Pitching Coach Rich Dubee Let Go by the Phillies

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to report that Phillies Pitching coach Rich Dubee has been let go by the team.  Dubee had been with the Phils for nine season. There is speculation that many other coaches may be let go in the coming days as Ryne Sandberg brings in his own coaches for the 2014 season.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Hunter Pence September Update

Still missing 2011

Hi everybody,

Welcome to the final Hunter Pence stat update of the season.  In case you want to catch up.....here are the previous updates:

Hunter Pence August Update

Hunter Pence July Update

Hunter Pence June Update

Hunter Pence May Update

Hunter Pence April Update

Here are Hunter's end of season stats:

Batting Average = .283
RBIs = 99
Home Runs = 27
Runs Scored = 91
Walks = 52
Stolen Bases = 22
Strike Outs = 115

Pence had a monster September with huge increases in both his RBI (33 since last month) and Home Run (11 since last month) totals.  In fact...all of Hunter's offensive numbers have improved since August.

I also want to report that Pence signed a 5-year $90 million dollar contract extension with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.  The deal includes a full no-trade clause so Hunter will remain with the Giants for years to come.  Pence also received the Willie Mac Award last Friday (September 27th) by the Giants for being the most inspirational player on the team. 

I was hoping that perhaps Pence would resign with the Phils as a free agent this off-season but since that won't be happening I will not be posting Pence's stats in 2014 or beyond.  I do plan to continue posting pictures of Hunter as a Phillie until the start of the 2014 season.  So starting next month this feature will be renamed Hunter Pence Photo(s) of the Month and will appear once a month through March 2014.

The picture that I chose for this month's Hunter Pence Photo of the Month is a cool shot of Pence swinging at a pitch.  Hope you all enjoy it.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 162: Phillies (73-88) at Braves (95-66)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of today's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                5
Atlanta Braves:                         12

LP:   Zach Miner (0-2)


RBIs:

Kevin Frandsen = 1 (26)
Erik Kratz = 3 (26)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (10)

Home Runs:

Erik Kratz = 1 (9)

Runs Scored:

Chase Utley = 1 (73)
Domonic Brown = 1 (65)
Kevin Frandsen = 1 (27)
Erik Kratz = 2 (21)


The Phillies finish the season with a record of 73-89 and that my friends is that.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

National Coffee Day

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to wish you all a very happy National Coffee Day!  Hope you all enjoyed a great cup of Joe today!!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 161: Phillies (72-88) at Braves (95-65)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:               5
Atlanta Braves:                         4

WP:   Luis Garcia (1-1)


RBIs:*

Cameron Rupp = 2 (2)
Domonic Brown = 1 (83)
Chase Utley = 1 (69)

* An additional run scored due to an error

Runs Scored:

Cesar Hernandez = 2 (17)
Jimmy Rollins = 2 (65)
John Mayberry Jr. = 1 (47)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Lighthouses

Hi everybody,

One thing I really enjoyed about the Outer Banks was visiting the various lighthouses.  The first one I saw was the Bodie Island Light Station.  I really liked the setting of this one.

Next we went to the Currituck Beach Light House.  With the red brick, this one was much different from the others.

The last one we visited was the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  This is probably the most recognized of the Outer Banks lighthouses.

They are all very nice!  When I go back to Outer Banks I will try to see them all, as well as lighthouses in other areas too.  I will probably start with the one in Cape May!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Casper Wells Returns from the DL

Hi everybody,

Phillies outfielder Casper Wells was activated from the DL (Disabled List) before tonight's game against the Atlanta Braves.  Wells has been on the DL since August 26th with vision problems...which have been corrected with LASIK surgery.  Welcome back!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 160: Phillies (72-87) at Braves (94-65)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:               0
Atlanta Braves:                         1

LP:   Cliff Lee (14-8)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Gettysburg Photo of the Week (9-27-13)

Hi everybody,

It's time for another Gettysburg Photo of the Week.  This week's photo is of the Mississippi State Memorial shortly after sunrise.  This monument is located on West Confederate Avenue and was dedicated on October 19th, 1973.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 159: Phillies (72-86) at Braves (93-65)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of tonight's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:               1
Atlanta Braves:                         7

LP:   Tyler Cloyd (2-7)


RBIs:

Tyler Cloyd = 1 (1)

Runs Scored:

Cody Asche = 1 (18)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Outer Banks Food and Snack Update

Hi everybody,

I have some other odds and ends pictures to share from my vacation in the Outer Banks.  The first pictures are from my breakfast out last Wednesday at Stack'em High.

This was a cool breakfast place where I got some great pancakes.

The smothered hash browns were the best.

Even after all that chow I was still hungry.  I started eying my friend's plate but I was able to control myself.

I also got some great snacks to bring home.  The Krispy Kreme Chocolate pies were great.  I wish they sold them around here.

Speaking of pies....I stopped at Bojangles' and got a few Sweet Potato pies to go.

I got some candy at Try My Nuts (hehehe....).

