Go Phillies! Beat Miami 5-1.
Are you folks able to find any of the Games online for free?
D&E sports on the tube usually has some games, but not all. I am trying to find an alternative to watch more games
You are getting the version of Harper everyone expected. He may have some terrific streaks, and one or two may last most of a season, but he seems to be an average hitter with a good eye and lots of pop. The Phillies will regret the back end of his contract. They paid for 2015 Harper which he has only delivered twice in seven seasons.
As for the statement from Hank Aaron it was slightly apocryphal. Of course there were many times he tried to hit a home run. The amount of trust people put into these kind of statements from players is mystifying.
@fergie23 said:
You are getting the version of Harper everyone expected. He may have some terrific streaks, and one or two may last most of a season, but he seems to be an average hitter with a good eye and lots of pop. The Phillies will regret the back end of his contract. They paid for 2015 Harper which he has only delivered twice in seven seasons.
As for the statement from Hank Aaron it was slightly apocryphal. Of course there were many times he tried to hit a home run. The amount of trust people put into these kind of statements from players is mystifying.
NEW YORK -- Hank Aaron watches games these days and is perplexed as batter after batter tries to jack pitches out of the ballpark, obsessed with the long ball that made Hammerin' Hank famous.
"I don't think they understand the role of what they need to be doing," Aaron said Thursday during a visit to The Associated Press. "I'm not saying all of them, but I think some players need to understand that they're never going to hit 50 home runs or 45 home runs [a year]. They've got to learn how to hit the ball to the opposite field and do the little things to help their ballclub win championships."
It's not "slightly apocryphal." I recall reading about Aaron saying it in a newspaper.
It's hard if not impossible to find many articles published before the advent of the internet, with Google recording the text and pictures. I spent a few minutes Googling to find something, and this is the best I found. The posted article strongly infers what Aaron had previously stated about that he never tried to hit a home run.
As far as Harper...you're not getting it. He's here to help the Phillies win one or more World Series. I don't give a chit about the back end of his contract if he helps the Phils win one or more championships.
@fergie23 said:
You are getting the version of Harper everyone expected. He may have some terrific streaks, and one or two may last most of a season, but he seems to be an average hitter with a good eye and lots of pop. The Phillies will regret the back end of his contract. They paid for 2015 Harper which he has only delivered twice in seven seasons.
As for the statement from Hank Aaron it was slightly apocryphal. Of course there were many times he tried to hit a home run. The amount of trust people put into these kind of statements from players is mystifying.
Robb
Sorta like someone saying that Jack Nicklas said "Tiger is better than I was". Yah right!
I couldn't find Aaron saying the exact same thing. However considering Aaron's view about home runs, and since he played in the same era as Ernie Banks, it's easy to think that Aaron might mirror Banks sentiments about hitting home runs. And i know Aaron did because years ago I read where he stated it.
PHILADELPHIA -- There might not be a Phillies player alive that has not heard a few boos from Philly fans.
Bryce Harper heard a few during Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to the Tigers at Citizens Bank Park. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. A ball dropped among Harper, Cesar Hernandez and Rhys Hoskins in shallow right field to spark a three-run rally in the third inning. He dropped a fly ball for an error in the eighth.
“I’d do the same thing,” Harper said of the reaction from restless Phillies fans. “It’s not fun to lose, it’s not fun to watch when you’re playing that way. [I was] 0-for-4 with two punchies, I’m probably thinking the same thing walking back to the dugout.”
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Speaking of Tigers... Boom, Phil’s win 7-3 over the Tigers!
Go Phillies!!!
Nice win. Every bat active except for Harper, an ugly 0-4. This has happened a number of times in the past several weeks...most if not all of the Phillies bats are alive in a particular game, yet Harper does nothing. I'm not going to sugar coat it, he looks terrible out there right now, in the field as well.
How could a guy so enthused, so red hot early, looking like Babe Ruth, all of a sudden turn into Eddie Gaedel?
I haven't given up on Harper, but he had better wake-up and start producing. Maybe shave that damn ugly beard of his and see what happens, and I'm almost not kidding.
I look forward to him finding his rhythm and things falling in place. I imagine changing all the home city routines and adjustment to the move will take a while.
I am still optimistic. 2019 World Series!
How could a guy so enthused, so red hot early, looking like Babe Ruth, all of a sudden turn into Eddie Gaedel?
That is the question folks in Washington asked over and over again. Especially when there is evidence that he can stay locked in for extended periods of time.
@fergie23 said: How could a guy so enthused, so red hot early, looking like Babe Ruth, all of a sudden turn into Eddie Gaedel?
