They have lost 9 of the last 10 games. They look drained. The team has lost players and gained players.
Rich Thompson returned to The Coke tonight to many cheers. He acknowledged his fans with a smile and wave. He actually had two nice bunts tonight and scored the Pig’s only run. Must still have a little of the winning attitude that is still strong out in Reading.
Matt Rizzotti made his debut with the Pigs tonight. Made a great play at 1st base and didn’t do much else. I find it very interesting to see what will happen with Andy Tracy the next few weeks. I believe the Phillies made their feelings clear by not calling him up this week with an injury to Howard. That nagging shoulder injury could spell the end for Tracy’s tour in the Lehigh Valley.
Really, if he isn’t called up in September, I don’t think he will stick around even if the Phillies organization asks him to. I heard a rumor he was even asked to try playing 3rd base when Rizzotti was added to the roster. Andy did play third early in his career but I don’t think twisting and diving for ground balls will do anything to help that shoulder heal.
I do feel this team has given up. With 30 some games left.. they are playing to stay out of the basement.
I think I’ve almost given up on them too. Almost. At least we aren’t Rochester.
OinK
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I’m glad you’ve finally seen the truth.
Just talk to some of the players if you get the chance. Off the record some will tell you that they have been mailing it in since about June.
The Phillies are making it clear to Tracy that if he wants to stay with the Phillies organization it will be as a minor league coach next year and not as a player.
The Phils really need to look at replacing Huppert next year as well. He is a big part of the problem with the Pigs playing with no fire.
Also the team needs to get younger. It’s a toxic combination when you put a laid back “players manager” with a bunch of older guys who have no incentive other than collecting a paycheck.
I feel bad for Andy as he is one of the good guys that still gives a damn.
If Amaro goes, and sadly we’ll have to wait for October for that, there’ll be housecleaning all up and down the system. Rarely does that not happen when a change is made up top.
Check the composition of the Gwinnett roster versus the Pigs. In my opinion the Braves do a much better job at the AAA level of mixing younger players on the way up with veterans being kept in the organizations as backups for the Major League club. What concerns me the most about the Ironpigs is the lack of progress being shown by some of the younger pitchers who were relatively high draft choices or otherwise had worked their way into a position where they were once thought to be capable of being full time Major League players. Those are the people on this team who should be showing both enthusiasm and ability regardless of the overall team record. If I had seen Drew Carpenter pitch a quality effort last night I could better take the rest of the dull game and the loss. In reality however I just left the stadium bored, frustrated and wondering what is going on.
Tough year for IronPigs…
…outstanding season for you, Kehl.
Thanks Rolf, we know who helped me get started 🙂