Phillies Nation

When Milt Thompson played for the Phillies in the early 90′s, he was part of a platoon. Is it possible for him to platoon as hitting coach? Because he is doing a horrible job. Multiple players get stuck in weeks long slumps. And the offense can’t get anything going. The hitters make no adjustments whatsoever. It is sickening to watch. Something needs to be done about the offense. There is no reason for a lineup with this many strong offensive players to play so horribly.

And it looks like Madson’s confidence is totally gone. The Phillies have known for years that he is not closer material, but they tried to force him into it. So now they don’t have a closer or an 8th inning pitcher.

This team isn’t repeating anything. At this rate they’ll be lucky to make the playoffs or wildcard.

How did that one feel Philly Nation?? Sorry, Bravos had to break out the broom and actually use it this time after blowing the opportunity to sweep the first series of the season. Oh well, we won that series too. Get a real ace and some decent pitching outside of this Happ kid. And while you’re at, get a lead off man that hasn’t fallen hard out of his prime. Good luck, suckas!

Man, I’d love to poke around in Madson’s head for a little, f’in weird. He gets the Jeltz today for sure.

To borrowed a line from the Grateful Dead’s song, Truckin’ ..”Lately it occurs to me: What a long, strange trip it’s been”.

Nothing seems to be going right for the team. Every little mistake be it at bat, on the field or on the mound is exploited to the fullest advantage by the opposition. Phillies, once had great success on the road have finished their current road trip with a dismal 3-6 record. I suppose one could say the law of averages is catching up to the team. However, what is more alarming is the Phillies’ current slum that is showing no sign of ending as they have lost 14 out the last 18 games.

The woeful slum is not limited to one or two players but like a contagious diease, it has spread practically to the whole team. If they don’t have a sense of urgency in finding a remedy, they soon will find themselves chasing not one but possibly three teams in their division.

The last two games brought new concerns with Hamels and Madson. The “ace” and stopper of losing streaks that we saw in Hamels last year has not consistently performed to that level of expectation this season, especially in his last two starts where he has failed to get out of the 5th inning.

With Madson, it’s the case of the missing ‘change-up”; his equalizer and out pitch. He is not mixing his pitches and seemingly rely on his 95 MPH fastball almost exclusively. I know there are some young posters here who are in love with “fireballers” that can bring the heat. However, to give an example, I’ll use Bastardo. We saw him trying to overpower major league hitters with basically one pitch, the fastball. It didn’t take long for word to spread among hitters as they sat on his fastball and Bastardo become totally hittable. Bastardo, once off the DL needs to go back to the minors and learn to be a pitcher, not a thrower.

Whether, Madson has an issue with self confidence and difficulty in adjusting from setup to closer and back to setup is only speculation with fans. The obvious concern and more easily resolve, in my opinion, is his questionable pitch selection. Please…throw more change ups!

I agree with you all except on Thompson – I am not sure he is the issue only because they have no problems at times. The inconsistency is not the hitting coach, it is the player. Now, his job tomorrow is to get them in the batting cages and hitting. I would even call up some of their pitching to give them ‘live’ pitching even if it is A and AAA level. No easy stuff, just get them to throw their side sessions at players.

As for Madson – I told you all so !!!! I hate saying that because of Karma though LOL Seriously, he needs to go back to AAA just like Myers and Lidge (though due to injury) and regain that confidence.

I think this again comes down to poor coaching. The Phils hitters don’t seem prepared against the opposing starting pitching or go-to relievers, on the flip-side teams like Atlanta look like they expect to see the back-end of the Phillies bullpen and have schooled up.

I’m struggling to believe the Phillies lack of consistent performance is down to on-the-field play. You hear so much about certain prominent and lesser role players with teams being students of the game, outside of Chase Utley and Jamie Moyer you don’t hear about the Phillies players using their time away from the diamond to find an edge or improve elements of their game. The most I’ve heard is Jimmy Rolllins (credit to him for a multi-hit game) taking extra batting practise which many people seem to feel can hurt as much as help a hitters preparation.

