1986 ProCards Reading Phillies #11 Michael Jackson

Strange days indeed . . . I wanted to pay tribute somehow to Michael Jackson (the King of Pop and not the relief pitcher) and this was the first (and only) Phillies baseball card to come to mind. The person I wanted to call today after I heard the news of his passing was my sister, who had hosted a Michael Jackson themed birthday party back in the day. I think everyone wore their Michael Jackson gear and they watched the Thriller video. It's sad to think that such an icon from our youth is gone.

Say say say what you want, but the Phils' play these days is just Bad. (Sorry, I'll knock it off now). Antonio Bastardo was dreadful tonight, Pedro Feliz looked clueless on the base paths, the bullpen is a shell of its former self, Jimmy Rollins is riding the pine, and Charlie Manuel just looks exacerbated. With the 10-4 loss to the Rays tonight, the Phils have lost 8 of their last 9. The Mets, Marlins and Braves are getting closer and closer in the rear-view mirror.

Perhaps the best thing for the entire team is to get out of the country for a few days.