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Michelle recently contributed to an all-women’s roundtable hosted by TheFantasyFix.com discussing the biggest suprises and biggests busts of 2010.  Click the banner to read what she and others had to say!

Player Profile: Mike Sweeney (It’s Sweeney Mania Up In Here!)

Mike Sweeney is the bee’s knees.

I really couldn’t start off a player profile on him without getting that out of my system first. That’s the tamest way to describe him. This guy… is a breath of fresh air that the Phillies desperately need right now. Remember back in 2008, when every member of the team looked happy to be there? That’s what we see in Mike Sweeney right now. Ever since the Phillies acquired him on August 5th to replace Ryan Howard at first base while Howard was on the 15-day disabled list, this guy has been all about helping the team advance.

“I’m not going to be Ryan Howard, but I’m going to give you my heart every single night.”

Sweeney said that after the first game he played with the Phillies. HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE THIS GUY? We’ve dealt with Scott Rolen and Wes Helms, guys who didn’t want to be in Philadelphia and guys who may have contributed, but who didn’t play their hearts out like some other players. Sweeney is a class act. He wants to be here, he will do whatever he can to help the Phillies win, and he is just the sunshine of everyone’s life these days, it seems. The guy’s always smiling. He hit his first home run as a Phillie yesterday, and instead of slapping high-fives or bragging about it, he gave out hugs. I don’t know about you guys – well, if I follow you on Twitter, I do – but I was flipping my shit. This guy is the real deal. This guy is exactly what the Phillies need.

Numbers-wise, he is 10-for-42 so far in his time with the Phillies. He’s not a power-hitter, but you can bet that he will work his ass off to do something during an at-bat – wear out the pitcher, advance a runner, work out a walk, maybe even score a run. He doesn’t look lethargic standing in the batter’s box. Some people may say that emotions don’t play a part, but how could they not? When athletes are slumping, their attitudes change. It’s easy to see. Sweeney doesn’t have numbers like Howard or Utley, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by talking to him. He’s excited about everything he does. He’s not a braggart. He just wants to do his best and help his team advance. By keeping the clubhouse positive and contributing in some way every single time he takes the field, there’s no doubt that he’s making a difference.

Oh, and by the way, during his post-game interview with Sarge yesterday, Sweeney said, “Every day I’m in that locker room… I look at my teammates’ eyes and I just want to fight with them. I never want to let those guys down.” If you don’t like this guy, you have no heart. End of story.

Mike Sweeney celebrates his first home run as a Phillie with Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez (Photo credit: AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

And, Sweeney? If you just so happen to be reading this (a girl can hope!), two things: 1) Let’s get married, and 2) Remember how after your first game with the Phillies, you called Brad Lidge “Lidgey”? Yeah, I call him that all the time. So, you and I? We’re soul mates. You know, if you believe in that kind of thing.

Everybody Loves Mike Sweeney

“It’s a great gift to be a Philadelphia Phillie.” -Mike Sweeney

Move over, Chase Utley. There’s a new man crush in town, and his name is Mike Sweeney.

Already loved by Fightins’ fans and popular Phillies bloggers everywhere for his neverending enthusiasm, fist-pumps, and strong-yet-tender man hugs, Sweeney endeared himself to the Phillies faithful even more today by hitting his first home run in a Phillies uniform. He hit a first-pitch fastball that landed just inside the left field foul pole in the top of the seventh to give the Phils a three-run lead and Cole Hamels some much deserved run support. Then he proceeded to hug everyone in the dugout, including the bat boys and a pistachio vendor who got lost on her way to the restroom.

Tweets From Last Night: 08.27.10 Phillies 3 Padres 2

Instead of doing a traditional game recap, we here at CDTLB thought it would be fun to recapture the highs and lows of last night’s ball game by reposting the most insightful, humorous, and raucous Tweets of our favorite followers. Think of it as a drunken, profane game review written by you. And who knows, maybe what you Tweet tonight will show up on our blog tomorrow.  

Courtesy of @davefromphilly

1^st Inning 

 @Rob_STC: Wow another first place team and no crowd. Sounds like you can hear tons of Phillies fans in San Diego. 

@Phrontiersman: I really like Mat Latos. But I hope we knock him all over the field tonight. 

@_C8Lin:  Instead of getting called out on check swings, Ryan decides to not swing at all. 

Phillies Sexy Opponent of the Series: JA Happ, HOU

There are times in a fan’s life when a player is loved so deeply, it transcends all possible trades and even sometimes rivalries. It happened way back when with Tug McGraw. I should suspect it will happen with Philadelphia’s beloved Simon Gagne, the Flyer who was once our longest-tenured athlete and now a part of the Tampa Bay Lightning. These players aren’t necessarily here the longest, nor may they be the most productive, but we love them still and that’s something I know I can’t just shake.

Of course there were other possibilities for this series’ Sexy Opponent, and Lord knows there was no shortage of ex-Phillies. But one was so near and dear to my heart – and sexy as all get out, to boot! – that it was just no competition. Sorry, Brett Myers, that little Anthrax-band-member-looking billy goat on your chin just didn’t cut it.

Cocks in the Hen House 08.25.10 – Welcome Back, Team!

By: Pat Gallen (@PatGallen_PN)

Holy shit, the Phillies are almost the Phillies again. And, by the way, I’m going to use this space to say things I wouldn’t normally say on the radio or on Phillies Nation. Like the word “shit” – sorry.
 
It’s been since May 21 since we’ve seen the real Phillies lineup written in calligraphy by Pete Mackanin. Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz has nary been witnessed this year, but it finally happened again. Before May 21, it was in place for the first week of the season, then, disbanded due to a myriad of injuries.  For that one day in Boston it was together, and just like that, gone again – until yesterday.
 
A completely healthy (sorta) Phillies lineup was in action for the world to see. The same lineup that helped bring them a title in 2008 and a National League Pennant in 2009 (except for our man Placido Polanco, of course) stepped out onto the field. It’s a small victory within in the war that has been this season.
 
This topic may have been beaten like a dead horse lately, but it’s incredible where the Phillies sit with the jumblefuck of injuries they’ve endured. Really, Wilson Valdez has played over 80 games this season? Paul Hoover, Dane Sardinha, Brian Bocock, and Cody Ransom where once part of this team? And here they stand, in a playoff position, ready to strike for a division crown.
 
Charlie Manuel has stated time and again they aren’t looking at the Wild Card standings, but I call poppycock. They have to feel even more empowered knowing they are in the lead for the WC. The Braves can feel them breathing down their necks as August slowly creeps to an end.
 
So I ask you, fans of Chicks Dig the Long Ball, can they track down the Braves, sniff out their scent, hunt them through the woods, and put the bullet between their eyes by seasons end? That was graphic, but they’re shooting for them. And, finally, about as healthy as possible. It’s gonna be a hell of a September, no doubt. I say they do it. What say you?
 
And after last night’s 16-inning affair, can they leave that tough loss behind them and focus on the task at hand…kicking ass and taking names through the final 46 games.

—

Pat Gallen is a senior writer at PhilliesNation.com and also an anchor & Phillies reporter for 97.3 ESPN FM in South Jersey.  He can be found on Twitter here.

Eat the Phillies: The Ebony & Ivory Man Melt Sundae

The existence of this masterful creation (named by @SonOfADeitch, and thank you very much, sir) is due to a confluence of events.  I had spent ages looking for an ice cream recipe worthy of Chooch, and hadn’t found anything that came close to his incredible, unmatched awesomeness.  I had a pile of decent recipes, but no winners.  I was growing desperate.  Then last week, an angel from the heavens blessed us all.

Cocks in the Hen House 08.18.2010

By Tug Haines (@mistertug)

I had a dream the other night that seemed significant. A little white boxer/pit mix gently grabbed my fingers with his teeth and helped me find a bar. I woke up thirsty. Am I an alcoholic? No. I don’t attend meetings. What does this have to do with baseball? Very little. But I bring it up as proof, once and for all, that no, I do not only dream of Pat Burrell’s sweet, sweet ass.

That’s what this site’s about, right? Players’ asses? No? Oh well.

As I write this, the Phillies are 2.5 games behind the Braves and are capable of getting a firm grip on the NL Wild Card lead with a series win over the San Francisco Baseball Giants. And I’m here to tell you one thing:

I’m not worried.

You can come out and call me “homer” all you want. You’d be right, too, because I am a homer, goddammit. I contribute to a Phillies blog, and I don’t pretend to be a journalist. It’s my right. Wipe your ass with my opinions for all I care, but here they are:

Fuck the NL Wild Card, first of all. We don’t want it. Take that wild card and throw it into a watermelon or some other such Gong Show nonsense. We got over 40 games left in the season and 2.5 games means dick with that kind of time for the Braves to stumble, fall and break a hip, sort of like that old-ass Larry Jones did. If you’re sitting there biting your lip and clutching the remote, crying about the National League freaking Wild Card Race, you need to take a deep breath and think about September 2007. The Wild Card is given to whatever team is willing to barf up the prospects to another team that can’t afford to keep their pending free agent superstar (I’m looking at you, 2008 Brewers). So get those Wild Card dreams out of your head; we’re taking the division.

