(Remember the movie reference in the title. You’ll see why later.)
Well, game, set, match. This team is officially DOA. The only possible drama left is what will GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. do now before the Trade Deadline? He said that he was still questioning whether to buy or sell, waiting for this weekend series with the Braves to play out. Well it did; and he got his answer loud and clear.
At least I sure did. I don’t mind the losing. Well, it’s not that I like it but I’ve learned to accept it. Any sports fan has to. It’s the lack of effort that really makes me crazy. Even when the Phillies were losing in the “old days” (pre-2007) you always felt like they were giving it their all. Not this weekend; not this team.
Not only were they swept in their most important series of the year with two of their best (read highly paid) pitchers on the mound, but they looked lifeless in all three games. Lifeless. I don’t know how else to say it but talented or not, some things clearly have to change with this team and in this clubhouse.
But, truth be told, I did not watch Sunday’s game. I went to the movies instead. There I said it. OK, ok, I know you’re probably shocked and disappointed but come on. Sometimes a blogger just needs a break.
I went to see a movie called Beasts of the Southern Wild. (No it was not about the Atlanta Braves. In fact, I won’t even try to tell you what it’s about. Suffice it to say that it tells the story of a five-year-old girl and her father living in a world unlike any you have ever seen. Amazingly, neither of them were professional actors and it’s worth the price of admission just to watch them perform. The little girl who plays the daughter is a force of nature. You can’t take your eyes off her when she’s on the screen.
Hmmmm, maybe the Phillies should give that a try because the highly paid professionals sure aren’t getting the job done. Actually that’s not so funny. With the payroll they’re already committed to for next year, they may have to find some amateurs to fill out their roster.
Ah well. Enjoy your Monday. And I’ll leave you with some good news: I promise the Phillies won’t lose tonight!
Girls Best Phriend 
OMG, Sisan, this is appropriately…hard-hitting. Truth be told, I watched the Olympics, and we considered going to see that same movie. Very funny, the reference to the Atlanta Braves anyway. Not much else to cheer in Mudville, though we did enjoy a trek in to the Constitution Center for ADA-related photo exhibit and Springstein exhibit. As for the ADA (22nd anniversary of its passage) I could use that as seguay, but won’t.
Sorry, SUSAN!
Thanks for holding back, Michael 🙂 It has been a tough one. The next couple of days will be interesting to see if they make any trades. Now we know why they say…”Wait till next year.”
Susan,
Its just been one of those years. Hard to explain, sometimes painful to watch………It will be interesting to see what happens as the trade deadline approaches (who we lose and what we gain)
You got that right. The trade rumors today have been through the roof!
Tough season Philly fans! Send some of that talent to the dodgers : )
Do you have a third baseman or left fielder to send our way??? Good luck to your Dodgers. You deserve it after last year’s debacle.
This season is not hard to explain because it is a continuation of last season’s playoffs. A team cannot win if they rely on signing 30+ free agents to large, long-term contracts without developing a solid stream of new blood. You live my the sword and you die by it. There is not one player hitting 1-8 that has been signed by the Phillies in the last 10 years. Instead of focusing on the major league roster woes, Amaro should be under fire for one of the worst player development programs in the majors. The turnaround will not be a quick one either because of his ineptitude.
How can small market teams have better players and get by with way less than the Phillies spend? Deals like Hamels and Lee are easy. You keep throwing more money at them until they sign. The much harder job is player development and Amaro better turn that around in a hurry or his head will fly in a year or two.
You’re right about the minor league system. The Phillies have a lot of holes in their starting lineup with seemingly no one “waiting in the wings” to come up to the bigs.