Broad Street Billy: 'Doc's Patients' are all set for the big game

AT GAME ONE of the National League Division Series, Broad Street Billy hung out on the rooftop of Citizens Bank Park with "Doc's Patients" - Phillies die-hards in matching hospital gowns who have seen almost every Roy Halladay start since July 5, 2010.

They'll be at the park for tonight's do-or-die Game 5, knocking back Bud Lites, eyeing the ladies and, after each Doc strikeout, miming defibrillator resuscitations on each other's chests, then shouting, "1-2-3 Clear!"

While the core Doc's Patients - Mike Jaffe of Wynnewood, Matt Leddy of Havertown, Ryan Christianson of Roxborough, Joe Bruno of Bala Cynwyd and Nick Mayo of Broomall - hung on Halladay's every pitch last Saturday, Leddy's college pal Tim Patz eyed roving Phillies-fan photographer Carina Groskopa of West Chester, and told Billy, "Girls love me."

"No," Leddy said. "They don't."

Jaffe told Billy, "Please put in your story that we hope some young ladies become Doc's Nurses and party with us here. Soon."

After chatting up Groskopa, Patz told Billy, "Out of every 10 girls I talk to, five ignore me, three talk to me but walk away, and two give me their numbers. Out of the two, zero pickups. Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this."

JEWISH FAN QUANDARY: When Broad Street Billy realized that Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, begins today at sundown, shortly before Game 5, he called Rabbi Mike Uram, director of Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania, and asked, "What's a Jewish Phillies fan to do?"

"You're asking a doozie," Uram said. "On Yom Kippur, Jews focus on reflection, introspection and on atoning for the past year's sins against God. A classic baseball example is Sandy Koufax, who chose not to pitch, but to remain true to his Jewish roots and observe the holiday."

"So," Billy said, "no ballpark? No TV? No radio?"

Uram said, "According to Jewish law, there's no way. No eating, no drinking, no sex. You're supposed to do the hard, self-reflective work that Yom Kippur requires. It's not compatible with baseball."

TALK TO ME: Broad Street Billy lives and dies with the Phillies. So if they win tonight, please send your Fightin's stories and photos to: phillies@phillynews. com

And if they lose, we'll still love 'em, and I'll see you next spring!