Phillies Nation

79 Responses to “Mass Ineptitude: Offense Dies And Phils Lose”

1. Geoff Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:32 am

   This team deserves this too. they, and many of you out there, even myself a few times, were ARROGANTLY bragging about how the offense was legendary and awesome and how we didnt need pitching to get to the playoffs and how great these guys are. guess what? NO. people worshipped this offense and said oh dont worry and how its come off the rails. pat gillick wasnt worried because he turned down offers for matt holliday and xavier nady. we can argue about the merits of doing the deal or not. but they failed to act and now theyre lost at the palte and they need help fast. but there is not much at all out there.

2. Kyle Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 12:57 am

   I never thought I’d say this, but hurry the hell up and get back Pedro Feliz.

3. Justin Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 1:18 am

   I was at this atrocious game tonight and boy was this a horrible thing to watch. countless runners on base and in scoring position and not a single run. they walked us a total 9 times….9 times and we cant manufacture 1 freaking run from that. 12 runners left on base. Thats just horrendous for “the best offense in the national league”…where the hell is Chase. hes my favorite player and it hurts to watch him go up to bat and look so lost and clueless up there. has he been hanging out with Howard too much during batting practice that hes started to pick up some of howards problems? this is the guy who’s supposed to me mr consistent and a clutch hitter and i havent seen much of that since june…Its fucking August get ur shit together Chase WE NEED YOU.

   I want to end on a good note if that possible. Joe Blandon as i like to call him because the trade at the time didnt seem like much help, pitched amazing. Adam who? what a way to once again waist another quality start from out pitching staff. we better win these next to games or there has to be some major changes going forward the rest of the season….but hey at least football is starting soon

   E-A-G-L-E-S…..EAGLES is it to soon?

4. that guy Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 1:47 am

   Ruiz .213, Bruntlett .222, Howard .239, Jenkins .241, Taguchi .221. Really lousy hitting for a team with essentially 2 hitting coaches. If you factor in Utley’s 12 for his last 116 we are really dealing with a full blown cockburgaling by these bums.

5. Rob Cowie Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 3:08 am

   War – Phillies as ‘07 Mets

6. Arty Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 7:05 am

   The Phillies are the greatest reason to have picture in picture TV. This way I can watch stuff I like and still watch their futility. Please, more Dobbs- less Eric. Please, less bunting- more hit and run. Please!!!!!!!!!!!

7. NJ Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am

   Charlie mis-managed last night attrociously. Why pinch hit for Blanton in the 7th when the way the game was going we should have had Blanton bunt Coste into scoring position with Rollins up and have Blanton pitch the 8th with a low pitch-count for him. The bench was used poorly and Dobbs’s bat and Jenkins veteran savvy we’re ignored and Burrell;s bat taken out of the game. Lifting Romero with a righty hitting .166 to bring in an overworked Lidge was frankly just a headscratching move and Walrond was misused horribly after pitching 1 good inning.

   I’m a fan of both guys but it has to be said, Charlie is managing the team very poorly and is chancing his arm every game with the offenses ability to go downtown late and if your offense isn’t hitting, advancing runners and driving in runs you have to look at the pitching coach.

   The pitching this season on the whole has been outstanding and is being thrown away carelessly. We breed confidence in our opponents and not in our clubhouse.

8. bull Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 9:00 am

   Can we get some “Can Charlie” shirts like the tuna fish?

9. Phil Says:
   August 9th, 2008 at 9:02 am

   The only reason I say we can Charlie is because he has lost his grip on the team. They don’t care about him at all it seems.

10. KM Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:16 am

    This is truly a team that didn’t need an offensive upgrade at the trade deadline. Hopefully everyone understands my sarcasm.

11. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:17 am

    If their offense wasn’t underachieving we wouldn’t have.

12. adam Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:32 am

    It’s not time to can Charlie, but it is time for someone to sit down with him and evaluate his managing. I think and outside perspective would help.

13. adam Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 9:35 am

    For whatever reason the Phils don’t have a sense of urgency when they are in first place. They never bury a team in the standings. They usually say, “We’re just trying to stay loose, have fun,” and etc, etc, etc.

14. Lewisauce Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:03 am

    Tim Malcolm wrote:
    “this offense is an enormous problem. Can they fix it?”

    The answer, sadly, is a resounding NO. They cannot fix this offense.

