Phillies Having No Luck In Chicago

GAME RECAP: Cubs Dominate Phillies 4-1

Kyle Hendricks got all the run support he needed early, and the right-hander posted his second career complete game in the Cubs' 4-1 victory Saturday over the Phillies in front of 41,555 at Wrigley Field. "I didn't want him coming out of that game," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Hendricks, who went the distance for the first time since May 21, 2015, when he did so against the Padres. It was the second complete game by a Cub this season; Jake Arrieta did so when he no-hit the Reds on April 21. Hendricks is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in five home starts this year. "He was in total command of his pitches," Cubs catcher Miguel Montero said. Hendricks has been the odd man out, ranking second lowest in the National League in run support average entering the game. The Cubs were averaging 5.7 runs per game, second in the Majors behind the Red Sox, but apparently not on the days he pitches. On Saturday, Hendricks struck out six and scattered five hits, including a fluke double by Freddy Galvis to lead off the ninth that dropped in front of Jason Heyward in right. Galvis scored on a fielder's choice when Ryan Howard struck out. "Jason was trying to yell for [Ben Zobrist] to go get it, and I think 'Zo' thought he was yelling, 'I got it,'" Maddon said of Galvis' hit. "It was an impossible moment." Leading off the bottom of the first, Dexter Fowler homered off Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff, who also served up RBI doubles to Zobrist and Heyward. Eickhoff, who gave up four runs over six innings and took the loss, also hasn't gotten much offensive support. He struck out seven and issued one walk. "I feel like we took pitches we should have hit and we swung at pitches we shouldn't have swung at," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "I thought [Hendricks] gave us just enough -- not a lot -- but just enough pitches out over the plate, and we didn't capitalize."

PHILS PHACTS:

• The Phillies had their momentum stopped early after Odubel Herrera led off the game with a bunt single. Instead of giving the Phillies an early baserunner, Herrera got picked off when Hendricks threw over to first and Rizzo applied a quick tag. The Phillies didn't mount much of a scoring threat again until the ninth, and that's how it has gone lately. Philadelphia has scored a combined 22 runs in their past eight games, going 2-6 in that span. "He was going -- they've got some really fast guys," Maddon said. "Kyle does do a good job, and you saw it. He'll hold the ball and throw it accurately. Don't underestimate the importance of the tag. If you don't slap it down there, the inning is different."
• After his double, Galvis advanced to third on a Maikel Franco groundout, and with the Cubs shifting on Ryan Howard, was able to get a huge lead. Howard struck out swinging on a changeup in the dirt, and as Montero gathered the ball and threw to second to put out Howard, Galvis broke home and scored. Galvis was originally credited with a stolen base, but the scoring was changed to a fielder's choice. "Made my whole day," Mackanin said. "Burnt the shutout. I like to see a guy like that playing with that kind of energy."
• "He's got one error, and he's making every play there is. If he's not the best shortstop in the league, I'd like to see the guy that's playing as consistent defense as he is." -- Mackanin, on Galvis' defense.

NEXT GAME:

Vince Velasquez starts the series finale against the Cubs on Sunday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Velasquez is coming off his shortest outing, leaving after four-plus innings and surrendering three runs in a no-decision against the Tigers.

PHILS PHACTS:

Don’t Walk, Run It Off – Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis sat at his locker with ice wrapped around his right ankle after Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Cubs, but this was no wounded man. Only a few minutes earlier, Galvis had raced around the bases, almost single-handedly accounting for the Phillies' lone run with hustle and heads-up baserunning. In the sixth, a 77-mph curveball from Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks hit Galvis on the bone just above his right ankle. Galvis took his time before heading to first, and trainers came out to check on him. Galvis stayed in, and good thing he did. In the ninth, Galvis led off with a shallow fly to right field. Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward lost track of the ball, and as it landed, Galvis turned past first and headed to second. He was credited with a double, but he was just getting started. After Galvis advanced to third on a Maikel Franco groundout to the right side, Ryan Howard came to the plate. The Cubs put a drastic shift on the left-hander, with no one close to holding Galvis on third. Galvis took his lead at least halfway down the line throughout the at-bat. When Howard swung and missed on an 0-2 changeup in the dirt, Galvis creeped toward the plate. Cubs catcher Miguel Montero gathered the ball and gave Galvis a quick check before firing to first to retire Howard. As soon as Galvis saw Montero begin to throw, he scampered home. "I was like, 'Let's go, that's it,'" Galvis said. Galvis slid in safely, beating Anthony Rizzo's return throw to the plate. He was initially awarded a stolen base, but the official scorer reversed the call to a fielder's choice after the game. The ruling wasn't as sexy as a steal, but the play still had plenty of impact. "Made my whole day," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "Burnt the shutout. I like to see a guy like that playing with that kind of energy. … I'm thrilled the way he's playing hard. He's kind of taken a leadership role on the team, just with the way he goes about his business." He's also doing it with his defense, too. Galvis has made a handful of spectacular plays, and he has the third-best ultimate zone rating among shortstops in the Majors behind the Giants' Brandon Crawford and the D-backs' Nick Ahmed, per FanGraphs. "He's got one error, and he's making every play there is," Mackanin said. "If he's not the best shortstop in the league, I'd like to see the guy that's playing as consistent defense as he is." And as for the ankle, Franco said it's no concern. Good to play Sunday? "Oh yeah," he said.

Offensive Offense – After a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on Saturday, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin credited Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, who threw a complete game. But he was more troubled with his hitters, whose inability to find a groove is beginning to prove costly. The Phillies have lost six of eight. "I feel like we took pitches we should have hit, and we swung at pitches we shouldn't have swung at," Mackanin said. "I thought [Hendricks] gave us just enough -- not a lot -- but just enough pitches out over the plate, and we didn't capitalize." In the past eight games, the Phillies have scored 22 runs. After Friday's 6-2 defeat, Mackanin faced the question that since feels increasingly pressing -- "Are you worried that the offensive shortcomings are starting to catch up with you guys?" Mackanin didn't change his expression or alter his tone of voice. He answered in a matter-of-fact fashion. "I won't say I'm worried about it," Mackanin said. "I've been conscious of it for the whole season." That's how Mackanin and the Phillies are treating it. Stick to the facts, which reveal things both good and bad about the club. First, the numbers suggest the Phils have a better record than they should. Based on the Pythagorean win-loss stat, the Phillies should have a winning percentage of .394. Instead, they are at .531. Philadelphia has won 26 games despite a minus-38 run differential. The explanation is the fact the Phillies are playing -- and winning -- an astounding amount of close games, going 14-4 in one-run contests. Despite Philadelphia's surprising start, the struggle of the Phillies' lineup is indeed nothing new. Their 158 runs rank 29th in baseball, as do their 36 home runs. Only the 14-34 Braves are worse in those categories. "At the least, we certainly would like to have more offense, a little more power," Mackanin said. "You look at the Cubs, the Tigers, they've got the home run. They've got power. They have threats to do damage. We haven't been able to do that." But the Phillies have had respectable starting pitching, and the bullpen in particular has been good as of late. The 'pen has surrendered only three earned runs in its past 19 innings, dropping its ERA to a season-low 3.66. So as much as the numbers are an indictment of the offense, there is also a testament to the club's pitching. The facts also show Tyler Goeddel, Peter Bourjos, Cameron Rupp, Odubel Herrera and Freddy Galvis have all raised their batting averages in May. And the part that matters most: The Phillies are 26-23, right in the thick of the National League East race. "I'm always concerned that it might catch up with us," Mackanin said. "But as long as our pitching does their job, we're going to be in as many games as they allow us to be in."

Today In Phils History – 20 years after the Phillies acquired Kirby Higbe from the Cubs, Gene Conley took a tough loss as when he tried to intentionally walk Joe Adcock he let a pitch get a little took close to the plate and Adcock drove in Hank Aaron with the winning run. 6 years later, as Charlie Hayes was being born in Mississippi, Dick Allen blasted a 510 foot homerun at Connie Mack Stadium against the Cubs. From the beginning of a career to the end, it was on this day in 1989, after hitting .203 in the early part of the season, Michael Jack Schmidt announced his retirement in an emotional farewell speech. Back to the blossoming of a career, in 2006 Ryan Howard hit his 18^th homerun of the season setting a record for the most homeruns by a 2^nd year player by the end of the month. Of course, the only memory that could top that of Schmidt’s retirement is that of Roy Halladay’s perfection during a 1-0 victory on this day in 2010. It was the 20^th perfect game in MLB history. Since then, the only quasi notable occurrence is the debut of Cesar Hernandez in 2013.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 26-23 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). All time, the Phillies are 40-56-0 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

Franco Returns, Lee Retires, And Howard In-Between

PHILS PHACTS:

Welcome Back, Now Get To Work! – Maikel Franco could be a cornerstone for the Phillies, and he hopes to solidify those expectations with a strong 2016. His work began Tuesday, when the Phillies held their first full-squad workout at Carpenter Complex. Franco, 23, hit .280 with 22 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 50 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 335 plate appearances in his rookie season. He played so well that former teammate Jeff Francoeur agreed to buy him a suit, which he has not yet received. "I'll let you know because I need it," Franco said. Franco's play in 2015 was encouraging, but he needs to continue to play well for the Phillies' rebuild to keep moving in the right direction. "I put a lot of work in in the D.R. [Dominican Republic] and I'm prepared for everything," Franco said. "I'm ready to go for everything." Franco said he worked on everything while he played winter ball this offseason. "Mental, physical, worked on my body," he said. "I tried to learn more about hitting. I worked on ground balls. Everything. That's what I did in the D.R. and that's what I'm continuing to do." But news also broke this offseason that Franco filed a grievance against the Phillies, claiming they manipulated his service time to delay his eligibility for free agency. Franco opened the season in Triple-A before being recalled May 15. Franco accrued 170 days of service time, which is two days short of a full season. Those two days delayed his free agency from 2020 to 2021. Franco's agent, Ryan Royster, said in December the grievance will not be an issue moving forward. Franco's absence from camp until Tuesday raised eyebrows from some in the organization both in and out of uniform. The Phillies always have asked players to arrive in camp a day before the first full-squad workouts to take physicals, but Franco arrived Tuesday morning. He is the first Phillies player in recent memory not to arrive at least a day before the first workout, although it is not an official requirement according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Manager Pete Mackanin said he has no problem with it. "Only thing I heard is this was the day I had to report and this is the day I'm here," Franco said. What is important at this point is that Franco is healthy and ready to go. He broke his left hand in August, when current teammate Jeremy Hellickson hit him with a pitch while with Arizona. Franco said the hand feels fine. "It's exciting," Franco said about camp. "A lot of players and new faces. I want to be a good teammate, put in a lot of work and hopefully everybody has fun and enjoys the game. I'm happy. I'm here. I want to put everything into getting better."

