The Cliff Lee deal was a masterstroke, but Amaro has done a very poor job of filling in the team's bench players. They also must do a better job of monitoring Utley. His September nose dive was more than just fatigue - it was obvious he was injured. There is more required of managing Utley than simply asking how he feels. How many years will it take for them to learn this? Utley had rest before the Series and he set the home run record - get a clue, Phillies. (iao).
that's a big issue, in september they looked TIRED, GOOD LUCK getting charlie to play some of his younger players, you may have to twist his arm for that, ibanez, utley, werth, victorino are gong to need days off, CAN"T SEE charlie playing a MICHEAL TAYLR, because the first time he goes 0 for 4, charlie will sit him, then say he needs to play erery day, IN THE MINORS, people forget he didn't play chase right away, until they TRADED POLANCO to Detroit.
Taylor/Drybek - You guys feel like winning a Championship next year??????
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The Phillies had their first season of playing ahead, they were leading the division most of the time, others had to try and catch up to them. They should be able to do this again, which would then allow them during the summer months to start to give some players a more regular schedule of rest and play, let some young players start, and then be a little more rested when the final month rolls around. The Phillies have had a great 3 years and can continue to be among the best in baseball but it requires careful balancing and bringing some younger players (something the Marlins seem to be able to do almost every year). Thanks for a wonderful season an glad I got so a World Series Game.
The Yankees are old and they just kicked our butts.
I think the Phils looked collectively ragged by August. They did themselves no favor by taking so long to clinch the NL East when they had a huge lead and squandered it by going into a swoon. Just think if the Phillies had a reliable bench how many off-days could have been given to Howard, Utley, Ibanez, et al and perhaps that MAY have been a difference in the post-season. As it is, hope the Phils make a play for Scutaro and DeRosa to name a couple. Also notice that Bedard and Washburn are free agents.
Chase faltering had more to do with his lack of his normal off season taining regimine,,,,, he spent his off season rehabbing his hip as opposed to working on athletic stamina & strength,,,,,,,,, Why is it that I have not seen any comments on that ?????
Oh yeah, Opressed, you are totally right. If only they would have rested Utley more and then maybe he wouldn't have had a slump in September...maybe then they would've won the division. Oh wait, they won the division and Utley played great in the WS. You really know what you are talking about all the time.
Why are we even talking about this? The Yankees are old and those 30 and older starters on three days rest the whole playoffs. Jeter hasn't missed a beat at 37. Mariano is still unhittable at 40. This column is about someone turning 30? It's just a number when you stay in shape.
Maybe it was my imagination, but in the celebration of the Phillies' win after Game 5, the camera rested briefly on the face of Chase Utley, and I could swear his face read something like "Geez, you mean it's not over yet and now we've gotta go back to the Bronx?"
The behind the plate American league umpires called balls for strikes on on the Philly pitchers and strikes for balls on the Yankee pitchers. I think some one should look at the instant replays. The umps wanted to see the Yankees win the series in New York's new stadium. In addition, the decision to call the hit camera in right field a home run was a bad decision because the ball was dropping and would have hit the wall/fence if the camera was not there. The umps were warned about making bad calls in the playoffs before the world series began.
To me the answer is simple replace Stairs with Michael Taylor. Stairs was a very bad one demensional player this year while Taylor is 5 tooler. Over the last two weeks on the Netcasts from Mexico I saw Taylor line a homer to left, drive the ball to the opposite field for a hit, steal a base and lay down a perfect sac. bunt. Just last night he golfed a single to left to drive in a run. He does not needed any more at bats in Mexico or the Lehigh Valley but he does need playing time in the many roles he could fill at CBP.
As a life long Phillies fan, I have to give props to the NY Yankees. They won the WS...plain and simple. No whining here. The Phillies gave the best ride in 2 years of any team in Philly history. Let's enjoy it a minute and thank those 30+year old players for doing that.
Pitching staff needs revamped, starters mainly! We have but 1 starter who you Know is going to give you a chance to win every time he trots out to the mound, that's it, one good chance then prayers! Yes we have a couple youngsters that may grow into top of the line players but they aren't there quite yet. Happ appears to be the closest, hopefully he'll improve even more next season, I thought he wore down at the end of the season and didn't have a whole lot left for the playoffs. Hamels, what do you do with him, as I said the whole post-season - he shouldn't have gotten a start, his record speaks for itself! Oh No, don't even dare bring up last season, it was exactly that "Last Season" and had No (or should not of had) bearing on this season. Trade Hamels now, get a good infielder for him, the man is a head-case and I don't see it in him to change, he'd probably tell you he doesn't have a problem - uhh huhh, right! Go out and get one more Quality starter and the young guys can probably pick up enough wins to get us to the playoffs. Also better get another right-handed strong bat! Just sayin'...
