Is it finally time for Dom Brown in Philly?

CASEY FEENEY

As a society, we are drawn to stories of couples that overcome a lot of obstacles before finally getting together.

The late 70s and early 80s brought us Joanie and Chachi. The 90s provided Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris, and Ross and Rachel. More recently, the on-again, off-again antics of Jim and Pam have captivated audiences.

Philadelphia also has their own sports version of this phenomenon: the curious courtship of Domonic and Ruben.

It might be hard to remember now, but there was a time when Domonic Brown was much more exclamation point than question mark. As in, wait until we add this phenom to our already potent offense!

Needless to say, the script has flipped. Brown now toils in Allentown with the AAA IronPigs. After two unsuccessful stretches in the majors during the previous two seasons, general manager Ruben Amaro deemed that his once top prospect needs to get consistent at-bats in the International League.

The only problem is that the major league offense has been dreadful in the season’s first month. If the Pirates weren’t around, Philadelphia would be home to baseball’s worst offense.

Many have viewed a Brown recall as a necessary fix for a lineup that possesses such little pop, it’s about to go on tour with “The Pixies.” The former 20th-round selection has had an up-and-down start to his minor league campaign. But when the big league team struggles, fans will always speculate that a minor league call-up could be the answer.

It’s possible that Brown would be an upgrade for this woeful Phillies offense. It’s also reasonable that he would have no impact on a lineup that is short on power and long in the tooth.

That is up for debate. What cannot be questioned is this: the next time the Phillies bring up Brown has to be the last time.

After two years of summer flings followed by unceremonious breakups, Amaro and the Phillies have to be ready to go to the altar with Brown.

The yo-yo routine between Philadelphia and Allentown has not lit a fire under a prospect whose ability always seems inversely proportional to his confidence. Furthermore, another Brown demotion would only serve to damage one of the few trade pieces that Amaro has left in his arsenal.

I don’t see enough of Brown to know whether or not he would be the cure for the Phillies lineup. But if he gets the call, he has to play.

If he goes 0 for 12 in his first three games, he has to play. If the opposing pitcher is a tough lefthander, he has to play. If John Mayberry looks like he’s finding his swing, Brown still has to play.

But now we wait, just a captive audience hoping that the timing will finally be right for Ruben and Domonic to finally get together.

E-mail Casey Feeney at kfeeney@comcastsportsnet.com