    This has gone on for too long. This isn’t a mechanical problem. This isn’t a bunch of guys getting mired in a temporary “unlucky slump” at once.

    This is a systemic, endemic problem in the clubhouse that has been present since Spring Training, was covered up by the all-universe play of Burrell, Utley, Werth and the bullpen in May, and has since come to the surface. Problem is, it was there all along, we just couldn’t see it because we were winning.

    No plate discipline. No hustle. No situational hitting. No brains. No heart. No passion. No desire. NO LEADERSHIP. No one holding the rest accountable. No one gives a fuck beyond their paychecks. Uncanny resemblance to the 2007 Mets.

    I can’t take this shit anymore.

    If Gillick had negotiated with Rowand DURING the season on a new deal, would it have fixed it? If we had a different manager, would it all be different? If we’d made a move for Manny/Nady/Holliday, would that have fixed it? If Gillick had inquired about Pudge at the deadline, would that have made a difference? If he had actually benched Utley/Feliz for not hustling now and then, would that have changed it? If he made defensive substitutions for Howard instead of Burrell late in games, would that be different?

    I don’t know the answers to those questions, but Gillick has/had the power to make several of the above moves happen (and he still can on some of ‘em; it could go like this: Gillick: “Charlie, stop pulling Burrell in the seventh inning, and start pulling Howard.” Charlie: “No.” Gillick: “I’m your fucking boss. Do it or find a new job.” Charlie: “OK.” It really is that simple), but he failed/continues to fail to do so.

    On April 1, we all loved our lineup and were skeptical of the pitching. The pitching has been good all season (Eaton/Myers excepted), but the lineup has been shitty for two straight months.

    I don’t know if I can watch anymore. With acknowledgment to Mike T., forget “not a good team right now.” How about, “This is a downright awful team right now.”

15. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Our offense gives teams like the Bucs and Frisco reason to be optimistic, we’ve neglected to mention the Bucs offense was pretty bad last night yet they still turned in the win. Walrond was kept out there to give an excuse for the loss and I’m sure at least a little bit this thought went through some of the players and coaches minds: “our hitting was bad but it was pitching that lost the game…” Yeah right…

16. mg52 Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:15 am

    If I were a pitcher in the Phils’ farm system, I would refuse any promotion to the big league club. If I were throwing in the Phils’ rotation, I would request to be designated for assignment. In both cases, I would know that the run support down there was better.
    The Pirates, a team on which a contender like the Phils should feast, made them look silly today. There is no excuse for that. Bad moves by Manuel and no production by the players are the lasting legacy of last night.
    I am so sick and tired of saying it: they take too many pitches! From now on, they should be made to hit every fastball for a strike. They need to obtain, not hope for, victory.
    These guys are human and should not be verbally crucified. I believe that we, as fans, cannot directly criticize them. But the management is at fault for not having done so. They have the authority to alter their approach – keep teams from being so sure of how to defeat them. If they choose not to use that authority, the only time that they should see team colors again will be in a postcard sent to them by their successors.

17. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:19 am

    You can’t say they take too many pitches, discipline at the plate is a trade mark of successful teams and you need to work the other teams starters. The Phils line-up makes a habbit of swinging at bad pitches and so many slumps suggest their not doing enough home work on what pitches they can hit off the opposing pitchers.

    You rarely get the sense the Phils are controlling the flow of the game and that kills us when we don’t come up with those late inning homers just fanning the flames of the problem.

18. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am

    ^meant those late inning homers fan the flames of the problems making the team think their playing well on a little winning streak when their not.

19. Rob Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:23 am

    Who would have thought that of all things the phillies pitching staff would end up being the most consistent part of this team.

    I just really have nothing to offer on this situation. Never in a million years did I think the Phils would go 23 scoreless. It’s really embarassing. How many more pitching gems are the Phillies going to see from the starters? They are squandering opportunity after opportunity.

    The Phillies are a team that always depends on someone else to lose the division to even have a shot, they don’t go out and get the job done for themselves. Last year it was the mets. This year, the Phillies are pissing themselves out of first place. It’s really horrible to see this happen. It bothers me.

