The L.A. Dodgers got into the modern-day NL record-books on Monday by defeating Arizona, thus winning their first 11 home games, breaking the modern record of 10 set by the 1918 New York Giants and equalled by 1970 Chicago Cubs and 1983 Atlanta Braves.  Those 1983 Braves were also managed by Joe Torre, who is now in his 2nd season managing Los Angeles.  The Dodgers set the consecutive home victory mark by defeating the Diamondbacks by a 7-2 score on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

But this game was not just notable for the Dodgers’ home winning streak.  28 year old Diamondbacks shortstop Josh Wilson made his entry into the MLB recordbooks in this game as well. 

After Dodger catcher Russell Martin led off the second inning wih a walk, the AP recap for Yahoo sports records Wilson’s play:

Wilson, making his third start this season in place of injured  Stephen Drew, bobbled Matt Kemp’s routine grounder for an error in his haste to start a double play in the second inning. But he made up for the mistake moments later, making a lunging catch of Casey Blake’s line drive in the hole with the runners going and turning it into the second triple play in Diamondbacks history.

“That’s definitely a rarity, and to be a part of one is something special,” Wilson said. “I knew the runners were moving, and the ball almost came out of my glove, so I was just making sure I held onto it first. And once I did, I knew we were going to get three outs.”

This blog has written about 3 other triple plays, all unassisted, two of them in detail; Mickey Morandini’s in 1992 and  Cleveland 2nd baseman Asdrubal Cabrera’s last season (2008).  Also mentioned in the latter blog post was Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s in April of 2007.

Leftfielder Manny Ramirez and rightfielder Andre Ethier slammed back-to-back first inning homers off of Arizona lefthander Doug Davis to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead which they built on with 2 runs in the fifth inning, 2 more in the sixth capping their scoring with a single run in the eighth inning.   Arizona socred single runs in the second and sixth innings.

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Taking great pleasure when the team everyone loves to hate gets their come-up’ens, this is one game which I just couldn’t pass up posting on.

The Yankees, those over-spending, over-rated Bronx boys who lately miss the playoffs habitually, got man-handled, bombed and pillaged for a 14 run marathon second inning, which included a 3 run homer, a grand slam and a solo shot enroute to a 22-4 humbling Saturday by the Cleveland Indians.

Chien-Ming Wang seemed to have little trouble putting down the Indians in the first inning as Yanks 1st baseman Mark Teixeira clubbed a 1 out, 2 run first inning homer off of Fausto Carmona to stake the Yanks to an early 2-0 lead.

But Yankee prosperity disappeared in the blink of an eye amidst the Indian’s 14 run second inning onslaught against Wang, who managed 1 out while being pummelled for 8 runs, and Anthony Claggett who got the side out in the second while being rocked for the other 6 runs plus single runs in the third and fourth innings.

Cleveland lambasted Yankees pitching for 4 more runs in the fifth and a run each in the eighth and ninth innings and a total of 6 home runs for the game including a grand slam and 2 sets of back-to-back homers.
 
AP sports writer Jay Cohen makes these points on the rout for Yahoo sports:

Cleveland’s 14-run second—the biggest inning ever against New York… set the bar for Yankee Stadium’s new record book.

The 14 runs were the most scored in the second inning of a major league game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

It was the most runs for the Indians since they beat New York 22-0 on Aug. 31, 2004, at the old Yankee Stadium. The 22 runs also tied the Yankees’ record for most allowed in a home game.

Carmona (1-2) was the beneficiary of the Indians’ big day at the plate, working six innings in his first victory of the season.

With the score at 20-2 in the Yankees fifth inning, leftfielder Melky Cabrera belted a meaningless 2 run homer off of Carmona, but the Indians onslaught was by then too much for the Yankees to overcome.

Unlike last season’s 30-3 Texas Ranger rout of Baltimore, neither Indian reliever pitched 3 innings and thus, there was no save recorded here.

