The Phillies must have used some pretty powerful mouthwash to rid themselves of the bitter taste of defeat they experienced in Seattle. Our guys, who have a losing record against teams with winning records, came into St. Louis already knowing that they wouldn't have to face the best first baseman in the league - Albert Pujols - who in a freak defensive play had suffered a broken bone. Pujols had been on a tear of late, so seeing him out of the line-up must have made Charlie and his no-hitting offense feel better about their chances in the three game set against the Cards. So far so good, but....!
The but is that, despite winning the first two games, their bats have stayed asleep. In game one, the Cardinals defense and pitching imploded and handed the Phillies the game. Yes, they scored 9 runs in one inning, but had no extra base hits and benefited from a wild Cardinal staff. In last night's game, aside from the home runs hit by Rollins and Superstar, the only extra base hit I can recall was Victorino's triple. Cliff Lee pitched a gem for the second consecutive game shutting down the Cardinal offense, including Matt Holliday who before the series began had been hitting over .340. The baseball gods must have a reason for the hitless wonders continued success but let's not get too cocky because they may be setting us up for a big fall. It could be because they dislike Cardinal manager Tony La Russa that they have allowed the Phillies to take this series. After all, La Russa has been an asshole from birth.
Given that the Phillies are in first place with the best record in baseball I suspect that if I declare myself to be panicked by their lack of offensive production I will be the subject of derision - but the LSF has reason to be concerned - and so should you.
There is something going on with the fifth position in the batting order. At the beginning of the season the number five slot was shared by Victorino and Ibanez, and both got off to what I will generously call a slow start. Charlie switched Victorino to the number two slot and moved Polanco down to the five hole. Victorino is now hot and Polanco's average is dropping faster than a Japanese Zero caught in the Marianas Turkey Shoot (google it). Polanco can't get a hit no matter what. So I ask, what is it about the five spot in this year's line-up that has whoever in it play like a complete bum? Some have suggested that because of following Howard in the order, the five spot is not getting good pitches to hit. Even if that is the reason, can a team with the worst production in the majors at the five spot continue to stay on top? Part of the problem may lie in numbers six through nine. Yes, Chooch has once again started to hit, but Brown, Francisco, and whoever are floundering at the plate. Brown is about to cross the Mendoza line and Francisco looks confused at the plate.
The lack of hitting has many speculating at a possible deal to bring in a right handed bat. Ruben claims that he has no money to do anything, but he has lied to us before. Every day there is a list of available guys in some article or another but frankly, none of the names mentioned bring me goose bumps in anticipation. I think the solution isn't making a desperation trade that may or may not work out and could deplete the system of the cream of the prospects. Face it, they will not get a top hitting right handed bat by dangling Zagurski to anyone. The answer could be on the roster right now, but there have been hints at another problem on the big league roster. Charlie has hinted that no matter what hitting coach Greg Gross tries to do, the players just don't want to listen to his tips. The very same guys who are not hitting seem to think that they do not need coaching on how to adjust at the plate so as to be able to contribute. If this is the case, I say that just because you are being paid a gazillion dollars doesn't mean that you are immune from being coached - or that you can't be asked to take a different approach at the plate. Charlie has always made it a policy to not criticize his players in public. Maybe it is time for him to name names. Maybe it is time for him to blast one or two of them in the press. Even if it doesn't motivate anybody, it will make me feel real good. That would be a good thing.
So tonight [Editor's note - I've been fucking busy!] Roy Oswalt will try and help the Phillies sweep La Russa's losers, and it would be a treat to see him deliver a good game for a change. The guy has not pitched anywhere close to what he did last year, and maybe he could be the trade bait for a right handed bat. The guy is near the end of his contract, isn't pitching well and maybe the proverbial change of scenery is what the guy needs. He might look good wearing a Twins or White Sox uniform. Anyhow, let's hope he has a good effort in him tonight. I will be switching back and forth to the NBA draft, hoping that the Sixers trade Iguadola and come out of the night as an improved team.
Looking forward to the weekend, the Phillies will be entertaining the Oakland A's. Most of you were not alive when this team was the lead tenant in Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium until they left the greatest city in the world after the 1954 season for the frontier of Kansas City. I will be posting a nostalgic look at the Philadelphia A's sometime over the weekend, but in the meantime I would love P.A. announcer Dan Baker to announce the A's line-up thusly...
Good evening ladies and gentleman and welcome to tonight's interleague contest between your Phillies and the Oakland A's led by manager Eddie Joost. At first base, Lou Limmer, playing second, Spook Jacobs, at short - Joe Demaestri, playing third - Jim Finigan. In left field, Gus Zernial, playing center - Bill Wilson, and in right field Bill Renna. Behind the plate, Joe Astroth, and on the mound, Pottstown native Bobby Shantz - the 1952 AL MVP.
In case you are wondering, the above players were the starters for the 1954 A's who finished SIXTY games out of first with a 51-103 record. As a kid, I was an A's fan - I suppose because my father was an A's fan. On my kitchen wall is a replica Philadelphia A's pennant. There are no Phillies pennants in my home.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER...
As promised, I switched back and forth tonight between the Phillies and the NBA draft. I spent more time with the draft considering the stellar play being displayed by the Phillies. I'll speak to the Phillies sucking big time later in the post.
I don't remember the last time I saw so many white guys being taken in the first round of the NBA draft. I suppose the success of the Dirk Nowitzki-led Dallas Mavericks had the rest of the league scrambling to do the monkey-see-monkey-do acquisition of a big Euro-Player as the way to win the title, but how am I supposed to get excited when I can't even pronounce their names? Not only that, most of them won't even get to suit up in the NBA for two to three years unless the teams that drafted them buy out their contracts from the teams they are currently signed with.
That won't happen with the Sixers first round pick, a rather large center/power forward from USC. I will not slam the selection of Nikola Vucevic since I have never seen him play, and who knows - he may pan out. He is supposed to be an excellent rebounder, something the team could use more of, and he did average seventeen points a game. He wouldn't have been my first choice, but both of the Philly born Morris twins were already off the board when the Sixers made their pick. I didn't like Ed Stefanski blowing smoke up my ass after the pick stating that this is the guy we really wanted. Stefanski should consider himself lucky to still have a job considering how he has screwed up the team with moves like giving Elton Brand the long term big money deal that has kept the team from being able to play in the free agent market. Stefanski was the guy who offered Iguadola $43 million, then upped the deal to $80 after A.I. Part II couldn't find another team to even match the 43. Duh.
I knew Eddie when he was a mortage broker and I was a stock broker. He is a super nice guy, but as a GM he has to be polite and has sucked big time. Of course the selection of Vucevic may have been the doing of Rod Thorn which would take Eddie off the hook when and if Nikola turns out to be a bust.
In case you're wondering, Vucevic isn't the first Euro giant taken by the Sixers. Most recently, the team selected Thabo Sefolosha (Switzerland) in the 2006 draft. Does anyone know where he is? Other Euro picks include the following: 2003 Paccelis Morlende (France); 1997 Marco Milic (Slovenia).
Back to the white guy thing. The only American white guy taken in the first round was BYU's Jimmer Fredette. Fredette was a lights-out scorer for BYU until he got hurt before the NCAA tourney. Given that I don't stay up late to watch BYU play Idaho State or Montana, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing him play. Given that I always root for BYU to lose I will not be a fan of the new Sacremento King Fredette, hoping that he is a complete and total bust. Personally, I don't trust people who won't drink coffee, have a Pepsi, or believe that pre-marital sex is evil. There is the name thing as well. Somebody needs to tell the guy that he is a grown man and now would be a good time to drop the little kid name Jimmer in favor of plain old Jim. Enough on Jimmer.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the Flyers made a couple of moves yesterday. Not being a big fan, I could care less, but Flyer faithful will be burning up the talk show lines all day on the moves. Moving Richards and the signing of the goalie whose name I will never be able to pronounce may make the team better - please let me know. They gave the goalie a nine year contract. Is that a good move? What if he gets hurt and can't ever play? Does that put the Flyers in deep doo doo? Nine year deals usually only benefit the players getting the deals so we will have to wait and see.
Back to the Phillies. The Phillies and Oswalt finally admitted that the pitcher's back has been giving him trouble all season. That, plus the lack of run support goes a long way in explaining why Oswalt has not been the pitcher he has been in the past, and presents huge problems for Charlie. Given that the team isn't hitting, losing Oswalt could bite them in the ass big time. Now we have to hope that Blanton can come back and do the job he is being overpaid to do, and that Kendrick or Worley can pitch at high levels. If Blanton, Kendrick, and Worley can't pull their loads, unless the team starts hitting, you can put away the Kool-Aid for this year. Not having a right handed hitter with power will pale compared to ineffective starting pitching at the back of the rotation.
That's it for now. Have a great weekend, and let's hope that the Phillies can overcome Connie Mack's guys.
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