The Phillies have now lost five straight series with a record of 4-11 over that span. The offense has just completely disappeared. Star second baseman Chase Utley has just 10 hits in his last 53 at bats, including a streak in which he didn't have a hit in 23 at bats. His batting average has dropped 23 percentage points to .293 during the 15 game stretch. Reigning MVP and leadoff man Jimmy Rollins has just three hits in his last 24 at bats, with only four walks. Ryan Howard continues to struggle at the plate, as does Geoff Jenkins. I could go on, but let's just suffice it say that this team isn't hitting.
Aaron RowandThe team's lack of hitting doesn't bother me. All teams go through slumps and losing streaks. Over the course of 162 games, there are bound to be a couple rough spots. What does bother me, however, is that it does not appear that this team is going to break out of it any time soon. A team's ability to cope with these tough stretches and band together and push themselves out of it is the true mark of a team. However, for a team to do that, they need a leader, someone to whip the boys into shape; someone to inspire the rest of the team through grit and hustle; someone who shows up ready to play every game like it's the World Series.
The Phillies had a guy like that last year, and his name was Aaron Rowand. When it became evident that the Phils weren't going to re-sign him last year, I was worried. I wasn't worried about losing his bat. I thought Rowand over achieved last year offensively, and didn't believe his batting skills were worth the money he would eventually wind up commanding. I did think, however, the Phillies should have paid him whatever he asked for because Rowand is a clubhouse leader and there was no one else on this team to fill his shoes. Rowand's all out style of play not only endears him to the fans, but acts as inspiration to his teammates. When you see your teammate going all out to make every play, it inspires (or guilts) you into doing the same.
Unfortunately, the Phillies don't have Rowand anymore, and no one on their current roster has stepped up to take his place. Jenkins was talked about as a clubhouse guy when the Phillies signed him in the offseason, but he has not panned out in that department. Whether it's because he's still the new guy, or because he is having an awful season, I don't know. Utley is too quiet and introverted to get fired up and whip the team into shape. You would think Howard would be more vocal, but he isn't either. The unofficial leader of this team is Rollins, but to be a leader, you need to lead by example. I don't know if Rollins is vocal in the clubhouse, but he is not particularly leading by example on the field. A few weeks ago Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel benched Rollins for not running out a pop-fly. Instead of lighting a fire under Rollins, it just made him run out pop-flies harder. He still just appears to be going through the motions otherwise though.
I think this team is in serious trouble. Lacking leadership is fine when your scoring 60 runs in five games. But it's times like these that you need someone to kick ass and whip everyone into shape, and the Phillies just do not have that guy.
Aaron RowandThe team's lack of hitting doesn't bother me. All teams go through slumps and losing streaks. Over the course of 162 games, there are bound to be a couple rough spots. What does bother me, however, is that it does not appear that this team is going to break out of it any time soon. A team's ability to cope with these tough stretches and band together and push themselves out of it is the true mark of a team. However, for a team to do that, they need a leader, someone to whip the boys into shape; someone to inspire the rest of the team through grit and hustle; someone who shows up ready to play every game like it's the World Series.
The Phillies had a guy like that last year, and his name was Aaron Rowand. When it became evident that the Phils weren't going to re-sign him last year, I was worried. I wasn't worried about losing his bat. I thought Rowand over achieved last year offensively, and didn't believe his batting skills were worth the money he would eventually wind up commanding. I did think, however, the Phillies should have paid him whatever he asked for because Rowand is a clubhouse leader and there was no one else on this team to fill his shoes. Rowand's all out style of play not only endears him to the fans, but acts as inspiration to his teammates. When you see your teammate going all out to make every play, it inspires (or guilts) you into doing the same.
Unfortunately, the Phillies don't have Rowand anymore, and no one on their current roster has stepped up to take his place. Jenkins was talked about as a clubhouse guy when the Phillies signed him in the offseason, but he has not panned out in that department. Whether it's because he's still the new guy, or because he is having an awful season, I don't know. Utley is too quiet and introverted to get fired up and whip the team into shape. You would think Howard would be more vocal, but he isn't either. The unofficial leader of this team is Rollins, but to be a leader, you need to lead by example. I don't know if Rollins is vocal in the clubhouse, but he is not particularly leading by example on the field. A few weeks ago Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel benched Rollins for not running out a pop-fly. Instead of lighting a fire under Rollins, it just made him run out pop-flies harder. He still just appears to be going through the motions otherwise though.
I think this team is in serious trouble. Lacking leadership is fine when your scoring 60 runs in five games. But it's times like these that you need someone to kick ass and whip everyone into shape, and the Phillies just do not have that guy.
Original Story:
Vote this post up or down:
