Time to check the e-mail bin………………..

Jason sent us an e-mail last week: “Is Mike missing his ring?”  Jason included a link to ebay which had a 1980 Phillies World Series ring for sale with the name Schmidt on it.

Thanks for the e-mail Jason. No, Mike still has his ring.  Manufacturers often times have sample rings that can surface for sale.  Best guess is that’s what happened in this case.

Marge sent an inquiry: “I have a Shibe Park doubleheader paper type of poster, April 26, 1943.  The Fighting Phillies vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The poster has pictures of Roberts and Simmons.  Simmons is wearing a Phillies shirt with the “h” missing.  Why is that?”

Unfortunately, Marge, we have no idea.  It would be helpful if we could see the photo.  Perhaps that would shed some light but can’t say for sure.  Our photo files from 1943 are basically empty so we having nothing with which to compare.

Then, there’s an e-mail from Jeff: “I hope the Phillies consider developing a Golden Era committee to consider Wall of Fame inductees overlooked by fans. The longer removed the more forgotten.  I would like to make a case for Ron Reed during the Phillies great run in the 1970s and 1980s comparing him to the Phillies best relievers of all time.  Ron was as valuable as any Phillies pitcher during that era.”

Appreciate your thoughts, Jeff, and your feelings about Ron, whom we affectionately call “Slinky” or “Bigfoot.”  You are correct in that his numbers are pretty impressive, pitching numbers that is, not his shoe size.

Since 2005, the Wall of Fame ballot as appeared on phillies.com every spring training.  Fans get to vote.  The top five are then presented to a special Wall of Fame committee that consists of media, team officials and Phillies historians.  One player is selected each year.  That’s how the process works.

“Bigfoot” has been on the ballot every year but 2008 and 2009. When he didn’t receive a lot of votes, we took him off the ballot.  But, he’s been on the ballot since and will again be there next month.

It seems as if middle relievers or setup relievers didn’t get as much attention or credit as closers.  “Bigfoot” and Gene-o (Gene Garber) were great relievers in that era you mentioned but Tug was the closer and he was in the spotlight, right or wrong. 

Today’s game has a lot more focus on setup specialists than 30-40 years ago. Closers have gotten elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame but middle men are still on the outside in Cooperstown.

We’ll just have to wait and see how the fan voting turns out this year.

You mentioned a Golden Era committee.  We have considered a Veterans Committee, ala Cooperstown, for deceased Phillies such as Jim Konstanty, Jimmy Wilson, Pinky Whitney, Roy Thomas, Fred Luderus, just to name a few.  Our annual Wall of Fame induction ceremony has become a fan favorite and it is difficult to induct someone no longer living.  But, perhaps we can add a deceased player once in a while.  Welcome your thoughts.

Still numbed by the loss of Joe Paterno, more sad news came today when we learned that friend Andy Musser had also passed away on Sunday.

Andy grew up in the Harrisburg area and was a big Phillies fan as kid, listening to the games on the radio.  By Saam was the Phillies No. 1 broadcaster back then.  Andy would write to By for advice and always received an answer.

In 1976, By Saam retired and was replaced in the radio booth by Andy Musser.  The pupil replaced the professor.  Very fitting.

By Saam was the ultimate professional baseball announcer and Andy followed in the same shoes.  Neither got too high during good times or too low during the tough times.   While Harry and Whitey got all the acclaim on TV, Andy rolled along for 25 years in the radio booth. He knew and accepted his role. 

Wherever there was a radio, Andy was there every game every season for 25 years.  He unplugged his microphone after the 2001 season.

In the summer of 2008, I wrote a Phillies Magazine story on Andy.  I asked him for his five favorite moments behind the Phillies microphone:

**“He buried it.  He buried it,” was his most famous call.  It came on October 4, 1980, when Mike Schmidt hit a game-winning home run in Montreal to clinch the Eastern Division title.  “I had never used that expression before.  It just came out and I don’t think I ever used it again.”

**Calling Schmidt’s 500th home run in Pittsburgh, April 18, 1987.  “That was special to be able to broadcast that.  It not only was a historic blast, but a dramatic ninth-inning game-winner.”

**Black Friday.  “[October 7,] 1977, the night we had a lead against the Dodgers going into the ninth at Veterans Stadium and we lost.  It was the most painful loss.”

**NLCS Game 5 in Houston (October 12, 1980).  “That entire series was a nail-biter.  It was so exciting to finally advance to the World Series.  Not only was it exciting but draining.”

**World Series parade.  “What a thrill.  To see the happy faces of so many fans lined up Broad Street and then at JFK Stadium.  Nothing will ever top that parade, I don’t care how many more there will be and I hope there are a lot.”

How to throw a slider . . . how to hit a curve ball . . . how to learn to play the game right.

That’s all part of the development process of young professional baseball players during spring training and every day during a minor league season.  The process is a long one and doesn’t necessarily end once a player reaches the big show.

But, there’s more to being a complete ballplayer.  Once again, the Phillies are hosting a prospect education program this week at Citizens Bank Park. 

Participating in the program are RHP Phillippe Aumont, RHP Brody Colvin, LHP Jake Diekman, 2B Cesar Hernandez, OF Jiwan James, RHP Trevor May, RHP Jon Pettibone, RHP Julio Rodriguez, RHP B. J. Rosenberg and C Sebastian Valle.

They’ll hear from and interact with David Montgomery, Dan Plesac, Dave Buck, Bernie Parent, Frank Coppenberger, Elaine Plasqua, Jim Thome, Charlie Manuel and Ruben Amaro Sr.  Topics range from being a professional on and off the field, being an athlete in Philadelphia, participating in the community, the business of baseball, media training, clubhouse and travel etiquette, off-field choices, preparation and expectations.

The group will also get a tour of Citizens Bank Park. A road trip to the MLB Network studios is scheduled for Thursday.

Work outs at Citizens Bank Park are also on the schedule at the end of the day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Next month some of the young prospects will join the Phillies big league camp at Bright House Field.  Others will be part of the minor league camp that begins in March at Carpenter Field.

The ultimate goal: to be a well-rounded big league ballplayer.

Before baseball returns to the field next month, baseball hits the banquet circuit this month.  Here’s a recap:

14—Kennett Square Old-Timers Association banquet, Tommy Greene.

23—Williamsport, Ruben Amaro Jr., Steve Noworyta.

24—Reading, Ruben, Steve, Ryne Sandberg, Tom McCarthy.

25—Lakewood, Ruben, Steve, Charlie Manuel, Mickey Morandini.

25—Hanover Rotary Club Sports Night, Greg Gross.

26—Lehigh Valley, Ryne, Charlie, Scott Proefrock, Steve.

30—Philadelphia Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association, Charlie, Hunter Pence, Ruben.  Phillies to receive the Team of the Year Award for 2011.

Charlie is a great banquet speaker, telling some funny stories.  One of his great lines, “I was one of 13 kids growing up.  I never slept alone until I got married.”

Happy New Year!

May 2012 be filled with good health, happiness and prosperity.  Another World Championship would also be welcomed.

It was pretty cool watching the NHL Winter Classic on TV.  Cooler being there, I suppose.  Citizens Bank Park has had some classic games in its eight-year history, including this one.

Congratulations to all who made the Classic happen.  It was a real boom for the city and region.  Great national TV coverage.

Unfortunately, the home team offense fell one short.  Seemed to have seen that before. 

Loved the Brightstone commercial and seeing Dick Vitale speechless.  For a second, I thought the TV control was on mute.  Dick didn’t say a word (for a change) and I’m sure he got pretty good change for being in the TV spot. Probably a lifetime supply of tires.

Two more hockey games, a college game on Wednesday and then a minor league game on Friday night, the Phantoms against the Hershey Bears in an American Hockey League game.

So, 14 weeks after the NHL Winter Classic, the Phillies will open their home schedule against the Miami Marlins and their new gaudy uniforms.  Hopefully the ice will be melted by then and new turf will be nice and green and plush. 

Thirty years ago, the Phillies home opener at the Vet was postponed by snow and cold weather.  No ice, though.

Warm Thoughts
Phillies cruise leaves Saturday.

And, spring training will be here before you know it.  Phillies have three spring training trips for fans.  Two are sold out.

Tickets for spring training games will go on sale on Jan. 12 right here on phillies.com.

Versatile Ballpark
On Jan. 4, the Duke Alumni will have a reception in the Diamond Club at Citizens Bank Park prior to Duke’s high-powered basketball team taking on Temple at the Wells Fargo Center.

