Second inning: Lidge takes top honors

Before the game the local chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America – a secret society in charge of the demise of our great nation – handed out the post-season awards in the form of a handsome plaque. The writers chose Brad Lidge for the MVP, Cole Hamels for top pitcher despite the fact that Lidge also is a pitcher. Greg Dobbs took home the prize for “Good Guy,” while Jamie Moyer got the special achievement award.

Perhaps the highlight of the brief, on-field ceremony was when the Philly Phantic mused up the flowing locks of the well coiffed scribe, Todd Zolecki. However, with his usual aplomb and a stylish flip of that mane, all returned to order for Zolecki.

Thank God.

Anyway, based on what Lidge said last night he is chomping at the bit to get out there in the ninth with a lead today.

Moyer issued a two-out walk to Aaron Boone, son of ex-Phillie great, Bob Boone. However, he threw 16 more pitches in the second and has racked up 33 through two innings… that’s too many.

The Phillies kicked up a bit of a fuss in the second against John Lannan when Pat Burrell walked and Shane Victorino singled to left with one out. However, Burrell was caught off second base when Pedro Feliz popped out to short center field.

That’s two base-running gaffes this week for Burrell if you are scoring at home.

End of 2: Phils 0, Nats 0

What... no secret handshake?

I'm not much of joiner. Actually, I subscribe to that line from an old Woody Allen movie that I would never want to be a part of an organization that would have someone like me as a member. Oh sure, I like the idea of joining things and being part of a community or a group and all of that. In fact, when I was in high school I was a member of a street gang called The Wilson Drive Cobras. We ran the turf from Race Avenue west to River Drive with an iron fist. We still do. Watch your step.

But the truth is I don't like leaving the house. I once almost joined the Elks Club until it dawned on me that I might actually have to go hang out at the local Elks Club. Come on... there's only so much duck pin bowling a guy can do.

Nevertheless, I can't help but be intrigued by the recent carping amongst some media types regarding membership into the Baseball Writers Association of America, or BBWAA as they like to call themselves. Just like the Elks Club, I am not a member of the BBWAA because I work for the web site of a regional cable television sports station. Food chain-wise that makes me a bottom feeder, but what are you going to do?

The requisite for membership in the BBWAA was that one had to be a full-time employee of a newspaper and also cover baseball regularly. That was until this winter when some of the ex-newspaper writers working for big cable TV sports station web sites were re-admitted to the club. No big deal, right?

Well...

Apparently there are a bunch of people out there who are joiners. Not only do they join clubs that want them as members, but also they want to join groups that don't want them. No, we aren't talking about racist or sexist groups because that's totally different. It's illegal, too. Besides, the most boring club in the world is the one where everyone is exactly like you. Who wants that? Not to sound like a Benetton ad or anything, but there's nothing worse than being around a whole bunch of people that think the same way. Diversity in ideas is the best thing that can happen to any gathering.

Anyways, whenever people get left out of something there is always a big stink and that seems to be what is going on with the BBWAA these days. It seems as if a handful of well known Internet baseball gurus were denied membership into the BBWAA because, it seems, they don't actually attend baseball games.

Now I'm not going to name names because the BBWAA rejects really don't need the publicity. One of them, in particular, is pretty good at drawing attention to himself enough as it is already having been accused of leaving fake reviews for his stat-soaked baseball book(s) on Amazon.com. Nevertheless, it appears as if those dudes really don't understand the purpose of the BBWAA and its mission. And frankly, why anyone really needs membership in that particular association is beyond me.

Aside from being a secret society, a lot like the Elks or Skull & Bones without the pedigree, the BBWAA's aim is to provide access and convenience at the ballpark for its members, and provide oversight on working conditions for its members and the media. Additionally, certain members who travel regularly with the team they cover vote on the BBWAA awards that are given independent of Major League Baseball, and other media organizations. Writers who have 10 consecutive years of membership are given a vote for the Hall-of Fame, though that's an honor bestowed by the Hall of Fame. If the folks who run the Hall decide to give the vote to any other group, there's nothing the BBWAA can do aside from open up its own Hall of Fame and Museum.

If that happens I don't think too many people would go. Cooperstown is really quite lovely.

The fact is that folks like me who are adept at sending out faxes or e-mails to clubs to ask for credentials don't need the BBWAA. Neither do those whiny rejects from ESPN and other outlets.

Besides, clubs have certain criteria. The Elks insist that its members be Americans and believe in God. The folks at the Augusta National Golf Club want its members to be (white) men with $250,000 to $500,000 for yearly fees. The BBWAA wants newspaper writers, a select few Internet dudes and regular attendance at the ballpark... that and $50 gets one in. That's it. So as far as clubs go, it kind of sucks.

Hell, there isn't even any hazing -- no ass paddling, pin wearing or binge drinking...

But if they get duck pin bowling, I want in. Until then, I'll keep avoiding all clubs that want people like me as members and I'll keep sending out those faxes.

We like you... we really, really like you

Undoubtedly, whenever Jimmy Rollins steps into the batters’ box during the first two games of the NLDS, the packed house at Citizens Bank Park will scream, “M-V-P!” over and over again as if they have some odd social disease. Likewise, when we go to Coors Field in Denver for the second pair of games (if necessary), the friendly fans will also shout, “M-V-P!” from the mountaintops whenever Matt Holliday comes to bat.

On one hand it’s kind of neat to hear so many people scream in unison, mostly because it’s not something that occurs in normal life. For instance, I’m sure you have never gone to the grocery store with a bunch of friends to gather in the produce section so that you can scream, “BROC-COLI!” until you begin to hyperventilate, turn blue and pass out on the floor at the feet of the cart checker. Frankly, it’s just odd behavior.

Plus, the folks at the Whole Foods don’t like it – trust me on that one.

But what makes those chants seem so odd instead of neat is that, essentially, the fans are screaming, “WE LIKE YOU!” at one person. Actually, they aren’t just walking up to a person they know to say, “You know, we’ve known each other for a long time and we’ve been really good friends throughout the years and because of that I just wanted to say… well, I like you.”

That’s it. One, “I like you.” It’s not shouted by the liker to the lickee with such an ardor that it seems angry or until someone has to get a restraining order or a taser. A simple, solitary, “I like you” goes a long way.

But there is nothing about sports fandom that is normal. We all know that. Compared to the soccer fans in Europe or the Broncos fans in Denver, Philadelphians are a relatively tame bunch. They also don’t have any trouble revealing their true feelings toward the Phillies’ shortstop either, which is nice. I think Jimmy thinks it’s nice, too, even though he says he tries to block out all sound when he goes to the plate.

You know, kind of like in that really bad Kevin Costner movie… wait, that didn’t narrow it down. I meant like that really bad Kevin Costner movie about baseball… that didn’t narrow down either, did it?

Anyway, I think you know which one I mean.

So what’s the point of all of this? It’s simple. I’m going to reveal which players I’d vote for in the Baseball Writers Association of America ballots for the post-season awards. Truth be told, I don’t actually vote because I’m not a practicing member of the BBWAA. Dogmatic organizations are such a turn off, though I have to admit I enjoy a good, ol’ secret society. And when it comes to secret societies, the BBWAA is right up there with the Skull & Bones, Masons, Elks and Stonecutters.

Here are the votes (without comment): MVP 1.) Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia 2.) Matt Holliday, Colorado 3.) Prince Fielder, Milwaukee 4.) Chipper Jones, Atlanta 5.) David Wright, New York 6.) Hanley Ramirez, Florida 7.) Aramis Ramirez, Chicago 8.) Chase Utley, Philadelphia 9.) Miguel Cabrera, Florida 10.) Todd Helton, Colorado

Manager of the Year 1.) Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia 2.) Clint Hurdle, Colorado 3.) Ned Yost, Milwaukee

Cy Young Award 1.) Jake Peavy, San Diego 2.) Brandon Webb, Arizona 3.) Carlos Zambrano, Chicago

Rookie of the Year 1.) Ryan Braun, Milwaukee 2.) Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado 3.) Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia