Charlie Manuel expresses interest in managing Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers manager job is an attractive one right now.  The team is coming off it's third straight appearance in the American League Championship Series and have made two World Series appearances (2006, 2012).

There have been a lot of names thrown out there and there should be no shortage of managers currently on the sideline that would like to take the Tigers job.

Former Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has 'expressed his interest' in taking over the Tigers gig that Jim Leyland recently stepped down from. Leyland said he didn't have much left in the tank but Manuel, who is 70, says he still has the fire during an interview with Detroit Sports 105.1.

 "My agent will definitely call some teams and feel them out," Manuel said. "He talks to me before he does it. He chats with me regular."

"Condition-wise, I feel tremendous," Manuel said. "I've still got the fire. I've got a full tank. I'm still very much in the game."

Manuel managed the Indians from 2000-2002 and won the AL Central in 2001. He managed the Phillies from 2004-2013, winning a World Series title in 2008, reaching the World Series again in 2009 losing to the New York Yankees.

Manuel won 780 games in Philadelphia, including five consecutive National League East titles from 2007-2011.

Report: Tigers could be a player for Yankees' Robinson Cano

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has a pretty hefty payroll. But he has shown that he's willing to spend to get that elusive World Series trophy.

The Tigers are contenders this year and might be in the market for a second baseman if Omar Infante leaves in free agency. One player that has been mentioned is New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

“Owner Mike Ilitch is aggressive and wants to win a championship, and while the team's priority must soon be about signing Miguel Cabrera to his next contract, Ilitch has shown he's willing to expand his budget,”ESPN's Buster Olney wrote.

Olney looked at the market for Cano and says that he expects the Yankees to be major players, the Tigers, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants might be interested in the 30 year old All-Star.

I don't see the Phillies getting in the Cano sweepstakes since they just signed Chase Utley to a contract extension. I also can't see Cano leaving the Yankees but that team is getting older and I don't know if Cano wants to play his remaining years on that might not be a playoff contender.

I don't see the Tigers spending big for Cano, but who saw the Prince Fielder signing coming. I'd love to see Cano sporting an Olde English D, but I'm afraid it won't happen. If it does happen expect the price of Hot n Ready's to go up.

Roy Oswalt would like to go back to Philadelphia

It's almost like deja vu for Roy Oswalt. If you recall, last season Oswalt was holding court for potential suitors as he took his time picking a team to play for. After missing about half of the season Oswalt settled on the Texas Rangers.

Things didn't go to well for Oswalt in Arlington as he had a run in with manager Ron Washington after being demoted to the bullpen.

Oswalt is once again a man without a team. But in a bit of a surprise Oswalt says he would love to come back to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies. Oswalt also said that he hasn't felt this good since 2010.

Maybe the Phillies could use him if Roy Halladay's struggles continue. But if I'm Oswalt I would go ring chasing and sign with a contender. Even at 35 and how he's pitched in recent years he cant be that much worse than some of the back end starters that are pitching right now.

Jayson Werth breaks his wrist, taunted by Phillies fans

It's game on between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals. When Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels admitted he drilled Washington's Bryce Harper on purpose it amped up the budding rivalry. The Nationals' Jayson Werth is a former Phillie and broke his wrist which will keep him out for 10-12 weeks. What adds a layer to the story is that visiting Phillie fans taunted Werth while he was leaving the field.

“After walking off the field feeling nauseous knowing my wrist was broke and hearing Philly fans yelling ‘You deserve it,’ and, ‘That’s what you get,’ I am motivated to get back quickly and see to it personally those people never walk down Broad Street in celebration again,” Werth wrote.


Also remember before last season Werth and Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo stated that they both hated the Phillies. With the teams going in opposite directions right now the Nationals could hold the upper hand in this rivalry real soon.

Oswalt could find himself without a home

There are teams in need of a proven veteran pitcher to round out their rotations. Some are contenders and there are some trying to climb the ladder in the standings. The Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox or Cincinnati Reds would be a good fit for the veteran hurler. Problem is Oswalt is being awfully picky to whom he plays for.

I know a player who has earned their right to be a free agent can take their time and assess which situation they want to go play in. That's a major part of being a free agent. But if you're a veteran trying for one last good contract and a shot at a championship then I figure you sign with who gives you the best chance at a title. Oswalt had a chance to win in Philadelphia, but the Phillies blew it as a collective. Now Oswalt is looking to move on to presumably stay close to his father in Mississippi or his Missouri farm. So it would seem the Cardinals would be a good fit for him. A report two weeks ago said the Cardinals locked up Oswalt but it obviously didn't happen.

