Ryan Braun Responds to Boos with 3-Homer Day at Citizens Bank Park

In a very Barry Bonds-esque performance at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Ryan Braun was booed and then booed some more. His response? Three home runs.

In the video below, Philadelphia Phillies fans can be heard calling him a cheater from the stands, unwilling to forgive or forget his purchase of PEDs from Biogenesis, denial of said purchase, and the slap on the wrist that followed.

After only three hits in 20 at bats this season, the Milwaukee Brewers right fielder knocked in a career-high seven runs to tie a franchise record in his team's 10-4 victory. He had not gone yard in 98 plate appearances -- the longest drought of his career -- dating back to last summer. However, it was no surprise he ended his homer slump in Philly, where he has 10 longballs in 21 career games.

Philadelphia Phillies Release Dontrelle Willis

Well, they gave him a shot.

The Philadelphia Phillies have officially released Dontrelle Willis Friday morning, announcing the move via Twitter very plainly.

The 30-year-old lefty signed a non-guaranteed contract with the team back in December worth $850,000 over one year with the hopes of competing for a spot in the bullpen this spring. This in itself may have been hard for him to swallow after spending all nine of his big league seasons as a starter.

Unfortunately, in three appearances this spring, Willis allowed five earned runs on five hits with four walks in just 2.2 innings. Yikes. The good news is he will receive $139,000 in severance pay.

So what happened to the D-Train? Remember when he was kinda awesome? The 2003 National League Rookie of the Year made two All-Star appearances with the Florida Marlins and even finished second in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2005. Those were the days cause it's pretty much been downhill from there. He tried a career revival back in 2010 with the Cincinnati Reds too, after lasting just 33 days with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but I think it's safe to say it's over buddy.

Who knows, maybe he didn't take enough protein supplements or something. Hopefully this whole ordeal doesn't trigger his anxiety disorder again... There's always Mexican baseball. Or coaching little league. Those who can't do, teach!

[USA Today]

Season Previews: Philadelphia Phillies

With Spring Training well underway, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing our preview of the National League East, here's a look at the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies.

Halladay and Lee
Hamels, Blanton and Kendrick
It's ridiculous

Papelboner is
Philadelphia's closer
/awkward Irish jig

Shane Victorino
Hunter Pence and Laynce Nix make
Quite the outfield wall

Ruiz at the dish
Polanco's misshapen head
At the hot corner

Jimmy Rollins Stays with Philadelphia Phillies for Three Years, $33 Million

Jimmy Rollins isn't going anywhere Philadelphia Phillies fans, so you can pipe down now.

The animated shortstop has agreed to stick around for another three seasons to the tune of $33 million in a deal that includes a vesting option for a fourth year. Of course, the contract completion depends on a physical, which I'm sure Rollins will pass with flying colors.

The three-time All-Star and 2007 National League MVP, who became a free agent for the first time ever this offseason, has spent his entire 12-year career in Philadelphia ever since being selected in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. Old school.

J-Roll, 33, has been one of the fan favorites for many years. When he's not turning double plays and batting .268, he can be found at a variety of charity events for the Jimmy Rollins Family Foundation which raises money to support young adults living with arthritis while also advocating the prevention of child abuse by providing a portion of charitable donations to Prevent Child Abuse.

When he's not being generous and awesome, he's hanging out with teammate Ryan Howard doing all kinds of weird stuff...

Ty Wigginton Traded to Phillies; Jim Thome Avoids Imminent Broken Hip

Seriously, if Jim Thome was even considering playing first base for the Philadelphia Phillies until Ryan Howard got better, he had another thing coming. Like hip surgery.

The Colorado Rockies have no use for Ty Wigginton anymore, so they traded him away to the Phillies for some cash or a player to be named later. Not a bad deal for Philly though either, considering all they have to pay the guy is $2 million next season, half of his salary.

Of course, he can't be considered a full-time first baseman either, that would be a disaster. The team is planning on using a platoon of like four guys to play the position, including John Mayberry Jr. and Ben Francisco, and maybe even a little Jim Jam here and there... even though he hasn't worn a glove for like four years.

However, the beauty of Wigginton is that he can play absolutely anywhere all over the infield. He'll be a pretty nice right-handed bat off the bench and a decent replacement for anyone needing a break around the diamond.

The 34-year-old utility player, who is most definitely in the twilight of his career, produced for the Rockies until about mid-season, but finished with a .242 average, 15 homers and 47 RBI. Apparently, that is just not going to get it done in Colorado, so he's been effectively replaced by Jordan Pacheco, who is a decade younger with a better batting average. It will be interesting to see what they end up doing with that extra $2 million this winter, whether it's acquiring another arm for the rotation, or possibly going after Martin Prado to be their everyday second baseman.

