Jacoby's mom and other tidbits

Sometimes, they're pampered millionaires playing a boy's game. Sometimes, they're just boys. With moms.

In an e-mail to the Boston Globe, Jacoby Ellsbury's mom Margie says:

"I'm glad it's finally settled and our boys (Jacoby, Clay, Jed) got to stay in Boston."

She also reveals that she may not have the same feeling toward wearing outdated Red Sox garb as I do:

"Since the boys are staying, I wore my Red Sox shirt to work today. GO RED SOX."

Speaking of which, last fall one of my friends was nice enough to give me an Ellsbury World Series shirt from his trip to Boston. I warned him that I would blame him if it became an instant addition to the Pedro/Mo/Nomar/Clemens collection of antiquated garb.

Looks like that's not going to happen anytime soon.

In other sports: Here's a Super Bowl prediction: If Adalius Thomas, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi can't stop the Giants early, look for Bill Belichick to find a way to get Manny on the roster.

Yup, G.I. Manny's going to the Super Bowl. He's taking a rare break from his offseason training in the desert where he's been getting in shape for the repeat. One of his agents says he's "fired up" for the upcoming season unlike ever before. Though he laughed when the topic of early spring training reporting came up; the agent said "maybe."

Yes, Christine, winter will end sometime: The TV schedule for the Phils has been released. Four times from March 1 to March 23 you can see whether the likes of Mike Zagurski, Chris Snelling or Clay Condrey can squeeze their way onto a crowded roster. Or whether Pat Gillick can find a way to screw Chris Coste again.

Antiquated Red Sox garb II

Next on my list of outdated Red Sox shirts I still wear is a two-for-one: Pedro Martinez.

I own a red player jersey replica T-shirt and a cartoonish one of Pedro superimposed over Massachusetts. I bought the latter in Boston when tickets weren't yet impossible to get. Christine was immediately embarrassed at the prospect that her then-boyfriend would spend the next decade and more walking around with a guy's face on his chest. {It was embarrassing then and still embarrassing now.}

Whatever.

Actually, now that I think about it, I might have bought this on the trip to Fenway when we scalped tickets. We had tickets, but there was a rainout. There was a day game the day we were planning to leave Boston, but the rain checks weren't good for this game. We wound up paying about $40 and the two rain checks for seats to that day game. Pedro was pitching. I remember it was late in his first season against Texas. Playoff atmosphere. He was dominant. One of my favorite in-person games ever. {I remember that it took forever to find a scalper. Quite unlike Philadelphia.}

Christine, though, complained about the cramped seats and the fact we were facing the Green Monster. I didn't mind, even though some fat lady kept sitting on my jersey, pinning me to my seat whenever she sat down. {In my defense, I have long legs. I felt like my knees were hitting my chin for the whole game. I am thin. I am the proper width to fit in those seats. However, the other spectators weren't as slender. Which was made worse by the fact that it was a hot, humid day and there was way too much skin-on-skin contact with sweaty strangers. In addition, it was an effort to watch anything happening in the infield because of the wonderful location of our seats.}

Pedro's an all-time great, and I have no ill well that he left. His time was up, and as he replaced the Roider, Josh Beckett has replaced him. If Pedro weren't in the Phils' division, I'd wish him well. But he is, so I wish him a string of third-place finishes.

Addendum: I had a dream the other night that Pedro was on the Phillies. I think it was some strange precursor of the Johan trade. Don't ask, I can't explain my dreams.

Johan update

Good news for the Sox, bad for the Phils. Santana's likely going to New York. I can't believe they got him for what was likely the worst of the packages offered by the Empire, the Sox and the Mets. Christine's taking it well. Maybe she's in denial. Maybe that will end when Johan pitches the Mets to a win against the Phils for the first time since June. {No worries. The winning streak will still be intact.}

Dice-stamp

So the legendary career of Dice-K grows today. His debut season has been honored on a stamp, or 10 of them, in Japan.

I couldn't find much info - most notably what they'll look like - but a brief in Japanese newspapers says all the highlights from Dice's 15-12 season will be featured, including his introductory press conference and riding in the victory parade.

The star is thrilled "because I never dreamed of ever appearing on postage stamps."

But what happens if Dice truly shows his worth this season and pitches like the dominant $100 million ace we hope he is? How many stamps will he get in 2009?

In other earth-shattering news: Phils got another scrubby third baseman. That's right, Pedro Feliz and his .288 career average (that's on base, not batting) will be coming to Citizens Bank. Good fielder, pretty much Abraham Nunez with the ability to hit home runs. I used to love him as a reserve in fantasy baseball because he qualified at a bunch of positions. But I'm ho-hum on the acquisition. {Unlike many, I think this is a good thing. He won't require a defensive sub late in games. The left side of that infield is untouchable, meaning fewer balls will get through that Burrell will have to chase after. He has shown that he can hit home runs, so he should tear it up at the Park. Not to mention the fact that Wes Helms is completely expendable now.}

Case closed

Roger Clemens has been hard at work with his pencil, calculator, fingers and toes. After some real deep number crunching, he's declared himself innocent of drug use. Call up Congress, cancel the hearings. It's full of fancy colors, charts and theories such as "here's a list of Hall of Famers who also pitched into their 40s," and "if Clemens is on drugs so was Nolan Ryan, Curt and Randy Johnson because they struck out a lot of people when they got old too."

My favorite is some random chart compiled by the Rangers at the end of the report that says Clemens would have gone 24-3 with a 1.87 ERA if he pitched for that team in 2005. Just imagine what he could have done that year with the Rangers if he were on the juice.

No football today ...

... but that doesn't mean it's not on my mind.

I still haven't picked up my jaw after Lawrence Tynes' overtime field goal salvaged his career and made the Giants a surprise entry in the Super Bowl against the team that perfectly met expectations to get there.

I've said it before, I'm torn. The Giants are the only New York/New Jersey team that I didn't reject in my youth. And rooting for the Red Sox has made me root for the Patriots as well. Usually I would prefer the Giants in this match-up because the Patriots have won so many championships recently. But the chance for history and shutting up the '72 Dolphins also has appeal.

