Olbermann offers his take
Warning: the name I am about to drop may cause fierce partisan bickering in the comments section: Keith Olbermann spent the day at Bright House Field today, taking in batting practice on the field and watching the game from the press box. Given Keith's intense-and that is the word-interests in current events and baseball, I chatted with him about the impact of the economy on baseball, and then about the N.L. East
Olbermann offers his take
Andy Martino
3/9 Wrap
Warning: the name I am about to drop may cause fierce partisan bickering in the comments section. Keith Olbermann spent the day at Bright House Field today, taking in batting practice on the field and watching the game from the press box. Given Keith’s intense—and that is the word—interests in current events and baseball, I chatted with him about the impact of the economy on baseball, and then about the N.L. East
“700, 000 people lost their jobs in February,” Olbermann said (he uses that same booming, ironic voice when standing next to you, by the way). “That’s a horrific number, and it will affect attendance at major league stadiums. But the number was so horrific, that people may finally see the bottom, and start to open up their wallets a little toward the middle of the year. They’ll say, hey, the worst has passed, I’m probably not going to lose my job.”
During the Great Depression, many Americans turned to baseball, finding escape with teams like the St. Louis Cardinals’ blue collar “Gashouse Gang.” But the game has become so corporate, and a day at the ballpark so expensive, that Olbermann does not believe fans will seek solace in sports in the same way during this downturn.
“In the thirties, the highest ticket price for a major league game was seven dollars,” he said. “Now the high-end ticket at Yankee Stadium costs $2,500.”
He added that because teams rely on corporations to buy pricey luxury suites and box seats, they could be in for a dramatic drop in revenue until Wall Street stabilizes. “A lot of people with very good incomes have never seen anything like this,” he said.
I then asked Keith for his take on the N.L. East, which he sees as a tossup this year. Fans of K-Rod and Raul Ibanez fans are not going to like what follows. “K-Rod is not going to save 70 games this year, and some people are expecting that, but the Mets have so overcompensated in improving their bullpen, that their team will be better.”
Keith loves Mets’ outfielder Daniel Murphy: “He will not swing at a pitch he can’t do something with,” he says, and is underwhelmed by Ibanez.
“I know Pat Burrell was the streakiest, most frustrating hitter in baseball history, but I don’t think they adequately replaced him in left field,” he said.
He concluded by saying that the summerlong showdown between the Mets and Phils will be close enough that it may come down to injuries and chance. Of the Phils, he says, “The danger of having so many exceptional players at important positions is that when you lose somebody to injury, they are impossible to replace. That’s what could be the difference this year. The margin for error is even now between the Mets and Phillies (because the Mets improved their bullpen). That’s why the division is fifty-fifty.”
If any of that makes you mad—well, Keith is used to that.
***
There was a lot of news in Clearwater today, including injury updates and roster moves. As blogged earlier, Brad Lidge will pitch one inning in Wednesday’s 12:00 p.m. intrasquad game. Lidge said his arm felt strong after throwing a bullpen session Sunday. Rich Dubee said that Lidge would make at least two minor league appearances before pitching in a Grapefruit League game, though the closer told me that he feels ready to compete on the big field.
After entering as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and grounding out in his only at-bat, Chris Coste had good news about his hamstring. “It was fine,” said Coste. “I didn’t really have any doubts about it.” He did admit that he’ll be gobbling lots of Advil tonight.
Charlie Manuel said that Coste will catch several innings in Wednesday’s intrasquad game. The manager also said that Pedro Feliz will play Wednesday in either the exhibition or in the Phillies’ Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, and that Chad Durbin will pitch in the intrasquad game.
The Phillies sent their first round of players to minor league camp yesterday. RHP Yorman Bazardo, INF Ozzie Chavez, INF Anthony Hewitt, INF Terry Tiffee, OF Jeremy Slayden, OF Chris Walker, and RHP Justin Lehr were reassigned to minor league camp. The first full-squad minor league workouts will be held tomorrow.
Hewitt, the first rounder who I profiled last week, looked overmatched during his brief time at camp. He struggled to make contact and did not look comfortable at third base. A quiet kid who kept mostly to himself in the big league clubhouse, Hewitt sat in a chair in front of his corner locker most of the time, while many of the other players gathered around a table in the middle of the room and chatted or watched T.V. At 19, he is clearly far from being ready, but the organization remains excited about his raw skills.
