H20
16 pitchers in the National League finished the season with a WHIP under 1.18. 12 pitchers finished the season with an era under 3.10. And, 10 pitchers finished with more than 190 strikeouts. Six pitchers reached all three of these plateaus and it just so happens that Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels are three of them. So reasons 1, 2 and 3 go to H2O. It is worth mentioning that the other three, Jimenez, Wainwright, and Kershaw didn’t make the playoffs.

Joe Blanton is my reason #4. Mark my words, if we win the World Series he will play a pivotal role at some point along the way. In August and September Blanton went 5-0 in eleven starts with a 3.01 era. The Phillies went 10-1 in those same starts, the only loss coming in quality start against former Phillie Brett Myers in which Blanton would go 7 strong innings allowing just one earned run.

Bullpen
I will stick with the Phillies bullpen for reasons 5 through 7. In his last 11 appearances Chad Durbin has pitched 8 innings and given up 2 earned runs. In his last 15 appearances Brad Lidge has pitched 14.1 innings and given up only one earned run adding 10 saves. After the all-star break Ryan Madson posted a 1.50 era with a 0.98 era in August and a 1.26 era in September with a combined 42 strikeouts in 32.2 innings.

A Pitchers Aid
The 8th reason the Phillies will win the World Series in 2010 is the also the most important player to the 7 pitchers listed above. In his last 5 post-season series Carlos Ruiz is hitting .342 with a .462 on base percentage and 10 extra base hits. If you want to use the “that was in the past” argument how about he led all National League catchers with a .400 obp and finished second behind Buster Posey with a .302 batting average. And down the stretch in September his stats were .324/.425/.500.

Bottom of the Lineup
If as an opposing player you do not fear Rollins (94% stolen base percentage in 2010), Polanco (2^nd in active career at-bats per strikeout ratio), Utley (4 time reigning silver slugger winner), Howard (active at-bat per home run leader), you may want to fear the next four hitters you face just as much. In September and October Jayson Werth hit .300 with 9 home runs, 23 runs scored and 22 runs batted in. In 25 games in September Ibanez hit .340/.385/.577 with 14 extra base hits, 15 runs scored and 16 rbi’s, Shane hit .292/.380/.443 with 10 stolen bases and Carlos Ruiz hit .324/.425/.500. So reason nine goes to the bottom half of our lineup.

Bench Players
The 10th and final reason goes to our bench players. Ross Gload hit .316/.400/.561 with 8 xbh, 10runs and 10rbi in 57 at bats after the all-star break. Wilson Valdez hit .297 with a .392obp in September. Ben Francisco hit .444 with a .778 slugging percentage in 18 at-bats in September. Mike Sweeney’s career .298 batting average speaks for itself.

The obvious questions is are there any players that have finished with more home runs than strikeouts. The obvious answer is yes, plenty of times. Al Simmons, Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Ott, and the list goes on and on. A better question is are there any players that have hit more than 50 home runs and struck out less than 50 times.

That list shrinks down to one, his name was Johhny Mize. Eclipsing the 40 home run palteau three times in his career he would hit 50 home runs while striking out only 42 times in 1947. The future Hall of Famer  would have 138 runs batted in and 137 runs scored with a .302/.384/.614. So, while a handful can claim they have matched strikeouts to home runs for a season, only the great Johnny Mize can say he did it with 50 home runs.

This Day in Baseball
September 25th

1955
At the age of 20, Al Kaline becomes the youngest player to win a batting title. The Tigers’ outfielder finishes the season with .340 average.

1965
At the alleged age of 60, Satchel Paige becomes the oldest player ever to appear in a major league game. Pitching for the Kansas City A’s, he blanks the Red Sox for three innings striking out one and giving up just one hit to Carl Yastrzemski.

1965
At age 34, Willie Mays becomes the oldest player to slug 50 home runs in a seasons. Giant center fielder was also the youngest to accomplish the feat hitting 51 homers in 1955.

1997
NBC’s hit TV show “ER” airs live and includes the Cubs telecast in the background of various scenes to authenticate its claim of not being pre-recorded. The medical drama cuts to the game just as Brad Ausmus hits a three-run homer much to the delight of the Astros’ catcher who is taping his favorite program to watch later, not knowing he would be part of the cast.

1998
Ken Griffey, Jr. hits his league-leading 56th homer of the season and 350th of his career becoming the youngest player ever to reach the milestone.

He would hit 22 or more home runs in four different seasons and steal 40 or more bases in nine different seasons. While Ricky Henderson can match the stolen bases he cannot match the power numbers. Joe Morgan remains the only player in history with 250 or more home runs, 675 stolen bases and a slugging percentage of .425 or higher.

