On Tuesday I went to the Phillies fantastic minor league park Bright House Field. It's definitely the best stadium for this half of the Grapefruit League.
The temperature was 76º and the skies were overcast all afternoon. Gametime was 1:00. Every game I've attended at Bright House has been sold out, and this St. Patrick's Day crowd didn't disappoint either. My seat was 16 rows back, just to the first base side of home plate.
Apparently the tradition of wearing green at spring training days was started by the Big Red Machine-era 1978 Cincinnati Reds.
The guy sitting next to me annoyingly kept poking my arm and pointing at a guy who he claimed was Pete Rose. It wasn't (and I know Pete). But that didn't dissuade this fellow, who was convinced the Hit King would leave Las Vegas to attend a pre-season game in Florida. I didn't even bother with a picture from Clearwater. This is Peter Edward Rose.
Notes on the Phillies
For those of you concerned about Chase Utley's health, he not only played, but lead off the game for Philadelphia. He dove on his newly repaired hip (ARod were you watching, or too busy admiring yourself in the mirror?) to field a ground ball up the middle - and just missed it. While he looked rusty at the plate - two Ks, two BB - I'm sure it's just a matter of time for him to get back into his (top of the) game shape. This was just his second game back.
Here's some video of Utley striking out.
Today the Phillies pounded Aaron Harang, early and often. They apparently didn't miss Derek Jeter's backup, Jimmy Rollins, or Shane Victorino.
Newcomer Raul Ibanez fit right into to the gap left by Pat Burrell's departure. He scorched a double to left center in his first AB. Ryan Howard also had an early hit right into the teeth of the Reds shift.
The Phillies did all their damage on the scoreboard in the second inning, capped off by a bases-clearing double by Matt Stairs.
The star of the show for the Phils was starting pitcher Brett Myers, who struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings. He gave up four hits in a commanding performance against the Reds, who seemed off-balance the entire day. Myers (here comes the new baseball cliché of the year) pounded the strike zone consistently, and also threw some off-speed breaking balls that apparently baffled the Reds. His start should offer a small bit of comfort to those folks preoccupied by Cole Hamels' elbow.
Notes on the Reds
Speaking of worrying about a pitcher, I think it's time for Reds fans to begin a bit of concern about the noticeably thinner Aaron Harang. He lost 25 pounds (from 280 to 255) over the off-season, and it really shows. He used to come across a large, intimidating presence. By comparison now he just seems thin. I've provided two pictures, the first from this year, the second from last year, to back up my point.
On Tuesday, Harang gave up seven hits, six runs and three walks, striking out only two Phillies. He's had some good starts this spring, if you count pitching well against the Astros. But he's also had other bad ones. It's way too early to panic, I'm just sayin'...
The Reds were no better at the plate. The ghost of Corey Patterson's OBP, Willy Taveras, struck out looking, failed to get a bunt down, later struck out swinging on a pitch way of the zone (no plate discipline), and later committed a running mistake. Keep in mind he made so many errors on the base paths in the WBC that he was first demoted then benched by the temporarily offensively-challenged DR.
Chris Dickerson continued his solid spring with a single up the middle and a SB. Dickerson does have plate discipline issues himself, being very prone to strike out.
Some non-surprises: Jeff Keppinger grounded out (.182/.206/.182 this spring); Mike Lincoln pitched a clean inning; Josh Roenicke, minor league closer, was solid; and, of course the daily E5E5.
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