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World's comments (67)
Article: Now Chip Kelly and Eagles can really get to work - 1 out of 67 total comment(s)
- Mon., 02/04/13 - 08:27 AMWith apologies to Whitey Ashburn, "Oh Brother." I got so tired of reading posts that talked about "Fat Andy" and now, look at how many chins Chip Kelly sports in the photo accompanying this article. This man and his radical offense better work or he'll be on the spit roasting over the flames that emanate from the less-than-gracious fan base in Philly. Oh Brother indeed.
Blog Post: Manuel eager to watch Ruf this spring - 1 out of 52 total comment(s)
- Mon., 01/28/13 - 19:34 PMWell, the Truth does Hurt, doesn't it? Wow. You fit right in with the image of the negative fan in the South Philly stands. As for me, I believe that the comments of "onthebucks" were right on point. Darin Ruf had a great year at Reading and posted numbers that were reminiscent of those put forth by Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski when they first broke into the majors. Perhaps it took Ruf a while longer to develop his stroke. He certainly did not look over-matched in his 37 plate appearances in "The Show" last September.
I too kept an eye on the kid last season and through the winter. In Venezuela, he played a very decent left for his squad and showed consistent power. It is obvious that he is going to get a real shot at the regular job. And if D. Brown can step forward and show something at the plate that is commensurate with his minor league output (especially in 2010), then Amaro will be hailed as a genius. It certainly is time for Brown to show what he's got. This could be a very, very good outfield if the corners come through.
Would love to see more posts from onethebucks. As for you, The Truth Hurts, take a hike.
Article: Inside the Phillies: A third-place finish in offseason moves - 2 out of 91 total comment(s)
- Fri., 01/25/13 - 14:27 PM
Amen. This is the best post I have read in a long time. And when the team is floundering at or about .500 in July, there should be such a clamor from the fan base that Amaro should be looking for a new job. Except I believe that he is just the puppet for strings being pulled by others who have marching orders from on high to not too much- as in "We've got our WS Trophy, now let's make some money."
A total disgrace. - Fri., 01/25/13 - 10:27 AMIt's a shame that the Phillies have three "A" starters and some decent players but Amaro & Co. just could not put a decent team together. The end of the rotation is a big question mark and the outfield is the byproduct of crossing your fingers and whistling past the graveyard. Unfortunately I see the team out of the race by the All-Star break and the fans and pundits clamoring for deadline deals for Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay and maybe even Chase Utley.
Josh Hamilton should have been pursued to play right, Asche should have been given his shot at third, and Ruf should be given an opportunity to imitate Luzinski in left. A decent 4th starter could have been obtained and now you are looking at the pennant.
What we are gazing at now are the license plates of the Nats and the Braves as they zoom on by.
And to tell you the truth, I've lost interest in this team already. Sorry Mr. Amaro, you have not put together a championship team. And if the Phils fall on their faces, you should be looking for a new job.
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Blog Post: Charlie Manuel visits Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard and scouts Chase Utley, too - 1 out of 48 total comment(s)
- Tue., 01/22/13 - 09:43 AMCharley is fooling himself if he thinks he can bat Mike young third in the lineup. Young hit .277 last year but only hit 8 homers in 611 AB and grounded into 26 double plays. Not exactly impressive numbers for the #3 slot.
Take a gander at the year Mike Schmidt had when he was also 35 years of age and you will see that he also hit .277 but he had 33 homeruns and only grounded into 10 double plays. So being 35 isn't automatically the end of your career but it looks like Young is done. He did have a good year in 2011 and let's hope that he rebounds but maybe in the 7th hole.
Young should not hit 3rd but should be down in the lineup where he can punch out his singles and hit in a deuce that does not hurt as much.
Article: Inside the Phillies: Reviewing the offseason moves in the Phillies' division - 1 out of 27 total comment(s)
- Sun., 01/06/13 - 09:00 AMI do not think Amaro is pulling the strings. Gillick is still on the payroll as is Dallas Green. Amaro seems to me to be the one who is the face of the General Manager but takes his orders directly from Monty who is advised personally by Green and Gillick.
It seems to me that the Phillies are going to give Ruf and Brown a chance to show what they can do at the major league level. Maybe that is not a bad thing. Let's see what they have got. Ruf certainly appears to have a great deal of power and Brown's minor league stats would say that he has the tools. So let's see is what I am reading from the Phillies. Competent veteran backup outfielders are always available and probably Hairston will be acquired before too long to provide insurance and pinch-hitting and such.
This team could come together and challenge the Braves and the Nationals or it could fall apart and battle the Mets for third place. As with the outfield situation, it should be interesting on so many other fronts. Will Howard and Utley be healthy and resume their slugging? Can Roy Halladay regain his fast ball or his he near the end? Does Young have anything left? What kind of pressure will the front office have to replace lame-duck Manuel if the team struggles in the first half of the season? Will the last two spots in the rotation hold up? Will the bullpen became a strength of the team again as it was in 2008?
There's so many stories to be written on and off the field and it is going to be fun (and maybe painful) to watch it all play out. Well, Clearwater beckons and we will have some answers soon.
Article: 76ers fall to Thunder, 109-85 - 1 out of 64 total comment(s)
- Sat., 01/05/13 - 17:03 PMI am finally beginning to think that Doug Collins cannot coach a team properly. Vuc in Orlando is a good example of what can happen if you give someone a chance to play. It was not as if the Sixers of 2011-12 had a dynamic front court that mandated the #1 pick to sit and observe. Our 7 foot rookie center was glued to the bench and barely played any meaningful minutes after the first segment of the season. The Sixers praised his ability to rebound and provide mobility in the post when he was drafted but then he was barely used. I understand that he had to go in the Bynum trade but if Vuc had been given a decent shot last year, perhaps the Sixers would not have felt the need to give up the kitchen sink in that three way trade.
How can a player progress in the league when he doesn't play other than in garbage time and in the team practice games? The answer is clearly that he cannot. This man pulled down 29 rebounds in an overtime game against the best team in the league. If this is not an indictment of Collins strange preference to bury his rookies on the bench, then I do not know what is.
Oh, and our vaunted #1 pick this year is playing in the D-League while the Sixers continue to get muscled out of the lane and quite often dominated on the boards.
You know, when a player comes to the game arena and basically knows that he is not going to play one minute, this cannot be a positive thing in his development. Methinks it's likely that I'll keep checking the Magic's box scores and shaking my head in despair.
Article: Sources: Andy Reid will no longer coach the Eagles - 1 out of 79 total comment(s)
- Mon., 12/31/12 - 09:17 AMThe majority of Eagles fans that call for Reid's head and label him "Fat Andy" and such know absolutely nothing about football. How good it will be to see Reid get a head coaching job with an organization that gives him the basic building blocks of success- like a strong offensive line with competent backups and a defensive backfield that can actually stop someone. Reid's phone will be ringing off the hook right after Lurie cuts him loose. And you know why? Because despite all the blabber from the idiots who love to toss their inane barbs at him, he is a winner and a gentleman and a damned good human being. Mr. Roseman should have gotten his walking papers and that is the name of that story.
Thanks Andy for many years of good service. You deserved better from the front office and from the owner. And don't worry about the morons that just drooled when the team was down. They were the same "fans" who were shouting out the E-A-G-L-E-S cheer when you were winning ballgames and making the city of Philadelphia proud.
Come back with a different team and knock the Birds on their derrieres. And then listen to the hoots and hollers from the fat guys sitting in the stands who will then realize what this team and city have lost.
Article: Sizing up Amaro's offseason moves - 1 out of 112 total comment(s)
- Sat., 12/29/12 - 07:27 AMI heard Larry Bowa on MLB Network saying that he believed that Dominic Brown would definitely hit and that the Phillies needed to give him a full-time shot. Bowa said that the biggest problem with Brown was that he did not take good routes while on defense and this was something that could be fundamentally wrong with the young man and not easily corrected by coaching. I know Larry well and respect his judgment so perhaps it is well that the Phillies did not sign Ross or any of the others mentioned in the past two months. I think that there is a great chance that Ruf is definitely the real deal and will play LF in the Luzinski tradition. As such, if Brown can duplicate his minor league numbers at the plate, Amaro will look like a genius in not signing any of the high priced free agents for the outfield. I think it is time to see if Brown can do it. Mayberry and Nix are backups and perhaps Scott Hairston will be signed to provide some right handed balance.
The more I look at it, the more it makes sense. Brown needs to show his stuff now.
Article: Amaro OK with Phillies current roster, but leaves room for improvement - 1 out of 172 total comment(s)
- Wed., 12/19/12 - 08:36 AMCody Ross solves the right field problem. There's only one Josh Hamilton and he is gone. So acquire Ross, put him out there and watch him hit .275 and pop 25 dingers. He apparently fits within the budget and doesn't cost a 1st Round pick in the draft. He must be trying to put one team against the other for a higher contract as I am sure that Amaro & Co. would have signed him by now.
Blog Post: Mayberry Left in Right - 1 out of 66 total comment(s)
- Tue., 12/18/12 - 07:01 AMI see no reason for Amaro & Co. (still think Gillick is holding the strings)to not sign Cody Ross. He is tough against lefties and more than adequate against right handed hurlers. You need at least five decent outfielders to go through such a long season. There will be plenty of opportunities for all the outfielders to show their respective talents. Ross would work well here with his power and what I understand to be an upbeat clubhouse presence.
Article: Phillies nearly finished their homework - 1 out of 133 total comment(s)
- Mon., 12/17/12 - 07:44 AMI am personal friends with Chris Wheeler and have been for over twenty-five years. He is a very decent man and knows a great deal about major league baseball. He does not deserve the disdain that he receives from people as yourself. I would submit that you probably did not long one inning of professional baseball in your life either and Chris is where he is and you are a blogger on a website.
Oh, and my friend Harry Kalas also never played one inning of professional baseball either. Are you going to comment negatively about his credentials also?
Blog Post: Repercussions of Hamilton becoming an Angel - 1 out of 155 total comment(s)
- Thu., 12/13/12 - 18:16 PMThe Phillies lost a shot at their Mickey Mantle. This type of talent only comes along once in a great while. They had the money to do it and they didn't want to go all the way. Well, when the Phils are watching the playoffs next October and Hamilton is on his way to becoming the Most Valuable Player of the World Champion Angels, Amaro & Co. can remember this lost opportunity.
Blog Post: Why the Phillies probably won't sign Josh Hamilton, and why that probably is a good thing - 4 out of 176 total comment(s)
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)- Wed., 12/12/12 - 20:31 PMAmen.
Good post. - Wed., 12/12/12 - 19:32 PMBest post I've ever read here. I think that Hamilton is on the phone at this moment with his mentor Young and is being convinced that the Phillies have a shot at the World Series this year. Amaro is good at getting these kind of deals done.
From what I am able to glean from the various media sources available, methinks Texas is after Stanton now and will go hard in that direction.
Welcome to Philadelphia Josh Hamilton.