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Click here for a great deal on an autographed Mike Schmidt MLB authenticated Bat as shown in the picture on the right, below.

These MLB authenticated Mike Schmidt Bats are marketed by  onlinesports.com.  Schmidt’s autograph appears midway on barrell of the bat.

Note that when onlinesports.com has a product that they warrant as MLB authentic, they list it as such. Buyers should be aware that when they do not warrant a product in this way, it is not MLB authentic. Such authentication can be found on the left side of the product page under brand. 

Mike Schmidt is generally recognized throughout the baseball world as among the greatest all-around 3rd baseman the game has known.  No less than the  Phillies Nation blog has pronounced Schmitty as the greatest of all Phillies.  Schmidt hit 548 career homers, won 9 Gold Glove awards at third base and led the Phils to 10 winning seasons over his 18 year Hall of Fame career — an entire career spent with the Phils.

Among the highlights of Schmidt’s career are 6 divisional titles, 2 NL pennants, a World Series title and being in the center of 2 of the Wildest games in all of MLB history;  April 17, 1976 when Schmidt hit 4 homers tying the all-time one-game record, and the legendary May 17, 1979; 23-22 game — both against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Buy it here, Now: The Mike Schmidt MLB authentic autographed bat.

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A few days ago, Yahoo’s Big League Stew blogged about the financial bind in which Phillies reliever Scott Eyre finds himself.

Veteran lefthander Eyre came to the Phillies at the beginning of August and was nearly perfect in spelling JC Romero, the other lefthanded set-up man, and giving up only 3 runs on 3 hits, including 1 homer in 14 1/3 innings while going 3-0 during the Phils’ great stretch run to the division championship, the NL pennant and World Series Championship.  Eyre logged 3 innings of work in 5 post-season appearances, only giving up 1 run on 3 hits against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Phillies’ only division series loss.

But this spring, Eyre arrived in training camp carrying an extra external unwanted burden not of his own making or responsibility.
Eyre’s assets, as are those of several other MLB players and athletes from other sports, currently remain frozen due to the ongoing investigation into an alleged $8 billion Stanford Financial fraud case.

At one point, Eyre confided that, although having signed a 1 year, $2 million deal with the Phillies in the off-season, he had but $13 to his name and his family’s bills were going unpaid due to seizure of assets.

Fortunately, Eyre had a little money in another bank account and has been able to feed his family during the trying period.  Also, fortunately, Eyre is a member of a team with a heart.  Yahoo sports reports that  the Phillies have agreed to advance him and undisclosed amount on his $2 million pay for the season in order to see him and his family through this difficult ordeal.

The Yahoo report on the Phillies’ efforts to help notes Eyre’s comments;

“If we paid our bills, we wouldn’t have any money,” Eyre said. “I’ll pay (the Phillies) back whenever I can I invested in (Stanford) three years ago (and) thought it was too good to be true - and it was.”

Eyre isn’t alone. Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady of the New York Yankees and Carlos Pena of the Tampa Bay Rays also have been affected by the Stanford scandal.

All four major leaguers have had some of their assets frozen by federal regulators. The players said they’ve been told by federal officials that their money is safe, but access to it is being blocked temporarily while the investigation proceeds.

“It’s not just the big people - not that I consider myself big - but there are people out there without a voice,” Eyre said. “I didn’t want this to be the ‘Woe is Scott Eyre Story.’

“Thousands and thousands of people who invested their money in Stanford can’t use their money right now. (They) can’t pay their bills the only reason I said anything at all is because of the people that don’t have access to media, so the government can realize (this is happening).”

Eyre, who during spring training stays with his family at his offseason home in nearby Bradenton, Fla., said several teammates also volunteered to cut him a check to help out.

Even though the team stepped up to help him, Eyre questions why the government took an action that has made life difficult for so many honest investors.

“I don’t think they needed to freeze everything - that’s just stupid,” Eyre said.

