Bone Head of The Week

Normally, loyal reader, this space is reserved for bone heads in the NFL. However, while watching the World Series I couldn't help but make an exception tonight.

In the top of the ninth with Brad Lidge on the mound and a 4-4 tie and two outs, the Philadelphia Phillies seemed to be cruising to a bottom of the ninth where they would only need one run to win it and tie the series at two games apiece.

Then Johnny Damon picked up a base hit for the New York Yankees.

Coming up next was the ever dangerous Mark Teixeira. During the at bat, Damon takes off for second to get into scoring position.

Here is where Phillies manager Charlie Manuel becomes my bone head of the week. 

The throw to second was a one-hopper and Damon popped up and took off to third.

At first I was thinking that Damon thought the ball had gone into center field.  I thought for sure this would be an easy out and the Phils would head into the ninth tied.

Nope.

Apparently with a speedy runner on first base, Manuel thought it would be a good idea to still have the over-shift on.

Damon didn't think the ball was in the out field, he knew he could win a foot race to third and he took it.

I've always thought the over-shift was dumb, since all a batter (a smart one at least) would take a few extra cuts in batting practice and work on going the opposite way.

With Alex Rodriguez's double (following Teixeira being hit by a pitch) Damon easily scores and would have from second, but this leads the my second point of why Manuel is my "Bone Head of the Week".

Why pitch to A-Rod?

You have a base open why not walk him?  I mean lets face it, any kind of a hit scores the leading run, who would you rather face, A-Rod or Jorge Posada?

Charlie, your team is now down three games to one, sure you may win tomorrow but I doubt, I highly doubt, you'll win three in-a-row. Your actions tonight sir cost your team the game and probably a repeat.

Sorry Phillies fans your team is cooked and your manager is my Bone Head of the Week.