Rob McFadden's Sportswriter Profile

Rob McFadden joined June 2009

Syndicated Writer

2,357article reads
Rank: 5,759
6articles written
Rank: 5,832
119comments written
Rank: 1,968

About Rob »

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.

The Shortlist »

Favorite Athletes

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

Phillies, Flyers, UD Football
Favorite Coaches
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.
Most Unbreakable Sports Record
Ruth or Mays?
Unitas or Montana?
Jordan or Russell?
Gretzky or Orr?
Pele or Maradona?
Federer or Sampras?
Tiger or Nicklaus?
Petty or Earnhardt?
Schumacher or Senna?
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

Latest Articles »

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

08/02/2009

219 reads 16 comments 1 likes

Roy Halladay: Why Philly Should Literally Sell the Farm

07/13/2009

592 reads 8 comments 0 likes

MLB Network's "The Pen" Intrigues, Disappoints

06/15/2009

787 reads 3 comments 0 likes

The Phillies Are Three Moves Away From Another World Series

06/14/2009

257 reads 11 comments 0 likes

View Rob's full archive »

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PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

91 days ago

Mohamed E.M said...

Delete

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

99 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

103 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

Manny being...A team Player?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231119-los-angeles-dodgers-manny-beinga-team-player

112 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

123 days ago

O Shiri said...

Delete

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

128 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

133 days ago

Brenden Monroe said...

Delete

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

137 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

138 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

142 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

147 days ago

Matthew Falkenbury said...

Delete

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

155 days ago

PJ Ross said...

Delete

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

155 days ago

D.A. said...

Delete

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

157 days ago

D.A. said...

Delete

hey Rob,

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

thanks
daniel

159 days ago

Rob's Achievements & Awards (0) »

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Rob McFadden joined June 2009

Rob McFadden's Stats

About Rob »

The Shortlist »

Latest 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

PJ Ross said...

Mohamed E.M said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

O Shiri said...

PJ Ross said...

Brenden Monroe said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

Matthew Falkenbury said...

PJ Ross said...

D.A. said...

D.A. said...

PJ Ross said...

Mohamed E.M said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

O Shiri said...

PJ Ross said...

Brenden Monroe said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

PJ Ross said...

Matthew Falkenbury said...

PJ Ross said...

D.A. said...

D.A. said...

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