- Wed., 12/12/12 - 18:53 PMJosh Hamilton is Mickey Mantle. Did the Phillies ever have a Mickey Mantle? Think about it. In my lifetime(circa 1952), they had Schmidt, Ennis, Callison, Luzinski, "Sarge" Matthews, Utley, and others. But did they ever have Mickey Mantle and the legend that would eminate from his days on the Philly turf? No, we have never had that kind of player in my lifetime. Hope the folks upstairs have a moment of clarity and write the check to see it done.History is in your hands Gentlemen. And Lady.Do it. (HTML deleted)
- Wed., 12/12/12 - 18:52 PMJosh Hamilton is Mickey Mantle. Did the Phillies ever have a Mickey Mantle? Think about it. In my lifetime(circa 1952), they had Schmidt, Ennis, Callison, Luzinski, "Sarge" Matthews, Utley, and others. But did they ever have Mickey Mantle and the legend that would eminate from his days on the Philly turf? No, we have never had that kind of player in my lifetime.
Hope the folks upstairs have a moment of clarity and write the check to see it done.
History is in your hands Gentlemen. And Lady.
Do it.
Article: Phillies likely to seek a one-year rental for rotation - 1 out of 41 total comment(s)
- Wed., 12/12/12 - 11:37 AMIn my opinion, Ruf is definitely going to play left and hit over 30 homers for the Phils. Think Luzinski. Revere has center covered and will provide wonderful defense, a high batting average, and over 50 stolen bases. So right field is in play as well as the two reserve spots. Hamilton would be the absolute ticket as he would be the ideal #3 hitter but the brass apparently will not go over the line as is being done by the Dodgers in record proportions. As such, say hello to Cody Ross who has the pop to hit 25-30 HRs at the Bank and play good defense. Dominic Brown, who has for several years loped around and acted as if the world owed him something, can try and beat out Ross in the Grapefruit League if he isn't in some sort of deal before the season starts. You need five strong outfielders anyway so a motivated Brown can show these tools of which he is reportedly endowed and easily fit into the mix, especially as Ruf can play 1B and should spell Howard occasionally against tough left handed pitchers. Add some backups in Mayberry, Nix, and the Rule 5 kid and you're ready to go.
Article: Manuel also waiting to see what comes next for Phillies - 2 out of 49 total comment(s)
- Tue., 12/11/12 - 11:43 AMI understand what you are saying but it is what it is. Jimmy Rollins won the MVP leading off and Charlie is not going to move him down in the order where he probably should bat. So he is going to lead off.
You have to bat Revere second. If he bats eighth and singles, he will have the pitcher behind him and that is going to curtail his running for sure.
I understand what you are saying about Young. I think he would be better hitting lower in the lineup where his lack of power and foot speed will not matter as much.
I do not see Young as a #3 hitter and I certainly don't see him hitting in the second slot. He would hit lower in the lineup for me. You need to hit up and down the lineup and his average in the 6th or 7th position would mean a lot to the lineup.
Leave the speedy guys on top. The both hit for decent average and Rollins and Revere could post some impressive numbers on the bases to set up RBI opportunities for Utley, Howard and Ruf as the 3/4/5 hitters.
And sign Cody Ross today. I still think that Josh Hamilton would be the real deal but Texas is not going to let him get away and if Amaro dug deep into "his" pockets to pull of this kind of blockbuster, the Phils certainly could not afford to additionally buy the services of a #4/5 starter to replace Worley and an eighth inning set-up man for Papelbon. - Tue., 12/11/12 - 09:49 AMOh...one more thing.
The lineup is going to change after Cody Ross is signed. Rollins is always going to lead off and that is not a bad thing notwithstanding all the blabber from the blogsters.
The lineup of ss Rollins, cf Revere, 3b Young, 1b Howard, lf Ruf, 2b Utley, rf Ross, c Kratz is a great lineup if Young can hit .300 and push the power meter up a bit (Citizens Bank Park might do it naturally). Young might not have a chance to hit into a double play with Rollins and Revere swiping sacks in front of him. Utley was a 3# hitter at one time in his career but it is time for him to drop a few rungs and he would be a great "second leadoff" hitter from the 6th slot. That lineup is dangerous and there are no certain outs from top to bottom.
Mr. Amaro: sign Cody Ross today. And Cholly: put Revere in the second slot of the lineup and tell him that you want 70 bags from him this year.
And that's the name of that tune.
Blog Post: After two trades, Phillies still lacking power - 1 out of 95 total comment(s)
- Mon., 12/10/12 - 17:18 PMYou are blind to the fact that Dallas Green and Pat Gillick are still on the Phillies payroll and are Senior Advisors to both Giles and Montgomery as well as Amaro Jr. As such, I doubt that Amaro has carte blanche to do as he pleases with regard to player acquisitions and such.
I think the plan is working. I would bet that Cody Ross will be playing right for the Phillies in 2013 with Dominic Brown somehow playing in the mix. The big guy is going to get his shot in left and Philadelphia has an acrobat cruising center. People can argue on these blogs until the cows come home but the undeniable truth is that you need more than three strong outfielders over the course of a long regular season and there are plenty of bats for all of these players. For the corner outfielders, performance on the field will dictate who is a regular and who pinch hits and starts every so often.
Blog Post: Phillies find their center fielder - 1 out of 25 total comment(s)
- Thu., 12/06/12 - 15:39 PMAll you have to do to love this guy is to look on YouTube and watch his highlights from 2011 and 2012. What a hawk in center field and his speed on the bases is top shelf. His arm is average and nothing like our former backup left fielder. Watch these two videos and then comment on what the Phillies received for two mediocre pitchers.
