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Ask Don McKee
Inquirer Sports Writer
Don McKee has been covering sports since 1966. He joined The Inquirer as the South Jersey columnist in 1974 and has covered high schools from Atlantic City to Cincinnati; Penn State, Pitt and West Virginia football; and the Phillies, Eagles and Flyers over the years. For the last 13 years he has hosted a Sunday talk show on Sports Radio 610 WIP. He tries to live by the sage words of Lord Northcliffe, the man who created the world's first sports page in the late 19th century, and who coined the famous phrase: "News is something that somebody somewhere wants to hide. Everything else is public relations."
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Most Recent Questions & Answers
Questions: 91 - 10 of 123
QDon, how serious is the tailback situation at PSU? If Austin Scott can't step up, are they looking at a 7-5 season? Also do you think Joe will shift his passing game away from the little speedsters to the bigger targets like Bell and Quarles?
sc, phila, PA 07/06/07
A
Hi Steve:
First, I think Austin Scott WILL step up.
Second, I think they're looking at a 7-5 season anyway.
They are rebuilding the left side of the OL, which is vital to a righthanded QB as it protects his blind side. And not only are the starters gone, the top backup had to end his football career after an injury during spring drills. If Morelli and the receivers play REALLY well and if Scott plays really well, it could be 9-3. Otherwise, 7-5 at best.
Don McKee
QDon, While I would not consider trading Utley (probably the best all around 2nd baseman in baseball right now), would you consider a trade-even up-of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols? Why or why not.
Gene, Eastampton Twp., NJ 07/06/07
A
Yes. Not only would I consider it. I would do it. For two reasons:
1. Pujols clearly is a better player and is slightly (two months) younger.
2. Pujols is cheaper.
He signed a seven-year contract before the 2004 season, with a team option for 2011. Howard cannot become a free agent for four more seasons after this one, meaning he also is owned by his team through 2011. So there's little to choose from there. Neither guy can go anywhere until 2012.
But Pujols deal (including the option year) totalled $112 million, for an averge of $14 million a year. When Howard is done going to arbitration for the next four years, he'll almost certainly average more than $14 mill....
So, there you have it...
Don McKee
QDon,
Nobody is ever going to confuse Charley Manuel with John McGraw but I think he's doing a good job. If you consider that he has a bullpen made up of various big league rejects, career minor leaguers and AA pitchers rushed to the majors and this team is competitive, Charley deserves praise not abuse. Also, he is getting nothing from a 13 million dollar left fielder and almost nothing from third base. The abuse should go to Gillick not Manuel. Manuel has kept this team above water and he deserves our respect. Any thoughts?
Anonymous, Ambler, Pa., PA 06/29/07
AThose are all good thoughts. The Phillies problem in the second half of last season was a horrible bullpen. Their problem in the off-season was a horrible bullpen. Their problem in spring training was a horrible bullpen. For some reason the front office chose to sign a multi-million dollar third baseman and a multi-million catcher. Both now are backups to guys who were on the team last fall. That 7-8 million could well have been spent on the bullpen, as could the 8 million per year used to sign Adam Eaton. I DID think the Freddy Garcia trade was a good one, but that hasn't worked out either. None of this has anything to do with Charlie, who is his usual stolid self. But the fact is that he is hated and reviled in Philadelphia -- more than any other single person in my 37 years here -- because he speaks with a rural accent which Philadelphians hate. Shame. I don't think he's particularly good; nor is he particularly bad. But no one in my memory has been so unfairly abused as Manuel. thanx for a good question. dm
Don McKee
QDon,
It's no secret that the Phillies need Pitching help. They also need a Right Handed Power Hitter. Could the Phils pull off a deal that would land them Troy Glaus from Toronto? Glaus plays a solid 3rd base and can hit the "long ball." Then, Manuel culd leave Dobbs in Left Field on a regular basis.
