Bleacher Report - Articles by John Gehan

An Open Letter to Roy Halladay

John Gehan — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:18:45 -0400

"Doc" Halladay,

I think your name has been in the paper in Philadelphia more than Andy Reid and his sons or Michael Jackson and blanket. We are looking for Christmas in July here in the city of brotherly love...you can offer us that Halladay.

Here are lucky seven reasons to move to Philadelphia.

1. You play baseball...in Canada, am I missing something?

2. We are the world champs and you are consistently one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. What a fit...done deal.

3. Your mascot is a peaceful Blue Jay. Our's is the best mascot in the MLB (hey, you can't argue with ESPN) even though I don't know what the Phanatic is.

4. Cole Hamels needs a wake up call. Grab the buzzer, cut those girly locks and get him a voice changer...then we will worry about pitching.

5. With you, and some good work from the front office, the Phillies can actually become a dynasty. Now don't call me crazy for this, but three World Series in a row is a dynasty in my eyes and if they can keep the core, your signed through 2010.

6. Now imagine—"dream sequence"—you dig in at Citizen's Bank Park in front of 40,000 screaming, drunk, passionate fans who want you here.

7. I want to hear Charlie Manuel call you Doc Halladay...I don't know why.

If you don't come, we'll throw batteries at you during the next inter-league play set. I also heard tonight that you had a deal in the works to go to the Mets, but they turned it down. Do you realize the sh*t storm that would come down on you if you went to the Mets? What's up Doc?!

Welcome to Philadelphia! (knock on wood)

Sincerely yours,

The City of Brotherly Love

The Seven Ugliest People In Professional Sports

John Gehan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:51 -0400

We all have something in common on this site. We all love sports. Sports bring together black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and everyone in between. Sports bring together some of the most talented, gifted, amazing players to ever grace a field, court, or sheet of ice. This article isn't about the David Beckhams or Derek Jeters of the sports world. I am paying tribute to the Ugly side of professional sports...the side shielded from media scrutiny...haha!

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An Open Letter to Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren

John Gehan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:20:36 -0400

Hello Paul,

In the spirit of the "Saw Saga..."

I want to play a game...

The game is called hockey, and the point of the game is to put a black disk into the opposing team's net.

Now that we got that out of the way, what did you go and do?

I know the value of the player we would have got at No. 21 wouldn't have been NHL ready, but come on. As the draft unfolded, I was left scratching my head.

You traded Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and two—count 'em, TWO—first-round draft picks. You might have been able to package all of that and trade up for an NHL-ready, 20-year-old defenseman in this draft.

Instead, we dump salary to pick up a more hefty salary for a 34-year-old proven defenseman, who by the way, we can't really afford...even AFTER dumping two contracts.

I can't be the only one who feels this way, Paul.

This, coupled with the recent signing of headcase Ray Emery and maybe you know something I don't, (which is very possible) but this looks like one of the worst off-seasons in recent memory.

Sure, Pronger adds veteran leadership, but you gave up a pretty good player in Lupul and a young up-and-coming (if not already here) defenseman in Sbisa.

So now we sit...in salary cap deficit with a 34-year-old overrated defenseman, an average goalie (which doesn't surprise me from the Flyers), and zero first round picks in this year and next years' draft...oh boy.

Hey Paul, hows that rump feel? Anaheim caught you with your pants down. How's that Mighty D(*muffled*) feel?

Signing off,

A disgruntled Flyers' fan

MLB On FOX: Where Have All the Quality Broadcasters Gone?

John Gehan — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:24:52 -0400

I always used to remember, when the Phillies played on a national stage, it was a big event. Any team that gets a nationally (or partially nationally) televised game, their fans look to it as a little bigger than a local station telecast.

That being said, Eric Karros and Dick Stockton announced today's Phillies-Dodgers game. Not only was it the worst and most awkward broadcast I have ever watched, they couldn't even do the simple tasks of being an announcer.

I counted 13 different times where they carelessly announced the wrong pitch count. Three times, they mispronounced names. At one point they announced Greg Dobbs as Glen Dobbs.

Now, I'm not saying I could do a better job, but come on. MLB on FOX has to have their pick of the cream of the crop...right?

Not just any former player should be allowed to throw on a headset and sound like a bumbling idiot...we'll leave that for John Madden.

This was a game between the two best teams in the major leagues, a re-match of the NLCS...am I crazy to ask for less awkward telecast? Ninety percent of the time they read directly off the screen—sometimes even incorrectly, with breaks and pauses.

Karros paused halfway through every sentence and repeated the same stats throughout. Is this Fox's fault, careless broadcasting, or are we having a shortage of quality broadcasters?

At one point in the game Chris Rose said, "I'm here if you need me" to the two stooges in the booth. I was sitting in my living room yelling, "please Chris Rose, save them, PLEASE!"

This was the first game I actually wanted to shut off in the 10th inning—even in a tied ball game—that shouldn't happen.

I think this is the first time I wished Erin Andrews would come in the booth and steal one of the two's headsets.

NFL Storylines to Watch for In 2009

John Gehan — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:28:39 -0400

This off season has had more storylines than one episode of The Hills. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out from coast to coast. I can't remember an off season with more drama, we are all in for it this year...I just want to watch some football. Well here they are, this is what you should be watching for this season.

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An Open Letter to Chan Ho Park

John Gehan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:46:27 -0400

Mr. Park,

Why do you not fit in anywhere?

You agreed to come here because the Phillies' front office said they would insert you into a starters' role. I was excited to have a decent pitcher (or so I thought) inserted into the fourth or fifth starter spot.

Boy, was I wrong. You came into a game where a 23-year-old rookie pitched a gem. You took over in the seventh inning with a cozy 10-1 lead. Sure, you didn't lose, but you gave up four runs on four hits and two walks.

Your stats are uglier than Tyrone Hill.

Where do you fit?

You failed as a starter, and now you have failed in the bullpen—even in the blowout spot. I am going to start calling you Wayne Gomes; all you need to do is sweat bullets when they call you in, and you'd be a spitting image (almost).

When you pitch, we should call you Chan Go Park, because you are an instant offense for any opponent.

When you enter the gates at Citizens Bank Park, they should tell you Chan No Park, and tell you to pay the $15 parking fee that the fans "painfully" pay.

Sincerely Yours,

The City of Brotherly Love

Playoffs?! We Talkin' About Playoffs?!

John Gehan — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:20:51 -0400

Boy oh boy, this years' NBA and NHL playoffs have been nothing short of amazing. They have been entertaining from Game One, first round. This was the perfect storm of young talent, great match-ups, and storylines that George Lucas couldn't draw up...and it's not over. If you been under a rock for the past month, here's what you missed.

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Raul Ibanez: Pat Who?

John Gehan — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:41:35 -0400

When Pat Burrell left the Phillies for the Rays, I thought we were in trouble. Get rid of the right batting Burrell to had the left batting Ibanez? I didn't understand considering Burrell was an above average fielder and his bat was always a great addition—when he wanted to hit.

When I saw the Phillies sign Raul Ibanez to a three-year deal worth $30 million, I was baffled. I mean, sure, he was an average left fielder with slightly above average numbers, but Burrell was the longest tenured Phillie. Pat Burrell is three years younger and equal or better in all categories—besides speed.

Boy, was I wrong.

This guy is a stud. As of today Ibanez leads the NL in RBI with 41. He is tied for the HR lead with San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez, at 16. He is first in the league in OPS over second place Albert Pujols. He is first in the NL in SLG percentage at .737. At a .353, he is fifth in the league in batting average.

When I started to see Ibanez shine, I shrugged it off. I said, "eh he'll come back to earth." But the 36 year New York native just keeps proving me wrong. Maybe the organization knew something the rest of us didn't when they signed him.

Maybe I should have seen it earlier. He is an upgrade on the base paths—being much speedier than Pat Burrell. He is a formidable fielder and his bat has been nothing short of amazing.

At first, I was sad to see "Pat the Bat" go, but now I wish him luck because we have added a new star to an already stacked line up—"I-bat-nez."

If Ibanez continues his brilliance at the plate, and everyone else plays the way we know they can, we are going to be tough to beat—even with one of the worst average ERA in baseball.

By the way, congrats to Brett Myers for pitching a strong eight innings against the Yankees last night. It is nice to finally see someone other than Cole Hamels have success like that.

Are Dogs Looking for Revenge On the NFL? (Humor)

John Gehan — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:42:19 -0400

News out of Pittsburgh is that one of James Harrison's three dogs got out and attacked his young son. His pit bull was was feared by neighbors, as it had bitten someone at an earlier date.

Joey Porter got into some dog trouble as well, when two of his dogs got loose and killed a miniature horse on a nearby farm. This lead to some animal licensing problems for Porter.

In 2008 Steve Foley, a former NFL linebacker, had felony charges brought against him when his pit bull attacked a lady and killed her small dog.

These three scenarios bring up just one conclusion: Michael Vick is the cause of all this, and maybe global warming—but that's for another time.

If Vick hadn't held up these dog vigilantes' distant cousins in cages and forced them to fight, none of this would have happened.

Pit bulls now hate NFL players. Hey, I'm only speaking statistically. The numbers don't lie.

As soon as the OPBA (obviously meaning the Organization of Pit Bulls Anonymous) caught wind of what was going on in Virginia, they had to act fast.

The pit bulls organized strategic attacks all over the country—they even released an Osama-esque tape.

Pittzbullah has claimed responsibility for the most recent attack in Pittsburgh.

Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, had this to say about the incident:

"I own a few pit bulls myself and a couple doggie treadmills. It doesn't make me a criminal, does it?"

I am going to stay away from pit bulls if Vick gets reinstated...you should too.

* This is obviously satirical (with fake quotes and fake organizations). My get well wishes go out to Harrison's son.

Five Reasons the NFC East Is the Best Division In Football

John Gehan — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:19:53 -0400

The Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Washington Redskins, all of the prior mentioned are storied franchises. All of which are members of the best division in football, year in and year out.

Sure I hate the Cowboys, sure I hate the Giants, sure I hate the Redskins...I'm an Eagles' fan first, but when it comes to football, I am a fan of the NFC East.

Here are the top five reasons the NFC East is the best division in the NFL:

1. Rivalries

You would be hard pressed to find a division where each individual fan base shows such hatred toward each other. Sure rivalries exist in all divisions, but every single divisional game is a battle. Bruised and battered is the only way to describe each and every player that comes out of an NFC East divisional game.

2. Fans

You can say what you want about me being a homer, but Eagles' fans love their team about as much as their first born son—sometimes more. The Cowboys' fan base has an un-matched passion and are scattered throughout the country.

Redskins' fans wear pig noses to the games and, no matter their physique, go shirtless. Giants' fans—who I tend to hate the most, probably because they are in such close proximity and remind me of Mets' fans—are as obnoxious as they come (not to knock that, it's football).

3. Photo Finish

In the past three years, three different NFC East teams have won the division. The Redskins are the only team that hasn't, but have challenged for it every year. It's nice when you have something to watch for game after game.

You never seem to fully know who is going to win it until week 17, which makes watching football even more intriguing. I'm not going to say I wouldn't enjoy running away with the division every year, but competition breeds champions.

4. Non-conference schedule

This may seem crazy to some, but if I'm watching a game being played by an NFC East team against a non NFC team, I tend to root for my division. I love to be known as the toughest division in football.

Every team is battle tested. I love when teams like the Colts, Pats, and Steelers come into a game against an NFC East opponent and come out with five injured players and scars from batteries being thrown from the 400 level (haha, only Philadelphia sports fans know this).

5. Success

The NFC East has 19 Super Bowl appearances winning 11 of them—the highest mark of any division in the NFL. Need I say more?

Man, do I love football and man do I love the NFC East. This is an Eagles fan—kinda—paying tribute to the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys as well...go figure.

Fly Eagles Fly!

The Philadelphia Eagles' Top 10 Players for 2009-10 Success

John Gehan — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:32:14 -0400

With mini-camps soon turning into training camp, it's time to start thinking football. The Philadelphia Eagles are a revamped bunch, to say the least. With an off-season that saw the loss of Brian Dawkins, an upgrade of the offensive line, and McNabb receiving his much desired offensive weapons via the draft, there is a lot to get excited about in the city of Philadelphia this year. Here is my list of the top ten players to the Eagles' success for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.

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Is Hitting Becoming a Lost Art In MLB?

John Gehan — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:07:49 -0400

In this day and age, more and more teams seem to live and die by the home run.

Speedy guys will always bunt and turn singles into doubles—which is exciting don't get me wrong—but the actual art of hitting seems like it has been lost in the ever-changing game of baseball.

Guys like Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, and Babe Ruth all had a gift. They were hitters who were masters of their craft. The question is, are we losing that craft?

We all know the game of baseball has changed in recent history, and if you haven't noticed that, then you’re in denial. I am 21 years old and in my lifetime the game has already changed immensely.

Everyone loves seeing homerun after homerun. Especially with guys like Ryan Howard and Evan Longoria walking up to the plate with one thing in mind—hitting the ball as hard as they possibly can.

However, hitting for a career batting average over .300 is as rare as an inside the park home run these days.

In fact, only a measly two active players are in the top 25 in career batting average (with at least 5000 at bats) and they only rank 23 and 25.

What is even more telling is that there are only three active players in the top 50!

23. Ichiro Suzuki: .330

25. Todd Helton: .329

36. Vladimir Guerrero: .322

The guy who tops the all-time list is none other than Ty Cobb, who batted an amazing .367 in his 23 year MLB career. Imagine a guy keeping up an average that high for 23 years...I can't even wrap my mind around it!

Am I the only person who feels cheated? I feel cheated out of seeing actual skilled batsmen. I feel cheated in that the only records being broken are by guys who seem to have the advantage of steroids. I feel cheated that home run records seem to be broken more than wooden bats, but hitting for average seems to be lost in the translation of the "new MLB."

Are we losing America's favorite past time to the glitz and glamour of the long ball?

Are kids being taught the wrong fundamentals?

Are the pitchers that much better?

Well, I'll give you a quick answer to that question. No!

There is zero; I repeat zero active pitchers in the top 50 in career ERA.

Albert Pujols, however, has less than 300 at bats until he can be considered eligible for this elite list. Currently, he is batting .334 for his career, which would put him at the top of the list for active players and tied for 14th...all time.

Hopefully the young potential of the MLB can take a page out of Pujols' book, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

An Open Letter to Donovan McNabb

John Gehan — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:48:37 -0400

Hello Donovan,

On April 17, 1999, you were chosen No. 2 by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles' fans in attendance booed the pick—they wanted a ganja smoking running back from Texas.

