A Phillies blog companion for the existential process we call life, and a safe haven for sanity. The hopes are high. Just try to be nice, it’s not that hard.
Shoutout Kody Clemens.
Came off the bench and worked an 11 pitch at bat in the 7th that resulted in a RBI.
Then, a seven pitch double in the 9th.
Tremendous work.
Dear MLB,
We need to talk. Just kidding your format is fine and the Braves and their fans are a bunch of whiny frauds. Bryce Harper & Nick Castellanos are too good.
Sincerely,
A Phan.
162 games - the first Phillie to do so since 2007.
4 walk off hits - the most in the sport.
.815 ops since June 1st.
Let’s keep it rolling, just like last October.
Bryce Harper did not have a Spring Training. He did not go to a rehab assignment. He took live ABs against Jeff Hoffman and Ranger Suarez as he ramped up. 160 days after Tommy John surgery he returned.
He’s been back for eight games:
.344/.417/.500, HR, 3 RBI, 9K/4BB.
Spring Training 2022 - he was beginning what he planned to be his final season.
Two and a half years later - he’s the manager of a division champion team - the first for the organization in over a decade.
Topper.
I remember the treacherous years of the rebuild where guys flamed out and excitement lacked. Crawford, Franco, and draft picks were flaming out and there seemed to be no hope pre-Bryce.
Rhys changed that. He was the first sign of the future and was a major part of the turnaround
Bryce Harper is 11 wins away from forever.
My long feature on the star who loves October, Philadelphia and everything about both, free and unlocked at ESPN:
Bryce Harper’s season slash line:
.259/.372/.511, .883 OPS, 35 HR, 114 RBI, 3.8 WAR
Manny Machado’s season slash line:
.254/.333/.460, .793 OPS, 32 HR, 85 RBI, 3.0 WAR
I think we made the right choice...
The difference between this Phillies team and a lot of other orgs and teams from years back - they’re so freaking likable.
They say the right things, they do the right things, and they seem like good humans.
Went to dinner tonight at our fav restaurant in Clearwater, randomly the Phillies team were eating in the other room. Schwarber saw my older son had his jersey on, came in and took a picture with them . Love these guys so much. 🥰⚾️
@kschwarb12
Seeing Marsh, Stott, and Bohm play good baseball and hit incredibly well still feels very weird. The last ten years of not seeing a Phillies prospect play to potential really made me forget what it’s like to have home grown offensive talent succeed.
MICHAEL LORENZEN NO HITTER!!!!!
First start in Philadelphia, that is how you attain legend status instantly.
9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
123 Pitches
Watching the Phillies with my girlfriend:
“That guy is good, every time we watch he does something, I remember it’s him because his hair is always wet”
sports will NEVER be as important as music or any other art. everyone can run and kick balls. a FEW can write and produce songs. being creative and expressing yourselves is something no football player can do successfully and win awards for that
Takeaways from the postseason so far:
-Wheeler, Nola, & Ranger are a legitimate three headed monster
-I don’t care if Johan Rojas ever gets a hit, his glove is elite
-This offense won’t be held down by any single pitcher
It’s not like the Phillies have glaring holes they can throw money at. They’ve already thrown money at it, the money is just a combined 2/18 with 7K’s.
Schwarber, Harper, Turner, Casty, & JT. Absolutely embarrassing.
I love Jean Segura and always will. However, there can be an obvious upgrade by shifting Stott to 2B and bringing in a FA SS. Also, Jean deserves a multi-year deal from someone, and I’m not sure it makes sense for the Phils to hand that out to him.
In 2022, Brandon Marsh played 93 games with LA and 41 with the Phils.
Since joining the Phillies, his K% dropped nearly 7%, his average raised from .226 to .288, obp from .284 to .319, and wRC+ from 79 to 114.
I am very excited to see his progression in 2023.
The 2023 Phillies Bullpen is looking quite GOOD
Gregory Soto
Seranthony Dominguez
Craig Kimbrel
Jose Alvarado
Matt Strahm
Connor Brogdon
Andrew Bellatti
An avenue the Phillies could take while Bryce is out, that not many people are mentioning - Garrett Stubbs catches a lot more April-June. JT caught the most innings in 2022 by over 100 innings. DH him a bunch early in the season to keep him fresh the second half.