Jimmy Rollins wins NL MVP

Former Clearwater star Jimmy Rollins has won the 2007 National League MVP Award.

He received half of the first-place votes and didn't finish lower than fifth on anyone's MVP ballot. Rollins is the first shortstop to win the NL MVP since 1995.

Rollins' win gives the Phillies back-to-back MVPs as former Clearwater star Ryan Howard won in 2006. Howard came in fifth this season. Another former Clearwater star, Chase Utley, finished eighth in the voting.

Former Threshers manager Mike Schmidt won the NL MVP Award as a Phillie in 1980, 1981, and 1986.

Rollins also won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards this year. He played for Clearwater in 1998.

See the MLB.com story and chart

Get Your Utley Bobblehead Tonight!

Game Time: 7:00pm      Gates Open: 6:00pm

Tonight's Lineup
Burgamy, CF; Harman, 2B; Thayer, LF; Slayden, RF; Marson, C; Blalock, DH; Donald, SS; Urick, 1B; Made, 3B

Tonight's starting pitcher is Johnson. This is Nate's first start since he was with Lakewood in 2005.

Bobblehead Mania
The Chase Utley bobblehead, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, is the last of the 2007 Bobblehead Series. It is scheduled to be given away tonight (Friday, July 27). There is a limit of one per person, and vouchers will be given to the first 1,500 fans through the gates.

Extra! Extra!
It's another St. Petersburg Times Family Friday on Friday, July 27. Check your local St. Petersburg Times for the coupon that gets you 4 Field Box seats, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 bags of chips for only $25!

TV Time
Updated at 10:55am: Tonight's ballgame against the Reds is scheduled to be broadcast live on Catch 47. Catch 47 is only on Bright House Networks.

Happy Birthday!
Updated 12:25pm: Be sure to wish Cory Sipe a Happy Birthday at the ballpark tonight!

Harman's Hot Bat
Brad Harman went three for three last night in the 6-4 loss against Sarasota. This is the second time in the last week that he's accomplished the feat.

Boom Boom Boom
Fireworks will light up the sky post-game on Saturday, July 28.

Vrrrm Vrrrm Vrrrm
Participate
Motorcycle Night returns to Bright House Networks Field on Saturday, July 28. Ride your motorcycle to the game and take part in the Pre-Game Lap around the Field at 6:00pm and during the National Anthem. Participants receive a voucher for one free draft beer (post-lap), a free ticket, free parking, and drink specials at the Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion. Participants should check in with Dan McDonough near the fountain at the West Gate upon arrival to the ballpark.

There will also be a motorcycle show contest judged by Full Throttle Magazine. The contest is FREE to enter. First prize is $500. Second Prize is $250. Third Prize is $100

Register to Win
Fans can register at the booth behind home plate to win a Harley Davidson Dyna Family motorcycle courtesy of Fletcher's Harley Davidson. A name will be drawn if a Threshers player hits for the cycle. Also, motorcycle-related prizes will be given away between innings.

Former Clearwater star Ryan Howard named NL Player of the Week

Ryan Howard was just named National League Player of the Week. The award is presented by Bank of America.

He had five multi-hit games including two games in which he hit two homers. He also led the NL in several categories including RBIs (13).

Howard was honored with this award once last season.

Another former Clearwater star, Chase Utley, was also nominated for the award this week.

Both Howard and Utley are part of the 2007 Clearwater Threshers Bobblehead Series. The Chase Utley bobblehead is scheduled to be given away on Friday, July 27.

Note to folks using RSS readers: I apologize to those of you using RSS readers. You will probably notice 5 or so old posts showing up several times today. I made a couple changes to some labels which required re-publishing. I apologize for any confusion.

The Dunedin Blue Jays return to Bright House Networks Field

Game Time: 7:00pm      Gates Open: 6:00pm

Tonight's Lineup
TBA

Familiar Foes
The Threshers and Blue Jays have met up 12 times so far this season. The Threshers lead the season series 8-4.

Hot Bats
Clearwater hitters are batting .304 against Dunedin. Jeremy Slayden has played in 11 of the games against the Blue Jays this year and has 14 hits in 40 at-bats which is good for a .350 batting average. He also has nine RBIs against Blue Jays pitchers.

Bobblehead Mania
The Cole Hamels bobblehead, sponsored by Buena Vista Hotel, is set to be given out today (Thursday, July 19). The Chase Utley bobblehead, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, is the last of the 2007 Bobblehead Series. It is scheduled to be given away on Friday, July 27.

Quench your Thirst
It's Thirsty Thursday where all drinks are 2 for 1.

Silver Sharks Club Meets Tonight
It's Silver Sharks Night. Seniors 55 and over receive 2 for 1 Senior Field Box tickets on Thursdays. That's 2 tickets for just $4.

Game Changing Triple
Jason Donald's triple in the eighth inning scored two runs and gave the Threshers a 4-2 lead over the Mets yesterday. He scored the fifth and final run of the afternoon after Clay Harris singled.

