June 2, 1993 Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Ben There, Done That.
An Introduction
I’m the guy who wore his 1993 NL Champions shirt under a suit when interviewing for a job with the
Kansas City Royals. With the chance of the season dwindling and only the KBO to salve my baseball
addiction, I made the decision to go back in time. Thanks to the internet and more specifically the
saint who runs the ClassicPhilliesTV youtube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWb6dGkCnKBlrQLJAjZ-4-w), I’m going back and
watching the 1993 Phillies, day for day just like if it was 27 years ago, but with the internet.
To reminisce about the legends of John Kruk, Mitch Williams, and Darren Daulton, mixing the
knowledge we have now, with jokes of how dumb things were then. Follow along for the month of
June and if it works out, I’ll continue to the month of July.
Kansas City Royals. With the chance of the season dwindling and only the KBO to salve my baseball
addiction, I made the decision to go back in time. Thanks to the internet and more specifically the
saint who runs the ClassicPhilliesTV youtube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWb6dGkCnKBlrQLJAjZ-4-w), I’m going back and
watching the 1993 Phillies, day for day just like if it was 27 years ago, but with the internet.
To reminisce about the legends of John Kruk, Mitch Williams, and Darren Daulton, mixing the
knowledge we have now, with jokes of how dumb things were then. Follow along for the month of
June and if it works out, I’ll continue to the month of July.
Where We Last Left Our Intrepid Heroes
The Phillies won last night to split the first two games of the series against the Reds. Tonight will be
the final game of a six game road trip for Philadelphia in which they for the first time visited Mile High
Stadium. Curt Schilling would refer to the field as “a concentration camp for pitchers” which is super
on brand for Curt Schilling with the exception that most would assume that Schill is a holocaust denier.
Anyway, the Phils are 4-1 on the road trip, and 7-3 in their last 10 games. At 35-15, the Phightins have
a 7.5 game lead in the NL East over the Montreal Expos, and Tommy Greene has just been named
NL Pitcher of the Week and NL Pitcher of the month for May.
the final game of a six game road trip for Philadelphia in which they for the first time visited Mile High
Stadium. Curt Schilling would refer to the field as “a concentration camp for pitchers” which is super
on brand for Curt Schilling with the exception that most would assume that Schill is a holocaust denier.
Anyway, the Phils are 4-1 on the road trip, and 7-3 in their last 10 games. At 35-15, the Phightins have
a 7.5 game lead in the NL East over the Montreal Expos, and Tommy Greene has just been named
NL Pitcher of the Week and NL Pitcher of the month for May.
Let’s first start with a correction, in yesterday’s post about the June 1st game, I mixed up Washington
Nationals coach from 2011-2013 Davey Johnson with current Washington Nationals coach Davey
Martinez (do people even call him Davey?). My bad. In Penance, let’s dive more into Johnson’s hiring.
At the end of the 1992 season, previous coach Lou Pinella’s contract ran out, and instead of signing
the offered 3 year extension, Pinella ran to Seattle to get away from the owner Marge Schott and her
ever pooping St. Bernards. A month later, it’s revealed that Marge Schott may have referred to Eric
Davis and Dave Parker as “million dollar (racial epithet)”, as well as made multiple anti-semitic remarks
(really didn’t mean for this whole section go in this direction, so sorry), leading to her suspension from
the ballpark for a year. With no manager and a terrible PR problem on his plate, GM Jim Bowden made
the quick move to hire Reds hero Tony Perez to be the new manager. What really helped is that Tony
Perez was already loved by the fans, but also that he was a person of color. Perez had some pressure
immediately put on him with the fact that the Reds had the highest payroll in NL in 1993 (A whopping
42 millions dollars, or as some like to call it, a year and a month to Mike Trout), and the team stumbled
to a 19-18 start, before going on a 7 game road trip. This trip would result in a 1-6 record and an early
morning meeting between Tony Perez and Jim Bowden upon the Reds’ return. With the Giants ahead
by 8 games on the Reds in the NL West, and the Marge Schott incident quietly on the back burner 6
months later, the Head coach, pitching coach, and third base coach were all fired. when Bowden called
first base coach Ron Oester about the managerial change, Oester resigned on the spot. All of baseball
was actually pretty angry at the organization, Perez would state later, “I think I was used”. Perez would
manage only one more time in the Majors, where he was the guy who replaced a fired manager in 2001
for the Florida Mariners, he finished the season and called it a day.
