No Flu Shot, No Job...

Little bit sickened today by this story in the Philly Inquirer relaying the story of Rodney Bond, an environmental services worker at CHOP who was fired for refusing to take a flu shot.

I have a number of problems with this.  First, how can you force an employee to inject a potentially hazordous substance or face the loss of a job.  Some people do get sick from flu shots.  Some people do die from flu shots.   Second, the position of CHOP smacks of religious intolerance.  The article describes a board of hospital admins who, essentially, decide if an employee is "religious enough" to be exempt from the flu shot policy.  Since when did Americans start allowing companies to be the god police, deciding who and who is not religious.  I think CHOP may discover that that pesky First Amendment may derail their rdiculous flu shot policy.


Though I am usually anti-lawsuit, I hope a good attorney read that story and decides to help Mr. Bond out.

Digesting the offseason rumors

Lots to discuss on the Phillies and the hot stove hasnt been turned on yet.

Some things I thought about an news flowed in from the GM meetings:

1.  Does Scott Boras own stock in W.B. Mason?  I swear, the man never travels without a stack of binders.  I could do a whole post about my hatred for Boras and what he has done to the game, but I will save that for later.

2.  The Phils are kicking around the idea of two Tigers - Polanco for 3rd and Rodney as a late inning bullpen option.  I dont like either.  Rodney, although blowing only 2 saves last year, has a ERA above 4 playing in the grand canyon of Comerica.  I really worry about him in the Bank.  As for Polanco, he has been in a steady decline in his numbers the last two years, and never really had the arm to play 3rd.  While I like his ability to be a contact hitter in the 2-hole in the lineup, I would rather see the Phillies pick up Beltre, who, despite his injuries, has a much bigger upside.

3.  Some rumors about a trade of Cole Hamels have been floated.  I think that would be a big mistake.  Historically, pitches who have an innings increase of over 30 innings from one season to the next are due for a down year.  In '08, because of the Playoff run, Hamels threw 70 more innings than '07.  Thus, it was not a huge surprise (but a major bummer), that he had an off '09.   I look for Hamels to have a much fresher arm in '10, and the Phillies would not get value back to trade him after his down year.

4.  For long time Phillies fans, there is a really cool auction taking place right now.  Darren Daulton's personal collection of Phillies memorabilia is being sold at Coach's Corner.  I have bid on a few items (please done outbid me), and there is tons of great stuff from the bad Phillies teams of the late 80's, and the amazing 1993 squad.

Fire up the hot stove

Its been a few days since the World Series ended, but I am just now able to write about it.  Many people have told me that I shouldn't be upset because the Phillies had a great season, that they made the Series in back to back years, and lost to a good Yankees team.

I disagree.  Sure, I enjoyed the season,  The Phillies were a fun team to watch, and had a variety of dramatic issues to keep conversation flowing.  I was thrilled to make the playoffs again and make a run into November in defense of the title.  But despite those accomplishments, I am pissed they lost to the Yankees and even more pissed about how they lost.

The Phillies were done-in by the same problems that plagued them all season, and by some stupid, stupid managing moves by Uncle Charlie.  Lets take a look at a few examples.

1.  The Pitching:  Somehow the Yankees were able to win a world series with 3 starters, but the Phillies, who had 5 on the roster, constantly seemed like they were the team short on pitching.  Why?  Because Cole Hamels is still trying to find the Wizard of Oz to give him a heart, and Charlie decided to send the rookie of the year to the bullpen.  Going into the playoffs he should have started Lee, Happ and Blanton, with Cole as a 4th starter to be used in a series with a comfortable lead.  Assuming each of those starters could give you 6 innings, your bullpen sets up nicely with Park/Durbin, Eyre and Madson for the 9th.  That way Hamels doesnt put you in a devastating hole in Game 3, and the bullpen doesnt have to rely on Lidge to blow game 4.

2.  The bench:  I think we learned a lesson about bench play from the Yankees.  While he sent out the craptastic combination of Bruntlett, Stairs and Francisco, the Yankees had Brett Gardner and Matsui for the NL games.  We dont have to spend much time to realize who was stronger here.

