Many signs can be pointed as to why the Phillies are struggling. For the most part, their bullpen has been solid. The starting rotation has been shaky. While Roy Halladay has been great, and Cole Hamels has been decent, the rest have not been too good. But with J.A. Happ eventually coming back, and likely bringing Pedro Martinez back, the starting rotation will get better.

But three men, along with the Jimmy Rollins’s injury are responsible for the Phillies lackluster batting. Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Raul Ibanez are all batting over 30 points below their career batting average. This could be expected from Ibanez, as he got a severe injury last year, and is climbing up there in age. With Rollins gone, Victorino is the leadoff hitter. A .250 batting average in the leadoff spot will simply not cut it.

For someone that has a .293 career average, a .260 average for Utley is not very good. He is usually the most consistent hitter for the Phillies, and gets on base for Howard to knock him in. With these three struggling, it has taken a toll on the Philadelphia lineup. The three of them are a combined 100 points below their career batting averages. We can only hope it improves. If not, the Phillies could be watching the playoffs on TV.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed All-Star center fielder Shane Victorino to a three-year contract extension worth $22 million.

The deal, announced by the team on Friday, keeps Victorino under contract with the Phillies through 2012.

Victorino earned his second straight Golden Glove award in 2009 while hitting .292 with 62 RBIs, 10 home runs, 13 triples, 39 doubles, and 25 stolen bases.

The Victorino deal follows Thursday’s announcement that the Phillies had signed 29-year-old right-hander Joe Blanton to a three-year, $24 million extension.

Victorino made $3.125 million in 2009. He asked for $5.8 million in arbitration, and the Phillies had offered $4.75 million.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

Before returning to the starting lineup after a four-game hiatus, Victorino was handed the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote trophy, recognizing the impressive on-field and publicity campaigns that netted him a spot on the National League squad.

Click here to read the full article – By David Gurian-Peck of MLB.com

Philadelphia Phillies Sports Memorabilia
and other Philadelphia Phillies Autographs
Below are links to memorabilia available for Shane Victorino.

A spot on the 33-player roster opened because New York Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran, who has been on the disabled list since June 22 with a bone bruise on his right knee, is unavailable.

Manuel had the final say on Beltran’s replacement, and he surprised the hot-hitting Werth when he told him he was his choice.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Werth said when asked whether he was surprised. “I knew he had a selection to make for Beltran. I talked to him when I first got to the yard, and he told me he was taking me with him. It’s quite an honor.”

Click here to read the full article – By Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Phillies Sports Memorabilia
and other Philadelphia Phillies Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Shane Victorino.

Victorino took a small lead over the Giants’ Pablo Sandoval in the most recent voting update Thursday morning. Voting is under way until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday exclusively at MLB.com. This eighth annual event allows fans to decide the 33rd and final roster spot for the American and National Leagues leading up to the 80th All-Star Game on July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Click here to read the full article – By David Gurian-Peck of MLB.com

Philadelphia Phillies Sports Memorabilia
and other Philadelphia Phillies Gifts and Collectibles
Below are links to memorabilia available for Shane Victorino.