Last night, 6-ABC Philadelphia aired a special report on the Phillies Off-Season.The report covered the weddings of Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, Jamie Moyer’s charity work, Chad Durbin’s business venture, the Phillies Cruise and Charlie Manuel’s weight loss.The Phillies Cruise coverage is about 3 minutes into the program and you can see five of my photos featured in that portion of the report with my name listed underneath:
And here are still shots of the photos as they aired in the report:
Special thanks to Scott Palmer and Scott Nickle at the Phillies and Beth Widhson at Holland America for including me in this project :O)
Earlier this week, there were a few very “minor” signings that occurred.The Phillies picked up veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman on a Minor League contract.He will not be invited to Spring Training.And veteran right-hander Oscar Villarreal was also given Minor League contract on Thursday.Villareal is coming off Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2009 season.He was with the Astros in 2008, the Braves from 2006-2007 and the D-Backs three years prior to that.With many question marks still in the bullpen, another in inexpensive, yet experienced arm hanging around is a good idea.
So the countdown to Spring Training continues…only 6 days until the truck rolls out and 13 days until pitchers and catchers report!
Philadelphia is a tough place to play. Understatement of the year? Perhaps. Raul Ibanez's coming to Philadelphia was even harder as he was filling the shoes of fan favorite Pat Burrell. We all heard the chatter all winter. He's 36. He is left handed. Where is he going to hit?
Ibanez proved the Phillies front office to be geniuses. As we end May, Raul has not only won the hearts of Phillies fans but would be the front runner for the National League MVP if the season ended today. The joke I hear in Philadelphia now is... Pat who?
But there is more to this great athlete. He is also a great person who respects the game and the players that came before him. When Ibanez came to Philly, he sent a text message to ESPN for John Kruk because he was wearing Kruk's old number. He said he wanted Kruk to know that he would not disrespect him by wearing his number. He said he would always play the game hard and the right way, just like Kruk did. He later saw Kruk and said, "Never will you ever watch me play with this uniform on that I will never play hard". In an interview on ESPN radio Kruk said it best, "Usually guys want money...I think it just speaks for the person. I spoke to some people in Seattle, you know they had a dismal season, and they said the only reason they came to the ballpark was because of him. He made it fun and believed even when they were 20 games out that they could win the division." What a class act!
This is the type of player and person that plays on a championship team. Kudos to Ruben Amaro. Not only did you bring us a great player, but also a great person. Again class act all the way!
Brad Lidge's surgically repaired knee is causing him discomfort again and caused him to miss a save opportunity in last night's game. He had a MRI last week that showed no tears and is listed day to day. There was some swelling and Lidge said it effecting his pitching. Lidge had a cortisone shot after the MRI. He said he felt the
discomfort in the Colorado series which could explain why he blew a
save and has not been locating the ball like he did last season. Lidge said, "We're trying to get rid of it as fast as possible. It's frustrating, but I missed a few games last year at the
start of the season, and when I came back I felt great. If I have to do
the same thing this year, miss a couple of games, that's OK."
Phillies fans just hope this is a temporary setback and not something that will require him to have surgery or hamper him all season.
In other news, suspended relief pitcher J.C. Romero has filed a lawsuit against the makers and distributors of the supplement that caused his 50 day suspension, 6-OXO Extreme. GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Ergopharm and Proviant Technologies were all named as defendants in the 27 page lawsuit that was filed at the New Jersey Superior Court in Camden County on Monday.
Romero, son of a pastor and proclaimed born again Christian, believes in his innocence and wants to clear his name any way that he can. Romero could have admitted guilt and taken a lessor penalty, but feels strongly of his innocence in this matter. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
Turns out, I am not the only one around here who is counting the days until Spring Training.The lack of newsworthy events and baseball activities are simply mind-numbing.J-Roll Smurf and Chutley Smurf have been as bored as the rest of us.With the big news in Phillies land this week being Carlos Ruiz deciding to join Team Panama for the World Baseball Classic, poor J-Roll Smurf thought maybe he’d pass the time surfing the net, or maybe reading a mildly entertaining book:
Could Ryan Howard bring us all out of our slumber and actually agree to a contract this week?Noooooo…So, J-Roll Smurf was off to raid the fridge and then decided to call over a few friends for a party:
But the only one to show up was Chutley Smurf, as everyone else was already asleep.J-Roll Smurf tried to show Chutley Smurf some photos from the World Series Trophy tour, but you all know what a trouble maker Chutley Smurf is.All he wanted to do was ride his motorcycle through the living room and raid the cookie jar:
J-Roll Smurf began telling stories about his idol, Jimmy Rollins, and how he stopped by a YMCA yesterday to talk with local children; but all Chutley Smurf did was steal a bottle of my best Soprano’s wine and snort a few lines!
