I've been catching up the past couple of days on what's been going on. According to the articles there's quite an air of anticipation down in Clearwater. Jim Thome and the other new players are causing a stir. Quite a difference from last year, when the buzz was all about S---- R---- and his desire to leave. I don't even feel like speaking his name. wink
But they've gone too far with this--in an event arranged by Pat Burrell, the Phils had a special guest take batting practice yesterday: none other than Mike Alstott of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers! AARRRRRGH!
He looked like a mini-McGwire, says the article
Full Version: Phillies at spring training
Joe, if you see any great online pictures of Jim Thome from online sources in Philadelphia (like the Inquirer etc.), could you alert me? Thanks.
I'm glad that local boy Randy Wolf has made in the big leagues. When he was in high school, he totally dominated and it's nice to see someone you've followed since their freshman year of HS make it. The goatee looks awful though......
I was a Phillies fan when I lived at McGuire AFB in New Jersey (1970-74), so I've always had a bit of a soft spot for them. I hope they do well this year going in to the new ballpark.
Also glad to see that the Phils picked up one of my favorite baseball lust objects, journeyman left-hander Dan Plesac.
I'm glad that local boy Randy Wolf has made in the big leagues. When he was in high school, he totally dominated and it's nice to see someone you've followed since their freshman year of HS make it. The goatee looks awful though......
I was a Phillies fan when I lived at McGuire AFB in New Jersey (1970-74), so I've always had a bit of a soft spot for them. I hope they do well this year going in to the new ballpark.
Also glad to see that the Phils picked up one of my favorite baseball lust objects, journeyman left-hander Dan Plesac.
He's ALREADY at it!!!!!! 
Thome homers in first at-bat
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jim Thome's Phillies career began in earnest Thursday, as the team's new first baseman deposited a home run into a swirling wind blowing out to left field in his first at-bat. The shot helped the Phillies to a 6-3 win in the exhibition opener for both teams.
The home run, which came on an 0-1 changeup from Jeff D'Amico -- was a line drive that crept over the left-field wall at McKechnie Field.
Thome homers in first at-bat
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Jim Thome's Phillies career began in earnest Thursday, as the team's new first baseman deposited a home run into a swirling wind blowing out to left field in his first at-bat. The shot helped the Phillies to a 6-3 win in the exhibition opener for both teams.
The home run, which came on an 0-1 changeup from Jeff D'Amico -- was a line drive that crept over the left-field wall at McKechnie Field.
QUOTE
Jim Allen:
one of my favorite baseball lust objects, journeyman left-hander Dan Plesac.
I remember him from his days with the Brewers. He had the cutest little baby face, accentuated by the fact that at the time he also had eek! braces! one of my favorite baseball lust objects, journeyman left-hander Dan Plesac.
Even before the first game, a home run Thome hit during practice that went out to the highway impressed Scott Rolen
"Rolen said he hadn't spoken to Thome since Thome signed with the Phillies, a move that sparked season-ticket sales and rekindled Philadelphia's excitement for baseball.
But a call will soon be coming Thome's way.
When told that Thome crushed a batting-practice pitch more than 530 feet onto U.S. 19 at the Carpenter Complex earlier this week, Rolen, who spent nine spring trainings on those grounds, was incredulous.
"What?" he said, trying to envision the scene. "That's amazing. I've got to call him."
(from Philadelphia Inquirer)
"Rolen said he hadn't spoken to Thome since Thome signed with the Phillies, a move that sparked season-ticket sales and rekindled Philadelphia's excitement for baseball.
But a call will soon be coming Thome's way.
When told that Thome crushed a batting-practice pitch more than 530 feet onto U.S. 19 at the Carpenter Complex earlier this week, Rolen, who spent nine spring trainings on those grounds, was incredulous.
"What?" he said, trying to envision the scene. "That's amazing. I've got to call him."
(from Philadelphia Inquirer)
Awesome spring day !
Thome booed alot - Thome strikes out twice - Indians win 7-1 over Phillies !
Life is good.
Thome booed alot - Thome strikes out twice - Indians win 7-1 over Phillies !
Life is good.
Apparently, it wasn't all booing, as this article states:
Meanwhile, check out the second part of this article. It's about Frank Brooks, a guy from Brooklyn who got to pitch in an exhibition game for the Phillies on Thursday night--against the Yankees...
QUOTE
\"Your wallet too heavy, Jimmy?\" yelled one fan amid another mixed crowd reaction (as Thome was replaced by a pinch-runner).
\"Hey buddy, did you say that when Jim Thome was hitting home runs for the Indians?\" countered a younger fan.
\"Hey buddy, did you say that when Jim Thome was hitting home runs for the Indians?\" countered a younger fan.
QUOTE
Thome spent much of pregame warmups greeting old teammates and signing autographs for fans.
\"I probably signed 100 or 150,\" he said...
As he left the visitors' clubhouse along the left-field line, Thome stopped to sign a cap for one fan.
