Hey Gang, been a while. sorry about that. I was caught up in the soap opera that was BRETT FAVRE.
So let's catch up a bit?
What a story. Jimmy Rollins. Now many around the league have been turned off over the years by his brash and cocky attitude. But normally, he'd bring the goods to back it up.
However these days, something hasn't been sitting right with me.
Last year's MVP, it seems, has been "phoning" it in all season. His stats are in the toilet. He's been benched for having no hustle to his game, and he was benched again for showing up late for a key game 3 in the Mets series.
Now, with all of that, about 6 weeks worth of messing up, he just called out the fans. He called them "front runners", essentially saying, that when Philly is doing well, they're happy, but when they're not, the fans are not happy.
Isn't that any sports fans?
The thing is, say what you will about Philly fans....I've showed up at games in seasons where Al Madrid was out starting pitcher and Dickie Thon was our shortstop. Those teams did not win. But the fans always showed up. More recently for the Phils....games have sold out quite a bit in the last 5 years and keep in mind, until the 2007 season,The Phightin Phils hadn't been to the playoffs since 1993 . Look at the Sixers....attendance took a hit when Iverson left...but the fans still showed. The Eagles? 8-8 last year...and you still can't get a ticket because they're all sold out. Say what you will about Philly fans, there's hasn't been a championship in this city since 1983, but, never the less, they will show up in droves to support their teams.
It seems to me, that Jimmy is just throwing everything he can into getting himself out of town.
If he wants to point fingers, maybe he should look at himself....instead of going on "The Best D---n Sports Show" and "MTV's Cribs" maybe he should take a little time, look in the mirror, and maybe point that finger at the reflection.
Stop worrying about getting on TV. Get the hustle back, get the stats up, show up for work and lead the team down the stretch. Save this nonsense for another day.
Well we've wrapped up another 4 game series. Phillies. Mets. Good times. I like this rivarly. The New York Fans come to Philly, the city of Independence on 4th of July Weekend. How did it go? Well here's the wrap up, 4 days in the life....
FRIDAY GAME 1. JA Happ vs Johan Santana
Philly is fresh off of some drama involving Brett Myers. It ALWAYS seems like we're coming off some Brett Myers drama....whether it be spousal abuse, verbal abuse to reporters, a temper tantrum...something.
This week it was Brett Myers demoted to triple A. He plays for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs now. I need an Iron Pigs tee shirt.
With that said, this drama at least doesn't have A-Rod, C-Rod, Madonna or Lenny Kravitz involved. How did Lenny Kravitz get involved in that mess?
More importantly, what are the tee shirts in Boston like? They're always looking at creative ways to mock the Yankees and vice versa.
So JA Happ makes his 2nd major league start versus Johan Santana. Intimidating, I'm sure. The Phils pull this one off in the last minute, with a huge clutch performance by Shane Victorino (hey! I know all the trade rumors....don't trade Shane!) Phils are looking good. Take the first game away from the Mets. It's a nice 4th of July gift for the City of Brotherly Love.
SATURDAY GAME 2. Jaime Moyer vs John Maine
July 5th. Keep the grill going. It's another barn burner. Hey we took the lead! Hey here comes Tom Gordon! Hey he blew the lead! And lost the game. Tough loss. Mets grab game 2. Series at 1-1. Sooner or later our bullpen would have to drop one, it's just tough we had to do it here.
However, Jaromir Jagr decides to leave the NHL. Good Philly news, because he's been a thorn in the Flyers' side for years and years.
Philly's WILL SMITH's "Hancock" opens and brings in over 100 mill during this series. Hopefully the Mets fans are supporting our Philly boy by taking in a showing in between games.
SUNDAY GAME 3. Kyle "Crazy K" Kendrick vs Oliver Perez
So many questions surrounding this one. Which Oliver Perez shows up? Meanwhile...I've written us into Sunday and haven't mentioned this insane Jose Reyes vs Keith Hernandez airplane scuffle. What in the world happened? Also I wanted to take a minute to give Mets manager Jerry Manuel props for so many great soundbytes since taking over for Willie Randolph, didn't Jerry threaten to kill Jose Reyes in his first week as manager? Wow.
Also before Game 3, we get word, the Phils have extended Brad "Lights Out" Lidge for another 3 years. Now I'm of 2 minds of this. I like Lidge, and I also know that it's hard to bring a quality free agent pitcher to Philly because of the ballpark's "hitter's park" reputation. So Lidge does well, and we re sign him. Good. Though, when it comes to closers...I think of Billy Beane's "MONEYBALL" philosophy, where he said he could just throw any pitcher out there in the 9th and have him do well. He's even backed his philosophy up over the years...so should a closer really pull in 13 mill a year when we could use it for other things? see? 2 minds about it. What do you all think?
Back to the game. How does Crazy K do it? He'll put himself in these insane situations, loads bases with no outs. And somehow, still manages to get out of it. Though our bats seems to have taken the day off. Then in the 8th inning....a 3 hour rain delay. Rain. Delays. And they stopped serving beer. AND THE FANS STILL STAYED. Say what you will about Mets fans and Phillies Fans....but when the tough got tough....they stuck it out.
Billy Wagner blows his 6th save! WOW. This guy should stop complaining about New York, his teammates, the fans, and focus on doing his job. Jayson Werth hit the longball....sends this game into extra innings. 12th inning, the Mets take the win, on a Fernando Tatis long ball.Tough loss. (Sorry Tatis fans...I could only find this photo)
Though...some good news. Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs. More importantly of my fantasy football team. Saved a Chiefs fan from choking. Atta boy Gonzo.
MONDAY GAME 4. Adam Eaton vs Pedro Martinez
Here's where I had the stress. Anytime Adam Eaton pitches. It's just a crapstorm. Know what bothers me? Eaton so frequently pitches badly and makes each of his starts a crapstorm, it's almost as if everyone just accepts it. I need Eaton to turn his #### meter down from his normal setting (10) to a less harmful setting on the #### meter (a 1 or 2 would be good). We have Pedro. He can still throw that ball.
The first pitch! HIT! Eaton looks like he adjusted his setting on the #### meter....but he set it the wrong way. His #### meter was on 133554. He gave up 8 runs in 2 innings. COME ON. I better read some Philly press bashing Eaton this morning. However....little by little. This game got VERY VERY GOOD. The Mets almost blew a 9 run lead. The Phils came close to rocking Billy Wagner again. The Mets pull it off in a nail biter 10-9. The Phils...as usual this weekend....too little too late. With that said, it'd be nice if Adam Eaton didn't stick us in that 8-0 hole so early on.
So there it is. 4 days in Philly. Tom Gordon heads to the DL. Chase Utley and Lights Out Lidge head to the ALL STAR game in the Bronx, where I'm SURE no one will mention A ROD or Madonna.
Shawn Chacon choked out his general manager, Ed Wade.
Since Ed Wade is blabbing about it and he's okay. Let's just talk about how Ed Wade has had a history of making infnitely bad decisions.
Remember when Ed Wade signed Rex Hudler? That was our huge off season acquisition.
Remember when Ed Wade offered to trade Ryan Howard to Toronto for Ted Lily?
Remember when Ed Wade traded future all star Placido Polanco for a machete wielding mad man? What was that guy's name again?
Ed Wade is a nimrod. The fact he (allegedly) screamed in Chacon's face, did he expect that reaction? Probably not, but if you're going to (allegedly) berade someone in front of his teammates (he (allegedly) yelled "look in the #### mirror"...he must have expected SOME reaction.
Violence is never the answer, but Ed Wade, made yet another bad decision. Shame on everyone involved.
With that said, maybe Ed Wade getting the smackdown will throw a spring into the Phils step. They need something. Do they ever.
Though....what I REALLY want to know. Did Ed Wade's helmet- like hair get ruffled in that scuffle? It seems like that hair never ever moves. Inquiring minds want to know....If there's anything that needs to find it's way to YOU TUBE, it's this.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not happy about this, at all. As a Phillies Fan, I've watched Atlanta dominate the NL EAST since the early 90's. I've dreaded them and boo'ed them.
Dale Murphy. Probably the most Philly-Friendly Brave Of All Time.
And now, I have to cheer for them.
Here's why.
There's a family I know, and there's a gentleman, he is a hard core Atlanta Braves fan. and he's a man who's struggling with Hodgkins Lymphoma.
