Skip to main content

Christmas on the Farm 2011

It's that time of year that gets you in the mood to be jolly. The biggest of all holidays is loved by all, for many reasons. Phillies prospects are no different. I checked in recently with several minor leaguers to find out what stands out for them as reasons to get excited for Christmas.

Highly ranked lefty pitching prospect and the Phils' #1 draft choice last year, Jesse Biddle (pictured), took part....as did outfielders Brian Gump, Tyson Gillies and another former top draft selection Anthony Hewitt...right-handed hurler Tyler Knigge also offered his thoughts along with slugging first baseman Jim Murphy.

What's your favorite holiday movie?

Jesse Biddle: My favorite movie is easily "Elf" with Will Ferrell because he plays a character perfect for my sense of humor. There is something about the innocent slapstick humor that I find hilarious.

Brian Gump: Probably "Nightmare Before Christmas", I think that counts as a Christmas movie right? It's just a really imaginative movie and is a nice break from the traditional Christmas schmaltz.

Tyson Gillies: I'd have to say Bad Santa. I like Billy Bob Thornton, even in Bad News Bears, he's got a funny sense of humor.

Anthony Hewitt: The Grinch and Charlie Brown Christmas.

Tyler Knigge: A Christmas Story because it's definitely a family tradition to watch it every Christmas Eve and it's one of the funniest movies I have ever seen!

Jim Murphy: Bad Santa. My brother and I got tired of watching standard Christmas movies, and wanted something to kinda break the holiday mold. That and Billy Bob Thornton couldn't be a better delinquent Santa.


What is your favorite Christmas song?

Jesse Biddle: I like the Hanson Christmas album. It was something that my family listened to when we were kids and now it's just a family tradition.

Brian Gump: Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas. I've never been much of a Mariah fan, but her version just makes me feel like a cup of hot cocoa.

Tyson Gillies: White Christmas (by The Drifters), probably 'cause of Home Alone, when he's lip syncing in the bathroom. I like that upbeat R&B version. Seriously, it has a catchy tune and I have always enjoyed listening to it.

Anthony Hewitt: Jingle Bells is my favorite. Simple. Classic.

Tyler Knigge: Santa Claus is Comin' to Town because that's when I know Santa is bringing me presents! Haha. Kidding.


What's your favorite food to enjoy at Christmas time?

Biddle: Ham, simply because it's delicious.

Gump: Egg Nog, yes, even if it's not spiked. Can't get enough of it.

Hewitt: My all time favorite holiday food is apple pie!

Murphy: Stuffing, I can't ever get enough of it at Thanksgiving Day dinner, so I ask for another round at Christmas.

Knigge: Spiral Honey Ham!! It's just that good.

Gillies: We always have crab, lobster, shrimp, clams and muscles and everything for Christmas dinner. We already do the turkey for the other holidays, and me being such a big seafood fan, that's what I look forward to every year.


What is the best Christmas tradition that you or your family have?

Biddle: My favorite tradition is going to my uncle's house to meet up with the rest of my extended family for Christmas dinner.

Gump: Being surrounded by my family. That's easily the most important part of Christmas for me...and the crumpled up wrapping paper fight we always have afterwards.

Hewitt: I love just being with family and remembering all the good times.

Murphy: Old James Bond movies on TV. My step-dad loves them and loves to say those cheesy lines over and over it's pretty funny. The Bond girls aren't bad either. My favorite is "The Spy Who Loved Me", with Roger Moore. Against popular opinion, I think he was better than Sean Connery.

Knigge: Going to the movies with my family on Christmas Day.


What is the most memorable Christmas gift you got as a child?

Biddle: My dog that my parents got me for my very first Christmas.

Gump: Oh man, my parents always found a way to make Christmas special for me and my brothers when we were kids and I am very lucky for that. I did get a little mini electric guitar from "Santa" when I was probably 8 or 9. That thing was sweet...unfortunately, I never quite got the hang of it like my dad had hoped I would. Too busy playing baseball, I guess.

Hewitt: My favorite gift as a kid was a remote controlled car.

Murphy: Jeep 4X4 big wheel. I think it started my obsession with Jeeps. I have owned three of them since I turned 16.

Knigge: It was my first glove I ever got. It was a Rawlings Heart of the Hide. 11 3/4 inch glove. Still have it to this day!


From PhoulBallz.com and the players who took part in this survey...we wish you all a terrific holiday season!

___________________________________________________

Image assistance credit- Eric Floyd

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Comments

Anonymous said…
Good stuff happy holidays
Jay Floyd said…
These are always fun for me and the guys.

Popular posts from this blog

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

A Letter to This Guy

Dear Cardinals fan, When a homerun ball is hit in your direction, do not close your eyes and raise both hands far above your head, leaving your face/chest/neck/head defenseless. Jayson Werth long balls to the cranium are probably not very comfortable. Next time, let the guy in the pajama pants behind you take a crack at it. He may not know how to dress well, but he keeps his eyes open in the face of killer shots from World Champion outfielders. Love, PhoulBallz.com PS- Stay hot.

Kendrick & LaGrossa- Second Phils/Survivor Marriage

On Saturday, Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick married 3-time Survivor contestant and former Flyers employee Stephenie LaGrossa. The couple exchanged vows in front of 105 guests at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California. Their special day featured many personalized aspects, including cocktail hour snacks modeled in the fashion of mini Philly cheesesteaks, as well as the couple's two dogs, Bebe and Champ, serving as flower girl and ring bearer during the ceremony. The pets wore a white dress and a tuxedo, respectively. Kendrick is now the second Phillies pitcher to marry a former contestant of the CBS reality competition program, as lefty Cole Hamels wedded Heidi Strobel, who appeared on the sixth season of Survivor, in 2007. _________________________________________________________________ Be sure to follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter, for updates, stats and info, by clicking HERE . Photos- People.com