Phillies Nation

Is this the start of a new rivalry?

The Phillies will host the Nationals tonight in the first of a three-game set, and the series is sure to be one of the more intense ones this year. This is because the Phillies and the Nationals have developed a new found rivalry this that has never been present before, because the Mets were the Phils biggest rival.

But ever since 2007, the Phillies-Mets rivalry has really cooled down, and with the Phils being so dominant in the division, the term “rival” didn’t really mean what it used to.

Fast forward to 2012. The Phillies have found themselves in last place in the NL East, looking up at the first place Braves, and for a little while were looking up at the first place Nationals. The Nats even took two of three from the Phils in the “Take Back Our Park” series earlier this month where the theme was to get Phillies fans away from Nationals Park.

Continue reading Are The Nationals The Phillies Biggest Rival This Year?

Will the return of Howard make you freak out less?

It’s only been four games, but some are already freaking out over the slow start by the Phillies. A 1-3 record is not what anyone envisioned when the schedule opened up in Pittsburgh, and then a home opener with the Marlins. Alas, we are here, and some are not happy. Others understand it’s a long season with many twists and turns. As Juan Pierre said after the game, it sticks out more because it’s the beginning of the year and people want results right away. But even Pierre said he’s been on teams that have started fast and faded quickly – so it’s not completely about the start. It’s mostly about the long haul.

So what camp do you find yourself in? Are you freaking out now? Or will you let this baby play out a month, or two, or three?

Let us know in the poll below.

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Would you want to face Chase? (AP)

Let’s say you’re an opposing pitcher having to face the Phillies lineup on a given day. Assuming everyone is healthy, they have a bunch of guys who can hurt you in different ways. Ryan Howard with the power, Chase Utley with (usually) crisp at-bats, and Hunter Pence with grit and determination. Shane Victorino‘s a little gnat. When Jimmy Rollins gets hot, look out.

On 97.3 ESPN FM, Phillies prospect Michael Schwimer joined “The Sports Bash with Mike Gill” and was asked that very question: which Phillie would you least like to face if you were an opposing hitter? It’s not an easy question to answer.

Let your opinion be heard in the poll below:

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Who would be the best manager for the Phillies if Charlie left? (AP)

We will always be grateful for Charlie Manuel leading the Phillies to the 2008 World Series crown. “This is for Philadelphia!  This is for our fans,” screamed Charlie after the Game 5-Part 2 clincher against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Charlie will likely never have to pay for a beer again in the City of Brotherly Love, but we all know that he can’t manage this team forever.

Just for the heck of it we asked the fans on our Phillies Nation Facebook page which current MLB manager they would choose right now if they had to replace Charlie Manuel?

We took the ten most frequent responses (with some career achievements via Baseball Reference) and now we want your vote.

Which current MLB manager would you choose if you had to replace Charlie Manuel:

Continue reading Poll: Manager You Would Replace Charlie Manuel With

Does Hamels get your vote?

Who was your “Phillie of the Decade” from 2002-2011?
1B -Ryan Howard
1B – Jim Thome
2b – Chase Utley
SS- Jimmy Rollins
RF- Bobby Abreu
SP- Roy Halladay
SP- Cole Hamels

Was Jim Thome signing here as a Free Agent enough to change the culture, and grab your vote?

Was it Jimmy Rollins?  The man with the “team to beat” statement, backed by his MVP season, and his always-steady defense.

Maybe it was Ryan Howard taking Major League Baseball by storm, being the fastest player to reach 100, 150, and 200 HRs (in 2010, Howard would also become the fastest player to ever reach 250 HRs)?

Continue reading POLL: Phillie of the Last 10 Years

Photo: Foxsports.com

It’s simple – put a grade on the Jonathan Papelbon contract with the Phillies. How do you feel about what has gone down over the past 48-72 hours. Will you welcome him in with open arms? How much will you miss Madson?

Let your voice be heard with a vote.

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It’s a simple question, but one without an easy answer. Which player is more important to the Phillies – Jimmy Rollins or Ryan Madson? Both are about to become free agents and both will test the waters to see what each can achieve on the open market.

Some will say shortstop is the thinnest position in baseball; and Rollins keeps that position from being an issue for the Phillies.

Others will argue that, while closers are abundant in this current market, Madson is a known commodity and is still well in his prime. He’s also just scratching the surface of being a ninth-inning guy.

Rollins is an every-day player. Madson, obviously, is not. But the bullpen is now a glaring need for the Phillies.

Rollins will be 33 in 2012; Madson 31.

Who do you go with?

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After taking 3 of 4 from the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, the Phillies made a bit of a statement that they are, in fact, the team to beat, not only in the National League, but across the Major Leagues.

Leave it to Tim Lincecum to strike a bit of fear into the hearts of the fan base, as his continued domination of the club rehashed awful memories of the NLCS in 2010.

Overall, though, the Phillies have a more balanced and talented club. You could see that over the past four days in San Francisco. Many hoped for a split in this series, and the Phillies provided more.

Where do you stand? What did you learn from this weekends game? Has the concern been wiped away completely, replaced by a new found positivity when it comes to the Phillis/Giants rivalry? Or, is there still part of you (or all of you) that worries about seeing Tim Lincecum a bunch of times in a series?

Andrew Baggarly, a beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News, said the Phillies outclassed the Giants this past weekend, but it changed nothing about the dynamic of the rivalry.

Continue reading Poll: What Did you Learn About the Giants?

Photo: AP

It’s a simple question, but one that isn’t easy to answer. Would you trade Domonic Brown to the Houston Astros to get Hunter Pence?

Pence is hitting .311 this season with 11 home runs and 61 runs driven in. He makes $6.9 million this season and is eligible for arbitration in each of the following two seasons. He’s a pretty good defender with a nice arm and is right handed.

Brown is hitting .247 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI. He’s far cheaper than Pence as he’ll be under team control for 5+ seasons. Brown is a good defender as well, using his speed and agility to track down balls, although his route to the baseball is sometimes an odd one. He also has a great arm.

Would you pull the trigger giving up the future for a guy who is a good, but not great, player? VOTE!

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We want your opinion on how the first half of the season went down for the Phillies. At 57-34, they have the best record in baseball, so it’s hard to find much to complain about (although I’m sure we all will).

Below are some questions about the first half of the season and a look-ahead question to the second half of the year. It’s pretty simple; just vote and let your voice be heard. And please follow up in the comments section if you so choose.

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Continue reading Polls: Phillies in 1st Half/Looking Ahead to 2nd Half