Bill Giles Opens Mouth, Remembers Why He Usually Doesn’t Talk To Press

Okay, let’s tread slowly into this one, shall we? Bill Giles has an interview in the Inquirer today with Todd Zolecki where he, uhm, speaks about the Phillies and shows why he should probably keep his mouth shut.

Here are the opening questions, and the money quotes:

Q: What did you hear [about the Myers incident]?

A: “I don’t know that I’m privileged to say. I’m not the spokesman for the Phillies. I do know what really happened was a lot less than what the public thinks happened and that’s the sad part because some bystander saw something that really didn’t happen. Brett was trying to help his wife.” [...]

Q: But witnesses saw it.
A: “One of our employees [marketing manager Debbie Nocito] saw the whole thing. She said, ‘He did not hit her at all, and he didn’t grab her hair or anything.’ So all the reports were untrue, from what I understand.”

After the jump, some more Giles quotes, some analysis and some good old-fashioned bashing of WIP.

Okay, here’s the deal: Let’s assume for an instant that Brett Myers never did anything. Let’s assume that his wife was possessed, and he was saving her from Satan himself. Okay? But with all the info that’s out there about his arrest, it’s probably best to keep your effing mouth shut. No, really. Regardless of Giles’ intent with those comments — and we can only guess at them — it comes off as if the Phillies are just going, “Ho ho! Brett Myers arrested for beatin’ his wife! What a ragtag bunch of ballplayers we got!”

Right? I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I put my foot in my mouth sometimes all the time, but even I know it’d probably be best to just keep your mouth shut regarding Brett Myers, especially if you’re going to say “Brett was trying to help his wife.”

Let’s move on…

Q: There’s talk the team will be dismantled next month. What do you think?

A: “I think Pat is - I talked to Dave yesterday - I think he’s going to be doing a lot of talking and listening over the next three weeks. Anything we can do to get better for the future as well as right now is going to be done. I think you’re going to see some moves certainly between now and next year. Whether we have enough to offer to get what we’re looking for - we need pitching, and third base and catching are issues.”

Another good idea: Everyone knows David Bell and Mike Lieberthal (and Sal Fasano) suck. Still probably best not to bash them in the press.

Also: The Phillies aren’t making the playoffs this year. It’s fire sale time. (And it pains me to say that.)

Q: What do you say to people who constantly say, “Sell the team?”

A: “I don’t think our team will be sold in my lifetime, and I hope I live a long time.”

Another good idea: Don’t say something that could make fans wish for your death.

Q: David is the spokesperson, but why are the other partners silent?

A: “That’s the way it should be in my opinion. I don’t think any partnership, whether it be baseball or whatever… the shoe business, you should have one spokesman for the ownership. I used to be it, and now Dave is.”

Let’s compare the Phillies to a shoe store, shall we? Shoe stores use athletes to sell their product (shoes). Shoes are usually sold at, oh, a billion percent markup. These shoes, however, usually help you get from place to place. The Phillies, on the other hand, use athletes to sell their product (baseball). The Phillies are usually sold at, oh, a million precent markup. The Phillies, however, never help your enjoy the game of baseball with their inept play and frequent near-misses.

You’re right, this comparison sucked. I tried, okay? Let’s move on.

Q: Do the owners blame the perception of the ownership on the media or the fans being misguided?

A: “The ownership group’s main goal is to win. Win a World Series. Particularly, two of them say in every meeting, ‘Gosh darn it, I want to win a World Series.’ I mean, that’s what it’s all about. We haven’t done very well doing it, but that’s the goal.”

Q: Who are the two?
A: “I can’t tell you.”

Q: Are you one of them?
A: “Of course.”

Let’s hope Bill Giles never gets any sensitive information terrorists want. “Bill, tell us the location of the missles.” “I can’t.” “Come on!” “Okay, they’re at…”

Q: Is the guy who pushed you out [the Middleton family] the other one?

A: “No comment.”

Hey, now you’re getting the hang of this, Bill!

Q: Does it matter to you that the public is so down on this team?

A: “I don’t know that that’s true. Too many people believe the talk shows are the pulse of the public, and I don’t happen to believe that at all. There are crazy people that call in and the announcers create a perception, but I don’t believe it. I just don’t think the public… I know so many people that are dyed in the wool Phillies fans who love the team, win, lose or draw.”

Q: Does the negativity from talk radio and maybe the fan base in general hurt?
A: “I think negative talk shows are negative to the performance of all things. I really do. I really feel that way. Somebody said since Liberty Place 1 and 2 have gone above William Penn’s hat that nobody has won a championship in Philadelphia. I think talk shows are an issue with some of the players. The players listen to it and hear about it. I don’t think it’s a positive influence on winning any game, whether it be hockey or basketball or baseball or whatever.”

Sure, there are Phillies fans who love the team regardless. (I must admit, I will watch games in September when the Phils are 20 games out.) But those people aren’t the ones you need to worry about. Why even mention them? It (again) makes it seem like you don’t care.

However, I do support your 610 WIP bashing 100 percent (as long as you lay off Ray Didinger). Keep that up.

Q: Can this team be contenders next year?

A: “In this day and age, you can go from last place to first place easily in a year. Take the Cincinnati Reds. They’re basically the same team. They’ve just added some pitchers. And they’re very much in contention to win their division. I don’t think there will be any problem, if we’re fortunate enough to get the right players, to compete soon.”

Oh, the Reds added some pitchers. I wonder what team that you own could have tried to do that in the offseason! Argh. I need a drink.

One Phillies owner speaks out on team’s struggles [Inquirer]