Sloppy Play Stands As Quiet Revelation
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, March 17, 2009 07:08 AM | Comments: 22
Posts, Raising Questions
The Phillies didn’t look good in a 12-0 shelacking by the Yankees. And Charlie Manuel had a lot to say about it:
“We made mistakes. We made a hell of lot of (bleeping) mistakes. Any game like that (ticks) you off. The best thing you can do is to (bleeping) get on the bus and forget about that (bleep). If I played in that (bleeping) game, I would definitely (bleeping) take inventory of myself. It was a horse(bleep) game … I’d say we hit (bleeping) rock bottom there for a while.”
Can you consider a March 16 game as one after which to “take inventory”? Certainly it’s not good when you drop a game like that, and in such a sloppy way (Ryan Howard letting a ball run by him, Jason Donald and Howard not hooking up on a tough throw, letting catchable pops drop in front of you, looking idiotic during a rundown [pictured]), but there’s still no reason to panic. It is March, there are kinks.
However, we should at least be concerned that execution isn’t so solid. We were told Howard worked hard on his defense. Really? Did he? He made a great stab on a grounder yesterday, but that grounder that escaped him was easy, too easy. And what about the outfield? Shouldn’t Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth make those catches? Are there small injuries hampering their abilities to play at 100 percent?
Then there’s the offense, which looked atrocious yesterday. Okay, it was Joba Chamberlain, but (again, I’m looking at Howard) no reason to never get a bat on a ball. They froze up. They looked … well … scared.
Again, it’s March and we shouldn’t be so frightened. But then again, should we?
Posts: 0 Manny
Yes, we should be scared. These guys better be in top shape in just 15 days. We can’t keep saying “it’s still March” forever.
Posted: 07:14 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 King
We shouldn’t be freaking out, in the beginning of last season I remember a few people freaking out because of people not making plays on routine ground balls.
There still warming up, and without some key defensive players (Rollins, Utley, Feliz, Victorino).
Posted: 07:27 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Dennis
All I can say is the Phillies and their fans are lucky that because of the World Baseball Classic, the season starts a week later this year. It sounds like they played disgracefully yesterday against the Yankees in an important matchup: The defending World Champions against the team dubbed by the writers and experts as “TheTeam To Beat”.
Even with the extra week of Spring Training, as of today, St. Patrick’s Day (3/17), there’s still only 19 days until Opening Night Vs. Atlanta. It’s enough time for the Phils to get it together, but the question is
“Will They?”
Posted: 07:51 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Thats CLASSIC Charlie Manuel. Thats just funny. But their play yesterday was embarrassing. Kyle Kendrick is done as fas as pitching in the majors to start the season or anytime soon, time to get reassigned to AAA and reinvent yoruself.
Spring Training or not, you dont want to look that bad. Their record in the grapefruit league isnt so hot, and while you cant derive much from that, only a few guys seem to be having “a good spring.”
Posted: 07:58 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
The Team to Beat with no A-Rod or Jeter in the lineup ?
Kendrick on the mound for the Phillies… you really think people should be playing at 100% with him on the mound? He’s got an ERA over 12.00 at this point… its a joke that they haven’t moved him to Minor League camp yet
I didn’t see the game, or highlights (I saw a preview of highlights.. ) and what looked like Jenkins diving for and just missing a ball to RF ?… both Jenkins and Werth are very good defensive players, and they both give it their all when it counts, so im not too concerned about the March 16th game with Kendrick on the hill
Neither Howard nor Jason Donald are known for their defense, so we shouldn’t be upset at them not looking great in Spring Training.
“Are their small injuries hampering their abilities to play at 100 percent?”
…if anyone that is a regular in the lineup is playing at 100%, then they are ready too soon, and risk breaking down with this long season ahead of them… Spring Training is that long for a reason.. so you can build your body back into baseball shape by the time the season starts. Seriously, no need for Werth, Jenkins, or any regular to be playing like its postseason right now.. these games don’t matter.. staying healthy is way more important than winning
Posted: 07:59 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Am I the only one who couldn’t care less about spring training? Wake me up when the games count and when we don’t have to suffer through Kyle Kendrick anymore.
Posted: 08:00 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chooch's Cooches
Howard should take a day off. He’s been in there every day and he’s been hitting bombs. Give him a break.
As for the defense, I agree with Chollie 100%. There’s no excuse for any of that (bleep) on a major league baseball diamond. Get it together, boys.
