Phillies Resign Pat Neshek

Hi everybody,

The Phillies have resigned free-agent relief pitcher Pat Neshek yesterday (December 12th) after trading him to the Colorado Rockies back in July (Pat Neshek Traded to the Colorado Rockies).  Neshek (who was the Phils sole All-Star last season) signed a two-year deal worth $16.5 million dollars.  Welcome back to Philly, Mr. Neshek!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Former Phils Hitting Coach Matt Stairs Named Hitting Coach For Padres

Hi everybody,

Former Phillies hitting coach Matt Stairs was recently named the new hitting coach for the San Diego Padres.  Stairs had been the Phils hitting coach for the 2017 season after being a member of the announcing crew.  Stairs had previously play for the Phils when they became World F'n Champs in 2008.  During that epic run in 2008, Stairs hit a monster home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the NL Championship series.  Good luck in San Diego, Mr. Stairs!

What a hit....

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Freddy Galvis Named 2017 Gold Glove Award Finalist

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate Phillies shortstop Freddy Gavis for being named a Gold Glove Award finalist for the 2017 season.  The Gold Glove is awarded to players who have provided excellent defense in their position...which Galvis has given the Phillies all this past season.  The winners will be announced on November 7th.  Good luck Freddy!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley is Going Back to the World Series

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate my hero (and Phillies Legend) Chase Utley for going back to the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Dodgers won the National League Championship last night (October 19th) by beating the Chicago Cubs in five games and will be going to the World Series to face the winner of the American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros.  Good luck in the World Series, Chase....I'll be rooting for you.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Three Players Removed From Phillies 40-Man Roster

Bye Ty...

Hi everybody,

The Phillies removed three players from the 40-man roster last week and those players have elected to become free agents.  The players removed were utility player Ty Kelly, starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez and relief pitcher Kevin Siegrist.  I wish Kelly, Alvarez and Siegrist the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Odubel Herrera Chosen As Phillies Nominee for 2017 Hank Aaron Award

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera for being selected as the Phillies player up for the 2017 Hank Aaron Award.  The Hank Aaron Award is given to the top offensive player in both the American and National Leagues.  The award will be presented to the winners during the World Series.  Congrats for being chosen as the Phils player up for the award for the second straight season, El Torito!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chris Wheeler Announces Retirement From Phillies After 47 Years

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to mention that former Phils broadcaster and goodwill ambassador Chris Wheeler has announced his retirement from the Phillies organization after 47 years of employment.  Wheeler (better known as Wheels) did broadcasting for the Phillies from 1977 to 2013 before becoming a goodwill ambassador for his final three years with the team.  Before his broadcasting career, Wheeler worked in the Phils public relations department.

I just wanted to share Wheeler's reaction to the winning call of the 2008 World Series by Harry Kalas...which was just as great as Harry's amazing call.

Good luck in all your future endeavors, Wheels!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Phillies Get Third Pick in 2018 MLB Draft

Hi everybody,

One of the few benefits of having one of the worst records in baseball this season is getting the third pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.  The Phillies got the third pick with their 66-96 record.  I hope this pick in next year's draft will help the Phils in a few seasons when they are contenders again.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Pete Mackanin Will Not Be Returning as Phillies Manager in 2018

Hi everybody,

The Phillies announced on Friday (September 29th) that Phils skipper Pete Mackanin was taking a new position in the organization next season as the special assistant to General Manager Matt Klentak and will not be the manager next season.  Mackanin had a record of 174-238 in his 2 and a half seasons as the Phils manager.  The Phils have not yet named Mackanin's replacement as skipper.

Mackanin received a well deserved standing ovation by both the fans and players during yesterday's season finale against the New York Mets.  Good luck in your new role, Pete!

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Time to Put My Phils Jersey Away

Hi everybody,

With the 2017 season coming to a close...it's time for me to put my Phillies jersey away.  Will still be watching playoff baseball and rooting for Chase as well as watching other Philly sports but this time of year is always a little sad for me.  I'll miss watching the Phils every night.

We'll still have some fun on the blog though and before you know it...it will be time to put that Phils jersey back on again.

See you in 2018 Phillies....

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Final Chase Utley Dodgers Stats for the 2017 Regular Season

Hi everybody,

Here are Chase's final batting stats for the 2017 regular season:




Games Played = 127
At Bats = 309
Runs Scored = 43
Hits = 73
Doubles = 20
Triples = 4
Home Runs = 8
RBIs = 34
Walks = 32
Strike Outs = 57
Stolen Bases = 6
Caught Stealing = 1
Batting Average = .236
On Base Percentage = .324
Slugging Percentage = .405
On Base + Slugging Percentage = .728


Chase's numbers are fairly consistent with last month.  I hope Chase can get on a hot streak in the playoffs and get to the World Series.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

2017 NL East Final Standings

Hi everybody,

Here are the final standings for the NL East this season:



NL East                                      W         L         PCT          GB

Washington Nationals             97        65         .599            --
Miami Marlins                           77         85       .475            20
Atlanta Braves                          72        90        .444           25
New York Mets                         70        92        .537           27
Philadelphia Phillies                66        96        .407           31


