Bleacher Report - Articles by Jim Mc

Has the Phillies' Cole Hamels Let Success Go to His Head?

Jim Mc — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:13:45 -0400

It's the clinching game for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2009 National League Championship Series, and their 2008 ace takes the mound.

With two outs in the first inning, Andre Ethier stands in.

Hamels gets the sign from catcher Carlos Ruiz.

Fastball, away.

Hamels shakes him off.

TBS's cameras zoom in to show Ruiz again, dropping his index finger, pressed against his left leg.

Fastball, away.

Cut back to reveal Hamels, dropping his chin in disgust, sighing, and stepping off the mound.

Ruiz quickly visits the mound to quickly to diffuse this little temper tantrum.

As a parent of a two-year-old boy, I've learned redirection is sometimes the easiest way to regain control of situation when the little one objects to daddy's request.

So Ruiz retreats to his crouch behind the plate, and sets up outside.

Except Hamels misses his mark.

Mr. Ether did not.

And all of a sudden, it's 1-0 Dodgers and Cole Hamels looks like he's thinking, "OMG, whatever," prompting my buddy Thom—also a die-hard Phillies fan—to text me, "Cole is such a bitch."

In the bottom of the inning, while the Phillies are starting to mount their comeback, TBS cameras catch Hamels staring out on the field, just shaking his head.

Dude, grow up.

This isn't the first time this season—or even this series—that Hamels has shown a lack of maturity on the mound.

In Game One against the Dodgers, Hamels threw his arms up in the air when Chase Utley was unable to turn a sure doubleplay ball.

Back in the NLDS against Colorado, Hamels slapped his glove at the ball when Ryan Howard threw the ball away after a good pickoff move from the pitcher should have had Phillie-killer Carolos Gonzalez picked off.

Manuel was quoted as saying he was going to have a word with the young lefthander.

“First of all, I think Cole is more professional than that, and I think that right there is kind of being in control of yourself, and I know he's much better than that,” Manuel told Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia.

“You can't show up a teammate and I did that,” Hamels said. “I walked back to the dugout and said, ‘Oops I hope nobody saw that.’”

Yeah, we saw it Cole.

And apparently, you didn't learn your lesson yet.

What's with this guy?

Last season, the Phillies rode their now-25-year-old left-handed wunderkind all the way to its first championship in 28 years.

Hamels was brilliant last postseason, evidenced by his NLCS and World Series MVP awards.

But 2009 has been anything but brilliant.

It certainly started good enough for the tall, dark and lanky left-hander. He signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract on January 17 of this year.

He's been on Letterman. He has his own insurance commercial.

And, oh yeah, he's married to the former Heidi Strobel. You know, the blonde bombshell Playboy pinup and Survivor castaway.

The two just welcomed their first child into the world, Caleb, on October 9. Heidi went into labor during Cole's start against Colorado.

Of course, watching Hamels pitch lately has nearly sent me into labor.

And I'm a dude.

Hamels went 10-11 with a 4.32 ERA in this past regular season—a far cry from his 4-0 postseason last October.

Perhaps it's frustration with his own performance that's causing Hamels to act out?

Was it nerves about his impending fatherhood? I remember my head wasn't so clear in the months leading up to the birth of my first child. The Eagles' Donovan McNabb seemed to suffer from the same symptoms leading up to the birth of his twins at the end of last year.

Is it now sleep deprivation from a screaming kid at night?

Is it a lack of focus because he was able to reach the mountaintop so young, he just expects it will happen again without putting in the same amount of work?

That would surprise me, because the rest of his Phillies teammates seem to have realized what had to be done to return to the World Series for this second consecutive season.

Whatever the case, Cole is going to get the ball again this World Series. The odds of a Phillies repeat increase significantly if he can regain the magical form he displayed last year.

His nickname is "Hollywood" after all—he likes the bright lights.

But that name also offers a cautionary tale, for Hollywood has seen many a bright, rising star come crashing down into obscurity after getting caught up in the limelight.

Hamels would be wise to remember what got him to the summit in the first place.

Information gathered from Comcast SportsNet, ESPN.com, Rotoworld.com, Wikipedia and Philly.com contributed to this article

Raiders-Eagles: Philly Forgets Game Counts, Suffers Ugly Loss to Oakland

Jim Mc — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:30:09 -0400

Everyone thought this would be a cake walk.

The blogosphere. The newspapers.

And apparently the Philadelphia Eagles.

How else can you explain an embarrassing loss to the putrid Oakland Raiders?

McNabb dropped back 46 times and had zero touchdowns to show for it.

This loss was a complete team effort. Not one player looked like he was prepared to play an actual NFL game. Even Andy Reid seemed to have taken his woeful opponent for granted.

Want an example?

With about six minutes left in the game, trailing 13-6, the Eagles got into Raiders territory on a nice vertical play to Brent Celek.

But on fourth down the Eagles settled for a David Akers field goal to cut the lead to 13-9.

Why?

I mean seriously, why?

The Eagles still needed a touchdown to win the game, trailing now by four instead of seven. Going for the field goal didn't improve their chances of winning one bit. Why not go for it on fourth down? You're already in Raider territory. Try to extend the drive, and if you don't make it, you still are only one score down.

But if you get it, you're tied now and if you get the ball back, you can kick a field goal later to win the game.

Either way, the defense couldn't even get the Raiders off the field at the two minute warning.

It's a Cardinal sin to take any NFL team for granted. As bad as the Raiders had been playing, they're professional athletes with huge egos—egos that had taken a beating the week before at the hands of the NFC East rival New York Giants.

If you expected a cake walk, you haven't lived in Philadelphia long enough.

And if you are a member of the Eagles and you expected a cake walk?

Well, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Ryan Howard's Legend Continues to Grow, Number of Doubters Begins to Slow

Jim Mc — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:45:56 -0400

It was the kind of moment where legends are born.

Two outs.

Two on.

Two strikes.

Trailing by two.

The stage was set. Except that the man standing in the batters box had already started writing his legendary story years before.

Rookie of the Year.

Fastest to 100 home runs.

National League MVP.

And his most recent accolade, 2008 World Series Champion.

Quite a resume for any baseball career. Yet Ryan Howard is just warming up.

So when Howard and the Phillies fell behind in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game Four of the National League Divisional Series, there was no sense of panic.

Only steely resolve.

"Get me to the plate, boys," Howard told his teammates.

But getting Howard to the plate was no guarantee.

Rockies' closer Huston Street had been all but automatic during the season, blowing only two saves all season. Yet, the night before in Game Three, the Phillies tagged Street for the loss.

An opening for a confident, battle-tested squad to exploit.

But trailing by two, Howard would need his teammates to step up to the plate.

Literally.

Two years ago, the Phillies didn't know how to succeed in a situation like this. And a white-hot Rockies squad swept them right out of the 2007 Division Series.

But last season, the Phillies' young core of Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Shane Victorino learned how put a championship run together, capturing the team's first World Series win since the Reagan Administration.

So as the team returned to the dugout for the top of the ninth of Game Four, after surrendering the lead to the Rockies that they had held for most of the game, confidence never lagged.

It was almost as if the Phillies had the Rockies right where they wanted them.

Rollins legged out an infield single.

Victorino gets on with a fielders choice.

Utley works a walk.

And then in steps Howard.

They got him to the plate, now he had to deliver.

After winning the 2008 World Series, the Phillies rewarded Howard with a 3-year, $54 million contract extension, avoiding another embarrassing contract arbitration.

An arbitrator had awarded Howard a record $10 million deal the year before, and many fans in Philadelphia wondered if the notorious stingy Philadelphia ownership would be able to afford to keep its young, talented core together.

Some even wondered if Howard was worth it.

He strikes out too much.

His defense is lacking.

Amazing what a World Series Championship can do to change perspective.

And perspective is what Howard now had, stepping in with the game on the line.

He had been seeing the ball well all series.

He knew how the Rockies wanted to pitch him.

Away.

All the while, Howard patiently awaited his pitch.

And then it happened.

Bang.

The ball dropped just inside the right field fence, hit the padding and died on the warning track.

Victorino scored.

Utley scored.

Game tied.

And Ryan Howard, standing at second.

That is, until Jayson Werth chases him home with the soon-to-be game-winning run.

Another riveting chapter in a storybook that has only begun to be written for Ryan Howard.

What's to come remains to be seen, but it promises to be a real page-turner.

Phillies' Charlie Manuel: A Class Act

Jim Mc — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:39:44 -0400

With two outs in the top of the 9th, Charlie Manuel emerged from the top step of the dugout.

The Phillies, sporting a 10-3 lead over the Houston Astros, stood poised to claim their third straight division title.

Scott Eyre, returning from the disabled list, had quickly recorded the first two outs, getting former Phillie Michael Bourne and Miguel Tejada.

But here comes Uncle Charlie, waving for the bullpen.

There goes the Philadelphia faithful, waving the white rally towels.

And out comes Brad Lidge to collect the final out.

