Morning Wood

Trying something new for the Morning Wood. Bear with us. Feedback is welcome.

Storified by Kyle Scott · Tue, Jun 26 2012 09:19:03

Jimmy Rollins in the month of June: .327 AVG, 9 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, and one visit to the White House.

We’ll keep from falling into the trap of celebrating mediocrity – the category the Phillies will live in for the next two weeks, at least – but with the looming return of Chase Utley, which CSN is covering like a papal visit, and Jimmy Rollins finally hitting his stride, the lineup looks as thought it may be able to be adequate as we near the second half of the season. Combine that with the fact that the pitching can’t possibly be worse than it has been (relatively speaking), and you have a glass-half-full outlook for the second half.

Again, just trying to be positive. 

Some wood:

John Gonzalez wonders how much blame Charlie Manuel deserves:

How much blame does Manuel deserve?The villagers are irritated – angry, even. If the mob isn’t yet fully formed, it will take shape soon enough should the Phillies continue…
T-Mac:
@CrossingBroad please tell me you just heard T-Mac say "Gettin’ Wiggy with it"Ryan Flannery
@CrossingBroad Did they really just say "gettin wiggy wit it"… these guys dont make it easy,but at least our offense is showing up.Joe Good
Chase Utley discusses his return using the same phrasing that he did at the beginning of last season, last summer, and in the spring:
Chase Utley discusses his return to the Philliescalkinsmedia
Philly.com has three versions of the same story about Chase’s return:
Bob Ford: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley sounds confident he can come backChase Utley was asked about the chronic knee condition that threatens the remainder of his career and, like all great athletes for whom c…
Marcus Hayes: Chase Utley eager to get back on the field for PhilliesTHE IRONPIGS are sold out Tuesday night. The first 3,000 fans 18 and older get bobbleheads in the likeness of John Mayberry Jr. Coinciden…
Nearing return, Chase Utley says knees are improvedChase Utley admitted he is an optimist, but only because he has felt nothing to dissuade that positivity. So the Phillies second baseman …
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