Rich,

As you now know, the greatest baseball team on the planet, the New York Yankees, will be traveling to your hometown of Philadelphia to crush the Phillies in the World Series. You do have some great cultural attractions in Philadelphia including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and of course the Cunningham Piano Company. Sadly, the Phillies do not make this list.

I'm willing to put my cold cuts where my mouth is and wager a New York style Italian Hero sandwich against one of your home-town Philly Cheese Steaks. I'm brimming with confidence that A-Rod, Mariano, and CC will triumph over the bruising likes of Lee, Utley, and Rollins to return the World Championship to the city of New York and the Steinbrenner family.

Will you take me up on my offer, or will you cower and shrink away like Donovan McNabb in the second half of superbowl 39 when he threw three ints. to loose the Lombardi Trophy to Tom Brady and Pats?

Step up to the plate, Rich! I can't wait for your answer!

Yes, it is true Chris that the Yankees organization has a long and illustrious history at the Big Show. It is true that there have been many great players and coaches that have been through the organization. It is also true that they are a team with talent and ability. They could win a World Series.....

BUT NOT THIS YEAR!!

You are on! Even though your palette has not had the exquisite experience of a fine cheesesteak prepared by Philly's finest, I am willing to take that risk. I bet you a Philly cheesesteak with all the trimmings that The Phillies will win this world series with ease.

See you somewhere on the Jersey Turnpike.

Game on!!!!

By the way, I have already spoken to a customer of mine whose grandfather INVENTED the cheesesteak. His name is Rick Olivieri and he is the grandson of Pat Olivieri of Pat's steaks. Rick simply said, "Bring it on!"

He is quite certain that he will not have to make a cheesesteak for you, Chris.

Rick Olivieri

As always, Rich, you have given us a fair, balanced assesment of the situation.

man.. i thought it was going to be a love note or something.

... boring~!

Dear Brent,

Coming from a scientist like yourself that is used to logical thought that is not clouded by sentiment and emotion, that statement means alot.

Oh what a delicious thread. Dangit I haven't eaten breakfast yet.

Dan

Now, I think it's not unreasonable to request that the remainder of this thread be devoted to UNfair and UNbalanced personal attacks on the opposing team

I, myself, am neither a Phillies or Yankees fan.

GO STEELERS!!!

Sorry Chris, even though you represent my beloved Grotrian, I have to side with Rich on this one. I'm a cradle Phillies fan. My dad grew up in south Philly and actually had a tryout with the team in the 40s. My wife is from Philadelphia as well.

Sorry to break it to you but the greatest words ever uttered in baseball lore will not be "New York Yankees". They will be "salary cap".

Traitor!!!

Rich,

Can't wait to have Fat Joe make you up a HERO.

http://www.fatjoesdeli.biz/SANDWICHES.html

Hey Less Rubato, how about a little less rubato?

Man, without reading this thread and without any particular prompting, I decided to make the fam some cheese steaks last night for dinner. I went totally authentic Philly and they were awesome. Fried peppers and onions, super thin sliced steak, melted cheese - we really had a feast last night. My 12 year old daughter actually said, "This is what a sandwich must taste like in heaven." Yummy. That's not to say that a great NY Italian wouldn't be fabulous also. May the best team win.

I love Pittsburgh. Too bad it's so close to West Virginia!!!

Brent,

Regarding Rich's sentiment & emotion statement - he needs to go back to the box scores and run the numbers... I can't loose!!!

PL,

Are you originally from TN? Thanks for cheering on the Yankees - they are the best team.

FYI, I'll be down next spring in Knoxville singing Alamaviva with the opera. You've got to come!

Let's see, I don't think it's taken the Phillies seven games to beat any team in last year's post season or this year's. I'm wondering if the Yankees can even win more than one against the Phillies? Two at most.

Rich

Some background info on the sandwich Rich will be eating:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_sandwich

They beat the Rocks and the stumbling, bumbling Dodgers this year... now for some real baseball.