The fans loved it.

The bullpen loved it.

Even Eyre loved it.

And one pitch later, the Phillies had gained admittance into the 2009 playoff dance and a chance to repeat as World Series Champions. And the man who closed out that last victory last year was the on the bump again to collect the final out.

The way this season has gone for Brad Lidge, you would have excused Manuel if he had just left Eyre in there.

After a perfect 2008 -- both regular season and postseason -- Lidge's 2009 season has been a perfect nightmare, blowing 11 saves to lead the majors.

But Charlie Manuel stuck with Lidge through most of the season, giving him every chance to regain that dominant form that propelled the Phillies to its first championship in 28 years.

It never happened.

So a week ago, with time running out on the season, Manuel made the tough decision to remove Lidge from the closer role.

It wasn't Manuel's first difficult decision this season.

With the emergence of vintage Pedro Martinez bolstering the Phillies rotation, Manuel had to tell Jamie Moyer that despite leading the team in wins he was heading to the bullpen.

It was a difficult decision to make. Manuel is fiercely loyal, and he has the utmost respect for Moyer, whose season just ended last night with a just-awful-sounding tendon tear in his groin and abdomen.

Ouch.

Last season, Manuel won a World Series, and lost his mother during the campaign. But you never saw him get too high or too low.

Through the tough decisions, Manuel has remained unflappable.

Through the losing streaks, Manuel maintained a steady hand.

And whether the gesture tonight helps Lidge to reclaim his masterful form remains to be seen. But what was seen is a man that's been around long enough to know how to play the game.

And play it with class.

Michael Vick: Done His Time or Life Sentence?

Jim Mc — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:25:50 -0400

There's no one person that was more ecstatic about the Eagles' signing of Michael Vick than anyone else on this planet: Rick Pitino.

Suddenly, it wasn't his face plastered all over ESPNews and CNN all day long.

No, now the vicious animal known as the 24-hour news cycle had a new victim to sink its into.

Not that it's undeserved.

By now, everyone with a keyboard or microphone has opined, postulated and grandstanded over Philadelphia's latest—and rather confusing—player acquisition.

Everyone, but yours truly, of course.

Why the delay? Good question.

First off, I'm not quite sure what to say. My initial reaction was a loud, "WHAT?!?" Still, several days later, I still don't know quite what to think about the move.

We all know what he did, and you'd have to be rather insensitive to not find it repugnant and reprehensible. We don't have to rehash the gruesome details—or do we?

Two years have passed, and just about everyone wants to move on—not the least of whom is Vick.

The man spent two years in Leavenworth, a federal PMITA prison (see Office Space for an explanation of the acronym if you can't figure it out). You can imagine he's quite anxious to return to life outside of prison walls.

But is he "entitled?" Has he indeed paid his debt to society?

A court ruled Vick spend the better part of two years in federal prison for his crimes.

Is that enough for what he did?

Which begs the question, "Are any jail sentences enough?" Because really, anyone that's ever served time is labeled as an "ex-con."

Do you want an ex-con living next door to you?

Would you want an ex-con teaching your kids? Or as your nurse in the hospital?

What about driving your bus? Or flipping your burgers?

You see, the part I have a problem with is that I see both sides. Yes, the man committed horrible crimes, and I didn't want him on my football team—nor did I think the Eagles of all teams would be the ones to give him a shot.

But Vick did do his time, and his skill set is as a football player. So, if you feel he shouldn't be allowed to play football, what should he be allowed to do?

How high up the visibility ladder should ex-con's be allowed to work?

Is it only jobs that pay millions of dollars in a high-profile setting that should be off limits?

Do we allow them to do their time, then try to re-enter society?

Whether you feel prison is for rehabilitation or punishment, at some point most convicted criminals get out of jail. Those who don't—or can't—re-enter society find themselves back in prison.

Or is that what you prefer?

At first glance, Vick seems like someone who every much does not want to end up going back there, and wants to do his part to help turn around the "culture" of dog fighting that he grew up with.

So what will it be?

What do we really have a problem with? Is it the jealousy that someone like Vick still gets to earn a multi-million dollar salary? Did we think the sentence was too light? Then we have a problem with the law under which Vick was convicted.

Regardless of what you think of the man, his crimes and his sincerity, the fact remains you have to let someone try to rebuild his life when he gets out of the slammer.

Otherwise, every crime is a life sentence. It's just a matter of what we let them put on their return address.

Cliff Lee Trade: A Coup For Philadelphia Phillies' GM Amaro

Jim Mc — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:14:27 -0400

Pundits predicted Phillies GM Ruben Amaro’s tenure would be defined by how he handled this year’s trading deadline.

The verdict? This guy’s good.

Amaro managed to wrangle the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner away from Cleveland. And didn’t have to give up possible rookie-of-the-year candidate J.A. Happ, who is 7-1 on the season.

He didn’t have to part with Kyle Drabek, the crown jewel of the farm system. He got to keep top prospects Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor.

And now he gets to add Cliff Lee to his rotation of reigning World Series MVP Cole Hamels, Happ, Joe Blanton and either Pedro Martinez or Jamie Moyer.

All this for a team that is now 19-5 in July and sporting a seven game lead in the NL East.

Naysayers are sulking, complaining we didn’t get the top guy available. Fair enough. But when have the Phillies EVER gotten the top guy?

Normally it’s a “middle-tier” guy, like Kyle Lohse, or “Average Joe” Blanton. The fact that the Phillies were even in the conversation to get the top guy is out of character.

Well, at least it was until the Phillies became 2008 World Champions. When else in team history has Plan B arrived sporting his Cy Young Award?

Not to mention the shot-in-the-dark Cy Young winner in Pedro Martinez that’s getting into shape up in Allentown? Sure, Pedro’s not the same guy he was ten years ago. But if he can pitch as well or better than Rodrigo Lopez—who’s done a great job for the Phils—combined with the Phil’s potent offense, you could be looking at the first NL team to repeat as World Series Champs since the Big Red Machine in the mid '70s.

This deal follows the offseason signing of Raul Ibañez, who is among the league leaders in home runs and started the All-Star Game.

Not bad for a rookie GM.

Can’t wait to see what he does for an encore.

"Hey, Didn't He Used to Be Good?": The Flyers' Goalie Gamble with Ray Emery

Jim Mc — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:12:02 -0400

Lord Stanley’s Cup gets awarded Friday night.

Once again, the Flyers will be watching on television, just like the rest of us.

I always make a point to try to watch the Stanley Cup get paraded around, regardless of playing—which is a good thing, since I wouldn’t ever get to see it if I were waiting for the Flyers to do it.

There was a time in my youth when, every year, you felt like the Orange and Black had a legitimate shot to win the Cup.

But not now.

The Flyers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, the first expansion team to win hockey’s holy grail. I was but a wee toddler and have no recollection of the event.

My hockey memories begin with Pelle Lindbergh’s tragic death in 1985 (?). I was a street hockey goalie; he was my idol.

I was devastated.

Then came Ron Hextall. The feisty, talented netminder, drafted by the Flyers in the sixth round of the 1982 NHL entry draft, led Philadelphia to bring of glory 1987, forcing Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers dynasty to a decisive seventh game.

The Cup was skated around the building that night—but not by the Flyers.

But Hextall was so spectacular that season and postseason that he won the Veniza Trophy for best goaltender, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP—one of the few players in NHL history to be named MVP in a losing effort.

Back then, it was only 12 years removed from the last time the Flyers had won the Cup. There was still optimism that Hextall could lead them back for a third.

Twenty-two years later, the Flyers have still lifted the chalice but only twice, and I have a son the same age I was when it happened.

In the meantime, the Flyers have had backstops come and go.

We’ve seen Chico, Beezer, Garth Snow, Sean Burke, Brian Boucher, Roman Chechmanek, Robert Esche, Marty Biron, and Antero Niittymaki to name a few.

Even Hextall left and came back. And 10 years after his first finals appearance, he took the Flyers back in 1997, before running into a Red Wings dynasty.

Twelve years later, Detroit is back in the Finals yet again, as defending Stanley Cup Champions. In fact, the Red Wings have won four Stanley Cups since the Flyers last did, and try to make it five on Friday.

So the only two goaltenders to lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in my lifetime (born 1974) are Bernie Parent, whom the Flyers selected from the Boston Bruins in the 1967 expansion draft, and Ron Hextall.

The similarities? Both were drafted.

Oh, they’ve tried the free agent route (Beezer, Chechmanek). They’ve tried drafting (Maxime Oullet, Brian Boucher).

Some have shown promise. Others, not so much.

None have delivered.

Meanwhile, across the Delaware River, Martin Brodeur has put his name on Lord Stanley’s Cup with the hated New Jersey Devils, and will some day be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto as one of—if not THE best—goaltender of all time.

Wednesday, the Flyers announced the signing of goaltender Ray Emery.

Ray Emery used to be good—the Flyers saw that first hand against Ottawa in the playoffs a few years back.

