The Departed Don't Match Up

It is no secret that, right now, Raul Ibanez is making the Phillies look very smart. The Phils' phormer left fielder, Pat Burrell, is struggling in Tampa with a .238 batting average, 1 homer and 8 RBI, 6 runs scored with a .681 OPS. The new left fielder, Ibanez, is GD wrecking opposing pitchers with a .355 batting average, 7 homers, 17 RBI, 20 runs scores and a 1.142 OPS. Furthermore, Burrell's new club, the Rays, are 3-4 when Burrell drives in at least one run. Our Phillies are 9-2 when Ibanez has at least 1 RBI. Also, Burrell has hit safely in 12 of the Rays' 19 games, while Raul has hit in 16 of the Phillies 19 games.

There's no debate, at this stage, that the Phillies made the right call when they let Burrell go, and signed Ibanez to man left field. Hopefully, this will hold true throughout the rest of the season, all the way into the post season. Trends would perhaps suggest that Ibanez will cool off soon, as his career batting average in May is 45 points lower than in April (.293 career April avg. in 213 games, .248 career May avg. in 215 games). His drop off in career OPS in those same months is even more drastic- .844 in April, .713 in May. But, don't you fear, as Rauuuuul's career June OPS is .900 (his best month) in 193 career games. The bald basher bounces back, baby.

Ahead, we'll have a look around Major League Baseball and check out some departed Phillies' offensive statistics, so far this season, matched against the current Phillie in his position.

Aaron Rowand, CF- 17 games played, .283, .819 OPS, 2 homers, 9 RBI, 6 runs, 0 steals.

Marlon Byrd, CF- 15 games played, .328 avg, .858 OPS, 2 homers, 13 RBI, 8 runs, 0 steals.

Shane Victorino, CF- 19 games played, .291 avg, .800 OPS, 2 Homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs, 3 steals.

Jim Thome, 1B(/DH)- 15 games played, .218 avg, .772 OPS, 4 homers, 10 RBI, 11 runs.
Ryan Howard, 1B- 19 games played, .276 avg, .887 OPS, 4 homers, 15 RBI, 12 runs.

Placido Polanco, 2B- 19 games played, .268 avg, .725 OPS, 0 homers, 13 RBI, 9 runs, 0 steals.

Chase Utley, 2B- 19 games played, .357 avg, 1.142 OPS, 7 homers, 20 RBI, 18 runs, 2 steals.

Scott Rolen, 3B- 20 games played, .321 avg, .808 OPS, 2 homers, 8 RBI, 11 runs, 1 steal.

Pedro Feliz, 3B- 19 games played, .333 avg, .889 OPS, 2 homers, 14 RBI, 10 runs, 0 steals.

Bobby Abreu, RF- 19 games played, .301 avg, .864 OPS, 0 homers, 12 RBI, 9 runs, 8 steals.

Jayson Werth, RF- 18 games played, .261 avg, .827 OPS, 2 homers, 10 RBI, 15 runs, 2 steals.

The only position where the advantage goes to a former Phillie, is right field. Abreu appears to be more productive than Werth, so far in April. Center field performance is debatable, as Marlon Byrd is doing well this year, but Shane bests him with runs, steals and RBI. All other comparisons are easily won by the current P-Squaders.

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball from

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle

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