Chan Ho Park: Next Time, Tell Us When You Are Going To Pitch Well

I did it.

I know other Phillies fans did it.

People with no dog in the hunt did it.

We saw that the pitching matchup for the Phillies-Mets game was Chan Ho Park versus Johan Santana, and we looked for something else to watch.  Law & Order must have had tremendous ratings last night.

Earlier in the day, I sent an email to ESPN accusing them of intentionally trying to make the defending World Series champions look bad.  I mailed a letter to the South Korean government inquiring if Chan Ho Park could be deported.

Let’s be honest.  David was less of an underdog compared to Park yesterday.

Like most fans of the Phillies, I was born with the gloom-and-doom gene.  I assumed the worst was going to happen.

However, something amazing happened last night.

Although the Phillies lost 1-0 to the Mets when a Pedro Feliz error scored Carlos Delgado in the seventh inning, Park out-pitched Santana. 

Chan Ho Park only gave up one hit while Santana gave up two.  Santana did edge Park in strikeouts, ten to five.

Now I wished I would have watched.

I don’t feel all that badly.  The Phillies did end up losing, and I always sleep better after viewing a Phillies’ win. 

In addition, I don’t need to watch every game that my favorite baseball team plays.  I don’t wish to wear a straitjacket for the rest of my life.

However, I do believe all major league teams should develop a new policy.  Anytime a team throws a pitcher with an ERA over five, the organization should have an option of guaranteeing a quality start for television viewers.

If the pitcher fails to deliver on the promise, a fan should be able mail in a photo of the game, as proof of viewing, and in return receive a nice gift like a team pennant or a glow-in-the dark bobble head of their favorite player.

This risk and reward system would keep many fans from bailing out before the game even starts.

Until such a system is implemented, I will still be reluctant to watch Chan Ho Park’s next start.  Knowing my luck, Park will give up three homers in the first inning.