Nationals coach from 2011-2013 Davey Johnson with current Washington Nationals coach Davey
Martinez (do people even call him Davey?). My bad. In Penance, let’s dive more into Johnson’s hiring.
At the end of the 1992 season, previous coach Lou Pinella’s contract ran out, and instead of signing
the offered 3 year extension, Pinella ran to Seattle to get away from the owner Marge Schott and her
ever pooping St. Bernards. A month later, it’s revealed that Marge Schott may have referred to Eric
Davis and Dave Parker as “million dollar (racial epithet)”, as well as made multiple anti-semitic remarks
(really didn’t mean for this whole section go in this direction, so sorry), leading to her suspension from
the ballpark for a year. With no manager and a terrible PR problem on his plate, GM Jim Bowden made
the quick move to hire Reds hero Tony Perez to be the new manager. What really helped is that Tony
Perez was already loved by the fans, but also that he was a person of color. Perez had some pressure
immediately put on him with the fact that the Reds had the highest payroll in NL in 1993 (A whopping
42 millions dollars, or as some like to call it, a year and a month to Mike Trout), and the team stumbled
to a 19-18 start, before going on a 7 game road trip. This trip would result in a 1-6 record and an early
morning meeting between Tony Perez and Jim Bowden upon the Reds’ return. With the Giants ahead
by 8 games on the Reds in the NL West, and the Marge Schott incident quietly on the back burner 6
months later, the Head coach, pitching coach, and third base coach were all fired. when Bowden called
first base coach Ron Oester about the managerial change, Oester resigned on the spot. All of baseball
was actually pretty angry at the organization, Perez would state later, “I think I was used”. Perez would
manage only one more time in the Majors, where he was the guy who replaced a fired manager in 2001
for the Florida Mariners, he finished the season and called it a day.
Today’s Game
It is Wednesday, June 3rd, 1993, at Riverside Stadium in Cincinnati Ohio. Today’s crew for
Sportschannel (which was a thing before Comcast Sportsnet took over regional sports coverage) is
Andy Musser and Kent "Tek" Tekulve (fun fact: he’s the only 40 year old to have 90 relief appearances
in a season), and it’s going to be them for the entire game. As mentioned yesterday, Phillies Catcher
Darren Daulton has started every game in the month of May (31 straight to be exact) and will be getting
a day off, along with the First Basemen John Kruk.
Sportschannel (which was a thing before Comcast Sportsnet took over regional sports coverage) is
Andy Musser and Kent "Tek" Tekulve (fun fact: he’s the only 40 year old to have 90 relief appearances
in a season), and it’s going to be them for the entire game. As mentioned yesterday, Phillies Catcher
Darren Daulton has started every game in the month of May (31 straight to be exact) and will be getting
a day off, along with the First Basemen John Kruk.
Watch for yourself at:
The Line-up:
CF Lenny Dykstra
2B Mariano Duncan
1B Ricky Jordan
3B Dave Hollins
RF Pete Incavigla
LF Wes Chamberlain
C Todd Pratt
SS Kim Batiste
P Ben Rivera
On the Mound
Ben Rivera is on the bump for the away team, and the first thing to notice about Ben Rivera, is that he’s
humongous. There’s a reason his teammates called him “Gentle Ben”, at 6 foot 6 and 220, the dude is
very bear-like on a mound. He’s 3-2 at this point of the season with a 4.39 ERA, and as a number 5
starter, he is your typical roll of the dice.
humongous. There’s a reason his teammates called him “Gentle Ben”, at 6 foot 6 and 220, the dude is
very bear-like on a mound. He’s 3-2 at this point of the season with a 4.39 ERA, and as a number 5
starter, he is your typical roll of the dice.
