GaryMrMets
08-01-2004, 07:45 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s073004a.htm
Phils swept at Florida
Friday, July 30, 2004
After fourth loss in a row, team holds closed-door meeting
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
MIAMI
All of the troubles plaguing the Phillies in the last three days - the frustration of not being able to beat division nemesis Florida, the perception of discord in the clubhouse, the swirling rumors regarding the manager's job status - came together Thursday in another disheartening defeat and a closed-door meeting afterward.
Following the Phillies' 10-1 loss to the Marlins at Pro Player Stadium, the doors to the visiting clubhouse stayed closed for 35 minutes. But unlike the last time manager Larry Bowa held such a meeting last August in Montreal, during which his booming voice could be heard outside, this one was less tense and involved more interaction from the players.
When it was over, they all knew where they stood. The Phillies are now 3 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East following Thursday's loss, which completed a four-game sweep and marked their 14th straight loss at Pro Player.
They aren't in deep trouble just yet. But with nine games still remaining in a season-long 13-game road trip, starting today against the Chicago Cubs, they could be soon enough.
"We still have two months left," veteran catcher Mike Lieberthal said. "We can't get our heads down. Right now we've got to stay positive. We need positive energy going into Chicago."
There was little of that during Thursday's game, as the Marlins scored seven runs in the third inning off Paul Abbott on their way to an easy romp. Afterward, Bowa called the meeting, which he described as pretty, low-key. It was a give-and-take meeting.
Indeed, while many players refused to divulge too many details, they described a calm scene and a productive meeting.
"I think it's a little exaggerated that every time we meet with Bowa, he goes ballistic," outfielder Doug Glanville said. "I thought it was good. It was a family-like environment."
"Was it necessary? I think so," reliever Roberto Hernandez said. "It got us on the same page, which we needed."
Bowa also informed General Manager Ed Wade, who is currently in Clearwater, Fla., of the meeting during the teams bus ride to the airport for their flight to Chicago.
"Larry felt very good about what was said in the meeting, Wade said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. A lot of veterans stepped up and stated their opinions. There will be a lot of rough stretches over the course of a season and a lot of issues to face, and the best way to address them is head-on."
Most players agreed the meeting was necessary to clear the air following an eventful series. Earlier in the week, pitcher Rheal Cormier described a tense atmosphere during one of the defeats - comments that seemed directly pointed at the manager. That has led to rumors that Bowa's job security is as precarious as it has ever been during his four-year tenure.
Bowa insists he isn't bothered by the whispers.
"No, it doesnt worry me," he said. "I don't care. I do the best I can."
Wade did not hesitate to back up his manager.
"I don't need to talk to him about it, because I'm not the one that's raised the issue of his job security, nor will I ever," he said. "This has been a tough series on a lot of fronts. My job is to be supportive of Larry and this team."
Perhaps the most important aspect of the meeting was to attempt to leave all of their troubles behind in Florida, which has turned into a certifiable snakepit.
The Phillies still have not beaten the Marlins at Pro Player since April 2, 2003. Take their 1-11 record against Florida and make it 6-6, and the Phillies (52-50) would be leading the division handily. Instead, the distance between them and first-place Atlanta is only growing larger.
"This series doesn't do anything for you other than [tick] you off," third baseman David Bell said. "I think those of us on this team take losing personally. It's important for our team to just go out now and play the way were capable of. The only thing you can do as a player is to go out and try to win. That cures everything."
Said first baseman Jim Thome: "When a team like that beats you, it should affect your pride and how you feel. The tone [of the meeting] is to try to get us to play better. But instead of calling a meeting, let's just win a game."
Whether the meeting truly gets the Phillies back on track can only be known in time. Last year's meeting in Montreal launched them on a streak of nine wins in 10 games, pulling them back into the wild-card race. A similar burst this time around would get them right back into the thick of the NL East race.
In the players' minds, Thursdays meeting reinforced one idea.
"We're a team, and that includes Larry and the coaches," Bell said. "We're all in this together."
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/images/s073004a.jpg
Paul Abbott allowed eight runs in three innings Thursday as the Phillies lost to the Marlins 10-1.
