2005 Phillies Replay

bms · 04-25-2018, 11:15 PM

The 2005 Phillies stand out to me as a "what might have been" team. They finished 88-74, one game behind the Astros for the NL wild card. General manager Ed Wade mismanaged this team in several ways:

1. Ryan Howard, clearly ready for major leagues at age 25, was sent to Scranton to start the season. He did not become a starter in the big leagues until July. He was the NL Rookie of the Year with a .288/.356/.567 batting line in just 88 games.
2. In June, the Phillies traded Placido Polanco to the Tigers for Ugueth Urbina and Ramon Martinez. This was a pitiful return for an everyday player who was in the midst of a 6 WAR season, and was signed through 2009.
3. The Phillies made no significant moves after the All-Star break, despite an obvious need for more pitching help.

Wade was fired after the season. I am replaying this season with historical transactions off to see how well these Phillies can do under my management.

Opening Day lineups, April 4, 2005, at Citizens Bank Park:

Nationals
SS Jamey Carroll
LF Ryan Church
RF Jose Guillen
1B Nick Johnson
3B Ryan Zimmerman
CF Brad Wilkerson
C Brad Schneider
2B Jose Vidro
RHP John Patterson

Phillies
RF Bobby Abreu
2B Chase Utley
SS Jimmy Rollins
1B Ryan Howard
3B Placido Polanco
LF Pat Burrell
CF Kenny Lofton
C Mike Lieberthal
RHP Jon Lieber

bms · 04-26-2018, 11:22 PM

Monday, April 4: Phillies 3, Nationals 2
Wednesday, April 6: Phillies 3, Nationals 2
Thursday, April 7: Nationals 5, Phillies 4

Phillies record: 2-1
Historical record: 1-2

The Phillies took two of three from the Nationals in a closely contested season-opening series at Citizens Bank Park.

In his first career Opening Day start, Ryan Howard went 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer off John Patterson (0-1), leading the Phillies to a 3-2 win over division rival Washington. 43,731 fans attended despite 44-degree weather. Bobby Abreu also hit a solo homer in the fifth inning, while Jose Vidro homered for the Nationals. Jon Lieber (1-0) gave up two runs in 6.2 innings of work, while Billy Wagner picked up the save in his first appearance with the Phillies.

After taking Tuesday off, the teams returned to play 11 innings on Wednesday night. The Phillies were down to their last out in the ninth inning but would come out on top, 3-2. Abreu's double scored pinch-runner Marlon Byrd to tie it in the ninth, and the bullpen held off the Nats until Placido Polanco's base-loaded sacrifice fly scored Chase Utley in the 11th. Starter Brett Myers walked five but allowed just one run over 6.2 innings, while Rheal Cormier (1-0) picked up the win in relief. Abreu and Jimmy Rollins had three hits each.

Thursday, Randy Wolf got hit around as the Phillies failed to complete the sweep. Wolf (0-1) went only 4.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on nine hits. Jose Guillen had a two-run homer for Washington, and Livan Hernandez (1-0) pitched seven strong innings and hit an RBI single. Kenny Lofton hit his first home run of the season for the Phillies.

Despite the loss Thursday, I was pleased to win the series despite scoring just 10 runs in three games. Catcher Mike Lieberthal was injured in Wednesday's game, but I elected not to make a roster move as he's expected back by Saturday. The Phillies head to St. Louis next to face a Cardinals team that went 105-57 last season.

04-25-2018, 11:15 PM	#1
bms Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 7	2005 Phillies Replay The 2005 Phillies stand out to me as a "what might have been" team. They finished 88-74, one game behind the Astros for the NL wild card. General manager Ed Wade mismanaged this team in several ways: 1. Ryan Howard, clearly ready for major leagues at age 25, was sent to Scranton to start the season. He did not become a starter in the big leagues until July. He was the NL Rookie of the Year with a .288/.356/.567 batting line in just 88 games. 2. In June, the Phillies traded Placido Polanco to the Tigers for Ugueth Urbina and Ramon Martinez. This was a pitiful return for an everyday player who was in the midst of a 6 WAR season, and was signed through 2009. 3. The Phillies made no significant moves after the All-Star break, despite an obvious need for more pitching help. Wade was fired after the season. I am replaying this season with historical transactions off to see how well these Phillies can do under my management. Opening Day lineups, April 4, 2005, at Citizens Bank Park: Nationals SS Jamey Carroll LF Ryan Church RF Jose Guillen 1B Nick Johnson 3B Ryan Zimmerman CF Brad Wilkerson C Brad Schneider 2B Jose Vidro RHP John Patterson Phillies RF Bobby Abreu 2B Chase Utley SS Jimmy Rollins 1B Ryan Howard 3B Placido Polanco LF Pat Burrell CF Kenny Lofton C Mike Lieberthal RHP Jon Lieber

04-26-2018, 11:22 PM	#2
bms Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 7	Monday, April 4: Phillies 3, Nationals 2 Wednesday, April 6: Phillies 3, Nationals 2 Thursday, April 7: Nationals 5, Phillies 4 Phillies record: 2-1 Historical record: 1-2 The Phillies took two of three from the Nationals in a closely contested season-opening series at Citizens Bank Park. In his first career Opening Day start, Ryan Howard went 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run homer off John Patterson (0-1), leading the Phillies to a 3-2 win over division rival Washington. 43,731 fans attended despite 44-degree weather. Bobby Abreu also hit a solo homer in the fifth inning, while Jose Vidro homered for the Nationals. Jon Lieber (1-0) gave up two runs in 6.2 innings of work, while Billy Wagner picked up the save in his first appearance with the Phillies. After taking Tuesday off, the teams returned to play 11 innings on Wednesday night. The Phillies were down to their last out in the ninth inning but would come out on top, 3-2. Abreu's double scored pinch-runner Marlon Byrd to tie it in the ninth, and the bullpen held off the Nats until Placido Polanco's base-loaded sacrifice fly scored Chase Utley in the 11th. Starter Brett Myers walked five but allowed just one run over 6.2 innings, while Rheal Cormier (1-0) picked up the win in relief. Abreu and Jimmy Rollins had three hits each. Thursday, Randy Wolf got hit around as the Phillies failed to complete the sweep. Wolf (0-1) went only 4.1 innings and allowed five earned runs on nine hits. Jose Guillen had a two-run homer for Washington, and Livan Hernandez (1-0) pitched seven strong innings and hit an RBI single. Kenny Lofton hit his first home run of the season for the Phillies. Despite the loss Thursday, I was pleased to win the series despite scoring just 10 runs in three games. Catcher Mike Lieberthal was injured in Wednesday's game, but I elected not to make a roster move as he's expected back by Saturday. The Phillies head to St. Louis next to face a Cardinals team that went 105-57 last season.