{"id":10885,"date":"2011-01-25T06:57:55","date_gmt":"2011-01-25T13:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.seamheads.com\/?p=10885"},"modified":"2011-01-25T06:57:55","modified_gmt":"2011-01-25T13:57:55","slug":"seeing-red-when-to-catch-the-phillies-in-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2011\/01\/25\/seeing-red-when-to-catch-the-phillies-in-2011\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing Red: When to Catch the Phillies in 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

I cannot wait for Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day.\u00c2\u00a0 There I said it.\u00c2\u00a0 As a matter of fact I will tell this to anyone who will listen to me.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes I will find myself just staring at the calendar with January at the top and tease myself and flip the page over to February.\u00c2\u00a0 I will then scan down to the 14th<\/sup> of the month, a Monday this year, and longingly look at it and maybe even sigh a little.\u00c2\u00a0 Have I cracked?\u00c2\u00a0 Gone soft?\u00c2\u00a0 Will I be plugging \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Glee\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and organizing a trip to the midnight showing of the next “Twilight” movie in this post?\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone relax, this year on Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day pitchers and catchers report to their respective sun drenched states to start spring training.\u00c2\u00a0 The long cold winter will be showing its first sign of giving way to spring, and in turn Opening Day 2011.\u00c2\u00a0 How can you not love Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day?<\/p>\n

Now if you are a Phillies fan, this Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day is the starting point of what could be a season to only dare to dream about.\u00c2\u00a0 No need to dive into a team analysis at this point, if you have not heard of the nice little starting rotation that they have pieced together or an offense that has tremendous potential, and looking to get back on track, then you must have been living under a rock the size of Barry Bonds\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 inflated melon these last few months.\u00c2\u00a0 The question you need to ask yourself as a fan is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153what games do I want to get to?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 This is much easier said than done if you are looking to pay face amount for a ticket for a team that has sold out 120 plus straight games.\u00c2\u00a0 Think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just buck up and enjoy the ride and buy a full or partial season ticket package?\u00c2\u00a0 Sorry, sold out for 2011.\u00c2\u00a0 What is available?\u00c2\u00a0 Six-game packages.\u00c2\u00a0 Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s be honest, though, in these economic times most of us toss money around more along the lines of the PA team to the west, the cellar dwelling Pirates, as opposed to the team whose grave the Delaware Valley has been dancing upon since stealing Mr. Lee, those beloved Yankees.\u00c2\u00a0 Come February 17th,<\/sup> though, single-game tickets go on sale and you are going to want to go into that day with a plan of what teams you want to see and a fast internet connection if you want to try to score tickets to the best possible games of what will be another 81 straight sell outs.\u00c2\u00a0 Tickets on sale in February?\u00c2\u00a0 The schedule is even out?\u00c2\u00a0 Oh yes, and not only have I peeked at February 14th <\/sup>on my calendar but I also snuck some glances at April through September on their schedule.\u00c2\u00a0 I am going to take you through who you are going to want to see the Phils play along with some weekend day trip ideas sprinkled in just in case you want to spice up the Phillies experience a bit.<\/p>\n

April<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening Day?\u00c2\u00a0 Forget it.\u00c2\u00a0 I agree it is a special game, but there is better value out there for your money to go with some interesting story lines that could play out.\u00c2\u00a0 You won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to wait long for that to happen because the second game of the year could be just as intriguing as the sacred start to every season, plus come at a better price, and here is why; I am guessing Halladay gets the deserved nod for game one and I am also guessing that Charlie Manuel is going to go righty-lefty with his embarrassment of riches on the hill.\u00c2\u00a0 Now should that be the case, than I can envision Cliff Lee logically taking the ball next.\u00c2\u00a0 What kind of atmosphere do you think Lee\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first start will have?\u00c2\u00a0 Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s discuss\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6he became a Phillies legend during the 2009 World Series by beating the Yankees twice, traded away before the 2010 season and said he never wanted to leave this place, turned down the Yankees’ offer this past off season to sign back with Phillies after leading the Rangers to their first post season series win and World Series appearance, and did I mention that he credited the Philadelphia fans for creating an atmosphere and buzz at the ball yard that he wanted to come back to?\u00c2\u00a0 So to re-cap, he essentially told the Yanks to stick it and that the fans here were one of the biggest reasons he came back to the Phillies to finalize a rotation for the ages.\u00c2\u00a0 His first start is going to be a mixture of adoration and bedlam, trust me.\u00c2\u00a0 Lee is going to take two cheesesteak rolls, place them in a wicker basket and feed the entire crowd after the game while turning watered down beer into wine. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I mean, can he do no wrong?<\/p>\n

