Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phillies. Show all posts

3/07/2009

Geoff Geary reflects on the Phillies in a positive light, but the fans are a different story

Brian McTaggert of the Houston Chronicle wrote a story on Geoff Geary and his thoughts on the Phillies. The former Phillie reliever talked about what it was like watching them make their World Series run last year, but also discusses the fan base.

Here's an excerpt.

“My last year before I got traded, there were fans who were threatening my life and threatening other people, saying they were going to follow me home and beat up my fiancĂ©e at the time,” he said. “Most of the fans are supportive, but the drunks and the people that are obnoxious, those are the ones that are like rabid dogs.”

2/25/2009

Baseball is coming...

With the Phillies warming up for the regular season, let's take a break from the Eagles and focus on the team that knows how to win a championship -- the Phillies.

Joe Blanton will start the spring training opener says David Murphy.

Murphy also reports that Shane Victorino won't be playing in the World Baseball Classic.

Scott Lauber reports that Greg Dobbs will likely stay on the bench.

Bill Conlin writes about the not so good Phillies from the past.

Paul Hagen says the prospects traded in the Blanton deal are doing just fine for the A's.

Chipper Jones isn't exactly loved by Mets fans after scolding them for years, but he does like what's coming about from this Mets-Phillies rivalry, writes Jim Salisbury.

Well, here's a little Eagles bit
, courtesy of Sam Donnellon.

2/18/2009

Carlos Beltran wants the Mets to "kill" Cole Hamels

Not with a knife or gun, but on the baseball field after Cole Hamels was goated into calling the Mets "choke artists" on the radio.

Here's the quote from AOL's Fanhouse.

With the Phillies entering the year as World Champs and the Mets making some moves, this should be the best year of this fairly new rivalry

1/25/2009

And now for the main event...


By Tim McManus

I wonder, now that the Eagle green mist is beginning to lift, what life will be like when the Phillies fully regain the spotlight.

The Eagles run and ultimate fall in the postseason -- and the fans' hard line stance of win or go away -- disproved those who thought Philadelphians would morph into a kinder, gentler fan base now that the championship clock has been reset to zero.

The standards are still there, along with the you've-cut-me-deeply-and-I-will-get-my-revenge reaction when the standards aren't met.

But that was with the Eagles...the bridesmaid dress-wearing, time's yours spewing Eagles. Do the same harsh rules apply to the World Champs?

Only thorn-less roses have been thrown at their feet during the post-championship tour, a symbolic bronzing of a team that will only grow in legend over time. When this team dismantles and all are retired from the sport, every member will be canonized.

What of the present playing days though? What happens when the victory lap ends and 2008 stops feeling like the present? Will there be a one-year love affair? Will it last up until their first absence from the postseason, or will it subside as soon as they drop a series to the Mets?

For many, this is a great mystery, for much of the population has never experienced a post-championship season. It is tough to decipher whether a loss will sting less because there is a trophy to buffer it, or more because we'll be chasing euphoria even harder now that we know what it feels like.

It's confusing: Can we put our heart into booing Shane Victorino when he strikes out with the grand slam image rattling around? Can we come down on Cole Hamels for anything anymore? Where does the automatic applause for last season end?

For the team, the owners, and baseball flag wavers, perhaps, the important thing is not the answers to these questions, but that the questions are being asked.

Whether this is the start of a full-out love affair or a complicated love-hate relationship, it is most certainly the start of something grand in scale. Something energy-infusing; a major spike in the history chart.

The red mist is settling back in. Better run out and get an umbrella.

1/11/2009

LLLLLET'S GET READY TO RAMBLE!

By Matt Mattare

Too much has gone on over the past few weeks to choose a single thing to write about, so let’s touch’em all from the Birds to Happy Valley to Sir Charles to Pat the Bat.

I don’t think you can call him the MVP (because that distinction belongs to the offensive line), but Brodrick Bunkley had himself a ballgame and showed up in two of the games defining moments. His penetration on both failed Giants fourth downs blew up New York’s offensive line and any hope of a first down. Has he lived up to the hype of being a first round draft pick? I’d say on the whole no and I think he’s probably too inconsistent to suddenly blossom—but times like this show you what he could be capable of.

The people that say Joe Paterno should retire are just wrong. That being said, the people that say he shouldn’t retire because he’s still got it (pointing to a few BCS games in the last four years) are delusional. At this juncture JoePa is simply a figure-head while Tom Bradley and Galen Hall run the real show, but Penn State owes Joe Paterno everything. He put their football team on the map, he’s raised and given back millions of dollars to the University, and he’s poured his entire life into his time in Happy Valley—PSU owes it him to let him retire on his own terms. Why? Because his presence obviously isn’t hurting the team (now you can point to the BCS appearances). He still fires people up at pep rallies, goes out for a few big recruiting visits, and deflects a lot of attention from the “real” coaches while essentially overseeing the operation as Head Coach Emeritus. If things weren’t going well then I think it’d be a different story and it’d be selfish for Joe to continue to coach at the expense of the school he loves—that just isn’t the case right now.

