Starting to change

I am the type of person that doesn’t like too much change. At almost 50, I’m sort of set in ny ways.
In order words, a tough nut to crack.
But each night as a sit on the old recliner and watch the Phillies, I am amazed at how well this team continues to do.
Sure, they got five of the best players in the game -- Utley, Rollins, Lidge, Howard and Hamels and a couple of other players that are borderline being the best like Myers, Burrell and Victorino.
They play hard night in and night out and no deficit seems to faze them.
They have some holes, but lately the holes seem to be producing.
Sure, this is the Major Leagues and they are being paid big bucks to produce.
So I keep asking myself why and then then show Charlie Manuel in the dugout, blowing a bubble or looking like he doesn’t belong in the dugout. He just looks the part of a hillbilly.
I have been tough on Charlie ever since he replaced Larry Bowa and will continue to do so.
There are a few of us who think had Bowa been managing last year, the division race wouldn’t have went down to the last day of the season.
This year, the Phillies are on a roll. I think only the Cubbies have a better record in the National League.
So even though he looks like a “buffoon” in the dugout, maybe the laid back approach by the manager is the way to go.
As I right this, the Phillies have a four game lead in the National League. They have a big series with Florida this week and could easily create some more space.
While I am not completely converted yet as a Charlie Backer, because my fear is he’ll do something stupid that will cost the team, right now, he’s one of the reasons they are doing well.
Of course having the best player in the game right now in Utley doesn’t hurt either.

Odds and ends...

• I saw the Eagles are holding their annual summer celebration this weekend at their End Zone store at Rockvale. No word on any of the players who might attend.
Hard to believe but training camp is a little more than a month away.
• Like watching the college world series in baseball and softball, but John Kruk was out of place at the softball championships.
• Now that I have the digital cable package, there are a couple of old favorites I’m tuning in for.
Remember Emergency with Squad 51? How about the A Team (I pitty the fool)? Hawaii 5-0 (book ‘em Danno!).
• Don’t want to say that I told you so, but I warned everyone that Big Brown had a built in excuse for not winning the Belmont. But to finish last, come on!
• Can you believe the NBA season will be ending maybe tonight or over the weekend. Three months of playoffs is too much.
• From the who cares file. I was home one day last week and EPSN or the Duece had European Soccer on live.
Like tennis, golf and sorry to say auto racing, a waste of time on the tube.