If We Win the Series, I Know Who We Can Thank

As some of you will recall, in both 1993 and 1997 the City of Philadelphia made the ridiculous decision to dress up Billy Penn in Phillies and then Flyers regalia when each team reached the Finals in their respective sports. I think we also recall how each series turned out with the Phils losing the World Series to the Blue Jays when Wild Thing gave up a walk off bomb to Joe Carter and the Flyers got outclassed in four by Detroit.

At that point, it became abundantly clear that, not only is Billy Penn cursing the city due to the decision to erect buildings above the brim of his hat, but became vindictive when he felt he was being mocked by dressing him up in stupid hats and jerseys. Thankfully, this year we don't have to worry about the City of Philadelphia fanning the flames of Billy Penn's discontent as there will be no jersey or baseball cap placed on good ol' Billy.

Sure, you can thank Mayor Nutter, but I prefer to thank the guy most responsible: my co-worker Ed. Last week, Ed had told me he had sent an email to a friend that works for Mayor Nutter begging him to tell Mayor Nutter to not put any Phillies garb on Billy Penn. Well, the email was forwarded to Mayor Nutter and it must have persuaded him because the Inquirer reported the following in today's paper:

Superstitious Phillies fans flooded the mayor's office with calls and e-mails, begging him not to jinx the team, to leave Penn alone.

"You have the mayor's ear," one fan wrote a Nutter aide. "Make sure they do not put the Phillies hat on William Penn. Cite some ordinance if need be, or make one up. I do not care. Just make sure they do not do it. The World Series depends on it."

That "one fan" was my man, Ed. Nice job, dude. If we win the Series, a special thanks has to go your way. Maybe we should petition the team to give you a playoff share.