Reading's Shackleford ties team saves mark

Stephen Shackleford, image- Jay Floyd

As the Double-A Reading Fightins' winning streak continued, their closer etched his name in the club's record books.

Right-handed reliever Stephen Shackleford closed out Reading's 4-1 win over New Britain on Sunday, their seventh straight victory. With the successful save, the 26-year-old tied Justin Friend, Wayne Gomes and Toby Borland for the most in a single season, with 24.

Shackleford, who was originally drafted by San Francisco and also played in the Seattle organization, came to the Phillies last off-season as a minor league free agent. He says the potential to make his mark in history for a team that dates back nearly 50 years is important.

"It would mean a lot to me," Shackleford told Phillies Nation. "I really like Baseballtown. Reading, the fans are awesome. They've been great to me. They've been great to everybody on the team. So, it would be great to be part of their history!"

In 42 games this season, the six-foot-two 205-pounder has tallied a 4-1 record with a 2.62 ERA and a 9.87 K/9 mark.

According to the Kentucky native his teammates and coaches have been aware of his potential to put his mark on team history, but they have not been acknowledging the subject.

"The team has been very supportive, but they usually don't talk about it. We don't tend to talk about things like that. It's just superstition. So, no one's brought it up, but I know the team is behind me 100-percent," Shackleford stated.

As they strive for a playoff spot, the recent surge with Shackleford's help has allowed the Fightins leap ahead of Binghamton and Trenton into first place in the Eastern League Eastern Division standings.

The man known to his teammates simply as "Shack" will get a chance at making the team's single season saves record all his own when the Fightins host Harrisburg on Tuesday evening at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.

Comments

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

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...

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog