Submit your favorite Beerleaguer moments of ’08

Chooch at the hot corner in is just one of the many memorable moments from the Phillies' championship season. Use this thread to submit your favorites.

One reason this offseason will be especially enjoyable is being able to reflect on all the unique little moments from the Phillies’ championship season. Without getting into too much detail, there’s a difference between great moments and Beerleaguer moments, and only Beerleaguers would know what that means. My favorite moment occurred in the Phillies’ unforgettable 8-7, 13-inning comeback victory over the Mets on Aug. 26. The game saw a dozen memorable moments, the highlight being Charlie Manuel using Carlos Ruiz at third in a game that featured a flurry of tactical triumphs. Another example of a fine Beerleaguer moment also came against the Mets, when R.J. Swindle spun Carlos Delgado in circles in his first Major League appearance. Of course, it occurred in a 10-9 loss and after David Wright had sent Swindle’s eephus pitch deep into the left-field seats.

The best list will earn consideration for publication in Maple Street Press' upcoming 2009 Phillies preview, edited by yours truly.

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Comments

[Indiana Sarge]

For me, it was easy. Chris Snelling's leadoff home run in the bottom of the 9th down 3-0 in April against the Astros to spark a 4 run 9th inning.

This year's closest thing to a Russell Branyon moment.

[J. Weitzel]

Good one, Sarge.

[Pedro Philiz]

When the Mets blew every lead in the 9th.

[J. Weitzel]

Does Vicente Padilla's triple off Dontrelle Willis still classify as the best Beerleaguer moment of all time?

[craig_one]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ryan howard (the baseball player), my friend ELIZABETH, and some freelancer guy i barely know here at work.

[chi-phil]

Brett Myers' walk against CC Sabathia in the NLDS and his hot bat in Game 2 of the NLCS.

[J. Weitzel]

craig_one: What did I tell you about giving shout outs on Beerleaguer. Don't let it happen again.

[stjoehawk]

Dobbs 3-run PH home run against the Braves to cap off a great comeback on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in July. That would be my moment (for the regular season).

[CJ]

Boy... it sure will be tough to top Chooch at third base.

For me, two Brad Lidge saves stand out. They were the kinds of saves that wouldn't have happened in past Phillies seasons.

On June 6th, the Phils took a 2 run lead into the bottom of the 10th (started by a Chris Snelling double of all things). In the bottom of the 10th, the Braves had runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs. Escobar singled up the middle scoring one, but Victorino gunned Blanco out at home.

On August 3rd, the Phils had a two run lead going to the bottom of the 9th against the Cardinals. Glaus lead off with a towering home run. After one out, the Cardinals got two singles and Izturis was hit by a pitch to load the bases. But Lidge struck out a couple of rookies to end the game. Had Izturis not gotten hit by a pitch, I have a feeling he would have gotten the run home from third.

[BB]

Was it Adam Eaton, or KK who gave up a double to randy Johnson? yeah, that one.

[Bedrosian's Beard]

I think I have to concur with chi-phil: Myers' walk against CC. Blanton's HR may be second. I have a special place in my heart for pitchers doing the unexpected at the plate.

[BB]

Funny thing about beerleaguer moments, they are all regular season. I love this site, but post season baseball is not conducive to being online. You are watching the game so intently and thinking between innings, getting up to type is not on the Agenda.

BTW my second nominee is when Vin Scully gave Eric Bruntlett's SAT scores.

[diehard]

Off the top of my head one game that sticks out is the Sunday night game against the Dodgers in late August. With Durbin getting out of a bases loaded no out jam, and then Feliz tying the game with 2 outs in the 9th, and winning it with a 3 run walkoff in the 11th. Both off RHP of course.

[Kutztown fan]

I second Brett Myers walk against Sabathia in game 2 of the NLDS.

I also liked all of World Series game 5, part 2. The most intense 3 innings of baseball ever.

[Brian G]

BB: On Burrell, I'm still wondering that too. Toronto said today they aren't going after any free agents, so you can possibly scratch them off. Is Texas planning on spending any money? They might fit.

Every day Amaro is looking smarter for not rushing to sign Pat. 2 years 22 mil may end up getting it done.

[R.Billingsly]

In a year filled with great moments, my favorite BEERLEAGUER moment of 2008 was the September 28th game because of this lineup:

1. Taguchi, LF
2. Bruntlett, SS
3. Iguchi, 2B
4. Jenkins, RF
5. Coste, 1B
6. Cervanak, 3B
7. Golson, CF
8. Marson, C
9. Kendrick, P

Got to love it! (I know it's not technically a "moment," but you get the idea)

[dayman]

One moment that sticks out from June would be the 20-2 romp of the Cardinals out in STL. Utley, Howard, and Burrell all homered in successive at-bats in the first off Wellemeyer, who up to that point, had been a pretty competent starter. It was one of those nice Friday night games you could keep on in the background and enjoy with absolutely no pressure.

Of course, the Phils went on to go 3-11 for the rest of June, which included that horrendous stretch against the AL West teams.

[ftl John]

Maybe because it was such a personal moment, but mainly because it was perhaps the most feel-good moment for me this season.

My first game at "beautiful" Dolphin Statdium with my brother. I had moved down to Ft. Lauderdale in March and this game took place in June. Me and my brother both worked together in a law firm and bumped out early to go to see the game. I can remember wearing my Phils jersey over my suit and tie and being laughed at the whole day by my staff who didn't quite get why I was so passionate about a game in June.

Over probably a few too many beers in a pouring rain storm in the parking lot, me and my brother talked ad nauseum about two things. One was how happy we were to see Jamie Moyer pitch that night, the other the layups Florida had been facing and about to face in interleague play (I think they had wrapped up a series againt the Royals recently.)

They may have been 5,000 fans tere that night. Tops. Half or more than half were Phils fans. I can remember the awful heckling Marlins fans tried to pass off as worthwile and the annoying jumbotron skits of Billy the Marlin using a Phillies jersey in obscene (and non-humerous) ways.

Jamie took a no-hitter into the 6th innning that night (I believe), completely shut down the Marlins and even got himself a hit in the process. I can remember me and my brother going berzerk, saying things like, "The old man did it again!" and "It's called a breaking ball, Jacobs!" and my faorite, "Dan Uggla: Not even the best second baseman in the National League whose last name begins with a U!"

As the game ended and te Marlins fans filing out in the 7th inning, my brother, who is 40 and was more than likely three sheets at the time, bid them all good luck against whatever softie team they had in the AL next: The Royals, Orioles, Tigers...whoever.

That was my most memorable moment. Maybe just another June evening to all of you, but something very special for me. Home is where you make it.

[MyersAtTheBat (formerly CubeHostage)]

this seems redundant in light of the Chooch at third mention, but i personally enjoyed Myers' at bat in the 13th inning of that same game... Vic triples to lead off (at least i remember it as being Vic, it could have been someone else. but i'm at work and thus restricted from accessing any site related to baseball not named Beerleaguer... thank god for small miracles huh!... but i digress) the Mets walked the following two hitters to load the bases with no outs, the pitcher's spot is up and Charlie is out of pinch hitters, Jerry Manuel knows this. tie game, 13th inning, heat of a pennant race, winning run on third base, what does Uncle Charlie do? he sends Brett Myers to the plate with strict instructions NOT TO SWING. NO MATTER WHAT. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES. ha! you could almost hear the competitor in Myers muttering about how much he wanted to swing over the radio cast. it was a priceless moment when he struck out on (i believe) a 2-2 count. made only more priceless by Coste's deep single to center to win the game in the next at bat. oh, how i loved that moment.

[Bubba]

Moyer vs. Maddox in San Diego - can't remember the date. Great pitching match up of 2 vintage-active pitchers.

[CJ]

That Myers at bat was awesome... he stood there acting as crazy as possible waving that bat on his shoulder. It was hilarious.

[CJ]

I'll also nominate the short-rest starts by Jamie Moyer and Brett Myers against the Brewers in that pivotal 4-game series. That sweep propelled us to the division crown.

[Andy]

I kinda like the June 6th nailing of Blanco by Vic at the plate.

[Andy]

In re: the throw by Vic.
In a rational world, that single should have scored the run and wiped out a perfect year by Lidge. It was one of Lidge's worst outings, really, and was only preserved by the amazing play to get the runner. It's like how in perfect games there always seems to be one defensive gem which keeps the wheels from falling off. That throw by Vic might have been the moment which preserved Lidge's perfect season.

