Read the "cheating" chapter in Bill Belichick public relation playbook
As you may have heard by now, the Philadelphia Phillies have been warned by Major League Baseball about allegations of stealing signs. In a MUST read article for mlb.com, Charlie Manuel responds to some reporters questions. Here are a few interesting excerpts:
When the Mets were brought up as the other team that complained about the Phillies stealing signs in 2007 using a center field camera:
“Somebody ought to check on the Mets if they did [complain], because their … home record is out of this world and they’re losing on the road,” Manuel said. “That’s a good indication sometimes, if you want to know about signs and [stuff]. When I see somebody is 17-2 at home and 4-12 on the road I kind of get concerned about that. That kind of crosses my mind.”
When asked why so many teams accuse the Phillies of cheating, especially Larry Bowa of the Dodgers who accused them of doing it during the 2009 playoffs:
“Because we beat them,” Manuel said. “That’s why. … Keep crying. I’m sure if they can steal signs, they’ll steal them. And believe we will, too, if we can get them. Yeah, we will. Legally. If you’re dumb enough to let us get them, then that’s your fault. That’s been in the game for a long time.”
And my personal favorite. A quote by Shane Victorino:
“Every year we’re accused of cheating somehow,” Victorino said of the accusations. “Your guess is as good as mine.
-Well, if it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck…it just might be a duck. I am not nieve to believe that the Phillies are the only one who cheat in the game. Hell, maybe the Mets do it but apparently whoever we may have that does it isnt very good. The fact of the matter is this, the Phillies came literally out of nowhere to being the “class of the National League”. The accusations apparently stem from 2007 and apparently according to Victorino, its a annual accusation. I dont need to connect the dots for you to figure out which team that frame of time coincides with and that particular teams dominance against the league. All I got to say is that the game does get alot easier when you know whats coming. Oh and what is the Phillies punishment you ask for these cheating accusations, 3 extra home games against the Blue Jays during inter league play. Granted it is for some bogus “security concerns” due to a G20 summit in the Toronto area, it probably is real nice to get caught cheating AND get an extra 3 games at the sandlot Citizens Bank Park. As Metsblog points out, e-mails and comments on WFAN point out that apprently the G20 summit was conducted in Pittsburg last year but the Pirates played their games with no rescheduling.Im sure this is one of those things that nothing can be done about it, however if you wish to voice your concern about this issue to Mr. Selig, you can follow in the steps of Metsblog commentor “d in ben lomond“. Long live Mr. Seligs a**kissing of the Phillies!
9 comments
ceetar
5/12/2010-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
I think the location of the summit in Pittsburgh and Toronto being different plays in, and also it having more impact this year?
Regardless, I’m looking forward to Toronto getting to bat last at CBP.
Whether or not the Phillies have an ‘awesome’ lineup that can come back from deficits, you can’t come back from deficits when the other team scores in the bottom of the inning, in walk off fashion in that bandbox.
metsfan4decades
5/12/2010-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
The Phills are not the ‘class’ of anything….
Caught the segment on this tonight on Loudmouths. For a rare time both Schein and Carlon were in agreement. Charlie had no business opening his mouth. They got caught, plain and simple. Their ‘explanation’ was lame as the tape clearly contradicted the excuse they gave.
Schein went onto to say there should be retaliation from the Mets for Manuel getting caught and trying to accuse the Mets of the same thing. A good place to start is plunking Victorino in his first at bat. I know a good defense is a strong offense but nice try, Charlie.
Since it was a fact that during the last series with them they were changing the signs constantly, doesn’t take a brain surgeon to leap to the conclusion that Barajas was well aware of what the Phills have been doing for years….
whataputz
5/12/2010-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
In regards to the whole cheating thing, I think it’s pointless to even bring it up. Are they cheating? Who knows. Lets face it, nowadays if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. And as far as the Toronto series goes, it was simply poor scheduling by MLB. From what I hear though, it sounds like Jays are more than content with this anyways. Listen, when you’re winning things tend to go your way. Right now the Mets just gotta focus on winning games. No standings, no wild card, just win, baby. And Can we please get Reyes a day off followed by him leading off and Davis hitting clean up.
metsfan4decades
5/12/2010-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
I believe Toronto, who had to O.K. that move, had no problem with it at all b/c they’ll receive a nice chunk of $$ from the revenue at CBP. Probably more revenue than they would have received had the games been played in Toronto b/c they don’t normally draw crowds to the ball park at all.
I was watching a Toronto game being played at home a couple of weeks ago on MLB network. When I turned it on it was in the middle innings and the stadium was so empty I thought it couldn’t possibly be a regularly scheduled game in April. But it was….
I agree with putting Jose back in the lead off position. But Ike as cleanup hitter? The kid has been in the majors now for all of 3 weeks. That’s a little aggressive, don’t you think?
stickguy
5/12/2010-9:57pm at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
oh yeah. toronto isn’t making the playoffs regardless, and this will generate more money for them, so of course they are in for it.
Also, aren’t the Met games in P.R. Met home games? if so, they Phils will play 6 more games at “home” than the Mets will!
trs86
5/12/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
I think those games are Marlins home games.
stickguy
5/12/2010-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
that certainly makes more sense. For some reason, I thought it was met home games.
stickguy
5/12/2010-9:38pm at 9:38 pm (UTC -4)
the phils may have been the NL team in the WS the last 2 years, but they have also been the biggest bunch of whiners and dirty players in the game too.
Hey, it worked, so more power to them.
Oh, and Dirty? I like this line: “I am not nieve” Well, of course you aren’t, otherwise you would pitch every day!
khmustache
5/13/2010-8:56am at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
i LOVE jerry’s response to charlie “tell charlie that our bullpen is a littel farther away than theirs…” great response there. i feel like the next series is going to have some fireworks.