20. mg52 Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:26 am

    You are right: discipline is important. But discipline and nonchalance are two different things. For some teams, working deep counts is helpful. But fastballs that are grooved down the middle? Those should be hit! Swinging at those scares the pitchers. This team, for the most part, has shown that it cannot work the count well. How else can it be explained that so many pitchers have mastered the line-up this year? Therefore, this group should do something different. If chances are given to the hitters on a silver platter, it should be their obligation to take them.
    Yes, I have seen them swing at first pitches and pop out, ground out, et cetera. Notice that I am not saying first STRIKES because they choose bad first pitches to which to commit. Only when they have taken their cuts and frightened pitchers into nibbling should they reconsider wholesale taking of pitches.

21. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:31 am

    Chugging along waiting for the other teams to catch you doesn’t keep you alive in September unless your the ‘04 Cardinals and they were full of play-off experienced veterans.

22. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am

    You have a good point, it’s their lack of plate vision that’s as troubling as the lack of veteran presence coming. You don’t see any one of our experienced players come out looking like Pujols or Jeter or even guys like Pedoria who’ll hustle but always look in control of their game, were scrappy and undisciplined.

23. mg52 Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am

    I like your thinking. Pujols and Jeter do walk up to the plate with an attitude of little being able to go awry. Veterans do that. Someone like Pedroia, not quite a veteran, goes up to prove his worth. He goes with pitches and drives them up the lines, into the gaps, occasionally into the seats. Only occasionally – he does not depend on home runs to put him over the top. Either way, the players go out there to win. They change their approach when things are not going well and have a good read on almost any pitcher who comes their way. It is this blend of savvy veterans and ambitious youngsters that makes a team a contender.

24. NJ Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:44 am

    My point with Pedroia is he plays like a veteran, he plays the game hard but he keeps it tidy, I love what Vic does over the course of a game but it isn’t pretty. Most of our hitters step into the batter box without any authority looking as if their aim is to fend of a couple of pitches before grounding out of popping up. We ground into so many double plays because the guys out there are so overfocused and makes the mistakes they are trying so conciously to avoid.

25. Brian Michael Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am

    In 1993 it took until September before the Phillies were shut out.

26. mg52 Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am

    That was obvious when Pedroia came to Philly. Good pitches thrown to him were hit. He had the confidence in himself to move with those pitches and get on base. He had studied the pitchers and used his athleticism to do the rest. What he did not do was go into the game trying to believe – but not quite believing – that he could do the same thing over and over again without prior analysis and hope to win. Victorino at the moment is closest to this sort of style, but not at his full potential because no one else is there to complement what he has been doing.

27. Bill Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 10:58 am

    Larry Andersen said on the radio broadcast last night that maybe the Phillies offense isn’t as great as everyone is saying. They are almost 3/4 of the way through the season and have still not found consistency. If someone would have told me the team ERA, bullpen ERA, and number of quality starts the Phillies would have at this time in the season, I would have told them the Phillies would then be 10 plus games ahead in the East. Although Walrond and Condrey are not major league relievers in my opinion, the bigger problem is the offense. Do we need to change players or should we start by firing the hitting coach?

    http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/phightin_phils_phorum/

28. Greg V. Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am

    I’m sorry, I’m giving these guys a break after last night. As in I’m not watching them for a few games. Every August it seems like I shut these guys off for a week or two just because they piss me off so much and I feel like I could be doing better things with my time than watching some of these crap games.

    Having said that, I definately give Blanton a round of applause and I have to say that I am happy he is on this team. He has so far pitched beyond my expectations and he deserves a lot of credit. And Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero? Who could ask for better in the roles they are in?

    But this offense is terrible anymore and is no fun to watch. Even when they have a good night, it’s still seems they could do better. I’m going to give them a week I think (and of course they’ll go on a winning streak and I’ll be sucked back in I’m sure).

29. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Condrey has been fine. I love how everyone on this site scapegoats the obvious players to scapegoat instead of blaming the obvious. I mean, I see blame on Utley, Howard, Rollins but i always see more blame on Ruiz, Condrey, and Seanez. I hate seeing everyone put more blame on the guys on the team that aren’t supposed to be good instead of putting the blame on the super stars. The only person who will put full out 100% blame on a super star is Scot, but he’s blaming Hamels who isn’t the problem at all. Here’s an interesting fact.

