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.
---
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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:
He tries to create a sense of dissension between Myers and Rollins when there's no evidence that any exists:
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...
---
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...
---
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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.
---
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.
---
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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.
---
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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:
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.
---
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:
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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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