The Zo Zone

wow- how disappointing has this week been? they look like a dead team walking at this point. how many 3-4 run innings have they given up in the last week? how many 1st inning runs? that has to be pretty deflating to be out in the field for some of that slop. the pitching staff is really hurting right now.

Wow. Wow.

On a lighter note, Pat H. gave me a good laugh re: the possibility of me and jimmymac and whoever else from this blog possibly meeting up at a game next week. When I ran the idea by one friend, he said it was right up there with going to a Star Trek convention. I'd call it a push. My wife, when told, shot me a look that said, "Be careful." Granted, she's a lawyer. And has maybe watched too many of those "Dateline: To Catch a Predator" shows. For the record: if you're reading this and are considering meeting up, please be over thirteen or come accompanied by an adult. If, for example, B-Dub is actually Brenda Dubinsky, 12, from Cherry Hill - maybe not so great an idea. And if anybody shows up with a case of Schmidt's and some condoms hoping just to "talk"...

Today's another day. Can't get much worse.

Ok, they've done a lot with all of the injurie
( but ) its almost September and they always fad like flowers in September. How much can you say was injuries.? The two starting pitchers they lost first, should have never been on the team or ranked # 1 & 2.
The catcher thy got in the winter time has stunk out the place. I don't think the Phillies will need as much holes pluged next year as this year. One thing, their center fielder is one of the best around period; and if he leaves because of the Phillies being CHEAP, they are not going top replace him at all. Third base is a joke. One guy plays for his defence, the other ( was suppose to play ) for his offence. He's another bust.
Dobbs isn't a third basemen and they know it.
Is anybody saying that Ryan Howard should have gotten a long term contract this past year,,,,
Moyer should be the pitching coach because at 45 next year he just don't have it any more.
Maybe he can win 10 games, but they need pitchers who can win 15 - 20 games, and don't tell me they are not around. Open the wallet up if you want to bring a "wild or pennent " team to Philly. Other wise its HEART BREAK SEPTEMBER another year next year. Just because Pat Burrell is batting .260, isn't a big deal.
He looks at his bat at the plate like he'd look at a Shrink, trying to find the right spot. Maybe in the American league at best.
I don't car what may be said about poor Charley,he's flip the line up line up card around too much this year with the wrong players. There are lead off men who should be just that, a lead off man. I ask you, who would you like to see batting 3rd, the slow left fielder or the young catcher, but C.M. puts the catcher at # 8. They need another starting third basemen who can play everyday.
They need a good, not great, good study CLOSER,
who's 'age' doesn't look like a relief pitchers number on the back. They need a starting pitcher. One who comes here with out any aches or pains, and is healthy. If the town likes MOYER, make him a pitching coach.
Give LOPES the managers job next year.
The Phillies will be in the hunt for the wild card for the next 10 years. Its the pennant we want, and not the runner up bowl

I went to last night's game and left completely disgusted. I am 32 years old and have been going to Phillies games for 24 years. In that time I can't ever remember leaving a game before the ninth inning. Last night I walked out during the 7th. It was 8-3 and I knew that there wasn't going to be a comeback. There is one simple reason. The Phillies have NO heart. None!

After the Ruiz - Giles dustup the stadium was charged. We wanted blood. I was ok that Moyer didn't bean Giles, even though I would have enjoyed it. However, if they aren't going to hit him, they needed to shut the Padres down and come out hitting in the bottom of the inning. Instead they gave up 6 runs. I realized that the crowd was energized, but the team wasn't. I don't think they care.

It took me 15 minutes to get from my seats to my car and I found out that they gave up 2 more runs. I turned the radio off when they put Mesa in so I was spared having to hear him give up 4 runs.

There are 30+ games left, but the season ended last night because they don't want it enough. Or at least not as much as I want it for them.

Lets start with pitching,what pitching ? Moyer,gave us a great imitation of a father throwing BP to his 7yr old son. Lay those grapefruits up there ,Jamie. Couple of losses, and Im afraid to look up, the sky may be falling! Manuel is going to straiten out the ship. This team has never quit, why would anyone come to that conclusion ? Remember, in baseball the best team wins 2/3rds of their games. Worst team wins 1/3rd. So you'll have bad stretches. Someone, mentioned Ruiz in (3)slot, didn't he go 3mos without a homer ? Just a reminder to these deprived 20/30yr old fans,before the wildcard came , the Phils season was usually over by end of JUNE..And "real" fans still loved and supported the club ! Enjoy the ride, I know I will.....

Phillies fan? Try 40+ years of being a steadfast fan, watching them get so close in Aug/Sept & slide right out of contention. Pitching is again the buzz word in today's blogs as it has been our prob for as many years as I can remember. Surely somebody in our AAA clubhouse can pitch longer than 3 innings w/out giving away a game! Bring 'em up, Charlie! We're all waiting for the return of our $15mm man from his ailing bicep strain. No motivation for him to return when those weekly paychecks keep rollin' in, is there? Weak. Gotta feel for the daily fighters, showing up each day when the pitching staff lets another game slide to the L column. Just another Aug/Sept season, I guess. Wake up, Charlie! The fall trend stops here!! Make something happen - get creative! JUST DO IT!!!

You hate to say "must win" but with Chris Young on the DL tomorrow, the Padres will start a rookie. Tonight is that must win game. Hope we can score some early runs tonight and take the series tomorrow.

The division may be a stretch, but the Wild Card is still there. Lets keep up the phight!

Reality has set in for everyone. Before the
Phillies last game in Washington, I said they would go 4-10 in the next 14 games. Unfortunately, it may be worse. Many players have left the team down lately. Rollins and
Howard needed to be more of a force.

I wonder what Bobby Abreu would have done this
year. I have my opinions. His play has been missed more than stats and people realize. Heck, he could have a better OBP than the current leadoff hitter. Of course, the Phillies went the cheap route and gave him away. He may join Rolen as former productive
players with a ring in another uniform. The
money saved was probably used for the new
third baseman and the new catcher and the injured pitcher. All the them have failed no matter how you look at it.

If this team doesn't turn it around this year,
the slide may continue for a few years. The Nats are improving. The Marlins have better talent and a cheap organization. The Braves
simply are the Braves. They can find young players. The Mets will win because they have
money and a quality GM. It reminds me of the
70's with the Bull, Carelton and company. They kept losing to the Dodgers or Pirates.
However, in 1980 they provided the Philly fan
with a memorable year.

Oh well, as a Phillie fan since the amazing
64 team, I will never stop hoping while continue to suffer.

PS Lets go down swinging the last 5 weeks.

Todd,

Sounds like Brett went off the deep end last night during the post-game interviews.

Any reason why Charlie didn't let him throw 2 innings? He hadn't pitched since Tuesday and he doesn't seem to be the same pitcher when it's not a save situation. Are they still concerned with his arm?

John: funniest post all year. I guess I won't wear that flower behind my ear after all.

Is Gordon done? Seems like he can't stop grooving at least a few pitches every appearance. Where is Gillick, not a word from him. And we have no interest in Wickam? I guess Geary and Co. are better, huh Pat?

The wheels seem to be coming off the wagon, but let's see if they tank the next 5 or recover. The fans last night were in a ugly mood leaving the park.