Nice way to end the first half

Toward the end of the Phillies 1-0 win over the Reds today, Christine noted that I prefer pitching duels. I didn't understand that she was referring to the fact that it would have been a great game to go to and that we would have been there today if something better hadn't come along.

I enjoyed watching my first Sunday afternoon game with my wife and our son, which we followed with a barbecue. (I wasn't allowed to give Trent a burger.) I know we're still in the early innings and that there will be difficult and unpleasant times ahead, but I'm going to like this parenting thing.

And everyone likes that the Phillies are now 4-0 since the little guy came home. Although he broke his streak of walk-off extra-inning wins, he did will them to consecutive 1-0 wins for the first time since 1913.

The Red Sox have improved to 2-1 since Trent came home, after beating the Blue Jays 3-2 in a game affected by shadows because of a malfunctioning retractable roof.

At the All-Star break, the Red Sox trail the Yankees by 4.5 games and the Rays by 3. The Phillies trail the Braves by 4.5 games and the Rockies by 2. (The Mets and Dodgers are also ahead of them.) Despite all their troubles in the first half, I think our teams are well positioned for a magical ending in which I'll have to wake Trent up on a fall night and he won't know how to react to the ending of the SoxandPhils World Series because one of his teams will have won, the other will have lost.

Interesting trivia: Yesterday's gem between Roy Halladay and Travis Wood was the first time two starters matched nine shutout innings since 2003. Doc was one of those starters too. ... Nick Cafardo notes that "Adrian Beltre had hit the most home runs among active players who hadn’t made an All-Star Game, until he was finally selected. Beltre hit 262 homers before being named. Matt Stairs has hit 261, and will likely never go."

Premature retirement: I retired my David Ortiz T-shirt today. I wanted to wear it one more time, but it's just too big.

I'm stupid, but not the only one

I've enjoyed having the son of a former major leaguer as a touted prospect for the Red Sox. It has given me several opportunities to reminisce about the time in high school that I was fully decked out in Red Sox garb to interview then-Yankees second baseman Pat Kelly during a mall autograph signing.

Unfortunately, the Boston Herald's Jom Tomase says the guy I interviewed is not the father of Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly. Don't get your inner Maury Povich in a tizzy - it just happens that there were two, actually three, former major leaguers named Pat Kelly. Tomase implies the mix-up happens often:

First off, Casey Kelly’s dad is not that Pat Kelly.

While the Red Sox farmhand is the son of a big leaguer, it’s not the one who spent most of his nine-year career playing second base for the Yankees.

It’s the Pat Kelly who spent nearly eight years in the minors before finally earning the call to the big leagues for a career that lasted all of five days. The elder Kelly debuted in Fenway Park for the Blue Jays on May 28, 1980 and recorded a pair of singles off Bob Stanley that went down as the only two hits of his career. Two games later, the catcher was done, leaving the game after seven at-bats and with a career .286 average.

Oops. That's probably the biggest mistake I've made on this blog. Well, at least the worst since I told Christine that Pablo Sandoval qualified as a rookie in 2009 when she was making her preseason predictions. I think the Kelly screw-up is worse. Christine would agree except my mistake with Pablo made her look bad.

I apologize to all involved. For the record, here's the baseball-reference pages for the Kellys - both related and not related:

Casey Kelly, the son.

Pat Kelly, the father.

Pat Kelly, not the father.

Pat Kelly, an unrelated All-Star outfielder who played from 1967 to 1981. He was born in Philadelphia and is a brother-in-law to Andre Thornton.

Casey Kelley, some unknown minor leaguer who played in the Angels system a decade ago.

Former Phillies backup outfielders: SoxandPhils Matt Stairs signed a minor league deal with the Padres and appears to have a shot to make the team. ... So Taguchi, who "won the World Series with both the Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies," is going back to Japan.

Another (possibly premature) goodbye to Matt Stairs

Last year, I was convinced that Matt Stairs, the hero of Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS and lover of ass pounding, would be jettisoned because Geoff Jenkins had a bigger contract and was better defensively.

I was wrong.