    Phils Runs/Game average WITHOUT those 20 run games = 4.62; Cubs R/G = 5.32; Cards R/G = 4.74. If you replaced those 20 run games with that average, they would have 532 runs – good for 10th in the league. Did I mention that they are in first place in their division? And the offense has been horrid for 2-1/2 months? It’s obvious that our pitching is the reason we’re in 1st place in our division. Who woulda thunk it?

30. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

    Mental mistakes. The Phils (offense) just doesn’t seem to have their head in the game. Popups, strikeouts, base running errors all are at the forefront right now. Additionally clubhouse leadership seems to be an issue.

    Moyer is the only one who has spoken out and it appears he was given very credence by the rest of the club. Some things just seem completely out of whack. Players taking their own personal cars on road trips, wives going along on road trips, players showing up an hour before the ballgame.

    We have a bunch of fat cats content on taking home their paychecks every two weeks. This team is a runaway locomotive heading for a major crash (perhaps the crash is happening as we speak).

31. Gavin Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    The only thing you can do at this point is change the lineup around and bench people that are sucking. If I was managing them today this would be my lineup.

    Vic -CF
    Dobbs-3B
    Werth-RF
    Burrell-LF
    Bruntlett-SS
    Cervenak-2B
    Howard-1B
    Coste-C
    Myers

    Rollins and Chase can sit and watch.

32. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    I agree 100% Gavin.

33. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    No one in the managerial or front office position has the intestinal fortitude to take a stand. Rollins, Utley, Howard and perhaps even Victorino (too many base running errors) should be benched. If we’re going to lose then at least let’s do it with guys who show effort.

    It’s time to send a message but unfortunately that won’t happen.

34. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    You wanna bench the only guy hitting the ball. That’s pretty dumb of you Fred.

35. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    I’m with Gavin and Phil, but at this point I’m not really sure that Chase or Jimmy could give a rat’s ass whether they’re in the lineup or not.

36. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Georgie, Chase will bitch about it because that’s what is expected of him, but you’re probably right.

37. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    As for Vic, I think maybe is baserunning errors are because he knows they’re chances of scoring a run are slim to none.

38. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    And on that note I’m going outside to do some weeding, at least I have control over that! BTW, is it a day or night game, I haven’t even checked. If it’s tonite, I think I’ll watch the new Die Hard movie or Zodiac, both alot less stressful than the Phlailin’ Phils.

39. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    Phil – who got doubled off to end the game last nite? The message is mentals errors will not be tolerated. Besides for all of his ‘hitting the ball’ a .286 batting average is unacceptable.

    What’s dumb is not having an open mind about ways to turn this thing around. Send a message – no one is safe.

40. Lewisauce Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Vic’s baserunning errors are not the biggest problem. That’s one (minor) tentacle on the enormous poisonous octopus that is the garbage play of this lineup.

    23 scoreless innings? Blanked over 12 innings by a bottom-feeding NL Central team that just sent its best players packing in a sell-off?

    The wheels have been loose for over two months. Last night, they popped off and bounced away. Charlie has lost control of this team, no one is listening to Milt (or he sucks; either way, the outcome’s the same), and no veterans are stepping up to hustle and hold everyone accountable.

    It’s been a fun ride, gang. We may win the East, we may not. But playoffs? Not a shot in hell we’re beating whoever emerges from the Central or those pitchers from the desert.

    I feel bad for the pitching staff. They keep turning in good performances and then get no backup. Garbage offense. Garbage hitting. Garbage attitude.

41. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

    Oh wow, Vic made a base running blunder. Bench him. Bench the guy who has been one of 2 hitters who has been consistent the past 2 months. Bench the spark plug of the offense. Bench our best defensive player. Bench our 2nd best bag stealer. Vic was trying to score and tie the game last night, I don’t blame him at all. He didn’t think that guy was going to make the catch. I didn’t think he was going to make the catch. .286 unacceptable? He’s got the 2nd highest BA for any of our position players. He also had a terrible April. Take out his April and he’d be above .300. A .286 average is actually quite respectable, especially in this shitty line up.

42. danny Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Chase Utley, you suck! YOU’RE A BUM!

43. Bruce Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

    Gavin~ The scoreless streak will continue with THAT lineup. Cervenak? Insane!! (laughter)

    Remember the Phillies basically had the same core of key players in their lineup in last year’s drive to the division championship. They know what it takes to win and it’s not for a lack of trying to snap their slump. I think they are pressing and a losing streak will add that pressure to make things happen and lack patience to make the pitchers throw strikes. When the team is losing, every little mistake, mental and physical, is magnified out of proportion by fans and media alike.

