I thought Ryan Howard was supposed to put on a show in the Home Run Derby last night. I thought he was supposed to send those kayakers scattering for souvenirs in McCovey Cove. I thought Ramon Henderson was supposed to give up only home runs, not line drives.I was wrong.
Howard was unable to defend his Home Run Derby title, passing his crown to Vladimir Guerrero. Wearing his cap backwards, perhaps in a tribute to his childhood idol Ken Griffey Jr. (though, ultimately, he lost the hat completely to try to change his luck), Howard hit only three homers in the first round and took a seat. And Henderson, batting-practice pitcher to the stars, watched his three-peat bid evaporate, too. Overbearing announcer Chris Berman even got his name wrong, calling him "Ramon Hernandez." Is that any way to treat the man who served up taters to Bobby Abreu and Howard the past two years? Talk about no respect.
But it's all good. Fun was had by all, except maybe those kayakers, who didn't have much to paddle about.
Meanwhile, Cole Hamels is an All-Star today, but once upon a time, he was scared to throw a pitch.
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Spoiler alert: Tomorrow's News Journal will feature our Phillies' first-half report card. Any predictions?
9 comments:
Scott, Maybe Hamels has the best changeup in the National League, but if you took the time to read about the American League, you might notice a guy by the name of Santana who is often referred to as the best pitcher in baseball, in large part due to his changeup. I guess a couple of Cy Youngs doesn't make a difference to you, huh?
Hey, Andy: I'm well-aware of Johan Santana -- and his changeup, which is outstanding. No denying that. And maybe it is better than Hamels', but that's a judgment call. I've talked to several scouts around baseball who think Hamels' is the best. I'm sure there's no shortage who prefer Santana's. Either way, they're both tremendously effective.
good grief. you could at least be civil Andy. what a joke that was.
Wouldn't you rather be eating some dry spiedies than anything else?
Yeah, Andy. Try to keep it civil. Santana and Hamels have the best changeups in the game. It's just a matter of preference as to who's #1 and who's #2. Scott's right though, no matter who you pick for the best, you can't go wrong. Both are devastating equalizers.
Hamels has the highest "whiff-rate" in the MLB on his change-up. so i think Hamels has the best change-up in the MLB
Scott: Just finished reading your report card; I think you are pretty much right on target. I'd give Barajas an F, if the wildcard race gets real close I'll constantly be reminded of the screwed up tag play at home that cost the Phils a game. Burrell deserves something below F minus. One question though - why is the farm system so short on talent? I thought Arbuckle & company were greater than sliced bread, but apparently there isn't a 3rd base prospect in the system and no talent to trade for pitching. LAST BUT NOT LEAST - the front office really got burned with Garcia but not demanding a physical before the deal; no doubt in my mind he was damaged goods from the get go.
Bill in Seaford
the phils are ranked top 10 for pitching prospects in the MLB. and costanzo is actually hitting really well in AA. his OPS against lefties is over .900 i believe. he just can not hit righties to save his life. but its still early in his career and he can always improve in that area. at worse he's a good hitting platoon player.
Gee, I apologize for not being "civil." You boys have your mommies change your clothes, too? Boo hoo hoo
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