Joe Who?....Joe Mauer? AL MVP?

Who would take home the 2009 American League MVP Award? Would it be Derek Jeter from the New York Yankees, Miguel Cabrera from the Detroit Tigers, Joe Mauer from the Minnesota Twins, Mark Teixeira from the New York Yankees? Which one of these fine players would take home this award? It was going to be very interesting to see who would win this award because all these players had such a good year and this pick came down to the wire!

Joe Mauer from the Minnesota Twins would walk away with his first "EVER" American League MVP Award. In 2009 Mauer already won a gold glove award and a silver slugger award. Also Mauer would have himself his second straight batting title and his third in four years as a catcher. But this pick wasn't going to come easy going against a great player who has really came into his own Miguel Cabrera from the Tigers, a first time World Series winner Mark Teixeira from the New York Yankees, and a five time World Series winner Derek Jeter from the New York Yankees as well. Joe Mauer in 2009 had probably one of his best seasons in his young career with a batting AVG of .365, 96 RBI's, 28 HR, and .444 OBP. That is just amazing that a catcher can be that good of a hitter. Being a catcher is probably one the hardest jobs to contribute in baseball. To take shots behind the plate, be on your knees for the most part, catch a 90-95 mph fast ball, and then bat third in the line-up and get on base and run the bases, is just called a "GREAT" all around player that works hard every day! Although it was very hard to choice who would win this award with two great first baseman in Cabrera and Teixeira and the greatest short stops in our time Derek Jeter. Cabrera for the Tigers in 2009 had a really great year with a AVG of .324, 103 RBI's, 34 HR, and .396 OBP. Teixeira who came over from the Braves after being traded away from the Angels in 2008, had a fine season for the Yankees winning his first World Series in 2009 with a batting AVG of .292, 122 RBI's, 39 HR, and .383 OPB. Then there's Jeter who is the best in the game at everything he does and put up another strong output in 2009 batting .334, 66 RBI's, 18 HR, and .406 OBP.

Joe Mauer would become the eighth catcher in history to win the American League MVP Award and the fifth player in Twins history to win the award as well. The last Twin to win the award was teammate Justin Morneau back in 2006, Rod Carew in 1977, Harmon Killebrew in 1969, Zoilo Versalles in 1965, and Now Joe Mauer joins them in Twins history. I think if you have to ask who is the best catcher in AL you would have to say Joe Mauer without a doubt. Here's a 26 year old guy who just loves to play the game and has fun enjoying every moment of it. If you were to ask who was the best catcher before Mauer you would probably say Ivan Rodriguez who played for the Texas Rangers in the late 90's or Jorge Posada who still plays for the New York Yankees who's better years are behind him winning five World Series titles. But before that you would have to go all the way back to the late 70's to find a great catcher in the American League and that was Thurman Munson who played for the New York Yankees. I think Joe Mauer has filled that spot of being the best catcher in our time as we speak and will be for the next four to five year if he stays healthy. The Twins won their division this year by one game, but didn't make it too far in the postseason after hitting a wall against the New York Yankees, the Twins will definitely be back next year to try to go back to the postseason and see if they can win their first World Series since 1991. As for Mauer he's going to do what he does best and try to become the first catcher since Yogi Berra from the Yankees to win back to back MVP Awards in 1954 and in 1955, to do just that and try to win a World Series title. This is Beyond a great catcher, this is Beyond Baseball.

Halladay Will Become a Free Agent in 2010.

Roy Halladay will not stay a Blue Jay in 2010 come trade deadline next year. There have been two teams who have been interest in Halladay and that are the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox, Dodgers, and Phillies have also been mentioned in degrees of interest as well, simply because Hallaway will cost too much money, or teams will have to give up players if a deal comes down to a trade. We saw what happened last year with the Phillies. The Phillies weren't going to give up their top prospects to get Halladay. As we know the Phillies got Cilff Lee and Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians and that deal worked out pretty well for the Phillies.

