Yardbarker: Brandon Phillips

Brandon Phillips Is Too Athletic For Baseball

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:57:30 -0500

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips — playing against the Mets this evening — turned one of the most aesthetically pleasing double plays I've ever seen. I don't know if it was on par with his two-bag thievery last season, but it was certainly close. You tell me. Oh, yeah, Chad Johnson's job security is in danger.

Brandon Phillips Is Too Athletic For Baseball

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:57:30 -0500

The Best Hitters Up to the All Star Break

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:30:36 -0500

This one surprised me, I was expecting to see either Atlanta's 3B Chipper Jones* or CF Josh Hamilton** of the Rangers on top of this list, but instead, we find Houston's 1B Lance Berkman** just edging out Hamilton. In fact, Jones doesn't even make this top 20 list as he has begun to come down to earth. The big difference between Hamilton and Berkman seems to be stolen bases, average and OBP as the differences in runs scored HRs and RBIs seem to offset themselves. Rounding out the remaining top 5 spots are the Ranger's 2B Ian Kinsler*, Phillies 1B Ryan Howard and their 2B Chase Utley**. Please, no booing, he doesn't like it and I can't say that I blame him. Numbers 6 to 20 are as follows: the Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez**, Pirates CF Nate McLouth*, Mets CF Carlos Beltran, White Sox LF Carlos Quentin*, Indians CF Grady Sizemore* and the Mets 3B David Wright*. Then we have the Mets SS Jose Reyes, the Cardinals OF Ryan Ludwick*, Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez* and Brewers LF Ryan Braun**. Then there were the Cubs 1B Carlos Lee and the Reds 2B Brandon Phillips who are both having All Star type of years, but hey, they can't all play in the game. Returning to the All Star cast is Marlins 2B Dan Uggla* who might have wished that Phillips was selected in his place (his 3 errors in the game set a new All Star game record) and Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez*. Lastly, we have D'Backs 3B Mark Reynolds. The Fall Guys These are the players in which I expect to fall out of this top 20 list by the end of the season: Lance Berkman**: I may be wrong, he may just slip to the end of this list due to his great first half. I still do not see him maintaining these type of numbers for a whole year, same thing applies to these next four players except that I do not expect to see them on this list at all come October: Nate McLouth*, Carlos Quentin*, Dan Uggla* and Mark Reynolds. The Real Deals These are the players in which I think will either keep up these numbers, fall just shy of them or might even improve upon them. Josh Hamilton** may not hit 40 HRs and knock in 180 RBIs, but he should be good for at least 35 HRs (and may still hit 40) and 120-130 RBIs with a .300+ average and .360+ OBP. I expect Howards' average to climb back to a more respectable figure (like say maybe .250) and Utley* will make a MVP run. Hanley Ramirez** and Grady Sizemore* are right on track to where they should be but I don't think they'll go 40/40, the HRs may not get that high. Beltran, Reyes, Wright*, Phillips, Lee and Aramis Ramirez* should also all stay the course with their current numbers. *All of these players where reserves on the 2008 All Star team. **All of these players where elected or selected starters in the 2008 All Star game.

Midseason Awards

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:24:50 -0500

Here's a great piece of boring fodder, my 2008 Reds midseason awards. Most Valuable Player: Brandon Phillips I had a couple other choices here, Adam Dunn and Joey Votto, but I just have to go with best overall player right here. Adam Dunn has a strong case because of his strong finish of the 1st half, but Phillips wins this one. 2nd Half Prediction: Joey Votto Cy Young: Edinson Volquez As if there was any other choice. 2nd Half Prediction: Aaron Harang Rookie of the Half Year: Joey Votto Joey Votto pretty much runs away with this one at the moment. He is one of the teams best hitters, even though Dusty clearly hates him and continues to bat him no higher than 6th in the order. He got off to a great start posting an OPS of .880, and .913 in April and May, but has struggled as of late to have his OPS fall to .814 on the season. 2nd Half Prediction: Joey Votto I hope you enjoyed reading this bad ass posting. I put a lot of effort into it.

The Media Circus

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:59:58 -0500

So you're relaxing at home in your suburban Green Bay bedroom, you've got a cold one by your side, getting ready to enjoy your favorite movie and right as you press play the damn phone rings. Who in the hell is calling you while you're watching your programs?

You pick it up and it's another one of those telemarketers asking you to do some stupid poll. Last time they called, they asked questions about who you were going to vote for in the 2008 presidential election. Who the hell has time for crap like that when your beer is getting warm? Right as you're getting ready to berate the jackass on the other end of the line, he tells you what he's calling about - he wants you to answer a few questions about Brett Favre. Finally.

Now before you chalk this up as just another Green Bay-people-are-obsessed-with-Favre rant from the guys at JoeSportsFan, just know that not even we could conjure up this kind of ridiculous scenario. Low and behold, some variation of it happened over 20,000 times this weekend . According to USA Today's Game On blog, every single phone number in the Green Bay White Pages was called on Sunday night asking three questions:

1.) Do you think the Packers should trade Favre?

2.) What should happen with Brett Favre?

3.) Would you feel betrayed if Favre went to another team and won a Super Bowl?

There are actual companies dedicating resources to asking Green Bay people their opinions about Brett Favre who has shockingly decided he might want to play again. For some reason, none of that is terribly surprising. Apparently, two other questions were nixed:

4.) Would you feel betrayed if Favre went to another team and threw a horrible interception to keep that team from going to the Super Bowl?

5.) Would you have Favre's children if it were physically possible?

It's official. The guy just won't go away.

Crap that actually came from somebody's mouth

"Six years ago the General Manager of the Cleveland Indians, Mark Shapiro, traded Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Montreal Expos for Brandon Phillips, Grady Sizemore, Lee Stevens and Cliff Lee and have all four ever paid dividends." ? Tim McCarver

Well three of the four anyway, Tim. Turns out Lee Stevens played a grand total of 53 games and batted .222 for the Indians and hasn't played in the Major since.

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"Duncan deep in the box, he holds it on the knob." - Mike Shannon

Because of Mike Shannon, Cardinals radio broadcasts are rated PG 13.
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"More than anything, I like his body" - Joe Morgan on Ryan Braun

If only Braun threw a slide-piece, we might have to get somebody to hose down Morgan.
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"He's starter material and we have a spot in the rotation" ? Tony LaRussa on Mark Mulder

Mulder's return to "starter material" lasted exactly three batters.
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"The fact is that Brett Favre absolutely and positively is upset that he's not being wooed and wanted?he won't let go. He wants to be worshipped" ? Bob Ryan, PTI

And damnit as long as Chris Berman and Peter King are alive, he will be!

MTV Rock and Jock Proves it Still Has Some Favre Left

Last year around this time, we spent a few hundred words discussing how the once glorious mid-summer classic morphed into an oversaturated, boring commercialized sports exhibition.

This year, we have similar intentions, only for a completely different event: the MTV Rock and Jock Softball Game. Actually, we made that up, but somebody out there does have serious intentions to bring back Rock and Jock. And frankly, who could blame them?

Thanks to the miracle of technology, you can really make a difference in the lives of a few very special people by signing the "Resurrect Rock N Jock Petition".

To: Viacom, MTV
Enough is enough, people. With all this celebrity game show crap that every network is rolling out over the summer, why, Dear God why, hasn't MTV resurrected the greatest mixed celebrity and athlete competition franchise in the history of this and every other alternate universe: Rock N Jock.

The formula is simple. Take B-List stars of the moment, athletes in the offseason that want to hob-knob with celebs, mix in 1-2 A-listers, a trendy musical guest, a game of softball or basketball with modified rules and TA-DAH... you have a hit show. Honestly, MTV is running so many reality shows they could fill enough teams to necessitate a 4-team tournament by themselves. Everyone gets publicity for their latest projects in a gigantic egomaniacal circle jerk and we get the joy of watching musicians trying to hit a softball and athletes with no charisma trying to be interesting.

Boy, from the looks of that excerpt, Sean Salisbury was and still is a HUGE Rock N Jock fan. We had no idea. But seriously, we can't argue against singing that petition. Not when it could potentially bring back entertainment luminaries like Hammer, Dan Cortese, Bill Bellamy and Roger McDowell pitching in a skirt.

If only the Rock N Jock softball extravaganza would have had a red carpet special back in it's existence. There's no way it would have ceased.

Foxsports Proclaims A-Rod Not a True Mustache-Wearer

The Legacy of Billy Packer

With the news that Billy Packer has left his broadcast position alongside Jim Nantz, we thought it would only be appropriate to recall one of Packer's finest moments. It's not about a contrived controversey, a small school, or ingorantly comparing Allen Iverson to a primate. No, it's a quote that helps define the man who irritated basketball fans for years with his crusty, condescending persona.

In 2007, Packer revealed he doesn't own a computer or "tape machine" in a USA Today interview:

"Not that I know everything about basketball, but I like to go into games with some unknowns. I don't want to sit with a coach and ask him what he'll do. I like to play the game as I'm watching it... 90% of my life is spent on business, not TV".

"A lot of my ideas sound off-the-wall, but my history is pretty darn good in how things work out. People laugh at me, but CBS should hire America's most sophisticated pollsters to see how people watch the tournament. It would make the Nielsen's look so out of touch, it wouldn't even be funny. I challenge Nielsen that they're so far off, I'll put up the money and pay for the survey if I'm wrong."

To recap, Billy Packer has never been wrong - and challenges the common fan opinion that he won't be missed (even though he has a wildly original and awesome Mediaspace page).

Bob Carpenter Memorial Snappy Headline

The Bobber was thinking the same thing.

The Best Second Baseman in Baseball

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:58:46 -0500

With all of these excellent two baggers out there, the one guy that seems to be lost in the shuffle is the best second baseman in the game and right now, is in the argument for the best player over the first half of the season. Ian Kinsler is ridiculous and is having a better first half than the studly Chase Utley.

Hot MLB Hitters

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:11:19 -0500

Week 14 With 6 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 SB to go along with a .559 BA and a .583 OBP Brewers SS J.J. Hardy edges out Marlins OF Cody Ross as this past week's hottest hitter. Ross hit 2 HRs while knocking in 16 runs and hitting .500 with a .526 OBP. Rounding out the top half of this week's list are the Rockies LF Matt Holliday who collected 10 RBIs and stole 3 bases, the Reds 2B Brandon Phillips who also knocked in 10 RBIs, but stole 4 bases and the Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez with his 4 HRs and a stolen base of his own. The Yankees All Star 3B Alex Rodriguez hits this list at # 6 but he hit under .300 for the week, but did hit 3 HRs and swiped 3 bases. Next is the Dodgers rookie OF Andre Ethier who scored 10 runs while also hitting 3 HRs. Baltimore's Nick Markakis also scored 10 runs with a HR and hit close to .400 (.389) this week. The Cubs man of many positions, Mark DeRosa, hit 3 HRs while knocking in 10 RBIs to rank 9th on this list. Last, but not least is another Rockies player, fellow OF Brad Hawpe. Brad has been hitting the long ball since his return from the DL and this week was no different as he hit 3 and also swiped a base, too. Unfortunately, he is also the only player in this top 10 to hit under (gulp) .200 for the week (.154), but did host an OBP of .333. As a reminder, I use a 6 metric tool to compile these weekly lists. I use the basic Roto5×5 stats and add OBP to it, just so you know.

CC's gone; Is Peralta next bait on the hook?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:55:03 -0500

Let me start by saying I understand perfectly well that the Tribe had to trade CC Sabathia. The season was over almost before it started, though most of us didn't realize it until two or three weeks ago. So, with the Tribe unable to get his double-C on a dotted line, the big man had to go. Even though there was plenty of advanced notice, just the concept of CC in someone else's uniform is hard to swallow. Does it help that the Tribe got the Brewers' best prospect in return - a guy who is considered a top-25 prospect? A little. But what does that really mean? For every Joe Carter and Mel Hall for Rick Sutcliffe deal there are those deals that brought Reggie Jefferson, Mark Whitten and Glenallen Hill to the Tribe. No need to go back to the early 80s and 90s to make my point. Just look over at the well-worn part of the Tribe bench where Andy Marte sits during the ballgames. It happens to other teams too. Remember how "can't-miss" Jerrod Saltamalacchia was at this team last year? How's that looking? So why should Tribe fans be dancing in the streets over the acquisition of Matt LaPorta? The slugging outfielder/first baseman had plenty of great teammates to chose from down in Huntsville. Why didn't the Tribe get one of those guys? (Assuming the reports on the trade are accurate.) And even if they had, wouldn't they have been a crap shoot too? Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee notwithstanding, I've never been a big fan of the star-for-prospect deals that Tribe fans have had to swallow for years. I was hoping for a guy on someone's 25-man roster as part of a CC package- someone not getting the playing time their talents might command in Cleveland. Failing that, I was hoping for someone ready to be put on the Tribe's big league roster right now. All that said, if that's the reality of a mid-market team - and it is - at least the Tribe has boosted the power potential in its system. The only other saving grace is CC wasn't sent to the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox - though we can all assume that's coming down the road. About $80 million comes off the Yankee payroll on Oct. 1, and they're opening a new stadium next season. The only thing that will keep CC out of pinstripes would be a decision on his part that the circus is not for him.

The Power of "4"

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:05:05 -0500

The Power of "4" When Alfonso Soriano hit 39 HR in 2002, he provided power numbers from a 2nd baseman, which hadn't been seen in quite awhile. Soriano was eventually moved into the outfield, once again leaving a power void in the middle infield. The resurgence of the power hitting 2nd baseman has begun and four players on pace for great years. Chase Utley, Dan Uggla, Brandon Phillips and Ian Kinsler are all on track to finish with 25+ HR and 90+ RBI, with Utley and Uggla aiming higher. Brandon Phillips has 13 HR and 43 RBI. He has the lowest RBI total of the group, but finished out last year with 94 RBI to go along with 30 HR. His .271 average is also the lowest of the four players mentioned but he's in a lineup with Griffey, Dunn, Votto and Bruce. Look for him to get hot after the break. Ian Kinsler has the lowest HR total of the group with 12, but he boasts the highest batting average, hitting .305 with 47 RBI. It's Kinsler's run total that has been the most impressive. He's rounded the bases 64 times, which is good for 2nd best in the league. Chase Utley certainly isn't a surprise anymore, but his power seems to be even better than previous seasons. He's led the MLB in homeruns for the majority of the year and currently sits in 2nd with 22 bombs. He's also 4th in the MLB in RBI with 63. His .291 average and 57 runs make him a very well rounded player. Dan Uggla has become the blue print for a power hitting 2nd baseman this year. His hot streak of late has allowed him to surpass Utley and take the MLB lead in HR with 23. He's 9th in the league with 57 RBI and has 57 runs to go with his .294 average. The Reds and Rangers aren't likely to be in contention when the playoffs roll around, but look for Utley and Uggla to battle it out for the NL East title. Both the Phillies and Marlins know that the added bonus of having a power hitting 2nd baseman could provide just the boost needed to make a postseason run. Take it Deep: www.letsgodeep.com www.passitdeep.com

AccuScore: The Need for Speed

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:08:26 -0500

Fantasy expert Tim Williams reviews AccuScore's top 20 stolen base options for the remainder of the season, and finds several excellent sources for stolen bases in the outfield and at second base who you can get for a cheaper price than Carl Crawford or Brian Roberts.

Duel! Volquez outpitches Myers to lead Reds over Phillies

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:34 -0500

The Phillies wasted an amazing outing by Brett Myers, who held the Reds hitless through 6 and 2/3rds innings, and fell to Cincinnati 2-0. Reds starting pitcher Edinson Volquez was the story of Wednesday night's game. 3 Up: 1. Volquez dominates When an opposing pitcher is this good, he gets top billing. Edinson Volquez has taken the league by storm this season and the Phillies never had a chance tonight 2. Myers takes no-hitter into 7th You can't blame tonight's loss on Brett Myers. Despite some wildness (6 walks), Myers held up his end of the pitchers duel by not allowing a hit until the 7th inning. 3. Burrell walks twice On a night where very few Phillies managed to reach base (2 hits, 3 walks as a team), Pat Burrell walked twice. Yep, that's the best I can do. 3 Down: 1. Howard....again! For the third day in a row, Ryan Howard finds his way onto the Down list. 2. Utley hitless I thought about giving Chase Utley a pass, but if he's the MVP, he should still manage to fare better than an 0 for 3 with two strikeouts. 3. Phillips kills a rally The Phillies had one of their few rallies going in the second inning when Pedro Feliz was robbed by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. Click the link for the rest of the article, including video highlights.

Dusty Baker Is Out to Ruin More Young Arms

Wed, 28 May 2008 14:26:05 -0500

Dusty Baker appears determined to ruin the young of the Reds just like he did in Chicago in 2003 with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Cincinnati fans and fantasy owners in keeper leagues need to be wary of what Baker is currently doing to Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez.

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 5/19

Tue, 20 May 2008 08:31:56 -0500

A look at the top fantasy performers in fantasy baseball from Monday, May 19th. Headlined by Jon Lester's no-hitter.

Fantasy Baseball Weekend Happy Recap - Week 4

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:00:13 -0500

In this daily column, we take a look back at the weekend developments in fantasy baseball highlighting the best/worst performances, emerging fantasy options and developing trends. Check out the Fantasy Baseball Happy Recap every weekday on FSE!

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 4/27

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:26:09 -0500

A look at the fantasy baseball stars from Sunday, April 27th.