Howard Is Getting That Lovin' Feelin' Back...but Bullpen Blows

On a day when the Big Man pronounced at an awards banquet that his swing "was coming back", he crushed an absolute moon shot to get him to the 100 HR plateau faster than any other player in major league history. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the bullpen reared its ugly head and gave up a three run lead in the 7th and then gave the lead back in the 8th after the Phils valiantly fought back to tie the game.

Nights like this almost...and I repeat almost, has me seeing my buddy George's side of things. I'm starting to like this vagabond cast of Phils that surrounds Howard, Utley and Hamels. It seems like these kids and nobodies are doing their best to right the wrongs of our brutal front office. It is almost comical that this team has $17 million in salary (Burrell, Helms, and Barajas) sitting on the bench while guys like Dobbs, Bourn, Ruiz and Nunez contribute to this team's success.

Will it last? I doubt it. It's hard to believe that the nondescript players which have been carrying this team at times will keep things up.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been really busy with quite a few things lately. Things should calm down early next week...I hope.

Just One Month Away.....

Training Camp is only one short month way. To whet your appetite, I provide you with this:



God, I can't wait for football season. The Phillies have sufficiently annoyed me and we haven't even reached the All Star Break.

Taking Shots At A Philadelphia Institution

In case you were listening to 610 this evening and heard the debate regarding whether Harry Kalas should be put out to pasture, here is the article from Philadelphia Magazine causing all the ruckus.

It’s the bottom of the fourth, two outs and a man on first, with the Phillies losing to the San Francisco Giants on a rain-soaked afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Crack! The ball sails to center field, and if it’s possible to enjoy listening to a home run more than seeing one, that’s because the man with the call is Harry Kalas. “Home run Ryan Howard!” he yells with those raspy, resonant pipes. The Phils take the lead. It’s a perfect moment, save for one detail — Howard struck out earlier that inning. Aaron Rowand hit the dinger.

Kalas quickly recovered. But this season, such gaffes have become harder to ignore, as blown calls, forgotten names and pauses on close plays have led to whispers among local sports-media types that it may be time for Kalas to hit the showers. “If you’re hearing things are slipping,” says a local broadcaster, “you’re right.” One sports analyst puts it a bit more bluntly: “Harry’s a shell of himself.”

Naturally, no one wants to tell a legend it’s time to go. (Just ask Penn State.) Such reluctance speaks to Kalas’s status as a sports god here, as big as or bigger than most of the athletes he’s covered in his 36-year career. It’s also a result of his public falling-out with on-air sidekick Chris Wheeler in 2004. The upshot: Wheeler was branded as a schemer gunning for Kalas’s job. Unfair as that was, Wheeler’s popularity plummeted, and a lesson was learned: Players and managers may come and go, but Harry is untouchable.

Kalas, 71, says he isn’t considering retirement. “I feel good,” he says. “If it becomes a grind, then maybe I’ll think about it. But that hasn’t happened, knock on wood.” While he has plenty of post-baseball options — an NFL Films insider describes him as “still at the top of his game” as the voice of Inside the NFL — there’s no pressure coming from the Phillies. “Harry leaves when Harry’s ready,” declares Rob Brooks, the team’s broadcasting manager. “He’s still having a great time, and we’re happy to have him.”

Somehow, that’s reassuring. But there’s a lesson to be learned from beloved New York Mets play-caller Ralph Kiner, 84, now afflicted with Bell’s palsy. The fuzzy nostalgia of hearing his voice is tempered by the pathos of his slurred speech. Kalas appears to be in great health. But the day may come sooner rather than later when he’ll have to make the toughest call of his career.

Sorry, but this article is pure blasphemy. How dare this writer suggest that Harry the K step down! Harry and the Phanatic are about the only things that have consistently delivered for this franchise. He should be able to retire when he wants.

However, I will admit that his innings be scaled back. Scott Framzke isn't bad on the radio and should be given a shot on TV. This would let Harry get a rest here and there. Such a move would serve him well and energize him for the key parts of the game.

This town already screwed over my favorite all time Philly announcer, Gene Hart. Let's not see it happen again.

The Debate Rages On....

For those of you who have a problem with the sport of Hockey, I dare you to watch this video and tell me this is not a great sport....



Also, check out this hysterical article by the Sports Guy detailing the NHL Hockey Draft this past Friday. Here are some of the highlights:

4:22: Here's a cool wrinkle for the first round: Before every pick, each GM walks up to the stage flanked by four cronies, then stands in front of the podium and announces his pick. Imagine if the NBA did this and we could see the likes of Elgin Baylor and Kevin McHale announcing their own picks? Can we make this happen?

Anyway, Chicago GM Dale Tallon is "proud" to introduce tiny Patrick Kane as his No. 1 pick. This kid looks like an altar boy. I'm not kidding -- he actually looks like an altar boy. I hope his tremendous upside potential involves puberty. More importantly, what the hell happened to the NHL? As if things weren't already bad enough, the league's No. 1 overall pick is an undersized American who looks like the third singer in a boy band? Can we start sending them FEMA money or something?

4:27: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren looks exactly like Juergen Prochnow. I don't know what this means. He uses the No. 2 pick on American LW James vanRiemsdyk, whose last name sounds like a Dutch porn movie. Does every NHL lottery pick look like an extra from "Dead Poets Society" or was it just these first two?

