Ibanez is Phils New LF

The Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with former Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez. The deal is believed to be worth $30 million over three years.

Ibanez will become the Phillies’ new everyday leftfielder, and his signing means the Phillies no longer will pursue their longtime leftfielder, Pat “The Bat” Burrell.  Adios Patrick, you will be missed.

Ibanez hit .293 this season, with 23 homers, 110 RBIs, a .358 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. He is one of just five outfielders who have driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past three seasons.

Not too sure how I feel about this deal.  Ibanez is a great hitter, but he turns 37 next June and we signed him until he’s 40.  Not to mention another left handed bat.  Hmm..

Charlie Extrended through 2011

A World Series ring was enough for the Phillies front office to want manager Charlie Manuel around a few more years.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro rewarded Manuel on Tuesday and picked up the option for 2010 on his contract and added a guaranteed year for 2011.   Manuel has won two straight NL East titles with the Phillies and led them this year to their first championship since 1980.

Utley Out 4-6 Months After Hip Surgery

Chase Utley will need right hip surgery that potentially could keep him out until the first week of June.  There’s a chance he could be back near the end of March at the earliest, missing almost all of spring training.

There may be a bright side to all of this as the Phils could try Jason Donald at second instead of settling for Eric Bruntlett, who I don’t mind anyway.

Tadahito Iguchi anyone?

Some Phillies Parade Pics

We all know Chase Utley was hammered during the parade after his awesome speech but here are a few pics of others getting in on the action.

Werth with his Banquet beer.

Geoff Jenkins hitting up the local brew.

Chase’s face after a Shot.

Amaro is Phils New GM

Ruben Amaro Jr. officially became general manager of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.  Amaro, who signed a three-year contract, just completed his 10th season as assistant Phillies GM and replaces the retiring Pat Gillick.

Amaro worked under former GM Ed Wade for seven seasons and the last three with Gillick. He was considered the front-runner for the job after Gillick said this would be his last season.

Amaro got the nod over Mike Arbuckle, another assistant GM who spent the last 15 years with the Phillies. Arbuckle, who led the team’s scouting efforts, will not be returning next year, team president Dave Montgomery said.

Parade Tomorrow

I am taking a sick day, courtesy of the boss letting me of course and attending my first ever Philadelphia Championship Parade.  CANNOT WAIT.  My Ticket I was able to attain off of Phillies.com today:

PHUCKIN’ PHINALLY

10,000+ losses, 28 years, and a Joe Carter later, we did it, we won the World Series.

Pics and video to come of the street level view of the celebration.  Stay tuned.

Weather Forecast for Game 5 Start

After a rain soaked Tuesday, the 215 region is on edge as we wait official word from MLB as to the start time of the final 3.5 innings of World Series Game 5.    As of right now, the teams are tentatively set to resume at 8:37 PM Wednesday.  The forecast according to weather.com for the hours around gametime is COLD, real cold with a 20% chance of precipitation, which would most likely be snow flurries.

This will be a battle of the bullpens and hopefully our NL leading ‘pen can get the job done and let the good times roll on the city streets tonight.

MLB: No Game 5 Tuesday

Game 5 Postponed, Again

World Series Game 5 Recap…So Far

First Joe Carter, then Ronde Barber, now mother nature.  Now its not only players and teams that are keeping Philly teams from winning championships but now nature wont even allow it.  Game 5 of the World Series was postponed last night do to pouring rains, the first time in history that a World Series game is suspended.

In the top of the 6th inning, the Rays got a RBI from Carlos Pena after BJ Upton slip ‘n slided into second base on a stolen base, tying the game at 2.  Within minutes the tarp was on the field and MLB brass decided that the game will try and be resumed tonight at 8pm.

After 25 years of playoff heartache after playoff heartache, the Phils are now this close to winning the World Series, up 2-0 in the first inning, this close to breaking the 100 season title drought and Mother Nature rains on the parade ruins the evening and we have to wait, hopefully, only one more day.

Whenever the game picks up, it will be top of the 6th inning Ryan Howard (I hope this is right, think I remember hearing/knowing that) leading off most likely against Ray rookie phenom David Price who could be called to pitch multiple innings in the 2-2 game as the Phillies are now 3 ½ innings away from the title.