    It’s early August and unlike last year, the Phillies ARE in FIRST place and it’s not the time for panic and desperation such as the suggested lineup by Gavin . Reality check: that lineup is for fantasy baseball (chuckle).

44. danny Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

    Victorino is off the hook for last night- that stuff happens. That’s baseball. Plus, he’s been the only bright spot in the line up.

    We didn’t lose because he got doubled up.

45. danny Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    “It’s kind of like it wasn’t meant for us to score,” said manager Charlie Manuel. “We’re trying. If anything, we’re trying too hard.”

    LOL

    LOL

    LOL

46. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

    Im pretty sure you could send out a lineup of

    greg golson
    brandon watson
    brad harman
    mike cervenak
    lou marson
    jason donald
    travis mattair
    and a bunch of guys who are still sitting around in the free agent pool

    and they would actually hustle better and play better fundamental baseball than the current squad. they might actually have won last nights game too.

47. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    theres no such thing as “trying too hard.” if it looks like they are pressing it means theyre are “not focused” and they are swingig at anything.

    without major improvements in play or adjustments theyre not going to beat ian snell tonight either, or who ever the pirates send out there on sunday.

    they could send out yoslan herrera on suanday and the phillies wouldnt hit him at thsi rate

48. Vernon Dozier Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

    I think it starts at the top of the lineup, and Rollins has had an awful year. I can’t recall an MVP ever having such a bad follow-up season. He’s had an attitude going since the third game of the season, and I can’t forget this Phil Sheridan column written after Rollins blew off reporters after a comeback victory: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/17288864.html

    My theory, (and it’s only a theory), is that Jimmy approached the Phillies about renegotiating his contract after his MVP season. If that’s the case, they apparently said no.

49. Phil Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

    Agreed Geoff. Don’t take Victorino out of the lineup though. I know you dislike him, but he’s been awesome for the past 6 weeks or so.

50. danny Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    Bruce we don’t need you and all that positive, rational reasoning on here!

51. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

    Phil, check the stats before you pontificate.

    Victorino:

    Last seven games – .250
    April – .239
    May – .322
    June – .235
    July – .333
    August to date – .200

    Actually since April he’s batting .273 . I can’t see how a batting average of .250 over the last seven games and .200 for August makes him the only one swinging the stick. I say bench him, too.

52. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    vernon, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what is wrong with Jimmy and Chase, I think the contract negotiation thing makes sense, but wouldn’t that have leaked out at some point?

53. Vernon Dozier Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    You’re right, Georgie, those types of things usually get leaked sooner or later. I just can’t come up with another reason as to why Rollins looks so different this year.

54. danny Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    Dude, he is hitting close to his career averages!

    Jimmy had the season of all seasons last year. The way he is hitting now, give or take 10 percentage points, is who he is.

    Jimmy is not Hanley, or any of the other studs out there.. he had a fluke year.

55. Vernon Dozier Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    If you look at his previous four seasons, he batted .289, .290, .277, and .296. He’s still at an age where you can expect him to maintain (or improve those numbers. He goes from 25 HR, to 30, and now to 8? He’s averaged 110 runs scored over his career. If you think you’re watching the same player, you’re dead wrong, DUDE.

    He doesn’t have to be Hanley, because he can actually field his position. Ramirez may be the worst defensive SS in the game.

56. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    danny, its not just about his stats, his entire demeanor is reversed, no fire in him, no spark, he’s just DIFFERENT.

57. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

    He’s not on the juice anymore.

58. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    Fred- then what about Chase-you think he was juicing too?!?

59. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    Chase = HGH & speeders

60. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    rollins couldve been juicing…his only realy awesome year was last year. derrek lee his 55 homeruns that one year and hasnt come close since…one year wonder guys are always juicing candidates

61. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    thats how you know ryan howards clean…hes had similarly productive years his whole mlb career

62. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    Rollins – when a 5′8″ 175 lb player goes from 12 to 25 to 30 and then drops to 8 homeruns I think that raises some serious questions.

63. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    Howard’s a big cat so his power numbers seem realistic – same with Burrell. But when a small player i.e. Rollins doubles his homerun/power numbers that’s got to raise some eyebrows.

