Site News - 2007
Note: Site news before 2009 concerns the old Geocities site totally, and before August 2009 partially. The news archive is shown here to give a short history of the website from May 2005. Site news before May 2005 was not archived.
December Update: Happy Holidays! Hopefully the Christmas season has seen you and your family blessed with happiness and joy. With travel and holiday festivities, this month was a bit sparse for time, but I did manage to transcribe four new articles for the site database. All four articles deal with the Phils' loss to the Astros in Game Three of the National League Championship Series. You can find the articles by title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages).
Good-bye To Rowand, Hello To Jenkins: Aaron Rowand, who enjoyed a career year with the Phils in 2007, signed a contract to play with the San Francisco Giants. Rowand, who won a Gold Glove for his stellar play in centerfield, batted .309 for the Phils in 2007 with career highs in homers (27) and RBI (89). To (sort of) take his place, the Phils signed Geoff Jenkins, formerly of Milwaukee, to a two-year contract. Jenkins has some power (21 homers last year), but lacks the defensive skills of Rowand and his offensive production slipped over the last few years. He'll play right field, with Shane Victorino sliding into Rowand's centerfield spot.
So... Any New Players?: I know, I know... horrendous pun. So Taguchi, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals, was signed by the Phils to a contract. Taguchi, who played in the Japanese league before joining St. Louis, will be primarily a fourth outfielder. Taguchi has a lifetime .283 average with little power (lifetime total of 19 homers) and 154 RBI over six seasons.
Other Additions: The Phillies made several minor moves to try to bolster the pitching staff. Chad Durbin, late of the Detroit Tigers, was signed as a free agent as a spot starter and long reliever. Just after the last update, Shane Youman was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to add a body to the relief staff.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: I've been able to maintain my momentum of adding at least 3-5 (and usually more) articles a month to the site database. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me. For next month I will probably work to add more articles on Game 3 of the NLCS.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
November Update: Happy Thanksgiving! I, like every American this time of year, have been extremely busy with holiday items (and, yes, I was among the throng playing dodge-the-shoppers on Friday, though I didn't get started until 8am), but I have managed to add seven new articles to the site databank. Mostly they deal with previewing game three of the NLCS, and all the newspapers come from October 10, 1980. Most of the authors believed Houston to be in control of that series - and they seemed to be right.You can find the articles by title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages).
Rollins MVP!: Phils' shortstop Jimmy Rollins was named the National League's Most Valuable Player, edging Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies for the honor. Rollins, who also won a Gold Glove Award for the first time, batted .296 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, 41 stolen bases and a staggering 139 runs scored. He also achieved notoriety for his proclaiming the Phils the "team to beat" in the NL East, then leading the late-season charge to pass the Mets to take the division crown.
Rollins, Rowand Win Gold Gloves: Two Phils were honored with Gold Glove Awards for the 2007 season. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Aaron Rowand each won their first defensive honors. Rollins, also the league's MVP, committed just 11 errors while turning 110 double plays. Rowand, who also was named to his first all-star team and consistently made the highlight reels for his body-sacrificing defense.
Lidge a Phil: The Phillies attempted to fill one of the team's needs, trading outfielder Michael Bourn, reliever Geoff Geary and third base prospect Mike Costanzo for Houston's on-and-off closer Brad Lidge. Lidge, who has electric stuff, has struggled since giving up a mammoth World Series home run to Albert Belle and had lost the closer's role, but regained it last season and finished with 19 saves and a respectable 3.36 ERA. The Phils also picked up utility player Eric Bruntlett.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: I've been able to maintain my momentum of adding at least 3-5 (and usually more) articles a month to the site database. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me. For next month I will probably work to add more articles on Game 3 of the NLCS.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
October Update: Of course, the end of October brings a busy time in a father's life, so I figured I'd better bring this month's update a bit early to get it in at all. There are five more articles from Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. You can find the articles by title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages).
Phils Win Division, But...: The Phils capped an exciting end-season run by taking the NL East from the New York Mets, winning 14 of their last 18 games to surpass the freefalling Metropolitans. Unfortunately, the Phils could not make 2007 a repeat of 1980, falling meekly to the NL champion Colorado Rockies in a three-game sweep in the Division Series. It was a heck of a ride while it lasted, though.
