phrustrated philly phan

The Flyers got embarrassed again tonight. So for those of you counting that is twice in two weeks they have given up eight or more goals in a game. Simply embarrassing. I can only imagine what Ed Snider is thinking and if he is going to raise hell again tomorrow morning. Maybe we can call it Sunday Massacre: The Sequeal. Here is how it goes.

The Flyers call a 10:00 news conferance for the second Sunday in a row (I guess after 40 years Snider still has realized the fall Sundays belong to the Eagles)
10:05 Snider approaches the podium with Bobby Clarke and Ron Hextall
10:07 Snider stands up to announce the radical changes he is instituting
10:10 Snider announces the Clarke is here, not to become GM again, but instead to announce that Bobby Clarke has signed a 2 year/10 million dollar deal to join the team. Peter Forsberg immediately surrenderes his captain status to Clarke
10:22 After saying a few words, Clarke guarentees that the Flyers will win the the Stanley Cup this year, saying a week ago gave him a renewed energy for the game
10:25 Clarke then brings out Paul Holmgren and announces that Holmgren is also joining the team and leaving his interim GM post
10:30 In the biggest announcement of the day, Snider announces that Ron Hextall is returning as the starting goaltender.
10:39 Snider then makes one more stunning announcement. Ed Wade approaches the podium and is introduced as the new GM of the Flyers. In his first move he replaces John Stevens with Derian Hatcher (apparently that is the only way to get this guy off the ice)
10:50 Snider gives his finishing remarks, saying that this overhaul should get the team going in the right direction. Snider says he came to these decisions thinking long and hard after last night's lost. Snider then admits to actually being angry at John Smallwood's critisms in the Daily News this week.
11:02 The Flyers distribute a press release announcing the firing of 3 ushers, the scoreboard operator and the zamboni driver (Snider announces he will drive the zamboni because it looks fun)


Well I am obviously frustrated with how the Flyers season has gone so far. They have been dismal and when it is not yet Halloween and their season appears over, it will be a long year. At least the Sixers start on Wednesday.

There are three main questions that I will be answered this season and how they are answered will determine the success of the season.
1. How will AI respond after a crazy summer of trade rumors?
Answer: I see AI posting numbers around 27-29 points per game. He always gives everything he has and I don’t see that changing this year because truth be told, AI has been through this before. He is good friends with Mo and put up career numbers last year and I see him coming very close to those numbers this year.
2. How will Andre Iguodala shoot the ball?
Answer: This is one of the biggest questions going into the seasons. If he can take a step forward in his development, then this team will improve. If he continues to shoot as he has thus far in his career, I would look at him as a first round bust. The answer to this question could quite possibly be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.
3. What about the frontcourt?
Answer: Chris Webber is the biggest name, but no longer an impact player. This team would be better off going with a small lineup, but I would be surprised if that happens. They will play Webber along with a center (Dalembert, Henderson, or Hunter). Shavlik Randolph was a pleasant surprise last year and should continue to get playing time this year and contribute.

The Sixers added to local players to their roster for training camp in Barcelona. Steven Smith, a LaSalle product, will compete for minutes at forward. Smith is 6-8 forward who is tough as nails. Smith is still on the roster and the Sixers have trimmed their roster to 15 so they are not required to cut anyone else.

Cheers: Billy King for resisting to trade AI for less than he is worth. Trading AI would have ensured the Sixers were worse than last year.
Jeers: Billy King for making AI wonder all summer if he was coming back. King let the trade rumors become too public and needed to keep things private even that he was looking to deal AI
Cheers: AI for saying all the right things while everything was going on this summer. He maintained that he wanted to remain in Philly and I hope that is true because he is my favorite player.
Jeers: Sixers for conducting training camp in Barcelona. This is a team that needs to create a buzz about itself especially with so much attention going to the Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers. Holding training camp in Europe is not the way to do it. Maybe the NBA told them to but it is not doing the team any favors.

Well, I am hoping for the best, I do not see this upcoming season being any different than the last year. The roster is the same and there has been no management change although the team is up for sale. Seems like it’s the same old same old, but I will be there cheering every step of the way. Thus this is the life of Philly fan. The seasons change, but the story remains the same.

Jaime Moyer inked a new two year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Soudertown native had been rumored to want to return to Seattle but in the end choose Philly for two more years. This is a good signing. He will provide a great veteran presence for Cole Hamels to learn from as he continues his development. He will also stabilize the back end of the bullpen after Brett Myers and Cole Hamels.

It has been rumored that either Moyer or Randy Wolf would return but Pat Gillick let the door open for Wolf to still return. Another starter could still be acquired in a trade with a team such as Chicago White Sox. It is nice to have four starters locked up before the end of the World Series and the start of free agency. Stay tuned as the Hot Stove is about to heat up with the playoffs drawing to a close. I will go to bed tonight dreaming about the names Curt Schilling, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Gary Sheffield donning the red pinstripes next year and leading the Phillies to postseason glory.

I woke up this morning expecting an uneventful Sunday watching football all day. I finally got my Sixers season preview posted and the Flyers don't play until Thursday, so I expected no news today. A day of following my fantasy football team and watching the World Series tonight. Mr. Ed Snider had something else in mind though. He accepted the resignation of Bob Clarke as the GM and fired Ken Hitchcock as head coach. I will admit I was surprised. I know Snider spoke about making big changes after the 9-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, but I never thought Clarke or Hitchcock would go mid-season.

Bobby Clarke, captain of the great Broad Street Bullies in the 1970s, was allowed to save face by resigning his position because of burnout. It was probably time for a change at the top. Clarke will always be revered because of his playing days but his moves this offseason have not worked out. The Flyers have struggled to compete in the new NHL. They have been too slow and have no puck moving defensemen. That was all too obvious when the Flyers lost to the Sabres. It felt like the Flyers were playing a man down the whole game because the Sabres were that much quicker. Paul Holmgren will move from assistant GM to interim GM replacing Clarke. I would be surprised and disappointed if Holmgren gets the job permantely. I would not understand Snider claims to make big changes if he only replaces Clarke with Holmgren. Clarke has so dominated the news that I have never know much about Holmgren.

The Flyers website in their article did make a point to say that Holmgren is interim GM. That leads me to believe that the job will be re-evaluated after the season. One dark horse candidate that probably deserves some consideration is Ron Hextall who was with the Flyers organization in the front office before accpeting the assistant GM job with the LA Kings before the season. Another name I want to through out there and also has Flyers connection is Pat Quinn. Quinn most recently was with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was head coach of the Flyers from 1978-1982.

