Congratulations, Chaser!

Congratulations to Chase Utley who won his third straight Silver Slugger award at second base.

Chase lead second baseman in many categories. Three of the most prominent ones are homeruns, RBIs, and runs scored.

CHASE UT-LEY! CHASE UT-LEY!

I'm Back

Just an FYI for all you webgemmers out there. I will be continuing the blog. Deal with it.



Sean

Dear Ruben,

Please do NOT trade Shane Victorino or Jayson Werth for Matt Holliday. Give them prospects, give them all the prospects, but don't destroy our core. That.is.all.

Love,

TheWebGem.com

Could the Hollidays Be Coming Faster Than Thought?

Buster Olney says the Rockies are very motivated to move Matt Holliday. Olney wonders if the Rox might end up taking a bit less than expected for him. Troy Renck says various execs see the A's and Phillies as the most likely matches for Holliday. The Rays are another possibility.

The Philadelphia Phillies For President

As more of the Presidential Election votes come rolling in we're learning so much about Tuesday's historic day. The outcome has shown that Senator John McCain wasn't Barack Obama's only competition. The Phillies received 509 votes! (Dobbs 09?)

Check out the link:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/allcandidates/

A Below So So Year.

The Phillies alerted So Taguchi that he will not be returning to the team in 2009. So was originally signed to be a pinch hitter and a late inning defensive replacement for Pat Burrell in left field, but lost that spot to utility man, Eric Bruntlett. Taguchi's year was disappointing, he hit .220 in 91 at-bats over 88 games in 2008. Maybe the only player on the Phillies this year that I never said was "due for a dong."

MLB Look-a-Like: #6. Jimmy Rollins & The Grinch

Here's another one of Natalie's gems. Now we know what Jimmy is up to in the offseason.

Two Gold Gloves!

Congratulations to both Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino for their excellent defense in the 2008 season. They are both being honored with Rawlings Gold Gloves. Shane Victorino for CF and Jimmy Rollins for SS.

MLB Look-a-Like: #5: Chase Utley & Patrick Dempsey

We at thewebgem.com appreciate our visitors and always welcome your opinions. We want to thank Reilly Fies for this look-a-like entry. Hey now Phils!

MLB Look-a-Like: #4. Chris Young & Our Very Own, Quintin Cliett

MLB Look-a-Like: #3. Chipper Jones & Matt Damon

"Chipper Jones makes the game un-fun."

MLB Look-a-Like: #2. Carl Crawford & The Game

Nice one, Shiznatt.

MLB Look-a-Like: #1. B.J. Upton & Frozone

This look-a-like is 100% credited to Natalie. During the World Series she pointed out this uncanny match. What do you think?










"Hate a B.J."

Who Will Wave 'Em In?

Charlie Manuel on Tuesday made his first offseason coaching staff decision. He and the Phillies let go of third base coach Steve Smith. All other members of the coaching staff will be returning in 2009. Smith spent two years with the Phillies. There is no word on who his replacement will be at this time. Stay tuned.

The Offseasons Biggest Questions

1. What will the 2009 outfield look like?

-The 2008 outfield started with a few questions. 1. Can Pat Burrell have a year where he is consistent? We all know the answer now. He started hot, and become ice cold. (What's cooler than being cool?) 2. Could Shane Victorino live up to the success and popularity that Aaron Rowand had in Philadelphia? Answer: Absolutely! He surpased all expectations, and is now one of the most popular outfielders in the game. 3. How will the platoon of Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth shake out? Answer: It was WERTH giving Jayson the opprotunity.

-In 2009, the Phillies will have Victorino, Werth, and Jenkins, but Pat "The Glove" is another question. Manny Ramirez is a free agent. Will the Phillies take a shot? Will the Phillies make another run at Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday? So much to think about it. We here at thewebgem.com are glad it isn't up to us, although, we love Pat a Burrell.

2. Arbitration

The Phillies will have 10 players up for a salary increase, and after winning the World Series who can argue the fact that they deserve it? Some key names that will be heading to the meeting rooms are Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and Ryan Madson. These are all players that the Phillies will want to keep happy.

3. The Rotation

We can all agree upon the fact that the Phillies rotation was sick at the end of the year with Cole, Brett, Jamie, and Joe (Blan-Ton). The Phillies will have Hamels, Brett, and Blanton at the top. It's guranteed, but what about Jamie Moyer? He led the team in wins this year, and was at times untouchable. He throws a dead fish that most young hitters look baffeled with. Jamie is a free agent and will most likely take a paycut to stay in his beloved him town. The 5th starter is the biggest question. Will the Phillies give Kyle Kendrick another shot? Will they let impressive youngster JA Happ take the hill or will they turn to their top prospect Carlos Carrassco? Remember at the 2008 trade deadline Carlos was the player they refused to let go of.

4. Will '09 be the year of Greg Dobbs?

If we have anything to do with it. Absolutely. More to come on that campaign.

REPEAT?

Okay, okay. No J. I know, but why not be excited for the chance of a repeat? Trick question. Which MLB Team has the best chance to repeat as World Champions? You guessed it.

EEL!

An Old Friend, Traded Again?

An NBA source today said that Allen Iverson has been traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess. TheWebGem.com is a baseball site so we will have no more information to come on the story. Just an FYI. :)

"There's a New Kid In Town."

Ruben Amaro Jr was named the Phillies new General Manager this morning at 10 a.m. replacing Pat Gillick whose contract ended on Halloween. Ruben's first order of business will be the contract of Pat Burrell which has also expired. Will Ruben and the Phillies want to pay a big contract to a player who Charlie pulls from the game in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings? Will he stay in Philadelphia with the city and team he loves or will he move on? Ruben it is up to you.

Goodbye, Mr. Gillick.

Ruben Amaro Jr. reportedly will become the Phillies' next general manager, with an official announcement expected on Monday.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, citing "sources close to the situation," club president Dave Montgomery met Friday with Mike Arbuckle, the team's assistant general manager, scouting and player development -- and the other strong candidate for the position -- and told him that Amaro was given the job.

Mike Arbuckle has also told sources he has planned to move back to the midwest area where he is from to help rebuild the struggling Kansas City Royals. Arbuckle and his scouting crew have brought players to the Phillies such as Pat Burrell, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Brett Myers, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. What does this mean for the champions future? We'll soon find out.

I used to talk with Pat Gillick every Friday morning while I worked for KYW. I must admit I always had my doubts with the way he ran things, but he has definitely proven he is the greatest GM this team has ever had. He will surely be missed.

Under Gillick's term with the Phillies they went 266-220 (.547) in regular season play, while 11-6 (.647) in the playoffs.

Jimmy's Promise

"We'll win probably 100 games . . . 100 games will get us to the playoffs," said Jimmy Rollins on November 27th, 2007. Little did he know the team would surpase 100 wins and end up with a total of 103 Wins and only 73 losses.

Their 103 wins equaled a World Series championship.

Congratulations to the entire team.

We'll Never Forget

2008 will be a year we will never forget. The connection between two die hard fans and a never quit baseball team will live in our hearts forever.