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Observation 4.10 August 2, 2004 Now that the regular season is over for the Phillies, I can't wait for football to start. I know it is only the beginning of August, but, as it seems ever year right after the trading deadline, it has become painfully obvious that this team (and its owners) are not prepared to, or not interested, in making moves to make a run for the post-season. Yes, I probably do sound like an average whiner from the city of Brotherly Love. But hear me out on this one. This team recently moved into a beautiful new ballpark. This helped them increase revenue, no doubt, and also helped them to bring in some really good players that SHOULD take this team further than they currently are. I think we were all satisfied with what the Phillies did in the offseason. It seemed that they had brought in a bull-pen that could work to save games and to hold leads. But, as we've seen over and over again throughout the season, they have been about as dependable as those O-rings that were used on the Space Shuttle Challenger (yeah, that's the kind of mood I am in). We thought their lineup would be potent, even though they would strike out a lot. I, personally would've liked to have seen Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu go before the season started, mainly because Rollins never seemed to grasp the concept of getting on base any way you can as a leadoff hitter, and Abreu seemed to hardly ever give it 110%. But, Rollins has had a decent season, and has been surprisingly good at getting on base. Abreu is like a different person - he is right now the best player on the team. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for others in the lineup. Marlon Byrd, the centerfielder, has probably been the most disappointing. After a fantastic season last season, he has been been more inept than the sewer system in the tri-state area during this past weekend's storm. Mike Lieberthal is non-existent with people in scoring position, and Pat Burrell is slowly re-entering last season's slump. Our starting pitching has done no better. Even though there didn't seem to be a true "Ace" in this lineup before the season started, one could've made the argument that either Wolfe or Millwood would eventually inherit the role. And with Padilla and Myers both having terriffic seasons last year, and the addition of Eric Milton, this pitching staff looked like it could more than hold its own. Of course, that is not the case now. With the exception of Eric Milton, none of the Phillies startes has anywhere near 10 wins. Let me repeat that.....ah, nevermind. Padilla was hurt early, and so was Wolfe. Millwood pitches like he was hurt early, and now we have Paul Abbott in the starting rotation.....This guy was cut by the Devil Rays......that's right, there is still baseball in Tampa Bay. So, with the noted holes in the bullpen, starting pitching, and center field, Ed Wade makes some whirlwind trades that bring the Philles Randy Johnson? NO!...Kris Benson? NO!....Steve Finley? NO!....how's about Todd Jones and Felix Rodriguez....That is some lip-smacking talent right there. Both are bull pen pitchers. Both are well into their 30's. And both will probably help the Phillies about as much as I'm helping them right now. In fact, Todd Jones came in yesterday for his inaugural game as a Phillie.............and, promplty gave up an RBI single....Yep, he's going to fit in well with Roberto Hernandez and the rest of the gang of the "Pourous Pitchers." (I think that is what we should call them now) I agree that Larry Bowa has lost this team, and probably should be fired, even though I really like him. But, if you fire Bowa, you should also fire Ed Wade. Wade's ineptness can be measured rather easily. In fact, help me out here. What was the last big trading deadline trade that Ed Wade made? Last year, he traded for Mike Williams, to help with closing games in the bullpen. Yes, he traded for Mike Williams, a guy with a 6.67 ERA. Wow, that's aggressive. I think the Eagles are secretly giving Wade money so that he doesn't add any interest to the Phillies just as the Eagles are starting their training camp. And you know what? It works. I am no longer interested in the Phillies and can't wait for the Eagles to start! Would you like to see other observations? Go to here: |