Dropped Strike Three: Lunch Time Link Dump

Spotted: Dane Sardinha face down on a Pittsburgh bar. If you haven't been to PNC Park, then you don't realize that there is a plethora of bars within a 2 block radius of the stadium. It's part of the charm, but it may also explain why the Phillies are so terrible there. The Phils are now 13-32 at PNC following yesterday's win. When I was out there last year, following the game (another loss), we spotted Jayson Werth and Ryan Madson getting the VIP treatment to the upstairs lounge at a place called Mullen's accross the street from the Stadium. I made a poor attempt to slip by security and sneak through the kitchen to big dog it with the rest of them, but I wasn't successful. Still, I'd like to see someone compile a Phillies record when playing at stadiums that have nightlife within a 2 block perimeter. My guess is that when the "Philly Live" thing opens up at the site of the old Spectrum, we're looking at a 0-162 season.

The MLB Draft starts tonight. I don't claim to be a scout, but from what I hear, it's an incredibly deep crop of players. Specifically, there are supposed to be a ton of available pitchers. Everything I'm reading this morning seems to indicate that the Pirates have chosen to use their #1 overall pick on UCLA RHP Gerrit Cole. He projects to be on the fast track to the big leagues and could really benefit a developing Pirates team that already features Charlie Morton. The Phillies forfeited their first round pick when acquiring Cliff Lee, but they do have a supplementary pick at #39 overall. They've been good drafters as of late, but I still can't forgive them for choosing Jeff Jackson over Frank Thomas in 1989. Zero games in the majors or a Hall of Fame career. Nice choice! The Phillies will also draft at 66, 90, and 120. Not a ton of early picks, but a good mix to throw in with an already budding farm system. I would expect them to target depth and middle infield and catching over everything else. Of course, the MLB draft is pretty much a crap shoot anyway, but seeing as how I have nothing to do tonight, I'll probably tune in for a while.

This was too good not to share... a local duo has developed a self published comic series called "Dugout Phunnies" featuring tales and adventures of the 2011 Phillies. So far, Charlie Manuel has appeared with a mullet possessed by the devil and the starting five have gone on a camping trip. Definitely worth your $5 immediately! Also check them out on Facebook.

I had a few people ask me this weekend about the Phillies debt situation as the LA Times and ESPN outed 9 MLB teams for violating the MLB Debt Policies. I think David Murphy from the Daily News sums it up perfectly. Comparing the Phillies financial situation to that of the Mets, Dodgers, and Cubs is not accurate. And the debt leverage situation has nothing to do with this year's increase in payroll or the luxury tax or the possibility of trading for another player or two at the deadline. Player salaries do not count against the debt ceiling and unlike other teams, the only debt that the Phillies carry is a result of the operation of the team itself (read: They own the team outright). Long story short, nothing to see here, folks.

Lastly, if you're not using Twitter to get your baseball news by now, you're a fool. Here's a list of people you need to get out and follow ASAP!

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