Halladay is the guy you might want on your team in 2010 cause he's hungry to win a World Series and wants to play for a winning team. The Yankees could use him as their number two starter and move A.J. Burnett as their number three guy .The Yankees goal is to win BACK TO BACK World Series titles and Halladay can help them do just that. The Dodgers, well they could defiantly use him in 2010 only because we saw for the past two years the Dodgers could not get past the Phillies in the NLCS and maybe if Halladay came to the Dodgers he could get them past the NLCS and get them to a World Series and possibly win it for them. For the Phillies, well they have been talking to Halladay since the trade deadline last year but came up emptily, but if the Phillies were to get him next year I think they will have another shot of getting back to the World Series for a third straight year and winning it again for second time in three years. If the Phillies added Halladay in the mix with Lee, Hamels, Happ, and Blanton, I think the Phillies would have the best pitching rotation in baseball. As for the Red Sox, well there in need of pitching only because last year we saw them have the biggest lead in the AL East before the All-Star break and then after the break their pitching staff just broke down. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester were the Sox's best pitchers in 2009 and they didn't make it too far in the postseason last year and if they’re going to look for the spark plug to help them get back to the World Series and win another one than Halladay is your guy. Whoever Halladay goes to in 2010 he's going to cost a lot but it will defiantly pay off in the end he will do the best he can to get a team to a World Series and win one for his new ball club in 2010.

Lincecum Does it Again!

This afternoon Major League Baseball would vote on who would win the NL CY Young Award. There were three choices to pick from. First choice was former CY Young Award winner back in 2005 Chris Carpenter, from the St. Louis Cardinals. Carpenter this year already won NL Come Back Player of the Year and could defiantly win the 2009 NL CY Young Award. This season Carpenter had a fine season with an ERA of 2.24, 17 wins, 4 losses, 144 strikeouts, and 192.2 innings pitched. Also there was his teammate Adam Wainwright who won a gold glove award already was in line to win his first CY Young Award. In 2009 Wainwright had a 2.63 ERA, 19 wins, 8 losses, 212 strikeouts, and 233.0 innings pitched, and was the second choice on the list. Both Carpenter and Wainwright would help win the NL Central Division for the Cardinals in 2009 over the Cubs. The final choice was the 2008 CY Young Award winner from the San Francisco Giants, "The Freak" Tim Lincecum. In 2009 Limcecum put up another strong season with an ERA of 2.48, 15 wins, 7 losses, 261 strikeouts (the most in the NL), and 225.1 innings pitched. They would give the 2009 NL CY Young Award back to young 25 year old Tim Lincecum!

Tim Lincecum would become the second player to win Back to Back NL CY Young Awards since his teammate Randy Johnson did so from 1999-2002. Here's a look at Randy Johnson's numbers. 1999 - ERA 2.49, 17 wins, 9 losses, 364 strikeouts, and 271.2 innings pitched. 2000 - ERA 2.64, 19 wins, 7 losses, 347 strikeouts, and 248.2 innings pitched. 2001 - ERA 2.49, 21 wins, 6 losses, 372 strikeouts, and 249.2 innings pitched. 2002 - ERA 2.32, 24 wins, 5 losses, 334 strikeouts, and 260.0 innings pitched. Randy Johnson is clearly one of the best pitchers in our time from that era. But I think a new young gun pitcher has shown everyone to be one of the best pitchers in baseball in our time and his name is Tim Lincecum. Linececum has only been in the Major Leagues for 3 years and has proved people that he isn't a little boy anymore winning Back to Back NL CY Young Awards and leading the league in strikeouts in the National League. In 2008 he won his first CY Young Award with a 2.62 ERA, 18 wins, 5 losses, 265 strikeouts, and 227.0 innings pitched. When you think San Francisco Giants, you think TIM LINCECUM if you’re a player or a fan. He has to be considering one of the most dangerous pitchers in the game and for the Giants since Juan Marichal played in the 1960's. Lincecum has yet to get his club to the postseason but when he does all he will be thinking about is win a World Series and I'll be one if not only the best pitcher in my generation. The Giants haven’t been to a World Series since 2002 but lost to the Los Angeles Angels and they haven't won a World Series in almost five or six decades. I look forward to the 2010 season to see if Lincecum can get his team to the postseason and maybe win the NL West Division for the first time since 2003. All I can say is "it’s no freak show, Tim Lincecum is human".

NL and AL Manager of the Year Award.

For the National League, Jim Tracy from the Colorado Rockies won the 2009 Manager of the Year Award. The Rockies who started off with former coach Clint Hurdle started off a little “rockie”. Hurdle in the beginning of the season had a record of 18-28, dead last in the NL West. But May 29, 2009, Hurdle was fired and was sent home packing. It was than when beach coach Jim Tracy was giving the job to turn things around for the Rockies in 2009. After Tracy took over the Rockies had a better record with 72 wins and 42 losses, and now were neck and neck with the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card race. Near the end of the season the Rockies even came close to winning the division from the Los Angeles Dodgers who had a big lead in the middle of the season, but the Dodgers would pull away and win the NL West Division. The Rockies would yes win the NL Wild Card with a 92-70 record and would head back to the playoffs for the second time in three years. In the NLDS the Rockies would fall to the defending World Series Champions, Philadelphia Phillies three games to one and that would be the end for the Colorado Rockies in 2009. You can't be that up-set if you’re a Rockies though with a team that didn't even look that good from the start and then to make the playoffs is just something great and they could be one of the better teams in the NL two years to come. Jim Tracy would become the first ever Colorado Rockies manager to win this award and I wish him the best of luck in the 2010 season.