Ken Hitchcock has been a very successful coach throughout his career but Snider was looking to make changes and Hitchcock got his pink slip. I would say I am disappointed at this move. Hitchcock is a very good coach and the struggles this year are probably more a response to the quality of his players. It also hurt him that Keith Primeau could not return. Primeau was an extentsion of Hitchcock in the locker room always preaching his defensive philosophy.

John Stevens seem like a quality replacement. He was very successful with many of the Flyers players during their time with the Phantoms. Stevens is only 46 years old, but seems like he has been groomed to be the coach of the future and the future is now. The Flyers website does not list Stevens as an interim coach so the job seems to be his.

Ed Snider has made changes to the Flyers but the season does not seem to be able to be salvaged, so it may be time to change players. Trading valuable players like Derian Hatcher may be wise to get some return for him. Well so much for an uneventful Sunday.

One Note: Don't forget to scroll down and read my Sixer's preview

The 76ers come into this year with no real hype. Not surprising. The Eagles 4-2 and the Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for free agency. The Flyers have their normal following, but the Sixers have no fanfare right now. The most basketball news that has made the rounds lately is that Larry Brown moved back to the Philly area. Mo Cheeks, that is your seat that is instantly warming up. This team has not been close to the same since he bolted to Detroit. While I think this is a long shot, I would not be opposed to it. He is a great coach and the Billy King obviously needs help in personnel decision and as everyone knows, Brown will help. Enough on Brown, now let me focus on the team Mo Cheecks took to Barcelona, Spain with him.

Allen Iverson is back after a tumultuous summer of trade rumors courtesy of Billy King. AI always plays hard and I am not worried about his dedication. He will give 110% percent every game and can be counted on to produce. The concern is the surrounding cast. Chris Webber returns, bad knees and all. He kills me. He doesn’t understand why the fans got on him for showing up late to fan appreciation night. He is happy to make his 20 million dollars a year and do as little as possible. Not a great player to have on a young team. I never question AI’s dedication, but I do question the dedication of Webber. These two players headline camp and the season for a second straight year.

Andre Iguodala is now entering his third year and has not fulfilled the potential he had when he was drafted. This year is critical to his development. He does play good defense but has no mid range game. A necessity in the NBA. Some believe that his problems stem from playing with Allen. This can not be used as an excuse. He needs to learn how to play wingman to Iverson, and excel in that role. Samuel Dalembert is another concern. He regressed last year especially offensively. Cheeks reduced his playing time and this did not sit well with Dalembert. For the Sixers to have any success, Dalembert needs to be a force offensively as well as defensively. Unfortunately, I don’t see this happening.

The Sixers have two promising rookies. Rodney Carney has plenty of promise, but I am unsure of his impact this year. I think in the right situation he could contribute immensely. Carney is 6-7 forward, who shoots the three pointer well. I liked the draft choice and think he will be a very good player, but under Billy King they have not showed the ability to develop their young players. Bobby Jones is highly regarded as a defender and will play small forward. He will compete against Carney, Iguodala, and Kyle Korver for playing time. To me Kyle Korver has been a big disappointment. Yes he can shoot the three but that is it. He plays no defense and contributes no other offense.

I am not sure how the season will play out. I believe they will compete for a playoff spot but I would be surprised if they made the playoffs. To tell the truth, they may be better off not making the playoffs. If they make the playoffs they will lose their first round draft pick. One major change that I believe should be made and it could be viewed as a “change of culture.” They need to change how they play the game. No more slowly moving the ball up the court and setting up and offense, passing the ball to AI, and watching him shoot. They need to play like the Phoenix Suns. I recognize that they have less talent, but at least they would be more exciting and probably better. The Sixers should play an up tempo game by running the fast break more often and pushing the ball up the court. Obviously, the slower players would have to go. No Webber because he slows down the game too much. A starting lineup of Dalembert, Carney, Iguodala, AI, and Willie Green, I think would be better. They would play exciting basketball and be more successful. I do not see that happening though. I believe the Sixers will be almost as identical as last year. Both roster wise and and playing style. This will lead to the same result as last year. A 38-44 record and out of the playoffs. Look tomorrow for Part II of the preview.

What has happened to our vaulted Broad Street Bullies. They first lost over the weekend to their rival New Jersey Devils then got run over by the Buffalo Sabres. Granted the Sabres are the best team in the Eastern Conferance but the Flyers stand in last place and have played with little passion this year. The Flyers responded today by waving Petr Nedved, Nolan Baumgartner, and Niko Dimitrakos. None had performed well this year and younger guys can easily fill their spots. The Flyers recalled three guys from the Phantoms. RW Stefan Ruzicka, LW Ben Eager, and D Alexandre Picard will get a chance to show what they are capable of.

It seems like this teams best years are past it and may be hitting a rebuilding mode. If Bobby Clarke was not a Flyer's legend, he would be on the hot seat. In the old NHL, Clarke made a living of overspending for free agents since the Philadelphia is a very large NHL market. Now Clarke looks overmatched and it may be time for a new GM in Philly. My one hope is no matter how bad this year may go is that Ken Hitchcock does not get fired. This mess is not his fault. He has been given a slow team that can not compete with the speed teams like Buffalo.

I watched the Flyers vs. Sabres game until it was 3-0. The Flyers looked awful from the start. Robert Esche saved the team in the first quarter because it could have easily been 2-0 after the first period. After the first period, I predicted the Flyers would lose 4-1 but I guess I underestimated how overmatched they were. My original goal was for the Flyers to compete for the Stanley Cup now looks silly. They were completely embarrassed by the Sabres and will have a difficult time of even making the playoffs.

Well it could be a long, cold winter in Philly. The winter used to be the time for follow two Philly teams and their chase for the playoffs. This year doesn't look so good. The Flyers look finished before Halloween. The Sixers start in a few weeks but is anybody really expecting much more than last year and at best the eighth spot in the playoffs (My preview will be coming hopefully later this week). Well everyone better bundle up and enjoy the Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez rumors and wait for Spring Training to comence in Clearwater. Burrrrr.

I read many Phillies blogs everyday to get a feel of how the phans are responding to events. The biggest thing this week in the world of Phillies is the hiring of three new coaches. The response seems mixed and at best lukewarm. There have been many negatives listed including jockeying for Charlie Manuel's job, the jobs should have been given to younger coaches, Pat Gillick pushed these hires on Manuel, and a clear replacement for Manuel.

First, there seems to be a concern that Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes will all be trying to steal Charlie's job. I don't buy it. All their comments were positive towards Manuel and working within the framework of the coaching staff. Jimy Williams is getting older and may not ever be a skipper again. He may finish his career like Don Zimmer. Williams is very good strategically and will run spring training forcing the players to focus on fundamentals. I'm am sure Art Howe is looking for another managing job sometime but has been out of baseball for 2 years and trying to steal Manuel's job would not make a good impression with future employers. I am not concerned at all about Lopes. He is a realist and knows that he will probably never be the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. I feel that this staff will work hard and together following the lead of Charlie Manuel to help the Phillies reach the postseason.

