PHILLIES PHODDER

* I was at Photo Night last evening at Citizens Bank Park. Got to meet many of the players. A sulrty, humid night, thunderstorms held off so fans could take the field and take pictures of the 2017 Philadelphia Phillies.

First, let me say that the Phillies staff- ushers, public relations- are all very nice. They are the best of all the sports teams in the city.

Meeting the players was fun. I felt kind of bad for them, looking at all the young, fresh faces. Most of these guys are still only kids. They just aren't good enough, but meeting them helped the feeling sink in that hey, these guys are human.

Some players skirted quickly through the line of fans, especially Cesar Hernandez. Maybe it's the language barrier but it never seems to like Photo Night, at least not as much as some of the other players.

Freddy Galvis is always genuine, a nice man. Hoby Milner spent time with the fans, posed for pictures, signed autographs, and really seemed to enjoy the experience.

The broadcast crew were all there, except, of course, for Mike Schmidt. He wa sin the ballpark. He does the home Saturday games. He chooses not to participate. I've been to three Photo Nights now and Schmidt has yet to mingle with the fans on this special promotion when everyone else is there.

Schmidt had a bad reputation for being a diva way back to his playing days. He claimed to have changed, that he is more accessible and approachable to the everyday Joe.

I could see missing one time for a legitimate excuse, but three years in a row? Let's be honest: Schmidt doesn't want to mingle with the average fan, maybe afraid he will have to give an autograph to a kid for free? Is it beneath him not stroll on the field and shake a few hands for 15 minutes?

His absence, fairly or not, only makes him look like a total jerk.

* After fighting back from a seven-run deficit last night vs. Milwaukee, the Phils blew it in the 9th, Hector (Nervous) Neris giving up the winning run/

Neris' ERA is close to 5.00 in the 8th inning, whereas his ERA in other innings ( primarily the 8th inning) is under 1.00. That tells me he is not a closer. Maybe the pressure is too great for Neris? He is proving to be a better set-up man, but for now he remains the closer, basically because the team has no one else to close.

A mistake was made earlier in the season when Pat Neshek, who made the all-star team and who has been tremendous this summer, wasn't made the closer. He only likes to pitch an inning at a time, so why not the 9th and allow Neris to do what he does bast, which is set-up? Mackanin's fault.

Mackanin also had a questionable move last night in the 8th inning. After the Phillies erased a seven-run deficit and tied the game at 8-8, they still had a runner on first base with no outs and momentum on their side. The manager asked Cesar Hernandez to sacrifice the base runner, Cam Perkins, getting the go-ahead run in scoring position.

 Instead, Hernandez popped up the bunt. Perkins missed a signal, thinking it was a run-and-run, and got doubled off first.

Bad on all counts. Hernandez for not getting the bunt down; Perkins for getting doubled-up; and Mackanin for calling the play.

He killed all momentum and tried to have the club suddenly play small-ball when this team is fundamentally poor. Blame he players and coaches for that, but blame Mackanin for calling the stupid play.

Yes, I suppose that's the book to sacrifice. But Mackanin knows his team sucks at small-ball.

It was yet another one-run loss.their 26th this season, and another game the Phillies should've and could've won.

* Big week for GM Matt Klentak. He needs to step to the plate and trade some veterans on one-year contracts. He may not get much in return, but he will open roster spots for prospects currently in Lehigh Valley to be promoted.

Seattle got a needed relever recently, giving up their top prospect and three other kids. And the reliever even isn't as effective as Neshek.

Meanwhile, the trade market is slowly drying up. Klentek did the same thing last summer before the July 31 deadline. He was asking for too much in return and ended up keeping Hellickson.

Between Hellickson ( who didn't help his trade value last night), Kendricks, released Michael Saunders and Clay Bucholtz ( who gave the Phillies all of one game before he got hurt), that's about $40 million in wasted money. It's not my money, but owner John Middleton can't be happy. Not only didn't the players perform up to expectations, the club may not get be able to deal these vets.

Hence, they are stuck with this deadwood until the end of the season, and the road is blocked from Lehigh Valley to Philly.

I don't know if Klentek is too timid, or in over his head, or too inexperienced to make trades with the best of general managers. Hopefully Middleton is taking note and makes changes in the front office as needed.

What has Klentak done? Poor trades, slow bringing up the kids, bad free agent signings, indecisive player management and really awful player evaluation.

The writers in town need to ge ton his case,e specially if he stands pat this week. Unlike the Stan Hockmans in the past, who would rightfully rip a Klentak, the writers now tend to give Klentak a free pass.

Marcus Hayes called for Eagles' GM Howie Roseman's firing over the off-season- where is he in regards to Klentak?

Klentak has a week to rpove to everyone he knows what the hell he is doing, and that there is a plan.

Don't talk about getting a Giancarlo Stanton- do it!

Give the fans some hope and allow them tot rust you with the rebuild. Right now, there is little reason to have faith in the front office as again they get stymied in July.