You Talking to Me? Nats need fans - anyone's fans

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Jensen, Mike; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Come on down

Did you hear Nationals GM Stan Kasten on ESPN-AM (950) with Jody Mac the other day? (It's a radio station. Yes, right here in Philadelphia.) He was actually urging - "begging" might be a more appropriate verb - Phillies fans to go down to Washington and attend his team's games with the Phils next week. "We have an opening day here Monday," said Kasten, "and we'd love for all our Philly fans to come down." Is he mad?  I know that execs whose teams don't draw well probably secretly relish those occasions when opposing fans fill their ballparks. But to go on the radio in one of those cities and shamelessly market the fact that you can't fill up your own stadium strikes me as bizarre and damn near traitorous.

From: Jensen, Mike

To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Come on down

We should hold a contest. Who are the biggest idiots among us? Prove that you booed Myers in the second inning of the season opener or slugged an off-duty cop, you get a free trip to D.C. for the game, bail not included.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Jensen, Mike; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Come on down

Hey, don't be trashing Philly fans. As they remind me so often, the only reason they have a bad national rep is because we sportswriters keep bringing it up.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Jensen, Mike

Subject: Come on down

Welcome to 2009. I just saw where the Luries still haven't sold their Haverford manse, and they're only asking more than $6 million more than they bought it for. Tough times, for sure. What's next? Ed Snider will start giving away Sixers playoff tickets? Wait a minute. . . . Maybe we could hold a competition with the A-team Talkers to see who could come up with a better name for Gonzodelphia. Ford's probably used up his reserve by now.

From: Jensen, Mike

To: Fitzpatrick, Frank; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Come on down

Let's give it all away for the winners: a real estate tour of Lurie's place, a Sixers playoff ticket and a trip to D.C. for the ball game, parking not included. I think if we steal Ford's schtick, we risk becoming Gonzophiles ourselves. By the way, after spending time with Gonz in Detroit, he's every bit as smart and witty in person as he is on Page 2.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Jensen, Mike

Subject: Come on down