BY SCOTT LAUBERBRADENTON, Fla. -- So, here we are, at McKechnie Field, the old stomping grounds of News Journal colleague Martin Frank and home to the coldest press box in Florida. It's going to be at least 70 degrees here today, but because the sun doesn't shine into this press box, it feels about 20 degrees cooler. Alas, no complaining from me. The Grapefruit League season starts today, and that, in itself, is reason to exalt. After two weeks of workouts at the Carpenter Complex, the Phillies actually get to play against another team.
As we mentioned here yesterday, most regulars are in the lineup. Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton will pitch at least two innings (40-45 pitches) before giving way to a host of relievers. We'll let you know throughout the game how everyone is looking, but keep in mind, results are hardly the most important thing during spring training. For the veterans, it's more about getting their bodies ready for the season.
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Eric Bruntlett is starting at third base today, but in today's News Journal, we examine whether Greg Dobbs finally could become an everyday player for the Phils. Dobbs is widely regarded as the majors' best pinch-hitter, but that's rather like being the world's tallest midget. Dobbs wants a chance to play everyday, but Charlie Manuel hasn't given the impression that it's very likely. Not this year, at least. And in spring training, I'm expecting to see a lot of Bruntlett, Jason Donald, Marcus Giles and Miguel Cairo at third base against left-handed pitching while Pedro Feliz continues to recover from back surgery.
More in a bit.
(Updated, 12:53 p.m.): About to get underway here. One quick note: When we last saw the Phillies in a game, Brad Lidge was striking out Eric Hinske -- and striking his now-famous pose on the mound -- to clinch the World Series championship. Hinske is with the Pirates now. For the sake of symmetry, don't you think it would've been cool if the Phillies put Lidge on the mound and the Pirates sent Hinske to the plate for the first at-bat of the spring? But that won't happen. Lidge didn't make the trip, and Hinske isn't in the Pirates' lineup. Oh well.
(Updated, 2:12 p.m.): Jamie Moyer threw two scoreless innings. We had a chance to talk to him a few minutes ago, and as usual, the conversation turned to how long Moyer can continue to pitch.
"Where's this going to take me? I have no idea," he said. "I may wake up tomorrow and can't get out of bed. Who knows? But I enjoyed today. That's what it's about." More from Moyer in tomorrow's News Journal.
Back after the game.
1 comment:
You know what they say, you can take the kid out of Brandenton, but you can't take the Bradenton out of the kid. Or something like that. You think McKechnie Field is bad now. You should have seen it before it was remodeled in the early 90s. The infield was so bad Ozzie Smith wouldn't come there whenever the Cardinals played the Pirates.
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