One thing I've wondered is whom my neighbors in Philadelphia should be rooting against: their hated New York rivals or New England, which has become home of the champions, the opposite of Philly.

The Inquirer tackled this issue today with dueling columnists debating whether to hate the Giants or the Patriots. (Frank Fitzpatrick, still on his anti-local kick, says Philadelphians hate themselves.) Neither swayed me to either side. Here's how I would handicap it for a hometown Philly fan.

Giants: Underdog playing with heart. No really obnoxious players. But it's a hated division rival and on paper the Giants aren't much better than the Eagles.

Patriots: Ruined the Super Bowl a few years ago, plus the jealousy that comes along with winning.

My head says Philly will be rooting more for the Patriots, but I'm probably underestimating championship envy.

Back to baseball: TROTTTTTTTTT!!!! That's what I screamed when Trot hit a game-ending home run in game 3 of the 2003 ALDS against Oakland. It averted elimination and paved the way for a dramatic comeback. Grady Little then gave the league championship to the drug-infested Empire, but that was a fun run.

Anyhoo, he's still looking for work and did a Q&A with the Globe.

And: Looks like re-signing Doug Mirabelli may have forced former Phil Mike Lieberthal into retirement. He says he wants to get into broadcasting. I don't know how he'd do in the booth, but I fully endorse him to replace Wheels.

Hypocrites

A big name and a lesser name had some interesting comments in today's papers.

First up, old friend Joe Torre chimes in on baseball's steroid problem that he helped enable during his reign of the Empire:

"Our success in Major League Baseball is based on the trust of the people," the Dodgers manager said. "And it is our job to regain that trust. And whatever it takes for us to do that, we have to be willing to do it."

Too little, too late Joe. You could have taken a stand when you were in position to do so. You didn't, so hang your head with your pals Roger and Andy.

Also in that notes column was that former Phil Rod Barajas signed with the Blue Jays. Wasn't there some history where he agreed to go there, but backed out, which led to the glorious Barajas era in Philadelphia? Yup.

"That was last year. It's over with," said Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "I think in life, all of us, you need to go forward. There's nothing to be gained by going backwards."

The Toronto Star also said the move could affect another former Phils catcher:

The Barajas signing, however, couldn't have been particularly great news for veteran Sal Fasano, who'd signed a minor-league deal with the Jays last month.

More dugout chatter

Last week Chase Utley and Pat the Bat took questions from the phans. Today, young Brett (I know he's no longer young, but we'll always call him that) joined the fray. We didn't learn whether he owns a computer or anything else too revealing, but he gave me a few nuggets to work with.

First of all, what's up with these fans always asking the same questions: what's your favorite ball park, what other position would you have liked to play, do you enjoy Philadelphia, etc. How come no one asked the commonplace, how's the wife and kids? {First, because obviously they are staged questions. Second, is this really a joking matter. Can't we hope that he has grown up and learned not to hit his wife.}

Anyhoo... we learn the chat interrupted the filming of commercials. Since I'm sure young Brett doesn't have a high Q-rating, this can only mean more cheesy Phillie promo commercials are on the way. Just the other day I told Christine I could use some Phillie commercials as blog fodder. She agreed and also can't wait to see this year's slogan. {Last year's Jamie Moyer-Chase Utley commercial? Awesome, if a little weird the first time I saw it.}

We also learn that Myers, as a real young Brett, looked up to Roger Clemens. He's got the fat part down, let's hope he doesn't emulate the illegal drug use. {Those who have David Ortiz on their team should not crack fat jokes.}

Then, we learn something truly scary about the Phillies front office:

slrmp97: How does it feel knowing when the Phils were looking for the best starting pitcher available this offseason, they decided you were it?
Myers: It's a great feeling that the organization has that kind of confidence in me. Hopefully, the fans feel the same way.

What? Since Pat Gillick took the liberty of letting the world know Johan Santana was available last fall, does he think Myers is better than Johan? {Sigh. Is Santana truly available? No. He's not a free agent. He's not going to be traded.}

And toward the end he answered "Would you play for the Mets?" in an odd way:

Myers: Never say never, but I seriously doubt it. As I stated earlier, I have a lot of love for this city and that would seem really weird. I wouldn't want to feel like a traitor!

Based on the answer it seems like he would, but other than Curt I haven't truly believed any Sox when they said they wouldn't play for the Empire. {Talk about overanalyzing. I don't think he'll play for the Mets - he seems kind of stubborn like that - but he gave the safe, PC answer of never say never. Oh yeah, and Curt Schilling's fat too.}

Etc.: Heard a couple of Phils on the radio today. Brad Lidge sounds like he's going to have the mental makeup to handle Philly. Shane Victorino, however, needs to work on his math skills. When asked about J-Roll's prediction of 100 wins, Victorino said it doesn't matter how many wins they have - even 60 - as long as they make the playoffs. You have to win a few more than 60 to reach the playoffs Shane.

Quiet? I'll take quiet

From USA Today's list of off-season winners:

Boston Red Sox: It's been an eerily quiet winter in Boston but a success
considering they re-signed Mike Lowell and Curt Schilling and the Yankees didn't bring in any
high-profile free agents.

It's not exactly the exciting postseasons that have netted Curt, Josh or Dice-K, but I'll take it. The Sox could afford to be quiet. Last year, they won the top prize with a young nucleus beginning to supplant the veteran superstars. The young Sox will continue to develop, and there are even more of them down in the minors. You have to love an off season where the biggest questions revolved around the backup catcher and fifth outfielder.

Contrast this with the Empire, the Mets and the Braves who did little to improve their teams this year, which weren't good enough last year.

At first thought, I was down on the Phillies improvements too. I didn't think they did enough to retool a team that won the division by one game largely due to the Mets collapse. But then I realized that overlooked a few factors: their contenders' lack of improvement, all the injuries the team had throughout the year and getting Brad Lidge to send Brett Myers (assuming he has a second straight year with no extracurricular problems) back to the rotation.

