This last few weeks have been emotionally draining as a Phillies fan. Watching Halladay shellacked by the Marlins hurt, because we knew he was hurt and the Marlins are an awful team. We stopped the San Francisco’s winning streak by taking two of three from the Giants, only to watch our bats go quiet, errors on the base path continue and another losing streak unfold.
I have swallowed my share of Phillies seasons I wish to forget, where the likes of Ron Gant and Greg Jeffries were the big names trying to get fans to the ballpark. After the 1993 World Series visit, we endured a playoff drought stemming for almost a decade and a half; then in 2007 we finally returned to the playoffs, highlighted by a 2008 parade. Unfortunately winning streaks we became familiar with have filtered out, and the eeriness of losing has returned. I would never condone losing, yet recent struggles have some fans voicing their opinions on the season all but over.
The fans are already beginning their desire for Ryan Sandberg to take over as coach, and to bring up the likes of Jesse Biddle and Cody Asche from the farm system. How can fans and even some media members possibly insist the Phillies performance over the first 37 games is what should be expected for the remainder of the season? It’s May, and it would be ridiculous to remove the Phillies from “playoff contention” in a sport that is 162 games long and spans deep into September. Do we really need to think back to our 2011 playoff matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals, where a surging September propelled them into a wildcard spot, handing us an early exit and eventually became champions. Just a few years prior, the 2008 Phillies got hot in September posting a 17-8 mark, and used that momentum to lift the curse and reward Philadelphia our first title in 25 years. Sure that team had Rollins, Utley and Howard in their prime and as a team the Phillies could outscore anyone. And yes the Phillies moved on from being the offensive juggernauts of the league to the “Four Aces,” winning 102 regular season games, the most in Phillies history, only to make a first round playoff exit. Let me make this clear, the 2013 Phillies are not the Miami Marlins or Houston Astros; so the doubters need to stop acting like we are a bottom dweller!
To all of the fair-weathered fans, we will not be holding a neighborhood flea market anytime soon. Manuel and the front office are not ready to stick a sale price sticker on Cliff Lee, Chase Utley, Michael Young and Carlos Ruiz. Why not throw Rollins and Papelbon’s name in there as well, and leave us with 77% of a season left to be played cheering for utility players and prospects not quite ready for the big show.
We can’t ignore the inconsistent play we have witnessed so far. It’s been painful to watch runners left stranded in scoring position with no outs, poor defense, melt-downs with pitch location by the bullpen and an inability to support strong pitching performances. We need to concentrate on the positive, these issues destroy clubhouses which lack true leadership and allows a disconnect between player and coach to surface publicly. Utley and Young are producing quite nicely. Brown has shown some early promise, and Kendrick looks like a guy you can count on. There is a reason the Phillies love Charlie, he keeps cool under pressure and believes in his guys. We are going to need a lot to go right moving forward. We can’t out hit teams like we did a few years back. Without Halladay, our starting pitching goes from great to good, and fingers crossed that Cloyd and Pettibone can offer quality starts when their name is called every fifth day. Baseball this far has been a disappointing spring, but we have summer and fall ball left to be played. Stay patient, think positive and believe that better days are ahead.
well said Jeff, it has been a difficult season thus far, but with still so much ahead of us it is disappointing to hear fans giving up so quickly with such an intense level of negativity. but i guess it is like that with most things in life, something (be it person, place or thing) doesn’t produce your desired results and you bash it, give up on it, or simply walk away. will the rest of the season be a little tougher, sure. may we have to fight a little harder, absolutely. but as jenny han said “victory is a thousand times sweeter when you’re the underdog.” keep on phightin’ phils!
Its more than negativity! its frustration and anger–
very good article– one of the best i’ve seen on this site
frustration and anger within their own lives i meant to say– always start with thte negative (angelo cataldi) and then if things go right claim your fanhood….
Look out division lead, here we come! WORLD CHAMPS, BAAABY!!!!
I can tell you guys some inside information that you will not find anywhere on the web.
