PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – When the Phillies 2011 season ended with a disappointing Division Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, Ruben Amaro said the offense had to change, and it was up to the current players to change it, instead of the team making roster moves. “We need to make adjustments, work counts better, have better two-strike at bats,” he said. With pitchers and catchers preparing to report to 2012 Spring Training, and their off-season moves essentially finished, Amaro still believes the same thing.

“You accomplish it by guys stepping up and noticing some of their, you know, their faults, and reorganizing the way they think about the offense,” Amaro said on Saturday during an interview with Howard Eskin on 94 WIP. “You have to understand that the long ball’s not going to be as essential a part of our game, and we have to kind of live by that. We have some speed on the club. We have some guys who move runners. If they dedicate themselves to doing that, we’ll have a much better offensive club.”

Listen to Howard Eskin’s interview with Ruben Amaro Jr.:

Getting on base and moving players over is something the Phillies need to do, and haven’t been as successful at in recent years. Though the Phillies have had trouble, Amaro thinks the problem is league-wide. “Teams really have a tough time with situational hitting across the board,” he said. “Unless the players are dedicated to doing it, then it’s not going to happen.”

Pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater, FL for Phillies Spring Training on Saturday.

Philadelphia (CBS) – Need a harbinger of spring on a cold, snowy day? The Phillies supply truck is leaving for Clearwater Sunday.

For many Phillies fans, the first vision of spring is a 53-foot truck leaving Citizens Bank, bound for sunny Clearwater. Phillies Equipment Manager Dan O’Rourke (photo) says the truck is loaded with everything a big-league team needs except for the players.

“Bats and balls, uniforms, hats, gloves, we have shoes, shower shoes, T-shirts, underwear, jocks, golf clubs, bicycles, seeds, and a liquid to get the pine tar out of the uniforms. We basically just pick up everything here from Philadelphia and take it to Clearwater.”

O’Rourke says the truck is expected to be unloaded at Bright House Field Tuesday morning, with equipment sorted and in the locker rooms the next day.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — First, there was the influx of Phillies fans to Nationals Park. Then, there was the Nationals “Take Back The Park” program (read story), which gives Nationals fans who live in the home team’s area, the inside track to buy tickets to a May series facing the Phillies. Then, there was the Phillies fan who found a loophole (read story) that allows Philadelphia residents to buy tickets to the series. Now, Senator Bob Casey is getting involved.

Yes, you read that right.

Casey sent a letter to Nationals owner Theodore Lerner today, the Senator’s office announced via a press release. The letter reads as follows:

February 9, 2012

Theodore N. Lerner
Managing Principal Owner
Washington Nationals
Nationals Park
1500 South Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Dear Mr. Lerner,

I write regarding the recently announced “Take Back the Park” ticket policy at Washington Nationals Park and to respectfully request its elimination.   I am concerned that dedicated Philadelphia Phillies fans will be unfairly denied access to games when their team plays against the Nationals.

It has come to my attention that residents of Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland have been given special priority access to tickets sales on the dates in May when the Nationals and the Phillies compete.  According to the team’s website, only credit card billing addresses from these two states and the District of Columbia will be processed for the presale, effectively blocking thousands of Phillies fans who root for their team by visiting Nationals Park.  I appreciate the desire to enjoy a home field advantage, but this unprecedented policy solely and unfairly targets Phillies fans.

As the Nation’s capital, Washington DC uniquely plays host to visitors from across the country.  In addition to the fans who visit exclusively for Phillies games, tourists from the Commonwealth who hope to include a game on their Washington, DC itinerary could be blocked from attendance.  In the spirit of good sportsmanship and healthy competition, I urge you to reconsider the policy and immediately allow Phillies fans equal access to ticket sales at Nationals Park.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator

cc: Allan H. Selig, Commissioner, Major League Baseball
cc: Andrew Feffer, Chief Operating Officer, Washington Nationals

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Former Phillies reliever and current Phillies radio color man Larry Andersen has a reputation for being hard on umpires. Despite his yearly promise to himself to “stay off” them, it doesn’t appear that’s happening any time soon.

Andersen told 94 WIP’s Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team on Thursday that today’s umpires aren’t as good, or as understanding as they used to be. “There were umpires that you knew if they had a little smaller zone, or a little higher strike zone, or I preferred a lower one. And the consistency of those umpires it was like you knew what you were going to get,” Andersen said about the performance of umpires when he was a pitcher. “The one thing I appreciated was that you could always talk to them. Today, umpires, the arrogance, the fact that there’s no accountability, nothing happens if they’re terrible. I could name a few that still have jobs, and it just baffles me.”

Listen to the entire Larry Andersen interview:

Andersen was asked if he’s ever been told he has to take it easy on the guys who call the balls and strikes. “It has been passed on to me that maybe I could lighten up on the umpires. The last two years I’ve set out absolutely saying I’m going to stay off the umpires,” he said. “But usually but the middle of the first inning, it’s over. I can’t help it. And I know they’re going to make mistakes and I’m fine with that. It’s the arrogance of them after they make mistakes.”

If there’s one thing Andersen would like out of current MLB umpires, Andersen said he’d like them to “be able to have some conversation with a manager or a player if they have a gripe, and let them have their say and be done.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies announced the 2012 nominees for their Wall Of Fame today. The nominees will be voted on until Wednesday, March 14th at 5pm.

The ballot incudes pitchers Larry Christenson, Jim Konstanty, Ron Reed, Curt Schilling, and Rick Wise, catchers Mike Lieberthal, and Jimmy Wilson, infielder Pinky Whitney, outfielders Greg Gross and Von Hayes, coach Mike Ryan, and Jim Fregosi.

Fans can vote at phillies.com for their top three choices, awarding the most points to their top choice. The top five choices are determined by total points, and will serve as the official ballot for the Wall of Fame Selection Committee, which is made up of team executives and media members.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Many of the Phillies core players, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Cliff Lee, and Roy Halladay, are over 30 years-old. This off-season, the team added several players, Jonathan Papelbon, Laynce Nix, Juan Pierre and Ty Wigginton, among others, who are over 30 years-old as well.

Does that mean this could be the last year the Phillies can compete for a World Series title with this group of players? MLB.com Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki and former Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico joined 94 WIP’s Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team on Wednesday to discuss that topic.

“Well I don’t know if this year is it, I think they have a couple more years to go,” Zolecki said. “I mean the Phillies have pretty much acknowledged that they understand the window is closing with this core of talent.”

Listen to the interview with Zolecki and Bottalico:

Zolecki added that when you’re in the Phillies position, getting younger isn’t very easy. “When you’re talking about adding these older guys, an important thing to remember is, when you’re signing free agents, almost all of these guys are over 30. If you have a young, stud player in your system, and he’s 26 years old and you have him under control for three or four more years, you’re not going to trade him to the Phillies most likely,” he said.

The Phillies fell short of the ultimate goal of winning it all last season, but Zolecki doesn’t think that’s necessarily a product of the team not being put together the right way. “The Phillies were the best team last year, and they just ran into the wrong team at the wrong team. And the Phillies were not the best team in 2008, and they won the World Series that year.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Washington Nationals effort to keep Phillies fans from taking over their park during the May series between the two teams has prompted reactions from amusement to outrage.

It has also spurred one Phillies fan to action, and he found a way around the Nats plan.

Tthe Nationals think that by limiting pre-sales for Phillies games to credit hard holders in the D.C. metro area, they can keep the Phillies red army out of their stadium. (See Related Story)

Well, think again …

“Who are they to say we can’t pay for an admission ticket and go to see their games?” Phillies fan Earl Driscoll wondered.

Driscoll, of Roxborough, was not about to take the Nats plan lying down.

“I went to their website and I saw a way in,” Driscoll explained.

It turns out that directly under that “Take Back The Park” link, there’s one for five game flex plans.

Driscoll found one that not only has both the May and October Phillies series in it, it also has five games for the price of four.

But perhaps the richest irony is the plan’s theme.

“Celebrate manager Davy Johnson’s illustrious career with this special package,” Driscoll said.

