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We’ve only just begun.

So the Mets got Johan.  Before you give up on the Phillies chancing of repeating in the East, you need to think about that Mets team.  Their starting rotation is still incomplete.  John Maine may be their best option right now.  Pedro’s arm will be falling off any day now.  And Perez is as consistent as Coste’s roster status.

Their bullpen, the reason they blew their unblowable lead, is still looking as patchy as the Phillies.

And their lineup has only gotten worse with the loss of Lo Duca.  Though one can argue that getting a healthy Beltran and Delgado could be consider upgrades.

I think we can all agree that the Mets are still far away from being the favorites of the division, even with the addition of Johan.  But the Phillies still have steps to take if they want to repeat.  This article by Don McKee offers a series of great suggestions of what the Phillies management needs to do if they want to have a successful season.

Overall, I just want to make sure we all stay opptomisitc coming into the season.  Which it is hard not to do.  Everyone thinks their team is going undefeated going into Spring Training.  And that’s what’s so wonderful about Spring Training.

Really, who here isn’t using steroids?

Nowadays, an entire blog could be dedicated to steroids in baseball. And I am quite sick of it. I understand the importance of keeping baseball clean, but let’s get serious . . . it’s never going to happen. Technology these days is forever going to keep ahead of the authorities in charge of keeping sports fair. I’m not saying we should just give up and let baseball players all become 6′5”, 300 lbs monsters. I’m just saying that I’d prefer if more of the news stories on baseball, were about baseball.

All these hearing that are going on in DC are a complete waste of time. One would think that there just might be a few more important things going on in America that Congress could dedicate all the money and energy on this investigation. And I continue to watch these hearings, and listen to the same crap over and over again. No one ever says anything of much importance. All I know is that I am very happy that I am not in the position of Selig or Fehr. They never say anything of importanct because there is no answer to these problems/issues. This is going to be a black stain on in baseball for years to come. And performance enhancing drugs will never be eradicated. But I like Mitchell’s idea when his report first came out. Let’s just move on. The investigation can continue to go on. Security can continue to be tougher. Names can continue to surface. All I care about is what goes on in-between the white lines. One of my favorite sayings is, “Ignorance is bliss.” And I think that for me personally, as a baseball fan, I no longer want to hear about steroids. Or at least not have it be the top news story. I’m just going to pretend it’s not there.

If you’re bored and are looking for something to read, I suggest Jose Canseco’s, “Juiced.” I read it when it first came out. And I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some syringes and steroids. He made such a compelling argument. I mean, I’m very proud of my ability to now bench press two Volkswagon beetles. I just wish I didn’t have to custom order my hats because no one stocks size 8 and 3/4. Also, I would love if my testicles hadn’t shrunken so much that I can only wonder if I still have them. And I can’t have relationships last more then 2 weeks, cause I scare girls away with ‘roid rages that would make Brett Myers look like Ghandi. *Disclaimer: I am not a promoter of marital abuse.*

All I want is to not see Howard’s name on any steroid list. I come from the line of reasoning that he’s always been huge, so his size comes from genetics, and not drugs. And since he had been in the minors just a few years ago, he was going through the extensive testing that Minor Leaguers had to go through. So I think it’s a safe bet that he’s safe from investigators.

I just want Spring Training to get here already so that there can be REAL news on baseball.

I’m back.

It’s about time Philadelphia can be more proud of it’s baseball team then it’s football team.

While Spring Training is still a few weeks away, it’s never too early to start thinking about baseball.  But before I get started on the new season, I would like to apologize for anyone that is still checking this blog for updates.  Even though it is in the middle of January.   I want to say sorry for not blogging on the last game of the season.  But I was so entirely depressed that I really needed to get away from the Phillies for awhile.  But after some meditation and watching the video yearbook, I’ve realized that it really was an amazing season.  But that’s enough about last year.  Time to look forward to 2008.

I’m not going to cover everything that happened in the offseason in this blog.  I’m actually just using this one so that word can be spread around the world that Philly Sports Net is ready to talk some baseball.  So tell your kids, your co-workers, and your politicians, it’s time to talk some baseball.

It’s now or 2008

The Good:  Utley got his first post-season hits.  The world is not coming to an end.  Rollins certainly redeemed himself by knocking 80% of the team’s runs.

The Bad:  I really hope Mesa has gotten the hint that he is too old to be pitching anymore.  He’s just starting to look embarrassing on the mound.  Especially with his 81.00 ERA.  What’s the point of starting Helms if you’re only going to leave him in for 4 innings?  I know he’s a waste of money on the bench, but he’s sure not helping the team in the field either.

