Ibanez Injury Means Time For Others To Step Up
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, June 18, 2009 11:18 AM | Comments: 3
Opinion, Posts
It all seemed bound to happen. It started with the Brad Lidge injury, then the starting pitching began to crumble again. Then the bullpen got overworked and taxed, leading to scabs and bruises for Clay Condrey and Chan Ho Park. Now, in maybe the biggest physical bump of the season, Raul Ibanez has hit the shelf with a strained groin. The Phillies are now down their best offensive player.
But don’t fret, Phillie fans. For it is June, and these are the exact things that happen in June.
Last season the Phillies were blessed with few injuries, but they had them: Jimmy Rollins saw the disabled list in April and May; Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins both had stints on the shelf; Shane Victorino was out for a spell; Tom Gordon went bye-bye early. Oh, and Chase Utley was playing on 1.5 legs for more than 100 games. Yes, injuries happen to every team.
And, as we should know by now, it’s better these injuries occur in June and not later, when all parts – large and small – are necessary to a team’s overall success. Ibanez needs to fix the groin (and Achilles) problem, rehabilitate and prepare for the second half. Just like Brad Lidge needs to do the same with his knee. Together, those two are capable of riding the Phillies through a month of baseball. And lucky for the Phils, they have a few other healthy players capable of the same thing.
I’m looking at Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard; the former the forever slumping “leadoff” hitter, the latter the close-your-eyes-and-swing beast who needs to start making solid contact and stop making mental mistakes. The Phillies needed a push in September, and look what they accomplished together. This season? With a three-game lead and a few holes in June, the Phils don’t look so bad. But they’ll need help from the struggling pitching staff, and yes, they’ll need help from the other big bats. It’s time others start stepping up for good.
Posts: 0 Chuck
Great post, Tim…..and all so true!!
Posted: 11:38 AM on June 18, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
A..amen, Tim!!
Posted: 11:48 AM on June 18, 2009
Posts: 0 therookie300
It’s your time Jimmy. Time to step up and be the leader that you can be out there. Make this offensive machine go!!!!!!!!!
LETS GO PHILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 12:53 PM on June 18, 2009