Baseball commish has All Star game all wrong

The Major League Baseball All Star game is an exhibition. Wait, no it's not. Or maybe it is.

Oh forget it, I have no clue.

The All Star game is referred to as the fans game. They vote for the starting lineups in what is often a popularity contest based more on past accomplishments than current year accomplishments.

I have no problem with this. The All Star game should be a game where the fans can enjoy the biggest names in the game. It's a fun game to watch and a great opportunity to see the best players in the game.

All the while trying to fill the above desires, commissioner Bud Selig has added a facet to the game that is all wrong - home field advantage for the World Series awarded to the league that wins.

This is absolutely ridiculous.

How can an exhibition game, where fans vote in players, determine such an important thing as home field advantage on the biggest of stages?

It makes no sense. None.

Phils biggest need is a new closer

When talking about the Phillies needs as the trade deadline comes closer, the two biggest areas of discussion are around starting pitching and an infielder to fill in while Chase Utley is out with an injury.

I'm here to tell you that while adding starting pitching and infield depth sure would be nice, it is the bullpen that needs the most attention - specifically the closer.

Brad Lidge is just not dependable. I hate to say it. He was tremendous in 2008 and a huge reason why the Phillies won the World Series.

But it is time to give up on him.

Lidge received a pass last year. He was terrible (0-8 with 10 blown saves and an ERA of 7.21), but was given every chance possible to work through his issues.

While the Phillies closer has not been as bad this year (1-0 with 5 saves), he still has three blown saves and an ERA of 4.80.

Last night, he loaded the bases before getting Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips to fly out, getting out of a self-imposed jam.

Lidge just cannot be trusted anymore. It's sad to say that because I really like him as a person and player. He gives his heart and a tremendous effort on the field.

But the results are not there. They just aren't.

So while adding a starting pitcher (especially a good one) would be a big help, it is the closer that scares me.

The Phillies don't have many other options.

Ryan Madson faltered when given the chance last season. He had 10 saves but six blown saves. He is not the answer.

Former closer Danys Baez is not the answer. He has two blown saves and an ERA of 4.45.

Jose Contreras would be the closest bet to take over the closer role. He has three saves, one blown save, and an ERA of 2.93 this season.

So what should the Phillies do? Below are a few options in no particular order:

Kerry Wood - The Cleveland Indians closer is on the trade block. He has eight saves this season but an ERA of 5.95 and a high price tag. No thanks.

Brett Myers - Yes, I know the Phillies chose not to resign him after last season and yes, he has pitched a starter this year. But remember how good he was as a closer in 2007? Would be an interesting trade to say the least.

Octavio Dotel - Word has it that the Pirates closer is available. He has been decent with 19 saves and an ERA of 4.41. He has four blown saves. I don't like the high ERA.

Pedro Martinez - He is out there and available. While the Phils would more likely look at him as a starter. But what about him closing? He has the guts. Just not sure he has the stuff.

Mariano Rivera - Now that would be nice.

Mitch Williams - He sure was good in 1993. Would he come out of retirement? The only thing is that he could cause just as much heartburn as Lidge does.

As you can see, I am reaching. There are just not a lot of closers names out there at this time.

I really do not know what the answer is.

What I do know is that Lidge is not the answer.

Phils win in walk-off again

The Philadelphia Phillies did not have a baserunner against Cincinnati Reds rookie Travis Wood heading into the ninth inning.

Good thing Roy Halladay was on the mound for the Fightins.

Carlos Ruiz broke up the no hitter with a double to lead off the ninth and Jimmy Rollins won it with a single in the bottom of the 11th as the Phillies beat the Reds in extra innings for the third straight night, 1-0.

While Halladay did not match Wood in the hit category, he was equal in not allowing a run while pitching nine strong innings.

Ruiz led off the 11th with his second hit of the game and scored on Rollins' hit to right field.

The Phils won on Friday night on a walk-off homer by Brian Schnieder and completed a stunning 9-7 comeback victory on a Ryan Howard home run after being down 7-1 going into the ninth last night.

Cincinnati had a chance to win it in the 10th as they loaded the bases against Brad Lidge, but the Phillies closer got out of the jam. Jose Contreras pitched a perfect 11th for the win.

Halladay threw nine scoreless innings, allowin only five hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Wood, in his third major league start, was untouchable until Ruiz' double in the ninth.

The Phillies have woken up in the last three nights and have that "swagger" that took them to the World Series the past two years.

Heading into the All-Star break, the Phils will look for the four-game sweep tomorrow.

Flyers excuses getting old

To put it bluntly, I am getting sick and tired of the Flyers admitting to a laying with a lack of urgency.

It was an excuse numerous times last season, we've heard it this season, and now again.

