Phillies Breakfast Links, August 4, 2009: Prospects blog, Bullpen watch, What's Bothering Hamels?

I vaguely remember Conlin crapping on Floyd a lot back in the day (which is actually worse for him than what you wrote).

He’s a decent writer. I liked his piece on “unwritten rules,” but of course I am dying to know who the cheapskates were who rehabbed without providing a spread. I seem to see your name missing, Raul Ibanez.

- Its okay to cheer your teammates on on the field…just not too much. Its pro ball, your here to play baseball at a high level, not be a cheerleader. Plus, the energy conservation factor comes into play once again. In baseball, you want to maintain a level of “even keeledness” at all times and this would break that balance. We all know that we want to win ball games, you don’t have to be over vocal to show it.

- Whenever a big leaguer comes down to rehab with your team, it is an unwritten rule that they buy a spread of food for the team, generally on their last day before leaving the team, it doesn’t always happen but it usually does. This act is a reflection on the fraternity of baseball, every big leaguer has spent time in the minors and knows what it’s like to live on a few hundred dollars a month so they are more than happy to help out us young guys who are going through the struggle. So far Pedro Martinez and Clay Condrey have provided some delicious spreads along with being total class acts and very personable. We have what seems like the entire big league bullpen comin in soon to rehab so looks like there are more spreads on the horizon.

- Do not call the umpire “Blue” when addressing him. Every player quickly finds this out as the first time you make this mistake the umpire will snap back with some premeditated response that they probably use every time like, “My name isn’t blue, its Matt”, or “Blue is the color I’m wearing, not my name” or some other marginally witty remark.

- When calling people off on a fly ball, never say “ball” or “mine”, simply yelling, “I got it, I got it” several times is the only accepted way to declare your intentions. Yelling anything else might get the point across, but it might also get you a talking to by the coach and some snickers from other players on the field.

- If there are several people around the water cooler, get your water and move out of the way. This is especially true down here in Florida where it is hot as hell and hydration is paramount. Due to the use of small cups, there is often times a kind of hydration circle that happens where a guy fills up, downs the water and then moves to the back of the line to fill up again.

- Absolutely no pooping on the bus. I’m pretty sure that is a universal rule though

- Pitchers, and especially left handers, range from mostly normal to absolutely strange, it doesn’t mean they are bad people though, just accept it and embrace their oddballness. They always make things fun and interesting. Some of my best friends have been pitchers.

- Try not to complain to catchers or around catchers about how tired you are and some kind of ache or pain you have. Anytime you are about to do this, look around and make sure the coast is clear. If you are around a catcher, instead of complain, just ask them how in the world they do it and pick their brain for tips about how to deal with it. I am constantly in awe of the painstaking work they have to do, especially in the heat of Florida.

- Do not look over the manager’s shoulder when he is posting a lineup or making a change. That’s just bad form and will probably make him mad.

- Anytime a mistake is made, just man up and take responsibility, even if its not your fault. Try not and make excuses, everyone does it, but do your best not to. Once again, this is another universal rule as far as I’m concerned.