A loaded edition of Philly Sports Corner today...
* Rhys Hoskins is Superman. He has a short, lightning-quick swing that reminds me of Mike Schmidt. He has now hit 17 home runs faster then any other player in major league history. Ever.
He has a total of 46 homers this season. combining Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley. I'm not going to bitch why Hoskins wasn't brought up sooner than August 10. it does no good now to lament how GM Matt Klentak and his coaches and scouts have no clue about talent evaluation, or that writer Marcus Hayes of the Daily News thought Hoskins should "shimmer" in Lehigh Valley all year. Anger and bitterness are wasted emotions. Just enjoy Hoskins now that he is here.
The Phillies are just starting to ramp up their marketing campaign, which should be centered around Rhys. They need to make a big banner for him to adorn the concourse at Citizens Bank park ( there is none yet). They need to put his picture on the line-up cards outside the ballpark ( there is none yet> They need to put him on the front of their 2018 calendars, yearbooks, programs and anything else they can slap his face on.
The Phillies are pretty good at marketing,s o by next season, Hoskins will be all over the place.
People say , "Oh he can't keep up this pace. Pitchers will figure him out. It's only a matter of time.."
Maybe. or maybe the kid is really great, the next Mike Trout and will adjust when he has to and will continue to destroy National league pitching.
17...Hoskins' number..the number of home runs he has hit so far since he was called up no August 10...and the number of Phillies' games left this season. Now they only need to win seven more games to avoid losing an embarrassing 100 in 2017. With Hoskins, and Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and others who have stepped up their game, I would be surprised if the Phils lost 100. Hoskins has changed the offense. He has brought hope, interest, fun, excitement back to Philadelphia's baseball team. He gives the fans a reason to watch. He gives the fans a reason to dream.
With a few starting pitchers is 2018 really another year we can throw away? Realistically, the team needs more help. Scott Kingery will fuel the offense next season as Hoskins and Williams did. Is it too nuts to think the Phils could play .500 ball next summer, and maybe even contend for a wild card?
* Here are 3 realistic moves the Phillies could do in the off-season to improve the club:
The free-agent market looks slim this winter, unless you want to break the bank of Yu Darvish or Jake Arietta, two pitchers with too many innings on their arms already. So, the most likely way to improve this off-season is through trades. Here are 3 trades to consider:
1. Deal Tommy Joseph to San Francisco.
The Giants need a first baseman. They are rebuilding as well, but Joseph is still young. He has 21 homers so far and will probably end up with more than 70 RBIs. Not bad, but Joseph cam only play first base. With a Rhys Hoskins on the roster it's obvious who must go. SF has a decent farm system. The Phils need to always think pitching, and if they can get one of the Giants' young hurlers, SF may take Joseph back ( he started in the Giants' minor league system as a catcher.
2. Trade Cesar Hernandez to Angels
Anaheim needs a second baseman. Trading Hernandez would be a risk but it would also open a spot for Scott Kingery, unless they play Kingery at third and trade Franco.
3. Deal Cameron Rupp to the Dodgers.
LA needs a catcher. Their farm system is deep, rated in the top 5 in baseball. Get one or two of their top young pitchers in return. Play a combo of Alfaro/Knapp in 2018.
Note: Seattle and Tampa Bay need catchers too. They seem to always need catchers. A deal to an American League team would also be a possibility.
* I want the Eagles to win this Sunday so bad. Starting the season 2-0, both road wins, before their home opener next Sunday against the rival Giants, it would give the Birds a cushion for the rest of the year. First place, Beating old coach Andy Reid. The tutor (Doug Pederson) beating the teacher (Reid).
I just don't think it's gonna happen. Here's 3 reasons why:
1. Arrowhead Stadium.
Home of the Chiefs, it's one of the toughest places to play on the road in the NFL. It's loud and the fans are passionate.
2. Andy Reid
Reid is famous for his game-planning when he has time to prepare, He will have 10 days to plan for the Eagles.
3. Kicker
I'm concerned about our kicking situation. When it comes down to a close game in the 4th quarter, will the rookie Jake Elliot ( whom the Birds picked off Cincinnati's practice squad to replace the injured Sturgis)be a hero or choke? It's his first pro game. He was drafted in the 5th round by the Bengals. Until he proves his cool I have to side with normal nerves on Sunday.
The Eagles sure can go into Kansas City and whip the Chiefs, who may be a bit full of themselves after upsetting the Patriots in New England on opening night. Carson Wentz can have a big day against their secondary, which is without all-pro safety Eric Berry. Jeffery, Ertz and Smith can all have big days, as Pederson gives Reid a taste of his own medicine via the pass.
The pass rush can once again wreck havoc, sacking QB Smith numerous times and causing turnovers. The Eagles can score first and fast, taking the Arrowhead crowd out of the game early.
However, my prediction is: Chiefs 24 Eagles 17.
* Great news that ex-Eagle Jon Dorenbos had a successful surgery on Tuesday for an aortic aneurysm. Philly gave back the 7th round draft pick to New Orleans that they received for Dorenbos.
* The Cleveland Indians won an American League record 21st game in a row yesterday afternoon. The streak is getting media attention, deservedly so, but really, it's a truly remarkable feat. It's hard enough to win 5 or 10 consecutive games, let alone 21. travel, four-game series, injuries, a dominant pitching performance, luck- anything can stop a winning streak.After a mediocre start it has become an Indian Summer, as Cleveland has pulled away in AL Central. They ar eonly a few games away from the overall best record ( and home field advantage in the World Series) which is held by the slumping LA Dodgers.
The Indians play 4 games at home this weekend against the Royals. They are in reach of the all-time record of 26 games in a row, held by the 1916 New York Giants. They could tie and break that record next week when they meet the Angels in California.
* I enjoy going to Citizens Bank Park for ballgames and concerts. It's very accessible, clean and the staff are very friendly and accommodating.
There are a few suggestions I have which could make attending a game at CBP more enjoyable. I emailed the following thoughts to the Phillies...
- Improve the sound system or lower the blaring music. Sometimes you can hardly hear Dan Baker's announcement over the speakers.
- Better home run celebration, The swinging Liberty Bell is pretty lame. Why not have fireworks shooting from the top of the bell?
- Sell visiting caps. Not rooting for the opposition, but give fans the option of buying hats and jerseys of other teams and players. In Connie Mack Stadium when I was a kid, they would have a special stand, selling National league merchandise.
- Paint red P behind home plate. Other teams have their logos on their field- why not the Phillies?
- Spruce up the center field bush area. Our garden section and batter's eye is much nicer than other stadiums, but are fountains or ponds a possibility? I just want something more unique than bushes..
- Bring back Alumni weekends. A few seasons ago the Phils had vets greet fans and sign free autographs on home weekends before games. It was fun to meet ex-players, and share some memories.
- More concerts. After the game as well as the usually greta Billy Joel regular shows at CPB.
-More Dollar Dog Days and other promotions ( other than giveaways). Remember all of the wacky promotions that Bill Giles did at the Vet? From stunts ( like the Flying Wallendas) to gimmicks Cash Frenzy Scramble) to player events ( softball games). Why not have ex-Phils have a Home Run Derby?
- Give schedules away ( Calendars and Fatheads). All thru April give team calendars away, so fans know when the games and who is coming into town for the upcoming summer. The Flyers give their calendar away on Opening Night.
- Sell give-away in store. After promotions, offer bobble heads and more in the Majestic Clubhouse store.
- Schedule doubleheaders on holidays. Probably not in Phillies' control and unpopular with players, holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day always meant doubleheaders.
- Fanatic. He's great but his act is old. Give him a new foil, a villain, someone he can play off of in skits. The Galopolous Gang are lame. The Fanatic is funnier with his mom or a Tommy LaSorda-like partner he can have fun with.
- Autograph booths. Who wouldn't want to meet a local writer or TV/radio personality before every game? Get an autograph and briefly chat. Who wouldn't want to meet local celebrities like Ray Didinger, Howard Eskin or Bobby Rydell? That's how I met Richie Ashburn- not at a Phils game but at a Sixers game in the early 80s. He was sitting at an autograph booth before the game.
I'm waiting for a reply form the Pihllies on the suggestions.
* I got to thinking what have been the 3 worst, heartbreaking losses by Philly sports teams in my life? Defeats that actually made me cry, so bad I couldn't sleep at night. Losses that made me swear off the team- until next season. Here are the 3 I picked:
1. Phillies lose to Dodgers in Game Four of 1977 playoffs . Friday October 7. A truly heart wrenching home loss. The Phils won the division and were cruising to their first World Series since 1950. They were one out away form going away of the rival Dodgers, 2 games to 1, in the playoffs. They had a 5-3 lead when all hell broke loose.
Weird stuff.. Vic Davallio dragging a perfect bunt to get on base; Manager Danny Ozark not making a defensive replacement in left field ( as he had done all season), substituting Jerry Martin for Greg Luzinski. Manny Mota hit a drive to the left field wall, which Luzinski ha din his glve and dropped, to keep the inning alive; First base umpire Bruce Froenming blowing a bang-bang play on a grounder off #B Schmidt, which was barehanded by SS Bowa, who rifled a throw to nab speedy Dodger Davey Lopes.
Or not.
Froenming called Lopes safe. More strange stuff with botched outfield throws, and bad pick-off attempt,and finally Bill Russell shoots a game-winning single up the middle and between reliever Gene Garber's legs.
I was listening on the radio ( the game, believe it or not, wasn't televised). and remember feeling sick when it ended. That day forever became know as Black Friday in Phillies history. The Phils would go on and lose the playoffs the next night in a constant rain, the weather pretty much matching my mood.
2. Eagles lose to Tampa Bay in 2003 NFC Championship game. Another home loss, on Sunday January 19. Tampa Bay had never won a game in their history in cold weather ( under 40 degrees). It was cold in Philly that day. It was the last football game ever played at Veterans Stadium. All of the stars were lined up to give the Birds a victory and their first appearance in the Super Bowl in 23 years.
The Buccaneers , after quickly falling behind 7-0 withing the first few minutes after kick-off, shockingly won the game, 27-10. They used a no-huddle offensive to confuse Jim Johnson and the Eagles defense so they could not blitz or make substitutions. The Tampa defense was much better too. The game seemed too big for Philly, with Jon Gruden out-coaching Andy Reid.
What hurt the most was everything was so expected, so planned. Beating Tampa Bay was a foregone conclusion. Someone forgot to tell the Bucs the plan.The day became known as Black Sunday for Eagles fans.
3. Phillies lose to Cardinals in Game 5 of 2011 playoffs: Yet another home lo ( ironically, also on October 7)ss. The Phillies had won a franchise-record 102 games during the 2011 season, winning their fifth-straight NL East crown, led by the Four Aces staff of Halliday, Lee, Hamels and Oswald.
Tied in the divisional series 2-2, game 5 was at Citizens bank Park with Roy halliday on the mound. St. Louis barely mad eit into the playoffs as a wild card team, making up a 10-game deficit late in the year. But the Cards came into the playoffs as the hot team.
St. Louis scored a firs tinning run, on a Raphael Furcal (who?) lead-off triple and a Skip Schumaker (who?)double. Cards pitcher limited the Phillies to 3 hits all night, the powerful Philly offense suddenly quiet.
The Phillies lost 1-0 that night. To make matters worse, Ryan Howard tore his Achilles on the last play, withering in pain on the ground near the batter's box as St. Louis celebrated their improbable upset series win only feet away.
Howard would miss the season in 2012. The good times were over. The organization started a downfall which would continue to today. The team was never the same again.
Fans were numb with he loss. We excepted to at least make it to the World series in 2011. As it turned out, the Cards made it and won the world championship. It was a loss which proved painful to watch that night, and which would linger for years to come.
*Finally, Saturday November 18 will be a special sports day. Two days after my birthday I'll be seeing both the Flyers-Calgary Flames and Sixers-Golden State Warriors game at the Wells Fargo Center. Tix were expensive but only one parking, don't have to go down to the city twice, a birthday present, hopefully the games still mean something, no snow yet. So, I'll over-dose on a whole day of Pihlly sports. Should be fun.
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