Needless to say, you still get booed occasionally in Philadelphia, but you have to remember, we boo Santa Claus...and throw snowballs at him.

We don't boo because we hate you.

We boo because we love you.

Yeah, that is a little backwards, but if we knew you didn't have potential—with the right players—we wouldn't bother.

We Philadelphia fans have been through a lot.

For the better part of 20 years, Philadelphia has seen its ups and downs (the ups, inevitably ending in downs). This kind of stuff really wears on us. When a city falls head over heels for a team—not unlike a girlfriend—the aftermath of a break-up (or in this case, a devastating lose) can bring on some major trust issues.

Donovan, you have been to the NFC Championship five times, taking us to one Super Bowl. Despite the critics, who love to make Philadelphia look like Bud Selig in the wake of Manny Ramirez testing positive for a female fertility drug, we know you're a great football player.

With your newly added weapons, we true Philadelphians know you can take us to the promise land.

You have been asking for some offensive fire power and were given it (albeit young). You have a wonderful cast in front of you, which means you should spend less time on your back and more time being able to look down field.

Brian Dawkins in gone, and this is your year to lead your team to victory.

We believe in you!

When you take Jeremy Maclin out to dinner for catching that fastball over the middle and turning it into a Super Bowl birth, remember this letter.

When LeSean McCoy catches that screen pass and takes it to the house for a Super Bowl victory, remember this letter.

When you're driving down Broad Street with that signature smile, blinded by confetti...remember this letter and look around—the boos have subsided.

P.S. Donovan, please don't take female fertility drugs. Also, when you say you're going to retire, stay retired!

Yours Truly,

The City of Brotherly Love

Phillies—Mets: "What Was He Thinking?" Second Edition

John Gehan — Wed, 06 May 2009 21:31:54 -0400

Talk about breaking news, I started writing this as the play happened.

Through the seventh inning of the Phillies and Mets game at CitiField tonight, Chan Ho Park pitched a beautiful game. He blanked the Mets through six innings—matching, in my opinion, the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana.

The tide turned during the seventh inning when Fernando Tatis tipped a broken-bat dribbler toward Pedro Feliz. Instead of holding the ball—because he obviously wasn't going to be able to get the speedy Tatis—he threw a dreadful ball toward first base, little league-esque. At this point, Jason Werth hesitated twice and finally threw toward home as Carlos Delgado beat out what should have been a sure out.

This was the Phillies' third error of the night—pretty bad for the best defensive team in baseball (in terms of errors committed).

This is, arguably, the biggest series of the season thus far and you just came off of a sweep of, arguably, the best team in baseball in the Cardinals. What is there not to get up for?

Does anyone else think we need a better third baseman? Why does everyone think Pedro Feliz is the "second coming" defensively? Also...why did Charlie take out Park, there were two outs and a man on second, against Santana...mistake. I expect to get some some flack for this article, but this is how I vent!

Merrill Reese: the Voice of Philadelphia

John Gehan — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:01:28 -0400

“It's Gooooood! It’s Gooooood!” Eagles’s fans know the pretty basic, famous quote of this man of men very well.

If any Eagles’ fan tells you they don’t love Merrill Reese, they are lying. His fairly monotone, very recognizable voice can be heard calling the plays of every Eagle’s game since 1977—that’s 10 years before I was even born.

Wow.

It is an undeniable fact that he is the voice of the Philadelphia Eagles and along with the late Harry Kalas, the voice of the “City of Brotherly Love.”

I can remember from an early age muting every week’s Eagles game and putting on 94.1 WYSP just hear him call the game. It is the voice that chills are made of. The way Merrill paints a picture of the action is mind blowing. Whether it is a game winning field goal or a rush of three yards up the middle, you always feel like you are “under center” with Merrill.

Even though it is a fairly new call, Merrill’s call of the 102-yard interception return by Lito Sheppard will be stuck in my head forever. “Intercepted! Intercepted! Running down the left sideline…the 50…40…30…20…10…Lito Sheppard, running with the football…and he dives into the end zone! He dives into the end zone!”

Merrill is a hometown product, born September 2, 1942 in Philadelphia. He got his degree in communications from Temple University, right in the heart of the city. After bouncing around from gig to gig, Merrill worked as a backup for WIP’s Charlie Smith. From there he worked his way up and finally, was assigned the color commentary job for Eagle’s games.

Ever since he was a kid, it was his dream to call Philadelphia Eagles’ games. He is now living his dream and has done so for over three decades, as is chronicled in his book “It’s Gooooood,” published in 1998.

On May 15, 2005, Merrill Reese was given the Broadcaster of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters

Going into his 32^nd year, he is tied for the longest-serving current announcer in the NFL with Gil Santos, the voice of the New England Patriots.

Philadelphia Flyers Rant: Five Suggestions

John Gehan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:18:01 -0400

I know, I know...another Philadelphia fan jumping the bandwagon on his team. Actually, no!

