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FUN FACTS:
BREWERS VS. PHILLIES

by Ted Bauer

Getty Images

This has something to do with Phillies vs. Brewers, fo' sho.

[Ed's note: You can access other playoff 'Fun Facts' via these links: Dodgers vs. Cubs, Red Sox vs. Angels]

The city of beer vs. the city of cheesesteaks, eh? Unhealthy. We'll make you feel better with some 'wild and crazy' stuff below. Start here, though. Now you're ready to learn the flip side of Philly vs. Milwaukee.

(1) Manny Parra will teach ya how to wear your pants.

(2) Jimmy Rollins pretty much idolized Rickey Henderson as a kid; here they both discuss the art of the steal. Here's a broader piece on their connection and thieving ability.

(3) In December '07, Ryan Braun was the only Jewish athlete that President Bush invited to the annual White House Hanukkah dinner.

(4) Shane Victorino once held the Hawaii record for the 100 meters, at 10.8 seconds. Side note: some teammates call him "Pineapple Express." Ha. Seth Rogen!

(5) Brewers closer Salomon Torres is a pretty devout Jehovah's Witness.

(6) Phillies catcher Chris Coste has two books in print; the second (The 33 Year-Old Rookie: How I Finally Made It To The Big Leagues After 11 Years In The Minors) has a foreword by ESPN analyst John Kruk.

(7) Pete Vuckovich, who started Game 7 for the Brewers' only World Series appearance to date (1982), played Clue Haywood in Major League and claims he once swam the Pacific, apparently. Makes sense: dude was pretty erratic on the mound.

(8) Ryan Howard's sister works for the state of Missouri in juvenile detention. He's also a huge Missouri Tigers fan.

(9) Most comprehensive resource on Miller Park you'll ever encounter. 'Twas an integral part of Milwaukee's 105th anniversary.

(10) Some notes on Citizens Bank Park in Philly: the first concert ever there was Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band (August 25, 2005); PETA selected it as America's No. 1 most vegetarian-friendly ballpark; and there's a 'Make-Your-Own-Phanatic' store in conjunction with Build-A-Bear in the joint. Awesome.


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