Mount Rushmore for the @IronPigs

I suppose we can blame LeBron James for all this.  Everyone wants to talk about Mount Rushmore now.  Mount Rushmore for broadcasters?  Really?  OK.

So, Mt. PigMore

We have to chip in.  It’s been six full seasons and I’m ready to make a Mt. Rushmore for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Mt PigMore: Tracy, Brown, Sandberg, and Thompson

Andy Tracy

Those early teams were dreadful.  But people came to the park and the one player they loved to see was Andy Tracy.  He was on first every night and was always a threat to hit a home run.  He was always engaging with fans, whether it was easy autographs for the kiddos or tipping one back like a local.  Great player.  Great guy.  And he still visits as the Phillies’ roving hitting instructor.

Domonic Brown

I know what you’re thinking, but we haven’t really developed a ton of talent here in the Lehigh Valley.  There are many reasons for this, but Brown is the guy who spent a significant amount of time with the IronPigs and now has gone on to become a starter with the Phillies.  I know he was boo’d. (And I still maintain it didn’t help him and made us as fans look bad, but I digress.) I know he made some dreadful plays in the field.  But, ultimately, what he did here allowed him to become an integral part of the Phillies.  And for that he gets a spot.  From everything I’ve heard, he was always forthcoming with the fans and the media, locally, too.

Ryne Sandberg

And not because he is in the Hall of Fame as a player.  In a way, in spite of that.  He brought winning baseball to a franchise that had never been above .500 for even one day.  And it was never about him.  You want to sell his autograph on Ebay?  Fine, but he signed them for free every single night at Coca Cola Park.  He was often the first one signing and the last one done.  He and his wife participated in whatever promotions or charity work the IronPigs organization asked.  His teams played hard every single night with an attention to detail not previously seen in these parts.  By the end of the 2014 season, I predict the Philadelphia Phaithful will be on board as well.

Rich Thompson

He bridged the gap from the early teams that struggled to the playoff threatening teams of the Sandberg era.  No matter what he did, he could never earn the call from the Phillies.  When he was traded to Tampa, not one person I know was sad to see him go–and that was because we all knew he was going back to the big leagues after so many years.  He played hard every night–he wasn’t the home run hitter that Tracy was, but he stole bases and made plays in center every night.  He seemed to get better when Mr. Sandberg arrived, as he was unleashed on the base paths.  The only time I ever saw him miss a play in center was when the smoke machine malfunctioned.  A man of faith, he was active in the community when he had the opportunity.  I still miss him.

Other Considerations:

1. Mike Cervenak  –  He wasn’t here as long as Thompson.  I didn’t want three 2008-9 guys.  But, he was always one of my favorites in the early years.
2. JA Happ  –  Went on to be an MLB regular.  He had the no-hit bid.
3. John Mayberry, Jr.  –  He spent a bunch of time here and still has a spot on the Phillies.  But he’s never really been an MLB starter.  His effort locally was in question at times.
4. Erik Kratz  –  I was really close to giving him Brown’s spot.  He’s one of my favorites and was always cool with the fans. I love the All-Star story that happened when he was here with the IL team via Indy.  Alas, I don’t think he’ll ever be an MLB regular.
5. Brandon Moss  –  He’s certainly had the MLB success, as well as the IronPigs performance.  But he wasn’t developed here and the Phillies blew the chance to use him that year.
6. Kyle Kendrick  –  He was up and down for a while, and never really dominant either here or in Philly.
7. Freddy Galvis  –  He was, and is, a joy to watch.  His bat started to come alive down the stretch in the 2011 playoff run.  Time will tell, if he becomes an MLB regular.
8. Cody Asche  –  We’ll see.  It’s early.

Happy Sports Debates,

@Kram209