This just in from the "Team-To-Beat" Department: My very own Phightin' Phils today spoiled a fine outing by Cole Hamels (again) and lost to the Mets by allowing 8 unanswered runs after Hamels left the game with a 5 - 3 lead.
Welcome to your initial rant on the 2007 Phillies.
The reason for the Ramones lyric to lead off this piece is that the Phillies have now started off the year 1-6 for three straight seasons. Bottom line: we've seen this before. The thing is, too, that all off-season long...for the last THREE YEARS this team has preached the importance of fundamentals and a strong start to the season. No kidding. I mean, it is the number one story all spring long. We're nauseous from hearing about it. And then this.
Check out Cole Hamels stats through two starts: 13 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 15 K, 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP. Zero wins.
You know what? Further along in the song, Joey actually sings "Third verse, DIFFERENT from the first...". Too bad the Phillies must not be Ramones fans. This year was supposed to be different.
Why do I get the feeling this could be a long season?
Comments (2)
Jeff...I'm from the Philadelphia area too and I know EXACTLY what you mean. This team is making fundamental errors in the field and running the bases, the bullpen is horrible, the lineup strikeouts WAY too much and they continue to strand baserunners. Every year I fall for it, I believe they will be better...but in reality, they continue to get worse. Charlie Manuel shouldn't even be here this year, he is one of the worst managers in baseball and doesn't utilize what we have to put us in a better position to win. Thanks for putting up a space to vent...and it is going to be a long season.
Posted by Lou | April 10, 2007 9:28 AM
Hi Lou,
I agree with you on all fronts.
Sadly, not only should Charlie Manuel not be here THIS year...but he shouldn't have been here either of the last two seasons either. Remember, Jim Leyland was openly lobbying for the Phillies job before they named Manuel as Bowa's replacement. (Just another reason to bang your head against a wall.)
Thankfully, we can look forward to the day Cholly is canned and we usher in the Jimy Williams / Davy Lopes Era.
Wait...that doesn't exactly inspire confidence either, does it???
Jeff
Posted by Jeff | April 11, 2007 11:20 AM