Worth a Thousand Words

Check out what the cameras caught at the end of the big game:



That's me, front and just-off-center with the standard Phillies hat. From Getty Images, posted at Yahoo! Sports.

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World Series Game Five - Phillies 2, Rays 2

Raindrops are falling on my head
I was excited when after five innings the phils led
With Hamels on the mound, but
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

Although we were wet, we were having lots of fun
Until, thanks to Bud Selig, the Rays scored another run
Was he sleeping on the job? And
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling

But there's one thing I hope
That fans at Game 5 and a half won't start to cuss
It won't be long 'til happiness is there to greet us

Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that won't stop me from wearing my Phillie red
Tonight could be the night and
We're never gonna stop the rain by complaining
I guess we'll see, nothing's worrying me

It won't be long 'til happiness is there to greet us

Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that won't stop me from wearing my Phillie red
Tonight could be the night and
We're never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Phils win 5-3, nothing's worrying me...

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What the hell

We're moments away from departure for Philadelphia and I figured I'd go all in:

Although I've told Mike in the past that "hope is not analysis," I do hope the Phillies clinch today. I'm going to predict a 4-1 Phillies win.

Then bring on the parade.

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World Series Game Four - Phillies 10, Rays 2

Sharp on mound and at the plate, Blanton puts Phillies up 3-1

I don't know about you, but I'd call that a slugfest, even if Tampa Bay didn't join the party. So the only thing left to do is for Cole Hamels to go out and clinch this thing at home. The Phillies will have their World Championship and I will have pulled off one hell of a trifecta, prediction-wise.

But first we wait, which won't be easy. In fact, I'm sure the only reason I'll be able to fall asleep tonight is because I'm still so tired from staying up for Game Three. And speaking of exhaustion, as much as I would love to spend some time nitpicking Buck McCarver and the Fox Traveling Circus, I'm not going to do that. I'm going to bed. Monday is shaping up to be a pretty big day.

But before I do, I thought you might appreciate some haikus inspired by tonight's game. Enjoy:

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He of dirty hat
Whether with one arm or two
Blanton is the man

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Dearest Jimmy-legs
Crack crack crack and run run run
When you score we win

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One, two, three runs home
When Ryan swings mighty bat
Oh! Oppo poppo

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Huh? No hits, two runs
Worry not for Utley, still
Quite a strange boxscore

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Big blow by Jayson
So welcome to the party
Could you stay a while?

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Ryan in the eighth
Still holding mighty bat - oops!
He did it again

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Say it ain't so Pat
Will he stay, will he go, or
Will he get a hit?

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Steely-eyed is he
Our Hamels will take the ball
One more win to go

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World Series Game Three - Phillies 5, Rays 4

Moyer's return to form, longball give Phillies 2-1 series lead

Jamie Moyer is one cool customer (or "cucumber" according to mrs. tmmullen). What a performance in game three of the World Series by the ageless lefty: seven innings, one run, four hits, five strikeouts, and only one walk. It was a well-deserved win for Moyer, whose return to form was forecasted in this very blog.

What's that?

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention something: I have this new television with a great feature that shows alternative endings to games where, in this instance, ANOTHER umpire did not blow ANOTHER important call in ANOTHER World Series game allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to score ANOTHER couple of runs that would not have otherwise scored.

Of course, I'm referring to the Carl Crawford bunt to lead off the seventh inning. If that call is made correctly, he's the first out, followed by Navarro's double, after which Gross and Bartlett each ground out. That's the end of the inning and the Phillies still lead 4-1. From there it's Madson, Lidge, ballgame. But it wasn't.

I'll try to put this behind me - mrs. tmmullen is already tired of me grinding my teeth about it - but this is unacceptable. This is the World Series. These umpires are supposed to be the best of the best of the best. So what does it say about the quality of umpiring when the defensive play of the game - perhaps the series, or even the entire playoffs - didn't even record an out?

You want to know how good Jamie Moyer was tonight? See his strikeout of Carlos Pena in the 6th inning on four pitches (click on the link, click on the 6th inning, click on Pena's at-bat, then enjoy). This is a guy that came into the game with a career OPS of 1.495 in 22 plate appearances against Moyer. I understand it's only a personal stat, but that umpire robbed Moyer of a World Series win tonight. Shameful.

Now that I got that out of my teeth, there was a lot of good in this game. Jimmy Rollins had two solid base hits, Carlos Ruiz went yard, and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard went back-to-back. While I sincerely apologize for putting him on the spot, I need to mention that not long ago Mike Hillman's patience with Ruiz had run out and he was making some radical suggestions. Then, after Ruiz's home run, these two text messages passed each other nearly simultaneously in the cell phone cybernets:

From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen
I always liked Ruiz!

From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael
That's your boy!

Then that mother-effer goes and wins it with a bases loaded infield single. Could he be halfway to World Series MVP? Wrap your head around that one my friends.

Lost in the euphoria of this walk-off win are some curious moves by Charlie Manuel. While I think he handled the bullpen superbly, I'm beside myself over his decision to take Pat Burrell out of the game in the seventh inning. This has been a bone of contention with me beyond this season and perhaps, time permitting, I will elaborate in a separate post before game four.

Also, why burn Greg Dobbs when it was fairly obvious they were going to walk the next hitter to load the bases and set up a force play at home? Let them walk Pedro Feliz and the let Ruiz (or Dobbs) hit. Worst case scenario, Ruiz gounds into a double-play and then you use Dobbs for the pitcher.

Fortunately, we saw the best case scenario and, just like that, the Phillies lead the series 2-1.

Finally, before we turn the page, it's worth noting a special moment that occurred what seems like a lifetime ago. During his participation with a Boys & Girls Club pre-game ceremony on the field, country singer Tim McGraw, son of the late Tug McGraw, took a brief moment to scatter some of his father's ashes on the pitcher's mound. The modest gesture was intended to honor Tug, but, as the story spreads, there is little doubt it will have a tremendous and far-reaching effect on Phillies fans who fondly remember the left-handed reliever, his antics, and his role in the only baseball World Championship this city has ever seen.

Until Tuesday.

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World Series Game Two - Rays 4, Phillies 2

Rays even series on errors by Werth, home plate umpire

It's time for some straight talk, my friends.

That was a terrible game - and a bullshit win. Can I say "bullshit" here? It doesn't matter, nobody's reading this. As great a game as game one was, this game was the total opposite - and not because the Phillies lost, but because the home plate umpire couldn't get out of his own way. Yet despite their failure (on a mammoth scale) to hit with runners in scoring position, the Phillies still had the tying run at the plate in the ninth.

On the other hand, because of their youth, it's likely the Rays have no clue how truly lucky they were to win that game. There is no arguing the fact that if Jayson Werth fields B.J. Upton's single in the first inning cleanly, then the Rays don't score on any of the next three ground ball outs (one of which might have been a double play). You could also make a good argument that if Kerwin Danley had the balls to continue with the strike out call on Rocco Baldelli that he started, which would have been the second out of the second inning, then the Rays don't score there either and the game is scoreless instead of 3-0, Rays. The run they scored in the fourth was just good baseball.

But none of this matters - not even the ridiculous "nope, sorry Jimmy, that ball didn't hit you" call by Danley with nobody out in the ninth - when the Phillies are 1-28 with runners in scoring position in these two games. That is truly inexplicable.

