Crossing Broad

Introducing The Chris Wheeler Drinking Game

Oh boy. This is neat.

We are just hours away from the start of the 2011 Phillies season, a year in which the team will have the Four Aces taking the mound for the next seven months. That's a long time. Baseball serves as the background (or soundtrack) to our lives. Whether it's week nights with the screen door open or summer evenings at the shore, you can count on the Phillies game being on your (and my) television. That has happened for years.

There are many variables. The players change, the channels change, the opponents change. But one thing - one person - remains a constant: Chris Wheeler.

Oh yes, we're about to step shit up. We have elevated our Muffin coverage. Ladies and gentlemen, the Chris Wheeler drinking game. We're standardizing a set of rules for all to abide by. 

From time to time during the season, we will live blog games for the sole purpose of keeping score. But you can play anytime. Print out these rules. Post them in your dorm room, on your fridge, or, hell, if you have a drinking problem, at your desk. Put them in your pocket, save them to your phone, bring them to the beach. Whatever you please.

Just stay thirsty, my friends.

The rules:

This game is meant to be played with beer or mixed drinks. If you want to play with shots, vixen, that's on you. Every time Chris Wheeler mentions one of these phrases, you must drink the amount listed.

Where "context" is noted, Wheels may not say the exact phrase, but you'll know when to drink. There are two wildcards from T-Mac and Sarge for you to look-out for. You are expected to take a break during the middle innings when Wheels goes to radio. But if you're hardcore, change over and keep playing. No italics denotes a situation.

Here we go.

Your Opening Day Roundup: Pete Rose Wore Another Big Hat Edition

Photo courtesy of new Phillies beat reporter Jim McCormick (@JMacPHILLIES)- follow him!

My God, Pete Rose is on point right now. He's dating her, living in Vegas, still wearing big hats, and now, apparently.... whatever the fuck this is. Life is good.

Meanwhile, news out of NYC, the Phillies have won three division titles since Jose Reyes last cut his hair. [Newsday]

"It's something different -- and I got a big head, too. I like to have it covered. I haven't had a haircut since 2008. I'll have to think about the next time I want to cut it. Sit down and really think about it.''

 

In our nation's capital, the Nationals lost to the Braves, 2-0. Proving once again (or for the first time, actually) that a $126 million two-hole hitter can't score you runs.

... which makes this ad on the Washington Post's site pretty ironic, no?

Doug Collins is Building a Following, Unfortunately That Following Includes This Guy Who Wears Superman Pajamas

And who - frighteningly - knows every word to Ke$ha's (oh yeah, I used dollar sign) Tik Tok.

We can do better than this, people. This just reeks of my girlfriend was at work all day and I had nothing to better to do. Where's the peanut butter?

Hop it for the video.

via (@SpikeRocks)

Tommy McDonald's 1960 NFL Championship Ring May be in a Men's Room at the King of Prussia Mall

Probably shouldn't let people do this...

And how is your Thursday?

Ray Didinger spoke with McDonald's wife about her husband's ring, which he thinks he may have lost last week during one of his frequent trips to the King of Prussia Mall: [CSNPhilly.com]

“He lost it about a week ago and he is sick about it,” his wife Patty said.

McDonald believes he may have lost the ring during one of his frequent trips to the King of Prussia Mall. The 76-year-old McDonald lives close to the mall and often goes there to walk and socialize.

McDonald thinks he may have removed the ring while he was washing his hands in the men’s room and left it there. He also was in the habit of letting people see the ring and try it on so it is possible someone could have put it in their pocket and walked off with it.

 

So, if you've seen a rather gaudy looking ring lately, it was probably McDonald's 1960 NFL Championship ring. 

Now back to your regularly scheduled nonsense.

Careful About How You Use "J-Roll", Jimmy Rollins Has it Trademarked

We know J-Roll™ is a man of many interests. David Montgomery has said as much, indicating that fact might come into play when Rollins goes looking for a new contract this offseason. Recently, J-Roll™ spoke with David Murphy of Philly.com:

He is heading into the final year of a 5-year, $40 million contract. He has carved out a side business purchasing the rights to hip-hop and pop songs. He says he is currently negotiating with representatives for rapper Lupe Fiasco to buy a portion of the single, "The Show Goes On." In February, he attended a Motown tribute at the White House as a guest of Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

 

And perhaps it's those other interests - and marketing savvy - that compelled J-Roll™ to trademark his name. According to Tradmarkia.com, Rollins' trademark request, which was filed on January 17th, 2010, was granted this February.

 

According to the site, J-Roll™ is owned by Rollins II, James Calvin, and it was first used on September 4th, 2000- two week before his Major League debut on September 17th. It's filed under: Education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities. And its primary use is Entertainment services, namely, participation in baseball games and tournaments.

Smart man that Jimmy... ahem J-Roll™. Two cents.

H/T to our friend Caleb Mezzy

Phillies to Accept Harry Kalas Statue

UPDATE: It's official.  Phillies accepted the statue.

According to Timothy Logue they will.

Sculpter Lawrence Nolan of Dear Harry Inc., a non-profit setup to create a memorial statue for Harry the K, has collected $57,000 toward the project to bring Harry home. As early as today, the Phillies are expected to accept the seven foot replica. Tear. [The Reporter via Second String Blog]

With the exception of the base, the statue is complete and ready for delivery from Laran Bronze, the foundry on East Sixth Street in Chester.

Nowlan is one of six board members for Dear Harry Inc., a nonprofit formed to promote, fund and execute the Kalas memorial.

Thursday night, the group will gather with hundreds of fans for a big fundraiser at McFadden’s at the Ballpark. Their hope is to collect most, if not all, of the $23,000 needed to meet the campaign goal of $80,000.

The “Bring Harry Home” event is free and begins at 7:30 p.m. In addition to $1 Bud Lights and hot dogs from 8-10, there will be a silent auction and raffles featuring a number of unique sports memorabilia items and ticket packages.

 

Whoomp there goes another rubber tree plant.

More info on the group's Facebook page.

Tim Lincecum Now Has a Logo

Just in case you needed one final reminder of the pain of last season, take a look at Tim Lincecum's new personal brand logo. On a scale from 1-to-get over yourself, how much do you hate him?

BAT SIGNAL! What would a logo for Doc, Cliff, Roy, or Cole look like? We'll accept and post good ones.

via Deadspin

Anthony SanFilippo Wants You to Lay Off Mike Richards' Dick

We've made a lot of Mike Richards' dickish ways with reporters. It's kind of funny, actually.

Anthony SanFilippo, who has posted some of Richards' "outbursts," says it's time to move on: [Delco Times]

Some have called him a jerk, others a punk. But the most common refrain, the most common indictment is this: “He’s not a captain.”

It’s time to blow the whistle on that one.

A captain of a sports team is supposed to be a lot of things — someone who is the emotional leader of the group; someone to act as a liaison between the rest of the players and the coaches; someone to hold his teammates accountable for their play.

Nowhere in the description of a captain does it state that said person should be affable with the media.

 

He's right on. By all accounts, Richards is generally a dick to reporters. But that has nothing to do with his play on the ice or leadership abilities. Just look at his playoff performance last year. Tells you all you need to know.

So, humans, do you care that Mike Richards is a dick? I think I know the answer on this one.

What is Your Biggest Concern Going into the Season?

If you haven't heard yet, Charlie Manuel finalized the Phillies roster yesterday. Luis Castillo is out. In is Michael Martinez, who showed no discernible skill in spring training. In addition, Pete Orr made the team and will wear #5. Hello, new Pat Burrell.

It seems the popular thing to do now in the national media is to pick against the Phillies. That's a little ridiculous, but there are a number of issues. Let take your temperature. On this - the eve of Opening Day - what is your biggest concern?

Here's Lou Williams' New Music Video

Is that what they're calling them these days?

This is Meek Mill (the guy Lou Will threw an afterparty for the other night - the night before he went 1-for-12) featuring... wait for it... Lou Williams in I Want It All.

It's actually not a bad song. Gotta give it up. Although, Lou Will ain't filling up any arenas, despite what his raptual song might tell us.

Matisyahu Rocked The House Last Night!

Pic via this guy

Boom. The Sixers took it to the Kyle Lowry and the Houston Rockets (Villanova grad stipulation that I refer to them that way), 108-97. And they gave out this shirt. Twofer. A bargain on Jewish heritage night.

But the show was just beginning. How about, for the second year in a row, a little Matisyahu. Two questions:

How the fuck much did they have to pay Myahu to come out and play in front of a half empty arena?

Did the Sixers stick around to watch, or not, since it wasn't Lil Wayne at 11 P.M.?

Me thinks a lot and no.

Mr. Yahu, after the jump. Something something more intelligent than most of you understand fire gun blaze what am I doing here. 

Tailgate Update and Reminder, LOT CHANGE!

We have outgrown our lot, it seems.

As of posting this, we have sold 100 tickets for all you can eat and drink. That is in addition to a lot of other folks who have either signed up for the event or told us they were planning on attending. 

Given the amount of people we expect there and the fact that there is a Wings game at the Wells Fargo at 7 P.M., we have decided to move the tailgate to Lot N, next to the Jetro building. Look for the Philly Phaithful banner. We don't want to see anyone get turned away from the lot and be forced to park elsewhere. The move should give us a lot more room to spread out and enjoy the hue of Cliff Lee anticipation.

To be clear: DO NOT show up to Lot F at the Wells Fargo Center. We will be in N Lot, next to the Jetro building alongside 95 from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M.

Regarding the weather: Most forecasts seem to say that all rain and snow will end by mid-day on Friday. We should be good. It's going to be cold, however. The high temperature is only predicted to be 50 degrees, with a low of 36, and a chance of showers. 

There is still time to get tickets for both the game here and the tailgate here.

It is free to attend, but $10 will get you food from our sponsor, Winner's Circle Sports Grille, assorted snacks, and a cup for beverages- of which there will be plenty.

Get tickets here.

Any questions, feel free to email us.