Bowa returns

Sunday night is one of those dates I circled on my calendar even before I got sick.
It got double circled when I got sick as one of the three dates I wanted to be recovered by.
Why?
That’s because the Los Angeles Dodgers are coming to Philadelphia for the weekend.
I had that date circled long before the Dodgers acquired Manny Ramirez from Boston.
So, what’s the big deal?
Well, the “real” Phillies manager Larry Bowa will be patrolling the third base coaches box for the Dodgers. Thought he looked odd in Yankee pinstripes, well, he doesn’t bleed Dodger blue that well either.
This is his first trip back to Philadelphia since he got uncermonously dumped by the Phillies and replaced by Charlie Manuel.
I have maintained all long that is Bowa was managing the Phillies, they would have easily won the National League East last year and wold be well on their way to another title this year.
I for one, will be standing and cheering him when he takes the field Sunday night and when I watch the games Friday and Saturday (I know get a life), the old Bowa stories will be coming to life again.
The Dodgers series in the middle part of an important home stand for the Phillies. It opened earlier in the week with Washington and closes with those Mets.
Heck, by next week, the Phillies could be out of it.
They wouldn’t be if Bowa was in the dugout. He would provide the fire and leadership needed that would have gotten the team through this tough spot.
I recall writing a few weeks back that I was warming up to Charlie because his lack back style was working. Well, it’s not working right now, because this team needs a kick in the pants, which he can’t provide.
Some of this top players, like Rollins, Myers and Burrell have had public blowouts with “Uncle Chuck.”
This is the same guy, who has offered no real reason as to how to turn it around. If your are the manager, the buck stop with you.
Yes, I will wear by Charlie Manuel t-shirt (a 50th birthday gift), but I may put a taped line through it and wear a sign welcoming home the “real manager of the Phillies.”

Odds and ends...

• Got to two scrimmages over the weekend -- Ephrata at Columbia and Daniel Boone at Eastern.
Boone was the best of the four teams I saw.
• Saw where Eastern is tearing down their old high school.
The old school will become practice fields and parking.
Saw a lot of good games across the river, football and basketball, over the years.
• Was listening to a talk show discussion last week about what Olympic sports should be dropped, since after this time there will be no baseball or softball.
While I ask why, how can badmitten and trampoline be Olympic sports and baseball and softball not?