Saturday, April 07, 2007

Groundhog Day


By John McMullen
The Phanatic Magazine

An 8-2 win in Miami doesn't change the fact that the Philadelphia Phillies are off to yet another disappointing April and are flat out scared to play in front of a fan base that's circling like sharks in bloody water.

And, if the Phillies end up parting ways with Charlie Manuel early this season, conventional wisdom says they will look to the bench where Pat Gillick has assembled a host of former managers.

But -- close-circuit to “Toronto Pat” -- only one person can save this club -- Phil Connors.

You see, there are some serious karma issues going on with the Phillies right now and some important heavy-hitters far beyond this mortal coil have been pissed off by the local nine. And the only way to stop this ugly pattern is to get it right.

For those of you who don't know, Phil Connors is a fictional character played by Bill Murray in the 1993 comedy classic “Groundhog Day.”

In the film Connors is an egotistical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, while on assignment covering the annual February 2 Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself repeating the same day over and over again.

Connors, his producer Rita (played by Andie McDowell) , and cameraman Larry(Chris Elliott) find themselves stuck in Punxsutawney when a blizzard develops, closing the roads and shutting down any phone service.

Forced to stay Phil rises the next morning, to find it is Groundhog Day again and everything happens in exactly the same way. At first, Connors takes the tact I would. He seizes on his situation and gathers information on the locals to seduce women, rob banks and basically live without any consequences.

But, finally he realizes he is being tested and the only way to get out of his predicament is to “Do it right.”

Soon, Connors drops the egoism, starts helping others and finds love with Rita. Only then does he wake up to February 3.

A bit sappy perhaps but the film’s legend has grown over the years and in December of 2006, “Groundhog Day” was one of 25 films that were added to the National Film Registry. Meanwhile, the phrase "Groundhog Day" has entered the American lexicon and religious leaders often point to the movies themes of selflessness and rebirth .

The moral of this little story for the Phillies is simple. Stop complaining and get it right.

Ignore the ignorant fans, stop blaming the manager and stop dreaming about the unlimited funds that rest a couple hours up the Jersey Turnpike.

Come hell or high water -- make the playoffs -- so we can all mercifully move on from our very own Groundhog Day.

No comments: