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Phillies Profile – Jonathan Papelbon

In Philadelphia Phillies on April 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm

Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 26 we preview, Jonathan Papelbon. We were saving Papelbon for our last profile as “The Closer”. Unfortunately, injuries to Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Michael Martinez, Michael Stutes and Jose Contreras have created some roster chaos that’s going down to the last day. Papelbon becomes our 24th player profile instead of 25th.

Jonathan Papelbon – The Phillies went “all in” on signing the 31 year old former Boston Red Sox closer to a 4 year – $50 million contract with a vesting year that will carry through the 2016 season. Papelbon is scheduled to make $11,000,058 in 2012. Yes, that’s 058 to match his jersey number.

Papelbon is a former 4th round draft choice of the Red Sox out of Mississippi State University in the 2003 amateur draft. In 2005, he had his major league debut. In 2006, he became the closer for the Red Sox. In the 6 seasons since taking over the role he has had some amazing seasons. In 2006, he finished 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting after posting a 4-2 record with a 0.92 ERA and 35 saves. He walked 13 while striking out 75. He made his first of four all star teams.

He followed up his 2006 season with just as good of a season in 2007. He finished the season with a 1-3, 1.85 ERA and 37 saves. Again his walks to strikeouts were amazing. He walked 15 and struck out 84. His playoff numbers were unbelievable. In the combined three series, he pitched 10.2 innings, gave up 5 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts, 1 win, 4 saves and ERA of 0.00 and a World Championship.

For an encore, in 2008, Papelbon increased his saves to his career high of 41 while posting a 5-4 record with a 2.34 ERA. 2008 saw another 35 saves as he lowered his ERA back down to 1.85. He continued his fine work in 2010 and 2011 recording 37 and 31 more saves for the Sox.

All told his career numbers after 6 ½ seasons in Boston are 23 wins, 19 loses, 2.33 ERA with 219 Saves. Since becoming a regular his career low in appearances is 59 and in saves 31. He has been a workhorse!

Personal Analysis:

The Phillies thought enough of Papelbon to not only sign him to a long term, big money contract but also to not resign Ryan Madson, their closer, that had done a nice job for Phils. It was pay Madson or pay Papelbon and the Phils chose Papelbon. His numbers slipped slightly last season, by his standards, he only had 31 saves and a 2.94 ERA while getting caught in the meltdown that was the Boston Red Sox locker room. A fresh start will be great for Papelbon and great for the Phillies. This guy will be huge! We’re looking for his normal 60-65 games pitched and 40+ saves. He has put up fantastic numbers in Boston but has never pitched behind a rotation like the Phillies have. He’ll have many more chances to save games for The Fightins as he ever had in the past with the Red Sox. Just get the lead to the 9th inning and Papelbon will take care of business!

Tomorrow we will preview The NL East or the last roster spot.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls. Day 22, Freddy Galvis. Day 23, David Herndon. Day 24, Juan Pierre. Day 25, Laynce Nix.

Feel free to click the FOLLOW button on the bottom right of this page, input your email address and receive your Philly Pressbox posts directly in your email.

We would like to thank our sponsor for their support. Please check out the new trends for Spring Phillies baseball gear. http://www.shop.com/ul!52667!Spring+baseball-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795 Also, check out the All Sports Philadelphia Team Jerseys on the following link. http://www.shop.com/ul!52674!Philly+Jersey:s-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795. Lastly, click on the business card below to see all of their items.

 

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The Word of the Day – HOPE – Forester

In The Word of the Day on April 3, 2012 at 7:50 am

HOPE

“Hope is always available to us. When we feel defeated, we need only take a deep breath and say, “Yes,” and hope will reappear”


Monroe Forester

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Phillies Profile – Laynce Nix

In Philadelphia Phillies on April 2, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 25 we preview, Laynce Nix.

Laynce Nix – The 31 year old lefthanded hitting Nix was signed in the off season to provide both outfield depth and a lefthanded bat off the bench. Nix is another journeyman player that the Phillies feel can come in and produce. Nix has never really been a full time starter at the major league level. In his 9 seasons of experience he has only appeared in 100+ games 3 times. Nix is a former 4th round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his big league debut in July of 2003 at the age of 22. He played for the Rangers from 2003 – 2006 before being traded in mid-season to the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in only 30 games for the Brewers from mid 2006 through the end of 2008 at which time he was granted his free agency. Laynce moved on to Cincinnati for 2 seasons before landing with the Washington Nationals in 2011.

Nix is a career .244 hitter with 64 home runs and 226 runs batted in over 1673 at bats. He has posted 14 or more home runs in a season 3 times in his limited duty.