4:28: Announcer No. 2 tells us, "He's a good, strong, solid NHL player, and, uh, they've got a good player here." These are the moments when you appreciate Mel Kiper Jr. They don't happen often. Still waiting for graphics telling me the names of these announcers.

4:31: All right, we've officially reached the point when this draft is much funnier on TV than it could ever be in print. We just had this exchange:

--Announcer No. 1 (excited): "[vanRiemsdyk] developed really quickly, he really came on in the past year. How long has he been on your radar?"

--Holmgren (monotone): "Uh ... [thinking] ... for a long time."

Seriously, what's not to love about the NHL?

By the way, I'm not enamored with the Flyers draft. It seems like someone must have let Clarkie in the war room because just about every kid they drafted was an overgrown North American kid. I guess Homer missed the memo that the NHL is now emphasizing speed and skill.

Intriguing Friday

This Friday is shaping up to be quite interesting for yours truly.

On a personal note, my crew and I return to Scotland Run to partake in the joys of the Par & Bar. I can hardly wait. My buddy (and expert golf club maker) Muller is making his maiden voyage. Should be a good time. We'll probably do another one in July. Once we figure out a date, I'll post it.

However, even more interesting to me is this Friday's NHL draft where your Philadelphia Flyers hold the 2nd overall pick. There are rumors all over place. I've heard that the Flyers could use the pick on a potential stud center, could trade down for additional picks, or package that pick in an effort to trade for a top line center. The possibilities are endless and you can count me as intrigued.

Plus, there are all kinds of rumors that the Orange & Black are about to finally give up on the mercurial Joni Pitkanen, whom Glen Macnow aptly compared to Pat Burrell in terms of being a highly talented player that fails to progress due to making the same mistake over and over again, and potentially trade him to Edmonton for a roster player and a package of picks. There is also the impending free agency binge which is due to start on July 1st and the rumors are rampant that the Fly Guys are going to go after top line centers Danny Briere or Scott Gomez. Personally, I'd prefer Gomez as he's more of a playmaker and more phyiscal than Briere. Plus, signing him would weaken the Devils.

Oh...almost forgot, the Phils continue their path towards mediocrity as they open a three game series with the Red Birds in St. Louis. Remember, I see them losing 2 out of 3. I also discussed gambling methods with Mr. Nascar and he informs me that betting the money line is the way I can make money on my premonition that the Phils go 4 and 6 over the next ten. The question is...do I have the balls to do it? Not yet, I'm afraid.

By the way, the new GQ is coming out with a layout of Jessica Biel. Click here now, and thank me later. Here's a preview:

Yowza!!!!

David Akers' Favorite Pizza Delivery Boy

This item on Koy Detmer's part time college job was buried in Jones' insightful commentary disagreeing with my opinion on the effectiveness of the Birds' offense next year. I just thought it was too good to be ignored. Enjoy:

Koy took on a part time job when he turned 16 (while in high school) as a deliveryman for Pizza Hut. He kept this job until the day he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.

I always knew that Koy was a bit strange, but are you telling me that he needed he needed to work at Pizza Hut while on a full ride at University of Colorado? On the bright side, now that Koy no longer has a job with the Birds, he has some experience in the pizza delivery business to fall back upon.

Now, Go Get Your Shine Box!

I'm not sure if any of you care about this one, but my dad is laid up after having back surgery this week. Tonight, during one of his more lucid moments, he told me that he is considering shaving his moustache. He's had one just about my entire life. I really had trouble picturing him without it.

However, it then hit me like a bolt of lightning. I quickly realized that without the moustache he will be a dead ringer for Frank Vincent (aka Phil Leotardo of the Sopranos and Billy Bats of Goodfellas.)

Now, I'm actually hoping he does shave his moustache so I can greet him with Goodfellas and/or Sopranos lines. That will be fun.

See, these are the ridiculous things you think of at 12:28 am on a school night.

For Entertainment Purposes Only

Recently, I told my buddy Biggsy that the Phils are so predictable, you can set your watch to them. I later said that I wish I only had the balls to gamble on these guys because there is no way you could lose money on them if you could find a formula where your winnings were based upon being correct over a period of games, not for a specific games. I think you can make such bets if you use a money line, but I'm far from an expert on these topics. I'd ask my brother in law, but he is the biggest mush in the history of sports gambling. (He even blames himself for killing Dale Earnhardt, Sr as he placed a bet on him the only time he wagered on NASCAR.)

Anyhow, the Phils are now 37-35 and lost 4 out of 6 against the best of the AL Central after taking 9 out of the 12 games preceding them. So, where do the Phils go from here? Well, they are now down two starters after Fat Ass Lieber rolled an ankle seemingly walking off the mound. As a result, it would appear that they are due to go at least 2 games under to put them back at .500. Let's take a look at the next 10 games:

June 22-24 at St Louis - The Phils never play well in St. Louis. In fact, I think this is the reason I hate St. Louis. It always looked so freakin' hot when the Phils played them at Busch Stadium and they always friggin' lost. Even though the Cards are having a hard time defending their fluky crown, I still see them taking 2 out of 3 from our battered Phils.

June 26-28 CINCINATTI - The Reds are flat out brutal, so you would guess that the Phils will take 2 out of 3, right? But would the opposite result surprise anyone?

June 29-July 1 - NY METS (includes a double header on the 29th) - I'll give them a split of the double header, but then I see the Mets taking the next two as pay back for the Phils sweeping them earlier in the month.

There you go....they will go 4-6 over the next 10 and drop us back to .500. If anyone can figure out how to make money on this scenario, please let me know because I have a kid on the way and the extra money would come in handy.

Eagles Question Marks: Part I

Frankly, I'm a bit bored talking about the Phils and their predictable struggles, all the while searching for anything else involving other Philly related sports that may interest you, my loyal reader(s). So in that vane (or is vein/vain), I decided we should start tackling the various question marks facing the Birds as they head towards 2007. I think you guys will like this new feature. Feel free to disagree with me in the comments section. I want to know what you guys think.

Our first question mark is:

WILL THE OFFENSE SUFFER WITH KEVIN CURTIS REPLACING DONTE' STALLWORTH AT WIDE RECEIVER?

If you ask Dave Spadaro, Kevin Curtis is the second coming of Lance Alworth. However, I'm not 100% sold on this move. In my mind, the decision to let Donte' walk in favor of Curtis has created two questions: (1) can the offense still run at high octane with Curtis in the starting lineup; and (2) is Reggie Brown ready to be a #1 receiver?

With Stallworth in the lineup last year, all the receivers were properly slotted. Stallworth was the #1 target and legit home run hitter; Reggie Brown was a very good #2 receiver that could feast on a team's second best cover guy; Hank Baskett could come out of the slot and over match DB's with his size and athleticism; and G Lew and Avant only had to pitch in where necessary.

With Brown being elevated to the #1 guy and Curtis stepping in at the #2, you have a couple issues to consider. Can Reggie consistently beat #1 corners to give D Mac a reliable target? I think the answer to this one is a cautiously optimistic yes. People forget that last year Stallworth missed his fair share of games, and not to get all Spadaro on you, but the stats revealed that the offense hardly skipped a beat. Therefore, Reggie has previously proven that he can be a go to guy, but now he has to show that he can do it week in and week out. I believe he will step it up and become a decent #1 guy. Is he a T.O., Randy Moss or Marvin Harrison type #1 guy? No, but he is a good enough #1 to help you win and isn't that all we ask for?

Now, as for Kevin Curtis, I am not as confident. He isn't the biggest guy in the world and he is more quick than fast. He has also been a #3 guy during his career with the Rams that was consistently matched up against #3 corners or safeties (i.e., people he should beat.) The question then becomes, can he beat starting caliber corners in the NFL? I say he can, but I don't think he'll be any where close to a dominant guy. Will he be as bad as Thrash and Pinkston? Absolutely not, but the #2 receiver spot will not be as strong as last year.

In essence, I think the Birds take a small step back at both the #1 and #2 receiver spots, but I think the year 1 to year 2 improvement of Hank Baskett will offset that deficiency. Plus, should McNabb stay healthy, it is a virtual certainty that L.J. Smith will be a bigger part of the offense (as he was prior to #5 going down in Week 11) and we all expect to see the run emphasized a bit more than it was last year pre Garcia.

Therefore, to answer my own question, I don't see the offense being affected by Kevin Curtis signing. I just don't foresee him being a game changer that we saw with Stallworth last year.

Reason 6,397 Why I Can't Stand The Phils

I ripped Marcus Hayes recently for supporting the Phils, but he's finally turned things around and has been ripping the front office every chance he's had. I now thoroughly enjoy his work.

Here's the latest debacle reported by Hayes in today's Daily News surrounding the Phils and their inept, beleaguered front office: the Joe Borowski mess from last offseason. The Phils had him signed to a 2 year deal, but Borowski failed a physical and the deal was off. Borowski then took his services to Cleveland where he has saved 20 games out of 22 chance. I guess we didn't need a guy like him in our bullpen.

Anyhow, Borowski had some interesting things to say over the whole ordeal:

"Something that was supposedly hush-hush comes out the same day it happens," said Borowski, who allowed that it didn't necessarily have to be the Phillies who leaked the diagnosis from team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti.

The Phillies acknowledged that they agreed to keep things quiet and say that they did not address Borowski's failed physical until after it was reported and attributed to an anonymous source.

They disagree with Borowski's version of other events: "All of a sudden, you come here and try to undercut," he said. "Then you hear that other teams are getting involved, you start upping your price again . . .

"They kept coming back with more and more and more and more and more. They came bottom of the barrel, then the next one was more and the next one was more and the next one was more."

At that point, was there a chance Borowski would accept any deal from the Phils?

"None," he said. "It left a bad taste in my mouth."

Use mouthwash, said Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

Team policy is to not detail negotiations, Amaro said, "But we will acknowledge we did have further discussions with him after the diagnosis from Dr. Ciccotti. I will take exception with how he's describing it to you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We still wanted the guy. We just wanted a little bit more protection."

Borowski also was critical of the methods used by Ciccotti in his exam: "My physical was just the doctor pretty much hanging off my arms and not moving me whatsoever."

"With all due respect to the player, he's free to speak as he sees fit," Amaro said. "We are fully supportive of Dr. Ciccotti and his ability to diagnose our players and free agents. We are very confident in his findings."

When Borowski signed a 1-year, $4.25 million deal with the Indians and reported for spring training, he found himself awash in former Phillies: David Dellucci, Jason Michaels, Roberto Hernandez, Aaron Fultz.

"Some of them came up to me and said, 'You should be happy,' " Borowski said.

He is.

Borowski has converted 20 of 22 save chances. His earned run average of 6.33 is skewed by two poor appearances. In save situations, he has a 3.38 ERA.

