 13-year string of reaching the postseason stopped, the Yankees did what everyone expected them to do - spend money. And spend they did, as they paid a combined $423.5 million last winter for the services of three players: starting pitchers CC Sabathia (7-years, $161 million) and A.J. Burnett (5-years, $82.5 million) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (8-years, $180 million).
The moves paid off, as the Yanks returned to the postseason after winning the AL East for the 10th time in the last 12 years with a major league best 103 wins.
There is no secret as to why New York is in the position that it is and that is its incredible lineup.
The Yankees finished the season with the most home runs in the American League, a franchise record 244, the most runs scored (915), most RBI (881), top slugging percentage (.478), top on-base percentage (.362) and tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the most hits in the league with 1,604.
New York had seven players top 20 home runs with Derek Jeter coming close to that mark with 18.
New York had its way with the Minnesota Twins, sweeping them in the ALDS before gutting out a six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALCS to return to the World Series for the first time since 2003 when it fell in six games to the Florida Marlins.
Alex Rodriguez has been the driving force behind the Yankees impressive run, as he has put any lingering questions about his ability to perform in the clutch behind him with a terrific postseason.
Through nine games Rodriguez has hit .438 with five home runs and 12 RBI, while coming up with big hit after big hit for the Yankees.
While Rodriguez has seemingly exorcised his postseason demons, Derek Jeter, as he has done his whole career, continued to thrive in October. Jeter has scored nine runs in the postseason, while hitting .297.
If the Yanks are going to get past the gritty Phillies they are going to need more from Robinson Cano, Teixeira and Nick Swisher, all of whom have struggled this postseason.
While Rodriguez has taken care of business at the plate, Sabathia has been the anchor on the mound, going 3-0 with a 1.19 earned run average in his three starts. Sabathia was 2-0 and allowed just two runs in 16 innings in the ALCS win over the Angels to win MVP honors.
Burnett struggled at the outset in his Game 5 start, but Pettitte took care of business in Game 6, as he became the winningest pitcher in postseason history with his 16th playoff win.
"This is what we play for," Pettitte said. "This is what we set out for in Spring Training. Obviously, to be able to get there and to accomplish that, it's awesome. I just feel very fortunate and very blessed to be on this team."
Of course, though, it all ends with Mariano Rivera, who is not only the best closer to ever appear in the postseason, but quite possibly the best pitcher - period - to throw in the playoffs.
Rivera has been dominant again in this postseason, saving three games, while pitching to a 0.84 ERA.
Getting to him, though, has been a problem. Phil Hughes, who was so reliable during the season, has been shaky and his eighth inning role could be relinquished to Joba Chamberlain, who is no sure thing himself.
Should Hughes and Chamberlain stumble, though, seldom-used right-hander David Robertson could emerge as a key figure in the Yankees bullpen this series.
While the Yankees are the last team to capture consecutive World Series with three straight wins from 1998-2000, Philadelphia will be playing in consecutive Fall Classics for the first time in team history.
If the Yankees have the best lineup in baseball, the Phillies are a close second. There was not a better lineup in the National League than that of the Phillies, who finished the regular season leading the league in runs (820), doubles (312), home runs (224), total bases (2,493), RBI (788) and slugging percentage (.447).
The Phillies had five players go over 20 home runs, with four of them topping the 30 barrier.
After capturing their third straight NL East crown, the Phillies started their title defense with a four-game victory over the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, before disposing of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second straight year in five games of the NLCS.
Led by mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee and the heroics of slugger Ryan Howard the Phillies find themselves back in the Fall Classic for the sixth time in team history.
Lee, who will oppose his former Indians teammate Sabathia in Game 1 on Wednesday, has been everything the team envisioned he would be when they acquired him near the trade deadline, as he went 2-0 in his three postseason starts, while surrendering just two earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.
"CC loves to pitch and he's very competitive, and Lee has the same kind of makeup, too," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "It has a chance of being a good game."
Manuel opened himself up to some second guessing with his Game 2 starter, as he chose righty Pedro Martinez rather than last year's postseason hero Cole Hamels, who has struggled mightily in these playoffs.
Martinez, of course, is no stranger to the Yankees or Yankee Stadium back to his time with the Boston Red Sox. However he is just 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.
"Pedro has been in the big environment. He's pitched about everywhere you can pitch. I don't think nothing is going to really bother him or get him upset.
As good as Rodriguez has been this postseason, Howard has been every bit his equal, driving in 14 runs, while hitting a robust .355. His eight RBI in the LCS helped him pick up MVP honors.
Werth, one of the unheralded Phillies stars with 36 home runs, had struggled in the postseason, but belted two homers in Philadelphia's Game 5 clincher over the Dodgers and is hitting .281 in the playoffs.
Although, Chase Utley is hitting .303 in these playoffs, he has only knocked in two runs and has had his defense called into question, specifically his erratic arm.
