This may be the most craziest idea ever.
OK, so signing Barry Zito to a $126 million contract might edge me out for the craziest idea ever, but at least, I'm second in line. (How's that 6.32 ERA and 2-11 record working out for you San Fran?)
There needs to be a way to control Charlie Manuel, and I've figured it out.
I mean, I like the guy. He motivates the players, gets J-Roll rolling to first base at full speed and he makes for a helluva post-game interview. But he cannot yank his pitchers fast enough.
He's too slow.
In the wild, wild west, he'd have six bullets flying his way before he even thought about reaching for his six-shooter.
Manuel is an inning behind always.
Saturday night was another example of this. Brett Myers, who has struggled, was pitching a great game, only allowing two solo homers to one guy — Mr. Philly Killer — Vlad Guerrero.
The Phillies tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, getting Myers off the hook for the loss, but Manuel sent him out for the top of the eighth. Wrong move.
Chone Figgins hits an two-out single. Manuel sticks with Myers. Haven't seen this before — please, note my sarcasm.
The next batter, Erick Aybar (who?), hits a two-run homer for the 4-2 lead, which eventually turned into a 6-2 lead because of So "I can't pinch-hit or catch a routine flyball" Taguchi — but that's a whole different story for a different day.
The key here is that Manuel neglected to use either one of three of the NL's top five relievers — J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin or Brad Lidge — according to ERA. Either one of those guys, preferably one of the first two, could have shut down the Angels for the eighth, giving the Phils a chance to play small ball and win.
But no. Manuel stuck with his gun — which he didn't reach in time — and opened the door for the Phillies' fourth straight losing series.
So, where's the solution? I know, I said earlier I had this great idea, and by now, you probably almost forgot that I had a fix. It's crazy. Ready?
Fan voting!
That's right. It works for the All-Star Game. It will work for the Phillies.
Picture this.
It's the seventh inning. Phils are up 2-1. Myers has pitched well, but he's nearing 90 pitches.
Time to vote. Should the Phillies go to bullpen? For J.C. Romero, text 7345 to 1776. Or for Chad Durbin, text 7346. If you wish to see Myers continue, text 7347.
Oh, I like it. It takes the hard decision out of the hands of Manuel and into the people who know that trouble is around the bend.
Just think of the mound visits.
Manuel: "Sorry, Brett. If it was my choice, I'd keep you going. But the fans have voted. Plus, I just saw Chase pull a cell phone out at second base and vote for Romero, so I'm bringing in the lefty. I can't have Chase on his cell phone while you're pitching."
Ah, the wins the Phillies would accumulate. It's such a great idea. Let me know what you think. Text 7453 to 8423 if you love the idea. Normal text messaging rates apply. You must be a U.S. citizen to vote and you cannot be a current manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
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