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EVENTS AD PARTNERS
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SI at Spring Training: Phillies
Posted: Monday February 28, 2000 05:56 PM In our continuing series of Spring Training updates from SI's baseball writers, CNNSI.com caught up with Ian Thomsen in Clearwater, Fla., where he's covering the Philadelphia Phillies. CNNSI.com: With a few exceptions, Curt Schilling chief among them, the Phillies have a young team. Does that lend itself to a different atmosphere in camp? Ian Thomsen: Yes. And they play for the youngest manager in the majors in Terry Francona, who is 41. He still looks like a player, and he's in better shape than some of his players. He's very positive, and maintained an even keen when the team was down. The attitude here all starts with him.
CNNSI.com: But they don't really think of themselves as kids anymore, do they? Thomsen: As young as they are, they are still professionals. They run everything out, they take the extra base. In spirit they play the way Francona wants them to. They may not always execute, but it's not for lack of trying. But this bunch of young guys have put in their time. Mike Lieberthal was saying that when you're first playing in the league, you just go out to prove to yourself that you can play. It takes everything you have to get there. But once you do, he says, and you've been there a while, you start thinking about your teammates and winning. That's where they are now. Scott Rolen, Bobby Abreu and Lieberthal feel like they're in that position. CNNSI.com: More youth is expected to join the team in Pat Burrell, when he iscalled up. What do his future teammates think of his potential? A lot of people down here think Pat Burrell is the next great slugger in the game. There are great young hitters on this team -- guys who drive in runs and hit for average -- but they don't have a true slugger, a bomber like Jose Canseco. The Phillies are looking forward to Burrell joining the team at some point this year. Lieberthal, who is an exciting young player himself, sees Burrell is a 40- or 50-home run guy. What Schilling is to the rotation, Burrell could be for the lineup. CNNSI.com: Teams use spring training to accomplish several things -- breaking in young players, trying out hopefuls or simply getting players into shape. What are the Phillies most interested in accomplishing during the next few weeks? Thomsen: Well, they need to see their middle infield play a lot better. At second base and shortstop, Marlon Anderson and Desi Relaford must become more solid defensively. The Phillies need to know they can depend on those guys in the ninth inning, and that balls hit to them become sure outs. But the team is so young across the board, you almost expect the Phillies to be weak there. Anderson and Relaford have been taking a lot of ground balls since they've been here. CNNSI.com: Aren't there also some concerns with the pitching staff? Thomsen: Yes, especially with how they get by the first month or two without Schilling. The other questions here are how Jeff Brantley and Wayne Gomes do as setup men, and how Mike Jackson handles the work of closing games. CNNSI.com: The front office brought in a new closer. Doesn't that imply some faith that the team will contend? Thomsen: Francona was saying that, too. By bringing in Jackson and a guy like Andy Ashby, who will be the No. 1 guy until Schilling returns, the front office was saying to the players we believe in you now, take the next step. CNNSI.com: The Phillies are playing in a very competitive division. How much is that a factor in their preparations this spring? Are any changes in store before Opening Day? Thomsen: They are going to start the season with what they have, and they will have no problem generating offense. The Phillies have an excellent hitting lineup. Depth is an issue, but they're in great shape with Lieberthal, and the future addition of Burrell. On the other hand, what if something happens to a guy like Lieberthal? Will the pressure on Burrell be too much? Overall though, they are right where they ought to be after winning 77 games last year. They went 77-85 and they'd like to turn that around to 85-77. Francona admits the Phillies can't reasonably say they're going to overtake the Braves and Mets. But at the same time, those two teams are excellent examples to follow. The Phillies will be trying to catch up to those teams setting the standard [over the last few years]. I think they have a chance to be a really exciting young team. They'll play
hard, they'll play aggressively, they'll score runs -- they may also give up a
few -- but there's reason to be confident. Even if you aren't a Phillies fan and
you just want to see an exciting young team, you probably can't go wrong
watching
them.
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