"Actually, it worked out for the better," Borowski said. "I'm on a first-place team, everything is going great; great group of guys, great organization. I think it worked out for the best."

The sad thing about this whole mess is that Ruben Amaro, Jr will likely be the GM when Gillick is finally put out to pasture. So get used to gaffes like this.

By the way, when is the last time you ever heard anyone refer to the Phils as a first class organization?

Well, This Should Change Things Around

After seeing Boston and Chicago use the Curse of The Bambino and the Curse of the Billy Goat, respectively, as a crutch to blame past failures upon, certain sports phans in Philly created the ridiculous Curse of Billy Penn to explain why we have gone without a Worlds Championship team since 1983. Well, it looks like the Powers That Be in the City of Philadelphia have seen to it that the Curse is wiped away. Check this out:

Keeping alive a centuries-old tradition - with a Philadelphia twist - a beam was hoisted to the highest point of Comcast Center today, topping off Philadelphia's new tallest skyscraper.

There was a small tree at one end of the beam, which had been signed by workers and those gathered for the ceremony, and an American flag at the other.

Between them was a statue of William Penn, the city's founder. There is a myth that Philadelphia's sports teams will not win a championship as long as a building "rises above Billy Penn" on City Hall, said Bill Hankowsky, chief executive officer of Liberty Property Trust, the Malvern company that is building Comcast Center.

He was referring to the controversy two decades ago when One Liberty Place, also built by Liberty, became the first to break that barrier.

"We don't believe in the myth, but to be safe we've added the statue of Billy Penn," Hankowsky said.

Great. I can rest easy tonight. A title must surely be coming right around the corner now that these knuckleheads added a statue of some dead guy to the top of this new skyscraper.

Back To Reality

Once again, the Phils show they are a .500 team. Nothing more, nothing less. Just accept it and you will feel much better about things.

Over the last four games, it has become clear that the Phils don't have enough in the lineup, in the starting staff or in the 'pen to play with the big boys. Some of you just accept it and say "I like baseball and I'll just root for the home team come hell or high water."

Eff that. We deserve better. We deserve a GM that will make daring moves like the Flyers made today and won't make trades without getting the player reviewed over by a team physician. We deserve a team that will make that extra move when they are close.

Frankly, we deserve much better than Montgomery, Cholly, and Gillick.

*************************

By the way, I saw an alarming stat this evening during the inning and a half that I watched this evening: Cole Hamels has given up the most gopher balls in the NL. I guess a lot of guess have guessed right on his change up.

Also, I wouldn't expect the Phils to do much better over the next two games against the Tribe. The Indians are sending out lefty starters the next two games and we know how much success the Phils have had against southpaws so far this season.

Creative General Managing 101

I know half of you that read this blog could give a crap about the Flyers and the NHL, but the trade and inevitable signings that new Flyers' GM, Paul Holmgren pulled off today is about the most creative, aggressive, proactive move we've seen in this town for years. In fact, we've haven't seen such forward thinking out of the Phillies and Sixers in more than two freakin' decades!

In case you missed it, the Flyers traded the #23 pick in this year's pitiful draft to Nashville for the exclusive rights to pending unrestricted free agents, Kimo Timmonen, a puck moving defenseman, and Scott Hartnell, a big 25 year old winger with good hands around the net. Reports indicate that the Flyers moved quickly after the trade and signed both to six year contracts before they could reach the open market and have given away a first round draft pick for nothing.

Will these moves alone make the Flyers contenders? No. However, these moves do make the team more inviting to other potential free agents and if the Flyers can sign a top line center, then watch out. This team will once again be a perennial playoff contender.

Overall, you have to give Holmgren credit. He took over a team that was ill-suited to compete in today's NHL and laden will salary cap mistakes like Mike Rathje, Kyle Calder and Derian Hatcher, shed all the dead weight and looks to be on his way of having a team that can regain its spot as one of the NHL's elite teams.

In any event, I just wish the Phils for once could show savvy like this. Please Lord...just once, please let the Phils snooker some poor unsuspecting team.

No Longer In Her Mitts

I realize I post this item at the risk of this blog looking like a gossip column, but this story from today's Daily News certainly piqued my interest:

SOCCER PHENOM Heather Mitts finally revealed Friday that she and Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley split up months ago.
But the U.S. Women's Soccer star says they may be in the process of reconciling.

"We broke up in March and have been free to do whatever," Mitts confirmed. In April, she laughed off rumors that the couple had parted.

"It's been hard for both of us with the long distance and other factors. Everybody makes mistakes and we love each other very much," Mitts e-mailed us Friday. They're getting together this week to "figure out what's best for us in the long run."

With his freedom, Feeley has been spied of late making out with hotties at La Costa in Sea Isle City and picking up girls at the Public House Logan Square.

Wow...this one is a surprise. No, I'm not surprised that AJ and Heather Mitts split up, but the what the eff is a millionaire like AJ doing picking up chicks at La Costa? I can understand picking up broads at the Public House, but if you are going to Sea Isle to find women, shouldn't he at least go to the O.D.?

Ok, let's get back to the sports talk.

In any event, here's a picture of Heather Mitts to get you going this morning...by the way...it's kind of NSFW.

Somebody Please Explain This To Me....

Yeah, I know I'm a day late on this, but....

