GaryMrMets
08-04-2004, 05:38 PM
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/9308564.htm
Posted on Tue, Aug. 03, 2004
Bowa's destiny manifests out West
If the Phillies keep struggling, he may not be the manager once they return home from this terrible trip.
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs fans yesterday continued to buzz about Nomar Garciaparra.
Did we really make that trade?
Did we really?
Back East, Phillies fans wondered what happened to their team. No Nomar (or a similar impact player). No wins, either. And there are strong indications that there could be a new Phillies manager if the team doesn't turn around their season this week in San Diego and Los Angeles.
Buzz about the Phillies? More like incredible frustration and speculation. Fans think somebody needs to take the fall for a $93 million team that had been expected to challenge for the National League pennant, but is a limp 53-52 on Aug. 3.
"Losing streaks happen and this one isn't happening at the right time," Phillies GM Ed Wade said yesterday. "But I still think we have the talent to win, and with over a third of the season to play, I think it's a little early for people to pull the plug."
The Phillies have 57 games to play, with 15 of their next 22 games against National League teams with equal of better records than them. After they complete their 13-game road trip Sunday in Los Angeles, they will play 18 of their next 25 games at Citizens Bank Park.
But will Larry Bowa still be the manager?
He will be tonight in San Diego, where the Phillies open a three-game series against the NL wild-card-leading Padres. But there are signs that Wade will give the Phillies the rest of their nightmarish road trip to improve.
If the Phillies stumble, Bowa doesn't seem likely to last.
"I'm not going to give daily updates about the manager," Wade said.
In the past, Wade has come out and strongly supported Bowa whenever there have been questions about a potential managerial change. Wade hasn't handed Bowa a ringing endorsement since first asked about the manager's status Thursday in Florida.
Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal said Sunday at Wrigley Field that players would like to know if Bowa will be their manager for the rest of the season before it becomes too much of a distraction.
"All I can say is that we need to play up to our capabilities and start winning, and if we do, I think those distractions will take care of itself," Wade said.
In an ironic twist, the fiery manager, who some players have said keeps them on edge, has been rather subdued over the last couple days.
He has appeared calm and relaxed.
"I have peace of mind because I know I give 100 percent," Bowa said Sunday in Chicago.
So it's up to his players.
"I don't even think about it," Phillies lefthander Randy Wolf said. "My mind is only so big. I'm trying to worry about getting guys out. Those 'what ifs' and 'maybes' are ridiculous. They're ridiculous to think about. There's always speculation and rumors. We have to worry about the guys in the clubhouse, getting out and what you do between the lines."
On the field, Wolf said there is still time. Atlanta has a 51/2-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East, with the Marlins a half-game behind the Phillies. The Padres lead the wild-card race, with Chicago one game back, San Francisco two games back, and Houston and the Phillies five games back.
"We're not going to win four games [today]," Wolf said. "We can only win one, and we have to start there. It's easy to look at the road trip so far, but we just have to win the next series. Go to L.A., win that series, go home and turn things around.
"I haven't seen any chunky girl sing yet, so I still think we have a shot. There's still two months left in the season, and this game is crazy. There are times when you can make up four games in a week. The perfect example is what Florida did to us. We can't be thinking about folding anything yet or giving up."
But Wade will be keeping an eye on things back East. He won't be in San Diego today, or in Los Angeles this weekend.
"I've never pitched and I was never a very good hitter, so I'm not sure I could contribute a whole lot to the team by going on the road at this point," he said.
The Phillies need somebody to hit. They need somebody to pitch.
And they need those things to happen tonight.
Posted on Tue, Aug. 03, 2004
Bowa's destiny manifests out West
If the Phillies keep struggling, he may not be the manager once they return home from this terrible trip.
By Todd Zolecki
Inquirer Staff Writer
CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs fans yesterday continued to buzz about Nomar Garciaparra.
Did we really make that trade?
Did we really?
Back East, Phillies fans wondered what happened to their team. No Nomar (or a similar impact player). No wins, either. And there are strong indications that there could be a new Phillies manager if the team doesn't turn around their season this week in San Diego and Los Angeles.
Buzz about the Phillies? More like incredible frustration and speculation. Fans think somebody needs to take the fall for a $93 million team that had been expected to challenge for the National League pennant, but is a limp 53-52 on Aug. 3.
"Losing streaks happen and this one isn't happening at the right time," Phillies GM Ed Wade said yesterday. "But I still think we have the talent to win, and with over a third of the season to play, I think it's a little early for people to pull the plug."
The Phillies have 57 games to play, with 15 of their next 22 games against National League teams with equal of better records than them. After they complete their 13-game road trip Sunday in Los Angeles, they will play 18 of their next 25 games at Citizens Bank Park.
But will Larry Bowa still be the manager?
He will be tonight in San Diego, where the Phillies open a three-game series against the NL wild-card-leading Padres. But there are signs that Wade will give the Phillies the rest of their nightmarish road trip to improve.
If the Phillies stumble, Bowa doesn't seem likely to last.
"I'm not going to give daily updates about the manager," Wade said.
In the past, Wade has come out and strongly supported Bowa whenever there have been questions about a potential managerial change. Wade hasn't handed Bowa a ringing endorsement since first asked about the manager's status Thursday in Florida.
Phillies catcher Mike Lieberthal said Sunday at Wrigley Field that players would like to know if Bowa will be their manager for the rest of the season before it becomes too much of a distraction.
"All I can say is that we need to play up to our capabilities and start winning, and if we do, I think those distractions will take care of itself," Wade said.
In an ironic twist, the fiery manager, who some players have said keeps them on edge, has been rather subdued over the last couple days.
He has appeared calm and relaxed.
"I have peace of mind because I know I give 100 percent," Bowa said Sunday in Chicago.
So it's up to his players.
"I don't even think about it," Phillies lefthander Randy Wolf said. "My mind is only so big. I'm trying to worry about getting guys out. Those 'what ifs' and 'maybes' are ridiculous. They're ridiculous to think about. There's always speculation and rumors. We have to worry about the guys in the clubhouse, getting out and what you do between the lines."
On the field, Wolf said there is still time. Atlanta has a 51/2-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East, with the Marlins a half-game behind the Phillies. The Padres lead the wild-card race, with Chicago one game back, San Francisco two games back, and Houston and the Phillies five games back.
"We're not going to win four games [today]," Wolf said. "We can only win one, and we have to start there. It's easy to look at the road trip so far, but we just have to win the next series. Go to L.A., win that series, go home and turn things around.
"I haven't seen any chunky girl sing yet, so I still think we have a shot. There's still two months left in the season, and this game is crazy. There are times when you can make up four games in a week. The perfect example is what Florida did to us. We can't be thinking about folding anything yet or giving up."
But Wade will be keeping an eye on things back East. He won't be in San Diego today, or in Los Angeles this weekend.
"I've never pitched and I was never a very good hitter, so I'm not sure I could contribute a whole lot to the team by going on the road at this point," he said.
The Phillies need somebody to hit. They need somebody to pitch.
And they need those things to happen tonight.