So what's the protocol here?
Celebrate it?
Ignore it?
Or thank the Lord it's finally over?
I choose Answer C. In case you have been living under a rock, the Phillies became the first team in history to lose 10,000 games. Personally, I am glad the hoopla is over. I'm sure the Phillies are, too. Really, what were they supposed to say after their 10-2 loss to St. Louis?
"I don't know much about 10,000 losses. I try to concentrate on wins," Charlie Manuel said. "We really didn't talk about the 10,000 losses."
"We were so stressed out about it," Adam Eaton said, tongue firmly in cheek. "If you're around for 125 years, you should be the first to get to a great milestone like that."
"We weren't worried about it; it was inevitable," Aaron Rowand said. "With 30 more losses, we're in the playoffs."
With 30 more losses, the Phillies are 87-75. Is that enough to get them into the playoffs? Probably not. That's why Bob Ford looks past the dubious milestone and focuses on what really matters: the pitching.
*
Here are the pitching match ups for this week's series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, which is one of my favorite ballparks. Dodger Stadium isn't the most beautiful ballpark out there. It has a certain cookie-cutter feel to it. But it also has one of the best views in baseball at Chavez Ravine, and there's just something inherently cool about watching a baseball game in Southern California.
*
The latest Philliescast is up.
*
As The Inquirer reported Sunday, No. 1 pick Joe Savery has agreed to terms with the Phillies. He has NOT yet signed, but was in Philadelphia today for a physical.
*
I missed yesterday's "historic" loss because I've been in California since the all-star break. I spoke Friday with Randy Wolf and Mike Lieberthal in San Francisco, where they talked about Life After the Phillies.
"It might actually be better than I expected," said Wolf, who signed a one-year contract to play for his hometown team. "You always hear those stories about guys who come back home and it becomes almost a burden with ticket requests and things like that. I haven't felt that at all. It's hard to really replace sleeping in your bed, playing at home. Plus it's exciting the way the National League West race is. We have like three rivalries. You have the Diamondack rivalry. The Padre rivalry. The Giant rivalry. It's been a lot of fun."
Wolf and Lieberthal played a combined 21 seasons with the Phillies, but they might have their best chance to make the postseason this season with the Dodgers.
*
I asked Wolf about the Phillies' 10,000th loss.
"It's one of the oldest franchises around, so of course they're going to have a bunch of losses," Wolf said. "They've had some rough times, but I think it's a benchmark that's made a bigger issue of than it should be. I think especially because the past five, six years, the Phillies have gone in the right direction and are winning more than they're losing. They haven't won any championships or any titles, but they're getting closer and closer. I think any past is going to creep up on the present."
*
Tom Gordon has been activated for tonight's game against the Dodgers. Manuel said he will break in Gordon slowly. Gordon talks about it here.
*
Photos from yesterday's loss.
Comments (7)
This 10,000 thing really irks my tomatoes. I mean they have held the record
for how many years? All the sports scribe types keep saying "the first
franchise in any sport to reach 10,000 losses." Well pardon me but they
were also the first to reach 9,998 and 9,997. Give me a break! It didn't happen on my watch. Owning slaves or herding Indians onto
reservations were certainly regrettable crimes against humanity. But I never did it, it didn't happen on my watch. Same with this 10,000 losses thing. Most of those came long before I had any emotional attachment
whatsoever to the Phils, a bunch of players I could never pick out of a police lineup. Yet somehow I'm supposed to feel inferior to all other fans simply because these no-namers lost a bunch of games at the turn of the century?? Geez. I am halfway tempted to research the w/l record of every MLB team since say 1960, when I started my emotional attachment to the
Phils. Maybe 1968 would be better, when I turned 18 and became of legal age to enter
contracts, earn and spend my own money. But in either case I'd bet the ranch that the Phils don't have MLB's worst record over that time. And even if they did, there's sort of a "for better or worse, in sickness or in
health" clause in any true fan's covenant with a team. That's what being a 'fan' is all about!
Posted by Brewster | July 16, 2007 6:40 AM
Posted on July 16, 2007 06:40
Glad it's finally over, sick of hearing about it.
I have been a fan for about 3K+ of these loses but what I remember more is 3 world series, one championship and the coolest parade ever, Whitey as a player and announcer, Saam, Campbell and Kalas, Roberts, Allen, Bunning, Callison, Mauch, Schmidt, Carlton, Maddox, Bowa, Dallas and the Pope, Dude, Dutch, Mitch and now Cole, Ryan, Jimmy, Shane, Cole, Aaron and Jamie. Despite the losses, way many more good memories of Connie Mack, the Vet and now CBP. We are fans and many of the best times of our lives have been attending, watching or listening to our team and the plyers we love or hate with family or friends.
Now lets get back to frying Gillick for this lousy pitching staff and hope we can get a split on the coast. "John in L.A.", we are counting on you to push these guys to a few wins. I'm gonna go laminate my ticket from last night and tuck it away with my scorecard so my grandkids can marvel at it in 30 years.
Posted by jimmymack | July 16, 2007 9:10 AM
Posted on July 16, 2007 09:10
Usually I like watching a Phillies game broadcast on ESPN. Its nice to hear their take on the Phillies. But in yesterday's game I really felt like I didn't get enough analysis of La Russa's decision not to play Pujols in the All-Star game. Its just such a rich topic it could have feed the commentary for at least four or five innings. Plus I really felt like they didn't talk enough about Pujols mind blowing skills. Also where was the breakdown of La Russa and Pujols relationship in the aftermath? I want to know, are they mad at each other? Is Pujols putting up a front to guard himself from being vulnerable?
Its all very complex and I just wish ESPN went deeper here.
Posted by Josh | July 16, 2007 9:14 AM
Posted on July 16, 2007 09:14
It was fun, I ran a little contest, but in terms of what it MEANS? Not much. Now that it is over, I'm more interested in seeing how this season turns out and what's in mind for next year's club.
Posted by Tom G | July 16, 2007 11:05 AM
Posted on July 16, 2007 11:05
Anyone else as interested as I am in the Phillies going out west? They've dominated the NL West the last two seasons. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but the proof is in the pudding - this is as good a time as ever for the Phillies to go on a tear.
Posted by V | July 16, 2007 3:37 PM
Posted on July 16, 2007 15:37
Phillies vs. NL West
2006 19-13
2005 22-9
2004 20-12
They're 6-11 vs. the West this season, but that could turn around with this trip.
Posted by V | July 16, 2007 3:44 PM
Posted on July 16, 2007 15:44
Going to the game tonight, will wear my Phillies gear proudly. Dodger fans, when not arriving late and leaving early, can be cruel.
Posted by John in LA | July 16, 2007 7:24 PM
Posted on July 16, 2007 19:24