Comments on: Not To Be: Yanks O Too Much For Our Heroes http://www.theshibetimes.com/2009/11/not-to-be-yanks-o-too-much-for-our-heroes/ Thoughts on The Philadelphia Phillies - Past, Present, Future. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:47:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Brian http://www.theshibetimes.com/2009/11/not-to-be-yanks-o-too-much-for-our-heroes/comment-page-1/#comment-638 Brian Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:56:55 +0000 http://www.theshibetimes.com/?p=2066#comment-638 Great summary, Matt. As the game wore on, I began to feel nostalgic, too. This was a great season, and the team gave so much. Most of the core players are returning, so there is a lot to be positive about. I can't really fault Manuel for leaving Pedro in. It was Game 6 of the World Series. The Phils needed to get more than 2+ innings out of their starter. The bullpen had been an issue, and Happ eventually gave up a 2 run double to Matsui later in the game, so the whole argument became moot at that point. Matsui was hot, no matter who was pitching to him. In the end, the series was lost long before Pedro struggled. It was over because Howard batted .174 with 13 strikeouts, because Hamels gave up 5 runs in 4 1/3 innings in Game 3 despite being spotted a 3-0 lead, because Johnny Damon stole 3rd after no one covered the bag, because Carlos Ruiz posted a higher OBP than Jimmy Rollins. It's hard to overcome things like that. To me, Manuel's managing was more impressive this year than last. As you pointed out, the team faced A LOT of adversity (Replacing 3/5 of the opening day rotation, JC Romero's suspension and injury, Hamels, Lidge, inconsistent bullpen, no bench to speak of) but Manuel still guided the team back to the World Series. The Phillies were still playing baseball on November 4th. There are 28 other teams who wish they could say the same thing. Great summary, Matt. As the game wore on, I began to feel nostalgic, too. This was a great season, and the team gave so much. Most of the core players are returning, so there is a lot to be positive about.

I can’t really fault Manuel for leaving Pedro in. It was Game 6 of the World Series. The Phils needed to get more than 2+ innings out of their starter. The bullpen had been an issue, and Happ eventually gave up a 2 run double to Matsui later in the game, so the whole argument became moot at that point. Matsui was hot, no matter who was pitching to him. In the end, the series was lost long before Pedro struggled. It was over because Howard batted .174 with 13 strikeouts, because Hamels gave up 5 runs in 4 1/3 innings in Game 3 despite being spotted a 3-0 lead, because Johnny Damon stole 3rd after no one covered the bag, because Carlos Ruiz posted a higher OBP than Jimmy Rollins. It’s hard to overcome things like that.

To me, Manuel’s managing was more impressive this year than last. As you pointed out, the team faced A LOT of adversity (Replacing 3/5 of the opening day rotation, JC Romero’s suspension and injury, Hamels, Lidge, inconsistent bullpen, no bench to speak of) but Manuel still guided the team back to the World Series. The Phillies were still playing baseball on November 4th. There are 28 other teams who wish they could say the same thing.

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