The one time Houston Astro would also be a good fit for the Rangers who just lost their number one starter C.J. Wilson to the Los Angeles Angels. But he won't sign there either. He already said he won't go to Detroit and hasn't turned down the Red Sox but doesn't exactly want to play there either.

“He wanted to go to Texas. That’s not gonna happen. He wanted to go back to Philadelphia. That’s not gonna happen. He had some interest in the Reds. That doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen. So his choices still come down to, I think, going to Boston, where they have a clear need but he doesn’t seem to want to play, and going to St. Louis, where all his friends say he would love to be. But to do that, he has to do it on their terms.”     


  Jayson Stark, ESPN

With pitchers and catchers due to report in another week, Oswalt could be left without a home or scuffling to take whatever a team offers him. Time is running out and Oswalt is taking his sweet time trying to find a team. I think it comes down to the Cardinals or Rangers and he won't exactly like the terms of the deal.

Victorino to appear in a Hawaii Five-O episode

Anyone who pays attention knows that Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino is a ntive Hawaiian. So I guess it would be a natural fit to appear in an episode of the CBS television show "Hawaii Five-O".

Victorino will be appearing in the February 20 episode.

According to CBS, Victorino stars as a business executive on a company retreat. Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno also appears in the episode as a Hawaiian history buff. The episode centers around the murder of a man dressed as a Hawaiian NaKoa warrior.

We'll see if Victorino has the chops to get a few more acting jobs in the future.

Charlie Manuel Loves Him Some Bernard Hopkins

Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel isn't one to watch boxing or talk about it. But if you ask him about Philadelphia boxing champion Bernard Hopkins, he may never stop talking about him.

He's crossed paths with Hopkins once before, but was so impressed by him that he would like him to make a stop by Citizens Bank Park and have a conversation with him.

"I absolutely love listening to him," Manuel said. "That's one tough guy who wants to be a champion. I know in baseball, that's what separates the average guy from the real good one."   

If you've ever listened to a Hopkins interview the guy can talk for days. He'll also let you know he has the same drive and determination he had when he got out of prison. That's what Manuel likes about him. It seems like an odd pairing, but Manuel likes hard nosed players.

"It's about being a champion," Manuel said.

And in my eyes Hopkins is what being a champion is all about.


 

Dykstra's Brother Says He Deserves To 'Pay For What He Did'

Apparently former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Len Dykstra has been getting bailed out by his family and now they aren't going to bat for him anymore. His brother, Brian, says that Dykstra deserves his fall from grace amd is guilty of the charges brought against him last week.

"It's sad, but he's got to pay for what he did," the older brother, 49, told The New York Daily News. "We feel sorry for him, but he's pretty much on his own right now. We're praying for him."


"I wish I could post bail. I know the real Lenny from years ago is still in there somewhere. But the family breakup was bad," Brian said. "We'll be there to help afterwards - when he gets out. I know he could go coach somewhere."


I'm not well versed in the Lenny Dykstra story, except that he played hard. I guess he lived harder and made some bad business deals along the way, while pissing off a few family members in the process. Brian and another brother Kevin, haven't got along since Len sold the car wash business they owned and didn't pay them money they were owed. Talk about shady. I know it's not my place to say this, but they would've been better off doing business with a stranger than their own brother.

Maybe Dykstra can hit up Mookie Wilson for a few dollars.  




 

 

Oswalt Hurts Back Running The Bases

One of the Philadelphia Phillies "Four Aces" has folded.

Roy Oswalt had to leave tonight's game against the Florida Marlins after six innings with a lower back strain. Oswalt was hurt running to first after he laid down a bunt in the bottom of the sixth. He stayed in and ran the bases but left the game after attempting some warm up pitches.

This could affect the Phillies if Oswalt has to miss any significant amount of time. I don't think he'll miss anything beyond his next start, but with sports injuries you never know.

Quote Of The Week: Mike Schmidt

I think Mike Schmidt had different ideas when he was talking about the Phillies' "Four Aces".

Schimdt said that the pitchers strike fear in no one.

"They're not scary," he said. "Even if they all win 20 games, the Phillies don't have a pitcher who strikes fear in a hitter."


I think Schmidt meant by occasionally getting buzzed by a pitcher back in the day.