[Louisville Phils Phan]

Dayman: i was at that game, with three cardinals fan. back to back to back shots, i was going nuts. definitely my favorite moment of the year, because i was there to see it live.

[Andy]

MyersAtTheBat:
I bet if Myers had been allowed to swing he woulda closed his eyes and knocked it clean out.

[Deutsche Phan]

Favorite moments strictly related to the blog:
- Clout Day: March 20, the first day pre-season statistics can be analyzed
- Campaign Cheer

Favorite "Beerleaguer Moment":
- Lou Marson homerun on Fan Appreciation Day

[JMARR]

Jason - great topic.

This season had so many moments that could make the list, but the only time I can honestly say I lept out of my chair was when Shane took CC yard for the grand slam in the Divisional Series.

What a moment.

[B-Mac]

Besides Blanton's and Stairs' home runs, I think Condrey's double and Bruntlett's game tying double in the seven run comeback against the mets. I'd like to nominate Pat's Walk Off against the giants, just for the beauty of the swing and how it gave us a win after falling behind in the 10th. I also loved Brett Myers' walk of course, but Jimmy's double play to clinch the division was also pretty awesome.

[MyersAtTheBat]

one more before i go back to working...

Sunday, June 1st- Phils lead the Marlins 7-5 in the ninth inning of the rubber game of a series that determined first in the East. Tom Gordon is on the mound and, with visions of opening-day haunting us still, he walks the first man he faces. 1 on, no out, 2 run lead to take control of first in the East. after another two consecutive balls to the second batter, Jimmy Rollins calls time. he trots up on to the pitchers mound, leans over to Flash and says, "what the heck are you doing? throw strikes. babe ruth is dead." it should go without saying by now, but the man who i'll forever call The Oracle at Broad and Pattison was correct. Flash retired the side without further control issues and the Phillies finished the series with a half game lead in the NL East.

[MyersAtTheBat]

Andy: true story.

[GM-Carson]

Vic's 1st career grand slam off of CC Sabathia was the most enjoyable moment for me. That was the killer blow in a game nobody gave the Phils a chance to win.

[Jack]

Victorino gunning out the tying run at the plate against the Braves after Kelly Johnson dropped a routine popup to extend the game into extras. Beginning of June, in the middle of our great hot streak, and the first indication that maybe this team had something special going on.

Also: Burrell's home run to win the game against the Giants after Rowand gave them the lead; the 6-run 9th inning to beat the Mets; Myers' performance in the Sunday night game of the Brewers doubleheader in September; plenty of others.

[Bubba]

Looked it up on the Phillies site-
August 15 Moyer vs Maddux 1-0 Phils win

Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Moyer (W, 11-7) 7.0 3 0 0 2 2 0 3.64
Madson (H, 10) 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.16
Romero (H, 18) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.27
Lidge (S, 29) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.15
San Diego IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Maddux (L, 6-9) 7.0 5 1 1 0 4 1 3.99
Hampson 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.44
Adams 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.18
Ledezma 0.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 4.47
Hensley 1.0 0 0 0 1 3 0 4.19

[TODDFROMFAIRMOUNT]

the moment for me was watching the last out of that sunday nite game vs the brewers. myers on 3 days and completing the 4 game sweep. as i left CBP i said to myself, we have a little something special here. little did i know.

[BobbyD]

It's not a single moment, but mine is the September / October evolution of Ryan Madsen to unhittable.

[bay_area_phan]

The moment that sticks in my mind is the June 7 game where Kelly Johnson dropped a routine pop-up with 2 outs in the 9th inning, allowing Eric Bruntlett to score the tying run. I distinctly recall writing a post afterwards that referred to the error as "twilight zone stuff." The Phillies went on to win the game in the 10th.

[Sophist]

Beerleaguer moment of the top of my head: May 5th at ARI. Moyer goes 7 IP and gives up 2 ER. Phils open the door in the third when Moyer hits a slice to LF (2B) that scores Feliz. I feel like every LF from that day on played the line and shallow against Moyer after that hit.

non BL moment: Burrell on May 2nd. Giants score 3 in the 7th to tie it at 5. game goes to extras where Rowand, his first time back in Philadelphia, hits a HR to left center against Romero. 6-5 Giants. Crestfallen, I walk from the upperdecks to the view from the venders above the lower level. Brian Wilson SO Werth. Utley singles on the first offering on a short LD to RF over the SS head. Wilson SO Howard. Wilson's throwing heat. Burrell works the count full, fouls a few off. Hits the 6th pitch to deep left-center. Utley scores. Burrell scores. Phillies win.

[PhilliesPhan]

9/16/08: Ryan Howard hits a two-run home run in the 8th inning to complete a comeback over the Braves and give the Phillies an 8-7 win.
7/22/08: Mets bullpen blows a three-run lead in the ninth, with the key hit being a pinch-hit game-tying two-run double by So Taguchi. Carlos Ruiz knocked in a run with the soft ground ball to second that Reyes misplayed. Victorino beat the play out at 2nd. Rollins then gave us the lead with a two-run double. Amazing comeback and the only good thing So Taguchi did as a Phillie.

[NEPP]

Campaign Cheer

The couple games after Jimmy's frontrunner comments (those were the best threads all season).

The 20-2 game was awesome.

Brett's Walk.

[Lake Fred]

I'll nominate the one Phillies game I attended in Houston when Brad Lidge made his first official appearance in a Phillies uniform in Houston. Half the crowd was booing, while an equal amount clapped. As I was telling my daughter that the Phillies fans call Brad, "Lights Out Lidge", an Astros fan behind me shouts out "Load 'em Up Lidge". I was to learn even in the perfect season, both names can apply, like Superman and Clark Kent.

Other faves already mentioned plus others listed as follows:
All bench lineup game,
Swindles callup appearance,
Blanton's home run,
Myers walk against CC,
Myers 3 hit, 3 RBI game,
Vic's Grand Slam,
Stairs homer,
Stairs post homer "hands on his rear" comments,
Cholly's Gut style of decision making,
Condrey power striking out the side including Manny,
Madson's sudden ascendancy of speed,
Howard awakening from his early season slump,
The gaudy record early in the season,
Myers & Eaton being sent down,
Moyer beating the Cubs at Wrigley, and
Sweeping the Braves on the road.

A disclaimer: My memory is sometimes faulty. Items listed above may not be factually correct. To that I say: World F#¢*ing Champions!

[bay_area_phan]

Another good one was on April 21. Leading by just 1 run at Coors Field, Cholly brought in TJ Bohn as a pinch runner/defensive replacement for the red-hot Pat Burrell. Bohn dropped a fly ball on his very first play of the game, then came up in the 9th & put the game away with a 2-run double.

[mark]

1. The tilted head admiration on matt stairs face as he watched his bomb travel into the LA stratosphere, sinking the Dodgers into oblivion.

2. The eyes-wide surprise on blanton's face after closing his eyes and flailing a ball over the left field wall.

[Andy]

This was kinda one of my favorite "moments" too.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080728&content_id=3211875&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

[Bubba]

Lake Fred - your closing line made me remember Gillick telling the press how Pat the Bat got the knickname "Bait"

[bay_area_phan]

Another one -- and this one REALLY is a Beerleaguer moment. May 21 against the Nationals. Ryan Howard comes into the game hitting .183 with a .396 slugging pct. With the majority of Beerleaguers (myself included) calling for his head, I write a tongue in cheek post declaring that he'll probably hit 2 homeruns tonight. He goes out and hits 2 homeruns.

[Andy]

See, LF? Doesn't that sound so much better?

[KidCarnivore]

My vote is for the Myers walk. What strikes me most is that for that moment, it seemed as if the fans both at the game and on Beerleaguer EXPECTED something good to come from the walk. In retrospect, the walk happened with Feliz on third and, more importantly, two outs. By the time Victorino came up to plate, it was almost as if the grand slam was a foregone conclusion; the real victory was achieved when Myers outlasted CC in that crucial AB while the game was still tied.

[Lake Fred]

Yea, Bubba, and Harry Kalas on national TV calls him "the Bait". I explained that to my wife. It just put more ammunition in her "All Men Are Dogs" file drawer.

[NEPP]

My favorite BL Moment(s):

Every time I was able to post:

"That's Lidgetastic!"

Which I managed to do every single time Lidge saved a game and I was on BL.