This got
me wondering which people, in an extended Phillies phamily, would be deserving of a 2008 World Series Champions ring. I heard an interview with Mike Schmidt, in the days that followed the Series, and when asked if he thought he'd get a ring, he said, "They have my (ring) size." Schmidt, the Hall of Fame thirdbaseman, was a long time Phillie, a one time coach of the single-A Clearwater Threshers (where he managed World Series MVP Cole Hamels) and appears as a guest hitting instructor in Phillies spring training every year. With all those things in mind, of course Mike Schmidt should get a ring.

In my opinion, the Phillie Phanatic should strut around Citizens Bank Park with some shine on his furry green paw/claw/hand in 2009. I'd even consider his momma, Phoebe, who makes many appearances for the Phillies each season. The Phanatic is as much of a Phillie as the guys who wear the uniform with pants.

What about 94-year-old phan Jesse Branson, who was featured throughout the Phillies video yearbook, The Perfect Season? Branson, a virtual encyclopedia of baseball information, met several players and manager Charlie Manuel early in the 2008 season, and correctly predicted to all of them that the Phillies would win the World Series. Boosts in confidence were surely provided, and perhaps a debt is owed to Mr. Branson. A payment of gold and diamonds that fits on his ring finger might work.

Should the little William Penn statue above the Comcast Building get a ring? Probably not, but the people in charge of Comcast who had the idea to attempt to break The Curse of William Penn, deserve them. Let's make sure Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Comcast executive vice president David Cohen, who are both Phillies phans, get rings. Or should it be the iron workers who actually attached the new little Willy? Dan Ginion and John Joyce, you deserve ring consideration as well.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the curse, here you go. Philadelphia City Hall is adorned with a statue of William Penn, a founding father of
Pennsylvania. For many decades, there was a gentleman's agreement that stated the Philadelphia Art Commission would approve no building in the city which would rise higher than this statue. The agreement ended in 1987, and was followed by a long drought of championships for the four major sports teams in the city. Many people began to blame the slap in the face to Penn as reason for the futility of the sports franchises. In 2007, Comcast erected what would become the new highest building in the city, and in an effort to end the curse a small statue of William Penn was attached to a beam at the top of the building.

If the Phillies were to go the route of the Colts and present a ring to a player who was on the team the previous season, and was widely felt to have contributed enough to the team who actually won the championship, it would absolutely be ALL of the following: JD Durbin, Wes Helms, Abraham Nunez, Jon Lieber, Geoff Geary, Freddy Garcia, Jose Mesa and Francisco Rosario. Thanks to all of you for getting the hell out of the way so that the Phillies could phreakin' win! Here are your rings. Now continue to stay away.
8 comments:
Shout out to my lady, Mrs. Ballz, for assisting with my brain storming session for this post.
Good lady you got there Ballz.
I should get a f'n ring!
I know it, brother. Thanks.
Nice post. We should all get rings! I'll be at the ring ceremony. I'm pumped.
Do Tracy and Cervenak get rings for going to Phillies spring training complex during playoffs as emergency stan-bys?
I think they do since they made apperances at the major league level. I think anybody who was on the roster gets a ring.
yeah, I agree with amanda. Cerv, TJ Bohn and all those guys will get rings.
JD Durbin, Wes Helms, Abraham Nunez, Jon Lieber, Geoff Geary, Freddy Garcia, Jose Mesa and Francisco Rosario.
One of the best things i've EVER read......pure awesomeness mr. ballz
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