Add Condrey To List Of Unlikely Heroes
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, September 22, 2008 11:11 AM | Comments: 40
Posts
Yesterday had an unlikely hero, who I touched on in the recap. Clay Condrey came into the game with two outs in the seventh inning and the bases loaded, and induced a groundout to end a huge Florida threat.
It was the first meaningful, tight-game pichting he’s done in some time. Charlie Manuel said he thought he was the right man for the spot, saying he had a hunch.
For Condrey, the spot demonstrates his importance in the bullpen. Sure he’s the sixth man (behind Lidge, Madson, Romero, Durbin and Eyre), but especially now, he’s needed to help extinguish flames. Sometimes long relievers need to be money relievers. And with a 3.36 ERA, it’s not as if he can’t be a money reliever sometimes.
It’s awesome to see when guys such as Condrey make big contributions. It’s the kind of stuff that makes a team a pennant-winning team.
Posts: 0 Chris.I
He really came through BIG for us yesterday. I just wish I could feel that confident in him all the time though.
Any word on Dobbs injury? I been looking all over the net, and couldn’t find anything. It probably wont be released until later this evening. I hope he’s okay, because he would be a huge loss to this team going into the post season.
Posted: 11:14 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Jim
You also have to say Dobbs is an un-sung hero from yesterday. He said he got his cramp at the right time to allow Feliz to enter the game and hit the big homer. But Condrey was clutch too…lets win another one tonight!
Posted: 11:15 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Dobbs came up huge with that stab in the seventh. He should be OK; he said he could play tonight. I would assume they’d start Feliz anyway.
Posted: 11:18 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Thats the news I was hoping to hear. Has anyone noticed the Mets pitching matchups against the Cubs this series coming up? I think their odds of clinching the wildcard are getting slimer. As much as I dislike the Mets, I feel kind of sorry for them if they have another collapse.
Posted: 11:24 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
This has been a defining year for Condrey who I think most of us didn’t think would make it out of camp with the big league team. He’s had some bumps but he’s really come on and has had the ability to eat innings and still keep things close most times up and (again with a few bumps) he’s shown up when his role has been increased so it’s no longer the “oh crap it’s Condrey now the game really is lost” and we can route for the guy because he’s earnt his chance to pitch with the game on the line.
Posted: 11:41 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
this has definitely been the best year of condrey’s career. for the role he plays on the team there aren’t many better pitchers you could find to fill his shoes. the phillies organization was smart to sign him in 2003 and let him develop from there. great job this year clayton lee!
Posted: 11:59 AM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
I guess I can be on board with this, although I cringe every time Condrey comes into the game.
Posted: 12:16 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
I remember reading a quote from Clay just saying how happy he was to be staying in the bigs the full year. Congrats to him. He’s earned it.
The Phils really need him, Eyre and Seanez to keep steping up if they want to keep winning as Romero and Durbin are showing signs of tiring. Especially Durbin since all these appearances are new ground for him. Hopefully, he’ll get a second wind soon! Madson is also bound to need a break at some point. Seems he’s been amazingly hot since that Cubs disaster.
Posted: 12:31 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
Chris I- No need to feel sorry for the Mets if they don’t make the playoffs. I mean, seriously- feel bad for the Brewers but not the Mets. The Mets talk crap and fail to address their needs and have a bloated payroll- they do not need any sympathy from us.
Brewers- young team and went all in with Sabathia- that you can somewhat feel bad for but not really.
Clay Condrey is the modern day Mark Parrett
Posted: 12:45 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Seanez is terrible.. they need to keep him in the clubhouse and not even let him see the field in person
Posted: 01:00 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Hey, I just want to take a quick chance to send a thanks to Tim Malcolm and crew on the best blog on the net. Being a resident of Spartanburg, SC, this has become my daily fix and my must read site day in and day out.
Whether the Phightin’s pull it out or not, thank God for this site in that it gives a guy like me…..who has no one to talk Phillies with…..a chance to vent and find support amongst others who live and die with the Phils. I wish I had discovered it before last winter.
Its kind of like a demented, tough love, support group. Thanks Tim and Go Phils!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 01:27 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Buffalophilsfan
While I don’t and never will “feel sorry” for the Muts, I must say I would rather see them in the playoffs with us than the Fish, Brewers (with two great starting pitchers) and even the Astros at this point. In my mind, the Muts are the worst of those three teams. So I might actually find myself rooting for them (I can’t believe I am thinking like this) once the Phills clinch the division. I would much rather face Santana and his band of gas can relievers than the others. Plus, wouldn’t a Phillies-Muts NLCS be awesome. But, let’s continue to take care of business and get into the show first.
