GaryMrMets
07-06-2004, 12:41 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9085980.htm
Posted on Tue, Jul. 06, 2004
Phillies Notes | Last-chance push mounted for Abreu
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies are making a push to elect Bobby Abreu to his first National League all-star team.
With stadium and on-air announcements, radio appearances, and a prominent display at phillies.com, the Phillies are doing what they can to help Abreu beat Chicago's Aramis Ramirez, Florida's Juan Pierre, Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall, and Arizona's Steve Finley to become the 32d player on the NL roster.
They've even been in touch with their contacts in Abreu's native Venezuela to get people to vote.
Fans can vote at mlb.com until 8 p.m. tomorrow.
"It's a chance for fans to right a wrong," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said yesterday.
Abreu is hitting .305 with 17 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. Compared to the four other players, Abreu arguably has the best numbers. He has the most RBIs. Entering last night, he also had the third-highest batting average, was second in home runs (Finley had 19), was second in steals (Pierre had 18), and had the highest on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.576).
"I've felt very strongly for some time that Bobby is one of the most underrated players in the game," Wade said. "I think I know baseball pretty well. I've been confused on numerous occasions when it comes to the lack of recognition for what Bobby brings to our club and how he ranks amongst players in our league."
Abreu said Sunday that he would love to make the team, although he said he won't vote for himself.
Others have. Phillies broadcasters Larry Andersen and Scott Graham both estimated that they had voted at least 20 times.
"They're going to have to stop me," Graham said.
More on Milton. Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon told Florida reporters Sunday that Milton, who leads the NL with 11 wins, didn't make the team because he "had a high ERA" of 4.48.
McKeon said the Phillies were "probably all [peeved] because of Milton. It's tough. He was in the mix. You got him. You got [Kaz] Ishii. You got [Chris] Carpenter. [Milton's] ERA was like four and a half. It's nothing against any of those guys. Somebody's got to go from each team."
Make it two. While the Phillies wait to see whether Abreu makes the team, the Phillies picked up another all-star yesterday: catching instructor Mick Billmeyer. He will be throwing to Thome during the Home Run Derby in Houston.
Bullpen coach Ramon Henderson throws BP to Thome regularly, but he can't make it because his wife, Sally, just gave birth to their fifth child, Nicole.
"It's great," Billmeyer said. "It'll be a lot of fun."
Extra bases. Righthander Vicente Padilla, who is on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis and a bone bruise, played catch yesterday and reported no discomfort. He will throw again today... . Outfielder Ricky Ledee, who is on the disabled list after hemorrhoid surgery, shagged fly balls and hit yesterday. He is eligible to be activated Thursday, and said he expected to be ready to play. And the time he has spent on the disabled list? "It's been a pain in the [butt]," Ledee joked.
Posted on Tue, Jul. 06, 2004
Phillies Notes | Last-chance push mounted for Abreu
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
The Phillies are making a push to elect Bobby Abreu to his first National League all-star team.
With stadium and on-air announcements, radio appearances, and a prominent display at phillies.com, the Phillies are doing what they can to help Abreu beat Chicago's Aramis Ramirez, Florida's Juan Pierre, Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall, and Arizona's Steve Finley to become the 32d player on the NL roster.
They've even been in touch with their contacts in Abreu's native Venezuela to get people to vote.
Fans can vote at mlb.com until 8 p.m. tomorrow.
"It's a chance for fans to right a wrong," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said yesterday.
Abreu is hitting .305 with 17 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. Compared to the four other players, Abreu arguably has the best numbers. He has the most RBIs. Entering last night, he also had the third-highest batting average, was second in home runs (Finley had 19), was second in steals (Pierre had 18), and had the highest on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.576).
"I've felt very strongly for some time that Bobby is one of the most underrated players in the game," Wade said. "I think I know baseball pretty well. I've been confused on numerous occasions when it comes to the lack of recognition for what Bobby brings to our club and how he ranks amongst players in our league."
Abreu said Sunday that he would love to make the team, although he said he won't vote for himself.
Others have. Phillies broadcasters Larry Andersen and Scott Graham both estimated that they had voted at least 20 times.
"They're going to have to stop me," Graham said.
More on Milton. Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon told Florida reporters Sunday that Milton, who leads the NL with 11 wins, didn't make the team because he "had a high ERA" of 4.48.
McKeon said the Phillies were "probably all [peeved] because of Milton. It's tough. He was in the mix. You got him. You got [Kaz] Ishii. You got [Chris] Carpenter. [Milton's] ERA was like four and a half. It's nothing against any of those guys. Somebody's got to go from each team."
Make it two. While the Phillies wait to see whether Abreu makes the team, the Phillies picked up another all-star yesterday: catching instructor Mick Billmeyer. He will be throwing to Thome during the Home Run Derby in Houston.
Bullpen coach Ramon Henderson throws BP to Thome regularly, but he can't make it because his wife, Sally, just gave birth to their fifth child, Nicole.
"It's great," Billmeyer said. "It'll be a lot of fun."
Extra bases. Righthander Vicente Padilla, who is on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis and a bone bruise, played catch yesterday and reported no discomfort. He will throw again today... . Outfielder Ricky Ledee, who is on the disabled list after hemorrhoid surgery, shagged fly balls and hit yesterday. He is eligible to be activated Thursday, and said he expected to be ready to play. And the time he has spent on the disabled list? "It's been a pain in the [butt]," Ledee joked.