John Smiley’s year is not going well. After signing a huge contract (4 years/18 million) to come to the
Reds, Smiley has stumbled to a 2-6 start with a 5.18 ERA, this just two years removed from when
Smiley won 20 games and finished a very respectable 3rd in Cy Young voting. John Smiley also has
the great distinction of being born in Phoenixville, Pa and graduating from Perk Valley High School in
the suburbs of Philadelphia. Musser manages to wrangle up the factoid that Smiley loved watching
Steve Carlton as a youngster. This tracks since Steve Carlton is the greatest pitcher in the history of
the Phillies and John Smiley had eyes. What would have been interesting is if Smiley was like “I
was a big Wayne Twitchell guy.” Further diving into Smiley's wikipedia reveals this tidbit
“In 2019, Smiley was portrayed by Troy Doherty in an episode of This Is Us.” (No further research was done by this intrepid blogger, gotta draw the line somewhere)
Reds, Smiley has stumbled to a 2-6 start with a 5.18 ERA, this just two years removed from when
Smiley won 20 games and finished a very respectable 3rd in Cy Young voting. John Smiley also has
the great distinction of being born in Phoenixville, Pa and graduating from Perk Valley High School in
the suburbs of Philadelphia. Musser manages to wrangle up the factoid that Smiley loved watching
Steve Carlton as a youngster. This tracks since Steve Carlton is the greatest pitcher in the history of
the Phillies and John Smiley had eyes. What would have been interesting is if Smiley was like “I
was a big Wayne Twitchell guy.” Further diving into Smiley's wikipedia reveals this tidbit
“In 2019, Smiley was portrayed by Troy Doherty in an episode of This Is Us.” (No further research was done by this intrepid blogger, gotta draw the line somewhere)
Highs (Hopes) and Lows of the Game
High: Top 3rd Big Kim Batty
With Juan Bell finally exiled from the team, Kim Batiste has been moved up to the starting line-up, with
the exception of yesterday’s game, Batiste has started the entire road trip at shortstop. Today he kicked
off the scoring by hitting a first pitch home run to left field, he would finish the game 4-4 with the home
run, a double and 2 singles.
the exception of yesterday’s game, Batiste has started the entire road trip at shortstop. Today he kicked
off the scoring by hitting a first pitch home run to left field, he would finish the game 4-4 with the home
run, a double and 2 singles.
Low: 1993 giveaways
The Phillies are giving away 1933 Phillies hats in a couple weeks, which is great, nobody hates a
giveaway at the ballpark. Except the only ones who get the hat are males over the age of 15! What
are we doing, Phillies? Can you imagine working at the Vet in 1993 and not being allowed to give a s
mall female child a free hat, “Sorry these aren’t for you. Can you find a man I can give it to?”
Haven’t men been given enough?
giveaway at the ballpark. Except the only ones who get the hat are males over the age of 15! What
are we doing, Phillies? Can you imagine working at the Vet in 1993 and not being allowed to give a s
mall female child a free hat, “Sorry these aren’t for you. Can you find a man I can give it to?”
Haven’t men been given enough?
