The Phillies traded Kyle Kendrick today.
To the Yomiuri Giants.
In Japan.
For Kobayashi Iwamura.
“Do they have good food in Japan?” a dazed Kendrick asked reporters. “I don’t know what to think right now.”
Unbelieveable, huh?
Completely unbelievable. The Phillies pulled an elaborate prank that involved Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., manager Charlie Manuel, director of team travel and clubhouse services Frank Coppenbarger, Kendrick's agent Joe Urbon, pitcher Brett Myers and pretty much everybody else in the clubhouse -- including the media, who was asked to hold an impromptu news conference at Bright House Networks Field.
Kendrick absolutely believed he had been traded to Japan. Nevermind that players can't be traded to Japan.
"Are you shocked now?" a reporter asked Kendrick.
"Yeah," Kendrick said.
"You know what I say?" Myers chimed in. "You got PUNK'D!"
The clubhouse erupted in laughter and cheers. Kendrick totally had been had.
"I've never been so happy. Seriously," Kendrick said.
Listen to Kendrick being interviewed in front of his locker HERE. Watch video HERE. Kendrick seriously is stunned, then relieved when Myers breaks the news that he's been punk'd.
*
Kris Benson threw 60 pitches off the mound today. He's hopeful he can be ready to pitch by Opening Day, but he seems realistic that it might take him longer than that. Listen to the Benson interview HERE. Hang until the end to hear him talk about his wife Anna.
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Eleven players have agreed to split contracts for 2008: pitchers Joe Bisenius, Fabio Castro, Clay Condrey, John Ennis, J.A. Happ, Lincoln Holdzkom, Shane Youman and Mike Zagurski; and catchers Chris Coste, Jason Jaramillo and Carlos Ruiz.
Here's the phony paper Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had Kyle Kendrick sign after he told him he had been traded to the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.
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Here's the phony itinerary Phillies team travel and clubhouse services director Frank Coppenbarger made for Kendrick.
Comments (30)
Okay, why on Earth did they do this? It seems kinda cruel, but I guess it's better than hazing.
Posted by dcsman | February 16, 2008 3:40 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 15:40
This is Hilarious!!!
Posted by RJ | February 16, 2008 4:10 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:10
that's hysterical! unbelievably hillarious!
i am really excited for the season! this really seems like a great group of guys. Kendrick kind of had it coming in that he wasn't invited to big league camp last year, but strolls in this year with a rotation spot all but shored up. he'll never have to endure the painful anxiety of will i/won't i make the team, so i'm glad to see them play with him here.
if they are having fun. we, as fans, are going to have fun.
let's go phils!
Posted by CubeHostage | February 16, 2008 4:12 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:12
Please tell me there's video of this!
Posted by Speener | February 16, 2008 4:35 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:35
todd
can you explain what the split contract means for the team?
Posted by Brad | February 16, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:53
Tooooo funny!
Poor Kyle! The Phils are lucky he didn't have a heart attack on the spot and be out for the season!
Posted by Norma | February 16, 2008 4:54 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:54
OK, guys......I need a little more educating here.
What is a "split contract"?
Sharing a position, as in Coste/Ruiz?
Posted by Norma | February 16, 2008 4:58 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 16:58
A split contract basically means that player is paid one thing if he's in the majors and another thing if he's in the minors. A guy with a straight contract would be paid $500,000 if he's in the majors or minors. A guy with a split might be paid $500,000 in the majors and $120,000 in the minors ... or something like that.
Posted by Todd Zolecki | February 16, 2008 5:03 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:03
So why did the Phillies' supposed starting catcher get a split contract? Something doesn't add up- perhaps Gillick is planning to make a move for another catcher?
Posted by Bill | February 16, 2008 5:09 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:09
Thanks, Todd! Makes sense.
Posted by Norma | February 16, 2008 5:10 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:10
Bill, I was wondering the same thing. That's why I thought it was sharing a position
Posted by Norma | February 16, 2008 5:11 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:11
Typical. Cheap Phillies can't even spring to update the stationary with the new division championship. :)
Posted by Nick | February 16, 2008 5:29 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:29
I think my eyes were bugging right out of my head as I read this...Thank God it was a prank!!! I think Kyle has a LOT of promise!
