BRADENTON, Fla. - Brett Myers threw three innings, allowing one earned run while striking out three and walking none, in the Phillies B-game at Pirate City in Bradenton this morning.

It was Myers' first start since April 13. The hard-throwing right-hander was moved to the bullpen, and eventually the closer's role, after just three starts in 2007.

Myers said he was feeling fine and healthy afterward. He may have even dropped the most popular cliche in spring training, "I'm just getting my work in."

The 27-year old-allowed five hits but struck out the final batter of each inning he pitched.

Myers, who was recently named the "ace" of the rotation since he'll get the start on Opening Day, had his two-year old son, Kolt, in tow. The younger Myers appears to have as much energy as his dad - he wore No.39's glove and imitated players, throwing and catching while his dad talked to the media.

Word has it Kolt also throws a decent fastball for a 2-year-old.

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From earlier this morning...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - I'm writing this from my place in Clearwater, but for the first time this spring we'll be watching baseball in a place other than Bright House Field.

We're off to Bradenton, spring home of the Pirates. Brett Myers is pitching in the B-game (which should begin around 10 a.m.); J.D. Durbin will start the 1 p.m. tilt.

I'll try to post something later during/after the games - I'm still getting adjusted to the new schedule since games have started. Should news break, you'll still find it here when it does.

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Joe Savery and Josh Outman, whose names you hear about as often as Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard this spring since they are considered prized pitching prospects, got roughed up yesterday. I can't find the link to post.

But here is one man's observation: both Savery and Outman, left-handers, threw hard. They've got live arms.

I didn't get to see Outman pitch as much (the locker room was open and we were talking to Kyle Kendrick and Savery while Outman was on the mound); but Savery impressed me despite giving up back to back singles to begin the fourth inning.

He nearly escaped the jam and didn't appear shaken up during an inning in which he yielded five runs. If he has the poise of a Kyle Kendrick or Cole Hamels, that and his live arm will help him climb quicker through the minor league system.

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Speaking of Kyle Kendrick, it's been one, wild, whirlwind of a trip for him in the last year. He's gone from uninvited minor leaguer to major league mainstay.

Baseball America's list of the Top 100 prospects was released this week.

For the second straight year, Carlos Carrasco was the highest-rated Phillies player.

Carrasco, admittedly, doesn't pay attention to such lists. He just wants to pitch in the major leagues as soon as he can.

In keeping up with updating the Archive Files, here is today's story: Carrasco pitching with a heavy heart


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Too early in the morning for much else...

One quick observation from yesterday's game -- left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley looked pretty good, throwing three shutout innings out of the bullpen. Blackley is a starter, but could make the Phillies as a reliever, too.

J.C. Romero is the only sure-bet among lefty reliever. Blackley would provide a second left-handed arm, and thus, some flexibility.

Blackley's chances may even be netter when you consider he was selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft -- meaning if he doesn't make the team, he has to be offered back to the San Francisco Giants before he can be sent down to the minors.

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As I mentioned above, Baseball America released its annual "Top 100 Prospects." It's on newstands now.

Three Phillies were included - Carlos Carrasco was the highest ranked Phillies farmhand, at No.54 on the list. Second base prospect Adrian Cardenas came in at No.76 and left-handed pitcher Joe Savery was rated No. 90.

Among National League East teams, only the Braves had more players in the Top 100, with five. Florida and Washington also had three players while the New York Mets had just one.

Here is the entire list.

I realize this game is meaningless - in terms of a win or loss - in the grand scheme, but since I know there are a lot of folks in Philly dying for any baseball right now, I'll run through a little play-by-play, game-updates from today's spring training opener.

1st inning - Both teams are retired in order. Jamie Moyer appears to be in midseason form - I can't say the same for most of the media.

2nd inning - Moyer's perfect game bid ends six batters in when Jay Bruce, recently tabbed as the top prospect in baseball by Baseball America, singles. Two batters earlier, the Phillies ageless lefty unleashed a 32-mile per hour curve ball to ake Reds slugger Edwin Encarnacion look silly.

In the bottom of the inning, 10-million-dollar man Ryan Howard led off with a double, moved to third on a Pat Burrell single and scored when Geoff Jenkins grounded into a double play. 1-0 Phillies.

3rd inning - Moyer ends his day with his second 1-2-3 frame. His final line: 3IP, 1H, OER, 0BB, 3K. Not too bad for the oldest guy in all of baseball.

5th inning - Geoff Jenkins and Pedro Feliz hit back to back doubles. 2-0 Phillies. The two, newest Phillies bats are 3-for-4 today. Not a bad way to earn fans in your first day in red pinstripes. After a weak Wes Helms groundout (he's 0-for-2), Carlos Ruiz knocked an RBI single to right. 3-0 Phillies.

...okay, this game has officially ventured into blowout in quick fashion. The Phillies are still hitting in the 5th inning. Greg Dobbs, a spring training stud last year, just launched a 3-run home run out of the park in right to cap a seven-run inning. 8-0 Phillies.

By the way, it's still COLD here. Although it did just climb from 52 to 53 degrees. Brrrrr.

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Jamie Moyer, who started the Phillies last postseason and regular season game of 2007, threw the first pitch of the 2008 spring exhibition season today.

Fastball, down the middle, to Ryan Freel, for a called strike. It came at 1:10 p.m. under a cool and overcast sky in Clearwater.

It's a crisp 52 degrees. It almost feels like October.

But it's February and the spring season has officially started. Moyer struck out Freel swinging and retired the Reds in order.

If you're starving for baseball and you'd like to listen in, log on to Phillies.com for MLB audio (I was told Larry Andersen and Scott Frantzke are calling the game).

Anyone who feared Cole Hamels may not react well to not getting the nod for Opening Day can relax.

The laid-back, California-cool lefty is completely fine with being passed over in favor of veteran and incumbent Opening Day starter Brett Myers. Hamels actually prefers going second, following Myers in the rotation.

"When I was first called up (in 2006), I kind of used him to my advantage, with him going out there in the first game, me taking the second game and knowing what to do a little bit more from watching him," Hamels said Wednesday morning. "So if he goes out there on Opening Day, it’s not big deal to me. It just kind of gives me two more days off."

The news that Myers would start Opening Day, announced by manager Charlie Manuel Tuesday, was mildly surprising since Hamels emerged as the Phillies ace last year while Myers flourished in the bullpen. Hamels earned his first all-star berth and Despite missing a month with a mild left elbow strain in mid-August, the 24-year old left-hander finished 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA and struck out 177 batters in 183 1/3 innings in his first full season with the Phillies.

