Posts Tagged ‘Outfield’
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Square Pegs in Round HolesMay 22nd, 2008
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Over 400 years ago, William Shakespeare warned his audience in As You Like It of the excesses of “too much of a good thing.” Amazingly, nearly half a millennium later and a continent away, the same holds true in professional baseball. While GMs, managers, and players almost always try and spin excess as a “good problem,” conventional wisdom would hold that a solid, stated, and reliable starting lineup is a key ingredient in stimulating the intangible chemistry possessed by every championship team. Currently, the Phillies are plagued with four outfielders and too many cooks can ruin the broth.
Pat Burrell, Shane Victorian, Geoff Jenkins, and Jayson Werth all bring different skill sets, attitudes, and liabilities to the team. But who deserves to play everyday? Who would make the best role player? Who is willing to accept a lesser role for the greater good of the team? By mid-May, these answers sometimes become obvious, but in 2008, their performances have made these issues all the more confusing.
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Kemp wins NL Player of WeekMay 7th, 2008
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Matt Kemp was named National League player of the week for the week ending May 4th. Kemp went off last week with 11 hits, 11 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Kemp is also riding an eleven game hitting streak, bringing his batting average up to .330. Kemp has been playing primarily in right or center field. Joe Torre has been moving the big right handed hitter up and down the line-up and Kemp has responded with 24 RBIs on the season.