Feb. 28 -- CRYING FOUL

They don't want to be quoted about it, but several Marlins officials are reportedly upset that former Florida manager Joe Girardi offered advice last July that Phillies right-hander Jon Lieber credits for turning around his season.

Girardi and Lieber, former teammates and still close friends, talked after the Marlins rocked Lieber on July 31, and Girardi told him what Marlins hitters were saying about his "flat" pitches. Lieber (at left, talking to his 7-year-old son Jared), heeded Girardi's advice and went 5-3 with a 3.38 ERA in his last 11 starts, including two wins against the Marlins.

"If you think a friendly conversation cost us the wild card, you're sadly mistaken," Girardi, who feuded with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, told the Palm Beach Post. "They're acting like I sat people down and gave signals away."

Added Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis, "To be honest, I don't think it's a big deal. If we lost the wild card by two games, I'd have a bigger problem with it."

What do you think?

Feb. 28 -- "FANCY SHOES" FLOYD

Newsflash: Gavin Floyd is having trouble with the White Sox. I know, you're probably shocked.

It appears the former Phillies' first-round pick twisted his right ankle during an intrasquad game Monday, an injury White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen attributed to "fancy shoes." Floyd sheepishly said he plans to switch to a pair that offers more support. Asked yesterday how his ankle is feeling, Floyd appeared confused. "It's a little tight still," he told reporters. "It feels 100 percent better. Well, not 100 percent, but 75."

Gullen couldn't have been happy when the White Sox traded Freddy Garcia, his neighbor in Venezuela, to the Phillies for Floyd. Just wondering: If Floyd doesn't pitch well this spring, how long before Guillen starts getting on his case?

Feb. 28 -- DAY 14: ROTATION UPDATE

Good morning.

Just a quick note on the Phillies' starting rotation for the first few days of games: Jamie Moyer will pitch tomorrow's Grapefruit League opener against the Tigers in Lakeland. He'll be followed by Brett Myers on Friday against the Indians at Bright House, Adam Eaton on Saturday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers and Cole Hamels on Sunday against the Yankees in a televised game at Bright House. Freddy Garcia will pitch in a B-team game Monday at home against the Blue Jays, while Jon Lieber will travel to Sarasota to face the Reds.

It's WAY to early to speculate on the opening-day starter, but what fun would this blog be if we didn't? So, I've looked ahead on the schedule, and if the pitchers stay on rotation (a virtual impossibility since Lieber and Garcia can't continue pitching on the same day in major-league games), the April 2 opener against Atlanta would be Myers' turn. Keep your eyes peeled for rotation changes, and I'll update them as spring training lurches on.

Feb. 27 -- BIG MONEY FOR THE BIG GUY?

Here's a safe bet: The Phillies and Ryan Howard will reach a settlement on a 2007 contract by Friday.

Take that to the bank.

The only question is how much money Howard will be taking to the bank. His rate of success -- 82 home runs and 217 RBIs in 266 games over only 1 year and 145 days of major-league service time -- is nearly unprecedented, so there's little basis to determine his rate of compensation. Based on his service time, Howard isn't eligible for salary arbitration until at least after this season. He isn't eligible for free agency until 2011. So, at this time, there's absolutely no need for the Phillies to lavish him with a multi-year contract. In fact, doing so would alter baseball's traditional pay scale and set a dangerous precedent. Even the great Albert Pujols had to wait until he was arbitration-eligible to get a long-term deal from the St. Louis Cardinals. That's just how the system works.

Casey Close, Howard's new agent, is well-aware of that. Close and GM Pat Gillick began discussing Howard's 2007 contract two weeks ago and likely will reach an agreement by Friday. If they don't, the Phillies will be able to stop negotiations and determine Howard's salary on their own. It's doubtful they'll allow their talks with Close to reach that point.

Howard made $355,000 last season, and he's expected to receive a major raise. The record salary for a player with as little experience as Howard was a $690,000 deal that the Cubs gave to Kerry Wood after his rookie season. Pujols made $900,000 in 2003, one year before he was eligible for salary arbitration. Odds are, Howard will receive something in the $1 million to $1.5 million range before really cashing in before next season.

Feb. 27 -- HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!

The Phillies have rounded out their 2007 broadcast team by hiring Flyers play-by-play man Jim Jackson (right) to host their pre- and postgame show. Jackson will join the usual cast of characters, Harry Kalas, Chris Wheeler, Larry Andersen, Scott Franzke and newcomer Gary Matthews, for the Phillies' television and radio broadcasts.

Jackson, 43, has been calling hockey games for 20 years, the past 14 for the Flyers. But he knows the difference between a power hitter and a power play. In the summer of 2005, on the heels of the NHL lockout, Jackson exercised his vocal chords by calling Trenton Thunder baseball games. And, from 1986 to 1993, he called Utica (N.Y.) Blue Sox minor-league games.

Feb. 27 -- DAY 13: LET THE GAMES BEGIN

After almost two weeks of tedious workouts -- fundamentals are important, but they're also monotonous -- the Phillies will begin playing games tomorrow night when undefeated Florida State University visits Bright House Networks Field. Kyle Drabek (left), the Phillies' 2006 first-round pick, will make the start, then likely be sent to minor-league camp. Personally, I'm interested to see how the 19-year-old right-hander fares against college hitters. Also scheduled to pitch are John Ennis, Jim Ed Warden, Joe Bisenius, Ryan Cameron, Jeff Farnsworth and Alfredo Simon. Pay attention this spring whenever Warden and Simon pitch. They're both Rule 5 draft picks, so if they don't make the Phillies' 25-man roster, they have to be offered back to their original teams.

In case you were wondering, FSU is 13-0 entering a home game tonight against North Florida. It's the Seminoles' best start since 1975, when they went 15-0. In its history, FSU has played eight exhibition games against major-league teams, going 2-6.

Feb. 26 -- BYE BYE, BOBBY

If you were looking forward to seeing Bobby Abreu (left) face the Phillies on Sunday, today's news from Tampa will be disappointing. Abreu, the former Phillies right fielder, will miss two weeks of spring training after straining his right oblique during batting practice today. The Yankees are hopeful Abreu will be ready for opening day on April 2, but GM Brian Cashman characterized the injury as "significant."

"I'll probably say three weeks, but we'll see," Cashman told reporters. "Worst case, it's one of those lengthy ones that gives him too short a period of time to get ready. But it's really premature to be guessing."

