Though the Phillies succeeded in winning a pennant, they could have a harder time this season. Though they’ve added new blood to their roster, none of their additions can compare with the Mets addition of Johan Santana. Despite that, some Phils haven’t shied away from predicting another first-place finish. Though the pen is mightier than the sword, those outspoken Phillies will need to prove that their bats are as mighty as their words.
Category: Baseball
Looking for a holiday gift for a baseball fan?
The best baseball book I’ve read this years is Rich Westcott’s Phillies Essential. Learn why.
An update on the Thomason interview
After re-reading my interview with Mac Thomason, I realized I hadn’t asked him about his comment that “It’s very disturbing when the General Manager of your favorite ball club makes fun of you in his book, even if you made fun of him first.”
Here’s Thomason’s reply:
It goes back to the Kevin Millwood for Johnny Estrada trade, which caused me to write the following, rather overheated, entry:
http://www.bravesjournal.com/?p=349
Fire John Schuerholz
That incredible idiot just traded Kevin Millwood. To the Phillies! A division rival! For Johnny Estrada, a 26-year old AAA catcher! That’s grounds for commitment, not just dismissal.
I still think that they could have gotten more for Millwood, though Estrada did have a good year in 2005. Anyway, in his book Built To Win , Schuerholz, or rather his ghostwriter, quoted this statement (and some comments from the entry) on page 70-71. It surprised the heck out of me when I saw it.
If you haven’t read the interview yet, you can read it here.
The New Ballgame reviewed
If you like to read baseball books, a recently published book, The New Ballgame: Understanding Baseball Statistics for the Casual Fan, endeavors to update readers on the latest baseball stats.
… and a bit more:
Donald Farrell’s athletic ability — he played both lacrosse and baseball in high school — couldn’t protect the Rowan University sophomore against the vicious attack this past Saturday night that killed him. Continue reading “The New Ballgame reviewed”
Bats and Stats 