At the risk of turning this site I love into a Philly praise team I decided to write this article anyway. Last night I got into the car after 4 long hours of basketball workouts, lifting, tutoring, fund-raising and searching for coaches I got into my car and hoped for some relief. I hoped I would turn on my satellite radio and here that the Rays had made an improbable comeback and the Phillies would be down and out. Of course what did I hear? The final out of the 8th inning and talk Roy Halladay carrying his no hit bid into the 9th inning.
At that point I got a strange feeling in my gut, or perhaps in my heart. I thought maybe it was the fact that it was after 7:00 and I had not eaten yet. Then it occurred to me that I had wolfed down some homemade pizza before practice so I was not hungry. Perhaps it was indigestion? Maybe it was just stress from the day. So all those things are going through my mind as the 2 minutes and 2 seconds ticked off before Halladay stepped back on the mound.
Then like the Grinch whose heart grew 3 times bigger that day I found myself strangely rooting for Roy Halladay. As the outs ticked down I found myself hanging on every pitch and as the announcer called the last play with a dribbler at home plate, not being able to see the play I was nervous that a small dribbler would rob me of baseball history.
When the game ended and the Phillies started to mob Halladay on the mound I became angry at myself for rooting for the Phillies. I started to reflect as to why I would do such a thing. Then I realized I had not rooted for the Phillies. I hope they never win another game. However, I do respect Roy Halladay and I do consider him one of the greatest pitchers of my generation.
So is that why I was rooting for him? Because I thought he deserved it? Perhaps. Then I looked deeper into my background. I am a history major and have passed much of my time reading sports history. Book after book of sports history line both my home and school shelves. 50 years from now last night will also be recorded and I will remember last night with fondness.
So for one night I rooted not just for Roy Halladay but for baseball history. Now let me close by getting this off my chest… Phillies still suck.
96 comments
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-8:55am at 8:55 am (UTC -4)
Good read.
TRS86
10/7/2010-8:59am at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
Thanks.
Prismo
10/7/2010-8:55am at 8:55 am (UTC -4)
Another Phillies post? Oh lord. (I actually read through this one)
You are now entering…The Beerleaguer Zone.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
I too watched that game and as the 8th inning started I found myself hoping one of the Reds would bunt a slow dribble up the 3rd base line to break up the no hitter. LOL.
Congrats to Halladay.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Now that, folks, is some hatin!
Prismo
10/7/2010-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
This is what I like to read!
4d, write us a guest post about how we should REALLY feel about the Phillies.
TRS86
10/7/2010-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
At least I ended it with Phillies suck?
Prismo
10/7/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
Haha yes, yes it did.
And I can relate to your sentiments, but still…the Phillies! Blech.
Is it 2011 yet?
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
hahaha – Well, I think we all know what side of the fence we regulars are on when it comes to all things Phillies.
Maybe I’ll guest author a piece on respect for the Yankees.
Uh…nah, I don’t think I’d quite be able to do that either. LOL.
TRS86
10/7/2010-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
I even agree with Buster Olney today. Wow what a day.
“”It’s almost like he is being reward for being such a good guy,” said Ricciardi, “and it doesn’t always happen that way.”
No.
Sports headlines are saturated with prima donnas and contract disputes and trade demands, and Halladay has never been about any of that — even when he wanted out of Toronto. The way he handled that was a model of restraint, of professionalism.”
rustyjr
10/7/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
I do not know you !! Where did you put the real Trs & kingman ??!!!??
TRS86
10/7/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Come on I feel dirty enough. LOL>
rustyjr
10/7/2010-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
You are dead to me ! Good day sir ! ;-p
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
it was not a model of professionalism. If that was the case, he would have told the team to make the best deal they could. Instead, he told them what team he would play for, and they got about $.50 on the dollar.
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Can the Twins please put up a fight?
And how bad are the Central Divisions in both leagues?
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Can’t we have a post up about K-rod’s hearing or something deviant and Mets related at the least?
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I’ve been attacked here for much less kind words about The Phils
than saying “I was rooting for them”.
So….No further comment from me.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
I actually thought that with all the Phils stuff I would see a Fongy sighting and I would see verbal abuse thrown your way.
And, yes, no further comment needed.
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
How long do ya think the Wilpons drag out the new GM hiring?
Shouldn’t they have a pretty good idea who they want?
After all, its not like our crash the past few yrs was a fast one.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
I think they will have one signed by end of October. Why the end of October? Cause I think they have no clue who they want. And being the only GM opening in baseball, everyone and their mother is coming out to get the job. While having many choices can be good, it can be confusing. Devo said it best… “Freedom from choice”.
And you are right. it’s not be a fast crash.
So, I hope Ricco is working hard in his interim position to get something done with Taka. He’s a free agent on November 1, right?
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
yes on take. The rest of the decisions are pretty simple (offering arb to some obvious guys, or non-tendering maine) And picking up Reyes option.
TRS86
10/7/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
“Then I realized I had not rooted for the Phillies. I hope they never win another game. “
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
Talk about having it both ways!
TRS86
10/7/2010-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
How is that? I was angry at myself thinking I had rooted for the Phillies but then realized that I could root for Halladay and baseball history without rooting for the Phillies. Of all people Fongy I would think you can understand that.
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
So……You were rooting for Halladay to throw a no hitter
and….lose???
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
It’s happened before!
TRS86
10/7/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
If you can’t separate the two that’s your issue. I feel I can.
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Relax…..Don’t be so defensive.
NOW…Maybe you can understand where I’ve been
coming from for the past couple yrs when I simply
give The Phils their due.
TRS86
10/7/2010-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Nah, I never call you out for something you did not do.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
You get a pass Fongy since your better half is a Phillies fan…
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
All this rooted not rooted talk reminds me of Minaya.
Minaya did you root for the Phillies last night? Well no I didn’t root but yes I rooted for Halladay but when I say rooted I don’t mean I rooted for him to win but but you have to understand that he is a great pitcher so in that sense I rooted for him but i definitely didntt root for the phillies to win.
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Ya know, last night I’m watching local sports and during a Charlie
Manuel interview about Halladay, it struck me……Charlie’s english
is worse than Omar’s!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I just thought he was emotional I never thought that that is how he normally speaks.
fongy2
10/7/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
There’s a reason they call him “Goober”!
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
OH, he is a major redneck type and sounds like it.
TRS86
10/7/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Did he say that or are you actually comparing that to what I said. If so I still can’t understand how people can’t separate the two.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
Dude take Fongy’s advice and relax. The Minaya thing has nuthin to do with you.
TRS86
10/7/2010-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Eh it’s hard when what seems like an easy concept is so hard for others to understand. You also of all people should understand that.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
OK, like I already said it was not about you.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Just noticed Chris Carlin’s avatar and was wondering if he and Fongy were related?
fongy2
10/7/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
No….We are not of relation…..But he’s alright with me.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
LoL you could of fooled me with such strong family resemblance.
fongy2
10/7/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
b/t/w, I’m very leery about some of these GM candidates…..
Josh Byrnes??…Jerry DiPoto???…Rick Hahn????….
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
I like that Terry guy. Or the guy from the Marlins. Even though the guys that work very well with small budgets tend to go buck wild when they have all this money at their disposal and forget what it means to be a shrewd GM…
fongy2
10/7/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
I’d hope the top choices would be Ryan and Alderson,
Hunsiker I guess has already expressed he wasn’t interested…Same with John Hart.
I do again think these are the types we should first be focused on….Before trying to find the next wunderkind!
TRS86
10/7/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Actually from what I can tell it seems as though Hart is campaigning for the job.
TRS86
10/7/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
“Former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he has interest in becoming the next Mets GM. Now a senior adviser to the Rangers, Hart does not appear to be a leading candidate for the job, according to Sherman.”
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Hart is my #1, then if they are smart, they make him the senior guy and get one of the wunderkinds to go with him.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I am trying to stay away from doing posts myself of possible GM Candidates and will try to wait tilll I see reports of People Mets have actually asked to interview surface.
I can’t say I am leery of these people you mention since I know so little of them but so far what I have been looking for are those that have had experience as a GM and that have a track record of building teams that have had success and made the playoffs and developed players through the system.
I am not sure if those you mentioned fit that or not but I am OK with waiting for the right man then rushing for the wrong one at this point.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
yeah, I only know what I read about these guys too, but conceptually, I want someone with a track record of building (especially rebuilding) an organization top to bottom.
Being a talent evaluator savant is fine, but if that is all they do, you will still have a rudderless concensus building organization.. Make the talent guy director of scouting or something.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
I think we want the same thing.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Anyone has any jokes to relax the mood around here?
fongy2
10/7/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
None that be posted here!
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Guy walks into a bar…. Ouch.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
LoL
rustyjr
10/7/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Little boy blew – Oooh – dedicated to Ollie P
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
hahaha rusty
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I just saw the title. Didn’t even read it.
Philly lover. Probably a closet Brave lover too.
When are you renaming this place RDPLB?
(real dirty philliy lovin blog)
TRS86
10/7/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
LOL, please read it. I think you can understand where I am coming from.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Here is a lil excerpt from Sherman’s article.
“From the outside, the Mets appear to not be moving with great speed in trying to replace Omar Minaya. I wonder if that is because they want to get a full chance at Daniels, who cannot be a factor in discussions until his Rangers are finished with the playoffs.
Daniels is a Queens native who grew up a Mets fan. He has done a nice job overseeing the transformation of the Rangers into a postseason team through what was an ugly ownership situation and sale of the team. He has an out in his contract after the season based on that sale. I can imagine him being an intriguing candidate for the Mets. ”
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/up_granderson_hart_umpires_av2NlhyqsNybERKd1n6kaN
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Looking at how Cliff Lee was throwing and the fact that Game 2 starter for the Rays (Shields) has a 5+ ERA… It’s gonna be a while.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
they should be going at full speed though to evaluate and interview every other possible option, so when daniels does become open, they can in/out on him quickly and have their plan B already decided.
And frankly, why can’t they interview him now? He is the GM. It’s the playoffs. He pretty much has nothing else to do toher than hang out and watch the games anyway, so how hard would it be to take a few hours and interview with the Mets? They can even all go to Tampa and meet with him there.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
He’s a busy man. He just DFA’s Harden for a waiver wire pickup.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
hell, I could have done that move, so one of his assistants can probably cover the phones for a couple hours while he chats with paris and ricco.
Prismo
10/7/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Don’t know which hat Lennon pulled this one out of…but he says Sandy Alderson (currently “cleaning up” the DR baseball system) could be best fit for the Mets’ GM.
Seems like a huge stretch to me…but I can’t read his article. Where did this come from?
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Here it is Prismo.
PHILADELPHIA – Sandy Alderson currently has his hands full trying to clean up the corruption that has caused so many problems for baseball in the Dominican Republic. But if the Mets think Alderson is the right man to fix their mess in Flushing, it is believed he could leave that project with the blessing – and perhaps even the encouragement – of the commissioner’s office, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday.
Alderson, 62, is best known as the general manager that built the A’s into a perennial October powerhouse, with three World Series appearances from 1988-90 and a title in 1989. Alderson first hired Billy Beane as a scout and was among the pioneers to value the statistic-driven style of evaluation before it became the “Moneyball” phenomenon.
Alderson, a former Marine sergeant and Harvard Law grad, has the mix of toughness and intelligence to handle turning around a franchise in New York. While commissioner Bud Selig values Alderson in his consulting role for the Dominican issue, he also wants to the Mets restored to respectability. Selig is close with Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon and it is almost certain Wilpon will seek Selig’s input on the GM decision, since he needs to go outside the organization for a GM for the first time since Frank Cashen in 1980.
Prismo
10/7/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Thank you NJ.
Still seems like a huge stretch for Lennon though…must have had a deadline.
Could be a possibility, but without even hearing the name from the Mets or hearing from Alderson that he has an interest in being a GM again….why write this story?
Prismo
10/7/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Looks like there may be some more backing to this than initially reported.
rustyjr
10/7/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
As per Mlbtr
Agent Scott Boras told Dan Martin of the New York Post that the Mets have what it takes to turn the team around. “The issue is transferring the success they enjoy in business and operating revenue issues and getting it to the field,” Boras said. “I know they’re working hard.”
Boras said the Mets are a “valid option” for his free agents and added that New York City is “a great place to play.”
Former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he has interest in becoming the next Mets GM. Now a senior adviser to the Rangers, Hart does not appear to be a leading candidate for the job, according to Sherman.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
of course Boras wants to keep as many big $$ teams in play. But in this case, he is right.
of course, the best way to translate the revenue success to effifciently putting a product on the filed is to stop signing his (and others) overpriced, aging FAs!
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
back to the post topic, I am glad I was out doing other things, and did not know about the NH until after the game was done. My wife saw it on a news crawl (I just knew the final score).
If I had been watching, I would have been rooting hard for it to be broken up. ANd a 2 out in the 9th bunt hit would hae made me very happy. Just to hear all the philly fans piss and moan about it.
FIne Real, sit in your southern ivory tower and root for a phillie special moment. I already can’t read the local paper, and no way I was putting on the local news last night (which I normally always watch).
The philly fans have long since caught up to Yankee fans (new money vs. old money I guess) and passed them on the entitled/cocky/attitude scale. Totally insufferable.
Just thank God the eagles flamed out last Sunday. If they were winning too, I would just get in my car and drive til I ran out of gas, and stay whereever that was.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
You OK? You seem like this really is bothering you.
It’s OK if you noticed I posted a Mets topic you can comment about.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
and such an uplifting one too!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
LoL dude what do you want? TRS u better give stick author status quick b4 he implodes at the sites lack of quality posts.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
tired of the flood of Mets suck articles. We all know. Hopefully at some point, there will be some discussion about actually moving forward and positive changes.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
I tell you what. You write something up that covers “moving forward and positive changes.” and I will post it for you. Giving you full credit of course.
Is that ok?
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Ghost Writer called “The Float”…
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
If it helps change the vibe in here I am all for it. Lately people seem so sensitive.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Eh, the vibe is what it is and should remain until a GM is signed or at the very least a final group has been selected. It’s so tough to even speculate on how this will go. And the only tangible stuff happening is the Phils in the playoffs, the Yanks in the playoffs, the Braves in the playoffs…
Thank the Good Lord above for hockey…
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
I hope your wrong then in regards to it should remain until a GM is signed.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
I do too.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
So how about it Stck? You up for the challenge or what?
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
As long as his posts are not as long as knogs! Kidding Sir Kingman. Even when I don’t agree with them, I read the whole thing.
TRS86
10/7/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Who reads the local paper anymore? LOL.
As for last night of course if I thought there was a chance that the Reds could still win when I turned it on I might have not been in that situation. However, conceding a lead of that type with Halladay throwing a no hitter the win was not in question. Might as well see history.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
As usual, Stick and I are on the same page – especially when it comes to all things Phillies.
Only I’ll go one step further and say the Phillies fans are a notch worse than Yankee fans. Or maybe I’m just numb after all these years to the Yankee fan entitlement mindset…..
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
also, how come the PHillies can sign or acquire aging pitchers with tons of miles on them, and they just keep cruising along? If the mets get one, it is like they immediately spontaneously combust and trun into dog food.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
OH, To be a Mets fan.
Prismo
10/7/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Either superior scouting or dumb luck. Take your pick.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
it’s dumb luck mostly at that point. Like picking which 1995 Cavalier with 200K on the clock you want to try and drive to California.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
This is EXACTLY what I was complaining about to my Dad last night. We sign Santana on the good side of 30 and he winds up with surgery after every season.
They sign Halladay on the wrong side of 30 and the arm just keeps going and going….
We need to shift this black cloud to another team.
fongy2
10/7/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Good to see other jumping onto the bandwagon lead by me re:
The Wilpons going outside the org for help……
And on Boras, I’m sure he’s only trying to help…..Right???
I guess his next bid of advise for The Mets will be “Hey you guys
really would be helping yourself greatly by giving Beltran an
extension”……
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
U gotta luv Boras that man has no shame whatsoever.
stickguy
10/7/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
but more money than the pope most likely, so it seems to be working for him (if that is your measure of success).
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
When it comes to Boras while some may hate what he does. One can not deny that what he does he does well.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
Yes, I’ll give him that. He’s good at his job, which is exactly what his clients sign up with him for.
asod75
10/10/2010-4:25pm at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
I was hoping for a five-run Reds rally in the ninth myself. Could never root for a Phillie at anytime. I hate all things Philadelphia and it makes my stomach turn that they will probably cruise to the World Series again. I will admit that Halladay is one hell of a pitcher, however.