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Joe Morgan

  (10:32 AM)

I thought last night's Dodger-Phillie game was really a fun game to watch. I'm sure Dodger fans are disappointed, but it was really a great game.

Patrick (Chicago)

Hello Mr Morgan, don't you think that Tampa's talent and confidence are overshadowing their playoff inexperience?

Joe Morgan

  (10:33 AM)

I would have to agree with that. I've found with younger players that they don't have a fear of the unknown. They were anxious the first day, but weren't that nervous. The second day, they looked as if they had gotten over that anxiety, and last night they looked great.

Steve (Austin, TX)

Joe, I have to second guess Joe Torre's use of the bullpen last night. Wade had thrown 33 pitches the night before, he went through the entire bullpen, except for his hall of famer Greg Maddux. I thought Maddux should have been used. Sometimes you need experience, and I think the inexperience of those guys showed last night. Stairs was waiting for that Broxton fastball, and boy did it fly ...

Joe Morgan

  (10:34 AM)

I agree in respect that Wade had thrown a lot of pitches the night before. The problem with Maddux is that he has not been able to get anyone out lately. I don't know what choices Joe had, but I definitely knew that when Wade came in, he had thrown a lot the day before. But I wasn't wondering about why he didn't use Maddux.

David (Washington)

Joe, should the Phils get to the World Series, what does their starting rotation look like? Do they dare hand the ball to Moyer at this point? Or do they go three deep and use him in long relief?

Joe Morgan

  (10:36 AM)

That's something Charlie Manuel will definitely have as a problem if they get there. Obviously Myers and Hamels have been excellent. I think Moyer will get one start, not a second one.

Sushil (Potomac, MD)

Players play and win the game; and the Phillies players did just that. However, would you agree that Charlie Manuel has out-duelled Joe Torre? He used Jenkins a lefty on a move earlier in the game last night and saved a lefty power hiter, Matt Stairs, for a specific stage in the game. He has also handled his bullpen adeptly. Thanks for your viewpoint.

Joe Morgan

  (10:38 AM)

I haven't seen every game, as I'm doing the Rays-Red Sox series, but last night, his bullpen was set up better than Torre's. When Broxton pitched in the NLDS, he looked unihittable. He and others may have been used more often than they had been used to. I don't think Broxton or Wade are ready for that extended duty yet. It's not only the physical part of it, but the mental part, maintaining your concentration in order to make your pitch.

Patrick ( Philly)

Joe, if the Phillies win one more are they favored against the Sox or the Rays in the World Series?

Joe Morgan

  (10:39 AM)

I'd say it's a tossup. You have to remember, Tampa has excellent starting pitching and good young players, so you couldn't say the Phillies would be a big favorite--perhaps a small favorite. If Boston is in, i think they would be a favorite. Without Beckett, I don't see Boston as as big a threat as Tama.

Kyle (LA)

People are acting surprised that Matt Stairs hit that home run--the guy has 254 total in his career despite getting a late start! What's your opinion of him as a player.

Joe Morgan

  (10:43 AM)

He has been a guy who can hit the ball out of the ballpark--that's why Philadelphia acquired him. I'm always surprised when a guy sits on the bench, walks up, and hits a home run. To sit on the bench at 40 years old, swing at a 90+ fastball, and hit it out is not an easy thing to do. Broxton hurt himself by going deep into the count, giving Stairs a chance to see his fastball, and then leaving one out over the plate.

Les (NJ)

What is wrong with David Ortiz? He seems to be swinging through pitches that he'd normally crush.

Joe Morgan

  (10:44 AM)

He's not swinging through them so much as fouling them off. His wrist is bothering him, and he's not getting the barrel of the bat to the ball, especially middle-in. If you have a sore hand or wrist, it's difficult to swing the bat the way you normally do. I would expect him to try to hit more to left field now--he's been trying to turn on the ball to help his team, and it's not there.

Ian (St. Petersburg, FL)

Do the Rays have the momentum in the Series? Can the Red Sox recover from the collapse they had last night?

Joe Morgan

  (10:46 AM)

They do have the momentum, but if Boston wins, all that changes. It's a daily thing. The Dodgers had it going into last night, and they lost. It's not something that happens for long stretches. The Rays have proven that they are a good and well-balanced team. They do all the things you want a good team to do, save for the occasional mental breakdown. They have a well-balanced ballclub.

Mack (Boston)

Joe, should Terry Francona have left Josh Beckett in Game 2 for as long as he did?

Joe Morgan

  (10:47 AM)

I was doing the broadcast at the time, and I questioned leaving him in that long. I feel as though he was trying to let him find some rythym, as they won't win without him. I thought he threw the ball better the last inning or so, actually, but I thought Francona stayed with him longer than he should. So now the Red Sox are on the verge of a tough situation.

martin philly

do you think it was dodgers collapse last night rather then a philly win. all i hear is the dodgers this and dodgers that..I say the bullpen kept you off the board and gave the phillie lineup!1 to me that is baseball at its purest definition. thanks

Joe Morgan

  (10:49 AM)

No, the Phillies did everything they had to do. They had an answer for everything Torre and the Dodgers did. It's not easy to hit two home runs in the eighth inning while trailing. You have to give the Phillies a pat on the back for that game. Stairs could have popped that pitch up, Victorino could have grounded out, but neither of them did. You have to give them credit for that.

Yash-Pranav (Potomac, MD)

Mr. Morgan, would you comment on the spark and mental toughness that players like Victorino provide to a team? I think the intangible that he has provided to this Phillies team is difficult to value in terms of statistics.

Joe Morgan

  (10:50 AM)

I definitely think he's a guy you want in the foxhole with you. He's a battler who doesn't back down. He shows some toughness. There's no doubt he's the kind of guy you want on the team. You can see him hustle, he'll take the extra base, he plays good defense--he's a winning type player. All teams need that.

Frank (Rockmart, GA)

Consistency has been the key to the Rays season. Do you think their offense can remain consistent enough to put away the Sox?

Joe Morgan

  (10:51 AM)

I don't know if they've been consistent all year long. They are a well-balanced team but have gone through some big offensive slumps. I thought they were going to add a big bat at the deadline, but they felt as though they have the right mix, and they do.

Brandon (Indian Trail, NC)

I thought Boston would win because they are used to play in cold weather. Joe, do you think weather is a factor in games?

Joe Morgan

  (10:53 AM)

I don't think it was a factor. You never get used to playing in cold weather. You may adjust a bit quicker, but baseball players would rather play in warm weather. When it's cold, your muscles tighten and you're not the same.

PET (NJ)

Joe, Tim McCarver and co. continue to appear surprised of what Manny Ramirez is doing for the Dodgers, and continue to bring up the fact that he somehow let the Sox down. Manny gave Boston two world series in 8 years, and respect around the league. They should stop killing his character -- he was plainly unappreciated and misunderstood in Boston. What's your view?

Joe Morgan

  (10:56 AM)

I'm probably the biggest Manny Ramirez fan out there. He's one of the best hitters now, and one of the best hitters in the history of the game. I payed against Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Stan Musial, and Manny is one of the best hitters ever. I believe if they ever made that trade years ago, A-Rod for Manny, they wouldn't have won the World Series. That said, there comes a time when you get tired of certain thing. Manny was tired of being under a microscope, and the Red Sox were tired of his antics, so it was time for him to leave. I don't think that you should destroy his character because of that...you don't really know what happened. A lot of people forget that they tried to trade Manny several times, and he pushed his ego aside and played through that. I don't think they are a better team without Manny--his presence in any lineup makes that lineup better. I've said this before--Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, and A-Rod are three of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. I don't think Manny should have done some of the things he did, but I don't think the team handled everything well either.

Joe Morgan

  (11:01 AM)

Thanks for all your questions!