We like to have fun here

We like to have fun here

Let’s take a journey back to the land of mythical men and mice, where ponies run freely upon a field of Riviera Bermuda Grass and, at least one particular steed’s preferred pasture of grazing, dirt. Because it was on this night, last night, that our favorite gallant warrior, with whom we’ve checked up on very little this calendar year, pissed a frothy mass of excellence so epic that, if for just a moment, we forgot that his chosen pack, comprised of dilapidated misfits and aging wonders, is 70-80 and so far from playoff contention that the cool, crisp air of approaching autumn has long lost its ability to cradle excitement.

Yes, folks, Cliff Lee was excellent last night, and I haven’t written a silly lede like that in what feels like forever.

If you missed the game – which, let’s be honest, you probably did – you’ll be thrilled to learn that the best pitcher in the National League was TOTALLY OUF OF HIS MIND. Here, I’ve separated pitching and batting because, really, I can’t tell which is a better line:

Batting

3-4 with two singles, a triple, four RBIs and a run scored

Pitching

8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 14 K, 0 BB

That’s all swell and good, but the real important bit of tid from last night is this, courtesy of Todd Zolecki:

It looked like his day even hours before the game. Nearly every teammate walked around the clubhouse beforehand with T-shirts that had a picture of Lee’s face and the phrase “… but I’m different,” written underneath it.

“I think that’s just a joke and they’re messing with me,” Lee said. “Whatever.”

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz, one of the most popular and respected players in the clubhouse, came up with the T-shirts.

“Cliff is that guy, he’s cool, you know?” Ruiz said. “It’s something we try to do in the clubhouse to have fun.”

!!!

Carlos Ruiz made Cliff Lee an ironic t-shirt to which Lee responded with his trademarked whateverIF THE PHILLIES ARE STILL FUN AND NO ONE IS THERE TO SEE IT, ARE THEY STILL FUN?

Last night they were. Last night they were fun.

Full video highlights of Lee drowning the fish in a golden stream of his difference… after the jump.

If the video doesn’t play– here.