The 2011 Ironpigs are now 31 and 20, 3 games ahead of SWB for first place in the International League North division… 16-13 at home and 15-7 away.
This year certainly is different from the first 3 years. They are Winning! I know right? Winning baseball here in the Lehigh Valley!
Why is that though? Better players? Better coaching? The luck finally came around?
Well get ready for my opinion.
While I feel Ryne Sandberg is the reason for all these wins, I don’t feel he is completely to thank for this great season so far. Sure, a great coach will push players, get more out of them. A Force Multiplier. Make an average performer play better just by his presence. Nice idea but not all of it. I really feel that the Phillies organization wants this team to succeed for a few reasons.
The first and foremost reason is to groom Ryne Sandberg as Charlie Manuel’s replacement. I know, Charlie Charlie Charlie, we all love him.. but I am giving my thoughts of how the management is thinking. (How many times has this group said one thing and the next day does the opposite?) They are giving Sandberg a test drive to see if he can field a winning team. As a part of this, they gave him the tools he needed to accomplish this. Look at the guys they signed and keep signing. Larish, Moss, Posednik, Orr, Kratz… along with a young and talented bullpen. The starters have easily been the weakest link this season and even they have come around nicely.
What makes this team different from the past is there is no noticeable influence from above. How many times did we see Huppert make a move and shake our heads wondering what he was thinking, then the next day find out it was directed by a Phillie’s representative. We haven’t seen a pitcher (other than the Feierabend night) sit out there and get shelled, in respect to Feierabend the bullpen had been burnt out the day before. When a situtation called for a pinch hitter a pinch hitter went in. This team is being run to win baseball not develop players. Other teams go by this. (SWB Yankees for one, player development happens at AA)
Another part of it is that the Phillies as a whole are getting older. I’m not saying they should be retiring anytime soon (well Ibanez) but the Phillie’s roster in 5 years will have a lot of new faces and several could be those wearing Ironpig uniforms. Allowing these players to experience winning baseball gets them ready for the pressure and expectations that will multiply 10 fold once they get to Citizen’s Bank Park.
And lastly, and least important, this winning team is thanks to the dedicated fan base. I acknowledge this is a weak point, do the execs really care how us fans feel? Doubt it. But they care about our money so they want to at least think about us for a moment. We’ve suffered through 3 years of terrible play since the beginning and deserve to see quality baseball.
So really, is this winning all about Sandberg? You could say that. Is it his mere presence causing the winning…. nah. The Phillies put this plan together to get him ready and if the season so far is any indication, Amaro and his friends will bite off the end of a cigar and say, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Your thoughts?
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
dan,
good stuff, good point about the starting pitcher, i did check there era’s the other day and was surprised about how high it was for some of our guys, but adding these veteran, but still quality position players has worked out, sandberg really does have these guys playing great ball, and the type of small ball and aggressive play you see as opposed to how huppert managed .You look at all the minor league levels he has coached and he has been nothing but a winning mgr.!, but i’m not sure if he will stick around long enough till charlie is done with the phillies if the right opening for a mgr. job at the big leagues comes around, unless the phils offer him some good money to stick it out. and basically as you said, besides developing the winning mentality they needed to bring in a winning team to keep up that attendance and keep brining in the money because things could have easily gone south attendance wise(and if you add in the economy) if they fielded another bad team this season
I agree with you on this. Sandberg has clearly been managing the games based on the given situation, not on what the Phillies front office calls for. Assuming Sandberg would want the Phillies job, he will have to be willing to spend a lot of time in the Valley because Charlie isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I remember reading an article from a Baseball Business-type magazine a few years ago and the Executive was saying that you (a minor league team) needs to have at least one winning season every four years or so because, if not, it puts a serious strain on the marketing department to keep people interested in coming out the ballpark every day, year in and year out.
Selling happy, happy, happy gets old and worn out eventually if it is only ever accompanied by losing, losing losing. In other words, even free red balloons (and sometimes blue) sometimes start to lose their appeal under certain cirumstances.
Bascially the Executive’s theory is that minor league baseball fans WILL put up with ALOT of losing, but THERE IS a limit to it all…
Great article, spot on with so much stuff.
Thing is, for so long, we were told losing does not matter…
…why do I feel so apathetic now, why is it that the IronPigs are winning now — finally — but, ironically enough, I just don’t seem to give a damn anymore?
