The Connecticut Philadelphian

Pitchers and Catchers report only three months from now!

2011-11-27T19:43:00.000-05:00

Football season is over for me now that the dream team Eagles are 4-7. It was an ugly season, made worse by the over-hyped expectations. The Phillies may have crashed and burned this year in the playoffs, but they at least performed through the year to their hype, racking up 102 victories.

This Eagle team never took off.

They reminded me of that 2007 Met team -- picked to win it all, they collapsed in September. Worse, they had an attitude that got others jacked to play extra-hard when they played the Mets. The same thing happened early on for the Eagles -- everyone wanted to beat them. Now, no one cares cause they'll beat them anyway (except of course the Giants).

At the moment the only story line that even interests me is Tebow -- I'm not religious, but I'm rooting for this kid because everyone says he can't play quarterback in the NFL. Even Bronco management says he can't despite his winning. I love an underdog, and I love guys that refuse to listen to logic.

Tebow's a winner and even if he ends up falling short, he's proven that hard work and faith, faith in yourself means a lot.

My Eagles showed little faith this year in themselves or the team, and thus the season goes down the drain.

It's only three more months until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

Eagles Have to run the table ...

2011-11-15T16:13:00.003-05:00

The Birds have to run the table now to have a prayer of making the play-offs. That means beating the Giants this week in NY -- the Patriots, the Jets.

As if ...

Does this team have the heart to put together that sort of streak? They certainly haven't showed it to date.

Jackson's apology was certainly not the most sincere.

This team reminds me of the '07/'08 Mets -- tons of talent but didn't play with heart, didn't play as a team. Jackson reminds me of Jose Reyes -- a killer player, but not a team player.

Yes, yes, he deserves more money, and he'll get that cash, but right now he's done little this year to prove he was worthy.

But then again, the team hasn't done much either.

This defense is a joke.

Vick showed heart this weekend playing with busted ribs, and he did enough to win, if only the D had held on.

But nobody does Jack in the fourth quarter.

Okay, so I allowed myself a few moments of excitment over the Papelbon signing, but that's it -- off-season deals mean nothing in October. We learned that lesson the hard way this year.

Front-runner

2011-03-01T14:07:00.002-05:00

Last year I expected the Phillies to do well, but most pundits hadn't picked them to return to the World Series -- some even thought the Mets were the front runners for the NL East.

In all the years I've followed Philadelphia sports, there has never been much expectation, but for the first time ever, there is no debate that the Phillies are the pick in the National League.

To be honest, its an uncomfortable feeling. I've loved being the underdog, and yet, this year the team has a chance to do something special. It can mark its place in history, something no other Philadelphia team has ever been in a position to do.

I should kick back and enjoy it, but I am already concerned about injuries -- Is Rollins healthy enough to be his old self? Can Lidge return to form? How badly will we miss Werth?

Some things for a Philly fan never change.

That's the Philly Sports Feeling I Remember

2010-10-24T17:16:00.003-04:00

Whenever my team is suppossed to win, that's the kiss of death.

Its too painful to talk about the Phillies now, and so I turned to the Eagles this afternoon, and for three quarters they looked great, and then ...

Well 27 points by the Titans in the fourth quarter says it all -- the dark cold winter of losing is upon me.

This team is scary ...

2010-04-12T18:09:00.002-04:00

Since 1968 I've been hopeful this time of the year for my Phillies, but this year I expect them to be in the World Series -- last year I didn't!

Expectations inevitably lead to disappointment. April baseball typically does too -- but this year's start is scary good -- okay it's been against the Nationals and the Astros --but it's these teams that can so often cause the problems.

I'm still coming to terms with McNabb leaving. I'm loyal and he deserved our support -- I just hope he isn't our Patrick Ewing -- much ridiculed during his tenure in New York, once Ewing left, he was sorely missed and now when he returns, he's heralded as a hero.

I have no sense of where Kolb is -- you don't need a great quarterback if you've got a scary good defense -- like the Bears of '85 -- or those Raven years of recent past -- last year's Eagle defense was a far cry from scary good.

But for now -- it's baseball and at the moment the Phillies are scary good.

Go Eagles

2009-12-06T16:00:00.002-05:00

The Phillies lost to the best team money can buy. They've got a good shot at getting back to the series as anyone in the NL next year too...

Now my head is in football mode. The Eagles are kicking it into gear -- they've got a lot of new faces on offense -- they've been managing thru injuries -- the Vick experiment certainly hasn't hurt the team.

It's all about December and this year we're off to a good start...

This could be the best or worst day in Philly Sports History

2009-11-01T09:56:00.002-05:00

Eagles / Giants -- Phillies / Yankees

After last night's disappointing performance by Cole Hammels, the old Philly Joss has come back to haunt me. It was a restless night.

Today could be the best or worst sports day of my life.

To be honest, last week's game with Washington was my first real look at the Eagles this year -- I was rather underwhelmed, with the exception of DeSean Jackson. But really, until the World Series is over, it's hard to focus on football. I'd gladly trade an Eagle loss for a baseball victory tonight.

It's a must win situation against their ace. The Yankees showed their mettle last night, down 3-0, they came roaring back. Our pitching looked average at best, our hitting with a few exceptions, looked rather lame, despite three home runs -- they were all solo shots -- the Dodgers had plenty of solo shots against us last week -- they're coach potatoes this week.

Yes, Ryan Howard needs to put wood on the ball, but we can still win this without his bat -- but we need better pitching than we got last night.

I'd like to think CC will tire tonight -- we know he's a work horse, and he's pitched on three days rest before successfully -- but not against this line-up. Tonight we find out how good this Philadelphia team really is.

Dogs and Eagles

2009-08-17T16:01:00.000-04:00

ShareThis

August 15, 2009

My first reaction to the news of Michael Vick joining my team, the Philadelphia Eagles, was shock, disbelief; then anger.

Betrayed, I felt; but now I had a reason to kick the habit of annual heartbreak. I saw a world free of football and pointless Sundays watching men pound each other senseless on the gridiron.

How could my team do this?

Since the owner, Jeff Lurie, took over fourteen years ago, the Eagles have been competitive and one of the best run franchises. They also have better than average community outreach. We haven’t won a Super Bowl, but only one team wins each year – ask the Mets about luck in sports. All you can expect is a competitive team as often as possible, and since Lurie took over, the Eagles have been at the top consistently – five NFC championship games in ten years.

What could he possibly be thinking, taking this guy?

Coach Reid has a great reputation as a leader too. He’s a smart football guy and a good person – that’s a rare combination – winners like Bill Parcell and Bill Belichick, are well-known jerks.

Then there’s Donavon. I liken him to Patrick Ewing – a pariah when playing for failing to bring home a championship; nowadays Knick fans long for what Patrick brought to their team.

McNabb has had a similar experience in Philly -- but the man's a class act, committed to the community, and a great teammate – McNabb kept quiet years after TO had left the team, despite that douche bag still yapping about the Eagles.

And yet even Tony Dungy is behind Vick; Dungy is considered a Saint in the NFL.

That makes bringing a dog killer on board all the more vexing.

If Vick was on any other team – I would have looked at Friday’s PR circus as just that, a joke. He’d no doubt been advised by the very best on re-entry. Yesterday’s press conference was exactly how you would script it.

Its true Reid’s sons were in jail for drug dealing and gun possession – and yes, they deserve a second chance – but Vick’s crimes are different.

On the other hand, dog fighting continues in this country at alarming rates. Banishing Vick from football does nothing for the dogs that continue to die – is dog fighting tougher to flush out than a potential terrorist cell? Apparently so.

If the Humane Society can leverage Vick to make a difference in neighborhoods that are in turmoil because of the economy, corruption and broken schools, then maybe his return is a good thing.