3.  Charlie:  Ugh...where do I start here.  I am mystified at the litany of stupid moves made by Charlie.  From using Lidge in a tied game 4, to using Stairs twice to lead off innings, to not replacing Ibanez for defense in game 2, to not letting Happ face Matsui in game 6, he mismanaged every step of the way.  Makes me miss one of the unsung heroes of last year: Jimy Williams.  Jimy was the puppeteer telling Charlie what to do, he was the man who finally explained the double switch, and he was the man that Pete Makannin couldnt replace.

So yes, the Phillies did have a fun exciting year, and I dont want to get on them too badly as they were the first NL team since the Reds to have a chance to repeat, but I am still frustrated that they came so far only to play so poorly in the final games.   I dont think the Yankees are a better team - I think they were a smarter and calmer team in the WS, and that was the difference.

So on to next year:  A few key questions are worth discussion:

1.  Feliz:  He had a 5.5 million club option for next year that the Phillies are nuts to pick up.  He was the only automatic out in the Phillies lineup during the postseason, and his defense does not balance his lack of production from a key position.  Figgins from LA and Beltre from Seattle are very good options available during free agency to replace him.

2.  The pitching:  We already know that the Phillies have shown Brett Myers the door, a move that I think is a mistake.  Brett provided much needed insurance against another Lidge implosion, and could serve as a consistent 4th or 5th started on a team that needs back of the rotation help.  Lee, Hamels, Happ and Moyer are the 4 starters guaranteed to return, with Blanton and Pedro both a maybe.  Pedro filed for free agency today, which may signal his intention to move on.  I would love to see the Phillies add a Jon Garland to bolster the back end, or maybe tell Moyer he can start until the all star break when Kyle Drabek is big league ready.

3.  The bench:  If this were my team, the day after the world series I would pink slip Bruntlett, Cario and Stairs.  Bruntlett is the biggest waste of $800,000 I have ever seen, and at 41 Stairs just cant get the job done anymore.  After we see the free agent filings next week, I will check back with some ideas of players the Phillies could use to improve the bench.

So, congrats to the Yankees, and lets hope for an exciting offseason.

Its On! Phillies v. Yankees pre-series analysis

I know you have all been waiting with baited breath for my World Series analysis.  Today, hours before the Series gets underway, I have decided to share my analysis with the world.

Lets get the prediction out of the way first.  I am picking the Phillies to win in 5 games.  Why?  Because Jimmy predicted it, and I never bet against Jimmy.  Also, as I will discuss below, the Phillies are stronger than the Yankees at 7 of 8 player positions, the teams are even in starting pitching, and the Phillies have a better bullpen (I know, I know Mariano is there...but so is Joba and his sweaty hat).  All that adds up to a Phillies team with a clear edge.

Lets go position by position and analyze:

Catcher:  Ruiz v. Posada.  I give the hitting edge to Posada, but Chooch is hitting .400 for the postseason so that edge is very slight during October baseball.  Defensively, this is not even close.  I would say that, at this point in his career, Posada has the arm of a 7-year-old girl, but that would insult 7-year-old girls everywhere.  Jorge is great in that ESPM commercial, but he cant throw, cant block balls in the dirt, and with the Phillies baserunning ability that is a large liability for his team.  Add to that the fact that the Yankees #2 starter wont throw to him and I give the advantage to RUIZ.

First base:  Howard v. Texiara (I dont care enough to learn to spell it right).  Tex is a more well rounded hitting than Howard, and better defensively, but Howard's run production and clutch postseason hitting have been carrying the Phillies this year.  He tied Gherig for most postseason games with an RBI, and his 9th inning double averted disaster in Colorado.  Edge HOWARD.