Well that was fun.  Hopefully 14 years from now we’ll make the playoffs again and maybe we’ll get a playoff win.  This team does not deserve to be playing in October.  They look completely overmatched out there.  And they’re doing that against the NL Wildcard.  Thank God they don’t have to play an AL team.  It’s hard to get mad at Kendrick, because he’s a youngster trying to do his best out there.  But his performance was just as good as Hamels.  5 runs is an improvement, but this team has absolutely no fight left.  I guess they used it all up to get into the playoffs.  While it’s frustrating seeing them not being successful because so many of them are so young.  But hopefully that means we’ll be contending for many years to come.

And I’m really starting to get sick of people saying the fans at these games are doing their jobs.  Yesterday on the ride home all the people that called in on the talk shows said the fans weren’t in it.  And the announcers on TBS today were saying the same thing.  The Phillies players should be cheering for us.  We’re the ones spending God knows how much money on these tickets.  And what do we get in return, a tired looking team that gives up after the 3rd inning.  I wanna say that I’d rather have them not make the playoffs if they are just going to get swept.  But I did enjoy them winning the NL East.  At least we didn’t blow a 7-game lead with only 17-games left.

Well, he won the big game before. Maybe there’s something in his old age that lets him block out the pressure.  We better hope so, cause there’s going to be plenty of it.  This Rockies team is a team that loves to hit.  Hopefully Moyer can keep them impatient with his off-speed pitches and make their anxiousness turn into ground outs.  All I know is that I’m won’t be going into Saturday’s game with much excitement.

Last start (9/30):  W / 5.1 / 0 ER / 5 H / 0 BB / 5 SO / Washington

Doesn’t really matter who the Rockies send out there.  Here’s either going to look like Nolan Ryan or Cy Young against this Phillies team.  The youngster that is getting sent out is Ubaldo Jimenez.  He’s coming off a very strong start, and coming into a very exciting game.  He’s staring a home game in which his team is up 2-0.  Maybe he’ll feel some pressure having to pitch in front of his fans.  But in reality, there’s not much pressure on him.  All I know is that if the Phillies have any fight left, they can very easily throw up some double digit numbers in Colorado.

Last start (9/30):  ND / 6.1 / 1 ER / 1 H / 4 BB / 10 SO / Arizona

Last words . . . for some reason, I’m not too upset.  I guess I kinda expected this.

14 years for this?

The Good: Besides Hamels’ melt down in the second, he pitched a great game. Usually allowing 3 runs in CBP will result in a win. Myers and Romero continued to look dominate in their innings.

The Bad: Utley and Howard completely choking in their first playoff game. I’m glad the MVP voting is done before the playoffs, cause Rollins certainly didn’t earn himself any recognition after that game. What’s the point of pitch-running Bourn when you don’t even have him steal?

Well that was a waste of day. 8 hours at the stadium. Actually 6 hours and 20 minutes. The other the other hour and 40 minutes was spent trying to get out of that mess of a parking lot. The last thing I wanted to do after that pathetic loss was to stand around in a parking lot.

That game absolutely sucked. They looked the same way they did last Saturday. As soon as this team falls behind, they all just start swinging for the fences. That strategy worked well once for Rowand and Burrell, but the rest of the game it backfired in their face. The fans at the stadium wanted so badly to get into this game, but when your “ace” is giving up free passes to every other batter, it’s hard to get excited. And when 2 of your best hitters rack up 7 strikeouts between them, I was looking to hit something. This team looked like they were a bunch of young kids playing in their first playoffs. But I don’t want any excuses. If they want to use this post-season to try and get comfortable playing in October, they won’t be playing very long.

Kendrick is really going to be on the hot seat now. Not only is this (and every start after this) going to be his biggest start, but he’s starting a “must-win” game for the Phillies. But he has proven all year long that he has ice water in his veins and consistently puts out a good performance. Now’s a good time for another one of his gems. Needless to say, it’s going to have to be against a team that he’s struggled against so far this year. In 2 starts this year, he’s 0-1 allowing 7 runs in 9.0 innings pitched.

Last start (9/27): W / 6.0 / 3 ER / 6 H / 1 BB / 2 SO / Atlanta

If anyone is going to have butterflies inside their stomach at tomorrow’s game, good chances are it’s going to be Franklin Morales. This rookie who only has 8 major league starts under his belt, will be taking the mound for the Rockies in Game 2. One thing is for sure, Utley and Howard are going to have just as much trouble. Lefties are hitting .129 off of him. In his short period in the majors, he did face the Phillies. In that game he went 5.0 shutout innings. Thursday is sure going to be an interesting game.

Last start (9/27): W / 5.0 / 3 ER / 4 H / 1 BB / 4 SO / Los Angeles

Last words . . . Eaton should’ve started Wednesday.

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