Phillies Nation

This article was originally posted on Black Friday 2010.

Black Friday is a term that was coined here in Philadelphia during the winter of 1966. It described the congestion of vehicle and foot traffic caused by Christmas shoppers attempting to take advantage of early Christmas sales in the Center City shopping districts. For Philadelphia Phillies fans, it’s an ominous term that describes one of the most disappointing game outcomes in team history.

The Phillies were pitted against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 National League Championship Series. The best-of-five set was tied one game a piece with Steve Carlton waiting in the wings for a possible Game 4 clincher. The Phillies were benefited by their fans who destroyed Burt Hooton from the stands of Veterans Stadium with boos, catcalls and general Philadelphia-type vocal tendencies. Hooton gave up three runs, two of which were bases loaded walks educed by the hostile Vet crowd, in one and two thirds total innings. The Phillies had a 5-3 lead going to the ninth inning. But, in typical Philadelphia fashion, the Phils gave up three runs to lose the game due to a combination of poor outfield defense by Greg Luzinski (or was it bad managing by Danny Ozark?) and eventually the series in four games. The only thing worse than Luzinski’s outfield play was first base umpire Bruce Froemmings eye sight.

In the fateful ninth inning, there were two outs and with  a runner, Manny Mota, at third. Previously, Mota sent a ball deep to left field, which Luzinski goated against the wall and subsequently threw away, allowing a run to score and Mota to advance to third.  Davey Lopes now at bat, rocketed a ball at Mike Schmidt who couldn’t make the play. The ball ricocheted to Larry Bowa from Schmidt’s glove, who threw to first to make the play. Lopes was called safe even though multiple replays showed him out. Manny Mota scored to tie the ball game 5-5. After a botched pickoff attempt to first advanced Lopes to second base, Bill Russel roped a single to center to give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead.

As a child I always thought that the ‘Burt Hooton Game’ and ‘Black Friday’ were separate events in two very different games. When broached about either events, old timers couldn’t reconcile Bruce Froemmings call of ‘safe’ at first and they could never speak to the true volumes of Phillies fans jeering of Hooton on that night at Veterans Stadium. It was incomprehensible to me that a moment so glorious such as the fans interaction with Hooton could have possibly been during the same game as Danny Ozarks personnel mismanagement, shotty fielding and inability to close a team out.

Even though the Flyers won two consecutive Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975, the Phillies remained the primary focus of Philly’s sporting landscape. Prior to Game 3, Mitchell Nathanson the author of The Fall of the 1977 Phillies: How a Baseball Team’s Collapse Sank a City’s Spirit, credited the emerging Phillies of the 1970′s for being the face of the city. Being in New York’s geographical shadow since their emergence as the country’s premier city in the early 1800′s, Philadelphia was able to finally shed its inferiority complex due to its sporting success, social and urban renewal, and New York’s civic corruption and financial bankruptcy.

As the city and its fans experiences a rebirth, fate reminded Philadelphia once again of its sports heritage. Every modern generation of Philadelphian can single out an event in sports which makes them hesitant to embrace a team that shows the illusion of dominance. The events of Black Friday jaded the fans who grew up along with the 1970′s Phillies.

Their failure subsequently made the fans hesitant to truly believe in the teams that had prominent success in South Philadelphia during the years of 1976-1983. The four major sporting teams combined for 26 playoff appearances. 8 of those teams made it to the final round of their respective playoffs. Only two of those teams brought the city any championship glory – the 1980 Phillies and 1983 76ers. I happen to be a child of parents who grew up in this era. Waiting for the other shoe to drop is ingrained in me as it is in both my mother and father.

They have 1977. I have 1993 and now 2010. We both can understand the feelings of disappointment that my grandparents, their parents, felt in 1964 – even if we both weren’t alive to experience it.

If the Philadelphia region survives the onslaught from Hurricane Sandy, Carlos Ruiz will be the Phillies starting catcher in 2013. The team declined options on Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras, opting to buy out their contracts. A similar fate is expected for Placido Polanco. Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider were granted Free Agency.

From the Phillies:

The Phillies picked up the $5 million club option on [Ruiz's] contract for next season. The Phillies had a $500,000 buyout, but there was no way they were going to take that. Ruiz hit .325 with 32 doubles, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 114 games this season.

The Phillies also have club options for Jose Contreras ($2.5 million or $500,000 buyout) and Ty Wigginton ($4 million or $500,000 buyout), and a $5.5 million mutual option (or a $500,000 buyout) with Placido Polanco. The Phillies are expected to take the buyouts for each of those players.

Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider also became free agents, although neither is likely to be back in Philadelphia.

Sorry for such a short, nondescript mention of these roster moves. But, I felt it necessary to inform you all of this even under more important circumstances.