All that partying got the best of these Smurf buddies and things went awry from there.Frankly, I did not see this next one coming, and neither did the poor cats:
Hours passed, still without arbitration news and the imminent arrival of possibly the most boring Super Bowl game in history…what is a Smurf to do?Well, after all the booze and happy candy, I can tell you what they did next:
Ahhhhhh….and now for some much needed sleep.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The Philadelphia 76ers hosted “Phillies Night” on Saturday at the game vs. the New York Knicks.An annual tradition, those participating were the Phanatic, Brad Lidge, Shane Victorino, Ryan Madson and some guy, possibly from the Reading Phils, whose name I could not make out when they announced it.If anyone knows who this guy is, please let me know!Mystery guy replaced Cole Hamels who was scheduled to appear, but was a no-show.We know he was in town because he taped “Meet the Phillies” at Citizens Bank Park earlier in the day.No statement was made as to why he did not appear.I assume his wife decided he was not allowed to play basketball, for fear his million-dollar arm may fall off :O)Or maybe he felt he needed 4 days rest in between events.Just a guess…
Anyway, Brad Lidge gave the ceremonial “tip-off” before the game:
And during half-time, the 4 guys had a “3-point shoot-out,” which Victorino won, hands down.Madson and Lidge should not quit their day jobs.Although, Lidge looked like he had more fun than anyone else :O)He was all smiles.
The World Series trophy was on-hand for fans to check out.And during game time-outs, the Phanatic and the ball girls tossed t-shirts to the crowd, raced some weird giant, inflatable bunnies and wandered around with the Sixers dancers.They even played beach ball volleyball in my section…got whacked on the head a few times, but I think I will live...not much up there to injure :O)It was entertaining to see the Phanatic play with Hip-Hop, the Sixers mascot. Hip-Hop is a grown man in a giant, scary bunny outfit.Not sure who came up with that one, but I am sure it was after a nightmare having to do with large rabbits attacking them.Or maybe they have seen Monty-Python’s “The Holy Grail” one too many times?You be the judge.
I have put together a Photo Album of these, and more Phillies shots from the game, a Donavan McNabb (Eagles) sighting, and some Sixers game shots as well.Enjoy!
If you have not yet checked out MyTeamRivals's Turnpike Series site, today is the day to do so!
From the Turnpike Series
Cole Hamels said what everyone that watches baseball has been thinking.
Hamels called New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes a showboat on WFAN, a
New York sports talk radio station. Hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno
baited Hamels but Cole stood by his words. He said, I'm hoping I don't
hurt too many people right here with this ... When
Jose Reyes hits home runs, he points his finger up Click Here for the full story.
Continuing our Strange Baseball series, here is the latest installment:Baseball Pranks and Jokes.Please, do not try these at home J
Atlanta Braves Minor Leagues – a player, who apparently will remain nameless, was told by his teammates that his hotel room in Scranton was haunted and that a ghost was going to try to kill him.His teammates even got a key to his room and re-arranged things so he would think that the ghost did it.This poor, gullible player bought into the stories and was so scared, he was ready to change hotels. Before he could, a group of players stormed his room in the middle of the night and scared the pants off him. (events reported by Blaine Boyer)
Jose Contreras, White Sox:In 2006, Contreras injured Juan Uribe by giving him a super-atomic wedgie (the waistband of the undies goes over the head).Uribe actually missed playing time as a result of the prank gone wrong.
Luis Gonzalez, Florida Marlins: Gonzales reportedly filled a jelly donut with mustard and waited for someone to eat it.Eventually, someone did eat it and then proceeded to ask the clubhouse attendant to call the donut shop and advise them that someone had spiked the donuts.
Eric Byrnes, Arizona Diamondback: Adam Piatt became a victim of a horrible prank in retaliation for pranks he had played on others in the D-Backs locker room.Byrnes and company coated both his underwear and his entire suit with Icy-Hot.Piatt started sweating on his way to the airport and later reported that it was the worst plane ride of his life.
Denny Neagle, Cincinnati Reds: One night the grounds crew went out to sweep up during the fifth inning, and the team mascot, Mr. Red, joined them which was a typical event.The catch this night was that Neagle was masquerading as Mr. Red.As he wandered past the Red’s dugout and his identity was discovered, his team had quite a laugh over it.
