The reality of Sandberg's demise was brought on by many things happening to the franchise this year, not just losing ball games. Ryne Sandberg, in my opinion, was not ready to manage major league players, making major league salaries, and having major league attitudes. He seemed to manage the same way he played - very old school, by nature. Don't get me wrong; I KNOW Ryne Sandberg loves the game of the baseball. Maybe he is just too old-school to relate to today's definitions of "team" and "player."
His players also seemed to lose respect for him in the final weeks, during which the Phillies won only 7 games in 22 tries, salvaged by a three-game winning streak at the end. The worst game, a 19-3 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles on June 16th, saw the Phillies insert reserve outfielder Jeff Francoeur as a pitcher - for two innings. Why was he in so long? Reason 1) Sandberg didn't want to use up his bullpen. Reason 2) Pitching coach Bob McClure couldn't get anyone warmed up late in the game because THE BULLPEN PHONE WAS OFF THE HOOK. For the record, you know you've lost your team's respect when even Chase Utley shoots his mouth off at you.
I'm not kidding. The manager didn't want to use pitchers to pitch in the game. How absurd? Well, apparently not as absurd as the phone being off the hook. I just don't get it. Sandberg resigned, yes, but he should have been dismissed - along with his coaching staff - on June 17th. Instead, he was able to gracefully exit 10 days later.
OK... so what's next for the Phils? They are 15 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East as I write this, and 14.5 out of Wild Card playoff contention. I think it's time to sell, once and for all. In baseball, without a salary cap, it is actually possible to cut your entire team. The Phillies could reach ground-breaking status with their needed moves: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Domonic Brown, Carlos Ruiz, Ben Revere, Cliff Lee... in MLB-speak, designate them all for assignment. Let them go out and see if they can find someone else to pay them. (I would have added Philippe Aumont, but they did that for me earlier this week.)
Ruben, your team has one trade-able commodity, 2008 World Series MVP, Cole Hamels. That said, based on your proven inability to judge player talents, you should stop asking for deals from other teams and allow GM's of contenders to offer up some crappy prospects. This will save your fans a lot of future aggravation from not meeting expectations. They expect to be let down, so please, do it as softly as you can.
Third base coach Pete Mackanin has accepted the mission of "interim" manager for the team. I wish him the best of luck trying to look like a pro ball team on the field day after day. He really needs it.