Regardless of his break-out season, he doesn't feel slighted.

"I think my understanding going into spring training was to just go out and play," Hamels said. "It wasn’t if I was going to be the No.1 guy just because I knew Brett was coming back (to the rotation) and I liked the fact that he was coming back he and I are able to work off of each other.

"So if he was the No.1 or I was the No.1, it wasn’t a big deal to me."

Myers and Hamels were also slotted No.1 and No.2 last year at the beginning of a season that ended with the team earning its first division title and playoff appearance in 14 years.

We should finally see some real baseball today - although it's supposed to be cold.

Okay... so 59 degress isn't cold back in Philly. But it was 82 the other day!

Enough about the weather...

Not a whole lot going on at the moment, but I wanted to update THE ARCHIVE FILES.

Here is the story in today's Daily Times:

Myers named Opening Day starter

The Phillies spring training opener - on Tuesday night against Florida State - was rained out.

It's been torrential rain all night. We're all really looking forward to the drive back to the beach. I may need a (bigger) boat...

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On to the real news of the day:

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel summoned the media to his office just an hour before the exhibition opener to name his starter for the regular season opener...

Brett Myers.

"We're trying to set up our rotation the way we want," said Manuel, whose team clinched a playoff berth last year in part to Myers' presence at the back end of the bullpen and Hamels' emergence as an ace.

"I did talk to Hamels; I felt like I should talk to him and he seemed like he definitely was OK with it," Manuel continued. "I told him he was our No. 1 last year and he had a big year, but that’s the way we wanted our rotation up."


Surprising? Maybe, since Cole Hamels established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league last summer. The lefty finished 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA - he was sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

"Hamels had a great year last year, it’s going to be hard for me to take over the No.1 spot when he had that year last year," said Myers, who said he was surprised by the news. "I’m going to have to work that much harder to earn that spot."

Still a little shocking, considering Myers' respect for Hamels? Consider this:

Myers fell in love with being a closer, where he collected 21 saves, last year when he moved to the bullpen. Giving him the nod on Opening Day could be the confidence booster he needs in returning to the rotation.

And as anyone who knows Myers can attest, he lives in adrenaline. (But could it work against him too?)

Myers was last year's Opening Day starter.

The veteran right-hander, you may recall, threw the last pitch of the regular season in Citizens Bank Park in 2007. Now he'll throw out the first pitch in '08.

"Opening Day or the playoffs, when you here your name announced for the first time of the year you get chills because the fans are excited because it is the first game," Myers said. "(Last year) it was something where I paid a little bit more attention to what was going on, like walking out and trying to suck it in a little bit in instead of doing my normal thing. I kind of took it in a little bit."

** Pick up the Daily Times tomorrow (Wednesday) for a better explanation. Pitching coach Rich Dubee's comments (which I would post here, but I am on a deadline for the print edition) made sense.

Sometime each fall, every baseball fan circles the day their team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

To them, that day officially means the baseball season is underway.

Sometime each February, every baseball writer, coach, player and employee circles the first exhibition game. Yes, spring began two weeks ago, but one can only take so much of watching sliding practice, or seeing a pitcher covering first base or observing the bullpen session of a pitcher.

Thankfully, that circled day is here. Tonight, the Phillies will play host to Florida State University (J.D. Drew's old team) at Bright House Field. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Joe Savery, last year's top pick, will start tonight. Top prospect Carlos Carrasco (left), fellow right-hander Joe Bisenius and lefties Josh Outman (right) and J.A. Happ are also scheduled to throw against the Seminoles.

Unfortunately, the game will not be broadcast on radio or television for the folks back home. So hopefully I can give you an update or two via the blog.

Good news for tomorrow (Wednesday): the Phillies play the Reds at 1:05 and the game can be heard on 1210 AM.

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Today's stories in the Daily Times:

THE ARCHIVE FILES, 2/26

Phils coaches will wear helmets, beginning tonight
(Steve Smith on the left, Davey Lopes to the right)

Gordon will shoulder load with Lidge shelfed





(it took me about 10 minutes to track down the Gordon story - so hopefully you'll continue to use the blog to find the stories without that kind of hassle)

Another, bright and early day from sunny Clearwater... thankfully, tomorrow the games begin and thus, the EARLY wakeup calls are a little less early.

Not a whole lot to report, write or say at the moment, so I'm just taking this time to post today's Daily Times links (since sometimes the stories are tough to find, or are not on-line at all).

The Archive Files:

Happ hoping to impress second time around, 2/25

Lidge's knee to go under knife, 2/25

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Yeah, because this will get people to finally attend games there:
(from the Associated Press)
MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins are looking for some footloose fat men.

The National League team is creating an all-male, plus-size cheerleading squad to be dubbed the Manatees. Tryouts were scheduled for Sunday.

The team hopes to recruit seven to 10 tubby men to dance, cheer and jiggle during Friday and Saturday home games this season.

New Phillies closer Brad Lidge limped out of Bright House Field on Sunday.

On Monday, he'll be on an early flight back to Philadelphia.

A day after aggravating his surgically-repaired right knee while throwing off the mound in live-batting practice, Lidge had an MRI that revealed what he termed "small tears" in the same knee that needs to be cleaned out.

He'll undergo arthroscopic surgery at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to remove the damaged part of the meniscus Monday. The closer, acquired in a trade from Houston in November, will be out 3-6 weeks.

Lidge will be back in Clearwater on Tuesday and should be able to rehab in another week. Lidge said he's hopeful to still be ready to pitch on Opening Day.

"The bad news is that it happened; the good news is that if everything goes as planned, I can still be ready for the first game of the season," Lidge said.

"It’s 3-6 weeks for full recovery, and 4 1/2 weeks until the first game of the season. So, if I have to miss the first couple of games to be smart, then I will," he continued. "But that being said, once the torn part is out, it’s gone, and it won’t bother you again and affect anything else. It’s a smart procedure for us to do now."

Brad Lidge, who was whisked off the field and the Carpenter Complex premises after feeling a pull in his surgically-repaired, right knee Saturday, was back in the locker room Sunday morning.


He didn't appear to be limping - although he wasn't exactly taking part in any vigorous activity like letting loose on a 95 mile-an-hour fastball. He also didn't appear to be in a glum mood.

So how serious is the injury?

We should find out more later this afternoon. While the team holds its morning workout, Lidge will likely be examined by team doctors.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As a baseball fan growing up, I always looked forward to the Sunday sports section.

Actually, I still do.

Here are a couple links from my colleagues worth checking out, one that what qualifies as semi-shocking news from former third baseman Scott Rolen.

Rolen moving on from St. Louis

Phils catcher confident at camp

(I was going to attempt to post one of my own stories from today, but I can't seem to find it on-line. And for whatever reason, none of my stories can be found through the "Google News" search engine. Great.)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I'm going to attempt to add a regular, Sunday feature to the blog - the YouTube Clip of the Week. Just a warning, the following clip is intended for humor purposes only - and we're not making fun of spousal abuse, just Schmidt's bad choice of words.

The Phillies most important off-season acquisition had a setback Saturday.

New closer Brad Lidge, acquired in a November trade with the Houston Astros, irritated his right knee when his spike got caught in the mound while throwing the first pitch of what was supposed to be a live-batting practice session. Lidge was taken off the field and sent home for precautionary reasons.

Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in the same knee after last season ended.

"It felt like I pulled something... it didn’t feel real good after that," Lidge said.
It swelled up a little but I’m optimistic I pulled just maybe some scar tissue... I figure this is just one of the setbacks, one of the things that’ll happen after the surgery, I’m not totally surprised that it happened to be honest."

Lidge will get checked out by team doctors in Clearwater Sunday morning. He said he expects to miss a day or two since "there's no reason to push it" at this, early stage of Spring Training.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A year from now, Phils ace Cole Hamels will have 2 years and 143 days of service time.

Why do you care?

This winter, Ryan Howard has 2 years, 145 days of MLB service time. Howard qualified as a "Super 2" player, and was thus eligible for arbitration.

Hamels will likely qualify for arbitration for the first time next year - and could be in line for a big pay raise (like Howard just got).

“You can’t help but think (about it) if you see a number out there. Obviously I don’t play every day, so I’m not going to be getting the Ryan Howard contract,” Hamels told the Daily Times Friday. “But in my position, I see myself doing as well as the guys who are getting $18 million a year, but... I’m not at that time, so you try to take what’s equal compensation for that, for what you do.”

For the entire story, where Hamels talks about the arbitration process, his expectations and goals as a pitcher and his confidence level that he can stick with the Phils long-term, READ IT HERE at delcotimes.com

(quick correction on that story above: I accidentally wrote that Erik Bedard won an arbitration case last week. Bedard filed for arbitration when he was with the Orioles, asking for $8 million. After he was traded to Seattle earlier this month, he came to an agreement with the Mariners - before a hearing could be held - to make $7 million this summer. So I apologize - Bedard didn't "win" a case. My bad.)

photo by Delco Times staff photographer Eric Hartline

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Last Sunday, the Phillies held their annual Media Batting Practice Challenge.

Although Shane Victorino obviously was admiring my form, I finished in third place.



photo provided by Leslie Gudel, Comcast SportsNet

Delco Times photographer Eric Hartline is going back to Philly tomorrow. Poor guy.

So we'll keep him in our Clearwater memory by posting his excellent photo work via his daily slideshows.

Phils slideshow, 2/22


Phils slideshow, 2/21

Phils slideshow, 2/20

Phils slideshow, 2/19

I'm kidding, of course.

And, yeah, maybe I'm taking a chance to rub in the summer (yeah, we've skipped spring) weather down here in Clearwater. Yesterday was the first day of what I would term "warm" temps.

Today's it's 82. And the sun is out.

Here are a few other, random nuggets that make Spring Training a unique (and enjoyable) experience:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chase Utley and Pat Burrell faced off against an all-star pitcher they won't meet in the regular season today -- Cole Hamels. Utley had some success, but neither hit a home run off Hamels, who appears to be gearing up to a regular-season velocity.

Of course pitchers are normally ahead of pitchers at this point in camp.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Important question: which number was larger - the amount of pitches Hamels through on Friday afternoon or the number of autographs he signed? The fan-friendly pitcher signed for a good 10 minutes, obliging to everyone who asked.


At one point, he even picked up a baby and posed for a photo.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We all know pitchers practice their fielding. And they stretch out their arms.

But did you know they also participate in sliding practice during Spring Training? Yup, Adam Eaton and others were spotted on the outfield of Ashburn Field running and practicing their feet-first slides into a sliding bag.

It looked like fun, but I would have preferred the good 'ol Slip'n'Slide on a day like today.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For extra credit - or to see your name in a blog post - guess the names of the other three practice fields by way of the "comments" section below. As I said, Ashburn was the one where I saw all of the action - Hamels vs. Utley/Burrell and the pitcher's (without water) Slip'n'Slide.


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This seems to be a fitting way to put the "Ryan Howard vs. The Phillies Arbitration Battle of '08" to bed.


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Inside the ARCHIVES...

In today's Daily Times:

HOWARD WINS - NOW WHAT? 2/22

Ryan Howard is a winner. And he wore a winner's smile - a little brighter than the one he flashed after the arbitration hearing yesterday - for the cameras today.

That's because it's no longer a $900,000 smile. It's a 10 meeillllllllllion dollar smile (please read that as if you were Dr. Evil).



The $10 million man spoke about his big win. He honestly didn't say too much. But here are some highlights.

His reaction on winning:
"My reaction is mostly relief, now that the whole process is over. It was an interesting process, but it’s a relief; it’s always a good to win. Anyway you look at it is a win-win because it’s a substantial raise either way."

On whether he foresees going through the arbitration process again next year:
"Well I guess we'll have to wait and see. I'm not Miss Cleo, I can't predict the future."

On his confidence level that a long-term deal can get worked out with the Phillies:
"My confidence level, it's pretty good. I can't control what might potentially happen down the road, right I’m focused on '08. All of that stuff will take care of itself when it does."

On whether he sees himself finishing his career with the Phillies:
"It would be nice. Yeah it’d be nice. It’s one of those things we’ll have to wait and see what happens."


* * *
Special thanks to Delco Times photographer Eric Hartline for the high-quality photos.
* * *

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Did the Phillies undervalue one of their top players? And will it have any effect on the long-term status of Ryan Howard’s stay in Philadelphia.

In the wake of the Thursday morning announcement that Howard defeated the team at the arbitration table – he’ll earn $10 million, as opposed to the $7 million the team offered – it was only fair to ask the next question concerning the Phillies and their MVP, home-run hitting slugger.

Now that the value is set, will the team be able to lock down Howard to a long-term contract?

"That's not a discussion for today," Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said repeatedly. "This (decision) is too fresh in our mind to start dealing with that kind of stuff... we're going to go start playing baseball now."

But the team may have to deal with hard ball outside the white lines in continuing negotiations with Howard and his agent, Casey Close.

"The panel made a decision, and as far as his value is concerned, it’s now at $10 million," Amaro Jr. said. "It is what it is, and we’ll move forward from there."

Howard, who spent the previous day in a conference room in downtown St. Petersburg for the arbitration hearing, was unavailable for comment Thursday morning. When the announcement was made of his victory, he was already with his outside with his teammates, participating in the third day of full-squad workouts within the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater.

He's expected to meet the media when he returns from the field later today.

Howard's off-the-field victory has raised the bar for baseball salaries. His $10 million win broke just about every arbitration record in baseball history.

Before Howard, Alfonso Soriano held the mark for the most money awarded from an arbitration hearing when he collected $10 million despite losing his case in 2006. Among arbitration winners, Andruw Jones held the previous record by taking an $8.2 million victory in 2001.

Amaro Jr. confirmed that the team was still negotiating with their first baseman "all the way up the court house steps." But a compromise couldn't be reached.

"Any time you get into a room there's always a risk," Amaro Jr. said.

"As we always said, we try to continue to get deals done…unfortunately we couldn’t get anything done."

Howard also set a new mark for first-year, arbitration eligible players. Last year, Miguel Cabrera, now with Detroit, defeated the Florida Marlins in his arbitration case and earned $7.4 million.

By RYAN LAWRENCE
ryanlawrence21@gmail.com

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Meet the Phillies new $10 million man.

Shortly before the Phillies clubhouse closed and workouts started Thursday morning, word began to spread that the team's biggest slugger earned a victory. Ryan Howard, who spent the previous day in a conference room in downtown St. Petersburg for an arbitration hearing, was ruled the winner by an independent panel of arbitrators.

"Any time you get into a room there's always a risk," Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said of the decision.

"As we always said, we try to continue to get deals done, we negotiated all the way to the courthouse steps to get something done with Ryan - all the way up to the court house steps. Unfortunately we couldn’t get anything done."

Howard will earn $10 million, setting a major league record for an arbitration victory for a first-year arbitration eligible player. Last year, Miguel Cabrera, now with Detroit, defeated Florida in his arbitration case and earned $7.4 million.

The ruling also etched a new mark into the Phillies record books. Before Thursday the Phillies, who offered $7 million, had never lost arbitration case.

A day after the State of the Schmidt, Jimmy Rollins spoke at length for the first time at camp in Clearwater.

The highlights:

On his fancy earrings: "My jeweler said you don't want to spend a lot of money on earrings; so anybody trying to get something for their wife or something, don't spend a lot on the earrings because they're just an accessory. Youmight as well get cubic zirconiums."

On the banquets after winning the MVP than Ryan Howard said made him gani a few extra pounds last year: "I definitely learned: 'Don't do every dinner.' Those steaks and potatoes and vegetables taste good but they can make you lazy."


On other major leaguers with "style":
"Big Papi has great style. Manny Ramirez probably has the best style. He's in his own category. I like C.C. But that's kind of a homeboy thing, turning his hat to the side. Dontrelle? He's a freak of nature. Not a lot of people can do what he does. But I definitely like the flair Manny has. He's just crazy. Reyes? Reyes has style too. He definitely has a lot of style."


On Utley's style, or lack of: "Utley doesn't have any style, but he's working on it. I'm trying to help him in his marketability, make him the face of Tastykake."


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DAILY LINKS

Sorry, I've been slow getting links up (I'm trying to make it easier and click-able.

D-Day for Howard 2/21

Rollins strikes back to Beltran, Mets 2/21

Schmidt on Phils, steroids 2/20

no wireless at the hotel in St. Pete and my phone (which I'm using to update this right now) is dying. But I've called in updates. Go to delcotimes.com for the latest.

From earlier today...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla-Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro and Ryan Howard's agent, Casey Close, met outside the Abbott Avery Chancellor Cook room shortly after 9 a.m. in what appeared to be a last-minute effort to hammer out an agreement before today's arbitration hearing between the player and the club.

But after Close met with Howard briefly outside the same conference room, all parties retreated inside, behind closed doors, at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club. The hearing appears to be underway.

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Back in Clearwater.... Jimmy Rollins spoke for the first time in camp. Apparently he talked for quite a while, but I wouldn't know since I was on Ryan Howard Watch 2008.

But thanks to some teamwork for my media brethren, you can read all about what Jimmy had to say in tomorrow's (Thursday's) Daily Times.

Before we get to Michael Jack, here's a look at a pair (trio?) of Phillies who went big-time today with an appearance on "The Today Show", following this weekend's 'Kyle Kendrick has been traded to Japan' prank.



As an aside, I believe I made by "Today Show" debut in that video, too. Myers told reporters today that he think Kendrick will benefit from the prank via popularity with the ladies.

In case anyone missed the whole practical joke video:


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Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, arguably the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball, showed up to Phillies camp Monday to begin his two-week stint as a roving instructor.

Schmidt spoke to the pint media today - about the current Phillies team, about the club's inability to find a regular third baseman and, of course, about baseball's biggest eyesore, performance enhancing drugs.

Unfortunately Michael Jack was playing the part of politician - he was watching his words and, as he even put it, staying in "the middle." Even though Schmidt retired as one of the top 10 home runs hitters of all time and is now being passed by every potentially-roided up Tom, Dick and Sammy Sosa, he didn't sound bitter.

Which I don't get.

"I’m a little leery on this subject, especially in front of 10 guys who are sitting there with pens and paper," Schmidt said. There’s no telling what the headline will be in a paper tomorrow. What little sound bite I give you is gonna be in the headlines."

He also said that as long as the line is not crossed from legal to illegal, it's only smart to try to get away with whatever you can. This isn't golf, after all.

"I couldn’t consider baseball, football, basketball gentleman’s game in the sense the golf is, right?" he said. "Whatever you can get away with in those sports without crossing the line is okay."


But isn't the problem is performance-enhancing drugs, and the highly-publicized and live-on-TV congressional hearings that come from it, bad for the game?

"The game is not suffering from it at all," Schmidt said.

Huh.

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FROM THE SPRING TRAINING NOTEBOOK...

MILT-SPEAK

"Very important - I don't know how Charlie's gonna do the lineup, but I'm sure he's gonna mix it up; he doesn't want to put 3 or 4 left-handers in a row."

- Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson, on the importance of a productive Pat Burrell in the middle of the lineup


KYLE-TALK

"I want it to pass."

-Phillies pitcher and practical joke victim Kyle Kendrick, on the attention he's been getting since the Comcast prank built momentum nation-wide through ESPN and youtube.com


...

If you’re trying to secure a seat at Citizens Bank Park the first Phillies-Mets game in Philly (Friday, April 18), you can get your tickets this week.
Phillies tickets to 77 home games go on sale Thursday. The home opener against Washington (March 31) and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox (June 16-18) are only available through a season ticket plan, the MVP Six Pack and an online ticket opportunity.
Fans can purchase seats for the 77 other, individual game tickets through Phillies.com, by visiting the ticket office at the ballpark or via the Phillies phone center at (215-463-1000) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

...

Popular baseball geeks/sabermetricians Baseball Prospectus says the Phillies will win 84 games – and finish in third place, behind the Mets and Braves in the National League East.
The Baseball Prospectus PECOTA system (Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm) projects the Phillies' offense to be (surprise, surprise) pretty good. The Phillies will score 838 runs.
But, according to these forecasters, pitching will be a problem as the Phillies’ arms will yield 804 runs. Meanwhile, Baseball Prospectus has the Mets projected to score 809 runs and allow only 665.

...

Planning on making a trip down to Clearwater? Hurry up if you want in on Phan Phest.

The Phillies will host the charity carnival this Friday at Bright House Networks Field at 5:30 p.m. Among the highlights for fans - autographs.

Brad Lidge, Jamie Moyer, Geoff Jenkins, Kyle Kendrick, Carlos Ruiz, Pedro Feliz, So Taguchi and Greg Dobbs will be signing from 7 to 8 p.m.


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In today's Daily Times:


BURRELL WANTS BACK, 2/19


HELMS ODD MAN OUT?, 2/19

Wes Helms, who checked into camp Sunday and spoke to the media today (Monday morning), seems to be at ease with his position as the possible odd-man out in the Phillies third base logjam.

Helms said he would prefer starting on Opening Day elsewhere, but also didn't seem opposed to eventually becoming a bench player with a winning team. The 31-year old, nine-year veteran struggled in his first season with the Phillies last spring, batting .246 with five home runs and 39 RBI in 112 games.

Helms spent the entire offseason at his home in Alabama enjoying family time and forgetting about his personal failures last summer.

"I tell my dad all the time, I could go 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and have the fans throw batteries (but) when I see my kids and family later, none of that matters," Helms said.

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NOTES IN MONDAY'S PAPER:

CHUCK-SPEAK
"My favorite saying is, 'Watch the game' - if no one’s getting anybody out, why should I have to criticize someone, it speaks for itself.”

- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel on why he doesn't bad mouth players after bad performances.

KRIS-TALK
"It's like the black plague when it comes to baseball teams - they don't want to see shoulder surgeries; so I can definitely see the concerns that come with it.”

- New Phillies pitcher Kris Benson, who was recently signed as a free agent after missing all of last season following a rotator cuff surgery.

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Helms wasn't the only player to report to the Carpenter Complex for the first time. Jayson Werth, who will likely serve as the right-handed hitting platoon to Geoff Jenkins left-handed bat, also made his first appearance of 2008.
Only two Phillies have not reported: reigning National League MVP Jimmy Rollins and reserve infielder Eric Bruntlett.
Both are expected tomorrow, for routine physicals. Position players aren't required to report until Tuesday, when their workouts begin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A month from today, on March 18, Chris Coste's writing debut will be released to the public.
"The 33-year old Rookie – How I Made it to the Big Leagues after 11 years in the Minors" will be hit bookstores. Coste, whose work was edited down from the 100,000 words he wrote, said he was told the book was getting a premiere display – in the front of every Barnes and Noble store.
With rumors about the book becoming a possible movie abound, Coste wouldn't volunteer an actor to play the starring role.


"I don't know; Will Ferrell – that'd be funny," Shane Victorino said.

"He'll tell you Matthew McConaughey," Phillies media relations manager Greg Casterioto. "(I say) William H. Macy."

--------------------------------------------------------

Also in Monday's paper: Utley responds to Beltran, well sort of:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FContentTab_Feature_1599318

I think I would have found that blog title impossible to believe an hour ago.

Why? Well this is my rookie season as a working writer in Clearwater and all you here about is Frenchy's and Lenny's. Like 78 times a day.

I've been to Frenchy's - no better place for a grouper sandwich and a beer (or three) - a handful of time. But I had never been to the uber-popular breakfast joint Lenny's until this morning.

My review: If you're coming down the Tampa area (yes Tampa, not just Clearwater - it's worth the drive), you would be an idiot not to dive into a dish of a delicious breakfast at Lenny's.

Why would I call anyone an idiot? Well, I'm calling myself out - a couple years back my dad and I made a Spring Training trip and I never went to Lenny's - which is a stone's throw (or errant foul ball) away from the ballpark, on Route 19.

Two years, two hours and an oversized plate of a western omelet and home fries later, I can honestly say I was an idiot. Lenny's CAN'T be missed.


After hearing so much about it, I feared it would be like the Hollywood blockbuster movie everyone builds up... and when you see it... it's a dud.

Nope. Sorry. Wrong.

Lenny's is a stud.

The freshly-squeezed orange juice - a Florida staple - was as tasty as advertised. The two baskets of pre-meal pastry was the perfect primer to the main course.

And the wait staff is fast and friendly.

Okay, so you came on this blog looking for baseball news, not a restaurant review. But it's a Sunday.

And Sunday is as good as any day to eat - and write about - the best breakfast joint south (and north?) of the Mason/Dixon line.

Lenny's - which is talked about as often as Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins inside Brighthouse Networks field - is actually underrated.


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From Today's Sunday Times...

BENSON REPORTS, PITCHES; 2/17:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1597187

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chase Utley spoke a little today about expectations and proclamations - mostly because he was the most popular Phillies player in the clubhouse this morning in the wake of Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran's remarks less than 24 hours earlier (see post below) that New York is now the "team to beat."