Echoing the previous post there is positives though from this loss which is very important.

No fire, no passion, no energy, and no intensity. I watched Werth jogging for a ball that dropped in front of him 2 nights ago. No hustle running to first. Rollins hadn’t had a hit since Clinton was in office, yet he’s laughing in the dugout. These guys just collect their millions and go home. Why should we care since they dont? There’s more to life than the Phillies!

eli I know when to sell to get the most value, people on here will blame Thompson, what the hell do they think he is doing to hurt players, hitting coaches are like as*** everyone has one but it really serves no purpose

I STILL SAY SELL NOW

Hitting coaches serve no purpose? Have you seen what Don Mattingly has done for the Dodgers?

Well, we have had plenty of bad news with the Phillies, but let’s look at the positives.

First of all, tomorrow is the 4th of July- fireworks, hot dogs and beer. What could be better? There is a strongman competition down on the Parkway tomorrow. And there is an ice cream festival at Penn’s Landing. And of course, Sheryl Crow and the Roots at the Art Museum.

Also, look at all the free time the Phillies bad play is giving you. I can hardly spend more than 5 minutes on this site until I get so disgusted I have to move on. Same with Philly.com. I don’t want to spend anytime reading articles about this hot mess. I also barely watch CSN and ESPN. I am getting all sorts of things done.

Finally, tomorrow’s game is being broadcasted by Fox. And we will get stuck listening to some national broadcasters and they will spend little time actually talking about the game. Instead you will get to hear about Independence Day, Rocky, Cheesesteaks and the Curse of William Penn. And best of all, no Chris Wheeler, the Sarge or T-Mac.

betwixt Uncle Chuck and Milt Thompson, we may have two of the most ineffective coaches in the majors. i wouldn’t trust those two to mow my lawn.

Timb – as a loyal mets fan, even I am apalled at your ungrateful comment. charlie led you to a Worls series. if jerry did that, i’d be so happy. davey johnson is the best manager in history and led us to victory. even as a arrogant mets fan, that statement is wrong, wrong, wrong. enough defence of charlie. let’s go mets.

Charlie is a great players manager, a great guy, a formerly great hitting coach but he’s not a great tactician like a La Russa or Torre, motivator like Pinella or sees the game like the younger managers.

The Phils should sell at the deadline. This team isnt winning any divisions or championships. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in “World Champ” denial.

Who’s winning the division…?

NJ–The Marlins. Good younf pitching, fresh legs and hungry.

justphantastic :

Look, I’m a Phillies ticket holder. I’m right there with you. But guys who had great years last year just aren’t having them this year(Lidge, Madson in particular). I’ll hope until the last out of the 2009 season. But you asked a question and I gave you an honest answer

Eli not a mets fan but when people come on here and try to blame a hitting coach in the majors for the problems, its time to move on. major league players make a ton of money and does anyone think a j roll who has been successful for years under milt thompson, doesn’t know his problems. don’t blame coaches for the players failure, in the minors its real important as they come up, but what the hell can thompson say to howard or werth who are major league players for more than five years,

YEA I would say Lidge is worth the money. You ask why…HE BROUGHT MY TEAM A WORLD FFFF SERIES RING…Something you have not done since 86

Attention fans of the former “Byrd’s Nest”. Latest MLB news:

“The Philadelphia Phillies are looking for starting pitching and according to the Philadelphia Daily News have discussed is veteran Paul Byrd, who posted a 4.60 ERA in 30 starts with the Indians and Red Sox last season…”.

Preparation for reviving “Byrd’s Nest” may soon take place. ;-)

Where did you see that offer for Wang? Seems massively excessive…

Where did that business about Wang come from? Thats a hefty offer for a guy whos struggling.

and D’nauld**

If it comes down to Byrd or Wang, it wouldn’t be a difficult choice. Bottom line cost is salary alone (Byrd) or salary AND a boatload of prospects (Wang). You choose. ;-)