Every Day Might Not Be A Good Idea – Ryan Howard made the points he wanted to make Tuesday at Bright House Field. He said the past is in the past. But, frankly, he feels disrespected that arguably the greatest first baseman in franchise history -- a National League MVP and World Series champion -- has been criticized so harshly recently. Suggestions he no longer can hit left-handed pitching befuddle him, and he believes his career successes have earned him the right to be more than a platoon player on a rebuilding team. "The track record speaks for itself," Howard said. "It doesn't matter righty or lefty, I know I can get the job done. I know all the talk over the past few years, this and that, I'm not going to focus on that. For me, it's taking advantage of the opportunities when I get to go out there and play. "Do I think it's fair? Me, personally, probably not. But it is what it is. The situation is the situation. You just go out there and play." This almost certainly is Howard's final season with the Phillies. He will make $25 million, plus he is expected to receive a $10 million buyout on a 2017 club option. The Phillies have tried to trade him, but have had no takers, even after they've offered to pay most of his salary. "Am I surprised that I'm still on this roster? Um, I don't know, to be honest with you," Howard said. "You know, I'm still here. I've got a contractual obligation through this year and you just see what happens. I mean, I don't sit at home waiting for the call, 'Hey, Ry. You're traded.' I've got to focus on getting ready for the season. "And do I want to be here? Yeah, I want to be here. Why wouldn't I?" Well, maybe because former teammates and friends like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, etc., are elsewhere and he understands he is not part of the Phillies' future. Howard also said criticism about his play has been unfair. "The way I felt with everything that I've done here in Philadelphia, I just felt I was being portrayed as something worse," Howard said. "I felt like I was being portrayed as the bad guy. When you all know me, you know how I'm always joking and stuff. I didn't have a problem at all with my teammates. That's why I didn't talk to you all last year. It was more of a personal thing for me. But it's like, this year … last year is in the past, man." But this year he will have to prove he can hit lefties to play. "Check the numbers, check the track record, all that good stuff," he said. "I know I can hit lefties. There's been talk in the media and all this kind of stuff over the past three years and this and that or whatever about not hitting lefties and whatever. It's about just going out there and doing it." A look at the numbers: Howard hit .130 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and a .418 OPS in 107 plate appearances last season against left-handers. If he had enough plate appearances to qualify, his OPS against lefties would have been the lowest in baseball by 47 points; Howard hit .230 with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs and a .770 OPS in 189 plate appearances against lefties in 2014. He led the National League in homers and RBIs as a left-handed hitter against lefties; Howard had a .771 OPS against lefties from 2005-10, which ranked 22nd out of 61 qualified left-handed hitters. He has a .619 OPS against lefties from 2011-15, which is 54th out of 63 left-handed hitters and 201st out of 212 hitters overall. "I think people forget that," he said about his 2014 numbers. "Last year? There's nothing you can do about it. Last year is last year. This is a fresh year. Just as last year was bad, this year I can go out and hit .300 against lefties. Then what do you say? If I was able to go out and hit .300 against lefties this year. Then what?" Howard has more on his plate than just hitting lefties. He has a lawsuit against Al Jazeera Network. It is his second lawsuit in as many offseasons. He settled one with his family in October 2014. His brother had sued him for $2.8 million. His father had requested a $10 million separation payment after Howard severed financial ties with his parents. Howard claimed in a countersuit that his family conspired to defraud him. Then in December, Al Jazeera ran a report that linked Howard to performance-enhancing drugs. Howard filed a defamation lawsuit in January. "That kind of stuff is life," Howard said. "Stuff that happens in life, it comes up and you have to deal with it. I think it would be tough for anybody at any time. But baseball becomes a great getaway for all that kind of stuff." Howard said he has no idea why his name is one of the names that appeared in the report. "I haven't the faintest idea," he said. "I really can't tell you. I really don't know." MLB said it planned to investigate the claims against Howard. Howard said his focus is on baseball until then. He said he is ready for a fresh start. "I leave here, I go to Philadelphia, I'm going to go out there and give 110 percent every game I've got," Howard said. "Until they come to me and say they've traded you to so-and-so, then I'll go to whoever and play 110 percent. For me, it's just about playing the game right now."

No Comeback Attempt This Time – Despite a recent attempt to extend his career, veteran left-hander Cliff Lee is expected to retire, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "We don't anticipate him playing at this point," Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, reportedly told Rosenthal. Lee last pitched in the Majors in 2014 for the Phillies before missing all of last season due to an elbow injury. Currently a free agent, the 37-year-old went 41-30 with a 2.89 ERA over his final four seasons in Philadelphia from 2011-14, including 4-5 with a 3.65 ERA over 13 starts in '14. The four-time All-Star's best season came in 2008, when he went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA for the Indians. He led the American League in wins, ERA, shutouts, ERA+, FIP, walks per nine innings and home runs per nine en route to winning the AL Cy Young Award. Lee went 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA and 1,824 strikeouts over his 13-year career, during which he spent time with the Indians, Phillies, Mariners and Rangers.

Contest Now Open – Entries are open through April 14 for Major League Baseball's annual Honorary Bat Girl Contest, which will recognize one fan from each MLB club who has been affected by breast cancer and has demonstrated a commitment to battling the disease. Women and men 18 or older can share stories about themselves or loved ones who are "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" by visiting HonoraryBatGirl.com for a chance to be recognized on the field by their favorite team on Mother's Day, May 8. Fans also are invited to visit the site to vote for these inspirational stories, which are designed to provide hope and motivation for those currently in the fight against breast cancer. During MLB's annual recognition of Mother's Day, one Honorary Bat Girl per club will take part in pregame activities -- including being recognized during an on-field ceremony -- and also receive pink MLB merchandise along with two tickets to the game. For clubs that are away on Mother's Day, another home game will be selected to recognize their Honorary Bat Girl. Serving as guest judges for the contest will be Jillian Michaels, health and wellness expert and star of "Just Jillian" on E! Network; Gregor Blanco of the Giants; Robinson Chirinos of the Rangers; Kevin Gausman of the Orioles; Curtis Granderson of the Mets; Jeremy Jeffress of the Brewers; Scott Kazmir of the Dodgers; Taijuan Walker of the Mariners; Jered Weaver of the Angels; Sam Ryan and Chris Rose of MLB Network; and Lindsay Berra and Alyson Footer of MLB.com. Michaels is an ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that MLB has supported as founding donor since 2008. The mothers of Kazmir, Walker and Weaver are all breast-cancer survivors. Blanco and Granderson both lost a grandmother to breast cancer; Gausman lost both of his grandmothers to the disease. Jeffress lost both his aunt and uncle to cancer. Ryan's mother is a breast-cancer survivor, and both Rose and Berra have several close friends who have been affected by the disease. Footer lost her mother to cancer, and her aunt is a breast-cancer survivor. Chirinos is active in the Dallas-Fort Worth community and is honored to participate in this initiative. Each judge will review a portion of the submissions, and their opinions will be considered in the selection process. Additional Major Leaguers may also join the panel and will be announced at a later date. A panel of judges, including the guest judging panel, will help select the winning submissions based on the following criteria: originality, quality of writing, demonstration of commitment to breast-cancer awareness and public appeal (as determined by online fan votes). The Honorary Bat Girl program was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative, which is commemorated on Mother's Day. In seven years, thousands of unique testimonials have been submitted and millions of fan votes have been cast in the MLB initiative, which is supported by charitable partners Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen. The initiative raises awareness about breast cancer while also raising funds to support breast-cancer research. Look over the 2015 winners as a reminder of the true meaning behind the Honorary Bat Girl recognition. It meant the world at the time to Sara Tresselt of Jefferson, Md. A sergeant with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia and a former outfielder for her Maryland high school state champion softball team, Tresselt was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 after a mammogram revealed more than what she had believed was simply a bruise. Tresselt fought bravely with an infectious positive spirit for the next four years and was named the Orioles' Honorary Bat Girl last March. She called that honor "probably the coolest thing I've ever done" -- but the occasion was tempered by the news at about the same time that her disease had spread to her brain. Tresselt passed away last Sept. 11 at age 36. "If something doesn't feel right, go in [for a checkup]," she had said as advice for others. "I think it's important to do your checks and know your body." Last year, Julie Gross of Duluth, Minn., was named the Twins' Honorary Bat Girl after being nominated by her lifelong friend Linda Louie. Gross is a breast-cancer survivor and an ardent advocate against the disease. Two years before receiving this honor, Gross had lost her mother in part to the return of breast cancer. "It is a tough time for her," Louie said in submitting that nomination. "But something like this is a monument to moms and all women that we have loved and lost to the disease." On every Mother's Day since 2006, hundreds of MLB players have used pink Louisville Slugger bats stamped with the MLB breast-cancer awareness logo. To further demonstrate their support for the breast-cancer cause, players and on-field personnel have worn the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms, as well as pink wrist bands. Commemorative dugout lineup cards also have been pink and stamped with the pink-ribbon logo. Game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats and other game-used gear from Mother's Day games will again be placed for bidding exclusively at MLB.com/auction to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

