Cures for a hangover:
1. OJ mixed with an egg.
2. More eggs. Aspirin. Coffee.
If you're the Phillies, beating the Florida Marlins tonight at Citizens Bank Park would help cure the hangover from Wednesday's brutal 9-8 loss to the Braves at Turner Field. Anybody remember that one? The Phillies followed their six-game winning streak last week by losing four of their next five games, with Wednesday's loss being the most painful of all. This past week's play has made the NL East a long shot, meaning the NL wild card is the Phillies' best chance at the postseason.
In today's Inquirer, we take a look at the wild card contenders.
The best hope for the Phillies is that the NL West contenders beat up on each other in the remaining weeks.
But can the Phillies get enough pitching to make it matter if it happens?
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Bob Ford thinks the Phillies are dead, dead, dead, dead, dead. Or not.
Or maybe they're just mostly dead.
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Jim Salisbury tells us how Dan Stephenson, the Phillies' videographer, came across a bunch of Richie Ashburn's home movies. Stephenson is putting them together -- along with other video -- on a DVD about Ashburn's life.
Ashburn died 10 years ago Sunday.
The DVD will be available this winter.
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Ruben Amaro Jr. interviewed yesterday for Houston's GM vacancy. It's an interesting development that hasn't garnered much attention. Interesting because many people consider Amaro the heir apparent to Pat Gillick, whose contract expires after the 2008 season.
Amaro talks with the Houston Chronicle.
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Ed Wade interviewed for the same job Wednesday. Listen to him talk about it here.
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Each week Sports Illustrated features The Pop Culture Grid, which asks four athletes a handful of trivial questions. The Sept. 3 issue with Peyton Manning on the cover featured Jimmy Rollins.
Rollins' answers:
High School Musical is ... Making a lot of money.
Favorite smell ... Vanilla.
Best nickname I ever had ... J-Rocketfoot.
Age I had my first kiss ... First peck, 5th grade; first kiss, 7th grade.
Pairs of shoes you own .. 75.
When I'm sad I usually ... Lay in bed all day, watch videos.
The Sept. 10 issue with Appalachian State on the cover features Shane Victorino.
Victorino's answers:
I'm Superbad when I ... Get around women.
In your pockets right now ... Cellphone, wallet, Trojans.
Favorite comfort food ... Ice cream.
Least favorite exercise ... Running.
Boxers or briefs ... None. I go commando.
Person I'm dying to have dinner with ... Jessica Biel.
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Pitching match ups for this weekend's series against Florida. Adam Eaton has been pushed back to Tuesday.
Comments (20)
First, Victorino sounds like he's 12. Kind of embarrassing to read, actually (lucky they stopped when they did). Then again, Shane's also convinced Bonds never touched steroids (see previous rant)...
Jayson Stark had some interesting thoughts on why the "save" is an almost meaningless stat anymore. He also said that Mike Lowell has expressed interest in playing in CBP next year. With Rowand definitely leaving, sounds interesting. But where will we put Helms?
Again, for anybody who cares, Myers has been awful this year. Absolutely no consistency - and worse - a total inability to take any responsibility whatsoever when he is bad. Remember him "intentionally" bouncing that pitch to Ruiz with the bases loaded against the Cubs?
Now bring on the Marlins; I'm still holding out hope.
Posted by John in LA | September 7, 2007 10:13 AM
Posted on September 7, 2007 10:13
That Victorino blurb is priceless. Lighten up, he's a 26 year old single guy. That's what he should be saying.
Posted by Dave | September 7, 2007 10:26 AM
Posted on September 7, 2007 10:26
I'm trying to track down the trailer park Shane lives at, what a class act. Nice comments for a national publication. And Dave, maybe someday he will date your daughter, how will you like the comments then? He just dropped off my list of favorite phillies.
Posted by Lisa Ratowlski | September 7, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on September 7, 2007 10:56
Dave,
Guess I'm old-fashioned. I'm sure Moyer or Utley or Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Clemens (insert mature pro athlete here) would have said the same thing. No, "should" have. We obviously have different standards (but there I go being judgemental again). I'll work on it.
