GaryMrMets
08-03-2004, 01:20 AM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s080204f.htm
Phillies welcome a day off
Monday, August 2, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
The Phillies get their first day off since the All-Star break today in sunny San Diego and with the tumult surrounding the team, it seemed like an appropriate place for some rest and relaxation.
With manager Larry Bowa's job status still very much in question and the team reeling from a 1-6 start to their season-long 13-game road trip, there appears to be no better time for a breather.
"At this time, it's good to take a step back, regroup and come back on Tuesday," first baseman Jim Thome said.
They probably won't look back, because what they'll see will be ugly.
A game ahead of the pack in the National League East standings at the break, the Phillies have lost 11 of 18 games and 6 1/2 games in the standings.
They now sit in second place, 5 1/2 games behind Atlanta.
"It's disappointing, it really is," Thome said.
"There have been a lot of high expectations, from you guys (the media), from us and from the city. It's a little embarrassing. We need to play better for the city."
The turmoil from the last week, which included a four-game sweep at Florida, critical comments by relievers Rheal Cormier and Roberto Hernandez on the clubhouse atmosphere and rumors that Bowa was on the verge of being fired, seemed to have dissipated just a little bit as the club left Wrigley Field following Sunday's 6-3 loss.
Still, everyone is well aware of what's at stake in the coming week.
More losses could mean big changes. But most players are trying to put that out of their minds in their quest to right the Phillies' ship.
"I don't even think about it," left-hander Randy Wolf said. "My mind's only so big. I've got to worry about getting guys out. All the what ifs, the rumors and the speculation, its ridiculous to think about it."
Thome's slump: After hitting .306, blasting 15 home runs and earning NL player of the month honors in June, Jim Thome struggled through July, hitting only four home runs and batting .237.
It seemed like more than coincidence that Thome also suffered a recurrence of the nagging hand injuries that have bothered him most of the year in July, but Thome says he is fine now. He did acknowledge after going 1-for-3 with a double Sunday that he hasn't met his own expectations at the plate.
"I really haven't felt real good," Thome said. "Sometimes you go through spurts. You're going to go through times when you feel great, and sometimes you stink. I've stunk the last little while."
Phillies fodder: Right-hander Vicente Padilla (biceps tendinitis) threw 40 pitches and gave up two runs in a two-inning rehab stint for Class A Clearwater on Saturday. He has one more rehab start to go, and if all goes well, he will be activated from the disabled list and start for the Phillies Aug. 10. . . . Bowa said he talked to Ricky Ledee for 25 minutes Friday night after the outfielder was dealt to San Francisco. "He was pretty upset," Bowa said. "He liked it here. He did a good job here."
Phillies welcome a day off
Monday, August 2, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
CHICAGO
The Phillies get their first day off since the All-Star break today in sunny San Diego and with the tumult surrounding the team, it seemed like an appropriate place for some rest and relaxation.
With manager Larry Bowa's job status still very much in question and the team reeling from a 1-6 start to their season-long 13-game road trip, there appears to be no better time for a breather.
"At this time, it's good to take a step back, regroup and come back on Tuesday," first baseman Jim Thome said.
They probably won't look back, because what they'll see will be ugly.
A game ahead of the pack in the National League East standings at the break, the Phillies have lost 11 of 18 games and 6 1/2 games in the standings.
They now sit in second place, 5 1/2 games behind Atlanta.
"It's disappointing, it really is," Thome said.
"There have been a lot of high expectations, from you guys (the media), from us and from the city. It's a little embarrassing. We need to play better for the city."
The turmoil from the last week, which included a four-game sweep at Florida, critical comments by relievers Rheal Cormier and Roberto Hernandez on the clubhouse atmosphere and rumors that Bowa was on the verge of being fired, seemed to have dissipated just a little bit as the club left Wrigley Field following Sunday's 6-3 loss.
Still, everyone is well aware of what's at stake in the coming week.
More losses could mean big changes. But most players are trying to put that out of their minds in their quest to right the Phillies' ship.
"I don't even think about it," left-hander Randy Wolf said. "My mind's only so big. I've got to worry about getting guys out. All the what ifs, the rumors and the speculation, its ridiculous to think about it."
Thome's slump: After hitting .306, blasting 15 home runs and earning NL player of the month honors in June, Jim Thome struggled through July, hitting only four home runs and batting .237.
It seemed like more than coincidence that Thome also suffered a recurrence of the nagging hand injuries that have bothered him most of the year in July, but Thome says he is fine now. He did acknowledge after going 1-for-3 with a double Sunday that he hasn't met his own expectations at the plate.
"I really haven't felt real good," Thome said. "Sometimes you go through spurts. You're going to go through times when you feel great, and sometimes you stink. I've stunk the last little while."
Phillies fodder: Right-hander Vicente Padilla (biceps tendinitis) threw 40 pitches and gave up two runs in a two-inning rehab stint for Class A Clearwater on Saturday. He has one more rehab start to go, and if all goes well, he will be activated from the disabled list and start for the Phillies Aug. 10. . . . Bowa said he talked to Ricky Ledee for 25 minutes Friday night after the outfielder was dealt to San Francisco. "He was pretty upset," Bowa said. "He liked it here. He did a good job here."