Tonight the Philadelphia Flyers lost a game to a team that is INFERIOR! I don't care what anyone says, this team is below us! Every single bounce went the way of the Penguins. I swear, I hope, and hope...and hope, that things will change, that maybe the Phillies winning a World Series could end my Flyers' misery.

This is the same team I have been watching since I was too young to understand the game.

I have five suggestions for the Flyers (the team that I love and will never give up on):

1. Please, please, please, when you are scored on—at home, if ever—do not forget how to play hockey. Forgetting how to run a break-out and forgetting that you have an extra man on a power play is pivotal.

2. When shooting a puck on net, Fleury is going to save a puck shot directly at his chest. Let's be real here: Marc Andre Fleury is a decent goalie who saved 44 of 45 shots—40 of which were directly in the bread basket. Flyer-esque, we make good goalies look like gods.

3. The laws of physics are completely against us and hope might be on the brink of lost-ville. I am not giving up on my team, down 3-1, but when you hit 10 posts in four games, some inexplicable power is in control. I have NEVER seen more bounces go the way of a team than I have for the Penguins. Maybe Gary Bettman has a "Space Jam" remote.

4. This just in, when you hit...you win games. Why do you have to score to learn how to take the body? Comparisons to the "Broadstreet Bullies," um...no. I would compare the Flyers—when down—to the Care Bears.

5. Some more breaking news...this just in to Disgruntled Fan Central: I am in State College, PA and am cheering my ass off for these guys—and I live with two Penguins fans, so it's battle-tested. Why the hell (pardon my Russian) can't you fans get into a game? Don't you realize that your team needs you to be loud and a 2-0 lead is child's play for this high-powered offense? I am over here pulling my hair out and you're paying $200 a seat to disgrace my city...wow!

Three things I hate to say:

I hate to sound like I'm bashing my "Bromance Crush," but come on, this is getting a little ridiculous.

I hate to say that this series is over.

BUT I hate to say that I will never give up on this team. I picked them to challenge for the cup this year because they have a great team...I just don't get it.

P.S. I don't care if he scored, PLEASE take Daniel Carcillo off the roster! Either that, or dress every goon we have and give up...at least that will put half the Penguin's squad in body casts—not that it will do much for us, like usual. The Broadstreet Bullies found a way to win—they weren't just goons.

Philadelphia Flyers: Why This Year Is the Year

John Gehan — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:58:07 -0400

Even though it doesn’t seem like it, we Philadelphia Flyers fans are lucky. We have a squad that seems to make the playoffs year-in and year-out.

But we're disappointed, because while we play consistently good hockey, we come up short of the ultimate success.

Every year our city wants to relive the glory days of the "Broad Street Bullies." The 1970s gave us immortal figures like Dave Shultz, Rick MacLeish, Bill Barber, and Bernie Parent, along with consecutive Stanley Cups. We want to remember what that dominance was like, but we can't quite get there.

But you know what? These '09 Flyers are a special bunch, to say the least. Could they be the ones to bring the feeling rushing back?

This Philadelphia team has the perfect balance of grit and skill, size and agility, and experience and hunger. Of all my years watching the Flyers, this year looks the most promising.

For one thing, the depth of this team is amazing. Six players—and counting—have topped the 20-goal mark.

Rising stars like Jeff Carter and Mike Richards lead their team into battle each night.

Just take a look at Richards: This 5'11", 195-pound general doesn’t back down from anyone. He is one of the grittiest skilled players I have ever witnessed play the game of hockey. He is first on the team in assists (with 46,) and that is the reason he wears the "C."

But every general needs his soldiers.

Well, players like Arron Asham, Dan Carcillo (thanks, Phoenix,) and Riley Cote provide just that.

Jeff "Pretty Boy" Carter goes on the ice "mesh-bound" every night. Every team needs a diva, and the Flyers most certainly have theirs. Not to discredit Jeff, he will lay into the biggest bodies in the league, but he would rather poetically and gracefully create nightmares for opposing goalies.

Gagne, Hartnell, Knuble...as you go down the list, it is hard to find a weak spot.

Yeah, go ahead, say "goaltending," but Marty has been standing on his head, literally!

As for the postseason, I don’t see a team we cannot completely and utterly demolish if we play the way I know we can.

Yes, every time a Flyers fan hears "Devils," they don’t think of "south of heaven," they think of the group south of New York. New Jersey has always been a nemesis of our Philly club, especially in the '90s.

But mark my words: The Flyers will beat the Devils in five games, no matter what round.

What about Washington, Pittsburgh, Boston, etc.?

Out of that bunch, I worry only the tiniest bit about the Caps. But Ovechkin can pull his T.O. celebrations all he wants. He can score 50, 60, or 100 goals, for all I care.

Come playoff time, the Flyers will prevail.

We'll be having a parade down Broad Street in the next couple of months. I mean, we gotta use up the leftovers from the Phillies' celebration, right?