They're No. 1! (and we're No. 2)

What a beautiful lede by the AP today:

NEW YORK - The Yankees did finish first in something last year - spending.

The Empire spent $218.3 million to advance to the first round, winning only one more game there than the Phils who spent $101.8 million. The Mets spent $120.9 million to come in second in the NL East. The champs were second in the majors at $155.4 million.

I'm too tired from work to have the usual argument with Christine that the Sox are not as bad as the Empire. I understand we spend a lot. But it's still $60 million less than the Yankees. And we have to spend enough to compete, err, beat the team with a $200 million payroll, sort of like the old U.S.-Soviet Union arms race. {I disagree. The Red Sox overspend. No. 1 and No. 2 highest payrolls for World Series champs? The Red Sox. And the Red Sox.}

And in other news, the Sox finally got the All-Star pitcher who's been on the radar, and Abraham Nunez will be dancing with Bernie Brewer instead of the Phanatic.

Antiquated Red Sox garb I

The other day I posted a picture of my Mo Vaughn T-shirt. To Christine's embarrassment, I still wear it and others of former Sox. {The embarrassment is not just over the players, but also the conditions of the shirts.}

I don't care that many, like this guy, criticize people like me who continue to wear outdated garb. Why should I black out a portion of history just because a player moved on?

Though I must admit, I do chuckle when I spot someone wearing an old Jim Eisenreich or Ricky Bottalico shirt in the park.

In this light, I will occasionally highlight a shirt that I still wear featuring a former Sox.

The first one is Nomar. It's amazing how ambivalent I have become to Mr. Hamm. He was the guy during his years in Boston. Some had argued he was reaching Ted Williams, Larry Bird or Bobby Orr status. He was amazing to watch, underrated in the discussions of the big three shortstops (Nomar/Slappy/Jeter), and although he couldn't lift the team over the hump in the playoffs, he truly seemed to care.

Until 2004.

His moping and declining defense were a drag on the team, and Nomar became an impediment for a championship. When he was dealt, I was in shock. Mostly because all we got for him was Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. And we even had to kick in a mid-grade prospect.

But in the end, Theo was right, and the deal was about trading for a championship, not getting value equal to what Nomar used to be.

Funny, Christine and I used to argue about who was better: Nomar or Scotty Rolen - the 1997 Rookies of the Year who seemed to have a shot at the Hall of Fame. Funny, we were both wrong.

Beat writer update:

Phillies' writer
Q I hear that the Daily News is looking for a Phillies writer. What's going on?
Bill , Secane 01/22/08

A The paper just hired Dave Murphy out of the St. Pete Times. He lived as a teen in Doylestown and went to La Salle. The People Paper was in a pickle. At the end of last season, Marcus Hayes begged off the beat after six years. Then, Steve King got the job. But King is leaving the paper for personal reasons and is moving away. I hear that Murphy will not even come north before spring training.
Michael Klein

We're No. 1 (And No. 2)

Keeping with my recent theme of greatest seasons, I just saw that Sports Illustrated has a blurb (I'd link to it, but I can't find it online) listing the greatest sports years for whole cities. They came up with a simplistic formula for the four major sports, awarding five points for a championship, three for a conference title and one for a division and deducting one to three points for having the worst record in a division, conference of league.

I don't have much invested in this (I don't live in Boston, don't like most of the Philly teams and don't care about sports other than baseball and football). But it is interesting that on a list of championships, Philly and Boston would rank 1 and 2 (14 points for Philly's 1980 and 11 points for the great '04). And that the worst year was New York's 1966. Find me another list of championships topped by Philadelphia and Boston and ended with New York.

With much ado about the recent Boston sports mecca, the current championship run won't crack the list. It counts the calendar year for football, but playoff year for hockey and basketball. So, that's 5 points on the board for the Sox, at least 3, probably 5, for the Patriots, which could likely result in a tie for third. But the Celtics and Bruins were awful last year and have three deduction points.

I'm having a personal mecca. Since I don't follow hockey and basketball, I'll count my four teams as the Sox, Phils, Pats and Giants. That's 14 points for me this year.

In other sports: For the second straight week, I backed the home teams and got only half right. For the second straight week, since one upset involved the Giants and the other didn't involve the Patriots, I'm happy.

But now I've got buyer's remorse. The Giants (who knew they'd figure out how to be good in the playoffs?) are a joy to watch, and I have a greater connection to them. But I also like the Patriots and want to do away with all this '72 Dolphins nonsense.

Last night Christine called me a sellout when I said I'm favoring rooting for history over a team to which I have longer connections. {Yep, I think that basically sums up a sellout. My rooting is more black and white, no gray areas. I always pull for my team and would not be swayed for a chance at history. I would want my team to be the spoiler and ruin history for the other team. In the end, I know Greg will be rooting for the Patriots on the 3rd while wearing his Giants jersey. I'm curious how he'll react if the Phillies and Red Sox ever meet up in a World Series. He has already expressed a bit of ennui concerning the most recent championship, so would he root for the Phillies? Guess we'll find out in October.}

It's going to be a tough two weeks until the game's over. I'll say right now, I'm going to pick the Patriots, but I have no clue who I'll be rooting for.

A tale of two first basemen

It seems like the Phillies and Ryan Howard are entering their now annual contract tiff. Arbitration figures show they're $3 million apart. Some say the Phillies should bite the bullet and just give him a deal eclipsing the 7-year, $85 million given to Chase Utley.

I'd prefer them to just overpay in the short term. Avoid the negative arbitration process this year and offer $9 million or so.

I dunno, there's something about Howard that just screams Mo Vaughn. Remember him? I do. I still wear his shirt.

Dan Duquette, who is owed an apology for getting grilled on the Clemens career twilight comments, got hammered for letting MVP Mo walk, but ask the Angels and Mets whether he made a mistake. (When did I become a Dan Duquette apologist again?)

Howard could be a Hall of Famer. Or he could be Mo, or the others on his list of comparable players whose careers flamed out, like Cecil Fielder, Tony Clark or Ryan Klesko. He's already shown a warning sign with a balky knee.

