Historically, you couldn't come up with two more different franchises than the Yankees and Phillies.
The Yankees have been, by far, the winningest team in American League history -- their .568 winning percentage puts them almost 2300 games over .500, and 855.5 games ahead of the second-place Boston Red Sox, if you were keeping an all-time major league standing. Put it another way: say the Red Sox started winning 100 games a year, every year, and the Yankees suddenly got bad and started losing 100 games a year, every year (that would make a 38-game difference between the two teams). It would take 23 consecutive seasons of doing that before the Red Sox could catch them. The Yankees' pennant is their 40th; to date they have won exactly two-thirds of the World Series in which they have appeared, and they have appeared in at least one in each decade since the 1920's.
Meanwhile, the Phillies have, up to very recently, been the sad sack team of the National League. Much was made of the Pirates recently breaking the Phillies' record of 16 consecutive losing seasons from 1933-48. But had the Phillies not won the last game of the 1932 season to finish 78-76, they would have had thirty-one consecutive non-winning seasons from 1918-48; in 12 of those 31 years, they lost 100 or more games. The franchise won two pennants (1915 and 1950) in its first 97 years of existence, and won only one World Series (1980) until last year. The Phillies are the only major league franchise to have lost over 10,000 games (10,167), despite the fact that the Cubs and Braves were around for seven years before the Phillies were created in 1883. The Phillies stand 1129 games under .500 -- put that another way, too: if they started winning 100 games a year, every year, it would take 30 consecutive seasons to put the franchise over .500.
(That ought to also give you a little perspective on Cubs history. Doesn't look quite so bad now, does it?)
History lesson over, I'm picking the Phillies to win in seven. The Phillies can match the Yankees' CC Sabathia with their own Cliff Lee (and Indians fans must be sighing big-time, watching their former pitchers face off tonight), and if Philly wins one of the two games in New York, stealing home field back, that will make for a tight and competitive Series.
Late in the year as it is (the "November Classic"?), it's still the World Series. Even the weather will cooperate, with rain ending before game time and temperatures cool, but not cold, in the lower 50's at game time. Enjoy, because after it's over... no baseball for three months.
Phillies at Yankees, 6:57 pm CDT. TV: Fox. Announcers: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight and Yankees site Pinstripe Alley.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 184 comments
Dang, that 2nd paragraph made me puke (with envy)…..Go Phillies
cooliogirl47 - October 28, 2009
I'll go with the Phillies in 6.
Outside of 3B and the closer’s spot, I just don’t see where the Yankees own a decided advantage.
Bill Potter - October 28, 2009
And as bad as Lidge was during the regular season...
… he has allowed only one hit in four postseason innings, with three saves.
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
Indeed. Manuel has used him well in the postseason.
That said, I’d still take Mariano Rivera over him right now.
Bill Potter - October 28, 2009
I would too.
The advantage may not be as large as it appeared when the postseason started, though.
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
Agreed.
The Angels seemed to have a decent approach against him in Game 6, only to forget how to field a bunt in the bottom half of the 8th.
Bill Potter - October 28, 2009
A very nice NEW piece by Doug Glanville
On the series, growing up a Phillies fan and how it feels to see your team finally win.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/opinion/28glanville-series.html
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
I love Glanville's writing.
I think this sums it up really well:
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
I love Doug Glanville
He’s been writing off and on for the NYT for a while and he always has something insightful to say. Clearly a pretty smart guy, and just a fan of the game. Wish I could have appreciated him more as a player.
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
Still
Tough to look at the Cubs against ANY team these days. I’ve been around 58 yrs. I’ve seen every team but the M’s, Rangers/ Senators , & Nats /Expos all at least appear once in the Series.
KedzieKid - October 28, 2009
Doesn't look quite so bad now, does it?
They’ve won 2 World Series in my life time. I’ll take that, thank you very much.
goddess - October 28, 2009
While the Phillies total W/L record might look bad...
…remember that all the damage was done during the one long stretch that you mention, from 1918 until 1948. It’s far and away the worst period of extended futility that any franchise has suffered through. During that span, they were an astounding 1,154 games below .500, or about 37 games per season over that 31 season period. But for the rest of their history, the Phillies are actually over .500. It’s hard to really say that they were the “sad sack” team of all-time when there’s really just one awful period, even if did last for 30 years. That’s like saying that the Cubs are biggest losers of all time because of 1946-1966; the Cubs have been up and down since then and were actually one of the most successful franchises before it, even if they managed to lose 7 world series in a row.
