Last night's 5-4 victory over Atlanta happened exactly like the Phillies planned it:
- Cole Hamels gave up four runs in the top of the first inning.
- They answered with four runs in the bottom of the first inning, which included a two-run homer from Wes Helms.
- Neither Hamels or (I'm) Chuck James allowed a base runner after that.
- The Phillies scored the go-ahead run on an error.
- They moved into second place in the NL East, three games behind the Mets.
- They remained in second place in the NL wild-card race, a game behind San Diego.
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Aaron Roward left the game with blurred vision in his right eye after striking out in the first. He will be examined today at Wills Eye Hospital.
"He told me when they were stretching that he had blurred vision," Charlie Manuel said. "He saw me again a half-hour before the game and said he was fine. But when he went up to hit, he said the ball looked fuzzy and gray. We'll get him checked out and see where we go."
What's next?
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The Phillies inducted the late John Vukovich into their Wall of Fame last night. I watched the ceremony on TV and chuckled to myself when Bonnie Vukovich said, "I can see him walking around right now and saying, 'All right, enough of this. Come on, let's go. We have a baseball game to play.'" Truer words were never spoken. Vuke was all business and Lord help the people involved in a ceremony or broadcast that delayed the game.
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Shane Victorino, who's on the DL with a strained right calf, won't begin his rehab assignment until Tuesday.
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You still can vote for what you think Brett Myers' intro music should be. The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" has pulled into the lead.
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The Russians are here.
Comments (6)
The great thing about these blogs are you can tell the truth, without trying to be politically correct. Why in the world would they ever put a player, or coach of the caliber of John Vukovich,on the WOF ? What next ? Retire his #18 jersey ? Sentimental value, does not merit a reason to be on my "Wall of Fame"! Will someone in the media have the backbone to tell the truth ! No Brainer. Take your kid to the Ballpark, and he asks,Daddy who's that ? What do I SAY ? Send a Mass card. That should be sufficient.
Posted by Pat H | August 11, 2007 3:25 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 15:25
Yo Pat, who pissed on your Wheaties?
Sometimes a player is more valuable to his team than his individual talent, as it is with coaches. Vuk was universally known for his ability to tell the truth to a teamate, good or bad, be it Mike Schmidt or Kim Batiste. He insisted that players play the game and act in the right way. Vuk was also a very, very good 3rd base coach who never generated the kind of discussion that went on early this year with Steve Smith. He was a class act and while his inclusion in the WOF wouldn't have ever happened as a player, his contribution to the organization, at least as far as the fans could tell, was more than deserved.
Maybe you can explain to your kid that being a star isn't necessarily the most important thing in life, that being respected for a superior work ethic, trying hard and being honest is just as important. I respect your right to disagree, but I think you swung and missed on this one. I hope your child learns more about team sports than you did.
Now, go send that mass card, ass face.
Posted by jimmymack | August 11, 2007 3:51 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 15:51
He told the players the truth, good teamate,good 3rd base coach !I couldn't have layed it out any better, Jimmie ! My point exactly . I quess you really respect me too Jimmemac, for telling you the truth. Like it or not. Just like Vuc ! Why not a Head Coaching position? The Truth ! Don't take it personal. Isn't it refreshing, a statement w/out having to be politically correct ? Where did you ever come up with the fact, that He was a fan favorite ? That's the first time I ever heard that one . Is Kenny Busch, in the WOF ? As Jack Nicholson said, You want the truth? You can't handle the TRUTH !
Posted by Pat H | August 11, 2007 11:45 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 23:45
(steps away from possible fight brewing above)
"Seven Nation Army" would be a kickass song for Myers. Running in to that bass line? Sweet.
Posted by sacratomato | August 11, 2007 11:48 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 23:48
No sense fighting with the uninformed. Fans vote on the nominations, he won overwhelmingly. Try to keep up.
Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. He's got his, I have mine, it's cool.
Get that Mass card yet?
Posted by jimmymack | August 12, 2007 10:19 AM
Posted on August 12, 2007 10:19
who the hell are the people voting for "eye of the tiger"? he's coming in to close out a baseball game, not do aerobics...
Posted by mike | August 12, 2007 11:11 AM
Posted on August 12, 2007 11:11