The Phillies have visited with Cavan Biggio, son of Craig Biggio is a senior in highschool and is debating between going pro or going to Notre Dame to play with his brother. This kid has all the tools and would be a great addition via the draft if he goes pro, of course he is 3-5 years away from the majors if he does go pro but they would be getting a great player who has already won a gold medal for his country and is a blue chip prospect.
henski did you just start a new trend on gcobb… mock baseball drafts! yikes!
nah not mock baseball drafts. just excited about the prospect of a Biggio being in Philly especially this kid who has all the tools and the pedigree.
the average person wouldnt care about this but i do for personal reasons.
All sarcasm aside, I like what I see out of the kids, Pettibone & DeFratus. Utley, M. Young & KK, have been our only positive, consistent, players. I gotta say, ever since last year, when KK added his change-up & has thrown his sinker more, he’s pitched alot better. This team, is still a very frustrating, undisciplined roster, devoid of power, situational hitting, & leave too many men on base. Howard, Rollins & the entire outfield, are killing this team. Let’s not get chunked up by beating the DBags & Indians. Let’s see how they do, with the tough stretch awaiting them.
Nice article, however, lets be realistic, not optimistic. This teams window of opportunity shut when Amaro took over as GM. I agree you dont have a firesale, but look to part with some of the veteran talent to infuse some youth to this organization. Utley, Rollins, and Papelbon would be on the trading block if I was GM……keep the vereran pitchers intact to teach the youth….
Jott, add Lee & Chooch to that list.
“frustration and anger within their own lives i meant to say– always start with thte negative (angelo cataldi) and then if things go right claim your fanhood….”
Let me make a brief comment on this: Don’t confuse ‘fans’ with media: Media is a business…Angelo Cataldi, in his present form’ was created by his media bosses, who wanted to have a Howard Stern type on the morning show, but knew that Philadelphians were not ready for that sewage on their morning sports talk…So, they morphed Cataldi into a ‘Stern lite’ that would sell here, and have tweaked him over the years by bringing in ‘K & A gang’ mentality types like Rhea Hughes, Conklin and ‘Big Daddy’ Graham to add some variety to the product…Cataldi is a total phony, just product for the masses…His only loyalty is to the ones who give him his paycheck…He has NOTHING to do with Philadelphia or the fans here…Cataldi and the whole of WIP is just rotten meat sold to you…Capice?
As far as the Phillies, they need a new broom to manage their transition, not Stanford University BS artist Reuben Amaro…The problem is finding the right person, and then giving him time and resources.
The Phillies future doesn’t include Howard, Rollins or Utley.
Dom Brown, Freddy Galvis, Darren Ruff, the young pitchers, plus Hamels, Kendrick, Cliff Lee and, if he comes back healthy, POSSIBLY Halladay, yeah.
Great post frank. But Lee & Halladay are goners! Lee is the only one on he roster, that we can get the most quality trade value in return for. I loved Roy Halladay, but he has pitched his last game here. He’s finito! Even though I can’t stand Brown, he’s shown glimpses of actually having a clue, so unless we can find 3 better upgrades, for he future, I’d be happy with an outfield of Ruf- Brown- Stanton. With Nix, KBerry & ? coming off the bench. Gotta make a trade for Stanton. Boy would I love him, or Trumbo. But, Trumbo is pipe dream. Stanton is more likely now, after his play, & injury status.
And what exactly do the Phils have to get Stanton from the Marlins. There are a ton of other teams that would want him with much deeper farm systems. Not sure how this trade works out.
bugs, nowhere as much as it would have cost, preseason. He’s hurt, with a tricky hamstring injury & he was struggling, pre-injury. Trade Morgan, Hernandez, Franko/ Ashe?, for him, & in turn, get prospects for Lee, Papelstiff, Rollins, Utley, Chooch, & the Youngs. Might be possible, who knows? That’s why we need a proactive, aggressive, capable, thinking out of the box GM, & not the delusional, inept, imbecile, we have! Huge changes, are imperative!
I agree with turning over the staff, but I don’t see any trade for Stanton happening unless Biddle is involved. This guy still has a ton of upside for years to come.
Now, I have something caught in my craw tonight, and I’m going to spit it out.
On the subject of media and WIP: Philadelphia has a large African-American community, and WIP has, historically, never tended to this community well.
The only African-Americans appearing on WIP over the years are: G. Cobb, Sonny Hill and, currently Ike Reese.
