Amaro: 'I Believe In Our Guys'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- While the Phillies are projected to be one of baseball's worst teams, today is Opening Day. And today, every team is in first place.
"Listen, we want to be contenders every year," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show on Monday morning. "When I took over I said those words. My job was to try to make sure this team contends every year. Well, we got to the point where we're not. And for whatever reason, mistakes that I've made and some things that have happened on our field, but the fact of the matters is that's what our goal is now. I think that overall---I believe in the guys that we have in place to get us around, get us back to where we need to be."
The Phillies open their season today at 3:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park against the Boston Red Sox.
"As a player and as an executive, it's an exciting as it gets," Amaro said of Opening Day. "You know, it's a new beginning. I know a lot of people have a lot of predictions about this season, about the Phillies, but fact of the matter is this is baseball. It's the game I love, it's a game I grew up with. I've heard some of the callers this morning talk about---they don't really care what happens, other than baseball being played out here."
With the Phillies in the midst of their current downfall, Amaro is the most scrutinized sports figures in Philadelphia and Cataldi is one of his loudest critics. Still, the two vibrant personalities joked about their relationship on Opening Day.
"We're thrilled to have you back again this year," Cataldi started.
"You are?" Amaro asked, cutting off Cataldi. "Thrilled? You are so full of it! You've been trying to bang me for like three months, three years!"
"But it's done with respect," Cataldi replied. "I always say this before I rip you, I always say there has never been a GM in this town more accessible, more fan friendly than you've been."