Spring Break
America's pastime won't take a back seat to anything, even football
By: Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 8/24/07 at 2:40 AM EST
Last update: 8/24/07 at 2:39 AM EST
Originally published: 8/24/07 at 2:40 AM EST
Last update: 8/24/07 at 2:39 AM EST
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Despite going to the Eagles-Panthers preseason game last Friday to get a taste of football, I must admit I still have pennant fever. As the last month of the season approaches, the playoff race is as tight as ever. The 2007 season has been full of controversy and milestones from steroid allegations to Barry Bonds' recent homerun record.
Only eight spots are available for the teams that want to be a part of the playoffs in October. My beloved Yankees may miss the playoffs for the first time, well, since I can remember. And for the Phillies, every game matters.
The Phillies seem to be playing the same brand of baseball they do every year. Slow start, strong finish, only to eventually come up short.
However, I think we should all give Charlie Manuel and this Phillies team credit. Whether or not one questions his often erratic in-game strategy, Manuel has had to handle a plethora of injuries. Stars have gone down, but unlikely team members have overachieved in their absence.
Early on it was 10 million dollar man Freddy Garcia (1-5 5.90), and most recently eight million dollar man Adam Eaton (9-8 6.36). In between ex-closer Tom Gordon, NL Most Valuable Player Ryan Howard (33 homers), hybrid reliever Brett Myers (12 saves), speedsters Shane Victorino (32 SB) and Michael Bourn (18 SB), and MVP candidate Chase Utley (.336/17/82) all missed significant time due to stints on the disabled list.
Considering the number of injured players, one has to give credit to the young starters, rookie Kyle Kendrick and nomad J.D. Durbin, owner of a 94.50 E.R.A prior to joining the Phillies. They've been nothing short of sensational combining for 11 victories.
Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand should also get their due. Rollins is among the league leaders in extra base hits and Burrell has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, raising his average almost 65 points over the past two months. Rowand has stabilized the fifth spot in the order, and is enjoying a career season (.309/21/70) in his contract year.
Only eight spots are available for the teams that want to be a part of the playoffs in October. My beloved Yankees may miss the playoffs for the first time, well, since I can remember. And for the Phillies, every game matters.
The Phillies seem to be playing the same brand of baseball they do every year. Slow start, strong finish, only to eventually come up short.
However, I think we should all give Charlie Manuel and this Phillies team credit. Whether or not one questions his often erratic in-game strategy, Manuel has had to handle a plethora of injuries. Stars have gone down, but unlikely team members have overachieved in their absence.
Early on it was 10 million dollar man Freddy Garcia (1-5 5.90), and most recently eight million dollar man Adam Eaton (9-8 6.36). In between ex-closer Tom Gordon, NL Most Valuable Player Ryan Howard (33 homers), hybrid reliever Brett Myers (12 saves), speedsters Shane Victorino (32 SB) and Michael Bourn (18 SB), and MVP candidate Chase Utley (.336/17/82) all missed significant time due to stints on the disabled list.
Considering the number of injured players, one has to give credit to the young starters, rookie Kyle Kendrick and nomad J.D. Durbin, owner of a 94.50 E.R.A prior to joining the Phillies. They've been nothing short of sensational combining for 11 victories.
Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand should also get their due. Rollins is among the league leaders in extra base hits and Burrell has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, raising his average almost 65 points over the past two months. Rowand has stabilized the fifth spot in the order, and is enjoying a career season (.309/21/70) in his contract year.
