Jose Fernandez Spirit Award

We have seen so many athletes gone before their time. Whether it be Nick Adenhart, Roberto Clemente, Dražen Petrović, Sean Taylor, Jerome Brown or the most recent Jose Fernandez. All of these athletes had the talent and potential to become some of the greatest players ever to play. However, their lives were cut short. None will ever play their respective sport again. It is heartbreaking for fans, sport lovers, and the world when this happens. It brings a sense of unrest for anybody who looks at the playing field. Jose Fernandez this past weekend joined the ghosts of many great athletes’ gone before their time. I believe that Major League Baseball should implement the Jose Fernandez Spirit Award.

Jose Fernandez played with such passion and spirit that was unmatched. When he was on the mound, it was clearly the hot ticket to have. Nobody brought as much love to the game as Fernandez. A kid that came from nothing that built himself up. Fernandez tried defecting from Cuba three times, one of which landed him in jail. When he finally did successfully defect, he had to save his mother from drowning. Fernandez built himself up from the bottom; he truly lived the American Dream. He came from nothing, showing such love and passion on the field. He played every game like it was his last. Through injury and disappointment Fernandez was able to bring success, happiness, and joy to his teammates.

We see now that many reporters, players, and fans are pushing for a Jose Fernandez Spirit Award. Like the Roberto Clemente Award, which was created after Clemente's tragic death, the Fernandez Award would be given to those who show passion on and off the field. This award would be for those who truly love the game, and give everything they have to play it. I believe this is the best way to remember someone of his status. Someone that had so much potential who could've been a future CY Young winner and even the first Marlin in the Hall of Fame. Time will heal this terrible wound for the sporting world, but we should never forget Jose Fernandez.

RIP Jose Fernandez

-Brett

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Phuture Phillies Lineup!

I was recently asked what I believe the Phillies lineup and rotation would look like in 4 years! Well Phillies fans here is my best take on it! Though I think a few guys could be traded like Joseph or Herrera. Below is my starting lineup and pitching rotation predictions.

Batting Order:
1. SS Crawford
2. 2nd Herrera
3. 1st Hoskins
4. RF Cozens
5. 3rd Franco
6. LF Joseph
7. CF Williams
8. Alfaro

Pitching Rotation:
1. Nola
2. Appel
3. Eickhoff
4. Morgan
5. Eflin

I could see a few guys being traded for well established players or free agents moves. However, if the Phillies decide to stick with what they have this is the Phuture Phils.

-Brett

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Top 5 Greatest Records

In sports there are some records that are meant to be broken, and others that will never end. Over the past 50 years we have seen some of the most incredible achievements shattered. However, there are some that will never end. This season we got a taste of that in the form of JBJ and his hits. In honor of the failed streak by Jackie Bradley Jr. we decided to look at the top five sports records that will never be broken.

5. CY Young 749 Complete Games

This record will never fall in today’s game. Baseball has changed dramatically since the days of CY Young, and it is apparent that this record will never be broken for that reason alone. We can see that it will be almost impossible to find a player that can throw that many complete games. Going beyond that, today’s players are more prone to injuries causing this to be an impossible feat.

4. Barry Bonds 688 Intentional Walks

Lets be honest, steroids or not Bonds was a god among men playing the sport of baseball.  He was the most feared player not only during his time but also, of all-time. When Bonds came to the plate there was only one option in the minds of pitchers and that was to put him on base. Though we may see a player on the same level as Barry Bonds one day. I don’t think we will ever see the astronomical number of intentional walks ever again.

3. Wilt Chamberlain 100pt game

Now if you ask me on some days I would say this record is possible. Especially looking at the players in today’s NBA. The league is extremely soft, and the defense extremely lacking. Though I think that another coming of a Kobe could possibly match this feat. I have to say it is impossible for 4 reasons: Kobe, LeBron, Iverson, Jordan. If none of those guys could match it in the past 25 years of basketball then I have to say I don’t think it can be done.

2. Michael Phelps Medal Record

I do not think we will ever see quite an athlete like Michael Phelps. His determination and his abilities were unmatched. He never let age get the best of him, and he seemed to be timeless in the pool. Though his overall medal total of 22 may be broken some day, his 18 gold medals may stand forever.

1. Joe DiMaggio 56 Game Hitting Streak

This record will never be broken; some of the greatest hitters of all-time have challenged it and have failed. In the top 10 longest hit streaks only two players are from the modern era, Pete Rose and Jimmy Rollins. Both of these players missed the record by way over 10 hits. Most of the players that have challenged it have fell short once reaching 30 games. This feat looks as though it will stand the test of time.

-Brett

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A Phuture for the Phillies?

