Manuel Challenges Victorino

(On Saturday, CF Shane Victorino played all nine innings of an exhibition game, which is unusual for a starter. After the game, Victorino was called into the Manager's Office to meet with Charlie Manuel.)


CM: Have a seat, Shane. I'm sure you'd like to know why I've called this meeting.

SV: I know why I'm here, Skip. I know I haven't been working as hard as I could be down here. Maybe, I've been a little distracted by all the pranks, and the mini golf, and, whatever. But, I know I can do better. And, I understand why you kept me in the whole game today.

CM: You played the whole game? I guess they forgot to send So (Taguchi) in for you. I told them to do that before I left.

SV: Left?

CM: Yep. I had to check about a job opportunity. With this team, it looks like I need to plan for my future. What do we have, two starting pitchers? I'm no math whiz, but I know that's not going to cut it.

SV: Jamie (Moyer) and Kyle (Kendrick) will be fine. And Adam (Eaton) will be...Well, four starting pitchers is pretty good.

CM: But our lineup is going to lead the league in whiffs!

SV: Actually, strikeouts aren't that bad any more. Besides, it's not like you can strike out more than three times in an inning.

CM: That's true. Plus, I did see Pedro (Feliz) take a pitch the other day.

SV: I'm pretty sure that didn't actually happen, but that doesn't mean it can't happen in the future. Just like Flash (Gordon) pitching a scoreless inning some day isn't impossible.

CM: Don't remind me about the bullpen. The only guy out there in my long-term plans is Clay (Condrey).

SV: Brad (Lidge) and Ryan (Madson) should be pretty good this year.

CM: Maybe. But I'll be managing a restaurant by August, and Clay is going to be my Head Chef!

SV: Clay is a pretty sweet cook...But, what do you know about managing a restaurant?

CM: (in a confident voice) Well, I've seen a bunch of episodes of Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, plus I'm a Manager already, so I don't think I'll have much of a problem. (in a suddenly concerned voice) Unless there are double switches. Will there be double switches?

SV: Um, Skip, why did you call me in here again?

CM: I've been playing a lot of Boggle lately. And I am ready to challenge you to a game.

SV: Umm OK. Maybe another time. Is there anything else?

CM: Actually, yes. Do you have any mirrors in your house?

SV: I see what you're getting at- I need to look at myself in the mirror and make some...

CM (interrupts): No. No. No. If you need mirrors, I can get you a deal. I know a guy.

SV (stands up): OK, Skip, good talk. Try to stay positive. We'll be in the playoffs again. For sure.

CM: Sure, I can be positive. But, if Red Robin calls about my job app, I'll be listening to what they have to say.

The Deal, and Kyle, then win 20-18 for a while...

(originally posted 8/22/07)

That Monday off-day sure came at the right time for the Phillies. Though I am fairly certain that their embattled relief corps was still allowing runs to the Pirates on Monday. The six uninjured Phillies were able to rest up a bit, and there was time to determine who would be the latest Phillies to be added to the DL. (If you had Yoel Hernandez for Monday in The Pool, congratulations! I had The Big Zagurski- missed by one day!)

The only reason the Phillies have as many healthy players left right now is the brilliance of one Charles Fuqua Manuel. His progressive theories of player substitution have kept his starters refreshed, and he has revolutionized the position of Manager. Now, some purists disagree with his methods. They watch him replace his whole starting lineup, for defensive purposes, after taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning, and respond derisively. They argue that depleting the bench of position players so early in the game leaves too few pinch-hitting options. But, seriously, would you want Abraham O. Nunez pinch-hitting? No one wants that.

Sure, it is sometimes difficult for the Phillies to come back from any sort of deficit with defensive stalwarts named Roberson and Nunez coming to the plate in key situations. But how often does Phillies pitching falter and allow the opposing team to actually score? Besides, consider the positives. The starting lineup plays, at maximum, one inning in the field. The backups, besides fielding, don't have to do anything more than walking to and from home plate. None of that pesky running on the bases. That can be wicked draining. With this strategy, everyone wins! (Well, not necessarily the Phillies AS A TEAM. But, AS INDIVIDUALS, they do well, as their careers are extended. Who doesn't want Abraham Orlando Nunez to be batting .158 for the Phillies decades from now? You won't have to tell your grandkids about The Great Nunez, because he'll still be playing!) Scoff, if you will, but the Phillies are, once again, ahead of the curve. (Just like with the color barrier, international scouting, the list goes on...) Phillies fans are seeing the future of baseball today. And, as soon as Charlie Manuel figures out how to respond to e-mail, we will be collaborating on the strategy book that will change the world. (Not just the BASEBALL world, the world as a whole.) Pre-order at amazon.com now!

After blowing four run leads in losing the last two games of their three-game series in Pittsburgh, the Phillies switched tactics. They allowed the Dodgers to jump to an early 3-0 lead, and then came back to win 5-4. Kyle Kendrick won his sixth game in nine decisions, and Ryan Howard had his first stolen base since the creation of stolen bases. (He also had his 443rd strikeout since the creation of strikeouts, but we will focus on the stolen base for now. He even kept the actual base he stole! Plus, he stole the base off All-Star Catcher Russell Martin!) Aaron Rowand hit his 21st home run in the victory, and closer Brett Myers, fueled by his new entrance song, recorded his 12th save. (If you want, you can check my stats! The word on the streets is that the boy is back!) The Phillies moved into a tie with San Diego for the Wild Card lead with the win.

The win also improved the Phillies record to 7-5, since I acquired a Cole Hamels Bobblehead. Unfortunately, those seven wins, apparently, came at a price. Cole Hamels became the 117th Phillie to be placed on the disabled list today. This leaves Kyle Kendrick and J.D. "The Real Deal" Durbin as the Phillies' top two starters. But Kendrick is, without a doubt, the best #1 starter on a contending team who was in AA on June 12th. Durbin is the best starting pitcher who was waived by 27 MLB teams before the All-Star break. The situation kind of reminds me of the famous 1964 World Series Champion Phillie team that rode the arms of Jim Bunning and Chris Short the franchise's first championship. That team lead by six and a half games with twelve to play, and never lost another game! Surely, you remember that famous quote by Reds catcher Chico Ruiz, after being caught trying to steal home. "There was no other way we were going to score against those guys!", the frustrated backstop complained. You'll be hearing many similar complaints from Phillies' opponents in the next few months. The Blue Snow has returned...

Phils Win One (of Three) in Milwaukee

(originally posted 8/8/07)

The Phillies got the Brewers right where they wanted them, and then...WHAM! The Phillies' three-game weekend series in Milwaukee went exactly according to The Plan. The first game featured a brilliant pitching performance by Phillies rookie Kyle Kendrick, and a solo HR by Player of the Month Patrick Brian Burrell. (Sorry, Ryan Braun, you had a good month of July, but it was necessary to re-gift your award to Mr. Burrell. Because: 1.332 July OPS) That was about it for the Phillies in their 2-1 Friday night loss, but it was enough to start lulling the Brewers into a false sense of security.

The Phillies continued following The Plan on Saturday. They took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th inning, fueled by homers off the bats of Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, and Greg Dobbs. With Ace Colbert Michael Hamels on the mound, such a lead would seem almost impossible for the Brewers to overcome. Unless, of course it was part of The Plan. Which it, obviously, was. The only way Hamels allows four runs in only seven innings (usually, it takes over twenty innings for him to allow four runs) would be because he was following The Plan. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel brought on Tom Gordon to surrender the rest of the lead in the Phillies' 6-5 loss. It was as inexplicable move. One of many inexplicable moves (Chris Roberson batting leadoff?) made before, during, and after the game by Manuel. As is his way. But those inexplicable choices were part of a greater brilliance that few could fathom. At least, few could fathom it before witnessing what was to come on Sunday.

Adam Eaton brought the Highest ERA in the Known Worlds into Sunday's matchup. (Strangely, on Saturday night, the Brewers announcers were awestruck by the strength of a Phillies rotation that featured Cole Hamels AND Adam Eaton. Perhaps they have been watching Dave Bush too long, if they consider Eaton a #2. Crazy, that.) Eaton permitted four runs in the first inning, and six runs in his 4.1 inning performance. His was able to increase his ERA to 6.09, and left with the Phillies trailing, 6-0. The Phillies managed to cut that deficit to 6-1, entering the 9th inning. It was all but assured that the Brewers would secure a three game series sweep.

Even after the Phillies struck for two ninth-inning runs on a Jayson Werth homer, it still looked very bad for Philly. Brewers closer Francisco Cordero (22-22 in save opportunities at home) came in to finish up. He retired the first two Phillies he faced, leaving the Brewers one out away, with the bases devoid of Phillies. But two walks, a HBP, and an infield hit followed, putting the tying run on second base. With two strikes, Phillies OF Aaron Rowand hit a ball towards Brewers 3B Ryan Braun. Braun misplayed the ball into an error, and the Phillies had completed their unlikely comeback. (Unlikely to anyone but Charlie Manuel, who had it all mapped out from the beginning of the first game of the series. If not sooner.)

The Phillies went ahead in the 11th, on a two-out, two-run double off the bat of former Brewer Wes Helms. With Jose Mesa primed and ready to close out the game for yet another save, The Plan was about to be realized. As Mesa teased the Brewers, allowing them to load the bases with two outs, before retiring Craig Counsell on a blazing liner. The Phillies had dealt the Brewers a demoralizing blow. A blow that would prove to be even more demoralizing to the Brewers than a three-game Phillies sweep would have been. The tactical brilliance of Charles Fuqua Manuel had been revealed.

Two steps forward, two steps back...

(originally posted 5/25/07)
The Phillies failed in yet another attempt to go over the .500 mark last night, falling to the Florida Marlins in eleven fun-filled innings, 5-4. The Phillies overcame an early injury to 2B Abraham Nunez, and still managed to leave 17 runners on base, despite the fact that Nunez only made one plate appearance. Nunez is currently day-to-day, and I am currently terrified by the fact that I am concerned for his well-being, and actually hope he returns to action soon.

Phillies MGR Charlie Manuel made efficient use of his bullpen, only utilizing three relievers in the six innings played after starter Jon Lieber's (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) departure. Ryan Madson threw 42 pitches in his two innings of work. Some might say that Manuel has been using Madson a little too much (4 IP, 66 pitches) in the 3 days he's been back from his DL stint. But I would disagree with them. He's averaging only about 40 pitches a week this month. Madson should be good to go for another 70-80 pitches tonight. Best of all, Madson is a fine hitter (.143 lifetime), so Manuel won't have to burn his top bat off the bench, Adam (.130) Eaton, batting for him. It's the little adjustments that make a difference in each individual game, and over the long season. No one is more expert in such matters than Charles Fuqua Manuel.

Third-Base Coach Steve Smith had another runner (Michael Bourn) thrown out at home in a key situation last night. But sometimes runners are going to get thrown out. There's not really too much you can do about it. You might also argue that "it wasn't a good situation to send the runner", as there would have been runners on 2nd and 3rd, with no outs, if Smith had held him up at 3rd. Or perhaps you might hit me with a meaningless platitude like "you should never make the first out of an inning at home." Well, firstly, you are analyzing this way too much. Secondly, where do they come up with things like that? What does it matter what base you're thrown out at? Thirdly, Michael Bourn is super-fast. Super. Fast. Why do you think they always bring him in to run for Pat Burrell? I just don't see how Steve Smith can be criticized here.

Probably my biggest disagreement with the members of Phillies Nation right now are their assessments of Rod Barajas. I can't believe some of the stuff being said about him now. Phillies Phans just don't seem to value what Barajas brings to the team. But I am well-aware. Allow me to elaborate:

• Rod Barajas is a slugger. Maybe not if you believe in such things as "slugging percentage." Or "on-base percentage." Flawed stats, if you ask me. Additionally, how can one really measure the unmeasurables, such as "Home Runs" or "RBI?" You really can't. But Mike Schmidt and Chris James are, arguably, the greatest slugging talents in Phillies history. Well, Rod Barajas has provided more offense this season than Schmidt and James COMBINED.
• Rod Barajas is a leader. Did you see him in that brawl last night? With all the posturing? THAT was leadership. How about two nights ago? Barajas gets thrown out of the game, and Closer Brett Myers can't even survive one pitch without Barajas behind the plate. LEADERSHIP. Rod Barajas knows what it's all about.
• Rod Barajas (.232 avg. this season) is a savvy veteran. He realizes how important he is to the team. If he's out of the lineup, the Phillies would be forced to use either Carlos Ruiz (.265 this season) or Chris Coste (.328 lifetime) as catcher. Barajas has to do whatever is necessary to keep himself in the game. Sure, it might cost the team an out, or a game, or a bunch of games, here or there. But, in the long run, it's for the best.

The Phillies play in Atlanta tonight, with Jamie Moyer (4-3, 4.37 ERA) facing the Braves' Tim Hudson (5-2, 2.42). Hudson has been very tough this season, but with Manuel managing, Smith coaching 3rd, and Barajas calling the shots behind the plate, I feel confident in the Phillies' chances. Especially if Abe Nunez is back in the lineup.