High: Top 5th Baseball commentary
It’s not that Andy Musser and Kent Tekulve are brilliant baseball analysts, they’re quite adequate, but it’s
more just missing baseball. It was so comforting to watch Ben Rivera sacrifice Kim Batiste to second,
and seeing John Smiley go to first when he had a chance to get Batiste at second and hearing from
Musser and Tek about how that might become an issue. The best part about baseball is the breaks in
between action, the chance to really think about your upcoming strategy, but also to look at the
intricacies about what just happened. Smiley could have gotten the lead runner, but was set with getting
the easy out, now there’s a runner in scoring position for the lead-off man. Dykstra comes up next and
knocks Kim Batiste in, and a tie game becomes a 2-1 Phillies lead. To quote The Wire “All the pieces
matter.”
more just missing baseball. It was so comforting to watch Ben Rivera sacrifice Kim Batiste to second,
and seeing John Smiley go to first when he had a chance to get Batiste at second and hearing from
Musser and Tek about how that might become an issue. The best part about baseball is the breaks in
between action, the chance to really think about your upcoming strategy, but also to look at the
intricacies about what just happened. Smiley could have gotten the lead runner, but was set with getting
the easy out, now there’s a runner in scoring position for the lead-off man. Dykstra comes up next and
knocks Kim Batiste in, and a tie game becomes a 2-1 Phillies lead. To quote The Wire “All the pieces
matter.”
 |
| League Leading Sacrifice Bunter |
High: Top 7th Todd Pratt Attack
Another mistake from yesterday was putting Pratt’s game total at 5 (it was 5 appearances not starts) up
to this point in the season, but in reality this is only Todd Pratt’s third start at Catcher for the Phillies in
1993. A big factor in that statistic (and Daulton’s 31 straight starts) is that Pratt was on the disabled list
for most of May with an ankle issue. So it’s nice to see Pratt make the most of the situation and hitting
a bomb to Right Center field to increase the Phils lead to 3-1.
to this point in the season, but in reality this is only Todd Pratt’s third start at Catcher for the Phillies in
1993. A big factor in that statistic (and Daulton’s 31 straight starts) is that Pratt was on the disabled list
for most of May with an ankle issue. So it’s nice to see Pratt make the most of the situation and hitting
a bomb to Right Center field to increase the Phils lead to 3-1.
 |
| Forget Chris, Todd is the only Pratt I care for, |
High: Fun Stats
Musser mentions a bevy of goofy stats in this one. Ben Rivera starts the game in 4th in the league in
sacrifice bunts, and after 2 in the game is leading the league now! John Kruk has only been hit by pitch
twice in his career. The Phillies lead the National League with 54 home runs as a team. The Rockies
haven’t had an off day at home all year.
sacrifice bunts, and after 2 in the game is leading the league now! John Kruk has only been hit by pitch
twice in his career. The Phillies lead the National League with 54 home runs as a team. The Rockies
haven’t had an off day at home all year.
High: Ben Rivera for 8 innings
As stated before, 5th pitchers in the rotation are a crapshoot. This spot is generally reserved for young
kids, who may have the stuff to be a starter or may only be long relievers. The hope is that they are
never pressed upon to pitch a meaningful inning when it really comes down to business. These things
are all true when it comes to Ben Rivera, who, since we are time-traveling, we know only pitches one
more season in the majors. Rivera was never a highly regarded prospect in the minors, but his size
and his ability to move the ball around the plate moved him up the ranks. His biggest impediment to
success was always keeping the ball down, it’s mentioned in every one of his starts. And tonight was
one of those nights where he succeeded. Though he dealt with trouble in the 3rd and 5th innings, he
was able to get through only allowing 1 run on a fielder's choice, while striking out a new career high 9.
kids, who may have the stuff to be a starter or may only be long relievers. The hope is that they are
never pressed upon to pitch a meaningful inning when it really comes down to business. These things
are all true when it comes to Ben Rivera, who, since we are time-traveling, we know only pitches one
more season in the majors. Rivera was never a highly regarded prospect in the minors, but his size
and his ability to move the ball around the plate moved him up the ranks. His biggest impediment to
success was always keeping the ball down, it’s mentioned in every one of his starts. And tonight was
one of those nights where he succeeded. Though he dealt with trouble in the 3rd and 5th innings, he
was able to get through only allowing 1 run on a fielder's choice, while striking out a new career high 9.