“Can the Phillies actually compete?” This is a question I keep getting asked, and to be honest I don’t have an answer. This Phillies team is extremely interesting, that is because they aren’t good on paper. In reality if you watch a game, it is clear to see that they don’t have the talent to compete in the long run. There are several players that cannot continue to play if the Phillies want to be a playoff team. However, the one thing the Phillies do have is that their division is awful. There is no team in the NL East that is great. Fans and experts constantly say that the Nationals are the team to beat, however lets face it every year they are and every year they lack something. This year it looks like the NL East once again is up for grabs.

The team I picked at the beginning of this season to win it all was the Florida Marlins. Like the Phillies the Marlins are young and have young talent. However, after watching several games it looks like the Marlins are just too young to compete all season. That being said I do not think the Mets will be the powerhouse like they were last season. After watching their play I do not see them lasting the entire season to win the division. This is where the Phillies opportunity lies. The NL East is a mess with the Braves being terrible, Nationals not playing up to expectations, the Marlins being too young, and the Mets struggling pitching.  

This is where opportunity lies for the Phillies. Right now they are getting unbelievable starting pitching and relief from their staff. The bats are coming alive as well, with guys like Herrera and Franco leading the way. Those two hitters and their staff are carrying the Phillies right now. This is leading many experts to say the Phillies should be buyers at the deadlines. Though I agree if they are in a good place at the deadline they should go out and get some more pieces, I do not think they should mortgage the future for it. The Phillies have to be smart making their future decisions with this team.

The Phillies are giving us a taste of the future right now. Though I think they are a few pieces away from being a playoff contender again, I do think they are on their way. They need a better hitting infielder as well as a better right fielder. The team also needs one more quality pitcher in their staff. But, besides those issues the Phillies have truly shocked the world as of right now. If the Phillies can keep their hot streak going, we may see the playoffs soon enough.

-Brett 

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Playoff Baseball?

The regular season is coming to a close and the playoff picture is almost set. However, the question on many individuals’ minds is who will take it all this season. Which team will be the one at the pinnacle of the mountain when it is all said and done? Some teams have shown what they can do, and others like the Nationals have fallen from the top spot. The question is now, who can hold on long enough to get into the playoffs and get hot. There are several possible teams but two teams stand out to me as the possible World Series contenders when it is all said and done.

Blue Jays

I don’t  think there has been a better team or a more fun team to watch since the MLB Trade Deadline. With additions such as Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, this team now officially looks like the team to beat in the AL East. The New York Yankees have slowly lost their 1^st place standing and the Blue Jays currently lead the division. There is no surprise regarding the success of the Blue Jays offense. But what is shocking has been how well their pitching has kept it together. If the Blue Jays can keep their pitching strong and their bats alive, there is no doubt in my mind that we will see them in the World Series.

Pirates

I believe that this will be the season that will shock the world. I think the Pirates are finally putting everything together to not only reach the Post Season, but the finally play in that World Series game that they have hoped for. The Pirates have had the bats all season, and the great pitching of Cole. It has not helped the Pirates playing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, but this team has truly kept it together. They have beat every team that has stood in their way so far, and have the goal of winning it all. I truly think that if the Pirates can keep all the cogs in motion they will be World Series contenders.

Though there are several unbelievable teams such as the Cardinals and Royals, who have dominated their divisions. I do not think they will be able to keep it going in the long run. What my hope is that we get to see competitive playoff baseball. Nothing is more fun to watch then a no name player take center stage in their biggest moment of their career! So enjoy the playoffs!

-Brett

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The Phillies Becoming Relevant?

With summer slowly coming to an end, it has come apparent that the Phillies are finally moving on from their past tribulations. The Phillies have been playing much better baseball.  The recent trade of Hamels and Utley no longer a starter for the team, shows that they are finally moving past 2008. The trades that the Phillies have made this past deadline have brought some promising prospects into the organization. Now that the Phillies have new talent in their farm-system paired with their existing talent, it looks as though the Phillies may have a future after all.

Young pitching like Aaron Nola, Kenny Giles and Adam Morgan has shown that these guys are worthy of sticking around with the Phillies for a long time in the future. Nola has shown that he can live up to the hype and get major league hitters out. Giles has proven time after time this season that he can close and that he will be around for a long time as this team’s closer. Adam Morgan has shown that he can pitch his way out of trouble. Though he has had some bad outings, I can tell that he has potential and can be a big league starter.

On the hitting side Franco has been the only young guy that has truly proven himself. Franco has made adjustments throughout the season whenever he is in trouble or struggling. He has shown that he can play in the big leagues, and that he is the guy to build the team around. Though Herrera is young and has shown us flashes of brilliance, I am not sold on him yet. I will need to see Herrera have a better approach at the plate to make me believe that he can stick around for a long time.

The Phillies are beginning to move in the right direction. The team is playing much better recently and that is because of the youth making their presence felt. These young guys have proven that they can compete in the MLB, and Pete Mackanin has proven he can get the talent out of them. This has now become a waiting game. It will likely still take a few years until this team can compete. It will not take long for the Phillies to become relevant again in this town if they continue their recent success.

-Brett

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