But this isn't a political blog. I don't care where they buried the body and I don't need to see DNA evidence. What I do need to see is RAUL IBANEZ HIT A FREAKING BASEBALL!?!?
His current 0-34 streak puts Raul just two away from the title of "All-Time Phillies Slump Master." The Phillies have lost more games than any other professional franchise for a reason. Consider for a second some of the all time bums and slump artists that have come through this town. Pat Burrell seemingly went for half seasons without getting a base hit, yet he doesn't even appear on the top 5 of this list. Danny Murtaugh (36), Len Matuszek (36), Desi Relaford (36), Denny Doyle (35), and Joe Morgan (35) are your leaders in the clubhouse. I don't think any of them would have let Chris Young's 85MPH fastball blow them away with such ease.
The major league record for 0'Fors is 46 ABs and I suspect that Ibanez will disappoint us with that record too by falling somewhere in the 42-45 game streak before he finally legs out an infield single on a ball that probably could have been called an error if the scorers didn't feel sympathy for Raul. The real fact of the matter is that Raul Ibanez, despite his best efforts, isn't a capable major league player anymore. We paid a lot of money for two half seasons of great play, but it's time to call a spade a spade here and cut your losses. Domonic Brown has officially been recalled from the DL and optioned to AAA so you have to assume that he'll be back with the Phillies within a few weeks. I've reached the point where I'm ready to give him the Old Yeller treatment behind grandpa's shed. I expect this kind of performance from Wilson Valdez! It's off to the glue factory for you, Ibanez!
Not so fast, Kyle Kendrick. Don't think you can just sneak away without any blame too! The Phillies have 9 losses and two of them are on your shoulders. You can point to your 2.08 ERA and your career low in WHIP all you want, but you're striking out absolutely no one and you can't get the job done in anything other than mop up duty. 3 innings against the last place Mets at home? is that really too much to ask for?
The rest of the bats didn't exactly hold up their end of the bargain either. I full expected a Placido Polanco double to the gap or a Ben Francisco moon shot would be the end of the night, but it wasn't to be. Still, with a NL Best 18 wins, a few injured guys with promising news, Blanton finally out of the rotation, and a pitching staff that is hitting their stride, things are still looking good. Forgive me if I've come to expect perfection!
I know EXACTLY how you feel. Raul Ibanez came on like wildfire in his first three months with the Phillies and then that fire fizzled out. Now, he's 39 years old and has stunk for three years. I cringe at the cheers of "RAUUUUUL", as though the fans have no memory. Unfortunatley, trading him will be tough. Who the hell wants a 39 year old outfielder that can't hit? I think it's time to cut our losses and regularly start a young John Mayberry, who has his whole career ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteI realize the Phillies can't win every game, but the ones they lose when they had many chances to win are the most frustrating. I think I'd rather see them get blown out than blow opportunities.
I agree. If I'm going to watch someone flail at the ball with little chance of hitting it, I'd rather it be someone young than someone old.
ReplyDeleteIt's especially tough to complain about last night's game because the Mets blew more opportunities than the Phillies did. But without complaining, the internet would collapse in on itself so I had to write something!