No Hope. No Fear.

A Team Without Hope Is a Team Without Fear.

So Daredevil made its debut on Netflix Friday preventing a few nerds from tuning into the Phillies game.  While the Daredevil reviews are awesome, the Phillies looked great.

This season has been referred to by many as hopeless. Well, a team without hope is a team without fear.

A 7th inning 4 run offensive explosion led to a fun Friday night victory over the ugly uniformed probably won’t go very far in the playoffs again this year Nationals.

If Howard, Ruf, Utley, Ruiz and Francoeur can get hot, this team will score a lot more runs than the experts predicted. 

Minus the leadoff hitter, Jerome Williams looked like a good #4 pitcher.  The bullpen shut a potential playoff team down for a second night in a row and Papelbon pitched a perfect 9th for his second save of the season.

 

So Papelbon made another dumb comment the other night and he is even more hated now than he was on Tuesday (if that’s even possible) but he still goes out on the field and brings it every time he gets the ball.  The two things Papelbon does best:

save ball games and say stupid things.

Jimmy Rollins is too smart to be suckered into answering such a question but don’t we all hope he will always consider himself a Phillie?

The Phillies found a way to win the game and every player on the field did their part when the game was on the line.

Maybe it is silly to be optimistic for a team in the process of a tear down and rebuild but why not?  Make the season fun.  Find positives in every game.   I know it is fun to goof on them when they lose but they are still the Philadelphia Phillies and we are lucky to have them.

I know it may not happen that often this year but I love it when the Phillies win. 

With Hamels on the hill for Saturday Night there’s a good chance for 2 in a row.  Go Phillies!

Erik Whitacre 

I will watch the Philles so you don’t have to!!

Follow me on Twitter @ErikWhitacre

5 for 2015

5 for 2015

1) Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels will be playing in the World Series this year.

Jimmy Rollins was traded to a team ready to finally win the series. Leadership and experience is what the Dodgers have been missing all this time. Say what you want about J‐Roll but he has
seen it all and knows the game top to bottom. If it wasn’t for him, I question whether the Phillies
would have won in 2008. He has seen the horror of the 90’s and early 20’s and the
awesomeness of being on a contender. In the twilight of his career surrounded with All‐Stars, he
knows time is running out and there is a chance for a second ring. Yasiel will be Yasiel but
Jimmy will help him do it in style. Hamels WILL be traded. When the trade deadline approaches, I see 3 teams calling the Phillies –the L.A. Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres.

Based on what I have read the likely spot is the Red Sox. The Sox have put together a major
renovation and are only missing a legitimate #1 starter. Put Hamels on that team and they are
right at the top of the American League. The Padres have shown interest and want to win now. They may put together the best package for a #1 like Hamels.

The Dodgers will see the Padres have interest in Hamels and put together their own offer. Even
if the offer is not as good as San Diego Ruben will take it because the idea of being in every Los
Angeles newspaper and mentioned on L.A. talk radio will be too much to pass up on. The name
Ruben likes to hear most is Ruben!

So let’s forget the Padres. The Red Sox and Dodgers have legitimate chances to be in the 2015 World Series and Cole Hamels (my favorite Phillies player ever) puts them front and center to achieve this goal.

2) Papelbon will save 10 in a row and be booed mercilessly when he blows number 11.

So maybe Papelbon is a jerk. Maybe he is just a guy who with talent who doesn’t fit in and is always misunderstood. Who am I to judge?

In 2014 I think he was the MVP of the Phillies team. The bull pen was the bright point and I believe that his guidance to the young pitchers was a big part of it. How many saves did he have last year and how many losses did he have? Do I really need to look it up and add it? When I started writing this I didn’t realize this would actually take work. 39 Saves 3 Losses. 2.04 ERA. I threw in the ERA because I looked it up.
The Phillies won 73 games!! Had they been a contender he would have saved more. Maybe save the boo’s for a guy who isn’t trying 100% every time he takes the field.

3) Ryan Howard will hit 30 home runs and have 120 RBI’s and still be hated.
 

Somewhere along the way Phillies fans turned on Ryan Howard. The Ryan Howard who has that
nasty reputation of being one of the nicest professional athletes in the history of Philadelphia.
The same Ryan Howard who has awed Citizens Bank Park with monster home runs. The same
Ryan Howard who filled Philly with pride when he won the Home Run Derby. Remember that
night? It was awesome. Ryan Howard earned a monster contract and in my opinion had and still has every intention of living up to it.

