Television viewers will be left in the dark tomorrow

Tomorrow’s Phillies game will not be televised due to MLB’s contract with FOX, according to today's pregame notes. It is the first Phillies game that will go untelevised since June 10, 2006 in Washington, D.C., which was a result of FOX dropping the broadcast. Fans can still kick it old school by listening to Harry Kalas, Chris Wheeler and Scott Franzke on 830 AM WEEU radio in Reading.

Comments

[bay_area_phan]

I'm happy to say that this fan will actually be at the game.

[Bloodbath McGrath]

I will be at work, so if it had to happen some time the timing couldn't be better.

[Andy]

b-a-p: Shame you'll have to watch Hamels...you won't be able to give any eyewitness assistance to the #3/#5 discussion.

[Bob]

when's the last time that happened?

[Bob]

besides June 10, 2006.. duh

[bay_area_phan]

Andy: I think Hamels is pitching tonight. I'll be at tomorrow's, which will be Moyer v. Lincecum. Hence, I'll not only be able to weigh in on the No. 3 v. No. 5 debate, but also on whether we should swap Howard for Lincecum -- which we all know is a trade that could be made any day now.

[johnnysanz3]

So what's Fox playing instead of Phillies?

[Alex]

This is not to mention the brutal 10:15 start time tonight... Some of us workin' phans can't stay up that late.

[J. Weitzel]

They're showing "Heidi."

[Willard Preacher]

I'd bet the Cubs or Yanks game, depending on which they showed last week. FOX only recognizes 3 or 4 teams, neither of which are from Philly or San Fran.

[Andy]

Growing up we had a basset hound named "Heidi."

[Dave X]

Phillies hit 3 HRs off the Giants starter the last time we played him. Even BL-favorite Pedro Feliz had one. J-Roll also supposedly returns tonight, although I don't know if thats actually going to happen.

On GMS : I'd rather have DePodesta than Cashman.

[Andy]

(I only made the dog statement to see how far afield we could steer the BL thread.)

If we send #6 to the SFG for their best young pitcher, we need to make them pony up a position prospect, too. We all know that Angel Villalona's off limits (despite his slow start in regular A-ball this year) (at age 17; he's like 6'3" 200 lbs); so I think we should ask for their AA 1B Andy D'alessio. I suggest this not because it makes sense, but because I like the kid's first name.

[Charlie Sheen]

I used to have a colleague named "Heidi"

(psst-still do!)

[Cab Calloway]

heidi-heidi-heidi-ho

[AWH the RBP]

I knew a girl in HS named Heidi. She was hot!!!

[CJ]

We should really see if we can use Howard to pry Barry Zito away from the Giants.

[chaz]

Great, the one weekend in months I'll be in the Philadelphia area, and I can't see the damn game.

[Dave X]

Well, if we use the patented "Reversion to Career Norms" hypothesis, we can probably expect Zito to pitch with a sub-3.7 ERA for the rest of the season. For his career he's still at 3.73.

Then again, that theory doesn't really make sense all the time.

[Andy]

AWH - I knew a girl in HS named Heidi, too. She was (read this carefully) "smart."

[bay_area_phan]

CJ: I know that's sarcasm, coming from you. If you want to amuse yourself by watching all us Beerleaguers throw conniption fits, you need to use a fake name next time. Plus, you need to embellish your post with a few plausible, but disingenuous, reasons why a Zito for Howard trade is exactly what the Phillies need.

[Hot Heidi]

b-a-p:
Sarcasm? I don't know what you're talking about. Zito has a lifetime ERA of 3.73, (ERA+ of 118 - and he's only been under 100 1 time). He's averages 215 IP each season and has an absolutely wicked curve. When he's on, LHBs are frozen, absolutely frozen. His lifetime k/bb is about 3/1. Sure he might've had some trouble making the transition to the senior circuit; but anyday now he's gonna be dominant again. We should do it while the iron's hot. Then watch out: Cole Bret and Barry, baby! We'll light it up!!

[Andy]

b-a-p: Like that?

[zp]

i like the way this Hot Heidi thinks.

[BAP pretending to advocate a Howard for Zito trade]

CJ: Let me give an example:

Pitchers have clearly figured out that, so long as you throw Howard breaking stuff and down and away sliders, you can get him out every time (note: this part actually isn't all that disingenuous) Now that they know this, he'll never hit above .200 again (note: this part is).

