Is Jamie Moyer The Right Man For The Job?

The reports out of Florida are that Jamie Moyer is a lock as the 5th starter in the Phillies' rotation. Now it may be heretical, sacrilegious, or un-American to even pose the question, but here goes - is Moyer the right man for the job?

In his three years with the locals, the now 47 year-old left-hander has made major contributions. In the world championship 2008 season, Moyer was 16-7 in 200 innings with an ERA of 3.71. On an age-adjusted basis, this approached Cy Young Award quality. For limited periods during his tenure in South Philly, Moyer may have even been the team's most consistent starter.

In addition to his on-the-field work, the Souderton native has been a model citizen, philanthropist, valuable clubhouse presence, and mentor to young pitchers (which can include anyone under 40).

But none of this should assure Moyer a spot in the rotation and management has indicated this to be their position. Last year, when the veteran struggled, he was in fact removed from the starting core, and in one of his rare ungracious moments, he went public with his displeasure.

But Moyer's demotion in 2009 was a no-brainer. He was being hit hard and Charlie Manuel's hand was forced, his pitcher's protestations not withstanding.

This spring, Moyer has been competing with Kyle Kendrick and by all accounts, there is little daylight between them. Both pitchers have been solid. So now the choice is not so clear-cut. If there is no appreciable difference in performance, wouldn't it make sense to go with the 25 year-old, who presumably is the future and would benefit from the added experience? Or do Moyer's elder statesman status and lofty salary (some $7 million more than Kendrick's) tilt the scales in his favor?

It is an interesting dilemma, but one which could be rendered moot. The defending National League champions are hardly overloaded with starting pitchers and it is not hard to envision a scenario where Moyer or Kendrick are needed quickly to plug leaks in the rotation due to injury, sore arms or ineffectiveness.

What Does Tiger Owe Us?

Stephen A. Smith writes that Tiger Woods has been cowardly in his approach to facing the media. According to Smith, Tiger owes us the answer to a number of questions while conceding that Woods' private life is none of our business. Come again? What are these burning questions that inquiring minds want answered that don't concern the golfer's personal life? Where does Tiger stand on steel tariffs, or funding the United Nations? McDonald's or Burger King? Paper or plastic? Smith and his brethren, in playing the public's "right to know" card, are putting the arrogance and self importance of the media front and center.

Tiger Woods parlayed his wealth and fame into a life of personal excess. Maybe there are complicated Freudian explanations for his descent. Maybe the devil made him do it. Who cares? But he was hardly breaking new ground. Many athletes, past and present, have gone down the same path, as have nonathletes, perhaps even some sportswriters. Numerous politicians have made a second career of it.

Woods is one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world so everything he does is, not surprisingly, put under a microscope. But why his transgressions should merit lead story status on the evening news, as opposed to just "Entertainment Tonight", is puzzling. The irony of the mainstream media piggybacking on the reporting of "The National Inquirer" is more newsworthy than the story itself.

We may be disappointed with Tiger's behavior, we may choose to root against him. Those who have elected to make Tiger a hero may feel angry or betrayed. Corporate sponsors who feel Woods' tarnished image redounds to their products or services have every right to pull the plug on promotional contracts. And Tiger's family clearly is due a big fat mea culpa, and a whole lot more. But he certainly doesn't owe the general public an apology, nor do I want one. And, aside from a few comments on his golf game, he doesn't owe the media anything.

Brad Lidge's Popular Mechanics

In his annus mirabilis of 2009, Brad Lidge would usually attribute his struggles on the mound to poor pitching mechanics brought on by his various injuries. This was echoed by pitching coach Rich Dubee. Lidge in no way meant this is an alibi. He is a humble, stand-up, no excuses type of guy. After some of his most horrific outings last season, he faced the music and accepted full responsibility. Because of his admirable character, you can't help rooting for the guy. But there were a number of occasions in '09 when Lidge and Dubee expressed confidence that the mechanical issues had been corrected, whereupon the reliever would go out and blow another save.

Now fast forward to spring training 2010. The right-hander is coming off post-season elbow and knee surgery and once again Lidge and the coaches are convinced that the faulty mechanics are a thing of the past now that the physical issues have been addressed.

Now it entirely reasonable that Brad Lidge's mechanics were indeed disrupted by his physical ailments. But the nagging suspicion here is that a bigger factor in Lidge's ineffectiveness is that batters started laying off his strikeout slider, the one that's way out of the strike zone. How he deals with that is what really may determine whether he can become an elite reliever again.