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Monday, July 7, 2008
A Looooooooooong Day Lost
Jayson Werth watches his two-run homer leave the park in the bottom of the ninth inning. His clutch two-out blast tied the game and sent it into extra innings, but the Phillies still lost.

The Phillies spent 7 1/2 hours at the ballpark yesterday only to lose in 12 innings to the Mets, 4-2.

Yeah, that pretty much sucks.

"It was a long day and it didn't end well," manager Charlie Manuel said.

"It was kind of like a day-night doubleheader," Jayson Werth said. "It was a tough loss, being out there as long as we were."

Manuel acknowledged afterward that he is concerned about his team's hitting. The Phillies have lost 13 of their last 20 games, a stretch in which they have averaged just 3.75 runs per game. That shouldn't happen to an offense that includes Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell. A week or two is one thing, but the Phillies' offensive struggles have lasted three weeks. The sooner the better, obviously, because the Phillies' NL East rivals are just begging to be buried in the standings.

*

Jim Salisbury breaks down Brad Lidge's contract extension.

*

Bob Ford points out two messages that came from yesterday's extension:

  • Lidge is the closer.
  • Brett Myers is in the rotation.

*

Tom Gordon has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with elbow soreness. He missed more than a week last month because of shoulder soreness, so everything seems out of whack. But it sounds like Gordon's health issues have no bearing on Myers' future in the rotation. Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro Jr. made it perfectly clear they expect Myers, who pitches tonight for triple-A Lehigh Valley, to return to the rotation this season.

