GaryMrMets
07-01-2004, 03:29 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s070104d.htm
Phillies won't have starter in All-Star Game
Thursday, July 1, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
Online balloting for the All-Star Game starting lineups ended Wednesday night and based on the most recently released tabulations, there will be no Phillies on the field for the National League squad.
There will be at least one Phillie on the team, because the rules call for each team to be represented. The obvious choice is first baseman Jim Thome, who entered Wednesday as the far-and-away major-league leader in home runs with 26.
Thome hit No. 27 in the fifth inning Wednesday.
But at least two other NL first baseman, Cincinnati's Sean Casey and Milwaukee's Lyle Overbay, are putting up All-Star caliber numbers. Barring a sudden shift in the voting, St. Louis' Albert Pujols will be the starting first baseman.
And given the fact that Thome has been snubbed for each of the past four All-Star Games, despite hitting a total of 185 home runs in that span, well, nothing seems certain.
"I don't think anything's a given now," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "Nothing's fair because somebody's always going to get left off. Something's always going to get messed up."
The only other apparent Phillies candidate is left-hander Eric Milton, one of six major-league pitchers who currently has 10 victories. But Milton's 4.68 ERA might be too high to warrant an All-Star selection.
The All-Star rosters will be announced on Sunday evening.
Long recovery begins: When veteran reliever Roberto Hernandez threw a scoreless ninth inning in the Phillies' runaway victory over Montreal Tuesday, he considered it a small victory. It allowed him to end June on a high note after struggling through the month with a 5.73 ERA and losing his job as a key middle reliever.
Hernandez said he has more control over his pitches after pitching coach Joe Kerrigan simplified his deliver. He now sets his hand at the belt instead of higher up on his body.
"It was just one minor adjustment and it made all the difference," Hernandez said. "(Kerrigan's) one of the best I've ever dealt with as far as picking up the one thing that you do wrong. Now I'm more confident that wherever (the catcher) puts the glove, I'm going to hit it."
Phillies fodder: Left fielder Pat Burrell sat out Wednesday's game with a mild groin muscle strain suffered on Tuesday. . . . Marlon Byrd went 4-for-5 with a triple Tuesday in his most encouraging performance since being demoted to Triple-A Scranton on June 20.
"Up until (Tuesday) night, it would be, bad at-bat, good at-bat," Bowa said. "(Tuesday) night he got a few hits. According to the report, it's the best he's swung since he's been down there." . . . The Phillies and Chicago White Sox will make up their June 10 rainout Monday, Aug. 30, at U.S. Cellular Field.
The game will begin at 2:05 p.m.
Phillies won't have starter in All-Star Game
Thursday, July 1, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
Online balloting for the All-Star Game starting lineups ended Wednesday night and based on the most recently released tabulations, there will be no Phillies on the field for the National League squad.
There will be at least one Phillie on the team, because the rules call for each team to be represented. The obvious choice is first baseman Jim Thome, who entered Wednesday as the far-and-away major-league leader in home runs with 26.
Thome hit No. 27 in the fifth inning Wednesday.
But at least two other NL first baseman, Cincinnati's Sean Casey and Milwaukee's Lyle Overbay, are putting up All-Star caliber numbers. Barring a sudden shift in the voting, St. Louis' Albert Pujols will be the starting first baseman.
And given the fact that Thome has been snubbed for each of the past four All-Star Games, despite hitting a total of 185 home runs in that span, well, nothing seems certain.
"I don't think anything's a given now," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "Nothing's fair because somebody's always going to get left off. Something's always going to get messed up."
The only other apparent Phillies candidate is left-hander Eric Milton, one of six major-league pitchers who currently has 10 victories. But Milton's 4.68 ERA might be too high to warrant an All-Star selection.
The All-Star rosters will be announced on Sunday evening.
Long recovery begins: When veteran reliever Roberto Hernandez threw a scoreless ninth inning in the Phillies' runaway victory over Montreal Tuesday, he considered it a small victory. It allowed him to end June on a high note after struggling through the month with a 5.73 ERA and losing his job as a key middle reliever.
Hernandez said he has more control over his pitches after pitching coach Joe Kerrigan simplified his deliver. He now sets his hand at the belt instead of higher up on his body.
"It was just one minor adjustment and it made all the difference," Hernandez said. "(Kerrigan's) one of the best I've ever dealt with as far as picking up the one thing that you do wrong. Now I'm more confident that wherever (the catcher) puts the glove, I'm going to hit it."
Phillies fodder: Left fielder Pat Burrell sat out Wednesday's game with a mild groin muscle strain suffered on Tuesday. . . . Marlon Byrd went 4-for-5 with a triple Tuesday in his most encouraging performance since being demoted to Triple-A Scranton on June 20.
"Up until (Tuesday) night, it would be, bad at-bat, good at-bat," Bowa said. "(Tuesday) night he got a few hits. According to the report, it's the best he's swung since he's been down there." . . . The Phillies and Chicago White Sox will make up their June 10 rainout Monday, Aug. 30, at U.S. Cellular Field.
The game will begin at 2:05 p.m.