The big lug suffered through a poor season, including 30 at-bats without a hit from July 17 to Sept. 8, that probably doesn't warrant another year for the 41-year-old. We were surprised that he was included on the playoff roster this year.

Although his brief Phillies career will be part of the team's lore, he probably doesn't deserve anything more than the non-roster spring training invite that Ruben Amaro will offer him, especially because the the team wants a more versatile bench:

"Ideally, you would like to have as many defensive options as you can with guys," Amaro said today. "Versatility plays. Matt Stairs was a specialty guy."

I'm pretty sure we've seen the last of Matt Stairs, a true SoxandPhil, good guy and character. The only thing that makes me think he may be back is that Charlie Manuel is big on giving guys a chance to compete for positions. If Stairs has a big spring, you know Cholly won't hesitate to bring him back to Philly.

A cookie for J-Roll

Entering the 9th inning last night, the Phillies trailed the Dodgers 4-3 and Christine was getting cranky at the prospect that the Phillies might actually be tested in a playoff series.

She kept flashing her fingers, trying to illustrate to me the difference between being up 3-1 and tied at 2 in a seven-game set. As if I didn't live through the Red Sox coming back from 0-3 against the Yankees in 2004.

After Raul Ibanez grounded out, the announcers said pinch-hitter Matt Stairs had one thing on his mind.

"Cheese," I said. "A big wheel of cheddar."

After he walked, and Carlos Ruiz got hit by a pitch, Christine and I started "bribing" Phillies with treats if they'd come through.

We tempted pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs with a cheesecake - we once read a gossip item about him being spotted at our local Cheesecake Factory. But he lined out.

When Jimmy Rollins stepped up, Christine offered a chocolate chip cookie. With nuts. For no particular reason.

"I just think J-Roll would like chocolate chip cookies," she said.

We all know he earned his treat with a game-winning double, putting the Phillies in position to clinch their second straight National League Championship tomorrow night. (If Cole Hamels comes through, there is a cupcake in it for him.)

Phil Sheridan also invoked snack treats when describing the improbable comeback:

The Phillies were down to their last out, their last two strikes, last night. Broxton, who looks like Paul Bunyan's great-grandson, only meaner, was throwing 100-mile-an-hour heat. Rollins, who is about the size of a midnight snack for Broxton, wagged his bat as if daring the big guy to bring it on.

Well, we bought a chocolate chip cookie tonight for J-Roll, but Christine decided it would probably cause awkwardness, if not involve police, if we showed up at the shortstop's house bearing a solitary cookie, so she ate it in his honor. Tasty.

I had a slice of cheesecake - symbolizing the piece Dobbs didn't get because he didn't deliver.

Look back at 2008: Nothing much happened on this date, so we'll look back to 2004 because today is the fifth anniversary of us toppling the Empire:

Red Sox fans will forever remember it as their day of redemption, the victory that made the deep, personal investment of time and emotion through so many
seasons worthwhile at last.

Pedro Martinez doesn't know whether the 2009 Phillies or 2004 Red Sox are the better team:

This team maybe has a little bit of an edge on that team because there's more talent, probably, overall. When you combine everything that we have — the pitching, the relieving, all that — it seems to be more of a package. But I don't know. This team is a little bit quieter than in '04. In '04, we were a whole bunch of characters that were really loud. There was a lot of noise in that clubhouse.

[Photo credits: cookie - upontop.org, cheesecake - davidscookies.com]

Quotable SoxandPhils sluggers

The other day, I forgot to mention a quote that I just loved from Matt Stairs. He wants to play one more year for the Phillies and made his case why he deserves another year:

I'd like to be back, but that's a decision for the team. I'm inexpensive, and I don't complain that I don't play a lot.

While Stairs has been a fan favorite because of his key pinch hits (not so many this year), he's also likable because he's a rare average Joe in this era of athletes with super-sized egos. Who can't relate to wanting to earn $1+ million to sit on the bench, watch a game and chew on some sunflower seeds? You've got to love honesty from the big lug who has a history of being honest, if not the most cautious, with his comments.

The Red Sox big slugger, David Ortiz, also had a quote this week that was more like Stairs' famous postseason quote than his more recent one. Papi explained how Victor Martinez has motivated him this year:

Victor, man, he just push me, man. Every at-bat since he's been here, he just get in my face and start screaming at me and everything. I like it, I really like it. He gets me in the mood.

Eww.

But I guess I'd prefer Papi be turned on by our catcher than steroids.

Today's games: Billy Wagner is in Fenway, but unavailable tonight. (Brad Penny was released to make room for him.) B-Wags probably wouldn't be needed anyway; Junichi Tazawa couldn't follow up on his strong performance against the Yankees last week. He gave up nine runs in four innings. The White Sox lead the Red Sox 9-2 in the 5th.

The Phillies, behind J.A. Happ, lead the Pirates 2-1 in the 7th. Whose turn is it to blow a save tonight?

Hibiscus update: We have a full-fledged flower and more buds ready to bloom.

Hitting season

The heat of summer has been delayed this year, and we wondered whether the unseasonably cooler weather has also delayed Charlie Manuel's favorite time of the year - hittin' season.

Last night might have been the beginning of the season. Trailing 7-3 in the 9th, Matt Stairs led off with a pinch-hit home run. I withheld a sarcastic comment for Tom McCarthy who said Cholly had the opportunity to use the big guy.

But the Phillies kept coming. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Ultey got on board, setting up a three-run home run for Ryan Howard. Then, they loaded up the bases for Paul Bako (I think he resembles Chris Coste), who singled to end the game.

Ironically, when I was contrasting John Smoltz's solid start with Cole Hamels' subpar outing last night, I was tempted to write, "But these games appear headed in different directions." I refrained, however, because the Pirates tacked on a couple of insurance runs before the 9th.

Following that dramatic ending, I thought the Phillies would romp or come out dead today - no middle ground. They bookended last night's five-run 9th inning with a five-run 1st inning, highlighted by a Pedro Feliz grand slam. They chased Pirates starter Virgil Vasquez after 48 pitches in the middle of the 2nd. But the Phillies suspended hittin' season for the All-Star Break. They didn't score again behind another good J.A. (Halladay who?) Happ outing - one run in seven innings. Christine predicted the Phillies wouldn't score again when the Pirates pulled their started in the 2nd. In the 9th, J.C. Romero gave up a home run but held on for the 5-2 win, capping an 9-1 homestand to end the first half.

Red Sox: Another fine outing for Josh Beckett, who could make a case for starting the All-Star game if he didn't pitch today. He pitched his second shutout of the year, needing just 94 pitches to blank the Royals on three hits with seven strikeouts in the 6-0 win.

All-Star change: Dustin Pedroia is out of the game to tend to his pregnant wife who has had complications.

"This was certainly not an easy decision," Pedroia said in the statement. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the game of baseball and for the All-Star Game and am incredibly honored that the fans voted me this year’s starting second baseman for the American League. I am disappointed that I will not be able to enjoy the amazing experience with the other All-Stars, especially with my Red Sox teammates, but it is important that I put my family first at this time."

Guess which slick-fielding second baseman Joe Maddon replaced him with? How about another Ray, Carlos Pena, who didn't deserve to be on the final spot ballot, let alone on the team. Currently there is not another backup second baseman on the team. Maddon is becoming just as bad as Joe Torre.

At least Cholly's outfielders are justifiable.

Human interest stories

The effects of Jose Offerman's attack are still being felt by former independent leaguer John Nathans. He was the catcher Offerman hit with a bat while charging the mound against former Phillie Matt Beech. I didn't realize he was so severely injured until reading this account of how the incident has changed Nathans' life:

"He's still in the game, playing baseball. I have not been allowed to live my life the way it was intended. My life is changed forever."

Nathans probably wouldn't have made the majors even if this attack didn't occurred, but you get the sense he wouldn't have given up his dream and would still be playing ball somewhere, not rehabbing from the concussion.

He'd be a player like Matt Stairs, milking all that he could out of whatever natural ability he had. If you're saddened by Nathans' story, take heart in the story of the Wonder Hamster, a true player of the people:

"As a player, the biggest thing is don't give fans an excuse not to like you. That's the biggest thing. But it is nice when you hit that big home run and the fans say, 'Hey, he's just like us. He's not one of those guys who hits it and showboats. He's very humble about it.'"

