R.I.P.

This blog has been very upbeat so far, but with tragedy comes the need to slow down and remember the things that have left us. With that, comes a moment of silence for the career of a legend...

Matt Wade Stairs' Career

1992-2011

Matt Stairs retired as a member of the Nationals' Organization in almost his 20th full year of service in Major League Baseball with 265 career homeruns. He spent time with a number of teams and was clearly known as a guy just lookin' to hit the long ball, and when he did, it was a beautiful thing. Watching Matt pinch-hit was fantastic because no matter what - everyone knew that he wanted one thing: a fastball to put in the right field bleachers. All of this had to come with some tough adversity considering he was born in Canada and was probably picked on for not wielding a hockey stick 24/7 (stupid Canadians).

Matt Stairs was a phenomenal, recent Philadelphia sports hero for really only one reason - his moonshot. But based on the fact that he hailed from the north, this is more than enough to make him a legend. Canada is really second-rate anyway so he is still probably their best commodity. Matt lifted the entire city up on his shoulders even if only for a few brief seconds.

The alternative is much worse. And when I say that I clearly am talking about the highest paid Canadian athlete of all-time who still blows and has done nothing exceptional for even a few seconds in his whole career. Sidenote: Is it really sinking in for everyone that Jason Bay (yes, that guy in left field for the Mets) is the highest paid athlete for an entire country? Yeah, me neither.

Anyway...

Matt has had a pretty impressive career. He has the most pinch-hit career home runs in MLB history at 23, and he also holds the MLB record for playing with the most teams (13). In our books, that makes him all-time.

Here's wishing you the best Matt, and we hope you can go back to your true passion soon...

We salute you.