They've given him until October to live. I know, it's a downer. His brother, who's a Mets fan (even though he's a Mets fan, he's still a good guy) and I, have decided, after years of having to watch the Braves smack our teams around like they stole something, for his brother, we're going to throw our support behind the Braves, for what could be, this gentleman's final baseball season.
He lives in Atlanta and he adores the Braves. So if I could, just reach out to all of you....as much as it will hurt, let's throw our support behind the Braves. This may be the final season for this good guy, let's let those Braves win it for him. Plus I'm just hoping if Braves fans met a terminal Phils fan, they'd do the same for us.
So here we are. Knee deep into the NHL Playoffs. The Flyers only need to beat the Penguins and they MAKE IT TO THE STANLEY CUP!
I say, way to be fellas, get to the Stanley Cup.
Please, just don't go and win it.
Stop the presses.... a column called Philadelphonic, wanting the Flyers to stop a foot before the finish line?
Well, yep.
Here's why.
Philly is a championship starved town. It gives us that mean reputation we have. Someday, we will have that parade down Broad Street, we haven't had a parade since 1983. So 25 years. No reason to dance in the streets. The great people of Philly deserve it.
So it should be another team...another sport to bring it all home.
Now I'm not a "hater" by any means. I'm impressed with the Flyers. But hockey in general, has left me cold. No pun intended. I was a rabid fan in the 90's. Then that 1994 strike happened. I found something else to watch. When hockey came back, I sort of cared, but not as much. Then the lockout happened. I thought "REALLY? More time off?" It came back, and I sort of gave up on it. Why bother, you know? Attendance was, and is down in major cities, but not Philly, the fans came out big time to support the teams...and after a year of no hockey, tickets still managed to sell for a minimum of 80$ a piece. So, no harm, no foul, I wished nothing but the absolute best for the Flyers and the fans.
But now, after hockey has been so "love/hate" with it's sport, players and fans, does it really deserve to break the long running championship in Philly? For me, sure, I'd be happy, but it wouldn't be the same if another Philly team won.
The Eagles? YES. We've paid our dues. We've had headaches, (TO), near misses (Super Bowl 2004) good times bad times. When the Birds dispatched the Falcons to get to the 2004 Super Bowl, I watched people with tears in their eyes, random strangers hugging, older fans telling their favorite Eagles stories. It was something special. The Birds winning it all? It'd be a big happy party.
The Phillies? 10,000 losses, years of struggle, headaches like Billy Wagner/JD Drew, the "Dark Ages" when Rico Brogna and Travis Lee were our starters. Phillies fans have paid their dues. A championship for the Phils? It'd be quite an event.
The Sixers? Who didn't get behind them on this playoff push? They were left for dead and had no "superstar". And you know what? They came back from the dead, and showed heart, lots of it, plus the Sixers were the last team to bring a championship home (1983. Thanks DR. J).
So that leaves the Flyers. The NHL is a league where it's version of Babe Ruth or Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, STILL manages to get traded and play for 4 teams. Some of these teams pretty much change their entire rosters, from top to bottom, pretty much every year. Fans who buy jerseys and support their favorite player....those jerseys are normally outdated within 6 months. Exhibit A. Paul Coffey.
They Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup in 1997. I was watching it with a TON of fans, they were happy, but the tears just weren't flowing like when the Eagles made it to the super bowl, and there wasn't the dancing in the streets of Frankford Avenue like when the Phils won the NL East Last season.
So with lockouts, strikes, huge ticket prices, no tv coverage and a new team every year....I wish the best for the Flyers....I really like Briere, Biron, Upshall, and love the ORANGE AND THE BLACK song.
Just please, let another one of our teams break our drought.
If I were to make a list of all the NFL players who'd likely be involved in a shooting. Marvin Harrison would be nowhere near it.
For years I'd heard Marvin Harrison was one of the truly good guys. The fact his name is anywhere near a Philly shooting is unreal. That would be like saying that Roger Clemens was allegedly messing with a young girl....
Oh wait.