The Phillies host the Yankees at Bright House Networks Field on Sunday and on March 17. They'll travel across the bay to Legends Field in Tampa on March 20 and March 26. There's an outside chance Abreu could be ready to play in those games.

Feb. 26 -- DAY 12: MICHAEL JACK

So, Mike Schmidt (left) dropped by the Complex today and brought to mind a scene from the 1988 movie "A Fish Called Wanda." Never seen it? Make it your next rental.

Anyway, in the scene, Kevin Kline, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, grabs John Cleese by the feet and hangs him out the window of a tall building in London until he desperately apologizes. You could easily imagine Schmidt being dangled out a window (by Pat Burrell?) as he wrote this mea culpa about his recent comments at a banquet in Dayton, Ohio, regarding Burrell and strikeout-prone Reds slugger Adam Dunn. He even read from the prepared statement to avoid any misunderstandings and said he was planning to pass it along to Burrell. Here's the statement. ...

"As a former Phillies player, I'm honored to be a guest at this camp. As a guest I want to do my best to steer clear and put to bed any issues that may lead to controversy. With regard to the past article where I commented on Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn, understand the article was about the propensity of power hitters to strike out. As you all know, I'm pretty well versed on that subject being in the top five of all-time, having K'd almost 1,900 times.

I believe a goal of any hitter should be to make contact, especially in crucial at-bats, by understanding how to hit defensively with two strikes, something that took me 14 years to learn. My use of the term "mediocre" was in poor taste and I'm sorry if it offended, but it was not intended to label Pat Burrell or Adam Dunn, or their accomplishments, but to point out that at some point, as a result of reducing strikeouts, their future accomplishments will make their past seem "mediocre." Since meeting Pat six years ago, I have re-lived my career through him, as we have so many similarities. I root for him every game, and feel that in 2007, given good health and 600 at-bats, Pat will assert himself as one of the top run producers in baseball."

Then, Schmidt admitted he and Burrell are "not that close" and said he tried to call Burrell a few times this winter, but "he didn't return my phone calls. Maybe I didn't use the right alias or something, trying to get a hold of him. I've reached out." But he also said he relates more to Burrell than any hitter on the Phillies because of their similar "approach to hitting, having to deal with strikeouts and wanting to do so bad in front of Philly fans."

Feb. 26 -- FABIO'S FUTURE

Good morning, all.

One quick note to pass along: I had a conversation the other day with Danny Martinez, one of the Phillies' Spanish-language broadcasters, about lefty reliever Fabio Castro (left). Danny knows Castro about as well as anyone since Castro lived with him after being traded to the Phillies in late June. Anyway, he confirmed the second-hand reports I had heard during the winter about how well Castro pitched in the Dominican Republic and expressed confidence that Castro could help the Phillies if he makes the team out of spring training.

But will he?

It depends on how the Phillies want to use Castro in 2007. Some in the organization believe he's best suited to be a starter, which would mean an extended apprenticeship in the rotation at triple-A Ottawa. Others, namely manager Charlie Manuel, think Castro's greatest immediate value to the Phillies is in the bullpen. Matt Smith is the only lefty reliever with a lock on a bullpen spot, and Castro would give Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee another option against the league's top left-handed hitters, like Carlos Delgado.

Martinez's opinion: Castro is good enough right now to help the Phillies in any way. And, for now, at least, Manuel said Castro will be used as a reliever in Grapefruit League games. Keep an eye on how he does.

More later.

Feb. 25 -- DAY 11: FRONT & CENTER

Whenever I hear about a team trying to move a natural center fielder over to right field, I think about the horrific collision in 2005 between the Mets' Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron. It was a case of two aggressive outfielders, both accustomed to playing center, who didn't communicate as effectively as they should've.

Well, the Phillies will have two natural center fielders in their outfield this season. Aaron Rowand, shown here goofing around during a recent workout at the Complex, is back in center field after an injury-filled 2006, while Shane Victorino moves over to right. I asked Rowand if he and Victorino will need to take care to avoid a Beltran-Cameron situation.

"It's easy. It's just communicating in the outfield," Rowand said. "He knows what I can cover. I know what he can cover. I make it real plain out there. I'm loud in the outfield. He knows when I'm coming. Trust me, he doesn't want to run into me, and I don't want to run into him. All it is, is communication in the outfield.

"Having him out there makes my job easier going that way. I know I can shade more towards left-center field and cover more ground out there knowing he can cover parts of right-center field. We're not going to have any problems communicating out there. He played out there next to me for a month last year and didn't have any problems."

You can read more from Rowand in tomorrow's News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com, assuming I ever finish writing it.

Feb. 25 -- HE'S NOT THAT OLD

Happy Sunday, everyone.

Much has been made, in The News Journal and elsewhere, about Jamie Moyer's (left) advanced age (44) and extensive major-league experience (20 seasons). Apparently, it's on the minds of fans in Clearwater, too.

Charlie Manuel was walking past some fans at the Carpenter Complex yesterday when someone asked if he played with Moyer. Manuel turned 63 last month, and his playing career ended in Japan in 1981, five years before Moyer made his major-league debut. Still, Manuel humored the inquisitive fan.

"Somebody asked, did Jamie play with me," Manuel recounted with a smile. "I said, 'Yes.'"

Feb. 24 -- DAY 10: PAT THE BAT

Had an interesting conversation today with Pat Burrell, and you can read all about the most reviled member of the Phillies in Sunday's News Journal (and at www.delawareonline.com). But here's something that didn't make the cut for the newspaper.

I asked Burrell about the issue of protecting Ryan Howard, the reigning NL MVP who was walked routinely during the final month of last season. Burrell, who is the Phillies' first option to bat behind Howard in 2007, batted only .222 with runners in scoring position last year, and he knows he'll have to be more clutch than that if Howard is going to get anything good to hit.

But manager Charlie Manuel believes the protection-for-Howard issue is overblown and often recalls how, when he managed the Cleveland Indians in 2002, Jim Thome belted 52 home runs even though a young Milton Bradley batted behind him for most of the year.

So, how does Burrell feel about undertaking the responsibility of protecting Howard?

"For the situation that we're in, I think it's not that big a deal," Burrell said. "If it is, I'm glad I was hitting behind him because he had a pretty good year [in 2006]. We'll see. Somebody asked me the other day, 'Are you the biggest key to Ryan Howard's success?' I said, 'No, he is.' That's just the way the game is."