[Denver Post]

Jonathan Papelbon to Join Philadelphia Phillies Already-Awesome Pitching Staff

As if the Philadelphia Phillies didn't already have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball, they added Jonathan Papelbon to the mix Friday afternoon.

The two sides came to an agreement with the former Boston Red Sox closer reportedly worth somewhere in the ballpark of $50 million over the next four seasons. Since he was a Type A free agent, the Boston Red Sox will receive a first-round pick from the Phillies as compensation. Considering the vesting option which the contract apparently includes, Papelbon could make more than $60 million, which would be the biggest package deal ever signed by a reliever. Bigger than the $47 million, five-year contract the Toronto Blue Jays handed B.J. Ryan in 2005, this agreement even eclipses Mariano Rivera's $15 million a season, currently ranking as the no. 1 all time ridiculous amount of money given to a closer.

Papelboner, who will turn 31 later this month, holds the record for Red Sox saves with 217 over just seven seasons. Although the team never did offer to re-sign him this season, he shot down long-term extension suggestions from Boston in the past, in hopes of a more lucrative free agent deal, which was a pretty good move if a guy has zero commitment to his team:

"I want to see what's out there for myself. This is my job, it's professional baseball, man. You try and get the best deal you can. At the end of the year, it'll be a business decision."

While the majority of his memories in Beantown will be pleasant ones -- a World Series title in 2007 and four All-Star appearances -- his last time out with the club was Game 162 in Baltimore where he blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning, allowing the Orioles to walk off with the win and polish off the greatest single-season collapse of all time. Ah, memories.

[Boston Herald]

Pat Burrell is Undecided on Whether or Not to End His Career

Oh, Pat Burrell.

It sounds like the outfielder's career might be coming to an end.

Burrell had mentioned late in the season that he would toss the idea of retirement around if he wasn't able to return to full strength, with that right foot of his giving him all kinds of trouble. Although he has yet to make an official decision, he did have this to say on Thursday:

Jim Thome Signs One-Year Deal to Mash More Taters with the Philadelphia Phillies

It looks like Jim Thome has a little gas left in the tank after all.

The 41-year-old designated hitter signed on with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday for one last season to the tune of $1.25 million, his second reunion with a former team after leaving the Minnesota Twins last season in August to end the year with the Cleveland Indians, the club he began his career with in 1991. Of course, he must pass a physical first.

Jim Jam joined the 600 Home Run Club this season with the Twins, but that group of sucktards was not going to get him anywhere near a World Series, the only thing missing from his illustrious two-decade Hall of Fame career.

Thome played in Philadelphia from 2003-05, and has remained buddies with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who was his hitting coach back in Cleveland. In fact, he refers to Chawley as his "second father."

There's Always Next Year, Phillies Fans

ONE HUNDRED AND TWO REGULAR SEASON VICTORIES. ONE GIANT FAILURE.

The one game the Philadelphia Phillies needed to win -- Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Wild Card-winning St. Louis Cardinals Friday night -- they lost 1-0 thanks to Chris Carpenter's rocket arm and a Skip Schumaker RBI.

Carpenter was lights out all night long, allowing only three hits with three strikeouts. Meanwhile, Roy Halladay pitched his little heart out, surrendering just the one run on six hits with seven Ks over eight solid innings. Not quite phucking solid enough though.

But enough about that incredible pitcher's duel. Highlighting this season's fourth edition of There's Always Next Year, let's see the Phillies off with a bang into their long, long offseason. In sad photo montage.

NLDS Game 5: Chris Carpenter 1, Philadelphia Phillies 0

Let the keyword searches for "Shirtless Chris Carpenter" commence. (Thank you Nick Punto). It's amazing what seeing a man's abs can do for a girl...as if tossing a three-hit, complete game shutout to carry your team to the National League Championship Series in a must-win Game 5 isn't sexy enough.

Carpenter was out of control. Lights out. In command. Determined to pitch that entire game, and probably thrilled as hell that his teammates managed even one run off his offseason fishing buddy Roy Halladay.

Charlie Manuel: Avid Squirrel Hunter

If we were squirrels, we'd be all over this guy. Anyway, I don't think we really need to say anything about this video...

Here's the rally squirrel in action... adorable. Read about the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-3 win over the Philadephia Phillies in Game 4 of their NLDS and, of course, follow the smack-talking Busch Squirrel on Twitter.

