Meet The Fans - Matt Phillips

By Diane Stanley
February 7 2003

Matt, 27, is from Chelmsford, Essex, England. A season ticket holder at Ipswich Town FC, he has been to the USA on several occasions and has been following baseball for over a decade. He was introduced to the game by the WGN network and Harry Caray's Chicago Cub broadcasts.

How did you first become interested in baseball?
I made my first trip to the States in '89 and, from what I remember, it all started then. Why I started watching? I can't remember!! I really started watching baseball seriously when I returned a year later. It was on TV constantly. I liked the fact you could watch games back to back. East coast finishes, West coast starts!

How did you decided upon the Cubs to be your team?
That's easy! Harry Caray. Pure and simple. Here was this old guy, way past retirement age and he was just so entertaining! He made it so interesting. I used to come in from a day out, switch on WGN and there was Harry! Great! Obviously if I'd known the history of the Cubs I would have chosen someone else! I love reading about Harry. His biography, "Holy Cow" is brilliant.

How did you become a member of the Top Of The Ninth staff?
Gary posted messages on my local football/soccer site, requesting baseball stories. I sent in a biography of Cool Papa Bell, the fastest ever player to run the bases. He liked it and I joined up. That was round January time I think.

What do you enjoy most about writing your articles?
They say that there's something for everyone in life and I guess writing is my thing. It's just natural to me. I'm a stickler for perfection when it comes to journalism though! If one word is wrong, it's the end of the world!

Do you have your own baseball website? If not have you ever thought of making one?
I've never thought about having my own baseball site. In the UK, I'm a Press Officer for the Essex County Football (soccer) Association and I manage their site daily. Baseball is a big commitment. 162 games, almost back to back and across six months! In terms of journalism, that's a tough one to keep updated!

How long have you been interested in writing?
Since school really, English was always my thing. It still is. I buy books all the time. I've got about 10 on the go right now, politics, sports. A mixed bag! I've been to journalism school as well.

If you could interview any active player who would it be and why?
As a Cubbie I'd love to sit down with Sammy Sosa and have a chat. Will he ever break Bonds' record?!! I've got lots of favorite players though: Ichiro, Big Unit, Alou, Biggio, the list is endless!

I know you have visited the States, have you ever been to a Major League game? If so where?
No, I've only been to the minors. St. Petersburg and the Sarasota Red Sox. I've definitely seen them. That would have been in the last 5 or so years I think. The Red Sox played a double header with Tampa, who, if memory serves me correctly, wore the Devil Rays uniform, at least a year before they entered the majors. I had the chance to see Boston at Fenway, but there weren't enough hours in the day!

If you could visit any major League park which would it be and why?
Wrigley Field of course!! I'd love to go to Yankee Stadium as well and see the Yankees. I love that line of players on the bench with Torre, Zim and Stottlemeyer at the end! I have a lot of respect for what they've achieved.

I'm sure you watch all the games on Channel 5. Are you a "taper" or do you stay up to watch them?
A bit of both really. Depends how early I've got to be up the next day. If I don't get some quality sack time, I'm a nightmare!

What do you think of the baseball coverage in England?
It's pretty good. Our presenters, Jonny and Brett are very entertaining. We used to have a guy on there called Todd Macklin. Now he was great! He could easily anchor any show in the States. I hope he does one day. He's gone back to his home city of Toronto now. We get our feeds from ESPN, so we get some great announcing. Joe Morgan and Jon Miller, Chris Berman and Rick Sutcliffe.

Do you think it will ever improve on what you have today?
I don't think so. It would be nice to have more games to watch but two a week is pretty good for a country that has never heard of Cal Ripkin Jr, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds!

Do you think baseball will ever become popular enough in England for there ever to be any pro teams?
I know Gary, our site editor, would love for this to happen but I just can't see it. Baseball is a minority sport here and it always will be. The same with American Football. That was big here in the 80's then died a death. It's tucked away with baseball as a through the night filler. That's the reality of the situation.

Who is your favorite all time player and why?
There's so many great players, I couldn't possibly pick one out. I do like baseball nostalgia though. The Dean's pitching for the Cardinals in the 30's,stuff like that. Great stories!

Who is your favorite player in the game today?
I've been really impressed with Ichiro this season. I think a lot of people had written him off before he'd started. The first position player from Japan to play in the majors. You could easily fall flat on your face. But not Ichiro. A.350 regular season average speaks for itself.

Many people seem to think it's an easy life as a Major Leaguer. What is your take on this subject?
It is! A lot of pressure though. They've worked hard to get there, so fair play to them, but the salaries are ridiculous! After the WTC disaster, the players realized that it's all just a game. Fireman, Policeman, Doctors, Nurses…They save lives.

Do you collect baseball memorabilia?
No, I find it interesting as it's all history but I don't collect anything.

Apart from Jackie Robinson, whom I'm sure we all agree did more to change the face of baseball than any other player who else would you say has made a noticeable impact on the game and why?
A lot of people say that the McGwire/Sosa Run for '61 in 1998 got people interested in baseball again. I'd have to agree. It was a great time and those two, for me, are great ambassadors for the game.

It looks like the Montreal Expos and the Florida Marlins franchises will fold soon. Do you think other teams will follow? If so which ones?
It's hard to defend the Expos because they're so poor, year in, year out. Having said that, when Felipe Alou was at the helm, they produced some great players, Pedro Martinez being one of them. No way the Marlins should go. They won the WS in '97 and have some great pitching prospects. In the London press today, there was talk of the Diamondbacks disappearing soon. They've been saved from bankruptcy once already. Their owner, Colangelo, said he wanted a WS appearance. He's achieved that now.

What do you think is needed to get the game back to the popularity it used to enjoy?
Well, we touched on the Run for '61 earlier. That was great but to be honest everything is ruled by money now. The innocence of everything is gone now. Not just in baseball but in everything. September 11th was the event that made everyone realize.

Will you be returning to the States again anytime soon?
My family was in NYC last November but I sat on the bench for that one! Maybe next summer, although I've been thinking about Las Vegas for January/February. I've got to escape the British winter somehow!

Who do you think will win the World Series?
No way I'm betting against the Yankees! Not after that Oakland series! Johnson and Schilling will be hard to break down though. If anyone can break N.Y. it's those two!

Thanks Matt for a great interview. It's great to be able to get an inside look at one of the best journalists on Top Of The Ninth.

If you would like to be the next interviewee,
please contact me (Diane Stanley) at greenfan@shawngreen.net