News 6/30

J-Roll returns to lead off: article

Jimmy Rollins is back in the lead off spot tonight.

Charlie Manuel is freakin' stubborn. Your offense has found a spark with the absence of Rollins. Even though Shane Victorino has struggled leading off (.133 AVG; .235 OBP in four games), I would have still kept him there.

"I felt it was very important to let him sit over there and kind of get a clear mind when I put him back there so he's fresh," Manuel said. "He's starting all over."

Utley, Ibanez All Star bound: article

It looks as if the Phillies will have two starters in this year's mid summer classic in St. Louis. Chase Utley is blowing away all second basemen in voting while Raul Ibanez still holds his outfield lead and it is 99.99% unlikely he will fall out of the top three vote getters to earn a starting spot.

Rollins is now in second (thank God), Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz are in fourth in their positions and Victorino is in fifth in outfielders. All four of them likely will not be playing in the All Star game unless Manuel, who is managing along with Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa decide to take on Ruiz as a back up catcher. He is very deserving of an all star bid.

Ibanez probably missing Mets series: article

It is doubtful whether or not Ibanez will be back by Friday's game versus the Mets. He is to be re-evaluated by the Phillies trainers. Ibanez injured his groin 2 weeks ago and even though he's feeling better, the Phillies want to take another look before they start him on his rehab.

Romero could face battery charges: article

If someone gets in your face and accuses you of using steroids, you would shove him out of your face too. The fan was upset JC Romero wouldn't sign anything so he started to curse at Romero and said something along the lines of "how about you go get me some juice," in reference to his 50-game suspension. Romero then hit him with an opened-hand.

"Remember, this is a simple battery," (George) Kajtsa said. "No weapon was used. There were no injuries to the victim whatsoever, except as he says in the report he was embarrassed because it happened in front of other fans and his family.

"This is a very minor incident so the state's attorney will probably concentrate on more serious matters, but it will be up to the state's attorney to make the determination."

What Kajtsa basically means is that the fan is a little bitch and he got what he deserved. Embarrased in front of strangers and family? What was he attemptiong to do by being vulger to another person. Athletes are people too so this nothing more than the fan being an asshole to someone on the street and getting bitch slapped.

Non-Phillies: ESPN Spoofs a Manny Press Conference

This was written by DJ Gallo of "ESPN Magazine." I thought this was absolutley hilarious!

I am Manny, hear me roar!

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has spoken with Manny Ramirez. Now he wants the disgraced slugger to speak to the team.

Turns out it already happened -- and Page 2 was able to receive the exclusive transcript of Ramirez's address.

(Scene: Dodgers clubhouse)

Frank McCourt: "Gentlemen, I know we're all still kind of reeling over the recent news. So I have asked Manny here today to speak to the team. Manny, the floor is yours."

Manny Ramirez: "Thanks, boss. I'm not used to giving speeches. So I looked on the Internet for tips and they said I should start with a joke to loosen up the audience. OK? You ready? What is Manny Ramirez's new nickname?"

Juan Pierre: "Womanny Ramirez."

Andre Ethier: "Ma'am Ram."

Joe Torre: "That's just mammaries being mammaries."

Ramirez: "So you've heard most of them already."

Russell Martin: "We have. We even thought up many of them ourselves."

James Loney: "Some long before this news came out, actually."

Ramirez: "I see. OK, let me try another one. A priest, a rabbi and Manny Ramirez walk into a bar."

Torre: "Just a second, Manny. I don't mean to interrupt. But do you mind if I record all of this?"

Ramirez: "Umm, I guess not. Why?"

Torre: "Oh, you know. In case I would, say ... write a book about my Dodgers years or something. Not that I have any plans to do that, of course, guys. What is said inside the clubhouse stays inside the clubhouse. That's an unwritten rule of baseball, am I right? But when I write the book, I don't want to misquote you."

Ramirez: "Sure. Whatever."

Torre: "Fantastic. OK, let me press 'record' ... and continue. Oh, and feel free to talk #$%^ about A-Rod, if you'd like. Readers eat that stuff up."

Ramirez: "OK, where was I?"

Chad Billingsley: "A priest, a rabbi and Manny Ramirez were walking into a bar..."

READ THE REST HERE...

Manuel Chooses Torre For NL All Star Staff

I saw this on Comcast Sports Net this morning and Todd Zolecki posted it on the Zo Zone:

One of the perks of being the National League Champion is that the manager gets to coach his respective league the following year. Charlie Manuel will do such when the NL plays the AL on July 14 in St. Louis. Joe Maddon of Tampa Bay will coach the AL.

Each manager gets to choose 2 managers from their league to be on their staff. Manuel already made one selection, choosing Joe Torre of the Dodgers to be one of his assistants. A little fun fact: Torre chose Manuel as one of his coaches in the infamous tie in the 2002 game in Milwaukee.