Monkeyboy wrote:I'm pretty sure I remember Piazza hitting a ball into the same area and I'm not sure another Philly has it one into that leftcenterfield spot.

Dear Mr Palmer,

First, I want to thank you in advance for reading my letter. I really believe the Phillies have done an excellent job in recent seasons responding to the fans and making us feel like we are a part of the organization. I normally don't write letters like this, but feel compelled to do so after last night's fantastic comeback against the Nationals. The fact that I am writing this despite my happiness about the game's outcome with hopefully indicate to you how much I am bothered with this issue.

During the game, Dukes hit a HR for the Nationals onto Ashburn Alley. There's no getting around the fact that it was a titanic blast, one of the farthest hit in CBP's history. Unfortunately, Tom McCarthy chose this time to rename Ashburn Alley, Mike Piazza Territory (nevermind that Ryan Howard has also hit balls to that part of the park), and did so with such joy in his voice that I couldn't tell he was a Phillies announcer. While annoying, this fact by itself wouldn't warrant this letter. I am writing because this call is not an isolated incident. Throughout his time in Philadelphia, McCarthy has routinely expressed equal or greater excitement to opposing teams' HRs and good plays. I have MLBTV and I sometimes rewind all the HRs to listen to the calls. McCarthy doesn't seem to realize that he is a Phillies announcer and no longer works for the Mets. Renaming an area of CBP named after one of the most beloved people in Philadelphia history is a slap in the face to Phillies fans everywhere. I find this unacceptable and I know I am not alone in feeling this way. It's not surprising that McCarthy should have a soft spot for the Mets. They were his favorite team growing up and it's difficult for those feelings to fade. But he has been with the Phillies for several years and he still doesn't seem to have the Phillies in his heart.

My one concern in writing this letter is that you will think it has something to do with Harry's passing. We all loved and miss Harry, but my disdain for Tom McCarthy has nothing to do with our loss. I have felt this way for two years, but I didn't want to write after last year because I felt it would seem silly complaining after a world championship. I also hoped being a part of the championship would finally turn McCarthy's blood from Mets blue to Phillies red. It's clear that hasn't happened. Please consider replacing McCarthy after this season. The fans of Philadelphia deserve a broadcast crew that loves the team as much as they do. I cannot stomach the idea of Tom McCarthy becoming the voice of the Phillies for a generation.

Thank you for your time and GO PHILLIES!!!!!

philliesphhan wrote:

Monkeyboy wrote:I'm pretty sure I remember Piazza hitting a ball into the same area and I'm not sure another Philly has it one into that leftcenterfield spot.

Someone in the game thread pointed out that Piazza only had two HRs at CBP. I guess it's certainly possible one was to there, but it's certainly dumb of Tmac to give it that nickname. That'd be like calling slightly over the left field wall 'Blanton territory' though at least he's on the team.

. And the home runs kept flying, particularly Piazza's prodigious poke in the third. It nearly reached the concourse well above and beyond left-center field.

"That was one of my favorite things to watch," Wright said. "The face Mike makes when he hits one like that, the ugly face. And then he leans back and watches it."

"Years ago, [the look] was exhilaration," Piazza said. "Now it's pain."

Though not hit particularly high, Piazza's home run had Ray Guy hangtime because of its distance, estimated at 471 feet.

Monkeyboy wrote:I believe this was the game. It refers to a mammoth Piazza HR. There's a video for it under the video section, but silverlight doesn't seem to want to work for me right now. I'll see if I can check for it on MLBTV.

Ugh, MLBTV archives only go back to 2005, so that's out. Maybe someone else can watch the video and verify where it went.

Baseballs were sprinkled from Ashburn Alley in left field to the power alley in right and everywhere in between during the Mets' 16-4 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. At Tony Luke's sandwich stand in left-center, anyone ordering a cheese steak had to watch his back. ...

Mike Piazza hit the second-longest home run in the two-year history of this stadium, 471 feet onto the outfield concourse, ...

Phan In Phlorida wrote:Wait a minute... I thought Mike Piazza Territory was Crazy Horse Too.

philsfan1979 wrote:I am so ashamed that Tom McCarthy and I share the same hometown of Brick, NJ. However, he went to the rival high school on the north side of town...so that gives me an added reason to despise him.

That being said, I'm sure he's a nice guy and all...he just doesn't get that his announcing his offensive to Phillies fans.

Monkeyboy wrote:sent this. Not a great letter, but what do you want at 3am?

Dear Mr Palmer,

First, I want to thank you in advance for reading my letter. I really believe the Phillies have done an excellent job in recent seasons responding to the fans and making us feel like we are a part of the organization. I normally don't write letters like this, but feel compelled to do so after last night's fantastic comeback against the Nationals. The fact that I am writing this despite my happiness about the game's outcome with hopefully indicate to you how much I am bothered with this issue.

During the game, Dukes hit a HR for the Nationals onto Ashburn Alley. There's no getting around the fact that it was a titanic blast, one of the farthest hit in CBP's history. Unfortunately, Tom McCarthy chose this time to rename Ashburn Alley, Mike Piazza Territory (nevermind that Ryan Howard has also hit balls to that part of the park), and did so with such joy in his voice that I couldn't tell he was a Phillies announcer. While annoying, this fact by itself wouldn't warrant this letter. I am writing because this call is not an isolated incident. Throughout his time in Philadelphia, McCarthy has routinely expressed equal or greater excitement to opposing teams' HRs and good plays. I have MLBTV and I sometimes rewind all the HRs to listen to the calls. McCarthy doesn't seem to realize that he is a Phillies announcer and no longer works for the Mets. Renaming an area of CBP named after one of the most beloved people in Philadelphia history is a slap in the face to Phillies fans everywhere. I find this unacceptable and I know I am not alone in feeling this way. It's not surprising that McCarthy should have a soft spot for the Mets. They were his favorite team growing up and it's difficult for those feelings to fade. But he has been with the Phillies for several years and he still doesn't seem to have the Phillies in his heart.

My one concern in writing this letter is that you will think it has something to do with Harry's passing. We all loved and miss Harry, but my disdain for Tom McCarthy has nothing to do with our loss. I have felt this way for two years, but I didn't want to write after last year because I felt it would seem silly complaining after a world championship. I also hoped being a part of the championship would finally turn McCarthy's blood from Mets blue to Phillies red. It's clear that hasn't happened. Please consider replacing McCarthy after this season. The fans of Philadelphia deserve a broadcast crew that loves the team as much as they do. I cannot stomach the idea of Tom McCarthy becoming the voice of the Phillies for a generation.

Thank you for your time and GO PHILLIES!!!!!

stevemc wrote:By the way (and I'm sure it's in the game thread) - Scott Franzke's call of the Ibanez HR is the tits!

1 wrote:

stevemc wrote:By the way (and I'm sure it's in the game thread) - Scott Franzke's call of the Ibanez HR is the tits!