Phillies Nation

180 Responses to “Phils Can’t Overcome Kendrick’s Bad Start”

1. Fran Says:
   September 9th, 2008 at 11:26 pm

   Bye Kyle, go back to the farm and work on some pitches. Hopefully he’ll be a new pitcher by sping time.

2. UTLEY4PRESIDENT Says:
   September 9th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

   yea this was bad…….also a bad decision on the managing choice……kendrick wasnt ready to go….i coulda told ya that charlie…shit man! well we gotta keep fighting and realize that were still in this thing!!!! we gotta start winnin ball games…..and the time is definitley NOW!!!!! KEEEP THE FAITH!!!

3. ryan Says:
   September 9th, 2008 at 11:51 pm

   damn. if only he really was traded to Japan.

4. Jeffrey Says:
   September 9th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

   Every young pitcher goes through a bad patch that tests his resolve and, hopefully, makes him better.
   Unfortunately for us, Kendrick is going through that down the stretch. Sorry, Kyle, but you’re just going to have to ride the bench for a while. No hard feelings.

5. J-Man Says:
   September 9th, 2008 at 11:55 pm

   Na na na na, hey hey hey,goodbye Kendrick

6. Tim Malcolm Says:
   September 10th, 2008 at 12:07 am

   For some reason the post didn’t go all the way through at first. I had to re-write most of it, but there you go.

7. J-Man Says:
   September 10th, 2008 at 12:11 am

   I say let Carrasco come up and start the game on Thursday…It’s gonna be tough for Moyer to pitch on 3 days rest.

8. SJ Mike Says:
   September 10th, 2008 at 12:11 am

   What about that Carpenter kid for Thursday?

9. ryan Says:
   September 10th, 2008 at 12:29 am

   jeffrey, normally i would agree with you, but i feel that kendrick is a different story. i don’t think he’s a major league caliber pitcher. and i think he’s been getting by with smoke and mirrors and people are figuring him out. long term, i don’t think he has a future in MLB. his stuff just flat out stinks. and his control is good but not greg maddux like or even jamie moyer like enough to get by on that type of terrible stuff

10. SJ Mike Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 12:40 am

    Pitching is so much mental as it is physical, and I think Kendrick flat out completely lost all of his poise and fight. He has that deer in headlights “oh, no” look about him when he goes out. That is what worries me most. When he came up last year and beginning part of this year, it seemed like he pitched with a nothing to lose mentality.

    I think he got too comfortable too quick.

11. Mark Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 1:28 am

    It’s time to bring up another starter. Moyer on 3 days rest against the Brewers is not advisable. Bu, if need be, hopefully he has enough left for another gem.

12. Phils2008 Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 1:42 am

    At this rate we have a better chance at the wild card!! We need pull it together

13. Terry Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 2:00 am

    I think that Ryan is right on the money with his assessment. Kendrick is not a top flight prospect like Carrasco with electric stuff. His stuff is average to below average, and he usually gets away with it because of good location. Even more so though, as Ryan said, he got away with it because teams were seeing him for the first time. Teams that are seeing him for the second, third, and fourth times now have figured him out and are crushing him. I just don’t think he has major league calibur stuff, certainly not calibur stuff to be a starter on a playoff contender.

    Keep in mind that Kendrick has never even started a game a triple-A. He was called up from Reading (where he had a losing record) last season to make a spot start because our rotation was so decimated. He ended up pitching well, and we have kind of ridden that momentum ever since. It is starting to look like the Kendrick dream is over though.

14. J-Man Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 2:37 am

    Kendrick needs to spend time in Triple-A and see how things work out there.

15. mikemike Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:19 am

    Carrasco is not the top prospect people think ,A lot of scouts think at best he is a 3 but mostly likely a 4 or5 that means another eaton or blanton type . there is no one in the system. They must go out and get a big time starter. The teams needs a burnett or sheets plus a good hitting outfielder and catcher or third basemen.

16. mikemike Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:23 am

    It’s unbelievable how people will make excuses for kendrick. Nothing personal but kendrick was winning with the highest run support in baseball. He just doesn’t have a good enough fastball or offspeed pitch to compete unless he has pinpiont control.the guy is trying he just isn’t good enough. CHEAP BAST&&& OWNERS SPEND THE MONEY TO WIN.

17. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 6:43 am

    mikemike that’s just not going to happen and is a big ask anyway especially at catcher where the market is virtually empty. Carrasco is considered a top prospect because of his high nineties fastball with movement and developed curveball but he lacks experience, control and has not dominated at the minor league level enough to feel he will at the major league level quite yet, he’s not a middle of the rotation guy because his whole game is on overmatching and fanning hitters.

    I like sending Kendrick to AAA but I don’t like the fact that teams set-up to be a loser and can’t see how that will aid the development of the guys who need to have a team first, winning mentality drilled into them. As for bringing up another starter unfortunately the well is dry and sending Happ in when he was due to start thursday was questionable, the best bet for a spot start right now of someone not in the rotations Walrond but that may not be worth the taxation on the pen.

    As for the off-sesaon acquisitions suggested: There won’t be a major acquisition behind the plate unless it’s short-term for an old hand if the FO wants to move Ruiz or Coste, we don’t need a 3rd basement as Feliz although a free swinging liabiliy at times is the best 3rd basement we’ve had since Rolen. Outfield is a massive problem as Burrell looks near unretainable without major payroll expansion but anyone of value on the FA market has type A status and we need to start paying attention to our draft/recruitment classes, as for pitching let someone else play in the Sheets sweepstakes, overvalue for less years at somewhere around 54/3’s not a bad thought but someone like Houston/LA/ST. Louis will tack on the and 5th years in guaranteed and probably not options, Burnetts over-valued as well and we need to put our resources into developing our own controllable top pitching or trading for young arms with upside like Garza/Volquez type moves… Was it really wise to part with Gio? I’ll say it again Gillick has traded the wrong prospects in his deals here and the only wise one was overselling Costanzo to Wade.

18. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Our payroll isn’t that bad, the ownership will need to open it’s wallet up in the off-season to secure Hamels long-term and the rest of the arbitration players but additional money needs to get towards the draft and not payroll, we cannot expect to groom rounded talent if the money isn’t spent and we rank horribly low for draft and recruitment spending.

    The problem is money is misused and we have about a quater of the payroll exhausted on players that either aren’t here or were questionable at the time and now failed moves. Playing the FA market is too risky a game and do you really want this team to look like a walking DL list?

19. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:06 am

    mikemike I really wish you’d stop talking out of your ass. You just say things to say them I’m pretty sure. You point fingers at Geoff for doing that and then you turn around and do it yourself…hypocrite. Carrasco is picked to be a #3 starter with potential of being a #2. He’s starting to get dominant at AAA. Something tells me Nichols is a good pitching coach. He helped Happ, Carrasco, and Myers thus far.

    Next you start bitching about the Phillies not having any pitching prospects that can be an ace, when they do actually. Kyle Drabek is projected to be an ace. There is another guy but I’m drawing a blank right now. Joe Savery is projected as a #2 as well. I do agree with you that we need to go out and get another top of the rotation starter though. Sabathia, Hamels, Myers would be the best 1-2-3 punch in baseball.

20. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:24 am

    Sabathia’s not coming hear unless we pony up $150m+ and become the Santa Barbara Phillies, Myers is going to become a stick situaion because he either pitches poorley next year and is let go probably without being offered arbitration or he pitches well in which he goes from $12m to a Sheets like FA number to re-sign. The problem with the FA market particularly for pitching is if you want the guy and aren’t too worried about his health then either the Yanks or a comparible team like Houston will be willing to pay more inspite of the risk adding on those extra years.

    I love the Carrasco/Savery/Drabek trio and do not believe a FA deal is practical this year but I wouldn’t disagree with making a Haren like deal for a controllable guy and available (though expensive) are Cain and Grienke. It’s amazing though the success the Phils have had drafting in the first one when they’e been prepared to pay yet outside of Drabek their making a habbit of the low cost high upside althletes who are always a very long way from reaching their potential.

21. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:27 am

    Drabek – Tommy John surgery at age 19 doesn’t make his outlook very bright.

    Carrasco is projected to be only a 3 or 4. He does not have a ‘high nineties’ fastball. If he was so promising, he would be here. He made zero all-star teams this year.

    Savery – projected to be a possible 2 but this was his first year at full-time pitching. Has had arm trouble as most players from Rice seem to have. But was used as a DH this year so what does that say?

    Our only Baseball America all-star was Michael Taylor who could be in LF in two years depending on his progress.

    Donald and Marson are middle of the road prospects. Donald’s another Bruntlett and Marson is projected as a doubles guy with 10-15 HR power.

    All-in-all not a very promising farm system.

22. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:30 am

    Just because Drabek had Tommy John surgery at the age 19 doesn’t meen he can’t get it together. Once again. Carrasco is projected to be a #3 maybe #2 not a back end of the rotation guy. His curveball and change up are really good and his fastball is in the high mid to high 90’s with a ton of movement on it. He did start the futures game.

23. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am

    Also, how is Donald a Bruntlett type? He had horrible minor league stats. Donald’s minor league stats are very good. Donald has better minor league stats than Rollins. You people need to do your research instead of bitching and complaining all the time.

24. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:43 am

    Phil you need to do some research instead of always popping off. Show me one place where Donald is projected to be anything other than a utility infielder. Same with Carrasco – who projects him to be a 2? Tommy John surgery at 19 not a big deal? I’m not complaining, just giving a realistic view of the ‘prospects’. I prefer realism as to pie in the sky.

25. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:49 am

    Fred that’s very pesimistic and you can’t base guys potential on their HR capability…

    Donald does not fit in past being a utlity guy with Rollins and Utley here. You can’t base Carrasco on if he was any good he’d be here now mentality, the kids 21 and we’re expecting him to be like Lincecum who came up at 23. I apologise Carrasco’s fastball is a mid nineties fastball although I’ve read he does peak out at around 97 although his curve is regarded to be high major league calibre already. Savery (who has barely hit this year and has not been the DH as you suggest Fred…) has potential to feature and Drabek to star if healthy but you can’t call Marson a middle of the road prospect, middle of the road prospects aren’t scouted by other teams as the centrepiece of potential trades, he’s not likely to be Brian McCann or the second coming of Lieberthal but he has the potential to be the everyday catcher for a decade and have the offensive impact of Pudge with less power.

    Drabeks been back pitching for a month or so now and the signs are very good, some talk about a Chamberlin type guy… Well if his arm concerns prevent him from starting well there’s the guy.

    Our system lacks fast-track high end prospects and depth but we have some good prospects in there, the problem is the drafting personnel is the old Tampa system brought over the habbit of the high risk/high reward prospects that crippled their system for years.

    There is a lot of promise but a lot of our prospects are blocked and we don’t have ones in the areas of extreme need.

26. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:55 am

    Fred most reputable baseball prospect publications rate Carrasco as mid top 100 prospect. You say do research but your the one making some pie in the sky comments about what you and some people think instead of looking at the stats and what a lot of scouts/writers have written about our prospects.

    I don’t mean to be rude but by your logic a pitchers Lincecum or bust, a prospect has to hit Howard numbers to be a legitimate major league prospect at any position and Howard must be the NL MVP by that thought pattern too.

27. RiVLez Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:57 am

    It’s pretty pathetic how bad the farm system is for the Phillies. It’s not like they have made some blockbuster trades and have sent the top prospects to other teams. They definitely need some FO help. Whoever the scout is, the guy is terrible.

28. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am

    The Phillies farm system isn’t very good but it is getting better. Taylor is going to be great. Marson is going to be great. Donald is going to be pretty good. FYI

    http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Jason-Donald.shtml

    http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/R/Jimmy-Rollins.shtml

    To me that says Jason Donald is more than a utility player, but what do I know? Fred is the all knowing god of baseball apparently.

29. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am

    Why is my comment awaiting moderation?

30. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:07 am

    NJ – you’ve got to stop smoking so early in the morning.

    Drabel just had TJ surgery in July. Back already???? That’s one for the record book. He’s not expected back until sometime next year.

    Marson has the offensive impact of Pudge?? Again, stop with the wacky so early. This is only the first year Marson has hit for average. Previously the main concern about Marson was he inability to hit. One year doesn’t mean he hit with the big boys.

    Savery has at time DH’d for Clearwater. Also he has had arm troubles although I think Savery is our best shot at a true #2.

    Again, give me a reference where Marson or Donald are projected to be anything other than average. As in reference I don’t mean some from the wonderful Phillies scouts.

    With the state of our pitching staff, anyone worth a lokk would have been here. I believe Kendrick made the jump from AA last year.

    I’ll give you Carrasco is only 21 and could very well improve maybe to a 2 but right now he’s projected as a 3 at best.

    Very good prospects are never blocked. They find a way to work those type of guys in or they’re traded for proven major league talent.

31. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:08 am

    It’s not terrible and if I’m remembering rightly your a Mets fan and you don’t have much to shout about in your farm and it hasn’t been crippled just emptied of most of what was the in the Santana trade.

    The Phils sent it’s top prospect last year to the CWS and two of it’s upper tier prospects to the A’s in the Blanton deal underselling Cardenas massively and Gillick was just stupid with Outman who the A’s love, add those together and that’s the Sanatana deal.

    That said as I mentioned above we have a behind the times scouting system that’s achievements are headed by Baldelli and Cantu. We scout South America horribly and have come up with 1 top and 1 potential prospect and the high draft picks under their watch have been questionable compared to what some other teams are getting from their picks. Our system is indicative of Giliick who is stubborn, refuses to change his ideas with the time playing to the beat of his own drum and I worry the Wade/Gillick regims will mean Amaro won’t be a man of the times.

32. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Also I guess I need enlightened about the Tampa system. Did it start with the Yanks or the Reds? Yes, the Reds were in Tampa long before the Yanks.

    I’m not trying to be pessimistic just realistic. If we had the prospects, we would have had CC. But the Indians weren’t interested in Marson or Carrasco or Donald. Why would that be?

33. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am

    Fred…Drabek is pitching again.

    http://phuturephillies.com/2008/07/30/kyle-drabek-returns/

    Stop saying stupid shit.

34. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:17 am

    I stand corrected but please control you language. Have I used profanity towards you?

35. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am

    No, but I don’t really care if you did or didn’t. Stop being a pussy. If you are going to come on here and say stupid shit then expect to get bashed for it. Find me somewhere where Donald is picked as a utility man. I can show you where Donald blows Rollins minor league stats out of the water. I posted it in another comment, but it is awaiting moderation for some reason. I tried posted it again and it still says awaiting moderation. I wonder if it’s the link. Anyway go to thebaseballcube.com and look up Donald and Rollins. You’ll see what I mean.

36. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:27 am

    Our starting prospects are blocked with so much uncertainty and the acquisition of Blanton taking up what would have been a vacant spot in the rotation.

    Again you say to Phil about doing research but haven’t done yours, Savery has made 34 starts between low and high A this year and has a grand total of 13 ABs. Drabek has returned to make 8 starts between GCL and low A. I was scepticle on Marson but he’s proved to be a patient hitter who gets on base and has gap power like Mauer, if most major league teams want him to be their catcher of the future I’ll believe he fits that tag here too.

    Our pitching is very young and there hasn’t been a legitimate healthy pitcher in AAA outside Happ since they called Wilkes-Barre home and then some. How can Philly fans not be called front runners when we can’t even wait on our prospects? It crippled Gavin Floyd yet a lot of Philly fans seem intent on the same and have the attitude if a guy isn’t on the radar like a big flashing red light giving people epilepsy then he’s trash.

    We have some very good prospects no matter what their projected roles and we should stop knocking them, if other teams can get their prospects up why shouldn’t we believe ours have that potential if not more? We need to address the way we draft but we have some major league talent in AA/A and there’s no disputing that and sometimes the difference between a guy like Savery or one luck Lester is environment.

37. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am

    I never talked about Savery being a DH. I talked about Savery the pitcher. He’s projected as a #2.

38. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am

    “I’m not trying to be pessimistic just realistic. If we had the prospects, we would have had CC. But the Indians weren’t interested in Marson or Carrasco or Donald. Why would that be?”

    Well… We don’t have a LaPorta for one 1 because we don’t draft that high and 2 because we’ve stopped paying for positional particulary with Hewitt and D’Arnaud our two top position picks in the last 2 drafts which could produce that particular kind of trade bait. Secondly the Phils were not sold on making Carrasco available and Cleveland don’t have a need behind the plate and the middle in/outfield.

    Teams aren’t going to deal unless your offering a position of need unless their stockpiling for later and the Indians aren’t doing that.

39. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:34 am

    In case that was intended at me I meant that Savery research comment to Fred not you Phil.

40. Phil Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:37 am

    It’s so annoying all the people that bitch that we didn’t get Sabathia. The reason we didn’t get him is because of the reason you stated. They wanted LaPorta. They wanted a power hitting 1B/OF guy. The Brewers knew they could let LaPorta go because of Braun and Fielder.

41. DD Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Kendrick just does not have big league stuff, even in this watered down MLB. I know that it is “water under the bridge” but we did have a kid that was an All-American in college, a first round draft pick, had a pedigree, and had ML stuff and we were not patient enough or simply didn’t handle him well. That was Gavin Floyd. I will take a kid with a live arm and what baseball people call “great stuff” anyday before a young kid who really doesn’t have much. I understand that he had the “deer in the headlights” look, but he also had the makings of a ML pitcher with patience and good coaching as you can see from his year with the White Sox. Just frustrated that he isn’t our #4 or 5.

42. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:45 am

    Phil, please explain your comments about Tampa. Who, when and what would do. I am a neophyte.

    If our top prospects were so great why couldn’t we trade them for a proven pitcher?

    Why is there no interest in Michael Taylor? He has Howard-like numbers with better speed and fielding abilities.

    And I apologize for being so inferior to the great baseball minds of Phil and NJ.

43. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am

    Gillick dealing Floyd wasn’t bad, unfortunate but Freddy Garcia wasn’t going to be a type A snapped up by a top 15 team in another other than Gillick’s mind who was bias, there were to many reasons for Floyd to fail here but giving Gio back to the CWS in that deal was criminal. A good deal was made for Thome but the remains have been scuttled and the guy with the last link to that deal in Castro has been cast off to Toronto, we surely could have prized Stairs away for less considering the role he was intended for…

44. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    Indians not needing a catcher? Seems they picked up their next major league catcher Carlos Santana – from the Dodgers this year (in the trade for Casey).

45. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am

    Taylor is an intruiging prospect and lets see what he can do in double A, he may be the guy to come up and make Howard dealable.

    As for starting pitchers… Who? Burnett… Bedard? We had those trades if we wanted but balked and rightly so, Burnett is so overvalued by his K rate, he is not healthy, motivated or a rounded pitcher worth parting with your top prospects for. Who would you want? Oswalt (wasn’t ever going to happen) Halladay (Toronto aren’t moving him unless forced) Cain (would have taken a similar package to Sabathia)… Name 1 available front line start worth parting with two top prospects for?

    Am not professing to be a baseball expert so much as a fan who tries to do his research before forming brash opinions and tends to think teams with supportive fans do better.

46. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:57 am

    its really simple, if you want more of the same, more of a failing front office then vote for, um, i mean call the FO and ask them to make amaro/arbuckle the GM. if you want to win a WS and improve the team then write letters asking for brian cashman or one of the marlins disciples out there who can sniff talent anywhere.

47. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 8:58 am

    The Indians catcher is Victor Martinez and they haven’t made steps to move away from him, the B plan is Shoppach and they did not consider catcher a vital position of need to win now, they did however want a slugging corner in/outfielder and that’s what got the deal done.

48. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:02 am

    Going to be tough to prize away Cashman and although I like the idea if he can bring some of the Yanks executives with him Steinbrenner Jnr will at least make efforts to re-sign him. Not sure how a Marlins disciple will handle a club like the Phillies where you can’t just move guys up and down at will but lets hope the owners are looking at executives in the DePoseta mould.

49. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:04 am

    I am a supportive fan and have been for better than 50 years. I was at the victory parade in 1980 and watched the collapse of ‘64 on TV listening to Bill Campbell. My Phillies roots go back to 1910. But I’ve seen mostly years of ineptness and bad management.

    The Phillies and their fans have always overvalued their prospects and have seldom drafted wisely. What has happened to their Latin connections? They use to be at the forefront in signing Latin players. I understand they just started a renewed effort in that area but their spending is far below other clubs.

    I would still like info on the Tampa model.

50. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:08 am

    the tampa model seems similar to the marlins model but not quite as effective.

51. NJ Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:11 am

    Good to have some of the old timers and apologize if some of the comments made here have been a little to aggresive but it’s not as bad as it seems. The Phils are killing themselves overall in the draft and scouting for lack of investment but we are coming up with some late nineties type top propsects, problem is the game has move on and the FO needs to move with the times and do more, in short they need to follow the Eagles in mentality.

52. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:19 am

    Phil… I wish i would’ve seen this stuff earlier.. way to step up and defend this team for me!!

    If the Phillies scouts and everything are so bad, where did Hamels, Myers, Howard, Utley, Rollins come from??

    Looks to me like they did a pretty good job of keeping that top-talent.. and they were trying to hang on to guys they think can contribute soon in Marson, Carrasco, Golson, Happ, etc….

    Somebody pointed out the the AAA pitching must be pretty good.. I participated in a pre-season online chat with Myers, and asked him what person has been the most influential since he became a professional ballplayer.. and he gave all the credit to his minor league pitching coach.. Rod Nichols.

    BUT… you gotta give Dubee credit cause our pitching has been WAY better than we thought it would be

53. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:22 am

    For what its worth… the Marlins are a .500 team, and the A’s aren’t even that right now.

    So not every strategy is fool-proof

54. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:27 am

    Brian Cashman is really doing a GREAT job this year……. he’s the most overrated GM in baseball history, with the payroll that team has, they should win the world series every other year. but instead they overpay for washed-up players like Johnny Damon

55. Griffin Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:28 am

    wow, Fred got bashed here. I guess admitting that we don’t have a great farm system is a sensitive subject.
    The Phillies have done a GREAT job in producing home grown talent that is now on the major league team.
    Their minor league system, however, is well below average. They’re in the bottom 10 of all teams in terms of overall system.
    The Phillies didn’t have enough to go get a Sabathia. They have not drafted well the last few years and they’ve sacrificed picks by signing Type A and B free agents who were offered arbitration by their original teams (David Bell, Tom Gordon, etc.)
    Overall, the system is not that great. There are no Utleys, Rollins, Hamels, Howards, etc. Carrasco will be a nice pitcher, but his stock has fallen a bit. Most scouts now see him as a #3-4 instead of the #2-3 of a year or two ago.

    I know that everyone here loves the Phils and wants our prospects to be great, but they’re not. Fred got pummeled for telling the truth.

56. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:29 am

    and with all of this wonderful talent they havent won any world championships since 1980.

    the marlins won two world championships with their strategy. this new ownership group, taking over in 1981, was won absolutely nothing. tons of playoff chokes thanks to mike schidt and others along the way.

57. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am

    why do we always get lulled into false confidence in a faililng ownership group by getting swept in the first round of th eplayoffs and then following it up with this type of a maddening up and down season

58. Eb Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am

    Don is right Cashman, will not be able to do well without a payroll the size of Howard’s Ego. he isnt even that great of a GM. T

    They need to look to the Ray’s/Marlins organization and look for someone who develops young players

59. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am

    what? you guys are acting like they have no money at all. 100-130mm is more than enough to build a world series winner.

60. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:36 am

    Not sure where you’re getting your info, but Carrasco is doing VERY well in AAA.. and projects as a middle of the rotation starter, with PLUS potential…

    In my mind thats about a #3… with a chance to be very good… of course there is a chance that he’s not as good as everyone thinks.. but there is also a chance that he’s better than everyone thinks

    in AAA, in 36 innings, he given up 37 hits, but has 46 K’s… only 7 ERs allowed equals a 1.72 ERA.

    The weird thing is.. Righties are hitting .290 off him… Lefties only .215…

61. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Why do we always try to talk everyone into calling this the worst team in history after each loss, Geoff??

62. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Kendrick got SPANKED last night.. which I was expecting, and which is why I said yesterday that I was glad Myers was throwing against the Marlins, not against Sheets because we were going to need to win THIS series, before we worry about the next one.

63. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:40 am

    because people just pass it off like oh well we have all this talent so its somehow still ok that they havent won a championship. i don tknow about you, but when i do things i do them to be successful and what fan doesnt want to see their team win a championship?

    im just not sure whether theyre a few pieces away or whether theyd actually win one faster if they rebuilt the system again. tahts really the only thing i look at every season with every phildelphia team i care about.

64. Fred Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Time to make some cash. I’ll be back later to take more of a beating. Go Phils.

65. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am

    When the owners let the GM spend $130 M… then you’ll have a good chance of seeing a parade… So I’m on board with bashing the owners.. but not the GM.

    And Griffin made a GREAT point about losing draft picks and stuff with the signings of Bell and Gordon.. BUT.. Gordon was better than people want to give him credit for, you never know what draft picks are going to turn out to be (i’d say at least half of 1st round picks never make the big leagues..).. and with payroll limitations, they took chances on guys with playoff experience that they thought could help this team win ballgames…

66. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:43 am

    im ok with gordon, he had a great stay here. bell was one of the worst signings in baseball in the past decade, set the team back 5 years.

67. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am

    The fact that you think this team would have ANY chance to contend without Rollins and Howard… and replacing them with prospects shows how well you know baseball

    Rollins has single-handedly helped this team win numerous games in the past 2-3 weeks, and Howard is pounding the ball this season, but his average is low so people want him traded. If either of those guys could get you Cy Young in return, i’d trade them too, but since people don’t give up great pitching for offense, there is no point in trying to rebuild this team by getting rid of your best players!

68. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:00 am

    ryan howard is still mike schmidt/eric lindros and youll be reminded of that in the offseason. mike schmidt is one of the most overrated players in mlb history. ryan howard is the same player.

69. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am

    sure, hes great, he puts up numbers, wins some games for you. but in the playoffs when the spotlight is on…choke

70. Griffin Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Mike Schmidt is the greatest 3B who ever lived and was the MVP of the Phillies only championship season. Please do not compare him to lindros or whomever else you decided to hate.

71. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:03 am

    eric lindros was the master of putting up mvp numbers and then vanishing in the clutch (1995 – mvp season, 1997, 1999). this is really not any different….

72. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:04 am

    mike schmidt was also a piece of shit asshole who vanished in the spotlight

73. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    Geoff, go back to North Jersey and root for the Mets dude..

    Ryan Howard has been in the playoffs… once…. and like the rest of the team, got shut down by the Rockies, who, again, were just about the hottest team in baseball history going into the playoffs last year..

    Kepp your complaining up though, you’re doing a great job so far today!

74. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am

    acutally im from delaware county. so. no. i prefer to reminisce for a LEGITIMATE hall of famer, steve carlton. mike schmidt did nothing in the world series.

75. Griffin Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am

    yeah, when someone starts calling a great player “an asshole” for not being as great in the playoffs, it officially means we need something else to talk about. Until then….

76. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am

    he is an asshole because of the way he treats people, actually

77. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:21 am

    unlike many fans, just because a player is great for our team doesnt mean its ok for him to be an asshole. hence, schmidt, rollins howard.

78. RiVLez Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:27 am

    After reading through all these comments, I have a few things to say. I think the Phillies could’ve put something together to get Sabathia but only for a year. I believe the FO knew they were not going to be able to sign him and didn’t want to give up prospects for a rental. Which I 100% agree on. Money also doesn’t bring championships. Yankees are the proof of it and Cashman is seriously one of the worst GM’s in baseball. He signed so many people that were way out of their prime.

79. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:28 am

    im not going to get on them for sabathia. i already have. carraco and marson better turn out well though. thats the only way youll know whether ir was a mistake or not to make or not make the trade. how do those two turn out 5-7 years from now?

80. RiVLez Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am

    You would seriously take the chance 3 months of Sabathia?

81. Georgie Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:38 am

    Let’s see, Phils starting pitchers, wasn’t everyone saying in the off-season, during spring training, and even April and May, that we didn’t have the starters to get into the playoffs? Now here we are, stretch run, talking about the lack of quality starters to get us there. We have every right to bitch, the fans knew it was going to be a problem, it is now a problem, and the FO never really addressed it.

82. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am

    if i thoguht they were ready to win a world championship, but their not. the stars og this team arent mentally tough enough to go toe to toe with the red sox, rays, or angels. theyll all go up there and strike out again.

83. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:45 am

    we have better quality starters than MOST of the team in baseball… so thats a pretty bad arguement. Our pitching has been great this year!

    Geoff, Were you even alive when Schmidt and the Phillies were in the World Series??? Because I know I wasn’t…so i’ve never looked up who did what in those games, cause it doesn’t matter at all

    Scmidt and Brooks Robinson are probably the two best 3b of all-time… and like a typical negadelphia fan, you’re complaining… had we won last night, I’m sure you’d be asking for them to go get a player like Mike Schmidt in the offseason.

    AND… how is Ryan Howard an Asshole??? the dude steadily does things with charities and stuff on his off-days..

84. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am

    they didnt address it. yeah its ok to have brett myers and cole hamels. yeah its ok to have jamie moyer and blanton as the 4 and 5 maybe. but wheres the other 1,2,3 guy? kendrick eats up a spot that should be occupied by a bonafide stud. thats why they arent winning the world series.

85. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am

    its been overshadowed by poor hitting performances.

86. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am

    Dude, if you just admitted that you were on board with not selling everything for a Sabathia rental…. and Harden hasn’t stayed healthy, just like I told you he wouldn’t… and we agreed before that there weren’t any good pitchers to get this past offseason.

    How should they have addressed it, in your view???

87. Georgie Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am

    Don M , do you feel comfortable with Kendrick and Blanton starting IF we would get into the playoffs and WS, because I sure don’t.

88. Manny Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am

    Is it plausible to put on Thursday a combination of Happ, Walrond and Moyer (if necessary)?
    Happ could pitch 3-4, Walrond 2-3…

89. RiVLez Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am

    Let’s just face it, the Phillies are not a championship caliber team at this moment in time even with Sabathia. What has Sabathia proved in the playoffs, nothing at all. He has over a 5.00 ERA in 6 playoff appearances.

90. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am

    I said earlier that Kendrick should be done for the year…he’s terrible. and I highly doubt we see him in pinstripes again

    The 1st round is usually a 3-man rotation… and i’l take our top-3 against anyone.. and as a #4, I’ll definitely take Joe Blanton over what most other teams have.

91. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    i honestly thought rich harden could pitch more than 5 innings. thats pathetic. i wanted him because i thought he had more stamina than he does. make him a setup man for goodness sakes if he cant stay healthy and throw that many innings.

92. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    Can they bring up Carrasco for a start on Thursday?? they need to pitch someone..

    He hasn’t pitched since August 29th… I wonder if they shut him down for the year, or what??

93. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am

    or a closer.

    kendrick better be shut down now. he has to evolve or else be left in the dust.

94. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am

    they might have shut him down. maybe drew carpenter? they wont use adam eaton even if theres noone else left.

95. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am

    Right… like we agreed on before, when Harden is healthy… he’s CRAZY GOOD!!!… but he can’t stay healthy, never has, and never will… they’ve been slumping bad, and he hasn’t pitched in like 2 weeks.. and his last start before he sat was that 5-inning, 4 walk thing vs. the phils.

    I understand your frustration, but unless you can show people examples of how they could have addressed their pitching problems (again, among the best pitching in all of baseball this year…)… you should stop bashing them about it

    If Harden stays healthy for the postseason, and helps them make a run, it will look a lot different, but imagine how bad Phillies fans would freak out if we traded for Harden, and then he was hurt for us when we needed him most..

96. RiVLez Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:07 am

    They would rather use Ryan Howard over Eaton. LOL

97. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am

    seeing ryan howard try to pitch would be CLASSIC, he cant even make taht throw to second base.

98. Don M Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:10 am

    I forgot about Carpenter.. is he still up here.. or didn’t they send him right back down after his bullpen stint two weeks ago, was he Sept callup as well?

    I hate that they haven’t announced anyone yet.. there is probably a deadline where you need to announce the starter by, right?

99. Geoff Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 11:13 am

    i think so. not sure who else you coudl use if they shut down carrasco. eaton – NO. carpenter maybe, les walrond has started before? happ will be too tired to start probably, chad durbin should stay in the bullpen. clay condrey? NO.

100. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am

     They’ve gotta have somebody… Walrond had 17Ks in a game this year… he’s got good stuff against lefties, but I think righties get on him…

     I’ll bet its carpenter, or carrasco… or is that too much pressure to put on Carlos his MLB debut in a big game like that? Eaton sucks ass

101. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am

     you know its bad when, given a choice between eaton and walrond, you wouldnt hesitate to choose walrond.

102. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:23 am

     I will be the first to admit that I don’t know anywhere close to what you guys do about players in the minors, or even stats on other teams’ players, etc. What I do know is I love the Phils, remember what 1980 was like, and have been waiting since then for another championship. Let’s get real , the only starter that I felt sure about was Hamels. Myers was in the bullpen last year, Moyer’s almost as old as me, Kendrick wasn’t a sure thing, we left Lohse go, and you say no pitching questions? A top-notch ownership would have foreseen this and made sure they did SOMETHING, have a plan, get a package together, whatever.
     Ughhh, the Gov from Alaska is talking about putting the jet on e-bay again, her shrill voice made me lose my train of thought!

103. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am

     unless hes shut down, it really couldnt hurt to test carrasco. i feel that unknown pitchers always have an initial advantage.

104. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:27 am

     The owners thought Myers would be as good as he’s been lately… and they figured their hitters would hit..

     If this team was hitting like they are capable of, they would have 85+ wins right now instead of 79.

     How many times have great pitching performances been WASTED this year… probably 5 or 6 by Hamels alone… Eaton started the year with multiple Quality Starts that didn’t result in wins… Moyer had a few nice games this year with no run support… this could easily be a 95+ win team, but instead we’ll be hoping they get as close to 90 as they can

105. mikemike Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am

     Anyone who said that they would take joe blanton over other teams four is crazy. The guy is a hitting machine. Some fans would believe anthing that the phillies say. look up blanton numbers they are very very bad he stinks but he is cheap option.

106. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am

     that lineup really does need improvement. contact hitting. but they have people that are supposed to be able to do that and they cant. thats really aggravating. whatre you going to do, get rid of chase utley because he isnt hitting .300? obviously not.

107. Eb Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:41 am

     What is the terms of the 40 man roster, is Carrasco on it? is he even in the USA right now? Can he be called up?

108. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am

     I can’t believe that this late in the season, in a division race, we have no one to start the game Thurs. Can Moyer really go on 3 days rest? that seems to be asking alot of him, although I’m sure he’d gladly do it with no complaints.

     Sort of off subject, but I saw a quote from Dubee yesterday re Hamels. He basically said there are days when there’s alot of noise, days when you don’t feel your best, but 20 game winners, Cy Young winners, find a way to overcome those things. Was Cole complaining about the noise at Shea or something?

109. Phillies are our bitches Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:55 am

     Georgie I heard Hamels was complaining about the noise coming off Delgado’s bat.

110. Bruce Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am

     Geoff~ You must have got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Granted last night’s game was a bad loss and puts the Phils in a very tough situation being three games down in the all important loss column. And now you’re taking your frustration and anger out on this site and even on a hall of famer, Mike Schmidt who had nothing to do with last night’s game. As Don M mentioned, you’re acting like a typical “negadelphia” fan who has never seen Schmidt played ( I have) nor the 1980 World Series. For that reason, I wouldn’t waste time and effort to defend Schmidt to you.

     It does appears since Happ was used tonight (3.1 innings allowing 3 runs & 5 hits including TWO HRs), Jamie Moyer likely will start on three days’ rest Thursday night against Milwaukee. Happ was being considered for that start. My question is who starts on Sunday? If Kendrick is indeed relegated to the bullpen, will it be HappLESS or even Eaton? What a problem for poor ole’ Cholly.

111. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am

     no he was just amped up.. and was trying to overthrow, instead of being normal and just hitting his spots..

     he’ll learn, he’s one of the best young pitchers in baseball and he’ll be fine.

     Carrasco is not listed on the 40-man roster.. but Fabio Castro is… didn’t he get traded for Matt Stairs?

     If we’re really complaining about Blanton as our #4 starter not being good enough, or problems really aren’t that big. He’s had some very good games for the Phillies.. and some pretty dull ones too.. but for the most part, he gives you a chance to win by keeping you in the game.. Thats all you can ask from a guy in his position. Would you rather have Oliver Perez? I wouldn’t…

112. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

     Moyer is starting Thursday..

     Phillies are our bitches,
     He was complaining that they only took 2 of 3 instead of getting the full sweep…in the Mets house… keep talking shit though, your Mets did a great job of burrying us last weekend, fag

113. Phillies are our bitches Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

     Don the Homo, Kendrick looked good last night….lmao

     BTW look behind you St Louis 1/2 game and Houston 1 game

114. RiVLez Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

     “They will lose some,” Charlie Manuel said. He also said he still likes his team’s chances. But there can be no illusions. There will be no gifts this year. If the Phillies are to win the division, they will have to pry it from the Mets’ desperate hands.

     OUCH

115. ryan Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

     does anybody know is scott mathieson is ever going to come back? i thought he was very promising but i know he’s been hurt a ton

116. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

     good call dude.. original too… AND a cool name that you post under. You’re the only Mets fan on here that is dumb enough to still be talking shit even after we just took that series at Shea that could have put us 6 games back if your team showed up to play. ….but ripping on Kyle Kendrick, just like the rest of us, is cool

     and using phrases like “lmao” … thats cool too..

117. Phillies are our bitches Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

     Hey Dong who’s pitching for you guys Thursday? ROTFL

118. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

     With all the “fag” and “homo” labels, I’m hurt that no one’s called me a lesbo yet.

119. brian Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

     It’s time to look ahead, we weren’t going 18-0 to finish so we lost a terrible game with an awful start by Kendrick.

     We can catch Milwaukee this weekend!

120. Jimmy S. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

     We have to face it the Phillies have to be focused on the Wild Card! The Mets are better then the Phillies but they have to get the wild card to get to the Playoffs!

121. brian Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

     Exactly!

122. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

     Yea I apologize for that.. sorry.

     Phillies are our bitches,

     Jamie Moyer, the guy that owned you the other day, he’s pitching on Thursday..

123. Bruce Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

     Since Thursday is the LAST offday for the Mets in the remainder of the regular season, whereas we’ve got two more between Friday and the end of the season, we should need a 5th starter even LESS than they do? That’s one area that the Phils have a (theoretical) advantage. Looking at the schedule it looks like the Mets will need a 5th starter three times down the stretch. The Phils may only need one once or twice depending on who they go with tomorrow (Moyer?).

     Of course, the Phils may also have a problem with the 4th starter in their rotation if Blanton doesn’t get untracked. But then Pedro Martinez isn’t exactly clicking each time out for the Mets either.

     Should be an interesting 3 weeks.

124. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

     I personally could care less if we win the division or not, as long as we make the playoffs… The cubs needed a rare bullpen-implosion by the Phillies to beat us in the 1st game out there.. and two terrible calls by umpires in the 2nd game to give them a 3-2 win… and then we beat them in the last two.

     So the Cubs really don’t scare me that much.. if anything, the Phillies and Mets should not want to play each other, cause they can both beat any other team in the NL… if the Dodgers bats keep going, watch out for them…

     If both teams make the playoffs the division winner gets the RedHot Dodgers, the WildCard would get the struggling Cubbies, whose top 2 pitchers have both been on the shelf recently…

125. Phils2008 Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

     I agree!! The wild card is looking more realistic then the Divison. If we can at least take 3 out of 4 against the Brewers then we could easily pry the wild card away from them. The Brewers are starting to fold like they did last year.

126. Bruce Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

     Better chance in winning against Milwaukee Brewers than the Mets? It’s like choosing your poison.

     I don’t take any team likely with Sheets and Sabathia and that line-up. True, they’ve been terrible going 2-7 in their last 9, but were just as great going 8-1 in the nine before that. They have a tough schedule ahead with 4 against the Phils and 6 against the Cubs.

     But they’ve had the #1 team ERA in the NL since the All-Star break (a full half run better than the Phils, who are the 2nd-best team over that period). I can only hope the Phils’ offense is clicking on all cylinders vs the Brewers. The team, though, better not be looking ahead and focus on today’s game.

127. Bruce Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

     Oops.. sorry for the mistype..lightly not likely.

128. Phillies are our bitches Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

     curious….what’s Moyer’s stats at CBP?

129. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

     After sheets and sabathia, they don’t have anything special at all.. if you had to face those two pitchers in a short series, you’d be in trouble.. same with the Diamondbacks, same with the Cubs if Zambrano and Harden are healthy…

     But same with the Phillies with Hamels and Myers… the Mets with Santana and Pelfrey. ..

130. mikemike Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

     Its unreal that Dom m can say the shit he saids .Blanton has failed to reach the seventh inning in nine of eleven games you idiot, I believe you are a phillies front office employee. Blanton is terrible he has and will continue to be horrible. IF you would get your head out of you ass you would see it. When you talk about the draft you should know they didn’t sign Joe Nathan 96 draft. Joe saunders J.D Drew, Azick for the dodgers. The number 4 rated pick in 2009 draft gibson.couldn’t develop floyd. Misread lohse. This is the scouting department and g.m’s job. they stink.You can’t compare the marlins they have a 22 million payroll but look at the talent they have traded and the talent they still have.plus they are a expansion team with more titles than us.the reason the brewers gave up laporta for cc is that they want the draft choice s becasue they sign and know how to draft. They are loaded with talent with no budject or market to speak of compared to us. When the marlins won the last pennant they knew they needed a catcher but had no money so they traded for pudge and gave him a one year ten million dollar deal. they spread the ten million over four years so the next year pudge left but was still getting paid by the marlins.but they won our cheap bastard owners wouldn’t do that .They aren’t smart enough.

131. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

     If anyone can make sense of the above rant, let me know..

     Jamie Moyer is 4-4 at home with a 4.84 ERA… and I still think he’ll win Thursday…at home..

132. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

     hes basically right. hes saying the front office is and always has been cheap. draft worse players because you can sign them cheaply in the first round. he also said joe blanton hasnt reached the 7th inning in 9 of his last 11 starts.

133. RiVLez Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

     he does make some sense.

134. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

     But seriously.. out of that, I take it that Joe Blanton isn’t good enough for you as a #4 starter… which is fine, I understand if people want to think that way… but he is what he is.. and again, if you are complaining about the #4 starting pitcher, you must not be too worried about this team overall..

     Burrell’s lack of contact… Utley’s lack of power… they same like bigger issues to me, but thats fine.

     I was 13 in 1996 so I don’t especially care about what happened to Joe Nathan in that draft… Lidge is maybe the best closer in baseball this year anyway, and they got him for NOTHING from the Astros.

     The guys that the Brewers thought would carry them , Rickie Weekes, JJ Hardy and Prince Fielder, haven’t done as much as the Phillies young guys have. I think Braun is awesome, Hart is a hell of a player too… not sure where you are going with that one.

     And my point about the Marlins was that we all want to blow their owners, and the A’s GM, but neither one of those teams has a shot to win anything this year… A world series in 2003 is terrific, but not having any chance at all this year must be why they get 600 fans for baseball games

135. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

     thats florida though. florida is THE fake, frontrunner fans state. the rays are in first place and they draw like 7,000. up from like the 25 people that used to attend.

136. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

     burrell and utley are the biggest issues right now, but just because the pitching hasnt been as bad as we thought doesnt mean its been good.

137. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

     Well, then I disagree with you, because I think our pitching has been very good this year…. better than just about any year I can remember since I’ve been a Phillies fan.

138. mikemike Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

     I would take a world champion and then rebuild. Over not having a shot like we do to win it all.

139. Richie Allen Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

     Mets are winning because Delgado is hitting all those home runs in the Shea BANDBOX

140. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:31 pm

     then why do you watch this team, and post about them everyday if the have no shot?

     The Cardinals in 2005 or whatever won 83 games… and then won the world series

141. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

     Yo… Delgado is RAKING right now….. he should just get the free pass every time up, cause he is going yard on EVERYONE!

142. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

     dude, because you shouldnt have to “hope that they get on a magical run.” thats bullshit, thats happened only a few times recently. those “magicall run” teams usually lose the world series, actually almost always. the reality is what theyre doing is not good enough. from top to bottom organization-wide. they simply have to do more, have to do better, have to do what it takes.

143. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

     Can anyone honestly say they’re not on pins and needles before Blanton’s starts? If the fans feel that way, how do you think the players feel? Is it a championship team when your #4 is questionable, and #5 is ????? Doubtful, but I guess anything is possible in the post season.

144. mikemike Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

     Dom I Love the phillies . Since I was a kid and would skip school to go see them at connie mack staduim. I saw a lot of the sixty four games when they blew the lead. But when Giles put this group together and I saw how he tried to be G.M. and when that failed he put his man in wade I knew they were in trouble. and it hurts because we don’t deserve this we are too loyalty.To answer your question why do I post when I think they have no shot. Its like being in love with a bad women I still want her but she is bad for me.

145. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

     No shit they should do more… but what the fuk is with all you people talking like this team is completely out of it everytime they lose a game..

     if they are out of it, and have no shot at winning… then stop paying attention..

     If you want to keep following them because you realize they are just as good as any other team in the NL.. and you could see them having a chance at the World Series… then why bash them?? it just doesn’t add up to me

146. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

     Everyone points out that what “they” are doing is not good enough.. and I’m pointing out that if the hitters were doing what they thought we would this year… we’d be well ahead in the NL East, and we’d be talking about the World Series and which team we’ll be playing..

     Since this team has the talent to get that far, I’m still expecting them to turn it on at some point here down the stretch…

     Last night the bats were there, but couldn’t account for Kendrick’s mess…

     Its a good team, that can beat any team in the NL… I don’t think they can hang with the Angels or RedSox in a 7-game series… but I do think they could take care of the WhiteSox, Twins, or Rays..

147. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:02 pm

     Don M , you sound like you’re telling people to be frontrunners. Just because you don’t think you’re team has a chance at the WS doesn’t mean you can stop following/watching them, that’s a frontrunner! But don’t expect me to be thrilled and all googly-eyed when they “don’t quite make it” every year.

148. RiVLez Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

     Don M you need to calm down a little bit. The Phillies are not a World Series team, you need to face reality with that one.

149. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

     What aggravates me the most about this team is that talent wise they should have won 100 games this year with the pitching they received.
     But for some reason the bat’s have been mired in a slump for almost the entire season. Are they still in the race absolutely. I just find it disgraceful that a team that got better pitching then even they could have dreamed of are on the verge of wasting it because the 264 lifetime hitting coach and the manager who’ll talk hitting with you all day
     have not been able to get this offence on track.

150. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

     no, we follow them because its philly and theyre our team.

151. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

     i think the bats are just not as good as we thought they were. they were a bit overrated, which ive said before. theyre good hitters numberswise but not clutchwise. theyre not clutch at all.

152. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

     Yeah, that’s the thing that baffles me. The pitching has been way better than anyone anticipated, yet the team is fighting for a playoff spot. I have yet to hear a plausible explanation from anyone, be it management, sportswriter, player, why this team has gone into these prolonged hitting slumps. I have thought all along there is a different attitude among the players this year, but why? Did Howard’s arbitration set the season off on a bad note? What’s up with Chase? Now Burrell? Answers, anyone?