[Guyism]

David Freese Drives in Four Runs, Cardinals Force NLDS Game 5

It was the David Freese Show Wednesday night in St. Louis, with the third baseman hitting a home run and a double for a total of four RBI to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Phillies 5-3 and force a deciding Game 5 back in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.

After going 2-for-12 with just one RBI over the first three games of the series, Freese nailed a two-run double in the fourth inning before his two-run bomb to deep center in the sixth. Also, the hot corner had the the most awesome quote of the postseason so far:

"We're going to come to the yard and give it a hard nine."

Hell yeah buddy.

Lance Berkman, who's looking more and more like Fat Elvis these days -- especially when he runs, smoked a double in the first to score a run as well, before being allowed third base on a Shane Victorino throwing error.

Edwin Jackson was sucking it up early, but he recovered to win his very first playoff start ever. It was a momentous occasion for him. After serving up two longballs on his first five pitches, it was not looking good for the Cardinals starter, but he ended up tossing six solid innings, giving up just those two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.

Then, in true Tony La Russa fashion, five relievers finished the game, with closer Jason Motte being the only one to pitch an entire inning all by himself.

Game 5 is Friday night at 8:37pm ET on TBS, featuring a rematch of Cy Young-winning aces Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter. This is going to be a great contest, and it's literally anyone's game. So don't miss it.

[Usa Today]

Ben Francisco's Pinch Hit Homer Lifts Phillies over Cardinals in NLDS Game 3

Ben Francisco, pinch-hitting for starter Cole Hamels, came up big with a three-run shot off Jaime Garcia in the seventh inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 3-2 win Tuesday night over the St. Louis Cardinals for a 2-1 lead in their National League Division Series.

That was all the offense the Phillies needed behind Hamels, who earned his seventh postseason victory. He's no amateur. Reliever Ryan Madson entered in the eighth to get five outs and (barely) save Hamels' performance after going no more than one inning during his 32 regular season saves. He was pretty pumped about his outing:

"That was a lot of fun. I wish I was a lot better but I guess I was goof enough and that's all that matters."

Hamels was on fire after a rough September, striking out eight over six scoreless innings, with the only extra-base hits coming by way of two Albert Pujols doubles. You'll have that.

The NL Wild Card-winning Cardinals stranded 14 runners on base in front of a sell-out home crowd of 46,914, which is pretty disappointing considering how hard they worked to get to the playoffs in the first place. They attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh when David Freese nailed an RBI single off Hamels to put his team on the board before Yadier Molina added another run in the ninth off Madson with a base hit to center that scored Pujols, but it was too little-too late.

Heavily favored to win it all after a franchise-record 102-win season, the Phillies will attempt to finish off the Cardinals in Game 4 Wednesday night at 6:05pm ET on TBS. Roy Oswalt will get the ball again for Philadelphia against righty Edwin Jackson, who has faced the Phils just once in real life: a loss in which he gave up five runs on eight hits with two walks over five innings.

[Philadelphia Inquirer]

Cardinals Rally Past Phillies, Cliff Lee is Human After All

The Philadelphia Phillies, as damn near unbeatable as they've been all season, were unable to stop the St. Louis Cardinals from rallying for a 5-4 win Sunday night to even up the National League Division Series at 1-1.

The Amazing Cliff Lee blew a four-run lead against the NL Wild Card winners, giving up five runs on 12 hits with nine strikeouts in 6-plus innings to lose his third consecutive playoff start. He's now 0-3 with a 7.13 ERA over his last three outings... looks like he's human after all.

St. Louis took the lead in the seventh when Allen Craig led off with a triple thanks to a botched catch by center fielder Shane Victorino. Then Albert Pujols, who had struck out in his previous two at bats, lined one over Jimmy Rollins' head to give his team the 5-4 lead.

Who Doesn't Want to See a Shirtless Nick Punto?? Ummm... Everyone.

We wanted to share this photo of Nick Punto with you. No reason, other than it made us laugh hysterically. Special thanks to good pal and commenter Seth for posting this on Sooze's Facebook wall... it made her pee a little.

It's one thing for the scrappy Punto to shred the jerseys of Chris Carpenter, Matt Holliday, or Skip Shumacher, for example, but he needs to keep his intact. And shave.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies will meet up for Game One of the best-of-five NLDS Saturday evening with Roy Halladay taking the hill against Kyle Lohse at 4:05pm ET on TBS. Unfortunately, Punto will be riding the pine in favor of Rafael Furcal.

Earlier on in the day, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers will face off in a battle of aces with Ian Kennedy and Yovani Gallardo highlighting Game One of that NLDS matchup at 1:05pm ET.

