Can't believe they have a winning record

The following is a list of things that have gone wrong for the Phillies in the first 30-plus games of the year:

* Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins has missed a month with a sprained ankle;

* Starting center fielder Shane Victorino would miss 2 weeks with a calf injury;

* 2006 MVP Ryan Howard would be hitting .165 with just 6 home runs;

* Opening day starter Brett Myers has just two wins and an earned run average over 5.

Yet on May 9, the Phillies are 20-16 and just 1 game out of first. The hated New York Mets are 17-15.

So with all these problems, better things must lie ahead. When the weather heats up, so will the Phillies.

Waiting for the Phillies' offer

If Billy Crystal can do it, why can't I? Where's my chance for a spring training appearance with my favorite team.

In case you missed it last week, actor/comedian Billy Crystal, on the eve of his 60th birthday, got to play with the New York Yankees in a spring training game.

Crystal has been a lifelong Yankees' fan and directed and produced "61," an HBO movie about Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and the 1961 Yankees. So as a present for his 60th birthday, the Bronx Bombers let Crystal lead off in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The comedian's dream ended there, as he struck out in his lone plate appearance. His reaction is shown above in an Associated Press photo.

So what do I have to do to get an at bat with the Phillies? Maybe I can produce and direct a movie called "1980," the story about Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton and the only Phillies team to win a World Series.

Or if I don't get an at bat, how about pitching to one or two batters. And who knows? The Phillies are always looking for pitching. On top of that I'm lefthanded, a few months younger than their current No. 3 starter, Jamie Moyer, and I throw just as hard as he does.

Maybe it won't happen for my 45th birthday, since that's in 3 months and Spring Training ends in 10 days. But my Big 5-0 isn't that far away (UGH!). If I put the bug in their ear now, maybe in 5 years the Phillies will grant me my wish.

And by then, they'll need a replacement for Ryan Howard.

An omen for the season?

New Phillies' closer Brad Lidge had arthroscopic surgery Monday on his right knee. Lidge, who had off-season surgery on the knee, re-injured it Saturday during batting practice on his first pitch of spring training.

Lidge, shown at right in an Associated Press photo, is expected to miss 3 to 6 weeks, which means he could be back for the season opener on March 31 against the Washington Nationals.

Last year, Tom Gordon and Brett Myers both missed significant time in their role as closer. Lidge was brought in to help stabilize the bullpen and improve the starting pitching with Myers returning to the rotation.

A stable bullpen is essential if the Phillies hope to repeat as National League East champions and advance to the World Series. Hopefully Lidge's injury is not a sign of things to come for the 2008 season.

Spring is here!!

Yes, the calendar says it's only Feb. 14. Yes, we just saw a storm drop a few inches of snow, ice and rain on the area. But today is the first day of spring.

Phillies' pitchers and catchers reported to Clearwater, Fla., this morning for the start of spring training -- the unofficial start of spring.

Watching the television reports from Phillies' camp in sunny Florida and seeing photos of the team working out -- like the one from the Associated Press, above -- gets me thinking about spring and the excitement of the upcoming baseball season.

So while we may get a few more snowstorms and several cold and cloudy days in dreary southeastern Pennsylvania, it's already spring in my mind.

Just give him the money!!!

For the second straight year, the Phillies and Ryan Howard are locked in a contract dispute with an arbitration hearing scheduled for 2 weeks from today.

Last year, the 2006 Most Valuable Player, at right in an Associated Press photo, avoided arbitration when he agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract.

This time, Howard, who blasted 47 home runs last year, is asking for $10 million. The Phillies are offering Howard "only" $7 million.

The Phillies need to step up and make up the difference. Thanks to their division title last year and high hopes for this season, season ticket sales have increased. Citizens Bank Park will be full from May to September, putting more revenue into the owners' pockets, and Howard is one of the reasons why the fans turn out.

He may not be the face of the franchise as Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley are, but Howard's an integral part of any success this team hopes to have.

Management can't continue to have salary disputes with their slugger. Either give him what he's asking for before the arbitration hearing, or come to an agreement on a long-term deal to avoid this scenario every February.