Larry Bowa, Philadelphia Phillies: When Bowa was playing shortstop with the Phillies his main National League rival was Dave Concepcion of the Reds.Before a game against the Reds, Bowa asked Concepcion if he had changed his name to Elmer.When Concepcion replied, “No, why?”Bowa responded with, “Because I keep seeing E-Concepcion in box score.”Concepcion had earned a new nickname.
Corey Koskie, Minnesota Twins: Koskie put peanut butter in the underwear of “Big Papi” David Ortiz.Ortiz got dressed after his shower like usual and had walked about 10 yards before he noticed something was not right.He suddenly began screaming, “Who put peanut butter in my underwear? What's in my underwear?”What I’d like to know is, how did he know it was peanut butter? J
Jason Schmidt, Los Angeles Dodgers:Before a game, Schmidt switched his jersey withClayton Kershaw’s.Unaware of the switch, Kershaw went out onto the field wearing the wrong jersey, took pictures with fans and was even caught wearing it on the stadium’s Jumbo-Tron during the National Anthem.Oops!
Trot Nixon, Boston Red Sox:Nixon decided to torture Kevin Youkilis by super gluing his suitcase shut on a road trip to Texas.Unable to get it open, Youkilis had to enlist help; they cut the suitcase open and Youkilis had to get a new bag.
Casey Weathers, Colorado Rockies:As the Rockies’ number 1 draft pick in 2007, Casey Weathers was teased about being a big “star” and forced during camp to carry a Red Carpet around everywhere he went.This prank occurred after the first day of camp when he was forced to push around a cart containing an elk head.
Brett Myers, Philadelphia Phillies:We are all familiar with the awful prank that was pulled on Kyle Kendrick during 2008 Spring Training.Kendrick was told he had been traded to Japan and everyone, including the manager, his agent, the media, and all the players were in on the prank organized by Myers.I think a video explains this one best:
Kyle McClellan, St. Louis Cardinals:McClellan fell victim to a common prank seen all around MLB; as a rookie, McClellan decided to keep the first game ball he threw in the majors.His teammates replaced it with a ball they had written all over and McClellan was upset, thinking they had actually written on his ball.Later, his teammates gave him the real ball back, unharmed.
Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves:Hudson gave Eddie Perez the fright of his life during a stay at a Fort Lauderdale hotel.Perez entered his room, opened the closet door and Hudson jumped out at him, wearing the Scary Movie costume and mask.It was all caught on tape and aired on Spike TV.Perez was so upset, he asked to change rooms.
Henry Blanco, Chicago Cubs:During Spring Training, Blanco and teammates decided to have some fun with their athletic trainer.He had an old, beat up car but it was in pretty good shape when compared with how it looked after Blanco and company got through with it.They took bats to it and smashed it up, broke all the windows, etc…When the trainer saw what they had done, he was in shock.Blanco then informed him that they had all gotten together and bought him a new car.Whew!
Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals:Third base coach Tony Beasly was very excited about a brand new car he had just bought. Zimmerman and friends stole his keys while he wasn’t looking and had the security guard move the car.After the game, Beasly thought his car had been stolen.His son came in the next day and told players it was the first time he had ever heard his very religious father cuss.
Dave Parker, Cincinnati Reds:A popular prank in the Reds clubhouse had been named “The Three Man Lift.”Three players would lie on the ground and lock arms while Parker attempted to “lift” the 3 men.On the floor, the man in the middle was about to get a surprise.What they were actually doing was holding the guy down while other players covered him in shaving cream, mustard, ketchup and talcum powder.Former Red Glenn Sutko reportedly fell for this trick not once, but twice.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Strange Baseball.Please leave any of your favorite pranks in the comment section below to share with everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!Here are just a few things that Jenn is thankful for this holiday season:
·BASEBALL!!!
·Phillies are WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!
·The Phillies winning has just made Holiday shopping a WHOLE lot easier!
·Even on crutches, Chase Utley STILL looks good! J
·And if Utley’s not in sight, I can still ogle at Greg Dobbs or Shane Victorino J
·Right after New Year’s, I will be going on a week-long cruise with Shane, JC Romero, Larry Andersen, Greg Luzinski and the Phanatic!! – you hate me, don’t you?
·Form fitting baseball pants J
·Ruben Amaro Jr. is the new GM – he is WAY easier to look at than Pat “Grumpy Face” Gilick
·Re-runs of the World Championship season on TV this off-season
·Football – it is the only reason I make it through the baseball off-season without hanging myself from my ceiling fan.
