Individuals taking part in this year's 11th annual Christmas favorites survey include former Phillies All-Star and coach Mickey Morandini as well as pitching prospects Dominic Pipkin, Erik Miller and Ben Brown along with corner infielder Matt Kroon. Inquiries and responses regarding each player's holly jolly favorites lie ahead...
-What's your favorite Christmas song and which version?
Morandini- All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey.
Pipkin- Blue Christmas by Elvis. It's just unbeatable.
Miller- I don't like Christmas music, to be honest.
Kroon- I am a big fan of the original Jingle Bells. It reminds me of being a kid again. It reminds me of all the holiday activities and good times that are about to be celebrated.
Brown- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. And my favorite version is the one that my church's worship group sings.
-What's your favorite Christmas movie?
Morandini- A Christmas Story.
Pipkin- Elf. Will Ferrell is one of my favorite actors.
Miller- My favorite movie is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Kroon- My favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone. Always has been and always will be. Just a true classic!
Brown- My favorite Christmas movie, hands down, is Elf. I try to watch at least two times every Christmas season.
-What is your favorite thing to eat at the holidays and who makes it?
Morandini- Beef tenderloin that my wife, Peg, makes.
Pipkin- My mom's lobster tail on Christmas Eve. She makes it perfectly every time.
Miller- My mom makes this spicy sausage dip once a year for Christmas and it's the best and most sought out dish on Christmas Day.
Kroon- My Aunt Gia’s homemade mac and cheese! I’ve never had one bad bite.
Brown- My mom makes an amazing breakfast every Christmas. Really looking forward to that this year.
-Do you have a standout memorable gift from childhood?
Morandini- Gremlin go-cart.
Pipkin- My PS3 when I was 10. I still use it to this day.
Miller- I don't have any particularly memorable gifts. We would go on vacations the day after Christmas when I was younger and those were always great gifts.
Kroon- The most memorable gift from childhood is my first full set of All-Star catchers gear. I was a bit (of a) catcher growing up and I can still picture my excitement to today. My dad had it all packed up in the All-Star bag, the shin guards loaded up with knee savers ready to go.
Brown- My older sister bought me a dog (Charlie Brown) as an early Christmas present in 2007. Something that I will never forget.
-Do you recall finding out the truth about Santa and is there a story that goes with it?
Morandini- I just remember hearing my mom and brother getting everything put out under the tree while they thought I was sleeping.
Pipkin- I realized Santa wasn't real when we found our Christmas gifts in the garage when I was like eight years old but I wasn't upset about it.
Miller- I was able to figure out the truth about Santa myself. I just used reasoning to realize there was no way some guy could go around the world on one night and get every kid's gifts to them.
Kroon- Santa still sneaks his way down my chimney every Christmas Eve. I grew up in a family with a very passionate belief in Santa Clause and I look forward to the present that I hope he drops off each and every year.
Brown- Well, Jay, the truth is that Santa is still delivering presents under my tree each year. Always trying to get on that nice list.
Previous editions of this survey include answers from Aaron Nola, Rhys Hoskins, Adam Haseley, Scott Kingery, Logan O'Hoppe, Jacob Waguespack and loads of others.
Those editions of this delightful Christmas questionnaire can be viewed at the following links- 2019 holiday survey, 2018 survey, 2017 survey, 2016 survey, 2015 survey, 2014 survey, 2013 edition, 2012 edition, 2011 edition and the 2010 edition.
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