Comments on: Pitiful Phils Lose Nearly Unwatchable Game 2

By: Dannie

Dannie — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:24:22 +0000

Yeah my Comcast went out as well so I just watched the delayed game on my computer until it started working again. So I missed Utley’s homerun completely and saw the Howard homerun on my computer. Very annoying. It’s the World Series they need to get it together.

By: Morty

Morty — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:21:39 +0000

jjg: I also loved the 5 man infield – especially against Ruiz.

bski: Weird. My Comcast signal went out for over an inning and I missed the back-to-back jacks.

By: bski

bski — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:08:35 +0000

I don’t want to take anything away from the Phils. They deserve a lot of credit for hanging in there, for battling, and for getting the job done, BUT they were not the only ones facing adversity last night. I lost my Directv signal 3 different times from the 7th through the 9th innings. I had to grab my AM radio and follow the game that way each time until my signal was restored. Was it easy? No. Did I complain? No. I sucked it up, never gave in, and continued to root like there was no tomorrow. Do I want credit? No. It’s all part of being a fan.

By: jjg

jjg — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:57:08 +0000

bski In the grand tradition of Grigory Rasputin and Jeane Dixon, you and Morty were right on the money re Moyer. Kudos to resident clairvoyants!

Moyer’s dash, scoop and flip was an impressive display of want-to and acrobatic underachievement. At any age.

Carlos! Carlos! Carlos! ”Every little breeze seems to whisper [Ruiz].”

By: bski

bski — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:38:29 +0000

Anybody remember when the 5-man infield worked for us. I don’t remember who we were playing, but I watched the Phils bring Glen Wilson in from right field. He was on second base, the ball was hit right to him, and he turned the double play. I’m curious to find the details of that game, but I don’t know how to go about it. If I can get them, I’ll pass them along.

By: bski

bski — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:34:34 +0000

I told you Moyer felt “pitcherish” to me, didn’t I JJG? He was sharp and he pitched very well. He deserved better than the no decision he got. He was also robbed of I feel would have gone down as one of the greatest plays in world series history. We will remember it, but it will not become enshrined as a part of world series lore. Moyer deserves better there as well.

Today I think we will see the offense finally break out and put up a big number. I’ll say 8 runs today. I saw us hit several balls hard yesterday and, even though several of them were for outs, I’m taking it as a sign of better things to come. I’m expecting to see many more hard hit balls today with even better results.

Hard to believe but, if the series continues to play out as it has so far, Carlos Ruiz should earn the world series MVP. He has had the best at bats and, as a result, has been the Phils most consistent hitter in the world series, if not throughout the entire post season.

By: jjg

jjg — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:34:16 +0000

Morty Thanks for your compliment. On Maddon leaving the lefty in to face Bruntlett, I think it was said during Game 1 or 2 that Howell was the guy Maddon depended on for biggest outs in crucial situations. Probably a gut call, against-the-book, but with successful history behind it. His easy 8th had to play into the decision. If he didn’t plunk Bruntlett, who knows, it may have panned out. In the end, he and the hard-throwing Aussie didn’t get it done. Loved that 5 man drawn-in infield though.

By: Morty

Morty — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:48:23 +0000

jjg: Why do you think Maddon left the lefty in to face Brunlett and the switch hitting Victorino? If was afraid of Dobbs pinch hitting, he still had Price in reserve. Not a great decision at the time, nor in retrospect.

By: Morty

Morty — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:43:24 +0000

Ryan F: Thanks for the pat on the back, I was going to hate to have to do it myself. But I wold have done gritted my teeth and done it.

jj: “beautiful dribbler” and “sputteringly-efficient” – fantastic turns of phrase, per your usual standards.

By: jjg

jjg — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:15:17 +0000

LATE START COMMENTARY

“I suppose if you were willing to ignore the steroid era and quit in the middle of an All-Star Game, the idea of a World Series slumber party sounds pretty good.”

“Time and again, the commissioner’s office will tell you baseball’s greatest concern is for the integrity of the game. And then they elbow you in the gut to pick up a nickel on the ground.”

– John Romano, St. Petersburg Times sports columnist

Couldn’t agree more. Game should’ve been postponed.