"Okay; that's fine," said Utley, maybe the last guy in either clubhouse who would ever be found guilty of stirring the pot with words. "He has confidence which is good - other than that, we'll see what happens... in order to have successful you need to have a little confidence."


Utley spoke for just over 10 minutes about all things Phillies, the N.L. East race and whatever else came to a dozen or so writers' minds on a lazy Sunday morning inside the clubhouse.

For more on the second baseman, be sure to read tomorrow's Daily Times...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Notebook files...

CHARLIE-SPEAK

“(We’ll) let Louisville do the talking.”

- Phillies Charlie Manuel told the Associated Press when told New York Mets center fielder was quoted Saturday saying, “Tell Jimmy Rollins we’re the team to beat.”


SAY IT IS SO

"Un poquito."

- New reserve outfielder So Taguchi, a Japanese import who doesn't need a translator to speak English, when asked if he can speak Spanish. Translation: "A little bit."

...

Kris Benson has a pretty popular wife.
Anna Benson, whose revealing magazine spreads and Howard Stern interviews have made her quasi-famous, is not in Clearwater just yet. But her husband is well-versed in dealing with questions regarding his wife, who once said she’d sleep with everyone in the Mets organization if Kris, then with the Mets, cheated on her.

"A lot of the teammates and the wives are like, 'You're not like what they write about you,'" Benson said of his wife. "Baseball is boring sometimes, so you have to spruce it up a little bit. It's entertaining, it makes it interesting. It keeps me on my toes. It keeps you guys on your toes."

...

Earlier this month, the Phillies designated right-handed pitcher Anderson Garcia for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for new third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Garcia was claimed by the Seattle Mariners Saturday.

...

The Phillies finalized split contracts with 11 players Saturday: catchers Chris Coste, Carlos Ruiz and Jason Jaramillo and pitchers Joe Bisenius, Fabio Castro, Clay Condrey, Jon Ennis, J.A. Happ, Lincoln Holdzkom, Shane Youman and Mike Zagurski.

No, Kyle Kendrick was not traded.

But he sure thought he was after an elaborate hoax put together by his teammates, Phillies management and a hand from the media, too.

Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. ushered the impressionable, 23-year old pitcher into his office to break the news: he was dealt, along with $1.5 million, to the Yomiuri Giants in exchange for highly-touted pitcher Kobayashi Iwamura.

"It's a deal we thought was important for us to make and the fact of the matter is we're trying to get to the next level," Amaro Jr. said. "While Kyle had a hell of a year for us last year, we certainly felt like we had to do it."

The joke went out for a while longer - Amaro turned the questions over to Kendrick - who was smiling, which I thought meant he knew what was up, but it turned out he was shocked and nervous.

He answered a few questions, including: "Aren't you mad that they're trading you after last season?" and "You're going over there - did you get your shots yet?" but all Kendrick could muster were a few, one-word answers and, "do they have good food over there?"

Finally, Brett Myers crept into the media circle and proclaimed: "You just got punked!"

I must say, this was very well done. The best part was Kendrick, taking a VERY deep breath after he found out it was a practical joke.

"I've never been so happy," Kendrick said. "I was not going on that flight in the morning. Thank God."

Comcast SportsNet had camera and microphones going the whole time, so tune in to their programs later on - it'll be well worth your time for a few, Phillies laughs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On to a far more serious matter: Mild-mannered, New York center fielder Carlos Beltran has told Newsday that his Mets is "the team to beat."

"Without (newly-acquired pitcher Johan) Santana, we felt as a team we had a chance to win in our division," Beltran said. "With him, now I have no doubt we're going to win in the division. I have no doubt we have what it takes."

Beltran later added: "So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat in the division."

Jimmy Rollins is not in camp yet. But Charlie Manuel offered Philadelphia Associated Press writer Rob Maadi a quick reply.

"We'll let Louisville do the talking," Manuel quipped.

For those of you who can't get your hands on a hard copy of the paper, I'm going to try to post my daily dose of spring notes - which includes a quote of the day from coach and player, among other items - here in the blog.

Here is what I found when I pried open the notebook last night:


GILLICK-SPEAK

"He doesn't have to be here... if there was a problem he wouldn't be here, so consequently by him being here it's a very positive show by Ryan that he's happy what happed last season going to the Division championship and I think he has his mind headed that way." - Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said of Ryan Howard in camp five days before position players are required to report.


HOWARD CHATTER

"I have to add some more stolen bases. I got to get some more of those. I got to talk to Chuck (manager Charlie Manuel)." – Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who is 10-15 pounds lighter than he was last spring, on what he wants to improve in his game.

-----------------------------------------------------

Chad Durbin, who signed with the Phillies as a free agent from Detroit, said he hasn't been confused for J.D. Durbin just yet. They may share the same last name, but the newer Durbin isn't as blonde or boisterous as the returning Phillies pitcher nicknamed "The Real Deal."
The newest Durbin is a welcome addition to the Phillies pitching staff. Although he could compete with Adam Eaton and possibly Kris Benson for a spot in the rotation, he brings flexibility - 17 of Durbin's 36 appearances last year were out of the bullpen.
"I learned last year that you can't see yourself as either or, or you can't prefer something because it doesn't really matter," Durbin said. "When they call you in and tell you what you're gonna do, that's what you do."
Durbin, 8-7 with a 4.72 ERA in 127.2 innings last summer, has a fan in manager Charlie Manuel.
"I think when we picked up Chad Durbin we knew there was some place on our team where he made us better," Manuel said. "In some way, in the role that he'll play, he's gonna help us."

-------------------------------------------------------


Tom “Flash” Gordon, in the final year of a three-year contract, doesn’t sound ready to retire. The 40-year old reliever said he’d like the chance to pitch against his son one day.
Devaris Strange-Gordon is attracting scouts while playing shortstop for Southeastern University in nearby Lakeland, Fla. Flash’s kid hit .378 and was 45-of-52 in stolen bases as a freshman last season.
“It’s been a thrill for me,” the elder Gordon said of watching his son develop. “I had no idea what my dad was going through.”
By the way, Flash has declared himself healthy and ready for the season.

