Wearing the Phillies Through the Playoffs

This morning I woke up and decided to put on one of my many Phillies shirts that sit in my drawer. I thought about pulling one of two Chase Utley jerseys out of my closet but I went with a Phanatic shirt that I got at Phillies Phan Phestival instead.

This got me thinking.

Now I haven't counted the amount of Phillies shirts I own but I know that it is more than ten. If the Phillies happened to sweep their way to the World Series it would take 11 games and therefore 11 shirts. I think I could pull that off but it seems improbable. So I guess I would have to re wear some.

Since I decided to re-wear tee shirts I had the idea that from today until the day the Phillies win the World Series, I will wear a Phillies shirt every single day. I'll wash once a week so that I can repeat wears but overall every day from now until then I will be wearing a Phillies shirt. So if you happen to see me around, I am embarking on this pretty easy journey considering I would wear a Phillies shirt every day of the year if I could.

I decided to include you all in my journey. So each day on this post I will be posting photos of the day's shirt of choice and a little bit about why I chose to wear it.

Enjoy and hopefully you follow along with my little experiment.

Day One: Thursday September 29 - Phillie Phanatic

I chose to wear the Phanantic shirt today because it is green and awesome and every time I look at his face on my shirt it makes me smile. So far the Phanatic has brought me a good day and I have gotten compliments on the awesomeness that is this shirt.

Day Two: Friday September 30 - 2008 NLCS

Today I went with the NLCS Champions shirt. It is one of my favorites and with the playoffs beginning today I am feeling that the Phillies are going back to the World Series like this shirt says. All else aside, it really is an awesome shirt.

Day Three, Game One: - Maroon Halladay and a Baseball Cap

I had no choice which shirt to wear today. It is clearly a Halladay and with Doc on the mound I couldn't find a more fitting choice. Here's hoping it brings luck to the Phils because they have to make it to the NLCS, I have more shirts I need to display!

Day Four, Game Two: Cliff Lee

I learned something tonight. It is very difficult to take a picture of the back of your shirt with a webcam. That being said I had to focus in on the Lee 33 on the back of the shirt. With Lee on the mound tonight I had to wear him and so far he has done me proud. Pitching a great game and hopefully by the end of the night Phils go up 2-0.

Day Five: Old School Philadelphia Shirt

Just a basic one. It says Philadelphia at the top then Phillies middle and National League at the bottom. It's a little worn and honestly I'm not fully sure where I got it from but I saw it and I felt like going old school today. Since it is an off day I have no reasoning for this shirt. Also wash is tomorrow so it is one of the remaining ones in my drawer. Promise tomorrow's will be better!

Day Six, Game Three: Retro Utley Jersey

This is one of my favorite Phils items. I actually got it as part of a giveaway day. It was one of the first Phillie shirts I had and it had and still has my favorite player on it. Today the shirt and the Phils did not let me down.  So it may only be Tuesday but it was certainly Jersday for me! Two games up in the NLDS and it is so awesome. Can't wait til game four and Oswalt!

Day Seven, Game Four: Utley and Earrings

I absolutely love this shirt just because it has my favorite player's face on it. That is right this is a Chase Utley shirt. I also wore Phillies earrings today. I was in such a Phillie mood and despite the loss in game four, managed to have a good day and get tons of comments on the shirt and earrings. Chase Utley is a fan favorite and people appreciated the shirt. Hopefully tomorrow's can bring the Phillies what they need for a win because I am not ready to go home yet.

Day Eight: Phillies Baseball

This is one of my off day shirts. I like the pattern on it but since it is just a classic Phils tee I thought today would be a good day to wear it. Here is hoping it gives the Phillies some sort of luck because although Halladay is the mound they are going to need to be lucky in order to win tomorrow's game. Rally towel is ready though because I am predicting a huge win tomorrow! Much love and luck to the Phils!

Day Nine: Utley Jersey, Phillies Pajama Pants and something extra special for luck

It may be hard to tell from the pic but I am all decked out in Phils gear today. I've got my Utley jersey on because I know he is going to have a big game. Underneath I'm repeating the Halladay shirt just because he is on tonight and last time I wore the shirt, he won. I've also got Phillies pajama pants on and last but not least a small bobble Chase Utley pin. Even though I'll be in MD for a wedding and will have to miss the game, I know wearing these for the afternoon will definitely bring the boys a W.

Rookie Hazing: It's All Fun and Games Until Somebody Has To Dress Like A Geisha

Oh yes with the season winding down it is that time of year again. It is time for the Phillies annual rookie hazing.

This year the Phils were armed with a good group of rookies who took the hazing like champs. Dressed like geishas, pimps, rabbis, ninjas and more, the Phillies rookies tested out their Halloween costumes that were so carefully picked by the team's veterans. Much thanks to Hunter Pence for both taking and sharing the picture from the costume party of sorts and to my friend Rob for alerting me to this photo's existence.

Back row (L to R): Trainer Ichiro Kitano (Geisha girl), Erik Kratz (beer wench), Joe Savery (Tilted Kilt waitress), Vance Worley (gimp w/o mask), Michael Schwimer (rabbi), Dom Brown (pimp)
Front row (L to R): Justin DeFratus (gimp w/ mask), Michael Martinez & Mike Stutes (some non-masculine tag team)

Earlier this year Michael Stutes and later Michael Schwimmer were spotted carrying a Hello Kitty backpack while wearing a pink boa. This bag had the bullpen snacks in it. As being the newest rookie in the bullpen it was the responsibility of these guys to carry the very feminine backpack. It was all in good fun and eventually both Schwimmer and Stutes were able to embrace their role, although Stutes notably was glad when he got to pass the backpack off to Schwimmer who currently wears it with pride.

Now who says rookie hazing is a bad thing?

Phillies First Team to 100 Wins

Back in February before the season even began Jimmy Rollins issued one of his bold predictions. He predicted that the Phillies would win 100 games and sure enough after a hard fought 4-2 win over Atlanta tonight the Phillies did in fact reach the century mark. Not only did this prove that the Phillies did still have wins left in them but it also proved that when Rollins makes predictions he is rarely ever wrong.

After easily reaching 98 wins and clinching the NL East, the Phillies managed to lose eight in a row. With only four games left after losing the first eight it started to look unlikely that the Phillies would reach 100.

Sure enough in their last two games the Phillies managed to pull off well played wins behind the pitching of Hamels and Lee and were able to reach the 100 win mark.

This is certainly something to be celebrated. It is not every day that a team gets 100 wins and it had been years since the Phillies last did it. The Phillies also having secured MLB's best record two years in a row became the first team in the NL since the 2008 Cubs to win 100 games.

With 160 games down and two the go the Phils are still looking to make history. If they manage to win their last two games then not only will they finish the season on a positive note but they will also break the franchise record for wins in a season which currently stands at 101.

For the Phillies it is not just about wins however. Having already locked up the division and home field advantage throughout the postseason the Phillies are now in the unique role of playing spoiler. If the Phillies win 102 games it will mean the Braves will lose the final two games of the season and depending on how the Cardinals fare could mean that the Braves don't even make the playoffs.

With the wildcard still up for grabs, the Phillies are just happy they have secured their spot and have a chance to rest their starters while they await their playoff opponent.

2011 NL Cy Young Race: Philadelphia Phillies Arms Are All But Out Of the Running

It pains me to write this almost as much as it pains me to say it but the winner of the 2011 NL Cy Young will not be a pitcher from Philadelphia.

At the beginning of the season it was pretty certain that this would not be the case. With Hamels, Halladay and Lee all looking good enough to win it, Phillies odds were through the roof. All looked well for Philly having two years in a row with a Cy Young.

As the season began, Roy Halladay once again separated himself from the pack going 4-1 in the month of April with a 2.14 ERA. He has remained consistent all season never recording a month where his winning  percentage was below .500. The Phillies also have an incredible 74% winning percentage in games that Halladay has started. With only six losses Halladay has kept the Phillies is every game and given them a chance to win. When on a skid, Halladay is called on to stop it and nine times out of ten, he delivers. What is funny is that on paper Halladay's stats from this year and his Cy Young award winning year in 2010 are comparable. He might even be a little better this year but not helping him out is that his competition has been a lot better too.

Cole Hamels was the wildcard. Out of the three Phillies pitchers who looked like Cy Young material he was the one that everyone least expected to win it. He is still young and in some eyes still has a lot to learn. Also, Halladay and Lee had both won Cys before so they were favored over Hamels in that respect. It is not that Hamels didn't have a chance at it early on. In fact after starting 9-2 he was even considered a favorite to win it. What has plagued Hamels however and what seems to plague him every year is run support. In the month of June, Hamels did go 2-2 but had a 1.31 ERA. In his two losses he went 7 and 8 innings giving up only two runs a start. His inconsistencies however have also cost him. Hamels has at times on the season been great but at other times not good at all and this lack of continuity has shown and is part of what he needs to improve on to go from being a good pitcher to a pitcher the ranks of his teammates, Halladay and Lee.

Then there is Cliff Lee. Lee had a very up and down season including two sub .500 months and two near flawless months. His record of 16-8 isn't telling of the both high points and low points of Lee's season. It also isn't telling of the two home runs Lee hit but unfortunately for him that doesn't help in the case to win the Cy Young. Silver slugger on the other hand, that should be his to lose.

Lee and Halladay still had an outside shot at Cy Young when September began but both in my opinion have not done enough in their past two starts. Both of them have put together great seasons that in any other year would be Cy Young worthy but this year the competition is elevated and neither Lee nor Halladay will win the award. Both the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw and Diamondbacks Ian Kennedy have been studs this year. Most of the pitching categories have these two towards the top and both of them are really the only great pitchers on their teams.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of @AsktheBooth

Much to fans' pleasure, Phillies announcers Tom McCarthy and Chris Wheeler have started something called Ask the Booth on Twitter.

During some of the Phillies games, Wheels and McCarthy will answer questions from fans that are sent to the twitter addess, @askthebooth or items that are hashtagged, #askthebooth.

There is no limit on how many questions you can ask if you have a twitter account and there is also no restrictions on what you can say.

Obviously, this may not have been the Phillies best decision because as many of you know, not all Phillies fans are too fond of the team that took over for HK and Whitey.

When the Phillies first started this Ask the Booth thing I decided to check it out. I parked myself in front of my computer and began reading through the twitter feed. Some of the questions people asked were very poignant, thought provoking questions and other were more along the lines of, "I lost my phone, where can I find it."

It was quite humorous to see some of the things the Phillies announcing team was being asked and also some of the comments that people were making. Let's just say not all of it was clean and not everyone held back their punches.

Wheels and TMac took a pretty good beating with some of the questions and comments, but were able to find themselves just shaking it off and laughing. I know that because I asked them how they felt about the insulting comments. I had to get in on the action.

With the Phillies telecast showing only the legitimate questions and very few questions even at that, here are my favorite Ask the Booth tweets that didn't quite make the cut.

hall126 ryan 

Does sarge dabble with cocaine? #askthebooth @philaphillies 

scrappleSports scrapple sports 

hey #askthebooth , has Wheels ever clogged the toilet on a road trip?@Phillies

phourscore_tg TRG@PhourScore.com 

Are there any circumstances under which "just as good" actually is just as good? #Askthebooth

c_theJ Carrie Johnston 

#askthebooth is it true that there's a "must blow a series vs the Astros" clause in all of these PHI/HOU trades.?

theJamesIsJames James J. C. 

@philaphillies Who would you say has the biggest package on the Phils? I know you guys look when you're in the locker room... #askthebooth

scrappleSports scrapple sports 

How tall is a smurf #askthebooth

Bboutwell79 Brooks Boutwell 

@philaphillies brains, brawn, wildcard. Which members of the broadcast team fits in each roll? TV and radio #askthebooth

TrishaRose13 Trish 

@philaphillies does Sarge know how to juggle? #askthebooth

RFA79 Bob A 

@philaphillies #askthebooth How does Wheels keep his hair so full and shiny? Can he share his hair care secrets?

MattPlunkett MattPlunkett 

Sometimes it burns when I pee. It's probably nothing, right? #askthebooth

jtb2008 Jarod Belles 

@philaphillies Is suicide really painless? #askthebooth

MattPlunkett MattPlunkett 

Do you know Mayberry's number? My sister totally wants to date him. #askthebooth

bendy7 Ben De Carlo 

@philaphillies do T-Mac & Wheels ever do wife-swap for a couple of weeks? #askthebooth

BrianthePastor Brian Beissel 

@AskTheBooth can you use the word "asphyxiate" during a broacast just for me? #askthebooth

gatsbyx26 RS 

@philaphillies #askthebooth Who is blacker: Jose Contreras or Sarge?

JaredLambert Jared Lambert 

@philaphillies Which current Phillies do you think would make a good broadcasting duo? #askthebooth

Kalel1323 Marc Indelicato 

@philaphillies #askthebooth what meal are you guys going to make@HunterPence3 buy the team when the #Phillies make the post season?

SMJB771 Shawn Barton 

@AskTheBooth sarge if you could be an animal what would you be an why

SMJB771 Shawn Barton 

@AskTheBooth hey sarge whats your favorite power ranger?

DannyZ24 Dan Szostek 

Would LA drink a razzle twatatini? #askthebooth #patron #phillies

PhillyPhan3410 Hunter Maenner 

@philaphillies Does Wheels take his toupee off in the showers? #askthebooth

memohrman Mark Mohrman 

Hey #askthebooth Boxers or briefs?

CliffHalladay Cliff Halladay 

Who are the three best escorts in Houston? @philaphillies #askthebooth @askthebooth

michaeljblum Michael Blum 

@philaphillies Who do you think murdered Tupac? #askthebooth

michaeljblum Michael Blum 

@philaphillies Do you think OJ did it? #askthebooth

jmgtm1 John Mirenda 

@derekj31384What wresting move would JA Happ give to Ruben Amaro if given the chance the stunner, rock bottom or other? 

jmgtm1 John Mirenda 

RT @derekj31384 Tmac, what is so interesting about Sarge's ear? I noticed you staring intently at it. #askthebooth

Looose_Cannon Smarter Than You 

#askthebooth............... what is wheels wig made out of?

JohnCBrenner JBrenner232 

@philaphillies When is Sarge going to be given his own line of hats?#askthebooth

Tusk09er S Tuscano 

@philaphillies would anyone have noticed your mismatched shirts in the broadcast booth if you guys didn't mentioned it? #askthebooth

julianneprestis jewel 

#askthebooth is just as good ever ever ever just as good?

29THFLR Daniel McFarland 

What's your favorite old timey racial slur? #AskTheBooth

fantasource Fantasource 

. @philaphillies Which National League city has the best hookers. Female or male (I'm looking at you, Wheels). #askthebooth

29THFLR Daniel McFarland 

Is it ok to talk about this phillies game without expressed written consent? My attorney isn't taking my calls. #AskTheBooth

Break Out the Bubbly Because This Phan is Celebrating the Playoffs

It has been far too long since I have blogged about the boys of summer. Seems like the return of football temporarily got me distracted but I am back now and just in time for the playoffs.

So once again the Phillies have sealed their ticket to return to the playoffs for the 5th consecutive year and this fan couldn't be happier. For someone who has only been watching baseball since 2007, this is meaningful for me.

I have been told about all of the years that the Phillies did not have success but having only really been a baseball and sports fan in general since 2007, I can't imagine that.

Now, I'm not going to bore you with how I got into sports but let me tell you this, I am not a bandwagon fan. I did not just jump onto the playoff bandwagon. I just happened to start watching at the right time I suppose. The 2007 playoffs against the Rockies was really the first time I started watching sports and at that point I knew almost nothing about baseball.

Actually, there were only really two things I knew.

1. The Phillies were the team from Philadelphia and therefore the team I was supposed to cheer.
2. Chase Utley was hot. Correction: is hot.

That was really enough for me. So as I sat and watched the game I had to ask my brother absolutely everything. I played a little softball so I knew stuff like hits, outs, innings and the basics but some of the stuff confused me.

Well even though the Phillies lost, 2007 began a love affair between me and the team with the red pinstripes. Long story short, ever since then I have become attached to this team. Each year I seem to watch it more religiously, get more paraphernalia and become more dedicated to keeping track of stats or writing about the team. I have even since joined various Facebook chat groups to talk about the Phillies with other passionate fans (shout out to the Real Philly Phans, best group out there).

Some call it obsession but me, I call it fandom. I think all true fans are obsessed a little so when people tell me I'm obsessed with the Phillies I take it as a compliment.

So now that I did end up boring you with my personal story, I'm going to get back to my point of this blog.

The Phillies have seen so much success since 2007 gradually climbing the ladder to where they are now. 2008 saw the Phils win the World Series and 2009 saw them go back to the Fall Classic, only to lose to the Yankees.

With all of the continued success the Phillies have been blessed with, players are wanting to come to Philadelphia more than ever before. That is part of the reason we were able to bring pitchers like Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee to Philly. Sure Lee was the only guy to come as a free agent but still the success has helped to build the farm system that allowed the Phillies to make such trades.

Right now in 2011, the Phillies have acquired and grown the perfect storm of talent. Three excellent pitchers including the kid Cole Hamels, who came up through the Phils system are poised and positioned to take center stage in this year's postseason. The offensive core of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard has since been boosted with guys like Raul Ibanez, Hunter Pence and John Mayberry Jr., all of whom are looking to get their own World Series ring like the core did in '08. This Phillies team exemplifies talent, grit, tenacity, swagger, heart, ability, teamwork, leadership, perseverance and determination. They have all of the pieces to go all the way and today they took the first step.

Although they only clinched the wild card today they still lowered their magic number to clinch the division to four. They are on pace to win 100 games and to take the best record in all of baseball.

A couple notable facts about today's clinch.

The Phillies clinched a playoff spot in 146 games. With 16 games left to be played, this is the quickest in franchise history that the Phillies have clinched a playoff spot. Now that playoffs are locked up, I feel the resting of starters in this team's future.

Another kind of interesting fact is that Halladay was once again on the mound for a playoff clinch. Last year it was to clinch the NL East and this year it was at the worst, the wild card. Also, Halladay, who is currently in a tight Cy Young race, threw his first shut out of the season in this game. The Phillies having struggled in this series against the Astros looked to Halladay and he stepped it up when he had to.

I know the Phillies didn't really celebrate this playoff clinch because after all they expected nothing less going into this season. I think they should have. It may just be the playoffs but out of 30 teams, they are the first to lock in their playoff spot. They currently stand alone in teams to make it and when all is said and done, NL East crown or not, the Phillies will be one of only eight teams to play into October.

So, boys I'm going to break out the champagne for you. I don't care that it is only the wild card because playoffs are playoffs and this team deserves to celebrate the hard work and the great season they are currently in the process of completing.

I'll have my goggles on and start popping corks tonight and when the Phils clinch the East in a few days, I'll just keep that party going.