While great-grandad may have had to endure some atrocious baseball, the Phillies have been decent enough during the last few decades, with 10 playoff appearances, 4 pennants, and 2 titles since the late 70s. I think that almost all of us would be willing to overlook grandpa’s suffering for that more recent success.
LaddieRenfroe - October 28, 2009
Rec'd
This is what happens when a team has success. I NEVER read or hear about the Phiilies futility of long, long ago. We hear of Mike Schmidt, and that series.
An Ex-Cub may have cost them another title, but the Phils were in that series.
There’s no ‘loveable loser’ crap surrounding the Phillies. No damn goat, no s**t like that.
The same situation now exists with the Red Sox.
But, of course — all WE hear about is a litany of losing. It’s always the lead story in any half-baked writer’s mind when writing about the Cubs. As much as I love Steve Goodman’s Go Cubs Go I wasn’t happy about A Dying Cubs Fan Last Request. That’s SO Cub-like, to wallow in defeat. I know the tune was satire…but still….it’s a loser’s…“request.”
So, I don’t really care about how bad the Phiilies were in the 40s. It doesn’t make me feel better. Hopefully, we won’t care about the past crap years of the Cubs in the future, when they finally win.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - October 28, 2009
Mitch Williams did not "cause" the Phillies to lose
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
But did he "cause" John Kruk's cancer?
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
I think he caused the cure more than anything....
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
The first second look that region had received in a while, perhaps?
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Plausible
But there are all kinds of fetishes out there . . . .
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
Fine.
Another Ex-Cub ‘caused’ the Blue jays to win.
Why are so many wired so tight right now?
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - October 28, 2009
I'm not wired tight . . . I just find one-liners like that B.S.
For one thing, it was game 6, not game 7. Had the Phillies won that game, they still needed to win the next game.
For another, it was a decent pitch – a low and in slider. Sometimes, the other guy deserves credit.
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Of course not, Curt Schilling did by covering his head when Mitch pitched.
N Oakley - October 29, 2009
Bloody Schilling
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
uh, NO
even after the astoundlingly bad 1918-1948 period, the Phillies had long stretches where they were the worst team in the NL, and it isn’t even close. From 1954-1961 they finished below .500 6 out of the 8 years and the two years they didn’t (!955, 1957) they managed to just get to .500. They finished last in the NL FOUR straight years, 1958-1961. They never finished less than 18 games out during that period and in 1958-61 finished 23, 23 36 and 46 (!) games out.
Then came the Gene Mauch era and some competitive teams from 1962-67. They never won a pennant (or even came close other than ‘64), but they did manage to finish slightly above .500 in ’62-’63 and ‘65-’67.
Then it was back to the dregs. 1968 thru 1974 they finished last or next to last every year but one and 90+ losses four times.
The mid-70s saw the best stretch of baseball up to that time for the Phillies, culminating in the World Series win in 1980. By 1988 it was back to business as usual, finishing below .500 in 12 of the next 13 years with the exception being the rather inexplicable year of 1993.
2001 saw the dawn of a new era in Phillies baseball, with winning seasons in 8 of the next 9 years, by far the best stretch the Phillies have ever had.
But before 2001, from 1918 to 2000, a period of 82 years, the Phillies had 60 losing seasons. including a miraculous 37 seasons where they lost 90 or more games and 27 times they finished last. (And another 18 times next to last).
And my favorite: The Phillies finished last or next last last every year except two in 28 years. And those two years they finished 3rd from last. So for 28 years, they never finished above 6th in the old 8 team National League. Find another team that can say that.
If you combine this with the futility of the Philadelphia A’s who also finished last or next to last every year from 1935-1946, you can see why Philadelphia baseball fans who go back that far are somewhat jaded.
So basically from 1918-2000 there were three, mostly brief periods where the Phillies stuck their head out from the lower regions of the NL standings. The “Whiz Kid” era of the late 40’s – early 50’s, the Gene Mauch era of 1963-67 and the Mike Schmidt era of the late 70’s and early 80’s. Other than that, it had been dismal, to say the least.
azjazzman - October 28, 2009
You didn't even mention...
… the 23-game losing streak the Phillies had in 1961, the longest such streak in major league history.
During that streak the Phillies scored more than three runs only five times. There was one nine-game stretch during the 23-game streak where they scored a total of eight runs (and were shut out three straight times).
They got swept by the Cubs at Wrigley during the streak, 9-2, 6-5 and 9-5.
They had a 16-game loser, an 18-game loser, and a 19-game loser, and Hall of Famer Robin Roberts went 1-10. They were outscored by 212 runs (in a 154-game schedule). They had other losing streaks of eight games and ten games.
