Recap: Phillies Top Cats, Nation USA Today Top Blog
Posted by Ian Riccaboni, Mon, March 19, 2012 07:17 PM | Comments: 8
Phillies Nation in the News, Posts
Phillies Nation was named "Best Fan Blog" by USA Today. Thank you, Phillies Nation!
The Phils topped the Tigers today 4-3, ending with a 6.2 innings of dominant bullpen effort. The clock may have struck midnight for Phils’ starter Scott Elarton who allowed 3 ER in 2.1 IP, including a HR to Brennan Boesch in the 3rd. But the resilient Phils clawed back, plating 4 in the fifth, including two on a Freddy Galvis triple. Lefties Raul Valdes, Joe Savery, Jake Diekman, and David Purcey were all sharp as their efforts turn toward being the second lefty out of the ‘pen. The Phillies are in an enviable position of having a surplus of lefty bullpen firepower.
As exciting as the game was to watch today, the events leading up to the game were, for better or worse, more exciting. Pat wrote a piece on how Jim Thome‘s body may hold up after playing the field and then the flood gates opened. In short order, the Phillies released possible emergency starter/staff ace of the Iron Pigs Joel Pineiro, made it clear to the media that Chase Utley would not be ready for Opening Day and that Freddy Galvis is your 2012 Phillies Opening Day second baseman. The news did not phase Galvis, who went 1-3 with a 2-run triple, but it did get a lot of Phillies Nation talking. Head over to that thread for some great discussion; lot of unique takes on the situation.
ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted some interesting tidbits today as the Phils fine-tune their roster: “Phillies are looking for a backup catcher — an upgrade over the other backup C candidates they have in their camp,” as well as “Amaro indicates (Galvis) will be the second baseman and he isn’t seeking an alternative.” The news shocked some Phils fans, presumably not because they are huge Tuffy Gosewisch fans (whose chances of making the roster we dissected here), but because it would be assumed the Phils would be kicking the tires on 2B help. Olney said rival scouts anticipated the Phillies to target Blake DeWitt, Macier Izturis, Chris Getz, and Alberto Callaspo. It is unlikely, however, that the Phillies will make a trade.
And finally, Phillies Nation was named by USA Today as the Best Phillies Fan Blog. More details to come, but from Pat, Corey, Brian, Kieran, Amanda, Robert, Jonathan, Jay, and the rest of the Phillies Nation team, we are thankful and humble: we could not have done this without you and we thank you for making Phillies Nation the best destination for Phillies’ fans on the net.
Posts: 0 The man
Let us all remember the origins of this blog- Tim Malcolm
Posted: 07:42 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
Indeed. We bow our heads.
Posted: 07:45 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 1079 EricL
I only started coming here regularly last season. Now there’s national recognition. A coincidence? I think not. :)
Posted: 08:09 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 318 Ian Riccaboni
@ericl – and here I thought Andrew from Waldorff was the driving force behind guest interaction! Seriously though, thanks for contributing to discussion. 2012 will be an even bigger and better year!
Posted: 08:46 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 2593 Chuck A.
You just had to mention his name, didn’t you? Now he’s gonna start commenting again and will drive us all nuts. Oh well, at least it keeps things interesting on here.
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And, congrats to PhilliesNation! I’ve been a regular on here for about 4-5 years, check the site pretty much every day and comment whenever I can. It’s nice to see some of the same people that were here back then (and probably before that), but it’s also great to have participated in a dialogue with some new guys as well. I can honestly say that you all have truly enhanced my commitment towards being Phillies fan.
Posted: 09:34 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 0 Chris
Yeah dude is like freaking Beetlejuice. I’m surprised he’s not here right now with today’s news and having a field day.
Posted: 10:13 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 0 bacardipr05
Congrats on the best Phillies blog nomination…
Posted: 10:01 PM on March 19, 2012
Posts: 0 Don M
Oh what a long way this blog has come… congrats all around!!!
Posted: 11:23 AM on March 20, 2012