*

In the Phillies Notebook, Chase Utley and Lidge make the all-star team, while Pat Burrell is looking for help from Phillies fans.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 10:48 AM  Permalink | 69 comments
69
Comments   
Posted 01:24 PM, 07/08/2008
Norma
There's also a link for the Burrell vote on the Phillies site. www.phillies.com
Posted 10:37 AM, 07/08/2008
RAS
The link to vote for Burrell is www.mlb.com
Posted 09:22 AM, 07/08/2008
James Beale
c'mon Zolecki, throw a link to thefightins for the Burrell vote
Posted 08:11 AM, 07/08/2008
KarenA
Always drama when the Phils play the Mets! I must admit I was yelling at the TV how much the offense stunk in the early going and how Eaton was just plain awful.You gotta give the Phils credit for only losing by one lonely run and climbing out of such a deep deep hole!
Posted 06:17 AM, 07/08/2008
jrquixote
Elixir of Inertia. Drawing 45,000 per game and selling out can create a lot of indifference for Phillies owners and management. Remember Dave Montgomery runs this team and not Pat Gillick or "Little Ed" Amaro. So while us fans are lamenting one embarassing performance after another, Monty is counting receipts and Gillick is practicing "not making change for change sake" argument. So let's keep selling out the games and crying about their performance.
Posted 02:29 AM, 07/08/2008
pat h
It's obvious this team is to inconsistent to run away from the pack. Enjoy the marathon, try not to lose any sleep over it. And don't torture yourselves listening to those clowns on W I P . Also stop the Howard talk for a few weeks and take notice that this team has many glaring weaknesses.. Who cares about All-Star games anyway ?
Posted 11:30 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
Well, once again......DRAMA!!! Who'da thought we'd make such come-back after being down 8-0 in the 3rd. I guess that's why we're called the 'Fightins! Speaking of those 8 runs....What the heck was Charlies thinking???? Leaving Eaton in so long! I know the 'pen's been stretched, but.......
Posted 10:41 PM, 07/07/2008
KMG
I'm on this bandwagon until game 162, as well, but if this keeps up there will be no more games. The problem on this team, right now is that with the exception of 2-3 starters and 2-3 relievers they have all STUNK for the last month. I mean everyone. Look at the "big three". Not including today's game, Ryan Howard had 123 strikeouts in 89 games. That, my friends, is a 225 strikeout season. Not counting today, in the last 33 games Utley (my favorite player) has hit .255 with 5 HR's and 18 RBI's. Not counting today, Jimmy Rollins has hit .249 in the last 33 games. These are the LEADERS of this team and over the last month they have flat out stunk. I don't care what Ryan Howard should've been paid in 2007, I don't care that J-Roll was MVP last year and I don't care that Utley got some huge contract extension through 2075 or whenever. I do care that each of them is playing like crap right now and it is time for them, the leaders of this team to suck it up and step up before it is too late. P.S.- Home runs in a 10-2 game do not count as "stepping it up" in my book.
Posted 09:07 PM, 07/07/2008
MrPhillie
Man, this Phillies offense is awesome! Pedro has an ERA of almost 8.00 but the Phils can hardly touch him. Of course, the Phils can hardly touch ANY pitcher throwing against them. Once and for all it is time to stop saying how great this offense is. Yes, there are decent players in the lineup, but the offense was/is very overrated and it annot be ignored any longer. It is also disconcerting to hear Gillick/Amaro say how great it would be for Myers to be the #2 pitcher the team is looking for in the second half of the season. To me, this is just setting up the possibility that no moves will be made. So, if the team refuses to get quality pitching help, that means the team will be forced to out-slug and out-score their opponents, meaning many 6-5, 8-6, 12-10 games. Given the state of the Phils' offense, it seems we are destined to see a .500 team at best. Even if the offense comes out of it's month-long slump, this very long stretch of poor offense certainly will not strike fear in the hearts of ANY opponent. No, I'm not jumping off the bandwagon...I've been a bandwagon dehard for 35 years. I'm just trying to keep it real and not set myself for yet another disappointing finish.
Posted 09:06 PM, 07/07/2008
Clinton, NJ
The Phils just flat out SUCK!!!!!!!
Posted 08:43 PM, 07/07/2008
diehardphan
how about this lineup: dobbs, werth, utley, burrell, howard, rollins, feliz, coste .307, .270, .300, .280, .230, .265, .260, .300 l, r, l, r, l, sw, r, r bench: victorino, jenkins, ruiz... Rollins doesn't deserve to bat 1st or 3rd until he comes out of his funk. Top 4 and coste have earned their right to play. How about someone remind Charlie Manuel that he's a great players coach, but he stinks at game coaching.
Posted 06:45 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: This is pointless. You're stuck in the same loop. No matter how many ways anybody comes at it, you have the same answer, whether or not it addresses the issue at hand or makes any sense at all. I'm done.
Posted 06:39 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
bski-once again please stop the madness. They could have kept Thome for all I care. My point is they should have traded Howard. Classy organizations don't do things like that. They don't don't take away a mans earning potential. Once again look at Colorado, they make it to the series and reward there young players, the phillies give them 900k off of an MVP season. Delusionality has completely taken hold of YOU bski and the entire blog more than usual.
