My three sisters and I are taking my Mom to see a show in New York today. It’s called “A Jew Grows In Brooklyn.” So that’s where my headline comes from this morning, a take-off on the show which is itself a take-off, of course, on the wonderful book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith.
It’s a one-man show performed by author and comedian Jake Ehrenreich that’s gotten rave reviews like these:
“A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY, WITH ALL THE JOY, TENDERNESS AND HEARTBREAK OF BEING A JEW.”
“IT’S A BALL. ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.”
Last night we were “treated” to a one-man show of a different kind. It did involve a “ball,” but unfortunately it was decidedly not enjoyable. And even more unfortunately, this one-man show has had way too long of a run. Here’s my review:
“A MERCILESSLY ENDLESS JOURNEY WITH ALL THE PAIN, AGONY AND HEARTBREAK OF BEING A PHILLIES FAN. IF YOU DIDN’T SEE IT YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE IT.”
How did I do? You couldn’t even turn the story of Cliff Lee’s season into a show because no one would believe it and certainly no one would go to see it!
Unless…
there’s that magical ending that theater-goers and baseball fans, love. You know the kind. Where the underdog who has been suffering all through Acts I and II finally gets his chance to shine. He wins the girl, gets the big job, wins the championship.
Don’t laugh. It could happen. Ok, it doesn’t seem likely now but that’s what makes a great show. That surprise ending that you are hoping for even when things look really bleak. And no one will argue that things look really bleak for this Phillies team right now. Really bleak. But we’ve only seen Act I. The Intermission, in baseball known as The All-Star Break, will soon be upon us.
Maybe this review, another adapted from “A Jew Grows In Brooklyn” will apply to the Phillies Second Act as well.
“one of the most touching, soulful, and laugh out loud shows you’ll ever see! the ending will bring audiences to their feet cheering for more”
They don’t call baseball “the show” for nothing. And we sure could use a couple of laughs right about now.
Girls Best Phriend 
I had some pity for Lee early, but HE is the main reason for his record. And sadly it looks like he’s packed it in. Time to shop him around.
His body language is NOT good right now. It’s like he’s in denial. I didn’t think it would be like last year but not sure I would have predicted this debacle.
Tired of watching this team. Did not even turn it on. This is a team deserving of their record. The sad part is that they could gain the same results with $100MM less in payroll. They need to trade Hamels and get some real prospects- ones that Amaro/Gillick have been unable to develop over the last decade. Did you know that no player signed/developed by Phillies organization in the last ten years is currently making a major impact on the team? Ten years! To show you how bad it is, people go radio ga-ga over .215 hitting infielder. Trade all of them and start over.
The minors are definitely an issue. An aging team with no one to bring up is not a good combination. Not sure I’d trade Hamels, though. He’s young and likely to get better. But if he really wants the 7 years he’s talking about I guess we may have to.