Ruf to South Korea, Utley to LA, Lidge to coach one day …
First, some news you may have missed:
DARIN’S PRIDE: Darin Ruf signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract to play for the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization.
Yes, if you’re keeping track, the Phillies traded Ruf and Darnell Sweeney to Los Angeles for Howie Kendrick. And now the Dodgers have sold Ruf’s contract to the Lions.
What are the chances Ruf swats 40 home runs in South Korea? High. The chances are high.
DODGED THAT ONE: Ironically Ruf’s exit allowed for the Dodgers to officially announce the signing of Chase Utley to a one-year, $2 million pact. Utley will likely come off the bench for Los Angeles, who can’t stop extolling the praises of The Man.
Meanwhile closer to home:
ALONG THE RED LIDGE: Brad Lidge is in camp this year, working with pitchers (especially Jeanmar Gomez) as they get into game shape.
Lidge said all the things guest coaches say (he thinks the starters are good, thinks the relievers have promise, picked out a guy who could surprise [Luis Garcia]). He also said he wants to coach one day.
50 GREATEST GAMES: Our 50 Greatest Phillies Games of the Last 50 Years continues today with No. 36. This weekend we saw the addition to the list of Roy Halladay’s perfect game against Florida and Game 1 of the 1983 NLCS.
