The temperature was the only difference I noticed

The first game I went to, I got a bad sunburn while watching the Phillies lose in extra innings to the Braves. The second game I went to, I froze my ass off while watching the Phillies lose in extra innings to the Braves. Same shit, different game. There is so much I want to write about. My head is completely full of thoughts, ramblings, complaints and stories I have from yesterdays debacle. I honestly don't know where to begin and since my head is pounding from all the Lion's Head I consumed, I'll try my best with this post.

First thing: College Night + Dollar Dog Night = 45 minute lines for hot dogs. Horrible decision on their part to combine the two. And when you give away free shirts that say "College" on them, expect mayhem at the concession stands.

My Charlie Manuel Rant: Yesterday, I said I feel bad for Manuel since he has very little to work with in his bullpen. He doesn't manage it well and giving him shitty relievers isn't helping the situation. So he brings in Gordon in the ninth, which was an obvious right decision. It isn't his fault Gordon can't hold a two run lead. He brings in Madson in the 10th inning of a tie game (sound familiar). This move was incredibly questionable. Ryan struggled but got through it. This was a breath of fresh air. Okay, so at this point, if you are a manager, you take Madson out and let him sit on that inning. He didn't blow a game, worked a scoreless frame and should have gotten a slight boost of confidence. Madson's day is over, right? Wrong. Not our trustworthy skipper. After nearly losing control of the 10th inning, he sends Madson BACK out in the 11th inning WITH NO ONE WARMING UP IN THE BULLPEN!!!!!! Even if Madson struck out the side in the 10th with 9 pitches, I STILL don't do this. Now Madson has taken the decision on both losses this season and has got to have no self-confidence left on that mound. The fans will now look to him as the reason for both losses as it will take quite some time for people to give him another shot. This was some of the worst managing I have seen in a very long time. I don't blame Manuel for every little thing that goes wrong with the Phillies. He isn't a great manager but I don't hate the guy and won't blame him for every loss. This was his fault, though. I find it hard for anyone in the world to argue with that.

It is only two games into the season and I am already depressed. Walking back to my car after the game, I was silent as I heard E-A-G-L-E-S chants over and over. Drunken college broads were running around the street like freakin' morons as I just sighed. Our bullpen is a serious issue. There won't be a Port-O-Potty joke from me here. This is quite too serious for that. We are in trouble Philadelphia. We were told all offseason that our starters were going to be great and that they would be the strength of our ballclub. How true this was, however, IF YOU CAN'T HOLD A FUCKING LEAD THEN WHAT GOOD IS IT AT ALL!?!!?!!?!!?!!?!!

...I am sorry for cursing and there is so much more I want to say, but I honestly just don't have the energy. I am heading to the game this afternoon for more torture as I get to see Adam Eaton (possibly our biggest free agent signing of the Gillick era) try to not start 2007 exactly like 2006.

Godspeed Phillies Phaithful