Numerical musings

There is not one stat in this post.

When the Red Sox recently brought back Alan Embree for a looksie, they gave him No. 43 again. Since he left midway through 2005, Chad Harville, Mike Holtz and Devern Hansack have worn that number.

I guess despite tossing the last pitch in the great 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox clubhouse guy didn't feel a need to freeze that jersey number, as is the custom of the Phillies clubhouse guy Frank Coppenbarger.

Comcast SportsNet's Jim Salisbury had a fascinating piece the other day on how the Phillies dole out uniform numbers for newly acquired players and how Roy Halladay wound up with Cliff Lee's No. 34.

Basically: Hallady wore 32 in Toronto, but that is retired for Steve Carlton in Philly. Last summer, the team decided he would wear 34 but had to reverse plans when Lee became the midseason acquisition. This year, when Halladay-to-the-Phillies was imminent, the staff decided he would get back the 34 he never had and gave Cliff Lee the No. 31 he had worn previously. But that wasn't necessary once Lee was shipped to Seattle.

Interesting SoxandPhils number notes from the column: In 2008, when there was a Manny Ramirez for Pat Burrell trade rumor (which Christine has completely forgotten about), the Phillies special-ordered a pair of long pants for Manny.

After drafting J.D. Drew, the Phillies reserved No. 39 for him, which he wore in college.

Curt Schilling's No. 38 was frozen for a while after he left. Pat Burrell's No. 5 is currently frozen, and they didn't know what they were going to do if Nomar Garciaparra joined the Phillies last year.

The Grinch who stole SoxandPhils

I had planned this post for yesterday, but Nomar Garciaparra stole the day's news.

On Tuesday, when Roy Halladay last pitched, Christine admitted that she was getting sick of all the Christmas puns the headline writers are using when he pitches. (Except, of course, the title and accompanying picture on this post.)

The next morning, with my alarm is set to WIP, I woke to Angelo Cataldi marveling about how Doc not only pitched well but reported to the stadium an hour before his teammates.

Not only did he beat the bus to park, but he stayed after the game to get in some work:

Just don't expect any buyer's remorse from the Phillies. Halladay arrived at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex at 2:15 yesterday afternoon, nearly an hour ahead of the team bus. By the time a group of future minor leaguers finished off a 7-4 win over the Braves, the team's regulars having long since departed for Clearwater, he was still in the visitors' clubhouse, wearing his workout clothes and eating a banana.

"You can really see what separates the great ones," a Phillies staffer said as he watched Halladay retreat to the trainer's room.

Now, Christine and I are pleased that he's on the team but can't believe the gushing that's going on. Is it that rare for a ballplayer to be this devoted to the craft? If so, I think that speaks more about the rest of the players than it does Halladay.

Of course, I won't be complaining about the results of his labor - quickly pitched games that get me to bed on time - but I just can't get over how quickly the fans and media have gone head over heels for Roy. {I'm not that surprised by the adoration - when was the last time the Phillies had a legitimate No. 1 starter with such a talented lineup behind him?}

(The Grinch cartoon is from a Boston Globe editorial about Nomar's coming home to retire.)

No more Nomar

In 1997, the SoxandPhils (before there was a SoxandPhils) monopolized the Rookie of the Year Awards: Nomar Garciaparra in the AL, Scott Rolen in the NL.

Each was a throwback gritty player whose exceptional skills made them seem destined for the Hall of Fame. But each saw his expectations grounded by injury before whining and moping their way out of Boston and Philly, where they should have been franchise legends.

Until they were traded, they provided Christine and me with lots of fodder for debate, which continues today. Tonight, when I asked Christine if she had any final words for Nomar, she made a reference to steroids and then ended with "Scotty's better."