Manuel Back Next Year: The Phils' rewarded Charlie Manuel for winning the NL East, signing him to a two-year contract to guarantee that he will remain at the helm of the Phils. While some question his game maneuvers, there is no doubt that Manuel had his players fighting hard and believing in themselves during the stretch run.
Hot Stove Needs: Once the World Series is over, it's time for the "second season" for baseball: the Hot Stove League! The Phils seem primed to make moves needed to maintain their momentum and aim for a repeat, and going beyond, their division championship from this season. It would seem that their primary needs are pitching (both starting and relief) and a third baseman. A decision will also have to be made on Aaron Rowand. Failing to re-sign him would necessitate acquiring (or shifting) a new starting centerfielder.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: I've been able to maintain my momentum of adding at least 3-5 (and usually more) articles a month to the site database. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me. For next month I will probably work to add articles on Game 3 of the NLCS.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
September Update: In between my fatherly and teacherly (not to mention by duty to watch the game!), I was able to add seven new articles to the database. These articles are based on Game 2 of the NLCS. You can find the articles by title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages).
One Game To Go: The Phils were in the driver's seat today after taking a one-game lead from the struggling Mets - the first time the team has been alone in first place all season. Unfortunately, their solo hold of the penthouse lasted all of one game, and the Phils face a must-win on the last day of the season to assure themselves of at least a one-game playoff. Manager Charlie Manuel will hand the ball to the Ancient One, Jamie Moyer, for this most important of games.
Rollins MVP?: There was a lot of talk of Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins being a possible MVP candidate. Rollins, who recently set a new major league record for most at bats in a season. As of the end of today's game, Rollins had 71 at-bats, besting Willie Wilson's mark of 705 set in 1980. Yes, 1980.
Hamels Pitches Gem: With a chance to take the division lead, Phils "ace" Cole Hamels showed his stuff on Friday night, blanking the Washington Nationals for eight innings before giving way to Clay Condrey, who finished off the Nats to win the game 6-0. Hamels struck out 13 and gave up six hits over his eight innings, and seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: Adding new features will probably remain a pipe dream for now! I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me. For next month I will probably attempt to finish off my supply of articles from NLCS Game 2.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
August Update: Somehow I managed to add 12 new articles to the database this month! All of the articles come from the October 8, 1980 editions of various newspapers, and nearly all deal with Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.You can find the articles by title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages).
Utley Back, Hamels Gone: The Phils just can't seem to buy a break. The good news is Chase Utley, perhaps a candidate for Most Valuable Player before breaking his wrist a month ago, is now back in the lineup. Unfortunately, yet another pitcher was added to the disabled list, and this one could be devastating for the Phils' playoff hopes: Cole Hamels was put on the DL with a "strained elbow." Hamels was scheduled to come back this weekend, but suffered a "setback" in a bullpen session, and his return for this season is now uncertain.
Big Sweep of Mets: At the end of last weekend, all may have seemed lost: the Phils were a full seven games behind the Mets, and there were rumblings in the media (particularly New York and ESPN) that the NL East Race was over. However, after beating the Braves on Sunday, the Phillies swept a four-game series with the Mets, the Phils were just two games behind New York going into this weekend's series against the Marlins.
Props For Kendrick: The Phillies would not be in a position to vye for a playoff spot or a division title without the contributions of rookie Kyle Kendrick this season. Kendrick, who started the year at AA Reading, won his 8th game for the Phils since his debut on July 13. Kendrick is currently 8-3 with a 3.79 ERA.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: A future update may include separate pages within the dates and titles pages, but that is probably a chore for next summer! I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
July Update: I have finished at least a make-shift method of organizing the articles. They are now organized in four different ways: By title (the old article page), by month, the new articles page, and by game (the day-by-day boxscore pages). A future update may include separate pages within the dates and titles pages, but that is probably a chore for next summer! On top of finishing these pages, I have included nine new articles for the site library. One is from a June 19 article about Steve Carlton's 7th win, one is an extra article I found on the division-clincher against Montreal, and the rest are articles leading into the NLCS.
