Fish Frying

The Flying Fish have got off to a bad start yet again. We are 27 games in and at the bottom of the division with a 10-17 record. Its frustrating here in Philly but what can we do other than refuse to pay to watch our boys lose (3-9 home record) night in and night out, season after season. Its been 3 years since we made the playoffs and 9 years since we did anything while there. Two playoff appearances in nearly a decade? I guess it could be worse but come on, this is not what we expect or are willing to accept from this organization. What does the GM have to say? Well after making very few moves and trading away one of our better pitchers for a guy that so far this season has 15 at bats, no hits and a walk, our GM says that he was "hoping for a better start after a strong finish last season." Doesn't look like thats happening does it matthewm3? If things don't turn around this team could be looking at one of its worst under matthewm3 and that is never good for a guy trying to stay in this city. "I love this city and I promise you I am doing everything I can to give this team the best opportunity to succeed", matthewm3 continued, "I know it may not be what you want to hear after a rough start but my goal this season has been to really try to strengthen the minors, building this team to be strong in the near and distant future." I'm not sure what 'near future' means to him but he might want to hope that this 'future' he speaks of is closer to the here and now than several seasons away. He may get himself run out of town if it takes more than a season or two. Has he been to a game lately or does he refrain from watching the pitiful play and loud boo's? Its not that the fans hate the team, they actually love the Fish and support them tremendously, it just sucks when you can't even take your family out to a ball game and have even a glimmer of hope that the home team might win. Last time I took my kid (4 years old) he came home with my bad habits and worse ones from fans near us. How do you teach a kid not to do something he see's his pops do? It is pretty humorous though when a commercial for the Fish comes on and I hear my kid start booing and yelling things that can't be repeated in this article. (haha) My wife finds it not so amusing, but its like they say, like father, like son. Maybe thats the Fish's problem. Like GM, like team.
-Kelly Denner

Interesting Start

We are four games into a brand new season and it has already brought despair, anger, joy, happiness and the slightest bit of promise. I wouldn't go to far though, it was only the first four games and we do have Syracuse coming to town next. If we can put up a strong showing against the Saltine Warriors, and get a win or two, my views may really start to change, but until then, do not get excessively overjoyed about this team. Yes, we did win two straight and split the series against the 42's, who have eclipsed the 100 game mark the past couple seasons, but don't forget what happened in the first two games. We blew an opportunity to spoil their opening day with a disgusting 9th inning flop by Matty Castillo, that made me wish I could drink on the job. He did, however, come back two nights later and redeem himself with a 2 strikeout 9th inning to drop his ERA and get that first save. I'm not saying that makes up for the first game of the season but he's ok in my book for now even if he likes to play with fire and make me not want to watch the end of the games he enters. The second game was good all-around just happened to end the wrong way for us on a great play by SS Wilfredo Mesa. Not much you can do when a guy whips the ball perfectly to the catcher in time for him to make the tag and the baserunner is able to slip it and score in the bottom of the 10th. It happens at times just wish it wouldn't be against us. I am pretty impressed with our starting pitchers and even the bullpen aside from that first game. If they keep this up we might actually have a decent season. Our lineup is proving to be pretty tough also, as I thought it would be. The 42's struggled in each and every game with this lineup and I think they are for real. Jake Roberts made a quick name for himself here in Philly by going 2 for 4 with a double, a HR, 3 RBI's and 2 runs in his first appearance as a Fish. Keep it up Jake and you won't be buying dinner for along time in this city. It was a fun opening series, even with the first game frustration, I just hope they all continue to be as good.
-Kelly Denner