 |
| Men on the corners, 2 outs. Sit down, John! |
Low: Ben Rivera Going for a Complete Game
The time travel aspect of this endeavor is going to cause eternal frustration in watching how Jim
Fregosi over trusts his pitching staff. It’s 1993, so everyone over trusts their pitching staff (except for
Tony La Russa, that brilliant doll-haired bastard), and Rivera was pitching well, but he was definitely
over 100 pitches (I think? There’s no pitch count on baseball-reference, and no one on the broadcast
said a word about it, because, once again, 1993), and most of his bullpen is rested with a day off
tomorrow! Rivera proves me right by giving up a home run 2 pitches into the 9th inning. Final tally 8+ IP,
9 K’s, 2 Runs, 8 Hits, 2 Walks (good thing WHiP hadn’t been invented yet).
Fregosi over trusts his pitching staff. It’s 1993, so everyone over trusts their pitching staff (except for
Tony La Russa, that brilliant doll-haired bastard), and Rivera was pitching well, but he was definitely
over 100 pitches (I think? There’s no pitch count on baseball-reference, and no one on the broadcast
said a word about it, because, once again, 1993), and most of his bullpen is rested with a day off
tomorrow! Rivera proves me right by giving up a home run 2 pitches into the 9th inning. Final tally 8+ IP,
9 K’s, 2 Runs, 8 Hits, 2 Walks (good thing WHiP hadn’t been invented yet).
Wild Rides
With Rivera’s exit comes the sweet tunes of The Troggs and the entrance of Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams,
fresh off a ten pitch perfect 9th inning last night. Before yesterday Musser mentions, Mitch hadn’t gotten
a save since May 16th, it seems the rest had done him well, because Mitch is once again on top of his
game. He recorded his first out in one pitch, his second out in 2 pitches, and after a short battle with Bip
Roberts picked up his 16th save. Just another day, another Mitch Williams 1-2-3 9th. As per usual.
fresh off a ten pitch perfect 9th inning last night. Before yesterday Musser mentions, Mitch hadn’t gotten
a save since May 16th, it seems the rest had done him well, because Mitch is once again on top of his
game. He recorded his first out in one pitch, his second out in 2 pitches, and after a short battle with Bip
Roberts picked up his 16th save. Just another day, another Mitch Williams 1-2-3 9th. As per usual.
Final: Phillies (36-15) 5, Reds (25-28) 2
Words of Wisdom from Musser and Tekulve
“(Daulton’s) job tonight is to keep Kruk content.” - Musser
“Kruk’s going to run out of sunflower seeds, then he’s going to run out of things to do, then he’ll start
bothering Daulton, then Fregosi, then anyone else that’s around” -Tekulve
bothering Daulton, then Fregosi, then anyone else that’s around” -Tekulve
“Davey Johnson said ‘this is my last stop’” - Musser. Johnson would be fired by Schott two years later,
move onto Baltimore, then Los Angeles, before finishing his career with Washington.
move onto Baltimore, then Los Angeles, before finishing his career with Washington.
“What were we talking about”- Musser. This is after Musser and Tekulve were talking about how
Incavigla was not striking out as often, and then Inky struck out on a terrible high fastball.
Incavigla was not striking out as often, and then Inky struck out on a terrible high fastball.
“Did you know the Rockies haven’t had a home day off all season? There’s a lot of things expansion
teams don’t get.”- Musser.
teams don’t get.”- Musser.
Final Conclusion.
Another Phillies win in Cincinnati to take the series, not much excitement in this one as Rivera pitched a very decent game. If you enjoyed this wonderful blast from the past please feel free to share, like, or comment on it. The hope is to have more people watching 93 Phillies games on youtube and talking about it. So hit me up @Kevin_Seamus on twitter or @loudphilliesguy on Instagram. The Phillies are travelling back to Philadelphia and have the day off, but we’ll back on June 4th with the Colorado Rockies visiting the city of Brotherly Love for the first time in their franchise history.
No comments:
Post a Comment