Sonny Hill is given his three hour spot on Sunday morning…G.Cobb is given fill in time late nights when needed…But, G.Cobb could never be on prime time WIP for one reason, and that reason can be found if you click on ‘The True Message’ …The folks who own and run the media are diametrically opposed to ‘The True Message’.
Ike Reese is a sideshow to media ruling class tribe member Michael Barkann, who is actually a fairly decent fellow.
It really has nothing to due with White vs. Black, as do so many things that supposedly do.
“It really has nothing to due with White vs. Black, as do so many things that supposedly do”. Then why even bring it up?!? Why is everything about race on this site. Maybe all the good Black Broadcasters are taking better gigs on TV networks instead! Did you ever think of that GENIUS! Look at ESPN, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA Network, TNT, TBS, & all the local News outlets, all have predominately Black Hosts, Co-hosts. Not everything is about Race, my man! Is the NHL racist, because they are mostly all White Americans, Canadians & Europeans? No, because it’s very expensive to be there, & it is ingrained in certain cultures, rather than Urban U.S.A. There are reasons for everything, & it’s not always about color, & Race.
Damn, you follow up a great post, with an ill-informed, stupid one! WOW! Talk about Bi-polar! LOL!!
What are you trying to say here frank , don’t beat around the bush, just say it, in the immortal words of Sam kinnison in back to school , ” just say it”
DCar misunderstood the point of my post: It was about media. who controls it, their mentality…I said what I wanted, and thought I was pretty clear…I don’t seek to inflame, as this is a sports website…I choose my language,so maybe reread it…Thanks.
I didn’t misread $#!t frank, & I read it several times! I’m not retarded. I’m a very educated individual.
“On the subject of media and WIP: Philadelphia has a large African-American community, and WIP has, historically, never tended to this community well.”
“The only African-Americans appearing on WIP over the years are: G. Cobb, Sonny Hill and, currently Ike Reese.”
“Sonny Hill is given his three hour spot on Sunday morning…G.Cobb is given fill in time late nights when needed…But, G.Cobb could never be on prime time WIP for one reason, and that reason can be found if you click on ‘The True Message’ …The folks who own and run the media are diametrically opposed to ‘The True Message’.”
All your words! Pretty self explanatory, in my book! You’re saying they’re racist! No misunderstanding that! I guess you haven’t listened to WIP very long, because GCobb, once had a full time gig on WIP. It’s all about ratings, not race! I’m not naive to think it doesn’t exist, because I’ve dealt with it, from all sides, most of my 44 years, but your comments are baseless, factless & racist yourself! Why don’t you explain to the lesser informed on here, about your “Tribe” comment. That could be construed as Anti-Semetic. Why are you so bothered by, in your words, it’s stuck in your craw that WIP doesn’t tend to the black community, because there aren’t enough black hosts. What exactly set this off. Also, you basically called the black hosts/ co-hosts & guests, tokens! You’re an idiot!
Then you stumble all over yourself by saying, “It really has nothing to due with White vs. Black, as do so many things that supposedly do.” Then call Barkann a tribe member, & then say he’s a very nice fellow.
Have the f^#@ing balls to say what you mean. You’re saying the media is run by Jews, that cater to their own, & intentionally hold back everybody else, & mostly blacks! Don’t be a f^#@ing hypocritical coward, say what you mean! Not everyone on here, is incapable of seeing through BS! I see right through you, like I see through the racists, on both sides of the Vick fights, on here.
No frank, you spoke in clues, have the guts to say what you really wanted to say, or just stfu
DCar
May 17, 2013 – 10:33 am
“I didn’t misread $#!t frank, & I read it several times! I’m not retarded. I’m a very educated individual!”
DCar, you get too hot and bothered over a chat room post…I don’t know how ‘educated’ you are, but you seem like an intelligent man…And, listen, I never call anyone names on here, and you should learn to hold your water, too.
Now, you got the gist of my post…What prompted it?…I don’t know, maybe something I heard on WIP or ESPN that day…The whole commercial media is rotten meat, sold by dishonest ‘shop keepers’.