The bright spots were obvious - if few and far between. Carlos Ruiz turned in some truly remarkable at-bats Wednesday night, which could be a great sign not only for this series, but for next year as well. Shane Victorino continued to collect hits, which may put him back in the two-spot on Saturday. Plus, it is truly a pleasure to welcome the real Ryan Howard back. You were missed. If you have any information on the location of the real Jimmy Rollins, please let us know. By the way, I contacted the authorities about Pat Burrell and I was told I had to wait 48 more hours before filing a missing hitter report.

So what have we learned after these first two games? It's hard to say. Most of the "experts" felt that game one was a must win for the Phillies with Cole Hamels on the mound - and they won. These same experts then proclaimed game two a must win for the Rays because they couldn't afford to leave Tampa down 0-2 - and they won. I'm going to guess that game three will now be a must win for the Phillies so they don't relinquish home-field advantage and they might be right.

At the end of the day - or the beginning of this one - mrs. tmmullen and I both knew that if we wanted to attend a World Series game this year, the Phillies would have to lose at least once (we have tickets for game five). She commented on how odd it was to secretly hope that they would lose one just for that reason and I felt that same way. But I also confided in her - before the series started - that I thought the Rays might feast on a pitcher with a style like Brett Myers and that the Phillies might lose game two. Well, the bad news is that they lost game two, but the good news is that, well, Myers didn't pitch poorly at all. So if he needs to come back for a game six, I will have plenty of confidence in him.

But I'm thinking there won't be a game six: Jamie Moyer returns to form, Joe Blanton wins a slugfest, and then Hamels clinches it at home. Yeah, I'll say it: Phils in five.

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World Series Game One - Phillies 3, Rays 2

Fightins' steal home field advantage, lead best-of-seven series 1-0

Let's play 20 questions:

(1) When was Twisted Sister hired by the Rays?

During the frustratingly long pre-game show, Kevin Kennedy was really overselling the Rays new attitude, which was, "We're not gonna take it anymore!" This was a good example of the completely pointless information shared with viewers during a completely pointless pre-game show. Poor little Paige just wanted the game to start - and so did I.

(2) Regarding the National Anthem: What the hell was that?

If you didn't see it, count yourself among the lucky ones. If you did, well, seriously, can you tell me - what the hell was that?

(3) After Chase Utley hit his two-run home run, was I the only one who thought Pat Burrell was going to hit a solo shot?

Come on, be honest. I'm sure there were some others somewhere who were instantly reminded of what happened in the sixth inning of Game One of the NLCS. The good news is it came early, the bad news is that Pat struck out.

(4) Which was more confusing - understanding the ground rules or listening to Joe Buck incorrectly explain the ground rules?

To his credit, he did review them again later and got them right.

(5) Why try to score Shane Victorino on Jimmy Rollins' pop fly in the second inning?

First of all, I don't understand why you wouldn't give Jayson Werth, who was on deck, a chance to bat with the bases loaded (and two outs), and, perhaps more importantly, the ball was in shallow center field. No matter who made it, it was a bad decision.

(6) How concerned should I be that I agreed with Tim McCarver's assessment of the "weird" infield alignment when Ryan Howard was batting with Chase Utley at third base and one out in the third inning?

There were three infielders on the right side and they were in. The third baseman was standing practically next to third. Fuck the heck?

(7) Is B.J. Upton slow or lazy?

Clearly I'm being facetious, but I thought Upton was fast. He dogged it down the line when he grounded into a double play in the first inning. He dogged it down the line when he grounded into a double play in the third inning. And then he didn't run down Shane Victorino's single - in fact he didn't even catch it. It just bounced past him. I think mrs. tmmullen summed it up best, "Way to hustle - it's not like it's the World Series or anything. I'm sure you'll be back again." I added, "Yeah, just ask Cal Ripken."

(8) Did Joe Maddon really think that Scott Kazmir "looked good" after giving up three runs in the first four innings?

All things considered, he pitched okay, but he was constantly having to pitch out of trouble. With his pitch count climbing, he came out of the game early. Sure, the bullpen was effective, but how many times will Maddon be able to go to that well before the Phillies start hitting them? My point is that, after listening to Maddon's spin, just for a moment, I thought I was listening to an interview on "Fox & Friends."

(9) How many viewers had strokes when McCarver said, "Pack the bags and the light the lights, curves are coming left and right."?

Seriously, fuck the heck?

(10) How annoyed was Mike Hillman when Buck McCarver talked about "the two countrymen," Carlos Ruiz and Dioner Navarro, who hail from Venezuela?

He was pretty pissed. Probably because, while Navarro is from Venezuela, Ruiz is from Panama.

(11) How sweet was Ryan Howard's catch in the stands of Upton's foul pop?

Yes, he had a couple issues in the field Wednesday night, but that play was sweet. And so was his throw to second after Hamels picked Carlos Pena off first (see question 13).

(12) Did I really see and hear a Brit promoting Mexican food in the United States?

Hey I'm all in favor of a free taco [insert the joke of your choice here], but if I have to listen to Buck McCarver, spare me that transcontinental confusion.

(13) Did you think that was a balk?

Neither did I.

(14) What is with the pitch-trax or Fox-trax or whatever it's called?

That thing is useless. If the strike zone was really as small as that graphic makes it look, games would last six hours and pitchers would walk two batters an inning - at least.

(15) How lost is Ryan Howard?

I still can't decide which at-bat was worse, the one when he swung and missed at the pitch that bounced either on the plate or in front, or the one in the ninth when he struck out looking after they intentionally walked Chase Utley to pitch to him. I need to repeat that: THEY INTENTIONALLY WALKED UTLEY TO PITCH TO HOWARD. If the real Ryan Howard can show up sometime in the next five days, the Phillies will win this at home. If not, it could be a long slog.

(16) Why was Pat Burrell taken out of the game in the seventh inning of a one-run game on the road?

I would have preferred it if Charlie would have put Eric Bruntlett in left field after Chris Coste batted in the eighth inning, moved Burrell to DH, and taken Coste out. I realize this might leave you in a dangerous situation if Ruiz were to get hurt, but it's a risk worth taking - especially if you can keep Pat's bat behind Howard. Ugh.

(17) How enjoyable has it been to watch Ryan Madson evolve into arguably the best set-up man in baseball right before our eyes?

In eight games in the post-season, he has given up only one run on seven hits in 10 innings (0.90 ERA) while striking out seven and walking one. This follows a September (13 games) where he gave up only one run on 12 hits in 14 innings (0.64 ERA) while striking out 17 and walking one. Joe Owens can suck it.

(18) How lost is Jimmy Rollins?

He was 0-5 with two strikeouts and was swinging at pitches above his eyes. He's hitting .214 in the post-season and, let's be honest, it's been an ugly .214. But if the real Jimmy Rollins can show up sometime in the next five days, the Phillies will win this at home. If not, it could be a long slog.

(19) How good is Brad Lidge?

Very good. He made the first two hitters in the ninth look like minor leaguers. He flirted briefly with what a friend of mine calls "Mitch Lidge," but still turned in a perfect ninth. Who knows, he may yet blow a save in the World Series, but it wasn't on Wednesday. And that's that.

(20) How good was that game?

I realize some fans like slugfests - and I don't mind those every once and while. Other fans like it when the Phils blow the other team out, which, obviously, would allow us all to relax a little more later in games. But I do love me a good old-fashioned pitchers' duel. Every single pitch is magnified exponentially - for both teams - as a one run game like this creeps closer and closer to finality. Fortunately, the good guys came out on top Wednesday despite leaving 11 runners on base and going 0-13 with runners in scoring position. That won't get it done in the World Series.

