The mascot's first videotaped appearance gives the impression that somebody was thinking of Charlie Manuel when they designed the thing's physique. Still moves pretty well for a fat guy, though. And, as awkwardly explained by the IronPigs PR rep in the video, the pig's name is still up in the air. It's up to you to determine whether "Jack Bauer" or "Fatty Porker" or something of that ilk will be plastered all over future IronPigs merch.
It's too bad that they won't let the fans also come up with the mascot's backstory. This is the best that a company that designs mascots professionally could offer:
According to the unnamed porker's ''biography,'' he was born in a steel mill but ''never felt he fit in with other pigs'' and was found by a Seiple Farms employee ''wandering on Route 22 searching for a place to play baseball.''
That's pretty nonsensical, even for a mascot. There are so many unanswered questions here. Is the pig organic, or was it smelted from scratch? Why the hell does it want to play baseball? Why not turn it into some sort of inspiring, RoboCop-esque story of horrible disfigurement, technological redemption, and revenge gained from dancing to the Black-Eyed Peas between innings?
And for the record, I've already submitted the name "Rivety McFerrum," so no copying.
- The Phils have collected a good deal of postseason hardware in the past couple weeks. Gold Gloves were given to the long-deserving Jimmy Rollins and the somewhat puzzling choice of Aaron Rowand (in a tie, apparently; at least it didn't go to Eric Byrnes). Jimmy also picked up a Silver Slugger along with Chase Utley, who has quickly developed a chokehold on offensive excellence among second basemen.
The big prize, of course--Rollins for MVP--is still up in the air and will likely determine the volume of posts here in the near future.
- Hey! Kyle Kendrick got 7 ROY votes! Cole Hamels also managed a sixth-place finish in the NL Cy Young voting, and probably would have been top three if not for his late-season injury (and if not for being kind of a jerk). Also, apocalypse was averted when Uncle Charlie finished second to Bob Melvin for NL Manager of the Year.
- I don't like what's coming out of the Gillick camp regarding the third base and centerfield situations. I can understand the desire to pursue pitching (considering Adam Eaton was the worst starter in the NL last year), but the offseason crop of available guys seems like a bunch of No. 3s at best. I guess we'll have to be happy with a 3B platoon. But another potential platoon at a key defensive position is really going to put a squeeze on the bench, especially since they still haven't tracked down Pat Burrell's defensive replacement yet. And what about a backup catcher?
Keep an eye on that Mariners roster, Phils fans. Names like Jeremy Reed or Jamie Burke might become more familiar very, very soon.
