"But hey, it's only one game."

Phillies Opening Day - March 31, 2008, originally uploaded by jnestore

It wouldn't be the brand of Phillies baseball we've come to love if they actually started off on the right foot. The weather was gloomy but the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the sold out crowd. That task was left up to Tom Gordon.

The Phillies season is now one day old and the grumbling will surely start the second Angelo and company take the airwaves this morning. The only problem is, whatever they're going to complain about regarding Flash is likely justified.

Comments

[Loqiel]

That ninth inning was a goddamn Greek tragedy. And to think I was happy to get home from work in time to see it.

[ill]

nothing is fucked, Dude. Nothing is fucked.

[Philly Sports Talk]

Why do the Phils continually go to Madsen and Gordon when they have proven to be crap? We have to release both of those losers TODAY! There has to be *something* in the minors at least as bad as these guys and probably better.

[Michael C]

yeah, gordon was really crappy down the stretch last year. I think he pitched in what, 14 of the last 20 games and had an ERA under 2. And Madson's ERA 3.05. Get a grip. It was one game.

[ill]

Philly Sports Talk, I really hope you don't represent that board you are pimping, because I doubt you will sell it very well at all.
As Michael said, Gordon pitched well down the stretch and Madson was hurt for most of last season and had the best ERA for any relief pitcher during the spring.

[Gaze]

Manuel consistently brings in his closer in a tied 9th inning at home because there won't be a save opportunity anyway. It often works well for them, but occasionally it blows up. In yesterday's game, Charlie does exactly as predicted. The fact that the best "closer" he could trot out there was Tom Gordon is the fault of the front office and Pat Gillick.

[TJ]

I knew it was going to be a bad day when they had to cancel the parachuters...

[Phils Phan]

161-1!