Posted by Patch57 | February 16, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 17:49
Hah! That was great! Glad to see that the Phils are up for a fun season!
Posted by bobby | February 16, 2008 6:14 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 18:14
They just aired Kendrick's "trade" on 6ABC. I don't know how everyone kept such a straight face!
Posted by Norma | February 16, 2008 6:26 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 18:26
Hey do you think Kyle Lohse is hoping he is being punk'd and not retired by his agent Scot Boras? I mean what gives? Perhapss Kyle will take the Japanese League opening at this point.
Posted by Buddman | February 16, 2008 10:33 PM
Posted on February 16, 2008 22:33
HAHA! You lost Kendrick losers!
Posted by metsfan2008 | February 17, 2008 12:55 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 00:55
Ummm. You do realize that's a joke. Right?
Posted by Norma | February 17, 2008 1:30 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 01:30
They'll be wishing this was not a prank after Kendrick comes crashing back to earth this season.
Posted by Twitchell | February 17, 2008 9:43 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 09:43
Todd,
Sorry to douse water on this, but you should not have participated in this prank.
You observe. You write. Taking part in the fake news conference crosses a line.
You think players will open up to you more for being one of the guys? Don't think so. (And you been the Phils beat writer for more than 5 minutes, right?)
If I were Kendrick, I'd be pretty angry at a bunch of folks. I wouldn't talk any of the beat writers who participated in the prank news conference. That's after I fired my agent.
Also what the heck was Phillies management participating on punking of a young pitcher? Team building? Sounds like a good way to smack a young player's confidence. (He looked terrified.)
Look, I have no problem with pulling jokes on rookies, that's tradition among players. But the manager, asst GM and the media should have not played major roles.
And it's wasn't even that funny.
Posted by Inthebiz | February 17, 2008 10:11 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 10:11
thing that made me laugh about the travel plans was sticking him in economy. thats a long flight to sit in coach.
Posted by timm | February 17, 2008 11:00 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 11:00
Memo to 'inthebiz':
Grow a sense of humor.
(Sounds to me like some press guy who didn't get to go to Clearwater this year.)
Posted by bobby | February 17, 2008 11:26 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 11:26
Hilarious!
Kyle looked like a lost lamb. Can't believe how elaborate it was and how everyone stuck to the gag. Must say I'm relieved that Kendrick took it so well, others would have torn up the clubhouse.
Is this is on YouTube yet?
Posted by xfactor | February 17, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on February 17, 2008 11:41
I think it was a great gag, but the reporters should not have played along. Remember your role. There is a line. What did your editor think of it?
Posted by Rick | February 17, 2008 4:37 PM
Posted on February 17, 2008 16:37
Rick, thanks for the back up.
At least someone understands a reporter's role.
Where you from?
Posted by Inthebiz | February 17, 2008 9:01 PM
Posted on February 17, 2008 21:01
oh stop guys about the reporters role. Most of the beat writers spend as much time around the team as some of the players. If it were all professional all the time it would drive someone mad. I like to see that they're human.
I thought it was hilarious though. And it's great to see a lot of loose stuff like this. and Pat burrels shirts are hilarious. This team really seems to have a relaxed chemistry right from the get go which is really encouraging to see.
Posted by Stephen | February 18, 2008 2:49 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 02:49
It wouldn't have worked without the media involvement.
Posted by Norma | February 18, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 13:00
Don't see the point to pulling a prank to this extent. The media should not have been involved at all. If I'm Kendrick, I'm pissed. How does nationally humilating the guy help?
Posted by Anonymous | February 18, 2008 1:33 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 13:33
To Phils Management - how about concentrating on building a better team rather than pulling childish pranks.
Posted by Anonymous | February 18, 2008 1:35 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 13:35
Fellas, the sports media is held to a different standard then the regular media. The line for beat reporters is different than the line for political reporters, etc. I don't think this was out of line.
That said, Brett Myers is such a d**che. The video has been played on ESPN and even the today show now, and Brett saying "You got punk'd!" is cringe-inducing.
Posted by chaz | February 19, 2008 12:54 PM
Posted on February 19, 2008 12:54