Fearless prediction #1: Steelers over the Ravens in a tight one…the difference will be Joe Flacco remembering he’s a rookie. While we’re mentioning his name, announcers need to just stop with the stupid nicknames for rookie QB’s. Matty Ice? Joe Cool? We get it, they’re mature and composed rookies and we know they’ve started enough games that they can’t really be considered rookies anymore. I’ll give a pass on Matt Ryan because that’s actually his nickname…but Joe Cool was Joe Montana’s nickname. Anyone who thinks Mr. Flacco deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the original Joe Cool probably thinks the WNBA should expand to 32 teams.

That whole thing where McNabb went and picked up the phone on the Giants sideline was just lame. I didn’t think he was a punk for doing it and I’m all about funny things even if they draw a flag…I just thought it was stupid. Leave it to Donovan to give the media some sort of negative fodder to discuss about him after one of the biggest wins of his career. The epitaph of his Philly career will probably read something like “a great player who did everything in his power to make sure he was underappreciated.”

I don’t think Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds will ever have a notable NBA career. I just don’t think he’s got the chops…but on the college level he’s one of the most dangerous people in the game. He’s a microwave guy who is totally willing to take over a game, something that is relatively rare today. Against Seton Hall he threw up 40pts and iced the St. Joe’s game for Nova last month. Villanova isn’t a great team but come tournament time they’re a really dangerous team who could make a Sweet 16-Elite 8 run on Reynolds’s shoulders (just like last year).

Brian Dawkins has to be inching up the list of most beloved sports figures in Philadelphia history. Has there ever been a player in this town who has worn his emotions on his sleeve and—without fail—shown up giving every ounce of himself for every game of his career? He might be slipping a little bit and losing a step, but the guy deserves a tip of the cap from even the most critical Birds fan.

Fearless prediction #2: Birds will win an ugly game in Arizona…this will lead to two of the most obnoxious fan bases in all of professional sports invading Tampa Bay. Over/Under on brawls started after “Pittsburgh’s going to the Super Bowl” is responded with an E-A-G-L-E-S chant: 23.5. Get two holding cells ready.

I think Charles Barkley is one of the funniest individuals in sports and a lot of times I love hearing his opinions. But what I’ve learned is the more you open your mouth the more likely you are to sound like an idiot. His initial condemnation of Auburn for not legitimately considering Turner Gill for head football coach because of his race may have had some merit, but as he explained himself more and more he lost more and more credibility. I think the race card is played FAAAAAR too much in sports today. Of course racism is still present, but I’d say 90% of the people in power these days just don’t care about the color of a person’s skin—they care about performance. Example: Michael Wilbon’s insinuation that Notre Dame was racist for firing Tyrone Willingham was indescribably ignorant. There are exceptions to the rule though and I think that most of them are found in the Bible Belt. I agree 100% with Barkley that Auburn never would’ve hired Gill because he was black, but to say that he MUST have been the guy they hired is simply ignorant. There are a few coaches that would have been very viable candidates on par with Gill…it’s just that none of them were chosen. Charles I know it’s hard/borderline impossible, but state your point and then get out of your own way.

Pat Burrell’s off-season was one of the most bizarre things I ever witnessed. Like him or not he was a huge part of the Phillies organization over the past decade and the Phillies made it painfully obvious that they had no desire whatsoever to even extend a contract offer. According to Burrell’s agent the Phils barely even talked with him…and the thing is fans were totally ok with moving on to Raul Ibanez and somewhat miffed when he signed with Tampa. The whole thing is just weird. And for the record, Ibanez will not be as productive as Burrell on the whole, but his valleys won’t be as brutal as the slumps Burrell was capable of.

Don’t think it’s possible that the Eagles can pull it off because it’d just be too good to be true? Well consider what’s happened over the past five years: the Red Sox have won two World Series, Phil Mickelson won three majors, Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl, Kansas basketball won a national championship, Tiger Woods won a US Open with a broken leg, Notre Dame football went 3-9, Roy Williams actually won a big game in the Final Four and won a national championship, Tom Coughlin out-coached Bill Belichick won a Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay Rays won the pennant, and the Phillies ended a 100 season championship drought in Philadelphia. Tell me the sports world hasn’t been turned a little upside down right now…

Fearless Prediction #3: The Sixers will not make a run like their fellow Philly teams have in the past few months…I literally have no fear in saying this. Bet the house on it.

I just read that Jim Harbaugh interviewed with the Jets. I watched him coach at Stanford—he will never be a successful NFL coach. Stick to college Jim. Throwing hissy fits on the sidelines may be excused as passion in Pao Alto, but that kind of volatility won’t win the respect you need in the big leagues.