GG Appearance
This Thursday, Greg Gross will be participating in a program promoting fitness for senior citizens who reside at Maris Grove, a continuing care community in Glen Mills, PA. 

HO, HO, HO
Holiday bells are now being replaced by holiday bills.

 
(Al Cartwright is my mentor, the fella who gave me a chance in the newspaper world a few decades ago, a move that paved the way for me to land with the Phillies.  Al was the Wilmington News-Journal Sports Editor who later served as a Publicity Consultant for the Phillies in 1970-71.  He’s been retired for some time but I’d like to continue one of his traditional “Ala Carte” columns, a take-off on the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”)

Legendary letters written by Agnes Hollister to her beau:

DEAREST JOHN:
When I answered the doorbell today, the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree! What a thoroughly delightful gift!  I couldn’t have been more surprised.
With deepest love, Your Aggie.

JOHN, YOU DARLING MAN!
Today, the postman brought your very sweet gift–two turtle doves!.  I’m delighted at your thoughtfulness.  They are just adorable.  The partridge likes them, too.
All my love, Aggie.

DEAR JOHN:
Oh! Aren’t you the extravagant one!  I really must protest, though, John.  I really don’t deserve such generosity–three French hens!  They are just darling, but I must insist: you’ve been TOO kind.
Love, Aggie.

DEAR JOHN:
Today, the postman delivered four calling birds.  Now really. They are beautiful birds, but don’t you think enough is enough? You’re being  too romantic.  Besides, the partridge, the turtle doves and the French hens have eaten all the pears.  You dear silly boy, you!
Hastily, Ag.

DARLING!
What a surprise!  Today, five golden rings–one for each finger! You’re impossible, but I love it.  Frankly, all the birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves.
All my love, Your Aggie.

DEAR JOHN:
When I opened the door this morning, there were six geese a-laying on my front steps.  So you’re back to the birds again, eh?  These  geese are huge.  Where will I ever keep them?  The neighbors are already complaining and I hate to think what will happen when the goose eggs hatch.  I can’t sleep through the racket now. Please stop, John.
Agness Hollister.

JOHN:
What’s with you and the birds?  Seven swans-a-swimming!!! What kind of joke is this, you sickie!  The while house is full of feathers and broken goose eggs and this zoo is so noisy I couldn’t sleep even if my bed  wasn’t full of you-know-what.  It’s not funny, so if you’ve got any more birds up your sleeves, you know what you can do with them.
I mean it, A. H.
OK, BUSTER!
I think I prefer the birds.  What in God’s name am I going to do with all these eight maids a-milking?  It’s not enough with all those birds messing, but eight maids had to bring their eight cows! I’m trapped and I can hardly breathe.  Lay off, wise guy!
Agness H.

YOU ROTTEN MONSTER!
Nine ladies dancing, eh? How dare you call them ladies?  The Health Department has subpoenaed me to show cause why the whole building shouldn’t be condemned.  The Vice Squad is staking out the place.  If I ever catch you around here again–well, have you ever been skulled by a pear tree?
One Who Means It.

YOU MANIC!
The cops are coming for you, as soon as they finished rounding up those 10 lords a-leaping.  The place looks like the Gong Show.  All 23 of the birds are dead–trampled by the lords.  I hope you’re satisfied, you low-life.
You Know Who

YOU LOUSE:
What are you–some kind of sadist?  Now there’s 11 pipers piping!  And geez, do they play–even without the pipes.    They’ve never stopped chasing the milkmaids since they got here yesterday morning.  Some of them even chased the cows, so the cows got panicky and stepped all over the deceased birds.  There’s feathers and milk flying all over the house and the aroma has killed the pear tree.  The neighbors have entered a petition to evict me.
You’ll get yours! A. Hollister.

DEAR MR CID:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of 12 drummers drumming which you saw fit to inflict upon our client, Ms. Agnes Hollister.

Any further correspondence with Ms. Hollister should be addressed in care of this law firm, inasmuch as the destruction of her residence was, of course, total.

Please do not attempt to make personal contact with our client, as Ms. Hollister has given explicit instructions to her attendants at Happy Dale Sanitarium to shoot you on sight.  Fatally.

Naturally, a suite is being prepared against you, entered jointly by Ms. Hollister, the Postal Service, the Department of Health, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Immigration Office, United Parcel Service and the Humane Society.  The State Department of Mental Health is instituting a separate action with a different objective in mind.
Very truly yours,
Badger, Bender, Loophole & Mulford.