I’m still unsure if I’m drinking the Kool-Aid because I’m an Eagles fan; perhaps I’m putting too much faith in the team’s ownership and the coach.

I probably will come around on this, but not because I trust Michael Vick; it’s going to be because I believe in the judgment of the men making the decision to bring this guy to the team.

There’s a lot more riding on this than just a Super Bowl, but if this guy's for real, then it could be a win for everyone. Here's hoping they're right.

Faithful -- well, with one eye shut

2008-12-28T22:52:00.003-05:00

I was so disgusted after last week's loss at Washington that I didn't allow myself to entertain even for a moment, the Eagles playoff chance...

And yet, somehow, by the one o'clock games, I knew who had to do what for the Eagles to have a game that counted at 4:15.

I refused to watch, but at 2:30 I caught the scores and couldn't believe that Tampa, the Vikings, and the Bears were losing.

Then Tampa went ahead -- and my head dropped.

But I kept an eye on the score, ended up catching the final six minutes of the game, and couldn't believe it -- when the Vikings won, and the Bears started to make it interesting -- I was sweating...

By the time the Eagles game started, I was excited -- I couldn't believe it -- it was such a miracle --and yet -- we still had Dallas to beat --

once we scored a touchdown, I breathed easier -- but even after the last second field goal to end the half didn't make me think we had it in the bag -- but I will admit, I couldn't believe how that half ended --

But after the first defensive TD of the third quarter, it was obvious --

I hadn't even run any play-off permutations -- but a quick scan of the competition -- okay the Vikings are good -- but Jeez, we should be able to beat those guys pretty easily ....

Unreal...

Go Phillies

2008-09-28T17:57:00.003-04:00

To be honest, I had a hard time watching two weeks ago when the Phils were down four to the Brewers and 3.5 to the Mets -- I just couldn't face the heartache -- but this team is resilient and they're a good group of guys to root for.

They've got as a good a shot as anyone this year -- and with the media focus on the Cubs and Tampa Bay, the Phils might just slip in under the radar screen.

I don't often gloat when someone else loses, but I was quite happy to see the Mets go down -- Met fans were so confident at the begining of the season, and they should have been, Santana proved yesterday what a great pitcher he is -- but the rest of the team -- please --at least they've now erased for good the memory of the great Phillie collapse of 1964.

Although Howard should get the MVP, I'd rather get a championship -- nothing else really matters...

Where have I been?

2008-08-16T15:52:00.002-04:00

Still watching, still agonizing over every Phillies game.

It's no surprise that they are where they are -- one game behind the Mets.

What I learned last year with the football Giants -- it doesn't matter what happens in the regular season, if you get into the playoffs, stay hot, you can win -- the Phillies have as good a shot as anyone, but it's going to be a painful game by game journey through September.

Mike and the Mad Dog came to an end this week -- from the teary eyed testimonials on the FAN Friday, you'd have thought this was the break-up of the Beatles -- Mike and the Dog are mentioned in My Year as a Clown -- and in the sports radio world, they were as influential as the Beatles were to rock as these guys were to talking sports...

I haven't had the chance to tune in as much as I have in the past, but I'll miss them, and my guess is, they won't be nearly as big on their own -- look for a reunion tour sooner than you might think...

Almost

2007-11-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

We had this friggin game -- we had it...

But it means nothing now --

We can build from this...who said the NFC was a joke -- we played them better than Indy! And we were in Foxboro.

We HAD this game...

One note: I think Madden and Michaels are over the hill - -they missed a lot of stuff, they're slow to comment on things -- yes, they do have some good insights, but they miss too much -- the emperor has no clothes on...

Wild Card, here we come.

BTW -- I'd be okay with McNabb sitting down -- He's been awful --

The One Day Football Season

2007-11-04T23:34:00.000-05:00

I was so caught up in the Phillies through September, it was difficult to focus on the Eagles -- of course I knew they were losing, so I wasn't missing much. The baseball playoffs ended so quickly, I needed a few weeks to recover from the bitter disappointment -- to better reflect upon the good of the '07 Phillies.

Tonight was my start of football season -- a big game against Dallas and this sorry-assed begining would have been forgotten -- but it only took one play from scrimmage to see how this was going to go -- McNabb under pressure, he fumbles, Dallas scores a minute later.

Okay, we tied it up right after that, but from there it was all down hill -- even the joy from the Lito Shepard interception toward the end of the first half only lasted a second because McNabb threw an awful interception immediatley. Dallas scored a TD just before the quarter ended.

If only I could get a hockey game on TV -- word is, the Flyers look great this year...

Race to the finish...

2007-09-20T23:10:00.000-04:00

I'll be the first to admit that this late season resurgence by the fightin Phils caught me by surprise -- coupled with a complete Met collapse -- we are right back in it.

Regardless of what happens, it's been an entertaining last month to the season. I've loved watching Met fans squirm because they so thought this was in the bag -- since Rollins mouthed off, they've thought it.

And yet, I feel the Met fan pain. Living in the Yankee shadow cannot be easy --

I'm still miffed over the Mets getting Wagner -- and the sense of entitlement New Yorkers have about getting the best players bugs the hell out of me, but compared to the Yankees, the Mets are down market -- the Phils are few notches below that -- but this year, that hasn't stopped the Phils from being competitive.

The bullpen has been a nightmare through most of the season, but with Gordon and Meyers healthy (finally) and anchoring the eighth and ninth, things have turned around (okay, so they almost blew an 11-0 lead the other night, but they hung on to win that one).

Tonight was another awful Met loss.

It's anybody's guess as to how this plays out -- but even if the Phils don't end up taking it -- they've showed some moxy and hopefully this bodes well for '08 too.

the agony, no joy

2007-09-12T22:35:00.000-04:00

It's been too difficult to write anything in this blog since the trading deadline of July.

I wasn't tempted to pontificated after the Phils wiped out the Mets 4 straight a few weeks back -- I knew that they'd slip backwards, and they did.

Tonight they lost 12-0 to the Rockies. They still have an outside shot at the wild card, but please, does it really matter?

Was it a surprise that their best pitcher, Cole Hamels, went down for this last month of the season? NO.

This team is cursed. Philadelphia is cursed.

-- and I'm truly at that point where their success doesn't matter anymore to me -- this was the first year I didn't follow the Eagle training camp -- I did watch that abmoniation in Green Bay -- ugh. But not suprising.

They'll play better, of that I have no doubt -- but that team isn't winning a Super Bowl --

I'll still keep an eye on both teams, but I'm moving on, I just can't handle the heartache any longer...

124 years of misery

2007-07-06T16:57:00.000-04:00

The Phillies are closing in on their 10,000 loss, the most by any professional team in sports.

With the team only 4.5 games out first place in the division, and just a few players from being competitive, it's hard for me to get down on them now. And yet each loss reminds me that even in the past few years, when they've been in the play-off race until the last week, falling one game short, the last two seasons, the odds are, '07 will end no differently.

If Brett Myers comes back and closes the way he was closing, and Flash Gordon takes on the 8th inning, the way he once did for Mariano...

If schmiff...

UGH....

2007-06-30T20:25:00.000-04:00

With the pitching line-up I was just hoping for a split with the Mets, now it looks like a sweep.

I had no idea who the guy was that started for the Phils today.

It was cheesy that the Mets called that game Thursday night -- that rested up their bullpen and realigned the starters for this series.

But regardless, the Phils look like crap and the fielding errors are a joke.

Wild card or bust...

average at best...

2007-06-11T13:19:00.000-04:00

Only the Phillies could sweep the Mets at Shea and then get bombed by Kansas City.

This is a decent team, not a great team.

Until the Phils can put away the games they should win, we will continue to hover at five-hundred.