Today, Nomar rejoined the Red Sox for a day to retire in the organization he started with. It was fitting to put a happy ending on a fairy tale career that went sour in 2004:

"This is where I started, this is where the dream to play baseball in the big league started here, with the Red Sox," he said. "Once I got to play in front of all these fans, and the way this city and all these fans embraced me, I mean, I always just felt that connection. Like I said, for me, I always said I truly wanted this to be the last uniform I ever put on. And today, I get to do that. And that's why it's so important to me."

I summed up my feelings on Nomar when talking about his old shirt. Coincidentally, I retired it last month, and now it's no longer antiquated. I know today was a just a gesture, but it is nice that I won't have to remember Nomar as a moper or suspected roider, but as the guy who was the Red Sox in the late '90s and early '00s.

I'll never forget him in the 1998 ALDS trying to rally the crowd and avert the inevitable loss to the Indians. I want to remember that fighting spirit, not the guy who sulked on the bench during the extra-inning game against the Yankees in 2004 as Derek Jeter crashed into the stands.

Tony Massarotti has a pretty good eulogy on Nomar's career, appropriately starting out with a quote from former Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan: "They love you at the beginning and they love you at the end. It’s the middle that’s tough."

That pretty much sums it up. Now we just need Scotty to sign a one-day deal with the Phillies before he retires. Yeah, I know, no chance of that.

Blame it on Curt

Brett Myers has had a good career for the Phillies, although it hasn't quite met the expectations for a guy drafted 12th overall in a pretty decent first-round 1999 draft class that included Josh Beckett, Josh Hamilton, Ben Sheets and Barry Zito.

Phil Sheridan took a long look Sunday at the Phillies tenure of Brett Myers, which is most likely over at season's end. He looks at the good, bad and puzzling times of young Brett, who is an enigmatic cross between the ultimate team player and a lightning rod for off-field problems.

"Dramas have followed me my whole life. I'm the guy who messes around and throws a peanut at someone and it hits them in the eye. When I was a kid, I broke my wrist riding my bike over a little wooden ramp. A hundred other kids rode over it, but I'm the guy that flips and breaks his wrist. I'm the guy that falls out of the Escalade."

And that's nowhere near the most interesting quote in this epic feature. We loved his first quote after being drafted and can't believe we haven't heard it before. Can we get a Desi Relaford shout-out?

"I want to meet Pat Burrell, Scott Rolen, Curt Schilling and Desi Relaford," the 18-year-old pitcher said that day. "I want to play with them now. Just put me in the big show!"

We also didn't remember this quote that inserts an intriguing SoxandPhils what-if:

As a low-level minor-leaguer in 2000, he angered upper management something fierce when he spat, "Who's going to teach me how to pitch now, Omar Daal?" in reaction to Schilling's being traded to Arizona.

So, if Curt weren't traded, would he have made Myers realize his potential as a top-flight starter? Would the Phillies have won one or more World Series before 2008? And, following that path, would that mean Curt wouldn't wind up on the Red Sox, and I would be a lot more cranky about another year looking up at the Yankees?

{I'm more intrigued by the idea of who would drive the other one crazy first: Curt and his preaching, or Brett and his recklessness.}

I dunno, but for a pitcher who sometimes seems one or two shy of a six-pack, Myers has given us plenty to consider. But, as Ruben Amaro said, should the next few weeks be the end of Brett Myers' Phillies career, neither side can complain.

"Brett's had his ups and downs, obviously, but at the same time he's done a lot to help the organization. He adjusted and went to the bullpen when we asked him to. He went back to the rotation when we asked him to. He went to the minors when he struggled. He's made some sacrifices. At the same time, we've treated him well with a multiyear deal. But there's no doubt he's shown a lot of flexibility."

For me, I'll just miss his curveball - one of the prettiest I've ever seen.

Today's news: It looks like Brad Penny is going to the Giants. Good riddance. ... There was a report that the Phillies would be adding to their collection of former Red Sox (Pedro Martinez, Matt Stairs, Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero) by trading for Nomar Garciappara, who they tried to sign in the offseason. David Murphy, and no other local beat writer has even mentioned it.

