Ha! I got you, didn’t I? Yeah, Fire Eric Bruntlett is staying around a little longer. However, all the things before this are true. www.fireericbruntlett.wordpress.com is, in fact, no longer. Instead, we are moving to the new, self-hosted www.fireericbruntlett.com. And you should have seen it coming, especially if follow us on the tweets, as this is the first of several changes I alluded to:

“BIG, BIG, BIG changes coming to Fire Eric Bruntlett! Stay tuned this weekend for updates on new segments and more!”

I’m sure most of you would have seen a complete shutdown of the blog coming from a mile away, too, though. You joked about it, we joked about it, but a common misconception about us is that we are an Eric Bruntlett blog. Very untrue. We are a Philadelphia Phillies blog, and an Eric Bruntlett anti-fan club. Ok, fine, you will definitely see us elsewhere around these Interweb parts, but seeing as I cannot see the future, I really don’t know what your Bruntlett haters will be doing 5 or 10 years from now. I didn’t specify when my uncertainty was for. Of course, we all hope to still be blogging about the Phils for a good, long time, but maybe we will have moved on to bigger and better things by then. Who knows? What I do know is that, until further notice, you can find us at the new and improved Fire Eric Bruntlett.

Friends, I leave you with this.

See ya over at the new site!

1. This is our standard first question – what are your thoughts on Eric Bruntlett?

It was reported a few days ago – Wednesday, to be exact – what is possibly the greatest news of all time. The greatest news ever reported in the history of news being reported. Yes, that’s right. Our boy is not coming back. Eric Bruntlett filed for free agency. So, I did a Google Blog search for “eric bruntlett,” and this is what I found:

• Actually, before that, I found something very interesting on his Wikipedia page. Observe.

Free agent – no team, no number.

• How about this from Balls, Sticks, and Stuff? He ran into a problem similar to mine: “Even though it’s all over Twitter, I’m struggling to find an actual link for the news other than Bruntlett‘s CBSSports.com page. I won’t remind you of Bruntlett‘s ineptitude at the plate with statistics [.462 OPS! Are you f#$%ing kidding me?!?!]. Instead, lets say the glass is 1/17th full.”
• At Voice of Valeri, was this hidden note: “2B Eric Bruntlett has filed for free agency.”
• Another Freakin’ Sports Blog looks at what the team could look like going into next year, and makes an interesting point regarding the bench: “Utley and Rollins need someone on the bench to spell them because if it was up to them, they’d play 200 games a season. Mark DeRosa, a free agent from the Cardinals, is an excellent righty bat off the bench that can play all the infield positions, and a serious upgrade from Eric Bruntlett. Toronto free agent Marco Scutaro can fill that void too. They were both starters last season, but I think the time has come for both to find a home as key bench players.” He later adds, “Shed no tears for Eric Bruntlett. If I remember correctly, he had two errors replacing Rollins in his first game as a Phillie. I will miss the beard though.”
• Several commenters on The Zo Zone mention how the Phils can take 3B option Chone Figgins because of his position versatility, which is exactly what Bruntlett was brought in for.

Look for part II of this tomorrow, with linkage from after it became official.

I would like to thank Max for his expressed concern while I was in the hospital. I do apologize for my sudden disappearance from here and twitter. I am still alive though and but this up coming month will be hard for me and I may not post on here a whole lot, but here I am now.

Sitting around the house these last couple of days, I have been witnessing the Phillies post World Series loss moves. Saying adios to guys like Brett Myers and Miguel Cairo. Still trying to figure out what to do with Jamie Moyer and hopefully planning on offering Joe Blanton arbitration. But today was third baseman day. Ruban Amaro Jr. decided Pete Happy isn’t worth $5 million a year. Now there is a chance that Pedro can decide to take a pay cut for another run at a World Fucking Championship run, but its up to him to figure out if the money he would gain somewhere other than Philly is worth the value of a World Series ring.

During his two years in Philly Pedro Feliz had a batting average of .258, an OBP of .305, scored 105 runs, drove in 140 RBIs, hit 26 HRs, and had an OPS of .700. While these numbers aren’t very “wow-ing,” it was his work at 3rd base that made the Phillies one of the best fielding teams this season.

So let’s just say that Pedro decided that more money is more important another run at a ring, what do the Phillies do?

It seems that the Phillies have shown some interest in St. Louis’ Mark DeRosa. While Mark is turning 35 in February, he is a legit bat in the line-up. The great news for us here at FEB and our supporters is that DeRosa is being looked at as a great utility player, and he can play many positions on the field. Sound like a replacement for someone else we know and hate?

So if he is a utility player, then who plays 3rd? One player that has sparked my interest is Seattle’s Adrian Beltre. With a career batting average of .270 and 250 career home runs. Adrian will also be turning 35 this upcoming season and his best seasons are behind him, but he can still hold down the fort for a year or two. He also is ring hungry so joining this team could spark his talents. He’s not the glove Pedro is, but he’s not too far off. And he’s the bottom of the line-up bat that would make Uncle Charlie happy.