The BIG off-season acquistion: Freddy Garcia -- heralded by all the pundits, has been a bust.

He's injured -- maybe he'll be better when he heals, but give me a break, he's been horrendous -- the absolute worst. He's shown nothing.

Jose Mesa is back -- yikes. Have you looked at his numbers with the Tigers? No wonder they let him go...

I knew better than to get too carried away after Shea -- if the Phils had won that first game at KC, I might have, but I expected trouble, and that's what I got...

i obviously had that wrong...

2007-06-01T22:31:00.000-04:00

Turning point last week in Atlanta...

The classic Philly tease -- you think it's going to turn around and then four straight losses and tonight 13 - 0.

Classic.

Yeah, they'll win some more ball games, but this feels just like the last few seasons, decent enough to put a few small streaks together, weak enough to lose plenty too.

That's a five-hundred club...

Boring....
Waste of time...
And yet I keep hoping.
I'm pathetic.

Turning point....

2007-05-27T21:33:00.000-04:00

We might look back on the season and say this was the weekend that turned the season around.

A sweep of the Braves in Atlanta.
Ryan Howard hits two home runs.

New York doesn't even notice.

They're too busy caught up in the great play of their team -- they swept the Marlins this week -- but they dropped two out of three from the Braves before we hit town...

Hmm.

Did anybody notice up here?

Nope.

And that's fine with me. We've got a ways to go to catch them. For now, two games over five hundred after our start is more than I could have hoped for.

Come September, I hope to be able to point to this weekend....

There they go...

2007-05-17T07:28:00.000-04:00

I have to be fair -- I couldn't say Here we come -- not after the way I slammed the Phillies in April -- I haven't been able to write anything here for over a month -- but rest assured, I've kept an eye on every game. I caught the nationally televised game against the Cubs where we looked great -- I caught the game against the Giants, where we looked good too -- but it's been pretty rough -- especially with the Mets and Braves playing so well...

But sweeping the league leading Brewers, taking 2 out of 3 from the Cubs...

We're 20 - 20 in Mid-May and there's still a lot of baseball to play.

PS. It's been sweet watching Bobby Abreu struggle here in New York. Mike and the Mad Dog aren't going to give the Phillie fan credit for booing Bobby out of town -- as Doggie says -- they booed Mike Schmidt...

where are my good ole Met pals tonight

2007-04-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

No phone calls. No emails. No Jimmy Rollins jokes.

It's a long season and there are 18 more games between these two teams. It's April and if the Phillies can come out of it at .500, there will be a lot more baseball to play.

It was great to see some decent pitching from both the starter and the bullpen.

I'm not sure what I would have done if they'd blown the 9th this evening.

The Flyers had a 50% chance of getting the number One pick in the lottery, and they didn't get it -- a team with an 8% shot got it...

That my friend is Phildelphia mojo at its best.

1 or 2 for Sixers will do. But I'm afraid they won too many games this year, much to my surprise. If they land a great lottery pick, maybe they'll be right back in this...

Always the hopeful...

rsw

the tease...

2007-04-09T16:24:00.000-04:00

howard takes them deep and the phillies lead 5-3...

and then another bullpen meltdown.

Three Met fans call me before the eigth is over. I've already shut the game off -- I walked out after the wild pitch -- I mean really -- the inning should have been over.

Man, is it going to be a long season.

1-5

2007-04-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

I said before the season going down 0-5 could kill '07 and here we are at 1-5.

Every day the NY media mentions Jimmy Rollins's declaration that the Phillies are the team to beat in the division.

And I mean every day.

And with each NY victory and Philadelphia loss, that verbal gaff gets replayed and replayed.

Now the Phillies march into a cold Shea for the Met home opener. Anything but their best baseball will most likely bury them for the season == right here, right now.

It's so hard to say there's a must win in April -- but if the Phillies get swept this week in Shea, that will terminate my hopes for '07.

The Flyers ended the season as the NHL's worst team. They scored the fewest goals, they had the fewest victories, they let in the most goals -- quite an accomplishment.

The agony continues for this Connecticut Philadelphian...

Let's see if the Phils can change that tomorrow.

the first win...

2007-04-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

is often the hardest...

was i freaking out at three losses in a row.

yes...

but it is a long season and anything is possible ....

leave it to the veteran, jamie moyer, to pitch a solid game...

one down, only about 89 more needed for a playoff spot.

3 down, 2 to go...

2007-04-05T22:13:00.000-04:00

You can't win a pennant in April, but you can lose one.

Three at home to the Braves -- nice way to send a signal to the division...

It's a long season, and anything can happen, but it sure would have been nice to get at least one game in the opening series...

two in the ninth...

2007-04-04T22:28:00.001-04:00

here's the 2nd game that got away...

2007 -- already disgusted...

When do the Eagle's open camp?

One down -- Again

2007-04-02T16:21:00.000-04:00

I had my eye on the game throughout the afternoon -- Braves up 2 zip, then the Phils take the lead -- blow it in the 8th, and lose in extra innings.

There it is -- the ONE friggin game that gets away.

One short the last two years -- first game, new season, same story, all over again, and again and again and again...

I just don't have the faith, I can't taste it, or visualize the Phillies in command of the division in late September...

Fortunatley, I don't have to. It's the players that need to believe. It would be nice to have fans like me to blindly follow, but if things go south quick, I'll be checking out early this time around.

God, I hate being this pessimistic.

It's only one game, but I'd rather have them blown out, then go down this way because it's going to be tease all year until the end, when either the Mets or Braves will take it...

Tragic, but if I had to bet my life on it, how could I bet any other way?

Play Ball

2007-04-02T10:24:00.000-04:00

It's a chilly April morning here in CT, but down in Philly, things are heating up. It's opening day, the Phils against the Braves.

There's been a lot of talk over the Rollins declaration -- the Phils are the team to beat. The media has really hyped that, and until a game is played, it's big news, but once things get under way, it won't matter.

The Phillies have had horrid April starts and this year it's important to not fall behind fast. They fell short by one game the last two seasons -- one game.

You're going to get blown out, it's the nature of a 162 game season, but they've got to find a way to win more of the close ones; and not blow games that they've got in the bag. The last few seasons they fell short on both counts.

Too much is made of what happens this first week. It really doesn't matter, as long as the Phillies don't lost five in a row.

I hate to be so negative before the start, but a promise at the begining of the season has no value. It's all about what happens during the season. And nothing short of making the playoffs will be satisfactory...

And now, finally, they get to Play Ball...

Baseball here we come...

2007-03-16T16:26:00.001-04:00

The start of a new season is often filled with promise. In theory everyone's got a shot. The Phillies certainly look like a contender here on a snowy March afternoon. Opening day can't come any faster.

Andy Reid is still on leave of absence -- is it any wonder kids go astray when a Dad works around the clock?

Jeff Garcia left for Tampa Bay. Too bad, but it wasn't surprising. Long-term, Feeley makes a better back-up, but for '07, if McNabb isn't available at the start of the season, I would have been happier with Garcia. Feeley has had his moments, but even Donovan will struggle to top Garcia's regular season performance of last year.

It's been a difficult winter with the Flyers and Sixers out of the hunt from the start. I'm not close enough to know why both teams have self-destructed. All I can hope is for a good draft and fresh faces for the 07/08 season.

There is one other team that I follow -- Syracuse basketball. Strange I know, but I attended SU back in 1976 for one year, and I've followed them since. I was shocked that they didn't make the tournament. So were they, as were most of the pundits. I doubt they would have gone far, but they deserved to be in it.