That team would probably be remembered as the worst in modern baseball history if it weren’t for the next year’s Mets.
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
Yes
and that is why Gene Mauch did an unbelievable job with the Phillies. The very next year (1962) the Phillies posted a winning record (!) and two years after that (1964) the Phillies were the best team in the National League for 150+ games.
By comparison, it took 7 years for the Mets to post a winning record, and when they did, it was called a miracle.
For this, and many other reasons, Gene Mauch should be in the Hall of Fame.
azjazzman - October 28, 2009
The 1962 Phillies have expansion to thank for their winning record.
They were 31-5 against the two expansion teams, 50-75 against everyone else.
(Yes, 31-5 against Houston and New York. You could look it up.)
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
Wow. Makes the Tigers 35-5 record (against legitimate teams) to start 1984 even more impressive.
Zeke - October 29, 2009
1961 Phillies were "the worst in modern baseball history"?
I guess it depends on what you call “modern” but I tend to think of anything after about 1903, the legitimizing of the AL via the World Series as well as the last major rule change, as being “modern”. That being said, here are 10 teams that were worse than the 1961 Phillies…in no particular order.
Let’s see, the (1) ‘62 Mets were terrible, as you note, although they’re so well-remembered partially because they played in NY. The Mets were really bad every year until 1969.
(2) The 1916 A’s, which were the culmination of the firesale to end all firesales. Connie Mack said “everything must go”…and it did.
(3) The 2003 Tigers. Like the ’61 Phillies, they rebounded relatively quickly, though Detroit had been far worse during the preceding decade and the Tigers still lost 90+ in ’04 and ’05.
(4) 2002 Devil Rays. The worst team in that franchise’s brief history, smack-dab in the middle of a decade during which lost 90+ games every year. If only Jared Sandberg had been as talented as his uncle.
(5) 1926 Red Sox. The Red Sox were awful for 15 years after selling Babe Ruth, the ’26 team being the worst of the bunch, though the Sox lost 100+ in both the preceding and following season.
(6) 2001 Pirates. Sure, they weren’t as abjectly awful as the 1961 Phillies, but this is the most embarrassing season in the course of the Pirates’ record losing streak. Kevin Young and Pat Meares watching while Lloyd McClendon literally stole bases…yuck.
(7) 1937 Browns. No list of terrible teams would be complete without the Browns. Their best pitchers lost 19, 18, and 17 games and they couldn’t explain their troubles away because somebody like Robin Roberts had a bad year.
(8) 2005 Royals. Kansas City’s fluke season in 2003 covers up just how bad that franchise has been for nearly 2 decades – they’re not setting any records, like the Pirates, but they’ve been miserable since the early 90s. This is the worst team among the bunch, so bad that they’re best pitcher, Greinke, starting having anxiety attacks.
(9) 1952 Pirates. They’re best pitcher, Murray Dickson, actually was pretty good but he still lost 21 games in 34 starts.
(10) And my pick for the worst team ever, the 1945 Phillies. At the tale end of WWII, after a number of deferments had expired, many franchises were fielding teams of flat-footed guys, players missing limbs, etc. But this Phillie team managed to lose 108 games, against only 46 wins. They used a fat, washed-up Jimmie Foxx as a pitcher…not just in mop-up work, but as a starting pitcher. So maybe the Phillies can claim a “modern” team that was the worst of all time, but it still falls during that 30-year run of incompetence.
I’ve tried to rule out teams like the ‘61 Phillies, that rebounded so quickly. For example, I left out the 1935 Braves who, despite their atrocious record (38-115), were okay for much of that decade. I left out the ’62 Cubs, who started three HOFers (plus a deserving 4th, Santo) and still managed to lose 103 games despite competing against two expansion teams, including the Mets. It’s interesting how many bad teams come from either the 2000s or the 1930s (I left out the ’35 Braves as well as some really bad Philadelphia teams from both leagues), eras when rich teams completely subjugated their rivals.
LaddieRenfroe - October 28, 2009
When I said "modern"...
… I meant post World War II. I’d put the ’61 Phillies in with the ’62 Mets, the ’03 Tigers, and maybe the 1969 Expos and Padres, in that group.
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
Yeah, that's an ongoing debate...
I think a better line could be drawn somewhere around the 1920, when umpires were told to keep relatively clean balls in play and, simultaneously, Babe Ruth proved that you could hit lots of homeruns if only you tried. The WWII delineation has more to do with 1) the larger scope of American history (the war, the beginning of the end of outright segregation) and 2) the fact that the minor leagues took on their modern form.