I got my NLDS tix to Game 1 today. I will be making the trip to Philly down from Buffalo (home of the 3-0 Bills) to party at the Bank Oct. 1st. Keep it rollin’ boys!!
Posted: 01:55 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 phillyGirlinM
Don – Maybe Rudy can be the BP bodyguard during th upcoming playoffs when out in unfriendly territory such as Shea…
Posted: 02:00 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Matt,
I was being sarcastic about feeling sorry for the Mets. The only thing that matters to me right now is the Phillies making the playoff’s, and winning a world series..Screw the Mets LoL
Posted: 02:11 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
They should probably go out and sign an additional late inning bullpen arm to replace seanez next season…..right after they TRADE JIMMY ROLLINS!!!!!!!!!! ahahahaha
in all seriousness, im glad i have tickets to two games this week…
Posted: 02:22 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
haha-I’ll bet you’re still saying that 5 years from now Geoff, and quit rubbing it in about the tickets! Which games??? Could you possibly see the clincher? AArrrrg, lucky boy.
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
damn didnt get playoff tickets
Posted: 03:29 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
Anybody who doesnt like the mix of players on this team is a commie.Except Geoff ,who’s dislike for JRoll is similar to Obama vs Mccain
Posted: 03:31 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Come on the chiefs not that bad and we’ve had worse, we’re fortunate Condreys stepped up and out of the mop-up role.
On a random was it true about Adam Eaton catching in the pen a few games back?
Posted: 03:42 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
No, Rudy’s not that bad. He’s had some good games. Yes, we have had worse…like last year when I had to endure Mesa playing for both the Tigers and the Phils!! That was horrid…especially w/the Tigers…
Posted: 03:51 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Durbinator
If we had Seanez last year he probably would have been the closer over Alfonseca! Seanez is still pretty good, and better than the last guy on most teams bullpens. That said I think he should retire after this season. If he doesn’t retire I highly doubt the Phillies will bring him back but instead use his spot to get a set-up man.
Posted: 04:08 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i’ve had the sunday pack two years runnin now… and probably for the rest of my lucid life…
i got to see brett go nuts after we clinched last year… this year the final game is again on a sunday, i would love nothing more than to see the clinch again (although sewing it up earlier would be nice too)
ps – i love seeing all the out of town love on here, are the phils to baseball what the cowboys are to football? ~ “Americas team”?
Posted: 04:12 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Haha, Gabriel, not even close. Yankees are America’s most popular team. Yankees fans are everywhere. I doubt there’s many Phils fans besides the East Coast, compared to some other teams.
Posted: 04:19 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
well as long as we have more fan support at washington than gnats fans i’ll live… seriously we dominate that park… what is it like, 18 bucks for behind home plate there?
Posted: 04:21 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Please do not favorably or cutely compare the Phillies with the Cowboys. I just ate dinner and would like to keep it down.
I don’t want the Phillies to ever be “America’s Team.” I hate that crap. In the baseball world, the Red Sox are probably closest to America’s Team, and we’ve had discussions on here about how much we hate the stinking bandwagon Boston fans worse than we hate the Ebola virus (well, I hate them worse).
I live in Europe (most of the time) now, so I’m part of the out of town love I guess, but I grew up in Philly. Please don’t ever let the Phillies become America’s media darling team.
Go Phils.
Posted: 04:26 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
Let’s hope we have this wrapped up by the weekend. I’d love nothing more to start eaton and kendrick for saturday and sunday…..
Hey Buffalo,
I was just up there this weekend for the bills raiders…..great win for them exciting….the whole city seems to be into them. Had a good time on Chippewa st. saturday night. Enjoy your time in Philly for our first playoff win since 93 on the 1st!
Posted: 04:33 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
man, I signed up every relative with an e-mail address that I know for postseason tickets and for the second year in a row, no luck. I remember every year that the Phils would come close to the playoffs and fall short-I would always get the postseason tickets then.
On a side note, I am 0-11 in Phillies games I attended this year. Half of those are Phillies vs. Mets games at Shea, but still, 0-11 is impressive. And I have tickets to the Saturday game versus the Nats, hopefully the first win of the season for me.
Posted: 04:38 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Griffin, I’m thinking of getting tickets for a game this week, think I’ll avoid Saturday’s game with your record.
