All Sport Report

The Philadelphia Phillies have begun the season in a dismal fashion - a 3-9 record with only one win at home. The ace of their pitching staff, Brett Myers, has been shelled in his last two starts; their runners LOB is in double digits nearly every game, they are barely hitting above .200 with runners in scoring position and they have the worst bullpen in baseball.

The only thing the Phillies seem to be fighting for is to keep their head above water, and they are losing that battle.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel has been criticized in the media for not cutting loose on his players when they don’t perform up to expectations and for the fact that he’s too nice, too laid back. Well all that came to a head in a press conference after a 8-1 loss to the division rival Mets Tuesday night.

The verbal altercation began during the press conference when Eskin suggested Manuel rip into the players in the clubhouse to shake things up. Charlie responded first by saying that he did throw the occasional clubhouse fit, then by challenging his long time critic to a fit. Fightin’ Charlie asked Eskin to stop by his office, said that he would be waiting for him.

The two later met up in the Phillies clubhouse, where Manuel actually had to be restrained by two of his coaches.

I, for one, would like to see Charlie Manuel beat up on Howard Eskin. I think that would fire up the team more than yelling at them after a pitiful on field performance. A manager that’s willing to fight for his team is someone who get’s respect. plus there could be an added benefit - if Charlie breaks Eskin’s jaw in the fight, Howard will have no choice but to keep his damn mouth shut!

Phillies, Charlie Manuel, Howard Eskin, Phillies manager fight, Philies fight