Funny, this story, centered on the fact Stairs tries to hit only homers, comes a day after Christine remarked: "They should have a home run derby just with guys like Stairs who hit only home runs." I said, "Yeah, the type of guys who would never back out of a derby."

Tonight's games: The Red Sox are on the road against the Angels (after my bedtime). The Phillies beat the Dodgers 5-3. Chan Ho Park pitched a quality game, getting his first win of the season. Brad Lidge gave up a run, but managed the save.

The real story, of course, was Jayson Werth. He had four stolen bases, including one of home. I can't believe both of our teams have had steals of home this year. Werth's came when the catcher was tossing the ball back to the pitcher - I can't remember seeing one like that before.

Another stumbling block

I had to do some midday driving this afternoon and turned on the Phillies game just in time to hear Prince Fielder crack one off of Cole Hamels' shoulder.

The broadcasters lamented that Hamels was pitching like Cole Hamels again. I'll take their word on it because other than the six strikeouts his line didn't impress me: two earned on four hits through 3 1/3 innings.

What's the over/under on Hamels first ace-like start of the year? I'll say May 20th. Over/under on 10 wins? I'm not ripping him, it's just that sometimes playoff heroes can't get it together for the encore.

Officially, Todd Zolecki reports Hamels has a bruised shoulder and expects to make his next start. We'll see.

All you need to now about the Phillies offense today is that Matt Stairs hit a mammoth pinch-hit home run in the 8th to ruin the shutout and no-hitter for Dave Bush in a 6-1 loss to the Brewers. The Phillies haven't been no-hit since 1978.

Red Sox: While the team had a day off preparing for its first showdown against last year's playoff runner-ups, the front office was busy with a bunch of little moves. Little-used Chris Carter was optioned to Pawtucket with no word on his replacement, and Kason Gabbard was re-aquired from the Rangers, probably for cash.

Gabbard's demotion from the Rangers made for an amusing story yesterday.

I really saw this coming

As predicted on this very blog, Geoff Jenkins beat out last year's playoff hero Matt Stairs for the role of mediocre left-handed backup outfielder. Also as predicted here, Chan Ho Park has no business opening a season in a starting rotation unless we're still in 2001.

Oops, maybe I was wrong. There's another reason you shouldn't bet your dwindling 401(k) on my predictions.

In a surprise move that will cost them $8 million, the Phillies cut Jenkins, fueling speculation that Gary Sheffield, released today by the Tigers, could wind up in Philadelphia. I don't think the Phillies - despite their longing for a right-handed bat - would take a chance on Sheffield's character, nor do I think Sheffield would come to Philly, where he would be relegated to pinch hitting. Either way, I think Matt Stairs has a job with the defending World Champions.

Christine isn't so sure, even though unnamed sources say there's only a "very slim" chance that Sheffield will be a Phillie. She thinks it's suspicious that two surprise cuts - Jenkins and Sheffield - happened so close together. And, she is worried about taking on Sheffield's bad attitude when the team already jettisoned another good-hit, no-field, right-handed bat who happened to be a good clubhouse guy.

I predict Sheffield will find another home, but you've just read how well I predict. Park is "happy" that my fifth starter prediction was wrong; J.A. Happ isn't.

Last year's hero, this year's ...

Andy Martino has a good read today on a big hero of last year's playoff run who probably will be discarded before spring training ends because there are limited roster spots available for mediocre left-handed hitting backup outfielders.

Matt Stairs probably won't make the team because Geoff Jenkins, possibly the lesser of the two, makes about $5 million more.

The cutting of Stairs, a weathered veteran with a good old-fashioned baseball attitude, was pretty much telegraphed by Charlie Manuel, who was asked whether the outfielder's leadership would be considered:

"No," Manuel said, shaking his head. "He knows a lot about hitting, and he likes talking, and that's going to help him if he wants to stay in the game. But we're going to go with the players who can help us the most on the field."

Despite a good spring (.304/.370/.435), Stairs won't gripe if he's discarded months after hitting possibly the biggest home run in Philadelphia history:

I guess I'm in a competition. No one has said anything to me. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn't, I understand.

MLB.com has a story from Jenkins' point of view, but it's not as compelling. I'm pulling for Stairs and that's not just because he's a SoxandPhil or because his story contained a reference to a forgotten Slappy low-point:

Stairs believes strongly in helping other players ... an approach that he hopes will eventually lead to a managing job. But he complains of a recent erosion in baseball's code of civility and sportsmanship.

A notable example came in 2007, when Stairs was playing for Toronto. Yankee Alex Rodriguez, approaching third base on a Jorge Posada pop-up, yelled "Ha!" This distracted Blue Jays third baseman Howie Clark, who allowed the ball to drop.

At the time, Stairs was highly critical of Rodriguez and had to be restrained during a resulting brawl in August.

Stairs rolled his eyes and smirked when reminded of the play. "The game has changed," he said. "I'm just talking about being a good person."

Random thoughts

I woke up this morning to screaming headlines about Brad Penny's bum shoulder. I was terrified. But then I remembered: This isn't 2003. The Red Sox don't always choke in October, and the Phillies no longer end their seasons in September.

Plus, we have ample depth at starting pitcher: John Smoltz, Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden or even Justin Masterson could be the team's fifth starter if needed.

Now, if J.D. Drew's back doesn't respond to these injections, then you can write off the season. I'm just kidding. It's just nice that these tidbits would have seemed disastrous five years ago, but after championships there's a calming sense that the front office has it all under control. Ditto for the Phillies.

He's fallen that far: Scott Lauber notes that Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins have become redundant and that one of them won't be in Philadelphia this year. I wonder whether Jenkins would have been considered one of the Phillies' worst free agent signings ever if Jayson Werth hadn't picked up his slack.

Showdown: We have some disagreement between current and former Philly.com writers. This afternoon, the Inquirer's new guy, Andy Martino, reported that the Phillies made an offer to free agent reliever Will Ohman. He cited the lefty's agent as the source.

Two hours later, Martino's predecessor, Todd Zolecki, reporting for MLB.com, shot him down: "A Phillies source told MLB.com today that they 'are not on Ohman.' The source indicated that Ohman's agent might be trying to generate interest in his client."

An hour after that, the Daily News' David Murphy reported that the Phillies have kicked the tires on Ohman all offseason but that a deal is unlikely.

I can't wait to see whether Zolecki or his replacement is correct.

The Yankees stole our guy, but the big guy's up tonight

Overshadowed by the Mark Teixeira sell-out yesterday was the Yankees' acquisition of Kevin Cash, Tim Wakefield's former catcher. I'm disappointed in Cash, but I understand his thinking: Since Jorge Posada may not be able to throw anymore, might as well see if he can be the starting catcher of the $250 billion empire.

Also overlooked yesterday was the Phillies getting Gary Majewski. I thought the Reds stole a real good pitcher when they acquired him in the Austin Kearns trade with the Nationals in 2007, but it turns out he may have been damaged goods.

Christmas is here: OK, a few more hours, but we're ready. I just gassed up the car and bought some poinsettias. Tonight it's Christmas Eve dinner and church services before we wait and watch as the big guy works his magic and surprises the world.

No, not this big guy:

This one:

Comcast is replaying Game 4 of the NLDS at 7 p.m. - hope the pastor keeps her sermon short.

[Photo credits: UPI (Santa), Philadelphia Inquirer (Stairs)]

Mixed emotions

Last year, when the Red Sox were down 3-1 to the Indians, I wasn't confident of victory, but I knew they could do it.

This year, however, they don't look like they belong on the field with the Rays. Imagine that - the little doodles are on the verge of going to the World Series.

The feeling is not as bad as when I conceded the 2004 American League Championship Series when they were down 3-0 to the Yankees. I'm not conceding to the Rays yet, but there is a similar numb feeling.

The Rays appear younger, healthier, hungrier and better. But the Red Sox still have the heart of a champion, so the Rays would be best served to finish off the job on Thursday because we have Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester ready to go. Yeah, I know, not exactly Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez of '04 or Beckett, Curt and Dice-K last year.

