May 18 -- ROD REMEMBERS YOU, TOO

So, in one night, Rod Barajas put up half the offensive production that he generated in 122 at-bats for the Phillies last season. Barajas, a significant disappointment with four homers and 10 RBIs in 2007, belted two homers (including a grand slam) and had a career-high five RBIs last night.

And, afterward, he took a good little jab at you.

You know who you are.

Asked if he could hear the negative reaction from the crowd each time he came to the plate, Barajas said, "People in Jersey could hear the boos. You hear them. It's a little different when you're a visiting player than when you're a home player. As a home player, you like to see your [fans] behind you. Sometimes, here, that isn't the case. It's disappointing when you've got 38,000 or 40,000 people rooting against you. It doesn't help your self-esteem. That's not what you want as a player."

Safe to say the Phillies didn’t get what they wanted from Barajas last season either.

***
Had a nice chat yesterday with Dennis Werth, stepfather of Jayson Werth. Dennis was signing autographs at a card show in Secaucus, N.J., on Friday night when Jayson swatted three homers and tied a franchise record with eight RBIs. Turns out, Jayson may not even be the best athlete in his family. Dennis said he gives the nod to his youngest daughter, Hannah, who has been recruited to play volleyball at the University of Nebraska.

***
The eight-year, $45 million contract given to Milwaukee's Ryan Braun last week won't have any impact on any future negotiations between the Phillies and Ryan Howard and/or Cole Hamels. But you can bet that Howard's $10 million arbitration award had plenty to do with the contract Braun just signed. For that matter, the contract extensions given to Hanley Ramirez, Chris Young, Scott Kazmir and others since the season started were impacted by Howard's situation. Small-market teams no longer can afford to get to arbitration with their young players, so they're doling out long-term deals much sooner.

Also within your MLB Sunday notes, we look at the problems that have befallen both the Mets and Pirates ace Ian Snell, a Caesar Rodney product.

***
Looks like the rain has subsided, at least for a moment, here at the Bank. Your lineup for today's series finale against the Jays and RHP Shaun Marcum (4-2, 2.22 ERA): SS Jimmy Rollins (.329/3/13), CF Jayson Werth (.283/9/26), 2B Chase Utley (.310/14/30), 1B Ryan Howard (.184/9/23), LF Pat Burrell (.286/9/31), RF Geoff Jenkins (.257/2/7), 3B Pedro Feliz (.232/6/18), C Carlos Ruiz (.234/1/12), RHP Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.87 ERA).

Enjoy your Sunday.