Don’t know. But we (Brian) must continue to remember, the PHILLIES are the ones who sign the talent (or lack thereof) and pick the manager (for better or worse). I’m not a loyal fan of the Phils. But, I recognize that they are trying to win a championship. I think they could give two shakes if the attendance is up or down in Allentown.
The “IronPigs” are the ownership group that hires the staff (from the managers to the parking staff) and makes the business decisions and profits from the four season tickets I bought and all those $5.50 Bud Lights. They own the Reading Phillies, and perhaps the BlueClaws as well. They don’t pay the players. They don’t get a say in who the manager is or who the players are year-to-year. I’m sure they like the winning, though. And to a certain general extent, I’m sure the Phillies want to keep the ownership group reasonably happy.
There’s been some sentiment in the past, that the Phillies need to start scouting and signing a little better at the AAA-level since there are so few prospects in the system at this level. I think we kind of knew that we had some better players this year. Larish, Orr, Kratz, Bonine, Bass, Young, –Sullivan and Miller even– are proven AAA talent with MLB experience perhaps exceeding the reclaimation projects and retreads we’ve had in the past.
But you know, look not just at the standings: look at the runs scored, the ERA, the Hit totals, and whatnot. Middle of the pack. If this team was three games below .500 we’d be moaning about the same old stuff. The difference is the manager–as Dan rightly points out. He’s in it to win. And why shouldn’t he be? If not, why even keep score in the games? This is the problem we’re having with the Little League team this year, as well. You’ve got to at least TRY to win, huh?
I’ll leave you with this: I once had an old coach (soccer) who said, “We’re here to have fun. But, losing ISN’T FUN! So, we’re going to try to win.”
“I think they could give two shakes if the attendance is up or down in Allentown. “
Not true at all.
Obviously based on the Phillies relationship with Stein and Domino that would be like saying being McDonalds largest franchise owner carries no weight.
If the Pigs were losing money or barely breaking even of course the people in Philly would have to kow-tow a bit or else who would want to do business with them and actually own these teams?
“But you know, look not just at the standings: look at the runs scored, the ERA, the Hit totals, and whatnot. Middle of the pack.”
But that’s why their winning. Check where those same numbers were last season.
The Pigs had by average age the oldest team in the IL, last in runs scored per game, last in runs, second last in hits, second last in HR, last in RBI, last in BA, last in OBP, last in SLG, last in OPS, etc.
So by being middle of the pack offensively compared to last year that alone is a gigantic improvement and that’s why their winning. Also don’t forget to thank Sal Rende for the team’s new approach now that GG is thankfully out of here.
Just like the difference between Sandberg and Huppert is that Huppert was a company man, aka a tool, of a manager and with Sandberg he is a HOF player that has already proven he could manage and win with the Cubs so to me there is no doubt the Phillies intentionally stocked this team better knowing they are not going to embarrass him by trotting out stiffs like Brian Mazone to pitch every five days.
Sandberg obviously is here for one reason and that is to get a major league managing job and if he plays his cards right and sticks around there is no reason it can’t be in Philly in three years with a winning team.
Wait, though, there’s a difference between “attendance down” and “losing money.” I’m talking about 7k fans/night vs. 9k fans/night. They are still gonna make money even at 4k fans/night, and as I said, the Phillies want them to be “generally happy.” The Phillies are not going to lose sleep or make specific roster moves to placate Domino/Stein. The Sandberg move had nothing to do with Domino/Stein. If they complain, the Phillies might listen, but ultimately, it’s up to Domino/Stein to sell the tickets and make the money from groups and beers and advertising and whatnot.
I do think they put a little more into the AAA scouting–not so much to avoid embarrassing Sandberg, but rather so that they could evaluate him better as a manger, up close. It might not work out this way, but I still note that those hot prospects in Clearwater will be coming through Allentown on their way to Philadelphia at the exact time that Uncle Charlie’s contract is up.
Ryno has the first place team in the division–second best in the IL–with middle-of-the-pack stats. It’s not top-of-the pack. The managing is making a difference–a positive one.
“I do think they put a little more into the AAA scouting–not so much to avoid embarrassing Sandberg, but rather so that they could evaluate him better as a manger, up close.”
If you say so Kram, but I think your kidding yourself if you don’t think that Sandberg wasn’t clear with the Phillies before taking this job that he wants to be a major league manager and I have no doubt he was clear that he didn’t want to get marooned for a few years in Allentown with guys that were on the team last year putting up 30 below .500 records for a few years so that he is branded as a “loser” when looked at as a manager.
“The managing is making a difference–a positive one.”
Agreed but so are the quality of the players compared to prior years.
“They are still gonna make money even at 4k fans/night,”
Maybe, they would but it wouldn’t something that they would be happy with. In the past twenty years major league clubs have shifted a tremendous amount of costs on to their minor league affiliates that they previously didn’t have to pay for and if you knew what these teams are now on the hook for compared to say 1985 you would be amazed.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/season-preview/2010/269689.html
“If they complain, the Phillies might listen”
There’s more I could tell you about that but not in a public forum.
Teams most certainly lobby for guys because they know that it would be good for attendance/interest/business.
Well, I think we’re debating shades of gray here a bit.
I know full well that Sandberg wants to be a ML manager. He even said it in the paper the other day. It’s why he left the Cubs organization. And, I’m sure he gets a say in some of the player stuff, too: for example Brian Schlitter or whatever his name was. Turns out he was damaged goods, but I’m certain he was invited to camp at the recommendation of Mr. Sandberg.
I agree the players are better. Certainly, the bull-pen where most of the prospects are/were–by a lot. And I said so in my pre-season posts going all the way back to 12/25/2010. But really, if they were THAT much better, why weren’t you here planning a playoff party in March? No, it’s also that the game is being played to win now. Sandberg was never going to get marooned as you describe because he’s too good for that. He expects and demands better–regardless of the player. The use of pitchers and runners and lineup variations is all set up to win. Just like Matt says above. Doesn’t always work, but they’re in position to win. Also, perhaps the mere presence of Sandberg is a draw to a different breed of cat. Belliard is no spring chicken. Couple the Utley situation with the chance to play for Ryno, and there you go. Add in a little winning, and we have no opt-outs this June 1.
Here’s a question: Do you think that the stadium and the crowds and the relative newness of the facility have any impact on MiL free-agent signings? In other words, do you think we (the fans, the community) have any impact at all? It’s a job to these guys, and they want to further their career, and the philadelphia organization may be desirable on some levels…. but take a guy like Kratz. Close to where he grew up. Got to see the crowds and the stadium while playing for a competing organization. “Hey, I could play some AAA here next year if they’ll have me….” ???
“Here’s a question: Do you think that the stadium and the crowds and the relative newness of the facility have any impact on MiL free-agent signings? In other words, do you think we (the fans, the community) have any impact at all?”
Of course that has no impact. Why would it?
Personally last season I asked almost that exact same question to four guys on the team and there answers were simple.
They were here because this organization offered them a paycheck and either nobody else did or if they could choose they were here because they knew they were one rung below a team that would be playoff bound and there was always that chance they would catch lightning in a bottle and be apart of that.
Ironically none of those four guys saw the big club last year and this year three of the four went elsewhere because they got a better payday to play for other organizations and the one who is back is only here because the Phillies still control him.
“why weren’t you here planning a playoff party in March?”
Why would I?
“Sandberg was never going to get marooned as you describe because he’s too good for that.”
Maybe Kram but I’m willing to bet you decent money that if he were managing last year’s group of unmotivated old farts this would still be a sub. 500 team.
Would they be better than last year? Probably, but Sandberg wouldn’t have gotten THAT much more out of Huppert’s whores.
I can still think of one guy in particular calling a family member of his after a game in June last year already talking about how the season was done for him and who he hoped to hook up with for 2011.
I don’t care who the manager is you can’t motivate that.
Love the Huppert’s whores reference… and interesting that you asked the same question that I did. AAA clubs are all the same, then.
Maybe, though, on the W-L–but who’s to say? You have the benefit of 2 months of these players to say that they are that much better. Why the heck is Vogelsong all of a sudden so good? Creating an environment of winning is always a good idea–rather than an environment of “I’m out there because tonight is my turn.” Or an environment of “strikeouts are the same as other outs.”
“Why the heck is Vogelsong all of a sudden so good?”
Because Rags is an A+ pitching coach and simply because the Giants gave him a chance. It’s amazing what some guys can do when teams get it out of their heads that a guy is ONLY a AAA player and they actually get a chance to play.
(What the Reds did with Miguel Cariro versus what teams keep doing with Andy Tracy.)
A few teams gave him a chance. The point about the pitching coach is key. Kudos to that staff.
Thank you. Good stuff here.