The Phillies Fan Union Newsletter The February 19th, 2007 Edition Membership as of February 18th, 2007: 111,889

___ FEATURE STORY Baseball's back. Clearwater's open. As is the case every spring, there are questions that need to be answered and the major questions in this year's camp include what to do with Jon Lieber, what Pat Burrell will do, what will happen in the bull pen, and what will happen with Chris Coste. The player garnering the most attention in camp is Pat Burrell. Can he do enough to make Dallas and Mike happy? GET THE FULL STORY

 THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION Supporting the Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association ***Do whatever you can***This Week's Question: I was born on February 9, 1961 in Charleston, West Virginia. I was dealt to the Phillies during the 1989 season, and was an All-Star in 1991, 1992, and 1993. On July 30, 1995, I singled and took myself out of the game while playing for the White Sox. I left the ballpark,
never to play again. I finished my 10-year ML career with exactly a .300 batting average and exactly 100 home runs. Who am I? 

UNION NEWS:  NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNION YET? Join Us And spread the word! GOING TO SPRING TRAINING? DON'T FORGET DAVID KAHN'S ANNUAL SPRING TRAINING GUIDE Harry Time 2007 is here everyone. As we all wait, let's not forget David Kahn's Annual Spring Training Guide. Going to Spring Training? Know someone
who is? The Spring Training Guide is essential for the spring training traveler. You can find it Right Here. PFU HALL OF FAME VOTING - Have a favorite Phillie? Nominate him for the PFU Hall of Fame. The top two make it in. Feel free to use the Phillies All-Time Roster - Courtesy The Sports Cube THE TOP 2007 NOMINEES SO FAR ARE: Dave Cash 1361 Votes Jim Fregosi 1196 Votes Tony Gonzalez 1072 Votes Curt Simmons 712 Votes VOTE HERE. View the PFU Hall of Fame HERE.  RESULTS OF THE WEEKLY SURVEY Do you think the Phillies will trade Jon Lieber before the end of spring training? Yes 57% No 17% Not Sure 26%  GET THE BEST IN PHILLIES MERCHANDISE    PHILLIES NEWS: 
PHILLIES SIGN GEARY; AVOID ARBITRATION The Phillies signed RHP Geoff Geary to a one year contract. Geary agreed to a contract worth $837,500. The team's most efficient reliever in last year, who had a
2.96 ERA in 91 1/3 IP, asked for $925,000 and was offered $750,000 in his first year of arbitration. In an inflated off-season market, where pitchers have commanded a great deal more than their worth, Geary's performance would have provided the potential set-up man with considerably more than he received. Look for him to be a key part of the Phillies bullpen again this season.
 
BURRELL SAYS HE'S READY Pat Burrell is one of the Phillies players who has arrived in Clearwater ahead of schedule. Last season, Burrell hit .258 with 29 homers and 95 RBI. He also hit .222 with runners in scoring position, something that his bosses feel has to change for the lineup to reach its potential. This season, the veteran professes to be ready. Burrell has been criticized for his off the field
exploits as one of the reasons for a level of play that management feels needs to improve. If Burrell can cut down on his major league leading called third strikes, we might just see the real Pat Burrell batting fifth for the Phillies.
 
LIEBER GOING DAY TO DAY Phillies RHP Jon Lieber arrived in Clearwater as one of six Phillies starters, and the one most likely to be shipped elsewhere before the April 2nd regular season opener. Lieber has been a very public source of trade talks since the Phillies acquired LHP Freddy Garcia in December. For a man who likes to keep a low profile, Lieber finds himself in the lime-light. He says he is approaching the season in a day-to-day fashion. Lieber won 17 games in 2005, but he struggled last season, going 9-11 with a 4.93 ERA. The Phillies
do not consider him a viable option for the bullpen, so Lieber may be the odd man out. He is a free-agent at the end of the year. Lieber said that trade talks in July did affect his concentration. He'll make $7.5M this season, the last year of a 3-year contract.
 
PHILLIES TO LOOK AT DOBBS New Phillies INF Greg Dobbs arrived in Clearwater on Thursday. The team is looking for a left-handed hitter, and Phillies G.M. Pat Gillick claimed him off waivers on January 16th. Dobbs is yet another player Gillick has brought in from his stays with other clubs. Dobbs, 28, had a productive year with AAA Tacoma in 2006, hitting .314 in 379 at- bats. He had nine home runs. Dobbs hit .370 in 27 at-bats for Seattle. He has the ability to put the ball in play, but is no upgrade over Chris Coste, who can also catch. Dobbs can also play in the outfield, but the Phillies do not need his services there.
 
COSTE WATCH - Week 1 Phillies INF/C Chris Cost was the Phillies feel good story last season. Called up from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when Mike Lieberthal went down to injuries, Coste probably could have started on a few other major league teams. Coste was back in an uncomfortable but familiar position when the Phillies signed catcher Rod Barajas in the off-season. Though he hit .328 and did performed well behind the plate, Coste is now the team's third catcher, emergency corner man, and pinch-hitter. Though management felt the need to add depth to the position, keeping Coste's bat out of the lineup could cost the team, and what will happen if Chris Coste has a stronger
spring than Barajas? The Watch begins.
WE REMEMBER Less than a year ago, the Union mourned the passing of one of our earliest members when Jeff Lamana, the founder of philaphans.com, lost his battle with cancer. The Union is saddened to report another loss. Dave Snyder was was the founder of philliesphans.com. Dave was killed in a car accident last weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We all do what we do beacuse we love who we are and everything associated with the red pinstripes.. From all us us here at the Union, and from Phillies fans everywhere, thank you David. Our prayers go out to Dave's wife and his four children. PHILLIES 2007 INDIVIDUAL TICKETS - From The Phillies Tickets to all 81 home games for the Phillies including Modell's Sporting Goods Opening
Day, two Independence Blue Cross fireworks shows, seven College Nights, seven Hatfield Phillies Franks Dollar Dog Dates, and interleague games with three American League teams (2006 AL Champion Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox) will go on sale Wednesday, February 21st. Fans may purchase individual game tickets via the following: ** Online at phillies.com, starting as early as 7:30 a.m. The complete 2007 schedule, promotional calendar, player information, daily reports from spring training and merchandise are all available on phillies.com 24 hours a day. ** Phone Center (215-463-1000) from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ** In person at the Citizens Bank Park West Ticket Windows next to the Majestic Clubhouse Store (for February 21 only), from 9:00 .m. to 5:00 p.m. Phillies
Announce College Promotions - From The Phillies Ottawa Lynx Birthday Parties - From The Ottawa Linx Service Electric To Televise 22 Games - From The Reading Phillies Phillies Top Last Year Spring Training Ticket Sales By 7,000 - From the Clearwater Threshers Baseball America Lists Phillies Top 10 Prospects  - From the Williamsport Crosscutters BlueClaws Fundraisers - From the Lakewood BlueClaws  
  
 Setting A Luxurious New Standard For Philadelphia Hotels...
 