And you get upset over ‘race being brought up’…My POV is this: Those who run this country, and world, use race to divide us, sell advertising, movies, products, the whole nine yards…Now, I wasn’t saying that those who control the media are, in particular, trying to hold back African-Americans…In fact, they promote them when they know it will make money for them…Especially the mind controlled types make rap music…They promote those types…But the Christian men like G.Cobb or Sonny Hill?…They’re marginalized because they send the wrong message, the ‘true message’!
They always look for an angle…And their biggest chumps are European-Americans.
So what are you saying then Frank..
Is the Media Biased or Racist, do Minority Groups Over-React or are too empathetic to get invovled if getting the short-end of the stick on the Media/Marketing access.. I am not sure I get what you mean about G-Man and Sonny Hill as being marginalized, is it because of their strong Faith’s, or
that they are likeable and personable and giving of their time to many worthy causes instead of the being outspoken,bitter, street type of ex-athletes ?
Is Philly more Racist/Biased towards Black People than other big Cities
as far as Media Access/Opportunities and howe the Black Community is portrayed…
Listen, I’m getting to controversial…They’re already getting ready to boot me out of here.
Frank, everyone understands but its a difficult subject to tackle on a sports blog. To many times the discussion on race turns to name calling and accusations and nothing is accomplished.
Your a good guy Frank and a good Fan & Poster
No problems with me.. You expressed your thoughts (though I didn’t fully understand them) but that’s ok with me, Hell, don’t understand half the stuff That I post sometimes, ha ha .. All’s Good..
frank, you ought to get together with our resident conspiracy theorist songs. You both, are 2 peas in a pod, & would be great roommates in an asylum. Call Jessee Ventura with your BS!
I mentioned the African-American aspect because, yes G.Cobb and Sonny Hill are marginalized as far as WIP goes because they go against the party line…You have to ‘play ball’ to be prime time…But prime time is a cesspit anyway.
Now, both of these men have made the best the situation by being creative and positive, and having other avenues of endeavor away from the media…Sonny Hill in particular has worked in his community for some 50 years, opening doors for his people…The best thing about Sonny Hill and G. Cobb is that they don’t portray African-Americans as victims, but talk about personal responsibility.
But, everybody misses the main point: This isn’t about Black vs. White: It is about causing controversy, and profiteering from that…This is why rap ‘music’ is promoted and presented to young Blacks and Whites as ‘cool’…It’s
‘cool’ to deal dope, rape, murder and have no self respect…Personally, I want to see both the European-American people and the African-American people prosper, and not be the victims of mind control.
This control is exercised through the media…Who controls the media?…You know, I have spent so many years examining this question that I am not going to give any free answers here, because you should research it yourself, and, in any case, this is a sports forum…But politics enters the discussion from time to time, so all I did was comment.
I am an old hand at the Internet, practicing my skills on many web forums, plus, I have had my own website since 2008, where you will find almost 6 years worth of essays and commentary about culture, politics and religion…I won’t advertise the site here, but you can email me frankdialogue@yahoo.com for the information.
As far as the Phillies go, start the transition, bring in the young players, and build toward the future…We have gotten spoiled by the Phils being in the playoffs for the past five years or so; also, you can’t win a World Series every year, as there are no dynasties anymore…But you can compete at a high level every year with good management and players.
Thanks.
Ok…the Phillies are playing so much better than they were at this point last year it’s really not the time to blow it up. I don’t even know if after this season it’s time to blow it up if even if they get in/go deep into the play-offs this year simply because all the key players except a few are still young enough to compete at the highest level and the young players that have come in are rejuvenating the talent of the team. You really need at least a season or two for the young and just getting healthy players a season to gel.
Great post butch, for all their flaws, sometimes a team is better than the sum of its parts,that is how I justify my time rooting for this team for now, big win tonight
I am still thinking Phils win 82-84 Games which probably isn’t good enough
To get a Wildcard Spot..I believe 88 Wins can get a berth..
Ryan Howard will have a precautionary MRI on his left knee Monday.
The full extent of the injury isn’t yet known, but it could provide some context to Howard’s early struggles. The Phillies will provide an update on his status following the results of the MRI. Howard is not expected to play in Monday’s game against the Marlins.
Source: Todd Zelecki on Twitter
May 19 – 5:08 PM
DL AND RUFF PLEASE