The Phillies begin an epic stretch of 33 games in 31 days to close out the 2011 season tonight in Cincinnati. That means no days off, 20 road games including three series against the NL Central, two day/night doubleheaders against the Marlins and Nationals respectively, and six more head to head games (the exact number of games by which they lead the NL East) with the second place Braves during that time. Admittedly, I missed baseball over the weekend, but this seems excessive.

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The following convention report comes courtesy of a guest writer, Karszoo. It’s her first submission to MLD. Enjoy:

On Friday, July 1, I was lucky enough to attend the annual Wildwood Sports Cards, Comics, Beanies and Toy Convention at the Convention Center in Wildwood, NJ for the third straight year with KevinMLD. The free event is held early in the Summer Vacation season every year. With vendors selling everything from sports memorabilia to classic 1990’s comic books to random dvds to kids toys (new, used, and VERY used), there’s sure to be something for everyone. 

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The Phillies played an epic six hour and eleven minute, 19 inning game against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night and hearing the words “that’ll move Chooch from the catcher’s spot to third base” woke me from the half sleep I had fallen into. After running out of pitching options well after midnight, manager Charlie Manuel had no choice but to bring in a position player to pitch for the top of the 19th inning. Selecting second baseman Wilson Valdez as the new pitcher, Placido Polanco moved from third base to second. This was followed by catcher Carlos Ruiz (“Chooch”) moving to third, being replaced by backup catcher Dane Sardinha. Valdez recorded a full inning of work and earned his first Major League win as the Phillies scored in the bottom of the 19th behind his pitching.

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Last weekend, the Phillies”traveled” to Philadelphia for their weekend series “at” Toronto. Prior to the games, we knew the Phillies would bat in the top of the order and the game would follow American League rules using the designated hitter, even though they were playing in their home park. To further sell the idea that these were “away” games, the Phillies even wore their road uniforms, but the teams did not go so far as to switch dugouts nor did the concessions sell typical Canadian baseball fare. Although, that’s probably the same as American baseball fare at this point.

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I’m sure there is plenty that happens in Philadelphia every single weekend.  So after you read this, please don’t feel the need to tell me about all those other busy, busy Philly weekends.  I don’t really care about those.  I am generally a homebody.  I don’t need to go out to every event.  As I rode the train down to the city today, I thought about how hot it was outside.  And how this first weekend in June has seemed to be impossibly hot every year since we moved into the city.  I was wondering why there were at least 30 other people getting on the 1:15 train with me on a Friday afternoon.  Does no one work anymore? Read more of this article »