Posted: 08:02 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I think it was a bit worse than just a meandering about during Spring Training…
Posted: 08:04 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Yesterday’s starter was Kyle Kendrick… who actually said at the end of the game that he got nice work in and was surprised at the outcome and stuff..
please just do us all a favor and send him down.. let people that might actually play in the majors this year get some innings right now
Posted: 08:20 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Time to wash the stink off and get ready to shine
Posted: 08:28 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Mike
No. It’s one game during Spring Training. Nothing to worry about.
Posted: 08:36 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I want to see a bit more of Majewski, Koplove, and Borkowski (guys with major league experience) and see which of them will come and challenge clay condrey for his bullpen spot.
Posted: 08:48 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Man what is up with the over reacting here. If the Phillies were in regular season form in a game that start a lot of minor leaguers or bench players than I would be impressed. We have several still playing for Roster spots. I take nothing from yesterdays game other than we have some young guys who need to work on consistent defense, Howard needs to concentrate more on his, that is common lore, Also that the only pitcher that pitched yesterday that will be on the major league roster is Madson. Kendrick will be in Lehigh and hopefully get some things worked out maybe used as trade bait to bring in some other talent to the farm system.
Would I want them playing better defense of course, but I would prefer Kendrick to throw better pitches too. Defense you can fix and fix quickly. With Feliz, Rollins, Utley that will not happen.
But, man a lot of you need to get a grip. Still preseason, no matter if the WBC extended it, the players adjusted to that prior to Spring. IF there was no WBC they would be adjusted for that. They are all professionals.
Posted: 08:54 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Tim and Phillies Nation actually went to the game and some several ugly plays… Charlie Manuel was very pissed after the game… And here we are thinking that everything will be fine once the season starts and that another WFC-ship (or playoff spot) will fall from the sky into our hands. Guys shouldn’t be playing at 100% yet, I agree, but defensive errors/mistakes and looking scared should not be part of the equation with less than 3 weeks to go. If anything, they should be relaxed, getting singles every now and then, and catching ground balls and pop ups with no pressure. I’m sooo glad that at least Victorino and Jimmy are in the WBC, getting some pretty intense baseball action and good ABs facing some pretty decent pitchers –that’s how you prepare for a baseball season. The division will be much tougher this year… we cannot afford a slow start this time.
Now, if they go out today and play some good baseball I’ll be relieved and the Yankees game was probably an outlier, a hiccup. But games should be taken somewhat seriously if you want to get better and improve your form for the season ahead.
Posted: 09:29 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 christopher
when teams have games like this in the pre-season i’m GLAD if anything. better to work this stuff out now than later. this is a championship team, problems like these are just a hiccup, and i’m glad it’s happening now.
Posted: 09:35 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
Last season taught me to try and put aside reading into things, we had a terrible ST last year and won a championship. Tough to be pragmatic as a die-hard fan but it’s necessary otherwise it just breeds doubt which is the last thing the players can afford.
Posted: 09:47 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Manny~ So tim went to the game. What of it? It’s another fan’s perspective. It’s not like he’s the unofficial “scout” for us. ;-)
I listened to the game on MLB.com and don’t always agree with every opinion expressed by the broadcasters. I do wish they concentrate on calling the game then chirping away on every mundane subject that is not relevant to what is going on the field. Tom McCarthy comes to mind as one of the worst offenders.
Posted: 10:06 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
Its spring training.. .you really want them giving you the details of Eric Bruntlett playing CF, Andy Tracy at 1b, etc.. ?
Posted: 10:10 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 TwoTonsOfIrony
There’s really not that much to react to. When it comes to spring training, I think it has to be looked at in a big picture sense. Meaning if they have 3-5 games that look like this then I’ll be worried, but one day doesn’t mean much. Maybe they all decided to go out last night, it doesn’t matter to me. If they start to look scared at the plate more often than not, I’ll start to worry, until it looks like a trend I’ll just sit and wait for everyone to get healthy.
Posted: 10:21 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Chooch's Cooches
You can say that we had a terrible ST last year and won a championship, but the truth is, we barely made the playoffs. We flat out cannot afford another slow start.
Posted: 10:40 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
If memory serves me correct, the Phillies were 15-12 last April.
Posted: 10:59 AM on March 17, 2009
Posts: 0 MP
Is the 2009 season over and did we come in last place?!??!
Jeez, it’s one game in which Kendrick started. I think people are getting WAY too worked up over this. We’re winning 6-0 today. Let them get lose, give the guys a break over one lousy spring training game. You can’t win them all. Relax, our team of champs is going to be fine.
Posted: 12:31 PM on March 17, 2009