So while I would love to see Pedro Feliz lower his asking price a bit and come back to Philly, Adrian Beltre could be a great fit for Philadelphia.

So with this, I bid you a goodnight. For anyone who knew about my surgery and slightly worried about me, thank you. I appreciate it. Anyone can contact me at tommymacwfc@gmail.com and at on twitter @TommymacWFC.

“As fans, we deserve to know if the team plans on signing Bruntlett again so that we have as many winter days as possible to find a new team to cheer for.”

Go here to sign the petition. Here’s the open letter Corey wrote to Ruben Amaro, Jr., encouraging the release of Bruntlett. Since we are Bruntlett’s official hate club, I thought it was imperative to share this with you:

“Mr. Amaro,

As passionate and sincere fans of our beloved baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies, we feel it is our obligation to convey to you our position on a very important issue: NOT signing Eric Bruntlett.

Eric Bruntlett hit .171 this past season, which is amazingly high given his level of skill and performance for most of the season. The fact that he actually got eighteen hits is almost as amazing as you paying him $800,000 to do so. For reference, that is over $44,000 per hit. Government stimulus money is spent more efficiently than that.

Do not be fooled by the peripherals on Eric Bruntlett’s resume. Scoring the winning run in a World Series, turning an unassisted triple play and having the best beard on the team are not sufficient qualifications to earn a place on the defending National League champions.

Please do not repeat your mistake in 2009. Do not sign Eric Bruntlett.

Thank you and Best Wishes,

Fans of the Fightins”

Preaching to a choir…

We also have a new “No More Bruntlett” badge to the right. Stay tuned for more updates on Bruntlett’s status. When, not if, he gets fired, we will have the news!

We realized last week that music is a great way to talk about the Phillies, thanks to Steve’s Phillies Playlist. Well, as I was combing through my iPod earlier today, I realized how many songs can describe the Phillies situation – the team that never gives up down 3-1 in the World Series. So, here goes a little motivational mini-playlist for tonight’s Game 6 from the Bronx. At the same time, I will attempt to give you as much of a game preview as you can when you’re relating the game to music. Expect complete randomness from the music and very long stretches when it comes to connecting them to the game.

1. Queen – We Are the Champions

It only makes sense to start with the song that is most true. As of this writing, the Phillies are were still the World Fucking Champions of Baseball. Don’t believe me? Chase, if you would do the honors, please…

2. Sisqo – The Thong Song

With Ben Francisco getting the start in left – Raul as the DH – and Steve mysteriously leaving this out of the Phillies Playlist, there’s no reason not to include this song. Have you ever seen anyone so obsessed with the thong?

3. Foo Fighters – My Hero

For Clifton Phifer Lee and Chase Cameron Utley, our heroes. And they most certainly are ordinary.

4. Joe Esposito – You’re the Best Around

This one I dedicate strictly to Utley, the best second-baseman in baseball. THEY’RE NOT EQUAL!!! Plus, anything from The Karate Kid is awesome, right?

5. Bruce Springsteen – Streets of Philadelphia

Here’s hoping for the streets of Philly (particularly Broad St.) to get another parade. Next year? Please???

6. The Cranberries – Ridiculous Thoughts

When us Phils fans said that they could come back from being down 3-1, everyone else said that those were ridiculous thoughts. I pray that they were wrong. They weren’t. Umpires suck. If you’re not going to be good, at least be consistent. None of the home plate umps were either good or consistent.

7. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’

Never stop believing that the Phillies could win. Ever. Until the season ends, of course. Start never believing again in March.

8. Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure

In their immortal words: “Under pressure/Causes heart attacks/Putting fans in hospitals/When Brad Lidge closes.”

9. Dave Matthews Band – Seven

The World Series is 7 games for a reason. ‘Cause you gotta win 4 of them. They did. Whatever. I’m over it by now. It’s fine that while other teams were earning championships (some two), the Yankees were busy spending 9 years buying one. And spending $1.6 BILLION to be exact. Plus, A-Fraud finally got his ring!

CONGRATZ, A-ROIDZ!!!!!

Also, in case I blog-hibernate for a few weeks/months this winter, can someone make sure to find a way to tell me when he finally proposes to himself?

10. Corey Hart – Never Surrender

“So if you’re lost and on you’re own, you can never surrender! And if your path won’t lead you home, you can never surrender! And when the night is cold and dark, you can see, you can see light! Cause no-one can take away your right to fight and never surrender! Never surrender!”

Plus, he shares the name with a Milwaukee Brewers outfielder, who you can say: “wears his sunglasses at night.”

