Friday, August 20, 2004

Connecting the Dots

The Phils embarrass themselves and their organization in front of hundreds of thousands of fans in kicking a 10-game homestand, yet Larry Bowa climbs on a flight to Milwaukee to go through the motions for another road trip. Bowa jokes -- jokes! -- with reporters about rubber walls and large bottles of scotch, and is widely acknowledged as being more relaxed than at any time during his tenure as manager. Peter Gammons passes along a rumor that the Phillies' off-season shakeup will include major coaching changes but not a managerial switch.

Can it be?

Is it possible?

Could Ed Wade have told Bowa that it's okay to chill? That indeed he'll be back at the helm next year? That they'll pin the blame on Greg Gross and Joe Kerrigan, insulating the GM and the manager for yet another frustrating and underachieving season?

I don't quite agree with it, but I can understand Sam Donnellon's view that sacking Bowa now would make little difference in how the Phillies finish the season. They're as done as an overcooked steak, and no amount of marinade is going to make this tough piece of meat taste like filet mignon. But jettisoning the coaches (a wise move) while holding on to the manager (most unwise)?

No wonder so many people root for the Yankees -- it's an organization that holds itself accountable.

3 Comments:

At August 20, 2004 at 3:48 PM, Blogger Buckaroo Banzai said...

I'm to the point (God forgive me) of quoting George Costanza: "Wouldn't you think eventually a plane would go down and wipe out an entire team?" Of course, I don't want this to happen, but maybe the plane can just head for Siberia . . . and never come back.

 
At August 20, 2004 at 4:32 PM, Blogger gr said...

shawn, at this point if ed wade came in and said "my men said get me ken phelps", i'd say "sure why not, it couldn't get any worse." this team is so bad that ken F**ING phelps might help. put him in the bullpen for all i care.

 
At August 21, 2004 at 12:24 AM, Blogger Buckaroo Banzai said...

At this point, most of us wouldn't care if they picked up Michael or "Digger" Phelps.

 

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