-30-

(Phillies Insider will take a holiday break.  Be back after the New Year).

Peace to all!

J-Roll’s home for the holidays and a few more years.

Big press conference in the Media Room for his return took place this evening.  Of all the 2011 “major” free agents, he’s the only one to return to his original team.  At least, so far.

It is rare that players remain with one team their entire career.  There’s Carl Yastrzemski, Cal Ripken, Jr., Brooks Robinson, Stan Musial, Tony Gwynn, Ernie Banks and Mike Schimdt, just to mention a few.  Derek Jeter is probably headed there.

Yaz and Brooks hold the major league record for most career seasons, same club, 23.

In the Phillies world, there are four who have worn that uniform their entire career (minimum 10 seasons): Schmidt, 18, Larry Christenson, 11, Terry Harmon and Bob Miller, 10 each. Jimmy’s heading into his 12th season.

Will J-Roll always be a Phillie?  Will there be another contract after this one?  Will he leave then?  Will he ever be traded?

No crystal ball to answer those questions.  But history shows that Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn, two great Phillies icons, played elsewhere. Mike Lieberthal had 13 seasons with the Phillies and then ended 2007 with the Dodgers in 2007.

So, J-Roll remains as the Phillies longest tenured player.  Heck, he’s the longest tenured of all Philadelphia athletes.

He’s come a long way from his Phillies debut, September 17, 2000, against the Marlins. He tripled in his first at-bat against someone named Chuck Smith.  Comcast Sportsnet showed that triple the other night, a ball hit in to the right field corner at the Vet.  See Jimmy run.  By the way, he was wearing uniform # 29.

He also had a single, walk, two runs and a stolen base in that first game.  A lot has changed since then, including wearing #11.  Will have more on J-Roll’s numbers and where he ranks in Phillies history in a January blog.

In the press conference, he mentioned he’s been a Phillie since he was 17 years of age. This is home and where he belongs. 

Jumping from here to there………

Congratulations to Ryne Sandberg who was named the minor league Manager of the Year by Baseball America.  Ryne returns for his second season as manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2012.

Phillies scouting staff is busy, even though there is basically no baseball being played at this time of the year.  In anticipation of the draft, some scouts are doing in-home visits with potential draft picks.  Workouts are being scheduled throughout the warm climates of the country, including one in Puerto Rico today.

Phillies season ticket holders are being be treated to an phillies.com Q&A with Ruben Amaro Jr.  Questions were submitted by season ticket holders, a sampling will be given to Tom McCarthy to ask Ruben.  Q&A will be posted on phillies.com on Friday evening, providing some weekend reading.

Today’s the deadline (5 p.m.) for online voting for the final slot on the Phillies Mural, which will be unveiled sometime next summer.  Final candidates include Del Ennis, Greg Luzinski, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, Cliff Lee and Jim Thome.  If you haven’t cast your vote on phillies.com, hurry.  Over 5,600 fans submitted names for the final slot and the six listed drew the most votes.  Thanks to all who participated.

Membership drive for the 2012 Fightin’ Phils Fan Club is underway.  650 signed up the first week.  Renewals or newcomers by January 1 will receive a complimentary copy of Video Dan Stephenson’s 2011 DVD yearbook, “Making History.”  A record 2,424 fans were members in 2011.

Promotion schedule for 2012 is being fine-tuned by Kurt Funk, Scott Brandreth and their respective staffs.  One of the items is a Charlie Manuel 646 collectible baseball to commemorate the 646 wins for Charlie, most in Phillies history.  The item will be given on Kids Appreciation Day, Saturday, April 14.  Turkey Hill is the sponsor.

Things are heating up (or frozen up) for the NHL Winter Classic (Flyers vs. Rangers) that will take place at Citizens Bank Park, January 2.  Additional seats in the form of bleachers have been installed in center field.  If there was a baseball game, Shane would be stationed under the bleachers.

Then on Monday, construction of the ice rink begins.

I can hear Richie Ashburn talking with Harry Kalas, “Hard to believe, Harry, that there’s going to be an ice hockey game on the ball field.  What’s next, mud wrestling?”

(Guest author today is Tom Burgoyne, best known as the best friend of Phillie Phanatic).

For the first time since his debut as the mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978, the Phillie Phanatic recently traveled to his homeland, the Galápagos Islands, with the help of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. The Phanatic explored the islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavour, an expedition vessel outfitted for adventure travel with Zodiacs, kayaks, snorkeling gear, underwater video cameras, and a team of naturalists to bring the experience to life.

During his journey, the Phanatic learned how the volcanic islands were formed and about all the unique animal species, plant life, and marine life that exists only in the Galapagos. He got up close to animals that have no fear of humans (or mascots), visited giant tortoises in the wild, and met marine iguanas, penguins, and sea lions on beaches and along the coasts.

As part of the “Be a Phanatic about Reading” program, the Phanatic also visited the Tomas de Berlanga school located in the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The Phanatic danced, the children sang, and his book – The Phillie Phanatic’s Galapagos Islands Adventure – was read to the students. Check out phillies.com for photos of the trip.

The Phillie Phanatic will present a slideshow of his special trip to schools participating in the “Be a Phanatic About Reading” program in the Delaware Valley.

The Phanatic and Lindblad Expeditions are planning a Phillies fan trip back to the Galapagos Islands in late 2012.  For more information about how fans can be part of this trip, email Phanatic@expeditions.com.

Tim McCarver, who played for and got his broadcasting career started with the Phillies, is the 2012 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

The 70-year-old will receive his honor on Saturday, July 21, as part of the July 20-23 Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, NY.

“Tim has been the face and voice of baseball’s biggest moments on national television,” said Hall of Famer President Jeff Idelson.  “His wit and intuition, combined with his passion for the game and his down-home style, delivers a trusted insight for viewers.”

“I deeply appreciate being recognized with the Frick Award. I’m genuinely, genuinely humbled by it,” said McCarver.

Following 21 seasons as a player (1959-1980), he moved into the broadcasting booth and has been there ever since. While a member of the Phillies broadcasting team in 1980, McCarver was activated in September, giving him a career that spanned four decades.  His last game was October 5 in Montreal, the final game of that season.

“I’ll never forget that game.  Timmy had a double, which turned out to be his last hit (#1,501).  When he got to second base, he was smiling and he pointed to the broadcast booth,” recalls Chris Wheeler.  “All of us in the booths were laughing.”

McCarver credits Bill Giles (then Phillies president) for his post-playing career.  “Bill came to me in 1977 and said when my playing days were over, the Phillies would have a place for me in the broadcasting booth,” McCarver recalled.

His broadcasting career started in 1980 on the Phillies cable outlet, PRISM.  “I was very fortunate to work with Andy Musser, Harry Kalas, Wheeler and Richie Ashburn.  Three great years of learning under that guidance.  They were so thoughtful in teaching me the broadcasting business, specifically what my job was a color commentator.  I’m forever grateful to them.

“I’ll always remember the advice Ashburn gave me in spring training in 1980, “Timmy, if you don’t have anything to say, don’t say it.”

In addition to the Phillies, he also broadcast with the Mets, Yankees and Giants.  Nationally, NBC, ABC, CBS and The Baseball Network.  He has been on the FOX network since 1996.  He’s won six national Emmy Awards for “Best Sportcaster/Aanlyst.”

Previous winners for the Phillies include By Saam (1990) and Harry Kalas (2002), along with Alumnus Bob Uecker (2003).

“What makes it particularly satisfying is that it comes on the heels of one of the greatest World Series ever.

“I’ve never seen anything like Game 6.  Talk about urgency.  One strike away, two runs down in both the ninth and 10th innings.

“My scorecard looks like a wreck.  I’m thinking of sending it to Cooperstown.  I’m serious about that.  I can’t read it.  But it was so much fun and so much that went on, as we all know,” continued McCarver.

“And this World Series, as much as any that I’ve seen, was about guys playing hurt.  I mean, a lot of guys.  Guys like [Adrian] Beltre, [Josh] Hamilton, that was pretty well chronicled.  But Beltre had a very, very painful [anterior cruciate ligament] and [the Cardinals] kept wearing him out inside with those sinkers and he kept fouling balls off his legs.

“And then [Mike] Napoli.  What can you say about him?  In fact, I voted for Napoli as the MVP, even knowing the Cardinals were going to win.  I don’t know if anybody else did, but Joe Buck and I both did.”