Second, people have pointed out that these hires present a clear replacement or at least interim replacement when Manuel gets canned. Any of the three could fill-in in a pinch as an interim manager. Some fans have hoped that the Phillies struggle out of the gate so that one of these three will replace Manuel. That is a terrible prayer. The Phillies need to win early and often next season. These changes were made to help Manuel succeed not to have a replacement in line. Also even with all these former managers on the staff, I still believe the Phillies next manager will come from outside the organization or the minor leagues. I believe John Russell still has a good chance, but other than that I see Gillick bringing in someone from the outside.

Third, many fans were hoping for former Phillie, Juan Samuel, and Triple A manager, John Russell. Although those two may be good coaches, youth is not what Manuel needs next to him on the bench. He needs proven managers that provide experience that he can draw on. Gillick alluded to that in his statement. Imagine if the Phillies would have hired young and inexperienced coaches, the fans would have clamored for experience and now that is what we got and not everyone is happy.

The last complaint is that Pat Gillick pushed these changes on Charlie Manuel. Both have stated the final decision was Manuel's and no one elses. Yes the interviews were conducted with many front offices executives present but for once can we take a GM at his word. Gillick said the decision was made by Manuel. It was also Manuel who went to Gillick with the idea of improving his staff. Everyone makes fun of Manuel for being "dumb" but that claim is not entirely true. Yes he struggles with his X's and O's but he knows what is going on around him. He knows his job is on the line and by improving his staff it increases the chances of him sticking around for the whole year. Manuel is great with the players and his new coaches should provide more focus on fundamental and help the team get off to a hot start.

I see no reason any Phillies fan should be upset or against these hires. These are inspired and smart hires by Charlie Manuel. Everyone from Charlie to the players to the fans should benefit from Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes being on the staff. Lets take Gillick and Manuel at their word. Lets listen to their statements and not read into them. Lets understand that there was no unstated intentions and lets be positive for the moment and realize the benefit that this brings to the Phillies.

I read many Phillies blogs everyday to get a feel of how the phans are responding to events. The biggest thing this week in the world of Phillies is the hiring of three new coaches. The response seems mixed and at best lukewarm. There have been many negatives listed including jockeying for Charlie Manuel's job, the jobs should have been given to younger coaches, Pat Gillick pushed these hires on Manuel, and a clear replacement for Manuel.

First, there seems to be a concern that Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes will all be trying to steal Charlie's job. I don't buy it. All their comments were positive towards Manuel and working within the framework of the coaching staff. Jimy Williams is getting older and may not ever be a skipper again. He may finish his career like Don Zimmer. Williams is very good strategically and will run spring training forcing the players to focus on fundamentals. I'm am sure Art Howe is looking for another managing job sometime but has been out of baseball for 2 years and trying to steal Manuel's job would not make a good impression with future employers. I am not concerned at all about Lopes. He is a realist and knows that he will probably never be the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. I feel that this staff will work hard and together following the lead of Charlie Manuel to help the Phillies reach the postseason.

Second, people have pointed out that these hires present a clear replacement or at least interim replacement when Manuel gets canned. Any of the three could fill-in in a pinch as an interim manager. Some fans have hoped that the Phillies struggle out of the gate so that one of these three will replace Manuel. That is a terrible prayer. The Phillies need to win early and often next season. These changes were made to help Manuel succeed not to have a replacement in line. Also even with all these former managers on the staff, I still believe the Phillies next manager will come from outside the organization or the minor leagues. I believe John Russell still has a good chance, but other than that I see Gillick bringing in someone from the outside.

Third, many fans were hoping for former Phillie, Juan Samuel, and Triple A manager, John Russell. Although those two may be good coaches, youth is not what Manuel needs next to him on the bench. He needs proven managers that provide experience that he can draw on. Gillick alluded to that in his statement. Imagine if the Phillies would have hired young and inexperienced coaches, the fans would have clamored for experience and now that is what we got and not everyone is happy.

The last complaint is that Pat Gillick pushed these changes on Charlie Manuel. Both have stated the final decision was Manuel's and no one elses. Yes the interviews were conducted with many front offices executives present but for once can we take a GM at his word. Gillick said the decision was made by Manuel. It was also Manuel who went to Gillick with the idea of improving his staff. Everyone makes fun of Manuel for being "dumb" but that claim is not entirely true. Yes he struggles with his X's and O's but he knows what is going on around him. He knows his job is on the line and by improving his staff it increases the chances of him sticking around for the whole year. Manuel is great with the players and his new coaches should provide more focus on fundamental and help the team get off to a hot start.

I see no reason any Phillies fan should be upset or against these hires. These are inspired and smart hires by Charlie Manuel. Everyone from Charlie to the players to the fans should benefit from Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes being on the staff. Lets take Gillick and Manuel at their word. Lets listen to their statements and not read into them. Lets understand that there was no unstated intentions and lets be positive for the moment and realize the benefit that this brings to the Phillies.

Today, Charlie Manuel announced the hiring of three experienced coaches to replace Gary Varsho, Bill Dancy, and Marc Bombard. Jimy Williams, former Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Astros manager, will replace Varsho. Williams adds plenty of experience as bench coach and should help Manuel greatly. Art Howe, former Astros, A's, and Mets manager, will become 3rd base coach replacing Bill Dancy. Davey Lopes will move in as 1st base coach and replace Marc Bombard. These were three great hires. All three should help strategically and hopefully bring the best out of the players.

This should end the debate about whether Manuel can be a good skipper if he is surrounded by gooad coaches. I believe that Manuel is a great manager for this club. He communicates very well and has brought out the best in Howard, Utley, Rollins, and others. His players love him and he has weathered many storms in Philly. My contention has been that if he is surrounded by good coaches he will do fine. The X's and O's have always been his downfall but Jimy Williams, Art Howe, and Davey Lopes will all help. All Manuel has to do is listen. The only problem I see with these hires, and it is a small one, is the rumors that will persist. At the first sign of trouble the rumors will swirl about who will replace him and that can't be healthy for the players.

All in all though this is a great hire. It shows an instant desire to win and is a better hire than any of the names that were rumored. We heard the names Juan Samuel, John Russell, and Dick Poles but no offense to them but today's hires were all better. They provide much more experience since all are former managers and are wise in the ways of baseball. They should provide more focus on fundamentals and as Manuel said "I expect them to have a very positive effect on the team."

Fours games into the new NHL season the Flyers are stuck on one win. They have showed the ability to be good but have also played flat. The goaltending issue has been thrust to the front after Robert Esche started the first game but Antero Nittymaki has started the past three.

Flyers at Penguins - The Flyers came out flat in the first game of the year. Robert Eshe was bad in goal and it appeared like the Flyers forgot the preseason was over. They were shutout 4-0. Sidney Crosby was impressive for the Penguins.

Rangers vs. Flyers- The home debut was much better. The Flyers fell 5-4 in a shootout. Antero Nittymaki played very well and stopped the first 12 shooters in the shootout before allowing a goal. Simon Gagne had two goals with Peter Forsberg and Geoff Sanderson both contributing a goal.

Flyers at Rangers- The first win of the season came at Madison Square Garden. The Flyers won 4-2 and looked impressive. Nittymaki was also very good in goal for the Flyers. Nittymaki is playing with a torn hip labrum but he has not let it affect him. The offense was potent again as Forsberg, Gagne, and Sanderson all had goals again along with Mike Knuble adding a goal.

Canadiens vs. Flyers- The Flyers fell to 0-2 at home after falling 3-1 last night. Nittymaki allowed two goals and played his third consecutive good game. He has seemed to set himself apart from Eshe in the early going. Offensively the Flyers could never get anything going. The Flyers were 0-8 on the powerplay and that has been a problem early in this season. The Flyers lone goal was scored by RJ Umberger.

Tip of the Cap- Antero Nittymaki has played very well in goal. Although his record is only 1-2 he has played better than that. Robert Eshe was given a chance in preseason and the first game but has not played well yet. It looks like Nittymaki is establishing himself as the starter.

Wag of the Finger- The Defense has not played well as a group. Mike Rathje is out with injury and that has not helped. Derian Hatcher has played well but other than that the defense has not been very good allowing 14 goals in the first 4 games.

Coming up: The Flyers travel to New Jersey to face the Devils on Saturday night. Long-time rivals should be a good game.


The Sixers are returning from their Europe trip and overall is has been good. They lost to a European team before beating the Suns in a big comeback. They finished with a victory over another European team. Samuel Dalembert looked very impressive in Europe and that is a positive for the upcoming season. Dalembert needs to be a defensive force. Rodney Carney also played well even hitting a game-winning shot over the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers will continue preseason with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, November 1.

As reported earlier today by numerous media outlets Cory Lidle was killed in a plane crash in New York City. He was with the Phillies longer than any other team but finished this season pitching for the New York Yankees. He was 34 and leaves behind a wife and young son. I don't know what to say other than it is a tragedic accident. Remember to keep his wife and son in your prayers as they work through this untimely death.

Now lets take a look at the bullpen. Statistically they appeared to be alright. I am not going to get into how they struggled in close games, but if you want to read about that head over to beerleaguer. Lets look at the Phillies bullpen and their options for improvement next season.

I have to think there are four locks to return. Flash Gordon will be back closing games for the Phillies. He had a superb first half, making the all star game. He struggled mightily in the second half even missing time with a shoulder injury. Hopefully, he will be back next year, healthy and performing like he did the first half of this year. That is far from a guarantee. Geoff Geary who really came into his own this year will return probably as a set-up man. Geary became the most consistent reliever out of the bullpen. By the end of the season, he was the only relief pitcher I trusted. Ryan Madson also will likely be back next year. Madson had a terrible season this year. He moved between the rotation and bullpen and never pitched well. I will use that as the excuse for his poor pitching because before this year he had been superb out of the bullpen. If Madson can return to his form from two years ago, the Phillies could have a solid bullpen but I don’t think he can be counted on. Matt Smith will also be back next year. Smith had a good end to the year with the Phillies. His only blemish came during the final week when he walked two batters during a meltdown by the bullpen. He has shown a good fastball and a slider that can be nasty. He will probably be the top lefty in the bullpen replacing Aaron Fultz. Smith has good stuff and I think has the ability to close games in the near future (maybe the Abreu trade wasn’t as bad as everyone believed?).

There are some possibilities from within that I think could contribute next year. I think the two most likely candidates are Brian Sanchez and Clay Condrey. Sanchez struggled with the big league club but appears to have the ability to contribute. Condrey is a strike thrower. His stuff is not as good as Sanchez but he is definitely capable of contributing in the Phillies bullpen. Two lefties that will probably get a look in spring training are Eude Brito and Fabio Castro. I don’t see Castro starting the season with the Phillies especially with the way Manuel used him. I think he will probably go to Triple A and get more seasoning before returning to Philadelphia. Brito could be a nice addition to the bullpen. He could be a long-relief man as well as another lefty in the bullpen. Brito has some talent but I don’t think he is anything special but could be a serviceable pitcher in the bullpen.

Aaron Fultz is a free agent and I don’t see the Phillies bringing him back. He has pitched a lot of innings since he put on the red pinstripes and he is on the downside of his career. They would be better off giving his job to a younger player. I have always liked Fultz, but I think his time in Philly is done. Also Julio Santana should be able to return at some point during this season. He had Tommy John surgery early last season so he could be a factor sometime in May or June. Santana has never been anything special so don’t count on big things if he returns.

Other possibilities are few are far between. I think the most intriguing one is Eric Gagne. Gagne is likely to return to the Dodgers at a discount but it might not hurt to look into signing him. He can’t be counted on to convert 86 straight saves or even be healthy for a month so this would be a big risk. There are many other free agent bullpen pitchers but I don’t see many improvements out there. There would all be middle relief and no guarantees to succeed. The only other possibility I see is Dany Baez. Reportedly he wants out of Atlanta since they re-signed Bob Wickman. He may be someone to look into to bring in and team with Gordon at the end of the bullpen. Baez has never been real consistent, but would be an improvement.

My plan would involve only inside possibilities. Gordon, Geary, Madson, and Smith would all from the back end of the bullpen. They would be counted on to perform well and consistently. I would also add Sanchez and Brito to the bullpen to start the season. Castro would be just a call away at Triple A, but Brito has earned a chance to win a job to pitch in relief. Many fans want the Phillies to go outside but I don’t think that is there best route.

The next installment is the pitching staff. What can be done and what should be done. As I see it Brett Myers and Cole Hamels are definites to be back in the rotation next year. They form a formidable 1-2 punch when Myers is on. Hamels looks primed to become a big time pitcher and the kind of pitcher you would like to throw out on the mound two times during a playoff series. Jon Lieber is also likely to return since one year remains on his contract. There is a chance that he could be traded over the off-season if a deal could be reached. So as I see it there are probably two spots open in the rotation.

