Do you remember how after the 2004 season, the Phillies went looking for a manager? They brought in eight candidates in a sort of dog-and-pony show that included Charlie Manuel, who got the job, and Jim Leyland, who wanted the job but was turned away. Leyland, in so many words, said the Phillies had already made up their minds to hire Manuel when he was brought in, which sparked more animosity toward former GM Ed Wade.
Of course you remember that. Especially now that the Detroit Tigers, where Leyland is in his first year, have the best record in the major leagues at 35-17 and the Phillies are, well, the Phillies, hovering around .500, somewhat underachieving given their $95 million payroll. So is it the manager? Maybe. The Tigers lost 119 games three years ago, threatening the 1962 Mets' record for futility right up until the final day of the season. They went 71-91 last season, and came back with basically the same roster this season, but a new manager in Leyland. Still, there wasn't much talk of them contending with the White Sox and Cleveland Indians in the AL Central.
OK, the Tigers have some good young talent in Bonderman, Verlander and Granderson. So, too, do the Phillies in Utley, Howard and Cole Hamels (when he's healthy). So is it the manager? Or the players? I'm interested in your opinions.
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2 comments:
Pitching, pitching, pitching. How can the manager make big league "throwers" better? The only way is by bringing in a guy who can do the job. Hmmm who was that guy in Atlanta who made big league pitchers out of throwers?
Really, back in the day when you look at those young Braves who developed third pitches etc. they became the dynasty the deserved to be. The Phils have throwers that need to become big league pitchers. Also, they were not able to keep the hardest throwing relief pitcher in the game. OK Gordon is doing the job but would you rather have Gordon or the Mets closer?
Also why not trade Delucci right now for a arm? The guy should be playing more. I like Victorino but Delucci has got pop and is being wasted on the bench. Did he not hit 29 homers last year?
I like Willis in a trade for Hamels. He is bigger stronger and has already won twenty games in the bigs. His energy is exactly what the drab Phillies dug out needs.
Otherwise the skipper is calling all the right plays. It is a matter of injecting some energy and getting better pitching.
You definitely have a point. One thing about being bad for so many years is that the Tigers were able to stockpile young arms, and they finally made it up to the big leagues and developed into good pitchers.
But I don't think that explains everything. If anything, the fact that the Tigers have those arms and the Phillies don't (other than Myers and Hamels) shows which team has been more effective in the front office and in the draft _ the Phillies have had plenty of 1st-round pitching busts.
I still think Leyland could have found a way to get more out of Gavin Floyd, maybe give him a kick in the butt or something, than Manuel has. The same with Madson and some of the younger guys. yes, you need to have talent to pitch, but you also need the right mindset, and I'm not sure that Manuel is instilling that.
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