It was about 6 p.m. Saturday when somebody approached me near the media elevator on the concourse at Citizens Bank Park, asking if I knew what the press conference was about. At that moment, Phillies general manager Ed Wade announced the firing of Larry Bowa.
The manager's departure was inevitable, and this event has been dissected ad nauseam by now. As much as I always liked the guy — he was always pleasant and cooperative with me — and as much as I usually agreed with his managerial decisions, I also sided with Wade when he said that a change was necessary for the team to move forward.
Although his fiery intensity eventually did him in, I had encountered this phenomenon when I was covering local sports for a suburban newspaper group. Some hard-line old-timers refuse to change. For some coaches, it was their way or the highway. Others realized that times were different and that it was necessary for coaches to learn how to adjust to new situations.
Bowa was going through this transition. Wade seemed to acknowledge this during Saturday's news conference, but the adjustment just wasn't fast enough to salvage the skipper's status in Philadelphia.
One interesting theme emerged from the final round of interviews before the players scattered for the winter. In previous years, there were always holes to be filled. Two years ago, a power hitter and a front-line starting pitcher seemed like a good idea (Jim Thome, Kevin Millwood). Last year, another starter and a good closer would do the trick (Eric Milton, Billy Wagner).
On Sunday, most players expressed a desire to keep this team together, and the top free agent, Milton, wants to come back. It will be real interesting to see how this winter plays out because Wade stated on Saturday that nobody was "untouchable" this time.
Realistically, re-signing Milton should be a priority. He could lead a rotation that already includes Vicente Padilla, Randy Wolf and Brett Myers. The fifth spot could be filled by Cory Lidle, Ryan Madson, Amaury Telemaco or somebody acquired in a trade or by free-agency. Gavin Floyd needs a little more seasoning.
An upgrade in center field will also be via a trade or a free-agent signing. This is where things could get sticky. Idealistically, Carlos Beltran would be a perfect fit, but Wade probably doesn't have the open wallet that was handed to him during the last two winters.
A more likely scenario is a trade, and you don't get something for nothing in this game. A good outfielder will probably cost a pitcher or one of the starting eight position players, and Wade would then have to fit the remaining pieces of the puzzle together. Despite his "untouchable" statement, I think it's unlikely he'll trade Thome, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, third baseman David Bell or right fielder Bobby Abreu.
In the bullpen, Wagner, Madson and Tim Worrell already are on board for next season. Although he was successful during his minor-league career as a starter, I think Madson's best role with the Phillies in the short term is as a long reliever.
Despite the disappointing second-place finish, some personal accomplishments must be mentioned.
Abreu turned in one of his best seasons ever, but it's his consistency that I admire most. In seven full seasons in Philadelphia, the quiet Venezuelan has hit .305 and has averaged 42 doubles, 24 homers, 96 RBI and 30 stolen bases per year.
Madson deserves consideration for Rookie of the Year honors. With a 9-3 record and a 2.34 earned-run average, he'll get some votes.
And first baseman Ryan Howard shows some promise for the future. After claiming the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the Double A Eastern League, the slugger hit .282 in 19 September games, including five starts. He had 11 hits in 39 at-bats. Five were doubles, and two were home runs. That's a slugging percentage of .564.
Howard has been mentioned as trade bait, but I think it would be a mistake to move him. In a few years, he could be a star, and I would prefer to see him tear up the National League wearing a Phillies uniform.
This column is going on hiatus again, although we'll be back when the Phillies name a new manager or make a major trade. Thanks for the calls, letters and e-mails.
Visit the Phillies Web site.