Gordon chases NL titles in doubleheader
PHILADELPHIA — Having to play a doubleheader on the final weekend of the season may seem like penitence for two teams that are each more than 20 games under .500.
But with the Marlins’ Dee Gordon chasing a couple of rare achievements and the Phillies in the running for the first overall pick in next year’s draft, there is ample reason to attempt to play all three games of their seasonending series at Citizen Bank Park after Friday’s opener was rained out.
The Marlins and Phillies will play two beginning at 4:05 p.m., weather permitting.
The most intriguing aspect of the long day will be Gordon’s pursuit of the batting and stolen-base titles, both within reach. He can become the first to lead the National League in both categories since Jackie Robinson (. 342⁄37) in 1949, according to Elias.
“When you’re mentioned in the same breath as Jackie Robinson, that’s pretty special,” Marlins manager Dan Jennings said this week. “We’re all pulling for Dee.”
Gordon trails in a close race for the batting crown with Bryce Harper, .331 to .329. Harper will also be involved in a doubleheader in New York as the NationalsMets were also washed out Friday.
Gordon has 56 stolen bases, one behind NL leader Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton, who is done for the season due to injury.
With 198 hits, the speedy second baseman is closing in on another unusual double with a chance to be the first player with 200 hits and 60 steals in the same season since Juan Pierre ( 204⁄65) did so with the Marlins in 2003.
That also fits in the category of pretty special. Only four others have done it since1962: Maury Wills, Lou Brock, Willie Wilson and Kenny Lofton.
“Dee is such a team guy that it’s hard for him to talk about anything other than team,” Jennings said “It’s easy for us to talk about individual accomplishments. They’re important at the end of the season.
“When you have somebody like Dee that means to this ballclub what he’s meant, you can’t help but pull for the guy.”
Gordon is coming off a 2-for-12 series at Tampa Bay, but he is hitting .354 (17-for-56) against the Phillies this season.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are vying with the Reds in the sweepstakes for the top draft pick, one game up for the dubious distinction of worst record in the majors.
Good as gold
Gordon is a top contender for the Gold Glove, leading NL second basemen in fielding percentage at .992. Martin Prado (.976) leads third basemen and Adeiny Hechavarria (.984) is fourth among shortstops. If they all finish in the top five it will be the first time that three or more Marlins did so since 2003, when all four infielders (Derek Lee, Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez) were in the top five at their positions, according to Stats, LLC.
Rookie fashion
It is the annual seasonending rite of passage in the majors when rookies are dressed up in ridiculous outfits and sent out in public. The Marlins may have claimed this year’s title for most embarrassing display when the rookies traveled from St. Petersburg to Philadelphia in Baywatch bathing attire, many sporting Pamela Anderson blond wigs.