Then Emery got in his own way, and was released by the Senators, and had to play in Russia’s KHL last year.

Emery has been reported to have anger issues, and has undergone counseling.

But the team assures us “he’s all better now.”

Greeeeeeeat.

Now Emery is the closest thing to Ron Hextall the Flyers have seen since—well, Ron Hextall. But Hextall was never accused of being a bad teammate.

Perhaps the fiestiness will be good for the team?

My fear is that this is just another goalie retread—someone the Flyers can afford because his best days are behind him, and no one is willing to give him that big contract.

History has shown us that great goaltenders aren’t usually available on the discount rack. The best ones are identified early on, sometimes even before they reach juniors.

Sometimes, teams can steal great free-agent goaltending, like Detroit did luring Dominick Hasek away from Buffalo.

But Hasek didn’t come cheap. And there’s a reason for that:

He was good. Damn good. Hall-of-Fame good.

John Vanbiesbrouck was good. But he won’t be enshrined in Toronto. And his best playing years were arguably behind him by the time he donned the orange and black.

So what needs to happen?

The Flyers need to draft star-quality goaltending or trade for a blue-chip prospect. And let him play.

Nitty showed promise. But could never earn the job full-time. Same with Boucher, and I really liked the guy.

Goaltenders are known to be a little off—I should know! Playing a position that requires confidence as much as skill, these young guys cannot afford to be looking over their shoulders, wondering if they’re going to lose their job if they give up a goal or two.

If the Flyers really want to win a Cup, find a guy you believe in—honestly believe in—and put him between the pipes.

No hedging your bets.

No sharing the job.

If Emery is the guy—and Lord Stanley knows, I pray he is—then don’t bring in another guy to battle for the job.

Put a true “backup” the bench, one who might get to see a dozen games all season, and let Emery own the job.

Because those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

And there’s an awful lot of failure in those history books lately.

Phillies' Brad Lidge on DL

Jim Mc — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:48:21 -0400

Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been placed on the 15-day DL. According to philly.com, the move is retroactive to June 7.

Lidge had been having issues with a balky knee.

After a perfect 2008 season as postseason, Lidge has been anything but thus far in 2009. He's blown six save opportunities, including two against the Dodgers this past weekend.

Look for Ryan Madson to set into the closer's role for the Phillies key matchup this week with the N.Y. Mets.

If not for the two blown saves this past weekend, the Phils would be riding a 10-game win streak into the Big Apple. As it stands, the Figthin's are three-games up on the Mets going into this series.

It remains to be seen whether rest will allow Lidge to regain his previously dominant form; however, it will spare skipper Charlie Manuel the unpleasant task of demoting one of his World Series heroes—for now.

Don't Look Now–Phillies Are on a Roll!

Jim Mc — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:27:51 -0400

They don't call him "Hollywood" for nothing.

Cole Hamels continued his mastery of the Dodgers last night at Chavez Ravine, needing fewer than 100 pitches to post a five-hit, 3-0 shutout that extends the Fightin' Phils' winning streak to seven games.

The win also increased the team's lead in the NL East to four games over the NY Mets.

The Phillies now have the second-best record in baseball (32-20), behind only the Dodgers, and have the league's best road record (20-6).

The defending World Series champions (or WFC's, if you prefer) also have something else going for them: momentum.

While many, including ESPN's Chris Singleton, worry about the Phillies rotation—which, admittedly, has one of the highest ERAs in the majors—I see a team that appears to be hitting its stride just in time for the summer push.

In years past, a starting rotation that struggled as badly as this one had early on (now down to a 4.79 ERA, ranked 25th in the majors) would have meant a terribly slow start, leaving the team facing a very long climb over the summer.

The bats have come alive this season, led by offseason steal Raul Ibanez, former MVP Ryan Howard and future MVP Chase Utley.

And now, the pitching may be shaping up for another run at postseason glory.

Hamels appears to have shaken off his early-season injuries, and may be poised for a dominant second half.

Moyer finally got past win No. 250, which may have led to him pressing a little bit—not that he would ever admit it.

Chan Ho Park (or "Duck," as Bill Conlin likes to call him) is now out of harm's way, safely tucked in the bullpen for mop-up duty.

J.A. Happ has stepped in nicely and is looking to play the role of Kyle Kendrick (pre-September).

"Average Joe" Blanton may have a 5.86 ERA, but he's 4-3. In fact, all the Phillies current starters are over .500, except for Moyer (4-5).

Then there's this Bastardo kid that seems to like pitching in the majors and may stick around for a while.

Not to mention that the Phillies managed to survive the 50-game suspension of J.C. Romero and early-season hiccups from closer Brad Lidge.

And, after all that, here they sit: first place in the NL East, second-best record in baseball.

If this is how good they are with so-so pitching, imagine what lies ahead if they get their act together.

And they seem to be doing just that.

A Flyers Fan Cheating on His Team: Why I Love This Capitals Squad

Jim Mc — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:51:08 -0400

They say the first step is to admit you have a problem. So here it goes.

Hi, my name is Jim.

And I'm becoming a Washington Capitals fan.

I'm not proud of it. Lord knows, I didn't want this to happen.

I mean, the Flyers are in my blood. They're in my email address. They're in my IM address.

They won their first of back-to-back Stanley Cups the year I was born.

A child-sized Ron Hextall jersey still hangs in my closet.

I cried the day Pelle Lindbergh died. And Gene Hart.

I still haven't forgiven my sister for having a dance recital the night of Game Seven of the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals against the Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers.

I wore No. 31 for Lindbergh during my brief stint playing for Major League Roller Hockey's Carolina/Capital Crunch.

I even have a brick with my name on it outside the Wachovia Center in South Philly.

I first moved to the Washington area in 1997, defiantly bringing my Philadelphia allegiances along with me. I've moved away and come back two other times, the most recent return coming back in February.

A Flyers-Capitals game served as the setting for my third first date with my wife (it's a long story). Having been born in Virginia, she decreed at the start of the game that she would root for the Capitals, much to my chagrin.

I married her anyway.

After spending eight of the last 12 years in the DC area, I've seen my share of Capitals games. Of course, when the Flyers came to town, I would don my orange and black and cheer on my boyhood favorites.

I haven't attended a hockey game in Washington in over four years, going back to before the birth of our daughter. I haven't seen a game in Philly in at least six, possibly longer.

However, last year, I did get to follow the Flyers' playoff run—which included that thrilling Game Seven win over the Capitals. My wife and I, sitting in our living room in Tennessee, were both glued to the edge of our seats.

Of course, I sprang out of mine. She sank into hers.

This season, I missed all but one of the Flyers' playoff games, as we were moving into our new home back in the Washington area. Based on the team's results, it didn't sound like I missed very much.

But there I was, Monday night, my wife and I glued to the edge of our seats, watching the Capitals in overtime.

And there I was, once again springing out of my seat—this time to cheer a Capitals overtime winner, sending the series to a decisive Game Seven on Wednesday night.

How did this happen?

Anyone who has followed my blogging over the past year knows what the Phillies' World Series run meant to me, and how I continue to live and die with the Eagles on autumn Sundays.

But hockey was always my sport, the one I could actually play—and maybe that's why I can appreciate this Capitals team.

The last hockey game I did see in person was actually in Toronto on a business trip three years ago, and the Capitals happened to be in town. It was Alex Ovechkin's rookie year.

Ovie came down the left wing, put on the brakes, and snapped a wicked wrist shot top shelf, glove side on Eddie Belfour.

I remember thinking, "Wow, this kid is going to be good."

Hardly the first one to predict that, mind you. But still, it's pretty amazing to think back to that game and see him now leading the playoffs in goals.

How often do you get to say, "I saw a legend (or legend-in-the-making) in his rookie year?"

In my lifetime, the only one I can say I got to see play was Martin Brodeur, and that was later in his career.

Now, there's another goaltender wearing the Capitals sweater that has me thinking the same thing: Simeon Varlamov.

This kid is un-frickin-believable.

I'm obviously partial to goalies. It was my position—one I learned to play and love, even if the only reason I was stuck in goal as a child was because I was the fat kid.

Lindbergh. Hextall. Beezer. Even Brian Boucher.

I respected Brodeur and Patrick Roy, even though they played for the enemy. Greatness is greatness, even if it's wearing the wrong sweater.

But I was never a fan of either.

I see myself becoming a fan of Varlamov.

He's made consecutive point-blank saves that boggle the mind. Add the fact that the kid is a 21-year-old rookie that was playing for the Hershey Bears a few months ago, and you start to realize how special a player Varlamov is.

While Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have been garnering the headlines, it's the play of the kid between the pipes that has allowed the Capitals to force a decisive Game Seven back at Verizon Center.

Varlamov's play reminds me of Hextall's rookie year. Hexy became only the fourth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Award (playoff MVP) playing on the team that lost in the Cup finals.

The Capitals have to hold serve at home Wednesday night before realistic discussions of that nature can be entertained.