Feb. 24 -- FORE!

Good morning.

Busy day so far here at the Complex. Well, not really. It's "Photo Day" for the Phillies, who took turns mugging for the cameras. But there was still plenty of time to hold a "draft" for the team's annual golf tournament, which will occur Tuesday. Catching instructor Mick Billmeyer (left) revealed the obviously well-thought-out strategy for picking his team. Broadcaster Chris Wheeler, supposedly a strong golfer, was his first pick. Then, Billmeyer chose minor-league instructor Jerry Martin because he likes to drink and tell jokes. With his third pick, he tabbed team president David Montgomery. Why? "I'm looking for a two-year deal," Billmeyer cracked.

It was no surprise to Brett Myers that pitching coach Rich Dubee picked phenoms Cole Hamels and Scott Mathieson, two of the best young arms in the organization. "Dubee had to take all his sons," Myers said.

Right now, the Phillies are working out in the sunshine, and I'm about to go watch. Check in later for more.

Feb. 23 -- CATCHING ON

When I left the clubhouse this afternoon, I intended to write a story for Saturday's paper about the Phillies' catching duo of Rod Barajas (left) and Carlos Ruiz. But, as I was writing, the focus of the article changed, and it became more of a feature about Ruiz. So, I figured this would be a good time to pass along some information about Barajas that didn't make the newspaper.

First, he's a very laid-back guy, at least off the field. But Barajas assured that he's much more vocal behind the plate, communicating with pitchers and guiding them through a game. Handling a pitching staff appears to be his forte, and over the past few days, he has spent a lot of time getting to know the Phillies' pitchers.

"It's about building relationships," Barajas said. "It's getting to know these guys. It's getting to know how far you can push them and how to push them. Some guys, you might need to get on them, and some guys, you might need to calm them down and talk in a quieter voice. It's trying to gather as much information as you can from every aspect, and then being able to use it when you have to go out there and talk to them.

"I'm definitely going to have to learn each guy's strength and weakness. What might work for Cole Hamels might not work for Jamie Moyer. It's a learning process, and that's where I'm going to rely on my coaches and teammates to try and speed up that process."

With so much information being gathered, I wondered if Barajas keeps a journal or a notebook on each pitcher. Turns out, he just stores the information in his head, as if his brain is a filing cabinet.

Offensively, Barajas expects to see a lot fewer fastballs this season. Batting in the Nos. 8 or 9 spots in the AL, like he often did in Texas, meant a potentially dangerous hitter was coming up behind him. Batting eighth in an NL lineup, like he'll probably do with the Phillies, means the pitcher is coming up next. When he played in Arizona, he struggled in the No. 8 hole.

"Being a young hitter, you wanted to hit every ball over the fence," Barajas said. "You want to make a big impact on every swing. Going to the AL, I didn't have the pitcher behind me, so I was able to see more pitches. Coming back here, I'm a little more mature, and I know what they're trying to do and what I have to do to be successful now."

Well, that's all for tonight. Stay tuned for more over the weekend.

Feb. 23 -- DAY 9: FATHERLY INFLUENCE

The other day, I wrote about Jamie Moyer (left with Brett Myers), the 44-year-old left-hander who is sort of the Yoda of the Phillies' pitching staff. Long before many of his teammates reached adolescence, Moyer was already in the big leagues. And, as he enters his 21st season, he's the wise man who sits at his locker in the clubhouse and dispenses advice to anyone who'll listen. During the first half of his career, Moyer occasionally pitched against Doug Drabek, the former Cy Young Award winner for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This spring, Drabek's 19-year-old son, Kyle, is in his first major-league camp. Kyle, the Phillies' first-round pick last June, has gravitated toward Moyer, much to the delight of his father, who dropped by the workout today. "He's talking to a guy who's been through it all and is more in tune with other things that go along with it," Doug said. "I don't want to call Jamie old, but it's almost like having a dad out there." Moyer said he enjoys talking about pitching with younger players. "We don't just take from this game," he said. "We give back, too."

I asked Moyer if he'd ever be interested in coaching, assuming he ever stops pitching. He said he wouldn't rule it out, but he also would like to spend time with his wife Karen and their six children, varying in age from 15 to 2. Their interests range from baseball and football to appearing in a Seattle-area performance of La Boheme.

Other sights and sounds:

* The workout ended later than usual, primarily because the Phillies worked longer on fundamentals. If you haven't already noticed, that's been a HUGE theme of spring training this year now that new bench coach Jimy Williams is on board. During some of the infield drills, Chris Coste, Greg Dobbs and even outfielder Jayson Werth took reps at first base.

* Greg Golson is one of the Phillies' top prospects, but he's still making a name for himself. And it isn't easy. The speedy outfielder received a shipment of bats upon which his surname was misspelled as "Golsom." No respect.

* Spotted former third-base coach Bill Dancy on the field. Dancy, reassigned to another instructor position in the organization, is assisting in spring training.

* The Phillies are in the process of picking teams for a golf tournament, and everyone's name and handicap has been listed on a dry-erase board in Charlie Manuel's office. Next to RHP Scott Mathieson's name, it says "Putt only!!" Mathieson, of course, is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery.

Time to write. More later.

Feb. 23 -- BOWLING FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS

Some of you are wondering what the Phillies do in their free time here in Clearwater. Well, Thursday was Bowling Night for several members of the team, according to Aaron Rowand. So, which Phillies are the best bowlers? Ryan Howard, by all accounts, is pretty good -- and takes his bowling very seriously. Howard's family even holds an annual bowling tournament over the Thanksgiving weekend in St. Louis. But last night's stars (again, according to Rowand) were Jimmy Rollins (above) and reserve catcher Tim Gradoville , who both cracked 200.

Today's pre-workout meeting, and the reason the clubhouse was closed a half-hour early to reporters, was to discuss nutrition. On that note, I think I'll go have breakfast.

