Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

Moneyball

The third film in my review series of movies nominated for Best Picture, Moneyball is really the first one I think was worth of the nomination.  Oh I know that there are some out there saying, 'Oh sure, he likes the SPORTS movie!' But this is the first movie I thought had it all as a film.  It was well-cast, had a great story and was well-acted. I am sure several of the films I have left to review will score in all these areas, but Moneyball is the first so far.

Adapted from Michael Lewis's 2003 book, the movie stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the General Manager of the Oakland A's, whose use of new statistical analysis tools transformed baseball in the first years of this century. Doesn't sound like much of a movie in that description, which is probably why it took three writers, three directors and 7 years to get the production off the ground.

Ultimately, Aaron Sorkin, of 'The West Wing' and 'A Few Good Men' fame, penned the final draft of the screenplay and turned this into a story of the little guy fighting against the mega-franchises of Major League Baseball.  Beane is liberated from being a numbers-obsessed geek by Jonah Hill's quiet, excellent portrayal of Beane's protege, Peter Brand.  Sorkin adds a depth to Beane that I have never felt in his interviews or in the book, showing him to be a caring father, doting mentor and person of great conviction.

The father angle is ultimately important because it gives the film some chance at a Hollywood ending.  Based (at times loosely) on the 2002 A's season, there is no real life parade at the end of the story.  The A's, while successful, did not achieve baseball's Holy Grail.  In fact, Beane is still waiting for his World Series trophy.  For Beane to have a human, rather than professional, reason to remain in Oakland at the end of the film makes all the difference.

I'm no Brad Pitt fan, but I have to admit he is perfect as Beane, the former MLB washout turned sabermetric GM.  He's got the loose-limbed, easy manner of a ball player and the casual intensity of a sports executive nailed in the 133 minute film.  The rest of the cast is solid as well.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is excellent as usual as Beane's foil, crusty manager Art Howe.  Jonah Hill's portrayal of a composite character is perfect and 'Parks and Recreation's' Chris Pratt is credible playing a big-leaguer, something numerous others have failed at.

Moneyball is not a perfect movie.  There have been more than a few criticisms of the factual leaps the film takes.  I will chalk that up to poetic license.  The movie also lacks visual appeal at times.  There are a lot of concrete hallways and meeting rooms.  The baseball scenes are pretty pedestrian stuff.  I know it's a true story guys, but it's not a documentary.  We don't need to see the actual stretch of barren hallway where the deal got done.  You could film it at a beach side restaurant!

There are no women to speak of in the movie unless you count Beane's daughter Casey (Kerris Dorsey) or the momentary appearance of Robin Wright as Beane's ex-wife. Guys, if you're looking for eyecandy, move along. It's also a touch too long. There is a lot of time spent building up the tension between Pitt and Hill and the baseball establishment. The failure of Beane's playing career is inserted a few times too often with no real apparent need. We get what you're doing guys, you don't need to beat us over the head with it.

Ultimately this film works, though, becasue we never really think of Brad Pitt as anyone but Billy Beane.  We forget that he's Angelina Jolie's husband and that he was Benjamin Button or the Devil.  He's living inside Beane's skin, spitting in his dip cup, mouthing all that great Sorkin dialog.  The other actors help him along, but this is the Brad Pitt show.

My brother was a huge fan of the book years back and asked me recently what I thought of the movie.  I thought for a moment and said, 'One of the best films I have seen in a while.'  You'll love 'Moneyball' even if you hate sports movies.

And That's The Ballgame - Andy Musser Passes

The three voices that I most associate with my youth have all left us now.  First 'His Whiteness,' Richie Ashburn stepped out of the announcer's booth in New York City and passed into the night after calling a Phillies - Mets game in the Phils' dreadful 1997 last-place season.

Fresh off calling the 2008 World Series win for the Phils, Harry Kalas died preparing for a game in Washington, DC.  I cried that day, and again a few days later when thousands welcomed Harry home to Philly one last time.  While we still get to hear him sing 'High Hopes' every time the Phillies win at CBP, I still tune in sometimes and expect to hear him calling the game.