Mike, Gilbertsville, PA 06/29/07
AI certainly like the idea, but let's look at the reality -- what do the Phillies have to offer in return? Glaus makes $11.5 million this season and if Toronto was in a selling mode, they would want to get younger (Glaus is 30) cheaper players in return. Who fits that bill here? Probably only Michael Bourne and Mike Zagurski and it would take more than two essentially unproven kids to get a hitter of Glaus' calibre. No team is going to take such potential castoffs as Ryan Madson or Geoff Geary or any of the AA kids who are being used right now as fill ins. Toronto will not be interested in Pat Burrell (13 mill), Wes Helms (4 mill) or Rod Barajas (3 mill). The Phillies might seek to simply buy Glaus outright, but I think he's valuable enough that Toronto could get at least a decent player in return. But hey, it's worth a phone call to see if Bourne and Zagurski could get it done. thanx...
Don McKee
QDon, according to the Phillies website, Jose Mesa was born 5/22/1966 and would've been 13 and 1 month when Ralph was born (6/29/79), meaning he concieved a child at 12 years and 4 months. Which is more believable: a 12 year old conceiving his first child, or that Jose Mesa is only 41?
Frank, Mayfair, PA 06/27/07
AYour reading of the website is accurate. Draw your own conclusions on the rest. dm
Don McKee
Qdm --- your thoughts on -- if a team misses on a draft choice they could have had ... does anyone try and figure out why and who is to blame
jpetri, bethlehem, PA 06/24/07
AThere's only one answer -- the general manager. thanx, dm
Don McKee
QI say that the San Antonio Spurs are a dynasty. They only "problem" being they're in San Antonio,don't carry guns in public,or abuse spouses,animals or fans,am I wrong??
L.A., Phila, PA 06/24/07
AThe San Antonio Spurs clearly are a dynasty. What all the rest of that folderol has to do with four NBA titles in nine seasons is hard to see. thanx, dm
Don McKee
QWould you entertain the thought of trading Ryan Howard for Mark Texeira? Howard will hit more HR's, but Texeira is a Switch Hitter who also plays Gold Glove Defense at 1st Base. I hate the back-to-back Lefties in the batting order (Utley/Howard)
Mike, Lansdale, PA 06/22/07
AI'm not sure I would trade Ryan Howard for Johann Santana. And if you want to break up the L-L combo in the middle of the lineup, why not sign a worthwhile righthander and bat him fourth? Teixeira is a fine player and I'd like to have him, but what this team needs is pitching, pitching and more pitching.
Don McKee
QDon, What is the problem with Chris Coste? You have Barahas hitting 208 and cant hold on to a ball if someone is coming home. Is it his 3 million dollar salary?Unbelievable.What does management have against Coste? Is it Montgomery?
P.J.Tracey, Phila., PA 06/22/07
APersonel decisions are made by the GM, Pat Gillick. Obviously, the $3 million spent on Barajas would have been better spent on relief pitching, with Coste backing up Ruiz. In that same vein, the $3.5 million spent on Wes Helms would have been better spent on relief pitching, with Nunez playing third. thanx
Don McKee
stevecozzo@hotmail.com of phila, 1181570210919
QDon two quick questions:
1. With Charile blowing off the Phils getting drubbed in two out of three by KC, ("Can't expect us to win every game") has he finally crossed line for being fired? Excepting losing is not a good quality in a manager.
2. What's behind the electronic media attack of Ryan Howard's posing after hitting home runs? I've never seen him behave in an overly egregious manner after homering. Will he be the new whipping boy now that donovan has made nice with the talking heads?
sc, phila, PA 06/11/07
A
Charlie accepting losing is not nearly so alarming as the team accepting losing. As the Friday night game against Detroit showed again, this is a deeply flawed team. The line Charlie has crossed is mental: he knows this team is maddenly inconsistent and knows there's no cure except better pitching. He also certainly knows his chances of being back in 2008 are slim and none, so why not speak his mind?
On the second question? You've got me! I'm not aware of any media vendetta with Ryan Howard nor any special media romance with Donovan McNabb. Both are treated well here. (I can't speak for the national media).
Don McKee
Questions: 91 - 10 of 123