One of the big battles going in to Spring Training was between non-roster players Juan Pierre and Scott Podsednik for a reserve outfield position. Pierre won that battle, although both had outstanding springs. Keeping both of them doesn’t seem like much of an option since they are very similar. Nix, on the other hand has seemed to be under the radar.  He has hit only .208 this spring with 0 home runs and 4 rbi’s. At this point, the Phils have Jim Thome, Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider as lefthanded bats on the bench. There is still a chance that Podsednik could make the team and Nix not make it. Pods is also a lefthanded hitter.

Personal Analysis:

We’re not really excited about this situation. We feel that the lefthanded power hitting side of the bench is covered by Thome. Nix’ history does not indicate that he brings a lot more to the table than that. He’s been known to strikeout a good bit, provide an occasional long ball and hit for a low average. We don’t expect much here. Honestly, the roster spot can be upgraded with Podsednik, a waiver wire pickup or possibly carrying another pitcher. This will depend on the final infield roster spot and Chase Utley’s health.

Tomorrow we will preview Jonathan Papelbon.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls. Day 22, Freddy Galvis. Day 23, David Herndon. Day 24, Juan Pierre.

Feel free to click the FOLLOW button on the bottom right of this page, input your email address and receive your Philly Pressbox posts directly in your email.

We would like to thank our sponsor for their support. Please check out the new trends for Spring Phillies baseball gear. http://www.shop.com/ul!52667!Spring+baseball-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795 Also, check out the All Sports Philadelphia Team Jerseys on the following link. http://www.shop.com/ul!52674!Philly+Jersey:s-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795. Lastly, click on the business card below to see all of their items.

 

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The Word of the Day – INTUITION – Caddy

In The Word of the Day on April 2, 2012 at 3:24 pm

INTUITION

“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds. It will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be Revelation”

Eileen Caddy

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Phillies Profile – Juan Pierre

In Philadelphia Phillies on April 1, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 24 we preview, Juan Pierre.

Juan Pierre – The 34 year old Pierre was signed during the off season as a free agent after being released by the Chicago White Sox. Pierre has been a full time outfielder and leadoff hitter his entire career. In his 12 major league seasons Pierre has tallied more than 600 at bats 8 times, most recently in 2010 and 2011. He has also posted 200+ hits in a season 3 times. He led the league in hits 2 of those seasons. Juan has also led the league in triples once and stolen bases 3 times. All while posting a career .296 batting average over 1752 games. From 2003 – 2007 Pierre played in all 162 games in each of those seasons.  Back to stolen bases, Juan has 554 in his career. He has stolen over 60 in a season 3 times, 50 or more in 2 other seasons and 40 or more in 4 other seasons. Obviously, Pierre has been a terror on the base paths! To put Pierre’s base running accomplishments in perspective, Jimmy Rollins has stolen 373 in bases in his career.

 Pierre is a former 13th round draft choice of the Colorado Rockies in the 1998 amateur draft. He debuted in the big leagues in August of 2000 at the age of 22. He played for 3 seasons in Colorado, 3 seasons in Florida, which were his best, 1 season with the Cubs, 3 seasons with the Dodgers and 2 with the White Sox before joining the Phillies.

Pierre was in a Spring Training battle with another non-roster invitee Scott Podsednik. Both had outstanding camps, however, for now Pierre is in and Podsednik is out. Pods could make the club on the final cut down but it doesn’t appear that way right now.

Personal Analysis:

We’re really excited that the Phils have acquired Pierre and that he has made the team. Pierre can be a full time player, if necessary. He can start in the outfield if John Mayberry moves to 1st base, needs a rest or doesn’t produce. He can hit at the top of the lineup, get on base and steal bases. Frankly, he’s a better leadoff hitter than Jimmy Rollins in regards to being a pure leadoff man. He gives Manager Charlie Manuel a lot of options in the outfield and flexibility in his lineup especially being a left handed hitter. We look for Pierre to hit .290 and steal 20-25 bases depending on how many at bats he gets. Obviously, the return and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will determine how the lineup sets up; however, we look for Pierre to get a lot of work. If he can continue to produce as he has in the last two seasons, .275, 179 hits and 68 stolen bases in 2010 and .279, 175 hits and 27 stolen bases in 2011, he will be a big boost for the Phils. If Pierre has a weakness in his running game, he has led the league in being caught stealing 7 times as well. With the base running comes the risk of getting thrown out. The coaching staff will have to pick and choose good times for Pierre to swipe a base to cut down on the times he is caught.

Tomorrow we will preview Laynce Nix.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls. Day 22, Freddy Galvis. Day 23, David Herndon.

Feel free to click the FOLLOW button on the bottom right of this page, input your email address and receive your Philly Pressbox posts directly in your email.

