Phillies Thursday day Notes: Star Pitcher Disagrees with Alcohol Policy, Food Fight, More

Get caught up on all the news surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies in this iteration of Thursday notes!

What a crazy Wednesday and Thursday the Philadelphia Phillies have had. Let's get you all caught up.

Bryce Harper to Play First Base?

The Athletic reported that Harper could return to the field quicker following his Tommy John surgery by playing first base. It was apparently his idea and with Rhys Hoskins out, it could bring some flexibility for manager Rob Thomson. 

Harper has technically played first base before and he has also played third base and catcher. He's a talented and motivated athlete, so it could work.

Still, transitioning positions at the Major League level is hard for anyone, even those named Bryce Harper. 

Food Fight at the Bank

Citizens Bank Park promoted $1 Hot Dog Night on Wednesday night and a food fight erupted down the right field line. Fans began chunking the ultra cheap dogs at one another as the Phillies suffered another loss to the Miami Marlins. 

It's just how this Phillies team's season is going.

Matt Strahm Questions New Alcohol Policy

The new rules imposed by the MLB have created a quicker pace of play, which means games aren't lasting as long. That then leads to less revenue at the concessions for alcohol and food. But beer remains the biggest factor. 

Many teams, include the Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and as of this morning, the Houston Astros, have widened the window for concession sales. While most ballparks shut off the taps at the end of the seventh inning, the above teams are allowing sales to go into the eighth, and in the Astros' case, the ninth innings. 

Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm disagrees with the new policies of these teams and he makes a solid case while speaking with Baseball Isn't Boring.

“The reason we stopped hitting the seventh before was to give our fans time to sober up and drive home safe, correct?” Strahm asked. “So now with a faster-paced game, and me just being a man of common sense, if the game is going to finish quicker, would we not move the beer sales back to the sixth inning to give our fans time to sober up? Instead, we’re going to the eighth, and now you’re putting our fans and our family at risk driving home with people who have just drank beers 22 minutes ago.

“I’m not surprised. When you mess with billionaires’ dollars, to find a way to make their dollars back. My thing is, when you’re looking at the safety of your fans, that’s probably not the smartest decision to extend it into the eighth. And again, just being a common sense thinker, I think as a fan of the game, and just looking out for people, it would make more sense to stop the sales in the sixth.”

Still, owners are losing money and this is one way to mitigate it. Ethical conundrum indeed. 

New Video Alert!

We have a new video out highlighting (really lowlighting) the Phillies' performance thus far and how the lack of star power has affected their early performance. 

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You're all caught up! The Phillies play tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET as they take on the Cincinnati Reds.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

1. Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
2. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
3. Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
4. Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
5. Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
6. Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
7. Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
8. Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
9. Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
10. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup

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