PK = The Eagles, NOW Phillies, Jinx

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while. But the news that Brad Lidge will start the season on the disabled list is the hook I need.

 

It comes from my friend and walking jinx PK, who was down in Clearwater for spring training several weeks ago and actually witnessed Lidge get hurt. To completely understand the context, you have to appreciate that PK has never attended a game at an Eagles game with us in which the Eagles have won, including the conference championships against both the Bucs and Panthers. His dismal record has given him a reputation for being an Eagles no good luck charm. It was so bad that in the 2006 season we actually all thought he should attend the Eagles-Titans game (where the Eagles were heavily favored given it was Vince Young’s second professional start) so that he could get a win under his belt and end the whamma jamma. An exorcism of sorts. Pk wound up not going to that game, but for even contemplating his attendance, the football gods responded by tearing McNabb’s ACL – and ensuring that the jinx would take on a new life of its own. Oddly enough, PK is money on the road. Since he lives in Washington, DC he has attended nearly every Eagles game in Washington which they have won over the past seven years.

 

Comes now that his jinx is no longer bound only to the Eagles or home games but has extended to Philadelphia’s other sports teams and second homes. What follows is his account. And just to be clear, it is all his fault.

 

So I actually saw his injury yesterday. Saw it in person. Have been in the Tampa area on a golf trip for 5 days and yesterday we skipped golf to go to Clearwater. Cool experience just watching the boys practice.

 

Got to see Myers and Howard go head to head in BP. Saw Dallas Green patrolling the place like he was still The Man and everyone - including Garry Maddox and Mike Schmidt, both on hand - knew to treat Dallas like The Man.

 

So, with rains approaching, I notice that Lidge just threw a couple warm up pitches. My friends and I are directly behind home plate - directly. Think being behind one of those chain link fences you watch little league games at, that was us except that our little stands also had an overhang directly above us where The Man was sitting and surveying the troops.

 

What transpired next is no lie - and it's pretty much spot on why I just can't do/say things like this, why I'll never go to an Eags game with you guys because I'm a jinx.

 

"Guys," I say, "it's Lidge on the mound. Check it out, Lidge. This is THE GUY who's going to determine how good our season is going to be."

 

Next pitch was the 1st pitch of the simulated BP. And the last pitch of Lidge's spring trainng. "Oh my god," my brother yells. "He's hurt. Already.  Good god."

 

Yep, this is what it's like to be a Phillies fan.