Can someone please explain why Phillies phans gave a standing O to Jim Thome yesterday upon his return to Philly. I agree that the Thome experience was a pleasant one and he was one of the few athletes in recent memory that did not rip the city on his way out the door, but a standing O for a guy that didn't lead us to a post season birth? Really? I don't understand.

I would have been for some polite applause, but a standing O was totally out of question. I'm guessing people forget that Thome is the sole reason that we have Uncle Cholly as a manager. He was Thome's boy. Kind of like the Tito Francona/Curt Schilling relationship.

In any event, it wasn't a horrible thing that the phans did and it can't hurt in the karma department, but I'd love to hear why anyone thinks this reaction was necessary.

How Sweep It Is! Part II

Great job by the Phils sweeping a home series from the Pale Sox punctuated by today's 8-3 win. They are now a season high 4 games over .500, which is surprising considering how bad they started and how inconsistent they've been at times this year. Plus, I also heard today that the Phils have the best record in the National League since their horrid 4-9 start.

I would really like to fully throw myself into this team, but I can't trust this organization to not eff things up. If they do somehow make it to the post season, it will be solely in spite of the GM and ownership, instead of because of them.

Plus, I'm holding off on making a decision on these guys until they finish the next six games against Cleveland and Detroit. If they go 3-3 against these guys, that would be a great result.

Until then, I suppose it is ok to get a little excited about big victories spear headed by clutch hits like Aaron Rowand's grand slam. Savor moments like these. The Phils don't supply that many.

Snuke In The Snizz

Tonight, South Park reminded us why it is one of the best comedies in the last decade. The spoof on 24 was simply fantastic. For all I know, this was a repeat of an episode shown a couples months ago, but it was god damn funny. (Editor's Note: It was aired 3/28/07. Way to be on top of things, Tone). Here's a clip from CNN:



Anyhow, this show is always fresh and original. It almost never disappoints.

Quick Hit Thoughts For A Rainy Tuesday

Yeah, I'm too lazy to write a full post, so here's some things that have struck me as interesting lately:

- D Mac Comes Back To Practice: This is fantastic news, but is he rushing back a bit too soon? I'd rather see him come back in Carson Palmer fashion, rather than Daunte Culpepper (Johnny Gold's all time favorite fantasy football QB). Plus, don't the Eagles want to make sure to take it easy with D Mac so that he goes out for the year in the usual week 10 game instead of during something called OTA's.

- Freddy Garcia is Done For The Year: Now that Freddy is about to go under the knife for his frayed labrum and spare us with suffering through his lackluster pitching efforts, he has officially taken the all time worst Philadelphia "Freddy" title from Freddy Mitchell. I think we can all agree, this is no small accomplishment.

By the way, check out this article from Bill Conlin where he takes the Phils to task for not having Garcia undergo an MRI before agreeing to the deal. This is just more evidence why I hate the Phils' front office. Christ, according to former Birds' doctor, Art Bartolozzi, the Eagles had six different doctors look at Corey Simon's shoulder before using a first round pick on him....and that was for a DT, who last time I checked isn't required to have a strong fastball as part of his repertoire.

- David Chase Speaks: Unfortunately, he doesn't reveal a whole lot about the Soprano's finale in this exclusive interview with the Newark Star Ledger.

In any event, I'm fully behind the theory that the last scene is just a microcosm of how he will live out the rest of his days....scared, anxious, and unable to trust anyone except his immediate family. I kind of like the screen going black as indicative of us as the audience being whacked. At least in my mind, I can justify that ending...I don't like it, but I can accept it.

- Phils Win First Two Games of Pale Sox Series: Seriously, who cares other than my buddy George? If we've learned anything from this team, they will lose tomorrow (with some goober named Kyle Kendrick making his first Major League start) and probably the first two games of the next series.

- Phils Are Only 14 Away From 10,000 Franchise Losses: I can't wait to see how this one is played in the National Media.

- U.S. Open at Oakmont: Lefty has a bad wrist, but has decided to play. I've been ripping the guy for having no heart for years, but I think this "macho" decision is a bad call. Wait to you see the ruff at this place. He better put every drive on the Shawn Bradley skinny fairways or there's a good shot he makes this injury worse.

By the way, I read that Oakmont has a 288 yard Par 3....the longest Par 3 in Major Tourney history. Can't wait to see how the pros play this hole.

- Sixers Audition A Small Army For The Draft: Yawn...who cares.

- Paris Hilton: I can't explain why, but I kind of feel sorry for her now.

- Hysterical Japanese Video Sent In By My Buddy Aran: Enjoy, give it until the 90 second mark.....

We Know Its A Repost... - Watch more free videos

Totally and Utterly Pissed Off

I don't know who to be more mad at....David Chase or the Phils.

I'm going with David Chase. That finale was ridiculous. I can't believe there was not more finality then what this episode provided. Instead of providing any sense of resolution, Chase provided an ending scene which prompted more questions than answers. I'm left grasping at straws with this one and having an empty feeling.

I also wonder how many of you also thought something happened to your television?

Anyhow, the theory that seems to be the most prevalent on the internet is that Tony is dead and the reason the screen went totally black was that was the instant he was killed. People also claim that you can see it on Meadow's face as she rushes up to the restaurant. I also see reference to the flash back in last week's episode taken from the first week where Tony tells Bobby that when you get whacked, you never hear them coming and everything goes black. I don't know. If that's what David Chase intended, fine. I hope he's proud of himself.

