Congratulations to Pat Gillick. The man sure knows how to retire. I had the pleasure of meeting the now former General Manager of the Phillies this past summer, though at the time I did not expect his team to win the World Series. He’s got an awful lot to be proud of.
Congratulations are also in order to Jamie Moyer – the oldest first-time World Series winner, I suspect – nearly four years older than Satchel Paige, who won as a 42-year-old rookie in 1948. The soon-to-be 46-year-old Moyer – a 23-season veteran – has expressed interest in returning to the Phillies. I admire him for his desire to keep playing and know he still loves the game, but at the same time it is surprising that he is not calling it quits. After all, he’s well beyond the age at which even the best in his profession hang ‘em up, and most importantly, he’d be going out on top. Moyer is a native of the Philadelphia area, and he did have a very good season (posting a 3.71 E.R.A. – his lowest since he won 21 games for Seattle in 2003), so he’s got every reason to believe he can continue to be an effective pitcher and a hometown hero. Regardless of his thinking, I hope Jamie Moyer continues to find success on the mound.
Fenway does not deserve to host 2012 All-Star Game
The Boston Red Sox have asked MLB to host the 2012 Midsummer Classic to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. If it were up to me, my answer would be a simple one: No. Why? 1999 was not that long ago, and it isn’t even close to their turn again. Since the last time Boston hosted the All-Star Game, only four other American League cities have had that honor. Fenway isn’t about to close its doors, so there’s no good reason for it to skip to the front of the line. End of story.
Halloween costume of the year
I do not regularly watch the show “Around the Horn” on ESPN, but I was at the gym on Halloween afternoon and couldn’t help but see J.A. Adande in a Manny Ramirez costume – dreadlocks and all. Very entertaining.
2008 Season in Review
I published my first article on Bleacher Report – “2008 Season in Review.” Check it out:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/76251-2008-season-in-review
O’s Notes
Praise the Baseball Gods. The Birds will be Jay Payton-less in 2009.
Keywords: " Manny Ramirez, "Around the Horn, 2008 Season in Review, 2012 All-Star Game, Bleacher Report, Fenway Park, Halloween, Jamie Moyer, Jay Payton, Pat Gillick, Phillies, Satchel Paige
