If there is one thing that former GM Pat Gillick had a knack for during his tenure in Philadelphia, it was being able to spot talent in the most unlikely of places. Guys like J.C. Romero, Greg Dobbs and Jayson Werth were all the end result of smart moves at bargain prices.
Not too much was known about Jayson Werth (except that he has a staggeringly hot mom) when he came on board with the team before 2007. In fact, some fans spent the better part of their days coming up with ways to disparage the man (“He’s Werth-less! Get it?) before he even put on a Phils uniform.
But in 2008, Jayson got a chance to be that everyday player he was projected to be prior to his wrist injury in ‘05. After Shane Victorino went on the DL, Werth took over in center and showcased his versatility in the field, while displaying above average power in the batter’s box. By the middle of the season, Werth found himself in the lineup every day, solidifying his status as a starter.
Werth’s biggest game of the regular season — by far — came on a misty night in May against the Blue Jays, leading us to the 8th biggest moment of the 2008 regular season.
With the score knotted at zeros in the second inning and runners on first and second, Werth sent an 0-1 pitch from David Purcey into the stands in right field. And with the bags full of Phils in the third, Werth connected for his first career grand slam, giving the Phils a 8-0 lead.
He would tack on a solo shot in the fifth, tying a franchise record with 8 Ribeyes, sharing that distinction with none other than Michael Jack himself.
2008 was a career year for Werth, who not only established himself as the finest purveyor of the vag strip on the Phillies, but also as a legitimate power and speed threat, finishing the year off with 24 homers and 20 stolen bases.
After the jump, take a look at Werth’s big night…
10 Comments on “Top 11 Moments of the 2008 Regular Season: Number 8”
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February 26th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Just, wow. In retrospect, I think I might love this team more than on Oct. 31 2008.. and that’s saying something. We’ll how long into the season we go before that changes. Heh heh. I’d be surprised if I ever have to worry about feeling that way with these guys. Solid, all the way through.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Good call on the Werth game as moment # 8, especially since it was against Toronto.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I forgot about this game. When Werth is hot at the plate he is a legitimate middle of the order threat.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Werth was a great pickup, but this was the game he solidified himself as an everyday player. As Larry Wayne Jones Jr would say “he was poppin’ off”
February 27th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I think his speed was actually under-utilized this year. I don’t have the stats in front of me, but from what I remember, they let him run a lot more often towards the end of the season than the beginning. In a full/healthy season I think Werth is a 30/30 threat.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am
OK… I totally love Harry… “Long Drive! Is it a salami? YES! IT’S OUTTA HERE! GRAND SLAM HOME RUN, JAYSON WERTH!”
February 27th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I think Charlie is going to try him out behind Howard this season, so we will get a chance to see how much of a threat he really is. I think he can handle the role well now that he has come into his own. Easily the best pickup of the Gillick reign, along with Moyer, Tad Iguchi in 2007, Romero who I always liked when he was with MN), and Dobbs.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I think 30/30 is a realistic possibility for Werth. I always argue with my friends who are Mets fans that I’ll take Werth over Blowtran. Mets fans love to suck Beltran about his “5 tools” and the talent he brings to the Mets. That statement really boils my blood. This guy defines what the Mets are about, heartless chokers. If you take into account ABs last year, Werth had very similar numbers. The only thing not similar about them is the 18 mil Beltran made last year.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
sweet #8 pick.
Werth was definitely underused for a long time. I am glad he will be around for awhile, especially with that mom of his in the stands
February 27th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Wow, I only went to like, 10 games last year and 2 of them have ended up in the top 11.