Philadelphia Phillies 2009, The defending World Champions Options

[sooners2727]

Well, I think the Saturday night concert series is a brilliant marketing plan (Three Doors Down have also played thus far this season)... and really, the weekends as a whole have been fine. It's just that the weeknights suck.

The people from Tampa for some reason hate having to drive over a bridge to get to the dome and thus avoid doing so during the week. It's a ridiculous excuse if you ask me, but it's obviously one that people on that side of the bridge feel is legitimate.

And yes, the Yankees series drew well - but it was also the home opening series, so there were actually more Rays fans there than normal. We've also had a Red Sox series that was probably 60-40 Rays-Red Sox fans.

Oh well... I do what I can and go when I can... can't make anyone else do it.

[Joe in Philly]

On the Phils' TV broadcast they said that Rays officials expected over 20,000 tonight. Then they announced the attendance: 18,862. Even lower than last night.

[MetsfanChi]

Believe me when I say it, but it looks like the Phils hit the June swoon bad. And I swear this is not to cause trouble.

[Joe in Philly]

Just like the June swoon they had last year. Or, as I've said in the past few months: Just Like Last Year. June and interleague play, every year it seems.

[Travelpat]

The Jays won their 4th in a row against the struggling Phillies at Rogers Centre last night. And the highlight of the night was rookie pitcher Ricky Romero's performance. 7 shutout innings allowing just two hits. And both of those were in the 7th as he had a no-hitter going into the start of the 7th. It was a great night for ball here with the roof open and from my third baseline seats - once it got dark - it was very cool to look up and see the CN Tower awash in rainbow colours - as it will be all weekend in salute to Pride Week here in Toronto.

[sooners2727]

First it was Philly fans being incredibly rude and inappropriate to Rays officials and families during the WS... and now JC Romero is assaulting Rays fans. You are a professional athlete - you should be able to handle people saying crap to you... especially when you've cheated.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1013913.ece

[Joe in Philly]

Romero's alleged action shouldn't be condoned but the "fan" clearly was asking for it. Instead of the little grab and push, which the "fan" will now blow up into a full-fledged injury with the help of his newly-hired lawyer, Romero should've decked him.

I love the hypocrisy: if a Philly fan does something, the fan is rude. If a non-Philly fan does something, it doesn't count. Typical double standard. Are you sure you're not a member of the national media?

[sooners2727]

Romero's alleged action shouldn't be condoned but the "fan" clearly was asking for it. Instead of the little grab and push, which the "fan" will now blow up into a full-fledged injury with the help of his newly-hired lawyer, Romero should've decked him.

I love the hypocrisy: if a Philly fan does something, the fan is rude. If a non-Philly fan does something, it doesn't count. Typical double standard. Are you sure you're not a member of the national media?

I didn't say alleged, did I? Obvious poor omission... especially since I thought to myself "you better say alleged or Joe will get angry."

And no, it's not hypocrisy... if all Philly fans had done to the TB staff and families was talk a bunch of crap, then okay, your claim of hypocrisy would be valid. But it wasn't just talk - it was pouring of beers onto folks (kids), etc etc. All this guy did was say something to him. Big difference between saying something and doing something physical.

And as a professional, the cheater should have just ignored it. Then again, I guess one should question whether or not someone who cheats is professional anyways.

[Joe in Philly]

Yeah, it still is alleged. What exactly happened we don't know since we weren't there. Beyond that, you're just spouting the typical line from the national media, so you'll have to excuse me if I just yawwwwwwwwwwwwwn. And you should probably familiarize yourself with J.C. Romero's story if you want to lump him in with Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez and their ilk.

[sooners2727]

I know the story, thanks.

And yes, even though perhaps his actions weren't as blatant as others, the fact of the matter is that he still cheated.

[Joe in Philly]

No, the fact of the matter is he tested positive. Cheating implies intent, which we don't know for sure was the goal. Again, this isn't A-Rod.

[Joe in Philly]

Blogging while intoxicated for the third consecutive year!!! This time with a different venue, though.

[Bill W]

And they know Lidge CAN get one out, now and then.

[Bill W]

Crazy if true:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/i...ning-brad-lidge

[phillyrunner]

Crazy if true:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/i...ning-brad-lidge

I am not buying the loose bodies in the arm excuse for Brad's abyssmal season, he still had speed on his fastball. Scott Eyre had the same thing and didn't experience a complete meltdown like Lidge, in fact his ERA was 1.50 for the season. Now I might agree he had loose bodies between the ears as a reason for his performance.

[Joe in Philly]

Lidge said his elbow didn't affect his pitching. I'm inclined to agree. It was either his knee or his head.

[Joe in Philly]

Philly.com: Phils STILL want to trade for Roy Halladay. Surprised, I am.

[phillyrunner]

Philly.com: Phils STILL want to trade for Roy Halladay. Surprised, I am.

It is a bit surprising although I heard a few radioheads suggest trading Hamels for Halladay, to go for it now while the window is still open. I might consider that only if you could lock up Halladay for 3 years not just for next year.

[Joe in Philly]

They can't have both Halladay and Lee on one-year deals. They need to have one of them locked up long-term beyond 2010. And I would not get rid of Hamels yet. It's way too early in his career to give up on him. People who seriously advocate that are really being dumb.