Two leaders, No Balls
August 19, 2024
After watching four consecutive days of the timid leadership of Phillies manager Rob Thomson and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, I came to a sad but irrefutable conclusion.
Neither of these faint-hearted bosses are a good fit for Philadelphia.
In fact, they are not a fit at all.
I am more convinced than ever that neither team will win a championship with these two pantywaists making the big decisions for our two most important teams.
In case you missed it, Thomson forfeited a chance to sweep the Nationals on Sunday when he refused to use two of his best hitters, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, because he wanted to “keep them off their feet” for two straight days (Monday was a day off.)
Meanwhile, In New England, Nick Sirianni scratched all of his major starters for the second straight preseason game – including Jalen Hurts, who still hasn’t shed the stench of that 32-9 playoff loss to Tampa in January – because the grass was wet in Foxboro, Mass. after a pregame shower.
Huh? Stars are not even being called on to pinch-hit because it would require them to grab a bat and walk to the plate? The best Eagles are being denied a chance to prepare for the regular season because of a little moisture on the field?
Really, none of us should be shocked by these wimpy decisions. Thomson and Sirianni have worked from a foundation of fear for their entire tenures in Philadelphia. Thomson actually pulled his ace, Zach Wheeler, from a playoff game because the pitch count was over 100. Sirianni hasn’t used an important starter in the preseason since his first year here in 2021.
And I have a very good notion as to why they act this way, in a city that has still relishes the macho style of Dallas Green and Buddy Ryan. Because they are just happy to be here. Because they know, deep down, that they don’t have the intestinal fortitude to do their jobs the right way, the Philly way.
Thomson was 58 before anyone thought he was manager material. And even then, he got the job only because he was the highest-ranking member of Joe Girardi’s staff when his analytics-programmed pal wore out his welcome here in 2022.
Listen to Thomson talk after a win or a loss. He looks like he’s auditioning for the part of the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz.
In two-plus seasons as manager, Thomson hit a new low on Sunday when he left Harper and Realmuto on the bench in favor of stiffs Cal Stephenson and Garrett Stubbs late in a winnable game.
When asked why he didn’t use his star-filled bench with the game on the line, Thomson’s exact words were: “What I’m thinking about is that this is going to be a tough stretch (coming up), no doubt, and we’ve got to be able to handle it. We want healthy bodies and rested bodies so we give ourselves every chance to play well.”
By any measure of logic, this is stupid thinking. Harper and/or Realmuto pinch-hitting on Sunday would place put them at greater risk for injury in the following week? Is that what he’s saying? Based on what medical evidence?
The sad truth is, even though Girardi got the boot because of his infatuation with statistics, Thomson has become a clone of his former boss. On Saturday, when Aaron Nola threw his season-high 111th pitch, Thomson’s knees were practically shaking when he marched out to remove his co-ace.
At every news conference now, listen closely to Thomson reveal his infatuation with pitch counts, rehab schedules and the constant fears of overworking his players. He’s old enough to remember the Steve Carltons and Bob Boones, who threw 150 pitches and caught practically every game, respectively, for years. Why is he so worried now about things that were no concern when he started out in baseball?
It may shock Thomson to know that both former Phillies were able to handle the workload for years and years with no discernible physical issues.
It may shock Thomson even more to know that both Carlton and Boone, now 79 and 76, are still very much alive. The heavy workload was not fatal. Imagine that.
Sirianni is even more fidgety than Thomson. His first instinct after a big play is to get the player to the safety of the sideline. The Eagles just invested $38 million on running back Saquon Barkley, who – if he’s lucky – will be on the field for 60 percent of the offensive snaps.
The true measure of Sirianni’s timidity is the current preseason, when he is in clear danger of losing his job after an epic collapse last season. With two new coordinators, a rebuilt offensive line, a new corps of defensive backs and a quarterback who is on public record not trusting his coach, Sirianni should be willing to risk an injury or two in favor of working in actual game conditions before the start of the season.
But no. It rained. The slick turf increased the chances of injury. End of discussion. Hey, at least next year we won’t have to deal with this problem. Sirianni will be gone by then. Bet on it.
Retirement brings a perspective that I did not possess when I had a daily radio show. It also gives me more time to watch games and see things I would have missed if my mind was on planning the next program all the time.
What I see right now is one of the great missed opportunities in Philadelphia sports history. Two championship-worthy rosters filled with talented players, a winning mix of veterans and youngsters. Howie Roseman and Dave Dombrowski have done terrific work developing the rosters of the Eagles and Phillies, respectively.
But both GMs have made one fatal mistake.
The guys they put in charge down on the field have no balls.