Phillies—Mets: Rivalry Report

John Gehan — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:22:00 -0400

The smell of spring is in the air and most sports fans are starting to think baseball. In the city of brotherly love, the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans are just starting to wake up from that World Series hangover. About 110 miles northeast of Philadelphia, the New York Mets are trying prepare for the season that lies ahead.

What has been said to be the second best rivalry in baseball, the Mets- Phillies rivalry, past and present, has created some bad blood between these neighboring cities of the east. The teams have played 797 games thus far.

The first meeting between these two bitter rivals was in 1962; it was the Mets inaugural season, a season where they lost 120 games (the most of any team in the 20^th century). The Phillies finished a respectable 81-80 that year, which was a huge improvement on the year before, when they lost 107 games.

Although bad blood existed, the years that followed did not lend themselves to a rivalry. With both teams having successes at different times, it was hard for tenure of competition to arise.

- In 1969 the Mets won the World Series while the Phillies found themselves in fifth place in the NL East.

- In 1973 the Mets won the National League pennant while the Phillies finished last in the NL East.

- 1976-1978 the Phillies made three strait playoff appearances and one trip to the NLCS while the Mets hovered with mediocrity.

- In 1980 the Phillies won their first World Series while the Mets finished last in the NL East.

- In 1986 the Mets won their second World Series while the Phillies finished second in the NL East. This season was a precursor for things to come.

- In 1993 the Phillies won the pennant and the Mets had the worst record in the league.

Finally in 2006, both teams started to compete. The Mets led the NL East for almost the entire season. The Phillies looked poised to make a run at a wild card bid when their hopes were smashed on the 161^st game of the season. The young potential of the Phillies shined through Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. Something special was brewing in South Philadelphia.

In 2007, the Phillies made a legitimate run at the Playoffs late in the season. With 17 games to play, the Mets led the Phillies by seven games in the NL East, despite the fact that the Phillies swept three series with the Mets that year. The Phillies caught fire and shocked the baseball world, winning the NL East in the last week of the season.

In 2008, the Mets led the NL East going into the last month of the season. With teams flip flopping control of the top spot; it would take the final few games for the Phillies to secure the division. Meanwhile the Mets lost their season finale to miss the playoffs for a second strait year.

The Phillies went on to win the 2008 World Series, their first championship since 1980 and the city’s first championship since 1983.

Two consecutive collapses by the Mets have made this rivalry that much more bitter.

Look Ahead: 2009 Rivalry Preview

This upcoming season has the 2008 Champion, Philadelphia Phillies, coming back strong as ever. Replacing the long-time Phillie, Pat Burrell with left fielder Ramon Ibanez. The addition of Chan Ho Park, who could possibly take the fifth rotation spot from Kyle Kendrick, is a great improvement. Other than a few minor tweaks, the Phillies will keep the nucleus in tact.

For the Mets, they keep their star power and address their real woe, the bullpen. The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz to bolster their bullpen a little. The starting rotation looks really solid, headed by All-Star Johan Santana. This is a team that is much improved and has the ability to score runs in a hurry. I look for this rivalry to continue for many years to come.

While the verbal battle from years past continues into the 2009-2010 campaign, there is only one way to solve it. Lets play ball!

NHL Trade Deadline: Tribute to the Die Hards

John Gehan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:55:42 -0500

What a day, what a day. For a hockey fan, the trade deadline is a holiday of sorts. With media adapting to the demand for more coverage, text message updates, live feeds from around the country, and updating trade tickers, the trade deadline is a circus like no other.

Whether your team is last in the conference or first in your heart, as the deadline approaches, all fans hold their collective breath. All the talk, from the past weeks, speculating who is available and who isn’t, culminates into a day of actual wheeling and dealing.

As 3 p.m. approaches, it becomes more evident which teams are revamping and which ones are staying put, or does it?

Oh, sure you have a job, school, kids, a wife, but all that can wait.

You can yell at your phone, computer, or television all you want, it isn’t going to make Florida give up Jay Bouwmeester. You can show some emotion when a rival team gets the guy that you were hoping to land. You can swear to the high heavens; if your club doesn’t do what they need to you’ll stop watching, but we all know you won’t.

The hockey fan is an amazing creature, usually hostile, but utterly amazing. Loyal to the team who adorns his sweater, he will put off basic human needs to watch Barry Melrose and his mullet.

This article is dedicated to all the die hard NHL fans who haven’t taken a shower since yesterday. It’s 7 p.m., it’s finally safe to go outside!

Five Reasons Not To Watch The NFL Draft

John Gehan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:14:09 -0500

I love football as much as any guy, probably more. Staying in on the first day of the NFL draft, ordering pizza and drinking a few beers, is my normal routine.

Why do we watch the draft? Is it an excuse to watch anything football-related? Is it an outside chance that your team drafts the next Tom Brady? No, most people watch the draft for the simple fact that it’s the “draft” and it’s been beaten in our heads with a big media mallet to do so.

Here are my top five reasons to skip the NFL draft:

The Detroit Lions

Arguably the best player in the draft is Michael Crabtree, a hobbled WR who will be an absolute stud in the NFL. We all know how the Lions lick their chops when wide receivers are available. If the Lions choose Michael Crabtree, Lions fans should drive to owner William Clay Ford’s house and burn it down (that is to say he actually lives in Detroit, which is doubtful).

It's too long

The NFL draft is the most drawn-out event in the history of sports, period. Teams are given too much time to consider something that should have been decided in the six months that preceded it. If a team (*cough* Vikings) can’t make a choice in six months and fifteen minutes, that front office deserves a swift kick.

They're too young

With 46 underclassmen entering this year’s draft, I have to ask what they are thinking. Get your degree, because if football ends up not working out, what are you going to do? Teach physical education? You have a long shot at starting within the next five years anyway; develop your game and your mind!

Draft commentators

If I have to hear one more prediction gone wrong, I may go crazy. If I have to hear Cris Carter, Suzy Kolber, or Trent Dilfer give their expert analysis, I might need therapy. The only person that has any valid opinion is Mike Golic, as his insight is usually intelligent and relevant.

The combine

I absolutely hate the fact that the media pumps up the whole event. Combine results and top prospects mean nothing.

I’m not saying to totally boycott the NFL draft this year. What I’m saying is, while your watching and drinking that beer, read the label, it’s probably more intriguing.

Mike Richards Named NHL's First Star of the Week

John Gehan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:58:36 -0500

Say what you want about the Philadelphia Flyers and their inconsistency. Captain Mike Richards is a bonafide star, and has been the most consistent player all year for the Flyers.

On Monday, Feb. 23, the NHL named Mike Richards their first star of the week for this past week, which ended on a disappointing Flyers loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon.

Mike Richards has been on a tear for the past month.

Since Jan. 16, Richards has recorded 21 points, including a record night against the Buffalo Sabres, when he scored twice and had three assists in the 6-3 win.

Richards set an new NHL record by scoring his third career 3-on-5 goal, sparking a rout of the New York Rangers last Sunday.

Since Jan. 16 Richards has made everyone around him better. Linemate Mike Knuble has enjoyed Richard’s selfless play over the past month, recording ten points of his own.

Richards is on pace for well over 90 points this year. At this point it seems as if the sky is the limit for Richards.

Flyers—Penguins: "What Was He Thinking?" First Edition

John Gehan — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:47:23 -0500

Welcome to my first edition of "What Was He Thinking?"

I'll be your host, a disgruntled Philadelphia Flyers fan.

On Saturday afternoon, two cross-state rivals went head-to-head in a "slobber-knocker" of sorts. The Pittsburgh Penguins came into Philadelphia and played a hell of a game. But after tying the game up on a beautiful "tick-tack-toe" goal by Braydon Coburn, it looked like the Flyers would force an overtime thriller.

Little did we know, Martin Biron, the "veteran" goaltender and former Buffalo Sabre, would make one of the most idiotic plays of the year.

Sliding out past the circles in an attempt to stop an oncoming rush, he dropped the puck in front of the waiting blade of Penguin LW Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis slapped the puck toward the empty net and it was eventually tipped in by Sidney Crosby for the game-winning goal.

All the while, the Flyers goalie was closer to the blue line than the net, staring into space.

Biron looked out of position all game. I know the Flyers are looking for a No. 1 goaltender, and he can’t come soon enough.

The Top Six Reasons Why We Love March Madness Oh So Much

John Gehan — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:01:22 -0500

I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t watch a whole lot of college basketball. Being a student at Penn State, football is undoubtedly religion, but there is just something about the month of March.Maybe it’s the hour-long final minute of every game (or so it seems). Maybe it’s the thrill of the buzzer-beating shot, which turns no name college students into legends.Or maybe, just maybe, we actually enjoy watching college basketball when it, for a change, actually means something.

So far, through 14 weeks, I have watched the No. 1 spot in the AP poll change hands five times. I can honestly sit here and say that no team in college basketball is safe. We have a team, UConn, who could go into the tournament as a No. 1 seed and be easily knocked off by a No. 16 seed (my apologies to Huskies fans). Penn State could possibly sneak in, and if they play the way they did against Michigan State, we may be celebrating a Final Four in State College, PA.

So, here I sit, staring at my computer, trying to think just why we love the NCAA tournament so much. After much thought and consideration, I have come up with the top six reasons why we adore March Madness.

1. Office pools

I’m sure we have all done at least one office or family pool, where everyone fills out a bracket and usually Aunt Sandy or Melissa from the office ends up winning. You know, the perfect bracket, picked by the lady who made her selections by nothing more than which colors of uniforms she liked better. Sad but true, this is the main reason why most people follow the tournament.