We would like to thank our sponsor for their support. Please check out the new trends for Spring Phillies baseball gear. http://www.shop.com/ul!52667!Spring+baseball-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795 Also, check out the All Sports Philadelphia Team Jerseys on the following link. http://www.shop.com/ul!52674!Philly+Jersey:s-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795. Lastly, click on the business card below to see all of their items.

 

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Riddle Me the Flyers & 76ers??

In Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Flyers on April 1, 2012 at 10:38 am

Riddle me this Philadelphia sports fans. Who are these Flyers and 76ers teams that we’re following, hopefully to the playoffs?

Let’s start with the Flyers. Last week in our review we stated that the Flyers had a somewhat light week with only three games, two of them at the Wells Fargo Center against Tampa Bay, and Ottawa with a trip to Toronto sandwiched in between. We stated that the Flyers needed at least 5 points, if not 6, for the week. Tampa and Toronto are likely out of the playoffs, so they needed to win those games. One, if not two points against Ottawa, would make a good week. Instead, the Flyers forgot that there was a game against the Lightning and stunk the place up, losing 5-3. They moved on to Toronto and took care of their business by winning 7-1. They closed out the week by losing another shootout to Ottawa, 4-3. That’s 3 of the possible 6 points for the week. The Flyers hold the 5th spot at this point with 99 total points. In the meantime, the 1st place Rangers won all three of their games. They now have 50 wins and 107 total points. The Penguins went 2-2, losing both games to the Islanders. The Pens are presently in the 4th spot with 102 points. There’s now just one week left in the regular season with each of the three teams having 4 games remaining. For the Flyers and Pens they control their own destiny. They play each of other twice this week, both times in Pittsburgh. The first game is this afternoon, Tuesday the Flyers host the New York Rangers, Thursday they host the Buffalo Sabers and close out the regular season next Saturday in Pittsburgh.  The Flyers must also be aware of the New Jersey Devils that are sitting just 3 points behind them. The Devils have 3 games remaining.

A big question mark for the Flyers will be the goaltending situation. The red hot Ilya Bryzgalov is fighting off a chipped bone in his foot. Sergei Bobrovsky has been getting the work. The Flyers need Bryz back at full strength heading in to the playoffs. If the playoffs were to start today it would look like this, #1 Rangers hosting #8 Washington, #2 Boston hosting #7 Ottawa, #3 Florida hosting #6 New Jersey and #4 Pittsburgh hosting #5 Flyers. As we’ve previously stated, being the road team against Sidney Crosby, he’s on fire with 3 – 4 point games since his return, and the Penguins isn’t the best match up for the Flyers.

The 76ers continue to mystify. They finished the week 2-2. We felt that they needed to finish the week 3-1. We didn’t expect them to beat San Antonio on the road but we did expect them to compete. They didn’t, losing 93-76. They beat Cleveland as expected but then laid their biggest egg of the season by getting blown out by the Washington Wizards, 97-76. The 76ers were never in the game and never showed they were interested. This was a game the 76ers had to win! The Wizards now have 12 wins on the season. That’s right, they are 12-39. How can you get blown out of that game?  With that lose the 76ers fell from 1st place, 4th seed overall to 2nd place and the 7th seed overall. If the season were to end today they would be in a first round matchup against the Miami Heat. That is not where they want to be.  

The 76ers have watched their Atlantic Division lead dwindle over the last month and now find themselves .5 games behind Boston and 2.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks. There are 14 games remaining in the regular season.

This week doesn’t get any easier except that there are only three games rather than four. They visit the Heat on Tuesday, host Toronto on Wednesday and host Orlando on Saturday. Reality says they will win only one of the three games. If they could manage to beat Orlando that would be a boost. They won’t beat Miami. In the meantime, the Celtics have an extremely difficult week. They host Miami and San Antonio before hitting the road for games at Chicago and Indiana. They could actually lose all four games. Looking ahead slightly, the 76ers and the Celtics play next Sunday.

As we stated last week the 76ers seem to be a team looking for a leader. Each night someone else picks up the slack but they’ve shown inconsistency night after night. Apparently, Coach Doug Collins agrees but isn’t planning on much change at this point in the season, “I don’t know what I could do, really,” he said before the meeting against the Hawks. “I think we’re still adjusting to the change I made before [by inserting Evan Turner into the starting lineup].

“We’re now in a position, hopefully, where we can start getting a little rhythm in what we’re doing. I wouldn’t want to make any other change right now.”

Coach, I hope holding steady is enough to win the Atlantic and get back to the #4 seed and a matchup with Indiana or Atlanta in the 1st round of the playoffs. Playing Miami will bring the season to a quick end.

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