PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

The latest in Philly sports gossip..

PHILLIES-

GM Matt Klentak spoke before yesterday's game ( another terrible loss to Miami) and came off-again- sounding like a geeky, nerdy know-it-all jerk. He has no clue and doesn't know how to dig out of a bad situation.

Again, despite the Phillies 6-22 record in May- their worst May since 1928- despite the fact that the team is the worst in baseball, 14 games out of first place- Lentak still believes the organization should not take the "quick fix" of promoting prospects from Lehigh Valley. He almost sounds like he wants to tank the entire season ( ala the Sixers) to get the no. 1 pick in the MLB draft next summer.

He talks about "exit velocity"  and "launch angle"and other stupid analytical terms that most Philly fans don't understand or don't care about. He doesn't want the struggling  Franco go to triple A  to hopefully straighten out his swing and his head. He states the organization needs to have confidence in Franco- even though it's clear that Franco no longer has confidence in himself.

And where is Andy MacPhal or John Middleton during this mess? They give the fans no reassurance and no hope by laying low and allowing Klentak to frustrated and anger the fans while making a fool of himself.

Meanwhile Manager Pete Mackanin looks and sounds defeated, hung out to dry with a lifeless squad that has little talent and is underachieving in every aspect of the game. His wish of playing .500 for the season seems like a dream. Currently, this awful Phillies team is on a pace to lose 109 games or more.

We all know of the Phillies' multiple problems. The debate continues about whether to bring up the kids or not. By not promoting the prospects it gives the impression that the organization is scared they will fail ( typical losing mentality) and the sham front office will be revealed as not being able to evaluate talent.

The three most obvious things that need to happen right away are:

1. Andy MacPhal needs to step up and have a news conference. He needs to show the fans he cares. He needs to let it be known this ridiculous losing won't be tolerated and heads will roll if improvement isn't shown soon. He needs to reassure the city. He needs to climb out of his foxhole and over-rule Boy Genius Klentak and make some changes.

We would find out if MacPhal is making these decisions or allowing Klentak to be in charge, while overseeing this disaster? Who can the fans blame? Someone needs to take responsibility and accept the consequences.

2. Fire Bob McClure. The pitching coach needs to go because none of the pitchers are getting any better. The young pitchers looks and sound "clueless and confused".They seem to pitch better in Lehigh Valley, Look at Pavetta, Thompson, Eflin, all of whom pitch well in the minors, but in Philadelphia, under the watchful eye of McClure, proceed to stick.

McClure was average the past few years with the Phillies, and got fired from Boston and Kansas City. Shaking up the staff would send a message and be a welcome,refreshing change for the young players.

3. Start making trades. Before you can bring up the kids you need to open roster spots. So Klentak needs to start releasing players ( Michael Saunders) and making deals ( Hellickson, Rupp, Kendrick, among others). This clears the way for the prospects to get their feet wet this summer in Philly, gives the fans something to watch, and starts to clean up the toxic environment that now suffocates the current Phils.

I'm sure trades will be made in July. Until then, the fans deserve better than to suffer as they are through a potentially historic season of losing.

By the way, Klentak's one lone major trade- sending closer Ken Giles to Houston for Vince Valasquez, among others, now looks like a disaster. Valasquez hurt his elbow and is heading to the disabled list. Giles is pitching great for the Astros, who own the best record in baseball. Gile sis still young. The Phillies bullpen is still average. I wasn't opposed to trading a luxery like a lights-out closer for prospects, but it seems like Klentak didn't get the right prospects.

Ask yourself- Klentak has been on the job for a  1 1/2 years. What has he done to save his job, other than turn a bad team into an even worse team?

EAGLES-

Fletcher Cox finally got his ass into OTAs this week. He had some lame excuse about spending time with his family, even though he had four months to hang out with them.

What was he trying to prove? While he was on vacation with his family, other Eagles were in camp and sweating it out. True, the camp is voluntary but what does it say for Cox as a leader?

He mentioned that last season he made the Pro Bowl, despite having a lackluster season. Going to the Pro Bowl is more of a popularity contest anymore. No matter how Cox tries to spin it he wasn't as effective in last year.

By September no one will care about events in June. But Cox better step it up and have earn his money.