Geoff Jenkins and Ryan Howard homered in the Phillies 8-4 loss to the Reds today. Jason Donald went 3-for-4, and Manuel is making it obvious that he likes the young infielder. Cole Hamels pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, both on a two-run homer in the second. Dubee said that Hamels looked fine and was on schedule, and Hamels said that his arm felt as strong as can be expected—though he wishes the season would come already. He understands that his job right now is to work on command, but he’s getting antsy to play in a meaningful game. “I don’t think my arm strength comes until I get under the lights,” Hamels said.
Amaro says he expects Carlos Ruiz to return to Clearwater on Wednesday. Team Panama responded to their president’s passion for the World Baseball Classic by going two and done.
Have a good night.
Comments (38)
Fair enugh on Phillies/Mets. best thing for Phils that I heard someone point out is that last year only Lidge had a career year. Rollins, Howard and Utley all really had relatively off years(!!). Hamels will win more than 14...— Jim C.- Keith Olberman wasn't a baseball expert on Sportscenter, and he isn't one now. Ibanez was a wonderful replacement for Burrell. He will have a much higher batting average and will drive in over 100 runs. I am so glad that I don't have to watch Burrel watch a called 3rd strike go by him anymore.— FloridaBrian
- Keith Olberman wasn't a baseball expert on Sportscenter, and he isn't one now. Ibanez was a wonderful replacement for Burrell. He will have a much higher batting average and will drive in over 100 runs. I am so glad that I don't have to watch Burrel watch a called 3rd strike go by him anymore.— FloridaBrian
- Too bad we added another lefty......................— infantino
Comment removed.- Gotta agree with Olberman so far on Ibanez. In all the games I have seen in ST Ibanez has looked mismatched against lefthanded pitching so far. I thought he was supposed to be able to handle them. Will never happen but an Ibanez/Mayberry platoon in left might be the Phils best option! Love to see Werth and Mayberry hitting hehind Howard against lefties.— Dull
- First of all, Olbermann is entitled to his opinion like anyone else - why would it make anyone angry? His assessment of the Mets/Phillies is so vanilla that I'm not quite sure if he's giving a true opinion or running for office! Second, whoever thinks they can determine how a player, i.e., Ibanez, is going to work out, from the few ST games played thus far, is jumping the gun...That said, I'd love to see Mayberry get a lot of time in this lineup against lefties...This guy's A STUD! Finally, the Phillies of last year? You know, the World F--king Champions? That team didn't even play well until late in the summer when they not only put together a nice run, but also got lucky at times...If CHARLIE learns to play for early runs, i.e., a little small ball, THIS SEASON, we may see something amazing AND special this season, provided the pitching staff just comes close to last year's performance...Hamels and Myers should easily win more games than last season...Moyer should do just as well as last season...And Blanton, who was a wonderful surprise, could be the horse who puts this club over the top EARLY...As for the #5 starter, whoever it is, let's hope he starts off like a house afire...This staff should put together a couple nice winning streaks this season! Go Phils PK (in TAMPA)— PhillyTheKid
- KO is a far left Librial enough said!— losteagle
Raul Ibanez has all the hallmarks of a first half guy who they will ride out until some good free agent rent-a-players come up halfway through the season. Can't wait for K-rod and Putz to crack under the choking microscope of Flushing meadows.— Pelti- Are all that say Ibanez is going to be better or an adequate replacement for Burrell consulting Madame Cleo? Are you judging him on his work elsewhere because you certainly cannot make that assessment fromn this limited spring training here. I am hoping that the Phils have found their gem in John Mayberry Jr. I can much easier stomach the prognosticators here regarding this guy, because he has shown some things this pre-season. Ibanez has shown little. The Phils could have the next Geoff Jenkins replacement...or not. I know Jenkins signing was met with idea that he was going to be the next right fielder. I guess that is why they play the game so I would not be so quick to annoint this guy better or and adequate replacement for the 'The Bat'. This fan is hoping Mayberry slipped through the Rangers system and is another piece to the Phils this year.— rockinrob
- What in the world is a Librial? Does that have something to do with library's?— Captain
- I don't know why Olbermann is such a baseball fan. They didn't play baseball in the old Soviet Union— JamesJ
Olberidiot stopped being relevant when he began bashing Bush for ratings. His opinions mean nothing to me and nothing to most of America.— rudytbone- Captain methinks that losteagle is none other than George W Bush. Think about it.....lost Eagle? Librial? No other President has had the command of the english language quite like the ex-pres. This is a classic case of G.W. and his strategery to get back in the pubic's eye.— rockinrob
- Comment removed.
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