Feb. 22 -- GOING DUTCH

So, remember how I said I spotted Darren Daulton (left) in a restaurant last night on Clearwater Beach (and resisted the urge to make a joke about his beliefs in the Fifth Dimension or the impending end of the world)? Well, it was announced today that "Dutch" is among 15 nominees to join the Phillies' Wall of Fame in 2007. The rest of the ballot includes pitchers Larry Christenson, Jim Konstanty, Ron Reed, Dick Ruthven and Rick Wise, infielders John Kruk, Fred Luderus, Juan Samuel and Pinky Whitney, outfielders Lenny Dykstra and Von Hayes, manager Gene Mauch and coaches Mike Ryan and John Vukovich. You can vote for your favorites at www.phillies.com. A Wall of Fame election committee will vote on the 2007 inductee from a pool of the top five vote-getters in the fan balloting. The ceremony will take place Aug. 10 before a game against the Braves.

That's all for today. See you tomorrow.

Feb. 22 -- DAY 8: PITCHING FOR STORIES

Pitchers vs. Hitters continued this morning, and even the GM got into it. Actually, Pat Gillick (left) spent more time watching from behind the backstop on the four back fields of the Carpenter Complex than playing catch himself.

A few observations:

* LHP J.A. Happ , one of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, drew the interest of the braintrust. Gillick, assistant GMs Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle, farm director Steve Noworyta, special advisor Charley Kerfeld, pitching coach Rich Dubee and former Phillies pitcher Dickie Noles clustered around the cage as Happ threw to Chris Coste, Randall Simon and Wes Helms. Happ looked pretty good, and if the Phillies have the need to call up a starter, he'd probably be among their first choices. Otherwise, he'll be at triple-A Ottawa.

* RHP Jim Ed Warden, selected in the Rule 5 draft in December, has a funky side-arm delivery that can be tough, particularly on right-handed hitters. Just ask Jayson Werth. After watching Warden saw off Jason Hill's bat, Werth gingerly stepped into the batter's box. Just then, Warden walked off the mound, having thrown his allotment of pitches. Werth blew a kiss skyward at having been spared from facing Warden. Instead, Werth faced LHP Brian Mazone and showed some power. After the Rule 5 draft, Arbuckle indicated Warden drops down like Orioles reliever Chad Bradford. That appears to be an exaggeration. Bradford's knuckles almost drag on the mound. Warden doesn't get nearly as low.

* Quote of the day came from LHP Cole Hamels (right). After warming up for his throwing session, Hamels walked onto Mike Schmidt Field, took a look toward the batting cage and saw he would be pitching to Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. "Great, I get the big dogs," Hamels mumbled. The thing is, I don't think facing Hamels was very much fun for them, either.

* The long-dormant Phillies-Mets feud finally is heating up, and some of the Phillies, following Rollins' lead, keep chirping. But you can read all about that in tomorrow's News Journal and, as always, at www.delawareonline.com.

Time to start writing. More later.

Feb. 22 -- MANNY BEING MANNY

Good morning, all.

The clubhouse closed to reporters about a half hour earlier than usual this morning because the Phillies are having a meeting. The coaching staff is stressing fundamentals more than ever, so I'm sure that's what it's about. They're having a similar meeting tomorrow, too.

Anyway, the extra idle time has given me a chance to read some out-of-town news. According to a report in the Boston Globe, several Philadelphia-area radio stations are airing commercials that Manny Ramirez will be appearing Saturday with Reggie Jackson at a classic car auction in Atlantic City. If you've heard the ads, please let me know. It's significant since Manny told the Red Sox he can't report to spring training until March 1, nearly 10 days after the rest of his teammates, because of "family issues." Stay tuned. This is only going to get more interesting. Still, something tells me if Manny keeps hitting 40 homers and driving in 130 runs, the Red Sox will keep putting up with his shenanigans.

While we were allowed in the clubhouse, I spoke to Aaron Rowand, who was fired up because the local Starbucks messed up his order. Rowand asked for a Cinnamon Latte and received Cinnamon Dolce instead. "Ixnay on the dolce," Rowand cracked.

More after the workout.

Feb. 21 -- RESPONDING TO ROLLINS

Across the state in Port St. Lucie, the New York media tried to elicit responses from the Mets to Jimmy Rollins' comments that the Phillies are "the team to beat" in the NL East. About the best came from Billy Wagner: "Our motivation isn't to beat the Phillies," the former Phils closer said. "Our motivation is to win the World Series."

Mets 3B David Wright (left), who referred to Rollins' initial comments last month as "bulletin-board material," added this: "If that’s Jimmy’s way of motivating the team, then that’s his choice. That’s something you’re not going to find around here. We don’t need any motivation. We go out there and we’re going to take care of business. We have the type of veteran leadership that isn’t going to talk about it. We’re going to go out there and back it up.

Also, the Phillies announced they sold 65,000 individual-game tickets today. Fans were lining up as early as 4 a.m. to be among the first to buy tickets. ... Finally, I was having dinner tonight on Clearwater Beach when former Phils catcher Darren Daulton walked into the restaurant.

That's all for tonight. See ya tomorrow.

Feb. 21 -- DAY 7: CHILD'S PLAY

One of the lighter moments from today came in the clubhouse after the workout. Brett Myers, seen here climbing out of his car the other day, handed his 22-month-old son, Kolt, a baseball and asked him to flip it back to him. Kolt only wanted to kick the ball, leaving some onlookers to wonder if he's destined to be a soccer player. I don't think dad was too happy with that idea.

Otherwise, it was a competitive day on the back fields of the Carpenter Complex. Phillies pitchers threw batting practice to Phillies hitters, and the one-on-one matchups were fascinating to watch. Jon Lieber, who may be pitching elsewhere when the season starts, looked good against outfielders Shane Victorino, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand. Hopeful setup man Antonio Alfonseca had a wicked sinker that impressed manager Charlie Manuel. And, as expected, first-round pick Kyle Drabek has some learning to do. But you can read all about that in tomorrow's News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

Right now, some fellow scribes are taking batting practice on one of the fields where the Phillies just worked out -- "The field of shattered dreams," Manuel called it. I politely declined, having realized years ago that I'm better suited to write about baseball than to play it.

More tonight after I finish writing.

Feb. 21 -- LEFTOVERS

Greetings from sunny Clearwater. It's nearly 10:30 a.m., and already, it's 70 degrees. Walked into the clubhouse at about 8:30 and saw a group of TV reporters and cameramen clustered around Ryan Howard's locker for no apparent reason except that he's the MVP. Something tells me the Big Guy is going to have to get used to that. Had a nice conversation with Joe Bisenius, a young reliever who may work his way into the bullpen. Also talked to Jamie Moyer, and as usual, it was an education. I always learn something new about baseball when I talk to the 44-year-old lefty.

