I saw the Sunday September 16th Phillies 10-6 game against the Mets from behind the Phillies dugout right on the field at Shea. One does experience the game intensely at that level! Phew! There was Greg Dobbs’ pinch grand slam. And Paul Lo Duca at very close range. He must have been suffering from Terminally Tired Teeny Bopperitis. Far from appearing appealingly chunky, he looked fat. He airmailed a throw over second and certainly didn’t keep the other six of the Phils’ ten runs from crossing the plate, either. The Mets made six errors in that game! Shortly before the end of the season, but in time for them still to win the East, Mr. Lo Duca shaved off his becoming crew cut. That example did not help, as we Phillies fans know. And when he woke up and smelled the roses, David Wright was the new team captain who had never given in. Who hit better and fielded more brilliantly at the end of the season than he had all year (which he needed to do).
But then the Mets had to die horribly in order for the Phils to win the Division Title.
Phillies Post Partum Depression!
They certainly seemed contented not to stretch themselves further against the Rockies, or at least Charlie Manuel didn’t ask them to. One might have thought that the Phillies’ disappointing performance against the Rockies would have made them and Charlie Manuel exceedingly depressed. I could not discern this in their remarks, ‘though, nor in their public demeanor. It would seem that the Division Title was the prize they had knocked themselves out for regardless of victory’s ironic path. Manuel did not manage them with any brio either in those Playoff games. Absolutely Not Department! Except for Pitcher Jamie Moyer’s third game, everyone phoned in his work. Any further des-criptions shall not follow.
Another Skewed World Series – Yawn City Again
The Rockies played with such a lack of cohesion and forcefulness; they were so tentative, I wondered how they had accumulated their previous record. Just another example of: A New Series Team Choking Department. The Sox didn’t just beat them, they engulfed them. I can’t stand to watch the Sox, ‘though, because so many of them look like rejects from a casting call for HBO’s late lamented Deadwood series. They have so much revolting facial hair. Yuck! It’s about the catcher Jason Varitek and the rookie Dustin Pedroia.
First Baseman Kevin Youkilis could be one of the Smith Brothers. The cough drop Smiths, but of course.
Post Mortem
I’m proposing a new logo for Major League Baseball as a new sign of truth in advertising. A rendering, a transformation as it were, of this photograph of a beautiful piece of porcelain that I happen to own. The Minton China Company in England made it some time between 1875 and say, 1920. It has crenellated sides and is made of porcelain in a stunning blue design on white from the Art Nouveau period. It is a spittoon. This particular spittoon is quite valuable because it is an authentic piece by an important manufacturer still in business. Were it not, I’d pack it up and send it by FED EX to Sox Manager Terry Francona for his revolting performance during the recent Series.
But I’m gonna keep it right here and wait for the call.
