Minaya: Phils the Team to Beat
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Minaya: Phils the Team to Beat
Todd Zolecki
Well, that's no fun.
New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya had a chance to tell the whole world the Mets are better than the Phillies, but he didn't fan the flames.
"We're not better than them, no," Minaya said. "Right now, they're world champions."
Wait, what? What is this? Reverse psychology? The Phillies are on to you, Omar!
"The only way you get to be better than them is to beat them," he said. "You've got to go out there and get it done. You don't win championships on paper. I've never believed in that. Do I think we've improved our club? Yes. But the bottom line is the Phillies have won the World Series and they won the division twice. They have a good team and the experience of being in playoffs and World Series - that is huge. So we have a lot of work to do."
Mets manager Jerry Manuel commented on Cole Hamels' "choke artists" comment, "That's his opinion. It probably adds a little fuel to it, which is a good thing. Anytime you can add fuel to the fire, it's good. Players have to be ready to respond and answer the bell. That's good, that's good stuff."
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Inquirer and Daily News photographers David Maialetti, Michael Perez and Yong Kim will join myself, Bill Conlin, Paul Hagen and David Murphy for a Champions! book signing tomorrow from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Deptford (1553 Almonesson Road, Deptford, NJ).
Ain't much I can think of that's better than being able to tell those classless Mutts fans who show up at CBP every year that we are indeed WORLD F-ing CHAMPIONS. They aggravate me to no end and it's gonna be SWEET.— PhillySubsMac- I would rather the Mets never be in it than collapse.— doorspj24
- The Phils are better. But the Mutts did improve themselves. Should be a great year.— NJLouis66
- Rocco Baldelli be a great Right handed batter off the bench. I also just read this about him which is assuring "During the 2008-09 offseason, further testing indicated that Baldelli suffers from a form of channelopathy, which makes his condition less serious and more treatable than previously thought." That be another nice addition for the Phils.— robkaos
- Yawn. The Phillies are still better than the Mets. Just look at the lineup and the pitching matchups.— brew7676
- Omar is simply biding his time until his ultimate goal is reached: A 100% SPANISH-SPEAKING ROSTER!!! I hope all of those guys wear themselves out playingfor their countries south of the boarder— Erich H
- I've also read about Rocco's illness being "misdiagnosed". I think the poor guy is desparate to get a lucative contract and he went around from doctor-to-doctor until he "found" one who could explain that his "liability" is treatable. Actually, I think it would be great to get Rocco regardless of the truth about his condition— Erich H
How about Pat the Bat as a right hand hitter off the bench? At a much lower salary of course!!
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- as a transplant philadelphian in NY, its been a fantastic year! I love wearing my "we are the team to beat" t-shirt to the gym and rocking my phillies hat with my #5 jersey on Sundays. rubbing salt in the wound is sooo gratifying. It almost makes up for the fact that I'm surrounded by Newyawkeahs.— Eagles Phan in LI
- Mets talk? Who cares? For once, it's nice to be front runners.— Bake McBride
- It always seemed like Burrell bailed out the Phils at Shea. I hope Ibanez can produce in a more intense environment than Seattle and Kansas City. They both start April 0-0.— fakeplastic
- isn't the defending champion always the team to beat?— KMG
- KMG - you would think so, but then again, logic is not very common in NY, especially where the Mets are concerned.— RollinsWasRight