And today we lost Andy Musser, the third member of the Phillies broadcasting crew of my youth.  He was always the quietest of the three, the most generally reserved, but I really think he only paled in comparison because of the two Hall of Famers he worked with.  His double play calls were as smooth as Bowa, Trillo and Rose were on the field.

Some would argue Musser's voice went silent years ago when the Phillies management pushed him aside to give Chris Wheeler a larger role.  I still heard a bit of a bit of it in my mind though until Harry passed a few years ago. Wheeler and Tim McCarver were a part of those broadcasting teams as well, but never really seemed to be as big a part.  McCarver went on to make it big in broadcasting.  Against all odds, Wheels is still here, over-analyzing every pitch.

I grew up lisetening to the Phils on the radio on my grandfather's porch, and on TV on Sunday afternoons at my other grandfather's in Essington.  The silences were as important as the things that were said.

Today, we lost my last link to the soundtrack of my summer afternoons and evenings. I'm sad, but I remember seeing Musser a few years ago at a beer event he was working.  Someone inevitably asked him if he missed the games.  He looked wistful for just a moment and said something like, 'I'd be crazy if I didn't, but I've got a good life.'

Andy, thanks for all the great memories and say hello to Whitey and Harry for me.  I'll have an Anchor Steam for you!

Winter Is Here

While the official first day of winter doesn't happen until the winter solstice on December 22 this year, today is the first day that it has felt like winter to me.  The deciding factor for me was the frost on the windshield this morning.  I'm pretty sure that I have not had frost on my windshield since March of 2009, a pretty good run, for sure, but a pretty stark wake-up call at 7 this morning.  Ahh to have a garage again, oh but then you have to shovel the driveway...

How far can we be from this scene?

We had a very mild fall, with temperatures in the 60s as late as 10 days ago.  I Even given the freak Halloween snow storm that his much of the Philadelphia region, I still have not really felt the cold until today.  As loathe as I usually am to bundle up, I went with gloves and a scarf today, but could not bear to put on a watch cap yet. 

Only 68 days until pitchers and catchers!

Wrapping Up The Youth Sports Seasons

Yesterday, Emma played the last game of her soccer season for the TAA "Green Machine."  She thoroughly enjoyed her first year of soccer, and I enjoyed coaching her and her friends.  I still say anyone must be qualified to coach soccer if I can, but it was still a great time.

Emma has begun to understand how to move to the ball and how to use her size against smaller, quicker players.  She has gotten a lot better at being able run around for the whole game without losing interest or getting tired.  She has been one of the first to volunteer to play when other kids don't want to.

I'm very proud of all that she learned and I wish we had her play soccer before this fall.  It was a far better experience for her than the T-Ball experience two years ago!  The last game was not a win, but the trophy helped the sting of the loss.  Thanks to Coach Dave and Coach Jim for really doing the real work of coaching this year.

John's fall baseball season ended a while back, the last games a casualty of the freak pre-Halloween snowstorm that hit the Mid-Atlantic.  His War Eagles squad really came together this fall, winning the last 5 games of the season. He is a big boy who is still growing into his long legs and big frame.  He's got a lot of potential and determination, but his progress this fall was incremental rather than spectacular.

John loves playing baseball and is a darn good pitcher, but his footspeed limits what he can do in the field.  His bat began to come around this fall after some coaching that found a problem with his swing.  Tryouts for the spring War Eagles teams were held last weekend and he did well, and he is on pins and needles waiting to see if he made the team.

For me, this fall season probably brings to close my 6 years of youth coaching.  The fall has been a struggle for me to balance coaching duties, work schedules and getting the kids where they need to be every day.  As John has moved up the baseball ladder, my ability to help the teams he is on has been smaller and smaller.  While Emma and I enjoyed me helping her soccer team this year, there are plenty of folks who can do what I did for the team.