Second base: Cano v. Utley.  This one is a clear to me.  Utley is a better overall hitting, baserunner and defender than Cano.  Cano is a solid second baseman, and would win this matchup against many other teams, but not against Utley.  Utley also wins the heart factor - while Larry Bowa was with the Yankees he criticized Cano's lack of hustle and heart while playing the game.  No one would ever say that about Chase.  Advantage UTLEY

Shortstop:   Rollins v. Jeter.  This is probably the closest call.  Jeter is having a great offensive season, and his playoff heroics are well document to the point of being ridiculous (I am waiting for McCarver to fawn over Jeter's perfect form while adjusting his cup, complete with telestrator).  But, Jimmy has been having a clutch offensive postseason as well.  He started a key rally off Huston Street, and ended the Dodgers season by calmly dealing with Broxton's "unhittable" fastball.  What solves this matchup for me is the defense.  Jeter has the defensive range of a sea slug.  Yes, he only made 9 errors this year.  Why?  Because he didnt even come close to getting so many balls that other shortstops reach that he didnt have the chance to make an error.  Jimmy is the best defensive shortstop in baseball, s edge ROLLINS.

Thirdbase:  A-Fraud v. Feliz.  Clear edge to RODRIGUEZ.  Better hitter, clutch this postseason and sold defense.  Feliz has done nothing in months so this was not a close call.

Outfield:  I decided to deal with the outfield as a group because the Phillies have the clear edge.  In left, Damon and Ibanez compete.  Raul is having his best offensive season, and despite a nagging abdominal injury has put up great numbers.  Damon is a mistake hitter, and while he showed some grit with the Sox during their run, injuries and age have caught up with him.  In center Victorino is one of the best players in the game right now.  Gold glove defense, a .300 average and great speed make him a triple threat.  Also, CC should recall that grand slam from last year.....  Melky Cabrera is, well, Melky.  Some good moments, but an average player.  Finally in right we have Werth and Swisher.  Mr. Moneyball hasnt done a damn thing the entire postseason, and is shaky on defense.  Werth had a breakout season, is really hitting for power and plays a great defensive right.  Advantage: PHILLIES.

Pitching:  I think the starters in this series are very evenly matched.  CC and Lee are both great, and will likely cancel each other out.  Pedro and Burnett and very similar as well.  Both are capable of an outstanding performance, and both are just as capable of a 2nd inning exit.  After that, its a tossup.  Pettite has the experience of the big stage, but so does Hamels if he can find himself for this series.  Blanton/Happ are both better than Gaudin, but I doubt Girardi lets him start a game.  Look for CC on 3 days rest.  As for the bullpen, during the playoffs the Phillies have been much stronger.  Durbin and Park have both had electric stuff, while Joba and Hughes have looked pedestrian.  I am waiting for Joba to be attached by bugs, or dissolve into a pile of sweat on the mound.  Of course, Rivera gives the Yankees the clear edge in closer, assuming that Lidge is the Lidge of this year.  If Lidge is back to last year's form, and only the future can tell us that, then the late innings will be tough for either offense.

Manager:  4 years ago I didnt think their was a dumber manager in baseball than Charlie and boy did I eat those words.  Now, I am not sure there is a dumber manager than Girardi.  Most games he looks like he has no idea what is going on.  He manages his bullpen like a 10 year old playing X-Box, and benches his #1 catcher so the no-hit wonder Molina can make AJ feel cozy.  Charlie has pushed all the right buttons this postseason, including managing a bullpen held together with duct tape for most of the year.  Advantage, CHARLIE.

So there you have it - in almost every position the Phillies have a clear edge, and in the intangibles I also give the Phils the edge.  Oh, and not for nothing, Yankees admitted PED users = 2, Phillies = 0.

I welcome your thoughts and comments - lets discuss!

Go Phillies!

Olympic Thoughts

Win or lose, Copenhagen was a waste of time.  A crumbling economy, two wars and 45 million Americans without healthcare should leave no time to spare for our President....the time spent in Copenhagen focusing on games should have been spent dealing with America's many serious problems. 

City Controller Candidates Weigh in on Council’s Alternative Budget.

City Controller Candidates Weigh in on Council’s Alternative Budget.

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Manny being.....Manny?

I am really surprised by the revelation that Manny Ramirez was using steroids. After A-Fraud got busted, I thought he was going to be the biggest star to get caught and that baseball could back to normal. Instead, we have learned that literally the only player from the 90's/early 2000's who was clean was Ken Griffey Jr. I was always a big Griffey fan, but its interesting to look back and realize that he was the best player of his era.