Sports writer Todd Zolecki reports the Phillies view of the situation for MLB.com:

“We understand the circumstances,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said before Wednesday’s Grapefruit League opener… “Typically, our policy is not to advance dollars. That’s just not what we do, but this certainly is a different type of circumstance that several players are having to deal with.”

One can only hope that the other MLB clubs whose players find themselves in this situation, as well as teams in other sports with members in this bind, act as thoughtfully, responsively and from the heart as have the Phillies.

As for lefthanded reliever Scott Eyre, I’m looking forward to seeing him and the team not miss a beat in the lefthanded set-up role while Romero is on the shelf during his 50 game suspension.

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Ace lefthander Cole Hamels, MVP winner in both the NLCS and the World Series, reliever Ryan Madson, who saw action in 11 of the Phillies 13 post-season games, centerfielder Shane Victorino, along with Joe Blanton, who went undefeated with the Phils including 2 post-season wins — all inked deals with the World Champions avoiding arbitration hearings.

Hamels, who went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA in the regular season and established himself as the club’s ace winning 4 post-season games including 1 World Series win and 6 great innings in the decisive 5th game, led the way inking a 3-year, $20.5M deal with the Phils.

AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston describes Hamels’ deal, his reaction to it and summarizes Hamels’ season for Yahoo sports;

The deal avoids an arbitration hearing and keeps the 25-year-old Hamels in Philadelphia through the 2011 season. Hamels went 4-0 in the postseason with a 1.80 ERA as the Phillies claimed their first championship since 1980. He won the first game in three playoff series and took the MVP award in the NL championship series against the Dodgers.

Hamels, who lives in Philadelphia year round, said he still gets goosebumps every time he watches the World Series highlights video and believes the roster is still good enough to contend for years.

“If I’m able to go out there and repeat, I think it’s just going to make it a really nice, sweet time for this baseball city,” Hamels said.

Reliever Ryan Madson, who was 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 76 games and finished the season as primary set-up man for perfect 48-48 closer Brad Lidge, reached agreement with the Phillies on a 3-year, $12M deal.  AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi outlines  the deal with Madson and Phillies GM Amaro’s thoughts;

“Ryan has emerged as a quality setup reliever and big game pitcher,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “We’re very happy that he will be part of our bullpen for at least another three years.”

The deal calls for Madson to receive a $1 million signing bonus, $2 million this season, $4.5 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. He would have been eligible for free agency after next season, and the deal is unusual because many of agent Scott Boras’ clients opt to become free agents before agreeing to long-term deals.

He can earn $1.5 million annually in performance bonuses if he becomes a closer: $150,000 each for 30, 35, 40 and 45 games finished; $200,000 each for 50 and 55, and $250,000 each for 60 and 65.

Popular centerfielder Shane Victorino, one of the heroes of the Phillies World Championship run, inked a deal for 2009 worth $3.125 million.  The Ticker news service  recaps Victorino’s season;

Victorino hit a grand slam home run in the National League Division Series against Milwaukee and a game-tying homer in Game Four of the NLCS against Los Angeles.

Victorino, originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Dodgers in 1999, hit .293 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI and 36 stolen bases in 146 games last season, his fourth with Philadelphia.

In addition, mid-season acquisition strarter Joe Blanton also came to terms with the club on a one-year deal worth $5.475 million.  Blanton, it will be recalled, won 2 of his 3 post-season starts (the 3rd - a no-decision) and was the first pitcher in decades to homer in the World Series.  AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum recalls the scene for Yahoo sports as Blanton homered amidst the Phils’ 10-2 World Series game 4 win;

Blanton shut his eyes, swung and became the first pitcher in 34 years to homer in the Series.

Still unsigned are power-hitting 1st baseman Ryan Howard, outfielder  Jayson Werth who clubbed 24 homers, had 67 RBIs and hit .273 and reliever Chad Durbin — all potential arbitration cases.  Howard is on record asking for $18 million in arbitration.             

