Jim Thome will not play first-base as he comes off Disabled List - MLB Update
Disillusioned, Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel admits that sending veteran Jim Thome to first-base was not the right decision. Before being put on Disabled List due to lower back strain, Thome went through a fairly forgettable time in the season.
Misreading the ground-outs and defensive fumbles had cost the Phillies.
Other than being poor on first-base, on-plate performance was even worse. In a stark contrast to an incredible career record as a slugger, he had posted a dismal .105 batting average.
Interestingly, the Phillies show little hesitation in getting him back in the season on recovery from the injury. Criticism has emerged from various quarters, calling into question the logic behind retaining him when his decline has reached the lowest ebb.
Despite the fact he boasts 604 career home-runs, expecting that he can bring even a fraction of that type of form now is plain over-ambitiousness.
Manuel however maintains that he can do special job as a pinch hitter. Considering the decaying offence, which is failing in almost every game and destroying the work by the pitchers, he is the right addition in the line-up, he hinted.
Thome is ready to play the role.
“Let’s face it, pinch hitting, you really tip your hat to guys who can pinch hit full-time,” Thome said. “I don’t want to sit here and say yes because, bottom line, pinch hitting is a job you have to put a lot of time in. I think the key is to continue to
work and do everything you can before BP, during the game, to put yourself in a good position during the game.”
Inclusion of Thome has come at an exclusion of Pete Orr, who now has been sent to Triple A Lehigh Valley. This very decision can bring more criticism. Given the fact Orr maintains a .286 batting average in the season, preference of Thome over him undermines
the logic and that will inspire anger from the fans.
Phillies have gone by the conservative approach. Instead of keep giving chances to Orr, they are hoping that the old-hand turns things around for them. Even they have overlooked the fact that Orr promises a great future and more experience at this level
will have nurtured his talent further.
Thome can supply home-runs late in the innings. It is something the Phillies need desperately at the moment. Therefore, one can imagine what may have motivated the management for the decision.
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