Wednesday, April 27, 2005

 
Jayson Stark Examines the Enigma Which Are the Phillies

And I guarantee you the following will enrage every Philadelphia fan:
Had last year's team staggered through three different three-game losing streaks this early, "there would have been a lot of grouchy faces," Lieberthal said. But Manuel is a man who doesn't believe in "worrying about the day-to-day wins and losses." He preaches relaxation, happiness, confidence.

His predecessor's idea of fun was 162-0. Manuel, on the other hand, says: "Playing the game right means enjoying the game, being happy. ... When you put that 'you-have-to' on a player, they fail."

"The biggest thing I've noticed," Lieberthal said, "is in the dugout, when things go wrong – say, if you have a bad at-bat – there's still always somebody there to pick you up. Or even if I just did nothing more [behind the plate] than catch five pitches for three outs, I'll come back and hear, 'Attaway, Lieby,' from all the coaches."

Manuel and Dubee have given Lieberthal and the pitchers more freedom than they had under Bowa and Kerrigan – so "there's really been no second-guessing," Lieberthal said. "I'm able to go to the mound more, where before, I was reluctant. I'd just wait for the pitching coach. Now I can enjoy the game a lot more when I'm behind the plate."

We're oh so glad you are happy. That's what's really important. Win games or shut up about being happy.

Comments:
One of the great April 30 traditions is the mathematical elimination of the Phillies from the playoff race.

Looks like they're on pace to do that again this year. Thanks guys.

Being happy while you are failing at your job ... is this behavior to be encouraged?

-Jess
 
That's great, it makes ME happy that Mike Lieberthal is so happy. Never mind he gets paid 7 million dollars to play a game, just so long as he's happy. Maybe we should send Charlie Manuel to the Middle East. Soon the Palestinians and Israelis will be happy, and not worry about dirty looks at checkpoints.

Why, why, why didn't the Athletics stay and the Phillies leave?? If the Phillies fail again this year, and so far it look like a good possibility, they need to clean house from top to bottom. Phillies fans really deserve better than this. Chris J.
 
It looks like my assumption about Philadelphia fans not liking this quote is correct.
 
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