For now, though, I'd like to offer up these leftovers from yesterday's session with Jimmy Rollins (above, clowning around with Charlie Manuel). I ran out of space before I could cram them into the newspaper, but I found them interesting, nonetheless.

* On his expectations for 2007: "Anything short of a ring is not a failure, but I wouldn't consider it a great season. You play this game to be a champion, and we definitely have the team to do it."

* On his "team to beat" comment putting a bull's-eye on his teammates: "I'm just putting that exclamation point on it. If you are afraid, I really don't want you on this team anyway. I want to put that pressure on them and myself."

* On the Mets' failure to sign free-agent LHP Barry Zito: "Am I glad Zito is in San Francisco instead of New York? Definitely. He wins. Regardless if you think he is good or that he is just OK, he wins. You can't argue that point. To put him on that [Mets] staff, we'd have to think a little harder about thinking we're the team to beat because they would be more of a handful. Their staff is getting a little older. It's going to be a battle, no doubt, but I think we have the edge."

Consider the gauntlet dropped. ... OK, time to go watch the workout. More later.

Feb. 20 -- SAVING THE PLANET

Chase Utley (left) spent the offseason playing in an All-Star series in Japan, negotiating a seven-year, $85 million contract extension with the Phillies and getting married. Somewhere in that packed schedule, he found time to see "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's documentary film about global warming.

And now, Utley is trying to make a difference.

Utley has joined the fight to help the environment by joining the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, a non-political effort to spark awareness and activism about the issue. Other celebrities who are "marching" against global warming include Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Christie Brinkley, Huey Lewis, James Taylor and politicians Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ed Rendell, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Click here for Utley's thoughts on global warming. No word on how Utley feels about teammate Jon Lieber's new, gas-guzzling monster truck.

Feb. 20 -- DAY 6: IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE SPRINGTIME

The sun is shining. The temperature has risen to 71 degrees. The Phillies are finished with their first full-squad workout. And, finally, it feels like spring.

Charlie Manuel's pre-workout message to the team? "Losing is not an option," he said. "We've got to win." In his news conference, Jimmy Rollins reiterated that he believes the Phillies are "the team to beat" in the NL East this season. And, if that helps motivate the Marlins, Braves or defending division-champion Mets, Rollins said he doesn't care. You can read all about that in tomorrow's News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

As I walked over to the back fields of the Carpenter Complex, I noticed a larger than usual gallery of fans around Mike Schmidt Field to watch Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard take batting practice.

A few minutes laster, longtime Phillies PR chief Larry Shenk stopped by and told me it was the largest crowd he could recall for the first spring-training workout since the mid-1980s. Shenk said the parking lot at Bright House had filled up, and fans were being asked to park down the street at Joe DiMaggio Field.

Back in the clubhouse after the workout, Howard and Shane Victorino were checking out some 2007 Topps baseball cards. Howard is a spokesman for Topps this season. Victorino looked at the back of a card that featured the Phillies' team picture and noted that Howard was listed as the team leader in nearly every offensive category. "Next year, it's going to say Victorino, Victorino, Victorino."

OK, time to start writing my stories for the newspaper. More later.

Feb. 20 -- FISHIN' FOR INFO

Good morning in Bloggerland. Got back a little while ago from the clubhouse, where I had a conversation with new Phillies 3B Wes Helms (left). Last season, Helms played for the young Marlins team that surprised baseball by finishing 78-84. Most pundits had them losing 120 games. I asked Helms when he knew the Marlins were better than everyone thought. "We had a terrible April, and it was getting a little scary there for a while," he said. "But by mid-May, I started to sense we were coming together a lot quicker than I thought we would. That's when I started noticing this team can play, and we wound up putting it together."

So, can the Marlins, led by new manager Fredi Gonzalez, continue to improve and challenge the Mets and Phillies in the NL East?

"It depends on how hard they work," Helms said. "If they're satisfied with what they did [in 2006], then probably not. It's up to them."

Right now, I'm sitting in the press box here at Bright House, awaiting the Phillies' first full-squad workout. For the past hour or so, GM Pat Gillick and manager Charlie Manuel have been addressing the team in the clubhouse. I'll try to find out the context of the meeting and pass it along, but I'm sure it's the standard stuff about their goals for 2007. Think back to what your teachers used to tell you on the first day of school, and you get the idea. Meanwhile, a member of the grounds crew is mowing circles into the grass around the pitchers mound. Exciting stuff, I know. ... Temperature on the scoreboard is 60 degrees -- and hopefully, climbing.

Jimmy Rollins, who is expected to participate in today's workout, will address the media at 1 p.m. I'll have more after that.

Feb. 19 -- READING THE SIGNS

There aren't many jobs up for grabs in Phillies camp, so those of us who cover the team are looking for any hint, subtle as it may be, to discern what the coaching staff and front office may be thinking about the open spots. One sign may have come this morning, during a voluntary workout for position players.

IF/OF Greg Dobbs (left), claimed off waivers last month from the Mariners, is a candidate for the final bench spot. But Dobbs participated with minor leaguers Brent Abernathy and Brennan King in the second round of infield practice, after regulars Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Abraham Nunez and Wes Helms.

Later, the outfielders ran in a tandem formation that seemed to indicate a pecking order. The first two pairs were Pat Burrell/Aaron Rowand and Shane Victorino/Jayson Werth. Karim Garcia, vying for a spot with Dobbs, ran solo. Dobbs was paired with Michael Bourn, who probably will open the season with triple-A Ottawa. Behind them were minor leaguers Chris Roberson, Ron Calloway, Greg Golson and Lou Collier.

Of course, none of that may mean anything. But, for now, Dobbs may want to buy some warm clothes. Ottawa is still cold in April.

Feb. 19 -- DAY 5: GETTING WARMER

We've moved from the window-less media room on the ground floor of Bright House Networks Field to the upstairs press box, where I was able to watch batting practice this morning. Everyone's in camp now, except INF Danny Sandoval, who is having visa problems in Venezuela. He's a long shot to make the team anyway. Other than Sandoval, the last player to officially arrive was SS Jimmy Rollins, who didn't participate in a voluntary workout. In past years, the last-to-arrive distinction has gone to Bobby Abreu. No word from across the bay in Tampa about whether Abreu has reported to Yankees camp.

