Articles by Rich Wilkins (406)
The Phillies got spanked around the yard yesterday by the hapless Mets franchise, losing 2 of 3 in the series. Their AAA team broke an 11 game losing streak. Their AA and higher A ball affiliates all carry embarrassingly bad records into the end of July. The Phillies, as a franchise, are an absolute disaster. […]
Like most fans, I was pretty shocked that the Philadelphia Phillies didn't trade anyone yesterday. Obviously we didn't trade Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Chase Utley, or Jimmy Rollins. We also didn't trade suddenly valuable on the market Antonio Bastardo, the very productive in 2014 Marlon Byrd, the durable A.J. Burnett, or the salary dump candidate […]
He needs to go.Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. Now that i've aired out my feelings about the failed deadline for the Phillies, now it's time to look forward. I remain steadfast that a rebuild is needed, but the Phillies are not going to rebuild. It isn't the cards, regardless of what we all want to […]
Well since the Phillies suck, why not watch the minors? Oh wait, the IronPigs, Fightin' Phils, and Blue Claws are in last, and the Threshers are second to last, with the worst record in the league (they play halves). At least Williamsport is in second. This week saw some decent performers of note in AAA […]
I see my fair share of IronPigs baseball living 15 minutes from the stadium and having a partial-season ticket plan. The games are fun, and the baseball is relatively good. This season, the IronPigs primarily have been used to get a look at younger talents, to mixed results, and that's particularly true right now. David […]
Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. The minor leagues are in their home-stretch. With only a few weeks left, a lot of players are trying to prove their worth right now. Here's a brief update on each team. Lehigh Valley (AAA)- The IronPigs are 57-65, and in last place in the International League's North Division. Two […]
Picture by Richard Wilkins Jr. I was happy to be there for Charlie Manuel's induction to the Phillies Wall-of-Fame on Saturday night. I generally hold Charlie in high regard for his tenure as manager. Obviously 2008 was awesome. But can we break that team up already?? Call me ungrateful if you like, but it's over. […]
Ryan Sandberg on not playing Darin Ruf in the second game with the Angels in Anaheim last night: "I can see what [Ruf] can do on the defensive side of things. I think he's fine in left field. I think he's very good at first base, but with the situations he's been in the past […]
Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. With last night's loss, the Phillies are 57-72, a full 17.5 games out of first. With 33 games left, quite clearly they aren't going anywhere at all. Between now and September 28th though, they will play major league games that count in the standings, even if they don't really matter […]
The minor league season is over. The results are ugly: The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) finished 66-78, 15.5 games out of first, in last. Reading's Fightin' Phils (AA) finished 66-76, 22 games out of first, in last. The Clearwater Threshers (High-A) finished 32-38 in the second half, 10 games out of first, in third. On […]