GaryMrMets
07-06-2004, 01:32 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9070513.htm
Posted on Sat, Jul. 03, 2004
Phillies Notes |
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
The all-star starters and reserves will be announced tomorrow, and Phillies rightfielder Bobby Abreu concedes he is anxious.
Despite batting .300 or better in five of his first six full seasons with the Phillies, the 30-year-old Abreu has never been selected to an all-star team.
"It would mean a lot and be very important for me to be selected to the all-star team," Abreu said before last night's game with the Baltimore Orioles. "I think this year I have the numbers to go."
It would be hard to argue that point, although Abreu has never had a high profile away from Philadelphia. That's evident by the fact that he ranks 14th among National League outfielders in the fan voting.
Abreu entered last night first among National League outfielders with 63 runs, third in walks (64), tied for third in batting average (.302), fifth in RBIs (51) and tied for fifth in doubles (20).
In June, Abreu was on base 57 times, which was second in all of baseball to Barry Bonds (71).
"I think Bobby has played well enough to be an all-star," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "There are a lot of good outfielders with numbers out there, but I watch him every day, and he is a complete player."
Abreu said he has put up the type of statistics to warrant serious consideration, but he has braced himself in case he isn't selected to this year's game, which will be July 13 in Houston.
"It will be disappointing if I don't make it, but I will have three days' vacation," he said. "Then I will use the time to prepare in my mind to have a stronger second half."
As for Jim Thome, he said he was feeling fine after giving Bowa and the rest of the team a scare in the third inning of Thursday's 10-5 win over the Montreal Expos.
Scoring on a two-run single by Pat Burrell, Thome appeared as if he was ready to slide but crossed the plate standing up. He said he hurt himself just below his right ankle, but he remained in the game.
"I should have slid," Thome said before last night's game. "It was totally my fault, but fortunately it feels good."
Other than Thome, who entered last night hitting .308 with 27 home runs and 58 RBIs, nobody was more relieved than Bowa.
"It's a huge load off my mind," Bowa said.
With third base coach John Vukovich missing this weekend series after the death of his father, John Sr., bench coach Gary Varsho is coaching third base.
Bowa said centerfielder Ricky Ledee, who missed his 10th game last night while recovering from hemorrhoid surgery, is still very sore and would be sent out on a rehab assignment before returning to the Phillies.
Pitcher Vicente Padilla, who has been sidelined since May 30 with right biceps tendinitis, is exercising but hasn't been cleared yet to begin throwing, according to Bowa.
Since he's been a Phillie for nearly a year and a half, Thome had 74 home runs entering last night, which was the most in the majors over that time, topping Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, both of whom had 66.
The Phillies are in the midst of playing 20 straight games without a day off. Their next day off will be July 12 at the all-star break.
Posted on Sat, Jul. 03, 2004
Phillies Notes |
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer
The all-star starters and reserves will be announced tomorrow, and Phillies rightfielder Bobby Abreu concedes he is anxious.
Despite batting .300 or better in five of his first six full seasons with the Phillies, the 30-year-old Abreu has never been selected to an all-star team.
"It would mean a lot and be very important for me to be selected to the all-star team," Abreu said before last night's game with the Baltimore Orioles. "I think this year I have the numbers to go."
It would be hard to argue that point, although Abreu has never had a high profile away from Philadelphia. That's evident by the fact that he ranks 14th among National League outfielders in the fan voting.
Abreu entered last night first among National League outfielders with 63 runs, third in walks (64), tied for third in batting average (.302), fifth in RBIs (51) and tied for fifth in doubles (20).
In June, Abreu was on base 57 times, which was second in all of baseball to Barry Bonds (71).
"I think Bobby has played well enough to be an all-star," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said. "There are a lot of good outfielders with numbers out there, but I watch him every day, and he is a complete player."
Abreu said he has put up the type of statistics to warrant serious consideration, but he has braced himself in case he isn't selected to this year's game, which will be July 13 in Houston.
"It will be disappointing if I don't make it, but I will have three days' vacation," he said. "Then I will use the time to prepare in my mind to have a stronger second half."
As for Jim Thome, he said he was feeling fine after giving Bowa and the rest of the team a scare in the third inning of Thursday's 10-5 win over the Montreal Expos.
Scoring on a two-run single by Pat Burrell, Thome appeared as if he was ready to slide but crossed the plate standing up. He said he hurt himself just below his right ankle, but he remained in the game.
"I should have slid," Thome said before last night's game. "It was totally my fault, but fortunately it feels good."
Other than Thome, who entered last night hitting .308 with 27 home runs and 58 RBIs, nobody was more relieved than Bowa.
"It's a huge load off my mind," Bowa said.
With third base coach John Vukovich missing this weekend series after the death of his father, John Sr., bench coach Gary Varsho is coaching third base.
Bowa said centerfielder Ricky Ledee, who missed his 10th game last night while recovering from hemorrhoid surgery, is still very sore and would be sent out on a rehab assignment before returning to the Phillies.
Pitcher Vicente Padilla, who has been sidelined since May 30 with right biceps tendinitis, is exercising but hasn't been cleared yet to begin throwing, according to Bowa.
Since he's been a Phillie for nearly a year and a half, Thome had 74 home runs entering last night, which was the most in the majors over that time, topping Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds, both of whom had 66.
The Phillies are in the midst of playing 20 straight games without a day off. Their next day off will be July 12 at the all-star break.