POSTED BY Coley Ward ON 11:20 am, June 8, 2007 - POSTED IN News reel
So it has come to this. The Phillies have become so desperate for bullpen arms that they are considering bringing back Jose Mesa.
I think I speak for Phillies fans everywhere when I say, “Oh good god, no!”
Mesa is the Phillies’ all-time leader in saves, which should tell you something about the franchise’s inability to find a consistent and capable closer these last few decades.
When Mesa last pitched in Philly, fans dubbed him “Blose” (as in, “he blows, eh?”). They weren’t just trying to be cute. Mesa really did crap the bed, especially in his last year in Philly when he went 5-7 with 24 saves and an ERA of 6.52.
While there’s no doubt the Phillies bullpen is in dire straights, bringing back Mesa is not a palatable option. Instead, let me suggest the team hold an open tryout, a la the 1974 Philadelphia Eagles. Somebody in the Phillies front office must have seen Invincible, right? This could work!
Seriously, the thought of both Mesa and Antonio Alfonseca working out of the Philadelphia bullpen is just too much. An open tryout really isn’t that ridiculous. There’s got to be somebody living in the Philadelphia area who can throw the ball better than Mesa. Lets go find him. The next Vince Papale could be out there!
::dusts off the mitt:: Hell, just air an announcement over the PA during the 7th inning. “Anyone who has pitched legion or high school ball please report to the Phillies bullpen. Fast pitch softball experience considered, thank you.”