For the American League Mike Scioscia, from the Los Angeles Angels would win his second Manager of the Year Award, his first was back in 2002 where the Angels won the World Series over the San Francisco Giants. In 2009 things started off a little rough for Scioscia and his club. April 9th, 2009 the Angels would lose one of their own, starting pitcher #34 Nick Adenhart who was killed in a car accident just after pitching 6 scoreless innings in his 4th or 5th big league start. Around June the Angels were just 29-29 and didn't look that good for the team who had a few injuries but the Angels would somehow clime their way back into the AL West race with the Texas Rangers. Angels center fielder, Torii Hunter said "were doing this for Nick, he’s smiling down at us and saying hey lets go out and win one today" and the Angles would do so. The team would finish with 97 wins at the end of 2009 (the second most wins in the AL) and win the AL West Division crown five times out of six and knock off the Texas Rangers. In the ALDS the Angles would face the AL Wild Card winners the Boston Red Sox and sweep them three games to nothing and head to the ALCS to take on the best team in baseball, the New York Yankees. The Yankees would end the Angles long journey in the ALCS by beating them four games to two. Throughout this season it was still a good one for the Angles, losing a close friend, starting off slow, and then working their way back into things to win the division is just great. I see the Angles next year being a pretty good team; with a few players on the free agent list I think they will still have a pretty good year in 2010.

Zack Greinke wins the AL CY Young Award.

Today in Major League Baseball it was time to pick who would win the AL CY Young Award. There were many choices to pick from in the American League. First there is, Zack Greinke from the Kansas City Royals. Greinke in 2009 put up one of his best seasons with an ERA of 2.16, 16 wins, 8 losses, 242 strikeouts (second most in the AL), and 229.1 innings pitched. Second choice was right hander Roy "Doc" Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays who won a CY Young back in 2003. But in 2009 Halladay would have a fine season with an ERA of 2.79, 17 wins, 10 losses, 208 strikeouts, and 239.0 innings pitched. He was also injured a few times this season and still put up those numbers. Third choice was gunslinger Felix Hernandez, from the Seattle Mariners. 2009 was probably one Hernandez's best years with an ERA of 2.49, 19 wins, 5 losses, 217 strikeouts, and 238.2 innings pitched. Forth choice was the 6'7, 290 IBS big dog C.C. Sabathia, from the New York Yankees. Sabathia who already won a CY Young Award in 2007 who would have another great year in 2009 winning his first World Series and having a ERA of 3.37, 19 wins, 8 losses, 197 strikeouts, and 230.0 innings pitched. Last choice was the 26 year old Justin Verlander, from the Detroit Tigers who would have one of his better years in 2009. Verlander had an ERA of 3.45, 19 wins, 9 losses, 269 strikeout (most in the AL), and 240.0 innings pitched. So out these five outstanding pitchers, who would win the AL CY Young Award?

Zack Greinke would win the AL CY Young Award putting up one his best performances in 2009. Who would have thought Greinke would become one of your big time pitchers in 2009, where about 4 years ago Greinke wasn't even one of your big time pitchers with an ERA of 5.80, 5 wins, 17 losses, 114 strikeouts, and 183.0 innings pitched in 2005. In 2008 he would than try to turn it around with an ERA of 3.47, 13 wins, 10 losses, 183 strikeouts, and 202.1 innings pitched. In 2009 the Kansas City Royals would finish second to last in the American League Central tied with the Cleveland Indians with 65 wins and 97 losses and that's just great that Greinke could put up those numbers. 2009 was definitely one to remember for Zack Greinke who wins the 2009 AL CY Young Award.


Zack Greinke is the fourth Kansas City Royal in their history to win the AL CY Young Award. The first was Bret Saberhagen back in 1985 with an ERA of 2.87, 20 wins, 6 losses, 158 strikeouts and 235.1 innings pitched. In 1989 Saberhagen would yet again win the AL CY Young Award with a 2.16 ERA, 23 wins, 6 losses, 193 strikeouts, and 262.1 innings pitched. The third person came in 1994 with David Cone who had an ERA of 2.94, 16 wins, 5 losses, 132 strikeouts, and 171.2 innings pitched. Greinke is now one of the best big time pitchers in the AL and yet plays for not such a great team; you still must fear him when you come up to bat. We hope he can bring the same dominate pitcher he was in 2009 to the 2010 season come opening day in April.