As we wait for Game Two, hopefully the two or three people who visit our little corner of the internets will add their thoughts on the game or the series and - dare I dream? - maybe Mike will make an appearance. Only time will tell.

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Philly Fans: Where perception meets reality

I'm with Flavor Flav on this one: Don't believe the hype. The issue of Philadelphia fans and their, uh, temperment has been covered ad nauseum - even in this blog. So when a couple of elite media types had to make a big deal about it before the Phillies/Dodgers NLCS, I was compelled to save them for later comment. And the future is now.

First up is this goofball:


ANGRYVILLE -- You spend any time in this dingy city and around these folks,

Cute dateline. But, as this article will demonstrate, the angry one appears to be Mr. Simers.


and pit bulls running wild come to mind. Fine when leashed, but set them free, put a beer in their grubby paws and it's only a matter of time before they're going to go on the attack -- both the home team and its opponent feeling the bite.

This just in, pit bulls running wild are fine when leashed. Also, don't let them drink beer. Apparently sober pit bulls do not bite.


It's an angry place, all right, everything old here in Philadelphia, crumbling and in ruin. Even the city's main attraction has a crack in it.

Yeah, take that! History is for losers!


So the prevailing opinion around here is you have to be an obstinate pug to make it in Philly, the football team tough, the hockey team a bunch of bullies and the Phillies rugged competitors like Larry Bowa. This is supposed to make Philly an intimidating place to play.

The thirty-year-old references to the Broad Street Bullies and Larry Bowa's Phillies notwithstanding, is being "tough" as an athlete a bad thing?


But if a Philly crowd is so intimidating, as Bowa suggests, why do the Phillies lose here so often?

Because the fans don't actually play the games?


A year ago, the Phillies became the first pro sports franchise in North American history to lose 10,000 games.

And clearly that's the fans' fault. If they were more polite, they wouldn't have lost number 10,000 until at least 2009. But seriously folks, am I the only one who thinks that this was one of the most irrelevant and overcovered "sports" stories last year?


The Dodgers have the better team, a destiny date in Boston, and while that might make the folks in Philly miserable, they don't know how to act any differently here. Funny thing, too, this series will probably come back here [to Philadelphia] for Games 6 and 7, and nothing more disappointing [SIC] than getting that close to a World Series only to trudge out of the stadium wondering what went wrong.

He was wrong about the Dodgers having the better team and "a destiny date in Boston" and the series coming back to Philadelphia. But despite the massive SIC, he was right about how disappointing it is to get close to a World Series and then trudge out or your own stadium wondering what went wrong. I'll give him half-credit, even though I don't know how to act any differently - whatever that means.


The Phillies get the first two games here, their best pitcher in Cole Hamels starting against Derek Lowe, who is pitching for a new contract next year, as much motivation as any pro athlete can have these days. Advantage Lowe.

[Buzzer sounds] Well, that was wrong. And I'm also pretty sure it's not a sentence either.


Brett Myers, who has more losses than wins, then takes on Chad Billingsley, and the Dodgers look pretty good to win one of the first two games here. A sweep is not out of the question.

[Buzzer sounds] Oh! Another incorrect answer. Only one strike left.


Then it really turns ugly for the Phillies, who can only throw 100-year-old softball pitcher Jamie Moyer at the Dodgers and then just another guy in Joe Blanton.

Jamie Moyer just didn't match up well with the Dodgers. I looked at the numbers before the game and they weren't good. So that's how that goes. But Blanton isn't Joe the Plumber. And clearly he showed that against the Dodgers.


So there you go, the Phillies lose again, but then what's new?

[Buzzer sounds] And that sounds means we'll have to say goodbye to our Mr. Simers. But he'll be leaving with our home game and, of course, the disappointment that comes with getting that close to a World Series and then trudging out of your own stadium wondering what went wrong. Thanks for playing.


Our next contestant is from Toronto but is just as goofy:

Tonight, the National League Championship Series between the hometown Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers is forecast to begin in cool, moist weather. But after 15 years of disappointment, the heat pouring down from the stands promises to be scorching.

Take that Philly fans!


The Phillies haven't come this far in the post-season since 1993. They went on to lose the World Series in fairly embarrassing fashion to the Oronto-Tay Lue-Bay Ays-Jay.

I have always thought the Phillies should have won the 1993 World Series 4-2, instead of losing it 4-2. Far from embarrassing (see 1983 World Series), I would call that a competitive and entertaining series - although clearly more entertaining for Toronto. And what is the purpose of the pig-latin, which was completely butchered?


Saying more while actually in Philadelphia could be dangerous. They take their grudges seriously here.

I'm not sure there was ever a "grudge" about 1993 and, even if there was, the fact that Mitch Williams is popular in Philadelphia shows the fans are over it. Now JD Drew is grudge-worthy and yes, the fans take things like that seriously. Is that a bad thing?


They boo their opponents of course. They boo their own players as well. When they get bored with that, they boo the ball girls.

Hey, fair is fair. If a ball girl or a fan can't make the play, they get booed. I've got no problem with that.


They spent much of the early season catcalling Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and he's only, you know, the defending league MVP. "They're front-runners," Rollins said after he'd had enough. "When you're doing good, they're on your side. When you're doing bad, they're completely against you."

Fuck the heck? I suppose this guy wasn't paying attention. Fans starting booing Jimmy after he made those comments. But don't let the facts get in the way of making your point.

I know I'm dreaming, but with the Phillies in the World Series, maybe we can put the whole "Philly Boo Bird" issue to rest. Right? Right?

Never mind.

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Hope is not analysis

For those three or four people who visit our little corner of the internets, I promise to share some stories and some thoughts on the NLCS in the next few days. I've been busy the past week or so enjoying the first two games in Philadelphia, attending mrs. tmmullen's high school reunion, and battling some ill-health. Please accept my sincere apologies.

And since I'm here, well, it worked once, so I'll try it again:

Although I've told Mike in the past that "hope is not analysis," I do hope the Phillies clinch today. I'm going to predict a 5-2 Phillies win.

Then bring on the Rays.

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NLCS Game One - Phillies 3, Dodgers 2

It's a Beautiful Night for a Home Run - Let's Hit Two



There is plenty to say about Thursday night's game, but it will have to wait because of the quick turn around time for game two. Ashburn Alley opens at 2:00 p.m. and the inflatable slide outside the park (Paige's favorite) will be ready to go long before that. The family and I are moments from departure, which leaves me just enough time to say this:

Beat L.A.

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NLDS Game Four - Phillies 6, Brewers 2

Phils clinch series with long-ball



The rest is silence.

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NLDS Game Three - Brewers 4, Phillies 1

Blanton set to start game four

That was tough to watch.

Something I may not have ever mentioned here is that I am a certified PIAA basketball official. I share this with you for two reasons. First, I will be at Kutztown University all day today for the second day of a two-day officials clinic, which means I will not be able to watch Game Four [I literally arrived home from day one of the clinic just in time to see the first pitch on Saturday].

More importantly, it gives me some credibility when I say that the most important thing that players, coaches, and managers want from officials and umpires is for them to be consistent. If it's a foul in the first quarter, it needs to be a foul in the fourth. Or, in this case, if it's a strike to one hitter, it needs to be a strike to another hitter.

I think there are few people who would disagree that the home plate umpire was inconsistent last night - and it killed Jamie Moyer. Some might argue that Jamie needs an umpire who will give him a little off that plate and I will admit that certainly helps him. But what is more important for him is to find that spot that the umpire will call a strike and keep pounding it in there until the hitter has to swing at it. Moyer couldn't do that on Saturday because the umpire was inconsistent.

In one at-bat in the second inning I watched Moyer throw four straight pitches in virtually the exact spot after which the count was 2-2. I said to mrs. tmmullen, "This is not going to be good." Unfortunately, it wasn't.

The good news is that the Phillies hitters will face Jeff Suppan today. He is 0-2 in his last three starts with an ERA north of 10.00. Even better, in their careers, the Phillies are hitting .307 as a team against him with good numbers from Utley (.474), Burrell (.429), Rollins (.333), and Howard (.300) - the four guys who need to start hitting right now (although Howard looked good last night).

The Phils counter with Joe Blanton, who is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts. Milwaukee hitters, as a team, have only had 40 plate appearances against him, so, despite their .297 average, that could work in his favor.

There you have it. I'm off to Kutztown and I'll hear the good news - or the bad news - on the radio on the way home. Although I've told Mike in the past that "hope is not analysis," I do hope the Phillies clinch today. I'm going to predict a 6-3 Phillies win.

Then bring on the Dodgers.

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Sportswriting for dummies

I am confident most people have, at least once in their life, expressed their disappointment in an official way about either poor service or an inferior product they received - and we should. Good businesses and managers want to know when things are wrong. But I wonder how often any of us do the same when we are lucky enough to experience excellent service or an outstanding product. Too few probably.

I mention this because, after all, a lot of what I like to do here is really just my way of expressing my dissatisfaction with the quality of the sportswriting and sports reporting that appears in print and/or on the internets. And with that said, it's time to highlight something I really liked.

This is sportswriting.

Of course, as much as I like Rich Hoffman and love reading his work, I can't help but point out - politely of course - one minor flaw in this otherwise wonderful piece:


The fifth pitch of the at-bat was ball two, and then [Brett] Myers hit another foul ball and broke his bat. As he walked over to get a new one, that was when the crowd really took the thing to Defcon 5.

Defcon 1 was what he meant. And if you were there, you know that description was spot on.

Rich Hoffman ladies and gentlemen. Read all you want, he'll write more.

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NLDS Game Two - Phillies 5, Brewers 2

Phils lead series 2-0, Vizza vies for MVP

After the game, while most of the talk inside and outside Citizen's Bank Park was about the at-bat by Brett Myers in the second inning, there were a few of us in attendance that went home focused on something else.

"We want four! We want four!"

The chant began with one man standing in centerfield next to the Brewers' bullpen and quickly spread to, well, no one as Shane Victorino stepped to the plate with the bases loaded two hitters later.

Ball one.

"Are you asking Shane to go to the deli? And perhaps pick up some salami?" I asked. Yes, I was proud of that little joke - and it's a personal favorite of mrs. tmmullen's even if she won't admit it.

Called strike.

The fan from Northeast Philadelphia quickly told me of another time when the bases were loaded and he and his group took up the call, "We want four! We want four!" only to be followed by a grand slam.

Foul ball.

"Re-karma! Re-karma! Re-karma!" he cried.

Crack!

We watched the ball rise. The entire stadium seemed to inhale in unison and hold their breath, following the track of the baseball until it disappeared from sight and insanity ensued. Euphoria engulfed me. I remember little after that.

When I rejoined reality, I realized that somehow I was able to snap a picture of this harbinger of Victorino's heroics in the midst of celebrating. His name is Lorenzo (Ren) Vizza and if he ever visits our little corner of the internets, hopefully he'll share the longer version of how the "We want four!" originated. Also pictured is his wife Christy who is a big - we're talking HUGE here people - fan of Jayson Werth.



Under penalty of violence, I am required to report in this space that Jayson Werth went 2-4 with two doubles, a run scored, and a stolen base in Game 2.

As you may have already surmised, I spent Game 2 out in centerfield. My brother and I originally dropped anchor there for a close-up look at CC Sabathia (who Christy kept calling CC Sabastian for some reason, along with some other unprintable names). He did not disappoint:



While many of the fans joined together to heckle the behemoth, at one point during a break, I offered, "Don't listen to them CC, come play for Philly next year!" A few people laughed, but, more telling, I heard one fan say, "Yeah, like the Phillies will spend the money." I wondered if Joe Owens was nearby to write that down.

And so it went. Whether true or not (and he didn't admit it was), five starts in 18 days (the last four on three days rest) may have finally worn CC Sabathia down. John Henry may have beat the machine, but he died in the process. CC couldn't beat the Phillies. Let's hope his arm isn't dead either.

[Although, tangetially, I doubt the Brewers care. They aren't going to re-sign him after this year, so why not trot him out every three days and get their money's worth. Arm issues? What arm issues? That's the next team's problem.]

Finally, listening to 920 AM on the way home, I heard a number of people make a case for Shane Victorino as the NLDS Most Valuable Player (should the Phillies win of course). But right now, my vote is for Mr. Vizza. Not only did he do his voo-doo to coax the grand slam, he also bought me an adult beverage.

Find me a Philly fan who doesn't consider that an MVP performance.

---

NLDS Game One - Phillies 3, Brewers 1

Phillies lead the best of five series 1-0

Just as the Brewers were kicking up a fuss against Brad Lidge in the ninth inning on Wednesday, the wind and rain suddenly reappeared. Fortunately for the fans, the rain was the only thing blown at Citizen's Bank Park that day.

Note: By the time this appears, I will already be inside the park for game two. When time permits, I will add more to this post, but for now, please enjoy a few snapshots of how we saw the first post-season win for the Phillies in nearly 15 years. [Click on them to enlarge]




Philles Ball Girl Jocelyn Brown, mrs. tmmullen, and Paige at the pre-game rally. This isn't the first time Paige met "Miss Jocelyn," as we call her, and I'll save that story for another post. For now, I will simply say that Ms. Brown represents the Phillies organization well. Whether or not the same thing can be said of mrs. tmmullen's representation of this blog depends on the audience. I am referring, of course, to adult beverage prominently displayed in the picture. You make the call.




Mitch Williams makes his way through the crowd to attend the pre-game rally. He's not as wild in person as he is on television.




The two teams wrap up pre-game introductions and get ready for the national anthem. There are few things in life I enjoy more than being at the ball park to hear that song and then, moments later, watch the first pitch be thrown. Although one of them is doing the same thing with my daughter in my arms.




Speaking of which, here she is waving her rally towel like a maniac. She was quite popular in our section with many of the fans around us giving her high-fives after strikeouts and other, well, high-fiveable moments of the game.

Sure, like our first game in march, it was windy and it was cold, but to us, and most of the rest, it just didn't matter.

---

Steaming cup of something

There is a fine line between making excuses and offering an explanation. Hopefully, you will see this as the latter. I truly enjoy posting here, but I only do it when I can offer something that is up to my own personal standards. If I were to post just for the sake of posting, you would end up with a steaming pile of something like this from Joe Owens of the Easton Express Times.


As a Phillies fan who has attended games for 39 years, I can't tell you how many times I have seen them clinch the National League East Division championship in person.

Well then let's start with an easy one, were you there last year?


I saw it today.

So did more than 40,000 others. Were you there last year?


By my count, this is the eighth time they have won the division in those four decades. I have been there for World Series victories and I was there the night they clinched the National League pennant in 1993. That was crazy.