And on a more personal note, I am also thankful for:
Apparently, new GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has more important things on his mind these days than left field.With the Phillies having exclusive bargaining rights with Pat Burrell until this Friday, it is somewhat surprising that they have yet to even contact him.However, Burrell continues to make his presence known.Yesterday, he showed up at the Eagles game along with Cole Hamels to participate in the pre-game coin toss.They were given a very warm ovation from the crowd. I am guessing they needed it...Burrell looks like he is freezing!
Burrell has expressed more than a few times that he wants to remain in Philadelphia.He was quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer as saying, "I think it's been very clear that I want to stay, and they know that. But at the same time, I don't know what the direction of the organization is. Either way, I've got nothing but positive things and thanks to say to the organization for my time here. And obviously, this past couple weeks has been the end of it all. I want to be back, but I don't know what's going to happen."The issue is rumored to be number of years as opposed to salary, although with 10 arbitration eligible players on their list, the Phillies front office has got to have dollar signs in mind as well.Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels are both going to want hefty salaries, and that is only 2 of the 10.Not to mention we have another 8.5 million that will be thrown away, yet again, on a useless Adam Eaton.
What is at the top of the Phillies’ wish list is left-handed pitching, more specifically re-signing both Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre.They will most likely get these deals done before all others.Amaro does seem prepared to sail this ship without Burrell…he has mentioned Greg Dobbs on more than one occasion as a replacement.He even compared the Dobbs situation to Jayson Werth’s, who really blossomed once he became a starter.Amaro said that “sometimes all a guy needs is a chance,“ when referring to starting Dobbs in left field.So just like we were forced to part ways with Aaron Rowand last off-season, so may we be in the same boat with Burrell this year.Hey…maybe he’ll go to the Giants to hang with Rowand?They certainly don’t mind signing long term deals… J
Here’s one more photo from the Eagles game…their wives are going to LOVE this one J
Phillies fans everywhere are going CRAZY for Shane Victorino!It seems we just can’t get enough of this tiny Hawaiian.And why not?His post-season stats thus far have earned him the recognition.Shane is batting .281 with an On Base Percentage of .625%; he has 3 stolen bases, he has a team-high 11 RBI, and 2 home runs.He hits in clutch situations and always does it with a smile!You can see where he gets that famous smile – here is a photo I took of his parents last year while we watched Shane take batting practice from inside the Diamond Club at CBP.His dad told me some fun stories about Shane as a child.It was easy to see how proud they were of their son and how much they love him.
Everyone else loves him too… Just yesterday, Shane was signing autographs at the ShopRite of Marlton and, according to my source, the line to meet him was wrapped around the building twice, continued down the street, and wrapped around a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts.To stand in a line that long to get one autograph – now that’s love.
And Shane has certainly been feeling the love lately.He received an outpouring of sympathy recently when his grandmother, Irene, passed away on Oct. 10 after Game 2 of the NLCS; Victorino went 2-5 with four RBIs that day and made an AMAZING catch in centerfield, which he credits to his Grandmother watching over him.Fans and readers of his Post-Season blog left him beautiful messages of condolences and some even shared their own experiences of grief with Shane.He is just so approachable, you can not help but feel like he’s a friend to all.
The city of Philadelphia is certainly smitten with Victorino as well.A local sports store even had t-shirts made up specifically for Victorino fans.The front says “Phillies” which is surrounded by a colorful flower lei design, and the back has the #8 and says “Flyin’ Hawaiian” above the number.There were so many shirts in one store, that they were piled 3 feet high on table tops.And the store was so crowded with people grabbing them up that you could not walk from one side of the table to the other.It was a claustrophobic nightmare!But, many were willing to endure to get their hands on the merchandise.
Shane is one of the nicest and most easily accessible Phillies on this team.He loves the fans and goes out of his way to sign autographs whenever he can.He has even dedicated an entire week to the fans - This coming January, Shane, along with JC Romero, Larry Andersen, Greg Luzinski and the Phanatic, will all be joining fans on a week-long Caribbean cruise designed for Phillies Phanatics!You do know I will SO be there. I would have mortgaged my house, if I had to! JLuckily, that was not necessary.Although, I may have to donate some of my organs to science.Who needs 2 kidney’s anyway?And the brain?Well, I am really not using it much… J
Best of luck to Shane in the World Series!We will ALL be watching J
