Here it is... this is Charlie Manuel's World Series ring shown off by hand model extraordinaire, Leslie Gudel. The BlackBerry pictures certainly don't do the ring justice, but trust me - the thing is as big as a belt buckle. In fact, Charlie even reported that there is some room for him to grow into the ring. More importantly, it's nice. It's not tacky like the one the Marlins got in 2003. However, it's definitely something noticeable when it's worn. Several of the players left the ballpark with their new bling on and it stood out.
Anyway, here's Chuck's ring:
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Speaking of the hand model, we were a bit taken aback when Chipper Jones said he was going to play out his current contract and then "sail off into the sunset."
Unlike with Curt Schilling, there is no debating that Chipper is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
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Oh, here's a crazy story... at Tuesday night's game at the Bank, I asked a few members of the Phillies PR staff when the team would make the traditional White House visit that championship teams often are honored with.
Actually, not to be confusing, I asked, "Hey, when is the team going to visit the White House. You guys have that off-day, afterall?"
I figured the question was appropriate considering the team will be in The District next week and had an off-day scheduled for Tuesday. But, good question, right? It was quick, concise and to the point and can illicit just a handful of answers.
Or so I thought. Apparently it was a stumper because no one on the staff had an answer to give me or another colleague of the writing press corps.
So imagine our surprise this morning when we woke up, clicked on our mobile devices and saw that the team web site was reporting that the Phillies would visit with the President next Tuesday at the White House.
Wha happened?
I guess the query was too complex or maybe they thought I asked if the team was going to the White House right this minute. As in, "Hey, are guys going to visit the White House, right now?"
Hey, it's not the first time this type of confusion has occurred in the past month. But the season is young... they'll get it together and make sure I don't have answers to basic questions at least once per series.
And of course I will always report back to you there in front of your computer... that's right, I'm looking out for you, dear readers.
So yeah, the Phillies are going to the White House next Tuesday. In fact, Gary Matthews already has an in at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since his daughter and President Obama's daughter were friends in Chicago.
Yeah, that's right... Sarge rolls with the leader of the free world.