More SoxandPhils stars

I often wonder whether there is something to the connections I note between the Red Sox and Phillies or if they're mere coincidence highlighted by personal bias.

Take Tim Wakefield, for instance. I've often said his Phillie counterpart is Jamie Moyer, but for the next couple of weeks it will be Raul Ibanez. Both have been released, written-off, underrated but consistent players. This year they will each be remarkable first-time All-Stars.

With all the focus on Tim Wakefield, I haven't paid enough attention to Raul Ibanez's story. Yesterday, Christine said she doesn't want him to play because he has been injured. I agreed, but this story explains why it will be really hard for him to sit out if he is healthy.

He has fought and scraped just to stay in the major leagues. Now he has earned the acclaim of the fans and his peers, but he faces a tough decision whether to appear in the game that should be the reward for all his preservation.

Nothing has come easy for the guy and now, not even this, his first All-Star berth. It adds to his story, for sure. But it's a story already rich with this sort of detail. Just this once, couldn't it be easy?

"Things happen for a reason, they say," he said at one point yesterday. "I believe that."

Other All-Star notes: Ryan Howard will compete in the Home Run Derby, and Shane Victorino is getting help from Mayor Nutter in his final man competition. But he currently trails Pedro Sandoval (Christine's rookie of the year pick).

Former Red Sox All-Stars: The Phillies are looking at Pedro Martinez {Boo!}, and Nomar Garciaparra made his first appearance in Fenway since he was traded nearly five years ago. His pre-game comments make me feel sorry for some of the things I've said about him:

"I love 'em. I love the way they treated me," said Garciaparra, whose eyes were filled with tears. "I'm getting emotional because when I was gone Boston fans were everywhere. I can't say how many times I heard, 'Thank you. Thank you for all you did.' Even today I was walking down Newbury Street a guy came up to me and shook my hand and looked me in the eye and said 'Thank you for all you did.' And I just looked at him and said, 'No ... Thank you.'

"I can't believe what a wonderful experience I had here."

Phillies play the Dick Pole-coached Reds: Last year, Chris Wheeler said of the Reds pitching coach, "I like that Dick Pole." Tonight, as the Phillies trashed Johnny Cueto, Tom McCarthy said something about how Dick Pole couldn't do anything but scratch his head. Shouldn't there be someone reminding the broadcasters to watch their Dick references?

Tonight's games: The Phillies are up 16-1 in the 5th. Victorino, the All-Star hopeful, started off the scoring with a two-run home run. He's now 3-3 with a walk, three RBIs and four runs scored. The Red Sox trail Nomar and the A's 5-0 in the 6th.

Pat Burrell reunion, Part 1

For the first time in his 12-year professional career, Pat Burrell faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies - the second team that drafted him and the only one he has been with until this season.

Burrell finally won over the fans last year as he became the quiet, venerable leader of the World Champions. He could have used that stock to bash ownership for not bringing him back, but he was all class yesterday:

"From the beginning, I have nothing but good things to say about the organization, the way I was treated," Burrell said. "I've known Ruben a long time, and he was very upfront with me. It wasn't a situation where I felt mistreated. He did mention that he wanted to change things up, and hey, sometimes you need that."

He even brought along Elvis, Christine's favorite World Series-winning bulldog, for a visit. And, although we knew Pat would be reunited with his former mates during spring training, the on-deck series in Philadelphia and a regular-season series in Tampa, we learned yesterday that Burrell plans to attend the ring ceremony on April 8 when the Phillies play a day game and the Rays play in Boston at night.

In true SoxandPhils spirit, we can hope that Pat eats a bad cheese steak before hopping on his plane to Boston. {I have no idea what he's talking about. I hope Pat the Bat hits a game-winning home run off Jonathan Papelbon.}

And in non-SoxandPhils fashion, the Phillies seem to have finally given up waiting for Nomar Garciaparra.

[Photo credit: TampaBay.com]

Hands off the trophy, pee boy

I couldn't believe what I read this morning - the Phillies are getting impatient waiting for a decision from Nomar Garciaparra, so they are pursuing 42-year-old Moises Alou "pretty hard." I'm not thrilled with the prospects of the old and often injured Alou joining the team, but I can live with it if he accepts a very limited role and doesn't soil the World Series trophy with his pee hands.

Other fallbacks for the right-handed pinch-hitter role include former Red Sox Kevin Millar, Rich Aurilla and Mark Grudzielanek. I don't like any of these. Grudzielanek's not so bad, but I don't want to learn how to spell his name. Besides, it's not a good omen when just the other night Christine saw his name on the MLB ticker as a notable remaining free agent:

"I didn't know he was still playing, let alone a notable free agent," she said.

Bullpen: Tom Gordon wants to come back to the Phillies. The team said it ain't happening. Unfortunately, that same tidbit said one of Christine's favorites, fattie Mike Zagurski, had some snag in his recovery.

Another one bites the dust: Another reputable journalist, Todd Zolecki, has sold out and will be working for the institution he once covered:

Hi, everybody - Yes, I'm joining MLB.com next month. Fortunately, I'm not going
far because I'll still be covering the Phillies on a daily basis. It'll just be for a different company. I want to say thanks to everybody who checks out the Phillies Zone regularly. I think you know you have helped make this one of the top blogs at Philly.com. It's been an absolute blast. Don't worry, the Phillies Zone will continue. It'll just be somebody else at the helm. But like I said, I'm not going far. So feel free to stop by and say hello at my new address. And if you see me in Clearwater or at the ballpark during the season, make sure to say hello. I'll try to post something more later!

We'll miss reading him online at the Inky, but we're glad that he'll still be around and covering the Phils.

Nick Cafardo audtions for SoxandPhils

Given the awful economic state of newspapering, it seems the Globe's Nick Cafardo is sending out subtle hints that he'd like to join the SoxandPhils team. A couple of lines from today's Baseball Notes column prove my point:

Apropos of nothing: 1. If Mike Lowell had signed with the Phillies last winter, he'd have back-to-back championships; 2. Nomar Garciaparra would be a nice fit for the Phillies.

...

The action on Lowe will likely accelerate this weekend among three NL East teams - Atlanta, New York, and Philadelphia. The Braves, who met with Lowe last week, need to nail this one down. They acquired Javier Vazquez from the White Sox earlier this winter, but they have lost John Smoltz and have yet to make an offer to the rehabbing Tom Glavine. They would salvage their offseason by signing Lowe, who among the baseball people we spoke to was considered the second-best free agent pitcher out there (after CC Sabathia). One rub is that Lowe wants to go somewhere where he can get to a World Series. Are the Braves that team? Are the Mets? We know the Phillies are.

No need to be bashful, Mr. Cafardo - you'd be welcome to join. We don't pay well, but we offer telecommuting, flexible hours and a friendly staff.

Oh, and since he took a jab at the Mets, Christine and I (while taking breaks from watching the Carolina Panthers fall apart last night) caught the end of the 2006 NLCS on MLB Network, which was the beginning of the "choke artist" label for the New York Mets. Christine could watch Carlos Beltran freeze on strike three with the potential winning run on base a million times.

Back to current reality: Cafardo, Bob Ryan and Jim Salisbury all talk about the two Red Sox left fielders on deck for the Hall of Fame. I think (probably like I did last year) that Jim Rice gets in this year. I haven't seen a writer's ballot that hasn't included him, and he was darn close last year.

No one, however, doubts that at least one Red Sox (Rickey Henderson) will get in. If you've clicked on the link to Cafardo's column at the top of this post, you would have an enjoyable recap on Rickey's year in the Fens. I love Henderson stories and can't wait for all of them to come out over the next few months.

Football: Again, I keep forgetting about football - although today's Eagles-Giants is a must-see. Yesterday, I would have picked the Panthers and the Titans. Today, I'll go with the Giants and Steelers. I'm 2-4 so far in the playoffs.

Nomar could be a SoxandPhil

Yesterday, when Rocco Baldelli held up his new No. 5 Red Sox jersey, we were reminded of Nomar Garciappara's Red Sox past.

Perhaps that was an omen to his Phillies future.

Ken Rosenthal reports the champions are interested in the man who made the great 2004 possible by leaving town. They're also interested in 2004 champion Gabe Kapler, who would make more sense because whoever gets the final Phillies bench slot should be able to play some outfield defense.

Since we're talking about bottom of the roster depth, the Red Sox completed their bench by re-signing Mark Kotsay - who was rumored to be heading to the Phillies before the Red Sox acquired him last season.

But the Sox still don't have a starting catcher. From the Boston Herald:

Still on the to-do list is acquiring another catcher. Epstein said a deal with captain and free agent Jason Varitek has not been ruled out.

"We've still got some unfinished business," said Epstein. "Jason is still out there. As I said at the beginning of the offseason, by no means have we shut the door on him and we’re also in pursuit of a younger catcher in a trade."

Take two: I forgot to mention what Christine will think of whenever we see Rocco enter a game. Her cousin's first hamster was named Rock-O. She was a little girl when she had him, and after he died, she kept writing in letters to Christine's brother, stationed in Iraq at the time, that her hamster had died.

There were several letters, and I imagine if enemies got a hold of them, they'd go nuts trying to figure out what "Rock-O died" was code for.

Sox add depth, but still no starting catcher

The Red Sox responded today to the hundreds of millions spent by the Yankees this winter. While the Yankees dumped boatloads of money on three players who haven't won anything, the Red Sox got proven winners John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli for less than $20 million.

OK, A.J. Burnett has one ring (same as Smoltz and Baldelli combined), but he pitched in only four games in 2003, when Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell won it for the Marlins.

Point is, the Yankees are buying big names, but the Red Sox are assembling a team - just one without a starting catcher.

A couple notes on Baldelli: He's going to be the first Red Sox to wear No. 5 since Nomar Garciapparra was shipped out so we could win a championship.

I have faith the front office did their due diligence with Baldelli's medical history and that he'll be capable of serving as the fourth outfielder.

I told Christine last night that this is our revenge for the Rays getting Pat Burrell. {I still fail to see his logic in that.}

I'm not expecting much from Smoltz, but between him and Brad Penny, I like the depth of the rotation.

Uniform number addendum: Wow, there have been very few uniform numbers that have gone unused by the Red Sox in recent years. According to Red Sox Diehard, only four unretired numbers (lower than 65) have been out of commission as long as or longer than Nomar's.

• No. 14 since 2000. Hopefully that number gets retired this year when Jim Rice is elected to the Hall of Fame.
• No. 21 since Roger Clemens left to become a disgrace in 1996.
• No. 26. This one is odd. It's Wade Boggs' number, but 11 guys have had it since he left, most recently Ramiro Mendoza in 2004.
• No. 45, last worn by Pedro Martinez in 2004.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Williams, Yaz, Rice, Manny ... Jason Bay?

I'm nervous.

I can remember watching the television in shock at the 2004 trading deadline and seeing that Nomar Garciaparra was traded - not for Matt Clement, as was rumored - but for Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. I knew Nomar had to go, but I thought he'd fetch more than an inferior shortstop and a no-hit first baseman.

Last year, I thought the Sox cinched the World Series by getting Eric Gagne.

Point is, I'm not the best at judging deadline deals when they happen. Turns out a lot of professionals aren't either.

It's looking like a three-way trade is possible, if not already done, by some reports, that Manny will be a Marlin, and we'll have Jason Bay, the pride of Canada, playing left field in front of the Green Monster - a spot largely tended by Hall of Famers for the past half-century.

If this is it, I thank Manny. I'm upset at some of the grief he caused, but I can't forget that he was a vital cog to two World Championships - including MVP of the great 2004 World Series.

