News of Former Phillies 2019/2020

zambonir 2020-08-20 22:29:13 UTC #482

I'm personally of the school that says let all the bad people in, if their play deserved it. And you can also argue that the "integrity, character and sportsmanship" clause does not apply to retirement or off the field (which still lets you hold it against the cheaters, though of course some still question the sock incident).

But I also personally don't ever want to see his face again.

BostonRoss 2020-08-20 22:50:06 UTC #483

Schilling just can’t help saying and tweeting things that make him look bad. Maybe everyone associated with Bannon is like that.

schillingfan 2020-08-21 00:36:40 UTC #484

As I said in the politics thread, I think there are some mental issues, like bi-polar. Remember he was called “red light Curt” because he was always there for the cameras. Bi—polar people get a high from attention and adoration. When that is gone, they seek other self-medication, many athletes take drugs after they retire. Curt found the attention and adoration of all the right wing nut jobs as his self-medication. It may well cost him the HoF.

Lawman 2020-08-21 15:38:56 UTC #485

But, should it? This isn't a Pete Rose type of gambling on the game issue. And it's not a PED while playing issue. Instead, it's a post-career morals issue. I agree w/ @zambonir that he should/shouldn't be allowed in based on the merits of his stats. To be clear I'd also allow in Rose, Bonds, etc....as long as their plaques also referenced their crimes so the public sees the full stories, but I also definitely understand and appreciate the case against them as well.

BostonRoss 2020-08-21 16:03:15 UTC #486

I'm not knowledgeable enough to know whether Schilling's inability to filter himself is an indicator of mental issues. There have been other Phillies over the years who can't seem to have an unuttered thought. Billy Wagner comes to mind, and Shane Victorino, who if I recall correctly said he had ADHD. (Of course Shane was so lovable he was a joy to listen to.)

It's unfortunate that in Schilling's case that it may be affecting his Hall of Fame chances. He isn't a no brainer, and it would only take a few voters to decide that his offensive statements make him unworthy of their vote to keep him below the threshold.

Actually, if mental issues are contributing to Schilling's diatribes, I find him more sympathetic even though I still don't want to hear them.

BostonRoss 2020-08-21 16:07:15 UTC #487

I don't think it's his conservative views that are costing Schilling votes. It's his non-stop tweets, many of which are offensive and many of which attack the voters themselves. I'm sure that there are many conservatives in the Hall of Fame, and they're probably great guys. They are just able to restrain themselves from commenting on everything and liking/retweeting offensive posts.

Personally, even though I disagree with many of his views and some of his statements are really offensive to me, I would vote for him. I think his career, including the postseason, warrant it.

Lawman 2020-08-21 17:16:53 UTC #489

Agreed.

schillingfan 2020-08-21 20:06:58 UTC #490

I once told Curt that sometimes it’s better not to utter every thought he has. He acknowledged that was a failing. His views aren’t just conservative, they are “out there.” People don’t like controversial extremes from either side. I have a friend who got fir3d recently from his job as a judge’s clerk because of his Facebook posts. He thinks it’s a liberal conspiracy, but it’s not. Bring outspoken and out there creates controversy, whether you are left or right, and free speech has consequences.

flyers19rw 2020-08-21 20:49:46 UTC #491

IIRC, Steve Carlton had some off of the normal ideas and comments on controversial topics. Additionally, he had his moments with the media. That didn’t stop the HOF from selecting him. If Schilling’s performance is worthy of Cooperstown, he’ll get in. If not .....

Lawman 2020-08-21 20:56:59 UTC #492

Carlton didn't have social media in his days. If he did, perhaps things would have been different.

Philsmania 2020-08-21 21:22:38 UTC #493

Maybe Lefty didn't talk to the media because he knew he would get himself in trouble.

philsphan67 2020-08-21 22:22:19 UTC #494

I do think Schilling deserves to be in the HOF, but he is borderline (Lefty was a slam dunk) and imo his views are more controversial than Lefty's. I will say that I used to play basketball with Curt in the winter, before he signed his big money contract. He was always very friendly, probably played 10+ times with him over 3 winters - knew me as "mouth guard guy"

kmc1019 2020-08-23 12:01:20 UTC #495

Sixto impresses in MLB debut:

andyb 2020-08-23 13:04:55 UTC #496

Looks like his changeup is much improved. He was more fastball slider with the Phillies (though that is all he needed in the low minors).

On the negative side I see he is listed now as 6'0" and 234 pounds. He will have to watch that as his athleticism was one of his strong points as a pitcher, giving him the foundation to have that velocity out of a smaller than normal frame.

David_Criss 2020-08-24 01:07:42 UTC #497

andyb 2020-08-26 17:28:15 UTC #498

Edgar Garcia got the save last night for Tampa. First outing was shaky (0.2 IP, 2 BB, 1 ER) but he was better last night. As Han Solo said, "I have a bad feeling about this".

zambonir 2020-08-26 17:45:19 UTC #499

Wasn't that also Chris Young's philosophy?

I thought Garcia was an odd choice, but if they hadn't done this trade he might have just ended up in another. It would certainly look bad if he's helping a first place team right now, rather, than just has a future.

andyb 2020-08-26 17:54:16 UTC #500

There was an alternative that would have not involved getting David Hale or elevating Connor Brogdon. We could have given Garcia a shot this year since clearly he has the raw stuff (at least as good as Brogdon and Russ) to succeed compared to our other options.

One of the issues we'll face next year is we did blow through our inventory of upper minors bullpen arms. Not sure they are any good, but we clearly have fewer options in the future from the roster moves this year.

zambonir 2020-08-26 18:11:45 UTC #501

Garcia was DFA'ed a week before they got Hale, but sure, he could have made the opening day roster over any number of players (Rosso, Guerra who's not exactly a veteran and was since DFA'ed, Kelley). And then again when they turned to Brogdon and Parker. Clearly the Phillies' own internal assessment of him at both the front office and pitching coach/manager level, after two different spring trainings this season, was that he couldn't help. That's still puzzling based on the promise he showed last year, and the fact that the other guys didn't seem any better. Let's hope the PTBNL isn't totally worthless.

JD Hammer is still kicking around (as is Guerra, he cleared and was re-added to the alternate site roster).

zambonir 2020-08-30 19:27:55 UTC #502

Rangers are gearing up to fill trade deadline holes presumably

Rangers have signed RHP Jerad Eickhoff to a minor league deal and assigned him to alt site. Eickhoff was drafted by the Rangers and sent to Philly in Cole Hamels trade.
— Evan Grant ( @Evan_P_Grant ) August 30, 2020