On Monday, they play San Diego State -- that's where I got my undergraduate degree. SDSU rarely bubbles up to the national stage in any sport; the NIT is clearly a second class tournament, but I'll watch the game on Monday anyway, rooting for the Orange, but if SDSU wins, I won't be that upset.

thank the lord

2007-01-21T22:31:00.000-05:00

Please...

It was a great AFC championship game, but listening to Dungy and the Colts owner thank the lord for giving them the strength --as if the Lord has the time to keep an eye on this game, given all problems in the world.

And if the lord did keep an eye on the game, why would he/she favor the Colts?

I don't need to hear that sort of talk after a football game. It promotes the idea that God actually plays favorites -- it's part of the underlying emotion that fuels the radical islamists --

Most of the world's problems come from religious clashes -- I don't care what anyone believes, or what religion there are, just don't rub it in my face.

One other thing -- this is the first super bowl with two african-american coaches -- i'm totally cool with that, but i was wondering what you call a black person that comes from Jamaica, but lives is in the US now? I'm not trying to be stroppy here -- when I was a kid, black was the accepted term. Now that's considered bad form --

i say this because one of the black, i mean, african-american annoucners on CBS was making the same statement, he started off saying it's the first superbowl with two black, uh, african-american coaches...

i'm also glad to see manning in the super bowl -- it's about time. I just wish my Eagles were there -- but the way the Bears killed the Saints today, i'm not sure they could have beaten the Bears either...

no game

2007-01-19T18:33:00.000-05:00

It's wait until next year for Eagle fans.

I don't feel as bad as last year. After McNabb went down in October, I never dreamed we'd get this far. But victory last week was not far away. And you just don't know when you're getting back to the Super Bowl. Look at us the year after losing to the Patriots by three points.

We were there, knocking on the door, yet again...

There's no hope in hockey or basketball this year - both are the worst in their league.

But it's only six weeks until pitchers and catchers show up for spring training.

Ryan Howard and the Phils, here we come...

Saints march on...

2007-01-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

I didn't think the eagle's should have punted on 4th and 15. I understand why they did, but it was at that point, I knew it was over.

It wasn't nearly as difficult to swallow because for the most part, the Eagles played well. The Saints played just a tad better at the end. The offsides penalty was dubious, but we should have scored a touchdown earlier to go ahead, instead of settling for the field goal. So I can't blame it on the one play.

Garcia threw two interceptions in the first half that the Saints dropped -- so no if-schmiffs -- the Eagles lossed.

In recent years, the losses have been awful. They played horribly, and they were at home. This year felt different.

It was all so unexpected. They had a great run. Butthey didn't win, and this year was ripe -- as were other years. You only get so many chances before the core of the team rots to a point where you have to blow the whole thing up.

It doesn't appear that this is an issue for us. I see no reason why we can't take the division next year -- we return with most of the team in tact -- the rest of the East looks like a shambles.

So here I am again saying -- until next year...

Koy Detmer

2007-01-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

Go Eagles.

After the Romo disaster Saturday night, the addition of Koy Detmer as field goal holder this week appears to be a stroke of genius.

But this is an Eagle team that has showed smart management all year.

Up next -- The Saints...

America's new team.

Won't be easy, but it's doable.

WIP 610 Sports Talk

2006-12-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

I rarely listen to Philly radio because I'm never down there, but I figured out how to get it up on my computer -- well, for one day, for some reason it doesn't work anymore.

It was three days after the big Dallas win -- the talk was all about Garcia and McNabb -- the quarterback controversey. Leave it to Philly to figure out how to spoil what's been a great run -- what's the downside of this great turnaround? McNabb and Garcia.

I've concluded that sports radio, 24/hrs a day, although entertaining, is really a scourge -- it has to come up with something to say every moment of the day, so when there's nothing to talk about, make something up.

Create some excitement -- jack up the audience.

I figure pro sports guys are professional enough to ignore the talk. I hear it all the time in New York, but since these aren't my teams, I don't care about the downside. I'd already written here about McNabb, wondering what he's thinking. Now his mom is talking. It's still his team, but not for the next six weeks...

who would have thunk it?

2006-12-26T21:36:00.000-05:00

certainly none of the prognosticators --

Mike and the Mad Dog both said the Eagles were done four weeks ago, as did most folks -- the entire NBC pre game show group predicted the Cowboys would put the Eagles in their place just moments before game time, but I figured it would be close and the Eagles would win. But I never thought they'd destroy them...

Now I'm thinking super bowl -- and why not?

There's no reason why the Eagles can't make a serious run here -- they are clearly
the hottest team in the NFC, and they couldn't have picked a better time -- but it what really shows is the strength of the organziation, the quality of the team and its depth.

Here in NY, the Giants have no chemistry, no leadership. In Philly they have it all in spades...

Happy Holidays....

I'll miss AI

2006-12-21T08:51:00.000-05:00

Okay, I agree it was time for him to go -- for his and the sixers sake, but he still infused a team with a lot at a time when the they were very bad. They had the worst record many years and drafted high for many years prior to AI's arrival -- remember Shawn Bradley?

So thanks AI -- i hope he wins out in Denver -- Carmello was at Syracuse, and that's my college team because I attended one year there.

I was also at the Knick game Saturday night -- but we walked just before that damn fight started - Carmello had an amazing game up until that punch -- so did Stephon.

Eagles / Cowboys Christmas day.

Can't wait.

What's McNabb thinking?

2006-12-17T21:59:00.000-05:00

Back in the race for the division.

Nobody here in the NY metro area thought the Eagles had a shot. Look, I didn't know for sure -- but I knew it could be close.

I knew the offense was fine. It's been the defense, and the odd thing has been, there's no reason why the defense has been so bad this year -- today that changed.

This is the defense I knew we were capable of playing -- why we've been so bad, is still baffling...

That's why I thought it could turn around. We saw glimpses in the Carolina game, and the Redsking game too -- today, it came good.

I wonder what Donovan is thinking? Hey, he's a team player -- but Garcia has actually been more consistent. D can do the long ball better, but he has streaks of wildness -- Garcia seems more contained.

Who knows -- the NFC is wide open -- if the Eagles win out, they'll be a team to fear heading into the playoffs -- they'll have a huge head of steam...

Anything can happen -- it's still a long way to go...but wouldn't that be the wierdest thing -- to win this year without McNabb --

But today was fun...

Another Garcia in Philadelphia...

2006-12-08T00:57:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'd slagged the Phillies for not doing anything in the off-season, and then they bag one of the best starting pitchers out there in Freddy Garcia -- 17-9 last year for the White Sox -- he's playoff tough, and has won a world series.

They still need help in the bullpen, but it's nice to see them taking '07 seriously. The Mets are going to be tough next year, and determined, given their fall in game 7 of the championship series. But the Phils have been one game short of the wild card now, two years in a row.

With MVP Howard, and now Garcia -- who knows what's in store...

Go Eagles...

2006-12-06T22:45:00.001-05:00

Okay, I'm pathetic. I knew that. You knew that.

I watched every snap on Sunday, even when it looked as if it was going into OT.

Did I lose faith? I will be honest, I was starting to detach. I had no choice. I'd have been ruined for days if they'd lost that game.

And now they are back in the hunt. I figure they can still lose a game and get in. They have to beat the Giants; they could lose to the Cowboys and it wouldn't matter to the playoff picture, although it would be a drag to see TO gloat.

But first things first.

The Redskins.

The defense played better, but they aren't what they should be.

Garcia, on the other hand, had a great second half. And that one-handed grab by Stallworth was one for the year end highlight reel.

Not much happening with the Phillies on the Hot Stove. The Flyers and Sixers are not even worth mentioning.

Okay. Let's stay positive.

Maybe I should start rooting for Rocky -- he doesn't lose.

Go Eagles...