But come faceoff time, I'll be there watching—cheering on this very entertaining hockey team.

It might be a while before I break down and buy a Varlamov jersey—although the new home sweaters do appear to be Phillies red!

Should Ryan Howard Be a Phillie for Life?

Jim Mc — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:24 -0400

Ryan Howard launched his seventh career grand slam last Monday night in St. Louis. The bomb propelled the Phillies to a 6-1 win over the Cardinals and kept them neck and neck with the Marlins in the tight NL East.

But the slam also put Howard in unique company—something this 29-year-old superstar should be accustomed to by now.

Howard tied Hall-of-Famer Mike Schmidt for most grand slams as a member of the Phillies (seven).

Think about that for a second.

Schmidt launched 548 career home runs over nearly 17 years. Only seven of those were grand slams. Michael Jack also knocked in 1,595 RBI.

Howard now has 182 career home runs in just over four seasons. The 2005 Rookie of the Year was already the fastest to 100 home runs in MLB history. His 518 RBI are nearly one third Schmidt's total amount already. He's on a pace that, should he play the same 17 years Schmidt did, that he could hit an astounding 728 home runs.

A lot can happen between now and then, just ask Ken Grifffey, Jr.

There are more parallels between Howard and Schmidt:

Both are World Series Champions (1980 for Schmidt, 2008 for Howard).
Both have been National League MVP's (1980, 1983, 1986 for Schmidt, 2006 for Howard).
Both have Silver Slugger awards (Schmidt had six, Howard has one).
And both have racked up the strikeouts. Schmidt is seventh all-time, with 1,883 strikeouts (oddly enough, the Phillies were founded in 1883). Howard has 717.

While that last one is probably a distinction Howard would rather not share, here is one that he should share:

Schmidt played every game of his career as a Phillie.

The Phillies' brass, including Pat Gillick and new GM Reuben Amaro, have done a nice job locking up players like Chase Utley and World Series MVP Cole Hamels to long-term deals, effectively "locking up" the young core of the team.

Howard needs to be included in that core.

The Phillies have come a long way from their frugal past, which was best illustrated by the infamous "small market" comment by Bill Giles. But their handling of Howard has been curious.

They learned their lesson the hard way when Howard beat the Phillies for a record $10 million arbitration award before the 2008 season. This offseason, the club bought out the rest of Howard's arbitration years.

Let's just say Ryan can afford a few more $5 foot-longs. $54 million over three years goes a long way.

But what happens after 2011?

The good news for the Phillies is that they have time to wait.

And watch.

And see if Howard continues to deliver.

But if the past four seasons are any indication of what is to come, Howard will be owed a lot of money.

And he will be worth every penny.

Philadelphia Hat Trick: Phillies, Sixers, Flyers Post Big Wins

Jim Mc — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:38:34 -0400

Sundays this good are usually reserved for Eagles season!

The Phillies get a come-from-behind win on a Raul Ibanez walk-off two-run home run, a day after Brad Lidge blows his first save in a Phillies uniform. Ibanez is rewarded with a shaving cream pie to the face.

Welcome to Philadelphia, Raul!

The Flyers get two goals out of Simon Gagne, clawing their way back into their Eastern Conference playoff matchup with Pittsburgh, winning 6-3 and trimming their series deficit down to 2-1.

The 76ers, once trailing by 18, get a fade-away game winner from Andre Iguodala and shock the Orlando Magic 100-98, taking a 1-0 series lead.

And I didn't see a minute of them.

God bless SportsCenter.

It was a beautiful, 70-degrees here in suburban Washington, D.C., so I was out playing with the kids.

Perhaps having my priorities in order (for a change) was good luck for my hometown Boys.

Does that mean I don't get watch the rest of the playoffs? I sure hope not!

Whatever the reason, it sure is a nice way to start off a week. Hopefully they can continue the trend!

So while we bask in the glow of a 3-for-3 Sunday, let's reminisce about the best days in Philly sports. What other great sports days come to win, minimum two teams getting big wins on the same day.

Share your stories in the comments below.

Enjoy the week!

Flyers Trying To Make This a Short Series-in the Wrong Direction

Jim Mc — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:12:49 -0400

That was painful to watch.

The Pittsburgh Penguins spanked the Flyers 4-1 in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight.

It wasn't even that close.

The Flyers didn't just get beat on the scoreboard. Oh no, they got beat in every aspect of the game.

Speed.

Toughness

Face-offs.

Goaltending.

Coaching.

Effort.

Momentum.

There was one brief flurry toward the end of the second period where the Flyers seemed to think they might want to... I don't know, play? But that proved to be no more than an aberration, as the intermission killed whatever groundswell that might have been percolating.

Now it has been said many times that a playoff series doesn't truly begin until the home team loses. In fact, the Fly Guys have now lost the first game in their last five playoff series. Last year they managed to get as far as the Eastern Conference Finals before getting steamrolled by Pittsburgh.

Apparently the Penguins still have the steamroller, the Flyers played like ass-phault.

Hall-of-Fame Voice of the Phillies Harry Kalas Collapses in Press Box, Dies

Jim Mc — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:30:53 -0400

Part of my childhood just died.

The legendary voice of the Philadelphia Phillies, Harry Kalas, has died at the age of 73.

"We lost Harry today," David Montgomery, the team president, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We lost our voice."

According to reports, Mr. Kalas was found unconscious in the press box. You always knew that was where he was going to go. You half-expected it to be in the middle of a game.

As I choke back tears at work, I can't help but think of countless nights I sat in a corner of my den listening to Harry and Whitey call a game on the radio back in the mid-80s when my mom had gotten rid of PRISM.

It was an old single-tape deck, gray with one large black speaker that made up the majority of its front. I would fiddle with the long, extendable antenna and black dial to tune in 1210 AM, sitting on the orange shag just off the small kitchen.

I remember going to the "Vet," and using my father's binoculars, trying to find Harry in the press box, and being so excited when I saw him.

Players came and went.

But we always had Harry.

Until today.

Today, Harry and Whitey are reunited in the great beyond and can finally share their thoughts about last season's championship run.

Hard to believe, Harry. We'll miss you.

Phillies-Rockies: The Long Road to a Phillies Win

Jim Mc — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:48:10 -0400

It's Easter Sunday afternoon, and the family and I pile into the car after a nice weekend with the in-laws up in Scranton. The journey from northeastern PA back to DC will take about four hours (or more depending on potty stops), so I scan the AM radio dial in the hopes of finding the Phillies-Rockies game, set to get underway any moment.

Thankfully, there are stations all the way down I-81 and U.S. Route 15 that carry the Phillies Radio Network, so I should be good all the way down through Harrisburg and Frederick, MD.

Unfortunately, Chan Ho Park seems to have caught the same ailment that is affecting the rest of the starting staff.

I haven't even passed Hazelton and it's 4-0 Rockies.

I go to change the dial, but it's still early and I have a lot of highway before me. Plus, everyone else in the car has fallen asleep, so why not?

My loyalty is rewarded with the Hall of Fame voice of Harry the K (who knew then it would be the final time?) and the home run payoff inning. No home run, but Ryan Howard does get the Phils on the board after a lead-off double, but then Park gives that run right back the following half-inning.

Crap.

But then the bullpen charges in to the rescue, and shuts down the Rockies the rest of the way, and the slow, methodical comeback is underway.

Time to change from Scranton radio to the Phillies' flagship (50,000 watts of distance-carrying goodness).

As I pass through Harrisburg, I begin to wonder why Charlie Manuel would not sac-bunt the runner over to third. It seemed like three innings in a row the Phils had a runner in scoring position with no outs but could not push a run across.

Doesn't having a runner at third with one out put more pressure on the opposing pitcher than a man at second? Particularly when the next batter ends up striking out anyway? Now you have one out and the runner still is at second.

But I digress.

The Phils chip away to 5-3 by the time I reach Frederick, MD.

Then it's time to stop and stretch legs and change nasty diapers.

Yikes! Let's just say my son went sans pantalones the rest of the journey.

By the time we get back in the car, reception is terrible. Amid the crackles and hum I think I hear Scott Graham say the Phillies are now leading 7-5.

WHOA!

The superstitious part of me thinks I should turn it off since obviously the team did better without me listening. But I can barely hear it at this point, so I'll stick with it.

From what I can make out, Lidge made it interesting, but closed out another consecutive save.

Nice way to end a trip.

Only after I see the highlights on SportsCenter do I learn that Utley tied the game on a two-run HR (good for my fantasy team, too!), and then Matt Stairs did his best Matt Stairs impersonation.

Does anyone else besides me just love this guy off the bench?

Now, both myself and the Phillies return to Washington with the team at .500, facing a Nationals team that has yet to win a game.

The only thing standing between the Phils and that same record is a bullpen that appears to once again be lights out, and that same never-say-die attitude that led to the WFC last season.

It's still early, but the starters need to get with the program. Continually pulling games out of your rear can have crappy results, much resembling that diaper I disposed of back in Frederick.