Zito is off to a horrendous start this year, but he's always been a slow starter. He pitched much better last game and seems to be turning it around. The fact is, other than a couple of down years, he has been a consistently solid pitcher for the last 7 years. At worst he'll be a solid No. 3. And if he can recapture his 2002 form, he and Hamels will give us the league's most dynamic 1-2 punch. The Giants would love nothing more than to dump Zito's gigantic salary, & Howard is exactly the type of left-handed power hitter that they would be looking for, to replace Bonds. The Phillies should leap at this opportunity.

[bay_area_phan]

Ok, Andy stole my thunder.

[AWH the RBP]

Andy, was she blond?

[clout]

Dave X: Actually, the theory makes perfect sense because that is what most players do, most of the time. The key word is "most."

[ajc1]

Heading to both today's game and tomorrow's. BAP - where are your seats?

[AWH the RBP]

If we offered the Giants Howard in exchange for Barry Zito, I'm not sure what the Giants firat reaction would be:

1) Abject laughter because they thought it was a joke?

2)A quick fax to the Phillies and league offices to get the deal done before Ruben Gillbuckle regained his sanity?

3)Dropping to their knees to give thanks?

4)Packing Zito's bags for him while simultaneously ordering a private charter jet for Ryno to get him out of Philly ASAP?

[Andy]

AWH - "Smart" Heidi had frizzy red hair. She was in AP Calculus (as were some Philly fans who shall remain semi-nameless) and always wore sensible shoes.

In re: Zito
There was a great article on him on THT which pretty much suggested that the Giants should figure out how to trade him to a "sucker" or just stick a fork in him. I think the move to the bullpen is Plan B.

[CJ]

I apologize for my lazy attempt at sarcastic humor.

You are all right. I dropped the ball. I was like a Phillies team doctor and did not do my due diligence.

It won't happen again.

[Tony]

Heidi's are usually hot.

[Andy]

AWH
5) Quickly offering Ray Durham for Chase Utley because, well, you never know.

[bay_area_phan]

In Zito's case, I'd be surprised if there's a reversion to career norms. His fastball now tops out in the mid 80s, which doesn't make it much faster than his curve. And his curve doesn't bite like it used to, which also means he has trouble locating it. He won't have a 6.95 ERA for the whole season. But I think his ERA will end up in the high 4s or low 5s. Certainly his days of sub-4 ERAs are over.

[Andy]

Anytime a Phillies hitter drops below .200, he should have to wear a uniform with "Heidi" printed on the back. Since, of course:

Heidi's are usually hot.

[Hot Heidi]

b-a-p:
Barry Zito is a King among men. I'm working on a plan to get his "fastball" up where it's supposed to be. Hitters will be amazed by what they see! (And by what they don't.)

[bay_area_phan]

ajc: Lower Box. Section 123, Row 33, Seats 13 through 16.

Now all of you whom I've managed to piss off over the last couple seasons know exactly where they can find me.

[bay_area_phan]

CJ: That one was much better. I did laugh when I read it.

[ajc1]

BAP - Nice than mine. My company's seats are over at Lower Box 104, row 19, seats 7-10, but I've got a buddy in section 123 and have sat there before. Bringing the wife and kids tonight, and going with a friend tomorrow. My 5-year-old has been excited about it for a month.

[GroundZero]

On Zito, I may be mistaken but I believe his contract contains a full "no trade" clause.

Unless the Giants plan on keeping him in the bullpen for the remainder of his contract, I don't see Zito going anywhere.

[GM-Carson]

The Phils better dominate the Giants this weekend, if not that's just sad. They just got swept by the sad-sack Pirates for crying out loud.

[Andy]

GZero:
Zito would void the clause for any team that would put him in its rotation.

[Chris]

Some of us prefer the radio to television, anyway. Haven't had cable television for 7 years, and except for Law & Order marathons I don't miss it a bit!

[patburrellisgod]

It happened on July 30 2006 in the second game of a home double header against FLA, because ESPN owns the excuslive Sunday night rights.

[penitentiaryofdreams]

FOX sucks - all around - they suck the tiny yankee......bat