After a lackluster effort in a 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators, captain Mike Richards said the following: "It's frustrating," Richards said. "We did some bad things. We just seemed like we had a little bit of a lack of motivation, which shouldn't be there, and a lack of urgency. To go through a game like that, and not see everyone play their hardest, that's got to change."

Lack of motivation! Are you kidding me!?!

The Flyers are fighting for their playoff lives and so is Ottawa. What more motivation do they need?

I'm so frustrated with hearing this comment yet again from Richards, I'm ready to say forget it, I hope they don't make the playoffs.

The Flyers need to remove the "C" from Richards' sweater immediately. He's not a leader, he can't get his team up for big games, and he himself lacks motivation in situations I just can't fathom not having motivation.

The Flyers were picked by many to win the Stanley Cup this year after adding a true leader in Chris Pronger.

But it's been the same old stuff as last year - inconsistency, not playing well in big games, taking dumb penalties.

Grow up Richards and act like a leader.

Eagles mistakes front and center this off season

The Philadelphia Eagles have made a lot of mistakes over the past few years.

For a change, they are now admitting it.

With no salary cap hit, now is the time to release players that are no longer serviceable. And boy have the Eagles been releasing players.

Offensive lineman Shawn Andrews was released after years of back and mental head case trouble. The Eagles just could not go through another year of wondering if he would be healthy and mentally stable to get on the field.

Reggie Brown was a draft bust who never turned into a top receiver. Kevin Curtis was another receiver who did not work out, as injuries kept him off of the field much of the time.

Chris Clemons was supposed to be a force opposite Trent Cole on the defensive line, but that never happened.

Darren Howard never amounted to much on the defensive line. He is now gone.

Will Witherspoon, who they traded for last season was released.

The only player they have released this off season who was not a mistake to sign was running back Brian Westbrook. He had a great career in Philadelphia but has just run out of gas.

Still, the Eagles have made plenty of mistakes.

I applaud them for getting rid of these guys, but it is even more evident how many times they miss on their draft picks and free agents. This is only a list of guys they have released this off season.

Sure, the Eagles have hit huge on a few signings and draft picks - Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Terrel Owens come to mind.

However, if they ever want to win a Super Bowl, the Eagles are going to have to make the right choice more often. If they do not, the drought will continue and we'll be sitting here in three years wondering when they are going to give up on Andy Reid and move on.

The key to Phillies season

If healthy, Roy Halladay is a lock to win 20 games pitching in the National League. Winning the Cy Young award is not out of the question.

Halladay is a known commodity. So is the Phillies offense. Both will produce. No doubt about it.

But when it comes down to winning in the playoffs, the key will be Cole Hamels.

Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, was terrible last season. Behind Cliff Lee, the Phillies did not have a guy who could dominate. It cost them a second straight World Series as the Yankees, who could not solve Lee, feasted on the rest of the Phillies pitching.

Admittedly, Hamels did not throw much during the off season after winning the World Series. His focus was more on making different public appearances and enjoying the fruits of being a Series MVP than preparing for the 2009 season - and it showed.

Not so this off season.

Hamels threw just about every day, even while on vacation.

He has looked good so far in the spring and seems to have a renewed focus on getting back to being a solid ace.

If Hamels can return to 2008 form, when he was un-hittable in the playoffs, the Phillies would be tough to beat in a playoff series.

A 1-2 punch of Halladay and Hamels, along with the offenses ability to score runs in bunches can compete with anyone in the league.

Halladay has made the Phillies favorites to win the National League.

Hamels can make the Phillies favorites to win the World Series.

A look back at the 2006 Phillies

Out of Bounds is taking a look at how the Phillies got to where they are at today. We started with 2000 and today will look at the 2006 team.

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Following a year in which he won Rookie of the Year, first baseman Ryan Howard took home the league MVP. It was the first time in 20 years that a Phillie had been voted the most valuable player (Mike Schmidt - 1986).

Howard led the majors in home runs with 58 and had 149 RBI.

The Phils won 85 games and finished in second place in the division, drawing 2.7 million fans.

Chase Utley had 32 homers, Pat Burrell had 29, and Jimmy Rollins had 25 to go along with 36 stolen bases.

Brett Myers had 12 wins, Ryan Madson had 11, and Cole Hamels had 9. Tom Gordon had 34 saves.

Below is the starting roster as well as the full team roster.

Next, we'll take a look at the 2007 season.

C Mike Lieberthal (60)
1B Ryan Howard (159)
2B Chase Utley (156)
3B David Bell (90)
SS Jimmy Rollins (157)
LF Pat Burrell (126)
CF Aaron Rowand (107)
RF Bobby Abreu (97)

SP Cole Hamels
SP Cory Lidle
SP Jon Lieber
SP Ryan Madson
SP Brett Myers

RP Clay Condrey
RP Rheal Cormier
RP Ryan Franklin
RP Aaron Fultz
RP Geoff Geary
RP Arthur Rhodes
RP Rick White
CL Tom Gordon

#00 Rick White
#2 David Dellucci
#3 Abraham Nunez
#4 Danny Sandoval
#5 Pat Burrell
#6 Ryan Howard
#8 Alex Gonzalez
#8 Jose Hernandez
#9 Michael Bourn
#11 Jimmy Rollins
#12 Randall Simon
#13 Sal Fasano
#18 Shane Victorino
#19 Jeff Conine
#21 Jon Lieber
#22 Arthur Rhodes
#23 Ryan Franklin
#23 Joe Thurston
#24 Mike Lieberthal
#25 David Bell
#26 Chase Utley
#27 Chris Coste
#29 Chris Roberson
#30 Cory Lidle
#33 Aaron Rowand
#34 Gavin Floyd
#35 Cole Hamels
#37 Rheal Cormier
#39 Brett Myers
#40 Matt Smith
#43 Randy Wolf
#44 Julio Santana
#45 Tom Gordon
#46 Aaron Fultz
#47 Scott Mathieson
#48 Brian Sanches
#50 Adam Bernero
#50 Jamie Moyer
#51 Carlos Ruiz
#52 Fabio Castro
#53 Bobby Abreu
#55 Clay Condrey
#56 Geoff Geary
#58 Eude Brito
#63 Ryan Madson

A look back at the 2005 Phillies

Out of Bounds is taking a look at how the Phillies got to where they are at today. We started with 2000 and today will look at the 2005 team.

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The current Phillies team continued to take form in 2005, as a youn guy named Ryan Howard was called up from the minor leagues are Jim Thome went down with an injury.

Howard won rookie of the year and Thome was later traded. Howard, who only played about half the season, but hit .288 with 22 homers and 63 RBI.

Pat Burrell led the team with 32 home runs and Chase Utley had 28.

The Phillies finished 88-74 and in second place, drawing 2.6 million fans.

Their lineup included the likes of Howard, Utley and Jimmy Rollins.

Cory Lidle, Jon Lieber, Brett Myers, and Vicente Padilla formed four of the five starters, while Billy Wagner was the closer.

Guys like Ryan Madson, Placido Polanco, and Shane Victorino were on the team.

Lieber won 17 games and Myers won 13. Wagner finished with 38 saves.

Below is the starting roster as well as the full team roster.

Next, we'll take a look at the 2006 season.

C Mike Lieberthal (117)
1B Ryan Howard (84)
2B Chase Utley (135)
3B David Bell (150)
SS Jimmy Rollins (157)
LF Pat Burrell (153)
CF Kenny Lofton (97)
RF Bobby Abreu (158)

SP Cory Lidle
SP Jon Lieber
SP Brett Myers
SP Vicente Padilla

RP Rheal Cormier
RP Aaron Fultz
RP Geoff Geary
RP Ryan Madson
RP Ugueth Urbina
CL Billy Wagner

#3 Todd Pratt
#4 David Bell
#5 Pat Burrell
#6 Ryan Howard
#7 Kenny Lofton
#8 Shane Victorino
#9 Tomas Perez
#11 Jimmy Rollins
#12 Ramon Martinez
#13 Billy Wagner
#21 Jon Lieber
#22 Jason Michaels
#24 Mike Lieberthal
#25 Jim Thome
#26 Chase Utley
#27 Matt Kata
#27 Placido Polanco
#29 Marlon Byrd
#29 Danny Sandoval
#29 Michael Tucker
#30 Cory Lidle
#33 Aquilino Lopez
#33 Jose Offerman
#34 Gavin Floyd
#37 Rheal Cormier
#38 Tim Worrell
#39 Brett Myers
#43 Randy Wolf
#44 Vicente Padilla
#46 Aaron Fultz
#47 Endy Chavez
#48 Pedro Liriano
#50 Robinson Tejeda
#51 Terry Adams
#53 Bobby Abreu
#56 Geoff Geary
#57 Amaury Telemaco
#58 Eude Brito
#63 Ryan Madson
#74 Ugueth Urbina

A look back at the 2004 Phillies

Out of Bounds is taking a look at how the Phillies got to where they are at today. We started with 2000 and today will look at the 2004 team.

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The Phillies finished in second place, going 86-76, while drawing 3.2 million fans.

Third baseman David Bell became just the 8th Phillie to hit for the cycle.

The Phils best months were May (17-11) and September (19-8).

Jim Thome had 42 home runs and 105 RBI. Bobby Abreu had 30 homers, 105 RBI, and 40 SB.

Jimmy Rollins had 30 SB.

Eric Milton led the team with 14 wins and newly acquired closer Billy Wagner had 21 saves.

Below is the starting roster as well as the full team roster.

Next, we'll take a look at the 2005 season.

C Mike Lieberthal (129)
1B Jim Thome (134)
2B Placido Polanco (109)
3B David Bell (142)
SS Jimmy Rollins (154)
LF Pat Burrell (122)
CF Marlon Byrd (92)
RF Bobby Abreu (158)
DH Jim Thome (6)

SP Kevin Millwood
SP Eric Milton
SP Brett Myers
SP Vicente Padilla
SP Randy Wolf

RP Rheal Cormier
RP Geoff Geary
RP Roberto Hernandez
RP Todd Jones
RP Ryan Madson
RP Felix Rodriguez
RP Amaury Telemaco
RP Tim Worrell
CL Billy Wagner

#2 A.J. Hinch
#3 Todd Pratt
#4 David Bell
#5 Pat Burrell
#6 Doug Glanville
#9 Tomas Perez
#11 Jimmy Rollins
#12 Ryan Howard
#13 Billy Wagner
#21 Eric Milton
#22 Jason Michaels
#23 Shawn Wooten
#24 Mike Lieberthal
#25 Jim Thome
#26 Chase Utley
#27 Placido Polanco
#29 Marlon Byrd
#30 Cory Lidle
#33 Ricky Ledee
#34 Kevin Millwood
#35 Roberto Hernandez
#37 Rheal Cormier
#38 Tim Worrell
#39 Brett Myers
#40 Paul Abbott
#41 Gavin Floyd
#43 Randy Wolf
#44 Vicente Padilla
#46 Elizardo Ramirez
#47 Felix Rodriguez
#47 Amaury Telemaco
#50 Josh Hancock
#51 Brian Powell
#53 Bobby Abreu
#56 Geoff Geary
#57 Amaury Telemaco
#58 Lou Collier
#59 Todd Jones
#63 Ryan Madson
#75 Jim Crowell

A look back at the 2003 Phillies

Out of Bounds is taking a look at how the Phillies got to where they are at today. We started with 2000 and today will look at the 2003 team.

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The Phillies started a string of winning seasons in 2003. Since this season, they have gone 619-515 (.546) in that span, which is the second-best record in the league and the fifth-best record in baseball behind the Yankees (.600), Red Sox (.582), Angels (.568) and Cardinals (.554).

The culture of the Phillies changed as they moved into a new ballpark and welcomed a top notch player in Jim Thome.

Thome was the first Phillies home run champion since 1986. He finished with 47 home runs.

Another highlight of 2003 was a no-hitter thrown my Kevin Milwood on April 27.

The Phillies finished in third place with 86 wins and drew 2.2 million fans.

While their home record was an outstanding 49-32, they struggled on the road, going 37-44.

Pat Burrell was second on the team with 21 home runs while Bobby Abreu had 20.

Milwood, Brett Myers, and Vicente Padilla all had 14 wins and Jose Mesa had 24 saves.

Below is the starting roster as well as the full team roster.

Next, we'll take a look at the 2004 season.

C Mike Lieberthal (131)
1B Jim Thome (156)
2B Placido Polanco (99)
3B David Bell (85)
SS Jimmy Rollins (154)
LF Pat Burrell (140)
CF Marlon Byrd (131)
RF Bobby Abreu (158)
DH Pat Burrell (2)
DH Ricky Ledee (2)
DH Jim Thome (2)

SP Brandon Duckworth
SP Kevin Millwood
SP Brett Myers
SP Vicente Padilla
SP Randy Wolf

RP Terry Adams
RP Rheal Cormier
RP Dan Plesac
RP Carlos Silva
RP Turk Wendell
RP Mike Williams
CL Jose Mesa

#2 Tyler Houston
#3 Todd Pratt
#4 David Bell
#5 Pat Burrell
#6 Jimmy Rollins
#8 Nick Punto
#9 Tomas Perez
#12 Andy Machado
#13 Turk Wendell
#19 Dan Plesac
#22 Jason Michaels
#23 Travis Chapman
#24 Mike Lieberthal
#25 Jim Thome
#26 Chase Utley
#27 Placido Polanco
#28 Valerio de los Santos
#28 Eric Junge
#29 Marlon Byrd
#31 Brandon Duckworth
#33 Ricky Ledee
#34 Kevin Millwood
#35 Joe Roa
#35 Kelly Stinnett
#37 Rheal Cormier
#39 Brett Myers
#41 Mike Williams
#43 Randy Wolf
#44 Vicente Padilla
#47 Amaury Telemaco
#49 Jose Mesa
#50 Josh Hancock
#51 Terry Adams
#52 Carlos Silva
#53 Bobby Abreu
#54 Hector Mercado
#56 Geoff Geary
#57 Ryan Madson