I'm just pissed. I really wanted this series to end on a better note, but I guess David Chase in his infinite wisdom decided it would be a bigger artistic masterpiece to end it like he did. I just hope he realizes he's alienated me and about a bazillion other potential viewers to whatever project he decides to put out there.

Although, since we're all Philadelphia sports phans, I suppose we should be accustomed to such disappointment.

Spadaro At His Best

No one, I mean no one, circles the wagons quite like Dave Spadaro when it comes to protecting the moves by Eagles management that become questioned by the masses. In the past, he's talked up Matt McCoy, Nate Wayne, Dhani Jones, and Todd Pinkston as big time players. Needless to say, he's had a ton of practice of defending bizarre moves.

Anyhow, here's his latest foray into the propaganda market:

They are quick and they are fast and they have size and they have experience and they are young and they are ... well, they are the Eagles wide receivers and they are always a topic of conversation.
Are they good enough, collectively, to beat any defense in the land? Are they good enough to make the big catch when the Eagles need it?

Are they ... what are they?

Instead of offering you a paper-thin theory, I went to the experts. The Eagles' cornerbacks have a unique look on things here.

It makes sense, doesn't it? The wide receivers work against the cornerbacks and the safeties every day. The d-backs get to know every move Reggie Brown makes, and they understand how far Jason Avant has come in a year's time and they know better than anyone out there how Kevin Curtis looks in the Eagles offensive system.

So?

"They don't have Pro Bowl names or anything like that and that is a fact, and I truly hope people overlook our wide receivers," said cornerback Lito Sheppard. "They're going to make plays. We are not going to lose any productivity.

WR Kevin Curtis has his sights set on a big season in the offense
"We have some speed out there, we have some big guys and we have some combinations that are going to be difficult to match up against."

Said fellow starting cornerback Sheldon Brown: "I think they are an underrated group with a lot of ability and talent. I think it is a group that may never get the respect they deserve, but the only think that matters is that we win, and we will win with these receivers."

Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are the starters, but there are other receivers who are going to get plenty of time and, in theory, there are jobs open. There are five players atop the rotation that seem fairly certain to be around in September: The two starters plus Jason Avant and Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett, in no particular order. There are others to consider strongly, including Jeremy Bloom, who is having a very good spring, and Bill Sampy, a young second-year player ready to make a real push.

But for the purposes of this analysis, let's stick to to the first five players.

And the cornerbacks are impressed.

"First of all, Reggie Brown moves like Marvin Harrison (Colts receiver), to be honest," said Brown. "He looks like Harrison does when I study him on tape. The only thing he needs is to get more balls thrown his way. He will put up the numbers. Reggie is very quick, has good hands. Reggie can get down the field on you, too. You saw him do that last year, so that isn't a question to me."

Said cornerback Joselio Hanson: "I think they've got everything over there. They have a lot of speed, they have size, they run good routes and they have big guys."

Curtis is a mystery to most Eagles fans. He was the third receiver in St. Louis, playing behind stars Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Is Curtis ready to be a full-time starter and deliver full-time starter numbers?

The cornerbacks all agreed that Curtis has what it takes. This is what they said:

"I think he's faster than he is quick, but he's quick, though. He can get up the field on you." said Hanson. "He's smart, too. He can get a good release on you, then stack you and try to get you on his back. He's crafty, a veteran."

Said Brown of Curtis: "He's fast and quick. Don't get me wrong, I thought Donte' (Stallworth) was good, too. I think Kevin is a legit wide receiver."

"I know the situation in St. Louis," said Sheppard of Curtis. "He played behind great players there and he put up some numbers. The guy is going to get a lot of chances here, too. He runs good routes, had good hands and he will get by you, too."

It's going to be interesting to see how the Eagles use the personnel. You can expect a lot of different combinations and that is going to help the offense, The Eagles like to mix and match their personnel and create favorable matchups.

You will also see Brian Westbrook out wide, in the slot, everywhere in the formation.

"We have every kind of receiver," said cornerback Will James. "We have small, quick ones. We have tall, fast ones. We have strong ones. So it's like anything we need at any time versus any system, we can implement that.

"What's the word I'm looking for? Diversity. That's it. That's what we have."

There are some who talk about a "true No. 1 receiver" and wonder if the Eagles have that kind of player. Certainly, they had that player a few years ago in Terrell Owens. None of these receivers is as talented, and none of them needs the ball as much as Owens needed it.

The Eagles believe, though, that they have plenty of capable weapons and that the offense is going to move the ball in a variety of ways this season.

"I disagree that we don't have a No. 1 receiver," said Brown. "When you have Brian Westbrook on the field, you have a player you have to cover. A No. 1 receiver is someone who has a very good No. 2 receiver, and we have that. We have players out there, a lot of firepower."

Did Dave make you feel any better about the current state of our WR's? Didn't think so.

How Sweep It Is!

Yes, I know what you're thinking....How can I get excited about these guys after I've spent the last two months ripping them. Well, you don't get to use that headline very often with the Phils, so I figured I'd jump on it while the gettin' is good.

I think I'm shocked as the rest of you that the Phils pulled this game out. I really didn't expect much in the 9th. I even turned the game off. However, I pleasantly surprised to see that our worst hitter crushed a huge home run off Philly Phan Hater, Billy Wagner. Eat shit, Billy. I hope you have a one night stand with the recently released Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan and contracts a bad case of the clap, V.D. and crabs.

Also, is it any wonder that this extra inning win occurred after Uncle Cholly got thrown out of the game? I think not. Removing Cholly from the decision making equation in a close game is never a bad thing.

