Happy Birthday Don Baylor! Only man to play in three straight World Series with three different teams (1986-1988).
If there's one phrase to describe fans from Philly town, it would be passionate-obnoxious. I mean that in a good way. Maybe it's an east coast thing, maybe it's just being part of a blue-collar community. There is something to be said about being able to get under the skin of fans from a visiting city. It's easier when your team is on the winning end. Having been to and having lived in the OC, Portland, and Seattle, I can tell you that whenever Boston, Philly, Chicago, New York, Detroit, or Cleveland comes to town it's almost 70% their fans in the audience. It's crazy but true.
While watching Texas edge by the Phils Friday night 8-7, a six homer affair, I came up with a slogan that shut all the Philly fans up.
R-A-N-G-E-RS-RANGERS!!!! Oooh did that stir up all the smacktalk of what may happen on 9/15/08 on ESPN! Didn't matter to me. Last time I saw Philadelphia play was 5/31/80 at Wrigley Field. A game where Steve Carlton tossed a four-hitter and Mike Schmidt hit two homers in a 7-0 victory. I remember Willie Hernandez having a poor outing, being pulled by Lee Elia and Willie punted his mitt into the crowd. Dick Tidrow would later recover the glove. Willie H was four years away from winning an MVP and Cy Young award. The Phillies won the World Series that year on Kansas City.
I really hope Texas can finally pull of the sweep on the Phils. To be just three games out of second place would be incentive enough to keep playing at the level of under the radar. 2008 in Texas has been the year of David Murphy, Vicente Padilla, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, and of Ron Washington. Still a month away from from a trade deadline, one can only wonder what deal or deals Jon Daniels pulls off on the 31st of July.
I can't believe Sidney Ponson is now a Yankee! Note to New York bartenders: Prepare to get busy! Old SidPo is going to keep youse guys busy. FUHGEDDABOUTTIT!!! This malcontent will be an issue before the season is over.
Make it a great weekend!
Over and out in Big D
Mr Will