Some Winter Tour Media
Here are a couple of stories from the Winter Tour last night in Lakewood.
Mike McGarry of the Press of Atlantic City talked to Mickey Morandini and Jesse Biddle.
Morandini thought of becoming a coach or manager right after his retirement, but he had three young sons.
“When I retired, I told my wife I wanted to manage one day, but I had a 7-year-old, 4-year-old and 1-year-old,” he said. “I didn’t have time to go back on the road.”
Now, his boys are 17, 14 and 11, leaving him time to pursue a second baseball career.
(snip)
Biddle said Morandini is easy to get to know.
“He’s a really, really good baseball guy,” Biddle said. “He played the game the right way, so he can coach the game the right way.”
Biddle might have to sneak a favor from Morandini during the season. Biddle’s father, David, probably wouldn’t mind an autograph from his favorite player.
“I don’t know what the ethics are on that,” Biddle said with a laugh, “but my dad would be thrilled.”
“If I was coming to spring training and I was a candidate for our bullpen,” Manuel said last night at the Phillies Winter Caravan, “I’d be hyped-up about making the team.”
Manuel offered the stories of Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo, key relievers from last season, who “came out of nowhere” and “were like icing on the cake.” He also mentioned how important it is for those two to continue progressing this season to prove that their reliability in 2011 was more than beginner’s luck.
“Right now, we’re focusing on that low-hanging fruit, guys who haven’t signed yet, some guys who have some experience,” Amaro said. “We’re likely, probably not going to do a major-league deal, but it’s possible under the right circumstance. We do have some space on the roster. As far as our payroll’s concerned, we’re up against it, very close to being maxed out right now. We’ll see how it goes when we get closer to spring.”
Here is a Philly.com video talking to Manuel and Amaro. Look for some additional media later on and we’ll link it up here.
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