Philly’s Phighter





“There goes my hero….watch him as he goes….” (Hero: Foo Fighters)  Whenever I hear this song by one of my favorite bands, I think of the biggest little Phillies fan I know.  His name is Trey Love, the 4 y/o son of one of my best friends.  I think of his mommy, Missy. She is so strong and her perseverance is relentless. I think of Mike, Trey’s daddy. Mike is the rock holding this family together. Trey has Neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer.  He is terminal.  They say he will die this time.  When?  No one knows.  I do know one thing.  When word got out about Trey’s diagnosis, the Philadelphia Phillies organization was inundated with emails and phone calls regarding Trey.  They have answered in a big way.  More than once. 

I will give you a little back story.  When Trey was just over a year old, he had a black eye.  The origin was a mystery. When the black eye hung around awhile, refusing to heal…they took him to the doctors.  Upon further examination, a mass was found in his abdomen and scans revealed a tumor behind his eye.  Stage IV Neuroblastoma.  Trey’s body was consumed with cancer. This did not stop Trey Love.  This tot took on a microscopic monster. After numerous rounds of chemo, radiation and trial studies...Trey won.  April 2009 he was declared cancer free.  Then March 20, 2011 happened. 

The phone rings in the morning….too early for a Sunday. “Trey is being flown to CHOP, he is unresponsive.  You need to come now, they say he is dying. They say my baby is dying.  HURRY. They said his brain is bleeding and there is a tumor on his brain again. Just hurry.”  By the time we arrived at CHOP, Trey had been rushed into surgery in an attempt to stop the bleed….and they were successful.  Trey survived the surgery (they said he may not), Trey did not need a ventilator (they were 100% sure he would).  Pathology revealed a Neuroblastoma relapse in the brain. This is considered incurable.  Trey is listed as terminal.



The Love Family



Trey is a Phillies fan.  The true definition of a Phighter.  Thanks to the Phillies, Trey was able to attend Sunday’s game against the Astros in style. The Phanatic even paid a special visit to Trey at his seat.  The smile on this kid’s face was priceless. The smile on Trey's face lit up the Hall of Fame Club!  This smile is extra special, because Trey also had a stroke on the morning of he 20th, leaving him without he use of the right side of his body. The Phanatic made him smile using both sides of his face.   The Philadelphia Phillies are helping Mike and Missy enjoy making every moment they have left with their son absolutely amazing.  

I am going to be taking a leave of absence from the blog. While my healthy kids are in school and my phantastic husband is at work, I spend my weekdays at CHOP helping my friends with anything and everything.  My nights are the usual chaos.  5 kids, baseball practices, softball practices, batting practice, homework, etc…  Trey will be starting a 4 week radiation treatment soon.  As soon as mom and dad get the OK, they are taking their son to Disney.  I should be back by then!!

Please, if you pray….pray for Trey.  Pray for that BIG miracle. If you are interested in following Trey’s story, you can do so at www.causes.com/treylove  AND www.helptreylove.com.



Watch Trey’s story at:

            Trey’s Story (made by me for childhood cancer awareness month)                              

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zac4Laf7s4g

The Chemo Kid (reeltoreelfilms)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwttwH2N0Zw

When Lightning Strikes You Twice (reeltoreelfilms) This was made on March 20,

2011 when Trey relapsed and a prayer vigil was held that night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKdGuUKS7oI

In The Belly Of The Beast (reeltoreelfilms) Sunday March 27^th 2011 prayer vigil 

Number 2….1000+ people in prayer for Trey!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkV9KKd2A_c

Also at www.6abc.com 

Oh, What A Wonderful World (it would be)…..





I have contemplated throwing beer, kicking seat partners and mastered the art of holding my bladder for 9 innings….  I am a Phillies fan, through and through.  Throwing beer would qualify me for an ejection from the game, and that is not cool.  Kicking seat partners, yeah, I have done that, “accidentally!”

I have been to several hundred Phillies games in my short 34yrs of life. I have learned there are a few rules of etiquette one needs to follow at a baseball game.

Allow me to educate you:

1) Why would you pay, on average, $60 per ticket, only to sit there and discuss your fantasy baseball line-up for 9 innings?  Seriously?  I do not care!

2) If your child has been up since 6am….it is probably NOT a good idea to bring them to a 7pm game.  I want the only stress during those hours to be game related….NOT subconsciously restraining myself from punching ignorant parents.

3) To my fellow female game attendees: I do not care who has what designer bag and where so-and-so bought their fantastic shoes. Oh…also, this is baseball, the Phillies colors are RED & WHITE.  Lose the pink bedazzled crap. (gag)

4) Learn to handle your alcohol. If you are a light weight, it is probably best to refrain from drinking at all.  To the drunk lady in 5 inch heels trying to shuffle sideways down the isle and falls in my lap….I will be sober and I will kick your ass.

5) No matter how loud you yell, the person on the other end of your cell phone cannot hear you.  The cheering Phillies fans reign superior.

6) If you notice the fan cams pointing in your direction…..please remember this….there are millions of viewers at home watching their TV’s, pointing and laughing at the idiot calling his friends and pointing at himself on the jumbo tron.

7) Please do not bitch about the amount of fat and calories in ballpark food.  If you want tofu and veggie crisps…..go to the ballet.

8) The Bongo Camera is ridiculous. Enough said. Idiots.

9) I am reinstating my unspoken rule. If you are seated in my row, or a row in front of me…you are limited to 3 trips to the bathroom or concession stands. That is 3 times the entire game, not per inning!

10) I am a female. I know I have nice legs. If you are not my husband, there is no need to touch them.

If I had the ability to address the pregame crowds with my rules of etiquette over the big screen, after the Phillies Ball Girls layout their rules….everyone would have a wonderful experience! Remember, I am not a bitch….just a frugal mother who is out, sans kids, and would like to get her money’s worth!!!  Play ball & Go Phillies!

~KimberLee

Five Guys & A Ball…..

With much anticipation over the upcoming 2011 baseball season; it is with great honor that I present to you, my 2011 Philadelphia Phillies season predictions. 

There are many aspects I take into consideration while making my predictions.  It is a finely tuned recipe. Part intuition mixed with part statistical analysis and a dash of common sense.  My handicap is typically (+/-) 3 games. (ie..for 2010 I predicted 96 wins, they finished the regular season with 97)

Pitching:

We have an amazing rotation, thank you Captain Obvious!  We are coming into what will be a historical season. I am betting on each of the Aces to carry a 20+ win season and each to maintain a < 2.61 ERA. Allow me to break the pitching down:

 

Halladay: Two time Cy Young winner, the man is a machine. Everyone worries about his stamina after pitching 250 innings last season.  Please!  Have you seen this guy?  The only reason he broke a sweat during his perfect game in Florida was because of the humidity.  Meanwhile, winter 2011, the outdoor temps in Philly read 5 degrees.  This man is outside in shorts and a t-shirt running wind sprints. In 2010, he actually managed to be better than everyone anticipated.  Roy H. is precise, consistent and continually blows us away.  

Lee:  2008 Cy Young winner. I believe his biological parent’s are Jesus and Nolan Ryan. He is so fluid. So graceful. His form is nearly flawless. Chin to the plate consistently. He can make a grown man cry, and a grown woman need to change her panties.  He makes me say, “Werth who?”  Lee has played the roll of  the pitcher who got away, involved in a love affair with a legion of phaithful phans. Lee is a strike thrower. When the ball comes to the plate, he is always to the corners and down. That is skill.

Oswalt: Roy O. has voiced his consideration of retirement at the end of the 2011 season.  He has finished in the top five Cy Young noms, five times in his career. Well seasoned on the mound.  Roy is confident, accurate and ready to prove his worth. He is also a new fan favorite after his outfield performance last season in Philadelphia!!

Hamels: My pick for 2011 NL Cy Young. Hamels has gone from a little monster in a children’s fairytale to a mystical four-pitch beast. He shows up to spring training and throws his first session in mid season form! Cole is also only 27yrs old. He will continue to feed off of his mentors….and remember, his best days are yet to come.

Blanton: Ah. Joe. Yeah, he has a WS Ring. Yeah, he must feel like Jesus’ less successful brother.  He does have talent.  Joe can go deep. He was very inconsistent last year, and an early season injury delayed his development. I feel he will benefit greatly from the four horseman leading Charlie’s Disciples. It will only make him stronger.

The Bullpen:

2011 is the year we rebuild the previously named “Bridge To Lidge.” Mad Dog is a fantastic set-up, and promises no temper tantrums this year. Lidge came to spring training 100% healthy for the first time since 2008.  He has since experienced some soreness in his bicep and shoulder. If he can remain healthy, this will be a near perfect season for Brad. He has his confidence back, which is the hardest to regain after an injury.  The middle relievers are all average….which is all that we need when you have the starting rotation we have!

Offense: Really needs to step it up this season.  Everyone has a slump somewhere in their offensive stats.  Let’s just hope the Phillies had synchronized slumps. JRoll is the key.  When he brings the swag, everyone follows.  Let’s get those bats swinging….good pitching does not score you runs!

I predict the Phillies to finish with 116 wins this year, reminiscent of the 2001 Seattle Mariners, only…. we take it all. The Phab Phour will each carry 20+ wins.  Why, you ask? Since they won 97 games last year with 4/5 of the pitching talent they have this season and ¾ of the team on the DL at one time or another….I’m looking forward to a strong year all around.  I am anticipating the offense riding the wave of excitement and feeding off of the pitching induced high.  The Phils could hold many NL/MLB records this season. The rest of the NL East is mediocre at best.  The only ones who can beat these guys are themselves.  They have proven they are mentally vulnerable. On the other hand, they have proven their resilience. I am banking on a parade down Broad Street this fall.  We have the team to beat. Anything less would be an epic failure.

~ KimberLee

Introducing Me….

I can throw a fastball better than most boys. I know how to have fun and splash in puddles instead of whining because it rained at the ballpark. I have hit a ball over the fence.  My favorite color is red, yet I hate apples. I once took down an army of ants with my bare hands. I love to eat cheese, but only on pizza…..

As an avid athlete, lover of Phillies baseball and the married mother of 5 athletic children….I am pleased to introduce myself to the world!

My name is Kim. I am 34. I am what some would consider ‘low maintenance,’ meaning…I am jeans and a t-shirt….ponytail and ball cap….Jeep Wrangler instead of BMW….jean skirt and a jersey….red and black Nike flip-flops over stiletto heels….game tickets versus diamond jewelry….Clearwater in March wins over Cabo in May….and my ‘If I Ever: Top 5 List’ consists of 5 Phillies players. A true guy’s gal.  My husband thinks diamonds would be cheaper, jock wives are pricey!

My claim to Phillies fame happened in Flushings, NY.  Yes, in front of Met’s fans! Due to said actions, I am not allowed in CBP without adult supervision. With good reason; after all, I did strip off my shirt for Cole Hamels…CitiField 2009…in front of my speechless husband. (I was wearing an underarmor sports bra….relax!)  I did get Cole’s undivided attention and several autographs J This was the one and only time I used my female ways to get what I want. 

I am looking forward to predicting, analyzing & reviewing the Phils and explaining why the Mets & Pirates suck and should no longer qualify as MLB teams with everyone!!!

GO PHILLIES!

~KimberLee