The Phillies: it’s over, but hey, free paint

Last night’s viewing for the Philadelphia Phillies was like a good Irish wake: lots of drinking, lots of heckling and a good old fashion stomping of those Flushing boys.

The stadium was more positive than I really expected it to be, with the fans all seeming resigned to the Phillies missing the playoffs for the 12th straight year. Jimmy Rollins hit in his 33rd straight game, which is good, but it’s too bad he was pretty horrid until the last month of the season. But, hey, 33 games in a row.

Bobby got his 100th RBI and Chase Utley got his 100th, too, although the scoreboard put up a big sign that said “Congratulations on your first 101 RBI season, Chase!”

It was fan appreciation night, which meant lots of giveaways, such as a year’s supply of Skippy peanut butter, a year’s supply of Big Macs, a year’s supply of Happy Meals and a year’s supply of Turkey Hill ice cream.

The best giveaways, of course, were the chance to dance with the Phanatic during the fifth inning, won by a man with less rhythm than a Republican, and a $250 gift certificate to MAB Paints, which, by my rough estimate, could get you about 13 cans of paint, if paint is $20 a can (including tax) and the MAB people are running a buy 12, get 1 half off sale.

By the end, it was all about heckling the Mets’ relievers, including one Tim Hamulack, who threw exactly five warm up pitches before coming in and giving up 5 runs in two-thirds of an inning.

All in all, a good end to the season. In some ways I just think the Phillies could have appreciated their fans more by making the playoffs. Or at least giving out a little more free paint.

Phillies 16, Mets 6 [AP via Yahoo!]