Bailey and Coghlan get Rookie of the Year.

The 2009 Rookie of the Year Award for the AL and NL went to Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics and Chris Coghlan from the Florida Marlins. Bailey who is a relief pitcher for the A's got the honors by putting up these impressive numbers during the 2009 season. His ERA was 1.84, 26 saves in (30 chances), 6 win, 3 losses, and 91 strikeouts. We now go to left fielder for the Florida Marlins, Chris Coghlan. In 2009 as a rookie Coghlan put up some pretty good numbers, batting .321, 9 HR, and 47 RBI's. But I think some may think otherwise with this pick. If you look at Phillies left hander J.A. Happ who had a great season with an ERA of 2.93, 12 win, 4 losses, and 119 strikeouts good enough to win the Rookie of the Year honors. Happ did not even start off as a starter; in fact he started off in the bull pen in the start of 2009. Happ helped the Phillies with the back of the rotation and got them back to the World Series, but in the end Coghlan would walk away with the award.


Andrew Bailey is the 7th Oakland Athletic to win the award. The first was Joes Canseco back in 1986, the second was Mark McGwire in 1987, the third was Walt Weiss in 1988, the fourth was Ben Grieve in 1998, the fifth was Bobby Crobsy in 2004, and the sixth was Huston Street in 2005 and now Andrew Baliey here in 2009.

As for the Florida Marlins, Chris Coghlan is the third person in their history to win this award. First man to win it was Dontrelle Willis back in 2003 and Hanley Ramirez in 2006. So Coghlan just adds a little more history for the Florida Marlins club by being the third person to win this award.

2009 AL and NL Sliver Slugger Award

Yesterday afternoon we all saw the AL and NL Gold Glove Award, so today were gonna take a look at the AL and NL Sliver Slugger Award. Will start off with the American League first.


American League
Catcher - Joe Mauer from the Twins
First Base - Mark Teixeira from the Yankees
Second Base - Aaron Hill from the Blue Jays
Third Base - Evan Longoria from the Rays
Short Stop - 4 time winner Derek Jeter from the Yankees
Outfield - Jason Bay from the Red Sox
Outfield - Torii Hunter from the Angels
Outfield - Ichiro Suzuki from the Mariners
DH - Adam Lind from the Blue Jays


National Leauge
Catcher - Brian McCann from the Braves
First Base - Albert Pujols from the Cardinals
Second Base - 4 time winner Chase Utley from the Phillies
Third Base - Ryan Zimmerman from the Nats
Short Stop - Hanley Ramirez from the Marlins
Outfield - Ryan Braun from the Brewers
Outfield - Andre Ethier from the Dodgers
Outfield - Matt Kemp from the Dodgers
Pitcher - 3 time winner Carlos Zambrano from the Cubs


If your a Phillies fan you must be very proud of second baseman Chase Utley for winning his 4th straight Sliver Slugger Award since Make Schmidt back in the 80's. The second baseman first won it back in 2006 and Phillies fans knew they had something special on their hands. Chase Utley is one of your premier players in the game and will be for a long time. Take a look at his number from 2006 to 2009.

2006 - AVG .309, 32 HR, 102 RBI's
2007 - AVG .332, 22 HR, 103 RBI's
2008 - AVG .292, 33 HR, 104 RBI's
2009 - AVG .282, 31 HR, 93 RBI's


We now go to the Cubs and they have themselves a 3 time winner in Carlos Zambrano who is a starting pitcher yet. That's just amazing that a "pitcher" can hit that good to win the Sliver Slugger Award 3 times in his career. Take a look at his numbers from 2006 to 2009.

2006 - AVG .151, 6 HR, 11 RBI's
2008 - AVG .337, 4 HR, 14 RBI's
2009 - AVG .217, 4 HR, 11 RBI's


Now we take a look at Derek Jeter short stop for the Yankees who is a 4 time winner in the American. Jeter has always been at the top of the list of the best short stops but we will get to a better one in a few moments. Jeter has also won 5 World Series as a Yankee and people knew he was going to be one the best in the league. Look at his numbers from 2006 to 2009.

