More Deserving Accolades for Phils

The Sporting News published its annual Baseball Awards issue this week covering the 2009 regular season. A few Phillies players were recognized according to a vote taken from players, managers and front office executives.

J.A. Happ was recognized as the National League's Rookie of the Year based on his 12-4 record and 2.93 ERA. Some notable players that he topped included the Brave's Tommy Hansen, the Marlin's Chris Coghlan and the Pirate's tandem of Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones.

Although he was attempting to praise him, comments by a former Phillies scout who now works for the Orioles was quoted saying that Happ was able to do this despite throwing mostly in the 86-88 mph range. This may be why this particular scout is no longer with the Phillies as he must have been watching Jay Happ rather than J.A. I agree with his comments about Happ having good location, arm slot, composure, etc, but the guy I watched all season was consistently in the low 90's and hit 94 when needing to reach back.

In addition to Happ, both Chase Utley and Jayson Werth were included on TSN's year-end NL All-Star Team. The former is not a surprise since Utley is widely recognized as not only the best second basemen in baseball, but also one of the top players, period. TSN sited Utley for stealing 23 bases after off season hip surgery and his fourth consecutive 100 run season. Chase finished the regular season with a .282 Batting Average, 31 HR's, 93 RBI's and a .397 On Base Percentage.

Werth built upon last year's break out season as he became an everyday player after platooning for a good portion of 2008. They sited his 36 home runs, 98 runs, 99 RBI's and .879 OPS. It was pleasing to see Werth be recognized by his peers and leaders around the league. In Philadelphia, we have been able to track his emergence as a star and see his five tool capabilities up close, but with a cast of all-star teammates, his contributions can fly under the radar a bit.

Albert Pujols was recognized as both the NL All-Star first basemen and the NL Player of the Year having hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBI's. It is hard to argue with this selection, but it tends to occlude a great season by the Phillies Ryan Howard. Pujols did most of his damage in the first half of the season, banging out 2/3 of his home runs before the All-Star break. Howard's power numbers were balanced, but hit .305 after the break to end at .279, 45 home runs and a major league leading 141 RBI. Howard has averaged 50 HR's and 143 RBI's over his first four full seasons.

The Phillies have an impressive array of talent as evidenced by their entire outfield, Howard and Utley all being selected to the 2009 NL All-Star team. And, a notable omission from that group is Jimmy Rollins, who won the NL MVP award in 2007 and is still in the prime of his career. The team also boasts other recent All-Stars in Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge.

None of this is breaking news, but it is great to see that perceptions around the league are matching up to what Philadelphia sports fans already know. It is no accident that the Phillies are heading back to their second consecutive World Series with the goal of defending their 2008 championship. Most would agree, the talent is there to do it.

I'm Just Saying......

A weekly collection of random thoughts and observations for you to consider.

• Watching Billy Wagner and Josh Johnson fire fastballs in the high 90's makes me wonder if some healthy pitchers will opt for Tommy John surgery in the future to add a couple mph?
• The Phillies have the best talent and chemistry in baseball, so if they play to their potential, repeat may be the November word of the month.
• The Sporting News just ranked Philadelphia the #2 sports city behind its Pennsylvania cousin, Pittsburgh. Housing both the NFL and NHL champions from a year ago is great, but there is no better sports city than Philadelphia. The city can boast the following: 1)the Phillies, Eagles and Flyers all had attendance more than 100% of capacity; 2)all four teams made the playoffs; and 3)the Phillies were World Series Champions.
• Jared Allen is on track for NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
• The Packers and their fans already have November 1st marked with a thick red circle for Brett Favre's return, and the outcome will likely be very different than last Monday night.
• The Twins have run themselves out of the NLDS with its amateurish baserunning and an apparently visually impaired umpire.
• Although TBS may not be stored in your favorite channel list, having them broadcast the NLDS means we don't have to hear Tim McCarver spend two innings explaining the finer points of baseball such as the use of the cross over step in stealing bases or methods of forming a pocket in a catcher's mitt.
• Considering the frigid weather conditions in Colorado and the elongated post season schedule, it makes you wonder about the possibilities for the Minnesota Twins new Stadium slated to open next season. Target Stadium will be a great improvement over the Metrodome from mid-May through mid-September, but could make for some miserable conditions before and after.
• Although he was a good stat guy, hearing Bobby Abreu being labeled as a leader with the Angels makes you wonder if it is the same guy who played for the Phillies.
• Josh McDaniels looked like he was going to crash and burn before the regular season even started, now he is the leading candidate for Coach of the Year.
• Perhaps Tony LaRussa should consider a new salon?