 PHIL-INS
Charlie Manuel said he doesn't plan to use closer Tom Gordon for more than an inning at a time, and will try not to pitch him more than three straight days. He also will try and limit the amount of times Gordon pitches in non-save situations. 
Pat Burrell may do less running in spring training, in an effort to help his troublesome right foot. 
Once again, the Phillies avoided arbitration hearings. Geoff Geary was the Phillies final pending arbitration case. 
Charlie Manuel said he told Jon Lieber that he saw him as a starter, meaning that the veteran will likely not see any time in the
bullpen. 
Five pitchers appear to be locks for the bullpen: Tom Gordon, Antonio Alfonseca, Geoff Geary, Ryan Madson, and Matt Smith. 
The Cleveland Indians agreed to terms with former Phillies RHP Cliff Politte on a minor league contract. 
The Texas Rangers agreed to terms with former Phillies INF Desi Relaford on a minor league contract. 
After two weeks of working out, the Phillies will play an exhibition game at Bright House Networks Field on February 28th against Florida State University. They open the home portion of their Grapefruit League schedule on March 2nd against the Indians. 
All but two pitchers and catchers had physicals on time for spring workouts. Righthander Freddy Garcia was one day late, and Rule 5 draftee Alfredo Simon was delayed in the Dominican Republic with passport problems 
The Phillies agreed to terms with LHP Fabio Castro, RHP Clay Condrey, LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Alfredo Simon, INF Greg Dobbs, and OF Chris
Roberson on one-year contracts. 
All pitcher and catchers were in camp on Thursday, although pitcher Alfredo Simon couldn't participate because he hadn't completed his physical. 
Phillies' new bench coach Jimy Williams stressed bunting to the pitchers. The Phillies had the second-lowest total of sacrifice bunts in the National League in 2006, 
In a team meeting, pitching coach Rich Dubee stressed his desire for the catchers to be more assertive in their game-calling. 
Phillies RHP Scott Mathieson played catch from 60 feet in Florida, his furthest distance yet. He threw 60 tosses and maintained that he's feeling great in his rehabilitation from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. 
Ryan Howard posed for a photo shoot Friday afternoon for Philadelphia magazine. 
Antonio Alfonseca, Ryan Madson, and Geoff Geary are all competing to be the team's new set-up man. 
The Phillies don't plan to approach Freddy Garcia about a
contract extension, and Garcia has little intention of asking for one. Garcia is a free agent at season's end. Considering that Garcia did have some shoulder issues last year, the Phillies will certainly want to see how he performs before they consider locking him up to a long term deal. 
The Phillies have built this year's advertising campaign built around the "Goosebumps" theme. 
Phillies LF Pat Burrell ranked eighth in the National League last season with 29 go-ahead RBI. Ryan Howard ranked second with 33. 
Some Phillies front office people see Fabio Castro as a starter, but that would require more seasoning at AAA Ottawa. Charlie Manuel would prefer to see him fill the role of departed Aaron Fultz in the bull pen. 
OF Jayson Werth may see some time during spring training at catcher and first base 
In 2005, Pat Burrell slugged 32 homers, collected 117 RBI, and batted .313 with runners in scoring position, but last season, he
batted just .222 in such situations. 
Jamie Moyer has made 26 or more starts in every season since 1995 and has 216 career victories. Kyle Drabek, the Phillies' No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, is in big-league camp. Drabek negotiated an invititation as part of his signing bonus. 
For the first time since 1972, former Phillies trainer Jeff Cooper won't be in Clearwater. Cooper retired at the end of last season. Steve Sheridan is the new Phillies trainer. 
The Phillies have offered Antonio Alfonseca the big-league minimum of $380,000, which jumps to $700,000 if he makes the 25-man roster 
Phillies pitchers ranked last in the National League in hitting last season with an .092 batting average. 
Former Phillies 1B Jim Thome on Opera....Here. QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It's neat to have money, it's neat to have good looks, and it's neat to have broads all over you, but there comes
a time in every player's life when he needs to get his act together." - Dallas Green on Pat Burrell PHILLIES DID YOU KNOW? They won the NL East and the NL Pennant in 1993. Contrary to popular opinion, the 1993 Phillies were not comprised of cliques. The most notable allegiance was a section of the clubhouse dubbed by reporters as "Macho Row." Players affectionately referred to the congregation of Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra, Pete Incaviglia, John Kruk, Dave Hollins, and Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams as "the Ghetto". They were the leaders appointed by manager Jim Fregosi to keep everyone in line. Everyone got along on and off the field and went out together after the game. The 1993 Phillies played 162 games during the regular season. They won 97 games and lost 65. They beat the Braves in six games to win the NL Pennant and lost to the Blue Jays in
six games in the World Series. Phillies Player Contracts - Courtesy Cot's Baseball Contracts MLB Standings - Courtesy Sports Illustrated Phillies 2007 Schedule - Courtesy MLB and the Phillies Up-To-Date Phillies Transactions - Courtesy Fox Sports Baseball Statistics 101 - Courtesy Baseball Almanac MLB Team Stats - Courtesy USA Today Phillies Farm Report - Courtesy Baseball America 
 
THE PFU FEATURE OF THE WEEK
 PHILLIES PITCHER JAMES HAPP
 GET THE FOTW HERE! ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION: 
 Former Phillies RF/1B John Kruk. 
 
 
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