2006-12-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

Idiot in Indy

2006-11-26T23:35:00.000-05:00

Why I thought they stood a chance I do not know...

I am just an idiot...

Another year down the drain.

No way are the Flyers or Sixers doing anything, so my hopes now move to the '07 Phillies.

Ugh.

The Spin

2006-11-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

You have to admire the Eagle web site, trying to spin this as an opportunity.

With the Giants loss last night, the Eagles are still right in the middle of it. But they lost at home to a 2-7 team, please...

But they're on Sunday night -- the big national stage --

What it reminds me of is last year when the Eagles hosted Seattle and they got obliterated on national TV.

Garcia or Feeley? Does it matter? I suppose both should be better than what we had last year. The offensive line is still solid. We've got recievers and runners -- the defense should be playing better. But it's Indy in the dome and they lost last week to Dallas.

I'd love to see it, but...I can't get sucked into believeing. I just can't.

It makes me sick

2006-11-19T20:20:00.000-05:00

Done.

Over.

Finished.

Don't even try to tempt me with the idea that this season is somehow salvagable with Garcia at the helm.

The team looked awful today with and without McNabb. The defense was horrendous.

Another year down the drain.

They had their shot -- four decent runs: three consecutive NFC championship games lost -- one super bowl game -- it's unlikely that this group of guys will get another shot. McNabb -- is his era over? I'd hate to say yes, but...

He's injury prone -- two consecutive years -- three years ago he was out for a big chunk too(but the team held it together with Feeley at the helm). Maybe he works out too much. I don't know. It didn't even look like he was hit hard today, he just came up gimpy.

Garcia was brought in so that the team wouldn't nosedive. But even if he gets it together, there are too many other problems on this team.

I've felt like shit all day and I'm asking myself why? What does it matter to me if they Eagles are done? Why do I care?

I'm a fan, and I'll probably look in on them next week, but at the moment, I'm done. And I mean it...

Bye Bye Week

2006-11-03T18:41:00.001-05:00

Give me a reason why I should keep watching my Eagles this year?

I know I'm in for heartache. They have the potential to get back to the superbowl, even with a 4-4 record, but the road ahead isn't easy, there can be no more setbacks.

What are the odds of them going 7-1 the rest of the way?

I can't see it, and yet I'll be there in front of the TV to see them play Washington.

But what else is there? The Flyers are off to an awful start, which might actually be good since they typically get off to a solid start and then sputter at playoff time.

The Sixers won their opener, but it was against Atlanta. No one thinks they are going far this year.

My best chance is the Eagles....

Bye Bye Week

2006-11-03T18:41:00.000-05:00

why i'm giving up sports -- again

2006-10-23T08:32:00.000-04:00

Here in CT you don't always get the Eagles on TV. I can't get satellite even if I could afford it, so I'm stuck catching updates from a Jet or Giant game, or getting a feed off of my computer.

I missed the debacle in New Orleans and when I caught the 3rd quarter score from Tampa Bay, I was glad I'd missed that game too -- how could the Eagles be down 17-0? It made me sick.

Then the comeback.

I got the final Eagle drive on-line -- it's a primitive presentation, plays are given to you as they happen, a little green playing field has an arrow pointing to where the ball is and what down it is. You get a print out of the play. Six yard pass to Westbrook down the middle, 48 yard run, touchdown.

I couldn't believe it.

33 seconds left, no way was Tampa Bay going to do anything with that.

So I've got the Jet game on now, they show the Westbrook play, amazing.

Five minutes later they show the 62-yard field goal.

Can any Philly team ever get a break? I mean, how much suffering can one city take?

For the next hour it was as if I'd taken a punch to the gut.

Who needs that in your life?

I want to declare right here that it's over between me and sports -- look at the Met fans this week, all licking their wounds, pinning hopes on next year, plotting out what post-season moves will assure them of another play-off run. Sad sacks, all of them.

Hah...

It's a waste of time, but tragically, I've already been to the Eagle website this morning, wondering if these guys can turn the season around, there's still time, plenty of opportunity, but Jesus, I honestly don't know why I bother.

Big win in Philly...

2006-10-09T13:26:00.000-04:00

Is this our year?

It's too early to know, but there's no doubt this team is back from last year's disaster.

Yesterday's game against Dallas was a classic. A few bounces and the Cowboys might have won it, but the Eagles controlled most of it. To Dallas' credit, they hung in there (no thanks to TO).

Baseball was the big story this weekend, the collapse of the Yankees, or if your from Detroit, the rise of the Tigers -- even the Amazing Mets sweep of the Dodgers was trumped by the Yankees loss.

Next week it will be all Mets, so they'll be in the limelight soon enough, but for me, it will be all Eagles...

Next Year

2006-10-01T08:21:00.000-04:00

How many times have I said that?

The baseball season is a long one, and here we are, where we were last year -- just shy of the play offs.

This year management gave up. How would things have been different if they hadn't traded the team away?

Maybe worse...

Perhaps the last two months of the season pushed our young talent -- we played a month's worth of play off games -- with a few smart off-seasons moves who knows, maybe next year will the year.

good bye pedro...

2006-09-29T22:29:00.000-04:00

It's hard to take solace in the Mets stumble toward the playoffs when the Phils late night loss puts them virtually out of the post season.

But I'm smiling about those smug Mets. From the talk this summer, you would have thought they'd won the World Series.

They'll be lucky to get out of the first round. I'm afraid no one can beat the Yankees this year. It's unbelievable how well they came together, thanks to the Philly additions in late July. Of course that also paid dividends for us too.

They played well tonight and if the Dodgers were to lose this evening, the last two games of the season would be interesting. A little pressure on LA might make them tight.

But if they win tonight, that will seal it because it's unlikely they'd drop the next two.

Oh well, all you can really wish for is a competitive team. The Phillies did that this year and with some smart off-season moves, they could look very good for next year.

it's almost midnight

2006-09-27T23:58:00.000-04:00

the dodgers have won -- flash gordon has blown another save --

but the Phils are still hanging in there -- Rollins just hit a triple and brought in two runs -- bottom of the 14th, Phils up 8-6

Jesus,

I don't think I can take much more of this --

They don't give up, but how did we get in this situation?

This game should have been over...

Well...

Only four more after this -- hopefully that won't be the end of the '06 season for this year's Phillies

bases loaded no outs -- jesus --
i can't handle this -- you know they're going to blow it...

i can't look....

8-7

whew...
double play
game over
phillies win...

jesus

Big Philly Wins...

2006-09-25T13:37:00.000-04:00

It's going down to the last week once again for the Phillies. last year they fell short by one game, this year -- well, they've got as good a shot as the Dodgers...

Either way, the Phils showed spunk right to the end. They've been the hottest team in baseball since the trading deadline -- management might have thrown in the towel, but the players didn't. Or was that all part of Gillick's master plan? I don't think so, but to his credit, once he saw the team's response, he made two good moves in August that have solidified this line-up -- Conine and Moyer.

I think the Phils take the wild card and will meet the Mets in the championship series -- although I'm unclear the Mets will get that far, they may have wrapped things up too quickly and might stumble.

Eagles got back on track with a nice win in SF. Okay, it's just the niners, but with the Giants in turmoil --they're calling for Coughlin's head today on WFAN -- all I can do is smile...

play offs in sight...

2006-09-24T08:05:00.000-04:00

The Phillies are the hottest team in baseball at the right time of year -- late September.

The crowd of wild card contenders has come down to two -- Philly or LA/SD (one of those will take the division).

My money is on Philly -- biased? of course...but...

