Philly

I think I've finally figured out Philly fans. They want their teams to be good enough to keep them interested, but bad enough so they can complain. It's fitting that "Rocky" was from Philly. He is quintessentially what Philadelphia loves -- someone who tries earnestly and fails.

Poor Charlie Manuel can't get a break. He managed the 7th inning of Sunday's loss to Detroit, from my perspective, perfectly, except his players failed to execute. So Philly fans continue to howl Manuel is a moron. He was ultimately done in by Craig Monroe lining a single off Abraham Nunez's glove after an intentional walk to Placido Polanco. Monroe was in a 2-for-15 slump with 8 strikeouts prior to the single. In fact, Monroe was just 5-for-35 going back to June 6.

To quote from the AP account of Sunday's game:

Then came the sound as familiar in Philly as the vendors shouting "Hot dogs!"

Boooo!

Now, I don't necessarily blame the fans for booing or being upset. But take it out on the players, not Charlie. Ultimately, I think Manuel will go because the organization will need to do something, and firing the manager -- in this case one that has become hated by the fans -- is the only move. But a new manager isn't going to make the bullpen better. Look at Jim Leyland; he doesn't look like the genius he was last year when Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney were lights out in the late innings. Funny how good players, performing well, make you smart.