But I also can't forget that these championships were as much a result of the complete organization, not just the star players. The front office has done some unconventional moves (see: Nomar, July 2004), but they've brought respect and winning to an organization that was pretty much patronized until 2003. The Red Sox survived losing Nomar, Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon. It will survive without Manny.

Some fans would take this trade - coinciding with the worst stretch of the season - as time to say "wait till next year." Screw that. I've seen this team come back from 0-3 against the Yankees and 1-3 against the Indians in their last two ALCSs. They're still defending champions until/unless they're eliminated. I expect them to regroup, reload and come out swinging.

It would have been nice for Josh Beckett to start the charge tonight, but he was shelled and the Angels beat the Red Sox 9-2, completing the sweep. Hope they're not overconfident when we play them in October.

On the bright side: The Phillies, behind a typically sturdy Jamie Moyer start, beat the Nationals 8-5 to reclaim first place by a half game as the Marlins beat the Mets. Moyer had career win number 240.

L.A. pinball

We're still thawing from yesterday. It looks like there was a lot of fun in warmer Los Angeles, where the Red Sox and Dodgers re-enacted the mid-20th century when baseball was played in the Los Angeles Coliseum with a 60-foot net serving as the left field wall 200 feet from home plate.

The Globe explains the craziness:

The Dodgers didn't even bother with a left fielder. Torre went with a five-man infield. Francona had Bobby Kielty in left but when Rafael Furcal led with a double down the line, the ball was fielded in the corner by shortstop Julio Lugo. It really had the feel of backyard Wiffle ball. Kevin Youkilis dropped a 300-foot homer over the Screen Monster in the third. In the fourth, Jacoby Ellsbury was caught stealing, 2-8, center fielder Andruw Jones taking the throw. Pretty sure we had the largest crowd wave in baseball history, including players on both benches.

Other than the wave - how could my team participate in such a putrid activity? - sounds like good times. Proceeds went to charity. Even some old friends and foes made appearances:

The Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra addressed the crowd, then their manager, Joe Torre, took the mike and said, "There's not a better way to do this than against the Boston Red Sox ... excuse me, the world champion Boston Red Sox. For some reason, it doesn't bother me to say that anymore."

In Philly land: Phil Sheridan and Jim Salisbury have good reads that explain why I neither drink the Phillies Kool-Aid nor write off their chances of repeating. And the Inquirer's opening day countdown feature on Cole Hamels softens my stance on the outspoken punk:

Because Hamels has less than two years of big-league service and figures to become a multimillionaire very soon, his remarks drew negative comments from fans at a few of his exhibition appearances.

"That's over and done with," Hamels said of his contract snit. "I said what was on my mind early on, and that was it. Now I'm back to focusing on baseball and what I need to do to help this team get back to the postseason."

Happy feelings

Baseball began in Japan on Tuesday morning. Its season opens in earnest next week. Are you happy?

Adam Eaton is:

"The results weren't great, but I felt good," Eaton said after the Phillies' 14-5 loss at Joker Marchant Stadium. "I felt like my stuff was just as good at the end as it was at the beginning. The way I feel and the way my stuff is, I'm pretty happy."

I guess I'd be happy if I could pocket $140,000 a week with no discernible skill set. Adam Beaten, who had a 6.29 ERA last season, somehow found a way to get 2008 off on a worse foot. Let's get one of the monkeys to be the fifth starter until Kris Bensen is ready.

Spring training wrap-up: Christine and I will train for the season by attending the Blue Jays-Phillies final spring training game on Saturday - our first live action of the spring. We won't get to boo Scott Rolen, but maybe Rod Barajas will make an appearance.

Similarly, Nomar Garciaparra is out for the Dodgers and will miss the pinball game against the Red Sox in Los Angeles, a city where, the Globe notes, Terry Francona made his managerial debut for the Phillies, piloting Curt Schilling to victory.

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