Is it really his fault he tore his Achilles? I bet he would have preferred to not tear his Achilles. I
had inflammation in the bursa sac in my knee and didn’t even want to take out the trash. Ryan
Howard tore his ACHILLES and worked and worked to come back sooner than expected all to
become a villain who stole the big contract.

Last season, we saw flashes of the old Howard and this season I think I have confidence he will show that power again all the way up to the point when he is traded to an A.L. contender who
needs a DH. (Side prediction – Seattle Mariners – not sure why just a hunch.)

4) Dom Brown will not start the season or end the season on the Phillies roster.

The Dom Brown experiment is done. He just doesn’t get it. Being a big leaguer is not the most
important thing in his life. You can say he is full of talent and I will disagree with you. Talent
comes with knowledge and respect for the game. Raw talent comes with ignorance and a sense
of entitlement.

I see The Big Dom Brownski on a career path similar to Marlon Byrd. Marlon Byrd has had a nice
career but it has taken until its twilight for him to realize how special being a big league baseball player is. The big difference between Brown and Byrd is that Byrd has always been a likeable guy.

5) If Ruben goes Sandberg follows.
 

Ruben fired Charlie. Ruben promoted Sandberg. In my opinion, Ruben was afraid Sandberg was
going be taken away by another team and if he didn’t promote him when he did the Phillies
would miss out.

If this season turns into disaster and a new General Manager is hired, the first move to be made

is hiring a new manager. I like Ryne Sandberg. I hope he succeeds. I am old enough to remember how awesome it was to get a Sandberg card when I bought my Burger King meal or when a pack of Topps was still affordable.

I also respect how a Hall of Fame player was willing to start at the lowest level of the Minor

Leagues and work his way all the way to becoming the manager of the big club. How many
people these days have the patience to start at the bottom and stick it through to get to the
top?

My Prediction – Chase Utley will be the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. Players

with no managerial experience is happening now and the Phillies won’t want to let Chase Utley
get away.

Hope you’re still reading. If you are I plan to write more this year.

I will watch the Phillies so you don’t have to!
Erik Whitacre

‘Twas the Night Before Opening Day ‘15

Hoodwink’d

by      cj hood

‘Twas the Night Before Opening Day ‘15

                 

                     CITIZENS BOOZE PARK

‘Twas the night before Opening Day, when all through the park

Not a creature was stirring, not even a lark;

The bats were all hung by the helmets with care,

In hopes that the Phillies soon would be there;

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of a parade danced in their heads;

Mom in her Utley jersey, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long Spring nap,

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to Citizen’s Bank I flew like a flash,

Tore up 476 and almost near crashed.

Phillies Bunts staff was blogging like there was no tomorrow

While Mets fans drank Schlitz; drowning their sorrows,

When, my wondering eyes saw the mound and the bases

An all new offense, don’t know their names nor their faces,

With a Hall of Fame coach, so lively and kind,

I knew in a moment it must have been Ryne.

More rapid than the Eagles his courses they came,

And he whistled, and shouted and, called them by name;

“Now, Hamels! Now, Harang! And those other 3!

On, Howard! On Asche! And ‘the man’ Chase Utley!”

From the dugout! To the top of the wall!

They dashed away!  Dashed away!  Dashed away all!

As dirt kicked up before the wild hurricanes on,

Who’s that grabbing his nuts?  That’s Jon Papelbon!

Ben Davis and Stairs were calling the game

‘Boy we miss Harry’; Oh!  What a shame,

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Hamel’s with his ‘game scruff’ took to the mound.

He was dressed in a throwback, from his head to his foot,

And the strength of his arm could throw a shot put;

The Marlins rebuilt and the ‘Gnats will not lose;

The Phil’s best acquisition? Our park now serves booze!

Three up and three down as Chooch made the calls!

Two strike-outs, a pop-out, and only one ball!