Halladay is everything we’d hoped he’d be, Hamels is pitching his head off in spite of the lack of run support and Oswalt was a good trade. I know a lot of people were bitching about making a move for Roy part 2, but this is some playoff-minded shit on RAJ’s behalf.

The “Postseason Third Starter Worries” of April, May and June are dead in the water. This means we can take our chances with Blanton and Kendrick in the bullpen and give shitbags like Danys Baez their walking papers come October.

Injuries? Yeah, I know. If Uncle Miltie Thompson eats a shitwich over hitting woes, then Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan should be breaking out the horsey sauce in preparation for the five dollar footlong of fecal matter he should be made to scarf at gunpoint. Have these guys ever heard of stretching? I mean really. They’re professional athletes on an elite team. Enough with the fashion shows and Xfinity ads and Stop Pre-teen Sweating foundations or whatever these guys are doing to avoid paying taxes; buy a fucking Jane Fonda tape and just watch the warm-up.

I know, I know, it’s not all about the stretches, some of the injuries the Phils have suffered would not have been prevented by stretching. Besides, I’m getting away from my point, which is the Phillies have been playing nearly .600 ball without Utley and Howard. And now Chase is back and Howard isn’t far behind. I trust they’ll find a rhythm in time to raise the white “2010” pennant, so they can raise the blue, and then the red…

—

According to Tug’s Facebook bio, he is “Effervescent, vivacious, lively, animated, high-spirited, bubbly, ebullient, buoyant, sparkling, scintillating, lighthearted, jaunty, happy, jolly, cheery, cheerful, perky, sunny, enthusiastic, irrepressible, vital, zestful, energetic, dynamic, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, peppy, bouncy, upbeat, chirpy, full of beans” and the ladies of CDTLB could not agree more.  He also writes for The Fightins and can be found on Twitter here.

Series Preview: San Francisco Giants (67-52) at Philadelphia Phillies (66-51)

After a quick series win on the road against our foes of New York, the Phillies tied for first place in the National League Wild Card race with the San Francisco Giants. The same Giants who, as fate would have it, are coming to town for a three game set after a offday Monday. San Francisco won the previous meeting in SF 2-1 back in late April.

Charlie Manuel has said he’s not focused on the Wild Card race. And why he should he be? With Ryan Howard expected to return from the DL in the coming days and the activation of Chase Utley today – the Phillies now have their competition and the fate of the 2010 season right where they want them. After injuries to almost every major position player and then some, an unstable bullpen, a never-ending offensive slump -the Phillies stand on the doorstep of September with everything finally coming together for what seems like another incredible second half run.

I typically give stats for my previews; break down the pitching matchups, how the batters fare against certain guys – and for this one, I can direct you to Phillies.com. (Realistically, I know you’re much more excited for the returns of Pat the Bat and Chase to care how they stack up against Oswalt or Zito respectively.) This series reminds me a lot of the one in mid September 2008 against Milwaukee.  Behind the Brew Crew by four games for the Wild Card lead when they came to town for a four game set, we swept them and moved on from the Wild Card to take the NL East weeks later.  I bring this series up because when it comes down to it, this team does what it needs to do fate presents such an opportunity.  With  the exception of Matt Cain v. Joe Blanton, I think the other matchups of Barry Zito v. Roy Oswalt and Jonathan Sanchez v. Cole Hamels do favor the Phillies.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself and predict a sweep, but I think after this series  the Phillies will be  in the lead – but forget the wild card, send San Francisco packing with it.  Let’s shoot to end the series atop the National League East and send one final message to Atlanta that the Phillies are coming.

The DL Rundown: An Analysis of the Good, the Sad, and the Beneficial DL-Dwellers

Is it just me, or has there been a lot of disabled list drama this year?  Perhaps as a Phillies fan I’m just more attuned to it, as nearly the entire starting lineup has been injured at one time or another (or all at once) this year.  While the B Team has been acquitting itself fairly well, I don’t know who could look at Wilson Valdez at second base and not fervently wish for the speedy recovery of Chase Utley.  (And considering how quickly his thumb has healed, all of our fervent wishes might have made a difference.)

Even though there’s still six weeks left in the regular season (and more injuries sure to come), I wanted to pay tribute to some of this season’s most memorable injuries.