Garry Maddox:The Secretary of Defense

Garry Maddox was an underrated star for the Philadelphia Phillies during their successful run starting in the late 70's. On a team loaded with stars, Maddox was often overlooked. Twenty three years after he retired, he was the center of attention, when I met him in Oaks (PA) last October!
In a room for of great former athletes and some celebrities, too, Maddox was one of the most popular guests and rightly so. He played 16 years in the majors, amassing 1802 hits, while winning 8 Gold Gloves.
I talked to Maddox about how he seemed to always play well against the Cubs (he hit .298 against them in his career). Maybe it seemed everyone played well against the Cubs back then. He got a good laugh out of that and thanked me for acknowledging his efforts despite cheering for the team he was beating (so often).
Maddox is one of those players who I really like. He was an excellent player, although never a superstar. He is the kind of player who would just show up and get the job done year after year. Oh how I wished the Cubs had a guy like him back then (or even now).

Garry Maddox and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

World Series Tangents:Fran Gallagher

There he is, my guy, Fran Gallagher...at the World Series! Fran Gallagher at the World Series. Game 4! Just like Fran Gallagher was at Super Bowl XLI when the Indianapolis Colts beat my Chicago Bears.
At least in this case, the Phillies are his hometown team. Oh sure, I can say that he probably can't name more than 5 of the current Phillies (and probably no more than 15 Phillies of years gone by). I could also mock his cheese and crackers tailgating effort. But hey, Fran is a good friend and a fun guy. Besides, we have enough fodder to supply us with a lifetime of bantering.
My only real problem with Fran in this case is that he eschewed a potential "Friendly Encounters" appearance with Phillies legend Greg Luzinski. Luzinski has a barbeque joint at the ballpark and gladly poses with fans. This would have been perfect. Luzinski is the Bull and Fran is full of...umm fun!

Fran and Michelle Gallagher at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA-November 2009.

World Series Tangents:Jack Taschner

Jack Taschner is a middle reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has pitched in parts of 5 seasons (4 with the San Francisco Giants), compiling a 9-5 career record. Taschner is not on the postseason roster for the Phils.
I respect players like Taschner. Call him a journeyman, if you'd like, but the game is built on guys like this. He will probably play for a few more years, possibly with a few more teams. He's a baseball guy. He's also a very nice guy.
When we last saw Chuck Gekas, he was waxing poetic on Jerry Manuel in the press box at Citi Field before a game between the Phillies and the New York Mets. Later, Chachi was in the dugout when Taschner returned after a bit of warming up. Taschner almost invited Chachi to interview him. Chachi didn't even move from his seat on the team bench, while Taschner stood in front of him.

Hey Wait, That's Pete Mackanin

A couple weeks ago, I featured my interview with Scott Eyre of the Philadelphia Phillies. I like Eyre and I am always happy and grateful to get an interview with any player, but something happened about halfway through the interview which caused me a bit of angst. I know at least 331 people have seen the video on YouTube, but I doubt anyone will guess what caused my moment of grief.
Maybe these pictures will tell the story...In the first picture, on the far right side, you see the arm of someone entering the dugout. The second picture clearly shows that person passing between Eyre and me. The third picture shows Eyre and me alone, finishing the interview.
I am not bothered that the person walked between us, because it is tight in the dugout. I am bothered that it was Pete Mackanin, a coach with the Phillies and an early childhood favorite of mine.
Mackanin is a native Chicagoan and grad of Brother Rice High School. He played 9 seasons in the majors. Like fellow Chicagoan Rick Stelmaszek, Mackanin was drafted by the Washington Senators (Texas Rangers). They were teammates on the Rangers in 1973. Mackanin had brief managing stints in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and also in the Chicago Cubs minor league system.
This could best be described as the ultimate interviewer's dilemma. (Or maybe should I stay or should I go?)
Obviously, I couldn't stop talking to Eyre to grab Mackanin. Still, it was tough letting one of my childhood favorites just walk by. I guess you know what this means.
I'll be back and I'll be looking for you Mackanin!

Thirty Seconds with Scott Eyre

Scott Eyre spent parts of 7 seasons pitching on both sides of Chicago. He has been with the Philadelphia Phillies since mid-season 2008.
I had the chance to talk with Eyre before a game against the Mets in New York. Eyre was very polite, although like most athletes, he was pressed for time, but he did give me a quick interview.
I asked Eyre about his favorite baseball city to visit and about his feelings for Chicago. His answers were very clear and honest. The interview is here, along with the rest of my interviews on YouTube.
Eyre is a class act. He gave a solid effort during his time in Chicago and was always willing to talk to the media, good or bad.

Scott Eyre and me in Citi Field in Flushing, NY-June 2009.

Checking Out The Phillies Room

I always marvel at the work of photoshopped creations of nonexistent baseball cards. Recently, I came across The Phillies Room, run by Jim, which features sets of Phillies cards he has created called Chachi Sets.
I will use Jim's words from his site to explain Chachi cards.
For the past several years, I have created my own Phillies cards. The major card companies no longer produce cards for players like Eric Bruntlett or Clay Condrey, so I took matters into my own hands.
I call my cards "Chachi" in honor of my dog Chachi. Just like you should never call Fleer cards "Fleers", you should never call Chachi cards "Chachis".
The Chachi cards start with the 2005 set. Each contains 60-80 cards. For the 2009 set, there are 50+ cards and counting, including some All-Star specials, 2009 Season Highlights and special inserts. There is not a bad card in the bunch. They are better than any company would have produced.
With Jim's permission, I have selected a handful of cards to show here. Eric Bruntlett is for my nephew Matt, who followed him from his Houston days. Victorino is the favorite of Kim Krol (of Global Traveler), who is a huge Phillies fan. Jayson Werth is probably my favorite Phillie.
I probably should consider myself lucky that I do not possess the talent to make such cards. Otherwise, I might be spending day after day making Johngy cards!

Chachi cards of Eric Bruntlett, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth as created by Jim of The Phillies Room.