The DUBEE -ious QUESTION (JULY 2)

     Yeah Rich you have some questions to answer!

Hey if you have been keeping up with my posts than you know I am not enamoured with Coach Dubee. Nothing personal, he clearly understands pitching and is an upstanding man. But that in itself does not make a good teacher and counselor.

Now while many disagree with me, I find him somewhat responsible for the pitching woes that have been a thorn in the Phillies side for years. I didn’t find Vern Rhule and Joe Kerrigan very helpful or productive either. The Philly media has credited Dubee for having a calming effect and that may be true. But I have yet to see a pitcher come along and show a significant improvement and consistency under his watch. Cole Hamels has regressed in fact.

Add the fact that many young pitchers credit Jamie Moyer has having more of an influence. It also should be noted that some say Coaching is overrated and has little to no effect. Then why pay the guy? And explain why some teams keep bringing pitchers in and they get better. Boston, Atlanta and LA Dodgers for example.

Then consider it is not just money. I mean NY Yankees can buy anything and yet their pitching has been medicore to stinky for 5  - 8 years. Other than Rivera of course. Some of that was aging players declining and bringing in old farts to fill their spot.

So if it is not coaching what is it? Spotting talent? That is probably part of it. But no one can be right that much. Boston can’t be just finding naturally gifted players at that high of a percentage. I mean they trade players away and are still loaded.

Add the fact the Philadelphia has had some guys come up with a degree of talent. Take Kyle Kendrick. Now I am not suggesting he was Cy Young, but he came up with a plan and did well for the end of 2007 and the first few months of 2008. As he was losing it what did Dubee have to offer him to improve and get back to at lease where he was? What adjustments does Dubee help his pitchers establish?

Or take the likes of  the new arms like Bastardo. He came up with some spunk and talent. But clearly he needs a couple more solid pitches to add to his quality fastball. Everyone knows you need at least 3 go to pitches to be an MLB starter that is going to last. And yet Bastardo was quickly being exposed. Now in Dubee’s defense Bastardo needs more time. But what has he given him to help? And what of the other young arms coming up are they going to be left on their own to learn?

How about J A Happ? He has done well so far, but is he another Kendrick in the making or is Dubee going to work him to the next level? And like I asked before, why did the Myers situation get to where it got last year? Where was Dubee? Why did the minor league have to help Myers recover?

Hey Rich, I have no doubt that you are a good guy and that you come with credentials. I just think you are not a good teacher. And if it is a matter of guys not listening, than that falls on you also.

Honestly, I’d like to see Mitch Williams get a shot at that job. He has succeeded and failed and has a way of telling it like it is and I believe he would get more of a response. OR find someone who can whip a staff into a finely tuned crew.

And if it is a matter of bad scouting, then by all means the Phillies need to address that, like yesterday!