Wagner: 'Phillies Aren't In Our Heads'
Mets closer Billy Wagner insists the Phillies aren't in their heads, despite nine-straight losses to them.
Wagner: 'Phillies Aren't In Our Heads'
Todd Zolecki
Gotta love Billy Wagner.
He pretty much says anything at any time, regardless of the consequences. I remember at Shea Stadium alone, he criticized the Phillies' training staff, umpire Dana DeMuth and the heart of his teammates. He got in trouble each time after he said those things as a member of the Phillies. He was honest, although his opinions often changed with the wind, which sometimes frustrated Phillies fans. So you knew Wagner would have something interesting to say after yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies, the Mets' ninth-straight losses to them.
"I'm tired of this 'meltdown, psychological' crap everyone hears about," he said. "It's still a game. We don't even think about that crap. We're baseball players. See the ball, hit the ball, pitch the ball. It's the same thing for them. We're all tired of hearing how the Phillies have our number. The Phillies don't have our number. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot."
The lefty doth protest too much, methinks, Jim Salisbury writes.
Agreed.
There's one way to end this "inside our heads" talk: Beat the Phillies.
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Phil Sheridan tells us how Chase Utley took four for the team yesterday.
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The Mets have had leads in seven of those nine losses to the Phillies. Two of them were first-inning leads. They blew a two-run lead entering the sixth inning in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings Sept. 14, a two-run lead entering the seventh yesterday, a one-run lead entering the eighth in a 5-3 loss Sept. 15, a two-run lead entering the bottom of the eighth in a 4-2 loss in 10 innings Aug. 28, and a one-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth in a memorable 11-10 loss Aug. 30.
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Jimmy Rollins doesn't think his sprained left ankle is serious. We'll know more much more today, but you'd think the Phillies would play it cautiously with Rollins' ankle and keep him on the bench tonight.
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In the Phillies Notebook, Tom Gordon has pitched better since Opening Day and the details from Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth's collision in right-center field.
"I wish my players had my passion and will to win." Willie Randolph, 10/2/2007. Maybe they have a heart problem and a head problem. Wonder if he lasts the season if they get off to a slow start?— jimmymack
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- i'm just happy we hit our april win quota early in the month this season. all wins from here to the end of the month are a bonus.— timm
- The Rat never disappoints. Wright - like him or not - is at least usually on the money. Thank God for Shane's glove, huh?— John in LA
- Wagner's an idiot! Mitch Williams hit it right on the head last night on the post-game show. Wagner doesn't acknowledge anyone's good points. Even his own team's.— Norma
- There is nothing better than beating the Mets!— Gary Varsho
- The Phils are definitely in the Mets heads. I agree nothing better than betting the Mets. Wagner blew it for us against Houston a few yrs back, I wonder what makes Houston closers so mentally challenged? I just hope Lidge can stay even keeled although judging from his body lanuage in his (3 run lead) close it doesn't look to good...— Truth
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- jimmymack......nice article in the Inquirer this morning (Wed.) about just what you talked about.— Norma