Good for you. Were you there last year?


The only year the Phillies won the World Series - 1980 - they clinched the division in Montreal. So, basically, I don't remember being there for a division-clinching game, although it's possible.

First of all - fuck the heck? You don't remember if you were Montreal when Mike Schmidt hit his 48th home run of the season to seal the deal? Wow. I wasn't there, but, and maybe it's just me and it's just because that season was so special and because I was 12 years old, but the call still echoes in my head:

Harry Kalas: Swing and a long drive... Deep left field...

Andy Musser: He buried it! He buried it!

Harry Kalas: Way back... That ball's outta here! Home run Mike Schmidt puts the Phillies up 6-4!

Andy Musser: Whoo!

Harry Kalas: What a drive by Schmidt, unbelieveable, he hit that ball deep to the seats in left field. Mike is clapping his hands, he's shaking hands with all his teammates. What a wild scene here in Montreal!

I got goosebumps typing that. But back to the point - were you there last year or not?


Some observations:

I guess we'll never know. So what was the point of that steaming cup of nonsense? Perhaps a lead-in to this steaming pile of, well, you decide.


It was really cool, even though I purchased my standing-room-only tickets exactly six hours before the game.

I don't need anyone to tell me that being at the game when they clinch the division is "really cool" - but hey thanks. You really earned your money with this post. Plus, who cares when you got your tickets and why the need to say it was "exactly" six hours before the game?


Jamie Moyer is the man. Three months younger than me, the guy is my hero. Six innings, six hits, one run. Say no more.

What kind of sportswriting is this? The only thing that your age tells me is that you were 18 years old in 1980. So you don't remember if you went to Montreal for the Phillies clincher when you were 18? It was October, so maybe you were in college somewhere? Really? Still drawing a blank? Yikes.

Hey, maybe I'm being mean, I wouldn't trust this guy to tell me the time or the weather, let alone his analysis of a sporting event. Although Jamie Moyer was spectacular. Maybe he heard one of the fans standing next to him say that and decided to write it down.


Jimmy Rollins isn't lighting it up at the plate, but the man is a great shortstop.

Whatever.


Temple played a dreadful football game across the street. I believe there were more people in the lower level first-base-side restroom at Citizens Bank Park than watching the Owls at Lincoln Financial Field.

First of all, yuck. What would possess someone to write this? I don't ever want to imagine anyone in a public restroom anywhere. Why not say "there were more people in line for a beer" or "there were more people at Bulls BBQ?" Seriously, that was unecessary and gross. Second of all, why did Temple suddenly appear in an article about the Phillies? Do you have ADD or something?


Abner's cheesesteaks are OK, but I should have gone to Pat's. My bad.

Apparently you do. Nonetheless, while I admit it's been a few years since I've been to Abner's, I love their cheesesteaks and prefer them over the much-hyped competing duo of Pat's and Geno's. Still, it's hard to argue that you shouldn't have gone to Pat's if you don't say why.


Ryan Madson is not dependable. Sorry.

Okay, after a detour to the Owls football game and a cheesesteak break, we're back to game analysis. And you're just wrong. Madson gave up one earned run in 13 appearances (14 innings) in September. That's an 0.64 ERA. He struck out 17 and walked one. One! Can you get any wronger?


Pat Burrell is clueless. Same inning: Trots down to first for a base on balls only to be called back to home because the count is three balls and two strikes. Moments later, he's at second base with one out. His teammate hits a little looper that is tracked down by an infielder. Big Pat is galloping around third and the Nationals flip to second to double off Burrell and end the inning.

Apparently you can. Is this the only game you've seen Pat play this year? Sure, he looked silly during that inning. But it would be hard to find a sample size smaller than that by which to judge any player, let alone Burrell.


Try the American League, Pat. It's less taxing.

Try watching more games you steaming cup of spit. He carried this team (along with Chase Utley) while Ryan Howard was hitting .200. Plus, not resigning him for next season would be a mistake. Get your head out of where steaming piles come from. Oh, wait, like above, maybe he just heard one of the fans near him say it and decided to write that down too. It all makes sense now.


I have no idea where the Phillies are going in this postseason. In fact, I have my doubts. But they are there, in the mix, which was not the case for more than 30 of my suffering seasons with this club.

I have no idea what the point was of this steaming cup of insanity. In fact, I have my doubts that you are even a professional writer. But you are here, on the internets, which I wish wasn't the case because I had to spend more than 30 suffering minutes reading and ranting about your post.


Give 'em a puncher's chance.

Actually, the oddsmakers favor the Phillies to beat the Brewers. Of course, that doesn't mean they will, but it does help me make my case that you are a steaming pile of idiot.

---

My ears may start bleeding

Because these two idiots are calling the Phillies/Nationals game on Fox today.

---

Soaking up some sun and resting for the stretch run

Some housekeeping items:

- The family and I are enjoying the beautiful Jersey shore this week, so there will be few, if any, posts forthcoming until the seventh or eighth. But there are a couple in the queue, including a glimpse of mrs. tmmullen's appearance on ESPN, so please keep checking back.

- Playoffs begin this week in most fantasy baseball leagues around the country and I'm happy to say that yours truly finished in first place in both leagues in which I participated. In addition to the "Regular Season Champions" hats and t-shirts, it also gave me a first-round bye in both leagues, which means I don't need to monitor my teams while I'm enjoying the late summer sun. For the record, Mike also participated in both leagues and I'll leave it to him to decide if he wants to tell you where he finished.

- Finally, as for the Phillies, sure, it was disappointing to watch them lose to the Nationals on Monday, but they went 7-3 over ten games against the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs [and they could have very easily swept the Cubs] - so that's pretty good. Plus, while I'm very happy to be at the beach, if I wasn't here, I would have definitely been making a trip to DC this week, like I did for their September series there last year at RFK. To recap, the Phils are two back of the Mets with just under a month to go - so I'd say they've got them right where they want them.

That's it for now, but check back this week to see if Mike makes an appearance or to comment on one of the older posts. And I'll be thinking of you while I'm enjoying a cocktail by the pool!

---

Fire Tom McCarthy

Three things I thought after watching that fantastic game:

1 - There were many stories (Chris Coste going 4-4 off the bench, Shane Victorino's leadoff triple in the 13th, the bullpen, and Brett Myers' pinch hit at-bat), but the biggest was Jimmy Rollins. It's only two games, but it's nice to have ol' Jimmy-Legs back. If he can play like the 2007 version of Jimmy Rollins for the next five to eight weeks, the Phillies can go deep in the playoffs. If he can't, they may not make the playoffs.

2 - I hate Tom McCarthy. I'm tired of him offering those annoying mid-inning "reports" from the stands that ramble on endlessly while all I really want to do is hear Harry call the game. I've had enough of him encouraging Gary Matthews - who should also be fired - to continue with his mind-numbing comments that we are supposed to think is analysis. I really just want him to shut up. I felt my blood pressure rise when he kept referring to bad outings Scott Schoeneweis has had "here at Shea Stadium." Did he forget he was in Philly? Then I thought I felt blood coming out of my ears when he kept repeating with escalating alarm and certainty that Kyle Kendrick would be unable to start Wednesday's game because he "got all stretched out and warmed up in the bullpen." Yeah, the starting pitcher who averages about 90 pitches a game will be all worn out from that side work that he'll have to skip a start. If he had said that the extra work might limit how long he can go in his start, I would have agreed, but that's not what he said. He said Kendrick wouldn't start Wednesday because he warmed up in the bullpen. If Kendrick doesn't start, I will add an update to this post and publicly apologize to Tom McCarthy, provided that if Kendrick does start, then the Phillies agree to fire Tom McCarthy for making such a stupid comment.

3 - I hate the CW 15 (WLYH). For the second time in the past few weeks, they were not airing the Phillies game. Fortunately, tonight, it was on Channel 249 and, fortunately, that channel is included in my cable subscription. But seriously, fuck the heck CW 15, it's Phillies/Mets... in August... with first place on the line... They should be ashamed of themselves for denying those without access to that obscure channel the opportunity to watch this important game. They should be embarrassed that they haven't bothered to update their "Phillies 2008 Schedule" on their website since April 13th. And they should know that I now plan to make a note of all the local advertisers during the next Phillies broadcast and notify them that I will go out of my way to avoid giving them any of my money - and I'll be sure to tell them why.

Mrs. tmmullen says I should loosen up and just enjoy the fact that the Phillies are in first place. I should listen. She's wicked smart.

---

February Flashback

Thanks to the magic of e-mail and the internets, explained here:




Mike and I are able to communicate easily about things like the Phillies, this blog, and how much harder it was to save the world in 1994.

While sorting through old e-mails, I stumbled across a converstation we had earlier this year and thought it might be fun to share it with the three or four people who read our blog. Not only does it provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse of our operation, it also demonstrates that, while most of the time we make fun of the thoughts of others, we do have some original ones of our own.

Although the links and pictures were added, and it was edited slightly to make it easier to read, this is an actual e-mail conversation. Please enjoy:


Thursday, February 21, 2008

From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael



So, other than the whole, "his prediction is what won him the MVP and the phillies the division" nonsense, do you see anything worth making fun of in here?


From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen

The way it's written, he attributes Rollins’ lack of walks to his record number of plate appearances:

Those totals were helped by him playing all 162 games and walking so infrequently (49 times) that he also set major league records with 716 at-bats and 778 plate appearances, and he led both leagues by making 527 outs at the plate.

He tries to create a sense of dissension between Myers and Rollins when there's no evidence that any exists:

Not that everyone delights in how brightly the spotlight has shined on Rollins lately. Asked about Rollins's impact on the club last season, the right-hander Brett Myers said: "It’s not an individual game. It took all of us to win. It took all of us to make him the M.V.P."

It's a very transparent anti-Phillies, anti-Rollins piece, but I’m not sure it really lends itself to lampooning.


From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael

I agree. My unofficial filtering system requires a minimum of three stupid comments before I’ll even consider a post. The walks/plate appearances is a blatant one, but I thought the others were minor, especially in light of the fact that Jimmy agrees that his comment won him the MVP, it gets even harder to make fun of the article.

Moving on... Did you like the Glavine post? Did you notice the Arrested Development, "Come on!" in there? I put it in just for you [that's what she said?]. I know it's hard to read inflection, but it was my first reaction when I read that column.


From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen

I meant to point out that Jimmy agrees also.

I did like it. I didn’t notice the "Come on!" - but probably because it was written instead of spoken.



I have Phillies.com and ESPN.com loaded up, waiting eagerly for news of the Howard arbitration decision.


From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael

I’ve been stockpiling some articles on that in case I decide to do a post on the whole thing when it’s over.

What do you think?


From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen

Sounds good to me.

Who do you think will win? I think the Phillies will prevail.


From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael

Actually, when I said "what do you think?" – I was asking what you thought was going to happen. Sorry for the confusion.

To answer your question, I'm not as confident. I think if the Phils had offered $7.5 million or more, it would have been a win... But only $7M?

Then again, it will take some big balls to give him $10M. So I guess I give the phils a slight edge. But the wild card is that whole "character" thing that apparently the arbitrator is allowed to consider. It's hard to argue that there is a better ambassador for the game right now, especially with the steroids thing going on, so...


From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen

Yeah, I wonder what they offered him right before the hearing. I'm pretty concerned that it might affect his concentration this spring.


From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael

To be honest, I’m not. Win or lose, I think he knows he needs to go out and perform. Does that make sense? If he loses, he needs to play well to prove them wrong - and if he wins, he needs to play well to justify the higher figure. Plus I think he has enough maturity and humility to recognize that.

And both those things, IMHO, came from the extra time he spent in the minors. A lot has been said about the Phillies hiding him in the minors behind Jim Thome as if it was some big conspiracy to keep him from getting paid, but I think it helped him in the long run. Every player is different, but the kind of extra seasoning Howard got is exactly the same kind that I thought Pimp Strut [Michael Bourn] should have gotten.



And don’t get me started on that - you know I wasn’t his [Bourn's] biggest fan, but if Burrell isn’t part of your 2009 plans (as it sounds right now), then how do you let this kid go? Plus if Burrell isn’t part of your 2009 plans, trade him to an American League team this year and get something for him. Again, you know I don’t want him gone, but to let him play out his contract and say, "Thanks for the memories, you called third strike taking motherfucker," is insane, but par for the course I guess with these owners.

Look at that, there are like three different posts in that rant if I had time to flesh them out.


From: Hillman, Michael
To: tmmullen

Nice. You should do it... That's a great point about Howard in the Minors, and I sincerely hope you’re right... And, yes, the OF is effed if Burrell is gone next year.


From: tmmullen
To: Hillman, Michael

I'm going to remind you that you said that...

---

It's Pat!

I never thought Bill Conlin would go Hollywood. After reading this, I'm confident he never will.


The 2008 Phillies are a Hollywood movie set of a baseball team.

Because they have lots of stars? Two MVPs (Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins), a future MVP in Chase Utley, a future Cy Young in Cole Hamels, and a lights-out closer in Brad Lidge?


Cecil B. De Mille [sic] would have been proud of the facade they present.

Okay, nice head fake. Still, he's going with DeMille? Really? Maybe it's because you can get a guy's name wrong when his last picture premiered 50 years ago (that's right, I said 50). Geez, DeMille died almost ten years before I was born - and I'm the old Mike here. Okay, let's just slog along.


What the camera sees is the Roman Forum in all its marble-faced grandeur. Walk behind the set, however, and it is the clever handiwork of skilled carpenters, propped up by timbers, a plywood, styrofoam and plastic edifice that can be broken down in moments and configured into a gracious plantation manor.

Yeah, we get it. He could have just called the 2008 team a Potemkin Village. Sure, it's still a relatively obscure reference, but it would saved us a lot of time and trouble.


General manager Pat Gillick will understand the analogy, even if he does not agree with it.

Plus he's old enough to connect the reference, unlike most of Conlin's readers.


After all, he grew up in Southern California and knows how things work in Hollywood.

Sure, just like if you grow up in Hershey, you automatically know how things work in a chocolate factory.


This team can and should win the East. But it is a one-take team. One major setback and the Phillies are out of film.

Fuck the heck?


The reality of the economic handcuffs slapped on Pat when he was hired to replace Ed Wade by the limited partnership that runs baseball's Comfort Inn has never been any clearer than it was last Thursday. The trade deadline passed and all the Phillies had to show for the month of rumor, conjecture and wild surmise was a sideways move. Gillick acquired Oakland's Joe Blanton in hopes the hulking righthander could become what an expensive bust named Adam Eaton failed to be.