May<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best series I see this month is when the Texas Rangers pull their high-powered offense into town for a three-game weekend set May 20th<\/sup> thru 22nd<\/sup>.\u00c2\u00a0 The Rangers are not much on pitching but this is not why you are going to want to see them play.\u00c2\u00a0 They call them the Power Rangers for a reason and they can mash with anyone.\u00c2\u00a0 They have one of the best young shortstops in the game with Elvis Andrus, new signee Adrian Beltre at third, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and 2010 AL MVP Josh Hamilton.\u00c2\u00a0 Hamilton alone is worth seeing them play.\u00c2\u00a0 I never saw Mickey Mantle play live but over the last year all I have read and heard is how Hamilton is this generation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mick\u00e2\u20ac\u009d between his off-the-chart abilities, and unfortunately, the full potential that will probably never be realized.\u00c2\u00a0 It is no secret the reasoning for this is the drug-fueled life he lived at one time, and the toll it has taken on his body in addition to the reckless abandon with which he plays.\u00c2\u00a0 Hamilton wore a flak jacket in the playoffs last year because he had two fractured ribs from running into an outfield wall forcing him to miss the final month of the season.\u00c2\u00a0 So he takes September off, returns to play with two fractured ribs in the playoffs, and wins the ALCS MVP.\u00c2\u00a0 Impressive.<\/p>\n

June<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

2011 World Series preview anyone? \u00c2\u00a0A little mid-week tease from the 28th<\/sup> to 30th<\/sup> with the Boston Red Sox, accompanied of course by Red Sox Nation, scheduled to pay a visit.\u00c2\u00a0 Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s speculate on some of the possible pitching match-ups; Halladay vs. Josh Beckett, Lee vs. Jon Lester, Hamels vs. Clay Buchholz, Oswalt vs. John Lackey.\u00c2\u00a0 I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know about you but I would pay to see any combination of those match-ups.\u00c2\u00a0 That is just the pitching side, on offense Boston trots out new acquisitions Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, to go with Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz and the huggable and cuddly Philly fan favorite J.D. Drew.<\/p>\n

Aside from Opening Day you will probably pay the most over face value for anyone of the three games in this series.\u00c2\u00a0 If you have to go to one of these games then I suggest you buy the Phillies six-game \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Boston Red Sox\u00e2\u20ac\u009d pack for the BoSox ticket and dump the other five games on Stub Hub if you cannot afford them.<\/p>\n

July<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It is a real shame that the Phillies and Giants only play each other twice a year during the season.\u00c2\u00a0 These two teams have all the makings of what could be a snippy rivalry as the Giants make their annual visit to South Philadelphia July 26th<\/sup> thru the 28th<\/sup>.\u00c2\u00a0 Things started getting juicy in Game 5 of the NLCS when Halladay and former Phillie outfield statue Pat Burrell exchanged pleasantries after Burrell was caught looking at a called third strike and Doc stared toward the home plate area.\u00c2\u00a0 Evidently Burrell doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like being stared at or breaking pitches away, and in turn had some choice words for Halladay.\u00c2\u00a0 It was only two years prior that Burrell was the toast of the town leading the 2008 championship parade down Broad Street on a horse drawn Budweiser wagon, now after popping off to the staff ace, the Philly fans want to see Burrell dragged down Broad Street behind said wagon.<\/p>\n

Game 6 had some more Fall fireworks as Chase Utley and Jonathan Sanchez picked up where Doc and Pat \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Bat\u00e2\u20ac\u009d left off.\u00c2\u00a0 Sanchez was in mid-implosion on the mound when he drilled Utley with a pitch.\u00c2\u00a0 As the stoic Utley made his way to first he reached down to pick up the ball that had rolled in front of him and tossed it underhand to Sanchez in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think this is yours\u00e2\u20ac\u009d type of way.\u00c2\u00a0 This mind game set Sanchez off who glared at Utley as the two began using choice words to discuss the dreadful housing market, or something like that, I think.\u00c2\u00a0 This made S.F. manager Bruce Bochy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s decision to give Sanchez the rest of the night off an easy one.\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone knows how this one ended with the Giants getting the last laugh and eventually a World Series ring.<\/p>\n

