Thawing Ropes

Jim Salisbury reports Brett Myers has arrived at camp pissed off at comments by GM Pat Gillick that the Phillies lacked that certain championship something, especially pitching.

Now, some guys benefit from playing pissed off at the world, channeling their us-against-them attitude into a competitive edge; thus far in his career, however, Brett Myers isn’t one of them.  Indeed, Myers is more likely to come unraveled when he becomes agitated.

It’s also worth noting that while he was at it, Myers didn’t miss the opportunity to take another swipe at the fans, with whom he has always had a contentious relationship for reasons not altogether clear.  "I don't know if [Gillick’s comments are] reverse psychology or if he's selling us short, like the fans.”  Should the fans be blamed for getting on an overweight and out-of-shape Myers last year, one who admitted he couldn’t climb a flight of stairs without getting winded?

The more things change….

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Forty-three year old Roger Clemens has made the American roster for the upcoming WBC tourney.   For old fogies such as me this should be an uplifting development but it isn’t.  Clemens’ on-again, off-again retirement plans have become annoying.  Moreover, while he normally starts off the season like a ball of fire, Roger hasn’t exactly knocked ‘em dead in the post-season throughout his career, especially in the last few seasons.

Forty-three year old pitchers wear down as the season wears on, even legends.  It’s time to hang it up, Rocket.

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Speaking of hanging it up, where’s B.J.?

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I am excited about the Phillies offense for the coming season but like most of the blogosphere I worry about their pitching.

So it will be understandable that we will be doing some scoreboard watching in the early going every time a certain Nicaraguan takes the mound for the Texas Rangers.

Closer to home, at this juncture the Phillies don’t appear inclined to give Rob Tejeda much of a chance to crack the starting rotation despite his impressive stint last season before arm miseries sidelined him.  An impressive Spring might make the Phillies’ brass reconsider, however.  Tejeda has a live arm, fluid motion and great temperament.  Thrown into the rotation last season as an emergency fill-in, he performed well in general.  Given more work and a boost of confidence from Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee there is no reason he cannot help the back of the rotation.  Why Ryan Franklin is ahead of him on the depth chart is a total mystery to me.  Unless Tejeda continues to suffer arm problems the Phillies haven’t told us about, he deserves a shot.