A few other notes:

* OF Jayson Werth took live batting practice for the first time since 2005. Werth missed all of last season after two surgeries on his left wrist, but the Phillies are counting on him to be their fourth outfielder. For much more on Werth -- and the unique way in which he got a diagnosis for his wrist -- check out Tuesday's News Journal.

* Wes Helms and Abraham Nunez will both have a chance to be the Phillies' opening-day third baseman, according to manager Charlie Manuel. Nunez impressed Manuel with his defense last season, but his ability to play multiple infield positions may make him valuable off the bench.

* All along, RF Shane Victorino was hoping to switch from No. 18 to No. 8 this season, but he waited until Helms asked if he'd give up No. 18. As a thank-you, Helms bought Victorino a new Breitling watch. Not a bad deal, right?

* Bullpen coach Ramon Henderson looked to be in mid-season form. Henderson, known for being the pitcher for back-to-back home-run derby champs Abreu and Ryan Howard, threw one round of batting practice.

* Finally, for a few laughs and a witty perspective on sports and other topics, check out Comcast SportsNet's John Finger's blog .

Weather update: The temperature on the scoreboard reads 64 degrees, up from 50 when I arrived at 8 a.m. ... Time to write for tomorrow's paper.

Feb. 19 -- LOWDOWN ON DICE-K

Good morning and happy Monday. The weather is slowly warming here in Clearwater, and by tomorrow, it may actually reach 70 degrees. That's more like it!

Wanted to pass along this nugget: Karim Garcia reported to camp to take his physical and batting practice on Bright House Networks Field. Garcia, vying to be the Phillies' fifth outfielder, played in Japan for the past two seasons and offered this scouting report on Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox sensation who has been getting so much attention down the road in Fort Myers: "He can throw every pitch for a strike," Garcia said. "I know he throws five pitches. We played in the same league [in Japan], so I had to unfortunately face his team at least 19 times a year. He throws 7-8 innings, strong arm, is very competitive. He doesn’t give you too much to hit. I think he will be very successful over here. He has experience over there. His record kind of shows it. Of course, this is the major leagues. I think he’s going to do good. He throws everything. Forkball, slider, change-up."

And, of course, there's his trademark "gyroball" we've been hearing so much about.

More after BP.

Feb. 18 -- CATCHING ON

Thought you'd appreciate seeing a couple of former Phillies catchers in other uniforms this spring. Below, you'll find Associated Press photos of Mike Lieberthal with the Dodgers in Vero Beach, Fla., and Sal Fasano with the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla., which is only a few miles from Clearwater. I'll post other photos of former Phillies as I come across them.

Feb. 18 -- DAY 4: ALL ABOUT HOWARD

A few notes before I leave the ballpark for the night: Ryan Howard's news conference lasted about 28 minutes and was, I thought, rather revealing. Mr. MVP talked about baseball's steroids epidemic, his ongoing contract situation, running lines with Martha Stewart for the Super Bowl commercial they filmed for The NFL Network and other varied topics. But you can read all about that in Monday's News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

To me, one of the most interesting parts of Howard's day happened away from the TV cameras. This morning, Howard, 2B Chase Utley and 3B Wes Helms participated in a unique defensive drill, conducted by new third-base coach Steve Smith. With Smith standing about 40 feet away, the infielders gloved one- and two-hoppers from their knees. Then, they turned sideways and fielded the balls backhanded. The drill is aimed at improving their hands and quickening their reflexes. Smith's primary job, in addition to waving home runners, is to turn Howard and Utley into better defensive players. Exercises like this are designed to help.

Temperature on the Bright House Networks Field scoreboard during the drill: 49 degrees. Brrrr!

Helms and RF Shane Victorino arrived in camp today, but there was still no sign of SS Jimmy Rollins, IF Abraham Nunez, OF Jayson Werth or OF Karim Garcia. Charlie Manuel said he's not upset they aren't in camp, as long as they arrive by tomorrow when the position players will take physicals. Personally, I'm interested in seeing Werth and finding out about the health of his left wrist. Two surgeries prevented him from playing last season for the Dodgers.

Dinner time. See ya later.

Feb. 18 -- FOR SALE: PITCHER'S HOUSE

Jon Lieber (left) may not want to talk about it, but that doesn't mean it won't be talked about. It's no secret the Phillies have been trying to trade Lieber since the winter meetings in December, when they dealt for RHP Freddy Garcia. Now comes this information that Lieber has put his house in Newtown Square, Pa., up for sale. His asking price is $1.7 million, just in case you were wondering or have that kind of cash laying around. My bet? Lieber will be traded next month after spring-training games begin. Too many teams need pitching, and with one year and $7.5 million left on his contract, Lieber certainly is more affordable than a lot of the comparable (or even lesser) pitching out there.

The Phillies' complex is starting to fill up, with players and media. When I walked into the clubhouse this morning, I saw RF Shane Victorino and 3B Wes Helms. Victorino has changed to No. 8 because Helms asked him for No. 18. No word yet on how much that cost Helms. Ryan Howard's press conference is about two hours away, so the Phillies have set up a table and chair in the media lunchroom, behind the small room where me and the other Phillies reporters have been working each day. Reporters from ESPN, USA Today, the New York Times, the Baltimore Sun and the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger are already here, and I'm sure more are on the way.

Still chilly outside, and the sun is nowhere to be found. The wind has also kicked up. But the forecast is calling for more Florida-like temps next week.

Sad news: Phillies assistant GM Mike Arbuckle's father, Junior, has passed away. Funeral services will be held tomorrow in Trenton, Mo.

More later.

Feb. 17 -- DAY 3: CALM BEFORE THE SWARM

Hello, again, from the press room at Bright House Networks Field. Other than the media, the ballpark has emptied out. Today was a shorter day for the Phillies, which is good since the national media will descend on Clearwater tomorrow for a 1 p.m. news conference with Ryan Howard. Of course, we'll have full coverage in the News Journal and at www.delawareonline.com.

Speaking of the Big Guy, he's been here for several days, well ahead of Tuesday's deadline for position players to report. After today's workout, Howard, RHP Brett Myers and OF Michael Bourn were playing catch with a football in the clubhouse. The sight of Howard in a royal blue, No. 19 retro Johnny Unitas jersey made me think he'd have made a pretty intimidating football player, although the Phillies are certainly happy he preferred baseball.

