Phillies Playoff Prediction

For the fifth consecutive year, the Phillies will be playing October baseball. Barring a catastrophic collapse, the Phillies will begin their post season journey at home and the only question is who they will play in the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series. While we still have over a month to go and things could change drastically during that time, here are my playoff predictions based on the current MLB standings.



I expect the Phillies to win the NL East, the Giants (even thought they are currently in second behind the D-backs) to win the West, the Brewers to win the Central, and the Braves will most likely pick up the Wild Card. Since the Phillies can’t face the Braves in the opening round because they are in the same division, the Phils will most likely play the Giants in the opening round.



This year I think things will be different. The Phillies will come into this year’s matchup against the Giants with a revamped starting rotation and an upgraded offense thanks to the addition of Hunter Pence. While I expect another close series I think the Phillies will win this series in 4 games. It will be a series similar to last year with a lot of low scoring close games but the difference will be Cliff Lee. Lee will come up big in the series as he has been successful against the Giants this season.



After defeating the Giants the Phils will face the Brew Crew in the NLCS. The Brewers are a good team namely because of their offense powered by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. But aside from that they have none of their other offensive threats scare me and they don’t have the greatest pitching in the world. I think the Phils will beat the Brewers in five games powered by their pitching staff and veteran offense.



As much as I hate to admit it, in the World Series I think the Phillies will be facing the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are a great team and this will definitely be a tough series. But in the end the Phillies will prevail because of their pitching and win the World Series in 6 games. The fact that they will win it in 6 is completely biased because my family and I have tickets to that game and I would love to be there when they win it.



Overall I don’t know how the playoff picture will shake out but I expect the Phillies to prevail. Whether they have to face the Brewers, Diamondbacks, Braves, Giants, Yankees or Red Sox, 2011 is the Phillies year to bring another parade down Broad Street.

We Can All Learn Something From Michael Vick

Let’s go back, all the way back to August 2007. Vick had just pleaded guilty for being involved in an illegal dog fighting scandal. Vick admitted to the killing of roughly 6-8 dogs and for dealing with money gained in the dog fighting ring. He began his incarceration in November 2007 and officially began serving a 23 month sentence in December of 2007.



Following his prison time, Vick was released in July 2009. Basically the first thing he did after his release was file for bankruptcy. His former team, the Atlanta Falcons, wanted nothing to do with him and after failed attempts to trade him, he was released. The critics and animal right activists called for his head. Even though he apologized and served time, people continued to spew hate towards the man again and again.



It almost seemed like the whole world was against him. People made jokes, criticized him, and ultimately judged and hated him. Life had to be pretty low for Vick.



But on August 13th 2009, the Eagles signed him to a one year deal worth about 1.6 million.



After a 2009 season in which he was the third string quarterback and basically sat on the bench and studied the playbook, Vick entered last season as the backup. And in week 1 of 2010, Kolb went down early with a concussion. Vick stepped into the game and the rest is history.



Vick orchestrated an Eagles offense that put up huge lopsided numbers week after week. He made plays with his arm as well as his legs, and captivated this city with a true comeback story. He ultimately took advantage of the second chance the Eagles gave him, and put together a very successful season.



In response to his success, yesterday the Eagles signed Vick to a 6 year 100 million dollar contract, with 40 million in guaranteed money. The point of me summarizing Vick’s career is not to sing his praises or summarize what you already know. The point is that Vick’s success and comeback story can teach us all something about second chances and forgiveness.



Put yourself in Vick’s shoes for a second. In short he made the mistake of being involved in dog fighting, apologized, and paid his debt to society. But although he did all of that, some people are still not willing to forgive him. Some people can’t comprehend how a person could do such a horrid thing and continue to hate utter nasty things against him.



It’s sad that people can sit there and say every last mean thing about Vick but in their own lives expect people to forgive them for their own mistakes and shortcomings. Whether you are apologizing for a small or big mistake you may have made, everyone expects forgiveness and it’s sad that to this day people still can’t find it in their hearts to forgive Vick.



If you want others to forgive you, you have to forgive others, it’s that simple.



I’ve heard every last excuse about why people won’t forgive Vick:



“He did it on repeated occasions…”



“He’s not really sorry…”



“Those poor dogs…”



No matter how many times he did it, he said he was sorry and realized that dog fighting was wrong. He sincerely apologized and continues to this day to give talks about the horrors of dog fighting. And although he killed and tortured dogs, he never hurt another human being.



In this country it is a travesty that we have animal rights commercials and organizations when there are PEOPLE dying of starvation everyday. There are PEOPLE living in poverty and horrid living conditions and yet it seems like we care more about dogs and dolphins.



I’m not justifying Vick’s actions in anyway, but Donte Stallworth killed a man and you probably didn’t even know about it until now.



According to an Associated Press article,



“Donte Stallworth surrendered in court on charges that he was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian while returning from a night of partying in Miami Beach on March 14. The 28-year-old Stallworth was released by Miami authorities after posting $200,000 bail.”



Whether it was an accident or not, Stallworth killed a HUMAN BEING and didn’t even serve any time. But Mike Vick kills a few dogs and you would have thought that he took a gun with him to a game one day and opened up fire.



I don’t know why so many people are so hard and unforgiving on Vick but it needs to stop. I could sit here and argue your own excuse for not forgiving Vick but at the end of the day, if you don’t forgive you won’t be forgiven, it’s that simple.



The second thing Mike Vick’s comeback can teach us is the quality of never giving up. Vick was released from prison and the hate mail, doubts, and critics told him to give up.



“You’ve been in jail for the past two years, you’re done. Just give up.”



Even when it seemed like the whole world doubted and even hated him, Vick dug deep and worked hard. He studied the playbook, practiced, worked out, and eventually worked his way back to one of the most elite quarterbacks in the NFL.



There are going to be times, in my life and in yours, when we are going to be thrown down in the dirt. There are going to be times when everything will look lost and as if there is no way out. But Vick’s story teaches us that you never ever give in. No matter how bad it may seem, you continue to work hard and plug away everyday of your life.



Vick could have easily thrown in the towel. He could have gone off to live with his cronies in Virginia, and lived a terrible worthless life outside of football. But he didn’t. He apologized, worked hard and completely turned his life around for the better.



He became a better player and also a better person by turning to God, volunteering in the community, and overall improving his public image.



All in all it has been a long road back for Vick but the journey is only just beginning. Vick now has 6 years in Philadelphia to try and win a Super Bowl. I think that if Vick fails to win a championship, he will view his comeback as falling just short. Vick is not going to settle for anything less than a Super Bowl title, and I can’t wait to sit back and see what he will be able to accomplish.



And I hope that after reading this article, you realize that the Mike Vick affect goes way beyond the game of football.

1993 Phillies, Good But Not Great

Earlier this month I was at a Phillies game where John Kruk was inducted into the Phillies wall of fame. Kruker was a part of the famous 1993 team and during his speech I was thinking back to that team. From what I’ve heard from my family, documentaries, and various sports analysts, the 93’ Phillies were a group of beer drinking, hot dog eating guys that all Philadelphians could relate to. The 93’ Phillies had a lot of fun and in the process put together a 97-65 season. They would eventually make it all the way to the World Series where they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in blank games.



Larry Anderson, John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, Darren Daulton, Mitch Williams, and Curt Schilling were just some of the great players on that team. They meshed together in the clubhouse and on the field and Philadelphia absolutely loved them.



But as good as that team was they ultimately failed to win the World Series. In short they were very good but not great. This city loved them so much because they played hard every night and they were so easy to relate to, but overall they weren’t a success.

Which leads us to the present day 2011 Phillies. For the most part this current team is the same core team from 2008 but with Raul Ibanez, Hunter Pence, Placido Polanco, and a revamped starting rotation. After winning the World Series in 2008, the Phils lost to the Yankees in the World Series in 2009, and fell short against the Giants last year in the NLCS.



This year the Phils have their sights set on their second World Series title in four years. Although the Phils won in 2008, if they fail to win another championship, in my opinion like the 93’ team,they will forever be viewed as good but not great.



The Phils front office is clearly all in. They got Cliff Lee before the season and added Hunter Pence at the trade deadline to maximize their chances of another title. The dedication from the front office is clear and now it is up to the players to put it together on the field.



Going into the final month of the regular season, the Phils need to continue to play hard and remain focused on their ultimate goal of winning the World Series. The Phillies won in 2008, but if they are able to win again, they will be viewed as one of the greatest teams in Philadelphia sports history.

Meet Donald Lee

To start off, this article doesn't even compare to the excitement of the Mike Vick posting I made earlier. But for you die-hard Eagles fans that just can't get enough, continue reading about one of the Eagles' best free agent signings.



One Eagles free agent signee that is going somewhat under the radar is the signing of former Green Bay Packers tight end Donald Lee. While Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, DRC and Nnamdi Asomugha soak up all the attention, Lee is quietly working hard and competing for playing time.



Lee played 2 seasons for the Dolphins and 6 for the Packers and did the little things to help his team win. He was a favorite target of Brett Favre and he specialiazed in catches in the redzone and also moved into a role as a blocking tight end last season. Lee is willing to do what ever he can to contribute and is a true team player in every sense.



He will quietly work hard and while he is not going to draw the attention of a guy like Ronnie Brown or Vince Young, he has the talent to really help the Eagles this season.



With a broken offensive line, last year Brent Celek shifted into a blocking tight end. Celek had a bit of down year compared to his breakout 2009. While I’m expecting the offensive line to eventually work itself out, having a veteran like Donald Lee will give the Birds depth in terms of protection.



Lee can teach Celek and Clay Harbor who are both still relatively young, the importance of being an all around great tight end. He can stress the importance of being a reliable target in the passing game, and a steady blocker when the team needs him.



Like I said before the Donald Lee signing is not major news but it is still something that people should be aware of. He is a winner and a true team player and a guy that is valuable on the field and in the clubhouse.

Eagles Give Vick Contract Extension

It's official. Today the Eagles re-signed Vick to a 6 year 100 million dollar contract that will keep in Eagles green through 2016. The clincher of the deal is the 40 million in guaranteed money.

It has been a long road for Vick who first signed with the Eagles back in 2009. Andy Reid and the Eagles were the only team that gave him a second chance. While many doubted the prospects of him being able to play at the NFL level again, Reid had a vision for Vick. He saw potential and promise, and 3 years later the deal has paid off for him and Vick.

With the new deal, the Eagles get a franchise quarterback for the future with a ton of potential and promise. Vick is a guy who can turn a tackle into a touchdown, and change any game with the flick of the wrist or an open field run.

Like I said it's been a long up hill battle for Vick who has faced a ton of criticism and hate from many people. What he did was wrong no doubt, but he apologized, volunteered in the community, and now he and the Eagles are moving into the future with a Super Bowl(s) title in their sights.

The deal not only secures Vick as the quarterback of the future, but it also frees up cap room for Desean Jackson to get his deal. Jackson has been very calm and professional through out training camp and the pre season and now it is pretty obvious what the Eagles said to him and agent Drew Rosenhaus when he first reported to Lehigh.

Eagles Front Office: "Desean, were in the process of giving Vick a new deal because he is the quarterback of the future. Once his deal is done it will be your turn, just sit tight."

Rosenhaus and Jackson: "Straight."

In all seriousness the deal is great news for Vick and great news for Jackson as well. His turn is here, he's going to get paid.

Really not much more can be said. I'm ecstatic right now as I'm a huge Mike Vick supporter and I can't wait to see what he does this year and in the future. Philadelphia, the Michael Vick era of Eagles football is officially upon us. Enjoy every minute of it.

The Phils Need A Six Man Rotation

With the recent postponements due to inclimate weather, the Phillies will finish out their regular season with no off days. The whole team will be exhausted but even more of burden will be placed upon this starting rotation. As the Phillies begin to make their push to the playoffs they should at least consider going to a six man rotation.



Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels are near the top in the National League in innings pitched. Halladay has pitched 189, Lee has pitched 186, and Hamels has tossed 172 frames. As we near the end of the regular season it might not be a bad idea to give the big three some rest by adding an extra starter.



Adding Kendrick into the rotation along with Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Worley would give the big three 5 or more days off between starts and would properly prepare and rest them for baseball in October. It would aslo help out Oswalt who is still recovering from a back injury.



The sixth starter the Phils would be adding would be Kendrick and it’s not like he has been terrible this year. In 13 starts this year Kendrick is 7-6 with a 3.29 ERA and has been a very solid back of the rotation starter.



Forget about personal achievements and awards and focus on getting these pitchers rested for October. Halladay, Hamels, and Lee have been laboring all season and a few extra days off in the final month of the season could do them and the team some good.



The workload of the starting rotation will get even more strenuous once the post season begins as they will be called to go on 4 and even 3 days rest in some cases. A six man rotation is a good solution to get these guys proper rest for the post season.



Charlie Manuel should at least consider the notion of going to a six man rotation to keep everyone fresh and well rested for the post season. If he doesn’t the Phils starters could have little left in the tank come October.

Vick Needs To Play More Conservative

Picking up that extra yard is not worth it. Putting yourself in harm’s way just to pick up that first down is definitely not worth it. Getting injured instead of sliding or running out of bounds is not the smart option.



This season Vick needs to play a more conservative style instead of aggressively seeking that extra yard or two. The Eagles can’t afford to lose Vick as he is the key to their offense. If Vick goes down especially early in the season, there is no telling how good Vince Young will be given the fact that he is new to this offense.



The depth the Eagles have at offensive line should give Vick all the time he needs to sit back in the pocket and make smart throws. It’s what Vick does when he is out of the pocket that has me worried. Too many times last year Vick put himself in harm’s way for the sake of that extra yard. I’m not saying that Vick shouldn’t play as hard but he should be smarter in some of the decisions he makes.



Overall Mike Vick is the key to the Eagles success. He forces teams to defend the Eagles differently and has the ability to crack a game open with just the flick of a wrist. He can turn a completely broken play into a touchdown with ease. But if he continues to play like the old overly aggressive Mike Vick he will hurt his and the team’s future.



Remember Vick was applied the franchise tag before the beginning of this year and is still seeking a big contract. But if he shows that he is injury prone again this season, the Eagles may be hesitant to sign a guy who is liable to get hurt to a mega deal.



Vick needs to learn how to play smart, and to be aggressive while still remaining healthy. A lot of his fellow team mates and NFL players would love to see Vick begin sliding because he is such a treat to watch week after week. And as an Eagles fan I hope Vick learns to play smart and not put himself in danger on a consistent basis.

Troubles In The Trenches

So called “experts” on ESPN are predicting that the Eagles and quarterback Mike Vick are going to have a rough year because of the uncertainty surrounding this offensive line.



If they only watched the first quarter of the Eagles most recent pre season game against the Cleveland Browns, then the offensive line would be a legitimate concern. But in the second quarter of Thursday’s game the Eagles adjusted to the pressure the Browns were bringing and their lack of protection for Vick. The Eagles coaching staff brought in Brent Celek to help block and help fill some holes on the offensive line. And in order to help Vick get the ball out of his hands sooner, they started calling quick swing routes to Lesean McCoy, and they made the necessary adjustments.



Quite frankly I’m not at all worried about the offensive line. Many people feel that the Eagles have too much youth on the O-line and can’t be successful. But when you look at all the depth the Eagles have in terms of blocking I really can’t understand why people are so worried.



On the left side are All-Pros Jason Peters and Todd Heremans. At center, Howard Mudd decided to start rookie Jason Kelce last Thursday night over veteran center Jamal Jackson. The right side currently consists of rookie Danny Watkins at right guard. At right tackle is King Dunlap who is filling in for Ryan Harris who was the original projected starter. In reserve the Birds have Evan Mathis who can fill in just about anywhere and Jamal Jackson who is a veteran center. And providing they can get healthy, Winston Justice and Ryan Harris give the Eagles even more depth.



As if that wasn’t enough, the Eagles also have Donald Lee and Brent Celek at tight end who are two terrific blockers and can be called upon for extra protection.



The point of me mentioning all these guys is to show that the Eagles have all the pieces for a successful offensive line. Whether they go with the veteran or the rookie at center, or make the decision to move Herremans to the right side, the Eagles will figure it out and give Vick the time and protection he needs to be a successful quarterback.



The Eagles don’t want to do a lot of flip flopping so I think that early on in the year they will utilize Celek and Lee to help block. Providing Winston Justice or Ryan Harris can come back and contribute, I think then you will see Celek develop into more of a receiver tight end. And as for the whole Kelce vs Jackson battle, I think Jackson will get the starting spot because the Eagles can't afford to have Vick get knocked around the way he did against the Browns.



Overall Vick doesn’t need a whole lot of time in the pocket to be successful. His quick release and speed enable to turn a broken play into a touchdown. But he got hit way too many times in Thursday’s game against the Browns and the Eagles need to figure out the right combination of players to give him the proper protection. They have all the pieces to the puzzle, the Eagles coaching staff just need to put it all together before the opener against the Rams.



And this quote from Mike Vick gives me a ton of confidence,



“Regardless of who it is [protecting me], I’m going to give the defense fits, anyway. It’s just plain and simple. I’m saying it out of confidence, not arrogance. I trust those guys to get their jobs done. I believe in those guys, and I’m going to instill that confidence in them and that’s the way they’re going to play.”

Andy Reid On Hot Seat?

This year Andy Reid has no excuses, plain and simple. Joe Banner and Howie Roseman went out and got all the pieces for a successful team, and now it’s up to Reid to put everything together on the field. I’m not saying that Reid will be fired if the Eagles fail to win the Super Bowl, but he will certainly be in hot water if the Eagles once again fail to win the championship.



I am in no way an Andy Reid hater. I’m actually a Reid supporter and think that he is one of the best coaches in the game. I also feel that he is understandably very under appreciated in a Super Bowl deprived city.



But this will be his 12th season as Eagles head coach, and the time to win is now. The Eagles didn’t make a gigantic splash in free agency this year to lose another NFC Championship game. They went out and were big spenders so that they could give Reid all the best players he needs to win a Super Bowl.



Andy needs to improve in areas such as clock management. This Eagles team is too good to suffer from his dumb mistakes. He also needs to do a better job of mixing in the run into his game plan. Altough the Eagles led the NFL in rushing last year, most of those yards came from big plays from Lesean McCoy and Michael Vick. The Eagles need to establish the run more especially with the addition of Ronnie Brown.

There is no telling how large the opportunity to win this current group of guys is. The window of opportunity could be a year, or it could be three, but Andy knows that his time in Philadelphia could be cut short if he fails once again to bring home the Super Bowl.

Best Ways To Get To The Game

Unfortunately we live in a city where our beloved sports teams all play in the middle of nowhere. And as a kid from the burbs, this is especially heartbreaking for me as it takes a great deal of time and effort to reach a Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, or Eagles game.



If you live in Bucks County or north of Philadelphia hopefully this article will help you find the least stressful and most enjoyable way to reach the teams you love.



95

The easiest way to get down to South Philly is to hop on 95. The only problem is if you leave at about 5:00 or later you’re going to run into stop and go traffic starting at Woodhaven and ending all the way down at around the Allegheny exit near Center City. If you have the resources to leave at 4:00 or earlier you shouldn’t hit any traffic and should have plenty of time before your event.



Boulevard

If you want to try and bypass the traffic of 95, the Roosevelt boulevard is a great alternative. The only problem with the boulevard is that it gets a little backed up around the Neshaminy exit and turnpike exit. But after that if you are willing to put up with the stop lights and the stop and go, the boulevard is for the most part a smooth ride. I geuss another negative about taking the boulevard is eventually you have to make your way east over to 95. Your best options are to get on at either Bridge Street or Allegheny.



West Trenton Train

The West Trenton line is very convenient because you have a lot of options as to where to get on. My advice is try to pick a stop where you know you can park for free. Once on, the best place to get off is either Fern Rock Transportation Center or City Hall. From there you hop on the Broad Street subway line and you’re there. It costs roughly 8 dollars if you’re traveling from Yardley down to Fern Rock or City Hall, and for the subway it costs roughly 4 dollars depending on whether or not you have a transit pass. Considering the facts that parking is $15 and the price of gas is not cheap, if you’re traveling alone and meeting your friends down at a game the train is your cheapest and least stressful option.



Trenton Train

Probably the quickest and best way to get down the game for me is hopping on the Trenton line at Cornwell’s Heights. The Cornwell’s Heights stop is right after the Bensalem exit on 95 and right before all the traffic of Woodhaven. Parking is free at Cornwell and it takes roughly 20-25 minutes to get into the city. Once into the city you get off at Suburban Station where you hop on the Broad Street Line. You don’t have to worry about traffic after the game because Septa does a pretty good job of providing a lot of express subway trains from the stadium back into the city.



Depending on where you live there are probably a million other ways to get down to South Philly. As a kid from Bucks County these are some of the smartest ways I could come up with to get down to the games. Feel free to comment on how you get to the game or ideas of other smart ways to travel to South Philadelphia.

Asomugha & Pence Contribute On And Off The Field

A few weeks ago, both the Eagles and Phillies drastically improved their teams by bringing in big name guys. The Eagles signed free agent Nnamdi Asomugha while the Phillies traded for Hunter Pence. But in addition to getting two great athletes, the city of Philadelphia also got two great guys to help out off the field.

When the Eagles signed Asomugha they got one of the game's best shutdown corners while the city of Philadelphia got one of the greatest humanitarians in all of sports.



After hearing Asomugha’s introductory press conference I was overly impressed by how articulate and smart he was. He spoke with confidence and seemed to have a good head on his shoulders so I decided to do a little research.



During his time in Oakland, Asomugha used his platform as a professional athlete to start two organizations to help out those less fortunate in the community. According to bleacherreport.com those two organizations are, "Asomugha College Tours for Scholars (ACTS) and Orphans and Widows in Need (OWIN) are his two major charities, and their impact both nationally and globally continue to grow every single year."

ACTS helps inner city high school students go on college visits while OWIN helps out single mothers and widows in Africa find a way out of poverty.



New Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is also doing his part to contribute off the field. While in Houston Pence was involved in a number of volunteer opportunities mainly with kids. In addition to helping off the field, Pence also seems like a great, down to earth guy and someone that Philadelphia is going to fall in love with.



It is so refreshing to see professional athletes who have good heads on their shoulders and realize what is truly important in life. Both of these athletes will be loved for what they do on the field but we should more importantly respect them for what they do in the community.



Philadelphia sports received two great athletes, and the city received two great humanitarians who will use their platforms as professional athletes to help out this city. Watch for what Pence and Asomugha do on the field but more importantly watch for what they do to help out those less fortunate.

Meet Juan Castillo

After the disappointing Sean McDermott era in Philadelphia Eagles history, Juan Castillo will step in this season as the new defensive coordinator.



Castillo was formerly the Eagles offensive line coach and will now be making the shift to the defensive side of the ball. Since Jim Johnson’s passing, the Eagles haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement.



Sean McDermott struggled in the past two seasons and Big Red knew that it was time for a change. But before Reid could move Castillo to the defensive side of the ball he had to find a replacement offensive line coach. Once he was able to hire Howard Mudd who is one of the best offensive line specialists in the game, he was able to make Castillo the defensive coordinator.



For years Castillo had always said that if he were able to move back to defense he would be “deadly.” According to Castillo, he helped Jim Johnson with different blitz packages by informing Johnson how the offensive line would react to different blitzes and coverage schemes.



It’s a good theory that Castillo will be a good defensive coordinator because he has an idea as to how the offense will react. But a complete shift from the offensive to the defensive side of coaching has rarely been done and it will be interesting to see if it will pay off for the Eagles.



Castillo seems like a very enthusiastic and excitable guy and extremely grateful about the opportunity Andy has given him. As the Birds head into their final pre season game, watch to see what this new look Eagles defense led by Castillo is able to do.

Rough Decade Behind Us

I know that it's well into the new decade of 2010 on, but I wanted to take a moment and review the past decade from 2000-2009. For the most part, it was a rough decade for Philly sports as the Phillies were the only team to come away with a championship. A lot of teams got close but it was ultimately a disappointing time filled with much heartbreak and hard to swallow playoff exits. Here is a run down of what each team did, and also what to expect in the coming years.

Phillies: In the early part of the decade it was the Larry Bowa show for the Phillies. As manager, Bowa guided the Phillies to mediocre seasons failing to reach the postseason every year. In 2004, Bowa's final year as manager, the Phils moved into the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park where a new era would begin. The following year, the Phils hired Charlie Manuel as manager primarily because of his relationship with then star first baseman Jim Thome. Manuel took the reigns as ma

nager in 2005 and never looked back. After failing to reach the playoffs in his first two seasons, the Phils won the NL East in 2007 but eventually lost in the opening round. But in 2008, the Philadelphia championship drought finally came to an end. The Phils again won the NL East and led by star pitcher Cole Hamels, the Phils cruised through the playoffs and eventually beat the Tampa Bay Rays in 5 games to win the World Series. The Phillies paraded down Broad Street and finally gave this city a well deserved title. The Phils would reach the World Series again in 2009 but would go on to lose to the New York Yankees.

Last year the Phils lost to San Francisco in the NLCS, but this year looks very promising. The Phils are far and away the best team in baseball and look poised to make another very long post season run. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels lead a starting rotation that no team can compete with.

Beyond this year, I see the Phils as having a legitimate chance to win another title for at least 3 years. Providing they lock up Cole Hamels, the Phils will still have a great starting rotation with Hamels, Halladay, and Lee. And with core guys Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Hunter Pence locked up, I believe the Phils can stay contenders.

Eagles: Previous to the beginning of the decade, in 1999 the Eagles hired Andy Reid as head coach, and drafted Donovan McNabb as the franchis quarterback of the future. In 2000 the Eagles put together an 11-5 record but would eventually lose to the Giants in the division series. In 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Eagles went 11-5, 12-4, and 12-4 respectively but lost in the NFC Championship game every year. Finally in 2004, the Eagles defeated Mike Vick and the Atlanta Falcons and headed to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history. But again the Eagles came up short and lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots by a final of 24-21. After the Super Bowl defeat, McNabb really came under fire of the Philadelphia media and fans. As the starting quarterback in a major city it was understandable that people were quick to blame McNabb for the team's shortcomings.

The following year the Eagles went 6-10 and failed to even reach the playoffs. Hampered by injuries especially to McNabb, the Eagles put up their first and only losing season in the Andy Reid era. 2006 was better remembered as Jeff Garcia year. Dononvan again went down with a devastating injury 10 games into the season, and Jeff Garcia took over as starter. Garcia finished out the year with flare as the Eagles won 5 of their last 6 games to put them at 10-6 on the year enough to win the NFC East. Unfortunately the Birds would lose to the Saints in the division round.

In 2007, the Eagles went 8-8, but followed in 2008 with a respectable 9-6 record. The Eagles would eventually reach the NFC Championship game for the 5th time under Andy Reid but would lose to Kurt Warner and the high powered Arizona Cardinals offense. 2009 was Donovan's final year as an Eagle and the Birds took an early playoff exit losing to the Dallas Cowboys.

Last year Kevin Kolb went down in the first game of the season, and Mike Vick ushered in a new era of Eagles football. Vick put together a dazzling season but the Eagles lost to the eventual champions, the Green Bay Packers in the opening round.

Looking ahead to this year and the future, the Eagles will be lead by Mike Vick and a high powered offense stocked with weapons like Lesean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin, Desean Jackson, and Brent Celek. The young fast defense led by newcomer Nnamdi Asomugha will hopefully be an improvement to the Sean McDermott defenses of the past. The Eagles made a big splash in free agency this year and are primed for a Super Bowl run this year and for years to come.

Flyers: Although the Flyers made the playoffs every year but one, the past decade was ultimately a disappointment. The Flyers led off the decade by losing in the conference finals to the New Jersey Devils. From there the Flyers continued to make the playoffs but didn't make it back to the conference finals until 2003-04 where they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games.

2006-07 was a bit of a transition year for the Flyers as they fired head coach Ken Hitchcock and hired John Stevens as his replacement. But for the first time in 11 years the Flyers failed to reach the postseason. The following season, the Flyers bounced back but again suffered a loss in the conference finals, this time to the Pittsburgh Penguins. But after a first round exit in 2009, the Flyers finally got over the hump in 2010 and reached the Stanley Cup in a very memorable playoff run. Down 3 games to none to the Boston Bruins in the conference semi-finals, the Flyers rallied and eventually won the series in seven games. They then cruised past the Montreal Canadiens in the conference finals, but eventually lost to the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup.

And last year the Flyers lost to the Boston Bruins in the conference semi-finals in another heart breaking playoff exit. The Flyers haven't won a Stanley Cup in 35 seasons, and for a storied franchise like the Flyers that is simply too long of a drought. So this past off season the Flyers brass went all in and restructured the entire make up of the team. They traded away stars Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and signed goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. For the first time in a long time the Flyers will have an elite goalie and hopefully the drastic moves they made will pay off.

Sixers: The past decade for the Sixers can best be described by breaking it down into four main periods: The Larry Brown era, The post Brown transition era, The Mo Cheeks era, and the Mo Cheeks transition era. The Larry Brown era was in the beginning of the decade and included the Sixers magical run to the finals in 2001. Led by Allen Iverson and role players Dikembe Mutombo, Eric Snow, and Aaron McKie, the Sixers captivated Philadelphia and went toe to toe with one of the best teams in NBA history. Unfortunately the Sixers lost in five games to the Kobe and the Lakers, but they still gave this city some very fond basketball memories.

After Larry Brown left in 2003, the Sixers tried to find a suitable replacement at head coach. Randy Ayers took over in 2003-04, and Chris Ford finished out the year. In 2004-05, the Sixers hired Jim O'Brien but lost in the first round of the playoffs. In 2005-06, the Sixers decided to hire former star point guard Mo Cheeks. During Cheeks' first three years, the Sixers made the playoffs just once. And midway through his fourth year as head coach, the Sixers fired Cheeks and hired Tony Dileo as interim head coach. And in 2009-10 the Sixers made the awful mistake of hiring Eddie Jordan and the Sixers went just 27-55.

But last year the Sixers finally looked headed in the right direction under head coach Doug Collins. Unfortunately the Sixers lost to the Miami Heat in the first round, but they still showed glimpses of promise in the post season and through out the regular season. But with the lockout set to go on for an unprecedented amount of time, the Sixers youthful progress could be put to a sudden halt. Overall the lockout will be extremely detrimental to a young and developing team like the Sixers and there is no telling how it could affect them in the future.

If you've been keeping count, Philadelphia teams went 1/5 in championships in the past decade. The Eagles, Flyers, and Sixers all lost their respective championships, and the Phils went 1/2, winning in 2008 and losing in 2009. The Phillies success in 2008 helps to soothe the pain that Philadelphia batted .200 in championship games during the past decade not to mention countless other playoff exits.

It was a rough decade but thankfully the future of Philly sports looks very bright. The Flyers, Eagles, and Phillies will all look to contend for a championship this year which is something that hasn't happened in this city in a very long time. Hopefully this decade which has gotten off to somewhat of a rough beginning will turn around come October.

Sports Violence, Needs To Stop

It's kind of old news at this point, but last week during a Raiders 49ers pre season game, fights and brawls broke out through out the stadium and parking lots between fans. One man was shot, and another was beaten to within an inch of his life and left unconscious in a bathroom.

Basically it was chaos, and 49ers security and San Francisco police did their best to try and keep order. I would like to discuss in this article how and why this happened and what we can do to prevent such an episode from occurring in the future.

The fights and brawls broke out for a number of different reasons. The fights were mainly due to the fact that it was a pre season game and by second half fans are bored and left with a seemingly meaningless football game to watch. With no real entertainment, the two rival fans probably started barking back and forth which eventually lead to physical confrontations.

Also alcohol played a huge role in the childish actions of these fans. Even though it was a pre season game, fans still love to tailgate. Some fans look forward to the tailgate more than the game itself and will be out in the parking lot for 3-5 hours before a game. And while some fans may be innocently tailgating by cooking burgers, having catch, and drinking a few beers, others are deliberately getting trashed in an effort to enhance the enjoyment of a pre season match.

When the second half rolls around, some fans are trashed, bored, and a fan of the team they hate yells something that rubs them the wrong way. Basically it was a recipe for disaster and security and police were left ill prepared for such a violent outbreak.

Sadly sports violence is a growing problem. Fights in the stands and parking lot are breaking out too often and something needs to be done.

The main cause of the growing sports violence is the emphasis that is being placed on the pre-game tailgate. Fans are spending 3-5 hours getting hammered in the parking lot and when they are all nice and intoxicated come into the stadium. Teams need to limit the amount of time fans tailgate by opening up their parking lots closer to game time. If teams start opening the gates maybe two hours before kickoff, it will limit the amount of time they have to drink and ensure a safer stadium.

As of right now NFL teams stop serving alcohol after the third quarter, and MLB stadiums don't sell alcohol after the 7th inning. Maybe it's time to make the final call for alcohol sooner. For football make it the second half, for baseball make it the 5th inning. It's a shame that so many fans have to suffer because of the immature actions of a few. But something has to be done to ensure the safety of the fans.

Back in the days of the Phillies Mets rivalry, I actually enjoyed when Mets fans would come down to Philadelphia for games. It was fun to go back and forth with a Mets fan as rivalries can be extremely fun.

But when fans begin to take things too far and start getting into physical confrontations, it becomes the opposite of fun as people are put in extreme danger.

Action has to be taken primarily by the MLB and NFL before things get any worse.

Philly Live!

There is only one place within walking distance of the stadiums to grab a bite before or after games in South Philadelphia and that is Chickie’s And Pete’s. Unless you want to wait in a long line at Tony Luke’s which is about a 5 minute drive, Chickie’s is really your only option. And if you wait too long, both Chickie’s and Tony Luke’s get so crowded that you could get stuck eating at cold hot dog or sub par cheese steak inside the stadium.



But those were during the dark ages of South Philadelphia. Those were the days where the land surrounding the stadiums seemed so desolate especially after a loss. But in the future, Philly Live will save Philadelphia sports fans from extreme boredom before and after sporting events. Philly Live is being constructed where the Spectrum used to be and is basically a mini mall complete with restaurants, shops, a hotel, and venues for outdoor entertainment.



Set to be completed for Phillies opening day 2012, Philly Live will hopefully cure the boredom surrounding South Philadelphia before and after sporting events. Having been to baseball stadiums like PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Wrigley Field in Chicago, I personally know how much surrounding restaraunts and shops can add to the overall enjoyment of a sporting venue.

The center piece to Philly Live is a luxury hotel. But due to the economy plans have changed and not too much is known on the exact plans.



Whether your team wins or loses, having something fun and entertaining to do before and after the game makes everything more fun and helps keep the entire family occupied.



It really is a shame that such a beautiful parks like Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field lack surroundings shops and places to eat. Hopefully Philly Live will help liven up South Philadelphia, and make the somewhat boring Sports Complex a place for fans of all ages to enjoy.

How To Survive The NBA Lockout

Basketball in Philadelphia will be a little different this year as the Sixers and the entire NBA are currently in a lockout. All signs point to the lockout being at least a few months so basketball fans in Philly are going to look for other basketball outlets to stay entertained. Here are a list of different basketball games you can attend or watch on TV to keep you entertained during the lockout.



The Big 5 basketball teams of St. Joes, Temple, Villanova, LaSalle, Penn, and even Drexel will see a great influx of fans as people look to find other basketball games to go to.



Villanova are great games to go to as they are still one of the most elite teams in the country. They play at the Pavilion in Villanova which is a bit out of the way for most people. But to accommodate larger crowds Villanova also hosts games at the Wells Fargo Center.



Temple games are also fun to go to down at the Liacorus center. You can get there by driving or taking the train and like Villanova they are also a highly talented team. St. Joes, LaSalle, and Penn are not as good as Temple and Villanova but they are still entertaining games especially at the Palestra. The Palestra is the cathedral of Philadelphia basketball and during the lockout the Palestra is a must visit if you have never been there.



In addition to Big Five games there are also a lot of schools in New Jersey where you can see good basketball. Ryder is relatively close, and their small field house is a great place to catch a game. Rutgers, Seton Hall, and St. Johns are also other great options to see competitive basketball.



And if you are an absolute basketball nut and just can’t get enough, look into some of the high school teams in North Jersey. Schools like St. Anthony’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. Benedict’s are highly competitive and very fun to watch.



Hopefully professional basketball will return to Philadelphia sooner rather than later. The Sixers have a very bright future with young stars and new ownership and it’s a shame that the lockout could halt their progress. Hopefully these basketball alternatives will help you survive the lockout no matter how long it lasts.

Fear The D-Line

They come at you from every which angle. When you’re down in the dirt, they kick you in the stomach. And just when you think you have a moment to set your feet and throw the ball, you get smacked in the mouth.



Meet the Eagles defensive line. Trent Cole, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Babin, and role players like Darryl Tapp, Antonio Dixen, and Phillip Hunt are going to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks all season.



Led by defensive line specialist coach Jim Washburn, the defensive line is focused solely on accelerating off the ball and swarming and suffocating the quarterback with pressure from every angle.



It won’t just be 4 guys that make up the defensive line. Washbrun will utilize a lot of guys and have a rotation of lineman trying to get pressure on the quarterback. By having a rotation guys can come into the game fresh and rested and be able to overpower and speed by tired offensive lineman.



As good as the secondary is projected to be, I think the defensive line is going to be the strong point of the defense this season. I think Cullen Jenkins, Trent Cole, and Jason Babin are all going to be pro-bowlers while I also see another role player having a big year as well.

The defensive line will also have to make up for the lack of talent at linebacker.



So far in pre season the defensive line has looked great. They have gotten great pressure on opposing quarterbacks and will look to carry that success over to the regular season.

Evan Turner Working With Herb Magee

As the NBA lockout continues to take it’s chokehold on basketball, players everywhere are looking for ways to stay in basketball shape. Some are going over seas while others are working out or just practicing.



Evan Turner, in an effort to improve his game during the lockout is working with Philadelphia University’s basketball coach Herb Magee. Herb Magee is an expert shooting coach and he will be working with Turner throughout the lockout to help improve his jumper.



One of the strengths of Turner’s game is getting into the lane and driving to the basket. He is great at ball handling and getting easy high percentage shots but he does struggle with his jumper. If Turner can become a threat from outside and beyond the arc, it will open up the rest of his game. Defenders will be forced to take his shot seriously, and Evan will be able to either knock an open shot down or give a quick shot fake and drive to the hoop.



Turner started playing a lot better towards the end of last year. He had a great game in Game 4 against the Heat and overall showed tremendous upside. But there are still a lot of things he needs to do to improve his game and it is good to see that he is committed to improving.



Hopefully his strong work ethic and commitment to winning will rub off on the other players on the Sixers as the lockout continues.

Ronnie Brown, Key To Eagles Offense

Probably one of the most important off season signings for the Eagles was the acquisition of former Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown.



Last year the Eagles struggled to find a suitable backup for Lesean McCoy. First it was Mike Bell, and then Jerome Harrison and neither of them were able to get the job done.



And with Leonard Weaver out with a knee injury, the Eagles knew this offseason that they had to go out and get a guy to pair with McCoy in the backfield. Ronnie Brown will do a good job of complimenting McCoy nicely as he is an in between the tackles type while McCoy is more of a guy who uses his speed and tries to get the ball to the outside. Brown will be able to carry the load on 3rd and short and inside the goal line and should do a nice job in lightening the load. McCoy suffered through different injuries last year and having a legitimate backup in Brown should prevent McCoy from getting hurt.



In addition to his ability to run the ball, Brown can also catch the ball out of the back field which is especially important in the Eagles west coast offense. Andy Ried loves to utilize his running backs as receivers and let them get out into the open field where they are extremely dangerous.



I would also like to see the Birds do something with Brown in the wildcat as he was one of the pioneers of the formation.



Brown is a true running back and someone that can carry the load of the tough grind it out carries between the tackles. He will come up big for the Eagles in close 3rd and shorts and 4th and inches plays and ultimately he will help open up the passing game.



Look for Brown to have a huge season and watch as the rest of the offense benefits greatly from his success.

Thome Hits 600th HR, Goes Virtually Unnoticed

When Barry Bonds hit his record breaking HR, cameras were flashing and it was an absolutely media circus.



When Derek Jeter hit his 3,000th hit, again it was another media circus covered by all sporting outlets everywhere.



But when former Phillies Jim Thome hit his 600th homerun last week, only the eighth player in MLB player to do so, it was almost as if it went unnoticed.



I think that for the most part, we sadly value the flashy athletes who make a lot of noise on and off the field and fail to give proper recognition to a guy who like Jim Thome who is one of the best guys in all of baseball. Thome never did steroids, never got into trouble off the field, and is one of the most humble guys to ever play the game. He respects his opponents and his opponents respect him. He has the admiration of both former and current players and yet the days leading up to his record breaking night were barely even covered on ESPN.



Sadly in this day and age we value athletes like TO and Ochocinco because they are at the end of the day entertaining. Their antics on and off the field keep us guessing and we like to watch and stay entertained.



In reality we should value an athlete like Jim Thome because he plays the game the right way and shows us how to lead our lives as well. He is a family man, a humanitarian and is one of the most respectable players in the game today.



I remember being bat boy one year in Spring Training and talking to Jim Thome in the dugout. I was in awe as he was at the time of my favorite players. He politely told me to tuck in my shirt as only a true gentleman would.



Thome’s time in Philadelphia was a special time. He ushered in a new era as the leader of the the Phils as they settled into their new home at Citizens Bank Park. He hit his 400th homerun with the Phils and he began to make baseball in Philadelphia respectable again. Thome was the Phillies first big free agent signee in a while and it was a statement by the Phillies front office that they were beginning to get serious about winning. People got interested in the Phillies once again and Thome was a big part of that.



After hitting homerun number 600, Thome credited Charlie Manuel as one of the greatest influences in his career. He credits Charlie for instilling a strong work ethic in him and always believing that he could be great. Manuel was Thome’s manager in Cleveland and also in Philadelphia and clearly Manuel had a big impact on Thome’s career.



Unfortunately not many people were even aware that Thome was going for his record breaking 600th homerun. It went under the radar because Thome is not a flashy all-about-me athlete. He is humble and respectable and it is sad that we are not teaching our kids to model their games and lives after a guy like Thome. We know who TO and Barry Bonds are, but some people have no clue who future hall of famer Jim Thome is. He is one of the best homerun hitters of all time and one of the best guys to ever play the game.



On Monday the Minnesota Twins placed Jim Thome on trade waivers. According to Jim Salisbury of csnphilly.com,



“Thome would have to get past 28 teams on waivers before the Phillies could put in a claim. It is likely some contending team would have an interest in adding Thome’s bat and put in a claim. Thome does have a no-trade clause, so he could refuse to go to the team that claimed him.”



Thome’s no-trade clause is key. Even though the Phillies are so far down on the list, Thome can reject any deal and he is reportedly interested in re-uniting with his former team to make a World Series run.



Although it is somewhat unlikely, I would love to have Jim Thome coming off the bench as a pinch hit power threat. The Phillies have until August 31st to acquire Thome who could add to this already potent offense.

Cliff Lee Domination

My Phillies attendance record didn't look too good. In 12 games that I attended this year the Phils were 6-6, and being at the game tonight, my season record hung in the balance. Dip below .500 for the first time since 2009? Or win big and climb to 7-6? It was all up to the Fightins.

In the top of the first Cliff Lee looked great. He threw just one ball and used the defensive services of Shane Victorino to pitch a scoreless inning.

In the second, Lee again utilized his defense as Wilson Valdez and Chase Utley turned an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the inning, the Phils put up a 3 spot against Mets' starter Dillon Gee. With 2 outs, Wilson Valdez ripped a single down the first base line to score Hunter Pence from 2nd. Cliff Lee followed with a single to put runners on first and second for lead off hitter Shane Victorino. Shaner then laced a triple to score Lee and Valdez and give the Phils an early 3-0 lead. In the third the Phils took a 5-0 lead when John Mayberry hit a 2 run line drive homer to left.

With a comfortable lead, Lee was able to cruise on the mound. Lee's early success was a result of two thngs. First off Lee was able to consistently throw his curveball for strikes. For me, I think Cliff is at his best when he is locating his curveball. His curveball sets up a lot of his other pitches like his fastball and changeup. Also Lee had a great ball to strike ratio in the early going. Through 3 innings, Lee had thrown 40 pitches, 32 of which were strikes.

In the 4th the Fightins loaded the bases and tacked on 3 more runs thanks to a Mayberry walk and a Carlos Ruiz 2 RBI single. And to add even more insurance, Hunter Pence hit a 2 run bomb in the 6th to put the Phils up 10-0. The Phils would eventually go on to win by a final of 10-0.

Overall it was a great bounce back win for the Phils after a dissapointing weekend in Washington. Cliff Lee and the offense came alive and they picked up a great victory to kick off this homestand.

There are so many positives to take away from this game. John Mayberry continues to hit the ball hard and in turn will hopefully earn himself some playing time. Hunter Pence also stayed hot and he is such a great piece in the middle of the lineup.

And of course there is Cliff Lee. When he is on there is no stopping him. Although he allowed a lot of base runners, he did a great job of getting out of jams.

A great win by the Phils. Cliff Lee is happy, John Mayberry Jr. is happy, and I'm happy that my season record is now a respectable 7-6.

Charlie Under Pressure?

Allow me to begin this article by first stating that I know all the things that Charlie Manuel has done for the Phillies. He has led them to 4, soon to be 5 NL East titles, 2 World Series appearances, and most importantly a World Series title.



But in this limited window of opportunity for the Phillies to win another title, Charlie Manuel may be under a bit of pressure from Ruben and the front office to win this year.



The front office has done their job by acquiring top talents Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence. They have done just about everything in their power to put together one of the best teams in all of baseball.



Now it is Charlie’s turn to get these guys to execute on the field and make the tough decisions to win games in October. Charlie also needs to make sure his guys are playing at an extremely high level once the post season hits.



Charlie’s tenure and long standing position as Phillies manager could be hurting the team given the fact that he is so loyal to some of these guys. I like Raul Ibanez and I love that Manuel continues to stay dedicated to him. But when you have a guy like John Mayberry Jr. who is hitting .300 plus since being called up in July, you have to play your best man. Forget about what Raul has done in the past, and put the best players you have at your disposal on the field to give your team the best chance to win.



Manuel’s loyalty toward Ibanez is not the only example of him sticking with a veteran. In 2009 and even last year, Manuel foolishly stuck with a struggling Brad Lidge. Finally this year Manuel has smartly gone with Madson as closer, a decision that has to this point paid huge dividends for the Phils.



Like I said I love that Manuel sees so much and believes in all of his players. But at the same time you have to play your best guys especially in October.



I think it’s fair to say that if the Phillies don’t win the World Series this year that Charlie may be under the gun. If I were Ruben I wouldn’t fire Manuel if the Phillies don’t win the World Series, but at the same time I would give him a very serious assessment and reevaluate his capabilities as manager of this team.

Eagles High Hopes For Rookies

With the addition of big name free agents, a lot of people are overlooking the fact that the Eagles are relying heavily on the performances of rookies in the upcoming season.



Casey Matthews, Danny Watkins, Alex Henery, Chas Henry, and Jaiquawn Jarret are all being relied on to start this year and have a significant impact. Here is a list of the Eagles’ rookies in order as to who is my biggest and least concern.



1. Casey Matthews Simply put, Casey Matthews is my biggest concern. The Eagles love Matthews and they seem to have faith that the fourth round pick can step in and be their starting middle linebacker. But he is undersized and I’m heard reports that he looked lost in the Steelers game. I think that Matthews has a ton of potential but he may need a month of two of experience before we can really see what he can do.



2. Jaiquawn Jarret I feel a lot better about Jaiquawn Jarret’s situation at safety because the Eagles have a veteran in Kurt Coleman they can go to if Jarret is not fully ready to assume the starting spot. The Eagles could also go with Jarrad Page who is a veteran safety that they picked up in free agency. Jarret could be the next Brian Dawkins but I also love Coleman and think he can fill in until Jarret is fully ready to assume the starting role.



3. Danny Watkins Mentally and physically I think Danny Watkins is ready to be a starter on this team. It’s his lack of football experience that has me worried. Watkins first started playing football in college and that has me a bit skeptical.



4. Alex Henery, Chas Henry I’m fully aware that special teams players, especially kickers and punters can have big impacts on games. But I don’t think they are to play a huge role this year for the Eagles and I’m not too worried about the Eagles new kicker and punter.



Overall I think the rookies will fill in nicely on a team with so many talented veterans. All of the rookies on this team just need to listen to the veterans and coaches and take everything one play at a time.

What If Brad Lidge Could Be Brad Lidge?

Last night, Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 seven pitch inning against the Washington Nationals. His slider was working, he was locating his fastball, and he was doing a terrific job of getting ahead in the count. Simply put Lidge was dominant and his outstanding performance begged me to ask the question, what if Lidge could return to his 2008 form?



Think about how much of a luxury it would be to have a healthy Lidge in the back end of your bullpen ready to come into a game and dominate at any time. Despite his blown save last night, I would keep Madson as the closer, but to have Lidge as a dominant set up man would make the Phillies all the more dangerous come October.



I have stated in the past that as good as this starting rotation is, inevitably some games are going to be close one and two run games. When games do come down to the wire, the bullpen is going to have to come through. Having Lidge at his best will solidify this bullpen and give me a ton of confidence going into the post season.



When Lidge entered a game in 2008, for the most part you could kick back and relax. When Lidge has come into games during the past two seasons, you were forced to hold your breath. If Lidge can begin to climb back to his 2008 form, the Phillies will be able to gear up for a very long post season run. Ultimately, a healthy Lidge could spell another World Series title for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Harry Kalas Statue To Be Unveiled Sunday

"The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of Baseball!" Those wonderful words spoken by Harry Kalas will forever be remembered in the hearts of Phillies fans forever. The 2008 World Series call by Harry the K is personally my fondest memory as a Philadelphia sports fan. I still get goose bumps to this day when I hear it and see Wheels in the background fist pumping like a mad man.

Unfortunately, Harry Kalas died suddenly on April 13th 2009, just two weeks into the 2009 season. The city of Philadelphia mourned the loss of one of the greatest sportscasters ever. Kalas was the voice of the Phillies, the voice of summer, and overall a great man and friend to all who knew him.

His infamous "Outta here!" homerun call was countlessly repeated on playgrounds and in backyards through out the Delaware Valley for years and years. He called Schmidt's 500th, and Thome's 400th. He called the 2008 World Series as well as countless other great moments in Phillies history. My favorite call was his "Chase Utley, you are the man" call that will go down as one of Harry's most famous lines ever.

In addition to being the Phillies broadcaster, Harry's deep and famous voice could be heard on commercials as well as NFL films.

2 weeks before his death, my dad and I had the privilege of attending Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater Florida. We were at a Phillies Pirates game in Bradenton and after the game I was fooling around getting autographs from no name Pirate minor leaguers. We were walking out of the stadium back to our car when my dad stopped in his tracks and started talking to none other than Harry Kalas.

We both shook his hand as he attempted to light up a cigarette. I also got his autograph and it was surreal to stand there and hear him talk in real life. I was nervously shaking as we talked to him because of his standing as one of the most famous figures in Philadelphia sports. I'll never forget that beautiful day in Florida as I met my hero Harry Kalas. My dad and I got back to the car and called everyone we knew in disbelief.

But just a few weeks later he died suddenly and I remember crying like a baby. Although I had only briefly met him once, I felt like I had lost a friend. Kalas was so much a part of everyone's life that losing him was tough on just about all Philadelphians.

The fact that he had such a major impact on this city is just one of the reasons why he will be honored this Sunday with the unveiling of his very own statue. Sculpted by Larry Nowlan, the statue will be a great tribute to a great man. According to Nowlan, they discussed with the Kalas family as to what ring Kalas should wear on the statue. After much discussion the Kalas family decided that although Kalas never physically recieved his 2008 ring, that he should wear it on the statue for all eternity. Nowlan encourages fans to rub the ring for good luck. The amazing part about the statue is that the funds for it were raised by the fans and not the Phillies.

This is not the only tribute done in memory of Kalas. After every Phillies win a rendition of "High Hopes" sung by Kalas is played on the big screen. I always stay after and sing along, and it is still my favorite part about going to Phillies games.

I will be at the game on Sunday and I can't wait to see the statue and the ceremony the Phillies put together. Hopefully it will be a moving ceremony and I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two.

Feel free to comment on your favorite Harry Kalas memory.

Phils Keep Rolling

After the Phillies 9 game winning streak was snapped on Sunday, I thought maybe the Phillies would slow down a little. But after winning the first two games in their series against the Dodgers the Phils show no signs of taking their foot off the gas.

Halladay got things started on Monday by throwing 6.1 innings and only allowed a run. The Phils supported Doc with a Ryan Howard RBI single in the first, and a 2 run Jimmy Rollins double in the second. Howard had another RBI in the seventh to put the Phillies up 4-1. It looked like the Phillies were going to cruise to an easy victory until Stutes gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 4-3 game and make things extremely interesting. Victorino hit a solo homerun in the 9th to give the Philiies a 2 run lead and also a little breathing room. Madson came into the game in the 9th and took care of business as the Phils won by a final of 5-3.

Last night was the Cliff Lee show. Lee pitched 8 scoreless innings and hit a homerun as the Phils won by a final of 2-1. For Lee it was his second great outing in a row and second homer of the season. Madson picked up his 21st save of the year and the Phillies improved to 76-40.

Like I said before the Phillies show no signs of slowing down. They are playing at an extremely high level and this dyanmic offense coupled with this outstanding starting rotation will be extremely hard to beat in the remainder of the season.

Hopefully this will be a great month of August for Cliff. If he can put together a month similar to his legendary month of June, it will be extremely fun to watch and the Phils will benefit greatly in the standings.

Today the Phillies will go for the sweep as they send Vance "Vanimal" Worley to the mound in search of his 9th win of the year.

The Desean Jackson Show

On Monday, Desean Jackson finally reported to Eagles training camp at Lehigh University. In his press conference Jackson didn't say a whole lot but did say that he is "here to win and ready to move forward."

During his hold out, Jackson said that he was working out everyday and is in great shape. He is optimistic about his contract negotiations and will leave the business aspect of the game to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Desean seemed very upbeat in his press conference and expressed his desire to not become a distraction. I think that the Eagles front office and Rosenhaus will come to a long term agreement as Desean is a critical part of this offense.

This year Jackson is set to make around $600,000 and will be one of the most underpaid players in the NFL. The statistics alone don't prove Jackson's value to this offense. Just his presence and big play threat makes other recievers as well as the whole team that much better. Opposing teams always have to keep an eye out for Desean and his ability to change a game in the blink of an eye.

His speed and athleticism make him one of the most dangerous threats in the game. While he may not be your typical number one reciever, he has the same affect and he is the corner stone of this Eagles offense.

Victorino Appeals Suspension

Please note this is not an actual letter from Shane Victorino. It is merely an expression of what I feel Shaner can and should say to MLB regarding his unfair 3 game suspension issued to him yesterday. Victorino is appealing the suspension.

Dear MLB,

I'm very dissapointed and angry at the punishment issued to me on behalf of my actions on Friday night at AT&T Park. I feel that the 3 game suspension issued to me is unfair for many reasons.

First off, the pitch that that hit me was clearly intentionally thrown by Ramon Ramirez. Ramirez was frustrated that his team stinks and that he was getting rocked and so he made a stupid decision to take his anger out on me. Don't punish me for the fight started by Ramirez.

And did you even watch the replay? Did you fail to notice the gray haired goblin Eli Whiteside hopping up and down ready to sissy slap any willing suitors? Let's be honest, I was being held back by the homeplate umpire and if it wasn't for Whiteside's tackle attempt on Polanco, both teams would have met in the middle of the infield and that would have been the end of it. All I did was toss my bat and take 2 quick steps toward the mound. After that it was Whiteside who was responsible for the chaos.

The Giants are justifying throwing at me by saying they were unhappy with Rollins stealing 2nd in an 8-2 game. My team mates and I were simply trying to put ourselves in the best position to win the game. We had no intentions of showing the Giants up.

Please be fair in reconsidering my punishment. I accept responsibility for my actions but a 3 game suspension for me while everyone else is just fined is absurd and simply unfair. Please reconsider. My team needs me.

Sincerely,

Shane Victorino aka The Flyin' Hawaiian

Roster Breakdown: Defensive Line

One of the most important aspects of a great defense is the ability to get after the quarterback and make him uncomfortable and disrupt his timing. When the opposing quarterback is uncomfortable in the pocket, turnovers happen and further opportunities are given to the offense.

The Eagles realize the importance of having a successful defensive line as they acquired Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins in free agency. Perhaps their biggest defensive line acquisition came back before the lockout when they signed Jim Washburn to be there defensive line coach. Washburn comes into Philadelphia with the reputation as one of the best D-line specialists in the game. Let's take a look at the talent and weapons Washburn is going to have at his disposal.

Cullen Jenkins DT Last year for the Green Bay Packers, Jenkins had 7 sacks in just 11 games. Jenkins is listed as a defensive tackle but he has played defensive end in the past. With the departure of Broderick Bunkley and the uncertainity surrounding Mike Patterson, Jenkins is slotted in as a starter at defensive tackle. At 6-2, 305 lbs, Jenkins is a big boy who can take up a ton of space in the middle.

Trevor Laws DT With Mike Patterson still a huge question mark, as of right now Trevor Laws is the other starter at defensive tackle. A 2008 draft pick from Notre Dame, Laws has not logged too much time playing behind Bunkley and Patterson. Last year Laws had 4 sacks and if Patterson isn't ready for opening day the Eagles are going to rely heavily on the services of Laws.

Mike Patterson DT I have heard conflicting reports about the severity of Mike Patterson's condition. Some experts believe it's a quick fix via medication while others say the Patterson will need surgery. According to a report from Reuben Frank, Andy Reid said that Patterson will be out for a while. At this point Patterson is still meeting with different doctors and specialists to figure out the next step to take. Unfortunately I feel that this is not going to be a quick fix and Patterson will most likely miss a substantial amount of time.

Jason Babin DE A lot of experts and fans are very skeptical about the Babin signing. Many people feel that he doesn't deserve the contract he received from the Eagles after just one good year. My response to Babin's critics is to inform them of the Jim Washburn factor. During his time with the Eagles Babin was a nobody, a dissapointment, and considered by many to be a bust. But last year under the coaching of Jim Washburn, Babin had his best year recording 12.5 sacks and I don't think Babin is a one hit wonder. I think Babin comes to Philadelphia with a hunger to win and a hunger to prove his critics wrong. I expect Babin to have a big year and open things up for fellow Pro-Bowler Trent Cole.

Trent Cole DE Cole was probably so happy when he found out the Eagles signed Jason Babin. With Babin on the other end, teams will no longer be able to focus solely on Cole as they will have to pay attention to Babin coming off the other end as well. Babin will create opportunities for Cole similar to how Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson create opportunities for each other. A two time Pro-Bowler, I think the best is yet to come for Cole who finally will be playing with another outstanding defensive end.

Mike Patterson Patterson is a huge question mark right now. As I stated before I feel that his brain condition is extremely serious and I feel that he could miss more time than expected. Hopefully the line of Jenkins, Babin, and Cole will be able to hold the fort until he returns.

Brandon Graham The Eagles first round draft pick had a pretty solid rookie campaign last year. Graham definitely has room for improvement and will be a vital part of the defensive end rotation this season. Jim Washburn will definitely get a lot out of Graham this year and get him to play at his full potential.

Darryl Tapp In Patterson's absence, Tapp will also be given an opportunity at a starting spot at tackle. Tapp was signed as a free agent last year after playing 4 years in Seattle. Tapp had 3 sacks last year.

Antonio Dixon Another defensive tackle, Dixon was an undrafted free agent in 2009 and will look to compete this year in training camp.

With a secondary consisting of Asomuga, Rodgers-Cromartie, and Samuel, the Eagles defensive line will have another split second to get after the quarterback which is absolutely crucial. With outstanding corners, a great D-Line coach, and multiple free agent pick ups, I think we can expect big things from this line this year. Teams are going to dread facing this line that will wreak havoc on quarterbacks week after week.