Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

With the Phillies closing in on 10,000 losses, the Running Numbers Bureau of Sports Antiquities was reluctantly dispatched to Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals to document the historic event. Unfortunately, the Fightins can't lose when it counts � they reached the milestone Sunday. Here's some stats from Saturday anyway.

45,050 Total attendance � an apparent sell-out � as reported on the Jumbotron to the mass of red and white-wearing fans. The closest I could muster to Phillies gear was an inside-out maroon Better Than Ezra shirt and my old Little League hat. Go local sports team!

85 Age of Phillies fan Sue Petrongolo, making her the oldest person celebrating a birthday Saturday. Except for 80-year-olds Mike Dougherty, Mary Lou Kuhl and Margaret Smith, she was surprisingly not joined by many peers. I thought old people were into watching slow, traditional activities with no discernible excitement. Easy, octogenarians, I assure you it's a knock on baseball, not you.

4 Number of runs batted in by Pat Burrell. Dude went 3 for 3 and still got booed. Are we changing strategies now with the whole 10,000 losses thing? Keep it up and Burrell will start thinking Missouri looks like heaven. Speaking of which ...

0 Number of objects thrown J.D. Drew-style at loathed former Phillie Scott Rolen. Although the at-bat booing efforts were also underwhelming, my girlfriend did get in a good jab about how his player profile photo is unflattering. Smarts like a battery, doesn't it, Scotty?

0 Number of goose bumps , despite billboard promises, that I received at Saturday's game. The closest I came was when I realized the game clocked in at under three hours. I'll take that over witnessing a milestone of shame any day.

Can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number-runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.