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On Thursday the Phillies announced that Pat Burrell would sign a one-day contract with the organization and ceremonially retire as a Phillie, next month. According to a release from the Phillies: The 35-year-old will sign a one-day minor league contract with the Phillies, thus officially retiring as a member of the organization that selected him as the very first player in the 1998 draft. He’ll be honored during pregame on Saturday, May 19, by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Burrell wore Phillies pinstripes for nine seasons and ranks fourth in club history in home runs (251), eighth in RBI (827) and ninth in extra-base hits (518). His Phillies career concluded with a World Championship in 2008. His last hit as a Phillie was a double that led to the winning run in the decisive Game 5. Since leaving Philadelphia, Burrell, who was the 1st overall draft selection by the Phils in 1998, played with both Tampa Bay and San Francisco. In his 9 seasons with the Phillies, Burrell posted ...

This past week the Phillies announced twelve nominees for the team's Wall of Fame. Annually, the Phils induct one individual that has made great contributions to the organization. Voting is being hosted at Phillies.com and will last through March 14th, as the field of options for the annual lone honoree is narrowed. Fans are able to vote for three different Phillies alumni and each vote is applied points, based on placement. A first place vote gets 5 points, a second place vote gets 3 points, and a third place vote gets 1 point. Following the deadline, the five individuals with the top point totals will be placed on the official ballot, which will be voted on by the official Wall of Fame Selection Committee, who will determine the man who will join the top names in team history in Ashburn Alley at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. Vice President of Alumni Relations, Larry Shenk, informed me in 2010 that, "The Phillies Wall of Fame Selection Committee is composed of 15 ...

In order to calm some folks down after a losing series and 2 blown saves in Pittsburgh, let's take a look back in time. Exactly 10 years ago today, the Phillies visited Colorado for a double header and began a stretch where they would lose 18 of their next 19 games. Prior to the slump, the Phillies had a 67-59 record. By the end of it, they were 68-77. The bump in the road that was the Pirates this week isn't so bad. We all knew the back end of the bullpen was a problem. It's not something to be okay with, but there is still time to try some alternatives. If that outlook doesn't improve your mood, let me show you that pitiful Phillies starting lineup for game 1 of a decade ago. Doug Glanville CF Ron Gant LF Bobby Abreu RF Kevin Jordan 3B Rico Brogna 1B Gary Bennett C Marlon Anderson 2B Domingo Cedeno SS Chad Ogea P Kevin Jordan was the clean up hitter. Game 2's line up was worse. Switch in Kevin Sefcik for Glanville, Mike Lieberthal for Bennett, Alex Arias for Cede...

Charles "Red" Dooin was a talented catcher for our Phillies from 1902-1914. He excelled at blocking home plate from runners, despite his small size. Dooin's playing weight was roughly 165 pounds. From 1910-1914, Dooin not only played for the Phillies, but he managed them as well. Red's impact on the game wasn't only with his on-field performances, because he was the first catcher to use shin guards. Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan is widely credited for the innovation, but Bresnahan really only began wearing them after a collision at the plate with the well protected Dooin, in 1907. Dooin actually put Bresnahan in touch with his own sporting goods supplier, in order to obtain the shin guards. Dooin regularly wore his shin guards under his uniform, while Bresnaham wore his protection over his pants. Thus, fans and media took notice to one of the men first, instead of the other. Red Dooin's offensive statistics weren't overly impressive. His career homerun tot...

Welcome to the Phillies baseball blog brought to you by Fox Sports 1260. Some entries here might be thoroughly organized, and based on one topic. Others, today’s for example, will feature details on various Phillies related matters. To kick things off on the best note possible, don’t expect the Phillies to make the post season this year. In case you missed it, last week the Phillies announced that they were bringing Mike Lieberthal back for one day, so he can retire as a Phillie. Many of you are aware that every season since 1992 that the Phillies did not have Mike Lieberthal on their roster, that won the division title. Sure, it was only 2 years out of 14, but obviously it’s a certainty that Liebey is a jynx. June 1st, the day Lieberthal returns, will be D-Day for the Phightin’ Phils. Gavin Floyd: Ace Starter?! Twice in under a month, the phormer Phillies top draft pick has flirted with a no hitter for the Chicago White Sox. His strike out to walk ratio (19:18) is not gleaming at all,...