While all of these moments so far have been about the Phillies and their affinity to knock the crap out of the ball or their seemingly never ending supply of come-from-behind victories, there hasn’t been a moment that was dedicated to a defensive play.
Of course, it is less likely that a gem in the field will have such an impact on a game that it could rank in the top 11 best moments over a 162-game season, but if there is one aspect of the Phillies’ defensive game in 2008 that deserves praise, it is more certainly the right arm of Shane Victorino.
After getting a chance to play every day, Shane showed the opposition that, despite his small frame, that he has a freaking cannon for an arm. And he made his presence known early and often, racking up 10 assists from right field in 114 from games in 2007.
While many feared that his transition to center would take less advantage of the howitzer attached to his shoulder, he has nonetheless continued in the time honored tradition of throwing runners the eff out from his post in center.
And in June, during the Phillies first trip to Atlanta, the Flyin’ Hawaiian would put his mark on our second biggest moment of the season – No questions asked.
With the Braves leading 2-1 in the top of the ninth, the Phillies were in need of, yet again, a lucky break. They would get that break when second baseman Kelly Johnson’s error would allow Eric Bruntlett to score from second.
The Phillies would capitalize on that in the 10th inning when So Taguchi scored on a Victorino’s second triple of the night, followed up by Chase Utley’s double, giving the Phillies a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom half of the frame.
Brad Lidge, who was a perfect 15-for-15 at this point, got himself into some hot water by putting runners on second and third with only one out. After striking out Greg Norton for the second out, shortstop Yunel Escobar would single to center, scoring Josh Anderson from third, with Gregor Blanco hot on his heels from second.
But Blanco would not tie the game up, as a perfect strike from Shane from shallow center would cut down the runner to end the game, preserving the save for Lidge, and turning Victorino into public enemy number one in Atlanta.
After the jump, take a look at Shane’s cannon…
[Author’s Note: This has to be one of the top 10 defensive highlights in all of baseball in 2008. Shane’s throw was right-the-eff-on, and Coste made a great sweeping tag. You could literally hear Chip Carey’s balls drop when he says “Victorino’s throw iiiiiiiis…in time!” Adding to the moment was the shot of Escobar clapping his hands as he ran to first, sure that he tied the game. And really, if it wasn’t for Shane, the legend of Brad Lidge wouldn’t nearly be what it is today.]
18 Comments on “Top 11 Moments of the 2008 Regular Season: Number 2”
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March 5th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Shane is the man and this was the defining play of his center fielding abilities last year. This play is why he won a Gold Glove.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am
i was at this game, i couldnt believe what i was witnessing, especially kelly Johnsons error
March 5th, 2009 at 7:52 am
That’s Skip’s son Chip on the play by play. Skip was the low key, funny Caray with the voice like a Muppet.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:55 am
i was at the bar inside the hotel hershey for this game and the bartender kept telling me to keep quiet as “you philly fans dont deserve it.”
March 5th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I remember this game well – one of the best by any Phillie all season – two triples and a game-ending runner thrown out.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:54 am
thekris: don’t take any guff off those swine, especially if they are a bartender in hershey.
ya gotta love the hawaiin…..i just hope these boys come back ready to play with the enthusiasm they ahd last year.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:10 am
hahaha, I remember listening to this game on my way to a party. When I heard Coste popped up, I shut it off and went in. My friend inside had an iPhone. I couldn’t believe the game wasn’t over….we went nuts!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Saw this one at the Jacksonville Ale House. My coworkers thought I was insane when I stood up cheering in the middle of dinner.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
The CC playoff game has to be #1, right?
March 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Haney, these are just the regular season.
This was my favorite game of 2008.
March 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
“After the jump, take a look at Shane’s cannon…”
I was expecting to see a NSFW warning. Gunning a runner down from the outfield is one of my favorite plays in baseball, especially Victorino.
March 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Number one has to be Rollins’ double-play to clinch the division, so where’s the sixth-run ninth inning at Shea Stadium? That has to be in the top 11.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Oh I remember watching this game, I never get to see games down in Florida but this was on tbs thank god. I remember running through my apartments screaming at the top of my lungs, what a game, what a season. I love it.
March 5th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
This has always been my personal favorite (non-playoff) moment of ‘08. Watched sportscenter like 3 consecutive hours that night to see the top plays again. Awesome way to end a game – no one else does that shit!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
In the words of my high school baseball coach, “If he can make that play, God bless him.” Shane is a friggin stud, simple as that. WFC 2008
March 5th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I was wondering when this play was going to come up! I catch most of my games on mlb.com out here – we’re 12-13 hours ahead of Philly, so most games come in here early in the morning. My usual routine is to watch the first couple of innings at home while getting ready for work and eating breakfast, and then tune in to the radio broadcast once I get to my office.
But as this was a weekend series I got to watch this classic in it’s entirety on Saturday morning. Coming into that weekend the Braves were just 3.5 games back and talking a good game. But Kelly Johnson’s gaffe opened up the door for us and we barreled thru. When Victorino bailed out Lidge with that throw I was going crazy! Without a doubt, No. 1 regular season moment for me – no questions asked!
And Victorino and my weekend got better with late inning wins the next two games and a sweep in Atlanta that basically made the Braves irrelevant for the rest of the season. At 13 games over .500, it looked like we were going to run away with things, but that weekend also turned out to be the high water point for us until the patented end of season charge to the division crown and the magic that followed.
But even though we played like shit for the next two months, that great weekend in Atlanta was emblematic of the 2008 Phillies and their unbelievable will and toughness.
Really enjoying this series fellas! Scratching my head wondering what you’ll pick as No. 1.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
How is there no mention of Kelly Johnson’s dropped pop-up with 2 outs in the top of the 9th that allowed the Phils to tie this game?? Not to take anything away from Shane’s sick throw, but watching live, the pop-up was easily as big a play as this one at the time. And if not for the miracle, Victorino doesn’t even get to make this play.
March 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
This was no doubt the craziest game of the season.