Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Michael Taylor And R-Phillies Dominate Trenton Thunder To End Series

Whenever Reading Phillies Joe Savery pitched into trouble Monday afternoon against the Trenton Thunder, he got right out.

He threw a lot of balls (walking four) but he kept the Thunder scoreless through six innings. Savery allowed only two hits and is now 10-1 on the season. It was a tough matchup for the Thunder, with Ryan Pope on the hill against the hot Savery. But Thunder's offense didn't come through either. They managed only 10 hits over Sunday and Monday. Saturday the two teams played a doubleheader of sorts, continuing a postponed game from Friday. The Thunder won Game 1, 8-2 and lost Game 2, 7-2.

While Reading struggled against Trenton in 2008, the roles have switched. In '08 they were 13-3 against, but have lost 6-7 this season.

"Their pitching has kind of been in shambles, but today because the bullpen was struggling their pitcher had to wear it. I just think as a team we're doing a really good job executing," said R-Phils DH Michael Taylor.

The R-Phils defeated the Thunder 12-2 Monday, but Sunday was also a tough one for the EL champs. They scored just 2 runs in that loss as well, with Reading getting an 8-2 victory.

Reading pitchers have allowed the most home runs in the league, but allowed just 6 in four games. The baby Bombers are on the road, playing the Erie Seawolves Tuesday night.

Big Trouble:

Michael Taylor's stature is as big as his numbers this season. He's dominating the league, collecting 51 RBI so far. When asked what he's doing right to achieve that success he makes it pretty simple.

"Right now, I'm seeing the ball really well and I feel good," he said, after Sunday's game.

He's also honest and mature enough to admit he's got a lot more learning to do.

"It's hard to pick out one weakness, because I've got a ton of them," he said. "What's most important to me is my plan. I [don't  want to] deviate away from my plan. That's where I've got to improve. I really have to stay focused on what it is I want to do."

He also pointed out his tendency to give away at-bats, but the Thunder didn't see much of that in the series.

Savery Savoring Success:

"I think what worked for me today, was I was just better out of the stretch. Anytime I got myself in trouble, I was just better at throwing strikes. We've hit Reading well and scored a lot of runs. We've also mixed good pitching in there as well."- Joe Savery

Franklin Gets Frank:

Thunder skipper Tony Franklin is displeased with the results of his team, but he's also realistic about what development league baseball is all about.

"This is still the minor leagues. This is still player development. I've never lost sight of that," he said after the 12-2 loss. "Do we want to win baseball games? Absolutely. But I can't lose sight of the fact that we're dealing with youngsters."

Franklin was ejected arguing with an umpire's call on Edwar Gonzalez in Monday night's brutal loss, but took it in stride as usual. He's so even keel post-game that it must keep his young players feeling calm through every storm.

What you see is what it is: these are kids learning. It's hard to forget that. Tony Franklin reminded us of the meaning.

Interesting Note: Trenton pitcher Zach McAlister leads the league in ERA with 1.76, while Reading's Joe Savery actually ranks 13th in ERA despite his 10-1 record.

Potent Quotable: "I'm just glad to be in Double A and be out of Florida."- Reading Phillies pitcher Kyle Drabek...who laughs a lot.

R- Phils Visit Trenton, While Big Club Phils Fight Still Tough In NLE

It's easy to count Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins out as an All-Star with all his struggles at the plate. But it comes back to the debate: is it for defense or offense? Rollins has played his position with the same quality as ever, and made all the great plays he's known for. But if we're looking at the overall picture, I suppose offense cancels defense out, at least in many people's minds. Rollins is now trailing second in votes, behind the Marlins Hanley Ramirez.

Mike Gill addressed this issue last week on his ESPN radio show. He was of the opinion that Rollins is undeserving due to his lack of offense. I'll always make the case for the way the player plays their position, but most voter's seem to agree with him. I'll even make a backwards sort of point about this one: usually it's a popularity contest and in this case, a World Championship title isn't getting Rollins the runaway win. And the Marlins could hardly be considered popular, even in their own city. Perhaps voters are being rather fair on this one.

As for the Marlins and Phillies as divisional opponnents, it's interesting how all the talk is about the Mets and Phils. The NLE race is incredibly tight still: only a few games seperate the Marlins, Phils, Braves and Mets, with the Phils leading by 2.5.

The Marlins are a young team and the Braves don't have great pitching (of course the Phils struggled there, too), but all four teams still have a shot, with the Washington Nationals left in the dust. Down the stretch, the Mets and Phils are both going to be looking for health to be on their side. Both teams have had their share of health problems, with the Mets big hitters- Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado- all on the DL. Gary Sheffield is also having some soreness in his knee. The Phillies bullpen has taken a huge hit, with relievers Clay Condrey and Scott Eyre both on the DL.

When both of those teams get healthy, look for one hell of a race to heat up.

I'll be on the job this weekend, as the R Phils face the Trenton Thunder at Trenton. The last time the teams met, the R-Phils swept the series. The Thunder have dealt with a number of injuries. The 2008 Eastern League champs have eight guys on the DL and won only two of their last 10. One player to watch would be Christian Garcia, who's been great for the team. In five starts the 24 year old is 2-0 with 0.71 ERA. Though I' m not sure I'll see him pitch when I'm there.

Heels on for the weekend.

Please pray I don't need rain boots.

The Blogosphere: The Truth Is Out There

In his fantastic Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer column, John Gonzalez takes to task the self importance of journalists who dismiss bloggers. While there's a great deal of validity to that attitude, we are entering a new day in journalism. Traditionalists take note. New media, be responsible or get the hell out.

Confession: I don't have a degree of any kind. I went to business school and got certification to count numbers for companies. Well, I count numbers but not quite the same way. And I didn't get into writing about baseball because I love stats. I hate them. I love everything about the pace of a game. The sounds. The stories. I don't believe you have to have a degree to feel that and pursue writing those stories. But what you need to have is accountability and respect. If you don't, get the hell out.

While I don't want to harp on the blogger (who's name I refuse to repeat) who created a firestorm with his Raul Ibanez "Did he roid or didn't he?" post, I want to address the larger issue. You post something to the worldwide web, you are empowering a thought. Don't sell that crappy line about just being a blogger and cry foul, then get annoyed you aren't taken seriously. You either stand up on the front line and write with conviction and stand by what you've presented, or get the hell out.

Name hunting is becoming the new sport. And when you throw a name out there and question whether he's done steroids, YOU ARE SPECULATING.

Be a flaming proud blogger, but mind the facts. Check them all. Think about what you're writing and don't downplay it's meaning. As Dale Murphy once said to me, "Think about how you want your career to look." Blogging may not be a career, but it's a form of expression and people consume blogging voraciously.

I started off as a non-paid columnist. I wrote a horrid piece on Ed Wade that I feel ashamed of today. I learned that I needed to do better or get....

Brad Thoma's Indy Roller Coaster

Brad Thoma's luggage got a lot of movement at the conclusion of spring training. The 25 year old had been traded to the New Jersey Jackals. But the night before final rosters were set he was told he'd been released.

"It put me in a tough spot for a couple of days," Thoma said in an e-mail.

I imagine being able to avoid bus trips to Canada are also a plus. I traveled only as far as Worcester, Massachusetts with the team and by the end wanted to run screaming for the hills. Thoma, a native of Ohio, will be closer to family this time around.

"This league primarily covers the Midwest so my family can come see me play more."

As for what happened that led to his release, the details are as complicated as figuring out what constitutes a balk. 

"A week before we reported Joe signed a 2nd baseman that had just been released from Double A with the Reds. Apparently he told him the same thing about short stop. When I got there, he kept me at 2nd the whole time."

In the off season Jackals manager Joe Calfapietra called Thoma and told him he wanted him at shortstop, a position he played for one full season. But Calfapietra's plans changed.

Thoma was in difficult situation, but understands the pace of the business. He went with it. He's now playing 2nd base for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League. 

"My role is definitely more defined. The coaching staff is great and the park is very favorable to put up good [offensive] numbers," he says.

In 2008, he hit .280 and collected 41 RBI. He also walked 27 times. The numbers were a significant improvement over his 2007 numbers with the Charlotte County Redfish, but he also saw more playing time with the Atlantic City Surf in '08.

While joining a Frontier League team is a reduction in pay, Thoma isn't focused on that.

"I don't play this game for money. I play because I love it and I want to."

Taking nothing for granted, he understands how lucky he is to be able to spend the summer playing baseball.

"It sure beats the hell out of a 9 to 5."

Tim McGraw Pays Tribute To Dad Tug

Yes, I'm a huge country music fan. Faith Hill happens to be my favorite singer. But I'm also a big fan of her husband, Tug McGraw's son, Tim. You know him. He's the guy that blessed the World Series by spreading ashes of his late father on the mound. I'm of the belief that's why the Phils won.

Well, anyway, Tim and Faith did a concert for United Charity, which helps wounded soldiers and their families upon their return home.

He said something lovely about his dad. Here's the link.

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1613066/tim-mcgraw-faith-hill-provide-support-to-country-united-charity-event.jhtml

There was also the event for the Tug McGraw Foundation, that both of them took part in. Former Phillie and ESPN analyst, John Kruk also participated.

http://www.timmcgraw.com/

The Phils will face the San Diego Padres tonight at 10...so have a Red Bull or two, I guess.

Ryan Madson For Junior Baseball Magazine

*This story was originally published in June of 2009

Excerpt with quotes from my story on Phillies reliever Ryan Madson for Junior Baseball Magazine.

Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee gave me a hard time about being interviewed (he likes to yank chains a bit), but get him talking about Ryan Madson. He had nothing but positive things to say about not only the present, but also about the reliever's future.

"He's got all the tools," Dubee said of Madson potentially becoming a closer down the road.

Madson also said he he would love to become a closer eventually.

"In the next few years," he said.

Manager Charlie Manuel talked to reporters in the dugout, and said he has no definite ideas yet on who might fill ailing Brett Myers spot in the rotation.

Fans might be feeling the shoe drop with this latest let down, but Myers has the ability to overcome this, maybe sooner than some think. It's not out of the realm of possibility that, should the Phils make the playoffs, Myers returns post-surgery. If not, it will be interesting to see what happens with him when he becomes a free agent. With the shuffling around of the rotation- sending Chan Ho Park to the bullpen and the injury to Myers- some minor league guys could have a chance to prove themselves at the big league level. Of course there's talk of a trade as well, but I don't know if I believe the Phils will trade for a big name.

It seems more likely that they'll pull from the farm. There's a lot of talent waiting to be had. Whether or not guys like Andrew Carpenter and Carlos Carrasco can be consistent at that level is another story. But the need is for right now.