Comments on: Get Well Soon, Brett Myers http://www.27pitches.com/2009/08/get-well-soon-brett-myers/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:12:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Brad Templeman http://www.27pitches.com/2009/08/get-well-soon-brett-myers/comment-page-1/#comment-994 Brad Templeman Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:55:14 +0000 http://www.27pitches.com/?p=1086#comment-994 I thought a few weeks ago that Chan Ho Park might be a decent, although flawed, option, and he's continued to pitch well (1.62 ERA over his last 27 appearances). Lidge is having maybe the worst season ever for a closer and he's got to go. I thought a few weeks ago that Chan Ho Park might be a decent, although flawed, option, and he’s continued to pitch well (1.62 ERA over his last 27 appearances). Lidge is having maybe the worst season ever for a closer and he’s got to go.

]]> By: SJ http://www.27pitches.com/2009/08/get-well-soon-brett-myers/comment-page-1/#comment-993 SJ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:21:50 +0000 http://www.27pitches.com/?p=1086#comment-993 Tom - I totally agree. There was no reason to march Lidge out there for the 4th consecutive day. Many people are skeptical about Myers and his ability to return and be a factor. I guess I'm an optimist because I firmly believe that his being ahead of his rehab schedule is the perfect twist of fate that the Phillies needed. Not only does he have the mentality to close, but he would embrace the role as he did just a couple years ago. He also has the stuff to get the job done. The sad part is that any option is a better option right now. And don't get me wrong - Brad Lidge will forever be a hero in my book for the incredible season he had and his major contribution to a World Championship last season. But with that said, it doesn't make him the "go-to guy" this season. The times they are a changin. Tom –

I totally agree. There was no reason to march Lidge out there for the 4th consecutive day.

Many people are skeptical about Myers and his ability to return and be a factor. I guess I’m an optimist because I firmly believe that his being ahead of his rehab schedule is the perfect twist of fate that the Phillies needed. Not only does he have the mentality to close, but he would embrace the role as he did just a couple years ago. He also has the stuff to get the job done.

The sad part is that any option is a better option right now. And don’t get me wrong – Brad Lidge will forever be a hero in my book for the incredible season he had and his major contribution to a World Championship last season. But with that said, it doesn’t make him the “go-to guy” this season. The times they are a changin.

]]> By: Tom http://www.27pitches.com/2009/08/get-well-soon-brett-myers/comment-page-1/#comment-992 Tom Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:24:27 +0000 http://www.27pitches.com/?p=1086#comment-992 SJ: Last night was the perfect opportunity to give Chan Ho Park or Ryan Madson the opportunity to close a game with Lidge pitching on 3 consecutive nights and a 7,8 game cushion over the Braves and Marlins respectively. They had nothing to lose and unfortunately they did anyway. This cushion gives them the chance to tinker with the other closer options. Even Lidge said histroically he does not pitch well on the fourth consecutive night. What is interesting is that Myers has thrown just and inning in both rehab appearances; are they grooming him to close? We will see how long he goes in Reading tonight. If the Phillies stand pat they have absolutely no chance of repeating because the statistics that reflect Brad's performance simply do not lie. All true baseball fans know that closers usally do not throw a switch and return to dominate form, it is something that happens over time. Again unfortunately that is somehthing we do not have. If Lidge is a true team guy and recognizes how his performance continues to hurt this club he will step aside and tell management to cultivate other options. The question for the Phillies field and front office management is simple? How bad to you want to make a legitamate run at a repeat? The Cliff Lee deal tells me they want this as bad as the fans, now it is time to seriously address the closer issue or we will all be watching someonelses favorite team play in late October. SJ: Last night was the perfect opportunity to give Chan Ho Park or Ryan Madson the opportunity to close a game with Lidge pitching on 3 consecutive nights and a 7,8 game cushion over the Braves and Marlins respectively. They had nothing to lose and unfortunately they did anyway. This cushion gives them the chance to tinker with the other closer options. Even Lidge said histroically he does not pitch well on the fourth consecutive night.
What is interesting is that Myers has thrown just and inning in both rehab appearances; are they grooming him to close? We will see how long he goes in Reading tonight. If the Phillies stand pat they have absolutely no chance of repeating because the statistics that reflect Brad’s performance simply do not lie. All true baseball fans know that closers usally do not throw a switch and return to dominate form, it is something that happens over time. Again unfortunately that is somehthing we do not have. If Lidge is a true team guy and recognizes how his performance continues to hurt this club he will step aside and tell management to cultivate other options.

The question for the Phillies field and front office management is simple? How bad to you want to make a legitamate run at a repeat? The Cliff Lee deal tells me they want this as bad as the fans, now it is time to seriously address the closer issue or we will all be watching someonelses favorite team play in late October.

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