Yes, I brought up the little known third sequel to the Major League movie franchise. Rumors of Charlie Sheen returning for a Major League 4 movie have been heard recently, if only he could break himself away from partying harder than a rock star to get into good enough shape to appear to look like a ballplayer again.
Lately we’ve heard about Domonic Brown struggling in spring training this year. O for how many at bats and a dismal performance in the winter leagues has many Phillies fans wondering if he is what the media has touted him to be. I have to say I am an admirer of Brown. A couple years ago I saw him hit a home run well over route 61 in Reading and overthrow 3rd base from the right field corner. The man has talent. The man has skill. Rumors of his recent slump have been attributed to fatigue, to a new batting stance coaches are showing him, etc. etc. Who screwed up Domonic Brown is the leading question. Before filling a basket of tomatoes with Greg Gross written on them think about this…
In the movie, Major League 3 (It’s on instant watch on Netflix, I would recommend as not as good as the first but much better than the second movie), the main character is none other than Scott Bakula playing a washed up career minor leaguer. He comes in to manage a washed up minor league team. (Sound familiar?)
So Bakula cleans up the team and gets them on a winning streak. Their cornerstone prospect is a player referred to as Downtown Anderson. “Downtown” is known as a natural hitter who pulls everything thrown at him. Bakula’s character pleads with team owners to keep him in the minors for seasoning, trying to teach him all the aspects of hitting but fails. Downtown is called up to the big team and fails terribly. He is quickly humbled and sent back to the minors where he works hard and learns to hit the outside pitch.
Sound more familiar yet? Downtown Domonic Brown was on the cover of the Pork Illustrated Game Program last year. Another year at AAA will probably do more good for this young man than struggling and failing at the Major League level. The Phillies organization could learn something from this B movie that went straight to DVD. Maybe we should have them over for a screening of it.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
When Shane Victorino went on the DL in late July, 2010, Domonic Brown was called up to take his place. For 15 days Brown played regularly for the Phillies and went 9-38 .237 with 10 RBI. Ten runs batted in over a 15 day stretch isn’t too shabby. Then Victorino returned and instead of sending Brown back to AAA they decided to keep him on the bench. From the day that decision was made until today Domonic Brown has had 6 hits in 68 at bats for a batting average of .088 with just 6 RBI. That includes mlb regular season, mlb postseason, winter ball, and 2011 spring training through March 1.
It’s still early so there is time for Brown to get things on track, but right now it appears that Mitch Williams knew what he was talking about when he said Domonic Brown, ‘without a doubt’ will not be on the Phillies 2011 opening day roster. Right now he doesn’t even look good enough for AAA, but wherever he begins the 2011 season Domonic Brown needs to be playing somewhere on a daily basis. He has too talent for this to continue much longer.
From Todd Zolecki at mlb.com:
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies beat the Toronto Blue Jays in a “B” game Wednesday morning at Carpenter Complex, 8-1.
Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero each threw a perfect inning of relief. Contreras struck out one batter and Romero struck out two. Phillies right-hander Drew Naylor started. He allowed one hit, one run and struck out one in two innings. Ryan Feierabend struck out one in two scoreless innings. Michael Schwimer allowed one hit in one scoreless inning.
Rule 5 Draft pick Michael Martinez went 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Carlos Rivero, Matt Miller, Brandon Moss and Cesar Hernandez each had two hits. Matt Rizzotti went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Freddy Galvis went 0-for-3.