tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post115771923098817301..comments2024-01-31T17:51:12.213-05:00Comments on Swing and a Miss: Game NotesTom Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157731868662984492006-09-08T12:11:00.000-04:002006-09-08T12:11:00.000-04:00Simon looks like he is having a helluva' good time...Simon looks like he is having a helluva' good time, doesn't he? Talk about reversal of fortunes! Speaking of which, when was it that players wanted to come to Philadelphia? And the nice thing about all of these pickups is that all are seeing action and contributing. I expect Matt White to take over for Rhodes if the latter falters one more time. Charlie may not like throwing kids to the wolves, but Smith has shown plenty of grit and Charlie is running out of time to stick to his "principles".Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157731247483372672006-09-08T12:00:00.000-04:002006-09-08T12:00:00.000-04:00I totally agree with you on Simon. I think he's b...I totally agree with you on Simon. I think he's been a great pickup, as far as lefty bats off the bench go it doesn't get much better. The thing with Simon is that he strucks out so infrequently -- he looks crazy up there but usually makes contact. If only he would take a walk or could play a position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157727684280400222006-09-08T11:01:00.000-04:002006-09-08T11:01:00.000-04:00Victorino will be a big part of this team going fo...Victorino will be a big part of this team going forward. He is as fearless in the outfield as Rowand but superior in every other respect. His speed at the top of the order is, along with Jimmy, something the Phils have lacked for a long time. I love his attitude. One gets the feeling he is going to do something productive every time he comes to the plate.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157726643312854152006-09-08T10:44:00.000-04:002006-09-08T10:44:00.000-04:00Well, he's been slightly more than part-time for a...Well, he's been slightly more than part-time for a month and seems to be doing more than okay. He makes contact, despite that bad swing. <BR/><BR/>Shane Victorino is another guy who keeps hitting in a full-time role. His average is up something like 35 points since Rowand went down. His speed alone is such an asset in these games at Florida. Hit a gapper, get a triple. That's such an improvement over someone like J-Mike or Rowand with limited speed. No wonder the Marlins won a world championship with leadoff hitters with no power.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157725626451000832006-09-08T10:27:00.000-04:002006-09-08T10:27:00.000-04:00Coste will be back in some significant capacity ne...Coste will be back in some significant capacity next season on merit. Will he hit .331? Not likely. Nevertheless, he brings more than a warm and fuzzy storyline; he has a great attitude. The pitchers clearly like throwing to him. Do you think he could be the every-day catcher?Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1157724932959391972006-09-08T10:15:00.000-04:002006-09-08T10:15:00.000-04:00And on the subject of Chris Coste, starting pitchi...And on the subject of Chris Coste, starting pitching has been downright bullish with Coster behind the plate. Lieber's late-season turnaround all but coincides with making Coste his personal catcher. Most impressive is probably the Coste-Hamels combo. <BR/><BR/>These are two very fast workers, and deserve most of the credit, but Coste must be doing something right, even if it’s unintentional. When alleged pitching guru Sal Fasano was back there, the difference was night and day. Six run games, seven run games.<BR/><BR/>Haven't seen too many of those with Coste handling the staff. With both Hamels and Lieber part of the picture next year, would anyone even think of breaking up a good thing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com