I found some Utz Carolina Style Bar-B-Q potato chips when I went to the supermarket.

All this grub should hopefully hold me over for a few days.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 158: Phillies (72-85) at Marlins (58-100)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                  2
Miami Marlins:                             3

LP:   Ethan Martin (2-5)


RBIs:

Freddy Galvis = 1 (19)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (9)

Runs Scored:

Darin Ruf = 1 (36)
Kevin Frandsen = 1 (26)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (9-25-13)

Hi everybody,

Sadly the season is almost over, but the Photos of the Week will continue!  The pic this week is from a recent Mets game.  Chase is sliding into home to score.  Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 157: Phillies (71-85) at Marlins (58-99)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                  2
Miami Marlins:                             1

WP:   Michael Stutes (3-1)
SV:    Jonathan Papelbon (29)


RBIs:

Darin Ruf = 1 (30)
Kevin Frandsen = 1 (25)

Runs Scored:

Jimmy Rollins = 1 (63)
Chase Utley = 1 (72)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Baseball Writers' Association of America 2013 Phillies Award Winners

Hi everybody,

Here is another item I meant to post last week but did not due to my vacation.  Here are the winners of the Baseball Writers' Association of America 2013 Phillies Awards:







1) Mike Schmidt Award for Most Valuable Player = Domonic Brown
2) Steve Carlton Award for Most Valuable Pitcher = Cliff Lee
3) Dallas Green Award for Special Achievement = Charlie Manuel
4) Tug McGraw Award for True Professionalism = Kevin Frandsen

The awards were presented on the field before Saturday night's game against the New York Mets.  Former Phils manager Charlie Manuel could not attend so Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins accepted the award for him.  Congrats to all the winners!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Roy Halladay Done for the Season

Hi everybody,

Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay is done for the season due to arm fatigue after a sixteen pitch outing in last night's loss to the Miami Marlins.  Halladay was only able to retire one batter and threw just five strikes in the shortest start of his career.  Halladay is a free agent after this season and it is unknown if the Phils will bring him back next year.  Whatever happens...I wish Doc all the success in the world.  He is a class act and true professional and I really hope he is able to pitch effectively for the Phils next season.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 156: Phillies (71-84) at Marlins (57-99)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Philadelphia Phillies:                  0
Miami Marlins:                             4

LP:   Roy Halladay (4-5)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Mike Stutes Returns from the DL

Hi everybody,

Another item that I forgot to post last week was that Phillies relief pitcher Michael Stutes returned from the DL (Disabled List) last Friday, September 20th.  Stutes has been on the DL since June 25th with right bicep tendinitis.  Welcome back!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Honored With Awards

Hi everybody,

I forgot to post this last week due to my vacation.  My hero, Chase Utley was honored by the Phillies with two awards.  The first award was the Phillies' Community Outreach Award and the second award was Chase being named the Phils nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award (which is awarded during the World Series).  Both awards are a recognition of Chase's charitable work.  Congrats Chase!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Even More Outer Banks Vacay Pics

Hi everybody,

I have more photos from my OBX trip to share!

On my last full day I visited my third lighthouse.  The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is about an hour from where I stayed and it was a beautiful ride. When we got to the lighthouse I took some pics.

After I got back, we got some lunch at Dirty Dick's Crab House.

I even got the chance to pretend to be a pirate and a lady shrimp!

We then went back to the house and lounged by the pool.

I even floated around on my friend's boogie board.

Afterwards, I sat on the porch swing and reflected on my fun trip.

The next morning I got up early to watch the sunrise.

It was time to head home.  Although I had a great time, I was looking forward to getting back to Philly.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Ryne Sandberg Named Phillies Skipper

Hi everybody,

Ryne Sandberg had the "Interim" tag removed from his title earlier today and was named the Phillies manager for next season.  Sandberg signed a three-year deal and is the 52nd manager in Phillies history. Congrats Ryno!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 155: Mets (70-84) at Phillies (71-83)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of today's game:

New York Mets:                         4
Philadelphia Phillies:                3

LP:   Cliff Lee (14-7)


RBIs:

Kevin Frandsen = 1 (24)
Domonic Brown = 1 (82)
Darin Ruf = 1 (29)

Runs Scored:

Jimmy Rollins = 1 (62)
Carlos Ruiz = 1 (30)
Domonic Brown = 1 (64)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

More Outer Banks Vacation Pics

Hi everybody,

I want to share some more photos of my Outer Banks, NC trip.

We took a drive to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

On the way back we stopped at another Duck Donuts.

You get to choose your own icing and toppings!  Yum!! 



We also visited the dunes at Jockey's Ridge State Park.

I thought about taking hang gliding lessons but figured it would probably be a bad idea.

Then we did some shopping at Super Wings and Ben Franklin.  I'm not sure why Ben Franklin is in OBX, but it was a great store!

I even had some time to catch some rays on the deck!

We had some great BBQ for dinner from a place called Pigman's Bar-B-Que.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase