That ball is out of here

It might be freezing outside, but last night, thoughts of warm weather and the great sport of baseball were on the minds of more than 600 people who attended the annual Baseballtown Banquet at the Sheraton in Wyomissing.
While the highlight of the evening was suppose to be the crowning of the “Queen of Baseballtown,” the highlight for me was getting to talk baseball, specifically Phillies baseball.
The National League East champs (which has a nice ring to it) made a stop at the dinner. Those in attendance were Assistant GM Mike Arbuckle, Manager Charlie Manuel, players Shane Victorino, Brad Lidge and JC Romero. Also spoke with the legend, Harry Kalas and the Phillie Phanatic.
By the way, I purchased a CD about Harry. It gave me chills listening to it.
Charlie was the first person we spoke with. He’s ready to go. He said the Ryan Howard, who is involved in a contract problem with the team will get his money and it won’t be a distraction. He also said the team who see on the roster now won’t change much and he feels the team, could, as shortstop Jimmy Rollins predicated win 100 games.
Here are some other tidbits:
Lefty reliever Romero, who signed a new contract with the team in the off season, said it was “his duty” to resign with the Phillies.
“Everything will fall into place this year and we’re going for something big,” Romero said.
Victorino, who will move from right field to center this year, was very cocky. He talked about his calf injury, which sidelined him for the better part of the final two months of the season.
“My rushing back didn’t help and made it even worse,” Victorino said.
Harry the K, who I would talk to all night, had this to say about last season.
“It was an experience we haven’t seen in Philadelphia since 1993,” he said.
He’s also excited about his new broadcast partner Tom McCarthy, who returns to the group after a year in New York.
He’s not sure what the roles of the broadcasters will be. Here’s hoping he gets all nine innings.
“There are very high hopes (this season), there’s no question about that,” Harry said.
Let’s hope he crooning, “High Hopes” again in October.
Also spoke with Arbuckle. he said the front office is always looking for help. He did say that there are players out there they are looking at and looking for their agents to lower their demands.
Lidge is the new closer. He’s anxious to put on the pinstripes.
“I feel that I am lucky to go to a team that is on the up swing,” he said.
My final chat was a during-the-dinner chat with the Phillie Phanatic. Wait, he doesn’t talk. Okay, it was with his alter ego, Tom Burgoyne.
He said when he attended St. Joe’s Prep in Philly, he wanted to be the Phanatic.
He’s been wearing the green for 20 years now.
“It’s a great love affair between the Phillies’ fans and the Phanatic,” he said.

Thirsty for more. Check out next week’s edition!