Hot Stove Philly

National Leagues East is the pits

Jonathan Atwood — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:28:57 +0000

I was preparing to do a piece on how the best thing that has happened to the Phillies this season is that the Mets are even worse then they have been, and the rest of the division has been even worse still.

The Phillies were 3-7 in their last 10 games coming into tonight’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets have an equally as bad record in the same period. The only team with a winning record in the previous 10 games is the Florida Marlins with a record of 6-4.

However, I came across a great piece on this very subject a little while ago by our good friend Carson over at We Should Be GMs, and so I thought I’d give him his due credit for beating me to the punch.

You can check our his analysis here.

Bastardo to DL; Happ to pitch Thursday

Jonathan Atwood — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:46:38 +0000

The Phillies‘ announced Monday that they have placed rookie pitcher Antonio Bastardo on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left posterior shoulder.

The move generated serious speculation over who the Phillies would call up to pitch Bastardo’s spot in the rotation (Thursday). Many thought Carlos Carrasco might get his chance to make his major league debut. Or perhaps Andrew Carpenter or Rodrigo Lopez would get the call.

Instead, the Phillies announced that J.A. Happ would move up a day and start Thursday, and called up Sergio Escalona, for the fifth time this season. Escalona has only made five appearances so far this year, and has quite literally spent more time traveling to and from the big league club then he has on the mound for the Phillies. Hopefully someone has given this kid a nice set of luggage and he is allowed to keep his frequent flyer miles.

While this answers the question of who will pitch Thursday, it simply shifts the question a day. With Happ pitching Thursday, Friday’s spot is now open. Among the pitchers not in the running is Kyle Drabek.

In a conversation with MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said that he does not expect Drabek to be a candidate for time with the big league in 2009 at all.

“He’s got great stuff,” Amaro said to Zolecki. “He’s going to be a quality Major League pitcher, if he stays healthy. But we do not believe he is ready to pitch in the big leagues at this time. He needs more Minor League experience. I would not count on him for the 2009 season. He’s not somebody we would actively move to the big leagues because he needs time to pitch in the Minor Leagues and he’s coming off [Tommy John] surgery. Now, there are circumstances that may change that, but right now we’re fully committed to having him pitch in the Minor Leagues in 2009.”

Carpenter is having the best season of anyone in the running with a record of 7-1 and an ERA of 2.75. Expect an announcement Wednesday on Friday’s starter.

Romero charged with battery

Jonathan Atwood — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:21:29 +0000

The St. Petersburg Police Department has delivered a complaint against Phillies‘ reliever J.C. Romero following an incident last week with a fan. It is now up to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s office to determine whether or not to charge Romero with batery.

The complaint stems from an incident between Romero and a fan following last Thursday night’s Phillies – Rays game at Tropicana FIeld. The fan, Robert Eaton, and Romero exchanged words after Romero allegedly declined to sign an autograph. Eaton allegedly made disparaging remarks to Romero concerning his 50 game suspension for banned substances. Romero then allegedly grabbed Eaton by the neck and struck him.

“Remember, this is a simple battery,” St. Petersburg Police spokesman George Kajtsa said. “No weapon was used. There were no injuries to the victim whatsoever, except as he says in the report he was embarrassed because it happened in front of other fans and his family. … This is a very minor incident so the state’s attorney will probably concentrate on more serious matters, but it will be up to the state’s attorney to make the determination.”

Romero has remained with the team despite the pending legal action.

Flyers to face the Bruins on New Years Day at Fenway

Jonathan Atwood — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:45:51 +0000

According to Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Flyers have been told that they will play the Boston Bruins on New Years Day in the 2010 NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston.

According to Moran’s sources, the decision will probably not be announced until July 15, as the league is holding the news very close to its chest.

Earlier in the week, reports were indicating that the Washington Capitals would be taking the ice, but that seemed to change midweek. The Flyers have been unofficially told that they will be the choice.

Phillies glad to be back home, er, on the road

Jonathan Atwood — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:51:34 +0000

After one of the worst homestands in team history (1-8), the Phillies were quite happy to get out of the recently unfriendly confines of Citizens Bank park Tuesday with a 10-1 walloping of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Phillies beat the Rays with timely hitting, homeruns, good defense, smart baserunning, and quality pitching from both the starter and the bullpen, all things they were lacking in their nine game homestand.

The Fightins went up early over their 2008 World Series opponents by tacking on six runs in the second inning. Chase Utley drove in a couple with a double and rookie John Mayberry Jr., up from Triple-A Lehigh to replace the injured Raul Ibanez, hit his third homerun of the season, a three run blast to left.

“That’s huge for us, to score those runs,” said manager Charlie Manuel. “That’s the most runs we’ve scored in a while. Seems like seven or eight don’t get it done, so our guys figured they’d get 10 or 12.”

The Phillies would add another four runs in the fourth to give starter Jamie Moyer a comfortable 10-0 cushion as he cruised to his 251st career victory, tying him with Bob Gibson for 43rd on the all-time wins list. The win puts Moyer just two games behind Carl Hubbell.

Tuesday night’s monster offensive output, just one night removed from two straight sweeps at the hands of inferior American League teams, makes the Phillies’ struggles at home even more perplexing. They have the major’s best road record at 24-9, but the second worst home record at 13-22, just ahead of the lowly Nationals.

Nevertheless, the Phillies stand unequivocably in first place in the National League East, 2.5 games ahead of the flailing New York Mets. The Phillies’ success at the top of the standings is more due to the rest of the division’s mediocrity than the Fightins’ stellar play, but it has allowed them to ride our the recent troubled waters without much lasting damage.

Despite the recent trouble, there are a few bright spots on the horizon. Closer Brad Lidge says that he is ready to return to the team, despite management’s preference that he pitch one more rehab game.

“That’s up to them, but I feel pretty darn good right now,” he said. “I’m not sure I’d necessarily feel better if I had another outing. I don’t think there’s a whole lot more I have to do.

“It went real good. Once again, I didn’t feel anything. It’s real encouraging. I know that results aren’t necessarily what I’m looking for down here. Being able to drive the ball to my location is the most important thing right now. And I feel like I’m able to do that. So that’s a big step for me.”

With Lidge back in the bullpen, it will allow the rest of the team’s relievers to go back into their normal roles. If the Phillies’ starters can start to pitch into the seventh inning and beyond for a few games, then it will allow the bullpen to get some much needed rest as well.

Royal Ivey declines option, Sixers fans discover he played for team

Jonathan Atwood — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:52:31 +0000

It was announced Monday that guard Royal Ivey declined the player option in his contract to play for the Sixers for the 2009-10 season. At the same time, Sixers’ fans all over the Delaware Valley asked “Who the hell is Royal Ivey?”

Sixers’ GM Ed Stefanski announced Ivey’s decision through a press release but decline to waste his time with further comment.

Ivey’s agent, Keith Glass, had to initially be reminded who Ivey was, and then he also declined comment.

In 71 games this season (who knew?), Ivey averaged 3.0 points and 1.1 rebound per game. He averaged a paltry 33.2% field goal percentage.

Surprisingly, Ivey had 36 steals to just 23 turnovers, the sixth best steal-to-turnover ratio (1.57) of any player in the league.

All Star Voting Update: Utley in first

Jonathan Atwood — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:56:39 +0000

Phillies’ second baseman Chase Utley is now the top vote getter in NL All Star team voting with 2,273,355 votes, 115,319 votes more than Cardinals’ first baseman Albert Pujols.

The feat is particularly impressive as the All Star Game will be held in Pujols’ own backyard in St. Louis.

Utley is in a league all his own amongst his fellow second basemen. In second place is the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Orlando Hudson with just 904,648 votes.

Pujols still leads all NL first baseman, with the Phillies’ Ryan Howard in second place with 1,147,227 votes, over 1 million votes behind Pujols despite hailing from St. Louis.

Raul Ibanez continues to lead all NL outfielders in voting with 1,897,905, mor ethan 330,000 votes than the Brewers’ Ryan Braun. Shane Victorino has surpassed Manny Ramirez for fifth in outfielder voting with 1,116,524 votes and Jason Werth is eighth with 834,910 votes.

Despite having a below average season, Jimmy Rollins leads all NL shortstop with 1,216,007 votes. Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins trails with 1,128,547 votes.

Third baseman Pedro Feliz (792,123) and catcher Carlos Ruiz (809,633) are both fourth in voting at their respective positions.

McNabb gets a raise

Jonathan Atwood — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:09:25 +0000

After months of saying that he would be sitting down with the Eagles’ front office to rework his contract, it appears as though Donovan McNabb finally got his sit down.

Announced in a press conference today at the NovaCare Center with McNabb and coach Andy Reid, the quarterback will be receiving $24.5 million over the next two years. He was originally scheduled to receive $19.2 over that period.

According to both McNabb and the Eagles, this deal has nothing to do with a possible contract extension down the line. Rather, since the NFL is so unpredictable, the focus remained on the final two years of his current contract.

Responding to several questions about his assessment of the team’s offseason moves, McNabb replied that he was “still assessing” and that he is “comfortable right now. I’m comfortable with this team right now.”

McNabb repeatedly reiterated that “These two years are very important,” repeating that mantra several times.

My take on the press conference is that both sides are going to tkae a wait and see approach to the next two years. If McNabb continues to play at a high level, and if the Eagles continue to surround him with quality players, and possibly if they make it or win a SuperBowl over the next two years, then it seems like there would be a good chance that the two would agree to an extension.

“We focused on these two years…These two years are very important to me because I believe we can get the job done.”

However, if McNabb starts to lose a step or two, or if the Eagles don’t make the necessary improvement, or perhaps if they do not make it to the playoffs over the next couple years, then maybe in two years we’ll be ringing in the Kevin Kolb era.

Given the Eagles’ history of not re-signing players past a certain age, regardless of their service to the team, as well as their history of negotiating extensions that ultimately benefit the team in the second half of the contract, this deal makes sense.

“I have always said I would like to retire here, but that’s not going to be in two years.”

McNabb wants to retire an Eagle, but will go somewhere else if that means he can keep playing, and playing as a starter.

Coach Reid continues to say that he has every confidence in his quarterback, the Baltimore game be damned.

“Yea I am [very confident in Donovan], yea, very much so. After 10 years I think I know him pretty good…We have the best quarterback in the National Football League.”

When Reid was pressed about the Baltimore game and whether he thought that was a cause of McNabb’s turn around last season, he continued to be mum on the subject.

“You’re bridging a lot of gaps there with you’re own thoughts. That’s not exactly how I saw that. I’m not going to go into that,” Reid said.

The press conference had a somewhat tense tone, particularly from McNabb, who at one point said that “I didn’t even want to have this press conference.”

Nevertheless, the deal is done, and now both sides can focus on the upcoming training camps and winning the SuperBowl this season.

Eagles, McNabb agree to a new deal

Jonathan Atwood — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:41:57 +0000

Its’ official. The deal is done.

Comcast Sportsnet’s Derrick Gunn is reporting that the Eagles and quarterback Donovan McNabb have agreed to new terms on the remaining two years of contract. No specifics are yet available.

McNabb was set to receive $9.2 million this season and $10 million in 2010.

The two sides had been discussing a contract extension before shifting focus to the remaining two years a couple weeks ago.

“We are thrilled that this all worked out,” Eagles president Joe Banner said in a statement. “He is a great football player, a great person and someone who gives back to the community. We are lucky to have him in Philadelphia.”

Added coach Andy Reid: “The Philadelphia Eagles organization and the entire city of Philadelphia are fortunate to have a quarterback the caliber of Donovan McNabb. He has proven himself to be a talented player on the field, a caring member of the Philadelphia community and a winner.”

A press conference with McNabb and Reid is scheduled for Friday morning at 10 AM.

More details to follow…

Top 10 Sixers coaches of all time

Jonathan Atwood — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:40:00 +0000

With the hiring of Eddie Jordan as the new head coach of the 76ers, I thought I would examine the 21 coaches that preceeded to him and determine the top 10 coaches in Sixers history. Just how big are these shoes that Jordan is gearing up to fill? Umm, well, not that big really.

I determined the top 10 by win percentage, and each coach had to have coached at least 82 games (one complete regular season).

Billy Cunningham (1978-1985) – Cunningham was originally drafted by the Sixers in 1965, and played much of his rookie season as a sixth man off the bench, but was good enough to be named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. He became the head coach on November 4, 1977, and coached some of the best team in the Sixers’ history. His teams included Sixers’ legends Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Moses Malone, and Dr. J – Julius Erving. He led the 76ers to 3 Atlantic Division Titles in 1978, 1981, and 1983. He reached the 200, 300, and 400-win milestone faster than any coach in NBA history. Cunningham is best known for coaching the 1982-83 team, in which the Sixers had a NBA best 65-17 record and went on to win the NBA Championship, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. The Sixers’ 12-1 record in the playoffs of that year is the second best playoff record in NBA history, behind the 2000-01 Lakers, who went 15-1. Ironically, the Lakers lone loss that year was in Game 1 of the Finals, to the Sixers. Ultimately, Cunningham spent seven seasons as a coach with the Sixers, coaching a total of 650 regular season games with a record of 454-196 (.698). He coached 105 playoff games, by far the most in team history, with a record of 66-39 (.629).
Alex Hannum (1960-1963, 1966-1968) – Hannum had two stints with the Sixers franchise. He was the coach of the Syracuse Nationals from 1960-63, leaving the year the team moved to Philadelphia. He returned two years later in 1966 for a two year stint. Hannum coached the Wilt Chamberlain led Sixers to the NBA Finals in 1967, beating the Boston Celtics and ending their eight year championship run. The only two years that Celtics’ center Bill Russell did not win a championship were 1958 (when a Hannum led St. Louis Hawks team beat the Celtics) and in 1967. Hannum coached three different players who would go on to be coaches of the 76ers themselves, Dolpha Schayes, Cunningham, and Matt Guokas. In 402 games coached with the Sixers, he won 257 games (.639) and in 46 playoff games, he had 26 wins (.565). Hannum was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1998.
Al Cervi (1950-1957) – Cervi was the first coach in franchise history, spending all eight seasons in Syracuse. He was a player coach for the Nats from 1948-1950. During his tenure win Syracuse, the Nats would make the playoffs six times, the Eastern Finals five times, and the NBA Finals three times, winning the championship in 1955. In 495 regular season games, Cervi coached the Nats to a record of 294-201 (.594). He would coach 60 playoffs games, winning 34 (.567) of them.
Matt Guokas (1986-1988) – Guokas replaced his former teammate Billy Cunningham as coach of their former team in 1986. Guokas played on the 1967 Sixers team with Chamberlain, Cunningham, and Hal Greer that ended the Celtics eight year championship run. Guokas spent just two seasons as coach of the Sixers and is better known as the head coach of the Orlando Magic, where he spent several seasons after his coaching tenure ended as a color commentator on the team’s television broadcasts. Guokas and his father, Matt Guokas Sr., were the first father-son duo to both win an NBA Championship as players. In 207 games coaching the Sixers, Guokas compiled a record of 119-88 (.575), and in 17 playoff games he had a record of just 8-9 (.471).
Paul Seymour (1957-1960) – Seymour coached the Nationals in between Cervi and Hannum’s first term with the franchise. Like Cervi, Seymour spent several seasons as a player-coach with the Nationals. In 279 games with the Nationals, Seymour won 155 (.556) games, winning just nine of 20 (.450) playoff games.
Larry Brown (1998-2003) – The Sixers’ most well known coach, at least in the modern era (some would argue that Cunningham is the most well known Sixers coach), is also the team’s second longest tenured coach, Larry Brown. It is somewhat telling of the carousel nature of coaching with the 76ers, and coaching in the NBA as a whole, that a man infamously known for not staying with a single team for an extended period of time is the second most tenured coach in team history. Brown is most well known for his rocky relationship with his star guard Allen Iverson. Brown is largely regarded around the league as one of the greatest teachers in NBA history, and despite their often times contentious relationship, Iverson said in 2005 that Brown was, without a doubt, “the best coach in the world.” The Sixers steadily improved over Brown’s first few years in town, ultimately making the NBA Finals in 2001 against the Lakers. Unfortunately, things would deteriorate for Brown, Iverson, and the Sixers over the following two seasons, and Brown ultimately resigned on Memorial Day 2003. He would leave the Sixers, who remain his longest tenured stop as a coach, with a record of 255-205 (.554) in 460 games. In 58 playoff games, Brown had a record of just 28-30 (.483). He would be named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2000-01 season and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame on September 27, 2002, while still with the Sixers.