--------------------------------------------------

A rite of spring training: the younger and more inexperienced the player in camp, the higher number on the back of his jersey.
With the exception of veteran So Taguchi, who wears No.99, the award for this spring’s highest number in camp is left-handed pitcher Joe Savery. The Phillies first-round pick out of Rice University last summer, Savery is wearing No. 85.
“I just want to get to know some people and learn what they do, get to know the coaches, put a name to the face," Savery said of taking part in his first professional and big league camp.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Here's the main story in today's paper, the link posted here for archive services (if you don't get around to reading it today:

HOWARD SPEAKS, 2/16:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1593949

Ryan Howard spoke anyway.

Even though the Phillies P.R. staff and his agent, Casey Close, nixed a formal media gathering with the arbitration-eligible first baseman, Howard spoke anyway at his locker about everything - his weight (he's slimmed down), his need for more stolen bases, his defense and, yes, even his contract - after his daily workout.

Well, he talked sparingly about the contract. Howard will likely go to an arbitration hearing Wednesday when it will be decided if he'll be paid the $10 million he's asking for the upcoming season, or the $7 million the Phillies have offered.

A good-natured, smiling Howard was in very good spirits. If there's any ill will, it surely didn't show as he fielded nearly eight minutes of questions.

His response to one line of questioning - "Who's calling the shots here? Your parents? Your agent? - drew plenty of laughter.

"Who’s speculating that?" Howard said.

"A lot of people in Philly," the reporter said.

"Where’s the speculation coming from?" Howard asked.

"Who’s calling the shots?" the reporter answered, with a question.

"I’m trying to find out where (or) who’s speculating about the speculation," Howard said, deflecting the query and igniting the laughing.


Howard say he's 10-15 pounds lighter than the weight he reported at last spring. To his credit, Howard didn't seem bothered in the least with his contract status.

"Yeah, then I won’t have to talk to you guys about it," a smiling Howard said when asked if he was anxious or looking forward to Wednesday's arbitration. "You know, like I said I’m down here having fun; I’m not distracted by anything, I’m not thinking about anything else but just getting out here and getting my game right, getting ready for opening day."

Ryan Howard will not speak today.

Well, at least not in a formal setting with the media.

A little over an hour before the Phillies slugger was scheduled to talk with the press in the media dining room inside Bright House Networks Field, the Phillies public relations staff made the rounds to announce that the scheduled meeting had been called off.

"It's basically a decision between Ryan's agent and our (public relations) department," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said.

Gillick would not comment on whether the two sides - Howard is at a contract impasse with the team - would have to go to next week's scheduled arbitration hearing. When the Howard and the Phillies exchanged arbitration figures last month, the Phillies offered $7 million while their first baseman asked for $10 million for this upcoming season.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

"I'm not commenting on anything on his contract at all, nothing whatsoever," Gillick said.

Gilick was asked if Howard's presence in camp - position players don't have to report until early next week - was a sign that the Phillies first baseman wasn't distracted by his contract status.

"If there was a problem he wouldn't be here," Gillick said. "So consequently I think by him being here is a very positive showing by Ryan that he was very happy last year with a division championship and I think he's got his mind headed that way."

I'll try to catch up with Howard later - although surely he'll be only fielding baseball-related questions.

The biggest story in Phillies camp?

The status of first baseman Ryan Howard. The Phils slugger appears to have shed a pound or two this offseason - but will he be adding more bulk to his wallet?

We won't know that until Wednesday. That's when Howard and the Phillies will likely go to an arbitration hearing where one side will win - either Howard will receive the $10 million salary he has asked for the upcoming season, or he'll end up with the $7 million the Phils are offering.

Howard and his agent have been quiet throughout the process. But since the can't prevent what would have been a nonstop barrage of questions before Wednesday, Howard will meet with reporters today at noon (the press gathering will be televised on Comcast) in the media lunchroom.

Here's hoping the big guy doesn't steal my lunch.



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HAPPY COLE

Although the Phillies haven't quite added one to the staff, the team confirmed it is in the process of adding a doctor who specializes in chriopractic medicine.

This is good news for ace Cole Hamels - a reformed, fitness freak who opined late last summer that the benefits of seeing a chiropractor may help him finally stay healthy over the course of the long season.


Hamels, who has never pitched more than 200 innings in a season, says his goal is to make 35 starts this summer.

With a chiropractor in tow, the 24-year old lefty should feel pretty good as he moves forward mentally and physically this spring.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

STORY ARCHIVE

Since our web site doesn't seem to archive stories in any fashion, I am going to attempt to do that here with the blog. One day neither story appeared on-line, so I can't exactly archive that.

Here's most of the spring stuff:

Camp Opens/Hamels and Jaramillo, 2/15/08:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1589079


Benson signs/notes, 2/14/08:
http://www.dailylocal.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;!-596657927?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDLN%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDLN%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1583092


Spring Preview, 2/10/08:
http://www.delcotimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily;jsessionid=XSjMHy4TLwlZF0GCH9wF9J32bKCNSKh6F6mLr2nVYZXmnMPDKzvL!-366222789?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDCT%2FSports&r21.content=%2FDCT%2FSports%2FTopStoryList_Story_1558278

CLEARWATER, Fla - Spring has sprung.

Or sprang.

Or, well, yes, this is a blog and we can make up words, so pick one.

Sure it's Valentine's Day but today is also the first day Phillies pitchers and catchers have to report to Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater. And they all have reported.

Ryan Howard, who I hope you all realize is neither a pitcher or a catcher, also made his first appearance in the clubhouse of the spring this morning. But the former MVP, who will likely go to an arbitration hearing with the team Wednesday to solve their salary dispute, wasn't talking to the media.

The Phillies have set that up for tomorrow at noon.

In case you forgot, Howard is asking for a $10 million salary this season; the Phillies have countered with $7 million. Where do you stand on the Howard situation?

Should the team up their one-year offer? Should they sign him to a long-term deal? Use the comments, let me - and everyone else on the world wide web - let us know what you think.

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Among the pitchers ready to roll out to their first workout this morning was veteran reliever Ryan Madson.

The 27-year old Madson hasn't pitched in a major league game since July 29. He was placed in the disabled list in late July with a right shoulder strain.

The injury forced him to miss the first Phillies postseason in 14 years.

"I didn’t taste it; I watched it, but I didn’t get my feet wet," Madson said of not participating in the playoffs. "So it makes me want to get in their and do it again last year."

Madson, who deemed himself 100 percent, is an important piece of the Phillies bullpen (then again, who isn't?). In 56 innings, Madson was 2-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 38 games before landing on the disabled list.

CLEARWATER, Fla - Twenty-four hours ago it looked like the end of the road was near on the ongoing overtures between the Phillies and Kris Benson.

Wednesday afternoon - less than 24 hours before pitchers and catchers have to officialy report to Spring Training - the two sides reached the end, agreeing to a minor league contract.

Details of the deal with Kris Benson aren't available yet and the contract won't be official until he has a physical, but according to Phillies officials he will be in camp to compete for a job.


"I was very encouraged with the workouts," said Phillies scout Chuck LaMar. "He was anxious to get this thing done and he wanted to be a Philadelphia Phillie, he thought it was a good opportunity for him. (He showed off) all of his pitches - he’s always been a command guy and he showed a lot of command in his two workouts."

Benson, who missed all of last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in seven major leage seasons with the Pirates, Mets and Orioles. Baltimore cut ties with the right-hander in November when it declined a $7.5 million club option.

Benson received a $500,000 buyout from the Orioles. He went 11-12 with a 4.82 ERA in 2006.

Although Benson may have the inkling of competing for a spot in the rotation this spring, LaMar cautioned the newest Phillie may not be ready. Benson is only 10 1/2 months removed from labrum surgery.

"He feels like he’s gonna be ready for opening day; history shows he may need more time than that," said LaMar, who saw Benson in private workouts twice last month. "There’s a difference between throwing two sidelines in an auditorium and getting major league hitters out.

"He still has a ways to go, he knows that. Hopefully sometime between Opening Day and the first of June, somewhere in that timetable, he’ll be ready to go."

The Phillies and Kris Benson could reach a deal before Valentine's Day.



Gregg Clifton, Benson's agent, just called me back and said talks have progressed between the two parties. He added that nothing was imminent, but when asked if he expected something to happen one way or another in the next 48 hours, Clifton said, "That's safe to say."

Earlier in the day, Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro said he expected closure to the Benson situation "in 24-to-48 hours."

My feeling here is that a deal is going to get done. Is this the right move?

Doesn't seem like it could hurt. The Phillies had 6 starting pitchers this time last year and then Jon Lieber and Freddy Garcia both started the season on the DL and minor leaguer Zach Segovia was called up to start the fifth game of the season.

The lesson there - you can never have enough pitching depth.

So rather than wondering what the Phillies plan to do with Adam Eaton - the heavy favorite to win the 5th starter's job according to manager Charlie Manuel - it's probably best to err on the side of too much than not enough pitching.


Eaton is still owed the final two years in the 3-year, $24.5 million contract he signed last winter. While it's doubtful the team wants to pay around $8 million per for a middle reliever, it's probably too early to guess how everything will shake out since injuries can pop up pretty quick in Philliesville.

So we've been punted out of the media press room this afternoon (Phillies meetings going on) and we've made ourselves comfortable in the cozy confines of the press box at Brighthouse Networks Field.

Nice place.


And, yes, tornado watch. Pretty sweet. Looking forward to the drive home toward the ocean.

Okay, okay... enough about the weather. I hear the afternoon drive won't be too much better at home, so, as "they" say, pick your poison.

Along with the tornado watch, there is the Ryan Howard watch that's in full effect. With his arbitration hearing date looming (a week from tomorrow) of course everyone would like to hear what the big fella has to say.


Neither Howard or his agent have publicly spoken about the $3 million gap between themselves and Phillies management.

When and if Ryan speaks, I will listen - and then let you in ASAP via the blog.

Yes, technology is nice that way.


So what else is going on at camp? Not much. Pitchers and catchers don't officially have to report until tomorrow for physicals.

Their "official" workouts don't begin until Thursday.

But that hasn't stopped more than a handful of guys from getting started. Upon my arrival at the park yesterday (Monday), I spotted Cole Hamels stretching out his arm in, having a long-toss catch with Chris Coste and Zach Segovia on the Richie Ashburn field within the Brighthouse complex.

Pat Burrell was the only non-catcher positional player I saw yesterday; Chase Utley is here today.

Yes, spring is nearly underway.

I spoke with Brad Lidge (his knee will be fine, he says), Kyle Kendrick (in a major league camp for the first time in his career despite a fine rookie campaign last summer), along with minor league pitchers Joe Savery (the Phillies top pick a year ago) and Josh Outman (maybe the guy who will be unofficially be tabbed as "The Most Likely to be this year's Kyle Kendrick).

They're all pretty excited to be here and get started.

That's all I have for now. Time to do some work now that's I'm on the clock.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that most of the reporting is done, an update:

Cole Hamels was asked if the team had hired a chiropractor, per his request last summer that drew some attention (and a lot of comments from ill-informed, baseball-clueless radio talkers).

"No, not that I know of but I know they’re more open to the situation so I think that’s the best and hopefully they're open to the situation of maybe being able to have a guy come around during spring traning just to see what it’s like," the Phillies left-hander said.

"There are allowing me to (go to see one) which beneifits me, and I know other guys use them. You know it’s up to (the Phillies) - I know they’re doing everything they possibly can to get a massage therapist. It’s kind of the new way of training and keeping in shape, so we’ll see what happens."

Hamels, who earned his first all-star invite last year and helped pitch the Phillies to the playoffs in late September after missing a month with a left shoulder strain, appeared to be okay with the situation. As long as he can keep himself of sound body and mind, he knows he can pitch to his capabilities.




This might be an interesting storyline to follow, however, if he misses a start in May after a road trip without treatment. Hamels said he had chiropractice massage therapy two to three times a week during the offseason.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In tomorrow's paper: a Phillies column from yours truly.

What about?

How about this for a rare stance - Adam Eaton may not be that bad of a fifth starter.

Read more about it tomorrow...

And so it begins...

My name is Ryan Lawrence - I'm the new Phillies beat writer at the Delaware County Daily Times. Yes, I'm taking over the space formerly known as the Deitch Pit; those are some (cliche alert) big shoes to fill, but I promise to deliver on all of the latest news and notes (and observations) from what's arguably the most popular team in town.


I'll be in Clearwater for the duration of Spring Training - I'm leaving this Sunday (Feb. 10) and I'm not due back to the Philly area until the weekend of March 28. But no worries: I will surely be posting early and often in Florida.

I promise to keep the gloating about the weather - a high of 75 today in Clearwater! - to a minimum.


Thanks for reading - stick with me all spring and summer (and fall and... heck, I'll be posting 12 months a year, come to think of it) and please give me feedback via the "comments" section below, or via email at ryanlawrence21@gmail.com

-RL