Man(uel) crush on Nats' Harper
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Man(uel) crush on Nats' Harper
Bob Brookover
Charlie Manuel is in love and the object of his affection is an opposing player.
For the second time in as many days Thursday, the Phillies manager answered a question by using Washington Nationals rookie Bryce Harper as a positive example.
The topic of discussion Wednesday was why the Nationals have been able to overcome significant injuries better than the Phillies so far this season.
"Why do you think Washington is winning?" Manuel asked the questioner.
"A great rotation," a reporter answered.
Manuel agreed, but made a quick addendum.
"The left fielder has some Kirby Puckett and he's got a young Chase Utley in him," Manuel said. "That brought a lot of life to the table."
The subject matter Thursday was hustle. Manuel was discussing how happy he was that the Phillies won a game Wednesday night primarily because Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco sprinted to first base, leading to an infield single and a game-ending error by Rockies first baseman Todd Helton.
As the conversation continued, Manuel was asked if there have been times this year when his players did not show that same hustle.
"When I go and look, the only guy I can think about who is consistent about that is the left fielder from Washington," Manuel said. "Try to find somebody else who does it every at-bat. What other guys do it?
"I've seen guys come to the big leagues who were real good players, tremendous players and then all of a sudden they become stars and they run about halfway down the line."
The manager was then asked what response he gets when he asks a player why he did not sprint to first base during an at-bat.
"The season is 162 games, everybody else does it and things like that," the manager said. "If you want to ask me why I accept it, I think there are 29 other teams besides ours that accept it, too. Do I like it? I think you know my answer."
Does Manuel love Bryce Harper? I think you know his answer to that, too.
Bonilla, Rodriguez headed to Futures Game
Lisalverto Bonilla and Julio Rodriguez will represent the Phillies at the Futures Game in Kansas City next month. They both pitch for the World roster against the United States in the July 8 game that precedes the Major League All-Star Game.
Bonilla, who turned 22 Monday, opened the season with single-A Clearwater, where he went 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 10 appearances. Since being promoted to double-A Reading, he is 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 15 releift appearances. He is a native of the Dominican Republic and signed with the team in 2008.
Rodriguez, 21, was an eighth-round draft choice in 2008. He went 16-7 with a 2.76 ERA at Clearwater last season and is 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 13 starts at Reading this season. Batters are hitting .220 against him, the fourth lowest average in the Eastern League.
Poll: Who will be voted first into the Hall of Fame?
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Bryce Harper is the "real deal". He impresses me more each time I see him play...has a little of Rose in him. Nats are fortunate to have him.— dogman5
It's too bad this team has no legitimate major league prospects to get excited about.
RAJ has gutted this farm system and nearly destroyed a championship caliber roster to what is now a $170 million last place team.
— astroqueen0- I'd rather have bruce harper than pretty much anybody in the current Phillies lineup. He's the anti-Rollins.— fmMD
- ...nonsense...Jimmy Rollins has been the self-appointed team leader of the Phillies since he came aboard in 2001...he made it all happen...just ask him...
- I'm in the land of Greg and Mike Maddox, which is where Harper hails from. You have a lot to do on the field before you get to Greg's level of stardom. Harper gets a little passing interest here, but he is not revered.— Eagle1Vegas
- He should!!— flyers11
- Good player, very likable. Nats were very fortunate to suck since 2005 and land two of the 'can't miss' guys in back to back drafts. We should all be so lucky.— ESFjellin
Now I understand the silly,old fool a whole lot better.- Nats also over come injuries with something called "management", meaning, unlike Cholly, the clueless squirrel hunter, Davy Johnson is brilliant field tactician and it shows. End of story.— daystrum
- How does Manuel even have a job. Useless. Doesn't move runners and they hit into double plays etc. Fire this garbage. He always has something to say but can't manage a horse to drink water on a desert.— rico777
- watching the phillies get beaten down and manhandled reminds me of that scene in Saving Private Ryan where the guy slowly gets a knife in his chest while wimpering.— MetsOwnPhilly
- I love the way Harper plays. Too bad he's on a rival team. Others have said it, including @dogman5 here: He definitely reminds me of Pete Rose at times. Something about both his look and his style of play. But my personal man crush remains with Chooch.— s
- Bryce Harpers don't come around very often. Those kinds of players are born with that drive. They usually can't be made. The Phillies had Utley but now that his time is up, you don't just bring in another Utley. You have to find that player. You can't just ask current players who don't have it to turn it on.— AvoidSundanceVacations
- Uncle Cholly must know talent better than we've given him credit for over these years. He seems to be more forthcoming with his opinions in this awful season than during the team's winning seasons. I'm guessing he's unhappy with the players Rube has given him but won't talk about that if he wants to keep his job.— sonnybuoy01
- Harper is getting all the attention and Trout is 2nd dog but it would be Trout who I would want on my team..— pattymac3