That is the question folks in Washington asked over and over again. Especially when there is evidence that he can stay locked in for extended periods of time.
Robb
At that MLB.com link I posted, there is a video of two fly balls that Harper messed up. I've played a lot of baseball, little league thru high school, mostly in the outfield when i wasn't pitching, and on the one fly ball that he dropped, i don't recall myself ever dropping a fly ball which was that easy to catch. If an outfielder is paying attention during the game and watching each pitch, and watching the ball come off the bat, it's almost impossible for any halfway competent outfielder to drop a ball like that. But okay, that's an error, and it's forgivable...he lost it in the lights or whatever.
What isn't forgivable to me, is the other play shown in the video whereby he didn't hustle to run in to catch a fly ball, either because he thought the second baseman was going to run out to catch it, or because he was afraid of a collision with the second baseman.
These are major leaguers. That's a ball that Harper has to scream to the second baseman as he's running in to catch it, that it's his ball, avoid the collision, and catch the ball.
In my view that second play displayed a total lack of hustle and caring about his teammates and the fans who want to win the game. That play really hissed me off, and really sticks in my craw. Philly is a sports town that can tolerate a lot, but we will never tolerate lack of effort. It's a forgivable sin, but only if Harper starts producing, and soon.
Aspie_Rocco made an interesting point though, and I'm still willing to wait and see what happens.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Ugh. It has been a rough patch. Lose one, win one, lose one.
Pasted: (not including today's game where he went 0 for 4)
April 10, In 23 games since then, he's hit just .195 with a .659 OPS and two home runs.
I'm not blaming every loss on Harper, but this type of performance considering his contract is beyond unacceptable, and it's beginning to bother me. Harper had better wake-up quickly or he's going to get booed the likes of which has never been seen before on this planet in a sports venue.
How are McCutchen and Realmuto doing since they got on with the Phillies?
As a comparison are there any studies regarding post-trade performance in a given time period?
Like how long it generally takes for new players to acclimate after a trade.
Particularly when their entire career has been in one place.
I am neutral on Harper’s recent performance, still.
I think he will come around.
Once they all get synchronized things will click. 2019 is the year!
@Aspie_Rocco said:
How are McCutchen and Realmuto doing since they got on with the Phillies?
As a comparison are there any studies regarding post-trade performance in a given time period?
Like how long it generally takes for new players to acclimate after a trade.
Particularly when their entire career has been in one place.
I am neutral on Harper’s recent performance, still.
I think he will come around.
Once they all get synchronized things will click. 2019 is the year!
I don't disagree with anything you said. And I think he will "come around" as well. I certainly hope so.
That being said, the premise of his signing the highly lucrative contract was by playing 81 games per season at Citizens Bank Park, that he would perform even better than he did for the Nationals. Being only 26 years old that he hadn't reached his full potential yet, and he would improve under the nutritional guidance of Gabe Kapler by gaining a stronger body.
Perhaps many fans, including myself, got overly enthused when Harper got off to a red hot start, and thought that basic performance could continue throughout the season. We all understand these type of hitters go thru slumps, and maybe a week from now when he has crushed five home runs and batted .400, we'll look back on this bad slump as just a bump in the road...but it sure is bumpy now.
A little tinkering was all Bryce Harper needed to post his best game with the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper came into Tuesday’s game desperate to break out of his slump. After hitting just .125 over his previous 14 games, Harper was determined to tinker until something worked.
That might explain why Harper was sporting a new look during his first at-bat Tuesday. The 26-year-old Harper decided to shed his batting gloves hoping it would get him back on track.
Harper walked, but he wasn’t happy with that result. The au naturale grip just didn’t feel right.
So Harper decided to go back to his batting gloves in his second at-bat. The result: A grand slam.
and he would improve under the nutritional guidance of Gabe Kapler by gaining a stronger body
Too funny that you are still spouting that nonsense. Kapler is just another charlatan, healthy-lifestyle "guru".
I am rooting for Harper to do well and live up to his contract. I think he has the natural ability to be a HOFer but he needs to improve his approach so he doesn't have so many slumps.
@fergie23 said: and he would improve under the nutritional guidance of Gabe Kapler by gaining a stronger body
Too funny that you are still spouting that nonsense. Kapler is just another charlatan, healthy-lifestyle "guru".
I am rooting for Harper to do well and live up to his contract. I think he has the natural ability to be a HOFer but he needs to improve his approach so he doesn't have so many slumps.
Robb
<<< Kapler is just another charlatan, healthy-lifestyle "guru". >>>
Congratulations, you just set back nutritional science and physical conditioning by 100 years. 🤣
Congratulations, you just set back nutritional science and physical conditioning by 100 years.
What are Kapler's credentials again other than that he works out a lot and is in great shape? To use the word science in the same sentence as Kapler is an insult to science. You need to expand you vocabulary so that you understand what the word charlatan means.
@fergie23 said: Congratulations, you just set back nutritional science and physical conditioning by 100 years.
What are Kapler's credentials again other than that he works out a lot and is in great shape? To use the word science in the same sentence as Kapler is an insult to science. You need to expand you vocabulary so that you understand what the word charlatan means.
Robb
Pasted from Wiki:
Kapler is well known in baseball for his extraordinary musculature. Longtime Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan—who said of Kapler "He’s as smart as any player I’ve ever met"—nicknamed him "The Body."[1][13] He is an avid weightlifter, and his body fat count was reported in 2000 to be at 3.98%, and in 2012 to be at 3.5%.[4][3] He was on the cover of several fitness magazines, and became renowned for being the focus of an entire K-Swiss shoe campaign before he had even reached the pros.[14] His blog discusses fitness, nutrition, health, and leadership.[14]
Kapler and his wife co-founded the Gabe Kapler Foundation, which is dedicated to educating the public about domestic violence and helping women escape abusive relationships.[15]
<<< You need to expand you vocabulary so that you understand what the word charlatan means. >>>
@ernie11 said:
Braves lost last night so they're 4 behind.
The beauty of it is, i still don't think the Phillies are playing their best baseball.
Agreed. The NL East is a weak division this year. If the Phillies ever really hit their stride, they'd run away with this. If they underplay, then it will be a horse race till the end, and the division champ, whoever it is, will probably have a mediocre 86-76 record.
It's "Bang for your Buck Night" at Kauffman Stadium tonight. Dollar hot dogs, and then fireworks after the game. I'll be there tonight, 50/50 on attending Saturday, and then going again for sure on Sunday. Always enjoyable to take in an Interleague series, and see some players in person that infrequently make their way to KC. If the Royals have to go down this weekend, then hopefully Harper, Hoskins, and McCutchen put on a show for everyone. I'd much rather lose due to the overpowering performance of superstars than simple wildness by the bullpen or ice cold bats and lack of timely hitting by the offense.
Just to warn you, even in the lean years, the Royals under Yost have had a habit of outperforming against the more elite teams and starting pitchers at home, while then frustratingly finding a way to fumble and bumble against the lesser teams, or getting held to 2 hits by a left-handed career minor leaguer making an emergency start. So while the Phillies come in as the better team, there's no telling what we're in for this series.
It should be a fun weekend, no matter what transpires.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Let go Phillies, looking for a Win against the Royals today! Fight nice folks.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Good call @countdouglas
Royals 5 Phillies 1
Maybe tomorrow.
I hope you have fun at the game Count!
Yes, it was a good night overall. I certainly could have stood it to be about 20 degrees warmer. Today's forecast is not much better, so it's still a toss-up if I attend. Sunday is a definite, though.
I have MLB.TV, but admittingly, I usually only check in on the Phillies games when I see the top half of the lineup is due to bat. So, having said that, my one takeaway from the game last night, after seeing them live, is that the Phillies defense could stand some improvement. Perhaps it was the weather, or the just the wear of being on the road, or playing in an unfamiliar stadium and backdrop, but they just seemed lethargic, like a half second slow on their reaction time when the ball was hit, and their fielding range appeared subpar. Maybe over the course of a season, their bats can cover that up, but in short series like the playoffs, I'd be very concerned. I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but that was what stood out to me immediately as a first impression.
Phillies 7 Royals 0 !!!!
Woooooooooooo
Shut out. That seems more like a can was opened. No offense to the Royals or their fans. I am enthused for this win.
Before the series, I knew it had been a long time since the Phillies had visited KC. I guess 2007 was the last time they played here. I enjoyed the opportunity to watch your team, and congratulations on the series win.
I knew the Royals were toast on Sunday as soon as I heard the starting pitcher was a left-handed minor leaguer being called up for his major league debut in an emergency situation. That scenario has been the Royals' kryptonite for some time now, as I mentioned in my earlier post, long before I knew Irvin would be pitching. Not taking anything away from Irvin. He carved them up, and looks like a bona fide pitching prospect. Good luck with him on your team going forward.
If you had to come in here and beat us twice, taking the series, I do take some measure of consolation that you also did the same to our cross-state rivals, the Cardinals prior to this series.
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
Good questions. I'm not sure how the NL/AL seasonal rotation works?
Jakob Junis started today for the Royals. My kryptonite reference was in regards to the opposing team's starter. The Royals have had a habit for some time of handling established veteran and even superstar pitchers, but the guys just getting called up where they don't have a "book" on him yet seems to cause them difficulty. And if he happens to also be left-handed, forget about it. So when I heard that Irvin was making his MLB debut, and heard he was left-handed, I didn't need to look up his minor league stats or anything else about him, I knew the Royals were going to have silent bats today.
Being in opposite league, the Interleague series rotate every 3 years. So the Royals and Phillies won't play again until 2022. It is usually only one 3 game series, then, at that. There are instances where two teams will play each other in a 2 game series at one stadium and then later play another 2 game series at the other stadium. I don't know the methods for selecting those 2 and 2 series, or how they determine who gets to host every 3 years. Apparently, when they played previously in 2016, 2013, and 2010, those series were all in Philadelphia. 2007 was the last time KC hosted.
As a general rule, you will play 18 or 19 games against each team in your own division. 3 series at home and 3 series on the today, spread out at various times throughout the year. Mostly, 3 game series are the norm, but sometimes they have 2 game or 4 game series.
Then, each team from the other 2 divisions in your league, you will have a total of either 6 or 7 games against those opponents, with one series at home and one series on the road.
The Interleague series, as mentioned, rotates every year. This year, the Royals and the A.L. Central teams are paired up with the N.L. East. Last year, the A.L. Central had the N.L. Central, so next year, the Royals will play the N.L. West. Usually only one 3 game series will be played, with the site determined by methods unknown to me.
I don't know about the Phillies, but the Royals have a rivalry series vs St. Louis every year, regardless if the A.L. Central is matched up in the rotation with the N.L. Central. They play a 2 and 2 home and away series. Sometimes spread out, and other times 2 in one location and the immediate next 2 games on the schedule is at the other location.
I hope that was a help. There may be some Phillies fans with a more intimate knowledge of the work quirks of your team's schedule and can fill in the holes in my explanation.
So Kapler's entire credentials rest on working out and being in great shape - which is exactly what I said. No degrees, no education, no nothing other than he works out a lot, looks good and created a blog. That is the definition of a charlatan - a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill - and pretty much defines the vast majority of healthy-lifestyle "gurus" out there like Kapler. It is always fun when someone like Stevek posts content that invalidates their position but doesn't realize it.
The Harper slump continues (.194 BA in May), maybe Kapler will suggest a 3 day juice cleanse for him. Hopefully, you don't have to wait until after the All Star break for him to get out of his current funk. Be prepared for 12 more seasons like this.
I heard a saying once or twice, “haters gonna hate. “
Are you just posting to instigate folks, or bash the Phillies personnel?
Seems a little inappropriate, perhaps I misunderstood the purpose of this thread or forum section, or intent of your comments.
Phils took 2 outta 3 from the Royals, but a big test lies ahead. In the rest of May, they play Milwaukee 7 times, the Cubs 4 times, the Card and Rockies 3 times. At the end of the month they start a series with the Dodgers. If they get past all of that in a respectable way, they are for real.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
I heard a saying once or twice, “haters gonna hate. “
Are you just posting to instigate folks, or bash the Phillies personnel?
Seems a little inappropriate, perhaps I misunderstood the purpose of this thread or forum section, or intent of your comments.
It's always hilarious seeing posts from someone like Robb who pull figments from their imagination. Who knows what causes it? "Haters gonna hate" is absolutely right. But that's okay, it's sports talk.
The bottom line is the Phillies are in first place, and not even playing their best baseball yet. Despite the ups and downs, it's been a fun and entertaining season thus far, and I believe it will continue. Hopefully past 162 games.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
NL teams don't play AL teams that often during the season.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
NL teams don't play AL teams that often during the season.
I always liked the interleague play. I think it was a great idea.
Here's a prediction, you heard it here first. I think one day there may even be international play with MLB teams. Not that the international teams would join the league, but the games would count in the standings.
For example a team during the season would fly out to say Japan, and play say a four game series. The results would count in the standings, and the team would play their other 158 games with other MLB teams. Something to that effect.
I'll tell ya why i think it may be an easy call. With sports gambling rapidly growing legally in this country, it's entirely plausible that one day gambling revenue might surpass all other forms of revenue for MLB teams. Therefore to help increase that, MLB team owners would want gambling revenue worldwide from other countries as much as possible. What better way than to play some MLB games in that country. It would not only peak gambling interest for the international series, but certainly increase interest in that country's gambling base for other MLB games.
@Aspie_Rocco said:
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
NL teams don't play AL teams that often during the season.
I always liked the interleague play. I think it was a great idea.
Here's a prediction, you heard it here first. I think one day there may even be international play with MLB teams. Not that the international teams would join the league, but the games would count in the standings.
For example a team during the season would fly out to say Japan, and play say a four game series. The results would count in the standings, and the team would play their other 158 games with other MLB teams. Something to that effect.
I'll tell ya why i think it may be an easy call. With sports gambling rapidly growing legally in this country, it's entirely plausible that one day gambling revenue might surpass all other forms of revenue for MLB teams. Therefore to help increase that, MLB team owners would want gambling revenue worldwide from other countries as much as possible. What better way than to play some MLB games in that country. It would not only peak gambling interest for the international series, but certainly increase interest in that country's gambling base for other MLB games.
That will never happen......or at least it shouldn't. Come back dow to earth Steve.
Comments
Go Phillies! Beat Miami 5-1.
Are you folks able to find any of the Games online for free?
D&E sports on the tube usually has some games, but not all. I am trying to find an alternative to watch more games
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Phils now in front by 2 games in the NL East. I'll take it. Nice to have a little bit of breathing room, even if it's just early in the season.
Pretty good 11-5 record at home so far, and that bodes well as the season progresses.
Lotta games to go Steve.
You are getting the version of Harper everyone expected. He may have some terrific streaks, and one or two may last most of a season, but he seems to be an average hitter with a good eye and lots of pop. The Phillies will regret the back end of his contract. They paid for 2015 Harper which he has only delivered twice in seven seasons.
As for the statement from Hank Aaron it was slightly apocryphal. Of course there were many times he tried to hit a home run. The amount of trust people put into these kind of statements from players is mystifying.
Robb
http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5068451
Aaron bothered players take short cuts
NEW YORK -- Hank Aaron watches games these days and is perplexed as batter after batter tries to jack pitches out of the ballpark, obsessed with the long ball that made Hammerin' Hank famous.
"I don't think they understand the role of what they need to be doing," Aaron said Thursday during a visit to The Associated Press. "I'm not saying all of them, but I think some players need to understand that they're never going to hit 50 home runs or 45 home runs [a year]. They've got to learn how to hit the ball to the opposite field and do the little things to help their ballclub win championships."
It's not "slightly apocryphal." I recall reading about Aaron saying it in a newspaper.
It's hard if not impossible to find many articles published before the advent of the internet, with Google recording the text and pictures. I spent a few minutes Googling to find something, and this is the best I found. The posted article strongly infers what Aaron had previously stated about that he never tried to hit a home run.
As far as Harper...you're not getting it. He's here to help the Phillies win one or more World Series. I don't give a chit about the back end of his contract if he helps the Phils win one or more championships.
Sorta like someone saying that Jack Nicklas said "Tiger is better than I was". Yah right!
Found this quote from Ernie Banks:
Pasted:
I don't try to hit home runs. I just try to meet the ball and get base hits. Ernie Banks
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/home_runs
I couldn't find Aaron saying the exact same thing. However considering Aaron's view about home runs, and since he played in the same era as Ernie Banks, it's easy to think that Aaron might mirror Banks sentiments about hitting home runs. And i know Aaron did because years ago I read where he stated it.
Another loss today
Detroit 3 - 1 Philadelphia
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Sorta like someone saying that Jack Nicklas said "Tiger is better than I was". Yah right!
Jack might not mean it but he would be correct in his assessment that Tiger is a better golfer than he was.
Stevek, I've got a bridge to sell you.
Robb
Good to hear you're selling bridges. Probably a pretty nice commission on each sale.
https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-booed-at-home
Harper booed at home: 'I'd do the same thing'
PHILADELPHIA -- There might not be a Phillies player alive that has not heard a few boos from Philly fans.
Bryce Harper heard a few during Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to the Tigers at Citizens Bank Park. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. A ball dropped among Harper, Cesar Hernandez and Rhys Hoskins in shallow right field to spark a three-run rally in the third inning. He dropped a fly ball for an error in the eighth.
“I’d do the same thing,” Harper said of the reaction from restless Phillies fans. “It’s not fun to lose, it’s not fun to watch when you’re playing that way. [I was] 0-for-4 with two punchies, I’m probably thinking the same thing walking back to the dugout.”
Well if Gabe Kapler isn't going to motivate Bryce Harper, then Phillies fans will have to do it.
HaHa……..not even close!
Speaking of Tigers... Boom, Phil’s win 7-3 over the Tigers!
Go Phillies!!!
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Nice win. Every bat active except for Harper, an ugly 0-4. This has happened a number of times in the past several weeks...most if not all of the Phillies bats are alive in a particular game, yet Harper does nothing. I'm not going to sugar coat it, he looks terrible out there right now, in the field as well.
How could a guy so enthused, so red hot early, looking like Babe Ruth, all of a sudden turn into Eddie Gaedel?
I haven't given up on Harper, but he had better wake-up and start producing. Maybe shave that damn ugly beard of his and see what happens, and I'm almost not kidding.
I look forward to him finding his rhythm and things falling in place. I imagine changing all the home city routines and adjustment to the move will take a while.
I am still optimistic. 2019 World Series!
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
How could a guy so enthused, so red hot early, looking like Babe Ruth, all of a sudden turn into Eddie Gaedel?
That is the question folks in Washington asked over and over again. Especially when there is evidence that he can stay locked in for extended periods of time.
Robb
At that MLB.com link I posted, there is a video of two fly balls that Harper messed up. I've played a lot of baseball, little league thru high school, mostly in the outfield when i wasn't pitching, and on the one fly ball that he dropped, i don't recall myself ever dropping a fly ball which was that easy to catch. If an outfielder is paying attention during the game and watching each pitch, and watching the ball come off the bat, it's almost impossible for any halfway competent outfielder to drop a ball like that. But okay, that's an error, and it's forgivable...he lost it in the lights or whatever.
What isn't forgivable to me, is the other play shown in the video whereby he didn't hustle to run in to catch a fly ball, either because he thought the second baseman was going to run out to catch it, or because he was afraid of a collision with the second baseman.
These are major leaguers. That's a ball that Harper has to scream to the second baseman as he's running in to catch it, that it's his ball, avoid the collision, and catch the ball.
In my view that second play displayed a total lack of hustle and caring about his teammates and the fans who want to win the game. That play really hissed me off, and really sticks in my craw. Philly is a sports town that can tolerate a lot, but we will never tolerate lack of effort. It's a forgivable sin, but only if Harper starts producing, and soon.
Aspie_Rocco made an interesting point though, and I'm still willing to wait and see what happens.
Phillies opening up a little bit of daylight in the NL East.
Rhys Hoskins rapidly becoming a star in this league.
Ugh. It has been a rough patch. Lose one, win one, lose one.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Pasted: (not including today's game where he went 0 for 4)
April 10, In 23 games since then, he's hit just .195 with a .659 OPS and two home runs.
I'm not blaming every loss on Harper, but this type of performance considering his contract is beyond unacceptable, and it's beginning to bother me. Harper had better wake-up quickly or he's going to get booed the likes of which has never been seen before on this planet in a sports venue.
How are McCutchen and Realmuto doing since they got on with the Phillies?
As a comparison are there any studies regarding post-trade performance in a given time period?
Like how long it generally takes for new players to acclimate after a trade.
Particularly when their entire career has been in one place.
I am neutral on Harper’s recent performance, still.
I think he will come around.
Once they all get synchronized things will click. 2019 is the year!
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I don't disagree with anything you said. And I think he will "come around" as well. I certainly hope so.
That being said, the premise of his signing the highly lucrative contract was by playing 81 games per season at Citizens Bank Park, that he would perform even better than he did for the Nationals. Being only 26 years old that he hadn't reached his full potential yet, and he would improve under the nutritional guidance of Gabe Kapler by gaining a stronger body.
Perhaps many fans, including myself, got overly enthused when Harper got off to a red hot start, and thought that basic performance could continue throughout the season. We all understand these type of hitters go thru slumps, and maybe a week from now when he has crushed five home runs and batted .400, we'll look back on this bad slump as just a bump in the road...but it sure is bumpy now.
GRAND SLAM BRYCE.
YEA! 👍 👍 👍 👍
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/one-small-change-was-all-bryce-harper-needed-to-post-his-best-game-with-the-phillies-020537390.html
A little tinkering was all Bryce Harper needed to post his best game with the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper came into Tuesday’s game desperate to break out of his slump. After hitting just .125 over his previous 14 games, Harper was determined to tinker until something worked.
That might explain why Harper was sporting a new look during his first at-bat Tuesday. The 26-year-old Harper decided to shed his batting gloves hoping it would get him back on track.
Harper walked, but he wasn’t happy with that result. The au naturale grip just didn’t feel right.
So Harper decided to go back to his batting gloves in his second at-bat. The result: A grand slam.
and he would improve under the nutritional guidance of Gabe Kapler by gaining a stronger body
Too funny that you are still spouting that nonsense. Kapler is just another charlatan, healthy-lifestyle "guru".
I am rooting for Harper to do well and live up to his contract. I think he has the natural ability to be a HOFer but he needs to improve his approach so he doesn't have so many slumps.
Robb
<<< Kapler is just another charlatan, healthy-lifestyle "guru". >>>
Congratulations, you just set back nutritional science and physical conditioning by 100 years. 🤣
Philadelphia 21 15 .583
Atlanta 18 19 .486 3.5
N.Y. Mets 17 20 .459 4.5
Washington 14 22 .389 7.0
Miami 10 27 .270 11.5
Not too bad for around the 1/4 mark in the season.
I'll take it.
Braves lost last night so they're 4 behind.
The beauty of it is, i still don't think the Phillies are playing their best baseball.
Congratulations, you just set back nutritional science and physical conditioning by 100 years.
What are Kapler's credentials again other than that he works out a lot and is in great shape? To use the word science in the same sentence as Kapler is an insult to science. You need to expand you vocabulary so that you understand what the word charlatan means.
Robb
Pasted from Wiki:
Kapler is well known in baseball for his extraordinary musculature. Longtime Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan—who said of Kapler "He’s as smart as any player I’ve ever met"—nicknamed him "The Body."[1][13] He is an avid weightlifter, and his body fat count was reported in 2000 to be at 3.98%, and in 2012 to be at 3.5%.[4][3] He was on the cover of several fitness magazines, and became renowned for being the focus of an entire K-Swiss shoe campaign before he had even reached the pros.[14] His blog discusses fitness, nutrition, health, and leadership.[14]
Kapler and his wife co-founded the Gabe Kapler Foundation, which is dedicated to educating the public about domestic violence and helping women escape abusive relationships.[15]
<<< You need to expand you vocabulary so that you understand what the word charlatan means. >>>
Hey Robb - Look in the mirror when you say that.
Let go Phillies, looking for a Win against the Royals today! Fight nice folks.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Agreed. The NL East is a weak division this year. If the Phillies ever really hit their stride, they'd run away with this. If they underplay, then it will be a horse race till the end, and the division champ, whoever it is, will probably have a mediocre 86-76 record.
It's "Bang for your Buck Night" at Kauffman Stadium tonight. Dollar hot dogs, and then fireworks after the game. I'll be there tonight, 50/50 on attending Saturday, and then going again for sure on Sunday. Always enjoyable to take in an Interleague series, and see some players in person that infrequently make their way to KC. If the Royals have to go down this weekend, then hopefully Harper, Hoskins, and McCutchen put on a show for everyone. I'd much rather lose due to the overpowering performance of superstars than simple wildness by the bullpen or ice cold bats and lack of timely hitting by the offense.
Just to warn you, even in the lean years, the Royals under Yost have had a habit of outperforming against the more elite teams and starting pitchers at home, while then frustratingly finding a way to fumble and bumble against the lesser teams, or getting held to 2 hits by a left-handed career minor leaguer making an emergency start. So while the Phillies come in as the better team, there's no telling what we're in for this series.
It should be a fun weekend, no matter what transpires.
Good call @countdouglas
Royals 5 Phillies 1
Maybe tomorrow.
I hope you have fun at the game Count!
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Yes, it was a good night overall. I certainly could have stood it to be about 20 degrees warmer. Today's forecast is not much better, so it's still a toss-up if I attend. Sunday is a definite, though.
I have MLB.TV, but admittingly, I usually only check in on the Phillies games when I see the top half of the lineup is due to bat. So, having said that, my one takeaway from the game last night, after seeing them live, is that the Phillies defense could stand some improvement. Perhaps it was the weather, or the just the wear of being on the road, or playing in an unfamiliar stadium and backdrop, but they just seemed lethargic, like a half second slow on their reaction time when the ball was hit, and their fielding range appeared subpar. Maybe over the course of a season, their bats can cover that up, but in short series like the playoffs, I'd be very concerned. I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but that was what stood out to me immediately as a first impression.
Phillies 7 Royals 0 !!!!
Woooooooooooo
Shut out. That seems more like a can was opened. No offense to the Royals or their fans. I am enthused for this win.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Boom!
Phillies 6 Royals 1
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Before the series, I knew it had been a long time since the Phillies had visited KC. I guess 2007 was the last time they played here. I enjoyed the opportunity to watch your team, and congratulations on the series win.
I knew the Royals were toast on Sunday as soon as I heard the starting pitcher was a left-handed minor leaguer being called up for his major league debut in an emergency situation. That scenario has been the Royals' kryptonite for some time now, as I mentioned in my earlier post, long before I knew Irvin would be pitching. Not taking anything away from Irvin. He carved them up, and looks like a bona fide pitching prospect. Good luck with him on your team going forward.
If you had to come in here and beat us twice, taking the series, I do take some measure of consolation that you also did the same to our cross-state rivals, the Cardinals prior to this series.
Who started for the Royals? Keller?
How could Philly get away with not coming to the Royals stadium for so many years?