Phils swept at Florida
Friday, July 30, 2004
After fourth loss in a row, team holds closed-door meeting
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
MIAMI
All of the troubles plaguing the Phillies in the last three days - the frustration of not being able to beat division nemesis Florida, the perception of discord in the clubhouse, the swirling rumors regarding the manager's job status - came together Thursday in another disheartening defeat and a closed-door meeting afterward.
Following the Phillies' 10-1 loss to the Marlins at Pro Player Stadium, the doors to the visiting clubhouse stayed closed for 35 minutes. But unlike the last time manager Larry Bowa held such a meeting last August in Montreal, during which his booming voice could be heard outside, this one was less tense and involved more interaction from the players.
When it was over, they all knew where they stood. The Phillies are now 3 1/2 games out of first place in the National League East following Thursday's loss, which completed a four-game sweep and marked their 14th straight loss at Pro Player.
They aren't in deep trouble just yet. But with nine games still remaining in a season-long 13-game road trip, starting today against the Chicago Cubs, they could be soon enough.
"We still have two months left," veteran catcher Mike Lieberthal said. "We can't get our heads down. Right now we've got to stay positive. We need positive energy going into Chicago."
There was little of that during Thursday's game, as the Marlins scored seven runs in the third inning off Paul Abbott on their way to an easy romp. Afterward, Bowa called the meeting, which he described as pretty, low-key. It was a give-and-take meeting.
Indeed, while many players refused to divulge too many details, they described a calm scene and a productive meeting.
"I think it's a little exaggerated that every time we meet with Bowa, he goes ballistic," outfielder Doug Glanville said. "I thought it was good. It was a family-like environment."
"Was it necessary? I think so," reliever Roberto Hernandez said. "It got us on the same page, which we needed."
Bowa also informed General Manager Ed Wade, who is currently in Clearwater, Fla., of the meeting during the teams bus ride to the airport for their flight to Chicago.
"Larry felt very good about what was said in the meeting, Wade said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. A lot of veterans stepped up and stated their opinions. There will be a lot of rough stretches over the course of a season and a lot of issues to face, and the best way to address them is head-on."
Most players agreed the meeting was necessary to clear the air following an eventful series. Earlier in the week, pitcher Rheal Cormier described a tense atmosphere during one of the defeats - comments that seemed directly pointed at the manager. That has led to rumors that Bowa's job security is as precarious as it has ever been during his four-year tenure.
Bowa insists he isn't bothered by the whispers.
"No, it doesnt worry me," he said. "I don't care. I do the best I can."
Wade did not hesitate to back up his manager.
"I don't need to talk to him about it, because I'm not the one that's raised the issue of his job security, nor will I ever," he said. "This has been a tough series on a lot of fronts. My job is to be supportive of Larry and this team."
Perhaps the most important aspect of the meeting was to attempt to leave all of their troubles behind in Florida, which has turned into a certifiable snakepit.
The Phillies still have not beaten the Marlins at Pro Player since April 2, 2003. Take their 1-11 record against Florida and make it 6-6, and the Phillies (52-50) would be leading the division handily. Instead, the distance between them and first-place Atlanta is only growing larger.
"This series doesn't do anything for you other than [tick] you off," third baseman David Bell said. "I think those of us on this team take losing personally. It's important for our team to just go out now and play the way were capable of. The only thing you can do as a player is to go out and try to win. That cures everything."
Said first baseman Jim Thome: "When a team like that beats you, it should affect your pride and how you feel. The tone [of the meeting] is to try to get us to play better. But instead of calling a meeting, let's just win a game."
Whether the meeting truly gets the Phillies back on track can only be known in time. Last year's meeting in Montreal launched them on a streak of nine wins in 10 games, pulling them back into the wild-card race. A similar burst this time around would get them right back into the thick of the NL East race.
In the players' minds, Thursdays meeting reinforced one idea.
"We're a team, and that includes Larry and the coaches," Bell said. "We're all in this together."
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/images/s073004a.jpg
Paul Abbott allowed eight runs in three innings Thursday as the Phillies lost to the Marlins 10-1.