Starting pitching has been phenomenal the past month -- Ryan Howard transformed this batting order -- 58 home runs -- nobody wants to pitch to him --

Two savvy post-trading deadline additions -- Jeff Conine and Jamie Moyer -- veterans -- have instantly assumed leadership roles --

This team is winning the games they were losing earlier -- the Phils have rarely been in blowouts all year -- even when they were ten games below 500 -- and that happened twice this season, once as a late as August -- they lost games late by a run or two.

Not anymore -- now they are winning those -- 9 out of their last 11.

one more week to go -- odds are, play off baseball will be back in Philadelphia for the first time in 13 years.

wild card tie

2006-09-21T09:34:00.000-04:00

while ny fans contemplate another subway world series, the phillies quietly are taking care of business with stellar starting pitching -- something the mets have had trouble with this month...

a mets/phillies match up could catch ny fans by surprise if they aren't careful -- of course the Phillies have to first take care of business with the Marlins -- six of the nine remaining games are with the fish...

last year the phils were one game short -- we haven't been in the post season since '93 -- how sweet it would be to make an appearance in '06

the team certainly is coming together as if it will happen.

the freak is out

2006-09-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

costly -- and tragic because this game never should have gone to overtime...

this happened last year -- mcnabb went down in a game on a play that shouldn't have even taken place...but the TO mess threw the team into a spiral.

the Eagles have depth and can recover, but this early in the season, self-inflicted injuries are just dumb.

everyone's taking blame for the collapse, and rightly so.

the eagles must come out the next two weeks and destroy SF and GB.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

2006-09-18T18:52:00.000-04:00

Phillies sweep the Astros, the Eagles blow it big time.

Hey, you can't say enough about how the Phils came together after the trading deadline. Unbelievable.

What can be said about the Eagle loss?

How did they blow that?

the good news is that no one can say they aren't competitive -- last week it was -- well, anyone can score on the Texans. The Eagles proved that's not the case. If they'd recovered that one fumble the Giants scored a TD on, that game was over, but it should never have gotten that close.

I was so aggravated after that game, I began to question why I bother -- how many times have I done that?

Over the past forty years -- too many times!

The Eagles should win the next two games. I'm sure I'll be back in the fold, but for now, I'm disgusted. We could have but the Giants down two games into the season....

double header victory

2006-09-13T23:31:00.000-04:00

Go Phils.

Okay, I haven't been writing much here, but I've still been following them.

while i was in Haiti, I had internet access, so I knew that the Phils had split with the fish.

I even caught the Eagles game at the airport!

It was only the Texans, but it was a great start, and the perfect opponent to break Dante in (what an addition!).

This week its the Giants.

Believe it or not, I think I'm going to miss that game. It's tragic, and it shows what sort of fan I really am -- there is no excuse. But I met this beautiful woman who lives in California and we've agreed to meet in Nashville this Sunday.

If it had been late in the season, I would have changed the date, but it's late summer here and love is in the air...

Forgive me.

Go Phillies, but there are more important things in the world

2006-09-05T22:07:00.000-04:00

I'm off to Haiti -- doubt they'll be much access to sports while i'm down there.

Won't know who's in the US Open finals -- won't know how the Phils do -- every game counts in a wild card race where five teams are separated by less than five games.

But in the scheme of things, whether the Phils make the playoffs or not isn't a big deal. In Haiti, it's a big deal if you make it past your fifth birthday.

I'll be visiting a few remote villages and I'll keep an eye out for the type of sports kids get into, especially in the refugee camps.

I'll be back Saturday night - so I'll even get to see the Eagle opener...

I'll report my findings by Monday...

so close...

2006-09-03T21:58:00.000-04:00

How many extra inning games have the Phillies lost this year?

It's painful to watch, but at least they're competitive, it's more than can be said for most teams at this time of year.

The New York Times says the Eagles won't make the Super Bowl. I was glad to read that. Takes the pressure off of the team. Injuries are such a big part of this game, who knows at this point whose got a shot --- Should be an interesting year --

If you haven't seen Invincible -- check it out -- great film and it's not just for football fans (but it doesn't hurt)

more wins...

2006-08-30T01:02:00.000-04:00

who would have figured this after the end of july salary dump?

Just got home from seeing invincible...
wow...

i was in Syracuse that year, and didn't have a TV, so i missed all of that -- shock, horror, i know.

it's a great story, well done, and what a defining moment.

i won't spoil it for those that haven't seen the movie --

but the film does capture the intense devotion Philly fans have for their teams...

Friday night the eagles play the jets -- it will be my first glimpse of the team, i'm looking forward to the game even though the first string will probably only play a few set of downs...

finally got in a class

2006-08-21T20:05:00.000-04:00

up here at Bread Loaf the day is jam packed with readings, lectures and workshops -- there's barely time to think or do your homework. I've done about a half-hour of yoga each day on my own, but this afternoon I took a class...

yes!

i love taking a class from a new instructor, you never know what you're going to get, often it's a blend of new stuff and the familiar. today was no different.

this teacher was using iyengar style (not sure on that spelling) -- i 've taken a few classes in this form -- they are big on props, blankets, chairs, and straps -- i rarely use those things so it was great to be exposed to their use in my practice.

i've got another reading to hit, so I've got to go...

phils make a trade...

2006-08-21T20:02:00.000-04:00

i'm still in vermont, but news has filtered my way that the phils are serious about this year's wild card -- i never did understand why it appeared as if they were giving up -- so it's nice to see this move --

his numbers aren't great this year, but fingers are crossed...

also nice to see the TO circus continues down there in Dallas...

more when i get back home next week...

Three in a row baby...

2006-08-17T13:03:00.000-04:00

How about that?

I'm in Vermont, but God bless the internet. I might be sharing a toilet with 12 other guys, but I've still got internet access, and as long as the Phillies keep winning, I can suck it up here.

I've only just arrived at the Bread Loaf writer's conference, so I haven't come across any Met fans yets -- what does it matter? They're so far in front, these games are meaningless to them, but they better not get too complacent.

Okay...go Phils...

Another close one slips away...

2006-08-13T20:43:00.000-04:00

How many games have the Phillies almost won this year?

Certainly enough to put them out in front in the wild card race. Here it is mid-August and the Phils are still in the hunt. It makes you wonder why we were sellers at the trading deadline. Of course they've won more since that time, no wonder I've got no more hair on my head.

Preseason football is in full swing but I have no idea how my Eagles are doing. I've been away at a songwriters' retreat and couldn't get on-line. I'm home now for a few days, then off to Vermont for the Bread Loaf writers' conference. That means I'll miss most of preseason -- that's too bad because I like to see the rookies in action, but preseason football is different from the other professional sport's warm up games.

Football teams can't afford injuries, they also don't want to reveal their formations and plays, so not a lot happens on the field beyond the basic vanilla line-ups. Still, it's football, and since we know the odds of the Phillies making it into the playoffs are near zero, and the odds of the Sixers or Flyers doing anything next year aren't high either, the Eagles are our only hope...so I can't wait for the first game of the season....

9 out of 11

2006-08-04T22:36:00.000-04:00

Phils are playing their best ball of the season -- i wonder if Pat Gillick is questioning his moves last week -- or was this part of the plan?

i'm off-line for five days so I'll miss the rest of this series against the Mets -- too bad.

we're only two games out of the wild card -- of course there are nine other teams within pissing distance of that spot...still

Chase Utley's streak came to an end, but hey, 35 games is nothing to sneeze at --

Phils play the Mets nine more times this month....don't panic NY you've still got an 11 game lead...

phils keep winning despite giving up

2006-08-02T10:38:00.000-04:00

so what does that mean -- take the pressure off and now we start winning?

Pat Gillick says we won't even be competitive in '07...

I spit in your face Pat -- we were one game away from the wild card in '05 -- how could this be possible?????????????????????

I don't want to wait until '08 -- do you HEAR ME?

rsw

ps. okay, it's hot, I'm in a pissy mood, but I still don't want to wait.

