The Kettle Is On

Larry Bowa and the Phillies have reached a crossroads.  Unusually restrained throughout a thus-far disappointing and frustrating season, Larry lost it last night in Florida following his team's 12th straight defeat at Pro Players Stadium. 

This is how Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Todd Zolecki heard it:

“’No excuses,’ Phillies manager Larry Bowa said afterward. ‘As a manager, I'm not even playing and I'm embarrassed. They should be embarrassed. They should be embarrassed. Any more questions?’  Bowa shook his head, cursed, and said ‘embarrassing.’

He then walked out of his office.

‘Embarrassing,’ he repeated aloud to nobody in particular.”

Major league baseball players don’t like that kind of public humiliation, however global the target.  According to Zolecki some players objected and were willing to be quoted including Roberto Hernandez, who more than any other player on the team should be embarrassed by his performance this year.

The Phillies are not going to make a significant trade prior to the July 31 deadline.  Help is not on the way…at least not on the field.  Management will do what managements have always done under the circumstances; namely, stand in front of a backdrop emblazoned with the team logo and profess sorrow while asking for patience and understanding.  After all, as the saying goes, you can’t fire the team.

I see Charlie Manual in the Phillies future.

But whoever is on deck, the kettle is on.