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Following a 48 hour rain suspension, the Phiillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, tied 2-2 after the top of the sixth inning, renewed play by trading single runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh before 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz singled in the winning run. J.C. Romero and closer Brad Lidge were lights-out in the eighth and ninth innings as the Phillies bested the Rays for the World Series Title by 4 games to 1 and a 4-3 score.

Ace lefthander Cole Hamels, who didn’t get his 4th post-season win, was awarded the Series MVP award for having pitched a solid 7 innings in series game 1 as well as another excellent outing going 6 innings in game 5 under treacherous weather conditions.

Reliever Grant Balfour stayed in the game to begin the Phillies’ sixth inning and gave up an inning opening double to Geoff Jenkins who pinch-hit for Hamels.  Shortstop Jimmy Rollins’ sacrifice bunted Balfour’s 1st pitch to 3rd base moving Jenkins to 3rd with 1 out.  Rightfielder Jayson Werth followed by lining Balfour’s 2-2 pitch to centerfield scoring Jenkins to put the Phils up 3-2.   J.P. Howell took over from Balfour struck 2nd baseman Chase Utley out on 3 pitches and got 1st baseman Ryan Howard to pop out to 3rd base to end the inning.  But the Phils had taken a 3-2 lead and it looked like Hamels would actually get his 5th post-season win.

Ryan Madson took over pitching duties in the seventh inning and struck out catcher Dioner Navarro for out 1.  But then Rocco Baldelli nailed Madson’s first offering for a solo homer to left and the game was again tied.  Two pitches later, shortstop Jason Bartlett singled to left and advanced to 2nd base on a Howell’s sacrifice bunt to the pitcher.  Manager Manuel then went to J.C. Romero who was greeted with lead-off hitter 2nd baseman Akinori Iwamura’s infield grounder over 2nd base. Bartlett went to 3rd and tried to score on the play when he was fooled on Utley’s alert bluff throw to first. Bartlett was a sitting duck being tagged out at home on the play as the Rays side was retired and Romero and the Phillies escaped a Rays go-ahead threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, leftfielder Pat Burrell led off by lining
Howell’s 1-1 pitch off the centerfield wall for a double.  Eric Bruntlett ran for Burrell and stayed in the game to play leftfield in the late innings.
Pedro Feliz then lined Howell’s 1 strike pitch to centerfield to drive in what turned out to be the winning run.  Catcher Carlos Ruiz and Romero both grounded out to end the inning but the Phils had the lead by 4-3.

After leftfielder Carl Crawford singled to open the eighth inning, centerfielder B.J. Upton grounded into a shortstop-to-2nd-to-1st doubleplay and 1st baseman Carlos Pena lined out to leftfield to retire the side.  Romero, who threw 14 pitches was credited with his 2nd win of the World Series.
 
The Phillies went down in the eighth as only Chase Utley reached on a  David Price walk.

Closer Brad Lidge, who went perfect for the season with 48 save in 48 opportunities through the World Series, rang up the Rays in the ninth inning.  Lidge only gave up a 1 out single to catcher Navarro and wound up the series in true Tug McGraw style — a swinging third strike on pinch hitter  Eric Hinske for the final out.  Then it was fireworks, horn-honking auto caravans and party-time in Philly with Harry Kalas giving another rendition of the Ole’ Blue Eyes tune — “High Hopes.”

Rays reliever J.P. Howell, who gave up the winning run in the seventh, was charged with his 2nd loss of the World Series and his 3rd of the post-season.

For the Phillies, 45 year old Jamie Moyer and all, it was their 2nd World Series title in the franchise’s 126-year history.  AP Sports Writer Rob Maaddi noted for Yahoo sports;

The bullpen led the NL in ERA (3.22) and winning percentage (.589) during the regular season, and was even better in the playoffs. They were the biggest reason the Phillies were 89-0 this year when leading after eight innings— including 10 postseason wins.

MVP winner Hamels received both the MVP trophy and keys to a new sports car.

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