Anyhow, with this sweep , the Phils have a real shot to establish a real winning streak as they head out to KC to take on the 22-39 Royals. If they fail to take at least two out of three from these guys, then this season holds no hope whatsoever. They will have confirmed that they are nothing more than a .500 outfit with holes all over the roster.

In any event, this team still annoys me to death. I'm planning on writing an article rating the worst owners in my Philly Sports life time. Since the teams haven't changed hands all that much over the past 35 years, the list is short, but illustrious.

Ok, Let's See A Show Of Hands

How many of you guys are back on the bandwagon after the last two dramatic victories over the Mets? I just want a head count for all the "I Told You So" notes I'm going to need.

Sure, it was great to see J Roll's huge homer in the 7th and the inexplicable bullpen performance by Geary, Madsen and Alfonseca )who looks six months pregnant) tonight, as well as the big extra inning win last night, but I don't think we can put much stock in these performances. This team will once again prove their inability to string wins together, likely starting tomorrow. Plus, there is no way they sweep the first place Mets in Shea. It just won't happen.

By the way, the more I watch Nunez and Ruiz play, I realize how poor a job Gillick did at GM. It was absolutely criminal to waste valuable dollars on a third baseman and catcher when it was clear the team had huge holes in the bullpen and on the bench. You ask me why I dislike this franchise and organizational errors such as this one pretty much sums things up.

Thanks, Judd Apatow!

Last night, the Wife, now 7 and 1/2 months pregnant (YIKES!), and I ventured out of the house to see the new movie Knocked Up. Even though it was only released last week, I had heard several good reviews for the latest film by director Judd Apatow, who also gave us The 40 Year Old Virgin. I have to agree with everyone else I spoke with. This movie was absolutely hysterical.

Not only was it funny, but it helped save me about $200 because we can now skip birthing class. I feel confident that I, and all the other pregnant couples in the audience, learned everything necessary to go through the birthing process without catastrophe. Plus, I learned that Apatow is married to a woman very similar to my wife because many of the couples' arguments in the movie could have been taken verbatim from some of the exchanges we've gone through lately.

Overall, Seth Rogen did a great job as the lead character and his room mates were brilliant throughout, but they were all overshadowed by Paul Rudd. While Rudd and Rogen carried on their great on screen chemistry from the 40 Year Old Virgin, Rudd killed me through out the movie, but it could be because I identified with him better. In any event, the guy is on quite a roll, huh? He was great in his last three major movies: Anchorman (Sex Panther: 50% of the time, it works every time), the 40 Year Old Virigin (You know how I know you're gay?), and now Knocked Up. If I was him, I'd stay on the Apatow gravy train.

Knocked Up confirms that the comedy world is pretty much being swallowed up by one giant sect involving three separate cliques: The Office crew of Steve Carrell, Rainn Wilson, BJ Novak, and Mindy Kraling, The Apatow crew of Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann, and Will Ferrell and his various co-stars. All of these comedians are on top of their games. I hope they keep it going because I've been greatly enjoying their work lately.

The only downside to the evening was the preview for Good Luck Chuck, Dane Cook's new movie co-starring Jessica Alba. Can someone, anyone...please explain this guy's popularity. I can't take it anymore. Not only is he clearly not funny and seriously annoying, but this movie tries to convince us that Dane is some sort of chick magnet. I truly don't get it. If anyone actually likes this guy, can you please provide your reasoning. Maybe it's an age gap thing.

Almost forgot, but Katherine Heigl, the chick from that ridiculous show that my wife watches on Thursdays nights, is pretty hot.

By the way, I realize I should stick to sports. I have the feeling that this review blows.

DK Gets An Endorsement Deal

I've never seen my brother in law this happy since I met the guy. I wonder what he'll do with all the endorsement money.

Just Remodeled My Basement, Let Me Know What You Think

Actually, this is the basement of some dude in Winnipeg, Canada.

Nice Job. Gotta love the replica Flyers' locker room stall and the boards going along the room. Just missing the advertisements.

Finally!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm still coming down from the high of last night's episode of The Sopranos. It was by far the best episode of this series in 2, maybe 3 seasons. The only episode that compares was the one where Paulie and Christopher got stuck in the snow covered Pine Barens sucking on packets of ketchup and looking for "the Russian".

Was I the only one that was totally stressed out by last night's episode. Christ, I woke up stressed Monday morning and battled it most of the day. I wondered if I was experiencing some subconscious anxiety from the impending birth of our first child, but I doubt it. I have too much time to work myself up on that issue. I have a feeling it had to be the final 20 minutes of last night's show.

My buddy Johnny and I have been begging for The Sopranos to once again become a series about the mob instead of a series about a middle aged guy that just happens to be the head of the North Jersey La Cosa Nostra. Last night, we finally got our wish. The Prodigal Mob Show returned and actually spent most of an episode on mob based topics instead of AJ's depression, Uncle Junior's stay in a mental hospital, Meadow's school/relationship issues, or Little Vito taking a dump on the locker room shower floor. I think I speak for everyone in saying we all needed more mobsters getting knocked off and less scenes involving the various struggles of marriage and parenthood.

Last night's episode proved to me that David Chase must have made a deal with HBO after the second season that said something to the effect of, "thanks for giving us a supremely successful series, Mr Chase. At the risk of alienating your core audience, we hereby agree to let you spend the next 2 and a 1/2 seasons showing everyone how brilliant you are with your weekly character studies, as long as you agree to wrap up the mob related issues in the final episode and a half."

