Victorino Survives Trade Deadline; Still a Phillie
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As previously announced, centerfielder Shane Victorino happily made it through the trade deadline and thus remains in Phillies’ red-pinstripes. And Phillies fans are glad to have him.
Last season, previous centerfielder Aaron Rowand garnered a lot of media coverage and was a fan favorite for his all-out abandon in the field as well as his potent bat — 27 homers, 89 RBIs and .309 BA in a career season.
It may be that Victorino will never duplicate the kind of numbers Rowand put up last season, but he brings additional dimensions to the game with his speed. Currently with 26 stolen bases, he figures to exceed his 37 stolen bases of last season while continuing to cover a lot of real estate around centerfield.
And Rowand this season sports a batting average 20 points lower than last season and his homers are on a par with Victorino’s 9 so far this season. Rowand’s RBIs, however, figure to match last season.
As a note; Victorino has had a huge last 10 days of July going 18 for 42 (.428 BA) with 4 homers, 9 RBIs and 11 runs scored.
Also, It looks as if the Phillies outfield is on a pace to pass last season’s total homers by at least 10, even with the loss of Rowand’s 2007 numbers and with Geoff Jenkins’ lackluster stats. Regarding cumulative RBIs though, they figure to come about 25 RBIs lower than 2007’s outfield totals.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian, who served up a shaving cream pie in the face of starter Brett Myers after the now famous, or infamous training camp “Kendrick punked” escapade, is a loosey-goosey influence around a clubhouse which badly needs to stay loose and avoid tightening up. That intangible of looseness has served the Phils well this season and will continue to do so down the stretch.
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