Toward the end of '06, Ryan Howard was a clean Barry Bonds. Pitchers wouldn't pitch to him, and during the rare times they did, he punished them. In '07, with so many strikeouts, it got to the point where in a big spot you no longer had the same faith and would hope for a sacrifice fly instead of another embarrassing swing and miss.

The next few years may be better, but I wouldn't bet a ton of years on him. Let some other team get saddled with the big contract.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, are only $1.2 million apart from Youkilis. They might be working on a long-term deal, but if he's only asking for $3.7 million this year, ink him at that. Some argued that last year he was more valuable than Howard when counting defense. I don't know if I quite buy it, but Youk gets on base and plays flawless defense.

In other sports: I went 2-2 last week picking all favorites. But I'm not complaining since one of the upsets involved the Giants and the other didn't involve the Patriots. I've been enjoying the Giants' run, but my head still can't jump on the bandwagon, so I'll back the favorites again. When the two teams thaw, it'll be perfection vs. America's QB in the Super Bowl.

Through the years

Yesterday's post got me thinking. Growing up, 1986 was always the year for me. Being sort of young and not living in Boston, I don't remember much, but I've felt close to that team from reading lots of books.

But now that we're entering a dynasty of Red Sox baseball, I've been treated to some great years, so where does that first exciting year for me and the Sox now rank? Here's my top 5:

5) 1986: The year it all started for me. Even though Game 6 will be forever etched in history - though somewhat less thanks to '04 - the better team did ultimately prevail.

4) 1990: Sneaks ahead of 1986 for two reasons - the team cobbled together was a surprise division champion. The race went down to the wire and ended with a Tom Brunansky catch hidden in the corner that even I, a blatant Red Sox apologist, still can't say 100% that he made. And huge bonus points for the Empire finishing dead last. Got to love Andy Hawkins, Tim Leary and Mel Hall.

3) 2003: Yes, it ended painfully. But it was the year that proved '04 was possible. The team didn't back down. It came back from 0-2 against Oakland. And it ended the "mystique and aura" of the Empire, even though was shot in the foot by Grady Gump.

2) 2007: The year the Sox won a World Series without all the extraneous crap. It had a young nucleus that shows the promise of repeat that the '04 squad didn't quite have. Plus bonus points for the Phils actually winning, but that's really for another list.

1) 2004: No doubt. Curt's heroics. Ends the "curse." Humiliates the Empire. Can't add anything that hasn't already been said.

Honorable mentions:

1988: "Morgan's magic" rallied the team from a slow start to division champs where they began a habit of losing to the A's in the playoffs.

1995: The last division champs until 2007. And Clemens' last clean year and another 20 K game.

1999: The first glimpse of the Sox as a gutsy playoff team. Rallied from 0-2 against Cleveland. Pedro proved legendary in the All-Star game and playoffs.

I'd rank the Phils years, but other than 2007 and 1993, I really don't have much to go on. (I was rooting for the Phillies in 1993, but I had no connection to them then, just an anti-Blue Jay thing.)

1986

One of my favorite seasons in baseball is 1986 -- the year I became a Sox fan and first tasted the curse. (I didn't believe in the curse but I don't have a better word for the Billy Buckner, Grady Little and Don Zimmer type experiences.)

So, given this context, and my fascination with Baseball Mogul, I don't know why I haven't been following more closely Sporting News' 1986 Take II. Especially since it features SoxPhils as managers -- the World Series Hero, and Doug Glanville, a fellow North Jerseyan. Christine and I were at the game where his retirement was officially announced. He signed a one-day contract to retire as a Phillie and the team had him throw out the first pitch.

Anyway, they're apparently not doing so well. Fine, Glanville's got a bum hand with the '86 Phils, but Curt, c'mon, no excuse to have the '86 Sox 10 games under .500. Glanville's having the better season, and he's probably got the better blog.

Dugout chatter

So two Phils, Pat the Bat and Chase Utley, logged onto their computers to chat with the fans this week. Actually, we learned Burrell doesn't own a computer. Utley didn't say.

Kind of bland, though it was semi-interesting bulletin board material from Burrell. He wouldn't take the bait when asked how it felt to beat Billy Wagner.

It feels good whenever you can contribute to the game, especially against a division rival.

But when asked the innocuous "what's the best part of playing in Philly?" he couldn't resist reminding folks the Mets choked last year.

I'd have to say the ballpark and the fans. The whole last series down the stretch, when we were fighting and the Mets were choking, the city was just awesome and rallied around us. It was exciting to be a part of.

I don't know if I remember an athlete openly saying an opponent choked before.

Utley's was a little more plain. He pays his respects to Fenway, but commits a cardinal sin by saying he admires Pretty Boy Jeter. I wonder if that means Utley condones steroid use too? {No. Absolutely not.}

I also wonder what this exchange is about...

raizin: Do you have any superstitions?
Utley: None that I can reveal to the
public.

Lovely.

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, no Sox is scheduled for a MLB chat. And the recent chats have been mostly scrubs, other than these two Phillies. Christine's worried baseball's pushing the Phils. {I just remember a time when the Red Sox weren't disliked by nearly everyone, and I don't want my Phillies becoming that team.}

Where's Youppi?

I'm stealing this one from Todd Zolecki's blog. The Phanatic is the best mascot in sports, according to some marketing survey.

Now, I have warmed up to the Phanatic in my time in the Philly area. That's saying a lot. I don't approve of baseball mascots. I once came up swinging at Boomer, some dinosaur-ish mascot of the AA Trenton Thunder, when he took my hat. {It was not swinging. It was hilarious confusion as Greg grabbed for his hat.}

But there's two problems with the list. 1) No mention of the mascot formerly known as Youppi, whom the Expos dumped off on some hockey team when they moved to Washington. 2) Where's Wally, the Green Monster?

This being a blog about the Red Sox and Phillies, we need a tale of the tape between the Phanatic and the giant green wall, who I've just learned also has a blog that hasn't been updated since before he left for Cleveland. In 2006.

Height: Phanatic's 6'6"; Wally's "Big"

Weight: Phanatic's 300 pounds (mostly fat), waist 90 inches; Wally doesn't like to say.

Have to give points for honesty here.

Favorite song: Phanatic's "Motown Philly" to Wally's "Dirty Water"

Huge edge to Wally.

Categories the Phanatic has on his online bio that Wally omits:

Eyes: White eyeballs, black pupils, purple eyelashes and blue eyebrows.

Skin: Bright green fur

Physical Attributes: Overweight, clumsy feet, extra long beak, extra-long curled up tongue, gawking neck and "slight" case of body odor

Birthplace: Galapagos Islands

Mom: Phoebe

Best Friend: Phyllis

Favorite Food: Cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, hoagies, scrapple and Tastykakes

Favorite Movie: Rocky

Greatest Moment: The parade down Broad Street after the Phillies won the 1980 World Series

Hobbies: Eating, reading, sleeping and cheering on the Phillies

Stupid stuff Wally lists:

MLB Debut: April 13, 1997

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Resides: Green Monster, Fenway Park

Color: Green

Baseball team: Boston Red Sox

Vacation spot: Ft. Myers (every March)

I know, not even close. The Phanatic is original. Wally is a corporate knockoff designed for kids, and I don't know why. Wally arrived years before the Sox became ultra-trendy. But he was the first embarrassment (pink hats, Fever Pitch, Red Sox Nation membership cards, etc.).

Joh-on, Joh-off

With the Sox in pursuit of perhaps the best pitcher in the game, you'd think he'd garner more than a passing mention on this site from me.

It'd be great to have a 1-2 tandem of Santana and Beckett, two of the top 5 starters in the game. They'd make the Sox a cinch to best the Empire again. And what a pair they'd be in the playoffs, like Curt and Pedro, or Curt and Randy Johnson.

But there's something not right with it. I disagree with those (like Christine) who say the Sox are now the Yankees. I understand the argument, but it's not quite true. This deal, however, would be hard to argue. We don't need him, and last year's championship, unlike 2004's, was more about the future and young, homegrown talent. In 2004, it was an aging powerhouse whose window was closing.

It's been quiet on the Sox end, but that's not necessarily good. Who saw Schilling coming before the great '04 when all the talk was on Javy Vasquez?

Theo, thankfully, said it best last week in the Boston Globe:

"We reached a point with our situation, having most of a world championship club back, having a burgeoning farm system, which I think was just rated the second best in all of baseball, where we feel that we can improve by letting our young players play. We don't have desperate holes we need to go out and fill at any cost. We can pick and choose what makes sense for us, rather than be desperately in the marketplace."

That's not an arrogant GM who thinks a successful club one year will autmatically be successful the next. Just one who also understands the value of a great farm system and young talent like Pedroia, Papelbon, Elsbury and Buchholz.

Hopefully, Theo has been hovering over the deal soley to drive the price up for the Empire, who'll have to pony up to beat any of the incarnations the Sox have reportedly offered.

If they get him, we're still the favorites, and hopefully, they'll send enough of their prospects to hurt themselves in the long-run.

Also making a resurgence is the Mets bid, which still doesn't seem to include Jose Reyes. If the Mets land Johan without losing Reyes, the Phils will have a real tough time backing into the division again. If Reyes goes in the deal, it'll still be tough for the Phils , but should make their prospects better in the long-run.

My apologies: In my brief Johnny Podres post yesterday, I didn't mention that he was a former Red Sox pitching coach as well, responsible for developing pitchers like the pre-roid Roger Clemens, Bruce Hurst and Oil Can Boyd. I just found out myself.

RIP Johnny Podres

Johnny Podres, pitching coach of the '93 Phils, has died. Curt Schilling, who has pitched plenty of big games from '93 to '07, credits him for preparing him to take the ball in big spots:

We spoke often about ‘big games’ and he instilled this belief in me, even before I had a chance to pitch in a truly big game, that when the time came I’d answer the bell. The post season success I’ve been blessed to enjoy I’ve always known to be a direct result of who and what he was. I’ve never in my life run across anyone that didn’t have something kind and good to say about him, and after knowing him the past 17 years I know why.

Hall of Fame III

Yesterday I looked at the future of Red Sox and Phillies in the Hall, today I'll look at those already enshrined.

According to the Hall of Fame's database, which may not be totally accurate since it didn't list Tom Yawkey as a Red Sox, there are 36 Hall of Famers with Red Sox connections, and 34 connected to the Phillies. But with those listed primarily as SoxPhils, only eight are Sox to 11 for the Phils. Surprised me too.

Anyhoo... here's my favorites:

Red Sox

1. Ted Williams

2. Carl Yaztremski

3. Jimmie Foxx

4. Wade Boggs

5. Cy Young

No doubt about Ted. Love the enigma of his character, his confidence and his hitting. Jimmy Foxx -- a little personal, if I ever needed a pseudonym it would be a variation of his. More on him later. Just missing the cut: Bobby Doerr, Carlton Fisk and Tris Speaker.

Phils:

1. Mike Schmidt

2. Steve Carlton

3. Richie Ashburn

4. Grover Alexander

5. Robin Roberts

Not much personal connection. Pretty much how I think most Phils fans would pick 'em.

{C: When Greg asked for my favorites, I immediately asked if I could include Harry Kalas. He doesn't have a plaque in the main hall, he's just in the broadcaster's section, but if he did count, I think he would be battling for the No. 1 spot.}

Those who played for both:

1. Jimmie Foxx

2. Hugh Duffy

3. Fergie Jenkins

4. Tony Perez

5. Bucky Harris

Not a great list. Foxx finished his career for the Phils -- surprised me. Tony Perez shouldn't be in the hall. And Bucky Harris managed each team for one season.

Most surprising names on either list:

1. Sparky Anderson -- played one full season for the Phils.

2. Casey Stengel -- played a few for the Phils.

3. Nap Lajoie -- started his career (5 years) with the Phils.

4. Jimmie Foxx -- the Phillies portion anyway.

Favorite names that pop up but really shouldn't count.

