Merry Cliffmas and Happy Halladays

My father in law sent me this email, which literally made me giggle with delight. I couldn't help but share it... This will be the last Cliff post. I promise. Okay, I don't promise. But I think so.

Twas The Night before Cliffmas and all through the Park, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels embark, on a new training session to start off the day and attempt to erase the memory of the black,orange and gray. The rest of the Phillies asleep in their beds, with visions of Championships playing in their heads. The Phanatic on his 4 wheeler and Charlie in his cap, looks down his line-up, and batting 5th there's a gap. When all of a sudden, arose such a chatter, ESPN was on the scene to see whats the matter! Away from the Rangers he flew like a flash! Flipped off the Yankees and told them to keep their cash! When what to our wondering eyes should appear!? A familiar face of a man who was just here! With a nasty curve ball and a fastball that's quick, an addition to a rotation that's already sick! The most powerful rotation that's ever been seen! The Big 3 is now 4, cause Cliffs back on the team! Now Halladay,Hamels,Oswalt and Lee! Victorino,Howard,Rollins and Utley! From the NLCS to the World Series we'll go! 100 win season? Ask Rollins he'll know! Cliff came to our team cause he said it felt right, Merry Cliffmas to All and to all a good night!

for the record

In the interest of maintaining my integrity, and not just 'running' with a story, I must do this follow up post to my Cliff Lee excitement post to say that in his full press conference yesterday (which yes, I did watch, because yes, I am a dork like that...) he said that the wife being spit on story was blown out of proportion, and that's not why he turned down the Yankees. He still said that he loves Philly, thinks they're a winning team...and that he wants to be where his family will be happy and he can win games. He said he discussed it with his wife and his kids, and listened to how they felt, and based his decision on all those things. So it's still his love of family and the love of the game that brought him here, which I still admire.

And he all but said he just didn't want to be in NY or with those Yanks. ;)

we interrupt this season...

I interrupt this Christmas season to momentarily look to another season. Baseball season. For those of you who are not from the Philly area, or not Phillies fans, such as myself, this post will be completely irrelevant to you. But you may want to read it anyway, because it's a baseball story with romance.

As you may or may not know, it was announced today that Cliff Lee has re-signed on with the Phillies as a pitcher. Now, I'll spare you the details (because if you care about this, you already know, and if you don't care...well, then you don't care), but let's just say it gives my team a stinkin' awesome pitching rotation. Four of the best. I'm a little excited. Okay, I'm nearly giddy with anticipation for the baseball season to start. *taking deep breaths to contain my excitement*

Now, I have to tell you, the reason that I love Mr. Lee, aside from his amazing ball-throwing abilities, is that he just seems like a sweet, humble guy. A team player that doesn't have an ego the size of Texas, which is who we gave him up to last season. But he's back now, and part of the reason why only adds to my love of him. Last year when the Rangers were playing the (stinkin') Yankees, some of those obnoxious Yankee fans actually spit on Cliff Lee's wife. Fast forward 2 months and those same Yankees are now offering Lee a lot of money to sign on with them. (Those cocky New Yorkers bragged, after the incident, that 'the wife' would "get over it and still sign with them once the money was on the table". They think money will get them anything they want.) The Phillies are also offering him a sizeable amount of money, but still a good deal less than the Yanks. Apparently Mr. Lee remembers the poor treatment of his lovely Missus, and adds that to the fact that he already loved being a Philly, and he signs with us instead!!

Now, to understand the brevity of this, you must know this bit of info...Cliff Lee just walked away from a $154 million, six year contract to go with our $120 million, five year contract.

That's right ladies and gents, nobody spits on Mrs. Lee....not even for $30 million.

The man just walked away from $30 million to play a sport he loves, in a town he loves, with teammates he loves, and to get the wife he loves the treatment she deserves. What's not to love about that?!?!

Welcome back Cliff!!! :)