I'm just glad that David Chase stopped yanking our chains and gave us an episode worth watching. Not only was it eventful, but it also included the trade mark humor like these quotes and exchanges:

Tony: "You don't need to be a gynecologist to know which way the winds blows".

Silvio: "Paulie said he wants it known. It's on him. He takes full responsibility. But that he didn't do nothin'."

Phil: "There are no scraps in my scrapbook."

And my personal favorite....

RAY-RAY: "That mortadell's number three? He used to be Junior Soprano's driver."
ALBIE: "And you used to sell laser printers out the back of your Crown Vic."

Ok, I know the question we all have is how does this end? Honestly, I have no clue. I have stopped trying to predict David Chase's motives for some time. Unfortunately, next week's episode is only an hour, which is not nearly enough time to wrap up this series in any meaningful fashion, especially when you know that Chase will waste at least 15 minutes on AJ's depression or some other non-sequitor.

Anyhow, it appears that either Tony or Phil are going to be whacked. My guess is it will be Phil with Tony walking off into the sunset triumphantly, but far from heroically. I think he'll be pained to know that life goes on as a mob boss in a war against a much larger and powerful opponent.

Of course, there is the chance that next week's episode is completely maddening and settles nothing, but last night gave me a lot of hope that it will meet with our approval.

This Phils Season Is Reminiscent to This Guy

I found this outstanding comparison of your Philadelphia Phillies to a Stripper on a popular Philly Sports blog. Kudos to this guy for one of the more poignant pieces that I've seen in a while:

Lapdance: A Philadelphia Story

The Phillies lost 13-0 to the San Francisco Giants on Friday, June 1st, 2007. The loss put them back under .500 as they hover in third place in the National League East. It also led to me realize that loving the Phillies is like a perpetual lapdance. Don’t understand the metaphor? Allow me to elaborate.

March - You and your friends have talked about it. Maybe it’s for a bachelor party. Maybe it’s just a Saturday night. No matter the occasion, you’ve decided to head to the strip club. There’s a date. You’re waiting for it. You’re talking about it. You’re excited. While in the back of your head you know that none of your friends have ever scored with one of the dancers, there’s always hope. You’ve played it over and over in your head. You’re going to score with a stripper.

April - It’s time. Your hair is brushed right, and your dressed perfectly; casual yet not quite “Night at the Roxbury.” You walk into the club, and it’s all a bit disgusting to you. The drinks are overpriced. None of the girls are even 6’s on your scale, and the sweaty fat guys sitting front row are waving twenty dollar bills that mock the pack of Washingtons in your pocket. It seems like it’s going to be a very long night.

May - There she is. The 9. She looks like someone you could brag to friends about, and possibly bring home to your parents and convince them that she’s an accountant. She’s hot. You make your move to the stage. The hope you held has come racing back feverishly.

June/July - You ask her for a lapdance, but apparently there’s a line of 5 or 6 other guys ahead of you. It’s as if someone is playing a cruel joke on you. You were able to smell the oil on her for a split second, and now it seems like these regulars are going to ruin your chances at getting to her. Sure every once in a while she walks past you, but there’s no way you’re going to catch her before last call.

August/September - Finally. She’s ready. It’s your turn. You surge to the private room. You jump on the couch with your money already in your fist. It’s on. You’re throwing the most valuable pick-up lines you’ve got at her. You’re sure that this is it. The suddenly, you blow your…opportunity. All that hard work went for nothing. It’s embarrassing, and you walk out of the club with nothing to show for it except some pants you’d rather never wear again.

October - The next day,, you watch your buddies. Some have girlfriends, some have wives. Here you are, watching them in envy. If you would have scored with that stripper, just once, you could go on not caring about what everyone else has accomplished.

But in the end, you’re from Philadelphia where pain and embarrassment make a pair of pants that you comfortably wear.

I concur with this guy entirely. Not that I know anything about the types of establishments that he describes.

How Does This Guy Still Have A Job?

I know you guys care less about the Sixers than the Flyers, but this little tidbit from the Sports Guy's column today is amazing. I just read that the following former Sixers were still on the cap for 2007:

C Webb: $17.6 million

Jamaal Mashburn: $10.85 million

Todd MacCullough: $6.8 million

Aaron McKie: $6.5 million

Greg Buckner: $3.36 million

That's a total of $45.11 million for guys no longer on the roster. No wonder this team is never under the cap and never has the flexibility to sign free agents. They are always paying for guys no longer on the damn team!!!

I wish I had the type of pictures of my boss that Billy King has of Ed Snider. How else can you explain his longevity with the team.

Ok, I promise not to mention basketball again until draft day.

Phils Salvage the Weekend and the Dover Race Gets Washed Away

Very boring weekend for yours truly. It was nice to see the Phils win two this weekend, but this series does nothing, but cement my feeling that this is a .500 team at best. Also, more to come later on my needless trip to Dover, Delaware for the Nascar race that was eventually cancelled.

The Sixers Were Once Relevant

I just got done watching LeBron James go off against the Pistons with a 48 point performance and wished that we had an NBA team in town, but then I remembered that our Sixers still exist and they used to be relevant. Just to make sure, I needed visual proof and came across the above video on YouTube.

That Doctor J fella was pretty entertaining in his day, huh?