So Chris, do you have some sort of problem with West Virginia??

GO WVU!!!!!

Where will the Cheese Steak come from? Pat's? Geno's?
As a South Philly native, I was going to suggest a personal favorite: Jim's Steaks on South Street.

However, this post is totally useless, because since the Phillies will win, the better question is: Where will the New York style hero come from?

Actually, this whole thread is totally useless, because again, we all know that the Phillies will win. The only REAL question, is what Phillie will be the MVP?

GO PHILLIES ! ! !

I love West Virginia - just not WVU!!!! (only kidding :))

Talk about counting your chickens!

Nice sidestep!

Did somebody say a "chicken cheese steak?"

I'd call it a balk!

Just to add to the confusion: (yankee magazine)

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/onerecipe.php?number=4249

5 words to Philly fans:

We are NOT Tampa Bay.

Should be a good series. I tend to think if the Philly bats can stay hot they will be hard to beat. Not that the Yankees don't have key bats as well. Pitching is probably a toss up.


Pardon the double negative...its just hard to pay the Yankees a flat out compliment.

Yes, "use" guys ain't the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Spoken like a Philly guy)

And yes, a chicken cheese steak doesn't have steak!

Mark,

As a Yankee fan, you must be a great human being. Glad to know you!

Dear Chris,

You are absolutely right! When I win I will be eating the submarine sandwich that YOU BUY!

Wait a second... If you win, I have to buy me and you one of those Philly Cheese Steaks. If I win, you have to buy you and me one of the Heros. Does that sound right?

You can tell I'm not a bettin' man!

Check out this cool link, and play the video on the left about halfway on the site as you scroll down....

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/sports/baseball/09video.html?_r=2&em

Forget the cheesteak.....Forget the Hero.

Try a Primanti sandwich and everyone wins
http://www.primantibrothers.com/

I had one of those when I was in Pittsburgh this spring (great orchestra by the way) I'm not into the cabbage so I didn't like it. Great place, though.

FWIW,

The strip district in Pittsburgh is one of the best places on earth. I loved it - and the people too. What an exciting town.

You're entitled to your opinion (I suppose), but I think we can both agree it's better than greasy beef and oily cheese on a stale bun

Right back at you...

It should be a great series ending in 6 games with a pie...

Hey...

Oh wait, I "am" Tampa Bay!

Don't worry about it. You have better things than baseball. That Florida orchestra is a pretty good group!

P.S. My wife's family is from the Tampa - St. Pete area!

Music Major,

So easy even a caveman can play them?

Personally I think Philly Cheesesteaks are trophy sandwiches. You can easily get better for far less money. Only those wishing to present a certain air would willingly plunk down their cold hard cash for one. Heck, I've heard that well heeled vegetarians will purchase them simply for show! Note that this only applies to the ones made in the US, the ones made in Hamburg are exempt.

Being a big Phillies fan I think they match up well with the Yankees (and will clobber them!). I have to say however, that in one category they are not equal. While New York is home to Steinway, Philadelphia is home to...ah...Lester.

Rich

All you Phillies fans better not be so sure...The Yanks have some crazy good pitching between CC Sabathia, Andy Petitte, and A.J. Burnett in the starting rotation. Burnett didn't fare so well against the Angels, but he's capable of much better. And of course Mariano Rivera as closer...greatest relief/closing pitcher of all time!

I predict that the Yanks will take Game 1 under Sabathia. Sabathia's been virtually untouchable this postseason, with an ERA under 1.5.

Well, since I have Casey Stengel's, Whitey Ford's, Mickey Mantle's, and Joe Pepitone's autographs from 1964 (when, sadly, we lost to the St. Louis Cardinals) (and Casey was managing them Mets) I have to say -

GO YANKEES!

Cathy

You rock my world, Cathy! (and you live in Santa Fe which is FAB!)

I tune in and around Cooperstown quite a bit...maybe I can get a photo of the winner/loser of this bet into the Hall of Fame...

