Shane Victorino's Pesky Play Guiding Phils Success

As we've all heard Joe Buck say multiple times, Shane Victorino has been in all the action to this point in the Phillies post-season. While this is likely the first exposure Shane is getting in much of the national media, the Phillies faithful know the Flying Hawaiian well. Every time Victorino comes up in conversation, my dad calls him "money" and loves his hustle. Shane agrees, "My parents always told me that it never hurt to hustle. That’s how I play the game.”

The New York Times has caught on to Shane Vic's pesky play and profiled him yesterday while making the comparison to another pesky Phillie from the 1993 squad:

That team, if you recall, featured a pesky dude named Lenny Dykstra. Victorino, at 5 feet 9 inches and 180 pounds, is the 2008 version. His two runs batted in Monday gave him 11 in eight games this postseason, eclipsing Dykstra’s team record of 10 set 15 years ago in four more games. As opponents have focused on teammates with flashier pedigrees — Ryan Howard, Utley, Jimmy Rollins — Victorino has almost caught them by surprise.

Nothing like a little stealth Hawaiian surprise attack. Shane hasn't gotten a big head:

“Those guys are elite, they play at an elite class in the league,” Victorino, 27, said Tuesday afternoon before the Phillies’ workout. “They’re All-Stars, M.V.P.’s. I’m not trying to put myself in that class. I’m just trying to help this team win.”

Like I said, Shane Victorino has stepped up and played the role of catalyst for this Phillies team, a role usually saved for Jimmy Rollins. But like I said, with Jimmy being fairly quiet thus far in October, Shane's stepped up.

No questions asked.

>>Phillies Spark Plug Energized by Jeers [NYTimes]

Comments

[Gaze]

Most. Depressing. Email. Ever.
http://images40.fotki.com/v1332/photos/6/694959/2663197/tickets-vi.jpg

[Mike H.]

That picture? J-Roll? Red pinstripes? The World Series?

Was there whiskey in the coffee this morning?

[doubleh]

Gaze: I got it, too. Sniff.

If we were out in L.A., we could get tix for tonight's game for $18 on StubHub. Can you believe that shit?

[Gaze]

my season ticket partner, however, did score tickets to game 3 for us. Section 305, row 21 was best available. So I'm there for at least one game!

[johndewar]

Is it 8:22 yet? Just sent the wife out to buy beer for tonite.

[Francis]

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081014_Just_A_Win_Away.html

Please note the 5th paragraph quote. I'd take it from every guy in that dugout too if we could mean we'd win the world series. I'll be there in LA tonight to see the clincher!

[will]

dewar is the man. i have to rationalize why i buy beer. probably why i've switched to jack

[zack]

i just got that same email

[ryan]

Gaze, I got the same e-mail. It wouldn't have been as bad if the subject of the e-mail wasn't "Phillies Postseason Ticket Opportunity"

[Phatty]

I also got the disappointing email, at three different email addresses. I wonder if anyone actually got tickets through this lottery. If anyone wants to sell me a Game 3 ticket, I will gently hold your balls all game long.

[Greg]

I only know of one person that got tickets through the lottery. Between my g/f's 3 email addresses and my 3, we got shutout.....ebay here I come :(

[Daniella]

Heartbreaking email. I hope my dad had better luck. Game 4 is on my 22nd birthday!

[Johnny Nas]

I received a winning email today...I will be at game 3...3 tix section 301 row 4 Johnny Nas will be in the house....havent been this happy in a long time...feels weird

[will]

Daniella game 4 is also on my 26th, on the 26th. what a profound gift, mm?

[MP]

Game 3 is on my 23rd birthday and I am going!

[K in South Jersey]

game 4 is my b-day also (46th)

wouldn't a Phillies sweep be a very nice present?

[Pelle]

OK... I hope i don't get hounded too bad for this email from those who don't have a WS ticket, because I do have 4. I had been waiting until the Phillies clinch before I send out this email so I don't get abused for jinxing anything (I don't believe in jinxing). But, since this taboo has already been breached above... here is my dilemna. I can't use them. I have an event on the 25th that has been planned for a year and simply can't go to that game. If there is anyone reading this that has 4 tickets on the 26th and can't use theirs I'd trade or pay the difference. This isn't about me selling them. This is about me trying to be in attendance! My tickets and parking pass are section 145 in consecutive seats. If you can help, I am at pleaman@premiercompaniesllc.com

[Bud]

@ Pelle - shit, I have to check my tix but I think I'm in the exact same situation. Oh well, there are worse situations to be in :)
Good luck! Go Cole!

[mike c]

can we please win tonight before we talk world series tickets!!!

[PoorSports]

@Pelle

I've got 4 tickets to game 4 I can trade you...but they're printed on graham crackers. Will that be a problem?

;-)

[Tim]

I would like tickets. I did not get tickets. I do not like this. Go Phillies.

[Izziebee]

I love pesky Phillies!

[Sean R.]

[Sigh]
I got that same depressing email. To make matters even worse, I go to college in Boston and I'm stranded up here with stupid Red Sox fans, haha. I would sell a vital organ to make it to a Phillies WS game. Oh well, haha