Chris Coste developed into the best story of spring training last year, going from anonymity to nearly making the team and later getting recalled in May. Last year, Coste wore No. 67 in spring training. That number is now being worn by RHP Joe Bisenius, who may have a chance to make the team as a reliever. Bisenius is a better bet to start at triple-A Ottawa, but he's probably going to pitch for the Phillies at some point this season. "I told Bisenius that 67 is the lucky number," Coste said, "but something tells me he won't need luck."

Finally, strange stat of the day: RHP Adam Eaton has five career stolen bases. That's as many as LF Pat Burrell , three more than 3B Wes Helms and four more than C Rod Barajas.

Still chilly here today, but at least the sun came out. Phillies PR chief Larry Shenk, a Wilmington resident, even broke out the Delaware Blue Hens sweatshirt. I expect we may see some more position players trickle in tomorrow.

That's all for now.

Feb. 17 -- PAIN IN THE NECK

Across the state in Port St. Lucie, Caesar Rodney High product Dave Williams is in camp with the Mets, but, for now, he's unable to pitch. Williams had surgery last month to repair a bulging disk, and word from Mets camp is he's walking around in a neck brace that leaves him unable to turn his head. Williams, who had been a candidate for the Mets' No. 5 starter vacancy, told the New York Daily News that he occasionally suffered a stiff neck last season. It intensified and persisted in January, forcing him to undergo surgery. He hopes to be ready to pitch for the Mets by June. "Hopefully, I get out of this soon, so I can sleep," Williams said.

Feb. 16 -- DAY 2: TAKING CHARGE

Not to keep harping on the unseasonably cold weather here, but outfielder Chris Roberson walked into the clubhouse this morning wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blowing on his hands. He should try Wilmington in February.

Some notes from Day 2:

* Pitching coach Rich Dubee wants the Phillies catchers to be more assertive with calling pitches, and he told them as much in a morning meeting. One of the criticisms of Mike Lieberthal was that he didn't take charge enough behind the plate. Asked if rookie catcher Carlos Ruiz (left) would benefit from some help from the dugout, manager Charlie Manuel said Ruiz can be trusted to call his own game. "Every now and then, we might get to that point late in a game where Dubee or I call some pitches," Manuel said. "But it's better when the pitcher and the catcher feel like they can run a game. To sit there in the dugout and call every pitch, believe me, that creates problems."

* Despite batting .328 last season as a 33-year-old rookie, C Chris Coste is vying with IF/OF Greg Dobbs and OF Karim Garcia for one of the final two spots on the bench. 1B Randall Simon is also a possibility. "I'm in a better spot than I've ever been," Coste said, "but at the same time, my motto my whole career is, 'Every day is a tryout.'"

* Quote of the day: They say practice makes perfect, but RHP Brett Myers is shooting a hole in that adage. Myers, talking about his hitting today, said, "I can crush BP. I'm a great 4 o'clock hitter." But, in games last season, he went 2-for-63 (.032).

Feb. 16 -- PHILLIES COMMERCIALS

If you have a wireless or high-speed Internet connection, you have to check out these TV commercials taped last month by the Phillies. The advertising campaign is entitled, "Goosebumps ... What will they do for you?" All of us here in the media room at Bright House Networks Field are impressed by Charlie Manuel's comedic timing in the "Locker Room" commercial.

And, according to Charlie, it took him only two takes.

Go to http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/fan_forum/commercials.jsp, or click here to watch.

Feb. 15 -- YANKEES TO HONOR LIDLE

The Yankees, who train in neighboring Tampa, announced today that they will wear black arm bands this season to honor the memory of Cory Lidle, the former Phillies pitcher who died Oct. 11 when his plane crashed into an apartment building on the Upper East Side in New York. The Yankees also haven't assigned No. 30, worn by Lidle last season after being acquired in July from the Phillies. It should be noted that Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee is wearing No. 30 in honor of Lidle.

Being back at spring training, it's hard not to think of Lidle, who routinely kept us writers occupied on slow mornings at the Carpenter Complex by sharing stories of his poker games at Tampa Downs. And, of course, it was at this time last year that Lidle also told us about his new hobby, piloting an airplane, and showed off pictures of his new single-engine Cirrus SR20.

Feb. 15 -- DAY 1: CHILLIN' IN FLORIDA

I'm well-aware of how wretched the weather has been back home, so I'll spare you my sob story about how the posted temperature on the scoreboard at Bright House Networks Field read 52 degrees today. But this is hardly what you expect in spring training, especially in a place like Clearwater, and it's supposed to stay unseasonably chilly through Tuesday. I'm glad I packed a jacket.

Some sights and sounds that didn't make their way into Friday's newspaper.

* Every pitcher and catcher is in camp. Several position players are here, too, including 1B Ryan Howard, 2B Chase Utley, LF Pat Burrell and CF Aaron Rowand. Noticeably absent are SS Jimmy Rollins, 3B Wes Helms, RF Shane Victorino, IF Abraham Nunez and OF Jayson Werth, although they aren't required to be here until Tuesday. Werth's absence is particularly interesting. He hasn't played since 2005 because of two wrist surgeries, and unless he's still healing, you'd think he'd be here early, getting as many swings as he can.

* Third-string C Chris Coste is vying for a spot on the bench, and his biggest fan appears to be manager Charlie Manuel. "What Coste did last year definitely has to be considered," Manuel said. "He caught for us in big games down the stretch. He showed he definitely can do the job in the major leagues, and he definitely can come off the bench and hit." Manuel said Coste will get to display his versatility in spring training by playing some third base and outfield. If it's up to Manuel, Coste will make the team.

* Burrell, who played at the University of Miami, said he's already looking forward to a Feb. 28 exhibition game against rival Florida State. "This is personal for me," he said.

* Catching coach Mick Billmeyer greeted new catcher Rod Barajas (above) with a hardy, "Hola!" Barajas, a California native who makes his offseason home in Arizona and speaks perfectly fluent English, replied, "How are you?"

More tomorrow.

Feb. 15 -- AT SPRING TRAINING ... FINALLY

After two cancelled flights, a two-hour delay on a third and nearly six hours on a plane last night, I'm finally in Clearwater. In the words of News Journal sports editor Jason Levine, I could've hitched my way down here and arrived sooner. I'll spare the gory details of my trip, except to say two things:

a) It's never a good sign when the flight attendants encourage passengers to join their pool to guess the take-off time. That's what happened last night, either during the hour that we were parked at the departure gate in Philadelphia, or during the hour that we taxied on the runway (I thought we were halfway to Maryland), or during the half-hour when the plane was being de-iced. By the way, the winner of the pool, seated in 19C, I think, had 7:58 p.m. He was the closest, even though it was after 8:30 before we were airborne.

b) The lady seated to my left read about 33 chapters of her murder mystery novel. I'm not sure how many pages that was, but the book was pretty thick.

Anyway, now that I'm here, at Bright House Networks Field (above), expect at least two stories a day on the Phillies -- and several daily blog updates. That should help warm you up until the weather warms back home. And, if it makes you feel better as you're shoveling snow and scraping ice off your windshield, know that the temps in Florida aren't exactly toasty. It was barely 50 degrees this morning, and the overnight low tomorrow is supposed to be about 32.

Feb. 13 -- MORE FROM CHUCK

So, let me get this straight: It hardly snows all winter long, and today, when I'm supposed to be traveling to Clearwater for spring training, we get just enough snow, sleet and freezing rain to cause my flight to be cancelled.

How's that for bad luck?

Anyway, while I wait for the weather to clear and AirTran to take me away to sunny Florida, I wanted to share some more from my recent interview with Charlie Manuel, the lame-duck Phillies manager who, fairly or not, will find himself on the hot seat if his team has a third straight 10-14 April.

A few weeks ago, Manuel and I sat down in his office at Citizens Bank Park. It's a small room, decorated with pictures of many current players. There's an exercise bike in the corner, and the Phillies' 2007 schedule is prominent on a wall near his desk.

In last Saturday's News Journal, you read about Manuel's thoughts on going into the last year of his contract without a vote of confidence from the Phillies. He also talked about his managerial philosophy, his enthusiasm about this season, and his belief that Pat Burrell will have a rebound year.

Here, then, is some more from Manuel that didn't make it's way into the paper.

Q: You're going into spring training with six starters. Is that a positive or a negative?
A: I'm excited about the fact that we went out and beefed up our pitching rotation. I know we've got six starters and I know we're going to have five in our rotation, but I like that in some ways we've got six because that gives us a rotation that gives us more depth, that gives us a lot of things. If we can work the back end of the bullpen out, whether that's in-house or whether we have to go somewhere and get it, I don't care. As long as we can start the season with the best starting pitching and the best bullpen we can get, then I'm happy with that. If Ryan Madson steps up or even if we have to do something with a starter or whatever or go get somebody, it doesn't matter to me. I'm happy about the six starters. It's not a problem. It's something that I think, in the long run, may pay big dividends to us.

Q: You talked to No. 6 starter Jon Lieber last month about his role. What was that conversation like?
A: I told him if we leave camp with six guys, evidently, one of them would go to the bullpen. I think the thinking there would be between the organization and my staff and I, what makes up the strongest staff, starting-wise and bullpen. If we have to go that route and put somebody back in the bullpen.

Q: How concerned are you about the stability, or lack thereof, of your bullpen?
A: I hear [GM] Pat GIllick talk about the [need for a] left-hand hitter. First of all, I think the left-hand hitter will fall into place off the bench. And, if not, that might not be the worst thing in the world because Jayson Werth's got some big upside and we've got [Chris] Coste who we know he can hit. To balance off our bench, I think when Pat talks about that left-hand hitter, he talks about someone who we can stick in the lineup every now and then. But the concern of mine, is I want to be strong in the back [of the bullpen]. I want to give Gordon the rest he's going to need. I want to have depth from the sixth inning on. If we get that together, I look for us to be right there.

Q: Going back to last season, what were you thinking at the trade deadline when GM Pat Gillick held a fire sale? Were you concerned the organization was throwing in the towel on 2006 and entering a rebuilding phase?
A: I stood up right in front of [reporters] after the [July 30] game, and what I said was, 'Hey, I don't care what went on, from this point on, we're going to try to win, we're going to try to improve.' We felt like we were still in the hunt. I remember saying that, and I meant that. Because I've been in the game a long time, and the years I've managed, when a team is struggling and they'd be down, you have to stay in the right frame of mind. That's where personnel and attitude and everything come into play from the players in the clubhouse. When you've got guys like [Chase] Utley and [Ryan] Howard and Jimmy Rollins, and they're young, and they've got energy like [Shane] Victorino and [Aaron] Rowand, and they love to play, that's a good attitude to have. When you get down, they won't let up, and they won't pack it in. When I said that, I knew we were going to win some games. When we installed Victorino in the lineup, offensively, look, I thought our team could come together. We played real good. We realized how good we could play, and we took off.

Q: The Phillies won more games than the Cardinals last season. When you saw the Cardinals win the World Series, did you think, that could've been us?
A: When we played them over there [in August], and I followed them after we played them, they were having trouble with their starting pitching and the bullpen. All of a sudden at the end, when they really had to, [Jeff] Weaver and [Jeff] Suppan stepped up and won big games when they had to. That's basically what put them in there. For two years, I felt like, if we had only gotten in. I think if we would've gotten in, it would've been interesting because I think we could've done something. I think we were in a good position last year, probably more than the year before, because our rotation set up better.

Feb. 9 -- SCHMIDT RIPS BURRELL

Speaking at a breakfast yesterday in Dayton, Ohio, Mike Schmidt said that Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell and Cincinnati Reds slugger Adam Dunn "tick me off because they strike out so much."

But didn't Schmidt whiff 1,883 times during his 18-year, Hall of Fame career with the Phillies?

"Now I know that if I had choked up on the bat with two strikes and hadn't been so aggressive and gave in to the pitcher, I wouldn't have struck out so much," Schmidt said. "And that's what guys like Dunn and Burrell have to realize.

"When I played, pitchers wanted me up there with the game on the line. They'd rather face me than a guy behind me like Greg Luzinski, who would put the ball in play.

"I look at Dunn and Burrell and I go, 'My God, if these guys cut their strikeouts down to 75 or 80, they put the ball in play 85 or 90 more times a year.' That's at least 15 more home runs a year and at least 35 more RBIs a year.

"I mean, why would Dunn and Burrell watch what [Albert] Pujols does and not want to be like him, as good as he is? When their careers are over, they are going to wonder how much they left on the table, how much they left on the field. If only they had choked up with two strikes, spread their stances out. What they are doing now is not great, it is mediocrity."

Should be a fun day in Clearwater when Schmitty makes his annual spring-training visit to Phillies camp.