Dolph Schayes (1964-1966) – Schayes is another product of the Al Cervi coaching era, a member of the 1955 championship Nationals team, and 12-time All Star. He played for the Nationals and Sixers from 1948-1964. Schayes was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame and was named one of the NBA 50 Greatest Players in 1996. Upon retirement in 1964, Schayes held the NBA records for career scoring (19,249 points) and games played (1,059). In 240 regular season games coached, Schayes has a record of 129-111 (.538). In 21 playoff games, Schayes is 9-12 (.429).
Jack Ramsay (1969-1972) – Aside from Cunningham and Brown, the Sixers most notable coach is Dr. Jack Ramsay, although he is not all that well known for being a coach in Philly. Ramsay started his coaching career in 1955 with the Saint Joe’s Hawks in Philadelphia where he coached until 1966. Immediately after leaving the Hawks, Dr. Jack was hired as the general manager of the Sixers and just a couple seasons later he would become the team’s coach. During his four seasons as coach of the team, Ramsay took the Sixers to the playoffs three times. Nevertheless, his tenure in Philadelphia is better known for his time in the front office then on the bench. Ramsay was responsible for trading away fan favorite and arguably the best big man in NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain, to the Lakers for considerably lesser talent in return. The Wilt trade, as well as a poor trade sending away Chet Walker, put the team on the road to oblivion. After the 1971-72 season, Ramsay could see the writing on the wall and left to be the head coach of the Buffalo Braves. He would later go on to be the coach of the Bill Walton led Portland Trailblazers, winning the franchise’s only title in his first season. In four seasons as coach of the Sixers, Dr. Jack had a record of 174-154 (.530) in 328 games. In 17 playoff games, Ramsay has the second worst record in team playoff history at 5-12 (.294).
Jim Lynam (1988-1992) – Lynam has spent most of his career with the Sixers, whether as the head coach, general manager, or assistant coach. Lynam was sitting on the bench in Philadelphia as an assistant as recently as last season, as an assistant to Maurice Cheeks and Tony DiLeo. Lynam replaced Matt Guokas midway through the 1988 season after the team started with a record of 20-23. Lynam would finish the season with a record of 16-23, ending up 36-46 on the season. He was an assistant to Guokas before being named as the head coach. It was the first time the Sixers did not reach the playoffs since the 1974-75 season. Lynam would ultimately coach 267 games as head coach of the Sixers, with a record of 194-173 (.529). In 21 playoff games, Lynam was 8-13 (.381).
Jim O’Brien (2004-2005) – Many people may be surprised, as was I, that O’Brien would make this list, but it goes to show how the Sixers’ best years have been grouped together in just a few top coaching tenures. The Sixers made the playoffs in O’Brien’s only year as coach, despite not making the playoffs the season before, or making the playoffs after he left until 2008. His year in Philadelphia was rather unfortunate, as it was initially seen as a homecoming for a guy who attended Roman Catholic High School and later St. Joe’s University. O’Brien is the son-in-law of Ramsay, who coached the Hawks before he became the coach of the Sixers. During O’Brien’s single season with the Sixers, Iverson was moved back to point guard from the shooting guard position and had perhaps his best season. Many people were pleasantly surprised with Iverson’s willingness and ability to get other players involved in the game. During that season the Sixers acquired Chris Webber and then rookie Andre Iguodala was named to the All-Rookie First Team. The team ended the season with a record of 43-39 (.524), but lost in just five games in the first round of the playoffs to Larry Brown’s Detroit Pistons.

*Tony DiLeo’s winning percentage of (.542) from a record of 32-27 are actually seventh best in team history, just after Larry Brown, but his 59 games coached did not meet my 82 game minimum criteria.