Despite being in the National League, you've got to hand it to the comeback this year by the Philadelphia Phillies, overcoming a seven game deficit with 17 games to play and winning the division in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season.
Things weren't always so rosy for the Phillies, however. In fact, I seem to remember when I visited Philadelphia a couple of months ago, they were mired in third place, fighting to claw ahead of the Atlanta Braves. That was when the ol' Generalissimo took the mound to show the Phillies the way.
A listener writes to Hugh and I:
Hugh, I know you don’t follow the National League (the real league), but the Phillies went 30-19 and won the NL East for the first time in 14 years since the Generalissimo threw out the first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on August 10th. My question: Is he available for the playoffs? If he doesn’t have anything left in his arm (or he’s afraid of pushing his luck with the bouncing-it-to-the-plate issue), maybe he can sing the anthem or something. Anything to get him back in the park for a little more of that Duane magic would be appreciated.
Also, I think he should inquire with the club about a playoff share (at least a partial one).
Thanks again!
I'm flattered by the notion about the playoff share. I'm much too humble of a person to accept that. But you have to acknowledge success where success takes place. The facts don't lie. The Phillies are gracious enough to let me throw out the first pitch, and they immediately go on a roll. That doesn't just happen by itself. I'm sure there are plenty of other teams around the Majors that might like to cash in on the mojo of the Generalissimo. I am willing to entertain most offers. The arm is sound, the arm is strong.
I say most, because there are certain teams, like the Dodgers, which are beyond the help and reach my first pitch can bring them. I'm not a miracle worker, after all. So if you are affiliated with a professional baseball franchise, and would like to tap into the magic, I can be reached through the Hugh Hewitt Show. I figure there are 29 MLB teams, 30 if you include the Dodgers, and if I average a couple teams a year, I could have a fifteen year career in the bigs.