I'm not sure I understand your point [shocker - does hand signal]. Hey, I agree with questioning ownership. But I don't understand the "Comfort Inn" reference and, his last start notwithstanding, I think even the most irascible resident of Negadelphia would agree that Blanton is an upgrade over Eaton.


It was a sidestep worthy of Fred Astaire . . .

For the love . . . Astaire died more than 20 years ago and his last film was more than 30 years ago (although I must admit that I remember him in this and thought he was great). I wonder if Conlin has been exposed to any pop culture since the Phillies won the World Series in 1980.


The reality is, deadline fans, teams moving the Griffeys, Mannys and CCs, high-priced stars nearing their expiration dates, are not looking for "prospects" in the classic sense. What would a Carlos Carrasco, just promoted to Triple A with less-than-stellar Double A numbers, have done for a contender playing in the present tense? Ditto Double A all-stars Lou Marson, the Phils' catcher of the future, and Jason Donald, the Phils' Eric Bruntlett of the future. Both are playing for the U.S. Olympic team.

The sellers giving up future Hall of Famers on career down-ticks want major league-ready prospects who have survived the high-minors crucible. They want them gifted and they want to have those golden years before arbitration and free agency. That left the Phillies with one realistic, tradeable, option from the varsity - Shane Victorino. Fans, you didn't want to see a Phillies outfield next month without him in it. Nor did you want to go into a stretch drive with untested Greg Golson and his high strikeout ratio as your centerfield anchor.

I told you a stopped clock is right twice a day. So while I would have said it more concisely and I might quibble with a detail here or there, I agree with the overall logic of this point.


Pat is a brilliant baseball man who won back-to-back World Series titles in Toronto and revived moribund Baltimore and Seattle. Baseball's Great Oz has done excellent work behind the curtain. He knows talent. And when he has the money and the parts to trade, he knows how to acquire it. But that has not happened here.

Agreed. So why hasn't anyone asked him why? Is there no professional baseball reporter who will ask that question and push for an honest answer?


His masterpieces are Aaron Rowand, Jamie Moyer, Jayson Werth and Brad Lidge.

Nice list. He had foresight to bring Rowand in and the courage to let him leave, and he was right. He thought Moyer still had something to offer, and he was right. He felt if Werth could get healthy, he could contribute, and he was right. He traded for Brad Lidge, and (even though I thought he was wrong) he was right. And let's not forget the he brought us Greg Dobbs, the best pinch-hitter in baseball this year.


But you'll most likely remember Pat for Adam Eaton and Freddy Garcia, for signing Tom Gordon instead of Billy Wagner, and for not re-signing Kyle Lohse and Rowand.

Agree on Eaton, who was signed shortly after Wes Helms, and on Lohse who, credit where credit is due, he brought to Philadelphia in the first place. As for the others:

(1) I'll give him a pass on Garcia. Even if he was duped, which I'm not convinced he was, he brought in Tadahito Iguchi when Utley got hurt and there are whispers that the White Sox did that deal, in part, to make up for the Garcia bust and to ensure the two clubs could still trust each other enough to work together in the future.

(2) I'm not Tom Gordon's biggest fan, but between him and Wagner, I'll take Gordon. At this point in their careers, they aren't as far apart in talent - or durability - as you might think. Plus Gordon doesn't run his mouth like Wagner does. QED.

(3) Sorry, but I have to put letting Rowand go in the plus column. Compare his numbers from last year to this year and ask yourself if he was worth the money. I've got no beef with Aaron, but I say no.


Pat Gillick left Toronto after the 1994 season. In the next 3 years, the Blue Jays were 56 games under .500, including 56-88 in 1995, just 2 years after a world championship. Pat Gillick took the revived Orioles to the postseason, but left when his contract expired in 1998. In the next three seasons, the O's were 55 games under .500. Pat Gillick's 2001 Mariners juggernaut won a record-tying 116 regular-season games, despite trading away superstars like Ken Griffey Jr. He left his GM position after the 2003 season and stayed on as a special adviser. In the three seasons after he stepped down, the Mariners were a staggering 66 games under .500.

Yikes. Those declines were both swift and significant. I was not aware of those numbers and I'm now officially a little worried about next year. I guess what Conlin is saying is that, despite being financially hamstrung by the owners, Pat has done as good a job with this team as he has with the previous clubs.


Sounds about right for teams put together like a Hollywood movie set.

What? He's blaming Pat for what happened to teams after he left? That's insane. That would be like the Bush Administration blaming the Clinton Administration for the projected 2009 federal budget deficit. But that couldn't actually happen, could it?


Cut . . . Print . . . And, tell the set carpenters to start hammering. Cecil B. Gillick will be shooting on location back in Seattle next spring.

At least he ended as incoherently as he began. He certainly gets my Oscar vote.

---

They Boo Horses, Don't They?

It was originally my intention to take a pass on the situation with Jimmy Rollins calling Philadelphia fans "front-runners" (clearly, they're not, although perhaps fickle might have been a more accurate word). The whole thing has been covered ad nauseam and we're probably the only Phillies blog (applied loosely at the moment given the lack of attention over the past few months) that hasn't weighed in on it yet. But after reading his attempt to clarify his comments, I had to get in the game.

Speaking to local reporters yesterday in the wake of the heavily circulated video clip in which he expressed some discontent with Philadelphia sports fans, Rollins said he was simply sticking up for some of his teammates who have been booed mercilessly this season.

But that wasn't the question. The question was, essentially, are Philadelphia fans as bad as the media makes them out to be? Both Rollins and Ryan Howard responded, almost in unison, "they can be." And that should have been the end of it, because, let's face it, they can be. But Rollins didn't stop there and, well, you know the rest. Now back to his clarification.

"A lot of times, fans worldwide in general, they say, well, you are making all this money, you are supposed to [take it], or I paid to come to the game so I can let you know anything and say anything I want," Rollins said.

True. He may not like it, but it's true. I may not boo, but it's true.

"Well, I have kids, I've got a wife, I've got mom and dad. Before I was a ballplayer I was a person and I am a person the same way you are. So you say something as a person, forget the uniform, as a person I could say something back. But because of the uniform, I [the fans] can say anything I want to you, and that's your armor, that's your shield. It's just not true. Not at all."

Hold on Jimmy. Now you're talking about something completely different than booing. In fact, I agree with you here in that fans shouldn't say anything they want. There should be some boundaries. But there aren't. Which is why I won't take my daughter to Mets games - I don't want her to have to listen to all the nonsense - often profane - coming from the jerks around us.

Though Rollins attempted to clarify what he meant by the word "front-runners," saying he wasn't calling Philadelphia a city of fair-weather fans,

Yeah, he dropped the ball on that one, figuratively. And, no doubt, fans somewhere booed.

he also didn't back down from his stance that the populace takes its negativity toward individual players too far.

I realize "populace" is the writer's word and not J-Roll's, but herein lies the problem. You can't paint an entire fan base with a one broad brush. While some fans were relentlessly hounding Pat Burrell over the past few years, there were others like me who calmly and rationally defended him. As for Pat, he kept his mouth shut and played baseball. Maybe there's a lesson there for Jimmy-Legs.

"It's not me, it's booing the guy who is out there working hard and busting his butt," Rollins said. "That's when I really get upset. I've always said that. Whatever you want to do against me, I can deal with myself. And I'm sure he could deal with it, too. But that's my teammate. I know the work he is putting in, I see what he is doing, trying to get better, and you are crushing him. That's what makes me upset."