Know who needs credit here? Mrs. Clemens. The last 6 months...her husband has been accused of cheating to achieve his hall of fame career, asked to not go near the olympic team, possibly lying under oath to congress....then accused by her own husband of being the one taking steroids...now country singers, golf wives and strippers are all speaking out about their affairs with Rocket Roger. I've stopped caring about Roger, I want to hear Mrs. Rocket speak out. That's an interview I wouldn't miss!
Speaking of out of line husbands. Brett Myers? Hi, remember you used to dominate with a 95 mph fastball? Can you turn down the "GARBAGE" and go back to kicking it like you used to? With Adam "I walked Randy Johnson on 4 straight pitches" Eaton turning back into his normal awful Adam Eaton self, we could really use the help. Thanks.
One more husband mention. Nick Cannon. You've gone from DRUMLINE...
.... to MARIAH.
Kudos to you sir. Kudos.
In less happy news. Ronaldo, one of my favorite soccer players. Hangs out with transgender hookers.
Just for anyone keeping score of my JERSEY curse. I bought a Ronaldo Brazil National in Europe in 1997. The curse of any jersey I buy is in full effect...just ask Ryan Howard...
Who's jersey I proudly own. Ryan is currently hitting .173. I blame myself. I will hang up your jersey in my closet until you straighten everything out. I'm sorry Ryan. I blame myself. Because of your slump, Shane Victorino needs to collide with people to get on base. If anything Ryan, snap out of your slump so Shane can take a lesser beating.
Hey Chicago? That guy Gavin Floyd? The one who almost threw 2 no hitters in one month? Yep, we gave him to you for Freddy "ONE WIN" Garcia. You guys REALLY won that trade. Congratulations. Can you send him back? I didn't think so. Never hurts to ask.
"Dear LeBron, I can help. Am I good at basketball? No. But neither are your other teammates. At least I'll try my best."
So apparently Hockey IS still a sport. Apparently the Flyers are doing well at this sport. Way to be fellas.
Happy Belated Cinquo De Mayo. I just love those party holidays.
Here's a recap. Sorry for the delay. Been on the road!
Carmelo Anthony gets a DUI. I have a way to tell if you should drive after having a couple. Put on Bon Jovi's "LIVING ON A PRAYER", watch the crowd....when the chorus starts "whoa, we're halway there..." WATCH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DRINKING. See how they react....do they close their eyes, pump their fist and scream "WHOAAAA We're living on a prayer"? If that's the case, they should not drive. It's sort of a makeshift sobriety test, and it works every time. Ironically, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was arrested for a DUI just days later. If only Richie followed my "Bon Jovi" test.
Apparently hockey is still a sport. The Flyers are doing well at this sport. The Washington Capitals sealed their fate when they'd run clips of ROCKY 4. Where the Russian Ivan Drago beat up the Philly Guy Rocky Balboa. Symbolically, it was supposed to be Russian Alex O beating on the Flyers. But the Caps DID know Rocky won at the end of Rocky 4...didn't they?
The Amazin Mets came to town. And all we heard about was the Philly Fans and Met Fans brawling.
However, "Mr. Philadelphia", Chase Utley is smacking the bejeezus out of the ball. Chase also helps animals by supporting the SPCA. Atta boy Chase. My dog, LUCY,who's a rescue, cheers for Chase too.
Shaun Alexander comes to back up Westbrook #36 in Philly. Actually, probably not. Then we'd have 2 injury prone rb's.
Sign of the apocalypse. The Ryan Leaf movie is getting good reviews.
Enjoy the NFL Draft....look for University of Delaware QB Joe Flacco to do well...maybe in MIAMI? Who knows....love that draft.
I was born in NYC, but grew up about 25 minutes outside of Philly. Therefore I'm a long suffering Philly fan. I attended the Phils game where everyone threw batteries at JD DREW. I've been a Phils Fan for about 21 years. I lost that lovin feeling for Hockey after the strike. I watch soccer and watched MAN U when they had Roy Keane. Losing the 1993 World Series against Toronto still hurts. The Eagles losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 has developed a long standing resentment of Jon Gruden and his dumb sun visor. The Sixers will be just fine. Though they stress me out. Often. I went to a bunch of colleges, none had football teams. So I've adopted the UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE FIGHTING BLUE HENS. You may see me sometime while channel surfing. www.myspace.c om/Tim _Carr
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