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	Tuesday, July 11
	Phillies fans give midseason report ESPN.com
	We told you what we thought of the Phillies' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about what the Phillies have to do in the second half: The biggest thing keeping this team in the cellar now -- and in seasons to come -- is Terry Francona. The man is determined to destroy what could be one of the best arms in the game in years to come, in Randy Wolf. Forcing this 23 year old to throw 120 pitches a game has become a routine gut-wrenching scene. Leadoff "hitter" Doug Glanville would be swinging away with Chuck Knoblauch on the mound, and all signs point to Rico Brogna returning to a -- shudder -- starting role once his arm heals. Until he figures out how to take care of pitchers' arms, organize a sensible batting order with legitimate everyday players, and develop an iron fist when it comes to dealing with lackluster performances, we can pretty much expect no better than 75 wins a year. Tim Carrigan Philadelphia The Phillies did indeed dig themselves into a huge hole, but have you looked to see who the hottest team in the NL is right now? It's the Phils. I'm not talking a pennant right now, but they sure aren't as bad as you think. Larry Stout Newark, Del. The Phils definitely dug themselves an insurmountable hole. They are a major disappointment just like every other year. This year they were expected to contend for the wild card. How can you do this with has been's and never will be's? They're moving in the right direction. They just need to keep a healthy pitching staff and spend some money on some good veteran bullpen help. Oh yeah, I forgot, we need to get a new shortstop along the way. Relaford couldn't stop a beachball on a non-windy day. Bill Strayer State College, Pa. My ongoing disappointment is that, to the best of my knowledge, the only winning season in the last 15 years was the 1993 Pennant. Remember, too, it was a worst to first year; the Phillies were last in 1992. Why do Philadelphia fans put up with the abysmal mediocrity put on the field year after year? Greg White Northampton, Mass. Considering the way the Phils started out, I'm happy to be only eight under .500 at the break. Yeah, Ashby was a disappointment, but so was Schilling at the start and he has pitched brilliantly the last three or four outings. If only they could reverse the Ashby-for-Eaton/Loewer trade. They might be above .500 instead of below it. The big question is who will and who won't get traded. Look for Ashby and Gant to get traded for prospects and some starting pitching. Then when Brogna comes back, they will shift Burrell to left. Then maybe they will start clicking. My prediction: 77-85 (38-38 second half). Peter Galan Ontario, N.Y. There is no question that the Phillies have fell way below expectations. While Ashby is the biggest disappointment, the runner-up is surely Doug Glanville. As a leadoff man, Doug is not getting the job done: .264 batting average, .301 on-base percentage. Glanville is one of the brightest young stars on this team and for the Phillies to be successful, he needs to get his act together. Yet, despite the poor record, the Phils are heading in the right direction: Rolen, Lieberthal, Burrell, Abreu, Glanville, Wolf, and Person. Throw in a middle infield and another starting pitcher and you've got yourself a ballclub! Brian Rose Austin, Texas Pitching wins championships and it disgust me to see this organization go after mediocre pitchers in the free agent market. Spend a buck or two and go after a Randy Johnson, a Pedro Martinez, a live arm in their prime, when they're available, not Andy Ashby. Curt Schilling is showing signs of wearing out, if the Phils had brought in a decent pitching prospect two years ago they would be contending and not pretending. Rick Lynch Piscataway, N.J. Terry Francona has been the biggest disappointment. He needs to leave. Patrick Allen Audubon, N.J. The Phils have been a huge disappointment to the city. We all had high hopes but let's get serious. They need a few more years; that Ashby trade was so stupid. Giving up the prospects was not worth it. I disagree with your poll - Ron Gant is not all that bad. He is great in the field which makes him very valuable to a team like the Phils. His average may be low but his bat is bright when its least expected. Tim Murphy Bensalem, Pa. Andy Ashby, Ron Gant, Rico Brogna, Curt Schilling, and Jeff Brantley have a chance to be traded by July 31, (although I believe Schilling, Brantley, and either Gant or Borgna will stay). Go back to '97, and imagine draft- ing Troy Glaus instead of J.D. Drew. It can give you a warm feeling inside. Mike Morrone Devon, Pa. The problem is leadership. With Curt Shilling, their supposed leader always ranting and raving about how poor the club operates, the team is lost. Francona doesn't have the commanding presence to replace a solid team leader. Rolen needs to step it up in the clubhouse. Michael Groff Haddon Heights, N.J. Every year, it seems, we hear that if just one or two things click, the Phillies can be a decent team, if not playoff bound. Every year, it seems, they are a disappointment. I am cautiously optimistic the Phils can pull above .500 this year, but that means consistent bats and consistent pitching. That is usually too much to ask for my Phils. Karl Kaufmann Falls Church, Va. Despite the resurgence, holes remain. This team lacks a leadoff hitter, has little power, is not aggressive enough on the basepaths, and is deficient at shortstop and second base. The bench is pathetic, and only recently did the relievers start looking competent. The fear among Phillies fans is that the organization will not be active enough at the trade deadline, perhaps lulled into believing this team has a chance to make a wild-card run. Terry Francona is in his fourth season as manager and has yet to produce a team with a winning record. He is reluctant to change anything, even when the status quo clearly isn't working. Mike Lang Claymont, Del. This year has been very disappointing even for fans who invented the word. It serves us right for getting our hopes up for a team that dreams about being 500. Can we just go back to 1980? Brian Buehrer Columbus, Ohio Bad team, worse stadium. Give us a break !!! Bill Warren Newark, Del. This team's going nowhere with Francona at the helm. He abused Schilling into arm surgery, Person to the DL, and Wolf can't be too far behind. They have a leadoff hitter who doesn't walk, the worst middle infield in baseball, and Ed Vosberg in the bullpen. And they're the only organization that would anxiously await the return of a good-fielding, non-hitting first baseman. The worst part is, they're like this all the way down to the low minors. Good thing they're such savvy politicians. We ought to have a new stadium by 2012. Thanks, that was cathartic. Chris Thomas Sicklerville, N.J.		ALSO SEE Midseason report: Philadelphia Phillies MLB midseason reports