At 1st Base in 2018 for the Phillies Whiz Kids

After May 31 is in the books, last year’s surprises will have their two-month evaluation in reports from the front office staff and meetings with coaches, the skipper and general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Stretching Defender: 

To fulfill a dream is to realize when it morphs into an attainable goal getting closer with each successfully completed stage.

Competing to start at first base, Tommy Joseph, Brock Stassi and Rhys Hoskins are in the mix. But they each have a different situation. Joseph earned two months to prove he could repeat his success from last summer, while Stassi will have a shot if Joseph doesn’t perform. However, if Joseph struggles after the All-Star break, Hoskins will receive a call-up if he had a solid first half. But although their position is different, catchers Cameron Rupp, Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro are similar regarding timeline and circumstances.

Using the wayback machine, we are returning to the local baseball events leading up to the Whiz Kids and their first sacker.

In their glory days, the Philadelphia Athletics had the Mack Attack, won the World Series in 1929 and 1930, but lost game seven of the Fall Classic in 1931. Yet, before those memories could fade, the Athletics sold off their expensive stars for two reasons. The new Federal League was attracting players with bigger paydays, and the A’s were losing money: perhaps, the first signs that Philadelphia was a one-team market. Well, they finished in second and third place, respectively, continued rebuilding, but never ended up higher than fourth in 1948.

Philadelphia in the standings:

• The 1948 A’s: 84-70 for fourth place and 12.5 games out.
• The 1948 Phillies: 66-88 for sixth and 25.5 out.

• The 1949 A’s: 81-73 for fifth place and 16 games out.
• The 1949 Phillies: 81-73 for third and 16 out.

• The 1950 A’s: 52-102 for eighth and last place and 46 games out.
• The 1950 Phillies: 91-63 for first place and the NL pennant.

With some imagination, you can picture the same competitive dynamic back then you see today in New York and hear the passion: They won’t play .600 ball all season! In 1950, for instance, Joey wanted to know the score on a comfortable Sunday afternoon, and he crossed the street because he was near his uncle’s home. Are the Phils winning? We root for the A’s in this house, little fella.

From ’48 through ’50, both organizations were moving in opposite directions, and Philadelphia had only one franchise after 1954 because the Athletics moved to Kansas City. But keep in mind, other cities also experienced relocating teams: the Boston Braves to Milwaukee, the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore, the New York Giants to San Francisco and Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

In those days, corner positions were mostly for power hitters, but the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Eddie Waitkus from the Chicago Cubs after he averaged .304, .292 and .295. And after he batted .306 in 1949 for the Phils, he hit .284 in 1950 and played in 154 games. Ergo, a steady Eddie.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “I’m a really smart player. If you tell me something, I get it quickly. If there is something wrong with my hitting, tell me what’s wrong and I’ll pick it up right away. That’s the best thing I have going for me, my ability to listen to a coach and fix what I’m doing wrong.” – Albert Pujols

Standing at the head of the line for the red pinstripes at first base, Joseph – like Rupp – got off to a slow start. Unfortunately, his average for month one was .179 with one home run and seven RBIs, but some locals wanted a change in mid-April. However, as Klentak stated in a recent TV interview, nobody hits 21 homers by accident, which is one reason why management gives successful regulars two months. But if the slump had continued into early May, platooning was a possible solution. Of course, Joseph is on a tear this month with a .400 average, four long balls and nine RBIs.

IN OTHER WORDS:     “The passion is my favorite part of the city [Philadelphia]. You go from ‘we love you’ to ‘we hate you’ back to ‘you walk on water.’ You’re driving, and somebody might wave or somebody might flip you off.” – Jim Thome

Joseph:

• Versus RHP: 73 AB, .274, 1 HR and 7 RBI.
• Versus LHP: 29 AB, .207, 4 HR and 9 RBI.

Joseph:

• Versus RHP: 73 AB, .274, 1 HR and 7 RBI.
• Versus LHP: 29 AB, .207, 4 HR and 9 RBI.

If Joseph has another prolonged slump, would Stassi face more than just tough righties? Well, so far, Joseph hits southpaws with power but is productive against right-handers. On the other hand, Stassi is batting .229 with two home runs and six RBIs for only 53 plate appearances. That stated, he’s behind Joseph here but Hoskins is the starter with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Despite some fans demanding his call-up, Hoskins is only halfway through the first half of the campaign, and the Phils would have to place him on the 40-man roster. Granted, his numbers are sparkling: .336, nine bombs and 28 RBIs. So, what does the organization have to lose by promoting him? One year of control. They don’t have to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft until after the 2018 season.

Many interesting places are at the Bank for younger fans along Ashburn Alley, and some things draw their attention: He’s eyeballing a Mike Schmidt jersey. But the TV broadcasting booth is one place he can’t visit – despite his wishful staring – and what would he say if he could? Wow! What a view!