I’ve NEVER been to CBP, I was looking at tickets on stubhub, would sec 130 or around there be good seats? Any info on seating would be appreciated, thanks.
Posted: 04:47 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
lewisauce – i wish there was a ‘sarcasm’ font or something hah, in no way was i comparing our phils with society’s genital warts aka the cowboys.
(peter) griffin – that is some AWFUL luck, for our sake i hope they have it wrapped up by the time you set foot in the bank hahah. nah j/k… good luck on seeing your first win of the year
go phightin
Posted: 04:48 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
130 is good – 3rd baseline seats, i sit in 140 most of the year but have a special place in my heart for the terrace deck… lots of good memories up there
also there’s only like 3 bad seats in the house. wherever you end up will be a good time
Posted: 04:50 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
section 130 is right behind the visitor’s dugout, awesome seats, enjoy!
Posted: 04:56 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
i sat in 130 15 rows up last week during the double header. Great seats.
If anyone is looking to sell their playoff tickets please let me know.
Posted: 04:57 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Griffin, if we’re not clinched by that game don’t step foot near that stadium.
Posted: 05:02 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Do me a huge favor……Don’t DARE pity,feel sorry for or send condolences to the Amazins IF they don’t make it……..SAVE IT! If the Mets are one game out of the playoffs with the season over,than they DON’T deserve to be there.That said,Mets need to step it up vs the Cubs and do it in a big way,ESPECIALLY by Friday and florida shows up.The Mets have all the pressure in the world on them now with visions of 2007 dancing in their heads,the closing of Shea and thoughts of a MAJOR change in the Mets nucleus which would shake the team and fellow Amazins fans to the core if October is just another month.PLUS I saw 5 bars having open bars if Mets win it all.
Posted: 05:04 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
ESPN had a good little piece about the Mets today and I totally agree. You can’t even compare this years team with the ’07 Mets. Last year’s team was in first most of the year then really collapsed the last 17 games. This years team just isn’t as good. That bullpen is horrendous, even with Wagner. Even when he was healthy he seemed to be blowing saves left and right. Last year the Mets collapsed, if they don’t make it this season its because they were simply outplayed and not a good enough team.
Posted: 05:14 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
yeah, I’m worried that I’m a jinx. I’ve been to some incredible losses this year including opening day vs. the Nats, the Mets game at Shea with Reyes scoring under Coste’s tag in extra innings, the rain delayed Sunday afternoon game against Toronto where Halladay came in out of the pen, the Sunday night Hamels vs. Santana game, Lidge giving up 5 runs without getting an out against the Braves, and the extra inning shitfest against the Pirates. yuck.
Posted: 05:30 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
I’m thinkin I’m a good luck charm- in 1980 my mom and I went to the last home game, I don’t think they had clinched yet, and were headed to Montreal or NY , I think. Anyhow, we knew the team was leaving right after the game, so we went down to the parking garage and the team bus was there waiting(god, what a groupie). After a long wait, the team finally got on the bus, and as it was leaving, Tug McGraw looked out the window at me with that big-ass grin and gave me a thumbs up, and we know what happened after that! It was one of those things you never forget.
Posted: 05:57 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
that’s a pretty cool story, Georgie. I hope you bring the Phils even more luck this year
Posted: 06:23 PM on September 22, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
Gabriel: no worries, man. I didn’t realize you were being facetious.
Georgie: great story.
Griffin: If I had the money, I might pay you to stay home and watch the game from your living room.
On a serious Dallas Cowboys note, my buddy Jeff Pearlman, former Sports Illustrated baseball writer, just published his latest book: “Boys will be Boys: the Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty of the 1990s.” It’s selling like hotcakes on Amazon. Jeff is an amazing writer (he’s the guy who took the fateful Porsche ride with John Rocker that basically ended Rocker’s career when Jeff actually reported Rocker’s racist diatribe); some of you may have read his first book: “The Bad Guys Won,” about the 1986 Mets.
Anyway, buy the new book. It comes with a Michael Irvin commemorative pewter freebasing spoon. (The last part was sarcasm.)
Posted: 04:09 AM on September 23, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Lewisauce, I saw Jeff on Daily News Live the other day, very interesting guy, he was telling the story about Michael Irvin stabbing a teammate in the neck with a scissors when they were getting team haircuts, that the story was hushed up and there was a 6 figure payoff to the guy. Jeff was quick with a funny end to the story-just look for a guy with a third eye in his neck-hahaha.
Posted: 09:33 AM on September 23, 2008