Manny finally signed a contract, woohoo! Seriously, does anyone outside of L.A. care ? When alot of folks in the real world are either struggling to find work, worrying about losing work or working for not enough to pay their bills do we really care about this guy “struggling” to get his $45 million over two years ? Manny being Manny wore thin last season and even more so this offseason.
Phillies Spring week in Review
The Phillies went 3 and 1 during the last four spring games beginning 3/1 with a win over the Atlanta Braves. They then beat WBC Team Canada and the Toronto Jays but fell to WBC Team U.S.A. Pitching highlights of the week were the spring debuts of Brett Myers and Cole Hamels. Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and Carlos Carrasco all threw during the week albeit none stood out with superior outings.
On the offensive side Marcus Giles had a couple knocks against his old team, the Braves. Ryan Howard belted a true bomb against the Jays while Raul Ibanez smoked a couple of doubles. John Mayberry Jr. belted a dinger against Team Canada as did non roster invitee Jeremy Slayden. Howard added another blast against Team U.S.A as did Jason Donald.
Injury Updates
Chris Coste continued to battle hamstring woes while Jayson Werth is taking it slow with leg issues. Brad Lidge experienced shoulder tightness and also was taking a slow approach. Better now than when the season starts!
Chatter
Nomar Garciappara signed a contract with the Oakland A’s ending speculation that he might become a Phillie. That would seem to leave that right handed bat spot open to the likes of Ronny Paulino, Chris Coste, John Mayberry Jr. or perhaps Jeremy Slayden ??? Ok, maybe Slayden is a stretch but he is having a good spring at the least.
Let me tell ya the Cal Ripken Experience baseball facilities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are top drawer! Spent the week there and if the weather had cooperated it would have been great. It was in the high 30′s for most of the week so not so great baseball weather. I would recommend the site however to any college or high school team looking for a spring site for a great baseball experience!
