Last Week, Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Nov. 21 -- MACKANIN NAMED BENCH COACH) Mackanin, 57, has been an interim manager for the Pirates (26 games in 2005) and the Reds (80 games in 2007). In 2008, he was a pro scout for the Yankees. He also has been a coach with the Expos (1997-2000) and Pirates (2003-05). As a player, Mackanin appeared in 18 games for the Phillies in 1978 an...

3 Weeks Ago, Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Nov. 5 -- IF NOT BURRELL, THEN BRADLEY, BLAKE?) Burrell has not yet filed for free agency (he will), and the Phillies haven't opened negotiations with his agents (they will). But, already, this has become the question of the offseason, sort of the way Aaron Rowand's impending free agency occupied our hot-stove talk last year. The Phill...

Last Month, Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 30 -- CHAMPS!) On Sept. 10, the Phillies lost to the Marlins, 7-3, at the Bank and slipped to a season-high 3-1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East. That was when I thought it might be over. Turns out, Chris Coste was having similar thoughts. So was Gary Matthews, the Phillies' broadcaster with whom I'm writi...

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 25 -- GAME 3 LINEUPS) BY SCOTT LAUBER

PHILLIES
SS Jimmy Rollins (0-for-10)
RF Jayson Werth (3-for-9)
2B Chase Utley (2-for-8, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
1B Ryan Howard (2-for-9)
LF Pat Burrell (0-for-6)
CF Shane Victorino (4-for-8)
3B Pedro Feliz (2-for-7)
C Carlos Ruiz (2-for-5, 1 RBI)
LHP Jamie Moyer

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 22 -- ROSTER & RADIO DAYS) BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Just got word that the Phillies' World Series roster is the same as their Division Series and Championship Series roster. It's been a week since they played a game, so to refresh your memory, here it is:

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 22 -- SPRING CLASSIC?) OK, here's the schedule today. At noon, the Rays clubhouse will be open to the media. They will work out here at the Trop Dome at 1 p.m. Cole Hamels will speak to the media at 2 p.m., followed by Charlie Manuel at 2:15 p.m. Rays manager Joe Maddon, a native of Hazelton, Pa., will talk at 2:30 p.m., followed by...

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 17 -- WILL THE PLAYERS CHOOSE HOWARD?) Getting to the World Series is great, but as Martin Frank writes, it'll hardly be remembered if the Phillies don't win. As Kevin Roberts writes, this World Series has been a long-time coming for Jamie Moyer, a 22-year veteran who has never gotten this far. Finally, within the notebook, Manu...

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 19 -- CHOWDAH OR GROUPER?) team was there, too, keeping our fingers in typing shape. And in The Paper today, you'll find a feature on the maturation of Carlos Ruiz, who has become the catcher of choice for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies' pitching staff. Within the jam-packed notebook, Manuel said he's looking for a f...

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 14 -- ABOUT LAST NIGHT) BY SCOTT LAUBER

Aren't you glad Cole Hamels didn't pitch on short rest yesterday? Now, he's available to pitch in the possible clinching game tomorrow night. Also, within the notebook, we have details on the fines doled out to the Phillies and Dodgers for their Game 3 brouhaha.

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 4 -- OLD-MAN MOYER) You certainly never expect a 22-year major-league career. But there's probably no pitcher -- Cole Hamels and Brett Myers included -- that the Phillies would rather have on the mound tonight.

Howard, Chase Utley and Pat Burrell are a combined 1-for-17, yet the Phils somehow have a 2-0 serie...

And Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Oct. 8 -- WERTH THE WAIT) BY SCOTT LAUBER

Talked to Rudy Seanez today, and although he hadn't heard anything official from Charlie Manuel or Rich Dubee, he doesn't expect to be on the Phillies' NLCS roster. Seanez thinks J.A. Happ will remain on the roster as a long reliever.

2 Months Ago, Scott Lauber(noreply@blogger.com) from The News Journal says (in Sept. 29 -- HOW THE EAST WAS WON) BY SCOTT LAUBER

Are the Phillies more prepared for the postseason after going through last year's sweep by the Rockies? We'll find out Wednesday, Martin Frank writes. Until then, when the Phils actually take the field against the Brewers, it's just speculation.