Comments on: So Far, Ibanez Vs. Burrell

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:32:22 +0000

Ibanez was a steal……..Pat WHOOOOOO! Phils are way tougher with Ibanez!

By: Bridget

Bridget — Sun, 03 May 2009 23:59:46 +0000

I was never a big Pat Burrell fan. I was happy to see him leave. I am loving Ibanez! I like players who hustle and give it their all; Raul does that. Pat didn’t. Raul makes a great addition to the club, and was a perfect addition to the chemistry of the team.

By: Lidge Saves

Lidge Saves — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:55:15 +0000

29 > 5

By: YeaGo08

YeaGo08 — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:22:54 +0000

The only thing Burrell has on Ibanez are his looks!!!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:41:51 +0000

joedad says~ “It will be interesting to see how he (Ibanez) handles the second and third time around the division and the adjustments they make against him. Hey, that is precisely why I think it’s too early to jump on the banwagon of “lovefest” for Ibanez and bellow…”Rau-u-u-l.
(chuckles)

Ibanez for me has so far been a pleasant surprise especially with his fielding. However, one must keep in mind with 20 games played and FIVE months of baseball ahead, we shouldn’t jump to any conclusions and be carried away in excitement. In the meantime, let’s enjoy for the moment, his unreal contributions.

By: john-e-boy

john-e-boy — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:57:26 +0000

Ibanez brings 5 tools vs Burrell’s 1. Raul hits for power, average, has a good arm, and is a very good outfielder. Raul can also steal a base. Burrell had power and the best April for a Phil I can recall, and that memory goes back to Connie Mack Stadium. Burrell will be missed. After all, he was there for the championship and was a contributor. However, Ibanez is a big upgrade.

By: cxl72

cxl72 — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:44:12 +0000

this was a great concept for an article when i posted this on tuesday! btw, i’m a huge pat fan but ibanez is the man!!

——————-

cxl72 Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Hold the phone people. Raul is supposed to be streaky just like Pat. In fact, if you compare April 2009 Raul to April 2008 Pat you will see that he has just about MATCHED Pat’s awesome April 2008 production not smashed it.

Hey, I like Raul as much as the next guy but lets not trend his 18 games over the next 144. I hope he keeps this up but am not ready to get carried away.

Just like Jimmy Rollins is not going to finish at .192 and our starting pitching will not let up 3 hr/game. Raul will come back to earth. Sorry to be the wet blanket on Mr. Ibanez. Go Phils!!
_______________________

April 2008 Pat Burrell:

ab – 89
hr – 8
rbi – 24
avg – .326
obp – .450
slg – .685
ops – 1.135

April 2009 Raul Ibanez:

ab – 73
hr – 6
rbi – 16
avg – .342
obp – .402
slg – .685
ops – 1.087

By: joedad

joedad — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:43:25 +0000

No, it is not too early. Ibanez is a better overall player than Burrell. Pat’s skills are deteriorating while Raul is hitting his peak “late” in life. It will be interesting to see how he handles the second and third time around the division and the adjustments they make against him.

By: therookie300

therookie300 — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:17:43 +0000

This is looking like it will be a hit on a big free agent signing for the Phils. It’s nice to have this happen after some poor ones recently. I thought Ibanez would work as soon as we signed him. The guy is just a good consistent baseball player. Maybe we could have gotten him cheaper, but look at this way, we have him and not the Mets. They could sure use a player him to eliminate their outfield platoons. Ibanez producing and our chief rivals not having him makes this deal worth it.

By: Brooks

Brooks — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:41:28 +0000

There are some things that a player does that can make an immediate impact and Raul has done it in a positive and “quiet” fashion a few times.
Raul has made diving catches – does anyone remember Pat diving for a ball?
Although not really that fast, his baserunning seems smart and selective. We all would close our eyes and pump our fists when Patty was running the bases.
But mostly it has been the key, timely huge hits that he has provided. This is what Pat did in April of last year and whenever he would get into one of his few “zones” during the year. Raul’s grandslam the other night is nearly on the same level as Rowand running into the fence, face first – that is the impact he is making on us all.
The most difficulty I have with Ibanez, and I know it’s a personel thing, cheering “Rauuull”. It comes out badly, I guess I have to practice the yell from my home and hope nobody else hears my attempts in fear that the humane society might crash through my doors – Embarrassing!
No, it’s not worth the sound that eminates when I try to chant, using the same baritone level as when booing opposing Muts, Fish or Nats – or umpires even.

By: RG

RG — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:28:57 +0000

Probably too early to make a decision on who’s the better fit for this team – we are only 20 games in after all. I’m liking Ibanez so far, though.