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On July 26, 2000, Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling (now the most-expensive set-up man around while he rehabs his ankle injury) was traded to the fesity Arizona Diamondbacks after winning 102 games in a Phillies uniform, including one in the 1993 World Series. Schilling was upset in Philly, he wanted out and the rest is history. The Phillies may not see a pitcher that good for 25 years. He’s up there with Steve Carlton and Robin Roberts as the best to ever pitch in Philly.The Phillies received what at the time seemed like a steal. They got pitching prospect Nelson Figueroa, solid veteran Omar Daal, power-hitting first round draft pick Travis Lee, and another prospect, hard-throwing 22 year old Vicente Padilla, who was striking out a batter an inning with the D-Backs. He was praised for his competitiveness by manager Buck Showalter, who did not want to part with him.
The only thing the Phillies have to show from that trade five years later, aside from the everlasting hysteria from “The Bowa Years,” is Vicente Padilla. Although he represented Philadelphia in the 2002 All-Star Game, he was fighting to stay in the big leagues as he pitched against the Pirates in Pittsburgh last night. While Schilling has won 2 World Series, the Phillies have lost with, as Chris Mustazza affectionately calls him, “Sure-to-lose” Padilla. We all love Vicente, though; we do want him to do well. We know he’s the same pitcher Showalter praised, taking losses out on himself. It has taken a great toll on his confidence to pitch as bad as he has been pitching. But Padilla helped the Phils last night to come within four and a half games of the NL wild card leading Atlanta Braves.
Give credit where credit is due. Mike Lieberthal got a big RBI double, but he also called a great game, even though he let up another passed ball. When looking at some of the successes enjoyed by Brett Myers and Cory Lidle this year, Lieberthal’s game-calling has to be respected; it’s a real strength on this team that is holding on for life right now.
True, the hitters that Padilla put down all play for the miserable Pirates. David Ross, Jose Castillo, and clean-up hitter Rob Mackowiak do not intimidate the way a Pujols, Edmonds, Rolen may intimidate, but Padilla did retire 2005 All-Star Jason Bay all three times, including a strike-out. Padilla finishes the first half of the season on a high note.
Ugueth Urbina, Ryan Madson, and Billy Wagner combined for 3 innings of 1 hit relief. As the trading deadline approaches, the Wagner Watch is on. Ugey and Madson are two of the best in the pen, which could lead to the aging, malcontented Wagner being shipped to an AL contender. Jon Lieber was cleared to start Sunday, all better after being struck by a line drive on Tuesday night. He will finish out the first half against the Nationals at Citizens Bank, to close out the biggest series of the year for the Phils (after the series against Boston, that is) - 3 games versus first place Washington.
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