Article: Inside the Phillies: Phillies, Ruben Amaro Jr. head to winter meetings under different circumstances - 1 out of 71 total comment(s)
- Sun., 12/02/12 - 18:39 PMAmaro better sign more than Angel Pagan. He's a nice player and will help but so would have Victorino who has more power and more speed. What is really needed is to give up on Dominic Brown or else swap him to a team who is ready to give him a chance. After clearing up the CF situation and ridding the Phils of Brown, Amaro should sign Josh Hamilton to play right and give this kid Asche a chance to play 3B. A setup man or two later and the Phils are back in the World Series.
Article: Fouladelphia - 1 out of 54 total comment(s)
- Wed., 11/14/12 - 20:10 PMI lived in the Philly area most of my life and watched the fans fight each other in the stands and boo everything and everyone pretty much every night. When the teams did win, the fans were crazed and acted as such. I suppose I had gotten used to it because it was all I knew.
And then I moved to Washington DC for about seven years and went to a lot of Redskins games. And while the team in DC was not particularly good in that span, the fans were always behind the team. Win or lose, they supported the Redskins. In fact, when the Skins were playing badly, the fans went out of their way to try and encourage the team by increasing the support they gave to their team. And when I saw this and experienced it firsthand, I realized that everything the nation said about the Philadelphia fans was true.
Andy Reid has brought honor to the Philadelphia football scene and all you hear and read are from the idiots that want his head. This is from the same folks that ignored the fact that Mike Schmidt was and is universally recognized as the all-time best third sacker and cascaded Veterans Stadium with boos for Schmidt night after night. It makes me sick to think about the great players that were treated like dogs by so many of the don't-have-a-life "fans" that acted callously due to jealously of the status and earning capacity of the professional players who tried to represent their city.
Andy Reid is a good coach and a good man. This town does not deserve him.
Article: Inside the Phillies: Phillies need Roy Halladay and Chase Utley to be healthy - 1 out of 39 total comment(s)
- Mon., 11/12/12 - 19:18 PMSign Josh Hamilton and let him play right field. Sign Melky and leave him in center field. Give Aasche a chance and put him at 3B. "Babe" Ruf gets his shot at LF and Dominic Brown needs to show something to break into the lineup. It won't hurt to have 4 decent outfielders especially when two of them are basically making minimum wage as will the new 3B. The Phillies have 3 top starters and there is a bevy of contenders (Worley, KK, Biddle, others) to fill out the rotation. You need to find an 8th inning hurler to assist Papelbon and viola.............the Phillies are back in the World Series. Josh Hamilton is MVP and Cliff Lee wins 24 games and wins the Cy Young. Charlie goes out on top and Sandberg takes the reins on a team that has promise because it did not fill the openings with over-the-hill high priced players but filled the gaps with stars and with bright prospects from the farm system.
It can be done and I hope RAJ is listening.
Blog Post: New York Daily News suggests Yankees trade Granderson to Phillies for Ruf - 3 out of 105 total comment(s)
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)- Mon., 10/22/12 - 22:06 PMThere's nothing wrong with my memory. I was at that game and Luzinski should never have been on the field in the top of the ninth inning. I had a conversation about this with Jerry "Mud" Martin sometime later and he told me that was ready to go to left and play defense as he always did in these circumstances. Martin said that Ozark never looked at him and so he watched the same thing that you and I saw that Black Friday afternoon. That being said, there's no way that you can label Luzinski a terrible fielder for this one play against the Dodgers. He played his position capably and was a tour de force at the plate.
We'd take another "Bull" in a, excuse the expression, a New York Minute. Maybe in "Babe" Ruf we have found another one. - Mon., 10/22/12 - 18:03 PMExactly. Get Youk to play 3B and groom Asche to take over in 2014. Give D. Brown his last chance to fulfill his legendary "potential" and get yourself a couple of capable veteran outfield reserves. Shore up the bullpen a touch (Madson) and viola.........the NL Pennant.
Article: Turner trying to fit in to new role on 76ers - 1 out of 48 total comment(s)
- Wed., 10/17/12 - 18:19 PMFrom what I've seen, Turner does not handle the ball well enough to play the point. The bloggers attest to his skills in this department but my eyes tell me otherwise. He doesn't shoot well enough to play #2. I have my doubts that he is a SF but perhaps this is his best spot and perhaps he can carve out a spot there.
But I think the Sixers should look for a trade and do their best to swap ET for a very good PF. At that point, you let one of the players such as Dorell Wright man the SF, let our starting center of last year become the backup center this year to AB, and put Kwame way down on the end of the bench.
Viola. Problem cured.
Article: Sam Donnellon: Phillies should just tinker, and bring back Victorino and Madson - 3 out of 113 total comment(s)
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)- Thu., 10/04/12 - 15:57 PMI refer you to Baseball Reference which will tell you that Victorino hit .261 for the Phillies in 2012 and posted a combined .255 average for the year. And his career BA is .275 which is far and away from your supposition that he lugs around "his .230 average."
- Thu., 10/04/12 - 15:52 PMShane Victorino is a three time Gold Glover. He is only 31 years of age at this moment. He stole 39 bases last year being caught only 6 times. His career BA is .275 and his OPB is .341. In full season, he is either a bit over or under 100 runs scored for the season. He has led the NL in triples twice and has HR power to the tune of about 15-18 per year. He is a team player and from all reports, a tremendous player in the clubhouse.
My hockey loving friend, the Flyin' Hawaiian is in the prime of a distinguished career. He is exactly what the Phillies and many other teams need. The Mets would go gaga to sign him to bolster their outfield. So would many other teams. Amaro should do his best to get him back here. He won't solve all the problems of the Fighting's but he would solve a lot of them.
