McGwire

So Mark McGwire has "come clean". Hmm, funny how real-world events can make people "come clean". Sort of like when the cops slap the handcuffs on and one "comes clean". Or when one is found guilty in a court of law of slaughtering animals, one "comes clean", or worse, "found Jesus", or "saw the error of their ways".

Why is it these people don't come clean, find Jesus or see the error of their ways when their friends, the press or even their haters publicly decry their indiscretions? Why is it the axe has to fall for them to "admit" guilt or plead for mercy?

I, for one, and I think I'm going to be in the minority if the events and fervor of the '90s baseball travesty is any indication, have even LESS sympathy for this man now that he has come clean (in an overt effort to glean voters for next year's Hall of Fame vote). I was disgusted throughout the home run derby that played out by chemically-induced marginal players who all, suddenly, at mostly advanced ages, became second, third, 100th comings of Babe Ruth. I sat in utter disgust at Veteran's Stadium while the video board celebrated McGwire's breaking of Roger Maris' record and thousands of Phillies fans obliged.

I spent myriad argumentative moments with friends debating the validity of McGwire's, Sosa's, and other's ridiculous numbers. Never once did I doubt that this was 100% the result of living [better] chemically.

The era is over only because of legal wrangling, exposes, embarrassment and an outcry from the masses to restore some meaing to baseball's sacred record books.

As far as I'm concerned it's not over until the numbers put up by juice-inflamed bats are expunged from those record books and mediocre talents like Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire are relegated to a certain status of NEVER getting into the Hall of Fame.

Rockies

You KNOW you're going well when Adam Eaton is your last resort in the 13th inning against your closest rival, he gives up 3 hits and 5 walks, and you win on a slam in the 14th.

You read it here: the Dodgers will NOT win the west, and may not make the playoffs.

Maaddi

The title is not a misspelling. It's the name of another moron sportswriter, this one for AP. This group of morons has NOTHIGNG better to do than berate Philly sports fans EVERY time and opportunity arises. This time, because Michael Vick will attempt a comeback in front of us.

Here are his old, worn, tired, BS comments:


By ROB MAADDI AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA(AP)—Michael Vick(notes) picked a tough place for a second chance.

Philadelphia sports fans threw snowballs at Santa Claus during a game in 1968. They cheered when the Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Irvin injured his neck and had to be carried off the field in 1999. They behaved so badly that a courtroom was set up at old Veterans Stadium to handle arrests.

You know, it's so old, so lame.... In St Louis a woman gets battered during a game in the ballpark and little is said. Riots in LA, beer on Victorino as he lines up a fly ball. Had these things happened in Philly it would have been front page news.

I'm gonna stop and just say this: SHUT THE F up and get off it! If you have nothing new to say, get a real job!

Lidge

You know, when I think about Charlie persisting in his use of Brad Lidge not only in non-save, but in mop up situations, like today, I can't help but think about the stubborn stupidity of Jim Fregosi in 1993 culminating in using a totally fried Mitch Williams, because "we dance with who nring us".

FACT IS, regardless of the braindead who insist otherwise, closers are motivated by the situation. Take a gander at the stats and it is CRYSTAL CLEAR that MOST CLOSERS blow up in non-save situations.

STOP Charlie, PLEASE STOP! Perhaps Lidge needs work, that's why there's a bullpen. It does NOTHING for his confidence when he goes in with a 7 run deficit and gives up three more. PLEASE STOP! PLEASE!

Dreaming

I guess the purpose of BLOGs, aside from stating ones opinion, is also to dream a bit, for everyone to read, so here's my Phillies dream.....Realistic dreams, players that not only became available, but moved, and didn't demand a king's ransom like Dr. Halladay.

Along with Cliff Lee would have come Victor Martinez. Not only would he really have fulfilled the needed righthanded bat, but he would have been a far better solution to shore up the catching than Paul Bako. Ben Francisco appears to be a suitable bat off the bench and for an occasional start, and his power seems well-suited for our ballpark, but he's no Victor Martinez and he joins a club with little room for another outfielder, right now.

Mark Derosa is my Brendan Shanahan for this year. (Flyers fans should get the reference.) Not only would he also have supplied some righthanded power, but he would have relegated Eric Bruntlett to, well, some other team, perhaps in AAA.

Lastly, George Sherrill would have not only provided a potent lefthanded arm in the 'pen, but a needed alternative should Brad Lidge continue his shaky performance heading down the stretch.

While I have to admit that aside from questionable moves trading away Jason Jaramillo (.250, 3 HRs in 47 games for the Pirates) and Ronny Paulino (.263, 5 HRs in 52 games for the Marlins), and replacing them with Paul Bako (sub-.200), and getting essentially nothing in return, there's little to quibble with Ruben Amaro's moves thus far. As a matter of fact the Cliff Lee move was the much better choice in light of Toronto's ridiculous demands. That said, the moves above wouldn't have cost a whole lot and would have solidified the remaining weak points of the team heading into another Fall bound to be as stress-filled as the last.

Lee

I am rubbing my eyes in disbelief. Can it be that Pat Gillick has been replaced by a new gerneration's Paul Owens?

Days ago I read comments from Houston GM Ed Wade saying how they couldn't afford to do anymore this year. And all of a sudden the Phils no longer seem like the tightwads we've come to hate. Can it be that it was Ed Wade all along and not the invisible management that was squeezing the purse strings?

Well, who knows, but all I can say is that I was all for forgetting about Roy Halladay and the ridiculously high price tag the Blue Jays had placed on him, in favor of Cliff Lee, Cleveland's regining Cy Young winner. Lo and behold we got him! And we're now saddled with a ridiculous wealth of lefthanded starters!

Sorry, just a little giddy at the prospects for the remainder of the season.

Now if Ruben can only find a way to trade for George Sherrill to bolster the pen...

Pedro

Um, check back with me in 3-4 weeks.... Yikes, all I can say is I hope he's still angry with the Mets and can act on that anger.... ;-)