Driscoll bought tickets with his Philadelphia-based credit card.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Spring training is quickly approaching in Major League Baseball and a couple of high profile names who spent last season in Philadelphia are still looking for work.

(see related story: Phillies Radio Deal)

Free agents Roy Oswalt and Raul Ibanez are two of the most recognizable names that have not found a home for 2012.  Oswalt has been linked to several teams while Ibanez is being mentioned in connection with the New York Yankees.

The 34-year-old Oswalt went 9-10 last season for the Phillies with a 3.69 ERA.  He was bothered for much of the season by a back issue.

The 39-year-old Ibanez hit .245 in 144 games in Philadelphia in 2011, he added 20 home runs and 84 RBI to the cause.

KYW’s Matt Leon talks with Baseball Insider Seth Everett about where the two veterans could land and what they have left in the tank.

Download the podcast.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – CBS Radio and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a multi-year partnership that will allow Phillies games to be broadcast on 1210 WPHT and 94 WIP, it was announced Monday.

Phillies play by play will be heard on WPHT and WIP during the pre-season, regular season and post-season. The agreement begins in February during Spring Training. The first game on 94 WIP will be March 3rd, 2012, the Phillies pre-season opener against the New York Yankees.

David Buck, Phillies Senior Vice President of Marketing/Advertising and Sales said via press release:

“1210 WPHT has a long tradition as the Phillies flagship radio station in Philadelphia.  We’re proud to continue the partnership and look forward to many exciting seasons ahead. We’re also thrilled to have an FM station broadcasting our games with the addition of SportsRadio 94WIP.”

Marc Rayfield, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS RADIO said via the release:

“It’s a very exciting time for WPHT and WIP, and this partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies only adds to the interest audiences have in these two leading radio stations.  We look forward to the future with the most thrilling team in baseball.”

94 WIP will have a studio housed at Citizens Bank Park, Anthony Gargano announced as well. Phillies President and CEO David Montgomery joined Gargano and Glen Macnow on 94 WIP to make the announcement. Montgomery said “the combination is special. We get to continue the relationship we’ve had for years with WPHT and now we add this FM signal as well. We’re very, very excited about it. We still have the reach of that 50,000 watt station, and now we have the beauty of being on FM as well.

Listen to David Montgomery, Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano make the announcement:

Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will continue to call the games for WPHT and WIP. “Can you imagine how excited Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen are going to be, to be heard in FM?” Montgomery asked. Fans listening to the duo call the action from inside Citizens Bank Park will experience the broadcast live on 1210 WPHT as play is happening.

Listen to Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano’s interview with Ruben Amaro Jr.:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Spring training is quickly approaching for the Phillies as they will look to get the bad taste out of their mouths that last October’s first-round playoff exit left.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. kept himself quite busy this offseason, making numerous additions to the roster – the most notable being closer Jonathan Papelbon, infielder Ty Wigginton and first baseman Jim Thome.  Of course, they also made sure shortstop Jimmy Rollins didn’t go anywhere, resigning him to a new multi-year deal.

The Phillies have also added veterans like outfielder Laynce Nix and reliever Chad Qualls while saying goodbye to the likes of Raul Ibanez, Roy Oswalt and Wilson Valdez.

KYW’s Matt Leon talks with baseball insider Seth Everett about all the moves and how the Phils fared overall this offseason.  They also look ahead to what could be in store in 2012.

Listen to KYW Matt Leon’s interview with Seth Everett:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Over the last few years, when the Phillies have traveled to Washington DC to play the Nationals, Phillies fans have traveled along with them. Even though the Nationals have been the home team, the visiting Phillies have had far more fans in the stands of Nationals Park. So much so, that locally, many Phillies fans referred to Nationals Park as “Citizen’s Bank Park South. “

Now that they have a team that management feels can compete, the Nationals have decided to try and take a stand. This morning, the Washington Nationals announced a program called “Take Back The Park,” MLB.COM is reporting. Tickets for their May series against the  Phillies now have a pre-sale opportunity for Nationals fans who live in the home team’s area (and have the credit card statement to prove it). They can buy tickets to the series before anyone else. Nationals fans are asked to register for a pre-sale, and if they are approved, they can buy up to eight tickets per game.

The Nationals are expecting to be much improved, with the return of pitcher Stephen Strasburg, and the addition of pitcher Gio Gonzalez.

If you were a Phillies fan during the Veterans Stadium days, you remember what it was like to have an opposing team’s fans take over the stadium. During some of the more lean years of Phillies baseball, the “Let’s Go Mets” chants could be heard far louder than any cheering for the home team. Time’s have changed, and now it’s the Phillies fans taking over opposing stadiums.

Phillies fans took to Twitter to talk about the Nationals plan, and some of them had a plan of their own.

@irish_idealist: i can’t wait to buy tons of tickets and put them on stub hub for phillies fans only #lolnats #takebackthepark

@halladays: Did the Nationals forget that stubhub exists?

@drewbcohen: Dear #Phillies fans, we should all be expecting our thank you cards from the #Nationals in the mail soon. They appreciate us funding them.

The Phillies vs Nationals rivalry took a big step last off-season when the Nationals signed former Phillies right-fielder Jayson Werth to a seven-year contract.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Ruben Amaro Jr. is keeping busy this offseason.  The Phillies’ general manager today announced that the team has signed veteran righthanded reliever Chad Qualls to a one-year deal worth $1.15 million.

Qualls has been around, breaking into the bigs in 2004.  He has pitched with the Astros, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the San Diego Padres.

Last season was his only one in San Diego, and he pitched in 77 games, going 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA.

Qualls has proven durable in his career.  Since 2005, in fact, no Major League pitcher has thrown in more games (512) than Chad Qualls.

KYW’s Matt Leon talks with baseball insider Seth Everett about the Qualls deal and how it affects the Phillies’ bullpen for the 2012 season…

Download podcast for listening anytime

More CBS Philly Sports News

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – When the name Pat Burrell is spoken, a lot of things come to mind. “Front office,” was never one of them. At least not for me.

Pat Burrell is going to retire, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman confirmed today via Twitter, but it may not be the end of his baseball career. Charlie Manuel told Michael Barkann and Ike Reese on 94 WIP today, “he’s a tremendous person, and I think he belongs in baseball. I heard that he might go to work for them in the front office, for the San Francisco Giants.”

Burrell retires a lifetime .253 hitter, with 292 home runs and 976 RBI’s in 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, nine with the Phillies. The lasting memory for Burrell in Philadelphia will no doubt be leading the World Series parade in 2008, his final season with the team.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Spring training is fast approaching and this season will involve plenty of curiosity about the Phillies, after winning a franchise-record 102 games last season, finishing for the second-straight year with the most victories in Major League Baseball, and grabbing another franchise mark with their fourth-straight National League East division title.

It’s all been under the guidance of Charlie Manuel, who owns the Phillies’ record for most victories under a manager with 646 victories in seven years. Manuel has proven he’s the most successful manager in Phillies’ history.

But this will mark a crossroads season for the Phillies. They’re an aging team that enters 2012 with some looming questions about the lineup, whether its aging stars can play a full season, where new acquisitions Juan Pierre, Laynce Nix, Ty Wigginton and Jim Thome fit and Ryan Howard’s recovery.

Manuel addressed some of those concerns Monday with 94 WIP afternoon hosts Michael Barkann and Ike Reese. Manuel was greeted with a standing ovation for the live broadcast from Ponzio’s Diner.

“I’m ready, I’m absolutely ready to go; I wanted to go a few weeks or two after the season was over,” Manuel told Barkann and Reese. “I’m trying to get to the World Series and win. Nothing’s changed.”

Manuel said he’s been in contact with the injured Howard throughout the off-season and he feels his team is at a magical, prime time, not a team that’s breaking down.

“I don’t think 30 is old, or 32 is old,” Manuel said. “Look it up, the prime years for a player are from 27-to-32, it’s when you’re supposed to play your best baseball and stats kind of tell that. Our guys aren’t old. Jimmy Rollins, since I’ve been here, has been one of the keys to our team. Talking to him, I think Jimmy is ready to play. I think he’s healthy and willing to put worth the effort to make us a championship team.”

Howard’s return is important. But Manuel conceded he doesn’t see the all-star first baseman coming back before Opening Day.

“To me, that’s not concerning, when you look up and see the time Ryan missed last year, and his foot started bothering him late last year,” Manuel said. “If he can get back and play 140, 145 games his production will be up again. I still think he has some great years ahead of him, too. He’s doing real good. He’s looking forward to this season, but being in the starting lineup Opening Day, that’s going to be a reach, but he’ll be back.”

Chase Utley is another star Manuel is hoping to get for 130 to 140 games.

“I was pleased with the way things looked when Chase came back,” Manuel said. “It was hard last year for him to use his back leg, so this winter, our trainer and doctors spoke to him about strengthening his legs and we look forward to him bouncing back. I can see Chase playing 130, 140 games. At that, he’ll get 30 or 40 days off.

Manuel sees the Florida Marlins being a big challenge to unseat the Phillies in the National League East, but he warns not to forget the Atlanta Braves.

“If you look at it on paper, you have to say the Florida Marlins are the biggest threat,” Manuel said. “But I don’t ever underestimate Atlanta. Chipper Jones said after the season that they have to be more consistent offensively, and they have some talent on their team. They have one of the best centerfielders in the National League, talent-wise, and people haven’t seen their young pitching, and they can sneak up and surprise us. Florida is getting a new ballpark and they have [Jose] Reyes. But they still have to play the games, and they still have to play together.”

These next few years will mark an interesting time. For Manuel. For the Phillies. For the window of this nucleus winning another World Series.

“I think the next couple of years we’re going to have to depend on some things and keep everything in order, hope we can get the kind of season our guys can have will be important with that,” Manuel said. “If we can keep the talent coming in, that’s great, but the window for us is the next couple of years.”

LISTEN TO LUNCH WITH CHARLIE:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Brad Lidge was one of the heroes of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series Championship season, but now he’s moved on after signing with the Washington Nationals last week.

The man who threw that final pitch in 2008 is now officially joining another former Phillie, Jayson Werth, in Washington.

Listen to Tim Jimenez’s interview with Brad Lidge in this CBS Philly Sports Podcast:

Lidge says he wanted to return to Philadelphia but the timing was off, “Looked around and there wasn’t a whole lot of opportunities to close. So, I came back to the Phillies and unfortunately when I came back the door was not opened, it was closed. Very surprising and unexpected and I was pretty disappointed.”

He says 2008 will remain the bond connecting him with Phillies fans, “It was really an amazing year and a year that’s one of those we’ll never forget and we’ll all be remembering forever.” That year he went perfect in save opportunities but, because of injuries, couldn’t get back to that high level.

Lidge says his family will stay in the area as he pitches in the nation’s capital.

As for the fans, “They’ve been so amazing for me in my career here. They’ve had my back. I’ve loved them, I mean, it’s been an incredible relationship and it doesn’t happen very often. Of course, there’s not a whole lot of fans like the Phillies fans in all of baseball and all of sports.”

He ends his Phillies career with 100 saves, good for fourth all-time in team history.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — After the Phillies season ended without a World Series championship for the third year in a row, general manager Ruben Amaro said some things about their hitting need to change. ”I think we have to have a different mindset or approach than maybe we had in ’08 or ’09,” Amaro said in a press conference after the Phillies season ended in the division series against the Cardinals. “I think we have to rely on having better at-bats, being better with two strikes, and being better situational hitters. Those are things we’ll have to change if we want to be a championship caliber club and get to the World Series.”

Phillies hitting coach Gregg Gross spoke to 94 WIP’s Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano, and said that actually changing those things isn’t that simple. “It’s a little tough, once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it’s hard to put it back in. The approach, these guys are what they are. These are the kind of hitters we have,” Gross said.

For those who haven’t tried, that toothpaste trick is pretty difficult.