Blog Post: Reading and Trenton square off in Eastern League playoffs - 1 out of 10 total comment(s)
- Wed., 09/05/12 - 22:16 PM"Speculation about Ruf’s future with the organization have been swirling ever since his hot-streak began: if the Phillies don’t add him to their 40-man roster, he’ll almost certainly be targeted by other teams in the Rule 5 draft if they don’t trade him first."
You have to be kidding. How can you even suggest that there is the possibility that the roster had so much talent that Amaro Jr. would turn his head to this young . There is absolutely no way in the world that RAJ would allow this talented slugger, albeit of a minor league vintage, to be lifted from the organization for mere pennies. He would never sleep another night comfortably in 2013 as he agonized even the possibility that Ruf hit another homer that evening for the Mets or the Padres or the Cubs.
Ruf will be on the roster soon and will have his earned shot next year with the big club. RAJ would be run out of town on a rail if he failed to protect this talented young man and he became a star in MLB in a different uniform. And why would he take such a risk when it could cost him his career? Let Ruf be unprotected and hit 45 homers next year for another team and Amaro will be looking for another place to hang his hat.
Blog Post: The Return of Ryan Howard - 2 out of 8 total comment(s)
- Thu., 08/30/12 - 08:59 AMHe gained a lot of weight since his injury. I live outside of Philly and just saw him on TV last night for the first time this year. I bet he is 75 lbs heavier. How is this affecting him?
- Thu., 08/30/12 - 08:56 AMHe gained a lot of weight since his injury. I live outside of Philly and just saw him on TV last night for the first time this year. I bet he is 75 lbs heavier. How is this affecting him?
Article: David Murphy: Phils play an IronPig of a game - 2 out of 45 total comment(s)
- Thu., 08/16/12 - 21:26 PMBest comment of the night. Victorino is 100% hustle all of the time. It is not his fault that he was asked to bat 5th earlier this year and this just not his spot.
This is not only a solid major leaguer who is only 31 years old, this is a team leader.
I hope that there is a handshake deal that Victorino is coming back here. This is exactly the type of player that this team needs to go forward and not backwards. - Thu., 08/16/12 - 21:20 PMFor you jokers who could not wait to send Victorino out of town- how are you feeling now? The Phillies have no (count them- none, zip, zero) legitimate starting outfielders for the 2013 season. What they are running out there are suspects and rejects. And this makes me feel bad as John Mayberry's father is a dear friend of mine. But it is what is is.
Amaro should resign Victorino and do his best to fill in the corners. Maybe the kid from Reading can play LF. And perhaps we can sign someone along with Victorino to patrol RF.
And please send D. Brown packing. He just cannot play in the Big Leagues.
Blog Post: Eagles add former Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar - 1 out of 17 total comment(s)
- Wed., 07/25/12 - 07:44 AMAnd........they worked out "four veteran punters" not "four veterans punter." This is just sloppy and unacceptable for a newspaper hailing from one of the largest and oldest cities in the United States.
Article: David Murphy: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is too good to trade - 2 out of 164 total comment(s)
- Tue., 07/17/12 - 08:14 AMAmen.
- Tue., 07/17/12 - 08:12 AMGreat article. You are right on all points. Moving Rollins now will sink the ship. Anyone who has any knowledge of how this game is played will understand. As for the idiots who every day complain about Rollins popping up and such, they just don't have a clue.
Blog Post: Report: Los Angeles Dodgers interested in trading for Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins - 1 out of 31 total comment(s)
- Tue., 07/17/12 - 07:53 AMMany of the morons who post here and complain about Rollins and Victorino will have a lot more to feel bad about if and when these two tremendous athletes are no longer on the Phillies. Why would the Dodgers be interested if these two men were as bad as some of these amateur pundits set forth in their daily dribble.
Rollins, for all the nonsense spewed about being a pop-up artist, is an excellent defensive shortstop and has the ability to hit the ball out of the park as well as to steal a base. He was the NL MVP and while he is getting older and cannot reproduce the stats of that award winning season, who is going to replace his talents on the field? Martinez? Or the other young man who can also barely hit .200?
And Victorino is world class in center field. He has tremendous speed and can hit for high average as well as steal bases and provide a steady offensive spark by his enthusiastic effort. Who is going to take his place? Domonick Brown?
The simple truth is that the "fans" who complain here and elsewhere about Rollins and Victorino are jealous that they are not making the kind of money that these superior athletes earn in today's version of MLB. Victorino is entitled to his big payday and if Amaro is thinking clearly, he will give it to him. Rollins has already earned his and is the rock of what has traditionally been a superior defense team.
Take these two players away and watch the team go down the drain. And the jokers that love to complain about both of them will be howling at what will be trotted on the field thereafter. Bet on it.
Blog Post: Agent: Kwame Brown to sign with Sixers; Silas has concussion - 1 out of 164 total comment(s)
- Fri., 07/13/12 - 15:30 PMI've been faithfully watching this free agent situation and hoping that the Sixers acted wisely. I'm just a fan and not an expert by any means but this K. Brown signing has now allowed me to sign off and concentrate on something else. I've seen him plenty over the past ten years and he just cannot play. I just cannot believe that the Sixers could possibly believe that he is a piece of the rebuilding effort. Methinks that this will be a moot point come the fall as Brown will either be injured or will be in the permanent Collins' dogbox and taking up an expensive spot on the bench.
Just cannot believe that Collins & Co. would want to go down this very bumpy road again. Well, so much for my interest in the offseason. As Ebeneezer Scrooge said, "I'll retire to Bedlam."