I think Matt Stairs had the best comment on the latest steroid revelation:

"People are going to have to stop taking this health bull (bleep) and go back to being chubby and having fun."

Werth....less?

Sorry for the lack of posts....been busy. Of course I didnt make time to write during the Phils winning streak in St. Louis, which featured a great start from Joe Blanton, and a scary moment with Rick Ankiel. Like a true Philly fan, I did make time to write to complain about last night.....

First comment is that we saw, finally, the Chan Ho Park from spring training. He was aggressive, he was around the plate, and he had great movement on his cutter. All of that added up to a no-hitter through 5 and a shut-out into the 7th. Sadly, we were facing Johan Santana, who was his typical excellent self.

The play of the game, however, was the boneheaded play of the Phillies defense, most notably Jason Werth. The sole Mets run was scored by Carlos Delgado, who was able to waltz home while Werth held the ball in rightfield and didnt throw home until Carlos had time to get in there.

Asked after the game why he stopped for a snack and a nap before throwing the ball, Werth said he was "confused" by all the activity during the play and didnt pick up home plate until it was too late. I'm sorry...confused? Really? That is the best you can do? Yes, its really confusing to be an outfielder who need to throw home. You know what would have been less confusing, Jason? Throw. The. Ball!

Yet another Nutter moment......

Yesterday Mayer Nutter signed a citywide cell phone ban designed to prevent drivers in Philadelphia from operating a car and talking on their cell phone at the same time. I have a number of problems with this law:

1. Personally, I have been driving while talking on my phone for 15 years. I have never had a cell phone related accident, I have never had a cell phone related "close call" and I have never been pulled over by the police for anything remotely related to driving while talking. To me, driving and talking on the phone is roughly the same as walking and chewing gum at the same time. As a result, I look at cell phone bans as an invasion of my right to privacy. I know the argument for the ban is that the risk of public harm and the general social utility of the ban outweighs the restriction on personal freedoms. However, until society takes protecting drivers seriously (meaning actual, meaningful penalties for drunk driving, etc), then I think that the restriction on my right to drive and talk is unfair.

2. From a city-wide perspective, this bill is yet another in a continuing series of stupid moves by Mayor Nutter. It seems that Nutter wants to do everything in his power to worsen Philadelphia's financial situation. He tries to close libraries and fire houses. He threatens massive cuts in police officers when the city is under siege. And now, for the cheap political points gained with a cell phone ban, he will cost the city $90 million in state funding. Yes, thats right. In Harrisburg plans are under way to pass legislation stating, simply, that if Philadelphia proceed with this cell phone ban the city will lose that amount of state funding. So just oto recap, to Mayor Nutter, during the worse financial crisis in recent memory, a cell phone ban is more important than $90 million in state funding. Thanks Mayor!!

Raaaaaauuuuullll!!!

Wow, what a game. A few thoughts about last night: I had the pleasure of attending last nights game and I can tell you the ball was really flying out of the Cit (as if you needed me to tell you that....). Zimmerman's two homers were some of the longest I have ever seen, anywhere.

Speaking of homers, I have been so impressed with Raul Ibanez so far. I am a fan of baseball outside of Philly as well, so I knew a little about Raul before he came here. What I didnt know was that he has plus power, and that he would be such a large defensive upgrade over Burrell.

My final thought: Is that way the A's dumped Blanton and Cubs dumped Eyre?? Boy were they terrible. Even if the ball was carrying, someone doesnt hit a 460 foot homer off you unless its a real meatball.....

Oh, and the Sixers are playing well too....

The Sixers are up 2-1 against the Magic in what can only be called a fantastic surprise. I admit, I wrote the sixers off for most of the season. While they are a fun, young team to watch, they lost too many games to get me really excited.

Well, consider me a member of the bandwagon now. A couple of great games against the Magic has me starting to believe that they could pull off an upset.....

Shane strikes again...

