On last night’s episode of 30 Rock, the Phillie Phanatic made a guest star appearance.  Tina Fey, who is from the Philadelphia suburb of Upper Darby was a little excited.

The Phanatic was suppose to go to the 60th floor for the “business-versary” of Hank Hooper and Jack Donaghy, but ends up on the 6th instead.  Oh yeah, the Phanatic can “talk” (with the help of subtitles.)

Vance Worley, Phanatic & Charlie Manuel - Philly.com

Saturday evening, outside of Citizens Bank Park, Charlie Manuel, Phanta Claus aka the Phillies Phanatic, and pitcher Vance Worley (looking quite snazzy and thankfully still rocking the mohawk) stood out in the cold along with tons of fans, celebrating the holiday season.

Worley and manager Charlie Manuel came to Citizens Bank Park on the back of a fire truck to participate in the Phillies’ annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Food Drive. Worley was welcomed by hundreds of excited fans who braved the frigid weather to catch a glimpse of the rising star.

Read the full story at:  Philly.com

Also happening Saturday evening, Jimmy Rollins tweeted his insight on recently crowned 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun‘s misdeed.  For those who possibly don’t know what the violation was, he allegedly tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs.  Braun has denied the accusation.  You can read the full story here at:  Braun Calls BS.

Here are Rollins tweets on the siutation:

Writer for the Delco Times Anthony SanFilippo‘s reply:

And Rollins tweet back:

Honestly I don’t know if Braun did or didn’t take something to ‘enhance’ his performance but if he did then I am very disappointed.  As a mother to a 12 year-old baseball loving son, its hard to explain to him why a player like Braun would do such a stupid thing.  Kids are taught hard work is the key to success, but when an athlete who pretty much embodied the hard work mantra turns out to be a fraud, well its disheartening to say the least.

Since Aerys Sports doesn’t have a Philadelphia 76ers reporter, I thought I’d post on the recently heated debate of the potential new Sixers mascot.

Actually its not really heated, but there is a debate over the three choices that the Philadelphia fans are asked to choose from. And to put it bluntly, they are super lame!

The reason for the ‘new’ mascot is because supposedly for years Sixers fans weren’t happy with the most recent one, Hip Hop!

So the Sixers hired the Raymond Entertainment Group to design the mascot.  For those who don’t know, that group’s founder Dave Raymond is responsible for the creation of the Phillies Phanatic.  In fact, Raymond himself was the actual Phanatic for quite some years.  His group is working in conjunction with the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the new mascot.

One would think with the enormous success of both the late Muppets creator Hensen and Raymond’s Phanatic, the choices would be insanely delicious.  Well they got the insane part correct.

Take a gander at what they came up with:

Big Ben - B. Franklin Dogg - Phil E. Moose

Big Ben – yeah I can totally see it, an elderly dude dancing around and pumping up the crowd…it would be electric (pun intended)!

B. Franklin Dogg – now he’s REALLY cool, rocking a Liberty Bell on his head, that’s some good stuff right there.

And I don’t know about you guys but when I think of Philadelphia…a MOOSE is the first thing that pops into my head.  So Phil E. Moose gets my vote!!!

Hip Hop - basketballmascots.blogspot.com

Honestly with those three choices, Hip-Hop the dancing rabbit isn’t looking so bad is he?

Oh and speaking of Hip Hop, instead of telling everyone including children that Hip Hop passed away or had one too many carrots, the reason will be, he fell in love and got married.  Yes its true, can’t make that stuff up!!!

If you feel like voting for any of those stellar choices, head over to NBA.com Sixers Mascot Fan Vote!

I myself am waiting for the write-in option.

Phanatic & fellow Philly mascot Swoop (Eagles) on Ben Franklin Bridge - Image source unknown

My husband sent me the above photo via text and the wonderful Brandyn, lead writer for Philly Sports Muse was able to retrieve it, for me to use here.  My phone is completely useless these days, so thank you Brandyn!

I think the photo is apropos.  Because right now the city of Philadelphia and its fans are feeling beyond lost (pun intended).  Thank goodness the Flyers look promising thus far.  Of course its WAY too early to be talking any kind of championship.  Got to stay on the defensive and protect my Philly-sports loving heart.  Because its been broken…A LOT!!!

