The Pen, MLB TV's mini-series about the Phillies' bullpen, exceeded expectations, at least in its debut segment. Part one covered the spring training competition for the 5th starter spot and bullpen reshuffling necessitated by the suspension of J.C. Romero, the many distracting World Series celebrations that marked the start of the season, and the sudden death of iconic broadcaster Harry Kalas, not to mention Brad Lidge's sudden fall from perfection.
When Chan Ho Park beat out J.A. Happ for the 5th starter spot, Happ was predictably stoic though palpably disappointed. He seemed to be headed to the 'pen, till lefty specialist Jack Taschner was acquired late in spring training from San Francisco. The footage of the meeting, with Ruben Amaro Jr., Charlie Manuel, Rich Dubee, and other coaches, to decide who would stay with the club was blunt and revelatory. In the end, Happ and Taschner got the nod over righty reliever Gary Majewski.
Taschner knew from the start that his position in the 'pen was precarious. Talk about timing: Taschner, who had spent his entire career in the San Francisco organization, was traded shortly before his wife was due to give birth to the couple's second child, a girl. The family is feeling its way in Philadelphia, not knowing how much longer they will be there. That's a lot of change and stress for anyone, especially as Taschner's role with the Phillies would appear to be very much up in the air.
This is a reality show which does not need any injections of hyped-up 'reality'. There has already been plenty of drama with this team, with J.A. Happ now in the rotation and Chan Ho Park in the 'pen and Brad Lidge and now Scott Eyre on the DL. Segment one ended with Lidge's struggles in New York. Lots more to come and so far there's been nothing hokey. Parts did however bring tears to my eyes. And I would almost swear there was a fleeting shot of Chase Utley--Mr. Edge, Mr. Cool, Mr. WFC-- sitting in the dugout in Washington the afternoon that Harry Kalas died, with tears on his face. Nah, must have been sweat. At the funeral service at Citizens Bank Park days later, though, there wasn't a dry eye in the place.