Eeeeewwwww...

Phillies Lose Opener: No More Beer?

Jim Mc — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:39:23 -0400

There won't be any beer served at Citizens Bank Park the rest of the season.

Why?

Because the Phillies lost the Opener. (ba dum bum)

It's one of my father's favorite jokes. And sadly, it comes out more often than not this time of year.

Whether it's a Punxatawny Phil-like projection of what's to come remains to be seen. However, it should be noted that historically, Aprils have not been kind to the Fightin's.

The Phillies have not won a Season Opener since 2005 against the Washington Nationals, and have now lost eighth of their last nine openers. That April they went 10-14.

Last season, the team kick started its World Championship run with its best April since 2003, going 15-12.

In 2007, they went 11-14. The Phillies won the NL East on the last day of the season, before getting swept by Colorado in the NLDS.

Everything before that is pretty much the Dark Ages. Between 2004 and 2006, they went 10-11, 10-14, and 10-14.

So perhaps the magic number is 11? If the Phils win 11 in April, they make the playoffs? Talk to me in September.

In the meantime, the Phillies de facto opening day starter—the same for the past three seasons—picked up right where he left off at the start of last season.

Which is not a good thing.

Brett Myers has a history of getting over excited at the start of games and getting rocked. Usually, if he can get through the first, he's good to go.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

Myers gave up a two-out walk to Chipper Jones, then a no-doubt-about-it rocket off catcher Brian McCann that landed in the second deck of Citizens Bank Park.

The deficit became 4-0 on second-inning jacks to Jeff Francoeur, who couldn't hit anything at the end of last season, and Jordan Schafer in his first MLB at-bat.

Welcome to the Bigs, kid.

And that set the stage for a little revenge for new Atlanta starter Derek Lowe, who the Phillies last saw in the NLCS against the Dodgers. Lowe was cruising towards a series-tying win, when the wheels fell off, and Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs launched the Phillies towards an improbable and commanding 3-1 series lead.

Again, Lowe was dominant. Lots of ground balls. Only two hits. No one got past second base.

The Phils were relieved to see Lowe yield to the bullpen in the ninth and finally broke through against Gonzalez. The tying run actually came to the plate with one out and Ryan Howard at bat.

Howard took a mighty 1-0 cut on a slider and missed badly. Same thing at 2-1. What is it about the slider that Howard just cannot see? I've never stood in against a major-league slider, but Ryan seems to have more trouble with that pitch than most.

And he knows it. That's why Rodriguez was able to sneak a 3-2 fastball right by him.

That brought up Raul Ibanez, the replacement for the now-beloved and recently-departed Pat Burrell (now with Tampa Bay).

Could the newest Phillie be the hero in his first game in the City of Brotherly love?

No.

Struck him out with a 3-2 fastball to end the game.

But interestingly enough, I didn't hear any boos.

Just dejection.

So I hope you enjoyed a tall cold one with the game. Looks like it's gonna be a long, thirsty summer in Philly. But Phillies fans will take it if it means they're sipping champagne once again this fall.

We Now Join This Flyers' Victory over the Devils Already in Progress

Jim Mc — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:31:56 -0400

The score was tied 1-1 in the first intermission.

My two children, CJ, four, and Sean, one, were all tucked in for the night. Unlike most evenings, neither put up much resistance.

The same could not be said on the ice.

The Flyers, behind three power play goals, beat their hated division rivals from New Jersey 4-2.

But the score did not indicate just how good a game this was.

These days, I don't get to watch much TV, let alone hockey. My family has been in transition for the past month, moving from Tennessee back up to the Nation's Capital. So, getting to sit down and actually watch a Flyers game, even just two-thirds of a game, was a real treat.

There was back-and-forth action, suffocating defense, great goaltending, and a lethal powerplay.

Even in the loss, Martin Brodeur continues to display why he's the winningest goaltender in NHL history. His sliding poke-check on a Jeff Carter break was vintage Brodeur.

But even he was no match for the Flyers' power play.

Claude Giroux slid a sick backhand pass from behind the net to Simone Gagne on the goal line, who banked in the final goal off Marty's pads just inside the near post. The tally forced the Devils to call timeout, after seeing a 2-2 tie disintegrate into a 2-goal deficit in just over two minutes.

It may have helped stave off the avalanche, but the Devils weren't able to solve Martin Biron the rest of the way.

So as the night drew to a close, the kids were sound asleep, and the Flyers were within seven points of Atlantic Division leading New Jersey, with ten games to play. The Flyers also have one game in hand.

While the Flyers dream of playoff position, I dream of my next chance of sitting down to enjoy a game.

Hopefully it won't take another month to happen.

Eagles Fans, How Did We Not See That Coming?

Jim Mc — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:24:34 -0500

The Cardinals? We lost to the frickin' CARDINALS?

Of course we did.

Why wouldn't we?

I mean, seriously. This is Philadelphia. These are the Eagles—the team that hasn't won a title since 1960.

It wasn't bad enough that we were getting blown out.

NOOOOOOOO.....

They had to stage a remarkable comeback. Reel us back in. Even take the lead.

Naturally.

But anyone that has even spent five minutes as a Philadelphia fan knows what happens next.

*COUGH, COUGH, CHOKE*

Why would it happen any other way? How could we be so gullible?

Oh, right—the Phillies. Thank God for the Phillies.

A simplistic explanation of chaos theory basically states that a room full of monkeys given enough time could produce the works of Shakespeare.

So extending that to the world of sports, it means that even the Phillies—the losingest professional franchise in North America—and the Cardinals—who hadn't won a championship since 1947—given enough time, had to win at some point.

So eventually, the Eagles, the Cubs—even the Washington Nationals (well, okay maybe not the Nats)—given enough time are bound to win some day.

Whether our sun has gone supernova by then is anybody's guess.

A Facebook friend of mine updated his status, apologizing to his children for making them Eagles fans. I replied, saying that dealing with disappointment is an important life skill.

So why aren't we really, really good at losing by now? I mean the fans; our teams have it down pat.

The Eagles by all admission were not expected to get this far. But neither were the Cardinals. The Eagles had a better record than Arizona by a half-game (due to everyone's favorite tie).

So in the ten years of McNabb and Reid we've had five NFC Championship Games, losing 4. One Super Bowl appearance.

Zero titles.

It sure beats the Marion Campbell days, but the Eagles have now become the Buffalo Bills—except the Bills' futility came in the Super Bowl.

Which is worse? That's up for debate.

What I do know is that once again, I can concentrate on the commercials in the Super Bowl instead of the game.

And next year I might trade in my NFL Sunday Ticket for the MLB package. Pitchers and catchers report in just under a month.

Why Heavens Have Aligned for Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl Run

Jim Mc — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:25:02 -0500

The Philadelphia Eagles will play the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship. All of you that had that match-up in the preseason, raise your hand.

Right, that's what I thought.

After losing control of its own destiny by laying an egg in Washington in week 15, the Eagles have now dismantled the Cowboys, beaten the Vikings in round one of the playoffs, then dispatched the defending Super Bowl champs at the Meadowlands.

Team of destiny? Well, let's look at what has transpired in Philadelphia over the past six months.

The Phillies broke the Curse of Billy Penn by winning its first World Series since 1980. The curse was actually broken by the construction workers at the new Comcast Tower in Philadelphia.

Legend had it that since developers had broken the gentleman's agreement that no building in the city would be higher than the brim of William Penn's hat atop City Hall in 1985, Philly teams were cursed.

In fact, none of the major teams had won title since the 76ers in 1983.

But a mini statue of Penn was placed atop Comcast's new skyscraper that was recently completed. Since then, the Soul won the AFL title and then the Phillies won the Series.

The Phillies win seemed to have some numerology pointing to its "Team of Destiny" status.

How so? Well, the last (and previously only) Phillies title was in '80. They then won in '08. The closers were No. 45 (Tug McGraw) and 54 (Brad Lidge).

So how do the tea leaves appear to be working for the Eagles?

Well, the last time the Cardinals were in a championship game was 1948, against the Eagles. The Eagles won, claiming its first-ever NFL championship. At the time, the Cardinals were in Chicago, McNabb's hometown.

The Eagles beat the Cardinals earlier this season, 48-20.

The Phillies were led by No. 20, Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt. The Eagles are being led by their defense, particularly the future Hall of Famer, No. 20 Brian Dawkins.

The Phillies beat Tampa Bay to win the World Series. Super Bowl XLIII is in Tampa.

Pat Burrell, a former first round (actually No. 1 overall) draft pick for the Phillies, wearing No. 5, was a key player in the Phillies title run.

After 10 years, Burrell was not re-signed by the club. McNabb, also a first-round draft pick, and also No. 5, was rumored to be on his way out of town after this season.

McNabb was also benched this season, just like Phillies shortstop, Jimmy Rollins.

Phillies manager, Charlie Manuel, was practically run out of town for his "in-game" moves. Eagles coach Andy Reid has been the subject of venom for years for his play-calling.

Coincidences? Most likely. But parallels can be drawn, particularly when you're looking for promising signs.

What is not a coincidence is that the Eagles are in their fifth NFC Championship Game in the last eight seasons.

The last time McNabb was in the playoffs, he led the Eagles to a 3-point loss in the Super Bowl to the Patriots.

This time, there is no Tom Brady in his way. No Peyton Manning. There is, however, one Kurt Warner. The same Warner that led the St. Louis Rams over McNabb in his first NFC Championship Game.

Oh, by the way, the Cardinals used to play in St. Louis.

Team of destiny? Perhaps. But if the Eagles can continue to play like this, destiny will take care of itself.

Familiar Foes Stand Between Eagles and Super Bowl Berth

Jim Mc — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:55:49 -0500

Who saw that coming?

When the Eagles tied Cincinnati, the team was left for dead. The same happened when they stunk it up in Washington in the season's penultimate game.

Now, the Eagles have risen like a Phoenix from the ashes of their supposedly wasted season. So I guess it's appropriate that should the Eagles beat their hated rivals, the New York Giants, today, the road to the Super Bowl will take them through Phoenix.

Two games—one against their current nemesis, the other against a former NFC East division rival.

Again, who saw THAT coming?

The good news is that Eagles demolished both teams down the stretch.

The bad news is, there's PLENTY of tape for their opponents to dissect to avenge their embarrassment.

The big question is: "Which Eagles team is going to show up?"

Will it be the one with the dominating defense and a commitment to run the football?

Or will it be the one that the Brandon Jacobs gashed them for 126 yards in 36-31 defeat to the Giants?

Will Andy Reid continue to acknowledge there's more to football than an aerial bombardment?

Will Brian Dawkins continue to fly around the field like an advertisement for Red Bull?

Can the defense stymie Eli Manning once again, resulting in everyone's favorite "deer-in-the-headlights" Manning face?

And possibly most importantly, can David Akers conquer the beast that is the swirling winds at Giants Stadium?

One No. 6 seed has already advanced (Ravens).

If the Eagles can pull out a win against the Giants, two nine-win teams will meet in Arizona for the NFC Championship Game.

Again, who saw THAT coming??

In Defense of Donovan McNabb: Best Eagles QB Ever

Jim Mc — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:00:32 -0500

November 12, 2000: I'm sitting in my apartment in Alexandria, Va., having just gotten married the month prior. Boxes abound, as my new wife and I had bought our first house and are getting ready to move.

Sitting in my red, beat-up, hand-me-down recliner that I inherited from a neighbor when I moved into my first apartment after college, I watch as the Eagles trail Pittsburgh 23-13 with 3:26 to play.

It's Donovan McNabb's first full season as the starting QB, and the man has some work to do.

"Okay, kid. Show me you what you've got," I said out loud to the TV.

McNabb then proceeds to lead the Birds to a 26-23 OT win—the team's second overtime win in a row—going 12 of 18 passing for 106 yards and a TD in the process.

Since that day, I have believed in Donovan McNabb.

I've never been much of a college football fan, so on draft day in 1999, when all of the pundits were clamoring for RB Ricky Williams, I jumped on that bandwagon. I was disappointed when McNabb was drafted, since I had never heard of the kid. I wasn't part of the vocal throng that WIP sent to New York that day, but in my ignorance, I agreed.

Fast forward to that game against the Steelers, and that day my opinion on the kid from Syracuse changed forever.

Since that time, all McNabb has done is lead our team its greatest period of sustained excellence in franchise history. You know the stats: He's 6-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Four NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. And he's one game away from another appearance in the NFC title game.

Buddy Ryan and Randall Cunningham never won a single playoff game.

So why does McNabb not own this town?

I'm a life-long Philly fan. I grew up in Upper Darby, Pa., just outside West Philly. You could see the smoke rising in the distance the day of the awful MOVE fiasco in 1985. My family actually lived in West Philly for almost a century, dating back to the mid-1800s. So, I get the blue-collar Philly thing.

What I don't get is why many Philly fans don't appreciate their stars until they're gone.

People are waxing nostalgic on Pat Burrell's departure to Tampa. A couple years ago, people were calling him a bum.

Eric Lindros resurrected a Flyers franchise that had missed the playoffs for five straight years after its Cup runs in the late 90s. Then, he gets hurt playing hard—which is what we're supposed to love in this town—and he's run out of town.

Mike Schmidt was the greatest third baseman to play the game. Ever. And fans rode him harder than Smarty Jones down the stretch.

And now McNabb.

The man played on a broken ankle against the Cardinals in 2002 and threw four touchdown passes.

He led the team to a TD drive in the Super Bowl down the stretch to get the team to within three points of the Patriots when rumors have it he blew chunks in the huddle. Some have called that weakness. I call it perseverance.

He's rehabbed from a devastating knee injury from which many—including fellow Class of '99 QB Daunte Culpepper—never recover.

So why this perception that McNabb is soft? That he's not a "Philly guy?"

McNabb certainly had a bad stretch earlier this season, leading up to his benching. Since that time, he's responded like a professional and has the Eagles on an improbable run.

Whether the chip on his shoulder is deserved or not is up for discussion. What is not debatable, however, is that it is clearly motivating him to succeed now.

If that's what it takes to get Philadelphia its second parade in six months, so be it.

All I know, having seen Kevin Kolb in limited action, is that Eagles fans should appreciate McNabb now while we have him.

Because all golden ages come to an end. It sure would be nice to have a Lombardi Trophy to show for it.

Gifts of the Magi: Eagles in the Playoffs Makes No (Franken)Sense

Jim Mc — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:51:30 -0500

And there, in the east, three days after celebrating the birth of the Savior, the Philadelphia Eagles received three gifts. Oh, there was a star on the helmets of the opposition, but it was certainly NOT shining. And thus, it guaranteed an after-life to follow this strange season in the City of Brother Love.

The first gift came from a familiar friend, as the former Eagles coordinator and current Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden failed to dispatch the Oakland Raiders.

The second came courtesy of Donovan McNabb's hometown Chicago Bears, who fell to the Houston Texans.

The third gift came from the schedule makers, who ended up giving the Eagles a home playoff game this final Sunday of 2008 against their hated arch-rival.

The Eagles, for their part, gladly made good use of their gifts.

And then proceeded to beat the snot out of the hapless Cowboys.

Suddenly, there is Christmas cheer across the Delaware Valley and throughout scattered pockets of fandom across the land.

How unlikely that seemed just a mere month or so ago.

Everyone—from children to grandmas—was screaming for the heads of the coach and QB. I, myself, concluded that Andy Reid had outworn his welcome. He was too predictable. Even Tiki Barber claimed he knew what the Eagles were calling against the Giants that dark day (well, it was a night game) when all seemed lost.

But then, something strange happened. Something wonderful.

Andy listened. He learned.

Just like in Dr. Seuss' The Grinch That Stole Christmas, when the Grinch's heart grows three sizes when it realizes that, perhaps, the holiday is about more than all the presents it had pilfered from Who-ville, Coach Reid seems to have realized that there is more to football than throwing the ball. Sure, he had a slight hiccup against Washington, but maybe he needed one last reminder.

Either way, against Dallas, Reid remembered the running game.

And the Eagles are in the playoffs.

It's amazing the correlation between running the ball and a staunch defense. Running the ball takes time off the clock, lets your defense rest and physically beats down the opponent's "D."

So it doesn't matter that McNabb passed for fewer than 200 yards. He had a QB-sneak touchdown. On the second try.

Can any of you remember the last time Reid called a sneak at the goal line, let alone back-to-back when the first didn't work?

I didn't think so.

It is true that Jim Johnson's defense was the biggest factor in this beat-down. Dallas was quite obliging in coughing up the football. But unlike teams of the past, this Eagles team took advantage of the opportunities—and the gifts—and never let up.

Sound like another team the Philadelphia faithful recently fell in love with?

While it's certainly too soon to start making THAT comparison, it does seem like the Eagles have taken note of the Phillies' championship run. In fact, cameras showed Jimmy Rollins up in the press box as the guest of Mama McNabb.

Rollins, if you remember, got benched mid-season by Charlie Manuel. Rollins also had a run-in with the Philly fans (anyone remember the term "front-runner?").

In Rollins, McNabb may finally have someone with whom he can relate. That can only help the Eagles, because if nothing other than Rollins' easy-goes-it attitude rubs off on the franchise QB, then the Eagles will play loose and confident in the playoffs.

Rollins already helped deliver the gift Philadelphia fans have coveted for a generation. If any of that magic can help end the Eagles' 48-year drought, fans will gladly take it.

But it takes more than a happy McNabb to be effective.

It takes an upright McNabb.

When defenses have to respect the run and can't pin their ears back to rush the quarterback, McNabb gets to use his many gifts.

So it all comes back to a change of heart in Big Red.

Whether it's the gift that keeps on giving remains to be seen, but the Eagles are in the playoffs. Dallas is not.

