RKMeibalane
08-15-2004, 10:25 PM
For those of you who may be following this story, the Philadelphia Phillies were swept this weekend by the San Francisco Giants, pushing them farther behind in the race for the National League Wild Card. A three-way tie now exists between the Giants, Cubs, and Padres for the WC lead. The Phillies are still within striking distance (4.5 games), but their roster has been depleted by injuries (Burrell, Wagner, Millwood, Thome), so it is unlikely that they will be able to make a run over these last six or seven weeks.
Therefore, it stands to reason that Larry Bowa's days as Philles manager are numbered, and a strong possibility exists that the number is much smaller than we think. Many baseball analysts have asserted that Bowa would have been fired during the team's West Coast trip, but his termination was staved off by the Phillies improved play in Los Angeles and San Diego.
However, being swept at home by the Giants may have been the last straw for a man who is almost universally disliked, at least as far his players and the Philadelphia media are concerned. Virtually all Phillies fans want either Bowa or Phillies GM Ed Wade to be fired once the season ends. It some ways, this situation almost reminds me of what the Sox went through in 2002, when many of us were calling for both Manuel and Williams to be fired. The current Phillies team has had the past few seasons to put things together, and they haven't been abel to do it.
Since taking over as manager in 2001, Bowa has managed to 1.) chase Scott Rolen out of town, 2.) alienate Pat Burrell, and 3.) make an enemy of the media and fans. The tension between Bowa and Burrell came to head last season, when Burrell was mired in the worst slump of his career. After Bowa singled out Burrell during a post-game tirade, several Phillies players privately suggested to the outfielder that he should not shake Bowa's hand the next time he hit a home run. Sure enough, Burrell homered the next night, and turned his back on his manager upon returning to the dugout.
Therefore, it stands to reason that Larry Bowa's days as Philles manager are numbered, and a strong possibility exists that the number is much smaller than we think. Many baseball analysts have asserted that Bowa would have been fired during the team's West Coast trip, but his termination was staved off by the Phillies improved play in Los Angeles and San Diego.
However, being swept at home by the Giants may have been the last straw for a man who is almost universally disliked, at least as far his players and the Philadelphia media are concerned. Virtually all Phillies fans want either Bowa or Phillies GM Ed Wade to be fired once the season ends. It some ways, this situation almost reminds me of what the Sox went through in 2002, when many of us were calling for both Manuel and Williams to be fired. The current Phillies team has had the past few seasons to put things together, and they haven't been abel to do it.
Since taking over as manager in 2001, Bowa has managed to 1.) chase Scott Rolen out of town, 2.) alienate Pat Burrell, and 3.) make an enemy of the media and fans. The tension between Bowa and Burrell came to head last season, when Burrell was mired in the worst slump of his career. After Bowa singled out Burrell during a post-game tirade, several Phillies players privately suggested to the outfielder that he should not shake Bowa's hand the next time he hit a home run. Sure enough, Burrell homered the next night, and turned his back on his manager upon returning to the dugout.