Jamie Moyer and the Phillies have a mutual 4.75 million dollar option and he has hinted that he enjoyed his two months in Philly but also greatly missed his family which remained in Seattle. Randy Wolf is also a free agent who could be re-signed but will also get looked at from numerous other teams. Wolf made 9 million this year and will take a steep decrease in salary next year. It is said that a pitcher is much better and stronger two years removed from Tommy John surgery. Wolf had his struggles this year but also showed flashes where he pitched well. He is also relatively young at 30 years old. The Phillies have hinted that only one of these two will be brought back next year so let’s look at the alternative options.

There seems to be no real possibilities from within the organization. The Phillies are loaded with pitching prospects but no are close to the major league level. Gavin Floyd is headed to the Arizona Fall League to hopefully get his confidence back and learn to pitch again. Floyd won a job out of Spring Training but failed miserably. I believe he will never be what Ed Wade envisioned him to be when he drafted Floyd in the first round. Maybe a good fall could lead to a trade where the Phillies get something in return. The Phillies seem consent to give Floyd one more chance to prove himself. My idea would be to try to move him to the bullpen where he could use his curveball more without worrying about seeing a hitter twice in a game. Eude Brito may get a look depending on who is brought in during the off-season. I don’t think he has what it takes to make it as a consistent starting pitcher. He may be a viable relief candidate but not a starter. The one pitcher from within the organization who I thought could be in the rotation next year was Scott Mathieson. He will not be available though because he will be rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. If the Phillies go into Spring Training needing to fill in the rotation from within, they will be in major trouble thus let us look at the outside possibilities.

There are a few high-profile pitchers out there. Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt are both on the open market but I would be very surprised if either were even considered seriously by Gillick. Gillick’s philosophy is to build pitching from within and spend money on hitters. I like his approach but this year there needs to be some money devoted towards pitching. There are some average pitchers available. They are LHP Ted Lilly, RHP Tony Armas Jr, and RHP Wade Miller. Miller is especially interesting since he is from around Philly and was also recovering from surgery. Another far-fetched option would be Kerry Wood. Wood has never been healthy but he could be a starter or reliever. Andy Pettite is also a free agent. The Phillies have long been interested in him, but I don’t think anything will come of it. Pettite will either stay in his hometown, Houston, or return to New York.

There are also some options via trade. Carl Pavano is reportedly on the block because of his injuries and covering up an auto accident. He does have a high salary, but the Yankees would probably pick up part of his salary. Tim Hudson also may be traded this year. He has never become the consistent starter the Braves thought they were getting from the A’s. Freddy Garcia may also be available from the White Sox (Aaron Rowand for Garcia?). Garcia also struggled with consistency this year but would be a good addition behind Hamels and Myers. Dontrelle Willis is always reportedly on the trading block but that is a long shot at best. I want to throw out one other name. Curt Schilling. The Red Sox are coming off a disappointing season and may look to deal many of their older players. I would be surprised if Schilling was traded but if he is dealt, Philly is a very good possibility. Schilling said before he was traded to Boston that he would like to return to Philly but Ed Wade would not make a deal (Thanks Ed).

So what would I do? I would bring back Moyer and Wolf. I would send out the same starting rotation as this year. I would look into some possible trades. I might look to acquire someone like Pavano or Garcia. Of course I would investigate bringing Schilling back. If a pitcher were acquired via trade, I would look to trade Jon Lieber.

Next a look at the bullpen.

It is time to evaluate the infield of the Philadelphia Phillies. Who played well and who needs replaced.

First Base- Ryan Howard had no sophomore slump but instead had a coming out party all year. He finished with a .313 average, 58 home runs, and 149 RBIs. Quite an impressive year and deserving of the NL MVP. The Phillies did not really have a backup most of the year until they acquired Jeff Conine and then Randall Simon. Conine is expected to be back next year so first base seems set. Howard does not require many days off but it will be nice to have Conine spell him every once in awhile. Knock on wood but the first base position seems set for hopefully the next 10 years at or so.

Second Base- Chase Utley was voted as the starting second basemen for the all-star game. Utley also had a 35-game hitting streak this year. He can be a little streaky as witnessed during his cold streak in August and part of September. Utley finished with 32 home runs, 102 RBIs, 131 runs, 204 hits, and a .309 average. He also improved his fielding but still has room for improvement and I expect improvement until next season. Utley also became a leader after the Abreu trade and the team followed his “never-say-die” attitude and all out-hustle play. There is no true backup to Utley, but that is alright because Utley hates taking days off. If Abe Nunez returns to a utility role like he played in the first half of the year then he would be Utley’s backup. Utley and Howard form the best right side of an infield in the league. They combined for ninety home runs.

Shortstop- Jimmy Rollins performed admirably this year especially down the stretch. He is a big game player and probably would be at his best in the playoffs. He finished with a .277 average, 25 home runs, and 127 runs. He proved that he could bat almost anywhere in the lineup from first to sixth. Right now he is their best option at leadoff hitter so I recommend that he stay there. Rollins also plays exceptional defense. He is worthy of a Gold Glove every year. He has also taken on a bigger leadership role this year and has a dynamite personality. He seems to draw everyone in and make people feel welcome. He seems like the kind of guy that would meet a rookie at the door and show him around and then invite him out to grab some dinner with the guys after the game. Rollins and Utley form one of the best, if not the best, middle infield combo in the game. Rollins also does not have a true backup, but rarely takes a day off anyway.

Third Base- Now is where it gets interesting. Abe Nunez plays exceptional defense at third and made numerous web gems during the season. The downside is that he does not hit well. He finished with a .211 average but he did raise it significantly once he became a regular. There are numerous alternatives if Pat Gillick chooses that route:
· Aramis Ramirez- Ramirez plays good defense and would provide a great right-handed bat to protect Howard. He hit .291 with 38 home runs for a terrible Chicago Cubs team also driving in 119 runs. Impressive totals especially on a team that didn’t hit much. He must opt-out of his contract to become available.
· Nomar Garciaparra- I brought this name up a few weeks ago. I believe this is a long shot but he does know how to play third base. He is a free agent and the Dodgers may go with a youth movement and he may be the odd man out. He finished the year struggling somewhat lowering an average that was up around .340 earlier in the year.
· Adrian Beltre-The Seattle Mariners have not been happy with the production of Beltre. He is owed a lot of money over the next couple years. Some of his struggles have been associated to Safeco Park and a change of scenery to the cozy The Bank could be helpful.
· Joe Crede- He is arbitration eligible with the White Sox and is in line for a large raise. The White Sox may elect not to pay him because they want to focus on rebuilding their pitching staff. He hit .283 with 30 home runs. He could also provide a big bat behind Howard. He made be had in a trade and the White Sox still covet getting their hands back on Aaron Rowand.
· Aaron Boone and Melvin Mora- Boone would be nothing more than a stopgap. He would provide little upgrade over Nunez. Mora just re-signed with the Orioles so would have to be acquired in a trade. Mora is a fan favorite in Baltimore so that would be surprising if they traded him.
· Their appear to be no alternatives from within the system. The farm system is getting stronger but they have no ready and waiting third basemen.

Catcher- Mike Lieberthal appears to be done in Philly. He is the longest tenured Philadelphia athlete. Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste appear primed to replace him, but Gillick has said he will look to bring in a veteran. That veteran could be Johnny Estrada who has said he would like to return to Philly. This is close to the bottom of the priority list. They need to address many other issues before the catching position. Ruiz and Coste would be a viable catching platoon next year.

So what would I do about third base? I would try to bring in Aramis Ramirez but if that could not happen Joe Crede or Adrian Beltre would be good alternative in trades. I would not overlook Nomar but I would be careful not to overpay him because he is very fragile. Just dream about Aramis Ramirez hitting fifth behind Howard.

Next, a look at the starting pitching.

The Flyers enter the 2006-2007 season with very little national fanfare, but the local phans have higher expectations. The Sporting News chose the Buffalo Sabres as their pick to win the Stanley Cup. They did not even mention the Flyers among their contenders (Sharks, Hurricanes, Predators, Ducks, and the hated Rangers). ESPN.com picks them to finish 8th in the Eastern Conference. That is a long, hard fall from third in the conference. I still have higher expectations though. Four players will be vitally important to their success or failure this year.
Peters Forsberg- The new captain is returning from off-season ankle surgery and needs to be the best player in the world for the Flyers to have the season they are capable of. He also needs to replace Keith Primeau as the captain and be a leader in the clubhouse. He will also be Ken Hitchcock’s go to guy in the locker room.
Derian Hatcher- To say that Hatcher was a disappointment in his first year, but has worked very hard this off-season to get quicker and become a better player in the new NHL. Hatcher needs to be a big-time defenseman for the Flyers this year or the defense will continue to be at the bottom of the pack and let the team down. Hatcher will play hard and hopefully improve on last year’s performance.
Robert Esche- With news that Antero Niittymaki is out for an extended period of time, it is up to Esche to step up and become a true number one goalie. He has a month or two to win the job and his performance will dictate how the Flyers address their goaltending issue. Hopefully plays well although in the long run I think Niittymaki has more potential. Goaltending is very important to this season and for the first month or two that will fall on the shoulders of Robert Esche.
Kyle Calder- He had a terrific year for an awful Chicago Blackhawks team last year. Calder will play on the wing for the Flyers and will be counted on to play like he did last year. He had 59 points for the Blackhawks. He will contribute to a potent offense and they may have to outscore some teams this year especially early in the year.

The key to this season rests with the defense and goaltending. Robert Esche needs to play like a superstar especially early to cover as the defensive pairings get used to working with each other. Esche may need to cover for some mistakes. Niitymaki, injured his hip and will be out, allowing Esche to play almost everyday for two months. This could be Esche’s last chance in Philly. If he does not establish himself, Hitchcock may be ready to make Niittymaki the number one goaltender. The other big question in training camp is the defensive pairings. Who partners with Hatcher, or Mike Rathje, or maybe do they pair together. Reportedly both have been playing well in training camp and are both determined to improve on last year’s poor showing.

Replacing Keith Primeau will not be easy. Primeau provided great leadership and was trusted by Hitchcock. Peter Forsberg needs to step up and fill that void in the locker room. Hitchcock relies very heavily on his captain to find out what the players are thinking and what they want. The “C” is not just an honorary designation for Hitchcock; it requires extra work and a good relationship with the coach.

Bobby Clarke tied up two loose ends before training camp. He got Simon Gagne signed to a contract extension. Behind Forsberg, Gagne is their best offensive talent and probably a captain in training. Second, Clarke extended Ken Hitchcock’s contract. I feel it is never good to go into a season with a coach with only a year left on his contract. I feel like it creates distractions and may empower the players to take more liberty even creating a mutiny if things don’t get started right. Clarke avoided all these potential distractions by tying up these loose ends before the season gets started.

The Flyers should be a potent offense with some struggles defensively. They should be exciting and I am holding out hope that they can make not only the playoffs but advance and make a run at the Stanley Cup.

The Flyers will open the 2006-2007 season on October 5th across the state in Pittsburgh.

Tomorrow on Phrustrated Philly Phan- Preview of the Flyers-Penguins game and hopefully and review of the infield of the Phillies.

If Pat Gillick takes my advice, I promise the Phillies will win the World Series in 2008. Buck Showalter was fired as manager of the Texas Rangers today and the year after he is fired that team always wins the World Series. So next year's champ will be the Texas Rangers. If the Phillies hire Showalter for 2007 and then fire him regardless after the season, they will win the World Series in 2008. It is all so simple and the hard questions of finding a new third basemen, corner outfielder, and pitching would not need to be addressed. Just fire Showalter as the manager and the Phillies will win it all in 2008.

According to MLB.com, Charlie Manuel is going to be retained by the Philadelphia Phillies. It is not a surprising move as Gillick has commended the job done by Manuel on numerous occasions. This is a smart move. No need to replace Manuel only a need to surround him with better coaches. This now allows Pat Gillick to move on the bigger issues of the off-season. These are the personnel moves that need to be made.

The Phillies announced that the contracts of bench coach, Gary Varsho; third base coach, Bill Dancy; and first base coach, Marc Bombard. This is not much of a surprise. Varsho is a very good coach and has a bright future but I am not sure Manuel ever really trusted his judgement. It is known that Varsho would like to return to Chicago Cubs. He may get a look for the manager job, but it would be surprising if he got that job. Either way Varsho should land on his feet somewhere.

Bill Dancy was offered another position within the Phillies organization. Dancy is a lifetime Phillie, having been a minor league player, coach, manager, coordinator, or major league coach for 32 of his 34 years in the game. Dancy was never a good third base coach. He often got players thrown out by easily and then would become too cautious.

Rich Dubee, Milt Thompson, Mick Billmeyer, and Ramon Henderson will return to the Phillies next year. Rich Dubee is hard to evaluate because he operates mostly behind the scenes. He has overseen Brett Myers' development and turned Geoff Geary into a consistent reliever. Cole Hamels also blossomed this year, but Hamels has so much talent I think that you or me could have overseen his development. Dubee has not helped Gavin Floyd reach his potential but I do not believe that is all his fault.

Milt Thompson also deserves to return. Although he has not bee able to help Pat Burrell, the rest of the lineup is very productive and actually the highest scoring team in the NL even above the New York Mets. Thompson has helped Shane Victorino to contribute to the offense, helped Chris Coste make the most out of chance in the majors. The biggest critism of this offense is the lack of timely hits. This is not the hitting coach's fault. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins also all had very big years under Thompson.

I am most excitied about Ramon Henderson returning. He is the two time Home Run Derby batting practice champion pitcher. Henderson has garnered some fame from this. He also seems to keep the bullpen and clubhouse loose. He seems to connect well with all the Latino players and can communicate well with them because he speaks fluid spanish. This may come as a surprise but Henderson is the third longest-tenured coach in the NL East behind two of Atlanta's coaches.

The only thing left undecided is Charlie Manuel's fate. Manuel is scheduled to meet today with GM Pat Gillick. Once the decision is made, I will post an update. My feeling is that Charlie will return and I would support that decision. The only reason I would replace Manuel is if the Phillies could hire Joe Girardi and I don't see that happening. Manuel has done a great job of controlling the clubhouse. The players all love him and although he is not a very good strategist if he was surrounded with good coaches he will be alright. Manuel, a hitting genius, has helped get the best out of this lineup. The hitters are not the reason this team missed the playoffs rather it was the pitchers. Manuel kept this team afloat during a bad start, Brett Myers' incident, Flash's injury, and a firesale at the deadline.

If Charlie Manuel is relieved of his duty there are some coaches that will get interviews.

• Lou Piniella- he worked with Gillick in Seattle. He is a fiery guy reminiscent of Larry Bowa. I am not sure that is what this team needs. Utley provides intensity and fire unlike the previous leader of this team. I think an easygoing manager would be a better fit.
• Joe Girardi- I think he will be a very good manager. He has a strong personality, but did a great job in South Florida this year with a young team. I think Girardi is a long shot to land in Philly since he has no connections and will have his choice of jobs.
• Bob Boone- he interviewed when Larry Bowa was hired. He had a short stint with the Cincinnati Reds before being fired.
• John Russell- He did a great job in Scranton this year leading an undermanned team into the playoffs. Many of his players admired him and he seems to have a bright future. When Manuel is replaced, I think Russell should be his successor.

Dusty Baker, who was let go by the Chicago Cubs, should not be given consideration. He does not have a good track record with young players especially young pitchers.

Still, I don't see the Phillies replacing Charlie Manuel. Manuel has done a better than average job. Many Phillies fans strictly dislike him because he was hired instead of Jim Leyland. That was a mistake, but firing Manuel now would also be a mistake.

The last act was the team fighting back into playoff contention. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley led offensively but more importantly the pitching began to get more consistent. Randy Wolf returned after missing 13 months because of Tommy John Surgery. He was not in top form but rounded out the rotation nicely. Even though Gillick believed this season was over, he never surrendered. As the team heated up and started clawing their way back, Gillick kept his options open. The first reinforcement came in the form of 43 year old LHP Jaime Moyer, a native of Soudertown, PA. Moyer was very consistent winning 5 games down the stretch for the Phillies. Then Jeff Conine came over from Baltimore to provide help offensively. Gillick also added Jose Hernandez and Randall Simon to help the bench. All these additions made for a very exciting last month and half of the season.

Cole Hamels began the evolution to “ace.” After Brett Myers overcame a dead arm period, he reminded everyone why he and Hamels can be a dominant 1-2 punch. Jon Lieber made his usual late season charge. Jamie Moyer provided a second veteran presence in the rotation. Moyer pitched very well for the Phillies after coming over from the Mariners. Moyer won five games down the stretch for the Phillies. He was also a great mentor for Cole Hamels. Randy Wolf returned from Tommy John to round out the rotation. Although, he was inconsistent, Wolf showed some improvement. Pitching was the major reason the Phillies turned things around during the last two months and allowed them to fight for the wild card until the final weekend. The bullpen had their struggles after Flash Gordon went on the DL with shoulder problems.

Ryan Howard put up some amazing numbers during the last two months as the Phillies challenged for the wild card. He hit 23 home runs and drove in 62 runs. Also he batted .387 in August and .333 in September. Quite impressive numbers that should propel him on to win the NL MVP. Chase Utley struggled to hit after his 35 game hitting streak was broken, but continued to play at 110% everyday. Shane Victorino provided a spark at the top of the lineup after Rowand broke his ankle in a collision with Utley. Jimmy Rollins also had an enormous final two months of the year.

The Phillies managed to pull a half game ahead of the Dodgers with seven to play. Unfortunately, this is where it all fell apart. Many skippers quit pitching to Howard putting more pressure on Burrell and Jeff Conine. Burrell and Conine were inconsistent in the job of protecting Howard. There was energy in Philadelphia about the Phillies chances. I think everyone knows how the final week played out so there is no need to write about the heartbreak. To me, the future looks bright.

Coming up: I will write about what should be done about Charlie Manuel and his coaching staff. That should be up in a day or two. That will be followed by articles about the infield, outfield, and pitching staff. Stay tuned.

Wow what a season it was. For the second straight year, the Phillies will finish the year with a better record than a playoff team. This team has made major progress during Pat Gillick’s first year. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard became all-stars. Cole Hamels was fast-tracked to the majors and developed well. Brett Myers appears ready to pair with Hamels to provide a very good 1-2 punch. Geoff Geary was a solid, underappreciated reliever all year. Shane Victorino played his heart out after Aaron Rowand’s injury and will be fighting for a starting job next year. Chris Coste provided the most heart-warming story in some time in professional sports. A twelve year minor leaguer finally got his shot and performed well enough to earn a spot on the roster next year.

The Phillies began this year with lower expectations than in past years. The major additions by Gillick were Sal Fason, Alex Gonzalez, Abe Nunez, Flash Gordon, and Ryan Franklin through free agency. Aaron Rowand, Arthur Rhodes, and David Delluci from trades were brought in. Ryan Madson and Gavin Floyd earned jobs in the starting rotation out of spring training and Ryan Howard hit 11 home runs only foreshadowing an impressive sophomore season. Then came opening day. Personally, maybe my favorite day of the year. Jon Lieber took the mound versus the St. Louis Cardinals and got shelled. The Phillies were swept in the opening series and would not win a game until Bobby Abreu hit a game-winning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the off-season the players talked about getting off to a quick start, but it was not meant to be. The Phillies struggled through April, but in May they caught fire. They took 2 of 3 from the Mets in the first series of the season in the highly anticipated return of Billy Wagner. The crowd was enthusiastic and the home crowd witnessed Aaron Rowand break his nose running into a fence to catch a ball and save the game. Needless to say, Philly fell in love with Rowand after this catch. A three game set with the Cincinnati Reds arrived and Cole Hamels made his major league debut. Hamels pitched shut out ball for five innings. In the last game of the series, Howard entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 8th and hit the game tying home run and followed that up with the game winning home run in the 12th inning. Quite an impressive performance by Howard, who didn’t start the game because of illness. The Phillies appeared to be in the race for the long haul but then June rolled around.