The Phillies ended the season with five fewer wins than last season but were much improved after the All-Star break.  Although they finished in last place in the division...I think things are looking up for the Phils in 2018 and beyond.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 162: Mets (70-91) at Phillies (65-96)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of yesterday's game:

New York Mets:                          0
Philadelphia Phillies:                11

SP:   Nick Pivetta

WP:   Nick Pivetta (8-10)


RBIs:*

Maikel Franco = 3 (76)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (34)
Odubel Herrera = 2 (56)
Aaron Altherr = 1 (65)
Nick Williams = 3 (55)

* An additional run scored due to a throwing error in the 4th inning

Home Runs:

Maikel Franco = 1 (24)
Nick Williams = 1 (12)**

** Inside-the-park Home Run in the 8th inning

Runs Scored:

Cesar Hernandez = 1 (85)
Odubel Herrera = 1 (67)
Aaron Altherr = 1 (58)
Rhys Hoskins = 1 (37)
Nick Williams = 2 (45)
Maikel Franco = 1 (66)
Andrew Knapp = 1 (26)
J.P. Crawford = 2 (8)
Nick Pivetta = 1 (3)


The Phillies finish the season with a 66-96 record and that my friends is that.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 161: Mets (69-91) at Phillies (65-95)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of the game on Saturday, September 30th:*

New York Mets:                          7
Philadelphia Phillies:                 4

* Extra Innings (Game ended in the 11th)

SP:   Henderson Alvarez

LP:   Adam Morgan (3-3)


RBIs:

Maikel Franco = 1 (73)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (33)
Aaron Altherr = 1 (64)
Rhys Hoskins = 1 (48)

Home Runs:

Maikel Franco = 1 (23)

Runs Scored:

Cesar Hernandez = 1 (84)
Maikel Franco = 1 (65)
Jorge Alfaro = 1 (12)
Freddy Galvis = 1 (71)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 160: Mets (69-90) at Phillies (64-95)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of the game on Friday, September 29th:

New York Mets:                          2
Philadelphia Phillies:                 6

SP:   Ben Lively

WP:   Ben Lively (4-7)


RBIs:*

Maikel Franco = 2 (72)
Odubel Herrera = 1 (54)
Jorge Alfaro = 1 (14)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (32)

* An additional run scored in the 3rd inning due to a balk

Home Runs:

Maikel Franco = 1 (22)
Jorge Alfaro = 1 (5)
Cesar Hernandez = 1 (9)

Runs Scored:

Cesar Hernandez = 1 (83)
Freddy Galvis = 1 (70)
Nick Williams = 1 (43)
Odubel Herrera = 1 (66)
Maikel Franco = 1 (64)
Jorge Alfaro = 1 (11)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 159: Nationals (95-62) at Phillies (63-95)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Washington Nationals:                      5
Philadelphia Phillies:                        7

SP:   Mark Leiter Jr.

WP:   Yacksel Rios (1-0)
SV:    Hector Neris (26)


RBIs:*

Jorge Alfaro = 2 (13)
Aaron Altherr = 2 (63)
Odubel Herrera = 1 (53)

* Two additional runs scored in the 2nd inning (Double Play) and
   8th inning (Fielders Choice)

Runs Scored:

Nick Williams = 1 (42)
Rhys Hoskins = 2 (36)
Aaron Altherr = 2 (57)
Odubel Herrera = 1 (65)
Ty Kelly = 1 (11)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Photo of the Week (9-27-17)

Hi everybody,

With the Phillies season winding down this week....I figured I'd share a photo of Chase tipping his cap to the Phils 2017 Season.  As for Chase's season, it will continue into the playoffs where I wish him well.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 158: Nationals (95-61) at Phillies (62-95)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Washington Nationals:                      1
Philadelphia Phillies:                        4

SP:   Jake Thompson

WP:   Jake Thompson (3-2)
SV:    Hector Neris (25)


RBIs:

Tommy Joseph = 1 (69)
Cameron Rupp = 2 (34)
Rhys Hoskins = 1 (47)

Runs Scored:

Freddy Galvis = 2 (69)
Aaron Altherr = 1 (55)
Tommy Joseph = 1 (51)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Game 157: Nationals (94-61) at Phillies (62-94)

Hi everybody,

Here is the score of last night's game:

Washington Nationals:                      3
Philadelphia Phillies:                        1

SP:   Aaron Nola

LP:   Aaron Nola (12-11)


RBIs:

Odubel Herrera = 1 (52)

Home Runs:

Odubel Herrera = 1 (14)

Runs Scored:

Odubel Herrera = 1 (64)


Talk to you soon,
Little Chase

Chase Utley Returning to the Postseason

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to congratulate my hero and former Phils 2nd baseman Chase Utley for reaching the postseason for a third year in a row with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Dodgers captured the NL West Title this past weekend and is the third straight year they have won it with Chase on the team (2015-2017) and five season in a row total (2013-2017).  Congrats again Chase and good luck in the postseason.  I'll be rooting for you.

Talk to you soon,
Little Chase