11. Weezer – I’m Your Daddy

This really should have been Pedro’s official song of the World Series, but Weezer’s new Raditude album didn’t come out until Tuesday. But I would’ve loved, after those dumbass Yankees fans chanted, “Who’s your daddy?” for Pedro to shout back, “I’m your daddy!” (By the way, the album’s $3.99 on Amazon for a limited time. Just sayin’.) Come on, give it up for the Jheri Curl!

12. Dave Matthews – So Damn Lucky

Because we are so damn lucky to be fans of the Fightins now, during this amazing dynasty, in a great position for 2010. (’09 season wrap-ups and early ’10 previews to come in the coming days.)

13. U2 – Beautiful Day

Ya know, Saturday would have been a B-E-A-utiful day for Parade, Part Deux. Eh, hope the Yanks don’t lose their salaries on Wall Street!

14. Dave Matthews Band – Fool To Think

I wish I could say that I was not crazy to think that the Phils could win this series. It’s fine. I loved seeing all the douches wearing Yankee jerseys today, either the ones who never watched an inning of baseball before this World Series, or those who you know for a fact are fans of other teams and are just wearing the gear to really annoy you, or to be a bandwagon-jumper and really annoy you.

15. Vertical Horizon – You’re a God

This one is dedicated to Alex Rodriguez. In all seriousness no seriousness whatsoever, I would like to congratulate him. He sucked for 10 Octobers, admitted to using steroids in the pre-season, sat out the first month, couldn’t get a base hit to save his life, and still got a championship. See, kids? That’s a lesson for ya! You can be an egotistical douchewad and phony of epic proportions, but if at least 0.01% of the world doesn’t hate you, and you’re good at your job for 1 month of your life, you’ll be rewarded very handsomely! That’s why, A-Roid, I say this to you, with help from Vertical Horizon: “You’re a fraud, and I am not, and I just thought that you should know.”

Plus, Tiffani Amber Thiessen, from Beverly Hills 90210 (the original) and Saved By the Bell, is in the music video!

16. Bill Haley & Wheels feat. Tug Haines & T-Pain – Rock Around the Cock

The quintessential Phillies remix.

The series goes back to New York where Pedro Martinez faces off against a gassed Andy Pettite.  As I wrote earlier, Pedro is here for a reason, and Game 6 is that reason.

Let’s go Phils!

Game 4 was one of the most emotionally draining losses that I’ve ever encountered. It temporarily erased all the good Phils vibes that I’ve had over the past year. The thought of watching Game 5 made me physically ill. The old Philly fan neuroticism snuck in and made me question why I even thought the Phillies could repeat in the first place. Was it is a devastating loss? No questions asked. Was it a killing blow? No sir, it was not.

Sure the Phils are down, but they’re sure as hell not out. You need four wins to win the World Series. The Yankees have won 3 in a row, why can’t us?

Our great hope Clifton Phifer Lee pitches tonight against A.J. Burnett, who is going on short rest. This is very winnable.

Pedro Martinez would presumably pitch Game 6 if things play out right. I think Pedro’s here for a reason. A Game 6 victory in New York couldn’t be more appropriate.

If we make it that far Game 7 will be a total team effort against a gassed CC Sabathia.

If anyone can do it, it’s the Phillies.

This is not a series for the weak of heart. I kindly ask that you bandwagoners abandon ship, we have no more room for your kind.

To hell with the celebrities! To hell with the pundits! To hell with New York! Nobody sticks Philly in a corner! LOUD NOISES!!!!!!!!

We can’t sit idly by and let these douche bags take this. If New York wants this title they’ll have to rip it from the Phillies’ cold dead hands! If you’re going to Game 5 you need to be louder than you’ve ever been! Nothing is over! This is a best of seven series for a reason. Keep the phaith folks, ya gotta believe!

“Believe it or not, people down here in Silly-delphia actually think the Phillies will beat the Yankees in the World Series, which starts tomorrow.”

“Did they also think Sanjaya would beat Jordin Sparks? That would be ‘American Idol,’ in case you watch too much baseball and not enough Stupid TV.”

But it wasn’t her quotes that really irked me. It was the quotes that she decided to use to make a sad attempt to prove her point. “Fan after Philly fan,” she wrote. Yes. While Jeremy Olshan and his band of moron minions may have talked to actual New Yorkers, you know, writing for a New York paper and all, Joanna Malloy went to Philadelphia and talked to Philadelphians to prove that Philadelphia sucks. How did she manage to extract those quotes? “Hi, I’m from the New York Daily News. I’m writing an article about why your city and Phillies fans suck. Would you like to give me a quote?” She then proceeded to perform what appears to be a stand-up routine on why Philly sucks.

“W.C. Fields wanted his epitaph to say: I’d Rather Be in Philadelphia. Well, maybe it’s better than being dead, but I’m not sure.”
“The Philadelphia Art Museum has Picasso’s “Three Musicians” and Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” but New York has just about every other great work of art.”
“Philadelphia produced Bill Cosby, but he lives in New York.”

Stay tuned for more, er… actual, World Series coverage coming up later today.