Fearless Big Five Prediction: Temple will be the best team in Philly within three years…Fran Dunphy is a great coach and if he sticks around—which I think he will—then Jay Wright’s Wildcats will have some serious competition for the Big Five title.

Has there ever been a more insignificant player that garnered so much attention than Pacman Jones? He’s a decent cornerback and an above average punt returner…if he didn’t nickname himself Pacman he’d be in a cell next to Rae Carruth right now.

12/12/2008

Ibanez now a Phillie


Jayson Stark reporting that Raul Ibanez and the Phillies have agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal.
It appears all that stands in the way is a physical.

12/11/2008

Phillies in free agency - Park

Not that I'd be cynical just a blink removed from a championship, but the Mets land K-Rod and J.J. Putz, and the Phillies get Ronny Paulino?

No worries, Chan Ho Park is on the way!

So much for Derek Lowe.

12/10/2008

Phillies in free agency - heating up

Aside from Charlie Manuel getting extended the Phillies haven't pulled the trigger on anything in Vegas, but the rumblings are growing louder.

The Inquirer has been doing a good job chronicling the Winter Meetings. Now Andy Pettitte and Randy Wolf are in the mix.

The Derosa deal still has life, but may involve Kyle Kendrick heading out instead of J.A. Happ (seems like a better situation for the Phillies, no?)

And is Ryan Madson heading to the Cardinals?

12/09/2008

Not so fast my friend....

It seems that the Cubs have hit a snag in their quest to acquire Jake Peavy--which means that the Phils attempts to add Mark DeRosa through the proposed three-way deal are on hold as well. Don't pack your bags just yet Mr. Happ...

More Phillies rumors...

Ken Rosenthal has the Phils linked to Ryan Ludwick of the Cardinals and Jason Marquis of the Cubs. Pretty interesting.

Phillies in free agency - DeRosa

Activity appears to be picking up now that the Winter Meetings are underway, and the Phils are right in the thick of it.

The Phillies are involved in a proposed three-team trade with the Cubs and Padres that would bring in second baseman Mark DeRosa. J.A. Happ would likely be sacrificed in the trade, which would send Jake Peavy to the Cubs.

One I didn't see coming...the Phils pursuing Delmon Young?

Jon Heyman gives the latest on Derek Lowe and Jamie Moyer.

The Mets, meanwhile, are closing in on the prime-time closer.

12/06/2008

Phillies in free agency - Punto on the radar

Former Phil Nick Punto might be back in red pinstripes. That is, if the Mets don't snatch him first.

Speaking of the Mets, looks like a play for K-Rod is coming soon. And yet another source ties them to Bobby Abreu.

12/05/2008

Phillies in free agency - Donald on the move?

Minor-league prospect Jason Donald has popped up as trade bait too many times to count over the last year. It isn't going away. Ken Rosenthal says Donald is a hot commodity, but the Phils might just need him this season.

Rumblings continue about the Phillies making an offer to Derek Lowe. If there is one, don't expect it to be more than three years.

And the more this free agency period drags on, the more it seems like Pat Burrell is just not in the team's plans.

12/04/2008

Report: Phils make offer to Lowe

Boston Globe is reporting that your World Champion Phils have made an offer to Derek Lowe.

Phillies in free agency - Burnett coming to NL East?

The Phillies have been linked to AJ Burnett, but not to this level. The New York Daily News is reporting that the Braves, fresh off trading for Javier Vazquez, are making a serious play for Burnett.

Ruben Amaro Jr. appears to be focused on locking up his own. Are extensions on the horizon for Madson and Werth?

Ken Rosenthal gives a list of teams interested in Pat Burrell.

12/02/2008

Phillies in free agency - C List?

Steve Phillips weighed in on the Phillies today on 950 ESPN with Jody Mac and Harry Mayes. He broke down the Moyer and Burrell situation, and also threw out some names that the Phillies might be looking at. Braden Looper or Jon Garland do anything for you?

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN is reporting that the Phils are interested in infielder Mark Loretta. Could that be an insurance policy for Utley?

Meanwhile, the Braves are trying to bolster their rotation.

On The Beat in Philly

Phillies

Neither Jamie Moyer, Pat Burrell, Rudy Seanez and Tom Gordon were offered arbitration according to Paul Hagen of the Daily News.

Todd Zolecki gives his thoughts on the situation in his The Phillies Zone blog.

Zolecki says Ruben Amaro Jr., has a full plate, with little time.

Eagles

Sam Donnellon said Andy Reid's distaste for the run is making him a dinosaur among those who run the West Coast Offense.

Bill Conlin says goodbye to McNabb and Burrell.

Geoff Mosher of the Wilmington News Journal says Joselio Hanson and Nick Cole will need to step up for the Birds down the stretch.

Flyers

Ed Moran says the Flyers finally have some leaders.

College

Villanova's Casiem Drummond will transfer according to Mike Kern of the Daily News.