The new calendar is up and I am welcoming in the New Year in 2013 by staring at Kyle Kendrick for 31 days. I thought about doing a "Top 10" this or a "Best of 2012" that, but all the other great blogs already had things up. So, since it has been quiet the last few days I reached out to our Facebook page fans to see what their 2013 Phillies resolutions were. Some are very simple. Some are varied. But there was one resolution that seemed to stick out above the rest.
Some commenters focused on particular goals for some of our favorite Phillies players. Paul Warner resolves to "teach Ryan Howard to take the bat off his shoulders and not look at teh third striek in the 9th inning". Tom Hartnett looks to the shortstop and says, "not swing at a single first pitch all year and for JRoll to run out EVERY ball in play". Gretchen Rothermel hopes "to not raise [his] blood pressure as Jimmy Rollins pops up once again!" On the positive side of things,Neil Rushi hopes for a Cole Hamels perfect game. Andrew Heller hopes for 30 home runs for Darin Ruf and a Cy Young from one of the Phillies' pitchers. Eric Carr wants to see Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley all compete for the Comeback Player of the Year award and Darin Ruf to compete for the Rookie of the Year award. Eric Elsinger also hopes for healthy seasons for the three and a strong Darin Ruf.
Many went for personal accomplishments as Phillies fans. Jeff Porrini wants to break his record of 11 dollar dogs in one game. (Editor's note: I once threw up after four). Dom Sestito has hot dogs on his mind too, as he resolves to catch one on a dollar dog day this year. Kyle Lord wants to get to at least half of the home games this year. Philip Petroski wants to see the Phils on Opening Day with his family who lives in the area and took him to a game last year that was a winner for the Phils.
The National League East was the focus for some Phillies fans. Matt Walters resolves to "hate the Mets just a little bit more…" Pat Scott wants to watch teh Nationals to "return to their losing ways in front of empty seats. Natitude!" Nick Petrucci wants the Phillies to "kick the s— out of Washington" and take back the division. Kris Daehling wants the Phillies to "say FU to NY again" in 2013. Matthew Nellis wants to see the Phillies pull off a trade for NL East foe Giancarlo Stanton. Daniel Morton hopes that the NL East foes are no match and the Phillies will return to the postseason. Matthew J. Johnson wants the Phillies to "take hold of first place and never let go". Anthony Cazillo wants to "bring back a winning culture to that clubhouse. Everything else will fall into place".
Bill Scardefield wants to see Ryne Sandberg as the Phillies manager and says, "sorry, Chollie". Ken Dolan hopes for the Phillies to be available with this MLB-TV subscription in Philly. Joker Bob Frapples wants "for Wheels not to wash his rug in the team's water jug." Jess Kregge had a bigger statement which I will put in full here:
We, Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Organization, resolve to provide our phans with the most exciting quality of play possible for the year 2013. And, to suceed at a level that will propell us into the October playoff season vowing to be victorious in winning the World Series of Baseball. Sincerely, (signed by each player).
Less tangible items include Jeff Porrini's wish: "I will not micro-manage…I will not micro-manage….I will not micro-manage". Michael Corson wants to "get through the 8th inning with a lead" and Max Stewart wants to "play more small ball" and similarly not blow leads in late innings. Jonathan Vila doesn't want to have to boo this year, and Justin Winas would like to see the Phillies go through a season without every player suspended or on the disabled list.
Many Phillies fans had high hopes for 2013. Cutter Weisberg resolves for "another World F—- Championship" (edited for your protection). Ariel Melendez wants "to watch the Phillies go down Broad Street as World Series Champtions". Kyle Taylor says it is to "win another championship" and Victor Zaccagni says his goal is to "watch every game and walk down Braod St. with teh 2013 World Champion Phillies". Pat Scott also wants to attend a parade on Broad Street this October and Anthony Saccoccio wants to see them march down Broad Street as champions as well. Ryan Hadfield simply says "Win the World Series" and Mike Wszolek wants to be able to go to another parade in Philly. Jacqueline Sarricchio's resolution is "seeing Doc Halladay hold up the Wold Series trophy and the Phillies become world f—— champions once again".
Eric Carr made it simple: "Just win, man".
