Canada's SIMON GAGNE fishes for a puck among the skates with VASILY PANKOV (14) as netminder ANDREI MEZIN guards the Belarus goal in the semi-finals at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The Belarussians, engineers of a shock 4-3 upset of Sweden in the quarterfinals at Salt Lake City, were bounced by the eventual-champion Canadians, 7-1.

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that winger SIMON GAGNE is expected to miss six to eight weeks as a result of abdominal and hip surgery.

The 29-year-old Gagne, an 11-year professional who graduated straight from juniors in Quebec to the National Hockey League, has two small hernias in his right groin. This would be the same area that required surgery prior to the start of the 2007-08 season. Gagne has also undergone several hip operations as a direct result of the problems with his groin.

Gagne, a native of Ste-Foy, Quebec, has totaled one goal and four assists in nine games with the Philadelphia Flyers so far this 2008-09 NHL schedule.

This development all but deals a death blow to Gagne’s hopes to represent Canada for the third time in his career at the Winter Olympic Games, which are being held this February in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Gagne, a veteran of 615 NHL games (243 go 246 as, 489 pts) has represented his nation four times (27 ga, 6 go 13 as, 19 pts) at major international tournaments, including the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. Gagne was a gold medalist for Canada at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

Tour du olympique chapeau pour Gagne? — Peu probable.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder JOHN MAYBERRY rounds third and heads for home this past spring in the Grapefruit League. Mayberry, who made his Major League debut this season, also made 89 International League appearances (13 HR 43 RBI, .256 avg) for the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2009.

Well, as we were discussing here previously, it appears as if the Philadelphia Phillies did, indeed, take after their AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs now, doesn’t it?

Again, the IronPigs had put themselves in a position where the team needed to win the last seven games of the season to reach the IRONPIGPEN’s modest goal of a .500 winning percentage.

After winning the first three, the IronPigs stumbled and fell at the fourth hurdle, in other words, exactly halfway to the finish line.

Meanwhile, following the historic 6-RBI effort in Game Six from the New York Yankees’ Japanese star, HIDEKI MATSUI, it is now known that the Philadelphia Phillies did not reach their goal, a World Series championship, in the end, either.

Needing three wins from the last three games of the Fall Classic, how ironic then that the Phillies failed to negotiate their second hurdle of the three required for a World Series repeat.

Like the IronPigs, the Phillies fall halfway home.

Too bad, so sad.

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The IRONPIGPEN never asked for a championship, just a .500 ball club and was, on the whole, effectively told to shut up.

Karma can be a killer every now and then.

While absorbing the disappointment of failure at the highest level, maybe the management of the Philadelpha Phillies will not insult Lehigh Valley fans with propaganda about a great season and find it fit to leave the IronPigs in the International League with a full bench at least once in a while next season…

MIKE CERVENAK batted .311 (10 HR 66 RBI) in 115 games for the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs their inaugural 2008 season in the International League. Cerveank, a University of Michigan man, also appeared 10 times for the World Series champions that year.

=======================

Someone punched in “2009 playoff money” at the always-interesting (for us) ’search’ section here at the IRONPIGPEN.

Good question.

Fact of the matter would be, it is not known at this time how much the winning team will receive from this 2009 World Series being contested by the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies yet.

However, according to an Associated Press story released last December, the Philadelphia Phillies baseball club received a total of $ 18.42 million dollars to be split among the players and coaches from Major League Baseball for winning the 2008 World Series versus the Tampa Bay Rays.

The AP reported, as we did last winter with “…Espeically When You Win The World Series” (Dec 18, 2008 — the eighth day of this blog’s existance) that the Philadelphia Phillies split this $ 18.42 million pot into 45 full shares, 7.039 partial shares as well as 15 cash awards. A World Series-winning team is free to split the playoff money amongst themselves as the team sees fit. From what the IRONPIGPEN has read, a popular vote within the team is the method normally used to decided who is deserving of what.

And so, a full winning share of the playoff money for the Philadelphia Phillies last season worked out to $ 351,504, according to the AP report. It is unknown what a partial share or cash award was worth from the 2008 World Series championship for Philadelphia players. Both ANDY TRACY and MIKE CERVENAK, living legends in the annals of AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball, received a partial share of playoff money from the Phillies last season but declined to reveal a hard number when asked by The Morning Call’s JEFF SCHULER in one of the sportswriter’s articles earlier this season.

But, because we have calculators and friends who know how to operate them properly, the IRONPIGPEN knows that $ 2,602,320 was the amount to be distributed into the 7.039 partial shares and 15 cash awards by the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies.

A full share for a player on the losing team, the Tampa Bay Rays, for the 2008 World Series was $ 223,390. The Rays elected to divide their playoff money into 43 full shares, 10.645 partial shares as well as 27 cash awards.

PLAYOFF MONEY FOR WORLD SERIES WINNERS
(2006-2008 — full share)
===============================

2008 Philadelphia Phillies —- $ 351,504 – (45 full, 7.039 partial, 15 awards)
2007 Boston Red Sox ———- $ 308,236 – (47 full, 14 partial, 11 awards)
2006 St. Louis Cardinals —— $ 362,173 – (divided how unknown)

Grade A++ Bulletin Board Material

This was seen at LEHIGH VALLEY CLANCULARIUS INTROSPECTIVE — www.lehighvalleyclanculariusintrospective.blogspot.com

The IRONPIGPEN hopes PEDRO MARTINEZ sees this. If we were in charge of the Phillies, there is no question we would have this blown up to poster size and produced in mass quantity. We would then make sure the visitor’s clubhouse at Yankee Stadium is wallpapered with this prior to the players’ arrival.

We would certainly have a special copy signed by the editor of the New York Post hanging in Martinez’ stall, rest assured.

This just could be the very best thing that could have happened to the Philadelphia Phillies just prior to Game Six…time will tell.

IronPigs all-time HR (48) and RBI (181) leader, ANDY TRACY

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
40-man roster players not on official World Series roster

$ 6,500,000 — Jamie MOYER, p
$ 4,000,000 — J. C. ROMERO, p

$ 835,000 — Jack TASCHNER, p
$ 750,000 — Tyler WALKER, p
$ 650,000 — Clay CONDREY, p
$ 500,000 — Miguel CAIRO, inf
$ 475,000 — Kyle KENDRICK, p
$ 420,000 — Andy TRACY, inf
$ 400,000 — Drew CARPENTER, p
$ 400,000 — John ENNIS, p – (d.l.)
$ 400,000 — Sergio ESCALONA, p
$ 400,000 — Paul HOOVER, c
$ 400,000 — John MAYBERRY, of
$ 400,000 — Drew NAYLOR, p
$ 400,000 — Mike ZAGURSKI, p

NEW YORK YANKEES
40-man roster players not on official World Series roster

$ 6,550,000 — Xavier NADY, of – (d.l.)
$ 5,000,000 — Chien-Ming WANG, p – (d.l.)
$ 1,250,000 — Sergio MITRE, p

$ 500,000 — Josh TOWERS, p
$ 432,575 — Joba CHAMBERLAIN, p
$ 422,450 — Edwar RAMIREZ, p
$ 408,925 — Ian KENNEDY, p
$ 403,075 — Jonathan ALBALADEJO, p
$ 400,700 — Francisco CERVELLI, c
$ 400,000 — Andrew BRACKMAN, p
$ 400,000 — Wilkin DE LA ROSA, p
$ 400,000 — Shelley DUNCAN, of
$ 400,000 — Michael DUNN, p
$ 400,000 — Christian GARCIA, p
$ 400,000 — Freddy GUZMAN, of
$ 400,000 — Juan MIRANDA, inf
$ 400,000 — Mark MELANCON, p

NOTE — Both Xavier Nady and Chien-Ming Wang are on the Disabled List and, therefore, not on the actual New York Yankees 40-man roster at this point in time.

Six-point-five million dollar man RAUL IBANEZ (43) comes to bat for the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs opposite the Pawtucket Red Sox at Coca-Cola Park on July 7 with the good guys trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth. For the record, the IronPigs lost, 6-2, in front of yet another sellout crowd of 10,000.

I always thought the old expression was, “like father, like son”. The more I watch of this 2009 World Series featuring the defending champion Philadelpha Phillies and the New York Yankees, the more I realize I must be mistaken. In fact, all this time, perhaps it is true — I had it all backwards.

The AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs, to review, put themselves in a position with a September loss in Syracuse whereby the team needed the last seven on the trot to break even for the season.

It shall be noted that the IronPigs took a legitimate shot at the target. Three straight wins offered hope, but, it would be the Buffalo Bisons on September 5 at Coca-Cola Park who burst the IronPigs’ bubble at the fourth hurdle. For the record, AAA Lehigh Valley did win six of their last seven ball games and, in the end, fell exactly one game short of the coveted .500 mark in International League play.

Of course, in this season’s Fall Classic, the Philadelphia Phillies dug themselves a deep hole by falling behind three games to one in the best of seven series. However, thanks to a pair of historic home runs from CHASE UTLEY, as well as one from IronPig RAUL IBANEZ, the Phillies triumphed in Game Five and, thus, live to fight another day. From their effort last evening, it appears as if Philadelphia are intent on a last-ditch sprint for the finish line.

Just like the AAA Lehigh Valley.

Hopefully for the sake of the Philadelphia Phillies’ supporters, their team’s storyline will have a different ending than that of the IronPigs…

Mr. JAY BALLZ checked in to let the IRONPIGPEN know that his website, PHOULBALLZ.COM, has an interview with NEEKO, the artist who rewrote Jay Z’s “Empire State Of Mind” with lyrics more fitting to Philadelphia.

WWW.PHOULBALLZ.COM
or
WWW.MISTERBALLZ.BLOGSPOT.COM

Unlike my brother, I have actually maintained residence in the city of Philadelphia in my time here on Earth. At 13th and Walnut Streets to be specific. I am also very familiar with New York City, just to set the record straight.

I have to admit I am no fan of hip hop. I prefer other styles of music as luck would have it. However, I must also state unequivocably, that I so much prefer the lyrics NEEKO has to offer for his version of “Empire State Of Mind” as compared to those of Jay Z!

NeeKo sings about notable landmarks and sports figures in Philadelphia. MICHAEL VICK should be nobody’s hero but, other than that, I would say NeeKo is promoting nothing but a positive image of the city of Philadelphia. NeeKo, by design or otherwise, brought back a lot of good memories of my time in Philadelphia, as I am first-hand familiar with all the places he points out. NeeKo makes me want to jump in the car and take a short trip south.

Jay Z sings about dealing crack cocaine and prostitution in New York City in addition to referring to the notorious Crips gang. Jay Z promotes garbage, his own arrogance and the hip hop culture. He fails to inspire me to want to venture forth to New York City. In fact, Jay Z achieves the exact opposite effect.

But, hey, forget my opinions. Now that the IRONPIGPEN has posted both versions, which rapper would YOU, the reader, prefer to listen to?

Which would be more suitable for a national television audience of the family-style entertainment Major League Baseball markets itself to be?

BTW – is Jay Z singing about his OWN MOTHER, by any chance?

“Mommy took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route”

========================================================

www.phinallyphilly.com

NEEKO’s version of “EMPIRE STATE OF MIND” lyrics

yeah I’m talking b hop
more like Balboa
never been to my city
come on wit me ill show ya
home of the fresh prince
jazzier than jeff is
back in the day doc j rock a 76
jersey just across the bridge
betsy ross walt whit
benjamin franklin
1776
state our independence
high as kites ever since
sayin you from philly
you reap nothin but the benefits
plus its always sunny here
just in case ya unaware
citizens be bankin in
can we get another year
yeah im talking repeat
heat like hamels
utley amazing
charlie wrote the manuel
broad street bullies
nothins flyer more than a flyer fan
missin all his teeth
bobby clarke still smilin
rocky on the first step
headin to that top one
yeah thats me
we go hard where
im from

——————————————————————-
CHORUS

in philly
concrete jungle where dreams are made of
theres nothin you cant do
now youre in philly
these streets will make you feel brand new
these lights will inspire you
lets hear it for philly x3
——————————————————————-

back when we had sly bacon
whoops i mean cunningham
right after jaws
and right before the running man
so much wit
prolly get it from the cheesesteaks
i been out all night i just wanna sleep late
young crowd olde city
tell me where the party at
meet the girl on south street
better rock ya party cap
cruisin down city ave
headin to the boulevard
coulda grabbed the El
but they told me that it wouldn’t spark
ths where im coming from
who knows where we goin to
i feel like im in line for a ride
whem im at tony lukes
we could lose all the trees
but we still got the roots
plus we got the beans
and an eve that doesn’t opt for fruit
green blood in the tube
if we need it transfused
when the mets come thru
youre gonna hear our fans boo
this is the city of brotherly love
and if youve never been here
i suggest that you come to

——————————————————————-
CHORUS
——————————————————————-

now that we got vick
i think we need the vet back
tougher than a stitch
on a mitchell and ness cap
liberty bell crack
walnut chestnut
aint justa ill track
more like the best of
215
yeah I covered all of that
from way back to the future
with this almanac
illadelph artifax
love park heart attacks
always on the grind till i die
spilin all the facts
yeah the way im writin
youd think that im a titan
the way my penns landin
the crowd is left standin
d e mandin
chantin
one more encore
whos the new kid i never heard em before
so reggie white wit a mic
bringin hits all night
cant afford this flow
a praise for no price
they call me neeko
this is for my people
ill state of mind
everywhere we go
in philly

——————————————————————-
CHORUS
——————————————————————-

================

I heard Philadelphia manager CHARLIE MANUEL on the radio today talking about the fact that the Phillies blew 22 seventh-inning or later leads to lose ball games this season or something like that.

How could the IRONPIGPEN not reflect upon all the late-inning leads that the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs let slip away this past season?

There can be no question, the IronPigs had more than enough talent as well as every opportunity over the course of the season to achieve a .500 winning percentage, but, in the end, failed to get the job done. Period. End of discussion.

But hey, that’s tough. Too bad. Nobody cares about winning in the minor leagues, it is all about developing prospects for the Phillies. As history has it, “LEARN YOUR FACTS” lectured me none-too-politely as much one day over at another blog. In fact, I was specifically told to “Grow up.”

(Know-It-All forgot to mention minor league baseball is also all about entertaining 8-year-olds so you can sell lots of tickets, merchandise and concessions to their parents, too)

So, I must confess. I found BRAD LIDGE falling off the ledge in the ninth inning of Game Four to be priceless. Like an 8-year-old kid could not look at Lidge’s line for the season (67 games, 0 wins, 8 losses, how many blown saves – 13?, and a 7.21 ERA) and see this coming from 4,000 miles away.

With one eye closed.

Meanwhile, it is also hard to escape the feeling that some kind of poetic justice prevails for the Philadelphia Phillies as well as their fans this World Series.

As previously stated, the IronPigs had enough players on hand. All the blown leads late confirm as much. The eight-run eighth inning late in the season at the Buffalo Bisons will probably be etched in my mind forever.

Similiarly, the Philadelphia Phillies have more than enough talent on hand to take a second straight World Series. The offensive firepower should have been able to account for Game Two all by themselves but could not. Personally, I will take two runs in seven innings from my starting pitcher and three runs from the entire staff all day long, especially with a team carrying big sticks such as the Phillies.

I would feel if my team cannot score four runs, we do not deserve to win. But that’s just me. (And perhaps a few old-schoolers out there as well).

And so, alas, it looks as if the Phillies have dug themselves a hole which history says will be extremely hard to climb out of.

The IronPigs relief pitching killed off any hope of a five hundred record for AAA Lehigh Valley in the International League. I believe this Game Four loss to the New York Yankees will prove to be a back-breaker for the Philadelphia Phillies. If so, it will be relief pitching that did in the Phillies’ dreams of a second consecutive World Series in the pivotal game of this 2009 Fall Classic, make no mistake.

Any poetic justice in there, or, once again, as the IRONPIGPEN was told 32,686 times already this season — we have no idea what the hell we are talking about?

========================================================

Uh, JOHNNY PIG FAN, that would be your cue there, Chief!

Fire away. Use the “IronPig Pen Sucks” e-mail address again. My brother got a kick out of that.

Personally, I’m in an Empire State of Mind.

You would not be expected to know this, but both my brother and I were actually both born in New York. Our father moved the family to Allentown a long, long time ago. Technically, however, we are native New Yorkers and can use such status when it serves our purposes.

Unlike President Obama, we would have no trouble producing authentic and valid birth certificates for anyone who really, really wanted to see them and was going around saying we were not born in the United States.