On July 1st: Myers agreed to accept the assignment even though he could have refused because he has more than five years of service time. “I can’t say enough about Brett’s willingness to accept this assignment,” GM Pat Gillick said. “He understood and is eager to get back on track again. He’s struggling right now, but he is a quality major league pitcher who we are going to need in the second half of the season.”

On July 8th: Brett Myers had a solid start Monday at Triple-A, allowing three runs over 7 1/3 innings.Myers had six strikeouts and two walks. “I really felt good out there tonight,” Myers said. “My location was a lot better than my last outing. I thought I threw the ball well and I threw 65 to 70 percent fastballs. I plan to be back in Philadelphia after the All-Star break. I’m down here working on my game.” Source: Philadelphia Daily News

Unless he shows some maturity to his teammates, coaches and most importantly the front office he’ll be in for a very big shock once we get down to the business end of the season.

Thanks for the tidbit. I did not know that existed, but always like when I can back-up a thought with facts. TJ I like your comments as well, however Ruiz cannot hit for the mendoza line much longer and keep his job. I would rather have Coste in who gets on base every game, hits .100 points higher, and is still a solid, reliable option defensively. Otherwise let’s see what Lou Marston in Reading is made of. But yes it does stick out like a sore thumb when collectively we are hitting like sh*t

According to Elias, a Late Inning Pressure Situation is “any at-bat in the seventh inning or later, with the batter’s team trailing by three runs or less (or four runs if the bases were loaded)” and its designed to attempt to quantify the subjective term “clutch”.

Here’s Howards LIPS stats this year according to CBS Sportsline:

53 At-Bats | 6 Hits | 3 HR | 6 RBI | 26 Ks | .113 BA

If you only count the LIPS where there were runners on base the stats go to this:

20 ABs | 2 H | 0 HR | 3 RBI | 11 Ks | .100 BA

Ugh

On a separate note, why is it that whenever Ryan Howard comes up in a clutch situation (2 on 0 out in 9th last nite) that he strikes out. It is the same thing everytime, 2 high fastballs, then he chases a terrible off-speed pitch. Someone needs to teach Pedro Serrano how to hit a curve ball, or lay of of it! I don’t mean to hate on the guy, but I think people overrate his power numbers, whereas I’d rather have a guy that is more clutch (like Aaron Rowand, Chase Utley, etc.). We are going to need to deal for a clutch reserve as well because Taguchi and Bruntlett are not the answer and Jenkins strikes out too much as well. Let me know you’re thoughts…

he did a nice job as the closer last year… maybe somewhere down the line, he will be a closer for someone else.. but the Phillies need him to be a starter.

This is how “bored” or “creative” or “dorky” I am:
You might be a great bartender.. but you were hired as a cook… they needed a bartender last year towards the end of the summer because the other guy (Gordon) was stealing money out of the register. Well this summer they brought in a bartender thats better than you, so they sent you back to the kitchen… now you’re burning all the food because you had more fun as a bartender???

That ain’t cool, Brett, people pay good money to go eat there, and you couldn’t care less…

I almost feel like the Phillies are trying to pull a smoke and mirrors act before a trade–make him look as good as possible, as soon as possible, and send him out the door.

Just one month ago… against the Reds and Edinson Volquez:

7.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 earned run, 8 Ks, but 6 walks!

Remember how good he looked that night.. that is what the Phillies are praying for.. if that doesn’t work out, then you can be sure that he gets traded in the off-season… probably to the White Sox where he’ll dominate like Gavin Floyd.

Myers has the stuff to be a solid starting pitcher.. if they can add someone in the #2 spot, they’ll be solid

Hamels, someone, Myers, Kendrick, Moyer would be nice