Utley, Madsen Injured: Just as the team seems to be finally making some headway and playing like a conteder, the Phils' playoff hopes were given a severe blow when all-star second baseman Chase Utley's hand was broken when he was hit by a pitch from Nationals rookie pitcher John Lannan, making his major league debut. While original estimates were 4-6 weeks, it is conceivable that Utley could return to action in only three weeks. A few days later, reliever Ryan Madsen was also placed on the disabled list, with pain in the right shoulder. Described as a similar injury to the one suffered by Brett Myers, Madsen could be lost for the rest of the season.
Burrell On Track: Another player that had an incredibly slow start for the Phils was leftfielder Pat Burrell. Burrell struggled through the first half of the season, batting below .230 with only eight homers through June. Burrell has heated up with the weather in July, batting .435 with five home runs for the month thus far.
Two Trades: The Phillies were not passive when they received news of the injuries to Utley and Madsen. Instead, the Phils made trades to enhance their roster in the absence of these players. First, the Phils acquired Tadahito Iguchi, a second baseman from the Chicago White Sox who could possible move to third base when Utley returns. In return, the White Sox received minor league pitcher Michael Dubee. Secondly, the Phils traded for pitcher Kyle Lohse from the Cincinnati Reds for AA pitcher Mark Maloney.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: I am hoping to get the new articles pages up next month - or at least temporary ones to function until I can creat better ones. I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
June Update: I have begun working on a few varieties of re-organizing the articles on my website. I'm probably about half-way done with at least a simple addition (articles by month to go along with the articles by publication and the daily boxscore pages). I have also added six articles on the first game of the Phils-Expos series. You can find the new articles by themselves, or browse the extensive articles page.
Injury Woes: The Phils have run into a bit of bad luck with their pitching health this season. Reliever Tom Gordon has been injured pretty much all season, and has been unavailable. Three pitchers - Freddy Garcia, Brett Myers and Jon Lieber - have begun or are currently on a lengthy stay on the disabled list. These injuries are not the only reason for the Phils' inconsistent play, but they haven't helped.
Phils Hovering at.500: It seems like it's been two steps forward, two steps back for the Phillies this season. After a 3-10 start to the season, the Phils played well to get back at .500. Since then, the Phils have basically been treading water, staying a few games above or below .500 ever since. It beats 3-10, but if the Phils want to have a prayer of seeing the post-season, they had better get in a groove soon.
Howard Warms Up: After a very slow start, then a stint on the disabled list, reigning MVP Ryan Howard has finally begun to warm up and hit something like he did all of last season. Howard also hit is 100th home run against the Reds on June 27.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: I am hoping to get the new articles pages up next month - or at least temporary ones to function until I can creat better ones. I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
May Update: Time was very short this month, but I did manage to add six new articles on the website. I decided to concentrate on the final Phils-Expos series. Actually, I originally wanted to do articles on the last of the Phils-Cubs four-game series that pulled the Phillies into a tie with the Expos, but came up virtually empty. Even the Doylestown Daily-Intelligencer (the one Philly area archive currently available on my newspaperarchive.com site) that listed the Phils-Cubs score in the subheadline actually had ZERO details about the game in the article. But I did find a variety of AP and UPI articles leading into the Phils-Expos series. You can find the new articles by themselves, or browse the extensive articles page.
New Phillies Fan: There were two main reasons for my lack of time this month. One is the usual end-of-the-school-year crunch that takes up all available time. But, this year even that took a back seat to the birth of my second child, a daughter born on May 15. She's already watched several Phillies games with her daddy, so she has already learned frustration.
Phils Back To .500: After the terrible start (does that sound familiar?), the Phillies had a great month of May to pull their win-loss mark to even. Yes, the Phillies once again have achieved mediocrity. Following a Phillies sweep of the hated rival Atlanta Braves, they actually were two games above .500, but are now again below the mark following a three-game sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Back to the drawing board.
Utley Possible All-Star: One of the bright spots of the Phils' lineup this year has been Chase Utley. The young second baseman currently leads the voting for his position on the National League All-Star team. Voting will end on June 28 and can be done online on mlb.com.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers). Anyone that has copies of the Inquirer or the Daily News please contact me.