If you don't know the gory details by now, the Red Sox lost 13-4 tonight and trail the Rays 3-1. Tim Wakefield and Manny Delcarmen each gave up five runs - Wake lasted two and two-thirds of an inning, Delcarmen just one-third.

What the F???: What's worse, that Sweet Caroline would still be played with the Red Sox trailing by 11 runs in an absolutely critical playoff game or that the fans would still be singing along? I think the latter. What the hell ever happened to the spirited Red Sox fans I fell in love with in the 1980s? The die-hard Fenway Faithful have been a disgrace - booing the team, leaving early and now singing Neil Diamond as the Red Sox dig themselves deeper and deeper.

The faltering Red Sox took away some of the high I've been on after the Phillies dramatic Game 4 win on Monday, taking a 3-1 lead over the Dodgers.

When it felt like the Dodgers were going to win it and tie the series, Christine couldn't watch. She missed seeing Chase Utley's great double play, Shane Victorino's clutch home run to tie it in the 8th, followed shortly by Matt Stairs' two-run pinch-hit home run that will go down in Philly lore because of its significance and his post-game comment.

She started watching again to see Brad Lidge's first more than three-out save of the year. Of course, in Philly fashion, Carlos Ruiz had to let a third strike get by him in the 8th to prolong the drama of that inning.

This town is abuzz. It's like everyone suddenly woke up and realized there's a baseball team and that the .500 Eagles are not the only game in town. It should be interesting to see what happens should the Phillies advance to the World Series.

I've already cautioned Christine that should the Phillies and Rays meet in the next round, it will be more of a series than she's seen so far. Meantime, I'm still rooting for Cole Hamels to wrap it up tomorrow to give the Phillies the edge over a surely exhausted Red Sox team who just had a dramatic three-game comeback against the Rays.

[Photo credits: Boston Globe (Wakefield), Associated Press (Victorino)]

Quick update

So the Phillies did pull off a win today. Jayson Werth, I think, continues to be the unsung hero of this 2008 team. I'm glad to have him around. Today he drove in four runs and hit two homers in a 5-2 win over the Cubs.

The stupid Mets are winning again. Come on Marlins, no more choking until this series is over. We need to pick up a game sometime.

The Phils released Kris Benson. I'm sure the Daily News is sorry that Anna never made it to town.

Fabio Castro seems to be the player to be named later in the Matt Stairs deal. Incidentally, Greg has been so busy working, he forgot that Stairs was on the Red Sox in 1995.

Red Sox: Won yesterday, winning again tonight against the White Sox. Top prospect Michael Bowden made the start and gave up two runs on seven hits in his five-inning major league debut. What a surprise, the Rays won as well. Wild Card lead is still at 2.5 games.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Holiday weekend starts with a thud

My company has a flexible work schedule - if you make up the hours during the rest of the week, you can leave early on Fridays. With the long weekend coming up and a Phillies game starting just before 2:30, I was definitely eager to cut out early this afternoon.

I guess I should have stayed at work.

My apologies for sounding like a broken record: good outing by starter Joe Blanton, too many men left on base (10), ineffective bullpen, blah blah. Cubs 3, Phillies 2. Before a pitch was throw in any other game today, the Phils had managed to lose ground. Sweet.

A new extra man: The Phillies seem to have acquired Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays. Greg thinks it's a pretty good pickup. I'm indifferent. The losing has made me numb. (If Greg were home, he would have jokingly threatened to cut me off from the Phillies by now. Maybe I get a bit overly dramatic when they go on skids like this. But come on, the last three games have just sucked.)

Sarge: Gary Matthews didn't say Cubbies or Phillies when he sang during the 7th inning today. He just held the microphone out to the crowd and let them handle it. His grandson Denver joined him in the booth for the singalong.

Red Sox: Josh Beckett was put on the DL, but it's retroactive to August 18. He's tentatively scheduled to pitch next Friday in Texas. Terry Francona says that Beckett's elbow examination went well and that nothing bad was found. The team also DL'd Sean Casey because of a strained neck.

The Red Sox are leading the White Sox 1-0 in the 2nd at home. Maybe they'll fare better against a Chicago team this weekend.