So doc, I've got this friend who has this rash - it's not me! - but my friend, yeah, my friend... and... well... it's really irritating, and it's not getting any better, and he's not sure what to do. What advice would you give him?

Rollins acknowledged the fact that Philadelphia is a city that hasn't seen much athletic success in recent years, and that some of the frustration may lie in the one World Series title the Phillies have won in their history. But he also said current players shouldn't be targets for the frustrations of years past.

Buckle up, this is my favorite part.

"I've been around 8 [years]," said Rollins, who added that he is happy playing for the Phillies and isn't looking to leave. "In the 8 years, we've been getting closer and closer."

No! You haven't! Don't believe me? Read this. [And on an unrelated note, is there a reason the writer wrote "8" instead of "eight" like you're supposed to?]

"Last year we finally got over one obstacle and we are still working to get over another one. And it's our fault as players for saying, well, we understand why, because of this. You know what, let them get over it. You weren't even born yet. Some of you were just born in 1980. That's like saying, well, the Oakland A's haven't won since '90-something, and I was an A's fan growing up. If we're not in it, that's still my hometown team. I never want them to win as long as I'm playing, don't get me wrong, but take the team that you have and push them to be better. Don't take Black Friday - I just found that out - don't take Black Friday and put it on these new guys. Half of them don't even know it. I didn't know it until 15 minutes ago, 20 minutes ago. Black Friday, I was like, is that like Palm Sunday?"

Fuck the heck? Jimmy, just stop talking.

"You know about the history of the team, don't get me wrong, but when you are there, you are trying to change that for that time period. My tenure here, were we successful? That's all you can control."

But you haven't been Jimmy - and that's why they're booing. Or at least why some of them are. If there is any good news to take out of this situation, it's that many Phillies fans (not all, so put away that broad brush mr. tmmullen!) are fickle. That means when Jimmy wins a game with his bat or his feet or his glove, with open arms he will again feel the embrace of the City of Brotherly Love.

So Jimmy, just shut up and play.

---

And We're Back...

I think it was Shakespeare who wrote, "the nature of bad news infects the teller" and that is certainly apt in my case. The amount of bad news that has befallen me since my last appearance here is difficult to believe - and even harder to explain. As my time away grew longer and longer, I felt the need to offer a more in-depth explanation for my absence before resuming my rants and ridicule. Unfortunately, this led me to put off composing this post until I had more time to devote to it, which in turn led to more time away. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Fortunately, in a moment of serendipity, I came across a long-forgotten passage by Robert Frost:

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

Which is when I knew I needed to return to this space - not for the three or four people who used to read it, but for me. Humor may be a rubber sword for some, but it is my shield. And in that spirit, I hope you will indulge me as I recap some of the lowlights from the past few months before I add posts more in line with this blog's original purpose - whatever that is.

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John Marzano Dies at 45 (April)



Nothing I could write about John Marzano could possibly capture or adequately communicate the joy I felt when I listened to him talk about baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies. Sure, we agreed on many things (in my notes from his last appearance on Daily News Live was the comment "preaching to the choir"), but that wasn't the only reason he held a special place in my heart. It seemed like every morning Johnny Marz put life in a full-nelson and squeezed as much joy as he could out of every minute of the day. And if he couldn't make you smile, then you had bigger problems than Philadelphia sports.

Case in point was his last appearance on DNL on April 17, 2008, being broadcast live from the Wachovia Center as Flyers fans were filing in for game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals. Even though he was there to discuss the Philllies, after nearly every comment, he would turn to the crowd and yell, "Let's go Flyers!" causing them to erupt. After only a few of these, the background noise rose to a level where it threatened to drown out the broadcast, prompting this exchange:

Marzano: I love these guys! These are my boys from Philly!!

[panel laughter]

Marzano (to crowd): Johnny Marz says Flyers in five!!!

[crowd roars]

Michael Barkann (jokingly): You have lost your mind.

Marzano [laughing]: We're having a ball. That's what it's all about.

That night the Flyers won the game 4-3 in overtime (and eventually the series in seven games). Two days later, Johnny Marz was dead.

The day before, I turned 40. The day after, I was at Citizen's Bank Park for the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game against the New York Mets. After a few adult beverages, I couldn't stop randomly shouting "Johnny Marz!" every so often. As best as I can remember, someone echoed the call each and every time. Whether it was the pain of the loss, the sudden sense of my own mortality given our proximity in age, my choice of refreshment, or a combination of all three, when the entire stadium fell quiet for a moment of silence in his memory, I began to cry.

If you spend any time exploring what Major League Baseball makes available here about Johnny Marz, then you will too.

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Mrs. tmmullen Cleans Out Her Office (June)



Did you ever spend all morning building a sand castle on the beach only to have a sibling come along and knock it over? That's kind of what happened to my wife. After more than 15 years with the same organization, during which she nearly single-handedly built the department that she would ultimately supervise, her employer decided to, well, let's say, "restructure" and, in doing so, eliminated her department. By the end of the month, she was unemployed.

I tried to cheer her up by quoting Mother Theresa, "What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway." She tried to kick me in the nether regions. I guess it was too soon for the philosophical introspection of a 40-year-old dad who a few weeks earlier faced his own mortality. That's the bad news. The good news is that she's doing much better now and considering starting her own agency. I've never been prouder.

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Scandal at TerMime-X (July)



Twelve current and former TerMime-X executives, including my supervisor, were indicted by an investigative grand jury for a variety of offenses. When we heard the extensive details of the alleged illegal activities, mrs. tmmullen said, "So much of the last five years makes sense now." I agreed. Plus, in the interest of full disclosure, while I was served with a subpoena and ultimately testified before said grand jury, to the best of my knowledge and recollection, I did not break any laws. And that's all I have to say about that.

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It occurs to me now that I have yet to apologize for abandoning this space - so, for that, I am sincerely sorry. Given the gravity of these events, I am confident you will forgive me for losing my way the last few months. Still, some good things happened too. Mrs. tmmullen and I took Paige to the Wildwood boardwalk for the first time. We celebrated her fourth birthday with a big pool/beach party in our backyard. My brother and his wife had a baby boy.

Life goes on.

And so will this blog.

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Hunter Pence, Big Brother?

Anyone else think Astros' outfielder Hunter Pence looks like Adam, the winner of "Big Brother 9"?

Mike Lieberthal will retire as a Phillie on June 1

This guy was a class act. More details here.

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Victorino to play in Reading tonight

Phillies CF Shane Victorino continues his rehab assignment tonight in Reading. Victorino was placed on the disabled list April 12 with a strained right calf. The first 2,000 adults also get the goofiest looking bobblehead in human history:

Uniforms galore

Lots of Phillies (and Philly A's) uniform stuff on today's Uni Watch blog post. Check it out.

Laforest released

The Phillies have released catcher Pete Laforest. The backup receiver was 1-for-15 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Tim Gradoville, who was serving as a coach with the Reading Phillies, has been activated and placed with Lehigh Valley to fill Laforest's spot on the roster.

Darin Erstad Talking Points

When Darin Estad came up to pinch hit in Tuesday's game, I had a pavlovian response, thanks to my love of FJM. But surely the Phillies announcers would avoid this overused and misleading depiction of the former #1 draft pick.

Nope.

Chris Wheeler went right to the Darin Erstad talking points and noted that, "this guy is some competitor, he played college football at Nebraska." To which I responded, to no one in particular, "yes, as a punter."

Erstad promptely grounded out weakly to third. But in a Cornhusker football way.

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