Brett Myers was supposed to be the story on Sunday. He was — and for the right reasons. He pitched a fine game and kept the Phillies alive until a walk and a double in the last inning did him in en route to the 5-1 loss.
Sunday's start, his first before a home crowd since the alleged domestic-abuse incident in Boston on June 23, was anticipated because everyone was eager to see how the fans would react. There was a smattering of boos when the lineup was announced, and a louder reaction when he came to bat for the first time in the second inning. By the time Myers left the game in the ninth, the crowd politely gave him a round of applause for a good performance.
Shortly before the All-Star Game, there was a conversation among some veteran scribes about the pitcher's exile from the club. One went as far as to say that Myers may have pitched his last game for the Phillies. Another writer disagreed, saying that all would be forgotten if Myers pitched well and got the team some badly needed wins. It appears that the latter scenario was more realistic, thus far.
Should it be that way? You make the call. Both the pitcher and the organization have agreed that the situation was bungled from the beginning, but apologies have been offered and steps have been taken to address some issues.
Rather than vilify Myers forever, maybe we should respect his wishes for privacy. Granted, all things in life have consequences, and the pitcher still has to deal with the criminal charges, but it really isn't anyone else's business how Brett and Kim Myers go about trying to save their marriage.
Those of you who keep telling me that Jimmy Rollins is not a pure leadoff hitter are preaching to the pope. I've long felt the same way. A more disciplined hitter should occupy the top spot, not a free swinger like Rollins. Unfortunately, only one opinion counts here.
"I like Jimmy at the top of our lineup," manager Charlie Manuel once said.
And since Charlie makes out the lineup card, expect to see Rollins in the leadoff spot. Manuel also has received an endorsement from general manager Pat Gillick. He'll finish the year as the skipper.
The "buyers or sellers" angle has been beaten to death since the midseason break. We'll all see what unfolds as the July 31 trading deadline approaches. My guess? Sellers. This team is too far away from seriously contending for the playoffs. One or two pieces of a complicated puzzle won't be enough to change anything.
I also think the chances are slim that outfielders Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu will go. It's more likely that veteran starters, such as Jon Lieber or Cory Lidle, could be moved. Also, there is a logjam in the bullpen, and any teams looking for relievers will probably call the Phillies. Outfielder David Dellucci is another candidate.
The catching scenario was resolved when Sal Fasano was designated for assignment on Saturday, which also was a big endorsement of Chris Coste by the front office. A struggling team can't afford to lose a hot bat, and Coste has been on fire lately. He'll probably finish the year with this club.
Fasano won't accept a minor-league assignment because he won't play ahead of Carlos Ruiz at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If the Phillies can't get anyone for the catcher, he'll be released and most likely hook up with another organization. I don't know what will happen to Sal's Pals.
Neither Sal's Pals nor the Wolf Pack are new ideas, by the way. The Phillies' backup catcher in 1979 was Dave Rader, who had a fan club in Philadelphia. I remember playing softball in 1981 with a fellow named Joe O'Loughlin, who was a charter member.
According to O'Loughlin, Rader's fan club was so rabid that some members continued to make pilgrimages to American League parks to see Rader when he was with the Boston Red Sox in 1980. Maybe Sal's Pals will follow Fasano.
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