Let’s rewind the imaginary tape to just a week ago.
“I think it makes sense to see Joseph as much as possible. I don’t want to happen to him (to be what happened) to Ruf, where (we) didn’t have opportunities to get him at bats.”
That was Pete Mackanin telling Ryan Lawrence, and consequently us fans, that Tommy Joseph would get as much playing time as possible in September.
One week after that quote, here are Joseph’s numbers:
9 PA, 0-for-9, 2 K, two starts in five games
After Mackanin made his comments, Ryan Howard – lumbering all-time first baseman and soon-to-be ex-Phillie – expressed frustration about being relegated to the bench despite having a very good second half.