Results tagged ‘ Raul Ibanez ’
Raul real
Seriously, how is it that Raul Ibanez has yet to make an All-Star team? Maybe he’ll have better luck in the National League, eh?
Part of the problem the last couple of years has been that he was on the Mariners, the Mariners weren’t very good, and they already had a perennial All-Star outfielder in Ichiro. So if it’s one and done, it’s going to be Ichiro. Two years ago, it was Ichiro and closer J.J. Putz. Tough spot.
Might it be better in Philly? Sure. And you’d think the players’ vote would get him in, at least. This guy plays the game like it should be played, and he’s at times truly explosive offensively — see: his three HRs and nine RBIs in the last three games.
This is one of those guys who is an All-Star without portfolio. He’s clearly among the elite — fantasy players will tell you that — and he’s an upgrade in pretty much every way over a pretty good player himself in Pat Burrell.
Fact is, Ibanez was hands-down the best free agent signing of the offseason, and he’s not disappointing one bit.
Yakyu Haiku
That’s the American tradition of baseball in Japanese, and here’s an Americanized version of a Japanese tradition:
Hammer and Ian,
And some pitching this summer?
Watch out for Rangers
March on …
Seemed right to gather the last two teams that played in October to play the last game of February, and that’s what happened Saturday.
Phillies. Rays. Only a few months removed from Brad Lidge starting up a party not seen in Philly since 1980, they met in Clearwater and the Philies cranked out a 12-5 victory that, well, let’s just say didn’t have as much historic significance as their last win over the Rays.
And there could be no question this was a new year, a different year.
Exhibit A: Pat Burrell getting a standing ovation from Phillies fans. Wait, let’s rephrase that — getting one because he’s not playing for them anymore. Wait, wait. OK, Pat Burrell receiving a nice ovation for his years in Philly, which didn’t always include nice ovations but sure ended on a high note, while playing for the Rays. Whew, there.
Talk about a change of venue that could really work out for both. Burrell lands with the next best thing of ’08, provides a power right-handed bat to augment an already exciting lineup. The Phillies wind up with Raul Ibanez, who by most eyes stands as an overall upgrade. All good.
Now that we’re flipping the calendar to March, it’s not like all that excitement from October doesn’t matter anymore. The Phillies certainly have experience — and AN experience — behind them that can’t hurt. The Rays, wow, talk about your fast learners, and they’re not having to start school all over — they’re still a factor in the stacked AL East. But it’s in the past, and Saturday’s game gave it a visual — 2008 is over.
And once March comes, you really know it’s a new baseball season.
Yakyu Haiku
That’s the American tradition of baseball in Japanese, and here’s an Americanized version of a Japanese tradition:
Schill’s in Orlando,
not his springtime preference –
no doubt, but it’s tough
mlblogsthegrind1
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