By Jared Trexler
There is a running joke around the office that I am an optimist amidst a loud and talented group of pessimists.
Those that have read my work on this site probably already know that fact. I'm a big believer in Jimmy Rollins. Likewise in Chase Utley. Ditto Ryan Howard. I'm also steadfast in the inclination that Pat Gillick knows how to build a pennant-winning baseball team.
However, my patience is running thin with Charlie Manuel.
I won't waste this space describing all of the mind-boggling moves Manuel has made in the season's first seven games. Steve has already done a great job of that.
I'll just reiterate that my patience is running thin with Charlie. And for those that know me, that is saying something.
The Phillies have averaged only 3.4 runs per game so far this season, not good for a team I felt would lead the majors in runs scored. And at some point, players that are making millions of dollars need to take responsibility for such a humbling beginning.
I don't place the whole heap of hurt on top of Manuel, but I place way more than a manager should have to bear only seven games into a season.
I stated on Monday morning that the Phillies NEEDED to go 4-2 on the brief road trip, one that started in same-old fashion that evening in Atlanta. Brett Myers, who had above average velocity and movement on this pitches, faced opposing pitcher John Thompson with two men on base and two outs in the bottom of the fourth frame.
Thompson fouled a first-pitch fastball right out of catcher Mike Lieberthal's glove over the Braves' dugout. So, in such a crucial situation early in the game, obviously Lieby is going to come back with another heater to an adequate hitting pitcher.
Nope.
Lieberthal calls for a breaking ball and Myers slops up a hanging, 84-mph curveball that sits pretty around Thompson's belt buckle. The Braves new "slugger" rips the "hit me" pitch over the head of Aaron Rowand and two runs trot home.
Good teams don't make that play. Good catchers don't call that pitch. Going even deeper, good managers don't run out an over-the-hill battery mate with two bad knees and a life-long inability to call a solid game.
Shouldn't it tell Charlie something when staff ace John Lieber begs for another catcher, any catcher other than Lieberthal. Sal Fasano isn't Mike Piazza at the dish, but he represents a better option for a shaky at best starting rotation that includes two young arms at the end.
Then there is David Bell. The third baseman was 1-for-14 in the early going when Manuel stated, "It is still David's job to lose." Hadn't Bell already lost it (especially against right-handed pitching)?
Nope.
In a perfect world, Manuel's lineup card would read:
SS Jimmy Rollins, 2B Chase Utley, RF Bobby Abreu, 1B Ryan Howard, RF Pat Burrell, CF Aaron Rowand, 3B Alex Gonzalez, C Sal Fasano, P Pitcher
Bell would start versus left-handed pitching while Lieberthal and Fasano would share the catching duties 50-50.
That won't happen. In fact, the lineup I just listed is a dream. Charlie will trot out the same eight in the exact same order that has resulted in a floundering start.
His excuse? "Our boys are gonna hit."
Manuel is right. They will hit. When he is out of town.
How's that for pessimism with an optimistic twist.
-You can reach Jared Trexler at jtt128@comcast.net
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