GaryMrMets
07-06-2004, 01:44 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9081769.htm
Posted on Mon, Jul. 05, 2004
Abreu, Milton make their case as Phils beat O's
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies first baseman Jim Thome played politician yesterday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
"We should run a campaign," he said.
Thome wants rightfielder Bobby Abreu, who went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, to join him in Houston as the 32d member of the National League All-Star team. Thome is the Phillies' only representative so far, but Abreu has a chance to make the team if he wins an online vote against Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall, Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Florida centerfielder Juan Pierre and Arizona centerfielder Steve Finley.
The online poll opened last night at mlb.com, and continues through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Phillies pitcher Eric Milton, who picked up his National League-leading 11th victory yesterday, has no chance to make the team. In the voting by players, coaches and managers, eight pitchers were chosen over Milton.
Marlins manager Jack McKeon then chose four more pitchers over Milton.
"I don't even want to know what Jack is thinking," closer Billy Wagner said. "Just another reason to kick their [butts]."
Milton (11-2), who allowed two runs in six-plus innings against the Orioles, has a 4.48 ERA.
That number figures to be the reason he didn't make the team.
"He pitches in a bandbox," Wagner pointed out.
"I think a 4.00 ERA in this ballpark isn't too bad," Milton said. "It's a tough ballpark to pitch in. I try not to look at ERA or stats. I just try to win. That's what you try to do every time out, and I think there's something to say about 11 wins."
Milton allowed a homer in the second to Javy Lopez as the Orioles took a 1-0 lead, but the Phillies scored twice in the bottom of the second on Chase Utley's two-run double to center field that originally had been ruled a home run. The umpires met and ruled correctly that the ball hit off the top of the wall and bounced back into play.
Abreu - who is still looking for his first all-star appearance - handed the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the third inning when he crushed a home run to deep center field off Orioles starter Sidney Ponson (3-12). It was Abreu's 17th homer of the season. He hit a two-run double in the fifth to make it a three-run game.
Rheal Cormier, Roberto Hernandez and Tim Worrell pitched well in three innings of relief.
"People take it for granted he's going to hit .300," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said of Abreu. "It's not easy hitting .300. It's hard. It's hard to get 25 to 30 stolen bases every year. It's hard to get 100 walks, 100 RBIs, and score 100 runs. He does it every year and people don't know about it. I know there's going to be people left off, but to constantly leave him off every year isn't right. People should recognize what this guy has done."
So why is that?
"I guess a lot of people don't know me," Abreu said. "I think I have to be in the postseason or get in the All-Star Game for people to start to know me better."
So if this is a campaign for Abreu, here are his numbers:
He ranks third in the majors in runs (66) and walks (69).
Compared with other NL outfielders, he ranks first in runs; third in walks, on-base percentage (.444), RBIs (56) and batting average (.304); fourth in stolen bases (17); fifth in slugging percentage (.565); and eighth in homers (16).
He also has hit .356 with runners in scoring position this season, and .407 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
In his last five seasons with the Phillies he has averaged 23.2 homers, 93.6 RBIs, 105.6 walks and 28.8 stolen bases.
"I feel good about what I'm doing right now," Abreu said. "Of course, everyone wants to be in the All-Star Game. I've never been in one. If it happens, it happens. If not I'll just keep doing my job."
Thome said he wants to vote.
So does Bowa.
"We've got to do something about our computers here [in Philadelphia] and contact some people in Japan because I know they vote a lot," Bowa said.
"I got my own computer, but I'm not going to vote for myself," Abreu said with a smile. "That's not me. Let's see what's going to happen."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9084/82523415320.jpg
Bobby Abreu is congratulated by coach Gary Varsho as he rounds third base after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of the Phils’ 5-2 win over Baltimore.
Posted on Mon, Jul. 05, 2004
Abreu, Milton make their case as Phils beat O's
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
Phillies first baseman Jim Thome played politician yesterday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
"We should run a campaign," he said.
Thome wants rightfielder Bobby Abreu, who went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, to join him in Houston as the 32d member of the National League All-Star team. Thome is the Phillies' only representative so far, but Abreu has a chance to make the team if he wins an online vote against Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall, Chicago third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Florida centerfielder Juan Pierre and Arizona centerfielder Steve Finley.
The online poll opened last night at mlb.com, and continues through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Phillies pitcher Eric Milton, who picked up his National League-leading 11th victory yesterday, has no chance to make the team. In the voting by players, coaches and managers, eight pitchers were chosen over Milton.
Marlins manager Jack McKeon then chose four more pitchers over Milton.
"I don't even want to know what Jack is thinking," closer Billy Wagner said. "Just another reason to kick their [butts]."
Milton (11-2), who allowed two runs in six-plus innings against the Orioles, has a 4.48 ERA.
That number figures to be the reason he didn't make the team.
"He pitches in a bandbox," Wagner pointed out.
"I think a 4.00 ERA in this ballpark isn't too bad," Milton said. "It's a tough ballpark to pitch in. I try not to look at ERA or stats. I just try to win. That's what you try to do every time out, and I think there's something to say about 11 wins."
Milton allowed a homer in the second to Javy Lopez as the Orioles took a 1-0 lead, but the Phillies scored twice in the bottom of the second on Chase Utley's two-run double to center field that originally had been ruled a home run. The umpires met and ruled correctly that the ball hit off the top of the wall and bounced back into play.
Abreu - who is still looking for his first all-star appearance - handed the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the third inning when he crushed a home run to deep center field off Orioles starter Sidney Ponson (3-12). It was Abreu's 17th homer of the season. He hit a two-run double in the fifth to make it a three-run game.
Rheal Cormier, Roberto Hernandez and Tim Worrell pitched well in three innings of relief.
"People take it for granted he's going to hit .300," Phillies manager Larry Bowa said of Abreu. "It's not easy hitting .300. It's hard. It's hard to get 25 to 30 stolen bases every year. It's hard to get 100 walks, 100 RBIs, and score 100 runs. He does it every year and people don't know about it. I know there's going to be people left off, but to constantly leave him off every year isn't right. People should recognize what this guy has done."
So why is that?
"I guess a lot of people don't know me," Abreu said. "I think I have to be in the postseason or get in the All-Star Game for people to start to know me better."
So if this is a campaign for Abreu, here are his numbers:
He ranks third in the majors in runs (66) and walks (69).
Compared with other NL outfielders, he ranks first in runs; third in walks, on-base percentage (.444), RBIs (56) and batting average (.304); fourth in stolen bases (17); fifth in slugging percentage (.565); and eighth in homers (16).
He also has hit .356 with runners in scoring position this season, and .407 with runners in scoring position with two outs.
In his last five seasons with the Phillies he has averaged 23.2 homers, 93.6 RBIs, 105.6 walks and 28.8 stolen bases.
"I feel good about what I'm doing right now," Abreu said. "Of course, everyone wants to be in the All-Star Game. I've never been in one. If it happens, it happens. If not I'll just keep doing my job."
Thome said he wants to vote.
So does Bowa.
"We've got to do something about our computers here [in Philadelphia] and contact some people in Japan because I know they vote a lot," Bowa said.
"I got my own computer, but I'm not going to vote for myself," Abreu said with a smile. "That's not me. Let's see what's going to happen."
http://www.philly.com/images/philly/inquirer/9084/82523415320.jpg
Bobby Abreu is congratulated by coach Gary Varsho as he rounds third base after hitting a solo home run in the third inning of the Phils’ 5-2 win over Baltimore.