17 New York Mets (C Flexen) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Z Eflin)

julio 2017-08-14 14:59:22 UTC #121

I'll respond here to essentially both DB's comment (quoted here) and the discussion in the general discussion thread. I find it interesting that, when this happened, the Phillies' announcers focused on Herrera's mistake, and offered really no discussion about why Galvis started, then went back to 3B. They just treated it as, "that's what he did."

Now, there's no question that Herrera made a mistake here; he needs to be looking, aware that Galvis is still on 3B, and picking up the 3B coach, who presumably was waving him back to 2B.

But, several comments, questions, speculations:

Is it possible that Herrera WAS watching, saw Galvis break for home, looked to see where the ball was in the OF, and broke for 3B, judging that he could make it? Essentially, that Galvis' start and stop deked Herrera?
What was Samuel actually doing? Did he stop Galvis, or did Freddy do that on his own?
Was Samuel aware that Herrera broke for 3B? Did he try to communicate, "GO BACK!"

So while Herrera erred here - in not picking up that Galvis had returned to 3B, and in not forcing a run-down at that point - there are real questions about Galvis' actions, and Samuel's, as well.

The fact that all the Phils' announcers focused only on Herrera's mistakes... well, I guess that's not surprising. People see what they want to see.

Lucky_Beagle 2017-08-14 16:35:03 UTC #122

Not to mention the big headlines in the paper stating "Odubel Herrera makes another blunder as Phillies fall to Mets"

LoneStarPhan 2017-08-14 17:28:36 UTC #123

Meanwhile, I read an article "celebrating" Hoskins getting his first RBI.

Phillies get first three hitters on base to start the game. Hoskins up, bases loaded, no out. Count goes 2-1 . Hoskins swings at (by his own account) ball 3 and grounds out. It's an appear ant double play but review overturns his out call at first. Because the double play was nullified, Hoskins gets an RBI. But the Phillies get only that one run and don't blow the game open with a big inning.

We don't know what would have happened had Hoskins faced a 3-1 pitch in the first any more than we can know what would have happened with Galvis on third and Herrera on second later in the game. My point is not that these two events are equivalent. Clearly Herrera's base running blunder is something that should not have happened while every hitter is going to swing at some bad pitches, but both could have (but might not have) changed the outcome of the game.

One thing for sure, Herrera has been an incredible force for the Phillies, but almost certainly will continue to generate criticism and negative headlines. For me, this has caused me to really look at what Herrera has done and to come to realize just what a gem the Phillies have in him.

donaldorc 2017-08-14 17:30:49 UTC #124

Amen to that. CD began singing his praises when he was a rule 5 draft, and he's only fulfilled that praise--albeit with a lapse or two here and there.

California_Dreamin 2017-08-14 18:13:39 UTC #125

Yep, said he would win a batting title someday, still think so. By the way, I think its alarmingly telling that the Phils failed to make a potential promotional bonanza last week when it was mentioned that, statistically, Herrera has been the best offensive player in baseball since the All-Star break.

Better than Trout, better than Harper, better than ANYONE. Yet the Phils were silent on this, other than a tiny blip from Salisbury that was barely seen by most.

Remember, this is an organization that has always been incredibly PR conscious and here was a chance to genuinely promote one of its players as a upcoming, young star. Instead? We still hear the constant, almost nauseous praise of Galvis and the constant reminder that Herrera continues to make mental mistakes.

I want to believe this doesn't speak to how the organization silently feels about both Crawford and Herrera but remain unconvinced.