Stay safe everyone.

Philadelphia Phillies (7-7) vs. San Diego Padres (3-12)

Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.17) v. Cory Luebke (1-1, 3.71)

Time: 8:35 PM, Petco Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: 57, overcast
Media: Twitter and Facebook

BREAKING: Jim Salisbury of Comcast Sportsnet reported that Cliff Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.  Joe Savery was called, and Kyle Kendrick will start in place of Lee.

Today’s Game:

The Phillies go for a franchise-record 14th straight win in a non-home ballpark when they take on the San Diego Padres at Petco Park tonight. The run of success has been remarkable, as the Phillies haven’t lost a game at Petco since August 16th, 2008. Yes, I lifted 99.9 percent of the previous two sentences from Ryan’s gameday post from last night.

Roy Halladay is the man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffell Tower out of metal and brawn. During the 2012 season, he has followed up those Halladayian efforts by giving up more walks (4) than earned runs (3). The Phils offense has come alive – for them anyway – during Halladay starts since Opening Day, putting up a five and seven spot during his last two outings. The Phils are hoping to continue that trend tonight and they are facing the right pitcher to do it.

Continue reading Gameday: Philadelphia Phillies (7-7) vs. San Diego Padres (3-12)

Cole Hamels was victorious again in San Diego thanks to some late inning offense from an unlikely source. The Phils have won two straight in San Diego, and haven’t lost at Petco Park since August 16th, 2008.

- Hamels increased his lifetime record at Petco Park  in 12 starts against the Padres. According to the AP, in his last four starts against the Padres, he’s 4-0 with a 0.60 ERA. He is 7-2 lifetime in San Diego.

Continue reading Late Offensive Flurry Backs Another Hamels Win In San Diego

Prior to the ratification of the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement, all major league teams had to abide by the 60/40 rule; that is, 60 percent of the teams assets couldn’t eclipse more than 40 percent of its liabilities (team debt). The new CBA signed in 2006 changed that rule from the previous 60/40 provision to debt being capped based on club earnings before interest, taxes, etc.

The rule stated verbatim:

DEBT SERVICE RULE
Section 1. The Rule. No Club may maintain more Total Club Debt than can reasonably be supported by its EBITDA. A Club’s Total Club Debt cannot reasonably be supported by its EBITDA if Total Club Debt exceeds the product of the average of that Club’s EBITDA over the most recent two years multiplied by the Cash Flow Multiplier applicable to that Club; provided, however, that a Club may elect, on or before April 1, 2007, to utilize, in both 2007 and 2008, the average of its EBITDA over the most recent three years.

What does this mean? Let’s use Forbes franchise estimations for the Phils team value to determine what their debt cap is. Remember, all of these numbers are estimates by Forbes. But, for this purpose I think they will give us the closest actually to what the team is up too.

Figuring Out Operating Cost Over the Last Two Seasons

Let’s average the Phillies operating costs from 2010 and 2009 and multiply by 10. We would get the Phillies debt ceiling for this year.

$14.5 (mil) (2010) + $16.3 (mil) (2009) = 30.8 million

2009-2010 values X 10 = $308 (mil).

The Phillies have an operating cost of $308 (mil) for the 2011 season.

Continue reading What Did The Phillies Spend More Than 156 Million Dollars On?

Before Tug McGraw, Connie Mack, Ed Delahanty, or even Chris Wheeler Philadelphia has seen its fair share of Irishmen associated with Philadelphia baseball.

43 players born in Ireland have played baseball at the professional level starting when Andy Leonard debuted for the Boston Red Stockings on May 5th, 1871. Leonard stared previously with the “champion” Cincinnati Red Stockings which dominated the beginnings of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1869-70.  Philadelphia would debut its first native Irish player only fifteen days later when Fergy Malone would open the season behind the plate for the Philadelphia Athletics, in Boston no less, during an 11-8 loss. That season, Malone and the Athletics would go on to defeat the Chicago White Stockings four games to one in the National Association’s first championship game.

Continue reading Philly’s Early Baseball Connection To The Emerald Isle

We’ve all experienced the nightmarish scenario of going down to the Sports Complex on a day where more than one venue has been billed for events at nearly the same time. In recent history, the Phillies playoffs and Eagles games on Sunday nights come to mind almost instantly.  But, imagine a situation where a sporting event is going head-to-head against a concert. But not just any concert – a concert featuring Michael Jackson - in 1984.

This was one of many situations that had the city, the Wilson Goode administration, The Phillies, and the concert promoters – Bill Sullivan and Don King – at odds until that fateful weekend in 1984.