Future Updates: Normally I have some extra time to work on the website during the summer to devote to major improvements, but that may not be the case this year. I am hoping to make the planned (in the best tradition of John Steinbeck) overhaul of the articles pages. I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
April Update: Like life itself, my anticipated time to work on the website during my spring break was not realized, as my time was used up by family duties. I was able to enter seven new article into the website database. This month, I seleted my articles on the Phils' big comeback win agianst the Cubs on September 29, 1980 (the articles were featured the following day). From Newspaprarchive.com, I found articles in five different sources. You can find the new articles by themselves, or browse the extensive articles page.
Slow Start For Howard, Team: The care-free times of spring training are but a faint memory, as harsh reality has set in for the Phillies. Ryan Howard, last year's MVP, has gotten off to a terrible start, and the Phillies joined him in the nosedive. Though the Phillies have improved, they still languish in fourth place with a sub-.500 record. For his part, Howard has just three home runs and a paltry .217 batting average after tonight's game.
Myers to Bullpen: Brett Myers, who was named the "ace" and the opening day starter by Charlie Manuel, has been moved to the bullpen for at least the time being, apparently by a mutual decision. Myers, who won 12 games last year, has struggled in the early going with an earned run average on the wrong side of 7.00. He is slated as a seventh- or eighth-inning pitcher, but could conceivable become the closer if Tom Gordon continues to be ineffective.
Rollins Stars: Though his early prediction of the Phillies being the "team to beat" may be regretted, Jimmy Rollins has not been a part of the problem. Rollins, who hit a career-high 25 home runs last season, is currently leading the National League in homers. Rollins' production has been a welcome surprise in the wake of Howard's prolonged slump.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers).
Future Updates: There may be a bit of a delay for the next update, and there may not be one for May at all, because there is about to become a new Phillies fan added to the world. Fatherly duties may cut into my time in the late spring, but I hope to devote some hours during the summer to improving the site. I will continue to attempt to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
RIP Vuk: The 1980 Phillies family has lost another member. John Vukovich, a back-up infielder on the 1980 squad, last lost his battle with brain cancer at age 59. A career .161 hitter in the major leagues, Vukovich made his second career more successful as a coach for several teams, including 16 with the Phils from 1988 through 2004. Here's a nice write-up by Curt Schilling.
March Update: With Spring Training wrapping up and getting ready to start the season, I have put in a few spring training articles from the 1980 season. With Dallas Green running his first camp, the Phils were basking in the Florida sunshine, and the hopes that 1980 would, indeed, end the long championship drought in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, strike talk was also looming, as one of the articles describes. You can find the new articles by themselves, or browse the extensive articles page.
Ready To GO: Just a few more days remain until the season gets underway, with the Phils raising hopes that the playoffs may actually beckon Philadelphia faithful this year. With MVP slugger Ryan Howard leading the assault, and bolstered by the addition of Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton, the Phils hope to go all the way, and make 1980 not seem quite so long ago.
Civil Rights Game: This doesn't involve the Phillies, but is important nonetheless. The Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals will play the inaugural Civil Rights Game in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is infamous for being the city where Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Baseball, often a reflection of and an influence on American culture, will honor the memory of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement with various activities to remember the contributions of various individuals on modern civil rights, including Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's "color barrier" in 1947. For their part, the Phillies will hold a salute to Robinson on April 15, when they host the Houston Astros.
Myers Starts Opener: Brett Myers, who won 12 games for the Phils last year and showed some signs of blossoming into the staff ace he was projected to be, was named to be the opening day starter by Phils manager Charlie Manuel. For Brett, it will be the first time for the honor. After dealing with some personal problem in the middle of 2006, Myers was solid in the stretch, going 7-4 after the All-Star Break to finish 12-7 overall. The rest of the Phils' rotation includes Cole Hamels, Freddy Garcia, Adam Eaton and Jamie Moyer. Jon Leiber, entering his third season with the team, is currently slated to go to the bullpen.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers).
Future Updates: Article work has been the only activity for awhile, and life will not get any less busy in the next few months with a new baby arriving (some things truly are more important than baseball!). I am hoping to do a little clean-up work, and eventually get to the much-promised redesign of the articles pages to make them easier to navagate. Of course, I am also trying to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
February Update: 1980 was not all sunshine for the Phillies. Perhaps the lowest point came on August 10, when the team lost a double-header to the defending World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. The twin losses put the Phillies 6½ games in back of the first place Pirates, and some were calling for the Phils' last rites to be administered. This month's update features three articles about the double-header, and about Dallas' Green's meltdown in between.
