GaryMrMets
06-01-2004, 03:27 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s060104e.htm
Byrd's restless nights to continue until he hits
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
As Marlon Byrd's batting average sinks, so do the bags under his eyes.
"When I'm in a slump, I get no sleep," the Phillies' second-year center fielder said Monday. "I stay up late, thinking about it. All I can do is try to go out and get it done."
An 0-for-4 in Monday's loss to the New York Mets dropped Byrd's average to .220. He wouldn't currently be batting leadoff if shortstop Jimmy Rollins hadn't sat out the last two games. His slump has done little to help an offense that has been inconsistent at best in run production this season.
"We're giving him every opportunity to battle his way out of it," manager Larry Bowa said. "But after a while, you have to get some production out of the top of the lineup."
Though Byrd's name has come up in trade rumors - the juiciest involving Kansas City outfielder Carlos Beltran - Phillies General Manager Ed Wade said Monday he isn't involved in discussions with any team.
Wade is also giving Byrd the benefit of the doubt. Last May 31, Byrd was hitting .193 as rumors of his impending demotion swirled. The next day he went 2-for-2, and by the All-Star break he was hitting .288 as the Phillies' leadoff hitter. He finished the year hitting .303.
"I think eventually Marlon will be at the top of his game," Wade said. "Sometimes you have to weather the storm. . . . Our patience has been rewarded in the past."
Byrd sure hopes so. He thought he had turned the corner in mid-May when he went 8-for-14 during a three-game series against Los Angeles. But since then, he is 2-for-31 with seven strikeouts.
"I feel like I'm close," Byrd said. "I'm just going to throw this game out the window and come back tomorrow. I'm just trying to get the same approach and the same aggressiveness with every swing. I've got to put the ball in play to give myself a chance."
Phillies fodder: Rollins was a scratch for the second straight day after his right ankle proved too sore when he tested it before the game. Rollins suffered a bruise when he fouled a pitch off his ankle on Saturday. . . . Because of the rain delays, the Phillies are allowing fans with ticket stubs from Monday's game to exchange them for a future game against the Mets - either the remaining two games of the current series or the four-game series July 5-8. Exchanges can be made at the ballpark ticket windows or by mail. . . . John Servis, the trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight.
Byrd's restless nights to continue until he hits
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
PHILADELPHIA
As Marlon Byrd's batting average sinks, so do the bags under his eyes.
"When I'm in a slump, I get no sleep," the Phillies' second-year center fielder said Monday. "I stay up late, thinking about it. All I can do is try to go out and get it done."
An 0-for-4 in Monday's loss to the New York Mets dropped Byrd's average to .220. He wouldn't currently be batting leadoff if shortstop Jimmy Rollins hadn't sat out the last two games. His slump has done little to help an offense that has been inconsistent at best in run production this season.
"We're giving him every opportunity to battle his way out of it," manager Larry Bowa said. "But after a while, you have to get some production out of the top of the lineup."
Though Byrd's name has come up in trade rumors - the juiciest involving Kansas City outfielder Carlos Beltran - Phillies General Manager Ed Wade said Monday he isn't involved in discussions with any team.
Wade is also giving Byrd the benefit of the doubt. Last May 31, Byrd was hitting .193 as rumors of his impending demotion swirled. The next day he went 2-for-2, and by the All-Star break he was hitting .288 as the Phillies' leadoff hitter. He finished the year hitting .303.
"I think eventually Marlon will be at the top of his game," Wade said. "Sometimes you have to weather the storm. . . . Our patience has been rewarded in the past."
Byrd sure hopes so. He thought he had turned the corner in mid-May when he went 8-for-14 during a three-game series against Los Angeles. But since then, he is 2-for-31 with seven strikeouts.
"I feel like I'm close," Byrd said. "I'm just going to throw this game out the window and come back tomorrow. I'm just trying to get the same approach and the same aggressiveness with every swing. I've got to put the ball in play to give myself a chance."
Phillies fodder: Rollins was a scratch for the second straight day after his right ankle proved too sore when he tested it before the game. Rollins suffered a bruise when he fouled a pitch off his ankle on Saturday. . . . Because of the rain delays, the Phillies are allowing fans with ticket stubs from Monday's game to exchange them for a future game against the Mets - either the remaining two games of the current series or the four-game series July 5-8. Exchanges can be made at the ballpark ticket windows or by mail. . . . John Servis, the trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight.