The 2009 Ballzy Awards

Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly bring to you the inaugural edition of THE BALLZIES...PhoulBallz.com's annual awards given out for the finest achievements in the Phillies organization as well as related things and stuff. Without any additional delay, let's get this thing rollin'.

Major League Player of the Year- Ryan Howard

Howard

is one of the most consistent hitters in baseball today. He's had four straight seasons with 45 or more homers and over 135 RBI. Howard also won the most valuable player award of the NLCS in 2009. He is one of the greatest Phillies hitters of all time. There's not much else to say.

Minor League Player of the Year- Domonic Brown

The

Phils' #1 prospect hit for a .299 batting average in 106 games while smashing 14 homers, 64 RBI and swiping 23 bags. When watching Brown play it is easy to tell he's got the right tools and he is a pure athlete. Speed on the bases, range in the outfield, an excellent arm, a solid bat...it's all there. Brown projects to be a Major League starter and the sooner Jayson Werth prices himself out of the Phillies' budget, the sooner phans could expect to see Brown in red pin stripes on a full time basis.

Team of the Year- Lakewood BlueClaws

The 'Claws won the South Atlantic League championship this September. Led by great Phillies prospects like Anthony Gose, Trevor May, Travis D'Arnaud, Troy Hanzawa, Sebastian Valle and Jim Murphy as well as manager Dusty Wathan, Lakewood clinched a playoff berth with a strong first half of the season and beat the Greenville Drive for the league title. It was Lakewood's second ever SAL championship.

Game of the Year- NLCS Game 4 Dodgers @ Phillies, Jimmy Rollins walk-off 2 RBI double!

I was there for the most unforgettable game of the year. With 2 outs, my lady grabbed her bag and said she was getting ready to leave. I replied and told her I was getting ready for a WIN! Jimmy Rollins immediately followed with the biggest hit of his career to put the Phillies in control of the National League Championship Series. Tremendous!

Best Non-game Moment(s) of the Year- HK Sign Toast

After winning both the division title and the National League Championship Series and clinching a second consecutive trip to the World Series at home, Phillies players took to toasting the late Harry Kalas with beers and champagne at the left-center field sign that honored him. Without Harry, there could be no more perfect moment.

Best PhoulBallz Interview of the Year- Michael Taylor

Taylor's Q&A can

be found HERE. It's a good look at the prospect who was dealt twice in one day this month as part of the Roy Halladay deal. Taylor was remarkably well spoken and excited about his own blossoming career. Oakland's newest prospect is a 5-tool talent who will join former Phillies prospects Josh Outman and Gio Gonzalez with the Athletics. Expect to see Taylor facing Major League pitching in 2010.

Best Sarge Quote- "You jerk off the ball."

Link to the clip,

brought to you by The Fightins Dot Com. Adding some of his usual questionable color to the game broadcast, Gary Matthews Sr. described the trouble with swinging too hard, during an August Jayson Werth at bat.

Most Influential PhoulBallz Sunday School Subject- Roy Thomas

Thomas was

a turn of the century (1900) Phillie who was so proficient at slapping foul balls that baseball rules were changed. In 1901, NL president William Hulbert grew so frustrated with Roy drawing out at bats the he petitioned the rules committee to institute a new two-strike rule. Prior to that, fouls only counted as strikes if the catcher caught them. If Thomas were still around today, he might be a spokes person for PhoulBallz.

Favorite PhoulBallz reader- YOU

Yeah, winner, you are this site's favorite reader. I bet you are wondering how to know if I am really talking to you, or if this is just some generalized nonsense. Well, star...take my hand and let's shine together while I prove it's you that means so much to me.

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Feel free to honor YOUR OWN best things from 2009 in the comments section. I wish you all the best as you ring in the new year.

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Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign. En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good. You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day. I would say that's the biggest difference. But I...

Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

Eflin with Reading in 2015, image- Jay Floyd Following Vincent Velasquez leaving his start after just two pitches for the Phillies on Wednesday, righty prospect Zach Eflin was pulled from his start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett. The 22-year-old sports a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 10 starts for the IronPigs this season. He could take the place of Velasquez if he is required to miss any additional time. Initial word on Velasquez after he threw two fastballs that clocked in the 86-87 MPH range (considerably slower than the 94 MPH he averages) and was swiftly pulled from his outing, is that he has a biceps strain. He'll be further evaluated in the coming days. Prior to the regular season, Eflin got a taste of competing against big leaguers when he was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work in an intrasquad exhibition that pitted the Phils...

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