* The Phillies lost yesterday afternoon, 11-6, to the Tigers. Philly spotted Detroit an 8-0 lead before rallying behind Rhys Hoskins' first homer run of the spring, and a blast from Roman Quinn. Once again the pitching let the team down, and pitching remains the weak link on the club.
Tommy Joseph continues his hot spring training, going 2-2 with a double. If he doesn't stay on the team at least he is increasing his trade value. Joseph has been playing the outfield as well. It's possible he could stick with the Phils, as an extra first baseman/outfield and power off the bench.
It looks like Manager Kapler will use the flexibility in his team and mix and match all season. Kingery has played shortstop; Hernandez can play short; Franco has played first; Santana can play third and catcher; Quinn can be an extra outfield with his speed; even Knapp can play first, along with Alfaro.
A bench that features Joseph, Quinn and either Alterr or Williams, is a strong bench, loaded with speed and power.
* As spring training moves into it's second full week, teams continue to wait our free agents such as Jake Arrieta. Pretty soon Arrieta and his agent, Scoot Boras, have to cave in if Arrieta wants to pitch this season. He will have to take a 3 or 4-year deal somewhere, for more money, which is what the Phillies want. They have the cash to outbid anyone else, but they don't want to give too many years.
* The late Roy Halliday and executive Pat Gillick will be inducted onto the Phillies Wall of Fame in August. Both are well deserving. Doc wasn't with the organization for long, but in the short time with the Phils, he pitched two no-hitters, including a perfect game. Shame the team didn't make the World Series in 2011 when Doc was at the top of his game.
After this year, expect the stars of the 2008 world championship team to start to enter the wall. Rollins, Howard, Ruiz, Utley, Hamels and Lidge are all candidates to receive the honor in years to come.
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* Punter Donnie Jones announced his retirement. Jones, after five years with the Eagles and 14 seasons in the NFL, is going out on top. Jones will be missed, especially his kicks inside the 20-yard-line. Cameron Johnston, an Australian kicker, who challenged Jones last summer in training camp, looks to be the favorite to win the punting job.
* Chris Long posted a picture yesterday on social media after successfully climbing Africa's highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, with a group of NFL players and friends. Long is a great role model, both on and off the field. The Birds should seek to resign him on the defensive line.
* If the Eagles stay at No. 32 in the upcoming draft, middle linebacker, depth on offensive and defensive line, safety and wide receiver should be considered. Wide out is the sexy position of choice, and two speedy receivers, who can also double as kick returners, Christian Kirk from Texas A&M, and James Washington from Oklahoma State, could be available when the Birds pick Both would also be targets for Dallas, which can also use fast receivers ( especially since Dez Bryant seems to be waning).
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The Sixers blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter last night and lost to Miami. That makes two losses in a row. more troubling, players claimed they weren't "into" the game last night. How can you not be motivated, especially with playoff seeding on the line? If that's true, it's not a good reflection on Coach Brett Brown.
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