Because We Could All Use Some Phillies Propaganda Right About Now

With the Mets making noise in the East and the Marlins still hanging on while the Phillies struggle on and off the field, I think we could all benefit from some good-intentioned home team propaganda.

No, Dave Spadaro hasn't been hired to handle PR for the Fightins'. Chris Speakman, an artist born and based in Massachusetts, has combined two of his interests with his chosen medium of graphic design to produce a series of fan-inspired "1940's propaganda style" screen-prints. From his site, sportspropaganda.com:

A lifelong lover of sports as well as a passion for history have driven Chris Speakman to create "Sports Propaganda" limited edition prints. Conceptually inspired by the various war-like rivalries around sports as well as propaganda art from the 1940's, Chris's goal is to recruit fans to support their favorite team.

You'll have to excuse that, being a Boston resident, much of Chris's early work understandably focuses on the Sawx, but since becoming officially licensed by MLB, he's expanding to other teams. He tells us that the fervor of the fans in Philly lends itself to his style, and he's a big fan of some of the players on the current team. Here's one of Chase Utley, and after the jump, another featuring Ryan Howard.

These are the first two non-Sox prints Chris has done, and they turned out really well.

I'd love to see a few of these treating the Mets like wartime enemies, but that's probably a bit much ask for.

Comments

[How do you spell retard?]

A picture of Chase putting his head down after his swing or taking a hack at a ball near his neck(i.e. Jason Davis) would make more sense at this point.

[johndewar]

I'm waiting for the one that shows a patented Ruiz 6-4-3 double play.

[The Phunyun]

Where's the Jimmy Rollins "Don't Be A Front Runner" poster?

[bizurk]

Brian Dawkins as benevolent leader poster I want. I teach my alotted children to sing and dance in his praise. We tell story of his great conquests and glorious teaching. In play, children bayonet cowboy fan and burn in effigy.

[al]

how about the Sarge "..as well" poster?

[Bryan]

What is with Chase's facial hair in that pic? Is this a Captain Morgan rum ad?

[Poster Nutbag]

juan samuel is on the wall of fame now. where is his poster?

does anyone else think that maybe the curse of the mid '80s phillies is striking this club? samuel on the wall is only the first sign. bruntlett could be the reincarnation of steve jeltz. if we ever do a 1-for-5, you will know that the von hayes apocalypse is upon us.

[Poster Nutbag]

i also like how the posters have the words "Est. 1883" on them. in fairness, they should also say "1 World Series in 125 Years" and "Over 10,000 Losses".

also, while we are on the theme of war, the senate (or at least sen. specter who loves to get involved with sports related issues) should hold hearings to see if phillies management has been guilty of war profiteering.

[johndewar]

"bruntlett could be the reincarnation of steve jeltz."

C'mon! Let's not act like Bruntlett could sport jheri curls and look nearly as cool as Steve Jeltz in doing so.

[Jeanine]

Thanks for pointing these out! I just ordered both.

[theKrisheim]

biting Shepard Fariey is a national epidemic

[Chris Speakman]

Thanks for the post Matt - I appreciate you letting your readers know about my work. I hope everyone likes it.

[Stevek]

Very nice indeed, Chris. You could take this idea very far with the prints.

[Zack]

I want the "Focused and Fearless" Manny Red Sox picture

sorry Chris ...the timing is just too funny right now

[matt71fisher]

got my Utley poster in the mail today...despite the team's piss poor play as of late the poster is awesome and a must if you collect sports memorabilia. Compliments my framed poster of the Vet nicely.