No, this is not an allusion towards Mitch Williams, nor am I suggesting that Lee be moved to the closer role (although he’d certainly do a better job than Lidge). This would be a cinematic reference to Ricky Vaughn, of the Cleveland Indians and the movies ‘Major League’ and ‘Major League II’. Following, I will give an objective analysis of why or why not he is a carbon copy of a fictional character. 1. Criminal Record
Cliff Lee has no criminal record to speak of, whereas Rick Vaughn has at least stolen a car. We have no idea what else he did to land himself in the California Penal system. But, the more alarming question, is how he got out of there in the first place.
2. Pitches
We know they both throw fastballs. Lee has control, Vaughn has velocity. They both also throw curveballs, as evidenced by the line “Forget the curveball, Ricky, give ‘em the heater”. I’d say it’s a spot on match.
3. Off the field life
Beyond the criminal record, Cliff Lee is simply not the personality that Vaughn was. I doubt Lee ever slept with the 3B’s wife, made anyone’s ‘Hall of Shame’, or got in a fight during spring training.
4. Nickname
I realize that Lee has no ‘official’ nickname, but I refuse to call him anything but ‘Phifer’, which is his middle name. Therefore, that is his informal nickname. Sadly, this nickname is easily trumped by ‘Wild Thing’ Rick Vaughn. His nickname came from his lack of control in spring training, which is later to be revealed as a vision problem.
Vaughn had a rough road to the playoffs, but we really don’t know anything else that happens after one season. Cliff Lee, however, is a Cy Young award winner, and is doing quite well with the Phillies. He’s let up as many earned runs as he has gathered hits for his new team. And despite the lack of a true nickname, I'm glad to say that Phifer is definitely a better pitcher than Rick Vaughn. And he does not use a Veg-o-matic to cut his hair.
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