June was not kind to the Phillies. The starting pitchers were brutal and they often were playing from behind. The bright spots were the hitting of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley along with the pitching of Tom Gordon. All three would be selected as NL all-stars in July. The Phillies were futal against the AL during interleague play and Brett Myers was arrested from hitting his wife. Management mishandled the incident by allowing Myers to start the next day and not issuing a statement until four days after the arrest. The backlash was very negative both in Philly and nationwide. Myers subsequently took a leave of absence until after the all-star break. Around this time, Utley started his 35 game hitting streak that would last into early August. Ryan Howard made a national name for himself during the home run derby. He won 500 free airline flights for a lucky individual on his last home run. Unlike last year when the derby seemed to sap Abreu of his power, this year the derby set Howard up for a very impressive second half. The Phillies continued to stumble and Gillick began looking at his options as the trading deadline approached.




There much speculation at the trading deadline. How would Gillick approach his first trading deadline with the Phillies. Would he make minor changes or overhaul the roster. Many people wanted the overhaul and Gillick obliged. The first to go was David Bell in a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers. They acquired a 22 year old RHP, Wilfredo Laureano. This trade was met with enthusiasm, but turned 3rd base over to Abe Nunez who would finish the season hitting barely above the Mendoza line. Sal Fasano was dealt to the New York Yankees after he was designated for assignment. In exchange they received Hector Made, a 2nd base prospect. Then Pat Gillick dropped a bomb. I must admit I was surprised when it actually happened. I heard all the rumors, but didn’t think anything would materialize. Gillick traded Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle to the Yankees for four minor league players. They are SS C.J. Henry, LHP Matt Smith, C Jesus Sanchez, and RHP Carlos Monasterios. Then Rheal Cormier exited stage left a day later in a trade to the Cincinnati Reds for Triple A RHP Justin Germano. Lastly the Phillies traded Ryan Franklin also to the Reds after the Phillies designated him for assignment. In exchange they got Single A RHP Zac Scott. A complete overhaul and a GM saying wait until 2008 put a damper on the rest of the year, but the players had one more major act waiting for the phans and it was the best act of the year.

Wow what a season it was. For the second straight year, the Phillies will finish the year with a better record than a playoff team. This team has made major progress during Pat Gillick’s first year. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard became all-stars. Cole Hamels was fast-tracked to the majors and developed well. Brett Myers appears ready to pair with Hamels to provide a very good 1-2 punch. Geoff Geary was a solid, underappreciated reliever all year. Shane Victorino played his heart out after Aaron Rowand’s injury and will be fighting for a starting job next year. Chris Coste provided the most heart-warming story in some time in professional sports. A twelve year minor leaguer finally got his shot and performed well enough to earn a spot on the roster next year.

The Phillies began this year with lower expectations than in past years. The major additions by Gillick were Sal Fason, Alex Gonzalez, Abe Nunez, Flash Gordon, and Ryan Franklin through free agency. Aaron Rowand, Arthur Rhodes, and David Delluci from trades were brought in. Ryan Madson and Gavin Floyd earned jobs in the starting rotation out of spring training and Ryan Howard hit 11 home runs only foreshadowing an impressive sophomore season. Then came opening day. Personally, maybe my favorite day of the year. Jon Lieber took the mound versus the St. Louis Cardinals and got shelled. The Phillies were swept in the opening series and would not win a game until Bobby Abreu hit a game-winning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the off-season the players talked about getting off to a quick start, but it was not meant to be. The Phillies struggled through April, but in May they caught fire. They took 2 of 3 from the Mets in the first series of the season in the highly anticipated return of Billy Wagner. The crowd was enthusiastic and the home crowd witnessed Aaron Rowand break his nose running into a fence to catch a ball and save the game. Needless to say, Philly fell in love with Rowand after this catch. A three game set with the Cincinnati Reds arrived and Cole Hamels made his major league debut. Hamels pitched shut out ball for five innings. In the last game of the series, Howard entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 8th and hit the game tying home run and followed that up with the game winning home run in the 12th inning. Quite an impressive performance by Howard, who didn’t start the game because of illness. The Phillies appeared to be in the race for the long haul but then June rolled around.

June was not kind to the Phillies. The starting pitchers were brutal and they often were playing from behind. The bright spots were the hitting of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley along with the pitching of Tom Gordon. All three would be selected as NL all-stars in July. The Phillies were futal against the AL during interleague play and Brett Myers was arrested from hitting his wife. Management mishandled the incident by allowing Myers to start the next day and not issuing a statement until four days after the arrest. The backlash was very negative both in Philly and nationwide. Myers subsequently took a leave of absence until after the all-star break. Around this time, Utley started his 35 game hitting streak that would last into early August. Ryan Howard made a national name for himself during the home run derby. He won 500 free airline flights for a lucky individual on his last home run. Unlike last year when the derby seemed to sap Abreu of his power, this year the derby set Howard up for a very impressive second half. The Phillies continued to stumble and Gillick began looking at his options as the trading deadline approached.




There much speculation at the trading deadline. How would Gillick approach his first trading deadline with the Phillies. Would he make minor changes or overhaul the roster. Many people wanted the overhaul and Gillick obliged. The first to go was David Bell in a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers. They acquired a 22 year old RHP, Wilfredo Laureano. This trade was met with enthusiasm, but turned 3rd base over to Abe Nunez who would finish the season hitting barely above the Mendoza line. Sal Fasano was dealt to the New York Yankees after he was designated for assignment. In exchange they received Hector Made, a 2nd base prospect. Then Pat Gillick dropped a bomb. I must admit I was surprised when it actually happened. I heard all the rumors, but didn’t think anything would materialize. Gillick traded Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle to the Yankees for four minor league players. They are SS C.J. Henry, LHP Matt Smith, C Jesus Sanchez, and RHP Carlos Monasterios. Then Rheal Cormier exited stage left a day later in a trade to the Cincinnati Reds for Triple A RHP Justin Germano. Lastly the Phillies traded Ryan Franklin also to the Reds after the Phillies designated him for assignment. In exchange they got Single A RHP Zac Scott. A complete overhaul and a GM saying wait until 2008 put a damper on the rest of the year, but the players had one more major act waiting for the phans and it was the best act of the year.