Phillies

Semis: Phillies Have Ninth Highest Payroll in the World, Chase Utley’s Acting Skills, Bryce Harper Plays Softball

By Kyle Scott

Published: May 1st, 2012 · 12:23 PM EDT

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So these two guys walk into a bar… 

Some bits of tid on the Philadelphia Phillies:

The Phillies have the ninth largest sports payroll in the world.

ESPN just released it’s highest-paying teams in the world list, which uses average annual player salary as a defining metric to rank teams. The Phillies, with their $5.8 million average salary, came in ninth. As you can see, the top ten is mostly comprised of European soccer teams. 

1) Barcelona

2) Real Madrid

3) Manchester City

4) Chelsea

5) Lakers

6) Yankees

7) AC Milan

8) Bayern Munich

9) Phillies

10) Inter-Milan

 

If you’re thinking, damn, I didn’t know soccer teams had such deep pockets, consider this: yesterday’s Manchester City-Manchester United match drew 650 million viewers* worldwide. This year’s Super Bowl? 118 million. 

*Though that number was being touted during the game, so it's likely inflated, heavily.

Moving on…

Brad Lidge had hernia surgery today in Philadelphia, so he’ll be shelved for the Nationals for a while.

David Herndon was placed on DL, the Phillies recalled Brian Sanches.

Hunter Pence had some unique bowling poses at a charity event on Sunday:

 

Finally, videos! 

We’ve unearthed a couple of Marucci Bats promos, filmed last summer, which feature Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Bryce Harper and some really hot chick talking wood. Must-watch stuff from Utley and Howard (includes the line "that's not big enough, I need more stick" from The Big Piece). Also included is video of Harper taking swings in a slow-pitch softball game in D.C. yesterday.