Phillies Spring Training Talk

[SunMo]

he's right, i even drowned his dog right in front of him, still no tears.  he's a tough somabitch

[rjs246]

I'm unimpressed.

[SunMo]

I'm unimpressed.

i care.

[rjs246]

I know, dude. I know.

[SunMo]

i know you know.

[NGM]

Is that seriously the best title Starks could come up with?  I wish Maddox wrote for ESPN, the quality of the journalism would improve dramatically. 

[Rome]

What the hell?

[rjs246]

What the hell?

Yeah, I can see why you're so shocked. No Philly fan has ever been so forward or crass.

[ice grillin you]

how about one day after floyd throws a gem and theres talk of his outstanding spring sending madson to the pen madson comes out and throws 6 1/3 scorless himself....pitching has been outstanding this spring...lets hope it carries over

[Rome]

What the hell?

Yeah, I can see why you're so shocked. No Philly fan has ever been so forward or crass.

I've seen the picture of the kid before, you jackass.  I was referring to the awful photochop.

[ice grillin you]

thats not even in the top 1000 worst photochops

[Rome]

It is when you consider someone is selling it on Ebay.

[ice grillin you]

oooh

yikes

[PhillyGirl]

Wow that kid's picture has been used for just about every team (including all Philly teams) LOL.

I think the original was for like, Manchester United, or some soccer team.

[SunMo]

Madson dazzles Yankees and brass
By MARCUS HAYES
hayesm@phillynews.com

TAMPA, Fla. - Night game, sold-out Legends Field, Yankees frontline lineup, last start of the spring...

Nah, this wasn't an audition.

Don't tell that to Ryan Madson.

"I heard some stuff going around about other people making the rotation," Madson said, "other people'' meaning Gavin Floyd. "I wanted to stand up and say, 'Hey. I want to be in the starting rotation.' I wanted to put out my very best stuff."

Madson dominated the Yankees last night in the Phillies' 3-0 win: no runs, four quiet hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. His curveball might have been the best it has ever been; his changeup, typically evil; his fastball, well located and not overthrown.

At one point Madson retired eight Yankees, from Alex Rodriguez to Derek Jeter, on 15 pitches - 13 strikes, two balls. He needed just 72. His groundball-to-flyball ratio was 2-to-1, enticing since he'll pitch his home starts in a homer park.

"I hope they make the right decision," said catcher Sal Fasano, whose homer preceded those of Chase Utley and Shane Victorino.

If the Phillies do the right thing, Fasano contended, "He'll be in the starting rotation... When you have [three] quality pitches, that's not bullpen stuff. That's starter stuff."

Well, it sounds like Madson and Fasano have gotten what they want.

Manager Charlie Manuel would not reveal his decision, but said after the game he has decided whether or not to add Floyd to the rotation and move Madson or fellow rotation competitor Ryan Franklin to the bullpen. Floyd, the 2001 first-round pick whose mental yips of 2005 seem in the past, might be the odd man out with the Phillies hoping Geoff Geary and Julio Santana can supply the seventh-inning relief Madson provided the past two seasons after charging through the minors as a starter.

Regardless, the Phils are talking as if Madson is in the rotation. For instance, when pitching coach Rich Dubee was asked how Madson's curveball was coming along, he replied: "Being in the rotation, it's something he's going to get more reps with. He can work on it during his side sessions. He's going to have three pitches he can get you out with."

Manuel played coy, though he allowed that Madson pitched "tremendous" and, perhaps in a case of misspeaking, said, "He was safe before the game," which he retracted.

Rowand injured

Centerfielder Aaron Rowand was hit by a pitch on his left hand below his pinkie in the first inning. He left the game after the fourth inning when the hand swelled to the point he could not put his glove on. He probably will miss a game or two. He has been hit four times this spring.

to follow up on what IGY said....

i think they need to let Floyd and Madson stay in the rotation and move Franklin to long relief or whatever.  Franklin is the known quantity of the 3 and what is known is not good.