The Zo Zone

The next seven games will sum up the whole 2007 season for the Phils, 36 games are left in the schedule.

In addition to your comments on Ryan Howard's batting did anyone ever notice that when there is a throw to first base to Howard, he never puts a tag on the runner hardly? Sometimes Howard is 3 feet off the bag when holding a guy on the base as well and when a throw goes over to first base Howard couldn't even reach the runner if he had to. How does this go unnoticed by the coaching staff? It strikes me as being really lazy the way he takes a throw to first, doesn't even look at where the runner is, and just lobs the ball back to the pitcher. This should be fixed as well.

Good luck in the next seven Phils, play as if there is no tomorrow!

are you kidding me? if howard is our hope then we are done! he has'nt done anything this year--yeah he has homers and rbi's but he hit them in the first five innings--he isn't there in the later innings--except to strike out or hit into double plays--please start watching the games--i know your not from philly and by reading your colums it doesn't seem like you ever played the game!

Rich B. - are we really going to worry about whether he puts a freaking tag on the runner at first base? Really? Are you kidding? Half the time the pitcher throws over the runner is back before the balls leaves his hands. More often than not, the pitcher is throwing over there to check the runner, not throw him out. If you ever played in anything other than your co-ed company softball league, where there are no leads allowed, you'd know this. Go ahead and kill the guy for swingin at pitches in the dirt if you want, but not tagging the runner at first?!?!? It's ridiculous. TZ should take your right to post away. I swear some people invent things to attack certain players.

Certain posters aside, great blog Todd.

William -- Just a correction: You should have written "I know you're not from Philly," not "I know your not from Philly."

Michael Jack seems so stern in that advertisement. If I were on cocaine, watching that ad would get me off it. ...and then make me fear that Schmidt's at my front door with a baseball bat.

William: Nurse Ratchett is looking for you, time for your pill.
Seriously dude, what difference does it make where Todd is from? And the ongoing slump aside, Howard "hasn't done anything this year"?
Yeah, right. I suggest YOU start watching the games. As far as "please start watching the games", what you think TZ is doing selling popcorn during the game? Nobody disses our leader my man.
You are as clueless about baseball, as Howard is right now about the strike zone. But keep your speak and spell plugged in, we enjoyed the distraction from the game details.
Gotta go 6-2 the rest of the homestand.

Brutal next 7 games. And Manuel not sitting Howard at least a day or two to rest him - or maybe get his head back in the game - is moronic. Why baby him and not Burrell and Eaton? Maybe BabyShaq could use the extra time taking infield practice...

Nothing like seeing that carpetbagger Billy "The Rat" Wagner blow a save.

I'm pumped about coming into town next week to see the Phils/Mets. Jimmymack, Bulls BBQ on me!

Todd, sorry, I should have written "Bull's BBQ."

Ha! No problem.

It seems Howard’s whole approach at the plate stinks. Even when he points the bat out to center field it looks like he’s just kind of slumping in there and doesn’t seemed focused. I feel liked he use to look more zeroed in there and intimidating. I’m probably just making things up now. He is defiantly pressing and I think he really is suffering from not having Chase in front of him.

That said, I think the reason Charlie hasn’t sat Ryan is you need some threat there with out Chase out. I mean if there’s no Ryan out there it makes it a lot easier to pitch to the rest of the lineup. Even if Ryan is playing like do-do I’m sure opposing managers still fear his ability to change the game on one swing. Case in point, Howard still got intentionally walked yesterday so the Dodgers could face Rowand when the Phillies were knocking on the door. I bet once Chase gets back Ryan will get some off days since you could then play Chase at first and still have Gooch play second.

I’ve never been one to point to one game and say that game really hurt the team, since they all count the same, but man did yesterday stink. They got away with Fabio walking every other batter and still could only put up one run to support him and only two runs in the whole game. Wow that sucked.

I’ve also never been one to say a team has to win this many of the next so many, since you only have to win more then the other guys, but this weekend is huge! It would really help if they get two out of three here and get back to a game back. I won’t even want to think about what the other alternatives are right now. Win two of three that’s all I want. I’m not going to get greedy and I’m not going to think about anything worse.

Maybe Gillick has one more trick up his sleeve, but no matter what we shouldn’t give up on these guys. If the Charlie Manuel years have taught us anything, it is this team will not quit, and they’ve got at least one more good run in them. Let’s hope they’ve got enough.

John in LA: what night(s)you gonna be here, I'll look forward to meeting you!

A Zo Zone convention!

Prediction for next seven games is 2-5. The team is lucky the Braves are struggling.

The team needs to start playing. Rollins and Howard have not done the job lately. Stop feeling sorry for yourselves and play with urgency and passion.

I can't stand the Mets, but they play with a lot more energy and desire. There is life.
Reyes and Castillo set the table with their
energy.

Where is the Phillie energy? Some guys are going through the motions.

Granted injuries have really hurt this team.
However, great teams do not make excuses or
dwell on it. They plug in the next quality player (because of their minor league depth)
and move on with the task at hand. Crap happens.

The "Fightin Phillies" must make a stand or
everything is lost again.

Dennis, some good points. Now shouldn't you be off kicking the homeless? Maybe William wants to join you.

JM, I'm there Thursday (daygame). You around?

Unfortunately, Charlie has not given Howard a day off in a long time - probably for a few reasons - Charlie feels we need his "presence" in the lineup, if nothing else...36 games left to bust out - He either will or he won't, but I certainly don't blame the slump on Utley's absence; just a coincidence, in my opinion...

That being said, when Utley comes back, I doubt Howard will get a day off (maybe againsty a lefty?), but if he does, it won't be Utley playing first base - we have a boat load of first basemen, i.e., Helms, Dobbs, Branyan, etc...

The interesting question is Iguchi - will he sit or play? Because of a "little more power" than Victorino, I'd like to see Vic. back in the 2-hole and Gooch in the 6 or 7-spot (how 'bout now, before Chase is back?)...I don't see Gooch at 3rd base; however, if that is going to happen, he'd be working out there already, in addition to 2nd?

PK

John: hit my URL.

Of course that is the one game, I'm not going to be able to attend :(
Gotta work and pay the post-season ticket bill.

You'll have to host the Zo Zone convention that day without me.

todd, they have you as "jason zolecki" on that espn 'face of the franchise' poll. whats up with that?

John: that ain't working..try me at

jmcgoldrick13@comcast.net

Howard's problem,he's trying to pull everything. That is why he's having a tough time with off speed stuff. When you keep your bat back and go with the pitch he's at his best. He's stong enough, that he doesn't need to pull the ball, to generate power. Yo guys, get a room ! Pass on my hitting instructions, he needs them !

Pat H. I'm laughing so hard at the room remark, I'm having trouble typing. Good one.
Hey, if the esteemed John in LA is in town, all the ZoZone regulars should get together.

Howard looks like he is at a driving range hitting balls, even Roberto Clemente couldn't hit a baseball that low and outside. Putting the laptop away, heading into park, let's go Phils!