Here is a little secret that my editors probably aren’t going to like: sometimes I use the fact that I have a public forum to try and even up personal disputes. Like Joe Buck before me I’ve snuck words and phrases into print at the request of friends or enemies, and I have to admit I’ve taken stances maybe a half step further than I otherwise would in the hopes of antagonizing a specific audience.

Naturally, this runs both ways, and those representing the opposite side of debates I’ve weighed in occasionally like to remind me when it appears I might have, you know, might have maybe been a little bit, uh, wrong.

I’m bringing this all up because even after I kinda really hated on the Raul Ibanez signing the new left fielder has been proving his worth. Naturally, I’ve been hearing about it.

Here’s Ruben, from last night’s inbox:

so i’m watching the end of the Phils game right now, and the game’s decided, crowd is dead, so of course the announcers naturally turn to talking about how great of a guy and player Ibanez is.  And get this, after the game the other night, Chris Young of the Padres said that on the scouting report he received on the Phils, “the toughest hitter on the team to get out is … …. …. (wait for it) … … Raul Ibanez.”  i was definitely surprised to hear that it didn’t say Utley (since he’d be the correct answer), but still thought that i should add it to the rapidly-mounting evidence in favor of the phils needing to give Ibanez a SheldonBrown-style extension RIGHT now.

needless to say, you should look for me behind the plate at tomorrow’s game.  i’ll be the guy rocking a fresh Ibanez jersey tee.

Okay, a couple points:

First of all, you gotta love how poorly the Friars scout – RI is a nice hitter, but the Phils have two MVPs and a third guy who should win one before everything is said and done. Unless they’re literally judging from batting average this year they’re wrongwrongwrong. Good stuff.

Second, lets remember the Phils are 12 games into the season and obviously no one has really proven anything yet. I’m probably not sticking my head out too far when I suggest that Toronto, Seattle and Florida probably aren’t going to win away with their respective divisions.

But … (and here is the mea culpa) I will admit that Ibanez has been nothing but a pro’s pro. His teammates are coming out with gushing quotes about him, his offensive production is fantastic, and he’s even stolen two bags. Do I still think the contract was crazy? Yes. Ibanez could hit like a roided up Barry Bonds for the rest of the season and I would still think the contract was crazy. Three years is longer than any other corner outfielder (the Cubs have the option to void the third year of Milton Bradley’s deal) and $30+ mil was more than any corner outfielder save Manny. Still, I’m a lot happier with the crazy contract today than I was twelve games ago.

All of this brings me to my point (you didn’t think I’d end with ‘I might have been wrong’ did you?): all year I’ve been referring to contracts that seem absurd at the time of a signing and then are earned after-the-fact as Iguodala Deals. If Raul keeps this up so I have to change that name?

“You’ll see guys on the visiting team, when they come into our ballpark. I’ll be standing by the batting cage, and they’ll come up and want to have a conversation with me. Not because they know me, because they want to stand up there close to the hitter and watch the ball fly out. And, believe me, their eyes light up. So, therefore, when I’m talking to them, you know what I tell them? I tell them how far they can hit it. I tell them, ‘I’ll bet you can hit that clock [in centerfield] or you can hit that scoreboard. The ball really flies here, man.’ ” – Charlie Manuel

Three lines on their world:

Brandon Roy may well be the 7th best player in the NBA

LeBron goes up 2-0

and the Lake Show made it look easy over the Jazz

Three lines on ours:

The Flyers lost and head to the brink of elimination

The Phillies won and try to get some momentum this afternoon

and Sheldon Brown continues to troublemake.

Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump

PHILLIES

READ

Andy Martino talks with Willie Randolph about what it takes to defend a world title.

Paul Hagen on how well Ibanez has been fitting in, and a little bit of Charlie’s managing secrets.

SKIP

Randy Miller talks about Hamels‘ rest with Charlie Manuel.

SIXERS

READ

John Gonzalez actually writes about Eagles fans in the body of his column, so this one is probably mislabled, but his anecdote at the end about the Sixers is priceless, and so it goes here.

SKIP

Kate Fagen explores Andre Iguodala’s up-and-down reputation.

Marcus Hayes guesses at some of the game two strategy.

Bob Ford thinks the Sixers might actually win, John Gonzalez gets distracted by the fact that Bob Ford is talking, and Phil Sheridan sums up John Gonzalez’ job.

Rich Hofmann checks in with Jameer Nelson, who would have made a difference this postseason.

EAGLES

READ

Bob Brookover talks with Sheldon Brown, who says the Birds front office problems are systemic.

Paul Domowitch takes an analytical look at Sheldon’s situation and says that while the corner has always been a good solider he probably only has two years, and no big contracts, left in him.

Reuben Frank says Brown has no leverage.

SKIP

Stan Hochman remembers back in the day at the the NFL draft.

Paul Domowitch and Les Bowen predict the Birds draft.

Bob Brookover wonders if the Birds might actually take a back this year.

Catherine Lucey reports that the city has denied any deal being done between Mayor Street and the Eagles.

FLYERS

READ

Sam Donnellon thinks its about time for Jeff Carter to start finding the net.

Phil Sheridan says this was a series that the Flyers almost certainly could hae won, but one they almost certainly will lose.

Ed Moran remembers the last time the Flyers came back from 2-0 against Pittsburgh.

SKIP

Sam Carchidi talks pretentious fans with Marty Biron.

Wayne Fish explains the new margin for error: none.

TODAY and MORE

With the Penn Relays nearly upon us executive director Dave Johnson provides a list of his five best and five worst memories from the event.

Scottie Reynolds is “turning pro” and some far, far, less positive news from the collegiate ranks.

Today the Sixers try to go up 2-0 over the Magic at night and the Phils go for their second straight in the afternoon.

As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 am and is filed under Morning Rounds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.