Posted 06:10 PM, 07/07/2008
John in LA
Remember all those years ago when Nomo exploded into the league, went like 9-0, threw a no-hitter, was totally unhittable... and then teams adjusted to him. See Ryan Howard's last 2 years. The "great" ones make the adjustments back. Nomo didn't, and disappeared. Howard hasn't, either. Seems, more often than not, that he refuses to. He'd rather pout. As to RAS's comments about weight - I totally agree. Big men in baseball (spare me Babe Ruth) don't last long.
Posted 06:04 PM, 07/07/2008
jimmymack
Geez, if he had to be told he was the team's "property" and that there is a slotting system and he is governed by the MLBPA basic agreement until he reaches free agency eligibility, then maybe he needs to stop using the different agent every year program and get someone who is familar with the business side of baseball to represent him. Seems he is clueless (according to your theory) about business as he is about the strike zone. And guess what, unions don't do "individuality". Again, you demean your hero.
Posted 05:52 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: Be real. Howard was not told to "deal with it" in the minors because he was the property of the Phils. He was blocked by Jim Thome. Lots of guys have been blocked from reaching the bigs by productive players at their position on the major league club. You remember Thome, right? He's the guy who put up 47 hrs, 131 rbi in 2003 and 42 hrs, 105 rbi in 2004. It's not like we had Travis Lee playing first for us. Then I would believe that Howard was being held down unfairly. Speaking of Thome, how about his situation. Everyone fell all over him and was thrilled when he came here. He was very productive in his first two years. In 2005, he gets injured(elbow and wrist, right?). Howard comes up to take his place and wins ROY. In the off season, we move Thome. There's not much sentimentality there, is there? How do you feel about how Thome was treated. I mean, it wasn't like his production went downhill or anything. He sustained an injury and then lost his spot with us, even though he was completely healthy for the following season. You don't feel bad at all, do you? Well, you shouldn't. It's all part of the game. When a better player comes along, the other guy needs to be cleared out, fair or not, regardless of how much he has done for the team, right? Howard is just having to deal with another part of the game, the business side, and he can't let it affect him on the field.
Posted 05:39 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
truth's last comment was actually directed towards bski-
Posted 05:23 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
Bobby 900k after an MVP season? He stands out individually in this situation if you don't recongize that your missing alot. Monsterous seasons in the minors only to be told that he is there property and to deal with it....Fastest to 100 HR's in 125 yrs of recorded baseball history. This is a completely different animal-guy....
Posted 05:20 PM, 07/07/2008
RAS
I'm not so sure Howard will get the money he wants, and it's not because of the number of stikeouts or his fielding, but more about his weight. He's a pretty big guy at 29. What will he look like at 33+? Who's to say that he won't blimp out if/when he gets the big money? Only the Phils brass have a beat on this. If Howard's work(out) ethic is less than desired at this point in his career, who would want to pay him the really big bucks in the near future? Look at David Ortiz, he's averaged less that 150 games as a DH, and he still gets hurt. He's missed 30 games already this year. Unless Ortiz sheds some weight, he won't be around much longer. This precedent doesn't bode well for Howard's chance at the big payday.
Posted 05:15 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: I'm going to try this one last time, then I'm done. It's ok if Howard's attitude has changed and he's fed up with how the Phils are treating him, AS LONG AS HIS ATTITUDE IS DIRECTED AT THE PHILS MANAGEMENT(as in making contract negotiations difficult, holding out for more money or more years, or just flat out deciding to have nothing to do with them whatsoever). That is his right. WHAT HOWARD CANNOT DO IS CHANGE HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD THE GAME ON THE FIELD. Whether or not you agree with the system, the teams and management have the deck stacked overwhelmingly in their favor for the first few years of a player's baseball life. Every player has to take care of the baseball side first. Once that's taken care of, then they are in a position to get their money. Like it or not, that's how the system works. Besides, Howard is not the only player in MLB going through this, so he's certainly not being singled out and unfairly persecuted.
Posted 05:06 PM, 07/07/2008
bobby
jimmymack wrote: "I think you do Howard a disservice by espousing such nonsense." Well put. You said in one line what I tried to do in much more. Thanks.
Posted 05:03 PM, 07/07/2008
bobby
