tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post115927567505732622..comments2024-01-31T17:51:12.213-05:00Comments on Swing and a Miss: Take A Memo, PleaseTom Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159308712440521592006-09-26T18:11:00.000-04:002006-09-26T18:11:00.000-04:00Game sucked but the Phillies have to get over it &...Game sucked but the Phillies have to get over it & beat the Nationals.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12544850341761009334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159298928251235012006-09-26T15:28:00.000-04:002006-09-26T15:28:00.000-04:00Smith said in the papers today that he felt that ...Smith said in the papers today that he felt that the astros just put in good at bats and stayed patient. I don't think there was much squeezing going on.Oisín Murphy-Lawless/Wizlahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13548868245296450507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159298359152985952006-09-26T15:19:00.000-04:002006-09-26T15:19:00.000-04:00RSB: I agree about that AB by Howard. He is one ...RSB: I agree about that AB by Howard. He is one of a few in a generation to come along.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159297904244289412006-09-26T15:11:00.000-04:002006-09-26T15:11:00.000-04:00Having Mike Lieberthal bunt was indefensible. It w...Having Mike Lieberthal bunt was indefensible. It was a purely wasted out at a time when the Phillies were rapidly running short of outs. Manuel is too conservative with having runners steal bases. Bourn is the fastest runner on the team, and a straight steal attempt was in order in that situation - particularly with Nunez coming up after Lieberthal. And speaking of Lieby - people should have been aware that that might have been his last home appearance as a Phillie. As hot as he's been, and as good a player as he's always been, boos for popping up with 2 outs and the bases loaded? That's really wrong. <BR/><BR/>As for Smith being squeezed, very easy to think that from the stands and even maybe if you were watching at home, but I felt that Smith made a lot of quality pitches that all were a few inches off the plate. They were pitcher's pitches but they were not strikes, and the umpire was consistent in calling them. I credit the Houston hitters for not chasing them, more than I am apt to blame the umpire or Matt Smith.<BR/><BR/>I am glad you mentioned the Howard 2-run single, because that is something which should not go overlooked despite how the game turned out. That was *enormously* impressive to me for him to keep his head, not get caught up in all the noise, and deliver a sharp hit on a good pitch. To me, that at-bat was at least as impressive as maybe half of his homers this year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159295323571242012006-09-26T14:28:00.000-04:002006-09-26T14:28:00.000-04:00What can I say, kuff6? I did not remember that th...What can I say, kuff6? I did not remember that this morning. Long night.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159294883606220362006-09-26T14:21:00.000-04:002006-09-26T14:21:00.000-04:00what do you mean nobody got a good cut in the 9th?...what do you mean nobody got a good cut in the 9th? jimmy almost put it out to left - off the bat, i was sure it was gone. alas, asking for an opposite field hr from a 5'8" skinny guy was probably a little to much, but he did hit it very hard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159289417112026472006-09-26T12:50:00.000-04:002006-09-26T12:50:00.000-04:00I neglected to mention something "else" about this...I neglected to mention something "else" about this game, specifically Ryan Howard's approach to it. I did him an injustice. His head was also in the game. Indeed, I can think of no greater testament to Howard's budding greatness than his ability to keep on hitting for average and driving in runs even when teams aren't really pitching to him in genera. <BR/><BR/>Moreover, he must be feeling enromous pressure from all of the media attention and expectations from the fans regarding the home run chase and the MVP candidacy. Despite it all (or maybe he is one of these guys who feeds on it), he drove in the first two runs and had another base hit later.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159288829011625352006-09-26T12:40:00.000-04:002006-09-26T12:40:00.000-04:00tom, if i remember correctly, utley and victorino ...tom, if i remember correctly, utley and victorino both had good cuts in teh 9th, but only produced straight-back fouls.<BR/><BR/>this definitely did not feel like a loss to shrug off. it was a tight ballgame where the phils had every chance to win, including two pops in separate bases-loaded situations. their opponant was a team that could barely hit in self-defense. all they did was foul off alot of pitches. they couldn't have hit more than a half-dozen balls that made the outfield. the astros stole this game and its nothing to take lightly. our boys need to take a deep breath and play the best six games their legs and arms have left. its the home stretch and they need to lean forward as far as possible.grhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01887811515268152730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159286894032181792006-09-26T12:08:00.000-04:002006-09-26T12:08:00.000-04:00I'm sorry I missed you last night. I forgot to br...I'm sorry I missed you last night. I forgot to bring your number. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I actually chose to sit in my seats up in section 303 for the last 5 innings. And from where I was, it looked like Matt Smith got squeezed too. I thought he had the first batter he walked called out on strikes.<BR/><BR/>I wondered why Manuel pulled the plug so early on Rick White. I guess turning around Berkman is important. Maybe we would have been better off starting the inning with Smith if Berkman is third in the order. Who knows. <BR/><BR/>I agree... on the last three hitters in the 9th, none of them got good swings. Victorino fought long and hard, but he was a little overmatched. <BR/><BR/>The bunt scared me. I never ever saw a runner take off for second like that on a bunt and run. What's the point of bunting? I think someone missed a sign. Lieby got down a bunt on the second try, but his first try was awful. And even the second bunt looked like it was a little hard that if Bourn hadn't been running. the fielder might have had a shot. <BR/><BR/>It's a 6 game season now.The Revhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04573551553863558468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159280082582632792006-09-26T10:14:00.000-04:002006-09-26T10:14:00.000-04:00As I recall, no one got in very good swings in the...As I recall, no one got in very good swings in the final ab's.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159279808298958492006-09-26T10:10:00.000-04:002006-09-26T10:10:00.000-04:00I followed the game on the internet and watch some...I followed the game on the internet and watch some highlights and appreciate your at-the-scene reporting. Any thoughts on the last round of abs? Vic saw a bunch of pitches, I was hoping that would set up Utley.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159279019427073312006-09-26T09:56:00.000-04:002006-09-26T09:56:00.000-04:00Oisin: Excellent comments. Yes, we were down, es...Oisin: Excellent comments. Yes, we were down, especially given the atmosphere and importance of the game.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1159278351827695502006-09-26T09:45:00.000-04:002006-09-26T09:45:00.000-04:00Tom, there's a noticeable difference in tone to yo...Tom, there's a noticeable difference in tone to your post and those of us who weren't there and find a bit easier to shrug off. I imagine the crowds were pretty down leaving, especially after our bullpen looked so damn ordinary. Not bad, just average. <BR/><BR/>there was much discussion over smith getting squeezed/not squeezed over at beerleaguer at the time, but everone felt the bunt was the wrong thing when we needed a long, patient at bat from lieberthal. bad move by charlie. and should we meet the 'stros in the postseason, I would pray that we comprehensively outscore them, because garner's endless changes play to charlie's weakness of uncertain and inconsistent bullpen selection.Oisín Murphy-Lawless/Wizlahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13548868245296450507noreply@blogger.com