Another day, another solid game from Shane Victorino. He knocked in 4 on the way to a 13-2 sweep of the Marlins. My play(s) of the game was the defense of Raul Ibanez, who made some spectacular grabs in left. I knew what a professional hitter he was when the Phils signed him, but the large defensive upgrade over Burrell has been a pleasant surprise.

Finally, some energy from the Phillies!

Looks like a road trip was just what this team needed. Citizens Bank Park has a great home field advantage - great fans, good for hitters, etc. But sometimes, the emotion of playing at home can get a team down, and I think that has been happening to the Phils. The passing of Harry and all the World Series hoopla became a distraction, so the current roadtrip to Florida was perfectly timed.

The good times got rolling on Friday night. Brett Myers actually had a decent outing, giving up 3 runs over 6 tough innings. Yes, he forced the Phils to play from behind, again, and yes, he gave up another multi-run homer, but he geld the Marlins to 3 runs and give his team a chance to rally. And rally they did of "closer" Matt Lindstrom. I was less then impressed with Lindstrom during the WBC, so I thought the Phils would have a chance against him if they could be patient at the plate. A couple of hits and walks later the Pineapple Express left the yard with his first career grand slam.

Last night's followed a similar patter. The Phils trailed 4-3 going into the 9th. After singles by Werth and Raul "Professional Hitter" Ibanez, Greg Dobbs had just about the worst at-bat ever and I started. With runners at first and third, and no outs, all Dobbs had to do was put his bat on the ball. Anything other than an infield pop-up ties the game. Instead he struck out, in excusable in that situation. Lucky for him Mountain Man Bruntlett came up with the RBI. That led to the 10th where, once again, it was Victorino at the front of the action. A single and a steal of second put him in place to score on Utley's single and, again, a come from behind win. I really like the scrappy style of ball I am seeing from the team right now...if only we had some decent starting pitching!

From Doug Glanville.....

Doug was the centerfielder and leadoff hitter for the Phils in the late 90's and early 2000's. He recently wrote an article in the New York Times that is worth a read.

The game will never sound the same without Harry....

I am watching the first Phillies game since Harry passed away, and it is a very, very emotional experience.

For me, Harry Kalas was the soundtrack of my summer. He was more than a voice - he was a friend. When the Phillies were up he helped you celebrate; when they were down (which was often), he was a grief counselor. Harry brought the same passion to the World Series that he brought to a September game between two last place teams, and that is why we loved him.

I cried for a long time when I learned that Harry had passed, even though I never met him. Why? Because for me, Harry Kalas was a constant presence in my life that is gone forever. Every year I have been alive, Harry was the Phillies voice. He was on the air for every Phillies game I have ever seen. For 30 years of games, Harry was there. He was there for every single one of Michael Jack Schmidt's homers; he was there to console me in 1993 when Mitchy-poo hung the slider; he was there in the last 90's when the Phillies couldnt hit their way out of a paper bag, and he was there last year, when the Phillies finally won it all. That game, game 5 of the World Series, was on Fox but I, along with everyone else in Philly, immediately turned on the radio to hear how Harry called it.

I think that is what will be the most difficult part of Harry's passing. For every play of every future Phillies game, good or bad, I will always wonder how Harry would have called it. No one else will have the same twang to the name Mickey Mor-an-di-ni, no one else will ever deliver "outta here" with the same sound, and no one else will be able to make summer sound quite the same.

My favorite Harry memory comes from 1993. The Phillies were in first place, for the first time in a long time, and I hung on every game. I spent a portion of the summer at an overnight camp in Connecticut, so I had to rely on the paper to keep track of my team during the month of June. However, one night I talked our counselor, George Walsh, into trying to tune his am radio to the Phillies broadcast. I had read somewhere that am signals travel farther at night, and sure enough after a few moments of fine tuning, out came the sound of Harry Kalas, calling the action from Philadelphia. Hearing that familiar voice was a real treat and, for one night, brought me home.

Thanks for the memories Harry. We will miss you.

Welcome

Hi! Welcome to my corner of the internet. As the name implies, this is a space to discuss all things Philly - sports, news, politics and anything else that I find interesting. All comments are welcome (unless you are leaving comment spam....).