"We knew that we were not going to necessarily be challenging for the National League East title, but at the same time we need to see improvement and that's what we expect," GM Ruben Amaro said yesterday as the Phillies losing streak stretched to nine games and counting.
For the moment, let's forget the awkward syntax for which Amaro is famous. Instead, let's concentrate on content. Did Amaro imagine for one nano-second the Phillies would challenge for the division title this year? If so, he is even more delusional than previously thought. The rest of the Phillies alleged brain trust must be acutely aware of Amaro's deficiencies in language if not baseball oversight. After all, they continue to bring in new senior management types including, if rumors are accurate, at the top. Word has it acting President Pat Gillick is about to hire his permanent successor in the person of Andy McPhail.
One of baseball's cherished truisms holds you cannot fire the team. The Phillies would like to do that but MLB requires they field one 162 times a season. Accordingly, the alleged brain trust is intent on doing the next best thing by replacing a number of management personnel from scouting director to player development director to president. No doubt the next replacement will be GM, but Gillick will let McPhail have that honor once he assumes control.
Meanwhile, down on the field, the Phillies sink further into the basement. Word has it they have already discovered the sub-basement and plan to keep digging.
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Can you name all the pitchers in the Phils' starting rotation? I can't!
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The Phillies introduced top pick Cornelius Randolf at Citizens Bank Park yesterday. Randolf was introduced to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley among others.
A word of advice, Cornelius: Do as they say, not as they do.
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