Shame On the Phillies

In October 2008, I enjoyed a celebratory hug with my buddy, Trevor, as the Phillies won the World Series.  Tears ran down Trevor’s cheeks.  The Phillies were his passion.  Baseball was his game, a “thinking man’s game” as he called it.  He had been struggling with back pain, but that didn’t stop him from dealing with packed crowds at the pub.  The pain didn’t stop him from standing outside all day at the corner of Broad and South Streets to enjoy the Phillies Parade.  He proudly chanted “CHARLIE” and “JIMMY” as their respective floats road by.

A few weeks later, Trevor didn’t show up at his familiar haunts. He didn’t respond to texts or calls.  Me and a buddy went to his house and found him dead on the couch.  The pain must’ve been worse than Trevor let on.  He was forty-one.  I’m certain of one thing to this day.  Trevor died a happy and proud man—proud of his World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. I don’t know if he’d be so proud today—not with the way the direction the Phillies organization has turned.

Forget not signing Michael Cuddyer in an effort to save five or seven million dollars.  Those dollars are chump change in the upper echelon of MLB teams.  Forget the ridiculous signing of Papelblown and the lack of talent procured when they traded away Cliff Lee.  Forget all of the inept front-office mishaps and the fact that they’ve underachieved the past two years.  The Phillies have become bitter snitches.

I have no problems with snitching in criminal matters or matters where innocent people have suffered some form of unprovoked harm.  Snitching in those matters is right, justified, healthy for a society and takes a fair amount of courage in times like these.  However, snitching because you’re bitter or didn’t get your way is fucking lame.  That’s exactly what the Phillies did with last summer’s fifth round pick from Oregon State, Ben Wetzler after he refused to sign a deal with them.

Drafted players can go back to college and re-enter the draft if they think they’ll have a better year and be drafted higher so long as they don’t sign a deal with their original drafting team AND they don’t work with an agent.  That doesn’t seems fair.  Kids shouldn’t be expected to negotiate with teams on their own or only with the help of friends and family members.  That would be an unfair trade practice.  So, the rule is stupid.  Fuck you, NCAA, for a ridiculous rule.

According to baseball insiders, it’s common practice for an “advisor” to help the drafted players in their initial negotiations.  THAT seems sensible.  If negotiations break down and the player returns to college, the team and the player go their separate ways.  Unless, that team is the Phillies.

Ben Wetzler talked with the Phillies.  He decided to go back to Oregon State for his senior season.  The Phillies decided to turn him into the NCAA for working with an agent.  In all due honesty, he probably didn’t need an agent if he was negotiating with Ruben.  Ruben has a tendency to overpay EVERYONE.  However, I understand the kids’ decision to work with an “advisor.”  I don’t understand the Phillies snitching on a common practice, which could stall Wetzler’s career entirely.  He’s temporarily suspended indefinitely and could miss the entire season, as a result.

What did the Phillies get out of it? The organization that once seemed like “Baseball Heaven” where free agents would sign for less money, now just looks like a bunch of assholes.  Why would any collegiate player who isn’t a senior want to be drafted by the Phillies or even start to negotiate with them?  They should be ashamed of themselves.  I’m ashamed for them.  This also isn’t the first time the Phillies have done this.  Apparently, they turned in sixth rounder Jason Monda last year. He was just cleared to play by the NCAA.

Where is Dave Montgomery at? He was everywhere when the club was winning.  Since Ruben has taken over as GM, Montgomery’s media appearances have quickly diminished. Is this the reputation he wants for his organization? As a season ticket holder, I know it’s not the reputation I want for the team that I support.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is an urn shaking atop a mantle in Trevor’s parents’ home in Lafayette Hill because Trevor would be downright embarrassed by his Phillies’ actions.  The problem is that Dave Montgomery and the Phillies probably aren’t.