For the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease...and this year MLB is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Gehrig's birth, by the way.

This year's Phestival is being held on Monday, June 23rd at 5:45 pm at the Vet--proceeds go to the ALS Association, Phila. Chapter.

I just ordered my admission ticket (which includes two autograph booth tickets) and also purchased separate tickets for the four photo booths--Pat Burrell, Mike Lieberthal, Larry Bowa and Harry Kalas. The guy on the phone told me it might be difficult to get to all four booths in the alloted time (6 to 8 pm) but I decided to take the chance. Even if I can't get to all four, the money's going to the charity anyway. Needless to say, I'll get in line for Burrell and Lieberthal first.

Well, tonight was the night. And it was quite well-organized, unlike one of the Flyers' Wives carnivals I attended a number of years ago. I was pretty impressed.

The Burrell and Lieberthal photo areas were in just about the same location, so it was easy to go from one line to the other. And since I got there early enough I didn't have to wait long for anyone--I got through all four photo booths with plenty of time to spare.

With each admission you got a ticket for two autograph stations, each station had two players. The tickets for stations featuring Jim Thome and Kevin Millwood were already gone by the time I got to the stadium. I wasn't really planning to get autographs, anyway. I'm not really into it. There were people who brought hats, jerseys, bats, balls, photos, yearbooks, all kinds of stuff. One woman had a bag full of different photos and cards! But I had nothing. So since I had enough time and the tickets for the autograph stations, I went and bought a couple of $10 grab bags. They give you a tote bag and inside it is some sort of prize. I ended up with two baseballs--one signed by Larry Bowa and the other by Vicente Padilla. So I used the Padilla ball and got it signed by Randy Wolf, Terry Adams and this weekend's biggest heroes, Brett Myers and Todd Pratt. All of them are pretty nice-looking in person...but when Todd Pratt handed the ball back to me and looked up and I looked into his eyes, I just got a chill. Wow. And of course, seeing Pat Burrell and Mike Lieberthal up close in the photo booths.... And it was an especially nice thrill to get to say hello to Larry Bowa and Harry Kalas. Kalas is such a gracious man...not just saying hello but asking people their names, and thanking them for coming out to support the cause, and so on.

Sadly, no one had any comments on my Outsports hat. I guess they're going to have to remain anonymous lurkers. wink

I will try and get my photos scanned ASAP and post them somewhere, or perhaps I can send them to Outsports? I'm sure the Burrell and Lieby photos warrant a "Picture This" of the day! The only rule is, since I'm also in the picture, there will be NO captions on the order of "Beauty and the Beast" or there will be hell to pay! eek!

[ June 23, 2003, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Did Lieberthal ask about me? wink

No, he only asked when your picture of him will appear on the Outsports website.

Okay, I'm actually asking that. wink

I sent it on to Jim and Cyd. I never heard anything back. Guess it wasn't "sponge-worthy." frown

I sent them three photos. I assume they're very, VERY busy. wink

As promised...here at last are my photos from the Phestival.

Remember: no \"Beauty and the Beast\" lines!

Thanks for posting those pics Joe -- nice job and it was great to see so much money was raised for such a worthy cause....I particularly like the one of you and Pat Burrell -- you make a nice looking couple. wink

Nice photos, Joe. Thanks for posting. I'm very jealous that you got to go to the dugout & it's great you got to meet Harry Kalas. I have a photo with Chick Hearn taken a dozen years back which I cherish. So much of my enjoyment of the game is based in listening to him on the radio & I think all fans' pleasure at their games is enhanced by a good play-by-play man.

Did any of the players ask about your OutSports cap (thank you from the bottom of my heart for not wearing it backwards....)

~Adam

awesome pics - also very very jealous here

Alas, Adam, no one commented on my Outsports cap. My dream of having one of them see the cap and say "Are you by any chance Joe in Philly?" was shattered. But if any of them are lurking, I hope they feel free to e-mail me...

Thanks for sharing, Joe! Great pics.

Ouch, I'm so jealous. I wanted to have my picture taken so much with Lieby, but I was out of town on business. If Todd Pratt is catching on 8/12, maybe Lieby will sit with us in the Gay Day section!

LOL! ....if there's no seat available in the Gay Day section at the Vet, can Lieberthal sit in your lap, Scottie?

[ July 15, 2003, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

Scottie, if Lieby sits in the Outsports section you probably won't get near him with all the competition for his attention and I'm sure Joe will be first to get to him.

Why is Pat smiling? And where is your right hand?

That smile is certainly worth a wank! wink

Great photos Joe.

Pat is smiling because he's happy. wink And if you look closely you can see that my right hand is in my pants pocket--and NOT doing what you may be thinking, perverts!

Never mind Pat & Mike... check out Joe! Joe, you need to spend less time posting and more time at you local bear bar! Those of us who missed the convention earlier this year now know what everyone was talking about.

Everyone was talking about ME? What did they say? wink

And I don't want to hang out in bars, bear or otherwise. Hate hate hate HATE it. Almost anytime I've gone to a bar alone I ended up feeling miserable.

[ July 16, 2003, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Well, I'm certainly with you on hating bars. I guess my point was, you're an attractive example of a "type" that is popular in the community, and there oughta be a way for you to captialize on that. (Some of us would kill to be in that position.)

Well, thank you for the compliment, Mike. I still want to know what people are saying about me, though. wink

If anyone wants to help me capitalize on my "type" you know where to find me.

Wow, I didn't realize Pat Burrell was so good-looking (that shirtless pic of him that was circulating around the board did nothing for me). But seeing him in his snug-fitting pants in Montreal, and seeing him with (a sharp-looking) Joe... wow! If he's having trouble swinging the lumber, I'd gladly move down to Philly and give him a hand...

And Joe, quite a number of people at the D.C. Outsports Happy Hour were asking about you and saying "It's too bad Joe in Philly couldn't make it."

Thanks for the compliment, canmark. As it happens, I'm having some trouble swinging the lumber right now... wink wink

Burrell homered tonight--his last couple of homers have come with me in attendance (and at least 3 of his 13 on the season). Perhaps he should consider renting me for the rest of the season?

Hopefully I can make it to a future DC gathering or some of them can make it to the game on 8/12.

Pat is HOT!! Forget Kapler.

Burrell's smile is so little-innocent-boyish cute you just want to grab his face and kiss him.

Did he ask about your Outsports cap Joe?

Maybe we could get some updowner caps with Outsports on one brim and Phillies on the other. Just whip it around to change fialty.

Lots of legal hoops to jump through I suppose.

[ July 20, 2003, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: sportinlife ]