GaryMrMets
08-03-2004, 01:16 AM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9298469.htm
Posted on Mon, Aug. 02, 2004
Phillies Notes | Ex-Phillie blames Bowa for team's woes
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
CHICAGO - Larry Bowa's week has been so bad that even ex-Phillies infielder Tyler Houston took a few shots at his former skipper.
Houston, the best pinch-hitter in the National League last season before the Phillies released him because they considered him a terrible influence in the clubhouse, is no longer playing and writes a weekly baseball column for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Yesterday's column dissed Bowa, whose job security has been talked about for the last several days.
"I have a question for Phillies fans: Where would this talented team be if Bowa wasn't the manager?" Houston wrote. "Bobby Cox's Braves don't have half the Phillies' talent, but Atlanta has a 41/2 game lead in the National League East."
Asked yesterday whether he cared to comment, Bowa said he didn't. Earlier this season, Bowa said of Houston: "The only thing I'll say is, you see he's not playing baseball. Everybody can't be wrong."
The Phillies held a team meeting Thursday at Pro Player Stadium in Miami after they started a 13-game road trip 0-4, the first team meeting since Bowa's blowup in Montreal last August, when they started a 13-game road trip 1-9.
Houston offered details of that August meeting last year.
"Bowa threw one of his tantrums, saying things many players didn't appreciate," Houston wrote. "Upon boarding the bus to the airport, longtime veteran Dan Plesac held a meeting. He slammed Bowa and his staff, saying it was time to win for ourselves and to forget about the coaches.
"Another player, who is still with the Phillies, suggested that if struggling Pat Burrell hit a home run, he should not shake Bowa's hand. Indeed, Burrell homered the next day and shunned Bowa. I was the first player to greet Burrell at the top of the dugout, which in Bowa's eyes immediately made me the mastermind of the scheme."
Houston said the Phillies didn't release him because he was a bad influence, but because Bowa believed he had too much influence. He said Bowa's "little-man complex got in the way of what was best for the team... . By making an example of me, he intimidated players from speaking out."
Houston made it clear how he thinks the Phillies can turn around their season.
"[Ed] Wade has built a team that should steamroll to the playoffs," he wrote. "Instead, it's limping along and will probably again watch the playoffs on TV. Everyone from announcers to clubhouse people want Bowa gone, but Wade can't pull the trigger. Ed, if you are too afraid to do it, I'd be more than happy to fly to Philly and fire the little guy for you."
Padilla almost ready. Righthander Vicente Padilla, who hasn't pitched for the Phillies since May 29, threw 40 pitches in two innings and felt no pain or discomfort in a rehab start Saturday for single-A Clearwater. He allowed two runs, but threw the ball well.
Padilla, who hit 94 m.p.h. with his fastball, makes a rehab start Thursday. He will throw 50 to 55 pitches. If that goes well, Padilla will pitch against Colorado on Aug. 10 at Citizens Bank Park, where he will be limited to about 75 pitches.
Posted on Mon, Aug. 02, 2004
Phillies Notes | Ex-Phillie blames Bowa for team's woes
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
CHICAGO - Larry Bowa's week has been so bad that even ex-Phillies infielder Tyler Houston took a few shots at his former skipper.
Houston, the best pinch-hitter in the National League last season before the Phillies released him because they considered him a terrible influence in the clubhouse, is no longer playing and writes a weekly baseball column for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Yesterday's column dissed Bowa, whose job security has been talked about for the last several days.
"I have a question for Phillies fans: Where would this talented team be if Bowa wasn't the manager?" Houston wrote. "Bobby Cox's Braves don't have half the Phillies' talent, but Atlanta has a 41/2 game lead in the National League East."
Asked yesterday whether he cared to comment, Bowa said he didn't. Earlier this season, Bowa said of Houston: "The only thing I'll say is, you see he's not playing baseball. Everybody can't be wrong."
The Phillies held a team meeting Thursday at Pro Player Stadium in Miami after they started a 13-game road trip 0-4, the first team meeting since Bowa's blowup in Montreal last August, when they started a 13-game road trip 1-9.
Houston offered details of that August meeting last year.
"Bowa threw one of his tantrums, saying things many players didn't appreciate," Houston wrote. "Upon boarding the bus to the airport, longtime veteran Dan Plesac held a meeting. He slammed Bowa and his staff, saying it was time to win for ourselves and to forget about the coaches.
"Another player, who is still with the Phillies, suggested that if struggling Pat Burrell hit a home run, he should not shake Bowa's hand. Indeed, Burrell homered the next day and shunned Bowa. I was the first player to greet Burrell at the top of the dugout, which in Bowa's eyes immediately made me the mastermind of the scheme."
Houston said the Phillies didn't release him because he was a bad influence, but because Bowa believed he had too much influence. He said Bowa's "little-man complex got in the way of what was best for the team... . By making an example of me, he intimidated players from speaking out."
Houston made it clear how he thinks the Phillies can turn around their season.
"[Ed] Wade has built a team that should steamroll to the playoffs," he wrote. "Instead, it's limping along and will probably again watch the playoffs on TV. Everyone from announcers to clubhouse people want Bowa gone, but Wade can't pull the trigger. Ed, if you are too afraid to do it, I'd be more than happy to fly to Philly and fire the little guy for you."
Padilla almost ready. Righthander Vicente Padilla, who hasn't pitched for the Phillies since May 29, threw 40 pitches in two innings and felt no pain or discomfort in a rehab start Saturday for single-A Clearwater. He allowed two runs, but threw the ball well.
Padilla, who hit 94 m.p.h. with his fastball, makes a rehab start Thursday. He will throw 50 to 55 pitches. If that goes well, Padilla will pitch against Colorado on Aug. 10 at Citizens Bank Park, where he will be limited to about 75 pitches.