Today In Phils History - It was the Phillies who started the trend of pitchers and catchers reporting first followed by position players a week later when the club instituted this format from their camp in Savannah, GA in 1906. Three years later, the club was sold to State Senator Israel Durham and a group of his state Senate colleagues after which Durham was elected club president. In 1943, Bucky Harris took the helm as manager following a 42-111 performance by former skipper Hans Lobert. 4 years later, the Phillies opened their first spring training in Clearwater where the team has stayed ever since. Finally, Jimmy Rollins was excused from spring training 5 years ago to attend a tribute to Motown at the White House... given his decline, not sure if he would still be able to get a ticket these days. 

THE BEGINNING:

With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

At Some Point The Phillies Have To Do Something…

Bring back Jamie Moyer! The rotation could use him!

PHILS PHACTS:

Still Nothing!

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! However, at least Ryan Madson got another ring this year.

Phillies' Only All Star Wants Out

GAME RECAP: Frazier Defeats Pederson 15-14

Todd Frazier had the joint jumping, his home crowd behind him screaming and exactly the right flair for the dramatic on Monday night. Not only did Frazier not disappoint, the Reds third baseman put on a tremendous show to win the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders at Great American Ball Park. The capper was a bonus-round shot into the left-field seats to defeat Dodgers rookie Joc Pederson, 15 homers to 14, in the finals as the stadium roared with approval and fireworks filled the sky. Frazier loved having the sold-out crowd in his corner all night. "Just hearing the crowd roar, call my name, adrenaline," Frazier said. "And those last minutes of each round really picked me up and [helped me] drive the ball out of the park a lot more. It was a lot of fun. I appreciate that a lot." Frazier, who was the Derby runner-up to Yoenis Cespedes last year in Minneapolis, became the first Reds player to win the Home Run Derby since Dave Parker won the first one in 1985. He is also only the second player from the host team to win, the first since the Cubs' Ryne Sandberg in 1990. Frazier was presented with the Home Run Derby trophy by MLB executive Joe Torre. "Bringing this hardware home is something I've always wanted to do and it's just an unbelievable feeling," Frazier said. "Once I wake up in the morning, understand really what happened, it is going to be exciting to see this in my house." The Derby caught its first break when rain held off until well after the event ended. Then new rules in place for 2015 added timed rounds of four minutes and an eight-player single-elimination bracket that proved instantly popular. That change played into Frazier's hands as he batted second in each round as the higher seed. Frazier, the No. 2 seed, defeated Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder in the first round and then knocked out Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson in Round 2. All three rounds required a lot from Frazier to overcome his challenger. Fielder hit 13 homers in the opening round. Frazier was able to equal the two-time winner with his 13th coming with seconds remaining, landing in the left-field seats. After a brief break before bonus time, Frazier crushed home run No. 14 on his first swing to defeat Fielder. "Two-time champion, that's huge," Frazier said. "The format fit well. I honestly didn't know how many I was going to need. Thirteen, in these Derbies now, usually gets you past. I started off slow and got into a little groove." In Round 2, Donaldson got off to a slow start, but he rallied to hit nine homers. He also knew he was not the crowd favorite. "Honest to God, I didn't even know who I was going up against in the second round, but after 30-40 seconds into it, I could start to hear people boo me," Donaldson said. "Then mid-swing, I was like, 'Oh, I'm going up against Frazier.' Good for them. He put on an awesome performance tonight." The crowd chanted "Let's go Frazier" as Frazier sat on eight homers with a minute remaining. But with 11 seconds to spare, homer No. 9 came, followed by No. 10 just as time expired, landing in the left-center-field bullpen as Reds fans screamed. Pitching to Frazier for the second time in the Derby was his brother, Charlie. The two tried to keep the flow going in all three rounds. "We wanted to work fast," Charlie Frazier said. "We didn't want to put any thinking involved. We just wanted to put as many pitches as we can. He was swinging at everything -- you could see that -- even if they were low or high. So we just got on the same pace." The left-handed Pederson set another high bar and opened the finals with 13 homers. Needing two to tie with 40 seconds left, Frazier hit one to left field for 13. He tied Pederson with 14 with 10 seconds remaining. On the first swing of his 30-second bonus came No. 15 -- and a perfect ending for Cincinnati. Triumphantly, Frazier lifted a championship belt like a wrestler. His favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, played in the ballpark -- "I did it my way." He did indeed, with panache. It's been a trying first half for the Reds, who are below .500 and struggling. Trade speculation of top players, but not Frazier, is rampant. For one night -- that was way in the background. Cincinnati fans had their winner right in front of them on what proved to be a magical night. "This is the way you play the game," Frazier said. "You play for your family, your friends because you love the game. Your fans are right behind you in your court. We're having a tough year this year, let's be frank. Still got a lot of games to go. That Wild Card can come real quick. You saw what the Dodgers did one year. You never know what's going to happen."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The Phillies don't have much history facing Fernandez, but one player who has enjoyed success off him is Freddy Galvis, who is 3-for-6. Chase Utley, who's on the DL, is 2-for-9.
• The Marlins and Phillies will meet for their third series this year, and second in Philadelphia. Miami holds a 4-2 advantage in the season series.
• Dee Gordon, Miami's All-Star second baseman, is not expected to go on the disabled list. The Marlins are aiming to reinstate third baseman Martin Prado (right shoulder) from the DL, and he's a candidate to be a short-term option at second beginning Friday.

