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A big deal
Thanks to Schilling trade, Phils are feelin' fine
Posted: Monday May 21, 2001 4:09 PM
Updated: Monday May 21, 2001 5:32 PM
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Curt Schilling has struck out eight or more in seven of his nine starts this season. AP |
By Dan George, CNNSI.com
Life in the desert has certainly agreed with right-hander Curt Schilling, who entered the week with a glittering 6-1 record, a 3.12 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings for the Diamondbacks.
But don't think for a minute that his former employers have any regrets about trading him to Arizona last summer. After finishing fifth in the NL East last season, the Phillies are off to a rousing 25-17 start this spring, good enough for a five-game cushion over the second-place Braves and Marlins - not to mention a No. 5 berth in the CNNSI.com Power Rankings.
New manager Larry Bowa's hard-charging style has obviously played a big role in the Phils' turnaround, but you have to wonder where they'd be without a couple of players obtained in the Schilling deal. Omar Daal, a 19-game loser in 2000, is 5-0 with a 3.70 ERA. And Travis Lee, an inveterate underachiever while in Phoenix, leads the team with eight homers and a .508 slugging percentage to go along with his .277 average.
Of course, some of the team's old parts are working pretty good, too. One of them, Doug Glanville, hit two home runs in a game earlier this month to give the Phils a 5-1 victory over the Diamonbacks ... and Curt Schilling.
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CNNSI.com's Power Rankings
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Rank |
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Team |
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1 |
1 |
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Seattle Mariners
Aaron Sele isn't your typical stopper, but the curveballer easily outdueled Roger Clemens over the weekend to snap the M's two-game losing streak. He's now 6-0, the best start of his career.
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2 |
2 |
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Minnesota Twins
While other early season wonders have flamed out, Joe Mays keeps rolling along. Just 7-15 a year ago, Mays (6-2, 2.67 ERA) has allowed more than two runs in a game just twice this season.
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3 |
3 |
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Cleveland Indians
Big comebacks by Juan Gonzalez and Marty Cordova almost make you forget that Ellis Burks is also having a pretty nice year (.313, 9 HRs, 35 RBIs).
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4 |
5 |
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St. Louis Cardinals
They're red-hot and he's in the minors, but Rick Ankiel's wildness is a story that just won't go away.
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5 |
4 |
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Philadelphia Phillies
Only a strong outing by Dustin Hermanson on Sunday stopped them from sweeping the Cards.
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6 |
6 |
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Boston Red Sox
When will Manny play left field? A better question: The way he's hitting (.406, 15, 54), why mess with him?
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7 |
11 |
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Houston Astros
If Vinny Castilla is the answer at third, do you even want to know the question? |
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8 |
8 |
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Los Angeles Dodgers
The cream of the NL West ... just 2 1/2 games out of last place.
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9 |
7 |
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New York Yankees
Remember that hot start by Paul O'Neill? He just finished the Yanks' road trip in a 1-for-22 funk.
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10 |
9 |
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San Francisco Giants
Say what you like about Barry Bonds - and we have - the guy can flat-out hit. |
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11 |
13 |
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Does Bob Brenly know when to pinch-hit or what? Arizona has nine pinch homers this season, just three short of the major league record. |
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12 |
12 |
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Milwaukee Brewers
Three grand slams in 10 days for Devon White. Suddenly, the bases-loaded intentional walk doesn't sound that silly. |
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13 |
10 |
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Chicago Cubs
They've cooled off big-time, and weak sticks by Damon Buford and Gary Mathews Jr. are two reasons why. Corey Patterson, anyone?
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14 |
17 |
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San Diego Padres
And whatever happened to Tony Gwynn, anyway?
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15 |
15 |
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Toronto Blue Jays
Has anyone ever been on the trading block as often as Jose Cruz Jr.? Talk now is the Jays want to make room for Vernon Wells.
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16 |
23 |
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Oakland Athletics
A six-game winning streak, and suddenly they're only 2 1/2 games out of the AL wild-card hunt
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17 |
16 |
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Detroit Tigers
Victor Santos' 0.64 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings are raising eyebrows. Of course, so are his 17 walks.
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18 |
14 |
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Colorado Rockies
Mike Hampton now has two home runs this season. Which is two more than regulars Brent Mayne and Juan Pierre. Combined.
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19 |
20 |
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Atlanta Braves
John Smoltz is back. Does anyone really think that is enough? |
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20 |
21 |
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Florida Marlins
Was A.J. Burnett's wacky no-hitter the last in franchise history? |
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21 |
18 |
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Anaheim Angels
It's a sad state of affairs when you anxiously await the return of Jorge Fabregas.
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22 |
22 |
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Baltimore Orioles
Harsh reality, thy name is Willis Roberts (0-3, 10.69 ERA in May after 4-0 April).
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23 |
19 |
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Cincinnati Reds
Now Pokey Reese wants $10 million a year. Think Junior has had any second thoughts about leaving Seattle?
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24 |
25 |
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Montreal Expos
Just another Canadian team that won't win the Stanley Cup. |
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25 |
27 |
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New York Mets
Will they bite the bullet and give up top prospect Alex Escobar to get David Wells from the White Sox?
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26 |
28 |
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Kansas City Royals
It says here Tony Muser is gone by the All-Star break.
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27 |
26 |
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Derek Bell is on the 15-day DL with a strained left knee. And given his .136 average in 31 games, that may be the good news.
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28 |
29 |
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Texas Rangers
Some wonder whether they'll move Pudge Rodriguez before all those years behind the plate take their toll. But c'mon - these days he only has to catch about half the pitches the Rangers throw.
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29 |
24 |
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Chicago White Sox
That'll teach Von Joshua to let Frank Thomas tear a triceps muscle.
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30 |
30 |
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Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Felix Martinez is out at shortstop, and Andy Sheets is in. Your punchline here.
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Dan George is a senior producer at CNNSI.com.
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