GaryMrMets
07-07-2004, 07:38 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/9095092.htm
Posted on Wed, Jul. 07, 2004
All-Star pitchers can't stop Phillies
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
The Phillies come up aces against aces.
Monday's battering of Mets ace Tom Glavine left the 2004 All-Star class of starters with an intriguing 4.42 earned run average against the Phillies' inconsistent offense.
That includes Glavine, the Red Sox's Curt Schilling, the Marlins' Carl Pavano, the Giants' Jason Schmidt, the Diamondbacks' Randy Johnson and the Expos' Livan Hernandez. Combined, the group is an anything-but-dominant 4-3 against the Phillies.
So, why are the Phillies good against the best?
"You focus more," said Bobby Abreu, the team's best hitter. "You know those guys are going to come out and dominate the game. You don't try to do too much."
Therein lies the key, said shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Against lesser pitchers, and less familiar pitchers, the Phillies display less patience.
Familiarity breeds success, too, asserted hitting coach Greg Gross.
"The more you see a guy, the more comfortable you are against him," Gross said. "These guys have been around for a while."
Autumn of Lieberthal
Surgery on both knees, almost a decade in Veterans Stadium and $45 million will be enough for Mike Lieberthal.
"I'm retiring" after next season or 2006, the catcher said yesterday.
Under contract until 2005, Lieberthal can vest a $7.5 million team option essentially by staying healthy the rest of this season, when he should have about 1,100 plate appearances from 2003-04. He'll need only 100 more to vest it.
It was always Lieberthal's plan to retire after his current contract expires. He signed his $23.5 million guaranteed contract extension in 2002. What is interesting is that Lieberthal, 32, experienced a career-best year hitting in 2003, with a .313 average. This season he's hitting just .256 but he says his body feels superb.
He just wants to retain that feeling as he enters the autumn of life, too.
'Mad Dog' for president
Or at least rookie of the year.
Manager Larry Bowa, when asked if rookie reliever Ryan Madson should be considered for rookie of the year during a decidedly unimpressive season for National League rookies: "If the voting was done right now? Yeah. You'd have to."
Madson made the major league club as the long reliever and the emergency starter after starting for the International League in the Triple A All-Star Game last year. Take away his horrific spot start and you realize how good he has been. He leads the Phils' relievers with a 1.09 earned run average out of the bullpen, the best mark in the league among non-closers. His 49 2/3 relief innings also tops the Phils, and he would have a shot at leading the league in that area, too, if not for the start; ditto his 31 relief appearances, which probably would be increased by three.
No middle reliever has ever won rookie of the year.
Phillers
Ricky Ledee dropped 20 pounds when he went on a liquid diet during his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, a procedure that landed him on the disabled list June 23. He's eligible to come off tomorrow - he says he can do everything necessary - but admits the weight loss has affected his strength and endurance...Reliever Vicente Padilla (triceps tendinitis, DL since May 30) played catch for the second straight day yesterday, his first two sessions since an aborted rehab start June 20. He reported no more pain and admitted he's having trouble holding back. His earliest return date is middle or late August.
Posted on Wed, Jul. 07, 2004
All-Star pitchers can't stop Phillies
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com
The Phillies come up aces against aces.
Monday's battering of Mets ace Tom Glavine left the 2004 All-Star class of starters with an intriguing 4.42 earned run average against the Phillies' inconsistent offense.
That includes Glavine, the Red Sox's Curt Schilling, the Marlins' Carl Pavano, the Giants' Jason Schmidt, the Diamondbacks' Randy Johnson and the Expos' Livan Hernandez. Combined, the group is an anything-but-dominant 4-3 against the Phillies.
So, why are the Phillies good against the best?
"You focus more," said Bobby Abreu, the team's best hitter. "You know those guys are going to come out and dominate the game. You don't try to do too much."
Therein lies the key, said shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Against lesser pitchers, and less familiar pitchers, the Phillies display less patience.
Familiarity breeds success, too, asserted hitting coach Greg Gross.
"The more you see a guy, the more comfortable you are against him," Gross said. "These guys have been around for a while."
Autumn of Lieberthal
Surgery on both knees, almost a decade in Veterans Stadium and $45 million will be enough for Mike Lieberthal.
"I'm retiring" after next season or 2006, the catcher said yesterday.
Under contract until 2005, Lieberthal can vest a $7.5 million team option essentially by staying healthy the rest of this season, when he should have about 1,100 plate appearances from 2003-04. He'll need only 100 more to vest it.
It was always Lieberthal's plan to retire after his current contract expires. He signed his $23.5 million guaranteed contract extension in 2002. What is interesting is that Lieberthal, 32, experienced a career-best year hitting in 2003, with a .313 average. This season he's hitting just .256 but he says his body feels superb.
He just wants to retain that feeling as he enters the autumn of life, too.
'Mad Dog' for president
Or at least rookie of the year.
Manager Larry Bowa, when asked if rookie reliever Ryan Madson should be considered for rookie of the year during a decidedly unimpressive season for National League rookies: "If the voting was done right now? Yeah. You'd have to."
Madson made the major league club as the long reliever and the emergency starter after starting for the International League in the Triple A All-Star Game last year. Take away his horrific spot start and you realize how good he has been. He leads the Phils' relievers with a 1.09 earned run average out of the bullpen, the best mark in the league among non-closers. His 49 2/3 relief innings also tops the Phils, and he would have a shot at leading the league in that area, too, if not for the start; ditto his 31 relief appearances, which probably would be increased by three.
No middle reliever has ever won rookie of the year.
Phillers
Ricky Ledee dropped 20 pounds when he went on a liquid diet during his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, a procedure that landed him on the disabled list June 23. He's eligible to come off tomorrow - he says he can do everything necessary - but admits the weight loss has affected his strength and endurance...Reliever Vicente Padilla (triceps tendinitis, DL since May 30) played catch for the second straight day yesterday, his first two sessions since an aborted rehab start June 20. He reported no more pain and admitted he's having trouble holding back. His earliest return date is middle or late August.