Random musings:

Mitrione vs. Junk? Shocking.

I will be tuning in to the Last Emperor's bout with The Grim. Bank on it. I don't understand all the Fedor hate. I'm a fan...national allegiance aside.

Cliff Lee was unreal in Game 1. It's tough being a Cleveland fan. At least there's the Cav...Doh!

My All-"No Rings" Team

C--Mike Piazza (Or Carlton Fisk if you like--take your pick)
1B--Jeff Bagwell (I'm not going to speculate on what he may or may not have taken.)
2B--Craig Biggio (Bzzzzz....)
3B--Ron Santo (Put him in the Hall already.)
SS--Alex Rodriguez (Or Arky Vaughan if steroids are a deal-breaker for you)
LF--Ted Williams (No disrespect to Mr. Bonds...good luck with the perjury trial, Barry)
CF--Ty Cobb (Plenty of pennants with the Tigers, left baseball a season before the A's won it all).
RF--Tony Gwynn (Twenty years. One team.)
SP--Robin Roberts (For obvious reasons, it was nice to see Philly fans get another championship in 2008.)


Interesting that many of these players were contemporaries and played within the last 20 years. Seems winning a World Series protects from time's inevitable eroision of a player's memory.

All-Time Phillies Team: All stats are as Phillies.

C: Bob Boone (1972-1981) G--1125; PA--4152; BA--.259; OBP--.325 ; SLG--.370

Comment: One of the greatest defensive catchers of all time. Family's great baseball genes are well documented. Drafted in 20th round out of Stanford. Second place: Darren Daulton narrowly edges out Lieberthal and Seminick, in my opinion.


1B: Ryan Howard (2004-2008) G--572; PA--2442; BA--.279; OBP--.380; SLG--.590

Comment: Already has established himself as the most productive Phillies first baseman ever. Second place: John Kruk.


2B: Tony Taylor (1960-71; 1974-76) G--1669; PA--6306; BA--.261; OBP--.328; SLG--.356

Comment: Cuban born, was a solid second baseman for the Phillies for more than a decade. Second place (and gaining fast): Chase Utley


3B: Mike Schmidt (1972-1989) G--2404; PA--10062; BA--.267; OBP--.380; SLG--.527

Comment: The greatest third baseman ever, dominated with the bat and the glove.
Second place: Dick Allen


SS: Jimmy Rollins (2000-2008) G--1239; PA--5787; BA--.277; OBP--.333; SLG--.441

Comment: In a historical context, one really has to appreciate the Phillies current infield.
Second place: Granny Hamner


LF: Sherry Magee (1904-1914) G--1521; PA--6314; BA--.299; OBP--.370; SLG--.448

Comment: Star player in long-ago, dead ball era. Once assaulted an umpire (much more common back then)
Second place: Del Ennis (So long, Mr. Burrell. It' hard to believe he racked up over 1300 games in the Philly outfield).


CF: Richie Ashburn (1948-1959) G--1794; PA--8223; BA--.311; OBP--.395; SLG--.388

Comment: Greatest Philly outfielder. On-base machine. Best pre-Hindu leadoff hitter?
Second place: Roy Thomas


RF: Bobby Abreu: G--1353; PA--5885; BA--.303; OBP--.419; SLG--.513

Comment: Tough call here between Abreu, Johhny Callison, Sam Thompson, and Gavvy Cravath. Gave edge to Abreu (despite hitting in offensive era) given 8 seasons for Phillies as regular right fielder, as well as stolen bases.
Second place: Johnny Callison

#1 SP: Steve Carlton (1972-1986):
Comment: Pete Alexander has the misfortune of having his career divided basically among two different teams, leaving him at a disadvantage for a specific team's "All-Time" roster. He may have been a better pitcher than both Carlton and Roberts over the course of a career, but didn't contribute as much to the Phillies specifically for me to place him ahead of the other two.
Second place: Robin Roberts

RP: Tug McGraw (1975-1984):
Comment: Brad Lidge certainly makes a case for best season by a Philly reliever.