Nationals GM Rizzo,Jayson Werth Hates The Phillies

An excerpt from an article in the Washington Post caught an exchange between Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo and new Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth.

Werth was taking some batting practice and Werth might've been taking a break when a reporter got this.

Once Werth got back behind the cage, Rizzo said, "I hate the [expletive] Phillies." The GM then ran off a list of borderline dirty plays and purpose pitches in recent years by the Nats' nemesis. "I hate the Phillies, too," said Werth. Unspoken, but hanging in the air was a new idea for the Nats: So, let's play more like the Phillies: mean, grimy and a little nasty. 

If this is the case then it's game on when the Phillies play the Nationals. I think it might've been more playful for Werth who probably has some friends on the Phillies. Besides they rescued him from the baseball scrap heap so how can he really hate them. Maybe it's because the Phillies didn't want him at an inflated price and brought back Cliff Lee instead.

I think it's Rizzo that has hate and contempt for the Phillies more than Werth. Maybe because the Washington experiment has turned out a bunch of losing seasons and the Phillies have turned into a National League powerhouse.

This might be the only time I check out a Nationals game this year.

Matt Anderson Gets Another Chance

Matt Anderson is getting what amounts to a last chance in the major leagues. The Philadelphia Phillies signed the former Detroit Tigers pitcher to a minor league deal. Which means if he performs well he can pitch in the big show again.

Anderson was the top pick in the 1997 baseball draft out of Rice by the Tigers. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005 and his last season was in 2008 with Triple-A Charlotte. He has 15 appearances and a 5.60 ERA. He'll need to do much better than that if he wants to stick with the Phillies. His best year was back in 2001 when he posted 22 saves for the Tigers.

Anderson's most famous moments were hitting 103 mph on the radar gun and having his name dropped in a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2001. Good luck Matt, you'll need it since you haven't been the same since injuring your arm in 1999 ( there was a contest at the ballpark to throw an octopus the farthest and win tickets to a Red Wings playoff game - Anderson tossed an octopus and suffered an injury from which he never seemed to recover).

Jamie Moyer Wants To Keep Pitching

If your left handed and can get the ball over the plate, you can pitch forever, as long as your effective. Even if you've had Tommy John surgery. Maybe that's why Jamie Moyer wants to keep pitching and doesn't want to be told when to quit.

Moyer is eyeing a comeback in 2012 after going 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, before missing the second half of the season after straining his left elbow. Moyer will be close to 50 when and if he begins his comeback. He's clearly not ready to give up baseball yet.

"In all honesty, I just don't feel like I'm ready to give it up. I feel I'm entitled to make my own decision," Moyer told the Seattle Times. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, which people don't seem to be shy about expressing."


"It may be difficult to find a job at the age of 49," Moyer said, the Times reported. "Then again, it may not be. I know where I stand: I'll probably get a spring training invitation . . . I don't have a problem with that. Throughout my career, I've always had to earn the situation I've been in. I don't expect anyone to give me anything. It's never been that way, so why now?"


I'll say this much. Throughout his career he's been consistent and effective. You do know what your gonna get from him. He's never been a hard thrower, so that's probably enabled him to last as long as he has. Most would probably be eyeing retirement, but Moyer feels that he can still help someone win games. I don't think this has anything to do with money. It's more personal pride and going out on his own terms rather than having someone else tell him when to go. Baseball is all he knows. 




  

Werth Is A Little Peeved At Lee

Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth had a special bond while they were teammates in Philadelphia. You know the story of Lee being shipped to Seattle before last season. I guess they were still boys despite being on different coasts. As free agency rolled around, Lee and Werth had talked about possibly ending up in the same place.

When Werth signed with the Washington Nationals that went out the window. Even though The Nationals made a slight play for Lee, it was nothing serious. Lee eventually signed Philadelphia and now they'll be division rivals. Werth doesn't seem to pleased about the turn of events.

"When he found out I was coming here, he wasn't the happiest person in the world", Lee said. I guess Werth is pouting because instead of playing together, they'll be rivals. Lee will be in the penthouse and Werth will be looking up at him since we all know the Nationals aren't going anywhere. It could also be because the Phillies couldn't find enough money to sign Werth, but pulled it out their behinds to sign Lee.

Maybe the Phillies thought they would be overpaying to keep Werth, and maybe know something we don't.


"The news in Philadelphia, they got their boy back, I guess," Werth said. "That's fine. I think that's good. I like that. If you're going to be the best, you've got to beat the best. They make their plays, and we're going to make ours.  Jayson, I don't think your team will be making too many plays.

