5/22/09–Lehigh Valley came up with a fairly well played 5-3 victory over Durham on Friday night before a sellout crowd at Coca Cola Park. Kyle Kendrick (3-3) got the start and pitched well, his lone major mistake being a 3 run homer he gave up to Chris Richard in the 6th inning. Kendrick went six innings, gave up three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out five. The ‘Pigs took an early lead on a Pablo Ozuna RBI double and scored three more in the third inning, the key hits being a Lou Marson RBI single and a Jeremy Slayden RBI double. Lehigh Valley tacked on another in the fifth on Andy Tracy’s 7th homer of the year. JC Romero pitched a scoreless seventh (Three up, Three down), and Mike Koplove came in and was dominant, striking out four of the 5 batters he faced to earn his 4th save.
5/23/09–Antonio Bastardo got his first AAA start and pitched like he belonged and then some, his lone mistake being a three run homer in the fifth. Bastardo went six innings, allowing those three runs on 5 hits. He walked two and struck out 11, a ‘Pig season high. His control was excellent throwing 95 pitches, 66 for strikes, with his velocity hovering between 88-92 all night. The ‘Pigs jumped out early on an RBI double by Andy Tracy in the first and back to back homers by David Newhan (2) and Lou Marson(1) in the third. The ‘Pigs took a 4-3 lead into the late innings, however a two run homer in the ninth spoiled the night, giving Durham a 5-4 win. The homer came off of Mike Koplove (1-3).
5/24/09–Sundays game saw Carlos Carrasco (0-6)still attempting to get his first win of the season which he was unable to do, although he pitched well, going 6.2 innings and giving up 3 runs (2 earned), while walking two and striking out eight in the ‘Pigs 6-2 loss to Durham. Lehigh Valley played from behind all day, scoring their lone 2 runs on an errant pickoff attempt, and a fielders choice RBI. Jason Donald committed two errors in another fairly ugly effort by Lehigh Valley where they did not hit with runners on base. Two hits apiece for David Newhan and Miguel Cairo was the only offense to speak of for Lehigh Valley.
Transactions: With the activation of Infielder Miguel Cairo, and Pitcher Steve Register, on Thursday ,the ‘Pigs had to make two roster moves, and did so by releasing pitcher Steve Green and sending Infielder Jorge Velandia down to Williamsport. Velandia, who has spent much of the season on the DL, has 1 hit in 10 at bats for the ‘Pigs. Green has been extremely ineffective in his long relief role, with an ERA over 8.
—John Mayberry, Jr. 25, was called up by the Phillies on Friday evening. Mayberry hit .277 in 137 at bats thus far this year, with 8 HR and 25 RBI to go along with 43 strikeouts. His batting line: .277/.346/.540. He is also hitting over .300 with runners on base.
–Relief Pitcher Tyler Walker was also activated from the disabled list on Saturday, after spending several weeks recovering from a hamstring injury that occurred warming up in a wet bullpen. Walker had been lights out prior to his injury, not allowing a run is his first 11 innings this year. To make room on the roster, Starting Pitcher Justin Lehr was traded to Louisville. In seven starts for the ‘Pigs this year, Lehr, 31, was 5-2 with a 4.77 ERA, and was leading the International League in Wins. In addition, the trade makes room in the rotation for Antonio Bastardo.
—Left Handed Reliever Sergio Escalona, 24, also appears headed to the Lehigh Valley pitching staff after a very successful debut as a Phillie, with three scoreless appearances. Escalona spent most of the year in Reading thus far, going 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 14 appearances, earning 10 saves. In Reading, his WHIP was 1.32, and Opponents were hitting .231 against him, and just .133 with runners in scoring position. It should be interestig to see how he is used in Lehigh Valley, especially with the return of Tyler Walker. Between Koplove, Walker, and Escalona, Manager Dave Huppert now has many late inning options to go along with Gary Majewski, and Cedric Bowers.
—On Saturday after the game, relief pitcher Dave Borkowski was released. After losses in his first three appearances, Borkowski ,31, settled down and pitched fairly well for Lehigh Valley, going 0-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 appearances. With the recent acquisition of Steve Register, who the ‘Pigs believe have a higher “upside”, Borkowski became expendable. Also on Saturday, Infielder Jorge Velandia was activated from Williamsport.
–Dallas Green was in Allentown on Saturday night watching Bastardo’s debut.
—Andy Tracy is expected to return home for the birth of his child after Monday night‘s game in Buffalo, if not sooner. He will miss 2-3 games next week.
–Each team struck out 15 times in Saturday nights game.
—JC Romero pitched another scoreless inning on Sunday for Lehigh Valley, throwing just 10 pitches and striking out two.
–Sergio Escalona made his Lehigh Valley debut on Sunday and it did not go well. One inning, 2 hits, 3 runs, one walk, one strikeout, one homer allowed.
Phuture Phillies 
Since JA Haap is still a prospect I just wanted to say, so far he is looking great in his first game starting!!
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mayberry!! three run jack off petitte in his 2nd major league at bat
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That was pretty sweet, both kid’s are looking like they belong.
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Rosenthal said that the club are definitely inquiring about starting pitching. Even bringing up the likes of Oswalt. I know that the farm system’s job is to help the big league club in any way possible, but it’s always hard to see highly rated prospects leave and make it somewhere else…even if it is for an ace. The only thing that has me a bit calm when talking about a potential Oswalt trade is that our boy Eddie Wade may pull a Role or Schilling.
(I know that he just mentioned Oswalt as a potential acqusition and it may not have been anything substantial)
I am wondering though if any of you consider any of our prospects “untouchables”. I keep on hearing the likes of Brown and Drabek in trade rumors…from Phillies fans. Those two are untouchable in my book. Knapp and Taylor close behind. In the past the Phillies really have been adverse to giving up pitching prospects. One consistent in most of these trade scenarios is that Carrasco isn’t being given much love by us fans though.
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Also, did anyone think Madson would turn out as well as he has when he was in the minors?
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Six innings 75 pitches I am very HAPPy. If Myers is for real we can relax a while. Cheese did Mayberry ever hit the hell out of that homer then flashed the speed. Time to Juggle the roster
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Can anyone tell me how a pitcher adds 8mph to his fastball at madsons age? I really don’t get it, if that (whatever it is) could be done with other players boy would that be sweet!
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great outing by happ only to have lidge blow it. mayberry kudos. a nice staff of hamels myers happ with one more ace we will win . its easy to see what lidges problem is, falling behind and having to throw his fastball, also in a close game he cannot allow baserunners he is so easy to steal on. im sick.
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i hate new york.
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Lidge’s inability to throw strikes with his fastball is getting him into serious trouble. Case in point, walking Johnny Damon all with fastballs. He’s giving up walks and having to throw his slider behind in the count, and the hitters are sitting on slider. This has been Lidge’s MO all year. If he’s not completely healthy, he needs to go to the DL. He’s hurting the team with his 9+ ERA.
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Great game by Happ. I voted for him as our top prospect but he didn;t get much support.
Just for fun. If you would have seen the first 40 or games this year prior to voting how many would have changed their votes. The first 40 games just with Happ not any of the minor leaguers
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Can someone explain to me WHY MLB allows the Yankees to have these ridiculous rightfield dimentions?
And I thought CBP was bad! Yet we don’t even play .500 baseball at home.
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Happ looked good last year in spot duty and I thought he should have been the 5th starter. Now he looks like a solid #3, dominating the Yankees with mostly fastballs.
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Marson and Donald showing their muscles…
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Bastardo is straight dealing…
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Make that stone cold dealing…
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For the record, Drabek is dealing as well.
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****Can anyone tell me how a pitcher adds 8mph to his fastball at madsons age? I really don’t get it, if that (whatever it is) could be done with other players boy would that be sweet!****
Quick non-prospect post: Madson didn’t add 8 mph to his fastball, he added 4 and it was only 4 if you go from his 2006 season where he started to now. He’s currently averaging 94.8 mph this year on his fastball as opposed to a low of 90.7 mph in 2006. His career average is 91.7 mph. He added just over 4 mph going from starting to relieving and changing his conditioning program on the advice of Jamie Moyer (he mentioned it a few times in interviews last year). He also mentioned that the change to a long reliever to strictly a 1 inning guy played a huge part in him being able to go “all out” for that inning. You’ll notice that his velocity significantly drops if he pitches back to back to back nights or 3 out of 4 or 4 out of 5.
Mayberry showed that he can play at the MLB level. I still say his upside is of a Thames/Monroe type of corner OF.
Happ was impressive in his season debut as a starter.
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and there goes the shutout for
antonio
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also drabek, wow both pitcher implode in 1 inning that is frustrating after seeing them both dominate, drabek gave up 4 in the 6th and bastardo 3 in the 5th they, we have seen this before with carrasco all this year
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And Drabek just lost his no-hitter bid in brutal fashion…4 ER on 4 hits and 2 BB in the 6th inning…after 5 innings of dominating no-hit baseball.
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NEPP one game and he showed he could play at major league level. one game and you say that, isn’t that a little letting the cart get before the horse. How many times have guys come up and dominate for a short period and then nothing. Let’s see him play and the adjustments he makes and the leagues makes.
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On Drabek, this seems to be a pattern for him to give up a big inning when he’s tired. Perhaps its simply a conditioning thing as he’s pitching a full season for the first time in years due to his injury. Seems like a stamina issue for him so far.
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Good point on Mayberry. Still, its good to see him not embarrass himself. He has the tools to be an okay 4th OF..it’d be nice to see him succeed.
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Maybe a little heat stoke give the pitcher a little time to adjust
Very funny and well handled mistaking someone else for
Mayberry Sr. Nice day for father and son. Great speed and hustle on the double.
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Anyone know how soon Carpenter can return to the Phils? I am thinking two weeks.
Ps I never saw Durbin throw better. Is it too hard to go with the hot pitcher Especially with closer problem. I wouldnt be surprised if Bastardo and Carpenter are with the big club by mid June
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Anyone know how soon Carpenter can return to the Phils? I am thinking two weeks.
Ps I never saw Durbin throw better. Is it too hard to go with the hot pitcher Especially with closer problem. I wouldnt be surprised if Bastardo and Carpenter are with the big club by mid June
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Anyone know how soon Carpenter can return to the Phils? I am thinking two weeks.
Ps I never saw Durbin throw better. Is it too hard to go with the hot pitcher Especially with closer problem. I wouldnt be surprised if Bastardo and Carpenter are with the big club by mid June
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Anyone know how soon Carpenter can return to the Phils? I am thinking two weeks.
Ps I never saw Durbin throw better. Is it too hard to go with the hot pitcher Especially with closer problem. I wouldnt be surprised if Bastardo and Carpenter are with the big club by mid June
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Anyone know how soon Carpenter can return to the Phils? I am thinking two weeks.
Ps I never saw Durbin throw better. Is it too hard to go with the hot pitcher Especially with closer problem. I wouldnt be surprised if Bastardo and Carpenter are with the big club by mid June
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Bastardo – Ks 11! That’s what I’m talking about! Can anyone report on his velocity? With that many strikeouts I’ll betting he was pumping it in there in the low to mid-90s. Please respond if you went to the game and had a chance to watch the gun.
Well folks, it looks like the pitching reinforcements are arriving just in time. I’m not bullish on Carpenter, but among Happ, Bastardo, Escalone and Koplove, there should be some ready relief. Goodbye Jack Taschner!
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Bastardo really seems to have taken a huge step forward this year. Can anyone think of a similar player to him?
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Actually on the stadium “gun” he was mostly 88 and topped off at 90. Must have been great location or he’s hard to pick up. Happ’s the same way, gets a lot of K’s with a fastball that tops out at about 91.
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Bastardo is really very unique….a strikeout pitcher with such a small build…he is about 5’10, 165. EVen with the homer he gave up last night, it was a VERY impressive debut. He was constantly ahead of hitters, and in his last inning of work, beared down to strike out the last batter with a 93 mph fastball with a runner on third. I was very impressed.
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NEPP Says:
Bastardo really seems to have taken a huge step forward this year. Can anyone think of a similar player to him?
How about that Bobby Shantz (wink)
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nw i doubt if shantz was 5′ 7″ what was in 52 24 – 7?
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5’6” 142 from 1949-1964 119-99 you know A’s stunk big time
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Turned on channel 19 and who is pitching but workman, good fastball, secondary stuff is not real good from what I can see, flat curve, but they say his fastball is 96-97 on there gun. Holds the ball a little weird to me.
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cant take captain obvious wheeler announcing a game. if lidge continues this hamels may wind up 2-2, happ may go 2-0. lidges speed is down his slider doesnt have its nasty break. but you have to stay with him if hes not hurt. its amazing but without moyer blanton and lidge our era is decent. nw another fine day by brunlett. an interesting question for those who think donald is a utility guy. if he is than he should definately be here instead of brunlett. mikemike who is workman?
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Third round choice from texas. who didn’t sign in 2007 .
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buck martinez is terrible. he says the phillies probably wont repeat because of cbp.i guess the o,s will never win because of their bandbox camden yards. new york spends 2 billion on a mausoleum and a launching pad. im so happy for yankee snobs who knocked cbp. btw i checked various sites and on most cbp is the 7th favorite ballpark of fans. only 3 parks sell out every game fenway wrigly and cbp. since cbp opened 6 years ago it has sold 90% of tickets. again number 3 thus confirming my belief philly is the 2nd best baseball town after boston and ahead of the media driven opinion of new york. what is cool though is the crowds from each city philly boston and ny invading each others parks. sorry just a little demograhic survey.
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mikemike what are watching? is workman in phils system?
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No he was starting today for University of Texas against Missouri in I believe championship game in there conference. He wouldn’t sign with the Phillies , because he had a strong committment to texas and wanted first round money. I heard but just heard, it was about 75 thousand difference. He is a five star B.A. prospect. fastball 96-97. It a shame because the other star for missouri pitcher gibson was a draft choice for the phillies who wouldn’t sign either and now he is projected to go in top ten in 2009 draft.
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I have been to fenway. years ago. I believe its seat about 36,000. I was at a game in early april freezing cold and paid to stand behind home plate, The surrounding bars and the city I loved. What I can’t understand is how yankess get a right field only 314 feet with low wall.
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On trading prospects, no one is untouchable, especially if they lead to a playoff appearance.
On Madson in the minors, I was certainly of the opinion he would be successful as a starter…shows how much I know. On his velocity, he’s one of those guys whose stuff plays up out of the bullpen. Same thing happened with Justin Masterson’s velocity on the Red Sox.
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Bastardo for the most part was 87-89 on the radar gun at LHV last night. Every now and then he would hit 91, and hit 92/93 about once each. His changeup was pretty good, but his control was what excited me up until he left a pitch up in the zone which was promptly blasted to center field.
By the way, those reports on him hitting mid-90’s didn’t seem accurate to me last night, but it could be an off-night. Hopefully I’ll be able to see some more of his starts.
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87-89 and why is everyone so excited. That isn’t very good velocity for a starting pitcher, that is myers, blanton type. I really thought this kid threw hard, but now another loogy candidate.
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A lefty at 88-91 can be very effective. It’s a whole different ball game, especially if he has a good breaking pitch and hides the ball well.
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Although it’s off-topic, a few thoughts on Lidge. First, his velocity is back. He’s hitting 95 on the gun, which is where he was last year. Second, historically, has extended periods of ineffectiveness. This doesn’t really surprise me very much. Third, he is adjusting to some physical discomfort – it’s hard to tell if he really feels okay. Fourth, his mechanics are screwed up a little and his confidence is down. Let’s see if he can work his way out of it. 2008 bought him some time and eternal thanks from Phillies fans. You can never take away that ring.
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mikemike– Everyone is so excited because he has gotten hitters out at each and every level he has pitched at, has an outstanding slider and a developing changeup that could be an out pitch one day as well. His control is probably the best in the organization and he struck out more hitters last night than anyone on the Lehigh Valley staff this year. I think the Phillies would be thrilled if Bastardo turned into a #3-4 starter (i.e. Blanton/Myers)
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Why is it so hard to believe a pitchers velocity might change in the bullpen? For some the two things are completely different.
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Another thing about Bastardo, his fastball does seem to sneak up on hitters as he does hide the ball very well right up until he releases the ball. I still would say that he sits 87-90 though, which could probably get the job done. The slider and changeup seemed like they can be average major league pitches to slightly above. I would say his ceiling is #4/5 (4 in our rotation), and most likely a LOOGY if he shows enough of a split.
Slider seemed like a better pitch than the changeup right now, but if he can keep his arm velocity on all three pitches he could be effective as a starter.
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mikemike, neither Myers nor Blanton is 87-89. Myers has averaged 89mph on his fastball this year and 91mph over his career: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=962&position=P. Blanton has averaged 89mph on his fastball throughout his career: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4849&position=P
Also, over Bastardo’s minor league career, righties hit .211 against him. He has a WHIP of 1.25 against righties, and he has a K/9 of 9 against righties. In the bullpen he projects as a shut-down guy, not a LOOGY.
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Basically, he has real good chance of making the majors, either through the bullpen or a back end rotation starter.
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If I said on Friday that Happ could throw all fastballs to the Yankees,some people would of been all over me. Yet …he did
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You don’t have to throw hard to succeed in the Majors. To be successful you have to locate and keep your walks down.
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At sundays game Donald also had two terrible errors at short. One botched double play ball and another that went right through his legs that allowed a run to score. The Iron Pigs dont have one player swinging the bat well, and are a mockery to watch
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Afein, How did Carrasco look? His line wasn’t bad. It looked like a Donald error cost him a run. LHV was in that game until the 9th. Escalona gave up a 3 run shot in the 9th.
LHV isn’t much of a come-from-behind team or a hold the lead sort of team. I don’t care much about wins or losses but I’d like to see Donald, Mayberry (if he comes back) and Marson hit well. I’ll also throw Slayden in that mix. So far, Mayberry’s the only one producing.
Pitching: Carrasco, Kendrick and Carpenter would be the big 3. If they show they can keep their team in the game and show it consistently, I’m happy. I also want to see some of the relievers do well so if Philly calls they are ready.
So far Carpenter and Escalona have done that for the Phils. Just keep them in thegame. Get some outs. Let the big bats carry you along.
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I just heard on WIP that Charlie apparently said that Mayberry would be “sticking around”.
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I was at the IronPigs game yesterday. I thought Carrasco looked strong. Controlled most of the game from the mound. Both Donald errors cost him a run (though only one was direct). Donald also had a chance to tie the game with 2 outs in the 9th, but was unable to hit the ball out of the infield. Neither of his singles left the infield, either. A terrible day all-around for Donald.
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“The Mystery of Baseball”
Pick a reason Drew Carpenter is now the ace of the phils minors
1. He found a four leaf clover at CBP
2. Jamie Moyer gave him a spanking
3. He thinks Charlie is really his uncle
4. He likes Bull’s Corner
5. He got a look at Taschner and felt like he belonged
6. He started to wonder why they call it the BlueRoute and
forgot all his troubles
7. Huppert and co. convinced him ,he is the next Steve Trachel
Whatever ! I like it and feel great for the guy . We have one or two ironpigs on the fire
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excellent nw.
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“Supra98x Says:
May 23, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Also, did anyone think Madson would turn out as well as he has when he was in the minors?”
I held back from commenting on this for a long time- but i’m with Boston Fan- if you didn’t expect good things from Madson, you didn’t pay attention to his numbers in the minors. 97 mph, no, I never expected that though- its hard to put it into perspective in the steroid age when a guy like Donnelly of the Angels comes out of no where and throws that hard- and then the rail thin Madson does it- well, there is really no sense to it. but i believe it.
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John You have it all wrong Sarg is “captian obvious’
Wheeler(as my name states my view ” captian lying, stupid,buttkissing, boring ,know it all, hateful.louse” Ask Scott Graham who corrected his intentional miscall on Tv
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nw you do know wheels tryed to get whitey fired.
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Guys, with all due respect, go somewhere else to chat about Chris Wheeler. This is a prospect site and discussion about the Phils’ announcers is irrelevant and misplaced.
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Wow. Amazing. from now on don’t post until boston okay’s it.
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maybe i should change my name also
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MikeMike–
I think what Boston is trying to say, that several people put a ton of time in to make this site work. It is aimed at the Phillies minor league system. If Chris Wheeler is to be discussed there are other forums for that.
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Gregg I know but it was not a big discussion just a couple of lines, I just thought it was not something to go after. I know pp really puts his heart in this and I love the site, but to sometimes go off with a couple of lines, isn’t that bad . Just my opinion thanks.
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We talk about prospects 98% of the time. So it is not like someone who comes on just to talk about Wheeler. It is normal for people’s thoughts and emotions to stray. Wheeler is a disgrace to baseball and evokes hard emotions.
Seems like Myers is hurt. I guess we get to see Carpenter sooner than expected. Is there any other choice until the whole story is know ?
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