I use 1903 for two reasons: there were (1) two dominant leagues in the United States and (2) foul balls counted as strikes in both leagues, which was the last major change (almost every change since has been a shift in policy, as opposed to an actual rule change).
It’ll be interesting to see, decades down the line, how we analyze our current era. Strategy today is very different than the MLB that I grew up with in the 1980s, due to [1a] the smaller new ballparks and [1b] the demise of artificial turf as well as a combination of [2a] the prevelance of weight-training coupled with [2b] the use of steroids.
LaddieRenfroe - October 28, 2009
There can be several lines drawn, for various eras...
… 1903-1920, the deadball era;
1921-1945, the interwar years
1946-1960 (or 1968, depending on whether you want to include the first wave of expansion)
1969-1993, the “classic” divisional play era
And, 1994 to date.
Quibble with these and adjust the years a bit, but I was referring to the “postwar” era, meaning after 1945. The 1961 Phillies, who started this discussion, went 47-107 in a 154-game season; likely, they would have been 49-113 or 50-112 in a 162-game season. There have been only two seasons worse than that in the 162-game era, 1961-date: the ’62 Mets and ’03 Tigers.
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
But [sputtering], if you only use W/L records, there was worse team just 9 years before the 1961
The ‘52 Pirates went 42-112…did the National League change so drastically over those 9 years that you can’t compare them to the ‘61 Phillies? So why did you exclude that team from your comment? Those two teams fall within same the era, even by your limited definitions…well, you cited “1960” as the start of the Expansion Era but the NL didn’t expand until ’62 and the waiver rules at the time prevented the AL expansion, in 1961, from having any real effect on the NL…but still…
…We’ve now digressed far from the original discussion point, whether or not the Phillies are the red-headed stepchild of the longer-tenured MLB franchises, much less if that history is a reason to support them in the World Series. I don’t think that the Phillies are the historical “sad sack” of MLB unless you define the franchise by one particular era whereas you (to make an argument for your point) would say that the defining characteristic of a franchise is the overall win-loss record . I guess that we’ll have to agree to disagree…though I’m rooting for the Phils in this Series, their team being far more likeable than the cold, corporate Yankees.
LaddieRenfroe - October 28, 2009
While we can quibble over what an "era" is...
… but I agree with you, I’m rooting for the Phillies in this Series.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
...right back at you..."um, NO"
Other than the 1918-48 period, the Phillies have had only two really awful teams. The ‘61 team, discussed by Al below, and 1903-04 teams which were bad but not historically bad. And the ’61 team was essentially a one-off, an abysmal season that was the nadir of a mediocre stretch sandwiched between two eras of competitive teams. I guess there’s the franchises’ first season, 1883, when they went 17-81 but the 19th century is so unlike modern baseball in so many ways that that season shouldn’t really count…after all, do we really give the Cubs a lot of credit for being so good in 1876?
The Phillies have had some mediocre stretches in the last 60 years but it’s hard to describe them as being “historically bad” at any point, other than 1961, which is an aberration. More importantly, Philadelphia has had two periods during they were an absolute powerhouse, late 70s/early 80s and now, plus two stretches of sustained competitiveness, with the Whiz Kids and the mid 60s teams. From the end of WWII, the Phillies have had their “head out of the sand” far more often than a number other franchises, including the one that we both support.
Yeah, the A’s were bad after Connie Mack sold off all his stars (twice) but should that count against the Phillies? The counter-argument is that the Philadelphia Athletics also enjoyed two of the best teams ever so perhaps Philly fans don’t have such a basis for being jaded. Here’s another way of looking it – does the fact that the White Sox were crappy for 30 years following the Black Sox scandal influence the way that we think about the Cubs?
All I’m saying is that, other than a spectacular three decade exception long ago, the Phillie fans don’t have any reason to be embarrassed. It’s telling that the franchise is actually over .500 with the exception of that inter-war period.
LaddieRenfroe - October 28, 2009
1976-1983
That was a great time for the Phillies with 6 playoff appearances, 5 division titles, 2 NL pennants, and 1 world championship. That 1980 NLCS between the Phillies and Astros was one of the best ever. Game 4 of the 1978 NLCS between the Phillies and Dodgers was on MLB Network about a week ago. Garry Maddox made a critical error in the 10th inning that was very much like the error Matt Holliday made in game 2 of the 2009 NLDS between the Cardinals and Dodgers.
memphiscub - October 28, 2009
This is the least interested I've been in a WS in a long time
and it shouldn’t be that way. I just don’t care enough about the Yanks making it back to the WS, I don’t care enough about how Howard will probably crush 20 homeruns in the games he’ll play in at new Yankees Stadium, I don’t care about the Indian vs Indian pitching matchup, etc., etc. Maybe some of that is enjoying my time with my wife, trying to keep her level headed during her pregnancy, maybe some of it is spending time away from TV and the internet to train and put together baby furniture, or maybe some of it is for how captivating the Blackhawks and Colts have been, but I have 0 interest in non-Cubs baseball.
Phillies in 6 though, just saying.
Craig in South Bend - October 28, 2009
Go Phillies!!!
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
Wow,
so it is safe to say the Red Sox will always be behind the Yankees.
I like that Rollins came out and said they will win the first game, if I were a Yanks fan, I would be very uneasy with playing the Phillies.
I think Phillies in 6…and hope.
slocs55 - October 28, 2009
A way with words Al
to put records in perspective. I would be glad to trade with the Phillies right now.
I really have a hard time cheering for either team but I will watch. I would lean NL over AL. I lean Joe Giardi because I always liked Joe as a Cub. I tire of the Yankee payroll and star power. I just want the Cubs in the series.
mrcubsfan - October 28, 2009
I agree with the common sentiment here.
Is anyone on BCB actually rooting for the Yankees?
Gosh, it must be tough being a Cleveland Indians fan. Cliff Lee (former Indian) vs. CC Sabathia (former Indian).
OT: If I have Swine Flu, my health is going to collapse in upon itself sometime between now and Friday evening (when the incubation period ends). So far, my health is still good….
Vermont Cubs Fan - October 28, 2009
I'm just letting you know now...
My theory is that this virus will turn people into zombies. If that’s the case, and you come for my brains, I will not hesitate to do my job.
Craig in South Bend - October 28, 2009
To paraphrase a former president.. "I feel my pain"
Yes, it’s tough being an Indians fan, but all those years I spent in Cleveland prepared me well for being a Cubs fan once I moved here.
But while seeing Lee vs CC (btw, back-to-back Cy Young winners with the Tribe in 07, 08), that’s nothing compared to the agony I went through in 1992 when my beloved Pirates (from my childhood Clemente days) lost to the Braves in Game 7 of the NLCS when ex-Pirate Sid Bream – Sid F#%$#&*ng Bream – Sid “EXCUSE ME WHILE I SHIFT THIS GRAND PIANO ON MY BACK AND HITCH UP MY LEAD-FILLED PANTS” Bream scores from second on a line drive single to LF.
I think Bonds was playing LF back then – but it might as well been Jacque Theriot that throw was so weak. Grrr…
As far as BCB goes, I do believe BLou will be pulling for the Yankees. He’s probably already got his Derek Jeter jammies on…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Ask
BLou where that worthless Sandy Alderson is and his fired buddy Grady Fuson?
Slamdog - October 28, 2009
Take care of yourself!
katie casey - October 28, 2009
Um, Yes
Why not? I like Joe G.
And I really don’t give a damn about how bad the Phillies were. So what? Why are we arguing over this?
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - October 28, 2009
Yankees again showing class re their fans .
Top local story is that despite in some cases waiting for DAYS in the rain, Yankee fans lined up for World Series tickets were told that tickets would NOT be sold at the box office , only on line. They have since announced they will sell tickets at the box office. Just out curiosity I tried to check pricing at it appears to me that since Yankee tickets were so insanely priced this year that the post season tickets are in some cases less the same seats for the regular season.
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
The TV shots
of vast expanses of empty seats behind home plate and the dugouts during the playoffs were no doubt an embarrassment to the Yankees. I would expect that they would try to address that.
azjazzman - October 28, 2009
Cardboard cutouts!
Al Yellon - October 28, 2009
The cutouts should be historical figures I think...
Worked on the Sgt. Pepper album cover…
Zeke - October 29, 2009
Their on line ticketing is particularly annoying
They have something like 20 different price classes of seats and it is like whack the mole to get tickets when they first go on sale. Say you want 2 tickets to a Red Sox game and you get in but you pick some section that says it does not have two tickets, you have to just keep trying again section by section because if you use the “best available” it sends you to the insane $1000 plus tickets you can’t afford.
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
Ticketmaster is pretty awful
You should be able to indicate “best available under $xxx”, and that would be fairly trivial for them to implement. If only they didn’t have a monopoly and making customers happy was a priority . . .
madcow256 - October 28, 2009
Does MLB have anything to do with playoff ticket pricing?
I thought I remembered reading that somewhere in the past, but I’m not really sure if that’s in my imagination.
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
While I am rooting for the Phillies,
I do not think that either team has a clear cut advantage. My gut feeling is, should the Phillies win one of the first two, then they should be able to take the series. The series itsself has the potential to be one of the best in a long time. It is saddening that the Cubs are not there once again.
Phillies in seven or maybe six.
eths - October 28, 2009 via mobile
Without drawing political lines, once again the World Series feels like a
major election with me rooting against one rather than for one. Lose Yankees!
N Oakley - October 28, 2009
That's kind of how I've felt the whole playoffs
once the Rockies and Twins were out.
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
+1
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
I often feel that way but not this year .
I actually LIKE the Phillies.
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
I like a few individual players on each team
am indifferent to most, and loathe the rest. I don’t like either franchise. Both cities have their charms and their problems. I just don’t really care all that much about outcome, except for a slight preference for Yankee losses.
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
I'm rooting for the Phillies (go Senior Circuit)
but I’m afraid it’s going to be the Yankees. Anyone can win a best-to-four series…but the Yankees just seem like the better team.
I also think that Sabathia will have a relative advantage against the Phillies compared to Lee against the Yankees. Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of that advantage and the uniqueness of the Game 1 pitching matchup in general.
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
Philly vs New York? No contest...
This
is much better than this
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
I haven't eaten
Someone in my office just heated up a pizza hot pocket. And now I see pizza.
C’mon 6 O’Clock!
mykalmorgan - October 28, 2009
I dunno, New York Style Pizza,
the reason not to make NYC a containment area for hardened criminals.
Don’t look now, but A-Rod’s girlfriend’s mom’s live-in is Snake Plisken.
N Oakley - October 28, 2009
"A-Rod’s girlfriend’s mom’s live-in"
Beautiful sentence construction. Kudos. Rec’d.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
So is that the Yankee PA system playing the Evil Empire theme for the Phillies?
Guess so – now they’ve switched over the Rebellion’s theme for the Yankees lineup
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Somewhere Larry Luchino must be smiling...
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
My boss wants to go watch the game at a bar.
He’s new in town and I guess wants to go out. I, on the other hand, have a gnarly headache, want nothing but my couch and my TV, and maybe just a hug from my wife. This dude is nice and all, but he’s not gonna promote me or give me a cent more for my lovely commentary or my laughing at his crude and tasteless jokes. Shoot me now.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
Well, you know the old saying - "Misery loves company..."
…so if you do go to the bar, take your iPhone along and keep us updated with how bad it is. It will help you survive the evening and keep us amused.
Hmm… maybe that old saying should be “Company loves misery”.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
You betcha
That’s exactly what I’ll do. The problem is that the $%$%^!@ went to a meeting and he hasn’t come back. So I’m stuck at the office, without a thing to do but having to wait for him.
Joe Morgan is on ESPN Radio. He’s awesome. I suggest everyone listens to him.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
I still get chills
When the Nat’l Anthem is sang before a big game!
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
1 pitch, 1 out.
How Cub-esque.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
Normally I abhor the intrusion of advertising in baseball...
but I have to admit, I pretty much chuckle every time they show a close-up of CC on the mound. Something about the Nike logo on the middle finger of his glove just cracks me up.
Somewhere in America, I think Jim McMahon approves…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
all aboard the crash and burn express
toot toot
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
sorry, there has been a delay
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Bases loaded, 1 out, 19 pitches.
Nice.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
C'mon Ibanez
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
3-1
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
Way to choke at the plate Aaron Miles... I mean Ibañez.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
phillies need to get more right handed
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
I'm sure Rubén Amaro is already on the phone with Hendry.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
utley 4 baker
GETITDONE JIM
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Hey guys
I’m mostly blogging at thegoodphight, but thought I’d pop in here.
Ace Venom - October 28, 2009
Hello
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
not much going on here - just a few of us posting.
might be more lurking – never can tell.
I just joined thegoodphight and pinstripe alley but can’t post until tomorrow. Make sure you pass along our Utley for Baker trade offer… ;-)
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
I joined during the NLCS
Ace Venom - October 28, 2009
Remember when the Cubs won the first game played at New Yankee Stadium in April?
That was fun.
chilango2 - October 28, 2009
Aaron Miles got the first hit there
Ace Venom - October 28, 2009
Is that true?
(I’ve been lurking),,,,I saw that game and it being Miles getting the 1st hit didnt mean that much to me back then. I was just glad it was a Cub.
cooliogirl47 - October 28, 2009
Must have been "Opposite Day" at the park
that promotion idea compliments of the Assistant to the Traveling Secretary…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
LOL
You jolly jokers. My memory isn’t what it once was. I came awful close to texting my brother that his buddy Aaron Miles got the first hit at the New Yankee Stadium. Luckily my brain kicked in before I did. I wouldn’t have lived that one down for years.
katie casey - October 29, 2009
Miles did get the first hit in the new Yankee Stadium.
In the first exhibition game played there. As former Yankee manager Casey Stengel might have said, “You could look it up.”
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
I don't believe it!!!!!!
I thought for sure that was a joke. When I looked it up I found Johnny Damon, but that was the regular season “first” game.
katie casey - October 29, 2009
So go ahead and text your brother.
Make a bet. You’ll win.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
I should!
katie casey - October 29, 2009
Boy do I feel stupid, but I don't think anyone around here will fault me for thinking that was a joke.
katie casey - October 29, 2009
Unless Aaron Miles is posting here
Actually, he’d probably understand.
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
If the Yankees lose the series and continue
the “drought” in the Bronx, maybe ESPN will start reporting on how Miles jinxed the Yankees. To dream.
N Oakley - October 29, 2009
Those long-suffering Yankees fans; I feel sorry for them. They aren't accustomed to this.
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
Actually there are a bunch of 8 year old kids wandering around the five boroughs today in tears...
…wondering if their beloved yankees will ever win a world championship in their lifetime.
ballhawk - October 29, 2009
Quick, get Sally Struthers on the phone!
Shanghai Badger - October 29, 2009
i thought the cubs got swept in yankee stadium
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
They did.
Al Yellon - October 29, 2009
Where's your Jeffrey Maier now, Moses? Bwaaaahaahahaaahahhaa!!!!!
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
i love jered leter
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
What's up BCB?
Enjoying the game on my new HDTV :D
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Meanwhile on the other end of the technology spectrum...
…I am just finishing hooking up a digital converter box (thanks Congress!) to my second (equally as old) TV so I can watch Star Trek:TNG on MeToo at 9:00 pm while putting Buck McCarver on mute.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Heh
I had to move tiny TV #1 into the bedroom to make way for medium-sized HDTV #1. Ironically, it took almost twice as long to set up tiny TV #1 as it did to set up medium-sized HDTV #1.
I’m thinking of getting giant HDTV #2 as an open-box special after the Super Bowl, though.
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Is it just me or is...
McCarver getting even more annoying with his know everything announcing?
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
this is
derrekcliff lee, and you will respect himjesus christos - October 28, 2009
Pitch counts, anyone?
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
lee 56
Carsten Charles 80
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Thx
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
wow another blown call
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
They're talking about it...
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Double Play
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
c'mon Cowboy Joe
Get this one right
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
Hey Tim McClelland - are you taking notes?
That’s how an umpire crew works together…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
yessssssssssss
cubsluver22 - October 28, 2009
I can only imagine how the Yankee fans are howling now...
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Holy crap
They not only got it right, but it went against the Yankees.
I’m buying a lottery ticket tomorrow morning…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
BTW
Google lies about the things iPhones don’t do…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
W00t!
2-0!
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
2nd home run for Utley
wow
mrtobby - October 28, 2009
Utley's got that Pat Riley/Gordon Gecko look going with his hairstyle...
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
"The House that Jeter Built"
Gag.
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
I think that was BLou holding up that sign... ;-)
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Jeter's not even the best SS on that team
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Blasphemer, begone!!!
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
hah! you know nothing!
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
So true
Those two players on any other team and Jeter is the guy playing third.
nji232 - October 28, 2009
Now that's what I call a basket catch!
Though I think Lee’s gonna get fined by the kangaroo court afterwards…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Great fun for this Yankee hater tonight
Keep it up Lee
nji232 - October 28, 2009
Double-gag on the Broadway production of GBA...
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
huges cant stand the heat
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Just back from a classical music concert
A chamber music quartet so not really my cup of tea. Could not even get the score at intermission but now I am back & happy. Go Phils
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
The Events at the Sports Complex in Philadelphia this weekend
Saturday:
Flyers-Hurricanes 1 PM at Wachovia Center
Pearl Jam 8 PM Spectrum (last event EVER at the Spectrum)
Game 3 World Series, Phillies-Yankees 8 PM
Sunday:
Eagles-Giants 1 PM Lincoln Financial Field
Game 4 World Series, Phillies-Yankees 8:30 PM
Think the cops will be busy this weekend?
PhillyCub - October 28, 2009
Goodbye Forum
Wish I could say that anyone would miss you, but alas…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Those little TOKEN only put put trains are going to be busy too.
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
They might not
Septa might be going to strike by Friday. Funny how they have been working without a contact since March, but they will call a strike for this Friday
PhillyCub - October 28, 2009
Wait 'til you get 'em by the short hairs
Negotiation 101
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
even after a long wait lee is dealing
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Todays AFL update
Vitters & Castro both 2-5. Cashner 4 inning no runs 4Ks 2 BB
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
Jay-Z is still one ugly mofo
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
is there such a thing as a handsome mofo?
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
There is such a thing as a
Sexy MF
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
There is also such a thing as
Too sexy
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
Speaking of catwalks
Bring it back
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
To repeat a post from before...
This is
DerrekCliff Lee, and you will respect him!Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Tex looks dumber than usual in pinstripes
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
40 game 1's, 0 shutouts
Hard to believe
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
And it's going to remain that way
Danwood - October 28, 2009
you can thank
theriotrollins for thatjesus christos - October 28, 2009
Who the hell cares?
As long as the L holds up, I’ll sleep content.
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Not so much that I care
Just an oddity
Shanghai Badger - October 28, 2009
Phils Win!
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Phil-LEEeeeeeeees win!
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Theeeeeeee Yankees lose!
The Yankees lose!
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Gracie looking a little chunky...
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Compared to Cliff Lee?
Jimmy Rollins looks chunky…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
I guarantee a lot of criticism of Girardi in tomorrow's papers
They have ripping his bullpen management and tonight gives them a lot of ammunition though the fact that the Yankees could not hit Lee makes it moot.
Doggie Stalker - October 28, 2009
CUBS WIN!
GO GOOD GUYS!
dtpollitt - October 28, 2009
I just realized something - no Jeanne Zelasko!!! Maybe next year Buck McCarver will be gone too?
IT’S HAPPENNNNNNING?!?!?!?
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Hush, Lex...
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
They play "New York, New York" at Yankee Stadium after losses too?
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
HEY!
Didn’t like our proposal?
dtpollitt - October 28, 2009
Still trying to understand it - forgive me, I'm just a muggle...
I do have some rough thoughts I’ll send your way by morning.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
The more ridiculous, the better.
dtpollitt - October 28, 2009
As if this evening wasn't exciting enough...
I just switched over to Letterman and he said during the monologue that Bud Selig is on the show tonight!
Must be a new bit – Stupid Commissioner Tricks
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
my favorite part after cliff lee dominates
is reading reporters titles that cleverly have the word lee in it
my favorite is mlb.com’s The Ut-Lee show too much for Yanks in Game 1
jesus christos - October 28, 2009
Is that really the best they can do?
Complete-Lee Dominated. Lee Shows Yanks the Cliff. Ut-ley Embarrassing!
And I’ve been drinking whiskey…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Leading the Chase
- Yahoo!
:D
Azul Cachorro - October 29, 2009
better than
total-lee dominant, complete-lee dominant etc etc
jesus christos - October 29, 2009
Bud is on Letterman right now...
Dave’s first question is about the bad umpire calls. Bud is dancing around the subject.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
"I am not afraid of change"
pause while he pats himself on the back…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Now Dave is grilling him about the length of the games
Bud says something like “we’ve started to reduce the pace of the game but still have much to do.”
Assuming I got that right, I wonder if he realizes what he just said. ;-)
Regardless, he then goes on to imply that adding more instant replay will add to the length of the game and that’s what we’re trying to avoid.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Dave asks him who's going to buy all those high-priced tickets at Yankee Stadium
Bud replies well, outside of guys like you, I guess not many.
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
commercial break: btw, I wonder if this is how dat cubfan daver got to over 30,000 comments... ;-)
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Do a bpb just once
And look at your numbers afterward.
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Dave asks about length of season "Why can't we go back to 154 games?"
Bud says you and I agree on that but the clubs don’t. “I loathe going into November.”
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Now Dave gets into the steroid stuff
Bud cites stats on tests given and low positive results at major and minor league levels
another pause while he pats himself on the back…
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
When I get to 70 years old
Will I develop a double-jointed back?
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Dave says to Bud "but of course, you're still on steroids, right?"
Audience laughs, Bud shifts a bit in his seat and then replies “Well, if I did, they sure didn’t work!”
ballhawk - October 28, 2009
Keep selling cars, Bud...
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
Everything Sawx and Pinstripes Network
Is feeling uncomfortable about the loss and talking about how the Yanks can win tomorrow…
Clutch16 - October 28, 2009
The Phillies took game 1, the series is thiers to win now
Go Phillies!!
eths - October 29, 2009 via mobile
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