So long, Aaron Rowand

Sometimes an athlete comes into a town and there is an instant connection. In Philly it seems to happen with gritty, scrappy players who lay it all on the line. David Eckstein would be huge here. Also it helps if they aren't a quarterback.

Rowand gained instant cred in Philly a couple years ago when he ran down a fly ball in center, then stopped at the wall using his face (see pic top, video sadly unavailable). Bobby Abreu nearly fainted at the unusually large amounts of blood. He was also amazed.

Personally, I'm going to miss how Rowand's batting stance looked like he was taking a dump. But I think the Phils will miss him more in the clubhouse than on the field. Clearly the combination of Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth is something or other.

I was kind of worried about a lack of giant pick up trucks in the Phillies team lot, but then I remembered they still have Jon Lieber.

Anyway, I wish Rowand good luck on the Giants -- there are some big shoes to fill out there, and I'm not talking about Dave Roberts.