2006 - AVG .343, 15 HR, 97 RBI's
2007 - AVG .322, 12 HR, 73 RBI's
2008 - AVG .300, 11 HR, 69 RBI's
2009 - AVG .334, 18 HR, 66 RBI's


At one point Cal Ripken,Jr from the Orioles held the all time record for the most wins for the Sliver Slugger Award with 8 and is and still probably one the best short stops of the game. Ripken first won the award the back in 1983 and would win it again in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993 and the last time in 1994. We now get to the best short stop from our time back in 1993 from when he first came up Alex Rodriguez. Back in 1996 Rodriguez won his first Sliver Slugger Award and would do so in till 2000 as a Seattle Mariners, but in 2001 he was signed to the Texas Rangers and would win it another 3 times in 2001, 2002, and 2003. In 2004 Rodriguez was signed to New York Yankees but not as a short stop, but as a third baseman and he would than win 3 more Sliver Slugger awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008 as a third baseman and would hold the all time record with 10 wins with the award. That's just something you don't see. First win 7 as a short stop, than win 3 more as a third baseman is just a great stat that a lot people don't know. Just to be that great of a hitter and one of the best in baseball is a honor to take home all the time.

AL and NL Gold Gloves Awards and More

Today Major League Baseabll announced the 2009 gold gloves awards for both the American League and the National League. We first start off with the American League since an American League team won the World Series this year.

American League Gold Glove
Catcher - Joe Mauer from the Twins
First Base - Mark Teixeria from the Yankees
Second Base - Placido Polonco from the Tigers
Third Base - Evan Longoria from the Rays
Short Stop - Derek Jeter from the Yankees
Outfield - Torii Hunter from the Angels
Outfield - Adam Jones from the Orioles
Outfield - Ichiro Suzuki from the Mariners
Pitcher - Mark Buehrie from the White Sox


National League Gold Golve
Catcher - Yadier Molina from the Cardinals
First Base - Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres
Second Base - Orlando Hudson from the Dodgers
Third Base - Ryan Zimmerman from the Nats
Short Stop - Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies
Outfield - Michael Bourn from the Astros
Outfield - Matt Kemp from the Dodgers
Outfield - Shane Vicrorino from the Phillies
Pitcher - Adam Wainwright from the Cardinals

Now we go over to the Delivery Man of the Year Award and it went to Mariano Rivera, closer for the New York Yankees. Who in 2009 had one of his best seasons, with 44 saves in 46 chances, an ERA of 1.76, 66. 1/3 innings pitched, and 72 strikeouts. The man is just that good.

Now the we go to the AL Comeback Player Award in 2009 and it went to Aron Hill from the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2008 Hill had a serious of concussion and some didn't think he wouldn't have made it back to playing Major League Baseball but he did and in 2009 he put up one of his best seasons. His batting AVG was .286, 108 RBI's and 36 HR. For the NL Comeback Player Award in 2009 it went to Chris Carpenter from the St. Louis Cardinals. After two long years with injury's people didn't know if Carpenter would be his same old self he was a few years ago but in 2009 it was his comeback year! In 2009 he put up these numbers an ERA of 2.24, 17 wins, 4 losses, 192.2 innings pitched, and 144 strikeouts. Also Carpenter is in line to possible win his 2nd NL Cy Young Award.

Other awards will be announced later in the month such as the the AL and NL Sliver Slugger Award on November 12, 2009. The AL and NL Rookie of the Year Award on November 16, 2009. The AL and NL Manager of the Year Award on November 18, 2009. The AL Cy Young Award on November 17, 2009, and the NL Cy Young Award on November 19, 2009. The AL MVP Award on November 23, 2009, and the NL MVP Award on November 24, 2009.

For more updates on any big news or stories about baseball keep reading my blogs on http://lempert45-lempert45-wwwbeyondbaseball.blogspot.com/ or you can go on www.facebook.com to read them if you have a facebook. If so make sure to add me on facebook. I'm Seth Lempert and thanks for reading my blogs.

Top 15 best Free Agents Phillies Should Look Into

With the Phillies already getting rid of third baseman Pedro Feliz they may wanna look into getting a strong third baseman for the up-coming 2010 season ahead. They have four options. Option 1 would be Chone Figgins from the Los Angeles Angels, who in 2009 had a batting AVG of .298, 72 RBI's, 5 HR, and 42 stolen bases. Option 2 would be getting back former Phillie Placido Polanco from the Detroit Tigers who in 2009 batted .285, 72 RBI's, and hit 10 HR. Option 3 would be Mark DeRosa from the St. Louis Cardinals who in 2009 had a batting AVG of .250, 78 RBI's and hit 23 HR. Option 4 would be Hank Blalock from the Taxes Rangers who in 2009 hit .234, 66 RBI's and 25 HR. I think the Phillies best bet would be Chone Figgins only because you need a strong number 7th batter in the line-up and we already have enough power hitters. Also Figgins has speed, so he could cause some drama when he gets on base. He also has a nice glove at third and knows what it takes to win being with the defending AL West Division Champs Los Angeles Angels.

We go to the Phillies bench players, the Phlis will probably get rid of Miguel Cairo, Matt Stairs, Greg Dobbs, and Eric Bruntlett. There's also four options with the bench players. Option 1 would be Scott Podsednik from the Chicago White Soxs who is an outfielder. In 2009 he had a batting AVG of .304, 48 RBI's, 7 HR and 30 stolen bases. Option 2 could be Nick Johnson from the Florida Marlins who is a first baseman. In 2009 he batted .291, 62 RBI's and hit 8 HR. Option 3 is Orlando Hudson from the Los Angeles Dodgers who can play any infield spot. In 2009 he hit .283, 62 RBI's, and 9 HR. Last option would be Mike Cameron from the Milwaukee Brewers who is an outfielder or can play first base as well. In 2009 his batting AVG was .250, 70 RBI's, and 24 HR. I think Hudson and Cameron would be the best for the bench only because Hudson can play third if the Phillies don't sign a good third baseman and he can play anywhere in the infield. Cameron I like him cause he's young and he has speed. Also he's got that power off the bench and can play first base if you give Howard a day off.


We now go the Phillies bull pen who this year wasn't that good. Between Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson the pen had almost 20 blown saves and may want to look for a new closer or set-up man. With Brad Lidge, Scott Eyre who is a free agent, J.C. Romero all going under surgery this offseason. If Lidge isn't ready for the 2010 season they made need a closer for the first few months. Option 1 is - Mike Gonzalez from the Atlanta Braves who in 2009 had an ERA of 2.42, 5 wins, 4 losses, 10 saves, 74.1 innings pitched and 90 strikeouts. Option 2 is Rafael Betancourt from the Colorado Rockies who in 2009 had an ERA of 2.73, 4 wins, 3 losses, 2 saves, 56.0 innings pitched and 61 strikeouts. The final option which i think the Phillies should jump on is Rafael Soriano from the Atlanta Braves because in 2009 his ERA was 2.97, 1 win, 6 losses, (27 saves), 75.2 innings pitched, and 102 strikeouts.

Now our final step is the starting pitching for the Phillies. We saw in 2009 Cole Hamels just didn't have it this season and what he said during the World Series marks some questions if he still wants to play here? Also by now having Cliff Lee as your ace you wanna find that second man to give you that ONE - TWO punch. Joe Blanton who was the Phillies most consisted pitcher did great in 2009 and could be our number 3 or 4 pitcher. Than there's J.A. Happ who proved himself to be the Phillies number 5 guy with 12 wins as a rookie. As for Pedro Martinez I don't think he will be here next year. As much as Martinez likes it here the Phillies are looking for a guy who can fill the number 2 or 3 hole in the pitching rotation and can go deep into games. As of right now the rotation looks like this, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ. So the Phillies options are, number 1 - Rich Harden from the Chicago Cubs who is a injury risk but is very good. In 2009 his ERA was 4.09, 9 wins, 9 losses, 141.0 innings pitched, and 171 strikeouts. Option 2 is - John Lackey from the Los Angeles Angels who in 2009 got the Angles to the postseason with an ERA of 3.83, 11 wins, 8 losses, 176.1 innings pitched, and 139 strikeouts. But I see him going to the Yankees only because Andy Pettitte is a free agent and they will probably wanna fill that left handed roll in the rotation. Also Lackey isn't gonna come cheap with a $10,000,000 salary in 2009. Option 3 is former Phillie that everyone loves in Philly is Randy Wolf from the Los Angeles Dodgers who we saw in the 2009 NLCS pitched very well. In 2009 his ERA was 3.23, 11 wins, 7 losses, 214.1 innings pitched, and had 160 strikeouts. In LA he pitched the ace roll and looked really good and I can see him coming back here and being our 2 or 3 started. Last Option is Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners who is another injury risk but knows what it takes to become a big time pitcher. In 2009 his ERA was 2.82, 5 wins, 3 losses 83.0 innings pitched and had 90 strikeouts.

So if the Phillies are going to look into any players that they need in the offseason those are the best on the list. I mean there's no gratis in this game. But these players know what it takes to win and if the Phillies wanna go back to the World Series for the third straight year and get that crown back to where it belongs they may have to make some moves and fast.

The 2009 Philadelphia Phillies

The 2009 season for the Phillies brought a lot of happy faces this year, and also a few sad faces. But be sure a lot of those faces were happy. The Phillies won the World Series in 2008 and would make it back to the World Series in 2009. The Phillies have never done that in their history and that just shows you what this team can do. 2009 was a great year, those chilly months to start off in the beginning, those hot long summer nights in the middle, and the warm, chilly fall months. Than November came and the greatest, longest, 2009 season came to an end. No matter what happened in the World Series "I will always love this team. There like a second family in the summer". Just remember all the walk off wins, all the great moments you had at the ball part or parking lot with your buddies, remember the voice that left our world the one and only Harry Kalas, remember Cliff Lee coming over from the Cleveland Indians getting his first complete game win as a Phillie against the San Francisco Giants.

This Phillies team I think has won a lot peoples hearts in this city coming oh so close to winning BACK TO BACK titles, but just getting back to World Series for the second straight year is amazing at it self. Where most team who win or go to World Series usually just die off or take years to get back there, but the Phillies didn't waste time proving people wrong. A lot sports writers picked the Phillies to finish second to last in the NL East and for the Mets to win the division, where the opposite happened. The Phillies took the NL East crown for the third straight year in 6 games. 2010 looks like the Phillies could if not get only get better with a lot of young players to prove themselves to be still "The team to beat in the NL East" and I'm looking forward to see who the Phillies will add on to the roster in the offseason for 2010. For those who don't know Brett Mayers will no longer be a Phillie after 8 long years in Philly. Also the Phillies took Cliff Lee's $9 million option and will return to Philly in 2010, which is a great move. Cliff Lee as a Phillie from July 31st was great, with 7 wins 4 losses, an ERA of 3.39, and 74 strikeouts and has filled the ace spot. The 2009 season was one to remember and now its time to start counting down the days to spring training, 95 days left till the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies kicks off and we have "HIGH HOPES" for another amazing season in 2010.

27 World Series Championships!

It took 27 outs for the 2009 New York Yankees to win their 27th World Series Championship. It was the number 27 on the back of Yankees manager Joe Girardi jersey. It was Alex Rodriguez holding that World Series trophy high in the sky for the first time in his life. It was Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte winning their 5th World Series Championship as a New York Yankee. As hard as it is for me to say... yes it was the New York Yankees beating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the World Series.

Game 6 of the 2009 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies was all New York. We start things off with the pitching match up with Yankees left harder Andy Pettitte and Phillies right hander Pedro Martinez. Some people said Andy Pettitte may not be as good as he was in Game 3 cause he was pitching on 3 days rest and others said that he will do just fine. People also said Pedro Martinez will do great cause hes had 5 days rest and others said well hes not the same Pedro he was 4-5 years ago. So will find out who would be the last man standing. In the bottom of the 2nd inning one man on for the DH and red hot Hideki Matsui would take one deep out of the ball park and put the Yanks up 2-0. But later in the 3rd inning the Fightin' Phils would try to come back with a triple by catcher Carlos Ruiz and Jimmy Rollins would bring him home on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1 Yankees. In the bottom half of the 3rd, bases loaded for once again Hideki Matsui would drive in 2 more runs and put the Yankees up 4-1. After that it would be the end for Phillies right hander Pedro Martinez who just didn't have it in this one. Going only 4 innings, giving up 3 hits, 4 earn runs, and 5 strikeouts, not what the Phillies were looking for. In the 5th with men on base for the Yankees and the man who already has 4 RBI's in the game Hideki Matsui would yet again drive in 2 more runs to make it a 7-1 lead for the Yanks and he would now have 6 RBI's in this game. Ryan Howard in the 6th would hit his first 2009 World Series home run to make it a 7-3 Yankees lead, but it was a "LITTLE TO LATE". Howard would also set the all time most strikeouts in a World Series with 13. Andy Pettitte would leave after 5 2/3 innings, 4 hits, 3 earns runs, and 3 strikeouts. Not any better then Martinez but in the end it wouldn't even matter. So we jump to the top of the 9th and now coming in to close the game out was the Yankees pride and joy the one and only Mariano Rivera. He would get the first out, than walk Carlos Ruiz. He would get Jimmy Rollins out and now it was up the Phillies last batter of the 2009 season Shane Victorino with 2 outs. Victorino wouldn't go down without a fight though. "Nobody wants to be the last out in a World Series" said Victorino. But Mariano got Victorino to ground out to second base for the final out of the 2009 season, and after 9 years without a World Series Championship the New York Yankees were back on top of the baseball world.

The New York Yankees won their 27th World Series title last night and sent the defending World Series Philadelphia Phillies home packing on what could have been a Game 7. Hideki Matsui won the World Series MVP with a batting AVG of .349, 4 home runs, 13 RBI's, 15 hits, and OBP of .462 in the postseason and coming up big in the World Series when needed. The press asked Yankees skipper Joe Girardi since you now won the 27th World Series any thoughts of changing your number to number 28? He said "I don't know I'll have to think about it". The Philadelphia Phillies handed over their crown something they didn't want to do but it just wasn't meant be to. This 2009 Philadelphia Phillies team was one of the greatest teams I saw play and adding on new players just to make them better. But fell shot to a better New York Yankees team. The Phillies are a great team and are in line to be one if not only the best team in the National League for years to come and won't be surprised if their not in this thing again. As the old saying is in Philly "There's Always Next Year" and I can't wait till next April to see what the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies bring to the plate. Thank You Phillies, May I Have Another Soon!?!

Phils Hanging In There

Game 5 of the World Series was a big one for the Phils, its win or go home. The Phillies won Game 5 8-6 but it didn't come easy. Pitching for the Yankees was right hander A.J. Burnett going on short rest and who pitched great in Game 2. Going for the Phillies to keep their World Series hopes alive was their ace Cliff Lee who has been outstanding through out this whole postseason. So this game was going to be a good one and its do or die time for the Phils.

We start thing off in the bottom of the 1st with the Yankees leading 1-0 where Jimmy Rollins gets a base hit and that's the key for the Phillies get your first two men on and let your three,four,and five guys get the job done. So one man on for Shane Victorino and he squares to bunt and gets hit in the finger, he seemed to be ok, but he would later leave the game. So two men on for Chase Utley and he hits a 3 run home run boom to put the Phillies up 3-1 in the 1st. Later in the 3rd inning Jayson Werth would hit a RBI single and put the Phillies up 4-1. Raul Ibanez would than hit a RBI single to make a 5-1 Phillies lead and that would be the end for A.J. Burnett. He went only 2 innings, 4 hits, 6 earn runs, and 2 strikeouts not the same pitcher we saw in Game 2. Bottom 7th Chase Utley standing up to the plate would hit his 2nd home run of the ball game and tie the all time home run recorded in a World Series with 5 home runs with Reggie Jackson back in 1977. The Phillies would now go up 7-2. Two batters later Raul Ibanez would hit his first World Series home run and put the Phils up 8-2. In the 8th inning Cliff Lee would still stay in the game and some who thought that he should have left after the 7th inning with his team up 6 runs in case there would be a Game 7 to pitch in, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel stuck with his go to guy. But Lee would put two men on for Alex Rodriguez who has been dead hot the last 2 games would hit an RBI double to cut the lead 8-4 Phils. That would be it for the Phillies ace Cliff Lee, who went 7 innings, 7 hits, 5 earn run, and 3 strikeouts. Not as good as he did in Game 1 but it was good enough. In the 9th the Phillies would hand the ball over to hard right hander Ryan Madson to close out the game. Ryan Madson had 6 blown saves during the season and boy he made this one close. Jorge Posada would lead off with a double for the Yanks. Now pinch hitting for the Yankees was Hideki Matsui and he would get a base hit and moving over to third base was Posada. So two men on no outs stepping in the batter box was Derek Jeter who is batting .322 in the postseason hits into the important double play ball gets a run in but now 2 outs Phils lead 8-6. Johnny Damon would be the Yankees last hope gets a base hit to keep the game alive with Mark Teixeira coming up and Alex Rodriguez on deck. Ryan Madson would strikeout Teixeira to win the ball game 8-6 and keep the Phillies hopes alive.


So the Phillies will now head to back New York for a Game 6 and possibly a Game 7 if they can win Game 6. The last team in the National League to come back to win a World Series down 3-1 was the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and the last team to win a World Series down 3-1 was the Kansas City Royals in 1985. So the Phillies hold their on destiny to repeat as World Champions and as the quote from the movie Rocky "THERE IS NO TOMORROW". The Phillies give the nod to right hander Pedro Martinez who will make his 2nd World Series start and the biggest start as a Phillie in Game 6 of the World Series to force a Game 7. For the Yankees they give the start to Andy Pettitte who will go on 3 days rest to try to win it all for the Yanks. If there a Game 7 the Yankees will throw out the ace C.C. Sabathia to try to win it for them on 3 days rest. As for the Phils they have been talking about maybe starting Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ or bring back Cliff Lee on short rest. Remember the Phillies just have to take it one game at a time and have fun. The 7th game is still a long shot away, just win Game 6 and than at that point anything can happen in a Game 7. Its now DYNASTY vs DESTINY, Phillies - Yankees Game 6 of the Fall Classic first pitch at 7:57 p.m. on Fox.