Lee throws 40 pitches, Victorino throws tantrum
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Lee throws 40 pitches, Victorino throws tantrum
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Cliff Lee's arm-pit looked A-OK today as he threw about 40 pitches in live batting practice this morning. Lee estimated yesterday that he is maybe 5 or 10 pitches behind the other guys in camp, but the other guys in camp have all thrown around 40 pitches in live BP, so it appears as if Lee is right on schedule.
The veteran lefty is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday.
I have some video that I shot Zapruder-style and I'll see if I can't load that up here for you guys to gander at. It isn't of the highest quality. Probably makes Blair Witch Project look like it was shot by Scorsese. But watching it is probably better than doing whatever it is that your employer pays you to do.
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Mike Schmidt is in camp today. We always have a sit-down with him, and there isn't always a heck of a lot to ask him. So if you have any questions you want me to fire his way, let me know.
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Watched Vance Worley throw to hitters today. It's impossible to make any judgments this early in camp. But since we're on topic, I really wouldn't be surprised to see him have a strong spring and make the Phillies think about finding a spot for him in their bullpen. Maybe they want him starting in Triple-A. But I could really see him filling a Durbin-type role with the stuff and moxie that he has. And yes, I just used the word moxie.
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Shane Victorino is lampooned in the satirical newspaper/web site The Onion:
Shane Victorino's Parents Bracing for Annual Spring Training Tantrum.
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Please ask Mike Schmidt to compare Cliff Lee and Steve Carlton. Please also ask #20 if he sees Chase Utley having a bounce back year or if he thinks he is on a steady decline.
That Onion piece really hit the spot. Thanks Murph. I like Worley. From what I saw of him last year I also think he could fill Durbin's role. You wonder about having both Worley and Kendrick. Seems like they'd want to move one of the two if they don't trade Blanton.— s- Moving one of them would be short sighted on a team built to be World Series favorites in the short term, especially since they both make next to nothing. Blanton is the 5th starter, one of KK or Worley is the long reliever / 6th, 7th inning guy. The other starts every fifth day at Lehigh Valley and is ready to step in to the rotation if needed due to injuries or double headers. — JammRock
- I see KK as a starter. Worley seems like he could go either way. Blanton's a starter. KK going to Lehigh at this point doesn't make a lot of sense to me. So if Blanton's staying I think KK is the odd man out. Might as well get something for one of the two. That's just how I see it. I get what Murph means by Worley having moxie. I think he has more of a reliever mentality. KK, having already started, is never going to take well to a relief role in my opinion. I may be wrong. — s
- I'd like to hear Michael Jack's thoughts on the line-up in general: what he thinks of replacing Werth and what he thinks of needing a right-handed bat in there. Along with that, any of his observations on Brown and how #20 would use him this year. You could also thank him for those of us old enough to have gotten to see him play. How fortunate were we to be able to see his career. Greatest third baseman ever. No contest.— s
- The Tonner would like you to ask Schmitty of he and Sir Charles, who is the bigger tipper for Howard Eskin's caddy services.
- Murph, here are some ideas that might be fun to ask Schmidt:
- In his opinion, who was the best player Schmidt ever saw play (could be when he was a kid, when he played, or now)?
- Same question, but for pitchers only.
- Who was his favorite teammate to play with?
- Who would he have loved to play with, but never got a chance?
- Which player does he most enjoy watching in the game today?
Thanks Murph!!— FireTMac&Wheeler! - So Schmidt, now that you've tried wine making, any plans to revive the beer that shares your name? Oh, and also ask him his thoughts on the farm system; since it is a little lacking in the infield, are there any guys he's seen and likes?— Timmy
When I was 6 years old I saved my allowance and bought Schmidt a birthday card in the mid 70s and mailed it to the team office. Ask him if he got it. I never heard back and he was supposed to come to my house for dinner.— burholme- OK, I get it; but headline a little overboard...— M60tanker
- Keep Worley in AAA at the beginning of this year. Bring him up if there's an injury or at the end of the year. I think he has promise and there's no rush.— Vote for Dickie
- Hey Murph Ask Schmitty if he were in his Prime , would he be a perfect #5 hitter to ' protect ' Ryan ? Or might he Hit 4th and Ryan 5th ?— ingy9
- Hey Murph, ask Michael Jack how to come up with a better headline hook than the bogus Victorino tantrum.— cgrock
- I'd say also pose the "Howard or Pujols" question to Schmidt but I don't know that he'll bite.— s
This to many left handed hitter thing is way overplayed. Most teams have more right handed pitchers than left handers. It is a big advantage versus those staffs. What the team needs is at least a couple of good right handed hitters on the bench so at the end of the game against situational lefties there is always a good option for a pinch hitter.