Closer Brad Lidge has also regained his form in the postseason. After blowing a league-high 11 saves during the season, including two to the Yankees, he has saved all three of his opportunities and has yet to allow a run in five games this postseason.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
These teams are about as evenly matched as you are going to find. Their lineups are both stacked. The pitching staffs are on par with one other. If there is an advantage it is in the bullpen where the Yankees have the edge. Although, if Hughes pitches the way he has in these playoffs and Lidge continues to look like the pitcher he was a year ago, the edge is oh-so slight. Add in Joe Girardi's mishandling of his pen in the Angels' series and it may be even slighter.
As fundamentally sound as the Twins and Angels were supposed to be, they both made a lot of stupid mistakes. Was it the New York factor? Who knows? But I know this Philadelphia won't be intimidated. The Phillies are champions and had 17 of 25 players from last year's World Series roster on this year's National League Championship Series team. The WS roster could feature 18 players from last year's team if Brett Myers is added, as expected.
My gut, though, tells me to pick the Yankees. As good as the Phillies lineup is, the Yankees are better. Manuel throwing Martinez in Game 2 scares me from a Philly perspective, as does Lee going on short rest - something he has never done in his big league career. Then again if the Yankees have to start Chad Gaudin they could be in some trouble. Outside of A-Rod and Jeter, the Yankees really haven't hit in this postseason, but seemed to start to break out of the slumber towards the end of the Angels series.
Rodriguez won't hit like he did in the two previous rounds, but I expect Teixeira to pick up his slack.
I like the Yankees to win the first two games in the Bronx, then steal a game in Philly, setting the stage for a return to Yankee Stadium with a 3-2 edge. At that point it would be tough to see the Phillies taking two straight to win the series.
Prediction: YANKEES in SIX
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: NL East champion; def. Colorado Rockies, 3-1, in NLDS; def. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1, in NLCS
NEW YORK YANKEES: AL East champion; def. Minnesota Twins, 3-0, in ALDS; def. LA Angels of Anaheim, 4-2, in ALCS
The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to do something that no National League team has done since 1976, as they open the 105th edition of the World Series against the New York Yankees.
On the heels of just its second World Series title in franchise history, Philadelphia will try to become the first repeat champion from the Senior Circuit since the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine teams in 1975-76.
Unlike last year, though, when they ran roughshod over a Tampa Bay Rays team that was in the midst of their first-ever postseason run, the Phillies will be facing a franchise that is synonymous with baseball in October in the New York Yankees, who will be appearing in their 40th Fall Classic, as they shoot for an unprecedented 27th World Series title.
"I think there's definitely a special mystique when you walk into Yankee Stadium, new or old," Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth said. "It's the cathedral of baseball. It's where everybody wanted to play as a kid. It's Yankee Stadium. As far as that goes, there might be something to that. A little bit of motivation, something like that. But all in all, it doesn't matter who we play or where we play. I think everybody knows that we've got a job to do and we know how to do it."
One year after New York had its 13-year string of reaching the postseason stopped, the Yankees did what everyone expected them to do - spend money. And spend they did, as they paid a combined $423.5 million last winter for the services of three players: starting pitchers CC Sabathia (7-years, $161 million) and A.J. Burnett (5-years, $82.5 million) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (8-years, $180 million).
The moves paid off, as the Yanks returned to the postseason after winning the AL East for the 10th time in the last 12 years with a major league best 103 wins.
There is no secret as to why New York is in the position that it is and that is its incredible lineup.
The Yankees finished the season with the most home runs in the American League, a franchise record 244, the most runs scored (915), most RBI (881), top slugging percentage (.478), top on-base percentage (.362) and tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the most hits in the league with 1,604.
New York had seven players top 20 home runs with Derek Jeter coming close to that mark with 18.
New York had its way with the Minnesota Twins, sweeping them in the ALDS before gutting out a six-game victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the ALCS to return to the World Series for the first time since 2003 when it fell in six games to the Florida Marlins.
Alex Rodriguez has been the driving force behind the Yankees impressive run, as he has put any lingering questions about his ability to perform in the clutch behind him with a terrific postseason.
Through nine games Rodriguez has hit .438 with five home runs and 12 RBI, while coming up with big hit after big hit for the Yankees.
While Rodriguez has seemingly exorcised his postseason demons, Derek Jeter, as he has done his whole career, continued to thrive in October. Jeter has scored nine runs in the postseason, while hitting .297.
If the Yanks are going to get past the gritty Phillies they are going to need more from Robinson Cano, Teixeira and Nick Swisher, all of whom have struggled this postseason.
While Rodriguez has taken care of business at the plate, Sabathia has been the anchor on the mound, going 3-0 with a 1.19 earned run average in his three starts. Sabathia was 2-0 and allowed just two runs in 16 innings in the ALCS win over the Angels to win MVP honors.
Burnett struggled at the outset in his Game 5 start, but Pettitte took care of business in Game 6, as he became the winningest pitcher in postseason history with his 16th playoff win.
"This is what we play for," Pettitte said. "This is what we set out for in Spring Training. Obviously, to be able to get there and to accomplish that, it's awesome. I just feel very fortunate and very blessed to be on this team."
Of course, though, it all ends with Mariano Rivera, who is not only the best closer to ever appear in the postseason, but quite possibly the best pitcher - period - to throw in the playoffs.
Rivera has been dominant again in this postseason, saving three games, while pitching to a 0.84 ERA.
Getting to him, though, has been a problem. Phil Hughes, who was so reliable during the season, has been shaky and his eighth inning role could be relinquished to Joba Chamberlain, who is no sure thing himself.
Should Hughes and Chamberlain stumble, though, seldom-used right-hander David Robertson could emerge as a key figure in the Yankees bullpen this series.
While the Yankees are the last team to capture consecutive World Series with three straight wins from 1998-2000, Philadelphia will be playing in consecutive Fall Classics for the first time in team history.
If the Yankees have the best lineup in baseball, the Phillies are a close second. There was not a better lineup in the National League than that of the Phillies, who finished the regular season leading the league in runs (820), doubles (312), home runs (224), total bases (2,493), RBI (788) and slugging percentage (.447).
The Phillies had five players go over 20 home runs, with four of them topping the 30 barrier.
After capturing their third straight NL East crown, the Phillies started their title defense with a four-game victory over the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, before disposing of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second straight year in five games of the NLCS.
Led by mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee and the heroics of slugger Ryan Howard the Phillies find themselves back in the Fall Classic for the sixth time in team history.
Lee, who will oppose his former Indians teammate Sabathia in Game 1 on Wednesday, has been everything the team envisioned he would be when they acquired him near the trade deadline, as he went 2-0 in his three postseason starts, while surrendering just two earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.
"CC loves to pitch and he's very competitive, and Lee has the same kind of makeup, too," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "It has a chance of being a good game."
Manuel opened himself up to some second guessing with his Game 2 starter, as he chose righty Pedro Martinez rather than last year's postseason hero Cole Hamels, who has struggled mightily in these playoffs.
Martinez, of course, is no stranger to the Yankees or Yankee Stadium back to his time with the Boston Red Sox. However he is just 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five.
"Pedro has been in the big environment. He's pitched about everywhere you can pitch. I don't think nothing is going to really bother him or get him upset.
As good as Rodriguez has been this postseason, Howard has been every bit his equal, driving in 14 runs, while hitting a robust .355. His eight RBI in the LCS helped him pick up MVP honors.
Werth, one of the unheralded Phillies stars with 36 home runs, had struggled in the postseason, but belted two homers in Philadelphia's Game 5 clincher over the Dodgers and is hitting .281 in the playoffs.
Although, Chase Utley is hitting .303 in these playoffs, he has only knocked in two runs and has had his defense called into question, specifically his erratic arm.
Closer Brad Lidge has also regained his form in the postseason. After blowing a league-high 11 saves during the season, including two to the Yankees, he has saved all three of his opportunities and has yet to allow a run in five games this postseason.
These teams have a limited history against one another, but did square off once in the World Series back in 1950 when the Yankees swept the series in four games from the Whiz Kids of Philadelphia.
The Phillies also took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season at Yankee Stadium. Philadelphia won the opener, before New York rallied off of Lidge in the second contest. The Yankees got to Lidge again in the finale, but Philly managed to pick up an extra inning win in that one to capture the series.
These teams are about as evenly matched as you are going to find. Their lineups are both stacked. The pitching staffs are on par with one other. If there is an advantage it is in the bullpen where the Yankees have the edge. Although, if Hughes pitches the way he has in these playoffs and Lidge continues to look like the pitcher he was a year ago, the edge is oh-so slight. Add in Joe Girardi's mishandling of his pen in the Angels' series and it may be even slighter.
As fundamentally sound as the Twins and Angels were supposed to be, they both made a lot of stupid mistakes. Was it the New York factor? Who knows? But I know this Philadelphia won't be intimidated. The Phillies are champions and had 17 of 25 players from last year's World Series roster on this year's National League Championship Series team. The WS roster could feature 18 players from last year's team if Brett Myers is added, as expected.
My gut, though, tells me to pick the Yankees. As good as the Phillies lineup is, the Yankees are better. Manuel throwing Martinez in Game 2 scares me from a Philly perspective, as does Lee going on short rest - something he has never done in his big league career. Then again if the Yankees have to start Chad Gaudin they could be in some trouble. Outside of A-Rod and Jeter, the Yankees really haven't hit in this postseason, but seemed to start to break out of the slumber towards the end of the Angels series.
Rodriguez won't hit like he did in the two previous rounds, but I expect Teixeira to pick up his slack.
I like the Yankees to win the first two games in the Bronx, then steal a game in Philly, setting the stage for a return to Yankee Stadium with a 3-2 edge. At that point it would be tough to see the Phillies taking two straight to win the series.
Prediction: YANKEES in SIX
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