Eric!

My wife and I have a little place in Cherry Valley!!!! Hi neighbor! Do you work at all for the Glimmerglass opera? I love Richfield Springs.

Now this is an intelligent post. Yes, Sabathia is untouchable and if that wasn't enough, Mariano is even greater. I'm picking up the popcorn today!

This will be the best world series in a long time. Just remember one thing-who hit a grand slam homer off Sabathia last year at CB Park when he was with the Brewers???!!! Does the "Flyin Hawaiian" come to mind???!!!

Is Rich on the front cover of the New York Post!!!!

http://www.nypost.com/archives/covers/

http://www.nypost.com/

Goodness me!

Also remember that Sabathia was in a major slump last season. He's very much on top of his game this season.

H,

I saw that when I unbagged the newspaper this morning and had a great laugh. Also, in the "paper" paper there was a comparison chart of NY and Philly - hilarious!

Hehehehe! The "Phrillies". What did the comparison chart contain?

H,

Here's a quote from the article:

"The big meal there is a steak with cheese and onions on a hero, but they don't even call it a hero. It's a hoagie. What the hell is a hoagie?" said Ron Montclane, 26.

Love it.

Lets see - about the article... compared the Statue of Liberty to the statue of Rocky Balboa. Compares Hamlet on Broadway with Jude Law to the road company of "Cats" at the Walnut Street Theater, scrapple & a soft pretzel to Foie gras at the Four Seasons, a jail cell at the old stadium for idiot fans to a steakhouse and lounge at the house that A-Rod built...

It goes on and on...

This is too funny!

Well Chris,

What can I say? My family is from NYC. In fact my father was a waiter at the Village Vanguard. I love New York. I also love Philadelphia. I grew up in this area - and only someone who knows very little about our city (or just wanted to talk smack ) would make those comparisons.

Im just sayin'.

By the way, my coworkers took the liberty of snapping a shot of me today. Thankfully, I had already changed out of my skirt.

(I had no idea that the New York Post was following me around yesterday)



All in good fun, I know. I just look forward to enjoying my free sandwich.

Any predictions about tonight's game?

Go Phils!

I'll take scrapple over foie gras any day of the week...

If it were my bet I'd put the cheesesteak against a nice pastrami on rye - the one thing I always have to get in NYC...

If the pastrami is from the Carnegie Deli it would even move this thread closer to an appropriate piano theme...

No, I don't do any work for the opera. They used to call me every year to see if I could do work for them, but they needed someone on call every day of their season. It never sounded like a fun summer to me. I know many people who work there, though. It's a great venue in the middle of nowhere!

I love Richfield Springs, too!

Starts tomorrow night. I think Pedro's going in game two. Should make Mets fans crazy!

The Glimmerglass season is fantastic next year! Looking forward to the Tenderland.

http://www.glimmerglass.org/season/season.html

Classic, Rich - just classic!

my eyes are closed to baseball facts but i am real interested in these sandwiches..

what kind of steak did you use Pianolance and how did you slice?

Yep. Pedro is in game 2 - and aren't Mets fans crazy anyway?

By the way, two out of the three major networks (In Philly) have sportscasters that are also piano owners and players (they are customers of mine).

I think they are Philly's two best sportscasters. Is this a coincidence?

Was in Philly tonight and had a cheesesteak at Tony Luke's!

Phillies up by a game! Amazing pitching effort by Cliff Lee.

Meh.

Cathy

I guess the Yankees figured that Rich needed to be spotted one...

Is Lee cool or what???

A behind the back catch, striking out A-Rod 3X, and the greatest catch of a ball since Willie Mays.....

I know it ain't over, but great Phillies start...
The Yanks aren't going to roll over, so let's get ready for the rest of this great series!

Hey, I don't know about this bet with Chris, but I could sure use a good cheese steak when this is all over .... or perhaps a few while it's still going on!

my eyes are closed to baseball facts but i am real interested in these sandwiches..

what kind of steak did you use Pianolance and how did you slice?