Next year

2006-07-31T08:43:00.000-04:00

They're laughing here in New York --

The Phillies unloaded Abreu’s contract and obtained C. J. Henry, a shortstop who struggled at Class A Charleston after being the Yankees’ first-round draft choice last year; Matt Smith, a left-handed reliever at Class AAA Columbus who pitched for the Yankees this season; and the right-handed reliever Carlos Monasterios and catcher Jesús Sánchez, teammates on the Class A Gulf Coast Yankees. Henry and Monasterios are 20, Sánchez is 18 and Smith is 27.

The two best Yankee prospects are still Yankees...

Despite a double header victory against the fish, I was pretty depressed because the '06 Phils are over. Now they've got some money and we'll see what Gillick can do for next year.

How many times have I said that --

selling...

2006-07-30T00:25:00.000-04:00

after a big win over the fish, i see that David Bell was traded for a minor league reliever --

with the trade deadline on monday, it would not be surprising to see the Phillies cut a deal with the Yankees -- but if we don't get a great prospect, just salary relief, does it really makes sense?

heading back home now --

rsw

too busy

2006-07-27T23:26:00.000-04:00

but i do know the Phils have a two-game winning streak. yeah!

this atlanta braves guy actually thinks they'll reach the Mets...

good luck, pal...

too busy at the moment to hit phillies.com, but on the flight back I'll grab a paper to catch up.

rsw

a late one

2006-07-26T03:02:00.000-04:00

I've stumbled in at 2 am, checked my email -- post game alert -- the nightly post-game email from the Philadelphia Phillies -- another close one, another loss -- at this point i'd prefer blow outs because then it would be impossible to entertain delusional thoughts that they could still turn things around...

it's been a long day...

2006-07-25T00:13:00.000-04:00

and i'm still in Tennesse -- there's a guy here, he's a huge Atlanta Braves fan, now I've got to suffer with his gloating tomorrow morning because the Phillies dropped the series...

Why can't this team win ball games?

There's no excuse for this losing -- I'm not close enough to know the details, but I'd fire the manager --= done, finished...

every team has injuries, this goes much deeper than that...

there is no way this team should be 8 games below 500 -- it's a disgrace.

Ouch...

2006-07-24T00:36:00.000-04:00

Does this series with the Braves determine whether the Phillies buy or sell this week?

Losing in the ninth is a killer, but not surprising this summer.

I did catch an article about McNabb over the weekend, that must mean football camp is in session. TO wrote a book and gave it to McNabb -- can't win the big game, etc...

TO certainly knows how to win friends in this league.

There's a guy here who is a die hard Braves fan, he'll be happy tonight because I needled him the other day when the Phillies won -- now I've got to suck it up, when will I ever learn?

apparently no time soon.

following the phils on the road

2006-07-19T23:16:00.000-04:00

i'm at the sewanee writer's conference in tennessee this week...
no newspapers or tv, but they've got internet access in the rooms and so i'm fully connected --

3-3 on this road trip -- still uncertain whether they are buyers or sellers -- my gut says they are selling, that Gillick will want to clear the decks to put his stamp on this team...

not sure if that makes sense, but it's clear I have a better shot at winning the lottery than the Phillies do of making the '06 playoffs...

rsw

yoga and the classroom

2006-07-19T23:14:00.000-04:00

i'm at the sewanee writers conference this week and it's been awhile since I've sat in a classroom having to pay atttention -- yoga is helping...

my mind used to wander while i sat, i would fidget...now i sit in a mountain type posture, breathe deep and steady, i calm my thoughts -- and whammo -- i'm focused and attentive to the lecture...

sweet.

on the road...

2006-07-18T01:50:00.000-04:00

but i still got the phillies score...

some of me thinks that it would be better that they get blown out -- this is such a tease, they are so close...too often...

according to espn -- the phillies still aren't selling...

good.

rsw

phillies take their first series post all-star break

2006-07-16T22:28:00.000-04:00

okay, it was Brett Meyers --

i don't have to like him as a human being, as long as he keeps pitching...

there have been lots of guys i liked that couldn't throw a strike -- what good are they?

it would be nice to have a guy that I liked that could pitch too...

but...

steve carlton was whacko too, but at least he didn't beat his wife...
but was he anti-semitic? i can't remember, but there was something off the wall with that guy, but I didn't know about it until he retired...

then again, who doesn't have something?

afterall, we're all human

-- BUYERS -- not sellers -- let's see what happens

buy or sell, that is the question

2006-07-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

I worked through the Phillies web site today...

Are they buyers or sellers?

It all depends on the next few games -- they certainly showed some spunk today.

I'd hate to see them give up -- forget the Mets -- it's the wild card -- one spot, lots of teams, a pot shot -- but ...

i heard AI wants to stay in Philly -- i'd like to see him stay too -- anyone with that fight and fearlessness deserves a better team around him...

meyers three-strike circus hits the road

2006-07-15T09:02:00.000-04:00

sometimes it's a good thing to be out of the Philly media sphere -- i just read in the NY Times about the Meyers circus -- the comments by Giles and other team management blunders -

you know things are bad when the only news about the team is the off-field sagas --

meyers is scheduled to pitch on sunday -- if he throws well -- all will be forgiven by philly sports fan -- ultimatley it doesn't matter what any of us think -- it's up to him and his wife to get things sorted -- and only her forgiveness matters --

how much will his pay-check will influence her decision?

i really don't want to go there...

rsw

2 errors

2006-07-15T08:37:00.000-04:00

that's the way to start the 2nd half of the season -- get off to a 3-0 lead -- and blow it...

man, it's gonna be a long wait until next year.

all star break

2006-07-13T21:34:00.000-04:00

the time off allowed me to vent the pent-up aggravation that's accumulated over the last month of losses...

Howard's home run derby win was sweet and maybe that will give the Phillies some confidence as the 2nd half of the season begins...

if things don't turn around fast, they'll be dumping players...

rumours swirl up here in Yankee land -- abreau and leiber -- the Yankees would love to pick up both -- i'd like to see the Phillies be buying instead of selling.. they're only five or so games out of the wild card...

i noticed the eagles signed that olympic guy -- he's fast, smart, but not very big -- that will be an interesting guy to keep an eye on...

wasn't bob hayes an olympic runner before he joined the Cowboys????

rsw

go ryan...

2006-07-10T23:17:00.000-04:00

okay, I admit it,

i watched the home run hitting derby -- and of course i'm happy howard won -- over wright -- yes!

but abreau won it big last year and look what happened the 2nd half of the year

doubt that's what will happen to howard, but i'd be happy to give up the home run title for a playoff spot any day...

So what if Italy won, the Phillies finally won a series

2006-07-09T17:20:00.000-04:00

I think the headline says it all...

Cause for celebration - we beat a team that is 30 games under five-hundred in early July --

Scary.

Twenty-four years ago I was in San Remo, Italy -- the Italians had just won the world cup. The town went crazy, it was quite a party that night. I'd just met this sweet girl from Sweden and we were hanging out...the Phillies were a year away from that meeting with the Orioles in the World Series -- could have been their second...

Now it's 2006 -- the Phillies are still looking for their 2nd championship, and I'm two years out on a messy divorce from that Swedish chick...

At least the Italians are still partying...

I'm free...

2006-07-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

It's Saturday night, alone again -- not that big of a deal, i do actually have options, but I preferred to go for a long bike ride tonight -- there was no humidity, and it was partly cloudy, the air was cool and fresh.

i can't believe how powerful my legs are from yoga -- i'm taking hills like their nothing -- i used to be boxed in by the terrain, but now i can cruise over to Fairfied and think nothing of coming back through Harbor Road in Southport, where the most amazing homes overlook the sound, but the hill is steep and long...

no problem nowadays...

so i haven't even checked the phillies site tonight -- who really cares what they do this evening -- against the Pirates, please --

but i'll still keep an eye on them from a distance.

got a new idea for blogging -- on the mat

it's going to be blog about my daily yoga practice.

like this one, i don't expect anyone to read it, i'm just writing it because this stuff is in me, and it's great practice to get out -- plus both the philly sports scene and yoga play a role in my new novel -- it makes sense to blog this stuff out...

rsw

why do i listen to sports talk radio

2006-07-07T08:39:00.000-04:00

I know it's junk, ear candy, but I can't get enough.

Mostly it's people that don't have a clue about sports talking as if they do. But what's worse, is guys that know so much, you wonder what life they have outside of the radio program.

It's a trainwreck, and I can't stop listening.

Mike and the Mad Dog are entertaining, but both are insufferable. Yesterday the dog was telling the world how to fix soccer -- get rid of the penalty kicks, add substitutions. There's some merit in what he says, but the Dog has watched about four soccer games in his life -- he couldn't name four guys on the Italian or French teams, let alone the American squad...

get over yourself, as if he could...

but when a philly team is winning, i love to hear them talk about it -- i like to hear them praise my guys, my town --

but with things so bleak at the moment, i find myself questioning why I waste my time, because really, sports radio talk is pretty low on the totem pole of intellect...and that must say something about me...

my stomach hurts

2006-07-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

i don't know why it matters, or why i even follow them...

and with the Mets winning virtually every day, it's a double whammy up here...

time to declare this season done

the Phillies suck...

rsw

2006-07-04T21:57:00.000-04:00

I read Phil Sheridan's piece about what Gillick must show Philly fans the rest of this year.

He's given up on the season, and I don't blame him, however, up here in CT, I hear the panic in the Mets voices. They are playing as if they've already got their playoff spot. They've got pitching injuries too, and as the pressure builds, they could easily fold.

That pressure will mount if the Phillies could pick up just a few games before the All-Star break.
The Mets almost lost today, but at least the Phils took the first from the Padres. Take 4 out of 6 and who knows...

Besides, we're competiting for the wild card spot and that's well in reach, but if you're telling me the rotation will never heal in time, well...

Miracles...

2006-07-02T17:12:00.000-04:00

It's amazing what 17 hits will do for one's outlook...

Okay, it's only one game, but they did show spunk today. It's about time!

Is it so much to expect athletes

2006-07-02T08:25:00.000-04:00

to be role models too?

No.

With the money they get paid, and in the spotlight as they are -- especially today -- what will kids think if one can beat their wife, get arrested, pitch that day, win, and be hailed a hero?

Some believe that off-field behavior is irrelevant as long as it doesn't interfere with what takes place at game time. They're wrong.

From drug abuse to racism, we are all human, but today's athlete must be more than just a game-day performer. They are community leaders and role models, and must be held to higher standards.

Until the dust settles with Myers, he shouldn't pitch.

Having said all of that, this incident is no excuse for the complete collapse of what was a competitive team. Management's admission that they made a mistake in allowing Myers to pitch may now give them a chance to get back to winning. Sometimes incidents like this become a catalyst for improved performance or the creation of a community domestic abuse outreach program, at the moment it seems to be just more fuel for the fire of decline to the 2006 Phillies...

What can you learn from a fish?

2006-07-01T19:25:00.000-04:00

How are the Florida Marlins ahead of the Phillies?

What does it matter is the more important question. Another loss, no surprise there. Up here in CT, Met fans are gloating over their victory against Randy Johnson. The Phillies are a non-issue.

8 games below five hundred. Heads need to start rolling now. There are no excuses for this poor of a performance.

I'm disgusted and if Pat Gillick isn't either, then he should go too...

Regardless of what happens the rest of this season, the next month will determine how I view Gillick -- What moves will he make? How will he keep this team motivated?

A two for one ticket promotion ain't gonna cut it...

I'm pathetic, so are the Phillies

2006-06-30T20:13:00.000-04:00

It's friday night of the July 4th weekend and I'm home making dinner and listening to the Mets/Yankees -- Yanks up 1 nothing, Mussina's got a no hitter going after 3...

The Phillies score came in -- 8-0 Toronto after two...

Maybe I should start for them, probably wouldn't do much worse...

Phillies Break 7 game skid...

2006-06-29T22:27:00.000-04:00

Okay, I've still got an eye on what they're doing. Pathetic, I know. But I didn't know who was pitching tonight, but it was great to see Ryan Madson step up and pitch 8 and 2/3 innings -- someone had to --

Is this left hander from the Rangers going to help?

I have no idea -- Mets dropped three in Boston -- in the scheme of things it's no big deal, but they've got the Yankees this weekend. Pressure.

Prediction: the Phillies have chance to pick up some ground.

It's that inkling of hope, the tease, it gets me every time...

Two pathetic losses

2006-06-29T06:48:00.000-04:00

If the Phillies are giving up, so am I....

NBA Draft:

Who cares...

AI good luck wherever you end up. You're fearless, a fighter, we should have had more than one run with you --

Up here it's all Knicks all the time. The Nets are a great team, but get no respect and no coverage.

I forgot we drafted Shawn Bradley number 2 in '93 -- no wonder the Sixers haven't won in over twenty years...

Post Game Alert

2006-06-28T16:58:00.000-04:00

Another loss. 7-4 to the Orioles. It's starting to make me sick. If they could just get to five hundred by the all-star break, but the way it's looking, no way.

I was in such distress over the New York losses, I didn't even hear about the Meyer's affair. Why doesn't it surprise me? He was a hot head the moment he hit the show.

This team should be playing much better. I don't know why I even bother.

Pat Gillick -- what are you going to do now?

Randy Wolf where are you?

Meanwhile Met fans are banking on Pedro to right the ship tonight in Boston.

Philly Fans take solace, it's worse up here in CT

2006-06-28T06:49:00.000-04:00

As the All-Star break approaches I must assume that most Philly fans can’t wait for pre-season football. I know how frustrating everyone must feel, but imagine what it’s like here in Connecticut having to suffer with Mike and the Mad Dog going on about how brutal Philly fans are and how horrible the Phillies are this year. Of course they’re right about the Phillies.

With the internet it’s a lot easier to be a nomadic fan. When I moved out to California from Cherry Hill, New Jersey back in ’77, I missed a lot of good Eagle, Phillies and Sixer teams. I caught the play-offs, but it was impossible to catch regular season games.

Now of course I can suffer with the rest of you, but misery does love company. At least you guys have one another. You can moan around the coffee pot in the morning, you can pound your fist on the teak bar at your local watering hole.

Next time the Phillies blow a game, think of me. Two weeks ago my Met friends sent brooms, left phone messages, and shot emails, gloating in their sweep. Talk to a Met fan now and you’d think they’d already won the World Series. I do have empathy for them. They are second class citizens in this town, but after they got Wagner, I stopped feeling sorry for them. Every time he blows a save, I smile.

Last week when Flash put down the Yankees in that first game, the pinstripe faithful were quiet. It hasn’t been easy this year with the injuries and the Mets’ success. Of course once the Yankees took the next two, I heard it from my Yankee friends – they’d rubbed it in during the off-season telling me Flash is great in the regular season, but just wait until October. As if it’s going to matter…

But here in Connecticut, Red Sox fans also reside, and this week’s sweep brought on another onslaught of brooms and emails, this time from those Fenway Faithfuls.

So while you folks down in the tri-state area wait for football, think of me and the few other Philly fanatics that have followed the Philadelphia sports scene from a far. Take some solace that it could be worse, you could live up here in Connecticut…