Manuel's faith in Lidge, Hamels extends to 2010
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Manuel's faith in Lidge, Hamels extends to 2010
Andy Martino
Good evening from the World Series, game 5 edition. Charlie Manuel said that he will not hold a team meeting today, but will speak to every player individually. The Phillies obviously face a steep climb against an excellent team, but their best pitcher is ready to go. And, as you know, this is not a team that rolls over.
Some interesting stuff from Manuel in his pregame meeting with the beat writers on Brad Lidge, Cole Hamels and that memorable Johnny Damon play.
The Phillies signed Lidge to a three-year, $37.5 million extension last season, a contract that Manuel said the pitcher deserved.
“There’s a reason why you’re a long man,” Manuel said. “There’s a reason why you’re a sixth inning guy, a seventh inning guy and a closer. There’s a reason for that…Lidge was perfect last year. Stuff-wise, when he’s on, he’s got two out pitches. He’s our top pitcher down there. He is out best pitcher, and that’s why he makes $13 million a year, and that’s what we signed him for.
“How about those games we lose in the sixth and seventh inning, too? Nobody sees those games. They don’t’ remember this. Lidge is the closer. He got signed to be the closer here for three years.”
Manuel did say that Lidge will need to work during spring training to improve his ability to hold runners on first base. Many times this season before Damon’s steal, runners stole second against Lidge and later scored key runs.
“There are things he is going to improve on, and holding runners is one of them,” Manuel said.
Manuel made similar comments about starter Cole Hamels, who also endured a letdown season.
“There’s no reason why he can’t be the same player we project,” the manager said.
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When Johnny Damon stole second and began running toward third base in an important play Sunday, Manuel looked first at catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Despite the fact that pitcher Lidge was closer to the base than Ruiz, Manuel said today that he expected Ruiz to cover third.
“I’ll be very honest with you,” he said. “If we’re going to go over that and discuss it every day, in that situation, for me, [Carlos] Ruiz is going to cover third because he’s faster than Lidge and a better fielder and all that. He would be the guy that I would say to cover third base.”
“Let me tell you something: Every year we go to spring training, and when we go over our fundamentals and bunt plays, we might spend 10 minutes on that play,” Manuel said. “We might talk about it two times. That’s the first time I’ve seen that play happen against us. That play comes up sometime. I said there was a miscommunication. If you’re going to play the game in the right way, you talk about baseball from a fundamental standpoint. But what I’m saying is that play don’t come up that often. It’s kind of an instinct play. You’ve got to be heads-up in the game. You’ve got to know how you’ve got your defense set, and who’s going to cover third base.”
BS...Manuel...how can you expect Ruiz to catch the pitch from Lidge...throw to second...and then race to third to cover third? WTF? You shouldn't have had such an exaggerated shift with a guy on 1st who's known to steal bases...you f-ed up...no need to blame it on Ruiz...he's been solid behind home plate.— motoedde3- the shift was definately overdone, but for the record in that case Lidge should of covered 3rd. I guess it doesn't matter now.— krazylegs
- So we know the Phils spent 10 minutes talking about their responsibilities on that play back in February. We know Lidge can't hold runners on. We know Damon's going to run. We know we're putting a shift on for Texeira. Wouldn't those simple facts lead you to walk out to the damn mound and talk to the pitcher and the infielders?— celtic_13
- I agree with you, moto...Ruiz can't throw to second, jump out of his crouch, and cover a little more distance than Damon - with catching gear on, and beat Damon to the bag. Totally silly. In retrospect, but even live, Carlos should have eaten the ball -they had no shot at Damon. As far as covering 3rd, it would make more sense for Rollins to get the bag and Feliz to go back to 3rd, just in case.— MG44
- Who cares? Yanks are up 3-1, your team has no chance!— Yanksin4
The best explanation I've heard so far was from Jimmy Rollins, when he said it was on him for not specifying who should cover 3rd before the play. At least Jimmy stood up and took responsibility. Doesn't matter how much or little you work on the play in spring training, somebody has to be told to cover 3rd in that situation. I also agree that it was a mistake to use such an exaggerated shift. All you need is to move Feliz over into the hole, but he should not be covering 2nd on a steal.— bobby
Comment removed.- The issue is not who covers third. The real issue is why can't Lidge keep a runner close at first. Anyone who gets on first gets to second base easily. This has happened all season and, in fact, happened in the world series clincher last year. Brad is a major league pitcher who can't keep a runner at first base. I don't have stats on this but I'll bet no Philly catcher has thrown a runner out at second with Lidge on the mound.— jcybb2nc
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- Charlie is a 100% straight shooter. You have to appreciate that.— wdrdon
- Charlie is a 100% straight shooter. You have to appreciate that.— wdrdon
- the reasons the phillies are losing this series are,not hitting with runners on,not starting lee three times,trusting lidge,believing alllllllll the hype— soliteryman
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- I was at the game last night, a totally awesome experience. And yeah I am disappointed too that they lost, and 'm sure so are the players, but we are having a great season, how many teams actually make it back to the WS back to back. And, like some said it is not over yet, a win today and who knows what can happen. The Phillies fans were unbelievable- for 8 innings that kept supporting their team, even when things weren't going as we would like it - but they were awesome. So, lets stay positive and keep supporting our team, we all have our good days and our bad days. We all make mistakes, even when some of us get paid the big bucks, we remain human and thus fallible. So lets enjoy the ride and Go Phils!— LeftField
