I spent a lot of time with him and walked away with a huge smile on my face just for having known him. John took me under his wing and treated me as if I were his own son. He always spoke fondly of his former teammates, his loving family and his love of baseball.

He repeatedly used to tell me that his father's best advice to him was: "It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice." He lived every day that way and I will take it with me forever. My heart goes out to his family.

I love him like family and I already miss him.

Cuch's thoughts:  Can't bring the man down, you have to let Johnny Marz bask in the glory of his big win! His Phillies are back in the postseason for the first time since 1993. As for the Mets, it is a collapse of "Epic Proportions". I can't say for sure that is worse than the 78 Red Sox or the 64 Phillies or anything else, but does it really matter? It is one of those days where the Mets fans don't want to even hear it.
P.S. - I would love to see the Rockies win tonight and be rewarded for the last two weeks of baseball. They have earned it and would make a better series against Philadelphia.

Cuch's thoughts: The only good news the Mets have right now is that Moises Alou is in the midst of a 30 game hitting streak. When healthy he is a legit offensive power bat. Someone needs to step up and take over for this team this weekend but they face the Marlins coming off a sweep at home versus the Cubs. Florida is playing for pride and much like KC did to Detroit last year, the Marlins end the Mets run in the division this year - the only difference is the Mets are out all together.
P.S. - My picks are Philly in the East, Chicago in the Central, Colorado in the West and Mets, Padres and D-Backs will all be apart of a 3 team tie for the Wild Card.

Mike in Cherry Hill, NJ thoughts: 
Here's a scenario for Monday night when there's a "play-in" game at Citizens Bank Park:
Bottom of the 9th, Phils are down a run 6-5, bases loaded, 2 out, Billy Wagner trying to nail down the NL east title. And who is coming to the plate???? You got it:
James Calvin "Jimmy" Rollins, the player that has now displaced Chipper Jones as the number one target for all Met fans. The count runs full, all the runners are off with the pitch and here's the pitch... there's a line drive past the diving Jose Reyes and out into the left field, the tying run scores, here comes the winning run, Michael Bourn,flying around 3rd, Moises Alou comes up throwing, here's the play at the plate and Bourn slides in SAFELY just under the tag of Paul Loduca. The towels are waving and flying all over place, the Phils clinch the the title and the members of the Baseball Writers Association come out and personally hand Rollins the MVP. Now, that's POETIC JUSTICE.

Cuch's thoughts:  What a class act Jamie Moyer was in responding to Johns umpire question. I think the exact same way. The umpires mess up occassionally but when you look at just how many bang bang plays there are...and then you watch the replay - nearly everytime, they get the call right. I am more impressed that they do it in real time.
P.S. - Not NL spots will be clinched tonight either meaning that ALL 4 spots are still up for grabs when we do the show tomorrow and there will be only 3 games left! AMAZING

Cuch's thoughts:  Thanks to Fredi Gonzalez for joining us. The Marlins had a tough year based on injuries and the ineffectiveness at times for Dontrelle Willis however, they have a bright future. If they can keep their infield intact, they have one of the most lethal. The man with the highest potential is Hanley Ramirez. He would be an MVP candidate if they were more in the headlines and fighting for a postseason spot. Miguel Cabrera is still on the upswing and Dan Uggla although he strikesout a bunch is legit. The bullpen is developing and when the starters are healthy (Josh Johnson in particular) the Marlins are looking up.
P.S. - You ever start rooting against a team not because of the team but because of one person who roots for them that won't shut up? Just wondering!

Cuch's thoughts:  Though Jason Lane is a good addition, the San Diego Padres take a major hit in their postseason hopes. Mike Cameron gets hurt on the field so that is understandable but for Milton Bradley to tear his ACL while arguing with an umpire is so bizarre. The Padres have arguably the best pitching of the potential postseason teams but the offense needs all the help it can get. San Diego went from my NL favorite had they gotten in to on thin ice to even make it.
P.S. - Milwaukee remains on thin ice for the pool - they need another win and a Cubs loss! Anything else and we begin to evaluate tomorrow. I hope they stick around to make the Padres - Brewers matchup fun this weekend.