My wife bought it, it was pre sliced paper thin and nice and lean steak of some sort. It wasn't "steakum's".

Open invitation, PD. You know that.

OK, I have to eat some crow this morning... Cliff Lee tossed one of the great performances in World Series history.

I am, however, still confident that the Yanks will be back on track tonight against Pedro. Those big bats will get it going!

Piano*Dad. Even down a game, I'm willing to make the same wager here and now with you!

The Onion on the Phillies long wait for a chance at a World Series :

Phillies wait 364 days for a chance

Cathy

Soccer is all I know - so dumb me better shut up.

Except when Rich's playing.

Everyone's surely always on his side...

Norbert

Pass that crow over here! We got ourselves a Series, folks!

Cathy

Great game, last night. Pedro had more than I expected and the Yankee fans rose to the occasion with their usual hatred for him...

AJ with his best game of the post season. Looks like the pitchers are going to step up. This is going to be a good one!!!

Thanks for the link, Cathy. Loved it!

Advantage: Yankees

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/bombers_nab_edge_by_prepping_cc_fxC8bv8XWlEdAAc04y2hML

Interesting.

The New York Post gives the Yankees the advantage. Is this the same New York Post that compared The Statue of Liberty to Sly Stallone???

What can I say? At least they are consistent in the quality of their reporting.

Yea, Rich...

But look at what they say about A-Rod !!!!

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rod_art_hung_like_horse_ex_Bm6Vm3KmA1AHuLOtGJtzLN

What a rag that paper is.

Darn it,

Rain delay. I sure they get going soon! ......

Report From the Battlefield:

I was in Philly today (and of course had a cheesesteak).
I saw a guy with a Yankees cap and after I asked him, he told me he was going to the game. He seemed to appreciate my warning to be careful because of the fans! I also saw two guys walking (one with a Yanks cap on and the other with a Phillies cap on). The guy with the Yankees cap was getting into an argument with someone in a passing car......oh well, I guess not everyone will have a well-mannered debate like the folks on this thread!

It's funny how newspapers approach things.....I think I saw a Philly newspaper talking about the Phillies loss in Game Two with the headline something like: Yanks Avoid Sweep


GO PHILS! ! !

Great Stories!

Yankees win 8-5...great pitching (initially) from Hamels, but Pettitte was better.

Yea,

Hamels got himself a very generous strike zone in the first inning.

Things change... A-Rod woke up. Bad news for the Phillies. What can you say about Andy? Been doing it for years and years.

Congrats to the Yanks...but no fat lady singing yet! (And no cheesesteaks being prepared yet!)

This thing is not even close to over. I'm sorta wishin' for 7 games!

Yep; Pettitte is the new recordholder for postseason wins now. That's lots of experience right there. And he didn't do so bad swinging the bat either, with that nice RBI single into center field. I'll bet Cole Hamels won't be trying the curveball if he faces the Yanks again.

Pettitte did a great job last night, no doubt.

I am looking forward to the next two games, especially tonight. I am sure they will be worth the watch.

BTW, Rick Olivieri says he hasn't even seasoned his grill yet.

Are you going to go, Rich?

Hate to make you all jealous, but here's me at Game 1 in Yankee Stadium...

Go Yankees! I make more money if the Yankees win. That's it. Otherwise, GO Braves!

We work with the Yankees doing their fan photography. I was in the elevator and other very close proximity during the two games to...

Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Hank Steinbrenner, Joe Morgan, Alicia Keys (but I had to ask who she was), Michelle Obama, Tommy Lasorda, Bernie Williams, YOU NAME IT. Can't even remember everybody.

TLuvva,

You are the MAN!!! Wow, it must have been fantastic at the stadium.

Oh, by the way, is that your significant other in the pic? Stunning beauty!

BC

Actually it's not, it's my site manager for the Yankees. She's an excellent manager for us. My wife is a hottie too though! And I'm a brunette kind of guy.

So, the truth also is that I need the Phillies to win enough so that the there is a Game 6 at least back in NY. So, I'm actually pulling for the Phils in Game 4. I'd much prefer the Yankees clinch in NY!

CC was back on his game tonight...and how about that rally against Brad Lidge??? The Phillies are finding out that the Yanks ain't the Rays of last year's World Series.

As a die hard fan, these games are grueling...great when you win, depressing when you lose...

Again, congrats to the Yanks......

Not that I'm giving up, but you may be needing this, Beacon Chris!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4549506_order-philly-cheesesteak-authentic-philadelphia.html

TLuvva,

Hey, I'm with you on the brunettes... Mrs. Beacon is one of those sultry brunettes as well. You've got to hope that Cliff Lee can pull it out game five for you - I'd like to see the series come back to NY as well. Big win in the new ball park.

Get ready for your Philly Cheesestake!

...... heavy sigh.

Well, Rich, it's looking bad, isn't it. It's not over 'till it's over, but three in a row is a hard mountain to climb.

Seriously, the Phillies must win tonight, get it back to NY.

They will. Lee will have a monster game.

Alright! Now you are just patronizing me!

A friend of mine thinks that we should offer to trade a package deal of Lidge and Hamels to any team in exchange for a bat boy of their choice. Someone else chimed in that we should trade them for a bunch of bats. . . .

Sigh is right!

Lidge has electric stuff, but I've seen him fail so many times in postseason play. Remember the '05 NLCS, Cardinals at Astros? Astros could have clinched at home, but Lidge gave up a 3 run homer to Albert Pujols to blow the save. Success in these situations is why Mariano Rivera is so special. Many closers get more saves in the regular season, but no one keeps his cool better when the pressure is on.

Hey H,

We have to get to a game together next summer. You're a fan! Ever listen to 660 WFAN? One of my technicians (a GREAT technician - one of the very best, ever) can't pull himself away from sports talk radio. Very addictive -

Bottom of the 6th, 6 - 2 Phillies!!

8-6 Phillies! Back to New York we go. Nice pitching from Cliff Lee as usual, but it seems offense is dominating in the past couple games.

I'd love to...if I wasn't almost across the country from you. Just might take you up if I ever get to New York though! I have not. Do they stream online? That's how I get most of my radio these days.

Way to go Yankees...

Philly team is a great classy team. What a series...

Best one since '06, Cards and Tigers.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YANKS (AND TO THEIR FANS ON THIS THREAD ESPECIALLY)!

As a Phillies fan, I must admit that the better team won. Beacon Chris, enjoy that cheesesteak!

See ya next year!

Cathy

Enjoy the cheesesteak, Chris. And you don't have to get one with that gooey cheese whiz on it. You can get one with marinara, provolone, sauteed peppers and onions at D'alessandro's.

PD is absolutely right.

Congratulations to the Yankees! They were the better team in this series, no doubt. I wonder what would've been theoutcome if Howard's bat had woken up a few games earlier.

You NYers can keep the Post though.

Let me know how you'd like to do this Chris. I can bring cheesesteaks up to NYC or we can meet in Philly and eat 'em fresh!

Wow, Rich...

Now for the truth - I'm really a Mets fan and only a SOCK for the Yankees!

Seriously, I can't wait to come down to Philly again and visit - I love your store. I'll bring the heros and you can order in the cheese steaks and we'll have ourselves a party!

See you soon, Rich...

BC

KEN!! BAN THIS SOCK!!

You guys are so nice........

I was really hoping for some good old fashioned name-calling.

I do think the Hamburg Yankees would have won in 4 straight. They clearly exhibit a finer fit and finish and are a much better team than the New York Yankees. It's also my sense that the New York Yankees are starting to use some Asian parts (Matsui).

Well, the Pirates will most likely be world champs next year ( ) and we can all get together for those Primanti sandwiches!

Class in victory!