I Can't Feel Sorry For The Yankees

The New York Yankees have been very quiet during free agency. They've signed no marquee players or made any blockbuster trades. News of the Philadelphia Phillies signing Cliff Lee was a big surprise to a lot. Including the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

The Yankees money couldn't get him to the Big Apple. They practically offered him the world (money and 7 years)and he went back to Philly. The only player the Yankees could get was L.A. Dodgers catcher Russell Martin. Big deal huh?

I guess Lee really never wanted to leave Philadelphia and now he gets to go back and possibly make another World Series trip. Meanwhile the Yankees have C.C. Sabathia and not much else behind him in the rotation. It's hard to feel sorry for them not getting their man, but personally I love it. I'm glad their money can't buy everyone. Now they might fall back to the pack a little. I wish I could say the same about the Red Sox, so we won't have to watch those "epic" Yankees/Red Sox matchups every time a national game comes on. 

Halladay No Hits Reds

Excuse me for saying that Roy Halladay has ended the Cincinnati Reds 2010 season. True, it's far from over, but in all my years that I've watched baseball and sports in general there has been a moment in the postseason that has rendered plenty of teams dead in the water.

Consider Roy Halladay's no-hitter against the Reds one of them. Halladay tossed the second postseason no-hitter in MLB history. I think this will sink the Reds and send them on their way. I'm not a Reds hater, but ask Nick Anderson how he torpedoed th Orlando Magic in the 1995 NBA Finals. Or ask the Oakland A's how Kirk Gibson flamed their chances in the 1988 World Series. The list can go on. Halladay acheived a great feat in his first postseason start, ever. And he probably ended the Reds' season in the process. 

I could be wrong though.        

Hope The Phillies Fans Are Happy

My second half predictions didn't go as planned, but I was on the money about one thing. The Philadelphia Phillies pulling out the NL East. The Phillies came through with another strong second half to overtake the Atlanta Braves and leave the New York Mets choking on infield dirt. In my opinion they are and were always the team to beat in the National League. They also have a great chance at winning the World Series. Everyone knows about the potent offense, but this time around they have the Roy boys (Halladay and Oswalt) as well as Cole Hamels anchoring the rotation. The only flaw i see is the bullpen, especially if Brad Lidge isn't on.

Phillie fans, I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. Just because they were about 6 or 7 games back earlier in the summer I knew they would come back strong. They just needed some key components to get right. I say get ready for a Phillies/Yankees rematch.  

Phillies fans should step away from the ledge

The Philadelphia Phillies have been scuffling a bit and I bet there fans are getting impatient. That's just how it is in Philadelphia. There are reasons why and some that can be solved. I don't have the answers or I wouldn't be writing this. Phillie fans should be patient, they've proven in the past to be a strong second half team.

   First,they need Jimmy Rollins back. For all their offensive talent, Rollins is the man that makes the Phillies go. As I write this, he should be back in the lineup. The offense has been up and down and you can tell they clearly miss him. No offense and no pun intended there, but Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro just don't don't have the same impact.
   Secondly, they need to stay healthy.As they get Rollins back, they lose Placido Polanco and Chase Utley.Two very important cogs in the machine. This year more than any in the past few years, the Phillies have been burned by injury.
   Last but not least,they need consistent starting pitching by anyone not named Roy Halladay. Cole Hamels is good, but he hasn't been the same since his World Series mvp year. And after Hamels who knows. J.A. Happ has seemed to regress, and you never know what your gonna get from Joe Blanton. It looks like they'll be picking up Pedro Martinez after the All Star break again. Maybe they enter the Cliff Lee sweepstakes again or they could swing a trade for someone like Erik Bedard who could use a change of scenery. Maybe pick off one of Arizona's pitchers,maybe Dan Haren. They'll need another arm, because you can't outscore everyone. They also need help in the bullpen, more notably closer, because they simply cannot count on Brad Lidge. I don't know where they can get that kind of help without giving up a king's ransom,but its worth a try.
   Like I stated earlier, the Phillies have proven to be a strong second half team in the past.Ask the Mets about that. The opposition in the division seems to be a little tougher this year as the Mets and Braves are playing good baseball right now. I'm not sold on the Mets. I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop for them and the Braves are good but I think they need another bat to surpass the Phillies. Philadelphia still is the team to beat in the NL East and maybe the National League.The fans need to stop grumbling because things could be worse.Fans step away from the ledge.