The Zo Zone

Like I said last week, Myers is not a closer. Doesn't have the stuff consistently, and definitely doesn't have the head. And can he at least once say he was terrible? That the loss was his fault? Bloops, bad breaks, whatever. This was about wild pitches and walks. Did anybody notice he should have lost that game last week except for Marlon Anderson's slide? I'm amazed by all the people in this town that still back this guy. Watch the games a little more closely, people. Oh, right - that's passion. Sorry. Forgot. Gordon's been awful as well, no doubt about that. And he's due for another $6 mil next year. Do we really think we'll have a set-up man making that much?

Well, at least we got Myers intro-song squared away. Too late to change it to "Wild Thing?"

Here we go again. This team will only jerk us around for the coming 3 weeks before they end up 4 games out of the wild card and/or division.

Yes, Mr. Williams Jr., I am ready for some football.

A few random rants as the season slips away. God, that game was horrid. The shot of Manual just standing in the dugout and not moving said it all.
Myers rationalization that he made "good" pitches is so lame...bases on balls and wild pitches aren't good pitches. I'm not so sure he is the closer we need (physically or mentally). I'd put that position on Pat's list of things to look at this winter. Roberson certainly shows why he is a organizational body, not a prospect. He reminds me of Lonnie Smith, except "Skates" could hit.
If I see Adam Eaton run out there again this year, I think I'll puke, he gives us nothing. Same with Geary. I'd rather lose with unknowns like Kane than those two. I am less disturbed about Alfonseca and Mesa, they are both out of gas and are once a week players at this point, they gave at the office. And what is it that Billameyer or Hernandez see in the bullpen that they tell Manual somebody is good to go? What exactly is their function, cause they are misfiring so far on judgement.
Will be interesting to see attendance Sunday, (actual vs. announced) with the Eagles playing. Lot's of broken ankles this week with the people jumping off the wagon. I'm an addict without a 12 step program, what the hell, I'll be there, even if they break my heart again. They still have a chance.
Does that make me as delusional as Myers?

I am not ready to write them off just yet. 3 games back with 23 to play. Not great odds but still could happen with some help.

A sweep of the fish should help us forget Roberson's fielding and Myers' lack of control.

We thought they were dead after the Padres series. Let's see what happens during the homestand first before we all get ready for a subpar season of Eagles football.

Hearing Chris Roberson say he got bad reads on the balls hit to him, well september really is not the time of year to start learning to read balls hit to you, Even Bobby Abreu could read the balls better then this guy. As for the pen forget it, I would just let my starters go the distance anymore, i know they will fatigue but man the pen comes in and they look tired after 1 or 2 pitches. I dont care if they do like st louis did and make the playoffs with 80 some wins and win the world series, at the end of the season, I say gillick gone, manuel gone, pitching coach gone, pullpen coach gone. This has been the problem they get so many stud players, but forever they never want to spend the money on quality pitchers. they lack the heart these pitchers man, they need to look at the 1993 phillies staff they had some decent guys but no super stars, but they went to work every day and left blood sweat and tears on the mound each and every outing.

hey jimmymac,it sounds alot like you are tanking in the season already?what you have no faith in your bunch of losers?i told you last week that your team was gonna choke and here it is proving me right again....what manuel has to do is tell his team to suck it up and get over it....it is sept. and you only have 23 games left...make the most of it and stop whining because that is all they seem to be doing these days.....oh, they can't help it they play for a city of losers....lol...your tormentor from here to the end of the season.......then good riddance,baseball will be from from all the crying and whining that j-roll and pat(i can't hit a decent curve ball)burrell keep doing.now say it with pride,WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR.....

Only the strong hearted fans, can stand up and be accounted for, in my opinion, was the worst loss, since that Dodger loss back in the 70's..Im really disgusted that a player of the noteriety of Roberson, will be with us for years to come..This, chasing my tail for (3)yrs, is starting to take its toll..Every sports fan feels the belly punch, at times. How much more can one gut take ? Im not sure, that I want to babysit Myers, through a lifetime of adolescent behavior. Maybe he should watch ,an Andy Reid press conference ,and learn how to take responsibility for a loss. How does Gllick go to work each day , and live with the fact that He waisted about 30 million dollars of other peoples money, Doesn't say much for accountability, does it ? His job? "Get (5) more Wins" This is still my team ! The
'FAT LADY' is not even close to singing..The true Philadelphia sports fan despises 'Fair weather fans'..Thick and Thin..But ,I will not be made a fool of, by Mr Gillick. Take your Hawain shirts and go back to Seattle ! ! Im still keeping spots open, on the bandwagon for the new culture of Phillies, "fair weathered fans"..
Its a real pleasure ,to exchange baseball thoughts, with people who understand the game.. Thanks Guys !

We ain't tanking anything yet, we still have a chance. Math doesn't look good but the faithful will still be there to the end, win or lose.
I'll gladly acknowledge that as a fan I am disappointed in the whining about bloop hits, bad reads, back doctors, etc. I would love to see somebody step up verbally and challenge these guys. Why is it that "leading by example" bullcrap is so universally accepted in sports, it surely doesn't play in real life. Leaders are leaders and speak up when they see things need to be addressed. See Green, Dallas; Daulton, Dutch.
The season long posters here, like John in LA, Pat H.,etc. are hanging tough. Todd (as usual) is right on the mark, this homestand and the weekend series in New York will tell the story.

todd, people are upset because gordon was pitching for the 3rd day in a row, and in the afternoon following a night game. and, he doesn't have a curve ball. the balls weren't hit hard, but the point is, gordon can't miss any bats right now. even if he were rested, its a struggle.

but, then again, what were the other options?

Todd,

Any luck on the restraining order on metsfan?

I'm with JM - bad as yesterday was (and it was baaaaaad), I still think this team isn't done yet.

with a six run lead in the eigth inning, i think a clean-up role should have been applied, and let the old and weary get a rest.

Agreed. I seriously think that Clay Condrey could have done a better job in those two innings.

Guys, can we at least agree that Myers was horrible yesterday? Oh, and the last other really big spot against the Mets last week? He's the closer, amd he's come up small an awful lot this year. Right? Are we all watching the same games, checking the same stats? A 5 ERA just isn't cutting it. You seriously think Wickman's any worse? I'm sure we can come up with a lot of excuses if we really try...

Talking about the Phillies in September is not rocket science. It's not the hitters or fielders, or even the manager.

It's the Relief Pitching Staff from hell. It really is that simple. We have no real closer.

How do you know a closer? A real closer? Simple. His line in the box score CONSISTENTLY shows lots of Ks and NO Hits or Walks.

Even when Gordon was doing well last year, too many 9th innings where he walks one or two or give up a walk and a hit. Even when he (or Myers) get saves it's too often an adventure and that spells TROUBLE that will bite you every time at the wrong time.

Good closers routinely have 3up-3 down innings. Ours almost NEVER do.

We've had GMs who bring in players by the ton, but NO GOOD RELIEF PITCHERS.

We need a GM who knows what a group of successful relief pitchers looks like.