April 30, 1984
After a month of play, the leader boards aren't very official. But here’s how our guys rank (all National League ranks):
Hitting
Batting Average
6. Joe Lefebvre - .344
Home Runs
T4. Mike Schmidt - 5
Stolen Bases
1. Juan Samuel - 11
Strikeouts
2. Juan Samuel - 25
T5. Mike Schmidt - 20
Sacrifice Hits
1. Steve Carlton - 5
Isolated Power
5. Mike Schmidt - .235
Pitching
Losses
T4. Steve Carlton - 3
Saves
T2. Al Holland - 6
Strikeouts / Walks
5. Jerry Koosman - 5.0
Walks / 9 IP
1. Jerry Koosman - 0.7
Holds
T2. Larry Andersen - 2
T2. Bill Campbell - 2
Early returns: Juan Samuel is exciting but also young, Schmidt still has big power, and hopefully some of those outs turn into hits as we continue. It’s been a tough month, but there’s reason to feel good about the future. I’m hoping as we start playing more NL West teams (that division isn’t so hot), we can right the ship a bit and start competing for the division.
Game 1984-22 - Veterans Stadium: Expos 9, Phillies 1 / 9-13
This won’t get us going. John Denny only goes four, giving up six runs off seven hits and two walks.
May 1, 1984
Game 1984-23 - Veterans Stadium: Expos 7, Phillies 2 / 9-14
We commit three errors in the game (including two by Ivan de Jesus), though it feels like we commit seven. Also, somehow Mike Schmidt has four errors this season. That actually seems in line with his career norms, but it's jarring nonetheless.
May 2, 1984
Game 1984-24 - Veterans Stadium: Expos 8, Phillies 1 / 9-15
Jerry Koosman is uncharacteristically wild, and 13 hits from the Expos seals the deal. We look as bad we’ve looked all season.
Meanwhile, Paul Owens “blasted the media” after the game because of “negative coverage,” per a report. He was harsh and abrupt in the press conference. Of course, we’re 9-15, so I’m not necessarily on Owens’ side here. I’m actually worried things are going to unravel sooner rather than later.
Taking clubhouse temperature, players seem to be content with no pressing issues. For now I’ll keep an eye on things, but for sure, I’d entertain the thought of installing my own skipper at some point down the line.
May 3, 1984
RP Dave Wehrmeister to 15-day injured list
RP John Flinn promoted to MLB Philadelphia
Wehrmeister hits the injured list with a sore shoulder. He’ll be out for two weeks. I call up Flinn, who’s scraping by in AAA Portland (5.40 ERA, 2 K, 2 BB) but is just a fill-in. I thought about calling up Don Carman (1.93 ERA, 8 K, 5 BB), but he needs a little more time down there.
Prospect watch: Darren Daulton (50/72) is putting up great numbers at AAA Portland (59 PA, .327/.441/.653, 8 XBH, 9 K, 9 BB). He’s also caught 124 innings with an even 0 zone rating and a 47.1 percent caught stealing rate (third in the Pacific Coast League), both really encouraging stats. But one downside: his four passed balls is far and away tops in the PCL. I’m not yet ready to push Daulton into the majors; let’s see where he’s at after 250 innings caught.
Also, Mike Diaz is hitting well (70 PA, .281/.343/.438, 5 XBH, 12 K, 5 BB) and his defense hasn’t suffered too much. He'll be promoted when a spot opens, and he's assured he can play a few times a week in the majors.
May 4, 1984
Game 1984-25 - Veterans Stadium: Phillies 5, Reds 0 / 10-15
A big rebound. Kevin Gross goes the whole nine, striking out four and walking two while allowing just three hits - all singles. Moving Len Matuszek to the three-hole works, as he goes 2-for-3 with two RBI. Von Hayes is now up to .239 with a .308 OBP.
May 5, 1984
Game 1984-26 - Veterans Stadium: Reds 1, Phillies 0 / 10-16
Frustrating to get this outcome. Just three hits. Mike Schmidt is now at .190 and needs a day off. We rally in the ninth but can’t bring it home. So frustrating.
May 6, 1984
Game 1984-27 - Veterans Stadium: Phillies 6, Reds 5 (11) / 11-16
It takes a while, but we get a walkoff thanks to a Juan Samuel single in the 11th. A good showing by Al Holland and Bill Campbell keeping the game in sight (3.1 IP, 2 K, 1 H)
The newest power rankings have us at 23rd. That’s out of 26. The top five:
1. Baltimore Orioles - 18-11
2. Montreal Expos - 18-11
3. Kansas City Royals - 17-11
4. Boston Red Sox - 18-12
5. St. Louis Cardinals - 17-11
We’re now six in back of the Expos.