1. Ryne Sandberg

2. Tom Seaver

Well, hopefully in the future years we'll see some additions: Pedro, Manny, Curt, Chase Utley and J-Roll.

ETC. Very interesting piece in the Globe today about NBA and SoxPhils star Gene Conley. I didn't know too much about him, other than he played basketball and pitched for the Red Sox. Apparently he was traded from the Phils to the Sox. Good read.

Hall of Fame II

So thinking back to Tuesday's sham of a vote. OK, not as bad as not inducting Buck O'Neill before he died, but it would have been nice to induct Jim Rice and Goose Gossage at the same time. Nice symmetry -- two feared stars of the '70s and '80s who were key parts of the rivalry, especially in 1978.

I like when there's a connection among inductees. Nolan, Yount and Brett in '99. Ripken and Gwynn last year. And Reggie Jackson by himself in '93.

Hopefully, next year we'll see two Red Sox OFers at the podium: Rice and Rickey Henderson.

Other SoxPhils slated to appear on the ballot in coming years (and there's some real immortals here):

2009: Steve Avery, John Burkett, David Cone, Ron Gant, Dan Plesac, Mo Vaughn, Mike Williams.

Mo's been gone that long already? Plesac too? And, Avery, what can I say?

2010: Andy Ashby, Ellis Burks, Mike Jackson, Todd Zeile

Immortals. Real immortals. No disrespect to Burks.

2011: Hideo Nomo, John Olerud, Benito Santiago, Ugueth Urbina

Nomo's comeback might push this class back. And, wouldn't it be great to induct a guy doing time in Venezuela?

2012: Bill Mueller, Tim Worrell

Will there be an '04 bump giving him a few votes?

In other sports: Another big playoff weekend. I went 3-1 last week, and probably will do the same. Go with the Packers over the Seahawks; Patriots to tie the whiny '72 Dolphins; Colts to close the RCA dome with a win; and Cowboys over the Giants. Yes, I know, weak that like most I'm taking all favorites. I think there may be an upset, but when my gut tells me the best chance for an underdog is the Giants, it's time to play it safe.

Help wanted

So looks like we're getting a new beat writer in town... Maybe they'll hire a more blog-friendly reporter...

Company: The Philadelphia Daily News
Position: Philadelphia Phillies
beat reporter
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Job
Status: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable
Ad Expires: January
13, 2008
Job ID: 862785

Description:The Philadelphia Daily News is looking for a talented and energetic beat writer to cover the Philadelphia Phillies. The ideal candidate will be a dogged reporter who can regularly break news on a highly competitive beat but also savvy enough to identify trends and provide the perspective our readership demands.

We are looking for someone who is dedicated to covering baseball for the long term and would prefer candidates with experience managing a significant beat and working sources.

The Phillies writer also will provide content beyond the newspaper for our Web site, philly.com, and make scheduled television appearances on “Daily News Live.”

Please send a cover letter, resume and writing samples that best demonstrate your skills to … Pat McLoone, Assistant Managing Editor, Philadelphia Daily News, PO Box 7788, Philadelphia, PA 19101 or send your materials via email to mailto:tmcloonp@phillynews.com

*****

...like me.

I've been blogging about baseball for more than a week, so there's my writing sample.

Between the Yankees of my youth and Phillies of recent years, I've seen more than my share of mediocre baseball, so there's my experience. {What? Mediocre?? You didn't live through the dark years, aka, the Terry Francona era. That was mediocrity.}

And I just know I'd be able to break the story in baseball. I know I could get the dirt on the Phanatic. I just have to find his "trainer."

Mall of famers

Struggled yesterday to wake up and get through my morning exercises. I stopped for a moment to look at the bookshelf that holds my Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle signed baseballs and to think about how much better it must have been to have been a naive baseball fan when the dirtier aspects of the game were unknown or not yet invented.

These signatures weren't bought, authenticated and truly worthless beyond sentiment.

Ted Williams arrived via an aunt who has a house in the Florida Keys and befriended Ted's nurse. Mickey Mantle came when I was a boy and was invited to a Yankee game by someone who had some special clubhouse tickets to meet a Yankee -- who turned out to be the Mick.

I was more impressed that they had Chunky bars in this place, but duly crawled on the floor, apparently cutting a line, to get my baseball signed. Reminded I should get one for my sister, I crawled back on the floor and shortly returned to the front of the line.

"Weren't you just here?" he said before signing a slip of paper.

On the elevator to our seats we shared the ride with Bill White, a former first baseman, then Yankees announcer and future NL president. I asked him to sign the ball. Later, at a mall visit I had Dennis Rasmussen, a scrubby pitcher, sign it. He tried to refuse, knowing his John Hancock would mar it, but I stupidly insisted. I also had him ruin my '86 All-Star game program, which is filled with signatures from the game courtesy of my Dad's friend.

Coincidentally, in a not so tragic or sentimental story, Christine recently spotted a picture of she and a friend with Dave Hollins from a mall autograph-signing session. Made her laugh.

Video killed the radio star

Another rough day that won't be eased at all by ESPN radio.

For awhile, South Jersey was a sports talk radio mecca. You could get the Fan from New York, WIP in Philly, newcomer 950 and ESPN on 920. During the season, you'd have unfettered access to the Phils, Mets and the Empire as well as Sox games through a Connecticut station that would reach Philly on clear nights.

But this week, there was a jar when I tuned in ESPN 920. Instead of Mike & Mike, there was some slowly-paced, monotoned preacher droning on. I thought it might be a steroid spoof on righteousness or something, but there was no punch line. Christine found this story.

What a crock, why doesn't Philly deserve its own ESPN? Oh well, heading to North Jersey today, I'll tune into ESPN 1050. Happy radioing.

Hall of Fame

Work's been brutal -- will have to post quickly today...

Just bummed that Big Jim Ed missed the cut.

And who the hell voted for druggies Knoblauch and Justice?

Other former SoxPhils also didn't make the cut, but no tears shed for them... Hawk, Lee Arthur, Dale Murphy, Shooter, and the poster boy for steroids who wasn't named in the report, Brady Anderson.

Nomo-mania II

I forgot yesterday to mention the small-print news of the week, Hideo Nomo, the last Red Sox since Derek Lowe, err Clay Buchholz, to pitch a no-hitter, is going to try a comeback with the Kansas City Royals.

In honor of this, and the champs opening the title defense in Asia, here's my ranking of the Sox/Phils Japanese players:

1) Hideki Okajima. According to public opinion, he was signed to ease Dice-K's transition, but he turned into a shut-down reliever, an All-Star, and the #2 guy in the pen for the World Champions.

2) Dice-K. I was thinking about giving Nomo the nod here, but Nomo was just about league average during his year in Boston. Though, maybe he should get bonus points for also being a Phillie for a day in 1999. Nonetheless, Dice did pitch well, though a little disappointing, especially in the playoffs when he averaged less than 5 innings per start. We expect more this year.

3) Nomo. Like I said, about league average, but threw a no-hitter in his first start for Boston.

4) Tadahito Iguchi. Solid contributor for his 45 games with the Phils last year. Filled in admirably after Chase Utley broke his hand.

5) Tomokazu Ohka/So Taguchi. This list has a couple of stars, but then it's slim pickings. I can't decide between these two. One had 6 wins for the Sox before being traded to the Expos for a pre-felonious Ugueth Urbina. The other is a scrubby backup outfielder who's coming to the Phils this season after six years in St. Louis.

Honorable mention: If I knew this, I had forgotten that Dave Roberts -- he of the most important stolen base in history -- was born in Japan. I won't count him, but if I did he would rank 2 or 3 and I would entertain arguments for #1.

In other sports: Got three of four of the football games. Darn Redskins.

Baseball Mogul update: Didn't do that trade with Seattle. But made a couple swaps [Gordon, Burrell, Lieber, and four scrubs for Manny Corpas, Ubaldo Jimenez and Garrett Atkins] and then [Eaton, Coste and Geary] for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Christine wasn't thrilled with the first one, but she's couldn't get me to hit "accept" fast enough with the prospect of getting rid of Adam Eaton, even in a computer game. She didn't even consider her usual objections to trading with a division rival.

So far, the verdict's out... Phils have gotten off to their real-life slow start... at .500 on May 3, but only 2 games behind the Braves. I'm a little concerned that Cole Hamels would prefer a higher rotation slot on the Royals. I don't get it either.

Former Phils in the agate this week

Pitching prospect Gio Gonzalez, who seemed destined to have a career shuffling between Chicago and Philly, is headed to the rebuilding A's in the Nick Swisher trade. And Matt Smith, the most productive piece of the Abreu/Lidle fleece, has been put on waivers.

Gonzalez, originally a White Sox prospect, was traded to the Phils in '05 with Aaron Rowand and Daniel Haigwood for Jim Thome. With Rowand gone to the Giants, the only piece left from this is Fabio Castro, who I still think should have been used more in the past two years. Castro was picked up from the Rangers for Haigwood who last year was released by Texas and picked up and released by the Red Sox. Gonzalez was traded back to the White Sox in the great Freddy Garcia deal last off season.

Getting nothing in trades of superstars is nothing new for the Phils... in 2000 they gave up not-yet World Series hero {gag} Curt Schilling to the D-Backs for Travis Lee, Vincente Padilla, Omar Daal and Nelson Figueroa. (Padilla was the first scrubby Phillie who always seemed to be pitching when we go to a game. That designation then went to Cory Lidle. Last year thankfully we got a good mix).

Then, of course there was the 2002 Scott Rolen deal that also netted a future World Series hero {gag, again}, Mike Timlin, who stayed for half a season. They did get a productive Placido Polanco, but flipped him three years later for Ugueth Urbina, who pitched well for half a season before that little attempted murder thing.

And that brings up the Abreu deal. I'm guess I'm glad it happened. Though the Yankees got a good player, he's overpaid and doesn't help the team regain the mental toughness that's been lacking. But I still think the Phils should have been able to get something for him.

This week, they released Matt Smith, ending his 23 game Phillies career. Also in the deal was minor league SS C.J. Henry, released by the Phils, taken back by the Empire, and P Carlos Monastrios* and C Jesus Sanchez who were both still in A ball last year. Monastrios could still pan out, but you'd like something to be able to point to for Abreu -- even if he was first obtained for Kevin Stocker.

*Correction 9/4/08: Oops. Guess we've had Carlos Monasterios' name spelled wrong for the past eight months. He was still in Clearwater this year.

YES

Cue the Suzy Waldman dramatics. Put the YES camera crews on call for an instant Yankeeography. Have Howard Rubenstein draft a missive from George.

The greatest baseball team we have ever seen is reuniting. Yes, the 1998 Yankees, they of the 114-48 record and 11-2 World Series run will join up again on Jan. 16 to regale Congress with tales of how they stole titles in the 90s and formed the best team drugs could inflate. Big-time players -- Roidger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch -- are slated, but so is the team's most valuable contributor, Brian McNamee.

No word yet whether other members of the Empire's dynasty -- like Justice, Holmes or Velarde -- will be called.

Or whether disgraced Red Sox and Phillies alums like Manny Alexander or Lenny Dykstra will be invited. {Note from Christine: I wouldn't say that Lenny Dykstra has been disgraced. Disappointing, yes, but I don't think anyone thinks less of him since the report came out. It's not a surprise that he was named. Especially since he talked with MLB officials about his steroid use in 2000 and yet nothing was done about steroids in baseball until years later.}

In other sports: A protracted Red Sox playoff run delayed my interest in football this year, I still can't believe the regular season's over. Like many, I'm going heavy on road warriors this weekend.

I'm jumping on the Redskins bandwagon, the Steelers are too beat up and the Giants will find a way to get past Tampa Bay. The only favorite who will play like it is the Chargers, who will look more like the '06 version than the '07 version against the Titans.

But we all know these four games are just appetizers for the weekend's main event: two Yankee blowhards pinky swear over steroids.

G.I. Manny moves to the desert

Finally some real hot stove Sox news, not this Johan Santana watch. From a Peter Gammons chat on the Boston Globe Thursday, he had an interesting response to a question about Papi:

My guess is that he'll be fine. And in a lot less pain than he was at times last year. I thought for nearly three months, he was very clear that self confident presence was missing and it was injury related. In the 40 HR range... what's going to be interesting is going to be how Manny hits with him. Manny rented a house in the Phoenix area and has become a maniacal workout warrior in Tempe Arizona at the Athletes' Performance Institute (API). From what I've heard from people at API, Manny is getting himself into phenomenal shape. And having watched those workouts, I can tell you, they are extremely difficult.

That's awesome.

The real American Manny, like Rocky in Rocky IV, has isolated himself in extreme conditions to prepare himself for the repeat. This might be the year he rescues the MVP award from Slappy.

Feel those Goosebumps

Something Santa left under the tree for Christine was GOOSEBUMPS, the story of how the Phillies managed not to blow it in '07.

I enjoyed reliving the season, but noted two glaring omissions:

1. The first franchise to reach 10,000 losses. We were there -- thanks to Brian. I still have the scorecard.

2. Another fateful Adam Eaton loss, his last of the year on the season's final Saturday. See, the day before the Phils took their first division lead -- one game over the Mets. On Saturday, Eaton again made Christine cringe, tying things up heading into the final game.

But on the video, hosted by J-Roll, Saturday never happened. The Phils took their first lead of the year on the Friday, which meant on Sunday a win and a Mets loss would give them the division. The same was true for Saturday if not for Eaton and the Mets winning a rare September game.

I had GOOSEBUMPS Sunday -- that's the name of the DVD, and the Phils slogan in 2007. They finally had a fitting one after years of losers like "Bring it On" for the 65-97 2000 edition managed by Terry Francona who was still learning to be a World Series genius {note from Christine: this grandiose way of thinking is one of the reasons why I don't like the Red Sox} and another favorite "Real Grass. Real Fun" to celebrate moving from the Vet to the new park, which still lacks a decent nickname.

A bad sign?

I tore into one of my Christmas gifts (a new edition of Baseball Mogul, highly recommend it).

Things didn't start out too well as injuries to everyone from Pedroia to Lowell devastated my lineup and Beckett, Dice and the rest of the staff threw like chumps, not champs. So I deleted that game and started one with the Phillies.

Things went better; unlike real life, they actually got off to a lead. They tried to impersonate the Mets toward the end of the season, but managed to hold on. In the playoffs, they beat the D-Backs and Dodgers, but were swept in the series by the Twins, which somehow became an All-Star team, picking up Holliday, Hawpe, Reyes and Roidger Clemens during the season.

Fortunately for those of us rooting for a repeat, this is not a prediction for '08 since the games rosters are from the start of '07. (In game one of the World Series, the Phils knocked out Santana by the third inning, but J.D. "Cooler Pants" Durbin, who stuck with one team in the game, shut the door and allowed the Twins to get back in.)

So now, it's the off season... I'm mulling a trade to get C Jeff Clement and Felix Hernandez from the Mariners for Burrell, Lieber, Coste, Geary, Drabek and a couple other scrubs. Christine's not sold.

I know, not very realistic where the Phils recent big moves include replacing the roster's obligatory "Geoff" and reuniting J.D. with his long-lost cousin Chad.

Meanwhile, the Sox may or may not still be angling the video-game like swap for Johan, but we'll address that one later.

What's this about?

I was born into a Yankee family. Everyone from my dog to my Grandma loved the Bombers. And I was following suit - I dressed as Dave Winfield for Halloween and named my first goldfish Ruppert.

But then I wised up. The Yankees of my generation were a bunch of overhyped names who never won. I got sick of hearing about "Yankee tradition" and looked for my own team. I tried the Blue Jays, Orioles and Tigers, but none fit.

Then I got sucked in by a young pitcher on April 29, 1986 -- my 9th birthday and the day a pre-roid Roger Clemens struck out 20. It was a sign, and I soon loved learning about Fenway and the history of the preeminent tough luck franchise. I thought the story of the Sox most mirrored the human experience and had faith that one year they would topple the Empire.

I'd love to say I never lost faith, but truth be told, I conceded after the game 3 drubbing in the great '04. My friend, an Expos fan, got me through the next four games, on the theory win game four then it's Pedro, Curt and all hands on deck for game 7. I didn't quite buy it, but he was right, and soon enough Keith Foulke was closing out the World Series sweep.

No sooner did he flip the bill to Mientkiewicz that the Sox started to jump the shark. Countless books, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and that lovely Fever Pitch movie made it not so fun rooting for the Sox.

Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled by every moment this October as they won their seventh championship and became the flagship franchise of baseball. But I had a new diversion: a certain National League team that was tormenting a New York team just like the Sox were destroying the Empire.

See, by this time I had moved from the suburbs of New York to those of Philadelphia. I had been married for five years to Christine, a die-hard Phillies fan with whom I have spent many afternoons at the Vet and Citizens Bank Park, and countless summer evenings watching the Phils on TV. Every year we buy tickets for the season's home finale - and for the first time in 2007, the year-ender meant something.

Entering the last day of the season, the Phils were tied with the wheezing Mets, and shortly after we sat down (section 419, row 3), the Marlins were up 7-0. It was a nine-inning party as the Phils held off the Expos (I refuse to call them Nationals) 6-1.

A few days later, we returned to Philly to watch their first playoff game since Joe Carter, but they didn't mount a win against the Rockies, who were later swept out of the World Series by Josh Beckett and the rest of the crew.

So will 2008 be the year the my marriage gets tested with a Boston-Philly World Series? Probably not (Phils still don't have the pitching). But with a newly purchased Sunday game plan at Citizens Bank Park, we'll be front and center to see.