GaryMrMets
08-04-2004, 06:03 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s080404d.htm
Desperate Phils take extra batting practice
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
SAN DIEGO
As they typically do before the first game of a road series, the Phillies held an optional extra batting practice session Tuesday, some four hours before gametime.
Usually a handful of players show up. Tuesday, nearly every position player took part. And it wasn't just to check out the scenery at the San Diego Padres' new PETCO Park.
"It was like the whole team was there," manager Larry Bowa said.
As the Phillies begin a week that could determine Bowa's fate, it was all the manager could ask for. If a road trip that has already started 1-6 gets any worse, and if first place in the National League East continues to slip farther from their grasp, Bowa could lose his job.
He seemed well aware of that before the Phillies opened their three-game series with the Padres late Tuesday night. Because the Phillies were just a game over .500 when the evening began, he knows that the ultimate responsibility for a team's poor play lies with the manager.
"It's just the way baseball is," Bowa said. "There are seasons where you don't have injuries, and seasons where you have a lot of them. You roll with the punches, and you hope the people who make the decisions see what is happening.
"I could care less about the talk. It's not in my hands. I make out a lineup, and try to make the best moves I can."
For all that has happened in the last week to put Bowa's job in jeopardy, Tuesday's early-bird hitting session showed him his players are still putting in a full effort.
"This whole team is playing hard," Bowa said. "I have no complaints. They care."
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade isn't with the team, but he is undoubtedly watching closely. Wade tried to infuse new life into an injury riddled bullpen by adding right-handed set-up men Todd Jones and Felix Rodriguez, but that won't help a starting staff that has failed to complete six innings eight times in 18 second-half games.
"You can slant it any way you want," Bowa said. "It all starts with pitching."
In the town that nicknamed itself "America's Finest City," the Phillies spent their first day off since the All-Star break Monday enjoying some of the finer things. Asked what he did Monday, Bowa rattled off a few activities, all having to do with relaxation: lie by the pool, receive a massage, have a nice dinner.
"Any time a player gets a day off, especially in San Diego, you've got to be doing backflips over that," he said. "It's the best city in the world."
It's also the city where the Phillies' turnaround has to begin. And even if Monday was a day of rest and relaxation, they at least showed before Tuesday's game they weren't on vacation.
Desperate Phils take extra batting practice
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
By EDWARD de la FUENTE
Gannett News Service
SAN DIEGO
As they typically do before the first game of a road series, the Phillies held an optional extra batting practice session Tuesday, some four hours before gametime.
Usually a handful of players show up. Tuesday, nearly every position player took part. And it wasn't just to check out the scenery at the San Diego Padres' new PETCO Park.
"It was like the whole team was there," manager Larry Bowa said.
As the Phillies begin a week that could determine Bowa's fate, it was all the manager could ask for. If a road trip that has already started 1-6 gets any worse, and if first place in the National League East continues to slip farther from their grasp, Bowa could lose his job.
He seemed well aware of that before the Phillies opened their three-game series with the Padres late Tuesday night. Because the Phillies were just a game over .500 when the evening began, he knows that the ultimate responsibility for a team's poor play lies with the manager.
"It's just the way baseball is," Bowa said. "There are seasons where you don't have injuries, and seasons where you have a lot of them. You roll with the punches, and you hope the people who make the decisions see what is happening.
"I could care less about the talk. It's not in my hands. I make out a lineup, and try to make the best moves I can."
For all that has happened in the last week to put Bowa's job in jeopardy, Tuesday's early-bird hitting session showed him his players are still putting in a full effort.
"This whole team is playing hard," Bowa said. "I have no complaints. They care."
Phillies General Manager Ed Wade isn't with the team, but he is undoubtedly watching closely. Wade tried to infuse new life into an injury riddled bullpen by adding right-handed set-up men Todd Jones and Felix Rodriguez, but that won't help a starting staff that has failed to complete six innings eight times in 18 second-half games.
"You can slant it any way you want," Bowa said. "It all starts with pitching."
In the town that nicknamed itself "America's Finest City," the Phillies spent their first day off since the All-Star break Monday enjoying some of the finer things. Asked what he did Monday, Bowa rattled off a few activities, all having to do with relaxation: lie by the pool, receive a massage, have a nice dinner.
"Any time a player gets a day off, especially in San Diego, you've got to be doing backflips over that," he said. "It's the best city in the world."
It's also the city where the Phillies' turnaround has to begin. And even if Monday was a day of rest and relaxation, they at least showed before Tuesday's game they weren't on vacation.