Posted by John in LA | September 7, 2007 10:58 AM
Posted on September 7, 2007 10:58
geez. give me a break. Victorino is bad azz. He plays hard and gives it his all. He's scrapy and is the prototypical philly. Hey at least he uses protection, more than you can say for a lot of pro althlets.
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 11:27 AM
Posted on September 7, 2007 11:27
Sorry, if that's "prototypical philly" guy, and "that's what he should be saying", then I'm joining John and moving to the west coast. Wow, let me go change my vote for the Roberto Clemente award from Moyer to Victorino.
Lisa and John are right on point, it was an immature, low class response. Scott Palmer must just put his heads in his hands and cry when this stuff happens.
I'm rooting for Amaro to get the job in Houston. Maybe Gillick can unload Eaton, Helms, Geary and Barajas on him. And we'll throw in Roberson for a few pair on sunglasses. Used.
Posted by jimmymack | September 7, 2007 12:24 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 12:24
Come on jimmymac I know LA is know for their sensiability and all but Victorino is from about as far west as you can get. Also what did he say that was so bad? Did he disrespect women? No. He just answered the questions asked. Wake up people ball players like to have a good time. Anyone remember the Ryan Sanberg interview about slumpbusters? All Victorino did was answer questions asked. I would imagin if they asked one of those "mature" players what kind of underwear they wear the response would have read something like "I don't know, depends?" lighten up.
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 1:15 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 13:15
typical philly trash. he probably doesn't believe in God either. Liberal scum is polluting America.
Posted by mrnog | September 7, 2007 2:18 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:18
oops mark grace not rino
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 2:18 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:18
grace is liberal scum as well.
Posted by mrnog | September 7, 2007 2:27 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:27
You want typical philly mrnog? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 2:37 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:37
you wouldn't say that to my face jack. ur probably a whiny democrat t'boot.
have fun slumpbustin'
Posted by mrnog | September 7, 2007 2:42 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:42
ok buddy. I will have fun. ill be sure to say hello to your mother, the ultimate slumpbuster. actuly tell he I said hello, you no doubt still live in her basement.
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 2:50 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 14:50
you would not see anybody on my mariners saying anything of the sort. i was a phillies fan before the dark days of pearl harbor. people like you made me go root for another team.
Posted by mrnog | September 7, 2007 3:06 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 15:06
Easy boys. I still love Victorino as a player, but as John put so well, he sounds like a 12 year old. He's superbad around woman and he carries trojans...I used to think/talk like that when I was about 15, then I grew up.
Look at bright side, at least it distracted us from rehashing that abortion of a game on Wednesday or our lousy bullpen, which I'm sure has both liberals and conservatives.
Cripes, at this point, I'll take a socialist if he can throw a 1-2-3 inning as a closer. Or even a communist that can go seven innings.
Posted by jimmymack | September 7, 2007 3:09 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 15:09
hey jimmymac. how about a bullpen arm attached to an ALEDGED wife beater?
Posted by jack | September 7, 2007 3:39 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 15:39
We already have one of those (convicted), we're at our limit. And he isn't that good anyway.
But we do have a reserve at Reading. Pat Gillick, he's always thinking ahead.
Posted by jimmymack | September 7, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 15:43
OK children ,time for a timeout. Both go to your respective corners. Who's mama where's army boots ? Sticks and stones...I know its September, tensions are high, the pennant chase thickens,so lets just sit back and try to enjoy the fact that were not (16) games out..A win tonight ,and will see if we all can get along ,.tommorrow...
Posted by Pat H | September 7, 2007 3:55 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 15:55
Guys take the positive out of Victorino's comments, at least he's using protection, lol. Seriously though, more people who live a life style like Victorino does should follow his lead in that department. There would be less trouble for those guys and gals.
Posted by Ed S. | September 7, 2007 4:50 PM
Posted on September 7, 2007 16:50
hey jimmymac,you and the rest of your motley crew should forget about victorino and focus on the real issue....THE PHILLIES SUCK....and they always will.so you at shea losers......lol
Posted by metsfan | September 10, 2007 7:48 AM
Posted on September 10, 2007 07:48