The Beers will be Flowing in Either Philadelphia or St. Louis

Much like the respective mayors of San Francisco and Arlington did during the World Series last season, the mayors of Philadelphia and St. Louis are betting on baseball.

This time, however, the wager is on delicious home-brewed beer rather than tasty hometown food. The losing mayor, as if his team getting tossed out of the playoffs isn't bad enough, will send locally-made beer to the winning mayor, who also gets to enjoy his team moving on to the NLCS.

Regardless of which ball club emerges victorious, Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and St. Louis mayor Francis Slay   announced Friday that they will each volunteer with Habitat for Humanity following the best-of-five series. Roy Halladay will take the hill against Kyle Lohse Saturday evening at 4:05pm ET for Game One of the NLDS in St. Louis.

[Philadelphia Daily News]

Holy Crap, Wild Card Wednesday Was Nuts

What a finish to baseball's regular season, the greatest show on dirt. That was literally the most exciting night of baseball we have ever witnessed in our entire lives. Sincerely hope you got to see at least one of these games.

The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox polished off their respective collapses while the Tampa Bay Rays made the most improbable comeback of their young franchise's history. Also, Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals plowed through the Houston Astros like they had the worst record in baseball... oh, wait.

Guys like Nolan Reimold and Robert Andino, who forced Jonathan Papelbon's soon-to-be infamous blown save, are maybe the last two names you'd expect to hear today. Maybe, if you're living outside of Baltimore, you have no clue who the hell they are. They're spoilers. Season-enders. Game-changers for a day.

Many Red Sox fans, already disappointed with Carl Crawford's once-promising season in Beantown, may want to kick him in the nuts today after his disgraceful, missed catch on Andino's low liner to end the game. Pure laziness. David Ortiz summed it all up in his post-game interview:

"Umm....this is... this might be the worst situation that I have ever been involved in, in my whole career."

Then there's Evan Longoria, who enjoyed a two-home run evening -- one being quite possibly the biggest walkoff bomb of his career -- at Tropicana Field as his Rays rallied from a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning. And Dan Johnson. Batting .183 on the year and the last guy you want at the plate when your team is down to their last strike of the season in the bottom of ninth, goes yard to tie it up and give Tampa a shot at October.

Braves Drop into Tie with Cardinals for NL Wild Card

“It's like living out a bad dream... You never expect this to happen to you."
-- Chipper Jones

The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of an absolute free fall. In fact, they're all but giving the National League Wild Card to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Derek Lowe struggled once again, surrendering five runs on five hits and exiting in the fifth inning to a chorus of boos from the home crowd at Turner Field during his team's 7-1 loss to the NL East-champion Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta has now lost four straight and eight of 11, squandering the 8 1/2-game lead they enjoyed just three weeks ago.

Chase Utley, Hunter Pence, and Jimmy Rollins each went yard as the Phillies totally screwed up the Braves plans. They never even had a shot against Roy Oswalt, who gave up only three hits over six solid innings. Atlanta will send Tim Hudson to the mound Wednesday against Joe Blanton in an attempt to wrap up the Wild Card if they emerge victorious and the Cardinals manage to drop their final game of the season.

After rallying from a 5-0 deficit to crush the last-place Houston Astros 13-6, the Cardinals pulled even with the Braves, who had sole possession of the Wild Card lead since June 20. All good things must come to an end I suppose.

Phillies Beat Braves for Win No. 100, Cardinals Lose

The Atlanta Braves were enjoying an early two-tun lead against Cliff Lee Monday night, but the postseason-bound Philadelphia Phillies did what they do best, rallying for their 100th victory of the season with a 4-2 win.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals managed to lose to the last-place Houston Astros 5-4 on a crazy squeeze bunt in the 10th inning, leaving Atlanta's Wild-Card lead at one game over St. Louis. The Braves are on quite the skid at this point, dropping their third straight and seventh of their last 10 for a 9-16 September record with just two games left in the regular season.

This marks the third time in franchise history that the Phillies have earned 100 victories, so that's pretty neat for them. Derek Lowe, who has struggled recently, will pitch for the Braves Tuesday evening against Roy Oswalt while Jake Westbrook (12-9, 4.48 ERA) takes the hill for the Cards against rookie right-hander Henry Sosa, who has never faced St. Louis in real life. Good luck buddy!

[MLB]

Phillies Clinch National League East, Business as Usual

Nothing to see here folks. It's just the Philadelphia Phillies fifth straight division title. Carry on.

(Good for you, Hunter Pence.)

[Phillies Nation]