153. RiVLez Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

     what does a .264 lifetime hitter have to do with anything? you either can hit or you can’t. regardless of your hitting coach.

154. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

     Well for starters we could get a real coaching staff (Davey Lopes excluded)

155. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:17 pm

     Unless they are eliminated I expect them to make the postseason… and then I think they could beat the Cubs, Dodgers, or Mets in a series..

     Anyone that doesn’t think that, doesn’t think much of their own team..

     I’m not telling people to be frontrunners at all, just the opposite.. if you KNOW that this team isn’t going anywhere, why are you still paying so much attention… obviously because you THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE too… and if you think they have a chance, then be positive about them instead of bashing them all the time

     I just don’t understand how people can be all about this team after they swept the Dodgers.. split with the Cubs in Chicago.. won the series against the Mets.. but then since we lost last night.. we’re no good ??

156. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

     Bat’s get hot and bat’s go cold. The hitting coach is the one who’s job it is to keep the cold spells from getting prolonged

157. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

     Lopes and Rich Dubee are good coaches… Jimmy Williams runs the team as the bench coach… and they all love playing for Charlie Manuel, so he must be doing something right.

     I would be fine with them getting rid of Milt Thompson.. no complaint here..

     Howard is what he is… same with Burrell.. and I firmly believe that Werth can play full time and put up numbers that are equal to Pat Burrell… and you could pay him $20 M over three years instead of $40 that Pat would cost

158. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

     and in all honesty….The amount of SHIT that I catch on here for being POSITIVE about this team, blows my mind…

159. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

     DonM, I was like you many years ago. The 1980 WS carried me thru many years, but that high only lasts so long. You eventually come back down to Earth, and try not to become too jaded. I wish I could look at my teams thru your rose-colored glasses, but mine have turned a little gray.

160. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

     because i dont like bailing my attention from them UNLESS theyre like as bad as the nationals are. because I ACTUALLY LIKE BASEBALL.

161. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

     i agree about werth. i do think hes finally ready to play everyday. pat burrell can play first base AFTER YOU TRADE RYAN HOWARD

162. Eb Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

     Did anyone read the article on Foxsports about the idea of the Rays moving to Philadelphia?

     I cant find the article now but it was called “Tampa doesnt deserve the Rays”

     Also I agree I think the pitching has been very good, and this team would be a 90-100 win team if they had any situaitonal hitting.

163. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

     Great article I could wear my Longoria jersey to a game.

164. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

     I would be ok with the rays coming here. but dont they have an approved plan for a new ballpark? theyd have to change their name and logo tahts for sure.

     philadelphia deserves a second MLB team thats for sure. has to be in the AL.

165. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

     where would they play here? probably not CBP right?

166. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

     Ryan Howard leads the league in HRs and RBIs… and still won’t get you anything in return that will help this team win any sooner.. I agree with trading him before he becomes a Free Agent.. but not yet..

     Burrell is one of the most inconsistent Phillies ever…. last year he started bad, finished good, this year he started good, and then hasn’t done a thing in like 2 months…. his batting average has dropped steadily all season long

     And I actually think Burrell would be worse at 1st base than Howard is… Howard can at least move around a little bit, Burrell walks and runs like Frankenstein

167. Eb Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

     They did not say anything about a Ball Park, but i’d imagine they would build another.

     I agree MUST BE AN AL TEAM.

     Also Philly at one point had 2 teams, I think? Philadelphia Cententials??

168. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

     I’m not sure anybody could really be worse then Howard at 1st
     Burrel would at least not be afraid to throw the ball overhand

169. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

     That would be the best thing to ever happen to Phillies fans is if another team came into Philadelphia and the owners now had direct competition for fans, and their dollars… they’d have to go all-out to win right away..

     Like I said to Geoff before, I fully expect this payroll to climb because nobody is coming to CBP to see the “new ballpark” anymore… and people are starting to grow tired of a “good” baseball team…. so again, if they fall short this year, I expect them to make significant upgrades next year.. if they dont, i’ll bash them too

170. Jim D. Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

     Philadelphia Athletics now in?

171. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

     As much as I like Burrell, I agree I would keep Howard before him. Pat gets really down on himself, don’t know whether he gets depressed, then goes into a slump, or if the slump results in his being depressed, but either way, I think I’d rather deal with Howard’s K’s but fairly consistent demeanor.

172. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

     i see your point. for first base, you have to be SOMEWHAT agile. and he really isnt agile at all. can he even like bend down?

173. Georgie Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

     Howard seems to have lost a little weight since the start of the season. He and some of the others would benefit from yoga or Pilates, I would think. Moyer said he’s found swimming is good for him, which I do alot of and definitely agree, best exercise for low impact.

174. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

     Howard at least tries to make agile plays…. some of his slides into homeplate and stuff show you that he’s athletic.. he’s just a HUGE dude…

     There batting averages are getting closer and closer by the minute… but Howard out-hits the hell out of him.. trading Howard this offseason for a big return is a pipe-dream, same thing with Rollins

175. me Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

     Hey guys lets talk about Mc Nabb

176. Richie Allen Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

     Hey DON M …I root for the Phillies no matter what….I actually like the team they have ..I dont give up on them with every loss.
     But Im starting to agree with some people on this blog that with a couple of tweaks we might be in first right now.
     If we would have gone for CC(and if he won as many games for us as Milwaukee)would we be in first?..who knows?..maybe?
     But we never pull the trigger…

177. Geoff Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

     um, don. theyll get MORE of a return because the players are under team control for more than a year or two. that = more value….

178. Richie Allen Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

     I also think that with the unexpected pitching we got this year…we had more than enough firepower to win the division..as someone stated above..
     But when good teams need a boost (Manny,CC,Harden for example)They dont hesitate…
     Its ok though ….its not over yet….we can still get in with what we have now…..I wish everyone wouldnt be so damm doom & gloomy every time we lose.

179. NJ Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

     Sabathia wasn’t an option and won’t be an option in the off-season, we had this conversation earlier unless we relocate and become the ex-Philadelphia Phillies of Orange County.

     Cleveland only wanted a package with a sluging corner in/outfielder which killed out ability to land Sabathia, Harden was too hard to judge although we could have met Chicago’s offer and Manny… Where could we have stuck him… Behind the plate?

     Geoff Rollins isn’t going anywhere and Howard won’t until the FO are sure he’s unretainable.

     The imcoming FO needs to address this years inability for the team to hit consistently and not waste the amount of quality pitching performances that ended with losses, winning those games wins us the division this year without having to tax the farm/payroll.

180. Don M Says:
     September 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

     I know that Howard’s value is high…. but HE is more valueable to us right now than any prospects we would get in return for him would be..

     I know what you’re saying.. about trading players to get a great return… but if it wasn’t for him his year.. our offense would be centered around Utley and Burrell.. which wouldn’t be very good in my opinion

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