Phillies

Rangers CEO Would Like Credit for Sending Lee to Philly

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jan 26th, 2011 · 11:45 AM EST

---

His chin, it's just so damn ironic

Um, no thanks.

Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg says that his third meeting with Cliff Lee, in Arkansas, may be what gave the Phillies enough time to negotiate with The Clifton: [Philly.com]

Even though Philadelphia was probably not in, they were always in the back of our mind. I think if we wouldn't have gone to Arkansas that last time, I think he was going to sign with the Yankees. We pried the door open a little bit to give ourselves another opportunity. And ultimately the Phillies were able to take advantage of that opportunity that we created.

We didn't know specifically that Philadelphia was in on Cliff until the day he agreed to terms with Philadelphia. But all along we thought if a mystery team [there's that phrase again] would come forward that there was a pretty good chance that it would be Philadelphia . . . At the very first meeting he spoke very highly of the experience he had pitching for the Phillies. And it was clear that pitching here and in Philadelphia were the two most enjoyable experiences of his career. 

 

Thank you, sir. But we would like to think that your black hole of a baseball city and lackluster fan base (Philly fans don't need a teleprompter to tell them when to cheer) helped push him our way. Of course, we do appreciate you liquoring him up before we swooped in and took him home for the night (next five years).