My article for this week was going to be fucking awesome. I was simply going to post my day’s itinerary. It be something like this:
9am: Go to Nifty Fifty’s for breakfast.
10am: Do routine daily chores. (Unfortunately, you guys are cheap so the Wriz can’t afford a maid)
1pm: Stop at beer distributor.
2pm: Pack cooler.
3pm: Arrive at Holiday Inn parking lot for pre-game festivities
7pm: Make my way into Citizen’s Bank Park to watch the Phillies put a hurting on Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers
But, alas, I’ll spend my day off as I have most of my free time since this past Saturday night. Debating in my head what went wrong, how (and if) the Phillies can fix it. And occasionally staring at two 2x5 pieces of cardboard that are now useless. It’s a shame too because they were sweet seats. I know from time to time I jump the gun and declare the Phillies as “done” or “season over” prematurely, but I think I do this because I keep waiting for the best team in Phillies history to be nothing more than a mirage. I can’t help it. I live in a city where since I was old enough to root for my hometown teams I’ve seen three championships in 30 years. Three in 120 tries. To put it in perspective, the Marlins and Diamondbacks had 3 in their first 14 years of existence.
I know baseball is a business and you must continually try to improve the team. Some of my friends were disappointed when Chris Coste was released and J.A. Happ was traded. Both were just supporting players on the 08 Champions. This off-season could be devastating to them. Romero’s option has already been declined by the Phillies making him a free agent and I have no confidence that Jayson Werth will be back. None. People are already clamoring for Cliff Lee. That’s not going to happen either, so forget it. Besides the Phillies starting pitching was good, no, great last season especially after acquiring Oswalt. The bullpen struggled early but I feel it was very good down the stretch. So that leaves the bats. Without Werth, the Phillies will need another RH bat for RF. Don’t fool yourself, Brown is not ready. He only batted .210 overall and looked lost batting .077 verse lefties. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies went cheap and used Francisco but he is only batting .267 lifetime against lefties. Otherwise, all other changes would need to come through trades. With the salaries of Victorino, Rollins, Ibanez, Utley and Howard and the depletion of the farm system, I think the Phillies would get the short side talent-wise on any trade.
This leaves me with one final point. The Phillies had the best overall record in baseball this year. I, and most likely you, am still disappointed. We’ve gotten awfully spoiled.
Jay Wrizight
jaywrizight@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Years ago, a guy named Joe broke our hearts.....Now we ask one to heal us.
The following is the letter I Fedex’d to the Phillies last night.
Dear Mr. Manuel,
Please use the following line-up if you want to win tonight and the series:
- Rollins SS
- Utley 2nd
- Polonco 3rd
- Howard 1st
- Werth RF
- Ruiz C
- Victorino CF
- Francisco LF
- Blanton P
You may also want to consider using Wilson Valdez as a defensive replacement for Chase Utley.
Your friend,
Jay Wrizight
A lot of people are calling for Halladay to start tonight. A lot. I’m ok with Blanton. Mostly because if Halladay pitches tonight, Hamels, Oswalt and Halladay a second time have to go on short rest. If you aren’t willing to start Blanton against Bumgarner you certainly don’t let him tow the rubber verse Lincecum, Sanchez or Cain. I’d rather take my chances with Joe the Lumber than my three Aces on regular rest. The Phillies 2 losses in this series belong to the bats and troubles in the field. It’s no time to panic with the Pitching staff. They have done what they were supposed to do.
I would, however, give Ibanez the night off verse the lefty and see if Ben Francisco can provide a spark. Also I like the idea of splitting up the lefties. Rollins is about as much a leader on the field as this team has. Let Jimmy do Jimmy.
I’ll see you at the ballpark on Saturday.
The Wriz
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ramble On
I'm still recovering from last nights load so this rant could go anywhere. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. First things first, all is not lost, this series is going to be a classic, maybe seven games. The Giants are not the Reds, they aren't going to throw up on themselves. The Phillies will still come out on top. Last night at CBP you would of thought the Phillies were eliminated. If the Phillies are anything they are resilient, they will be fine. I saw good and bad from the crowd last night, let me ramble.
The good, the whistling at Tim Lincecum was classic. I know Ron Duguay is somewhere in Canada smiling. Every time that fruit loop touched the puck in the Spectrum he got the same treatment. Nice job people, that's an Oldie but Goodie. Loved it.
Not much went right for the Phillies last night and not much went right in the stands. I have 2 plans for the Phillies, meaning I go to 25-30 games a season. The best part about sitting in the same seats is I know pretty much all the people around me. During the week I sit in front of Frank and Ilene, I don't know there last names and don't need to. Frank was originally for the New York area but don't hold that against him. He knows baseball and I look forward to discussing the game with him because he knows the game. On Sunday, Brad and the Allentown boys sit in front of us, they have been there for 5 or so years now. They show up about 3 batters in and we give them a hard time. They all know the game. Playoff time you get thrown to a section where it seems like everyone is attending their first game ever. Last night I heard "I thought Pat Burrell was on the Phillies?" Also a guy said "Sit on it" like a million times during the game. I thought I was sitting in front of Potsie from Happy Days. Another guy got crushed for standing up, in a playoff game. WTF! It's a playoff game, if you want to sit on your hands stay home.
I know they have to shuffle the deck for the playoffs. I'm not asking for pocket Ace's Phillies, just don't give me a 7-2 offsuit section.
Keep it Classy Philly!
DB29
The good, the whistling at Tim Lincecum was classic. I know Ron Duguay is somewhere in Canada smiling. Every time that fruit loop touched the puck in the Spectrum he got the same treatment. Nice job people, that's an Oldie but Goodie. Loved it.
Not much went right for the Phillies last night and not much went right in the stands. I have 2 plans for the Phillies, meaning I go to 25-30 games a season. The best part about sitting in the same seats is I know pretty much all the people around me. During the week I sit in front of Frank and Ilene, I don't know there last names and don't need to. Frank was originally for the New York area but don't hold that against him. He knows baseball and I look forward to discussing the game with him because he knows the game. On Sunday, Brad and the Allentown boys sit in front of us, they have been there for 5 or so years now. They show up about 3 batters in and we give them a hard time. They all know the game. Playoff time you get thrown to a section where it seems like everyone is attending their first game ever. Last night I heard "I thought Pat Burrell was on the Phillies?" Also a guy said "Sit on it" like a million times during the game. I thought I was sitting in front of Potsie from Happy Days. Another guy got crushed for standing up, in a playoff game. WTF! It's a playoff game, if you want to sit on your hands stay home.
I know they have to shuffle the deck for the playoffs. I'm not asking for pocket Ace's Phillies, just don't give me a 7-2 offsuit section.
Keep it Classy Philly!
DB29
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fear the Beard?
It has been somewhat accepted by supporters of the Fightins that Jayson Werth won’t be wearing a Phillies uniform next season. Thus I fully expect as the Phillies march on towards their third consecutive trip to the World Series that the Citizens Bank crowd will resemble a lumberjack convention more than a baseball crowd. To pay homage to one of the main contributors the Phillies dominance the past three seasons. To continue traditions people have engaged in the past few playoff runs. Beards are cool. I know people who have gone as far as nicknaming their facial Astroturf. (I won’t mention names, but BL Chris can attest to the truth of this statement.) Beards are fun. My dad has had a beard ever since I can remember. Poppa Wrizight is a super cool dude so it’s not with some deep seeded childhood resentment that I say this:
FUCK PLAYOFF BEARDS!
Why? Brian Wilson and the rest of the unoriginal fans on the West Coast. When Giants relievers and fans alike realized their team had the offensive talent that rivaled the musical talents of Justin Bieber, they just assumed it be cool to still our gimmick, Fear the Beard. BarkTees have been selling J-Dub Beard shirts since April. I say take your dumbass Rally Thongs and stick them right down your bearded throats.
I know what you’re thinking. We need a way to show our solidarity and support the Phils and I totally agree. I started looking at team photos and watching game footage. I really came up with nothing. Mohawks and mustaches have both been done. I turned my attention to other avenues to look for inspiration. Bull Durham. Major League. I even watched A League of their Own. I still had nothing. Then finally like a Kenny Powers fastball it hit me. Playoff MULLETS!
Mullets are perfect. Both male and female fans can equally participate. Plus it reminds the team its business up front for the real party in the back. Mullets are funner than beards any day.
I’m fucking out….See ya at the ballpark!
Jay Wrizight
jaywrizight@yahoo.com
Friday, October 8, 2010
Its Funner Time!
I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas morning. Bright Eyed and bushy tailed. This is the 4th straight season the Phillies have made it to the playoffs, but this is the most gratifying. They had to overcome so much to make it to this point. I was offered a wager back in July for fifty bucks. The Phillies just had to make the playoffs. I turned it down without hesitation. First, because the dude is a welsher and secondly, and most regrettably, because I lost hope.
Significant injuries to Rollins, Howard, Utley, and Victorino added to stints on the DL for Polonco, Ruiz, and at some point or another most of the bullpen left me doubting a team that for the previous 2 seasons made me believe they could win any game. Sure they started winning a few games and overtook the Braves but it wasn’t until Werth’s walk-off homer verses the Nationals did I think they had a chance. And the faster than an F-bomb rolls off Chase’s tongue the Phillies were in playoff mode. The trio of Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels were sick down the stretch. The offense has been kicking on all cylinders including the bench who got to see a lot of playing time since the Fightins clinched early.
