December 29, 2006
Philadelphia Will Do Person Of The Year
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The final announcement is close at hand, but I'm going to hold you in suspense until after the jump. While some favorites -- say, Terrell Owens -- did not make the list, I hope you are happy with the selections. Anyone you thought should have made the list was simply left off because I didn't feel like typing up what he or she had done throughout the year.
Okay, it's time to announce the Person of the Year. This person came to Philadelphia in 2006 with a track record that was a bit less than stellar.
Nonetheless, his 2006 arrival was greeted with cheers. He had devotees! He was beloved perhaps more than he had been in any other city. Then, mid-year, he packed his bags and left for a better job in New York. Is there anything that defines Philadelphia 2006 better?
Your 2006 Person of the Year is...
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Yes, it was Sal Fasano -- .221 lifetime hitter, career backup catcher and beloved Philadelphian for nearly half the year. Despite hitting .243 for the Phils and driving in only 10 runs in 140 at bats, Sal had his own fan club! Most of it was due to his fu manchu, but he was a tough player as well, even playing with a swollen testicle!
But, as 33-year-old rookie Chris Coste began to surprise, Fasano was the odd man out, released by the Phils on July 22. It seemed he'd just end up unemployed, but, lo and behold, signed with the Yankees to be their backup.
And so we loved Sal not for his play, but for his hustle, his mustache and his good guy attitude. And we loved him for this play:
That will most certainly never get old. Thanks, Sal, for the memories.
Philadelphia Will Do People of the Year | The Complete List
Sal Fasano [Baseball Reference]
Archives: Sal Fasano
Posted by D-Mac on December 29, 2006 02:15 PM
Posted to Philadelphia Will Do People of the Year
, Sal Fasano
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Comments
I do not even enjoy baseball. But when I've been taken to Phillies games.. I've always enjoyed Sals Pals. lollersk8s
Posted by: ChrissMari at December 29, 2006 05:14 PM
Aw, you had me going there for a minute. I'd guessed Abreu before the jump. :(
Posted by: Marissa Miller at December 31, 2006 06:11 AM
Aw man... I thought "you" was going to be the philadelphia will do person of the year
Posted by: Bret at January 2, 2007 07:44 AM
Sal's just not the same in NY without his fu manchu and trimmed hair. Thanks a lot for that Steinbrenner. I imagine he can still spike a baseball pretty well though.
Congrats, Sal. Now will he be sending PW a pizza for supporting him?
Posted by: Mike at January 2, 2007 09:26 AM
I always thought "Fasano's Paisanos" would be a better name.
And -- ouch. I remember seeing that play months ago. It was awkward and embarrassing, and that was just watching it.
Ah, what the hell... Sal, you ARE the person of the year. Freaky enough to be loved by Philadelphia sports fans, even if you did join the Dark Side.
Posted by: Chamomiles Davis at January 2, 2007 06:29 PM
fasanowilldo.com
Posted by: TJ at December 29, 2006 03:32 PM