2. School allegiance

It is almost certain that, even after you leave that university behind, you follow their sports teams for life. Now, if you're from a school like Duke, UConn, or North Carolina, you love basketball as much as I love Penn State Football; it’s inevitably in your blood.

3. Dick Vitale

Love him or hate him, he’s the voice of college basketball BABY! Sort of like my love for Merrill Reese or Harry Kalas, Dick Vitale could make Ben Stein interesting.

4. Cinderella stories

Everyone loves a good Cinderella sports tale—when a team that isn’t even supposed to be in the tournament makes the whole country say, WHO?!

5. Stephen Curry

Okay, not Stephen Curry, but the player that takes the tournament by storm. The player that becomes the face of March. The player who literally carries his team to victory. The player who cries on the court after a heartbreaking loss because he gave it all he had and then some (sorry Gonzaga fans).

6. Last second victories/defeats

Of course, we watch sports to see who wins and loses. When a player drops to his knees in utter disbelief of the amazing shot he just made. When a rampant crowd storms the court. When a fingertip is all that separates winners from losers.

Brand or Bust?

John Gehan — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:58:57 -0500

In mid-July, the Philadelphia 76ers moved mountains when they signed, arguably, the best free agent on the market, forward Elton Brand. The $80 million deal seemed heaven sent...at the time.

Thus far, Brand has started 23 of the 41 games and is averaging almost seven points less than his career average. His assists, blocks and free throw percentage are all down considerably. That Achilles injury was pushed under the rug by the 76er’s front office.

Are we seeing another over paid, "recovering star" that forgets how to perform? I hope not.

So far Elton Brand is following in the footsteps of legends, legends of the Philly flop.

Matt Geiger- In 1998 the Sixers signed Matt Geiger to a six-year deal worth $52 million. Hampered by knee problems before and after the trade, it eventually drove him into retirement.

Toni Kukoc- In 1999 the Sixers traded Larry Hughes and two other players to the Chicago Bulls for Toni Kukoc, whose points per game nearly halved after the trade.

Dikembe Mutombo- In 2000 the Sixers signed Mutombo to a four-year deal worth $65 million. Dikembe, widely known as one of the best centers in the game at the time, had a good half season and fell off the radar.

Chris Webber- In 2005 the Sixers signed Weber to a three-year deal worth $62 million. This deal came after serious knee surgery two years prior.

Other notables: Keith Van Horn, Glenn Robinson, and Jamal Mashburn

I’m not here to whine or bicker about what the Sixers have done over the years. I’m here to question just what it is it they do wrong? I hope, for the sake of basketball in Philadelphia, that Elton Brand doesn’t show up on this list a few years from now.

Confessions Of a Philadelphia Sports Fan

John Gehan — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:21:59 -0500

A city in expectant jubilation paints its streets orange and black, a boy, not yet nine years old sits with a hopeful, still innocent grin plastered on his face. This boy is dressed from head to toe in Philadelphia Flyers garb. At the start of the 1997 Stanley Cup, he is a die-hard Philadelphia fan in training. Game after game he dresses and cheers, only to be irrevocably scarred when his team goes down in four straight contests to the Detroit Red Wings.

That boy is now a journalism student at Penn State University. That boy is now 21 years old. That boy is me. The 1997 Stanley Cup was the first time I came in contact with the syndrome, the same syndrome, which plagues almost 1.5 million people who reside in the great city of Philadelphia. That syndrome is doubt.

From the time I was seven years old, I was a Philadelphia sports fanatic. I have not missed an Eagles game in 10 years and I didn’t sit down for the entire Sixers-Los Angeles Lakers NBA finals in 2001.

We endured three straight NFC Championship Game losses followed up by a Super Bowl defeat. The Flyers make a run at the Cup almost every year and come up short - every year! The Sixers lost in five games to the Lakers in NBA finals in 2001. In 2007, the Phillies make the playoffs and lose in three games to the Colorado Rockies. If there were a perfect slogan for the city it would be, “so close yet so far away.”

The last game at Veterans Stadium, which was the Eagles home for more than 30 years, was one Philadelphia fans would love to forget. The 2002 NFC Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a dark day in the City of Brotherly Love. In a key drive, with four minutes left, Donovan McNabb threw an interception to Ronde Barber. Barber ended the Eagles hopes for a Super Bowl bid by returning it 92 yards for a touchdown. I was crushed, just as I had been year after year since I was nine.

The best way to describe the mind of a Philadelphia fan was said best by Butch Buchanico, (the Eagles Director of Security) “If it’s an airplane, it’s always going to crash, it’s never going to land”(1). I have never heard a statement that rang more true. The age of nine was the last time I had truly believed in a sports team, and they let me down, just like they would continue to do up until 2008. When, at last, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series. I cried.

Philadelphia is a great sports town. This is the city where some people mortgaged their house for tickets to the Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl in 2004. Why would someone do that? Because we love our sports teams just slightly more than we doubt them.

1. If Football's A Religion, Why Don't We Have A Prayer? New York: HarperCollins, 2005.