Today is My Birthday
The Phils, led by Chase Utley, pulled out a 6-4 win yesterday to split their series with the Dodgers. Besides smacking a home run early, "Everyone Loves" Utley will be remembered for barreling over Dodgers’ catcher Russell Martin to score the game-winning run in the eighth. Brett Myers had another solid outing, but he does continue to show signs of weakness towards the end of games. Don’t get me wrong he is a great pitcher, but he simply not been able to close out games effectively this season. He’s often having to be relieved mid-inning which makes me wonder if Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee should drop the "let him pitch until he gets in trouble" mentality. I’m not worried too much though, I find solace in Manuel’s scouting report, "Myers is getting better. He’s close. One of these days, I’m going to tell you he’s there."
Speaking of Uncle Charlie, just before Rheal Cormier came in to relieve Myers, Vin Scully commented on how good an athlete Charlie Manuel while at school in West Virginia but that he often "struggled with the books." He added a hilarious anecdote from Charlie’s high school basketball coach. The coach said of the young Charlie, “He could do everything with the ball…except autograph it.” ……Ahahahah, that is hilarious! It kinda reminds me of Cletus from the Simpsons.
In today’s Daily News, Marcus Hayes did his best impression of Ryan Franklin’s agent, by relaying the news that Franklin is ready to help the starting rotation
.Gavin Floyd, his replacement, lefthander Eude Brito, and former bullpen standout Ryan Madson have combined to compile an 8.12 earned run average as starters.
Franklin could hardly do worse.
…He said he would need to work on his slider. He said he might give up a home run or two – he gave up 61 the past 2 years combined – but as long as they were solo shots, and as long as the Phillies score some behind him, he figures he could help the rotation.
Hmm, I’m not sure Ryan Franklin’s wishful thinking exactly qualifies for news. Sure he has been a starting pitcher before, but not a very good one. He also has been less than effective out of the bullpen this year. So to say Franklin could hardly do worse than Floyd, Brito and Madson is a pretty baseless claim not to mention that it now serves as a billboard-sized invitation for Franklin to get a chance and completely blow it.
Finally, everyone must click this link and get out the All-Star vote. Ryan Howard deserves to be an All-Star and now with Albert Pujols’ injury, he has a shot to be the starter; that is, if he can at least crack the top 5. Another Phil who needs your vote is Chase Utley who trails Craig Biggio by 17,000 votes for the top second baseman spot. Both these guys deserve better, let’s represent Philly!
