Monday: Meaningful baseball still 34 long days away

A thick blanket of snow reminds us that it's not even close.

For Pete's sake. We're not even all that close to Clout Day, March 20, when spring performance can be measured with any degree of certainty to draw educated conclusions. Remember that the next time you pick up the paper and fret over tightness in Brad Lidge's forearm. The Phillies' closer has yet to appear in a spring training game after a perfect 48-for-48 in save opportunities ending on the very last pitch of the World Series. Cole Hamels hasn't pitched, either. Why? Because it's March 2 and they need him ready for Nov. 2.

At Port St. Lucie, they're keeping Johan Santana on ice, too, and Mets fans are having a conniption. Santana has said he experiences similar elbow tightness every spring, and that the pain might be compounded by the mechanical effects of off-season knee surgery. According to the New York Daily News, Santana changed his mind about flying back to New York to get it examined and threw a bullpen session yesterday, and it reportedly went smoothly.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the innocuous pleasures of March, a time to keep your worries on ice, alongside the ace pitcher's arm.

Clout Day in Philly: Being that it falls on a Friday, I've been kicking around the idea of scheduling Beerleaguer's first-ever meet and greet at a Philadelphia watering hole TBD to coincide with Clout Day. I can't guarantee that Clout will make an appearance. Although it would debunk conspiracy theorists who believe I'm Clout, it would add to the irony / ensure his own safety if he remains anonymous. In his stead, C.J. Henry will be on hand signing autographs.

Interested Beerleaguers should let me know and I'll schedule a place accordingly.

Comments

[Dave X]

Myself and I'm sure NEPP are down for a meet-and-greet if you all want to come up to the middle of the New England Wilderness.

[Burton]

Hamels and Ruiz made the SI Cover Team.

[phargo]

The WBC can kiss my sweet patoot. It seems likely that this will be my 2nd ST with no J Roll. Sigh.

I wish I could come to The Greater Philadelphia Area for Clout Day. I expect that the man himself will remain in an undisclosed location. If it happens, please take pictures!

[AWH]

Awwww, JW, we know you make enough money from this blog that even if you are clout, you'll just hire someone to pose as him/you.

Until then, I look forward to seeing the ST competitions as they materialize:

3rd - 5th starter: Who will be 3 or 4 between Blanton and Moyer, and who will be the #5 between Park, Happ, and Kendrick? (I don't include Carrasco because I think they really intend to start him at Allentown, but this is baseball, anything can happen).

RH bench bat - Will Mayberry, Jr., under Charlie and Milt's tutelage, continue to rake and put himself in contention to make the big club? Will he thereby force a trade of Matt Stairs, and send Coste or Paulino to AAA until a trade can be worked out?

Will Jason Donald put himself into contention for a role on the big club later this season (IMO he starts at AAA anyway)?

What happens with Giles, Cairo and Ozuna, three experienced players who obviously all came to camp in shape and ready to play?

And bigger picture questions:

Will the weight loss really help Myers and Howard?

Will Geoff Jenkins rebound after an 'off year' or is he really in a terrible phase of decline?

Will Jason Werth be able to duplicate/improve on last season?

Will we see rebounds from Rollins, Utley and Feliz?

Can Vic hit .293 again, or can he improve on that?

And most importantly, who will occupy the bullpen, both until JC Romero returns from his unjustified suspension, and after he returns?

Lastly, and this suggestion is mostly for fun, but, then again, this is baseball and anything can happen:

I suggest Ruben sign a 49 yr old, former pitcher named Dennis Boyd to a minor league deal. He's reportedly throwing over 90 MPH. Pitching depth and health is paramount to being able to repeat, it would give us here something to realy sink out teeth into.

Besides, they took a chance a couple of years ago on a 33 yr. old career minor league catcher and look how that worked out?

What do they have to lose?

Bring on the Oil Can.

[AWH]

Jason, my suggestion for a get together would be either some place in CC Philadelphia, or McFaddens at the Zen.

Also, I would suggest contacting the Phillies and seeing if they're willing to show up with the WFC trophy. It might be nice for all of the serious baseball addicts who post here to get a photo with the trophy.

[thephaithful]

awh: that would guarantee a great turnout, some other events boasting the WFC trophy hsve had lines for miles.

[danger lad]

it's almost as though the presence of the world series bling would distract the rest of us in attendance from trying to figure out which one of us there is "clout."

[Sophist]

So sit back, relax and enjoy the innocuous pleasures of March, a time to keep your worries on ice, alongside the ace pitcher's arm.

Will do.

Trying to see if I would be able to make it for Clout Day. I don't live in the area anymore, but I am flying back sometime around the 17th and driving down to Clearwater shortly thereafter. It just may be as early as the 19th, though. Otherwise, I'm interested (and happy it coincides with my vacation and a planned trip home.)

[Sophist]

How about something all BLers love talking about:

Brett Myers Hopes To Stay With Phillies
By Tim Dierkes [March 2 at 8:15am CST]
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki spoke to Phillies pitcher Brett Myers yesterday. The 28 year-old righty is entering the last year of his contract. After John Lackey, Myers is in the running to be the second-best available free agent starter after the season.

Myers managed to drop 35 pounds in the offseason, and he's also trying to improve his changeup. He has no desire to pitch the ninth inning anymore, and said he "absolutely" wants to stay with the Phillies beyond this year. With a huge season he could have a shot at an A.J. Burnett contract (five years, $82.5MM), but he may wind up in the Oliver Perez range (three years, $36MM).

[CY]

Clout looks like Bill Conlin so he should be easy to spot.

The trophy would be undoable I would imagine.

[thephaithful]

If his 2009 performance translates into Myers going for big time money, then I hope he's getting $100mil contracts.