Also, when did the games start a series format of three games in a row? Has it always been like that?
Do they (opposing teams) only play three times a year, excepting playoffs?
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Good questions. I'm not sure how the NL/AL seasonal rotation works?
Jakob Junis started today for the Royals. My kryptonite reference was in regards to the opposing team's starter. The Royals have had a habit for some time of handling established veteran and even superstar pitchers, but the guys just getting called up where they don't have a "book" on him yet seems to cause them difficulty. And if he happens to also be left-handed, forget about it. So when I heard that Irvin was making his MLB debut, and heard he was left-handed, I didn't need to look up his minor league stats or anything else about him, I knew the Royals were going to have silent bats today.
Being in opposite league, the Interleague series rotate every 3 years. So the Royals and Phillies won't play again until 2022. It is usually only one 3 game series, then, at that. There are instances where two teams will play each other in a 2 game series at one stadium and then later play another 2 game series at the other stadium. I don't know the methods for selecting those 2 and 2 series, or how they determine who gets to host every 3 years. Apparently, when they played previously in 2016, 2013, and 2010, those series were all in Philadelphia. 2007 was the last time KC hosted.
As a general rule, you will play 18 or 19 games against each team in your own division. 3 series at home and 3 series on the today, spread out at various times throughout the year. Mostly, 3 game series are the norm, but sometimes they have 2 game or 4 game series.
Then, each team from the other 2 divisions in your league, you will have a total of either 6 or 7 games against those opponents, with one series at home and one series on the road.
The Interleague series, as mentioned, rotates every year. This year, the Royals and the A.L. Central teams are paired up with the N.L. East. Last year, the A.L. Central had the N.L. Central, so next year, the Royals will play the N.L. West. Usually only one 3 game series will be played, with the site determined by methods unknown to me.
I don't know about the Phillies, but the Royals have a rivalry series vs St. Louis every year, regardless if the A.L. Central is matched up in the rotation with the N.L. Central. They play a 2 and 2 home and away series. Sometimes spread out, and other times 2 in one location and the immediate next 2 games on the schedule is at the other location.
I hope that was a help. There may be some Phillies fans with a more intimate knowledge of the work quirks of your team's schedule and can fill in the holes in my explanation.
So Kapler's entire credentials rest on working out and being in great shape - which is exactly what I said. No degrees, no education, no nothing other than he works out a lot, looks good and created a blog. That is the definition of a charlatan - a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill - and pretty much defines the vast majority of healthy-lifestyle "gurus" out there like Kapler. It is always fun when someone like Stevek posts content that invalidates their position but doesn't realize it.
The Harper slump continues (.194 BA in May), maybe Kapler will suggest a 3 day juice cleanse for him. Hopefully, you don't have to wait until after the All Star break for him to get out of his current funk. Be prepared for 12 more seasons like this.
Robb
I heard a saying once or twice, “haters gonna hate. “
Are you just posting to instigate folks, or bash the Phillies personnel?
Seems a little inappropriate, perhaps I misunderstood the purpose of this thread or forum section, or intent of your comments.
http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistry/publishedset.aspx?s=142753
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
Phils took 2 outta 3 from the Royals, but a big test lies ahead. In the rest of May, they play Milwaukee 7 times, the Cubs 4 times, the Card and Rockies 3 times. At the end of the month they start a series with the Dodgers. If they get past all of that in a respectable way, they are for real.
It's always hilarious seeing posts from someone like Robb who pull figments from their imagination. Who knows what causes it? "Haters gonna hate" is absolutely right. But that's okay, it's sports talk.
The bottom line is the Phillies are in first place, and not even playing their best baseball yet. Despite the ups and downs, it's been a fun and entertaining season thus far, and I believe it will continue. Hopefully past 162 games.
NL teams don't play AL teams that often during the season.
I always liked the interleague play. I think it was a great idea.
Here's a prediction, you heard it here first. I think one day there may even be international play with MLB teams. Not that the international teams would join the league, but the games would count in the standings.
For example a team during the season would fly out to say Japan, and play say a four game series. The results would count in the standings, and the team would play their other 158 games with other MLB teams. Something to that effect.
I'll tell ya why i think it may be an easy call. With sports gambling rapidly growing legally in this country, it's entirely plausible that one day gambling revenue might surpass all other forms of revenue for MLB teams. Therefore to help increase that, MLB team owners would want gambling revenue worldwide from other countries as much as possible. What better way than to play some MLB games in that country. It would not only peak gambling interest for the international series, but certainly increase interest in that country's gambling base for other MLB games.
That will never happen......or at least it shouldn't. Come back dow to earth Steve.