\"Thanks Jimmy, you're still my favorite,'' the man said. \"I'm retiring this hat. Nobody's going to touch it.\"
Thome stepped onto the field, was immediately greeted by Indians rookie Josh Bard and exchanged hugs with the catcher. As he walked toward the batting cage, fans called out greetings and Thome waved back.
As for the result of the game, seeing as how it was played on March 8th, yawwwwwwwwn. See you in October? wink \"I probably signed 100 or 150,\" he said...
As he left the visitors' clubhouse along the left-field line, Thome stopped to sign a cap for one fan.
\"Thanks Jimmy, you're still my favorite,'' the man said. \"I'm retiring this hat. Nobody's going to touch it.\"
Thome stepped onto the field, was immediately greeted by Indians rookie Josh Bard and exchanged hugs with the catcher. As he walked toward the batting cage, fans called out greetings and Thome waved back.
Meanwhile, check out the second part of this article. It's about Frank Brooks, a guy from Brooklyn who got to pitch in an exhibition game for the Phillies on Thursday night--against the Yankees...
QUOTE
Brooks is all Brooklyn; all pride and gratefulness and colorful talk. His missing canines, his ripped torso developed for football in college, his Beastie Boys accent, his frank nature scream Noo Yawkah. Brooks, 26, has a 5-month-old son nicknamed Rocco; firefighting friends who died in the Sept. 11 attacks; a brother-in-law cop who worked that day; and a tattoo of his firstborn son's proper name (also Frank) on his left pectoral...
Well I suppose this proves that Philadelphia does not have a monoply on boobirds. Fans will be fans regardless of where they are from.
When Thome has his yearly April-thru-June swoon, I hope the Philly fans are as patient as Cleveland fans were 
Here's something that could be a problem -- Mike Lieberthal hasn't been playing because of soreness which sounds awfully similar to the pain he had in his pelvic region that caused him to miss a chunk of time in 1998.
Unlike Mike Piazza, the feud between Jose Mesa and the Indians' Omar Vizquel didn't lead to fisticuffs.
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
Unlike Mike Piazza, the feud between Jose Mesa and the Indians' Omar Vizquel didn't lead to fisticuffs.
No. Just threats of murder: Mesa: \"I'll Kill Him\" Unlike Mike Piazza, the feud between Jose Mesa and the Indians' Omar Vizquel didn't lead to fisticuffs.
wink
Five days to Opening Day...
QUOTE
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Philadelphia Phillies manager Larry Bowa was ejected in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against Toronto after yelling at Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay, causing both benches to empty.
Bowa, enraged that Halladay hit Jim Thome with a pitch in the third inning, charged out of the dugout to argue with plate umpire Eric Cooper. The umpire had warned both teams in the top of the fourth after Phillies reliever Rheal Cormier threw two inside pitches to Halladay.
As Bowa was walking back to the dugout, he shouted and walked toward Halladay. Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca ran onto the field, and both teams came out of their dugouts. No punches were thrown, and Bowa had to be restrained by several people.
Thome left the game after he was hit above the right elbow. He said the elbow was numb and he couldn't swing a bat, but doesn't expect to miss the Phillies' season opener at Florida on Monday.
\"My gut feeling is it's nothing serious,\" Thome said.
Phillies pitcher Bud Smith hit Blue Jays center fielder Reed Johnson in the third. After Thome was hit, Cormier threw his first two pitches at Halladay, but missed. His second pitch hit Cooper in the left hand.
\"It's nice to know your boys have your back,\" Thome said, adding that he had no history with Halladay.
Meanwhile, there was a feature on Comcast Sportsnet (local cable sports outlet) on Bud Smith--he now wears number 57 in tribute to his late friend and former teammate Darryl Kile.
Bowa, enraged that Halladay hit Jim Thome with a pitch in the third inning, charged out of the dugout to argue with plate umpire Eric Cooper. The umpire had warned both teams in the top of the fourth after Phillies reliever Rheal Cormier threw two inside pitches to Halladay.
As Bowa was walking back to the dugout, he shouted and walked toward Halladay. Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca ran onto the field, and both teams came out of their dugouts. No punches were thrown, and Bowa had to be restrained by several people.
Thome left the game after he was hit above the right elbow. He said the elbow was numb and he couldn't swing a bat, but doesn't expect to miss the Phillies' season opener at Florida on Monday.
\"My gut feeling is it's nothing serious,\" Thome said.
Phillies pitcher Bud Smith hit Blue Jays center fielder Reed Johnson in the third. After Thome was hit, Cormier threw his first two pitches at Halladay, but missed. His second pitch hit Cooper in the left hand.
\"It's nice to know your boys have your back,\" Thome said, adding that he had no history with Halladay.
I have both Thome and Halladay on my Fantasy Baseball Team. Why can't we all just get along?
I saw a couple Phillies games at spring training this year, and I have to say my fondest memory is of Dave Hollins' thighs. Too bad he didn't make the team. Here's an older picture of him:
Dave Hollins
Dave Hollins
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