This Date in Baseball

1911
At age of 44, Cy Young gains his 511th and final career win defeating the Pirates, 1-0.

1912
At Sportsman’s Park against the Browns, Eddie Collins becomes the only player to steals six bases in one game for a second time. The Philadelphia A’s second baseman’s feat of thievery has yet to be surpassed.

1925
Burleigh Grimes accounts for seven outs in just three plate appearances. The Dodger pitcher hits into two double plays, then into a triple play.

1987
Chicago sends Dickie Noles to the Tigers for player to be named later. A month later the right handed pitcher is return to the Cubs as that player to be named later.

2002
Fred McGriff becomes the first player to hit 30 home runs in a season for five different teams (Blue Jays Braves, Cubs, Devil Rays). The ‘Crime Dog’s’ first inning PNC poke also sets a record for being the 42nd major league park in which he’s gone yard, one more than Ellis Burks of the Indians.

Unfortunately, Chuck Klein passed away in 1958, 22 years before he would eventually be elected into the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee.

This brings me to Johnny Damon, who at the age of 36 has 2,450 career hits. If he accumulates 150 more hits this year he will need only 400 in 4 seasons to reach 3,000 for his career. This of course brings up the question, will he make it into the Hall if he does so?

Damon, who ranks 37^th all-time in career power-speed, is one of only 4 players who have reached 2,450 hits, 1,500 runs, 375 stolen bases, 200 home runs, 1,000 runs batted in, 450 doubles, and 375 stolen bases. The other three are current Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, and possible future Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar and Barry Bonds.

While he has only two all-star appearances he has played well in the playoffs. In two World Series wins with the Yanks and the Sox, Damon batted .326/.370/.535. In 10 games he had 14 hits, 10 runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run and 3 stolen bases. In 55 career playoff games he had 20 multi hit games What do you think, Hall Bound or not?

Albert Pujols this past season joins only Lou Gehrig as the only two players to have hit 40 doubles and 40 home runs in three different seasons. He also joined Albert Belle as the only two players to hit 45 doubles and 40 home runs in two different seasons. But the one feat he will accomplish this season has not happened in the National League since Joe Medwick did so 73 years ago, the Triple Crown.

Pujols has led the league in batting average twice, finished 2^nd twice, and finished 3^rd twice. He has led the league in home runs once, finished 2^nd once and finished 3^rd once. He has finished 2^nd three times and 3^rd twice in runs batted in. But what makes this season different? It is not new hitting coach Mark McGuire. It is not Dr. James Andrews who successfully removed 5 bone spurs from his right elbow this past off-season. The difference comes in the first legitimate cleanup hitter he has protecting him in Matt Holliday.

Over the past 4 full seasons Albert Pujols has averaged one walk per every 8.18 at-bats. With runners on base the number dips to one walk per every 3.76 at-bats. With runners in scoring position the average dips ever lower to one walk per every 2.55 at-bats.

It has been a lot easier for opposing pitchers to pitch around Albert Pujols in years past. But for the first time in his career the St Louis Cardinals have a legitimate cleanup hitter in Matt Holiday, who through the first 7 games of the season has hit .379 with 3 home runs, 2 doubles and 6 runs batted in.

Pujols is currently leading the National League in home runs (5) and runs batted in (14) both career highs to start a season. His .407 batting average is good for 7^th in the league. Most important, his walk rate per at-bat has decreased substantially. With runners on base he has 3 walks in 13 at-bats (4.33). And with runners in scoring position Pujols has only 2 walks in 9 at-bats (4.50), or roughly 2.5 less walks per at bat over his 4 year average. What does this mean, more pitches, more home runs, more runs batted in, and the first triple crown in the National League in 73 years.

So coaches like Tonly LaRussa cannot vote for Yadier Molina who is hands down the best defensive catcher in the game. And coaches who have a personal vendetta against certain players or teams in general end up voting inaccurately. Or how about this scenario… the N.L. shortstop is a virtual coin flip between the Phillies Jimmy Rollins and the Rockies Troy Tulowitzki and both sides know this. Do you think Charlie Manual is going to vote for Tulowitzki or Jim Tracy is going to vote for Rollins? Doubtful.

The current system has more flaws than College Football’s BCS and causes injustice to players every year. Just ask Jason Giambi or Tino Martinez who in 1999 had fielding percentages of .995 but lost to Rafael Palmeiro who did post a .996 fielding percentage but played in only 28 games that year. The cause, Palmeiro won the previous two years.

I could also mention Roberto Alomar who won six consecutive gold gloves from 1991 to 1996 and then four consecutive from 1998 to 2001, 1997 being the only year he did not win. I wonder if this had something to do with spitting on an umpire in late September of 1996. Coaches penalized him the following season because they had already voted the current season. His .988 fielding percentage was better than his % in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2000 and his 6 errors tied or was better than 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2001. Knoblach that year made 11 errors that year some of which landed in the front row because of errant throws.

And please do not let me forget players like Greg Maddux who won 18 consecutive awards. Surely there must have been at least one season in which one pitcher fielded better than Maddux. The Gold Glove is not an ESPY award voted by fans. When Hall of Fame voters look back at a players portfolio they do not look at ESPY awards or Web Gems, they look at offensive stats and Gold Gloves. Maybe coaching staffs should start taking this more seriously.

So without further ado, the 2009 winners are:

1B  Adrian Gonzalez
2B Orlando Hudson
3B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Jimmy Rollins
OF Matt Kemp
OF Michael Bourn
OF Shane Victorino
C    Yodier Molina
P    Adam Wainwright

1B Adrian Gonzalez
Albert Pujols led the league in range factor, double plays, and assists. He had nearly 200 more chances and 100 more putouts than any other 1^st baseman in the league. If you are not going to vote for the best all around defensive first baseman then at least vote for the one that made the least errors or had the highest fielding percentage, both of which went to Adam LaRoche. Just because Gonzalez won it last year doesn’t mean he deserved it this year. Gonzalez finished 6^th in total chances, 7^th in putouts, 7^th in errors, 5^th in double plays, 7^th in fielding percentage, 10^th in range factor, and 4^th in zone rating. (0 for 1)

2B Orlando Hudson
While Orlando Hudson did deserve to win the award in 2006 and 2007 and probably 2008 if he were not injured for a large portion of the season, the past is the past. Hudson did not finish in the top 4 in range factor or zone rating and lost his spot late in the season to Ronnie Belliard. Again, if you are not going to give the award to the best all around fielder, which in this case is Chase Utley, then give it to the player with the highest fielding percentage or the least number of errors, both of which went to David Eckstein. While my opinion may be somewhat biased, Rob Neyer wrote about Utley, “He still doesn’t have a Gold Glove despite being arguably the league’s top defensive second baseman for five seasons running. And not over the last five seasons; I mean in each of the last five seasons.” (0 for 2)

3B Ryan Zimmerman
While Ryan Zimmerman made a few errors more than the average 3^rd baseman, he also had the most total chances, most assists and most diving, bare-handed, “from the knees” plays in baseball. This award doesn’t always go to the player with the least errors or best fielding percentage. There are intangibles involved. Zimmerman has these intangibles. With that said I also would not have been mad if the award went to Kevin Kouzmanoff who made only 2 errors in 139 games. (1 for 3)

SS Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins made the least errors (6) and had the highest fielding percentage (.990) than any of his National League counterparts. And, while one could argue that Tulowitzki should have won in 2007 when he had a better fielding percentage(.987 to .985), more total chances (834 to 717), more double-plays (114 to 110) more put-outs (262 to 227), more assists (561 to 479) and an equal number of errors (11), you cant argue that this year. Sorry Troy, you are young and bound to win a few… just as soon as Rollins loses a step. (2 for 4)

P Adam Wainwright
I have no idea how one chooses who is the best fielding pitcher in his league. Apparenly, it is the pitcher with the best fielding percentage because he posted the league’s best. But, if you look at range Factor Wainwright ranks 9^th. If you look at zone rating he ranks 34^th, six behind teammate Chris Carpenter. Wainwright had 0 double plays behind teammates Ryan Franklin, Michell Boggs, Jason Motte, Trevor Miller, Todd Wellemeyer, Joel Pineiro, Chris Carpenter, Brad Thompson, and Kyle McClelan. His 19 assist were behind teammates Joel Pineiro (31) and Adam Wainwright (29). And, his 27 putouts were tied with teammate Joel Pineiro. So it looks like Wainwright was not only not the best in his league, he was not even the best on his team. (2 for 5)

C Yadier Molina
Molina is hands down the best catcher in major league baseball. He ranked 5^th in Range Factor, 2^nd in Zone Rating, 2^nd in past balls, 2^nd in Catchers Earned Run Average, and 2^nd in Assists. His 8 pickoffs were five more than the second place finisher and his Stolen Bases Allowed was twice as good as the second place finisher. (3 for 6)

OF Matt Kemp, Michael Bourn, Shane Victorino
Where to start. I guess I am perfectly fine with these three players winning gold gloves. With that said, I would have been perfectly fine if Mike Cameron, Nyger Morgan and Jayson Werth had won. Since Steve Finley and Jim Edmonds announced retirement and Andrew Jones put on what seems like 40 pounds there is not one truly great defensive outfielder in the National League with the exception of Carlos Beltran, but he was injured for most of the season.

I know I am going to hear some backlash for what I am about to write but I think Bourn is the most deserving player of the three. Victorino did lead the NL center fielders with a .997 fielding percentage and was a close second in zone rating but misplayed a few balls throughout the season, one being a Derek Jeter fly ball in the World Series. Kemp ranked 3^rd in fielding percentage, 6^th in range factor, 6^th in zone rating and led the league in assists and double plays.

Michael Bourn ranked 2^nd in putouts, 2^nd in total chances, 2^nd in assists, and 2^nd in range factor
but was 6^th in fielding percentage and 9^th in zone rating. I would have like to have seen Mike Cameron win the award as he had the best range factor, most total chances, most putouts and a few diving plays and home run snags. (3 for 6 and N/A)

As I have said before, the Gold Glove is not a meaningless award given by a little league coach at an awards ceremony. It is by far the most important part of a players defensive portfolio when getting looked at by potential Hall of Fame voters. Maybe since the Baseball Writers Association of America and the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee vote on who gets into the Hall of Fame, they too should vote who wins the Gold Glove. I am sure they would be more than happy to oblige.

So who is has been our best pitcher over the past two seasons? Cole Hamels followed up a World Series MVP with a terrible regular season and an even worse post season in 2009. Cliff Lee was not here last year so he is out. J.C. Romero was gone for the majority of this season. Brad Lidge led the MLB in blown saves this season. Chan Ho Park was phenomenal this year in relief but was not with the team last year. Ryan Madson posted an era in the low 3.00’s in both seasons but blew 8 saves in 19 opportunities. And J.A. Happ did not get the opportunities in either post season to be considered, which leaves us with Scott Eyre.

After starting with the Chicago White Sox as a starting pitcher in 1997, Eyre would find his niche in the bullpen just two seasons later. Arguably his best two seasons would come at the tail end of his career when he joined the Phillies halfway through the 2008 season. He would go on to post a 5-1 record with a 1.62 earned run average in 61 appearances in. It was Eyre that posted a 0.00 era in 9 innings over 15 appearances during the past two Championship Series and World Series. It was Eyre who took the mound with a one-run lead in the ninth inning of the clinching Game 4 of the NLDS in Colorado. After getting the first two outs of the inning, Eyre turned it over to Brad Lidge to nail down the win.

But the only thing that matters more in his life is family. As Eyre contemplates one last season after he undergoes an off-season surgery this upcoming Monday to remove loose bodies in his pitching elbow, it is ultimately up to Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro and his family to decide his future.

Speaking about one more season, Eyre stated after last nights series loss, “We’ll see if they still want me around.” The one promise he did make, “I’ll either wear a ‘P’ on my head or nowhere else.” While pitching baseballs is the only job he’s had in his adult life, Eyre has earned about $14 million in the past 4 years, which is more than enough money to support, his wife and two boys, Caleb and Jacob. But the decision is going to tough. Eyre said, “My kids are ready for me to be home, so it’s hard to stand here and not let the water works go right now.”

He concluded his interview stating that he will be at peace with whatever happens. I on the other hand will not be. Scotty please come back for one more year.

Before I retort, I would just like to thank the Boston Redsox for giving us the best chance we can to win the World Series. And, here is why. Both the Phillies and the Red Sox are going with a four man rotation. The Phillies are more balanced with two left-handers whlie the Rays only have one, Kazmir. And, if it were not for the Redsox taking it to 7, the Phills most likely would have faced a much tougher schedule.

As Joe Madden is hands down going to receive coach of the year honors in the American League he would have undoubtedly pitched Kazmir in game 2 and game 6 so the Phillies would have had to DH against a lefty twice. Kudos to the Sox for going the distance because now we will probably face Kazmir in game 1 away and game 5 at home.

Sure we are at a disadvantage in game 1 with Coste most likely DHing. But luckily for the Phills we have Hamels on the mound for game 1. If our ace does what he is supposed to do (and does what he had done the past three starts this post season) it should not matter who our DH is.
And, don’t you think that the Rays pitcher are at a huge disadvantage when they have to hit when the Phills are home. Garza, Shields, Sonnanstine and Kazmir have combined for 14 total at-bats this season…all during interleague play, all more than 3 months ago.

The Phills have the best road record in the NL at 44-37. The Rays have the best home record in the AL 57-24. The Phills have more runs 799-774, more doubles 291-284, more homers 214-180, and more total bases 2412-2341 then thier counterparts. The Rays have a better team era 3.82-3.88, more saves 52-47, and more shutouts 12-11. And, defesnively the two have the same number of errors and the same fielding percentage (although the tiebreaker would go to the Phills becuase the total chances were higher).

Both teams have depth in the bull pen and off the bench. This is going to be a close one but I’m predicting the Phills in 6.