I don't think it's corny or naive to expect a professional ballpayer to put forth his best effort every single game, every single AB, and every single play in the field. In fact, that's what they get paid to do. Any player who gives less than 100% based on personal salary issues is a player I don't want on my team. And I for one do NOT think this describes Ryan Howard. He may have personal feelings toward the organization, but I do not believe that they in wany way are connected to the problems he's had on the field this year. IF that were the case, my advice to that player would be to grow up and get in the real world. The best method of scoring the big payday, whether it's now or down the road, is to play well. Period.
Posted 05:02 PM, 07/07/2008
jimmymack
A DH that strikes out in record numbers isn't much of a plus to the Red Sox, Yankees or Reading. And he got a record breaking amount in arbitration, so I think the chattel characterization is just silly. By your reasoning, he will be feel dissed every year of his remaining arbitration years. Geez, can't wait for him to "show' the team his displeasure by striking out 300 a year times by 2010. That'll teach them, won't it? BTW, I think you, his biggest fan, do Howard a disservice by espousing such nonsense.
Posted 04:49 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
Bobby-I'm not saying he is an ambassador-I'm saying he put his best foot fwd during his 2 yr run of excellence. Now his attitude has changed and IMHO rightfully-so. He tried to be everything that Philadelphia could use in an athlete, the phillies didn't care.
Posted 04:45 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
Ryan will get his money-Ortiz and Ramirez are getting older and will be done by the time Howard is free. The Yankess will salivate at the prospect of a A-Rod Howard combination to sell luxury boxes. Either way Ryan gets his money. Remember he's going to be a DH defense means nothing... All ryan is here to do is drive in runs and hit Hr's... I'm not defending him. I tend to agree with you that its not a classy thing on his part that he should keep his "rep" intact and abide by the rules but unfortunately YOU or I weren't treated like chattel(whether Don Fehr is reponsible or not) and don't know what was said at arbitration. We do know that he was kept in the minors longer than he should have been and was offered 900k when 1.2mil would have sufficed. The Phillies play a role in this blossoming debacle as well.
Posted 04:42 PM, 07/07/2008
RAS
MLB.com is reporting that Corey Hart has a small lead over Pat Burrell and the others. Get out and vote at mlb.com !!
Posted 04:38 PM, 07/07/2008
bobby
How can anyone defend Ryan Howard's character and hold him up as "an ambassador for the game" in one breath, and in the next say that Howard is playing poorly (K's, sloppy defense and refusal to best the shift) because he is angry and frustrated by what he perceives as poor treatment by the organization? You can't have it both ways. If a player is performing subpar due to a contract dispute, then he is not the model citizen we believe him to be. On the other hand, if his performance is due to his difficulty in handling the adjustments other teams have made to counter him, he's not the phenomenal ballplayer we believe him to be. I tend to go with the 2nd theory, at least for now. Howard had 2 unbelievable seasons and opposing teams do everything in their power to nullify him. That's tough to deal with when you're used to being the best in the park every night. I believe Howard will find a way to get back to his former self, at least bringing up his average 30 or so points and settling down his D. But please don't make lame excuses like "he could care-less about defense as the Phillies could care-less about him." That's just insulting to him.
Posted 04:38 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: I agree with you about the 900k offer. It would have been a nice, symbolic gesture for them to give him a round $1 million. That's not who the Phils are, however. They never go above slot on anyone. Not a draft pick, not in arbitration, never. I'm not saying that the Phils are right. I'm also not saying that Howard is wrong to feel the way he does(if he truly does feel unappreciated), either. What I am saying is that he is on the Phils and there is nothing he can do about it. The Phils have him for another two years and don't have to do a thing, other than pay him what the arbitrator says. Howard has to get his mind around that fact and accept it. He may have decided already that he is going to bolt from Philly 2 seconds after he becomes a free agent, and that's fine if that's what he thinks is best for him. In the meantime, however, he's got to be a professional and take care of his end on the field. The better, more complete player he becomes, the more money and respect he will get, regardless of whether or not the Phils are the ones giving it to him.
Posted 04:35 PM, 07/07/2008
delennis
1 for 6 with 4 strikeouts. That's embarassing! Anyone else would be benched. Howard will set a strikeout record this year that will never be broken (unless he breaks it next year).
Posted 04:29 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: Let's say you're right that the Phils are holding Howard down at every turn. How does getting angry/sulking/not caring/making no effort on defense help him get his mega deal not just from us but from anybody? If Howard truly feels that the Phils don't value him, then fine. But HE has to value HIMSELF enough to understand that trying to punish the Phils with his carelessness in the field is going to hurt HIM more than the Phils, because it will cost him a lot of money, not to mention a loss of respect for not being professional and separating the business side of the game from the baseball side. If Howard takes care of the baseball side, he'll definitely get his money from somebody. Also, Hamels is mighty ticked at the Phils for holding him down as well and for not giving him a big new deal, but I don't see him giving a half-hearted effort on the mound. Howard is going about it the wrong way.