Continue reading J-Day: When The Phillies Clashed With Michael Jackson

I approached Pat Gallen in July of 2009 when Tim Malcolm stepped down as our main scribe here at Phillies Nation. At the time, Pat was the Phillies reporter for the Philadelphia Examiner where I felt his skilled writing and superior analysis were being under utilized and not appreciated. Not only has Pat’s writing informed and entertained all of us since last summer, along with your support, he has grown to become a respected member of the Phillies media community.  Pat Gallen is not just an invaluable member of the Phillies Nation family – he is also my friend.

Today, Pat was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association along with Kevin McAlpin of 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia.

On the behalf of everyone at PhilliesNation.com we are proud to feature the work of premier writers, such as Pat, that you have come to expect from us and ourselves.

I was standing in a crowd of at least 10,000 people with my closest friends during the early morning of October 30th. Hours earlier, the Phillies won their first World Series in 28 years. Instinctively my friends and I rushed to the intersection of Frankford and Cottman Avenues to join in the jubilant celebration with my fellow denizens of Mayfair. Around 3:30 AM the masses showed no signs of slowing down their ‘Let’s Go Phillies’ chants and non-discriminate high fives to perfect strangers.

On any other day the intersection of Frankford and Cottman Avenues is just like any other cross-streets in the city – ordinary. It features a mix of small businesses and national chain stores, a post office and about a half dozen Irish sports bars.

As I was standing on the southwest corner of Cottman Avenue on this magical day, brushing off a police officer’s plea to go home, that intersection was the most magical place on Earth. I thought to myself, “Why do we do this?” “Why do we come to this intersection, in this neighborhood, to celebrate an extraordinary occasion?”

According to Mayfair historian Dr. Harry Silcox, newly elected President George Washington passed through the area and residents gathered to greet him. Silcox adds in the late 1930′s, the Mayfair Movie Theater was built and became the central entertainment location for the neighborhood. The area around the main intersection of Frankford and Cottman avenues was occupied by banks, appliance stores, large food stores, real-estate offices, stationery stores, record shops and television-repair shops. Everything a shopper needed was nearby. A bustling business and entertainment district, Frankford and Cottman naturally became the place to go for everything a person would need.

The promotional film It Happened In Mayfair highlights the attractiveness of the area and the neighborhood as a whole during the late 1930′s.

Silcox states that citizens gathered there after the announcement of the Allies victory in World War II. Whether it was defeating fascism or sporting foes, Frankford and Cottman provided a central location for the residents of Mayfair and the surround neighborhoods to rejoice in their triumphant jubilance.

We continue to go there now because it’s the only place we’ve ever went. Being a resident of Mayfair, it is not only a tradition but it’s also a part of our heritage. I was there in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2009. In those most perfect of times it becomes the most perfect place to share in a moment that means so much to so many people.

As I’m waiting on yet another season to begin, I yearn for a chance for this penultimate celebration once more before our final victory dance down Broad Street..

Johnny Gray was selected as the Phillies first ever Rule 5 draftee two years after its inauguration during the 1957 off-season. Gray pitched in 33 games, 24 as a starter with the Philadelphia/Kansas City A’s and Cleveland, compiling a less than stellar 4-18 record. Drafted by the Phillies from Cleveland, he would appear in 16 games as a reliever, pitching his final game in June of 1958.

So goes the Rule 5 draft.

I liken the Rule 5 draft to the analogy of going to Walmart and attempting to find a good movie in the 5 dollar movie bin. Most of the movies you have never heard of. But, from looking at the cover you can guess what the movie will be about by reading the title or summary on the back. You can examine its cover art or see who the title actors are. The movies may or may not turn out to be any good. But, for five dollars and tax you pick up a DVD from the bin because you are more than willing to give the flick a try for its cheap price, even if it’s starring Vin Diesel as the Tooth Fairy.

Luckily for you, a watched DVD can be returned within 30 days to Walmart. You won’t have the burden of embarrassment of your friends seeing you owning a copy of Disney’s ‘The Tooth Fairy.’ For baseball teams, they have to keep their Rule 5 draftee on their major league roster for an entire season. The penalty for not doing so equates to the player being returned to the team from which he came – for free.

The Phillies have drafted 33 players since 1957 and have let 27 unprotected players get scooped up by other clubs. Most of the 60 players in total who have become beneficiaries/victims of the Rule 5 Draft you have never even heard of. Due to the vast amount of cinematic time bombs waiting to go off in the discount bin that is the Rule 5 draft, the potential of retaining a hidden gem or acquiring a blockbuster player on the cheap is the next door neighbor to impossible. Here are some of the Phillies best finds, regrettable retreats and resilient retreads .

Continue reading Here And Gone: Phillies History In The Rule 5 Draft