GaryMrMets
06-02-2004, 03:21 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/8813778.htm
Posted on Wed, Jun. 02, 2004
Phillies Notes | Phils lagging in all-star vote
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
In a year of important decisions - there's that whole Bush vs. Kerry thing in November - Philadelphians haven't shown much of an inclination to stuff ballot boxes.
The Phillies are almost a complete no-show in the early voting for the 2004 All-Star Game in Houston. Jim Thome, who tied for the major-league lead in home runs last season, is fourth among National League first basemen with 176,487 votes. He ranks behind St. Louis' Albert Pujols (449,708), Houston's Jeff Bagwell (442,247) and Chicago's Derrek Lee (197,058).
But Thome is the only Phillies player ranked near the top of his position, despite the Phillies' ranking second in average attendance in the NL with 40,138 fans per game. Los Angeles is first with 41,546.
Of course, fans couldn't start to vote at Citizens Bank Park until May 1. Houston fans, for example, began to vote at Minute Maid Park on April 21. Astros fans have had 20 games to vote. Phillies fans have had 15.
That said, fans can vote up to 25 times online at mlb.com and at Wal-Mart stores.
Phillies leftfielder Pat Burrell (.313, 10 homers, 42 RBIs) has put up all-star worthy numbers, although realistically it's near impossible to crack into the top three in the outfield. Burrell ranks behind outfielders like Houston's Richard Hidalgo (.269, 4, 28) and Chicago's Corey Patterson (.262, 6, 21).
Fans can vote through June 30.
Lieberthal's struggles. Phillies manager Larry Bowa decided to rest struggling Mike Lieberthal last night.
The catcher is hitting .224 this season with five home runs and 18 RBIs.
"I've been concerned from the first week of the season," Lieberthal said.
Does he become more concerned when a slump drags into June?
"I've been panicking from the first week of the season," he said half-kiddingly.
But Lieberthal at least has identified the problem.
"I'm trying to correct pulling off [the ball]," he said. "But you try to correct something, and something else negative happens... .
"It's similar [to Burrell's problems last season]. He was pulling off."
Fans rewarded.The Phillies announced that fans with tickets to Monday's game - which included two rain delays worth 3 hours, 40 minutes - can redeem those tickets for a future Mets game - either tomorrow or during the July 5-8 series. Exchanges can be made at the ballpark's ticket windows or by mail: Phillies Tickets, Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia 19148.
Extra bases. Second baseman Placido Polanco, on the disabled list since May 8 with a strained left quadriceps, could begin a rehab assignment with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend... . Bowa gave centerfielder Marlon Byrd, just 2 for his last 31, the night off and said he wouldn't play tonight, either. Doug Glanville played in his place.
Posted on Wed, Jun. 02, 2004
Phillies Notes | Phils lagging in all-star vote
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
In a year of important decisions - there's that whole Bush vs. Kerry thing in November - Philadelphians haven't shown much of an inclination to stuff ballot boxes.
The Phillies are almost a complete no-show in the early voting for the 2004 All-Star Game in Houston. Jim Thome, who tied for the major-league lead in home runs last season, is fourth among National League first basemen with 176,487 votes. He ranks behind St. Louis' Albert Pujols (449,708), Houston's Jeff Bagwell (442,247) and Chicago's Derrek Lee (197,058).
But Thome is the only Phillies player ranked near the top of his position, despite the Phillies' ranking second in average attendance in the NL with 40,138 fans per game. Los Angeles is first with 41,546.
Of course, fans couldn't start to vote at Citizens Bank Park until May 1. Houston fans, for example, began to vote at Minute Maid Park on April 21. Astros fans have had 20 games to vote. Phillies fans have had 15.
That said, fans can vote up to 25 times online at mlb.com and at Wal-Mart stores.
Phillies leftfielder Pat Burrell (.313, 10 homers, 42 RBIs) has put up all-star worthy numbers, although realistically it's near impossible to crack into the top three in the outfield. Burrell ranks behind outfielders like Houston's Richard Hidalgo (.269, 4, 28) and Chicago's Corey Patterson (.262, 6, 21).
Fans can vote through June 30.
Lieberthal's struggles. Phillies manager Larry Bowa decided to rest struggling Mike Lieberthal last night.
The catcher is hitting .224 this season with five home runs and 18 RBIs.
"I've been concerned from the first week of the season," Lieberthal said.
Does he become more concerned when a slump drags into June?
"I've been panicking from the first week of the season," he said half-kiddingly.
But Lieberthal at least has identified the problem.
"I'm trying to correct pulling off [the ball]," he said. "But you try to correct something, and something else negative happens... .
"It's similar [to Burrell's problems last season]. He was pulling off."
Fans rewarded.The Phillies announced that fans with tickets to Monday's game - which included two rain delays worth 3 hours, 40 minutes - can redeem those tickets for a future Mets game - either tomorrow or during the July 5-8 series. Exchanges can be made at the ballpark's ticket windows or by mail: Phillies Tickets, Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia 19148.
Extra bases. Second baseman Placido Polanco, on the disabled list since May 8 with a strained left quadriceps, could begin a rehab assignment with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this weekend... . Bowa gave centerfielder Marlon Byrd, just 2 for his last 31, the night off and said he wouldn't play tonight, either. Doug Glanville played in his place.