We probably shouldn’t expect a bunch suicide squeezes and a ton of sacrifice bunts, Gross says there are some smaller things the Phillies need to do to be more effective this year. “I think our main goal is getting them to buy into the fact that certain times, most of their at bats are theirs, you know, they’re in a situation where they’re trying to get on, they’re trying to do whatever they do,” Gross said. “And there’s other at-bats that I call team at-bats. Where certain things have to be done, especially against certain pitchers, and certain times of the game. I think it’s about being a little more aware. It’s not that they’re not aware of it, situations are talked about constantly. Every day there’s a different situation that we go over in [batting practice] and things like that. But it boils down to them accepting the idea that there’s some at-bats that they’re team at-bats, and it has to be done in order for us to win games. Now having said that, you still win 100 games, it’s hard to change when they’ve done things one way for a long time. And it’s hard, but it’s something you keep preaching and you keep talking about it day in and day out.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Phillies and Hunter Pence have agreed to a one-year, $10.4 million contract for the 2012 season, avoiding arbitration according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.

The Phillies traded for Pence during the 2011 season, acquiring him from the Houston Astros in exchange for Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Domingo Santana and Josh Zeid.

Pence performed well in his 54 games with the Phillies, hitting .324 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI’s, with an OPS of .954, leading the team in that category. He finished the season hitting .314 with 22 home runs and 97 RBI’s.

The Phillies have avoided arbitration with every player who was eligible this off-season.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies have signed outfielder Juan Pierre to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training according to a press release from the team.

Pierre played most recently with the Chicago White Sox, hitting .279 with 27 stolen bases.

With the starting outfield positions for the Phillies belonging to Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, and Laynce Nix (or John Mayberry Jr.), Pierre would be competing for a spot on the Phillies bench.

Pierre was once a premier outfielder with at least 200 hits in four different seasons, and stole at least 40 bases for ten straight seasons. That streak ended last year.

The release also notes that Pierre was originally selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 13^th round of the June 1998 draft, Pierre has a .296 career batting average with 234 doubles, 86 triples, 16 home runs and 484 RBI in 1,751 games for the Rockies (2000-02), Florida Marlins (2003-05), Chicago Cubs (2006), Los Angeles Dodgers (2007-09) and White Sox (2010-11).  As a pinch-hitter, he has hit .311 (28-90) and in 31 career games at Citizens Bank Park he has a .307 (39-127) batting average.  Pierre was a member of the 2003 World Champion Marlins.

PHILADELPHIA (PA) – 30 years ago, Ryne Sandberg was a young utility infielder trying to make his way through the Phillies organization. With a logjam in the big leagues at those positions, Sandberg was dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Ivan DeJesus. The rest is Phillies and Cubs history. Better for the Cubs than the Phillies.

It’s come full circle for him because today, as manager of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Sandberg’s job is to develop young players in the Phillies organization.

On the 30th anniversary of the “worst trade in Phillies history” as Anthony Gargano called it, Sandberg spoke to Gargano and Glen Macnow on 94 WIP about the trade that changed the course of his life and both organizations, as well as some of the Phillies young prospects.

“I don’t think it really all came about until 1984 and I won the National League MVP and got a silver glove and a bat,” Sandberg joked when talking about a trade that he’s been asked about since the day it happened. “Throughout my career, whether playing the Phillies at home or at the Vet, I often did pregame shows, and that’s all they wanted to talk about. So I’ve been talking about that trade for years,” he said.

During the off-season, Sandberg’s name was the subject of more than a few rumors linked to managerial openings in Major League Baseball, one of which was the Chicago Cubs, where he played his entire major league career. The Cubs decided to go in a different direction, and Sandberg still isn’t sure why. “They didn’t hire me two years in a row. I was out there. For whatever reason, I don’t have the answer.” Sandberg made it clear he’s very happy where he is with the Phillies.

One of the players Sandberg is developing is Freddy Galvis, usually considered the heir apparent to Jimmy Rollins.
“Freddy made a great stride last year. He turned out to be the best regular player we had on the whole field. He’s a very heads up player, he’s right there with the manager, thinking the game of baseball,” Sandberg said. “He does all the little things. That’s drag bunting, checking the defense, taking what the defense gives you, gap to gap hitting. He really stepped in and like I said, was probably our best regular player the last month of the season and into the playoffs. I think he’ll really get a serious look from the major league club.”

While Galvis hasn’t played a major league game yet, outfield prospect Domonic Brown has been up and down a couple of times, with mixed results. Sandberg said a lot of Brown’s trouble was circumstantial, “he was in my opinion, forced into the major leagues because he was the best player available. For a young player to go up to the major leagues and sit for a little bit, and platoon, and spot start, and pinch hit and things like that. He did the best that he could, and he did what the Phillies asked.” Whether it’s in Philadelphia or the minors, Sandbgerg said some consistency would be best for Brown, “I see him needing a good strong amount of at-bats in a row, whether that’s with me at Triple A. He’s going to spring training with a shot once again. He’s another guy who will hopefully be ready in an emergency situation.”

LISTEN TO THE THROWBACK THURSDAY INTERVIEW WITH RYNE SANDBERG:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies 2011 season not only ended with a Division Series loss to the Cardinals, it also ended with a tear of Ryan Howard’s Achilles. As it turns out, that final swing may have kept Ryan Howard in a Phillies uniform.

MLB Insider Seth Everett told 94 WIP radio last night the injury is why he’s still a member of the Phillies. “I still believe that if Ryan Howard doesn’t tear his Achilles on the final play of last season, I do believe there is a very good chance he’d have been traded this winter,” Everett said.

Everett said that the team who would have been most interested, is the team that just lost their All-Star first baseman. “I know the team that would have inquired … The Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee knew they were never touching Prince Fielder. And they had made a substantial investment in Prince Fielder. So they had money to burn.”

After watching the Phillies lose to the Cardinals, Everett thought the Phillies needed a major lineup change to compete in the playoffs. The best way to do that, is to make a trade. “The only one who has any value plays first base. And there’s an organization in Milwaukee who was going to spend money on Prince,” Everett said. “If the Phillies were willing to eat 30% of that contract. I do think he could have been a Brewer.”

Prince Fielder signed a nine-year deal with the Detroit Tigers this week, worth $214 million. Everett said that Detroit wasn’t Fielder’s first choice, because of the strained relationship he has with his father, former Tiger, Cecil Fielder. “I think Scott Boras bullied Prince into doing this (signing with Detroit), because I never really thought Prince would have allowed himself to put on Cecil’s uniform. I can’t believe that.” “They don’t like each other,” Everett said of Prince and Cecil Fielder, “they’re very estranged.”

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH SETH EVERETT:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –Phillies reliever Brad Lidge, is now former Phillies reliever Brad Lidge. According to CBS Sports, Lidge has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Brad Lidge’s best season had a storybook ending in 2008. Lidge’s perfect season, in which he didn’t blow a save as the team’s closer, ended with a Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship, their first since 1980.

Two mediocre, injury seasons followed, and Lidge eventually surrendered his closer’s role to Ryan Madson.

Phillies fans won’t remember those two seasons, however. When they think Brad Lidge, they’ll think of him recording the final out in the 2008 World Series, on his knees in front of the mound, with his arms in the air.

Lidge joins former Phillie Jayson Werth in Washington DC. Werth was also an integral part of the Phillies 2008 World Series team.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The way the playoffs ended for the Phillies last year was disappointing. For Ryan Howard, it was not only disappointing, it was disastrous. Not only did Howard make the final Phillies out for the second year in a row, but he tore his Achilles in the process. There’s good news for him though, as it looks like his health may have taken a turn for the better.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel called in to Anthony Gargano and Rob Ellis yesterday on 94 WIP, and said Howard is ahead of schedule with his injury recovery. “I talked to him yesterday for about 45 minutes. I talked to him about hitting, and I talked to him about his injury of course.” Manuel said. “He’s ahead of where we think he should be. I was talking to Scott Sheridan, our trainer, today. He still thinks that Ryan, the first two weeks of Spring Training, he’ll get a light workout deal to get him where we want him to be. But there’s still that chance he might not start the season.” Original reports from WIP’s Howard Eskin said the injury could keep the first baseman sidelined until May or June.

Manuel also talked about new Phillies relief pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who has been inconsistent in recent years, but is still talented and effective against left handed hitting. “Today, he has good command, he’s got a good slider,” he said. “Dontrelle’s a very positive, upbeat guy man. I’m looking forward to seeing him pitch. I think he’s really ready to fight, and earn a job as our situational left hander.”

94 WIP’s Marc Farzetta contributed to this article.

LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE CHARLIE MANUEL INTERVIEW:

WYNNEWOOD, Pa. (CBS) — Sports fans throughout the Delaware Valley are mourning the loss of longtime Phillies’ announcer Andy Musser, who died Sunday at the age of 74 at his home in Wynnewood.

Musser spent 26 years behind the microphone calling Phillies games  — many of those years with broadcasting legends Harry Kalas and Rich Ashburn.

Musser was a true gentleman with a self-deprecating sense of humor, which was evident last November when Musser was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.   He spoke of growing up listening to By Saam do the Philadelphia Athletics’ games in the early ’50s, and tolerating Claude Haring in the middle innings.

“I really appreciated By (Saam),” Musser recalled, “and I couldn’t wait to get Claude Haring off the air so By could come back and do the last three innings.  And I wanted to grow up and be By Saam.  But a funny thing happened.  I grew up and became Claude Haring!”

The funeral for Andy Musser is scheduled for next Tuesday.

More CBS Philly Sports News

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and 94 WIP midday host Ike Reese says that he hit a home run during a game at Phillies Phantasy Camp.  To be specific, he says he hit an inside the park home run. There were conflicting reports that it was ruled a triple and an error. It looks like it just depends who you ask.

Former Phillies left fielder Greg “The Bull” Luzinski, who was Reese’s manager at Phantasy Camp in Clearwater, called into the Mike And Ike show today on 94W WIP to clarify. “There’s two scorebooks,” Luzinski said, “there’s the one that the score keeper keeps, and there’s the one Ike keeps. He was fumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’ as they say in football terms, but he finally made it home. He hit it hard, if it had a little more height on it, it had a chance of going.”

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW WITH GREG LUZINSKI:

Phantasy Camp takes place every year in Clearwater, Florida, and gives regular people the chance to to play with former big leaguers like Luzkinski, Larry Andersen, John Kruk and Juan Samuel.

Luzkinski said that Reese played a solid first base, but probably found out that baseball is “a little more difficult than it appears to be.”

Reese, who was a special teams Pro Bowler during his time in the NFL, says he loved Phantasy Camp. “It was more than I imagined it would be. I felt like I was in a tryout for the Phillies.” He says he exceeded his own performance expectations, “with the hitting, I knew I would struggle. I just didn’t know how bad I would struggle. It’s one thing to not get a hit, it’s another to strike out 12 times in 12 at-bats.”

The inside the park home run may have only really been a triple, but he did hit one over the fence in batting practice off of former Phillies closer Ricky Bottalico. “That one went over the fence. It cleared it by 30 feet,” Reese said.

LISTEN TO IKE TELL STORIES FROM PHANTASY CAMP:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Cole Hamels signed a one-year, $15 million extension that will keep him in a Phillies uniform for the 2012 season.

This is what people are saying about what the deal means for 2012 and beyond.

Matt Snyder of CBS Sports says that Cole Hamels could be in line for a hundred million dollar deal.

Seth Everett and Matt Leon of KYW News Radio talk about what this means for the future of Hamels with the Phillies.

Pat Gallen of Phillies Nation says that the Hamels situation could get dicey if they don’t sign a long term extension before the season begins.

Michael Baumann of Crashburn Alley writes that getting Hamels at a relative bargain for this season is fool’s gold.

The Good Phight says that the Hamels deal should be perceived as a sign of good faith.

Hamels’ agent, John Boggs, said that Hamels is going to be looking for a huge deal after this year.

Opposing Views suggests that the deal might cost Tim Lincecum a lot of money.