what a year it was

There was lots to remember and to forget about 2009. It's hard to recall that in June the Phillies moved into first place in the NL East and stayed there the rest of the way. Given all that went wrong with the season, it seems even more remarkable that the Phillies made it back to the World Series. The season had lots of highlights of course, its lowlights, starting with the sudden death of Harry Kalas, were often devastating.

Among the things the team had to overcome in 2009: a terrible offensive first half by shortstop Jimmy Rollins, which culminated in Charlie Manuel's sitting him for three days in June; a sputtering start to 2008 ace Cole Hamel's year, followed by a rocky end in the post-season; the loss of two starters (Brett Myers early and Jamie Moyer late) to injury; a year with a closer who went from first in '08 to worst in '09; a bullpen that was riddled with injuries all season long; and a mid-season injury to left fielder Raul Ibanez, which brought his blazing start as a Phillie to a grinding halt.

Among the good: Raul Ibanez, J. A. Happ's stellar rookie season, Jayson Werth proving in so many ways that he can be an everyday player, a slimmed-down Ryan Howard getting down and dirty on defense, Chase Utley's comeback from hip surgery, the steady emergence of Carlos Ruiz, and the incredible mid-season acquisition of Cliff Lee. Gee, I didn't even mention Pedro Martinez. Or the dazzling machinations of Ruben Amaro, Jr. It was in many ways a very good year. Here's to 2010.

new year's eve breaks on a snowy note

The view early this morning after the plow went up the road. We had about three inches of snow, light and powdery enough to sweep from the front walk.

The Christmas e-card from the Phillies featured video clips of five memorable moments from the past season. (No, Cliff Lee was not among them.) Each one was thrilling but the one moment that always comes to mind for me is Jayson Werth's steal of home on a Tuesday evening in May. I was at the game, which was with the Dodgers. Werth stole four bases in all that night. The inning that he stole home, he started out stealing 2nd, then 3rd, then made a straight steal of home as catcher Russell Martin was lobbing the ball back to the pitcher. Werth suddenly blazed down the line from third. It was one of those breathtaking moments when you don't quite believe what you have seen.

harry kalas statue

Beloved broadcaster Harry Kalas died on April 11 this year at the ballpark in Washington, D.C., shortly before the Nationals' season opener. The next day, Phillies' fan Antonio Jose started a petition on Facebook to create a statue to commemorate Kalas. Hall of Fame third baseman Michael Jack Schmidt got on board with the project to raise funds to make the statue a reality. So did Philadelphia native and sculptor Lawrence J. Nowlan, who has already created a small version of what will ultimately be a seven-foot statue of Harry Kalas, to be paid for with donations from fans and friends of Kalas and donated to the Phillies. Donations are now being sought. It will take an estimated $80.000 to make the statue. A prototype, guaranteed to give Kalas fans chills, can be seen at www.harrykalasstatue.com/

up and at 'em

What finally got me out of bed this cold morning was turning on the radio in time to hear a delusional Mets fan proposing---seemingly in all seriousness---a trade with the Mariners. His idea was to send Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez, and John Maine to the M's for Cliff Lee.

today at the brandywine river museum

A wreath of Brandywine critters on the theme of Alice in Wonderland was hanging at the entrance to the gallery with the Alice in Pictureland show.

The Brandywine River as seen from the second floor of the museum, with tree lights faintly reflected in the windows.

I took my mother today to the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford to see the many Christmas trees decorated with "Brandywine critters", made each year by museum volunteers of local natural materials. The trees were as wonderful as ever, but the museum was so busy that it was hard to see the several exhibits now on. Two, however, stand out: Alice in Pictureland, a show of illustrations for Alice In Wonderland, starting of course with ones by John Tenniel, and Dolls at Christmas from the Ann Wyeth McCoy Collection. The latter was magical, as the standing dolls, from the 19th-century and wearing period costume, were set in seasonal tableaux. The room with the always-popular model train display was too packed for more than a peek. Maybe I will make it back before 1/10, when the Christmas displays end.

Two Brandywine critters--a bear ballerina and red-nosed reindeer--are on the tree in the post below.

I put candles on this year's "tree", which ended up being a lot of cut branches that I stood in a heavy, old crock that my father used for pickling cucumbers. I first lit the candles as dusk was falling on a gray Christmas day. They were magical.

merry christmas

Love, peace, and baseball to all!

If reports are to be believed, the Phillies will have an addition to the bullpen (pending physical) after the holiday. But who? Who? Who? Only the FO knows.

For a riveting account of the many permutations that went into making the Halladay trade, see Bob Elliott's piece, "Anatomy of the Doc deal", in today's Toronto Sun.

joe the baker

Joe, the retired baker (on right), with a parishioner this morning in the social hall of St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Kingston, Pennsylvania.

I drove up to Kingston this morning to pick up the Christmas nut and cheese rolls, bread, cookies (plain and anise), fruit cake, and kolacs at St. Mary's. Joe, the guy responsible for baking it all, was there. His work done, he was chatting with parishioners as they drifted in to pick up their orders. Getting Christmas and Easter goodies at St. Mary's has become something of a tradition, all thanks to an article I did several years ago about the church.

It was a gorgeous sunlit day and felt warmer than it was. That was because, as one woman on her way out of the hall remarked to me, the wind was "sleeping."

I wonder if the Phillies have been up to anything today.

rich get richer

The Southeastern Fire House used to be a one-room schoolhouse. I guess the only working one-room schoolhouses now left in Pennsylvania are in Amish and Mennonite communities.

The Yankees have acquired Javier Vazquez from the Braves, much to the delight of the rest of the NL East, who will not miss Vazquez one bit. The over-hyped Melky Cabrera was traded to the Braves, who say they are not done. And you know that the Yankees are never done. How awful to be in the AL East. The Phillies meanwhile have gone into standby mode. The rotation as it now stands: Halladay, Hamels, Blanton, Happ, and Moyer. Hmmm. And the bullpen? Even less inspiring. Where is the bullpen help?

the wizard of oz

The little feather tree ended up this year on one of the window sills.

I've recently reread The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, an always delightful book, though it has Dorothy in silver shoes instead of the iconic ruby reds of the movie. Reading articles this week about the 40th anniversary of the publication of Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee reminded me, however, that L. Frank Baum, who wrote the Oz books, was a newspaper editor in South Dakota when Sitting Bull was killed and when the massacre at Wounded Knee occurred. Those events prompted him to call for the extermination of the Sioux. He was also a lifelong supporter of women's rights.