Blog Post: After Wright, is big man next for Sixers? - 1 out of 56 total comment(s)
- Wed., 07/11/12 - 20:33 PMI wrote a long post this morning (which was not put on screen) which dealt with the fact that the top level agents want nothing to do with the city of Philadelphia. Too much bling and glitter with LA, NYC, Miami, and even Chicago. This is a big problem for the Sixers.
For that very reason, I hope the Sixers keep Iggy and let his professionalism rub off on the young troops. Obviously the team needs at a minimum a viable power forward and a back up point guard. But the experience of a veteran in his prime who is respected enough to be on the Olympic team is crucial in terms of moving the franchise forward. I keep thinking of the playoff game against Boston in Philly when Dre took the last second rebound of a missed free throw and went coast to coast in an attempt to dunk the ball and win the game which in fact his two free throws did. I gained a lot of respect for the man that night.
I think Collins & Co. are doing a good job in rebuilding. I am sure it is not as simple as it looks. This is not fantasy basketball.
Article: Reading's Valle could be Phillies' All-Star catcher of the future - 1 out of 19 total comment(s)
- Wed., 07/11/12 - 13:29 PMThe Phillies should consider moving Chooch to 3B next year. If this season could in any way be repeated, Ruiz could smack 20-25 HRs and hit .300. Valle could take over the catching duties with a veteran being signed to back him up. Viola. Oh.....can Ruiz play 3B? I think he probably could.
Blog Post: Thorn says Sixers won't move from 15th pick - 1 out of 50 total comment(s)
- Tue., 06/26/12 - 22:02 PMWho is going to play center? Hawes? Puleeze.............
Someone has to man the middle and it can't be Vuke fulltime as he didn't get off the bench for the last third of the season in 2011-12.
Find a way to draft Fab Melo and hire Moses Malone to teach him the intricacies, defensive and offensive, of the low post. Vuke can alternate with him, play the high post, and both kingdoms can thusly be served.
And if you need a General Manager, give the job to Dr. J. He is Philly basketball and is respected everywhere. Whatever it takes to bring him up to speed can be accomplished by Thorn who has a respectable curriculum vitae notwithstanding the scorn heaped upon him by some contributors to this website. Erving would be the one who could convince a true superstar to sign with Philly as a free agent.
OK.............so do it.
Blog Post: Marc Narducci's 2012 NBA Mock Draft - 1 out of 20 total comment(s)
- Tue., 06/26/12 - 21:30 PMTrade Iggy and get a pick which can translate to Fab Melo. How many times did opposing big men take Hawes & Co. to the hoop and get an easy bucket? This would not happen with the Brazilian center. He is a defensive machine and has enough offense for someone who would play the low post. Let the kid platoon with Vuke, who can play the high post, and add a veteran center (one who can play and not rot on the bench) who can lend his experience to both of them.
And draft Sullinger who will be a star in this league.
Then decide whether to amnesty EB and use the cap space or hang with him and take advantage of his contract next year.
There......... so do it.
Article: Inside the Phillies: Phillies should not be big buyers in trade market - 1 out of 64 total comment(s)
- Sun., 06/24/12 - 08:02 AMI believe that every person who grouses about Victorino and urges his departure is a fool. Rare is the combination of speed, defense, ability to hit for average and for power. The problem with this player currently is that he is not being used properly. Put Victorino at the top of the lineup for an entire season and he would respond with 50+ stolen bases and would hit .300 while displaying Maddox-like defense. He is being asked to fill the #5 slot in the lineup and that is not a place where he feels comfortable as he is simply not that kind of hitter.
When he is playing in Cincinnati or Los Angeles next year and we are watching D. Brown fail to make even the basic plays, the lamentation of the loss of this special player will be a resounding cry of "why did we lose Victorino?".
Blog Post: Sixers to work out five big men Saturday, Teague Friday - 1 out of 39 total comment(s)
- Fri., 06/22/12 - 13:03 PM"There is a higher probability that if the Sixers keep the 15th pick in the draft and don’t trade it that, of the players they have brought in, there eventual pick could come from this group."
Wow! This is such poor writing. I too lament the departure of Kate Fagan and am disappointed at the lack of effort on the part of the staff in general. But Great Caesar's Ghost, as Perry White used to say, how do you account for "there" for "their"? And the composition is poor all-around.
This is an exciting time for the fans of the Sixers as the draft beckons. There should be a plethora of articles on the candidates to be drafted by Philadelphia especially in view of the new and progressive management.
You guys could do better. Get to work.
Article: David Murphy: How does Galvis fit in Phils' big picture? - 1 out of 83 total comment(s)
- Thu., 05/31/12 - 08:58 AMI wonder if Utley can play third if he can play at all. I don't see someone with a chronic knee condition ever going back to play second base. That PP is not going being with the team in 2013, it is obvious that the front office needs to find someone to play third next year. Utley seems to be a long-shot to come back at all but if he does, is third the option? Maybe he does not have the arm for the position.
If Amaro had pushed for David Wright last winter and given the Mets a bevy of low-cost options such as Dominic Brown, Vance Worley, etc., we would have an All-Star at third for many seasons to come. Now that the bankruptcy case is over, Wilpon does not have to sweat the collapse of his reign and now he only has to sweet-talk Wright into a long term contract. Sigh.............
Blog Post: Game 39: Luna Landing - 1 out of 27 total comment(s)
- Thu., 05/17/12 - 17:43 PMThe best post of the year!
Blog Post: What they're saying about the Eagles - 1 out of 35 total comment(s)
- Wed., 05/02/12 - 23:53 PMFoles has a great arm which is something you cannot teach. I have watched Coach JG's Quarterback program and I developed enormous respect for this young man.
Give the kid a chance.
Article: Can the Phillies play small ball? - 1 out of 33 total comment(s)
- Mon., 04/30/12 - 17:40 PMChris Wheeler forgot more about baseball than you probably ever knew. Chris is a good guy and a confident and friend of many major league players. He has many friends in the industry and is well respected among his peers.
I am embarrassed to read something like this from a supposed Phillies fan.
Blog Post: Sixers better off missing the playoffs? - 1 out of 78 total comment(s)
- Mon., 04/16/12 - 21:27 PMI watched Meeks tonight exclusively when he was in the game against Orlando. He really cannot play defense and Matt Goukas was very specific that he was a target for the Magic in terms of going to the basket. Meeks may love his mother and be able to toss in a three pointer every so often but he stinks on defense and is no day at the beach on offense either. Why Doug Collins would sit the #2 pick in the Draft in favor of Meeks is beyond most of us other than the supposition that the Coach despises ET.
Collins should stay at coach but Meeks should go. Take Hawes along also as he is as soft as can be. I watched him also refuse to box out and just play as if he was never properly taught the game. Sure he can shoot from the foul line but so could Connie Dierking. Replace these two with some players with talent and the Sixers would be #3 or #4 in the playoff stacking and thinking realistically about an upset in the second or third round.
Blog Post: 76ers in need of a character check - 1 out of 56 total comment(s)
- Mon., 04/09/12 - 19:25 PMThe Sixers do not need a new coach. What the Sixers need is a new center. Steve Hawes, bless his 7 foot soul, simply does not put out and you cannot tell me that he should have been out of the lineup for so long with his injury. He has all the makings of another Mel Counts and this is not a compliment. As a backup, he is good to go. As a starter who has to trade elbows with the elite of the league, no way. And this is where you begin to create a team. Even so, someone will pay him a hell of a lot of money to be their disappointment next year. The Sixers need to aspire to be league champions and this fellow just does not have the juice. We all wish he did but he does not. When did he ever dunk a ball in anger over another player? Never. No cajones. None at all even though he is tall enough for sure. How many times did Wilt do this or Moses or Caldwell? Many times. They had the juice. So....bid our version of Hank Finkel adios and get someone else to man the post. Vuc? Lavoy? Draft pick? Someone from another team by way of trade? Anything would be better than what is there now.
Blog Post: Opening day line-up unveiled; Victorino leading off makes sense - 1 out of 30 total comment(s)
- Thu., 04/05/12 - 11:18 AMLots of question marks. I like Rollins batting third and Victorino leading off. Rollins wants to swing for the fences and is more suited to do that rather than take pitches and try to get on as a leadoff man. This team needs to post four runs and let Doc pitch his normal game. I'm OK with Wiggington also. He is an average player with some power and is just filling in, along with some others, until the Big Guy comes back. The infield defense should be pretty good especially when Mayberry plays first. So let's see.
Miami has a much better lineup than the Phils but does not have their pitching. If both staffs were the same, no way the Phils finish higher than the Fish.
Blog Post: With Thome and Nix, there might not be room for Pierre or Podsednik... - 1 out of 48 total comment(s)
- Fri., 03/23/12 - 16:07 PMThe answer is reasonably elementary.
At the outset of the season, the Phillies break camp with eleven (11) pitchers- five (5) starters, one (1) long man, one (1) closer, two (2) RHP, two (2) LHP. That gives you 14 position players and allows you to keep the eight (8) named starters (including Wigginton) and an additional six players on the bench. The substitutes would include Nix, Schneider, Posednick/Pierre, Thome, a RH utility infielder, and RH pinch-hitter who can play 1B or OF. Derrick Lee is available and that would be my choice to fill the last slot. He's a great 1B and a good guy in the clubhouse.
OK, so that wasn't too hard. As such, Mr. Amaro, go with 11 pitchers at the start and 14 regular position players. Shame you got rid of Valdez. Stupid move. You'll pay a lot more for his replacement.
Get busy!
Article: Inside the Phillies: Phils should be good for a long time - 1 out of 90 total comment(s)
- Mon., 01/23/12 - 09:37 AMEveryone here is missing the mark. First base is not going to be a problem. Third base probably will be. In a bandbox such as we have here in Philadelphia, the 3B should have at least 30 homers and 40+ doubles. Polonco had 523 plate appearances last season and could only put forth 5 HRs and 14 doubles. Five homeruns from a third baseman in this park? Look at the stats. His "slugging" percentage at .339 was abysmal. He is a nice man for sure, a very good fielder, and has had success in the past. But he is an advanced aged banjo hitter at a post where another Mike Schmidt should be what the Phillies should be striving for. That this was not addressed so far by Amaro is unbelievable and in my opinion will be the reason that the team probably will not win the Division this year. I hope to be surprised and read one morning soon that the Phillies have acquired David Wright and have dispatched the young underachieving outfielder and Vance W. for the same. Move up one of the Baby Aces and now we are talking World Series. But it does not look like this is going to happen.
Blog Post: Phillies reach deals with Hamels, Valdez - 1 out of 70 total comment(s)
- Tue., 01/17/12 - 20:14 PMI have been friends with Chris Wheeler for over twenty-five years and I can tell you that he is a very decent man. He is personable and professional in his work habits and is well thought of in the general baseball community. I suspect that Chris has forgotten much more about baseball than you claim to know.
So go get your shine box.
Article: Inside the Phillies: For Phillies hitters, a possible model in 2002 Angels - 1 out of 61 total comment(s)
- Thu., 10/13/11 - 14:46 PMJose Reyes is the answer at short and should be the next Phillies leadoff batter. This is all the buzz here in New York City. Give him 7 years @ $20M. per and you have the start of a dynamic team. Sign Ramirez for 3B if the Cubs do not pick up his option and keep Polly for the bench and to play third while Ramirez starts the year at first to cover for the Big Guy.
The Phillies can afford it. Check out their payroll for 2012.
Blog Post: Phillies offense: A personnel problem, or an approach problem - 1 out of 103 total comment(s)
- Thu., 10/13/11 - 14:28 PMThis was a very good article and provided a great deal of food for thought.
The Phillies need a leadoff batter and the young and robust Jose Reyes would fit the bill. Give him a seven year contract at $20M per and you have the SS question answered and a hell of hitter hitting in front of Victorino, Pence, Howard, and Utley in whatever combinations Cholly decides will work for him.
Sign soon-to-be free agent A. Ramirez to play 3B and keep Polly for defense and for the bench. Ramirez is no butcher in the field and would probably hit 30 dingers a year in Philly. He does not strike out much and hits for a good average. He could also play first during the Big Guy's recovery whilst Mayberry mans left field.
With the money you have saved from the departure of the closer and #4 Ace leaving the team, the Phillies could easily afford these moves. Amaro would then need to 1) find someone in a trade or from the organization to close out the games, 2) develop a #5 starter, 3) spruce up the bench a little with some versatility, and you have a damned good team which is certainly much better than the one put on the field this year.
It can be done. The Mets will never match that kind of offer and Reyes is a jewel of a player. Jimmy Rollins was a great Phillie but his day is past.
Do it. Do it now.
Article: Hamate injury shouldn't toss a hook at career of Phillies prospect Dom Brown - 1 out of 22 total comment(s)
- Mon., 03/07/11 - 07:43 AMMr. Conlin:
You misspelled Mark Andersen's last name. He's been with the club since he was a batboy in 1980 but I understand that this is a common mistake among scribes. Just thought you would appreciate the edit.
Blog Post: Sixers play at Charlotte tonight - 1 out of 4 total comment(s)
- Thu., 01/20/11 - 16:52 PMThe team is so much better this year but at the end of the day, the Sixers need someone in the middle who will provide some defense. When I am able to catch a game on the cable, I continually see the other team just take it to the basket time after time. There is no fear shown at all by opposing guards, forwards, or centers to go the hoop on Philly at will. Hawes is definitely not the answer nor is Speights even though both of them, in my opinion, seem to be trying albeit with limited skills. To win in this league, the Sixers need a big dude in the center. Can we trade Iggy and get this guy?
Article: "Maje" McDonnell, longtime Phillies coach and ambassador, dies - 1 out of 6 total comment(s)
- Fri., 07/09/10 - 10:15 AMI have known Maje since 1987 and he was always a joy to be around. I last saw him at Harry's funeral service at the ballpark in 2008 and he was still the same. A great guy and one that will bring a smile to the faces of all that knew him. Rest in peace my friend.
Blog Post: Phillies sign Contreras to 1-year, $1.5 million deal - 1 out of 12 total comment(s)
- Thu., 01/28/10 - 11:28 AMCliff Lee. Remember that name when the Phils are struggling in July and Lee is about 12-1 for the Mariners.
Blog Post: A good deal for Phillies WITH UPDATES ON CHAPMAN, HAPP - 1 out of 272 total comment(s)
- Tue., 12/15/09 - 17:19 PMThe Phillies played it stupid and cheap this time. The prospects that they have received from Seattle do not equate for a Cy Young winner. The Halladay deal was nice and Lee would have been a dynamic #2 starter. He came with a very modest salary for 2010 and you would have a whole year of him to renegotiate. At the very least, The Phils would have received two (2) first round picks if he walked. Amaro should have stopped after getting Halladay. The multi-millions he wasted on Blanton and Old-Man-Pushing-Fifty would have allowed the Phils to have a rotation of legend. Now, it's still a question mark. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Doesn't make sense when you print money every night at the Bank. How can a team which has a lucrative cable deal and a packed ballpark every night state that they can't go over $140M.? The Phils have a chance at making history and Lee would have made that possibility a probability.
Article: Phil Jasner: Sixers' Dalembert taking lumps, earning respect - 1 out of 30 total comment(s)
- Thu., 04/30/09 - 08:39 AMSammy doesn't have the instincts. You can't put in what God left out.
Article: Sam Donnellon: Lovefest between Phillies, fans turns to boos after shaky start - 1 out of 57 total comment(s)
- Mon., 04/06/09 - 09:55 AMMy first and last post, other than this one, was removed because I negatively commented on the fans and the city itself. So much for the concept of fair journalism. I live in New York now and don't miss one thing in the City of Brotherly Love. So keep on booing, I won't hear you. Good riddance.
Article: Phil Sheridan: Honeymoon doesn't last long - 1 out of 43 total comment(s)
- Mon., 04/06/09 - 08:50 AMDog bites man? That's not news. Neither is the obnoxious and ignorant behavior of many Phillies fans who are the servile scum of the earth who just love to boo and boo and boo. I've moved to New York City where the fans love their Yankees and Mets and support them day in and day out. Say what you want to about New York, they are not front runners like the folks here in Philadelphia. Geez, these guys here constantly booed Hall of Fame third sacker Mike Schmidt ostensibly because he had the sophistication that they lacked. I'm so happy to be away from all of this nonsense in this second rate town.
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