Cuch's thoughts:  Those were the ugliest unis ever that the Eagles wore yesterday. Anyways, Philly has better things to talk about nowadays with the Phillies. Stop the football talk there...the Phils are playing great baseball and have charged back into the race. They sit just a half game back of the Wild Card and you would assume if they can take care of their job, San Diego is playing 4 against the Padres to close out the year and that will be much tougher for them.
P.S. - Tomorrow - we are going to learn who the sexiest fan alive is...stay tuned!

Cuch's thoughts:  Sammy Sosa said if he returns for another season that the Rangers will be his first choice. It will be more like whomever wants him will be his first choice...however he has shown that he can have value. This race down the stretch is incredible...there is no question that the playoffs have already begun! The Rockies need all three of these games and their toughest one will be tonight. If the Rockies can break through to Peavy in San Diego in game 1, then i like their chances on Saturday and Sunday.
P.S. - Happy Birthday to John's daughter as well...Do you remember? The 21st night of September!

Cuch's thoughts:  Seth Everett brought up a great point on the show today. How ridiculous is the memorabilia collecting business nowadays? Idiots are buying these "apparently high valued" baseballs and what not and doing it solely for promotion. What has this business become? The best collectibles are the personal ones...the one with you and someone in a picture or something that has more meaning!
P.S. - Rockies FANS are on alert...win today and big three game series this weekend with the Padres - MUST WINS!

Cuch's thoughts:  Yes, the New York Mets are in trouble but why? Is it because no one is stepping up for them in the clubhouse? Is it because of Willie Randolph? Is it because the Nationals are on fire? How about the Mets just aren't as good as we all think? They are what they are...a team that is leading the Phillies in the east by a game and half. They do not have the horses on the staff and the bullpen is very shaky. One would think in the poor NL that the Mets will still make the playoffs, but limping in?
P.S. - Colorado and LA - Don't lose today or tomorrow ye be walking the plank! The winner gets one extra day!

Cuch's thoughts: Based on the schedules the rest of the way...Philly has the edge over the Mets...Chicago has the edge over Milwaukee and San Diego is slightly better than Milwaukee. That series at the end of the year where the Padres visit the Brewers for 4 can be the big series of the YEAR!
P.S. - The Dodgers visit the Rockies for 3 this week, the team who losses the series will be entered into the Leading Off elimination pool

Cuch's thoughts:  It is about time the Cardinals fell off. I was stupified that they won it all last year and remain that way today. Their pitching staff was made worse this year than in 06 and they are now 7 games below .500 and 7 games out of the NL Central lead and that is all in the worst division in baseball if you go by overall record. This gives Milwaukee or Chicago a chance to be this years version of St. Louis and there are many more likable guys on those teams that fans will be able to pull for!
P.S. - Thanks for the email from Jimmy - now we know all about "Kerry Team" in Ireland and I found out they won on Sunday and now have 35 championships. I just don't know where that measures up with the Yankees. That is my next problem

Cuch's thoughts:  Predictions for the weekend - Dodgers sweep D-Backs, Cubs split with Cards, Yankees take 2 of 3 from Boston, Tigers take 2 of 3 from Twins, Phillies take 2 of 3 from Mets, Rockies lose 2 of 3 from Marlins and Padres lose 2 of 3 from Giants.
P.S. - Don't forget - "Don't hoot with the Owls and then expect to soar with the Eagles!"

Cuch's thoughts:  Johnny Marz is a cheater! I knew this was going to happen. I spoke of it at the top of the show. He keeps picking this game of the day pre-emptively and leaving me with the scraps. No wonder he gets 2 of every 19 right. If not for cheating, he would clearly be shut out!
P.S. - Troy Glaus could not have picked a better time to get surgery and be missing for the remainder of the year. His name just came up in connections with the steroid investigation and now he is unavailable for comment.