One of my favorite stories I always tell is about when I ordered my playoff tickets in ’08. I was a little short on cash so I waited until the last week of the regular season and knew they were going to make the playoffs to order the tickets. When I called I asked if it was too late. The girl on the phone said,” No, but there’s only seats in the 400’s left” And she said it all annoyed and disgusted. Like I had called during her favorite soap opera and that guy she thinks is so dreamy was on screen. Normally, I’d have told her that guy and the Jonas brothers do things that are reserved for the Mets shower room, but I simply said, “That’s ok. I just want to be there when they win.” I don’t know if she felt bad for being snotty to me but when I got my seats they were sweet. I sat in the 300’s behind the plate for the first 2 series. And then, first level in the outfield with Eagles Tight End Brent Celek for the World Series. (But that is a different story.)
The strange thing about what I said was that I hadn’t even thought about it first. It just came out. I did believe it afterwards. I don’t want to be a jinx, so I’ll just leave it at that.
See ya at the Ballpark!
Jay Wrizight
jaywrizight@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Its Funner Time!
I woke up this morning like a kid on Christmas morning. Bright Eyed and bushy tailed. This is the 4th straight season the Phillies have made it to the playoffs, but this is the most gratifying. They had to overcome so much to make it to this point. I was offered a wager back in July for fifty bucks. The Phillies just had to make the playoffs. I turned it down without hesitation. First, because the dude is a welsher and secondly, and most regrettably, because I lost hope.
Significant injuries to Rollins, Howard, Utley, and Victorino added to stints on the DL for Polonco, Ruiz, and at some point or another most of the bullpen left me doubting a team that for the previous 2 seasons made me believe they could win any game. Sure they started winning a few games and overtook the Braves but it wasn’t until Werth’s walk-off homer verses the Nationals did I think they had a chance. And the faster than an F-bomb rolls off Chase’s tongue the Phillies were in playoff mode. The trio of Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels were sick down the stretch. The offense has been kicking on all cylinders including the bench who got to see a lot of playing time since the Fightins clinched early.
One of my favorite stories I always tell is about when I ordered my playoff tickets in ’08. I was a little short on cash so I waited until the last week of the regular season and knew they were going to make the playoffs to order the tickets. When I called I asked if it was too late. The girl on the phone said,” No, but there’s only seats in the 400’s left” And she said it all annoyed and disgusted. Like I had called during her favorite soap opera and that guy she thinks is so dreamy was on screen. Normally, I’d have told her that guy and the Jonas brothers do things that are reserved for the Mets shower room, but I simply said, “That’s ok. I just want to be there when they win.” I don’t know if she felt bad for being snotty to me but when I got my seats they were sweet. I sat in the 300’s behind the plate for the first 2 series. And then, first level in the outfield with Eagles Tight End Brent Celek for the World Series. (But that is a different story.)
The strange thing about what I said was that I hadn’t even thought about it first. It just came out. I did believe it afterwards. I don’t want to be a jinx, so I’ll just leave it at that.
See ya at the Ballpark!
Jay Wrizight
Significant injuries to Rollins, Howard, Utley, and Victorino added to stints on the DL for Polonco, Ruiz, and at some point or another most of the bullpen left me doubting a team that for the previous 2 seasons made me believe they could win any game. Sure they started winning a few games and overtook the Braves but it wasn’t until Werth’s walk-off homer verses the Nationals did I think they had a chance. And the faster than an F-bomb rolls off Chase’s tongue the Phillies were in playoff mode. The trio of Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels were sick down the stretch. The offense has been kicking on all cylinders including the bench who got to see a lot of playing time since the Fightins clinched early.
One of my favorite stories I always tell is about when I ordered my playoff tickets in ’08. I was a little short on cash so I waited until the last week of the regular season and knew they were going to make the playoffs to order the tickets. When I called I asked if it was too late. The girl on the phone said,” No, but there’s only seats in the 400’s left” And she said it all annoyed and disgusted. Like I had called during her favorite soap opera and that guy she thinks is so dreamy was on screen. Normally, I’d have told her that guy and the Jonas brothers do things that are reserved for the Mets shower room, but I simply said, “That’s ok. I just want to be there when they win.” I don’t know if she felt bad for being snotty to me but when I got my seats they were sweet. I sat in the 300’s behind the plate for the first 2 series. And then, first level in the outfield with Eagles Tight End Brent Celek for the World Series. (But that is a different story.)
The strange thing about what I said was that I hadn’t even thought about it first. It just came out. I did believe it afterwards. I don’t want to be a jinx, so I’ll just leave it at that.
See ya at the Ballpark!
Jay Wrizight
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