An Open Letter to Doc

Dear Mr. Halladay:

Congratulations on your ump-teeth All-Star appearance. Your numbers are outstanding as usual, and you are as deserving as Mike Pelfrey and Joey Votto. Of course, though, you didn't ask for a trade to be on the losing end of an All-Star Game. You came to pitch in big games that had post-seasons implications. Well congratulations, Roy, because tonight's that game. Your Fightins are 5 games back, looked pathetic against the worst franchise in American sports, and the manager killed any karma left with All-Star lineup so indefensible that even homer Philly writers are questioning it.

Yes, it's only July 5th, it's not even the All-Star break, and it's only the opening game of this series. But don't let the calendar fool you, Roy. Your team needs you to step up and win this game, mostly likely by going the full 9. While you thought you'd get plenty of run support this year, the lineup right now looks like a contender in the International League and organization's best hitter is riding the bus. Also, don't expect a lot from your bullpen. The closer's more fragile thank Frankie Merman, the set-up decided to fill the Brett Myers jack-ass role, and the clock has struck midnight on the good Cuban defector (don't even ask about the other one).

Unfair or not, Roy, you were the center piece of the most controversial Philadelphia trade in recent memory. And while we all love perfect games and charity work, don't think we haven't noticed this, this, or this, so don't think giving up game-losing HRs to anonymous white slugger X on the Red isn't going to cut it this season (I buy anyone a drink who can tell the difference between Joey Votto, Laynce Nix, and Jay Bruce). Not this team and not this year.

No one doubts you are an Hall of Fame pitcher and a good guy, but if you want to remind everyone in Philadelphia why we spent 6 straight months pursuing you, now would be a great time. You spent your whole career watching AAA call-ups in September while lesser pitchers became legends in the post-season. So unless you are really excited about Dominic Brown and whomever Jayson Werth could fetch on the open market, I suggest you lock it down tonight. Good luck and Godspeed.