Posted 04:27 PM, 07/07/2008
jimmymack
Carelessness, nice. Demeaned...once again he needs to speak to Don Fehr and the players union, the basic agreement demeans him, not the team. And he can't beat the shift if he can't make contact. Truth, if your theory is true, he will never see a "mega deal". Your arguments for Ryan don't say much for him as a man or teammate.
Posted 04:22 PM, 07/07/2008
bobby
Ah, back from a holiday weekend mini-vacation. And into the fray I jump... "Shed payroll and think young"? How does Ryan Howard fit into that plan for Atlanta? I love the idea of Texiera on the Phils, but I think it can't be a straight up trade for Howard. If the Phils are going to move Howard (and I'm not saying they should right now), it would most likely be to the AL as a DH. That would make room for Texiera, for which the Phils would have to cough up young prospects. Unfortunately, that conflicts with the idea of obtaining a quality starter. Hard to do both.
Posted 04:21 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
They offered Ryan 900k instead of a simple round figure of a million after an MVP season! That is the ultimate slap in the face ppl. I know it's impossible but put yourselves in his shoes. What would YOU do-bski?
Posted 04:19 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
RAS: Very good point. Let's hope that 2008 is for Howard what 2003 was for Burrell, which is the low point of his career. Let's also hope that Howard learns, matures, and comes out the other side of this as a much better hitter.
Posted 04:18 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
bski-I ask you what have the Phillies done for Ryan Howard? Ryan worked his rear off in the off-season to get in the best shape of his career only to be demeaned in the arbitration hearing. Ryan, has been an ambassador to the game not only in this cities neighborhoods but internationally. Ryan is now alsmost 30 yrs old was kept in the minors at least two addt'l yrs by this organiztion. Your premise is correct-Ryan will get his mega-deal by hitting HR's and driving in Rbi's. Ryan is swinging for the fences on each and every at bat. His carelessness in the field must be a byproduct of his animosity toward this organization that has thrawted his progeress at every turn. I'm not making excuses for Ryan I just think he could care-less about defense as the Phillies could care-less about him. Furthermore, as you state he has gotten worse every year-true; keep in mind he justs gets more angry at HIS situation every year as well. I have no doubt that in addition to the defensive woes that Ryan could poke the ball thru and beat the shift at will(he is a good hitter). Once agiain thats not whats going to get him his mega deal. I know many of YOU will not agree with this but there is a business side to all of this and Howard is buying his time until he is FREE....
Posted 04:18 PM, 07/07/2008
jimmymack
I don't think Atlanta thinks picking up Howard fits into the shed payroll catagory. He will be an arbitration issue every year, doesn't play defense, strikes out too much....but if they would make that trade I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'll throw in Jenkins and Ruiz. Unless we can convince Wade to take them for Oswalt.
Posted 04:11 PM, 07/07/2008
RAS
The thing about Pat Burrell that put a lingering bad taste in everyone's mouth was his proepensity to strike out way too often in spite of his decent power numbers. (Sound familiar?) Remember how he used to snap his legs back and lean forward on the inside pitches to keep from geting hit? It was maddening! Who among us could have envisioned the call to re-sign him (now) only two years ago? More sheer madness. Well, to Pat's credit, he has made some adjustments, and become a better player for it. Some say it simply was settling down and not staying out late on the town. Whatever. Let us give Ryan Howard the same chance to right his ship before we ship him off to another town.
Posted 04:02 PM, 07/07/2008
mondonj
JOhnLA i was just saying i would so trade him to the braves for texiera, braves should they need to completely rebuild they need to shed payroll and think young.
Posted 03:55 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
bski-There is not much to say he's not playing very well defensively. I think Ryans defensive performance is a reflection of his unhappiness. He came into this season in great shape, he obviously worked hard this off-season and was beat up in an arbitration hearing by the same organization that kept in the minors at least two years too long. this is a guy that has been ambassador to the game not only in the city but also internationally. I really think HE believes he deserves better and I believe he may very well hate coming to the ball park everyday to represent this organization:; it leads to carelessness. He obviously loves his teammates and the game but I believe at 30 yrs old he thought he'd be a little further along. Not defending him but explaing why I don't bash him for his lack of fielding prowess. hitting is natural for him. I believe if he wanted to he could poke balls thru the opposite filed all-day long and beat the shift but that is not whats going to get him his money when he becomes free. I don't expect anyone to agree but I'm pretty sure I'm accurate in my assumptions.
Posted 03:54 PM, 07/07/2008
John in LA
What about Howard for Texiera? No brainer, right? He's in a contract year...
Posted 03:38 PM, 07/07/2008
KarenA
Truth: As Frasier Crane said to Cliff Claven on "Cheers"---"What color is the sky in your world?" Burrell is also 2nd or 3rd in walks which means he's patience and tries to wait for a good pitch. I also 2nd what Norma said about his stats this season. We all think he deserves to be on this year's All-Star team since he's having a great season. He's certainly had his ups and downs, but from this time last year to the present, he's been very good.
Posted 03:36 PM, 07/07/2008
John in LA
Truth and those pesky "facts"... coming into this year, over the first 5 years of his 6 year deal, Burrell averaged 27 HR and 92 RBI a year. Look around the Majors, genius - those numbers for 8.3 mil a year are a bargain. And that doesn't include this year. Your buddy Ryan wants, what, 2.5 times that???
Posted 03:36 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: I admire the tenacity with which you defend Ryan Howard. One thing though. Every defense you raise centers on his offense(hr, rbi, etc...). What do you have to say about Howard's defense. If he is truly a complete player, you can't ignore that side of the ball. Why is he a butcher defensively who continues to get worse as time goes on? Does he not care about defense(because he's paid to put up big offensive numbers)? Does he not have the physical skill to play good defense? Does he not have the commitment and work ethic to become a better defensive player? I would think that, if for nothing other than personal pride, he would be embarrassed by what he's doing in the field and would want to improve. You never speak about this. Why?
Posted 03:28 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
Truth....Once again....Do your homework! Pat IS in the top 5 of HR's. In fact, he's only 1 or 2 behind Chase. Who is leading the majors, with 24. At least as of last night. And jimmymack......I totally agree with you about Chase *looking* at the first pitch! It drives me crazy! And more often than not, it's a strike. I don't necessarily remember him doing that the last couple of years. Maybe that's why his SO's are up this season. Not that he's anywhere near Ryno, yet! LOL!
Posted 03:27 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
I stand corrected......
Posted 03:26 PM, 07/07/2008
bski
TRUTH: Here's the info to back up Gary's claim about Lohse. It's from an article in the Daily News dated 6/14/08 titled "Lohse, front office didn't see eye to eye". Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/19939154.html. Here are a few excerpts: The Phillies and Kyle Lohse agree on one thing:The Phils did try to re-sign the righthander after last season. Lohse, who will pitch against his former teammates for the St. Louis Cardinals today, confirmed yesterday that he received a three-year offer in the neighborhood of $21 million shortly after last season ended. "They said no," said Amaro, referring to the offer that was made early in the off-season. "We continued to have discussions. We tried to re-engage them right into January. "Their expectations were different from ours." There it is. Lohse held out and ended up taking a one year deal for less money, but that's on him, not us.
Posted 03:24 PM, 07/07/2008
RG
Truth, Lohse confirmed the offer a few months ago. Talk about clueless. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080614_Phillies_Notes__Lohse__front_office_didn_t_see_eye_to_eye.html
Posted 03:22 PM, 07/07/2008
Gary Varsho
Truth - never let the facts get in the way of a good argument: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080614_Phillies_Notes__Lohse__front_office_didn_t_see_eye_to_eye.html
Posted 03:08 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
Gary if you can back that up great- My info was far different. They were intimidated and didn't want to do business with Boras. They didn't offer him anything. Lohse decided to wait until later in camp until the injury bug hit and his value woulod increase. What your saying is pure balderdash. Accept the Phils for what they are the two C's. Classless and Cheap-
Posted 03:05 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
J-LA What? He has earned every penny-are you delirious? I'm not even going to list the the Burrell files of ineptitude. Like I said he was a JOKE for 4.5 yrs. He was a part of the Leiby, Wolf, Abreau to cool to care crowd and you know it.
Posted 03:00 PM, 07/07/2008
Gary Varsho
Truth - you do know that they offered Lohse a much larger contract than he ended up with, and he turned it down, right? And from what I read in the offseason, he didn't like pitching in Philly. Enough of your "classless" nonsense..
Posted 02:56 PM, 07/07/2008
John in LA
Truth, I'm actually more fascinated with Howard. Like how do you go from well-rounded to totally one-dimensional in 2 years? How does your average plummet 50 points each year? Your fielding get worse? Your Ks go up? Don't "superstars" usually get better? Guys that want to be the highest paid in the game? Burrell has made 8.3 a year for 6 years (50 total) and earned every penny of it.
Posted 02:44 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
Honestly, what is the fascination with Burrell? Does he lead the league in Rbi's is he in the top 5 in Hr's. Was he the fastest to 100 Hr's in the 125 yrs of recorded baseball history? Burrell was a joke until his CONTRACT year. Now he is a beloved Philadelphia athlete that is deserving of an All-Star slot? The guy is a little above avg. PLEASE-- I think YOU should cut Cholly some slack-the players respect him and can approach him. If Burrell was healthy enough to play deeper I think Cholly would let him. Furthermore, the Brewers got alot stronger with Sabathia. I have no doubt that this collection of hitters will make the playoffs but to win a series P.G. has to do something pretty big. Losing Lohse looks pretty foolish right now. This team would spend the 4.75 million to sign a guy that helped us considerably last yr and was well liked and seemed to fit in chemistry wise. Pretty sad and classless!!!
Posted 02:26 PM, 07/07/2008
jimmymack
I'm a Manual fan but he needs to: stop taking one AB a game away from Burrell; stop leaving Howard in the cleanup spot; make Rollins take a pitch; start making Chase NOT always take a first strike; make Gordon go on DL everytime he has a twinge and not try to "work through it" amd make the water ice stands have cherry after the 5th inning. And make the team put in another location to get crab fries. Yo Truth, it's jump off the bandwagon or jump off the Walt Whitman, not jump out of airplanes. And guys, we need to stuff the box for Pat the bat, just like Boston and Chicago do for their players. Other than that, I'm good....LOL.
Posted 02:22 PM, 07/07/2008
KarenA
Rumor has it Sabathia will be part of the Brew-crew.
Posted 02:21 PM, 07/07/2008
Reggie Noble
Pulling Pat has to stop...it's come back to bite Cholly in the ___ too many times
Posted 02:18 PM, 07/07/2008
KarenA
Truth (I know better than to pay attention to what is said by this person), but I don't think anyone here is bailing on the Phillies. We love this team and what them to succeed. Frustration at this team's potential is at the heart of what most of us "complain" about.
Posted 02:17 PM, 07/07/2008
KarenA
Truth (I know better than to pay attention to what is said by this person), but I don't think anyone here is bailing on the Phillies. We love this team and what them to succeed. Frustration at this team's potential is at the heart of what most of us "complain" about.
Posted 02:15 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
From the previous topic.....Totally agree with everyone's points about Burrell, Coste and Ruiz! brettg......REALLY agree with your point about leaving Pat in if we're trailing (by a couple of runs), or tied. I bet Charlie was kicking himself for pulling Pat early. Once we tied it up, we really could have used his bat. Like we all know, he's been the only consistant hitter lately. Wonder, if Pat doesn't make the final All Star vote, if Hurdle can name him DH? As far as I know, it's still TBD.
Posted 02:12 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
Noboday's jumping out of airplanes, Truth. But something has to change. The old, "It's early in the season", excuse doesn't stand anymore.
Posted 02:10 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
As for the *message* the team sent Myers yesterday.....If they're not willing to have him set-up for Lidge, then let him go, and suck up some of the $12 mil. we owe him for next year. Not sure how much we still owe him for this year. I thought Gillick's comment about "there's a lot of things in life people don't want to do" was a little condescending. True. But, if it pertains to your job (and you're that unhappy or unproductive), you usually look for a new job. Maybe management has thrown the gauntlett down.
Posted 02:07 PM, 07/07/2008
Truth
YOU phantics are hilarious. Don't forget your parachutes as you jump out of the airplanes.....
Posted 02:06 PM, 07/07/2008
James TL
I agree, putting Burrell between Utley and Howard amkes a lot of sense. I guess you can forget about it then. This is the Phillies after all.
Posted 01:59 PM, 07/07/2008
Norma
RAS.....I like your line-up a lot! CHARLIE????? Pay attention!
Posted 01:28 PM, 07/07/2008
Gary Varsho
jrquixote - I think Coste can play first, maybe use him against "tough lefties" instead of having Howard go 0-6 with 4 K's.
Posted 01:16 PM, 07/07/2008
jrquixote
If the Phillies are going to make another run this year: Myers - GONE!; Gordon - GONE!; Taguchi - GONE!; Ruiz - GONE! Howard needs a right hand batting platoon and defensive replacement and Charlie Manuel needs to grow an IQ. (Can you do that?)
Posted 01:05 PM, 07/07/2008
RAS
Here is the lineup that will work every day against any opposing pitcher: Rollins-Victorino-Utley-Burrell-Howard-Werth-Feliz-catcher-pitcher. Somehow I get the feeling this is more about not hurting Ryan Howard's feelings (hitting him 5th) than the betterment of the team. As soon as Charley gets over that, then he can honestly say he's worried about the hitting. He's more concerned about NOT ticking off Ryan Howard. Not good.
Posted 12:21 PM, 07/07/2008
mondonj
Id fire Milt Thompson today. Sorry i know these guys are professionals but that first pitch swinging has to stop. Milt was not a great hitter when he played time to make a change there!!!
Posted 11:49 AM, 07/07/2008
KarenA
I've justed stuffed the ballot box for the Burrell. Hard loss yesterday however our offense definitely is a bit of a concern. It seems many are grounding out/flying out which is frustrating since they're at least getting wood on the ball. It's a shame they can't play the Braves all season :-)
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
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