Here is the latest on the Phillies:

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is seeking a five-year deal with the team or he will move on.  Rollins who is 32 and turns 33 in November, has been plagued with leg issues the past couple of seasons, so the Phillies are looking to offer him a two-to-three year deal instead.  Read full story here:  Phils GM Amaro Speaks On Offense, Rollins, Madson

Center-fielder Shane Victorino claims he is more disappointed in the Phillies’ early postseason exit than the fans are.  Uh-oh…don’t think some fans appreciated that.  For more on the story:  Gonzo: Doesn’t Matter Whether Victorino Was Disappointed

Links courtesy of:  CSNPhilly.com

If someone asked, why should I root for the Philadelphia Phillies?  I’d have to think for a moment. Not because I don’t think the Phillies are root worthy, oh quite the contrary.  But for me I was born to be a Phillies fan and don’t know any different. So its almost implausible that there are people out there who don’t like them.  But I’m a realist and certainly not delusional.  Though I don’t feel the Phillies are loathed as much as maybe say the Yankees, I do think some might be tired of seeing them make the postseason…five years in a row to be exact. And advancing to the World Series twice in that time frame, once winning it all.

And though I could probably name a 1,000 reasons why someone SHOULD root for the Phillies, here are just a few:

The Aces

Cliff Lee:   Here’s a guy who turned down the Yankees to come play for the city of Brotherly Love.  A pitcher as dominating as Lee WANTED to be a Phillie again…that speaks volumes.  He was voted the NL pitcher for the month of August and with six shutouts this season along with hitting two homeruns, Lee is the real deal.  Can’t dispute the facts.  He might come off as smug but once you see and hear him speak, he’s just a regular guy who happens to be one of the best pitchers too.

Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay:   The reigning NL Cy Young winner is the starter for Game 1 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals and deservedly so.  With a 19-6 record and 2.35 ERA, Halladay had another Cy Young caliber season. And if you haven’t ever seen the MLB2K11 commercial with Halladay hanging with his ‘Chooch’ pillow, its a must-see.  Many think Halladay is so serious all the time, this commercial proves otherwise.

Halladay MLB2K11 - click photo to view commercial

Cole Hamels:  “Mr. Hollywood” had a decent season with a 14-7 record and 2.79 ERA.  At times he struggled with giving up the long ball and like last year, had to deal with his offense not showing up for him.  But overall Cole’s maturity on the mound showed through and the once petulant guy took the losses in stride.

Pence showing some skin at Phillies charity fashion show - MyPHIL17.com

“Good game, Lets Go Eat”:  At the end of July, the Phillies smartly acquired right-fielder Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros.  I had previously referred to Pence as a “Phillies Killer” because he always stepped up his game when he versed them.  But now he IS a Phillie and at first I wasn’t sure it was a good signing.  Well what the hell do I know, the guy is all kinds of awesome.  From his athletic ability to the immense amount of energy he exudes, the guy has been a substantial spark that the Phillies batting line up truly needed. And his now infamous, “Lets Go Eat” quote just endeared him more to the legions of Philly fans (along with his stripping at a charity fashion show SEE PHOTO).  Gotta love his no nonsense approach to everything.  View’s writer Karilee Jeantet* did a terrific piece on Pence’s quotes, you can read it here:  Fun With Hunter Pence Quotes

For the Fan Girls out there:

There are a couple of young rookies for you to enjoy.  One sports an awesome mohawk (best in baseball in my book), red specs and a pair of dimples that are hard to ignore.  His name is Vance Worley and he moved up from Triple-A to the majors will such ease that many find it hard to believe he is just a mere 24 years-old.  Then there’s reliever Michael Stutes who is just downright cute and for most of the season being the newest rookie, he had to carry a pink Hello Kitty backpack (filled with goodies and treats for the bullpen guys) and wear a pink boa around his neck.  He wore both proudly and to be honest, looked good doing it.  And by the way, both Worley and Stutes are damn good pitchers, so aside from looks and fun personalities, they have definitely been key assets to the team’s success.

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