Merry Christmas!

What If We Selected the President Using the BCS?

Jim Mc — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:53:21 -0500

The Electoral College and the BCS: two controversial establishments used to pick a winner. Both have taken more than their share of heat over their level of fairness.

Since President-Elect Obama won both the popular vote and the electoral vote, the cries to have that abolished have died down—at least for another four years.

But with two undefeated teams in the BCS' top 10 standings, and neither having any kind of chance to even sniff the national championship game (heck, one might not even get an invite to a BCS bowl game), the wailing and gnashing of teeth is reaching a fever pitch.

Even the president-elect has suggested he might step in, which led to me start thinking...

What if the BCS formula were applied to the Presidential election?

After you stop laughing, think about it for a minute. Both use multiple polls, and a significant change in one of the categories (i.e., swing state) can drastically affect the outcome.

So how would this work?

Well, since the BCS relies on rankings made by individuals, be they coaches or whomever, we should probably include popularity polls. Which candidate do we LIKE better?

Then there's strength of schedule. Well, it's not a surprise that Obama carried Washington, DC's two electoral votes, considering the population is over 90-percent Democrat. Nor is it surprising that he carried New York or California. So really, those blowout wins in states like those really should be discounted.

Now, pulling out tough wins in Virginia, Florida, and Pennsylvania is another story. Voters should like upset wins like those, and that should be reflected in the polls.

But why, you might ask, would we go through all these shenanigans to pick a winner, when the two candidates could just go head-to-head in an election and decide it on the field, err, election day?

Hmm...good question.

Does it really take a ludicrous example like this to demonstrate just how asinine the BCS really is?

Every other sport decides its ultimate winner in a championship tournament, including every other college sport and the other levels of college football.

The only reason not to is to protect the insane amounts of money that go to a select group of schools.

They like to call themselves "conferences." I think the better word is "monopoly."

Fans of the smaller schools want their teams to have a shot at the title. The schools themselves want a shot at the insane amounts of money the Big Boys are trying to protect.

The odd thing is, the NCAA isn't even a party to the BCS contract. How can the governing body NOT be the one determining how their champion is crowned?

I wouldn't be surprised if the NCAA isn't a signatory because they know it's illegal, and by letting the conferences handling things themselves, they can't be sued.

Congress has shown lately that it has no problem dictating policy to professional sports leagues, particularly in the area of performance-enhancing drugs. Don't think for a minute that college football isn't a professional sports league, regardless of whether the players are seeing any money.

If the president-elect is serious about using his influence to bring about change to college football, those conferences would be smart to figure out a way to create an equitable solution that still uses those sacred bowls of theirs.

Otherwise, they might have a federal solution thrust upon them—and we all know what people think of the electoral college.

If You Want the Flyers' New Orange Jersey, It'll Cost You a Ton of Green

Jim Mc — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:47:38 -0500

The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled their "throwback" orange alternate jersey Wednesday, hearkening back to the franchise's glory days of Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent and their two-time Stanley Cup Champions of the 1970s.

The prices of that long-gone era, however, did not apparently make it into the time capsule.

According to philadelphiaflyers.com, an authentic blank adult sweater will cost $349. Replicas range from $149 to $199 for a customized one. Youth sizes range from $99-$139.

Now, I love my Flyers. I love the history. I love the sport.

But I ain't coughing up that much cash.

No way. No how (or Howe for that matter).

Are ticket sales that bad that the team is trying to make it cheaper to actually attend the game instead of buying the new jersey?

"Gee, hon, I'd really like to buy Jimmy that new Flyers jersey for Christmas... but they're so expensive, let's just hop in the car and take the whole family to a game next week."

Okay, a bit of an exaggeration—particularly with the cost of tickets these days.

But the point remains, in this economy, how many hockey fans have the disposable income to drop that kind of coin on a purchase like that? Particularly if they've already spent money on game tickets, parking, concessions, etc.

Had they been smart, they would have unveiled this at the start of the season and capitalized on the nostalgia of playing the last game at the Spectrum, and had the team wearing them.

Perhaps what happened to Apple when it released the iPhone will repeat here: Offer it at a high price to start, then drop it a few months later—and tick off everyone that overpaid to begin with.

However you slice it, it's good to see the Orange and Black actually back wearing orange and black.

It's a shame the guys on the ice may be the only ones who can afford to be.

Fit To Be Tied: Why the Eagles Need Bill Cowher

Jim Mc — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:46:15 -0500

How bad was it? (Cue Johnny Carson, "It was so bad...")

I wasn't even going to write an article; that's how bad. At one point, I turned to my wife and said, "This isn't just a bad game, it's bad television."

The game was so boring I actually did ironing during the game. On the bright side, I have a shirt to wear to work tomorrow now.

I had a feeling the Eagles weren't going to win this game going in. I didn't write a preview for that very reason. Sure, easy to say that now, but still...

A tie??

This is not a playoff team. (Cue the famous Jim Mora line, "Playoffs?!?")

This is not a team that should even be in the same sentence as playoffs.

The Eagles have bigger issues than whether they'll make the playoffs this year. They have some serious, "which direction is this franchise heading" issues.

Orlando Morales made some great observations in his B/R game recap. With the amount of time the Eagles offensive line was giving Donovan McNabb, why did he not march the team up and down the field?

Even the best corners usually can only cover for four or five seconds. McNabb could have updated his Facebook status he had so much time back there.

As it was, McNabb was 28-for-58 for 339 yards, but the Eagles only scored one touchdown. And that was on a two-play, 61-yard drive.

Why was it not that easy all day long? How did the Eagles only get in the end zone once? Easy—McNabb turned the ball over four times. His average yards-per-completion was only 5.8 yards.

These are the Bengals, people. Not the Giants, not the Ravens, not any other highly-touted defense.

I've never been on the fire-Reid/trade-McNabb bandwagon before.

Are they accepting applications?

The truth is, the window of opportunity has closed on this bunch. They can deny it all they want, claim how they're "thisclose" to being 8-2, but the truth is: they aren't 8-2. Far from it.

Andy Reid is the most successful coach in this team's history. He should be commended, and once the fervor has died down, he should hold a place in this city's heart just like Dick Vermeil does.

However, that being said, it's time.

It was time here in Knoxville, as they just fired Phillip Fulmer after decades with the University. It's time in Philadelphia, too.

When Reid came to Philly with his big binder not quite a decade ago, the accepted belief was that his system took four years for the quarterback to learn.

Sure enough, McNabb led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004.

But what nobody knew then was that it took the other teams' defenses five years to learn his system.

The magic is gone. The genie is back in bottle.

The NFL is on to Andy Reid. Just ask Tiki Barber, who "called" Reid running on back-to-back plays against the Giants.

The Eagles need Bill Cowher.

The Super Bowl winning coach, now an analyst in the studio, is just the man to turn this thing around.

His blue-collar work ethic is just what this fanbase needs. Can you imagine what he would do with a tandem of Westbrook and Buckhalter?

Everyone thought Reid would get a pass because the Phillies won. I think the World Series win is going to have the opposite effect. Here's why:

For 25 years, fans put up with the losing and the "wait until next year" attitude because, well, that's what happens in Philadelphia. But now, fans got a taste of victory. And we like it. A lot.

So instead of enjoying the glow of finally being the champs in something, Philly fans are wanting results. Call it getting greedy, but they aren't going to put up with mediocrity any longer. They don't have to. Not when the Fightin' Phils delivered the promised land right across the street.

Philadelphia has indeed become a baseball town. And if Jeff Lurie doesn't want to lose what few entertainment dollars fans have available these days—and let's not kid ourselves, that's all that really matters—he better think long and hard about the future of his franchise.

Because there are people out there that can turn this ship around. And none of them are currently tied to this franchise.

Art of The Headline: Too Many Words?

Jim Mc — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:18:35 -0500

Here's an open question to the Bleacher Creatures, and in particular the powers that be:

Why do we keep adding city names to headlines?

I know it's supposed to help with searching and all, but we have a tag section when we post. It's really not necessary to add "Philadelphia" in the headline when you're writing about the Eagles, because it's filed in the NFL section, you select a Philadelphia Eagles tag, and they're the only Eagles in the NFL.

What you end up having is succinct, sometimes-catchy headlines getting clunky.

For example, my most recent article was originally titled, "Andy Reid Costs Eagles a Chance to Steal Win Against the Giants."

A few B/R edits later, it has become "Andy Reid Costs Philadelphia Eagles a Chance to Win Against the New York Giants."

Perhaps it helps with Google searches, although you would think our tags end up in the meta data, which Google could find.

Am I the only one with this pet peeve?

If it makes sense in the spirit of the headline, fine. But adding words just for "searchability" takes away from the writer's personal style.

How say the Bleacher Creatures?

Andy Reid Costs Philadelphia Eagles a Chance to Steal Win Over New York Giants

Jim Mc — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:58:15 -0500

Let me start by saying the Eagles had no right to be in this game as badly as the Giants defense made the Birds look.

That being said, what the heck was Andy Reid doing running the ball on back-to-back plays with under two minutes to play, when the Eagles couldn't run the ball all night long?

I mean, seriously?

The Giants allowed Philadelphia to march right down the field on the previous possession and McNabb was throwing the ball with confidence.

The third down play, I guess I could see, trying to catch Steve Spaniolo's defense napping. But when Westbrook came up a yard short, you HAVE to throw it. At the very least, don't run it wide. Give it Buckhalter up the gut. Let McNabb try a play-action pass, or a roll out, or something that has a chance of working.

The Giants defense did not let Westbrook gain the corner all night. Why would it work with the game on the line?

Andy Reid got too cute for his own good.

Everyone in Philly gets on Reid for not running the ball enough. This was not the position to prove us wrong. If anything, it proves he knows so little about the run game that he doesn't know how to use it properly.

The bottom line is the Eagles were driving at midfield, with a chance to steal a win against the division leader, and they failed to put the ball in the hands of the best player that night: McNabb.

Any other night, you might want No. 36 running the ball.

Not tonight.

Not when New York was stuffing the run all night.

I'd have to check the stats, but I think DeSean Jackson had the biggest run of the night for the Eagles on an end-around. Even McNabb scrambling was more effective.

Of course, Reid will stand up there at the podium taking the blame—as usual—for not putting the players in the right places to win.

Gee, you think?

Philadelphia Phillies Fans Coming to Grips with a New Feeling: Winning

Jim Mc — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:37:06 -0400

It happened. My God, it actually happened.

I'm kind of at a loss for words. I don't know what to do now.

There's a line at the end of The Princess Bride, when they're leaving the castle, where Inigo Montoya says that he's been in the revenge business so long, he doesn't know what to do with himself now that he's slain Count Rugen.

The Phillies just slew their six-fingered man.

For a generation, no major team in Philadelphia had won anything. Anything.

We were so desperate for a winner, we claimed racehorses as our own. Not even Smarty Jones could end the drought.

But now...

I walked outside this morning, in the crisp October air, and the weight on my shoulders is gone. The tension, released.

So this is how Yankees fans have felt 26 times. Nice. I like it.

Last night, I got to live a dream. I watched one of my teams—MY teams—win a championship.

I woke the kids, just as my father did for me in 1980. I brought my 4-year-old daughter down in the bottom of the eighth. My one-year-old son I fetched at the start of the ninth.

C.J. was none too pleased to be woken up. Sorry, sweetie. You'll thank me later.

Sean clung to my shoulder for a little while as he slowly regained consciousness. He didn't really appreciate what was going on, but he saw that Daddy was happy. And figured he should be, too.

They then both went to my wife, C.J. still pretty out of it. Sean, tired but smiling broadly. Something good was going on.

My neighbor and friend joined us, although I warned him going in that if it looked bad, I was throwing him out.

There we were, three outs to go.

Then two.

Then one.

There I sat at the edge of my seat, disbelief in my eyes, hands to my face in an attempt prevent hyperventilation. Even as I write this, my pulse quickens and fingers still tingle.

And then... something wicked this way comes. The eloquent line from Shakespeare's Macbeth, now the perfect description of the brutal slider delivered by the Phillies' Brad Lidge. The same wicked slider that Lidge relied on all season long, buries itself deep into Carlos Ruiz's glove.

Perfection.

Lidge was perfect all season, going 47-for-47 in save opportunities. The Phillies were perfect at home in this postseason, 7-for-7.

And the scene that ensued was the perfect ending for this wild ride that this team—and this town—has been on.

Forever burned into our collective memories now is the sight of Lidge falling to his knees, met by Ruiz, and then bulldozed to the ground by Ryan Howard.

It joins the ranks of our beloved Tug McGraw striking out Willie Wilson, leaping in the air, then hosting Mike Schmidt in the air in celebration.

And there on the screen it unfolded. Together with my children, WE celebrated.

Tomorrow is Halloween, and there will be parade down Broad Street. But the typical costumes reserved for Philly parades won't be feathers sported by Mummers. Instead, those riding the floats will be wearing shirts that read, "2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies."

And they won't be pretending to be champions. They are champions.

Finally.

My father and brother will be there. But my place is with my kids, patrolling the neighborhood here in Tennessee, wearing our own costumes, and saying, "Trick or Treat."

It pains me to miss the party, but I got my treat last night.

A Musical Tribute to the Phillies' Plight

Jim Mc — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:31:54 -0400

Set to the tune of “The Unicorn Song”:

A long time ago,
Where the field was green,
The Commissioner did something
That had never been seen.
He suspended the World Series
‘Cause the skies were pourin’
And incurred Philly’s wrath and scorn.

And there were green Phan-atics
And some long neck beers,
Lumpy wet infields
That solicited jeers.
Fans sat with hats and all of that
To try to stay warm.
When the tarp came out,
They left forlorn.

Now Cole was pitching,
Phillies fans felt swell.
They could win the series?
It must be cold in hell.
But in the sixth inning
The score got tied.
The game was called—
Did Philly’s dream just die?

And there were green Phan-atics
And some long neck beers,
Lumpy wet infields
That solicited jeers.
Fans sat with hats and all of that
To try to stay warm.
When the tarp came out
They left forlorn.

Bud Selig was there
To answer the call,
“It was to rain all night,
Why try to play at all?”
The Commish stood up
And said the teams, they’d want to play.
And that game is still suspended
To this very day.

And there were green Phan-atics
And some long neck beers,
Lumpy wet infields
That solicited jeers.
Fans sat with hats and all of that
To try to stay warm.
But when the tarp came out,
They left forlorn.

Suspended (Dis)Belief: Why Bud Selig Is Bad for Baseball

Jim Mc — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:54:08 -0400

Once again, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is changing the rules on the fly.

Game Five of the World Series is currently suspended, tied at 2-2 in the middle of the sixth inning because of rain.

It never should have started.

The story that the league is spinning is that on Saturday, before Game Four on Saturday, Selig met with both the Phillies and Rays and agreed that the game had to go a minimum of nine innings. After a 90-minute rain delay, the Phillies came out and won 10-2 to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

I agree that you don't want a Series game ending early, particularly if the teams end up sitting in the locker room for hours trying to wait out a delay, and then having the anti-climactic, "oh, well. Guess you won. Pop the champagne."

That being said, why did we not know this?

Why did Joe Buck say on the Fox broadcast Monday night after the top of the fifth inning, "this game's official"?

Why did the Rays players think they needed to score in the top of the sixth to extend their season with a lengthy rain delay looming as puddles began forming on the Citizens Bank Park infield?

Did they REALLY have that conversation on Saturday?

If the plan was always to finish nine innings, why not suspend the game after five? It was already pretty wet.

Better yet, why even start the game?

Yes, the forecast for Tuesday was bad. Yes, CBP was engineered to handle light rain very well, and it held up pretty well until the precipitation got heavier. But league officials saw the radar. They knew there were no breaks in the rain. It could only get heavier.

Now, Mother Nature gets to do something the Rays could not: chase Cole Hamels from the game. The Phillies' ace is due to bat in the bottom of the sixth, and there is no way Hamels goes back out there once the game resumes. So the Phillies will also have to burn a pinch hitter, too.

The only good thing for Hamels is that he is still he pitcher of record, so should the Phillies be able to score a run in their first at-bat when the game resumes, Hamels could still pick up his fifth win of this postseason.

Had the league looked at the forecast and the radar, seeing that it was already raining and would rain for two days, they should have just postponed last night's action and let both teams go at it in superior conditions with their starting pitchers.

What if the rain got heavy in the second inning or third? Would the game have been suspended? Or would they start over? Either way, both Hamels and Kasmir would have been wasted.

Now, you have a three-and-a-half inning elimination game, most likely featuring both teams' bullpens. A match-up, as a Phillies fan, that I'll take—but I would rather have had Hamels go as long as he could.

This is just another example of Emperor Selig changing the rules when he feels like it.

Remember the 2002 All-Star game? It was Selig that decided the game should end in a tie, as both sides had used up their pitchers. And it was that decision that led to the next controversial decision: that the league that won the All-Star Game would get home field in the Series.

There's a reason that this is the first-ever suspended World Series game: baseball's rules never allowed for suspended games before 2007. Baseball games are "official" after five and a half innings, but I think we all agree we don't want playoff games ending early. If the league didn't think it could get nine in, they should not have played. Period.

But now, with Emperor Selig's decision, what we have is last night's Game Five ending as a tie (par for the course with Selig), and the two teams playing a shortened Game 5.5 tonight (or tomorrow), with the Phillies getting an extra at-bat.

And Fox gets an extra night of baseball.

It's never easy in Philadelphia. Phillies fans have been waiting 28 years. We can wait another night or two. But the way Hamels has pitched this postseason, he deserved the chance to pitch a complete game.

That can't happen now.

Selig saw to that.