NEXT GAME:

After the All-Star break, the club returns home to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Friday night. Left-hander Adam Morgan makes his fourth career start as he squares off against the Marlins' Jose Fernandez. Morgan is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in his rookie season. The Marlins' ace, who made both of his first-half starts in Miami, will open the second half against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Fernandez already has regained his old form, notching wins in each of his first two starts back from Tommy John surgery. While the hard-throwing right-hander has dominated at Marlins Park (14-0, 1.17 ERA) in his career, he has been vulnerable on the road, where he is 4-8 with a 3.93 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in his career in Philadelphia. The Phillies are starting the series off with rookie Adam Morgan, who is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts. The lefty has 12 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, and this will be his second home start. He's lost back-to-back decisions on the road after opening his career with a 5 2/3-innings win over the Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on June 21.

PHILS PHACTS:

Papelbon Looking For A Trade… Again! – Vocal and effusive about his desire to be traded, Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon spent his sixth All-Star media day trumpeting his desire to move on from Philadelphia. "I want to go to a contender," said Papelbon, the Phillies' lone representative at Tuesday's 2015 All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile (7 p.m. ET, FOX). "I do want to get out of Philly, but I need to make a smart decision. I'll make a decision that's best for me to go to a place to contend to win a championship. That's basically what my whole decision is going to be based on." In many ways, the decision is not Papelbon's to make. The Phillies have been trying to deal their closer since before the 2013 non-waiver Trade Deadline, but so far, they have been unable to find a suitable match. Making $13 million this season, Papelbon owns a $13 million club option for 2016 that automatically vests if he finishes 48 games. He's on pace to do that, having gone 14-for-14 in save situations with a 1.60 ERA. He's certainly pitched well enough not only to earn his sixth All-Star nod, but to make himself a very intriguing option to clubs in need of relief help. Papelbon cannot negotiate his own trade. But he can veto deals with a partial no-trade clause, and he has said he would do so to avoid moving to a setup role or to a non-contending team. Other than that, Papelbon said he would like to part ways with the 29-62 Phillies. "This isn't what I signed up for," said Papelbon, who left the Red Sox for a four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies before the 2012 season. "I signed up on a team that won 102 games, and was expecting certain things. Now, it didn't happen, and I tried to ride that ship as much as I can. I've tried to keep my mouth shut as much as I can. "I feel like three years is plenty enough time to 'ride it out,' so to speak. If fans can't understand it, I can't really side with them on that. I'm getting older and I don't know how many more years I have left in this game. I don't know how many All-Star Games I have left. None of that's guaranteed. For me, I'm just trying to be on a winning ballclub and win as many rings as I can before it's all said and done, and I'm coaching [son] Gunner in Little League. That's really all I'm trying to do. "From my perspective, I don't understand how a fan couldn't understand that. I understand that they wear their hearts on their sleeves and all that stuff, but for me, I'm in it to compete and to win. And I don't have that opportunity in this organization. And I also feel like I gave this organization as many opportunities as they can to put a winning ballclub out there and as many chances to keep me in this organization, and it just hasn't happened." If Papelbon has his way, a trade is what will happen -- and soon. For him, this All-Star appearance is simply continued validation that he can be more useful elsewhere. "I thought that I was going to come to Philadelphia and win two more rings," Papelbon said. "I honestly and truthfully did. And then the downward spiral happened, and it happened so quick. It's almost unexplainable."