If there is one team in the N.L. that won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be bullied by the Phil\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s starting rotation it is the Giants because they are able to rollout an enviable stable of arms themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 Much like the starting rotation matchups that the Red Sox present, the Giants are on the same level.\u00c2\u00a0 I would pay to see any combo of; Halladay vs. Tim Lincecum, Oswalt vs. Matt Cain, Hamels vs. Madison Bumgarner or Lee vs. Sanchez.\u00c2\u00a0 I want to see Sanchez get a start the most even though he is the least opposing of the four.\u00c2\u00a0 He has made the deadly mistake of letting the fans know they can get in his head and he had a run in with Utley, who is adored here.\u00c2\u00a0 Good luck with that next start here, Jon.<\/p>\n

August<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I am going to encourage you to take a little road trip to South Philly.\u00c2\u00a0 The Phillies already play in South Philly you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re thinking right?\u00c2\u00a0 I mean literally South Philly as in Nationals Park in Washington D.C.\u00c2\u00a0 If you have ever watched a game when the Phillies are in D.C. it is surreal because if the visitors score a run you see the Philly gear-wearing fans cheering and jumping up and down in the background all the time.\u00c2\u00a0 I was there on Opening Day last year and the home team was getting booed during pre-game introductions and the place was shaking for the opposition.\u00c2\u00a0 Being division rivals they play down there a few times a year but the Phillies are there for a weekend series from the 19th<\/sup> thru the 21st<\/sup>.\u00c2\u00a0 Weekend series, practically a home game, summer is winding down, chance to do some sight seeing in the Nation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Capital, come on treat yourself.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, and be sure to get your tickets out in right field so you can heckle Jayson Werth whose team will be out of it by the second week of May.\u00c2\u00a0 Then again\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 for $126 million, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have the last laugh.<\/p>\n

September<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Up to this point we have covered pretty much the entire season and have not mentioned the Metropolitans yet.\u00c2\u00a0 I honestly want the Mets to be on the same elevated level as the Phillies because it makes for a solid trash-talking rivalry.\u00c2\u00a0 Unfortunately, I think Mr. Met and his crew are heading in the opposite direction and many a Philly fan will be taking great glee as the Phillies impose their will on them throughout the year.\u00c2\u00a0 Granted nothing is guaranteed but the Phillies travel to Gotham City the final weekend of the season from the 23rd<\/sup> thru the 25th<\/sup> and you have to admit that it would be fun watching them celebrate on Citi Field.\u00c2\u00a0 Getting tickets to any of the games there should not be a problem, only thing you need to do is watch that magic number make its way to zero and do some planning.\u00c2\u00a0 What better way to celebrate the demise of your enemy than by dropping by their house and popping the champagne as you clinch a division crown?\u00c2\u00a0 I am sure you will want to fill the handful of Mets fans in at the game that this is your fifth straight N.L. East title, then duck and run for your life.<\/p>\n

October<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to getting playoff tickets it is every man for himself.\u00c2\u00a0 Every game is a must see and will make acquiring tickets for the regular season seem like picking up tickets for Spring Training.<\/p>\n

And if you see my wife, be sure to tell her she is a lucky woman to have a husband so excited for Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Pickoffs: <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

– Let me get this straight\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6the Phillies will spend $10 million to upgrade their left field scoreboard but won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give the best first base coach in the game, Davey Lopes, more money to stay.\u00c2\u00a0 At least now they will be able to view their runners getting thrown out in High Def.<\/p>\n

– I was watching “Prime 9” on the MLB Network the other night and they were counting down the best infields of all time.\u00c2\u00a0 The 1934 Detroit Tigers infield was referred to as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Battalion of Death\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0 How great of a nickname is that and why was this the first time I ever heard it?<\/p>\n

– The 2011 Executive of the Year Award already goes to Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulous for getting the Angels to take Vernon Wells and the rest of his contract.\u00c2\u00a0 Angels GM Tony Reagins had to be drunk dialing the GMs around the league that night and Anthopoulous took advantage.\u00c2\u00a0 I cannot think of any other explanation of how this deal gets done.\u00c2\u00a0 Once again everyone, the lesson is nothing good happens when you drunk dial.<\/p>\n

Matt Aber is a baseball enthusiast who went to a Christmas party over the holidays and was the only one there out of about 80 people who was wearing a throwback jersey.\u00c2\u00a0 He is an advocate of the national organization called The Miracle League which allows special needs children to play baseball.\u00c2\u00a0 He encourages you to support this worthy cause and learn more at www.miracleleague.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I cannot wait for Valentine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Day.\u00c2\u00a0 There I said it.\u00c2\u00a0 As a matter of fact I will tell this to anyone who will listen to me.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes I will find myself just staring at the calendar with January at the top and tease myself and flip the page over to February.\u00c2\u00a0 I will then scan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4235],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-stories"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10885\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}