Spring Training Begins!: At last, the long, cold winter is over! Spring has begun in Clearwater, Florida, as the Phils have commenced their 61st spring training there. With the addition of Freddy Garcia to bolster the starting pitching staff and Ryan Howard coming off an MVP season, the Phillies are excited about the upcoming season.
Rollins Confident: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins has caused a minor stir by saying that the Phillies should be the team to beat in the National League Eastern Division this season. Rollins, coming off another good year both at bat and in the field, is confident in the starting rotation to help bring the Phils their first division title in 14 years. We all hope that Jimmy is correct.
No Additional Hall of Famers: Old-timers Ron Santo and Jim Kaat will have to wait at least another two years to get "the call," as the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee has failed to enshrine a new member for the third straigt time.
Cool YouTube movie: There is a new video on YouTube that features the opening of the Phillies broadcast of the 1980 NLCS. Relive the days of Harry and Whitey! You can also still see the video from Channel 17 that incorporates the "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" that was redone for the Phillies along with highlights from the 1980 season.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site (just shy of $10 per month), but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers).
Future Updates: With a very busy month of February (including a rare business trip for a teacher), there was little time to work on the website other than the token few articles, but am still hoping to begin working on new article pages to make it easier to navagate the site. Of course, I am also trying to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers
January Update: Something struck my fancy this month, so all of the added articles center around one game in late May: the Phillies-Pirates game at the Vet on May 27, 1980. This game had a bit of everything: a bomb by Pirates slugger Willie Stargell (as usual), a comeback win by the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth inning capped by Larry Bowa's RBI single, and a brush back battle that culminated in a "brawl" in the top of the sixth inning. From my sources at newspaperarchive.com, I was able to get articles from several sources that covered the game. You can find them in the boxscore page of that game, the new articles page, or on the player page for Kevin Saucier.
Phils Reach Deals With Rowand, Madsen: The Phillies avoided two arbitration cases over the past few weeks, reaching agreements with centerfielder Aaron Rowand and relief pitcher Ryan Madsen. Rowand, acquired in the Jim Thome deal with the Chicago White Sox, spent time on the disabled list after he ran into the centerfield wall making a circus catch and hit .262 in 109 games. Madsen had a rough season after being added to the starting rotation and was never quite able to recover. Madsen managed to finish with an 11-9 record, but his ERA ballooned to 5.69.
25 Days To Spring Training!: Yes, indeed, the long wait is nearly over (though with the Eagles now eliminated, the last month may be the hardest.)! Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Florida, on February 15.
Schmidt on the Web: Phillies Hall-of Famer Mike Schmidt has recently (or at least I stumbled upon it just recently) an official website. You can get starts, sign up for "the insider," and of course shop the obligatory official store. If you're one of those people with lots of money, you can purchase some nice items.
Cool YouTube movie: You can see the video from Channel 17 that incorporates the "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" that was redone for the Phillies along with highlights from the 1980 season.
Newspaper Archive: The articles added to the website database this month come from newspaperarchive.com. This website has a large archive or newspapers from a variety of newspapers from around the world. I have found it helpful to work on this site. It is a pay site, but it does have some free features if you'd like to check it out.
Problems?: If there are any problems getting to a page on the site, please e-mail me at 1980phillies @swfla.rr.com (address obsolete). As of right now, there should be pages for every link on the site.
Wanted: Any and all articles that pertain to the 1980 Phillies, or any players on the roster from that year. If you have some to donate/lend/sell/steal please e-mail me. Copies are wonderful! I am particularly interested in getting articles during the season from the Philadelphia newspapers (unfortunately, newspaperarchive.com do not have any Philadelphia newspapers).
Future Updates: The re-organization I had hope to accomplish with the articles didn't happen over Christmas (it's surprising how busy we get during the holidays), but I do have an idea of what I am hoping to do with them to make it easier to navigate the articles pages. Of course, I am also trying to add at least 3-5 new articles each month. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see on the website, please e-mail me.
Go Phillies!
Richard Summers