Ted Turner (1938-2026)

We learned of the passing of Ted Turner today. In terms of Baseball most of us know of Ted Turner the owner, but he was also a MLB manager... for ONE DAY. And that qualifies him for the Cup of Coffee Club. 

Sketch of Ted Turner on a Disposable Coffee Cup a la 1977 Topps

For the Ted Turner Cup of Coffee we used 1977 Topps for the design. This is the year of Turner's only game as manager - The Braves lost 2-1. 

In the background we see the logos for two of Turner's media outlets channel 17 which broadcast Braves games across the country via cable and his 24 hour news service CNN

The Ted Turner profile drawing is based upon a screen print done by Andy Warhol.

Sources and Links

Cup of Coffee Index

Phillips Auctions (Andy Warhol Painting of Turner) 

baseball-reference

Chuck Bednarik 1925-2015

Today I awoke to the sad news that Phiadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik has died at the age of 1989

2008 UD Masterpieces #14 Chuck Bednarik

Known as "Concrete Charlie" Chuck Bednarik played both offense and defense - thus a second monicker "Sixty Minute Man".  He was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles last championship squad, clear back in 1960. And he was the man who knocked Frank Gifford down so hard he missed a year of football.  

2007 UD Masterpieces was one of my favorite sets to release since I returned to the hobby. After the initial success of the baseball set UD came out with Hockey and Football sets in 2008. This fine Chuck Bednarik card featuring the image from the famous Frank Gifford play is just one of many fine examples of the great cards in Masterpieces.

Too check into our Hall of Fame profile of Bednarik click here. Rich Hoffman's piece for the Daily News can be found here.

Sources & Links
Sports-Ref
Philly.com

Jim Fregosi 1942-2014

Earlier this week we got the sad news that Jim Fregosi had suffered a stroke while on an MLB cruise. Today MLB.com reported that Fregosi has passed away at age 71.

Jim Fregosi at Phillies Alumni Weekend August 3 2013 (click to enlarge)


Here is Fregosi at the 2013 Phillies Alumni weekend which honored the 1993 NL championship club which he helmed.

Jim Fregosi brought a lot of fun to this town, I enjoyed his humor and honesty while he was the Phillies Manager. I was in my middle 20s when the Phillies had that magical season. It was an era when I learned a lot about baseball and Jim Fregosi was a key figure in that education.

Obituaries Tributes Memorials Bios
The Phillies Room (1992 Medford Phils)
1960s Baseball (1966, 1967, 1992 Topps)
14,000 Phillies (1992 Topps Gold)
Paul's Random Baseball Stuff (1973 Topps)
Von's Card (1972 Topps)
Core Contrarian (1986 Topps)

Jayson Stark (ESPN)
Mark Armour (SABR - 1965 Topps)
Matt Gelb (Philly.com)

1992 Topps #491 Candlestick Park (and Jeff Brantley)

Tonight the San Francisco 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL game that could be the last professional sports contest at Candlestick Park. The Stick was also home for the San Francisco Giants for 40 seasons.

Two years after the Giants abandoned New York for the Bay they moved into Candlestick where they remained for 40 years through the 1999 campaign.     

1992 Topps #491 Candlestick Park (or Jeff Brantley b-side - swiped from baseball card database)

Tonight to honor the last game at Candlestick we post a card from 1992 Topps, which placed a small picture of the players home park across the bottom of each cards b-side.  The pix are small and it is pretty hard to distinguish one stadium from another, but it was an interesting idea. 

Team Phungo made it out to Candlestick once, the game didn't go well for the Phillies. It did go pretty well for Kevin Mitchell (3-4, HR, 2B, 4RBI)

1992 Topps #491 Jeff Brantley (also swiped from baseball card database)

I figure since it's his card we will knock out a couple of quick words on the player on the card front. Jeff Brantley spent a couple of years at the end of his career with the Phillies including a 23 save season in 2000.

All told Brantley spent 14 years in the majors, The first half of which he spent with the Giants. Career highlights include postseasons appearances in 1989 with the Giants and 1995 with the Reds. He represented the Giants at the all-star game in 1990 and with the Reds in 1996 he led the NL with 44 saves.  .    