Mid Summer Lineups – There have been years of waiting, and then more years of preparation, for their moment on one of the biggest stages of baseball. And now, the Reds and Cincinnati are ready to welcome the world to its home at Great American Ball Park tonight. It's just about time for the 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile to showcase the talents of the 34-man rosters on both the National League and the American League. "It's fun to be around the city," said NL starting third baseman Todd Frazier, who won the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders on Monday night in front of his home fans. "The vibe out here is spectacular." The 2015 All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (coverage begins 7 p.m. ET), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com. During the All-Star Game tonight, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy. MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. The starting lineups were revealed by managers Ned Yost of the AL and Bruce Bochy of the NL on Monday. The AL lineup features all right-handed hitters, the first time that's happened since the NL had an all-right-handed lineup in the first of two All-Star Games played in 1962. AMERICAN LEAGUE: 1. CF Mike Trout, Angels; 2. 3B Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays; 3. 1B Albert Pujols, Angels; 4. DH Nelson Cruz, Mariners; 5. RF Lorenzo Cain, Royals; 6. LF Adam Jones, Orioles; 7. C Salvador Perez, Royals; 8. 2B Jose Altuve, Astros; 9. SS Alcides Escobar, Royals; P Dallas Keuchel, Astros. NATIONAL LEAGUE: 1. CF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; 2. 3B Todd Frazier, Reds; 3. RF Bryce Harper, Nationals; 4. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs; 5. C Buster Posey, Giants; 6. DH Anthony Rizzo, Cubs; 7. SS Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals; 8. LF Joc Pederson, Dodgers; 9. 2B DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; P Zack Greinke, Dodgers. This will be the fifth time that Cincinnati, home of the first professional baseball franchise, has hosted an All-Star Game. It was held in 1938 and '53 at Crosley Field and in 1970 and '88 at Riverfront Stadium. Great American Ball Park opened in 2003, and it has undergone several upgrades and improvements in recent years to be ready for a game like this. "It's great. Most importantly, it's for the fans of the Reds and putting the city and the stadium on display to play the host," said Reds manager Bryan Price, who is a coach on Bochy's staff. "I think they're doing a fabulous job of hosting. I've never been in an environment like this." The All-Star Game will feature numerous familiar faces and perennial selections, and the pregame festivities will include the introduction of the "Franchise Four" selections by fans of the greatest players from each of the 30 teams. But this year's game also demonstrates the strength of the game's youth movement. Two of the Major Leagues' most popular players are 23-year-old Trout from the Angels and 22-year-old Harper of the Nationals. "[It's great] to see the impacting players that are so young, both NL and AL," Harper said. "To play alongside Anthony Rendon, Michael Taylor and the guys at my club, and then playing against guys like Kris Bryant, Manny Machado, Matt Harvey, Mike Trout. You can name so many guys in this league right now, and being able to play alongside them and really enjoy it, it's been a lot of fun." "It's special to see so many great players at such a young age," said Pederson, who finished as the runner-up to Frazier in the Derby on Monday night. "The Trouts, Harpers, they're dominating the game, [and Madison] Bumgarner, so it's definitely really special." Including Pederson, there were a combined 32 first-time All-Stars selected this year via the fan and player ballots or manager selections. "What got me over the edge was we have so many first-time All-Stars," said Yost. "I think this is such a wonderful experience. For me, if you become a Major League player, that's special. You're in an elite group, but you're in an even more elite group if you're an All-Star. It sticks with you the rest of your life." Yost selected Astros left-hander and first-time All-Star Keuchel to start for the AL, while Bochy chose the Dodgers' Greinke. Both managers talked about the challenges of making selections, which might be harder than running the game itself. "The talent that you have to work with makes it really easy for me and my staff," said Bochy, who is now a four-time skipper for the NL. "I think the game has changed a little bit. Your priority is not to get everybody in as much as it used to be. There is a lot at stake. I think guys are getting the two or three at-bats. They're getting stretched out a little more. There's a lot at stake in it. The tough part is the lineup. It does change a lot." Once again, the added meaning to the All-Star Game is the winning team's league gets home-field advantage for the World Series. Last year, that didn't put Yost's Royals over the top as they lost Game 7 to San Francisco at Kauffman Stadium. He still considered it to be beneficial and wanted the AL to keep home-field advantage this year. "It's going to be important to somebody in that locker room," Yost said. "I think it's important for everybody in that locker room to do our best to try and win that game and get home-field advantage for the World Series -- for whoever team gets there."

In Case You Missed It… – Former Toronto Blue Jays [and Philadelphia Phillies] pitcher Roy Halladay had his perfect driving record broken up by a police officer Tuesday [July 7, 2015] afternoon. Halladay had gone 38 years without a speeding ticket before his chance at a perfect driving record was ruined. Halladay was caught speeding Tuesday afternoon. He celebrated his first ever ticket with a selfie. Halladay's tweet was pretty respectful. He acknowledged that he was speeding, and added the hastag #protectandserve, implying that the officer was just doing his job. If the goal of the ticket was to discourage Halladay from speeding again ... well ... Yep, Halladay got pulled over by the same cop on the same day. We actually don't know why he was pulled over the second time, or if Halladay received another ticket. Either way, it's entertaining. Again, Halladay seemed to handle the situation well. He managed to make a joke about himself in the second tweet. It's pretty normal for people to be angry after being pulled over, so he appreciate that Halladay can laugh at himself despite having a bad day on the road. We don't feel particularly bad about Halladay losing his perfect driving record, though. He's already got a perfect game under his belt, and he can brag about that any day.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 29-62. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season, this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 47-45-2 on this day.

Phillies Making Moves While Taking The Day Off

GAME RECAP: No Loss To Report

Phillies enjoyed the rest after being obliterated by the Mets.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Hamels went 7 1/3 innings and gave up one run on six hits in his May 18 start vs. Colorado. Hamels also recorded seven strikeouts in the outing.
• Hamels has been his best during night games this season, posting a 4-1 record and 2.09 ERA in seven starts.
• Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has a .321 batting average in 56 career at-bats at Citizens Bank Park. That includes four home runs and eight RBIs.
• When Bettis has started for Colorado, the Rockies are 3-0 on the season. That includes a 6-5 victory over Philadelphia on May 19.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies will host the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday to kick off a three-game weekend series between the two National League foes. The opener will mark the fifth meeting between Colorado and Philadelphia this season, with the two splitting a four-game series last week. Cole Hamels is scheduled to get the start for the Phillies, and he has been impressive, posting a 5-1 record and 2.23 ERA in his last seven starts. Colorado will send out right-hander Chad Bettis after pushing back Jordan Lyles' scheduled start. In his previous start against the Giants on Sunday, Bettis went 8 1/3 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits for his first win of the season.

PHILS PHACTS:

Now Is Not The Time – Ruben Amaro Jr. made the type of comments no general manager should make, embattled or otherwise. He criticized the customers. Amaro apologized this week for his harsh comments about Phillies fans in a CSNPhilly.com story, but of everything he said in a nearly 20-minute interview with beat reporters on Tuesday at Citi Field, he got this much right: Amaro's comments detracted from the fact that what he said about the organization's prospects is 100 percent correct. It makes no sense to rush them to the big leagues. "Listen, I'm as excited about seeing these guys -- the [Aaron] Nolas, the [Zach] Eflins, the [Roman] Quinns, and some of the other players who are having a lot of success right now -- as any of [the fans]," Amaro said. "But there's a process they have to go through. There's a process and a plan in place." Of course, it has been difficult to trust the Phillies' plan after the past few years. The Phils won a franchise-record 102 games in 2011, but despite one of the highest payrolls in baseball, they have trended downward since. They finished 81-81 in 2012 and 73-89 in each of the previous two seasons. This year's Phillies are on pace to finish 63-99. The Phils' plan in recent seasons was to add complementary pieces here and there and hope that Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz could turn back the clock. But the sentimentality for 2008 died last August, when Pat Gillick became team president. Gillick, who is in the Hall of Fame partially because he built the Blue Jays from the ground up as an expansion team, said the Phillies would rebuild. Gillick also said it would take time. The Phils, he said, would not compete again until 2017 at the earliest. What is happening this season is what rebuilding is. It is a lot of frustration. It is giving players extended opportunities to prove themselves because the organization has nothing to lose by letting them play. It is watching players on one-year contracts like Jerome Williams, Sean O'Sullivan and Chad Billingsley pitch in the rotation while Nola, Eflin and others learn their craft in the Minor Leagues. Amaro got heated this week probably because he has been asked incessantly about Nola, whom the team selected in the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. When is Nola coming up? Why don't the Phillies ever promote their prospects when they are young? Nola has made 20 starts in the Minor Leagues. Compare that to the number of Minor League starts made by other former first-round picks out of college before they became established big leaguers: 2006: Tim Lincecum (10th pick, 13 starts); Max Scherzer (11th pick, 30 starts); Ian Kennedy (21st pick, 43 starts); 2007: David Price (first pick, 27 starts); Tommy Hunter (54th pick, 36 starts); 2008: Brian Matusz (fourth pick, 19 starts); Andrew Cashner (19th pick, 39 starts); Wade Miley (43rd pick, 73 starts); 2009: Stephen Strasburg (first pick, 11 starts); Mike Minor (seventh pick, 41 starts); Mike Leake (eighth pick, zero starts); 2010: Matt Harvey (seventh pick, 46 starts); 2011: Gerrit Cole (first pick, 38 starts); Sonny Gray (18th pick, 53 starts); 2012: Michael Wacha (19th pick, 26 appearances, 17 starts). The average of that group is 32.4 Minor League starts. If you remove Leake from the equation because he is an anomaly, the average is 34.7. Sure, Strasburg made just 11 starts in the Minors before his promotion, but no scout has compared Nola to Strasburg (or other aces like Lincecum, Price or Harvey). Many scouts see Nola as a solid No. 3 starter someday. And in regard to the Phillies being slow to promote other young prospects, quite frankly, there has not been a single player in the Phils' system over the past 10-plus seasons that can compare to Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton or Bryce Harper. Besides, the Phillies do not need Nola or Quinn or J.P. Crawford right now. They are not a pitcher or player away from competing for a National League Wild Card spot. If they were, one of those prospects might have been called up already. This season is about the long term. This is about a sustained run of success. Calling up Nola, Eflin, Quinn, Crawford and others before they are ready would not help the Phils achieve that. "Aaron Nola used to pitch at LSU once a week, and he never pitched in the summertime," Amaro said. "When we first drafted him, he wasn't on a five-day rotation; we had to gradually work him in from seven days to six days to five days so he could get used to that routine. "It takes its toll. It's a process, just like anything else. There's a rhyme to the reason. That might not jibe with everybody the way that we're doing it, but I think we're doing it in the best interest of the club and the player." Amaro was right, even if nobody heard it.

Remembering Perfection – A Roy Halladay gem was unlike any other. Most of the dominant pitchers of the mid-2000s -- the Lincecums, Verlanders and Sabathias -- worked like an avalanche, but Halladay was death by 1,000 impossibly precise cuts: eight innings of called third strikes and weak dribblers and exasperated hitters. The phrase "Maddux 2.0" should not be thrown around lightly, but when he was on, Halladay came closer than anyone. And in Miami on May 29, 2010, Doc wasn't just on -- he was perfect. 2010 was Halladay's first season with the Phillies, and he wasted no time terrorizing the National League: In his first two months, he put together four complete games, including two shutouts, while pitching to a 2.22 ERA. A date with the struggling Marlins already seemed like a mismatch on paper ... and then, well, Halladay just decided to make it unfair. To demonstrate, let's play a quick game of "How often will Carlos Ruiz have to move his glove?" (Note: It is not a lot). Doc sat down 11 Marlins in all, and six of those were backwards K's. It was the Platonic ideal of a Halladay start: so ruthlessly efficient that he needed more than 12 pitches in an inning just twice, reaching only seven three-ball counts all night. "I felt like [Ruiz] was calling a great game up until the fourth or fifth, and at that point, I just felt like I'd let him take over," Halladay told MLB.com after the game. "I'd just go out, see the glove and hit it." The old saying goes that every bid for a perfect game at some point needs that one Great Defensive Play, but in Halladay's case, he was so good that his defense was the only thing that threatened to derail him. In the bottom of the third, both center fielder Shane Victorino and right fielder Jayson Werth started tracking a lazy fly ball in the gap ... and kept tracking it, kept tracking it, and LOOK OUT, GUYS. From there, Doc just put it on cruise control, missing barrel after barrel. Pinch-hitter Mike Lamb gave everybody a scare in the bottom of the ninth, driving one to deep center -- but Sun Life Stadium was a pitcher's dream, cavernous between the gaps, and Victorino tracked it down with relative ease. And at that point, it was all over but for the celebrating. Halladay tossed his perfecto just twenty days after Dallas Braden threw his in Oakland, the shortest such span since the first two in 1880 (!). Amazingly enough, though, baseball would come awfully close to another one just four days later: on June 2, when Armando Galarraga came one missed call short. For Doc, though, it was the cherry on top of a remarkable multi-year run. His time in Philly (and, ultimately, his career) came to an end far too quickly thanks to shoulder problems, but at the height of his powers, he was the very best in the game -- and one of the most uniquely gifted artists the game has seen. 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now near the bottom of the NL east at 19-30. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All time, the Phillies are 40-56-0 on this day.

Remembering Roy’s perfection and letting young players develop in the minors… 

Pitching Could Be Wild Card This Season

PHILS PHACTS:

Plesac Impressed With Young Pitchers – The last time Dan Plesac wore a baseball uniform he threw the final pitch for the Phillies at Veterans Stadium on Sept. 28, 2003. He pulled on a uniform again this week at Bright House Field, where he worked with the Phillies as a guest instructor. Plesac, 53, still looks like he could strike out a hitter or two -- he posted a 2.70 ERA and averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings in 58 appearances in his final season in 2003 -- but he came to camp to observe, coach and just get back on the field again. "If they want me back, I'll crawl back," Plesac said of the experience, which ended Friday. "This has been a lot of fun." Every team in the big leagues has a host of guest instructors in Spring Training. Some are more involved than others. Some show up, put on the uniform and hang in the outfield. Many more, like Plesac, come to work. Plesac, an MLB Network analyst, sat in his hotel room Wednesday night searching on his iPad for video of Phillies left-hander Jesse Biddle, the club's No. 7 prospect who had a bullpen session scheduled Thursday. He found Biddle's appearance in the 2013 All-Star Futures Game at Citi Field in New York. He wanted to get a feel for Biddle's mechanics and repertoire. "Boy, was he impressive," Plesac said. "Really, really impressive. I've only seen him throw twice on the side. He could pitch for 15 more years and I don't think he's going to throw a better bullpen than the one he threw Thursday. I did this for a living, so I'm living and dying with every pitch he threw. I was like, 'Can he keep this up?' He had everything. Fastball command, great curveball, good slider, his changeup was good. He just really had a good side. Now what does that mean? I don't know, but I know he is a young pitcher the Phillies have a lot of hopes for and I can see why now." Plesac left camp impressed with two of the Phillies' younger pitchers: Biddle and right-hander Nefi Ogando, who the Phillies acquired from the Red Sox in 2013 for John McDonald. Plesac also got to see up close why Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are so good. "I miss the field," said Plesac, whose 1,064 games rank seventh among pitchers in MLB history. "You get so far removed from it in the studio. It's so nice to stand and watch Cole and Cliff throw a bullpen. To actually see what makes these guys go -- I think the thing that I've been most impressed with is I had no idea the quality and quantity of arms in this camp. That's what shocked me. "I thought about it this morning. It's made me realize how hard it is to do this. You forget when you get out [of the game], because when you get out, the fish get bigger, right? The bear gets bigger. It made me realize, just watching Biddle and Ogando and Lee and Hamels on the side, it took me back. You get excited. It was fun to get back into that -- going to the ballpark with a purpose."

Lee Readies For Return – Any team in baseball that thinks it might need starting-pitching help this season might want to take a peek Thursday at the Phillies' Grapefruit League game against the Astros in Kissimmee. Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee will pitch, which means he is not behind schedule in relation to other pitchers in camp. Lee finished last season on the disabled list with an injured left elbow, but there have been no issues this spring. "Cliff is right on," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said Friday afternoon. "He's throwing well. He feels good." Lee, who is scheduled to throw two innings, is one of a host of Phillies veterans that could be traded this season. Phillies right-hander Jerome Williams will start Tuesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Yankees at Bright House Field. Right-handers David Buchanan and Jeanmar Gomez and left-handers Joely Rodriguez and Mario Hollands also are scheduled to pitch. Right-hander Aaron Harang will start Wednesday's game against the Yankees in Tampa. Right-handers Ethan Martin, Justin De Fratus, Paul Clemens, Kevin Slowey and Hector Neris also will pitch. The Phillies play an exhibition game Sunday against the University of Tampa at Bright House Field. Right-handers Clemens, Phillippe Aumont, Neris, Nefi Ogando and left-handers Elvis Araujo and Andy Oliver are scheduled to pitch. The only pitchers in camp that have not thrown to hitters are right-handers Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Pettibone. Both are behind schedule because of a right elbow and a right shoulder injury, respectively.

Interesting Images At Photo Day – Before the Grapefruit League season opens Tuesday and Phillies players face real competition with real results that matter, reporters have asked Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg if anybody has stood out in camp. Phillies left-hander Mario Hollands, 26, has stood out, but for more than his pitching. Hollands is sporting stirrups, which have gone the way of the no-flapped batting helmet and zip-up jerseys. No Phillies player has worn stirrups on an everyday basis since Jim Thome in 2012. No Phillies player had worn them regularly before Thome since Jamie Moyer from 2006-10. "If I have half the career they had, I'd be very happy," Hollands said Friday morning at Bright House Field. Stirrups have died among players -- the team keeps four-inch and nine-inch stirrups on hand, mostly for coaches -- for several reasons. Most players wear long pants, so the cuff rests below the ankle, making stirrups unnecessary. Socks also can be more comfortable. But another reason is traditional baseball cleats (cut below the ankle with the oversized tongue that flips over the laces) have been replaced by high-top cleats. Stirrups with high-top cleats are a bad look. Hollands said he has a few pairs of Cliff Lee's old cleats, which he will use during the season. They work well. Hollands wore the four-inch stirrups on Sundays last season. He is giving the nine-inch ones a shot this spring because they fit better. The four-inch ones had bad elastic, so he had to tape them up before every game, which is not exactly convenient. "Right now I'm going to wear them," Hollands said. "But the first time I struggle, they're gone."

Pierre Retires – Juan Pierre, the catalyst of the Marlins' 2003 World Series title team and one of the most prolific base-stealers of his generation, has announced his retirement. The 37-year-old speedster is walking away from the game after an impressive 14-year career. Pierre, who lives in south Florida, is now a self-proclaimed "stay-at-home dad." He also isn't ready to accept a coaching position at this point. The outfielder broke in with the Rockies in 2000 and was dealt to the Marlins in 2003. Immediately, his speed made an impact, as he set the franchise stolen-base record (65). The Marlins created chaos on the bases in '03 with the combination of Pierre and Luis Castillo at the top of the order, leading the way to an NL-best 150 stolen bases, 50 more than the runner-up. A career .295 hitter, Pierre posted 614 stolen bases, the 14th most in MLB's modern era, which is recognized as starting in 1900. The veteran outfielder also compiled 2,217 hits. News of his retirement is not surprising, since he last played in 2013, wrapping up his second stint with the Marlins. Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill twice has asked Pierre if he is willing to coach in the organization. The first was following the 2013 season and the second came during this offseason. Pierre's response on both occasions was he is not yet ready. In a conversation with MLB.com in January, Pierre said he is happy being a "stay at home dad." Pierre appeared in 1,994 games with six different teams -- Rockies, Marlins, Cubs, Dodgers, White Sox and Phillies. Pierre's first stint with the Marlins was from 2003-05, and he returned in '13.

ON THE RECORD:

The Phillies will look to rebound this season from a 73-89 record last year. While uncertainty abounds, there is little question that the franchise is in rebuild mode based on the moves and statements that have been made during the offseason. The only question that remains is whether or not the young and veteran talent on the team can work together to disprove Gillick’s predictions either this year or next.