I Want My WFC

Ah, the transience of the MLB off-season. I, for one, am sitting on the outfield fence this year. It does seem like it was just yesterday that I was on Broad Street, climbing all over every male friend that I have in attempts to gain a bird’s-eye view of what a City of Champions truly looked like. (I mostly just got a face-full of aerial Bud Heavies and some wayward champagne spray, but I figured that came with the territory.)

On the other hand, I don’t know if I’m ready for that mental image to be superseded by ones of the current season. The weeks leading up to April 5th have been relatively calm waters, with the occasional swell caused by uncertainty about Hamels’ elbow, Lidge’s presence (or lack thereof) at training, and, of course, there’s always that pre-season consternation on whether or not Howard’s healthy Grapefruit numbers will turn into a horrific April.

The minor panic attack that was incited regarding the “non-injury” has since subsided. Tthe ace reports no pain whatsoever, except for some minor soreness, and threw a minor league game in Clearwater on Tuesday: 48 pitches, 35 of which were strikes, one hit, 5 Ks, and a walk. A solid outing, but the number of pitches itself is perilously low for a guy who is expected to be ready for the fourth game the season on April 10th. He also pitched today in the minors, allowing 10 hits and 3 runs off of 64 pitches.) Howard's been impressing with where he's hitting the ball—that is, all over, not just landing them on the opposite side of the field. Dare we take it as a good sign?

It would seem that Philadelphia media and fans have settled into the anticipatory, placated coma that usually precedes the direct advent of the season. I love it like I love a good nap before Beer & Wings night at Mill Creek Tavern.

For those wondering, some scattered piecemeal before the home opener against Atlanta on the 5th:

• The probable slate for Opening Night goes to Brett Myers, who was looking near studly up until his game against the Astros on Friday (5 and 1/3 innings, giving up 8 H, 4 R and 1 homer. “It’s good to recognize it early when you’re not going to have powerful, strikeout stuff," Myers said after the opening. So what other stuff do you have? Shrimpy, hittable 'stuff'? Ah, I see, he means that changeup he throws so well...) Up to that point, he was 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA. I'll still be happy to see him on the mound.
• JR just recently got back from his WBC stint with Team USA, which advanced to the semi-final game and eventually lost to ultimate champion Japan. And just to extend the good feelings that come out of outperforming Jeter at short (Jeter was the starting SS during the Classic, but Rollins came through big, hitting .417 with one homer and 4 runs and RBIs) Rollins has been elected to the WBC All-Tournament team as its shortstop. Annnnd his girlfriend, Johari Smith, will be featured in the June issue of Playboy. Cole's bitty already covered that ground, yo.

• The competition for the fifth starter spot is becoming barely a foot race. Kyle Kendrick's been in a downward spiral and continued his poor preseason in the minors Thursday with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, giving up four runs in just the first inning. On the other side, Chan Ho Park, the Phillies' offseason acquisition from the Dodgers, threw a beaut on Tuesday against the Jays. He's now 1-0 with a 2.87 ERA. J.A. Happ isn't looking bad either (1-1 with a 4.54 ). No one expects the Phils to announce the permanent starter until a week into play, anyway, but it'll most likely come to a contest between these two. Todd Zolecki over at MLB Blogs is giving the edge to Happ.

• Carlos Carrasco and John Mayberry, Jr. have been optioned to the minors, and Marcus Giles released. Also, the Phils sent Ronny Paulino to the San Francisco Giants for lefty reliever Jack Taschner, giving us a temporary solution to JC Romero's 50-game suspension for his positive steroid test. This also cements Chris Coste's position as the back-up catcher.

Events
'Tis the season to take half days at work/skip classes/go to the Kidz Zone and buy hot dogs for $2...

Sunday April 5 - Home Opener (Atlanta)
Tuesday April 7 - World Champion Tee giveaway (Atlanta)
Wednesday April 8 - World Series Ring Ceremony, with guest appearance by Pat Burrell (Atlanta)
Monday, April 20 and 27 - DOLLAR DOG NIGHTS (Padres, Nationals)
Tuesday April 28 - Toyota Charlie Manuel Bobblehead Night (Nationals)

And the baller season kickoff party at McFaddens this Thursday...

It's time.

Image credit: Flickr user wallyg