I would much rather see him have a fabulous 09 and price himself out of Philadelphia, than having an average year and leaving the Phils the chance to maybe keep him around for a bit cheaper over the next few years.

[J. Weitzel]

While his desire to stay is nice, it's too early to talk about 2010 free agency. Who knows how he'll perform this season. Who knows how someone like Carlos Carrasco will pitch also ...

[That Dude]

Don't you mean CJ Henry will be working with the wait staff?

[thephaithful]

If Carrasco isnt able to crack the rotation by the start of 2010, I think that is a major setback to the team's plan.

That would indicate the the Phils had to pay more $$ on a free agent starter, or that Happ and Kendrick were both somehow better options than CC, which should not be the case with his forecasted upside.

[MPN]

Selfishly, I second AWH's motion as either location would be very convenient for me. If the event is out to the north, west, or south, however, would it be possible to hold it in close proximity to a regional rail stop?

[danger lad]

poor CJ Henry...all he's doing is helping Top 5 Memphis win CUSA and be a possible 1 seed come March..

[Tom G]

I'll just be getting back from Clearwater, but that evening would work for me.

[ZT]

Yeah I've had the theory for a long time that clout is either Conlin or Howard Eskin.

[MPN]

clout is in FL until May or so, isn't he? I thought this was the basis of a false courage callout from Eddie Wade a few years back when he counted off the number of games clout had been to during a perennial Phils cold start...

[donc]

I think McFaddens is the obvious choice. But I've never been there when it wasn't absolutely mobbed. Of course I'm usually there on gameday. I'm assuming you would need some place with a little room. Friday might be crowded in there.

[loctastic]

If you are looking to do this in center city, I would recommend looking into McGillin's. If we have enough people, we can rent out the room upstairs for pretty cheap. Comes with wings, pasta, sandwiches, draft beer and well drinks. You can also 'upgrade' each drink for a $1 to get any beer/top shelf drink you want.

I've done this a few times, it's always been great. If you want more details, let me know.

[MPN]

the number of games, of course, was zero because he was still down in FL

[LA Jeff]

Can we get Kenny Powers to make an appearance?

[J. Weitzel]

Danger lad: This is a baseball site, and C.J. Henry will always be a bum, no matter how many NCAA tournaments he makes.

Actually, I had no clue. It's worth an article. Thanks for the heads. Now I have a reason to root for Memphis.

[Lake Fred]

You'll have a bunch of imposter show up sporting "I'm clout" nametag stickers on their shirts. I can't make it. Philly is too far away. Right now, it's too cold for my liking.

[Andy]

If there's a Philly meet and greet, we ought to have a NY area one as well. Not sure what kind of interest there is, though I seem to remember, like Reed and a couple others are NYers.

Or we could all fly out to ND.

AWH - The only kind of Oil Can that Uncle Chollie wants to see the action end of is the kind bloodshripes regularly drains in the Southern Hemisphere.

[Andy]

er...
"bloodstripes"

[AWH]

Lake Fred, email us a full length picture of yourself in Phillies garb.

We'll blow it up to lifesize so we can all stand next to it and get pictures with you in spirit!!!

[EastFallowfield]

I'm a NYer during working hours...

[Zach Morris]

re McGillins:
Hopefully getting an upstairs room with food for cheap won't lull you into the sense that McGillins' food is edible. I got mussels there once and -- I swear -- half of them were nacho-cheese orange. I wish I'd brought a camera because I am not exaggerating. These mussels were a color that is not found naturally on this planet.

[khaiokien]

Have it in Reading, make them all come to us Jason. ha ha =)

[Bedrosian's Beard]

McGillins' wings are very good, from what I remember.

[thephaithful]

I've been to McGillians a few times, mostly just to booze, but I've had their pub style food and never saw a problem.

[danger lad]

no prob J-Dub...I'm almost exclusively hoops and baseball in my sports fandom. Strange occurances sometimes allow them to collide.

[danger lad]

and part of your article on CJ Henry must include two things.

1) Because his original deal from the Yanks out of high school had a provision to pay for his college education at some point, he is a walk-on and does not count towards Memphis' scholarship limit.

2) He is the older brother of unquestionably the best senior in high school in the country, Xavier Henry.

[Andy]

EF - We should work on it. But you have to promise that every fifteen minutes or so you won't say "Yo. New bar."

[baxter]

I'd so drive an hour to discuss the 2011 payroll.

[phargo]

"Or we could all fly out to ND."

Now you're talking!

[kilbillrain]

Who's going to be at ST from the 13th through 17th?

[Keyser Söze]

I'll be there if Clout shows up.

[8thandpine]

i'm a ny beerleaguer as well. We should plan a taxpayer field beerleaguer takeover - get a group of 10-15 of us to take over a section.

any beerleaguers around clearwater for last weekend of spring training (bucs on saturday - red sox on sunday?). i'll be down with a friend.

[Tim]

I have my fantasy baseball draft that night.

And clout will be the guy wearing dark sunglasses and the palest skin of alltime - as he hasn't left his mothers basement since graduating highschool in 1987.

[loctastic]

I've eaten at McGillin's many, many times and not had a problem.. though I did not try the mussels. The wings and burgers are great..

[ali]

what if you normally just lurk? I'd be curious, but my commenting presence is...negligible. However, I could help with the male:female ratio.

and McGillin's does have good wings.

[Slocs]

Last year, I bet Clout that the Phillies would make playoffs as the wild card. He said they would win the division. I lost and had to take Clout to a playoff game. He never responded. Worse. I emailes Jason asking him to contact Clout for me, Jason never responded. Clout is Jason - no doubt about it, in my opinion...