Las Vegas is saying we’re gonna get killed

If their play doesn’t kill us, a 9 patty burger certainly will

We traded J*Roll for some no-name go-getters,

The movie Philadelphia seemed to end better

We are the L-O-L of the M-L-B

Cuz half of our team is A-A-R-P

Amaro manages us like he don’t even care

And here come the Red Sox, loaded for bear

We’re the Walking Dead, this team will just scare ya,

Yet I’m really excited about Odubel Herrera

Last few years we’ve just stunk, just like a wet fart

I bet the 76’ers can’t wait til we start

If we played in October it would be such a shocker,

Maybe if Howard cleaned out his locker

But tonight we’re in first, like the rest of the teams

And all we can do is have positive dreams

Can’t wait til tomorrow; dress warm cuz it’s freezing,

“Good Luck Philadelphia, and to the fans a great-season,”

Musings First Game

                   View From the Left Coast by a Lefty:  Musings First Game            

 

 

If you are actually reading this it's because A) Wriz decided to post it and B) there is no other Bunts content lol. First let me say that JV scrimmage with Tampa was just that, a scrimmage that didn't mean squat. Luckily I was home today and able to snag a primo stream to chromecast the first game to my tv. I had no clue as to what I might see, but this is my reaction(s) to what transpired. If you are geographically handicapped as I am(2500 miles away) let me suggest to you the web site http://www.strikeout.co to get a decent stream to watch all baseball, let alone my Phils. During the season the majority are stolen from mlb.tv which has quality streams. I then use google chrome and chromecast to my 52" tv, the results are great. If you do chromecast make sure you have Adblock Pro as an addon to get the game. This will save you 129.99 over using mlb.tv and we all know we could use 129.99 for better use.

 

Firstly, WELCOME BACK BASEBALL. I have loved baseball since I learned to play as a young'un in the 50's. Here in AZ we've had baseball weather for weeks. After watching the game at Brighthouse today I have come away with some revelations which are all mine. Listed below in no particular order are my takes from the game.

 

Announcers:  Ben Davis is a 200% upgrade over Jamie Moyer. While he didn't speak all that much, when he did he was articulate and the sound of his voice against the monotone Moyer was a no brainer. Can't help it, I love Matt Stairs' perspective. TMac was TMac.

 

Howard:  to quote Gomer Pyle SU-PRISE SU-PRISE SU-PRISE... he looked good. Thinner, stance a little more closed(how many years have I said this), and weight and elbows back in his stance. Two major contributors to this IMHO... first a healed achilles. He can now stay back and push off his back foot = mo'power. Second, mommy don't got power on my money no'more!  Mentally that should free him to focus on each AB. I seriously didn't think, until retrospect, how much it could affect him daily. *ADDED BONUS* he  looked outstanding in the field today, moving well and actually stretching for throws. Wowsa.

 

Sandberg:  looks and sounds more in control than last year. I honestly think the coaching staff has a better overall feel for the talent. We will not overpower any team with pitching and offense this year. They remind me a lot of my high school teams that won back to back State Championships in 67-68. Not a lot of power, but smart base running and good defense and timely pitching. Well, the pitching the verdict is out on lol.

 

POD control:  this year we have taken a stance on guiding "pods". The team has been broken down into groups of 6-8, each with a "mentor" when it comes to hitting etc. For example Howard is one of 7 under the control/guidance of Charley when it comes to hitting. Other pods are under control of Schmidt and more. Sorry I didn't screencap the graphic in the 2nd inning but I like it. You can't have enough mentors, but I'm hoping it has a positive effect.

 

Infield:  we definitely have enough really good infielders. Whether or not they can hit will take bou coup time to realize.

 

Outfield:  Bleh. Will be a season long work in progress. We do not have one OF that admittedly is worth a shit.

 

Catching:  Chooch, and then the rest. He can only catch maybe 102-112 games effectively. Is there anyone else on the horizon? I mean seriously.

 

Pitching(starters):  We actually won the WS with this amount or less truth be told. The question is will Cliff return to form, will Cole be Cole, is Jerome an innings eater, is there anyone else who can get outs?

 

Pitching(bullpen):  to me the one plus going into this season. Biggest question is can Papelbum handle being an 8th inning guy to Giles closing?

 

Lastly, we need answers to these questions... 1) Will Wriz show up for Meet'N'Greet V? 2) Will David Anderson really give us a complete pictorial accounting of spring training? Will Nancy Edwards Johnson ever come back to AZ? Will CJ Hood make his way into the Last Comic Standing? Will Rick Austin ever sell enough paint to retire? Will DiamondGirl *EVER* write again?

 

Respectfully.....

 

                                Bill S/aka Netfather

A New Dope

Hoodwink’d                by  cj hood
A New Dope

I decided to do a Star Wars parody in honor of the Phillies 1st Annual Star Wars Night this Friday; Aug 22nd.  I planned on taking my family to this, but I’ve decided not to waste the money.  Jabba the Hutt cares more about his weight than the Phils care about winning.  Word to Salacious B. Crumb!  Irregardless (not a real word), the team sucks and Emperor Montgomery said today that he has no plan on firing Darth Amaro which means we’ll suck til Star Wars 9 is released.  So pop some popcorn, grab some Rolos and get ready for a space opera Philadelphia style…

STAR WARS 7 IS GOING TO BE LIKE THE TANEY DRAGONS HYPE ON STEROIDS!!!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....

It is a period of a terrible season.
The Phillies are on there way to a second
consecutive losing season while fans are
rebelling against the evil Ruben Amaro Jr.

During the season, fan spies managed
to steal secret plans to RAJ’s
ultimate weapon, his wallet, a
blank check with enough power
to field a team with 25 has-beens.

Pursued by RAJ’s sinister agents,
Princess Cole races home aboard his
starship, custodian of the stolen plans
that can save his team and restore
freedom to the NL East...

the cast…

Darth Vader:  Ruben Amaro Jr (half cyborg/half idiot)
Princess Leia Organa:  Cole Hamels  (pretty & fare)
Luke Skywalker:  Chase Utley (beloved hero)
Han Solo:  Paps (loud, brazen & fearless)
Obi-Wan Kenobi:  Cholly (just the ghost cuz Darth Amaro killed him)
Chewbacca:  Ryan Howard (should be a beast but really a push over)
C-3PO:  Domic Brown (tall, lanky, talks a good game)
R2D2:  Chooch (short but takes care of biz)

sequel characters…

Emperor Palpatine:  David Montgomery
Lando Calrissian:  J*Roll (can’t trust that smile)
Jabba the Hutt:  Joe Blanton (f’ it)
Boba Fett:  Marlon Byrd (mad skillz/fan favorite)
Wicket the Ewok:  Ben Revere (small but carries his own)
Yoda:  Netfather Bill (wise and old)

Phillies Star Wars is different from the real Star Wars in which Darth Amaro runs wild til a legion of Buntamaniacs run him out of town.  However, this will take 9 installments as well…which kinda sucks.  Hey, we won a series (Mariners) today…May the Bunts be with you!!!

Time Will Tell

 

As I listen to the supposed experts, they keep telling the Wriz over and over that the Phillies have 4-5 years before they have a legitimate chance to contend. Well, anyone who actually reads this blog know theres only one true expert and that's The Wriz and he says that's horse shit. The Phillies can be contenders in 2 years. Yep, by the 2016 the Phillies could be back in the mix. I said "could" not "will" because there are several things that must take place before its even a possibility.

#1 Fire Amaro. I've said all along Amaro was a piece of shit and now everyone agrees with me. The fact he hasn't be canned already leads me to believe he'll be here at least into 2015, which automatically pushes back when the Phillies could be competitive. Unfortunately, its not as simple as if hes here another year it will take one year longer for the Phils to return to prominence. The Phillies tradable pieces are aging the time to move them is NOW. I said I would have trade Ruiz, Utley and even Hamels when they were in the last year of  contracts. And its no different now.

#2 Trade/Cut/Retire the vets. Sure Howard, Rollins and the aforementioned 08 core brought us some of the memories we will never forget but that was nearly six years ago. Its time to move on and necessary to be competitive sooner rather than later.

#3 The Phillies must keep spending money. The Phillies had for years operating like a small market team trading success for profits. The new Comcast deal infuses the team with a boatload of cash but the kid who for years watch the Fightins bring in has beens and retreads on the cheap says the faceless owners pocket that moolah and live the high life in the shadows.

Ok, so lemme piece it all together for you. The Phillies fire Amaro and bring in a competent GM. I'd like to see them bring in David Forst, the assistant GM from the A's. He learned under Billy Beane and if he can combine Moneyball with actual money who knows what could happen. You trade whatever veteran players you can and get prospects. Get as many blue chippers as you can but I'd rather see "high ceiling" prospects who are 19 and 20 than suspect major league talent who are ML ready now. The reason for that is because by trading Lee, Utley, Rollins etc you'll have all that money to bring in free agents and thus retain the ability to be competitive.

The more astute the GM is at signing free agents will determine what's next. Either you are ready to contend and can flip the prospects for major league level help or if the teams not ready let them develop in the minors, but yeah its all 3 criteria or its the long haul before we're talking about Red October again.

See ya at the ballpark!

Jay Wrizight
jaywrizight@yahoo.com

P.S. # 4 Keep Paps! 
 

Midterm Report

Hoodwink’d                       by cj hood

Midterm Report

 

 

I have to apologize in advance my fellow Buntamaniacs.  This edition of Hoodwink’d will not spit fire like yesterday’s Wriz Wednesday piece…oh wait.  Anywho, the All Star break is just about over so let’s assess our Phightans (or lack thereof) before they kick off the second half in Atlanta on Friday.

 

Chooch:  C-  He had a good May, but got hurt.  I wouldn’t mind if he was moved.

Cody Asche:  B-  Also saw the DL, but I like this kid.  Needs to work on his D.

 

J*Roll:  B  I thought he’d mail it in after breaking Schmidt’s record, but I was wrong.  Like Stella, he got his groove back and he seems more pissed off when he’s not doing well.  He’s gotta ‘new attitude’ like Philly’s own Patti Labelle and I like it!

 

Chase:  A   He’s the man and a Phillie for life.  Don’t trade him and stop asking him about being     traded. Trading Utley would be like trading a heart for 2 good thumbs.  Drop it bro!

 

D*Brown:  D  Send him back to Lehigh.  His game is about as reputable as Malaysian Airlines.

 

Sizemore: B?  Too early to grade, but I like what I see.  If Netfather Bill backs him then so do I!

 

Byrd:  A    I haven’t loved a bird this much since I hit puberty.  I’m gonna hate to see him go.

 

Ben Revere:  B   Only because you have the highest batting average on the team.  He still lacks some fundamentals though (ie  fielding & base running).

 

Bench:  C-  Mayberry & Gwynn Jr are ok.  The rest of them aren’t worth mentioning now that Frandsen  is gone.

                   

Cole:  A-   I feel for you bro.  It’s like you own a record company and your biggest act is Leif Garret.  #zerohits

 

Lee:  B+   Last year’s Cole.  Hope he could bounce back from his injury.

 

AJ Burnett:  B    He’s seemed to come around after a few shaky starts.  Hope we could get some offense for him.

 

KK:  C   You’re the Dominic Brown of pitching.  I won’t be mad if he gets traded.

 

Buchanan:  B+  I like this guy! I don’t like him like DB29 likes the Real Housewives of New Jersey (He doesn’t read the blog anymore), but I think he’s going to be a great 4^th or 5^th starter for us.

 

Hernandez:  D+  (This grade exists…I got it in college)  Dude’s like KK with a nicer tan.  Not impressed.

 

Bullpen et al:  B+    Shaky start, but really came thru for a team with zero offense.  F’ Papelbon & can’t wait to see him leave. With names like Ken ‘My Angel is a Centerfold’ Giles Band &            Jeff(erson) ‘We Built this City on Rock N Roll’ Manship , this pen is bound to get more interesting.

 

And last, but definitely last…

 

Ryan Howard:  F-  You had 2 good years and got paid handsomely by a GM who has no business being a GM.  I cannot understand how in good conscience you can continue cashing your paycheck.  NFL players redo their contracts for the good of the team all the time.  Why can’t

 you?  I say cut him like the Eagles cut DeSean Jackson.  I know the circumstances are different, but F’ it…take the loss.  I recommended a $3 surcharge be added to all tickets so the fans could buy out his contract.  As long as Ryan Howard is a Phillie, this team will continue looking back at 2008 instead of focusing on the future.  The organization needs to show the fan base that they are serious about winning.  Getting rid of Howard is step one!!!

 

 

I predicted in April that the Phillies would cop the 2^nd Wild Card.  That is obviously not going to happen, but there’s a slim chance that they could still win this division.  That of course depends on a gaggle of things coming together.  Time will tell I guess.  I hope they don’t shit the bed before Aug 22 cuz it’s their first annual Star Wars night and I’d really like to take the family to that game.  However, there’s no way I’m dropping a few hundred dollars to watch a team implode like the Death Star.  So may the force be with you and here’s hoping that Pap goes out like Jabba the Hutt.  Hey, we got new Phillies Bunts stickers in stock……let’s get ‘Bunted!!!