Rob McFadden's Sportswriter Profile

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Rob McFadden

Joined 5 months ago

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Rob's Bio

I don't remember the moment I became a sports fan. The first game I saw, the first time I cheered, the first time I yelled at an ump... These things are lost to history. But the first time sports made me cry? That's one thing I'll never forget.

October 23, 1993. Approximately 11:30 p.m. ET. I am curled up in bed, just 22 days removed from my ninth birthday, listening silently as the walkman-sized radio pressed against my ear tells me that Joe Carter has won the World Series. I picture the Blue Jays racing from their dugout to home plate. I picture Mitch Williams motionless on the mound, gazing into left field, unable to look away from where the ball disappeared over the fence. The thought of my beloved Phillies trudging off the field, heads down and hearts broken, sends the tears down my face.

And THAT is where it all started for me. Not during the excitement of the '93 regular season or the upset of the Braves in the NLCS, but in the painful aftermath of that night in Toronto. Anyone can root for a winner. It takes a true fan to suffer with a loser. And suffer I did. For the next 15 years, in fact, until one fateful night in 2009.

Rob's Recent Articles

NEW YORK - JUNE 09: J.A. Happ #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the New York Mets during their game at Citi Field on June 9, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Make Room For Pedro: The Case For Moving J. Happ To The Pen

Published 3 months ago
219 reads 16 comments

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 6: Pitcher Roy Halladay #32 of the Toronto Blue Jays waits to take the mound against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium May 6, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Roy Halladay: Why Philly Should Literally Sell the Farm

Published 4 months ago
592 reads 8 comments

DENVER - APRIL 10: J.A. Happ #43 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in relief against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 10, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 10-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

MLB Network's "The Pen" Intrigues, Disappoints

Published 5 months ago
785 reads 3 comments

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 29: The Philadelphia Phillies pile on top of closing pitcher Brad Lidge #54 after they won 4-3 to win the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays during the continuation of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 29, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

The Phillies Are Three Moves Away From Another World Series

Published 5 months ago
256 reads 11 comments

See 2 more of Rob's articles »

Rob Writes About

patrick bohn responded to a comment on Jimmy Rollins' Prediction Proves How Stupid Sportswriters Are.
patrick bohn responded to a comment on Jimmy Rollins' Prediction Proves How Stupid Sportswriters Are.
PJ Ross responded to a comment on Dodgers-Phillies: Three Keys For a Blue Crew Victory in NLCS Game Three
PJ Ross responded to a comment on Dodgers-Phillies: Three Keys For a Blue Crew Victory in NLCS Game Three
Brian Beam responded to a comment on The Only Thing Reprehensible About LeGarrette Blount Is The Suspension

The Short List What Rob thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Favorite Athletes

Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Mike Richards, Claude Giroux, Joe Flacco
Favorite Sports Teams

Phillies, Flyers, UD Football
All Time Sports Moment

"The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball!"
Most Memorable Game Attended

Hard to say. There was the game in '98 where the Phils lost 15-3 to the Giants and Barry Bonds charged the mound against Ricky Bottalico. Also got my first foul ball at that game. Then there was the game in '07 where Cole Hamels took a perfect game into the seventh inning. And I've witnessed several mammoth Ryan Howard home runs. But I'm going to have to say the most memorable games I've attended all occured during the University of Delaware's run to the 2003 I-AA National Championship. Upsetting bowl-bound Navy, winning a triple-OT thriller over UMass, stomping through the playoffs and capping it off with a 40-0 blowout to win it all... Until I finally make it to a playoff game in Philly, nothing will beat that season.

Bulletin Board (29) Post a note »

by PJ
2 months ago

Former MLB player Eric Karros called my article into question on Colin Cowherd's ESPN Radio show yesterday.

He challenged me for a re-do: but here's my response.

I assure you, it's not just a ridiculous personal attack, but it shows that Karros was off-base with his statements.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/243422-eric-karros-heres-your-re-do-and-manny-ramirez-is-the-problem
by Mohamed
2 months ago

Hi Mate! This is my last insane slide show I hope you enjoy it
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/238030-br-in-the-pre-history

Thanks in advance!
Mo
by PJ
3 months ago

Has Pedro shifted the balance of power in the NL?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/236170-shift-of-power-in-the-nl-pedro-martinez-bolsters-phils-hurts-dodgers
by PJ
3 months ago

Manny being...A team Player?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231119-los-angeles-dodgers-manny-beinga-team-player
by PJ
3 months ago

You've got questions? We've got answers. Anything and everything you want to know about the fast-approaching trade deadline is right here, broken down division-by-division, in a trading deadline mega-review.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/223951-the-state-of-the-mlb-a-trading-deadline-mega-review
by O
3 months ago

Rob,

As a baseball fan and Phillies fan I thought you might want to take a look at my new article on the Dodgers legend Steve Garvey let me know what you think. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/220684-dodgers-legend-steve-garvey-was-a-true-ball-player

O
by PJ
3 months ago

I hope you got a chance to checkout my first piece about the 10 Best Strikeout Performances since 1954.

This piece takes a look at the 10 Lowest Strikeout Performances in a no-hitter Since 1954. Some very interesting games here!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/218400-the-worst-strikeout-performances-in-a-no-hitter-since-1954
by Brenden
4 months ago

hope you enjoy this
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/216375-missing-the-boss-where-is-george
let me know what you think....
by PJ
4 months ago

I hope you got a chance to watch Jonathan Sanchez toss his first career no-hitter last night. Truly remarkable.

If you like no-hitters and lots of strikeouts, then this list is for you:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/215942-the-10-best-strikeout-performances-in-a-no-hitter-since-1954
by PJ
4 months ago

Like Home Runs?

Like Pitchers hitting home runs?

Then this is for you:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/212939-chicks-dig-the-longball-the-10-best-post-world-war-ii-power-hitting-pitchers
by PJ
4 months ago

I've held my silence long enough...time to address the Manny issue.

But it's not the same boring thing everyone has been writing about, I took an in-depth look at how Manny's presence in the lineup effects the key everyday players for the Blue Crew.

I promise, no PED talk or nothing!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/210482-los-angeles-dodgers-manny-ramirez-to-stir-up-stagnant-dodgers-offense

-PJ
by Matthew
4 months ago

Hey,

I just came up with the list of the best current Major Leaguers wearing the numbers One thru Ten. I hope you can take a look and voice your opinion on my list. Thanks in advance,

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/205039-best-current-baseball-players-by-uniform-number-1-10

- Matthew Falkenbury
by PJ
4 months ago

What will Donald Fehr, executive director of the MLBPA, leave as his legacy?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/204914-donald-fehr-departs-with-a-complicated-legacy

Thanks, PJ
by D.A.
4 months ago

hey Rob
the Phillies have tumbled in the power rankings
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/203674-mlb-power-rankings-week-eleven

check it out if you have a minute
thanks
da
by D.A.
4 months ago

hey Rob,

what do you think of my all-star ballot?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/202082-mlb-all-star-ballot-30

thanks
daniel

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Rob McFadden

Rob's Fans (6)

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Rob's Bio

Rob's Recent Articles

Make Room For Pedro: The Case For Moving J. Happ To The Pen

Roy Halladay: Why Philly Should Literally Sell the Farm

MLB Network's "The Pen" Intrigues, Disappoints

The Phillies Are Three Moves Away From Another World Series

Rob Writes About

The Short List What Rob thinks about sport's most pressing questions

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