Striking Out
Josh Outman's 12 strikeouts yesterday were his most in a game this season. He struck out 12 batters in a game once last season with Lakewood.

Blalock Returns
Jake Blalock scored one run in his first game back with the Threshers on Wednesday.

Another Delay
The game yesterday was delayed in the fifth inning again. This time due a rain shower. The delay only lasted 23 minutes.

Racking up the Honors
Jason Donald was named Phillies Minor League Player of the Week for July 9-15. He also won this award in Week 4 (April 30 - May 6). Donald was the Phillies Minor League Player of the Month award winner in May prior to his promotion to Clearwater from Lakewood.

Football is Around the Corner
Celebrate the return of football, get 2 for 1 box seats, and drink specials at Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion by wearing your favorite team's jersey to the game on Friday, July 20. Be one of the first 1,000 guests through the gate and get a football! Also, former Florida State star and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Greg Spires will be on hand to sign autographs from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

Series versus Mets continues tonight

Game Time: 7:00pm      Gates Open: 6:00pm

Tonight's Lineup
Burgamy, LF; Golson, CF; Thayer, DH; Slayden, RF; Marson, C; Donald, SS; Urick, 1B; Made, 3B; Antoniato, 2B

Tonight's starting pitcher is Stott.

Play Catch
Parent-Kid Catch returns tonight starting at 6:20pm.

Who Likes Ice Cream?
The Lil' Anglers activity tonight is Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae. Your child can still join the Lil' Anglers at tonight's ballgame for just $15.

Two-hit Pack
Greg Golson, Jason Donald, and Clay Harris each had two hits in yesterday's game against the Mets. That was the third game in a row that Golson has had two hits.

Home Run Derby
Clay Harris hit his seventh home run of the year yesterday.

Solid Relief
Nate Johnson and Will Savage didn't give up any runs in their combined three innnigs of work out of the bullpen yesterday.

Delay(s)
Yesterday's game started over 30 minutes late due to adverse weather in the area. There was also a 13-minute delay in the fifth inning due to a power outage.

Still have a shot at First
The Threshers are still a half game out. Dunedin also lost yesterday and Tampa was rained out. The Yankees will play two today.

Hot Hot Hot
Jason Donald is hitting .341 (15-44) in the month of July.

Tomorrow is Only a Day Away
The Threshers and Mets finish up their 4-game series tomorrow (Wednesday, July 18) with a special Noon Start for Camp Day. Parking will be free and hot dogs are only $1. Gates open at 11:00am.

Bobblehead Mania
The Cole Hamels bobblehead, sponsored by Buena Vista Hotel, is set to be given out on Thursday, July 19. The Chase Utley bobblehead, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times, is the last of the 2007 Bobblehead Series. It is scheduled to be given away on Friday, July 27.

Football is Around the Corner
Celebrate the return of football, get 2 for 1 box seats, and drink specials at Frenchy's Tiki Pavilion by wearing your favorite team's jersey to the game on Friday, July 20. Be one of the first 1,000 guests through the gate and get a football! Also, former Florida State star and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Greg Spires will be on hand to sign autographs from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

Former Thresher Hamels named to NL All-Star Team

Former Thresher Cole Hamels was named yesterday to the 2007 National League All-Star Team.

Also, former Clearwater Phillies All-Star Chase Utley was voted to the NL All-Star Team as the starter at second base.

Look for a story on the Official Site soon.

Zagurski picks up first Major League win

Michael Zagurski picked up his first Major League win of his career yesterday against the New York Mets.

How it happened: Zagurski replaced reliever Yoel Hernandez in the bottom of the ninth inning with the scored tied 3-3. The first two batters that he faced popped out and grounded out. Julio Franco came in as a pinch hitter and walked. Jose Reyes singled, but that only moved Franco to second. Zagurski than struck out Ben Johnson. Phillies batters knocked in three runs in the Top of the 10th to make the score 6-3. Antonio Alfonseca came in for the Mets half of the 10th and picked up his fourth save.

Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard, all part of the 2007 Clearwater Bobblehead set, were the Phillies that crossed home plate in the 10th to give the Phillies the win. The fourth member of the set, Cole Hamels, was the starter. He struck out five in his seven innings of work.

First Bobblehead of the year Tonight

The Jimmy Rollins Bobblehead (sponsored by Old Harbor Bank) kicks off our 2007 Bobblehead Series tonight.

The rest of the series includes Chase Utley (sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times) on May 11, Ryan Howard (sponsored by Yuengling Brewery) on June 22, and Cole Hamels (sponsored by the Buena Vista Hotel) on July 27. Keep checking this site and the Official Site to make sure that the dates and promotions haven't changed.

Rollins, Utley, and Howard will be wearing their Clearwater Phillies uniforms for their bobbleheads, while Hamels will be in a Threshers jersey.