Phun Phact



Candlestick Park hosted No-Hitters on consecutive days in 1968. On September 17th, Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry and Bob Gibson squared off with Perry getting the 1-0 victory for the Giants.  The following day the Cardinals returned the favor behind Ray Washburn who blanked the Giants 2-0.  


Sources
Pro-Football-Reference.com
baseball-ref.com
baseball card database
wikipedia.com
Baseball Almanac

Farewell: 2009 Phungo #37 Chad Durbin

On Monday we go the news that Chad Durbin retired. Durbin may have only been a middle reliever for the Phillies, but he performed that job for the 2008 World Champions. That season was among Chad’s best,  He had a 2.87 ERA (152 ERA+) in 87+ innings for the Champs. He was a member of three of the Phillies recent postseason teams (2008-2010) prior to moving on to Cleveland and Atlanta then returning to the Phillies for one last stretch this past season.


2009 Phungo #37 Chad Durbin

This will always be one of my favorite Phungo Cards and I have featured it a number of times. Partially because I like the card, and partially because there really aren't many Chad Durbin cards.

The photo was taken looking down into the Phillies Bullpen following the clinching W in the 2008 World Series. I met Chad Durbin at a card show in 2011 and told him about the picture, he mentioned that he remembered being in the bullpen celebrating. He said it was like being in a movie with all the bright lights shining down and people cheering.

By an account I have ever read Durbin is a really decent guy and seems to understand how lucky he has been. He also seems to be prepared for life after baseball. I read via twitter yesterday that he is working with a bat company and if I remember correctly even during his playing days he had an online project that helped connect prospects with scouts. I hope Durbin finds a post playing career with the Phillies or another organization. He's a good guy for the game to have around.

2008 World Series Champs

With the Durbin retirement announcement it felt like a good time to Where are they Now the 08 Champs:

Carlos Ruiz - With Phillies, Just signed to stay on through 2015.
Ryan Howard – With Phillies contracted forever for lots o $$
Chase Utley – Resigned with Phillies during 2013 through 2016ish
Pedro Feliz - Out of MLB appears to have last played with Camden Riversharks in 2012.
Jimmy Rollins - contracted with Phillies thru 2014 and possibly 2015
Pat Burrell – Retired after winning another World Series with the 2010 San Francisco Giants. Currently scouting with the Giants.
Shane Victorino – RF for the reigning World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. Selling his beard for charity.
Jayson Werth – playing RF for megabucks with division rival Washington Nationals

Cole Hamels – Phillies current Ace.
Jamie Moyer – Retired in 2012 at age of 49.
Brett Myers – pitched as reliever for Indians in 2013, Released on 8/29 and is currently a Free Agent.
Joe Blanton – was 2-14 for the 2013 Angels.
Kyle Kendrick – was in Phillies organization in 2013, but may be a free agent this winter.


Chris Coste – Retired, last played MLB in 2009. Has done pre-/post- on Phils Broadcasts.
Eric Bruntlett – Retired last MLB appearance 2009
Greg Dobbs – with the Marlins in 2013.
Geoff Jenkins – Game 5 of the 2008 World Series was Jenkins last MLB game ever.
Matt Stairs – Retired, last played MLB with 2011 Nats.
So Taguchi – Returned to play in Japan, retired in 2012.


JC Romero – Pitched in Indians and Nationals Minor League system in 2013
Scott Eyre – Retired after 2009 Season with the Phillies
Brad Lidge – Retired as a Philie in 2013. Last pitched in 2012 with Nationals
Ryan Madson – Has not pitched in the Majors since left Philadelphia as FA in 2011. He is currently a FA was last seen in the Angels org.
Clay Condrey - Last pitched in the Twins organization in 2010.
Chad Durbin – See Above

Sources
Baseball-ref.com 

Updates
2013 11 27 - added Jimmy Rollins and Clay Condrey 

Lou Reed 1942-2013

Ticket Stub 1992 05 16 - Lou Reed

The 2 decades between May 1992 and today leave me sketchy on the details, but I can remember having a great time.  Lou Reed performed an entire album that night - "Magic and Loss" I think.  He finished the evening with a few encores - Dirty Boulevard and either Sweet Jane or Rock N Roll.

The Velvet Underground's "Loaded" will always we one of my favorite albums. 
 
Further Reading

NYT Obit 


  

PHUNGO CHALLENGE: Topps Jim Leyland 1992 and 2009 - Fungo on Phungo

Took a look at some of Jim Leyland's cards on the Baseball Card Database and noticed something interesting.  

1992 Topps #141 Jim Leyland (pix stolen from baseball card database)


 Above we have a Topps card of Jim Leyland likely hitting a Fungo as the Pirates manager. 

2009 Topps #339 Jim Leyland (again swiped from baseball card database)

And here we have Leyland with the Tigers 17 years later once again hitting a Fungo.

Most manager cards are profile shots, rarely these sort of "action" shots.  Which brings me to the....

Phungo Challenge
Is there another manager that can be found batting on 2 different cards.   Has to be a manager card, a pair of Ryne Sandberg cards of him batting for the Chicago Cubs doesn't count. 

Jim Leyland
I don't think that Leyland is done managing.  I think he and Detroit may have had enough of each other.  I know 68 seems old enough to retire, but some folks don't appear to be built for Retirement and I think Leyland is one of them. 

Virgil Trucks 1917-2013

Earliar this week the baseball world got the sad news that Virgil Trucks had passed away. 

1953 Topps #96 Virgil Trucks
Virgil Trucks, a star of the 1940s and 50s, was not a Hall of Famer but is noteworthy throughout the hobby largely because he was known as an enthusiastic TTM(Through the Mail) signer of autographs.

I have never gone delved into the TTM area of collecting and cannot really speak to its signficance. Fortunately the terrrific blog Foul Bunt covers both TTM and Virgil Trucks and put together this farewell posting for Mr Trucks.

Another noteworthy baseball autograph signer and baseball collector, Pat Neshak marked Virgil Truck's passing via Twitter:

Baseball world lost a great man today in Virgil Trucks. Can't say enough good words about him. He set the standard in player/fan interaction
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) https://twitter.com/PatNeshek/status/316727826785128448">March 27, 2013

Nice praise from a member of the current generation of players, who gets how important the fans are to his profession.

Neshak also noted that he once wrote to Trucks for pitching related advice - Trucks returned a four page letter filled top to bottom. 

On The Field
Virgil Trucks won 177 games and would have likely won more had he not spent two of the early years of his career in the service. He was a member of the 1945 World Champion Detroit Tigers and made a pair of All-Star teams. In 1952 Trucks threw 2 no-hitters - both games were won by a score of 1-0.

For more in depth analysis of Virgil Trucks career check John Autin's column at High Heat Stats.

For he Collector
the 1953 Topps card is a bit of an anomaly in the catalog of Virgil Trucks cards, he only played one season for the Browns and it was the last season ever for the team.  In 1954 they moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles. I am not sure what this beauty went for, but  yes it is in loved condition and quite a bit off center. Still Virgil Trucks is a star and I also consider the rare St Louis Brown card a bonus.  For 1953 Topps cards in the low series in questionable condition I typically look for a price point of $2, add a dollar premium for it being a St Louis Brown and another dollar or two for Mr Trucks being a star and a gentleman - I could see this card being found for $4 - $5.  Indeed the recent low eBay sale for a 1953 Topps Virgil Trucks in signficantly better condition then the one above was $2.61.  On the other end of the scale a graded (PSA EX-MT 6) card went for $29.24.

Phungo two cents
Even though his career ended long before I was born, it is important that we remember people like Virgil Trucks. MLB and all of sports could use more alums that remember that the most important element of sports and entertainment is the fans.

One final fun note I found, Virgil Trucks is related to musician Derek Trucks - The Derek Trucks Band and Susan Tedeschi have been on my radar as bands to see for a while, but really haven't made it to any of their shows at least partially due to being so obsessed with baseball.

2012 Phungo Year in Review

Every Time I post something, it feels like I have mailed it in.  Regardless I continued posting - recently I sat down to look at the past 12 months and was happily surprised to find out there was actually some decent columns amongst the drivel.  Here are some highlights from 2012. 

January - Year of the Dragon Commences: The Chinese New Year began on January 22 and we noted some of baseballs noteworthy Dragons.  

February - We first got word of the American Ultimate Disc League - The first professional Ultimate Disc (Frisbee) league. Locally this meant the birth of the Philadelphia Spinners. Personally I was proud to be able to get involved with the new league as an official. I was on field refereeing the first home game of the new franchise at Historic Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. I will always look back at the experience foindly and remember it has my first job in professional sports. The Spinners had a very succesful season although the league is going through some growing pains. As a result of some legal wranglings and other questions a new Ultimate League has emerged for 2013 called Major League Ultimate. The Philadelphia Spinners will be a charter member of the new league.

2012 Topps #150 Roy Halladay(image stolen from The Phillies Room )

On the card front February saw the release of 2012 Topps flagship which I refer to as the Hindenburg set.  I also thought the design bore a bit of resemblance to 2002 Topps Football. I also was happy with a discussion we held regarding Hero Numbers - for the most part folks seek to just shrug - but it was enjoyable hearing some opinions.

March - We took a look at what "Value" means when purchasing a Topps Value Box.

April - Jayson Stark and others were good enough to retweet our post regarding the defunct stadiums in which Jamie Moyer pitched.  It currently ranks as the most viewed page in Phungo history.  Team Phungo also made it to two opening days Baltmore (v Twins) and the Phillies (v the "new" Miami Marlins).  We also gave a nod to the ageless Dick Clark who died in April.

May - While in vacation in Portland, Team Phungo checked in on CardBlogger Rod from Padrographs. 

I think I only opened one pack of 2012 Topps Archives but it was a nice pack for a Phillies Fan. 

On May 18th Kerry Wood Retired - He faced one batter in his final appearance, striking out Dayan Viciedo on three pitches.  

June - Pedro Borbon passed away - we took a look at his 1970 Topps card that wouldn't be made today.  We also noted the passing of GoodFellas subject Henry Hill with a prospect card loosely connected to the mobster. Kevin Millwood was the starting pitcher in a combined no-hitter pitched by the Mariners - we looked at his Phillies No-Hitter card.

July - Team Phungo started branching out into the world of food reviews with Vittles - Our first foodie column was on a visit to the newish Philadadelphia Tapas venue Jamonera.   

2012 brought us the 7th edition of Topps Allen & Ginter. We took at MLBs A&G 7 year members which included Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard.  

We did a Tank Report on Chase Utley with mixed expectations - and projections came out amazingly close. Utley finished with an OBP of .365 (Nailed it) with 11 HRs (Off  by 1).

August - Saw my first trip to the National which I attended for FREE. Wanted to get more posts out regarding the show, but only got the previous one and this one.

September - Sadly Chris Stufflestreet, one of the folks I met at the National in August, passed away. Most of us only knew him through his column and trading, still that was enough to really miss the man.
 

October - Attended my first playoff game outside of Philadelphia - the Good Guys won.

November - Marvin Miller  passed away - we marked the day with a look at the 1970 Topps Curt Flood card. The WBC opening round games were in progress in November with Thailand getting it's first bid. The most notable member of the Thai squad was Johnny Damon.  Unfortunatley the Thais had a bad series committing several errors and were ousted in just 2 games :( 

December - Earlier this month Brad Lidge called it quits - we honored the man and his contributions by displaying one of my favorite cards - Thanks DayF.

Charles Durning (1923-2012) as Casey Stengel

Over the Holiday we got the news of Charles Durning's death.  If you check out the mans imdb page there are a plethora of roles he played - feature filims, sitcoms, and even the Muppets and animated series like the Family Guy.

One of the roles I didn't know about was as Casey Stengel in a one man show for PBS.

Charles Durning as Casey Stengel and Stengels himself (image stolen from a well know auction site)
Here is an SI review by Robert Creamer of the Stengel program that aired in 1981

Farewell Marvin Miller: 1970 Topps #360 Curt Flood

There have been a couple of Marvin Miller cards produced in recent years notably in the 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites set.  

However, I think this card that doesn't even cite Marvin Miller says more about him, the Reserve Clause, Free Agency and the Marvin Miller Legacy then any other card:

1970 Topps #360 Curt Flood (iimage stolen from the basball card database)

Curt Flood never played a game for the Philadelphia Phillies.  This wasn't because he wrecked his knee in spring training or got cut before he made the team.  This was not because he was a Big Time draftee that couldn't hit a curve or a pitcher who's arm hit the wall and ran out of bullets. It was because Flood was of the opinion that he could not be discarded by the St Louis Cardinals to another franchise without his permission. 

And Marvin Miller agreed with him. 

Great Photos aren't just pictures, there beautiful works of art which tell stories that stretch their physical borders.  Similiarly there are a few baseball cards that live in a different stratosphere.  Most of these are Star Cards of at extreme values.  There are a few others that may be considered commons, but have details that raise them to this Star level.

The 1970 Topps Curt Flood card is great for a couple of reasons.  The biggest of which is the text tells us he is a member of the Phillies, a team for which he never intended to play. In the photo Topps shows Flood's headshot with just the underside of his cap bill so no logo is present.  This way Topps could place the card on any team - which is sort of the way the Cardinals felt about him.  On the underside of the caps bill you can see the upside down 21, The uniform number Flood wore for the Cardinals.  Cool little elements that elevate a card of a minor star 

1970 Topps #360 Curt Flood (b-side)

The cartoon on the cards reverse revals that Flood is an accomplished artist.  It is almost a clue that Curt Flood is a creative person that may think a little differently and is the kind of a guy that may challenge the system.  Just another cool detail about Curt Flood's 1970 Topps card.

It is true that Marvin Miller did a lot more for baseball and baseball players then getting Curt Flood out of Philadelpha and kickstarting the Players Union. But for me he will always be tied to Curt Flood - The Philadelphia Phillies are a footnote in the story and the 1970 Topps #360 Curt Flood tells a lot of that story in 9 square inches.    

Further Reading

Dayf over at Cardboard Junkie has a post collecting Marvin Miller Tributes here. 

I particularly like a column by Rob Neyer at SB Nation that chronicles the history of Miller non-election to the Baseball Hall of Fame 

Finally for more on the 1970 Topps #360 Curt Flood card check in with our favorite 1960s Topps Authority Jim from Dowingingtown at his 1970 Topps Blog.

Johnny Pesky 1919-2012

Yesterday we got word that Johnny Pesky died at the age of 92.  I have always wanted to profile Pesky here but never did.

Pesky drew my attention for several reasons.  He playing career falls under the Hall of Very Good category - a career that included a 3 year military stretch.  He has been a baseball ambassador for one the leagues flahship franchises for many years, and finally a piece one of the leagues iconic structures is referenced with his name.

Green Monster w/ Pesky Pole in Foreground (2012-05-29)

You can see the Pesky Pole on the Right Side of this shot.  People bring out their Sharpies and sign the pole.  It's a pretty cool tradition that will honor and remember the man as long as Fenway stands. 

I am a big fan of the Baseball Ambassador role in the sport.  It connects genearations of fans and reminds of players our parents and grandparents followed decades ago.  Johnny Pesky was in the Boston Red Sox organization in the 1940s, and still is talked about today.  That is impressive in any discipline and an important legacy to cultivate in sports.

1970 Topps #358 Pedro Borbon

Gotta wonder if Topps would put out the same Rookie Card for Pedro Borbon today.

The front of this card is perfectly fine. 

 1970 Topps #358 Pedro Borbon (Image Swiped from Baseball Card Database) 

Not sure the B-Side cartoon gets produced in 2012.   

1970 Topps #358 Pedro Borbon (b-side)

Borbon was a memorable player from my youth who won a couple of World Series Rings as a member of the Big Red Machine.  Farewell Pedro Borbon.

2010 Phungo Cards - Ivan Rodriguez

Yesterday we published the 2011 Phungo card of Ivan Rodriguez.  Today we have his 2010 card. 

2010 Phungo #7 Ivan Rodriguez

This is more of an action shot which was taken in Baltimore.   This is not actually a live game action shot.  Had Pudge been tossing out a runner at 2nd, I am sure his catchers mask would be rotated around toward the near side of Rodriguez's head.  Here he is throwing down to 2nd following the pitchers warm up tosses preceding an inning.

Hall of Fame 

For me Ivan Rodriguez is a First Ballot Hall of Famer, Let's look at the Numbers. 

World Champion - 2003 Marlins (over the Yankees)
1999 AL MVP, 14 time All-Star, 13 Gold Gloves, and 7 Silver Sluggers.
311 Homers, 2844 Hits, .296 Career Average. 
2427 Games Caught (Most all-time)

Those are great numbers at any position, but at Catcher they are quite impressive. 

Phungo Games
By my count, I was able to catch I-Rod in 7 games including the 1996 All-Star game.  Rodriguez's teams  came out on the winning side on 3 of those 7 games.  Rodriguez Hit well in those games 9 for 27 with a pair of Home Runs.

Farewell and best of luck to Ivan Rodriguez - I am glad that I was able to see parts of his great career.

Sources and Links
2010 Phungo Cards Checklist
Ivan Rodriguez HOF Index 

Dick Clark 1929-2012

1993 Collect-a-Card American Bandstand #1 Dick Clark 

This is the first card of a 100 card set dedicated to American Bandstand.   This is a fun 100 card set with a bunch of odd cards of bands featured on Bandstand during the shows run.  If we have the time, and anyone is interested, I will post a couple of cards from this set over the next couple o days.

2012 Phungo Cards - Happy Trails Bengie Molina

It has been reported that Bengie Molina has officially retired.   

None of them were ever Phillies but I have always enjoyed following the Molina clan and hope to see Bengie Stick around baseball in some capacity.

2012 Topps #31 Bengie Molina

This is the Bengie Molina card I put together for the 2012 Phungo Set.  He is catching a warm up toss from then Ranger Cliff Lee. 

I like this shot.   There are often pix of catchers in the crouch but they are always posed, or if in action from the side.  During warm ups it gives you the rare opportunity to see the catcher face front from relativley close range.  If you look in Molina's Mitt you see the baseball square in the pocket. 

This pitcher seems a little up in the zone.  Which may have been ominous as Lee got lit up by the Baltimore Orioles that day.  O's rookie third baseman Josh Bell was the hero of the day as he hit his first and 2nd career Homers both of of Lee.

Bengie Molina retires the owner of 1 and half World Series Rings.  He won one with the 2002 Angels and was awarded one by the 2010 Giants who he played a half a season for, before being traded too the Texas Rangers squad that lost to the Giants. 

Molina carreer spans 13 seasons, he retires with 144 career homers and a respectable .274 average. 

Bob Feller: 1918-2010

2000 Fleer Greats of the Game Autograph Bob Feller




Bob Feller is from well before my time but I always enjoy hearing stories about him and his career.  Here are a couple of links from Card Bloggers and Elsewhere:

Phungo Profile from December 11 2008
Vintage Sportscards
Bob Lemke (includes great photo)
Frank Deford SI Article from November 21 2007

You can't beat the old B&W footage of Feller's Fastball racing against the Motorcycle.  

Ron Santo: 1940-2010

Just read via Core Contrarian the sad news that Ron Santo has Passed.

2007 08 02 Wrigley Field Left Field Foul Poles Featuring Cubs Retired Numbers #14 Ernie Banks and #10 Ron Santo (Click to Enlarge)

  
I never saw him play, but through the magic of Cable TV and the fact that WGN America gets carried in the Philadelphia area I do get to see a fair amount of Cubs games.  Ron Santo appears occasionally and is always referenced in the most beloved terms.  Every team needs an ambassador within their broadcast team and I am glad the Cubs had Ron Santo.

The Photo above is from one of two games I attended at Wrigley Field (both in 2007) - at the time my baseball photos were just for fun and I never did get a good one of the LF pole - but you can be sure the next time I am there I will.

Ron Santo also sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that day.  For a Chicogoan this may be exhausted territory but for me it was one of the highlights of a fun week in the Windy City.


Ron Santo you will be missed.

Sources and Links
Phungo Ron Santo HoF Index

Farewell Davey Lopes

Davey Lopes, October 2008

Last week the Phillies announced that they could not come to terms with First Base Coach Davey Lopes on a deal for 2011. I have no idea what the salary of a first base coach is versus a hitting coach. The Philly Inquirer Reported that Lopes said he was not asking hitting coach money - well in my opinion he should of been and to me, he would of been worth it.

Lopes turned the Phillies raw players like Shane Victorino into a very efficient base running machine.

Perhaps he wore out his welcome with the players in Philadelphia, but the margin for the top teams in the NL East and beyond is very slim. I would hate to see Lopes go to a competing squad and flip what little edge the Phils have.

I could see Lopes returning to the Dodgers organization - They are going coaching changes and should be a lot closer to winning then they were in 2010. Lopes working with some of their young talent could be a very helpful.

Check here for a brief 2008 commentary on Lopes (and Victorino)