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Philly Media is Split on Rob Thomson Benching Nick Castellanos
By Kyle Pagan
Published:
Rob Thomson handed us a gift when he benched Nick Castellanos for an inappropriate comment. Finally, we’ve got something to talk about in this city other than, “Are the Phillies good?” or “Is Jalen Hurts elite?” I think Kinker brought this up one time, but there should be a summer moratorium declared by an anointed Sports Pope that says sports talk radio must take May and June off. From the NFL Draft to the start of Eagles training camp, we turn off the radio signal and we come back with all the takes and a fresh perspective on the Phillies and Eagles so that we don’t have to hammer it over people’s heads 24/7, 365. I feel like the Birdbox gif every time I come back to the timeline:
The Philly media is split on Topper’s decision. On 97.5 The Fanatic, most of the hosts seem in favor. The only difference of opinion might’ve been shared on the Fanatic’s morning show…once we got through the weather report and behind the scenes of Kincade and Choonis’ working relationship they gave their thoughts (seriously you can skip the first two minutes of this):
Kincade’s approach pulls from experiences. Hockey in-fighting might be a little different than football, basketball, or baseball in-fighting, but it’s good context. Coaches are a case-by-case basis though. Some you can motherfuck to the hills others you say one thing to them and they’ll make an example out of you. I feel like Topper’s approach to managing relates more to today’s player than in the past. He’ll let things slide, won’t chastise you publicly, and get in your ass behind closed doors if need be. But every man has their line and he obviously thought Castey crossed it.
Mike Missanelli and Bill Colarulo agreed with the manager’s decision to bench Castellanos:
Colarulo nailed it. Can’t believe that guy wasting his time litigating slip and falls in a Cherry Hill courtroom all these years. Topper can’t win with this fanbase. People claim he doesn’t hold guys accountable and once he does people call him soft. It’s also the fact that Castey is a defensive liability this year:
At the time he was taken out in the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies were up 3-1 and the Marlins had only three hits. The lead should be safe with or without Castellanos in the lineup at that point with the way the Fish were swinging the bats, but things did get a little tense when Matt Strahm gave up a run. Rojas at that point was due up seventh in the top of the ninth and if the Phils got to him there’s a good chance they’d have scored some runs by then, which they did, thanks to Alec Bohm who tacked on some insurance with a two-run single before Rojas grounded out to third to end the inning.
I thought Missanelli had a good point as well. If young guys like Otto Kemp or Mick Abel see Castey show up the manager with zero repercussion, then what kind of message does that send to them? What about the guys who aren’t leaders that see that? When they’re having a bad day at the plate are players going to be able to just walk all over Rob and the coaches because they saw a clubhouse leader doing it? There’s nothing worse than a boss that no one respects.
Switching stations, across the river, Jon Ritchie and Joe DeCamara took Topper’s side as well. I gotta say the Posidelphia in this city on a hot Tuesday after the Phils lost 8-3 and Castellanos’ replacement made a significant error is something I did not expect:
Here’s Joe Giglio’s take. Can we keep the streak going?
I spoke too soon. I should’ve known your favorite contrarian’s favorite contrarian would do this. THINK OF THE FAMILY! OMG WILL ROB THOMSON THINK OF THE FAMILY! HE ONLY PLAYS THERE 10 TIMES A YEAR! SOMEONE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD THINK OF THE FAMILY!
*Hugh Douglas grumbling across the room* “Yea, I don’t know, Joe.” *eats free lunch from station sponsor* *Cashes paycheck* Rinse. Repeat.
Did it take me two minutes to find Giglio contradicting himself? Yes it did. An accountability pledge, lol. This more falls under lackadaisical play than it does questionable managing. That’s sports talk, baby! Light those phones up:
The Afternoon Show isn’t on yet, but here’s their immediate reaction to the news from Tuesday:
I know this is an immediate reaction and it’s tough to cobble everything together, but they contradicted themselves in a matter of two minutes. The Phillies could’ve never gone with the approach that Nick needed a rest day after he was on a 236 consecutive game streak. It would’ve been the absolute worst way to handle it and the alarm bells would’ve been raised. We have the real story probably by tonight’s game and now it’s an even bigger mess than it would’ve been. Credit to the Phillies. The anti-Sixers when it comes to messaging. Speaking of the Sixers do we have any update on Joel Embiid’s surgery?
Here’s Brodes from the overnight show:
The only opinion I could find from the scribes is Corey Seidman talking about the “delicate dance” the Phillies do with Castey playing right, (NBCSports Philly):
This is a delicate situation. Castellanos, a South Florida native who has talked about feeling most comfortable in Miami, hadn’t just started 236 consecutive games, he’s barely left any of them early. The Phillies, even when there have been opportunities to do so, have been hesitant to pull him defensively, likely for confidence reasons. He is a hard worker in right field and has improved but still has limitations and has never been regarded as an above-average defender.
Last season, when he played all 162 games, there were only two instances all season when Castellanos exited a non-blowout before it was finished: July 30 against the Yankees in extra innings for a pinch-runner, and Game 162 when the Phillies pulled their regulars early.
I’m shocked Marcus Hayes hasn’t weighed in with some scorching anti-Topper article.
I’ll throw my hat in the ring if everyone is going to: I love it from Topper. Topper is a players’ coach and the guys love him, but you can’t let guys walk all over you. There has never been a public spat or even a report that the players have issues with him. So for this to happen so publicly I think we can garner what was said probably crossed the line. Now the repercussions we’ll have to wait and see. If the Phillies go and sweep the Mets this weekend, no one is talking about this on Monday. If they go on a five game losing streak it’s because Topper benched Castey then he’s lost the team. I understand Nick has a lot of pride and he’s mentioned his own ironman streak on multiple occasions, but if a June benching is what drives a wedge through the team, then they were never built to win the whole thing anyway. If the Phils are packing their bags after they lose in the playoffs this year, the storyline isn’t going to be Topper benching Castey in front of 400 people in June. It’s probably going to be chase rate and the bullpen again. The real reaction is probably the longest “who cares” I can in one breath, but pragmatism doesn’t sell papers or light up the phone lines, people! Release Castey! Fire Topper! We need blood! Somebody do something! Training camp doesn’t start for another month!
Kyle writes blog posts and does Man on the Street-style videos all around Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University (a basketball school) in 2015. contact: k.pagan@sportradar.com