Raul Ibanez nearly set a few records this season and they were all the dubious kind.
Most notable, of course, was the epic 0-for-35 slump that lasted from April 18 through May 1. The streaky, 39-year-old veteran was one more out away from tying the franchise record held by none other than the epically mediocre Steve Jeltz, the poster child from the Phillies most mediocre era ever.
But immediately on the heels of that long hitless streak, Ibanez rewarded manager Charlie Manuels patience with another streak. In this one, Ibanez went 8 for 12 with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.
That, folks, is Raul Ibanez. Mr. Extreme.
Ibanez is one of the half-full guys who looks at the tough times as a good way to learn new things. So when he was battling that 0 for 35, Ibanez was stashing away the knowledge for later, hoping that some of the information could one day prove to be valuable.
In this game there are going to be tough times and good times, Ibanez said. The test of your character comes when things are rough and you find out what youre made of. We keep fighting and were never going to quit, so thats my approach in the game and my approach in lifenever quit and keep battling.
Still, a different manager might not have been as patient with a struggling player the way Manuel wasespecially a hitter as seasoned and known for slumps as Ibanez. But Manuel had seen it all before and knew all he had to do was wait and he would be rewarded.
MLB
As the old adage goes the back of those bubblegum cards dont lie.
I have seen him play probably his whole career, and he showed me signs that he definitely wasn't finished, Manuel said. You look up there at the end of the year for him to be 83 RBIs, what did he hit, 21, 22 homers, and I think he got off to such a slow start but he come a long ways, and his run production actually ended up pretty good.
Said Ibanez: Charlie is a players manager and he knows who is grinding and battling and working things out. He sticks with his guys and sticks to his guns and he puts that belief in his players.
Ibanez hit a two-run homer two hitters after Ryan Howard bashed the go-ahead three-run homer during the Phillies game-breaking sixth inning on Saturday night in Game 1. An inning later he added an RBI single to plate the Phillies ninth run of the game.
Saturdays game continues a bit of a hot streak that Ibanez started during the last week of the regular season. In his last five games, he has seven hits and six RBIs. Over the last month, the streaky vet is 29 for 102 with five homers, 24 RBIs and 15 extra-base hits.
Yet for as streaky as Ibanez is, he never allows himself to get out of the moment. The regular season is over, he says, so he doesnt dwell on what he did last month, last week or the last game. His third career postseason homer is just a memory for now.
Just like that 0 for 35.
Right now were in the postseason and I dont even think about what happened during the regular season, Ibanez said. Right now its about our team and how were playing.
The same goes for the future, too. Ibanez is in the last season of his three-year contract. He doesnt turn 40 until next June, but his days as a regular, everyday player could be in the past. So too could his chances to get that elusive World Series ring.
But then again, Ibanez is as focused as he is streaky. For now, he stays in the now.
Youre focus is heightened and sharpened just by being in the postseason, Ibanez said. The first time I went to the postseason was in 2000 and I didnt really get it. I didnt get how hard it was to get there and we came a couple of games away from getting to the World Series and I didnt realize how special it was.