Ruben Amaro: We May be Sellers in July

Earlier I posted about the closed-door meeting that Charlie Manuel conducted last night after an embarrassing three-game sweep courtesy of the New York Mets. Now comes word from Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, that Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr has chimed in on Manuel's lashing.

Asked if the lashing was needed, Amaro responded saying, "Most undoubtedly, it was deserved." Amaro also stated there was no need for him to chime in during the meeting last night and that, "Charlie handled it very well."

Just like all Phillies fans, Amaro is not any bit happy with how the team is playing and leaving us all to scratch our heads. "I don't like the type of baseball we are playing. We're playing fundamentally unsound baseball, missing cutoffs and making mental mistakes. We're better than what we are showing. How much better? I don't know. But we're better than this. Regardless of who is in or out of our lineup we should be better."

Amaro then went on to state something Phillies fan have not been accustomed to in the past five seasons. "July is far ahead. We just have to get back on track. But if July comes around and we're playing like this, we'll be sellers. How we play now will determine whether we'll be buyers or sellers in July."

Bobby V Not Does Not Approve of Josh Beckett Playing a Few Holes

And the circus in Boston continues to provide more content for people who like to nitpick things like myself. Apparently sports talk radio in Boston has been tossing around the situation of Josh Beckett missing his scheduled start last Saturday due to back stiffness. The reason for his back stiffness? Beckett went out for a round of golf just two days prior to missing that start. Here's the kicker, apparently he was already recovering from another injury. Real Smart Josh.

Valentine, who is a weekly guest on WEEI in Boston was asked about the situation with Beckett, and like always Valentine does not shy away from a general conservative answer. "It was less than the best thing to do," [if Beckett played golf]. Well Bobby V, Beckett did play golf, and yes you just publicly blasted another one of players.

Boston should have seen this coming when the signed Valentine. Every previous stint Valentine has had displayed that he was never one to shy away from publicly criticizing his players. Obviously the Red Sox needed a face lift considering the starting staff was slinging back beers, pounding that fried chicken, and playing X-Box during games on their scheduled off-days.

It will be interesting to see what the reaction from Beckett is, and whether or not any players come to his defense to simply stick it to Valentine. Beckett gets the start tonight and the Sox need a strong outing, considering how piss-poor they have been so far this season.

 The Red Sox are currently in last place in the AL East, sitting at 12-18, 7.5 games out of first, and 2-8 in their last 10 games. I think that seat under Bobby V is getting nice and toasty, they better turn it around soon or we would all have to suffer Valentine back as a commentator on ESPN, and not being able to look away at his horribly colored hair.

Charlie Manuel Rips Into Phillies

It has not been an enjoyable season to date for Phillies fans like myself. Beginning with the lack of hitting in the early weeks of the season, to sloppy play in the field, and a pathetic effort putting together a big league bullpen, there has not been much excitement this season. Last night the hated Mets completed a three-game sweep of the Phillies, the Mets first sweep of the Phillies in six years.

I have wondered for a few weeks now when Charlie Manuel was going to have enough and finally rip into his team. Apparently enough was enough last night for Uncle Charlie, as reports came from the Phillies club house that Manuel unloaded on his team in a closed-door meeting after the loss.

I give Manuel credit for having patience this long. By the end of the first week of the season, I was already pissed off and extremely frustrated with this Phillies team. I consider myself a rational fan and knew coming into this season it would not be like years past of crushing home runs and putting teams to sleep in the early stages of the game.

Many blame Manuel for the team's early struggles. I do not understand how he can be the one to blame. The blame should fall directly on the most loved GM here in the city, Ruben Amaro Jr. Other than trading away the entire farm system to acquire Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence, what has he provided Charlie with this season? Ty Wigginton and Laynce Nix. Impressive Ruben, I'm sure Brian Cashman would approve of your tenure as a GM.

Rangers Hamilton Hits 4 2-Run HR's

Check that man's pulse because he was stone cold tonight.  On Tuesday evening, Josh Hamilton performed a feat and became one of sixteen other people to do it.  He didn't just hit one Home Run.  He didn't hit two or three either.  Hamilton ripped four 2-Run Home Runs and went 5 for 5 on the night.  The last player to hit a home run quartet was Carlos Delgado in 2003.