64. Georgie Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    Well, since we’re speculating, I’ll throw this out there-as a female(but not a girlie-girl by any stretch, so keep those swear words comin), I tend to pay less attention to stats and moreso to player attitude, or body language, if you will. I am prepared to get jumped all over or ignored for this, but watching this team slowly disintegrate, and yeah, I know they’re still in first, but there is something wrong internally with this team. And now for the biggest rumor yet-could someone be screwing around with someone else’s wife? That can rip a team apart real quick!! Ok , I’ve said my girlie stuff, I’m going back to my gardening.

65. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    I can deal with JR’s back-to-normal numbers this year but his laissez fair attitude is what perplexes me. This whole team’s (with the possible exception of some pitchers) lack of urgency is bothering.

66. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    Wow, that’s a good rumor to start. I’m old enough to remember the Yankee wife swapping of Peterson and Kekich. Amazing one of the couples is still together. The other couple didn’t last long.

67. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

    what about utley with burrells wife or vice versa. theyre both good friends. they probably know each others families well…you never know

68. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    I think rollins easily couldve bene juicing. hgh maybe. he played every single game with intense evergy and did some insane shit last year. never got tired..

69. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    Maybe Utley is doing Rollins?

70. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    hahaha. regardless of whether its wife cheating or swapping, she does bring up a good point…theres DEFINITELY beef in that locker room. a lot of it. you can tell some of those guys hate each other.

71. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    also, they have to resign burrell. id thought id say that for like the 200th time this year.

72. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

    Yea, I agree something is up with this team. Re-signing Burrell would be a good move but I really doubt the Phils will fork out the cash

73. jmj Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    I’m sorry, but Victorino deserves to be chastised a little bit. He’s knocking the cover off the ball, and that’s great, but he’s a terrible situational hitter and an awful baserunner. Yeah – I said it, and AWFUL baserunner. He gets away with things because of his speed. Case and point:

    1. I was at the game last night. When Chase came up to the plate, the Pirates wisely went into a”no doubles” defense, guarding the 1st base line and covering the alleys. Jimmy, who was on second, stood on 2nd base and surveyed the outfield and took notice. Shane was too busy playing with his baserunning gloves to notice. As a result, Jimmy didn’t even go half-way to third and Shane was on 2nd when the ball was caught.

    2. Last week he got caught stealing 3rd base with 2 outs and Howard at the plate. He went on his own, and there is absolutely no reason to steal there. He got benched for it last year, and did it again.

    3. Thursday – a situational hitting bluner. Jimmy on 1st with one out, Phils down 1-0. It’s pretty obvious that Jimmy is going to steal, with 3 straight pick-off attempts at 1st. On the first pitch, Jimmy takes off, and instead of letting him take the bag, Shane swings and grounds out to 1st. Useless.

    I love Shane, and he is hitting well right now, but I feel like his head is always up his ass.

    The rest of the team, well, that goes without saying.

74. Fred Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    Again, Victorino is NOT hitting well right now. The last seven games he is hitting .250 and for the month he is .200. That’s not hitting the cover off the ball.

75. Geoff Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    even when shane is hitting, he is NOT a smart baseball player. he does retard stuff all the time.

76. Mark Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    23 straight scoreless innings? Can anyone locate the Phillies offense? Charlie, Isn’t it time for another meeting? Where are they for the stretch?

77. » Pirates Extend Phillies Scoreless String; Mets, Marlins Gain | Blogging-Baseball.com Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    [...] Joe Blanton. Imitation, or in blogosphere — repetition is the sincerest form of flattery and Phillies Nations’ Tim Malcolm best described Blanton’s effort, the effort of the Phil’s bullpen and the ongoing [...]

78. Mike N Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    On Rollins and HGH… There are two hypotheses that explain his dramatic fall-off this year: 1. he stopped taking drugs; 2. he stopped giving a shit. Given the evidence, my money’s on (2). And I think 2 might be even more pathetic than 1. It sucks to be a fan when you feel like your more invested in the team than their MVP is.

79. Chip Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    1. The Phillies play much better when they are in second or third place… when they are in first place, even by 1 game, they go on cruise control which obviously doesn’t cut it. There are a lot of guys who are just playing like straight up bums on this team. Jimmy Rollins needs a change of scenery.

    2. Where is Lou Marson? Ruiz can’t hit.

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