David Bell News

I'm not going to be in Indianapolis-with Kevin, Will, John, and Christina on-site, think of my absence as the Secretary of Agriculture being assigned to skip the State of the Union, to assure continuity of government should disaster strike.

So, some mixed emotions about the Phillies signing Placido Polanco, although most people I have talked to and have heard from are in favor of it.

THEY STOOD together, wearing smiles and spilling platitudes - the player and the general manager, with the bygones nowhere in sight.

Former Major Leaguer David Bell will return to the dugout at Five County Stadium next spring to manage the Cincinnati Reds' double-A Carolina Mudcats.

"Hard to Believe!" is the game-by-game story of the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, from the first pitch on Opening Day to the final pitch of the World Series.

The Phillies are taking a chance. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced Sunday night that the club declined its 2010 option on third baseman Pedro Feliz.

THE PHILLIES laid their wretched 1996 season to rest during a late-September weekend series at Shea Stadium in New York.

Phillies' Jayson Werth, who says he doesn't think about salaries, talks with Robin Roberts, who pitched for the Phillies in 1950, the last time the team met the Yankees in the World Series.

And here we go again. The 2009 Phillies have not only captured their city's heart, but they have the defied the stigma that has been historically attached to every team in this town.

The delirium that engulfed Jimmy Rollins when he smacked the game-winning two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning Monday actually began forming in July 2006.

An angry and offended Melvin Mora lashed out at Baltimore Orioles manager Dave Trembley yesterday after being benched for the third time in four games.

As a Yankees fan at the 2006 trade deadline, I was elated upon hearing the news that my favorite team had acquired proven run producer Bobby Abreu and innings eater Cory Lidle from the Phillies in exchange for a quartet of unproven minor leaguers.

Jimmy Rollins didn't feel like talking yesterday about coming only a home run short of being the first Phillies player to hit for the cycle since David Bell in 2004.

It would've been appropriate if, after Jimmy Rollins broke a career-worst 0-for-28 slump with a third-inning single July 2 in Atlanta, the organist at Turner Field had played his rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.

"We like high-ceiling players, guys where there's some risk and high reward," says Marti Wolever, the Phillies' scouting director, adding that he seeks "kids who are aggressive." 1 of 20 PARTNER OFFER Phillies game tickets Tickets: Check for availability Buy tickets online Advantage, Phillies, in big rivalry Phils look beyond first round Big night ...

So, yeah, technically the Phillies won't have a first-round pick when Baseball's annual amateur draft cranks up.

"We like high-ceiling players, guys where there's some risk and high reward," says Marti Wolever, the Phillies' scouting director, adding that he seeks "kids who are aggressive." Tickets: Posted on Tue, Jun.