Sometimes something has to give when you are a single dad, and I have known this moment was coming for some time.  Coaching my kids has given me some of the happiest moments of my life.  Seeing them grow and succeed, have fun with their friends and learn some hard lessons has been an absolute privilege.  Thankfully, there are lots of good coaches in baseball program to be able to help my son develop.  I'm still not sure how good a soccer coach I was, so I am sure someone (anyone) can fill those shoes! 

I'll still be at the games, and some of the practices, but I'll be in the stands with the other dads and moms, taking my pictures, grumbling about the coaches and enjoying every minute of it!

Good Morning From Medford, NJ!

We have a great sunrise here to start our day. I hope you have a great week!

Sbarga Will Give It A Go

The restaurant space at the corner of Broad and Pine on the first floor of Symphony House in Center City Philadelphia has had a terrible history. The signs are going up today for celebrity chef Kevin Sbraga's eponymous new restaurant in the space. I am looking forward to seeing what the Johnson and Wales trained chef and his wife can bring to the space that last housed noodles joint Chew Man Chu and that opened as the forgettable DuJour.

I will get in there as soon as it's open and get you a review.

What An End to the MLB Season!

First, let me express my condolences to my friends who are Red Sox fans, especially Susan and Paul.  Hopefully your significant others have removed all sharp objects from your vicinity.  I said a few weeks ago that the Red Sox were lucky to have such a weak schedule down the stretch because they were playing terribly.  The schedule wasn't weak enough.

While my brother wrote the best article I have seen on last night's amazing finish to a great season, the chart above came from a great article at the NY Times blog 538, usually on political statistics. Using a slightly tortured bit of math, he pegged the odds of all of last night's games ending as they did at 1 in 278 million.

It was truly a phenonmenal night of baseball.

In all the hysteria, it's easy to over look what the Phils did this week.  With everyone from me to Ricky Bo saying, "They better get going, you can't just flip a switch and turn it back on," the Phillies did just that, standing on the gas and sweeping the Braves en route to a team-record 102 wins on the season.

It's a bit sad that Major League baseball, always looking for ways to mess up a good thing, seems to have decided to add another wild card spot.  Why's that sad?  Because none of the games last night would have meant a thing with that extra spot. Hopefully they re-consider.

It's a busy weekend for me with some work, Panek Oktoberfest, soccer, travel baseball, and Chowderfest, but I will do my best to catch the Phils' games at 5 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday.  There's not much better than October Baseball!

No Baseball Will Be Played Today

The Marlton team didn't show up, so the War Eagles are all dressed for the dance with no dance partner.

I guess we will head home and decorate for Halloween. Sigh.

On Success

We all know what success looks like or feels like.  The effusive warmth of accomplishment.  The buoyancy of being surrounded by well-wishers.  The energy of the celebration.

We all get a few such moments in our lives. Some of us get more moments than others.  Some of the moments are more ecstatic than others.  There's always a coming down after a success, a period of quiet, of withdrawal.  And, at least for me, of wondering.  Wondering when the next success will come or if that's it for a while.

Unless you're the Philadelphia Phillies of the last 5 years.

In which case, it's just one success after another, from winning the NL East 5 consecutive times, to having a parade, to signing the best rotation in baseball. 

My baseball-crazy 11 year old son John wears #34 for his baseball team in honor of his favorite Phillie, Roy Halladay.  He got to witness in person the Phils clinching the NL East over the weekend.  It was his second time seeing it in person, the first being that magical Spetember 27th of 2008. 

I'm 41.  I've only seen them clinch in person once. 

Now thankfully the one I witnessed was with him in '08, but it led met to consider how my son thinks about the Phillies and approaches success in general.  In his memory, the Phillies have always been a winner.  There's always been Red October.  He's never known the disappointment of a baseball season that is over before the dog days of August.  I am not sure he's ever been to a Phils' game that wasn't sold out.

This run has almost ensured that John will be a Phillies fan for life.  The excitement, the passion of the city and region, the sheer joy of it all make it a certainty.  But what has it done to prepare him for the lean times that will most certainly come at some point? 

Since the stadium is packed every night and the streets of Philadelphia are flooded with red shirts and hats, it may not be for a while.  But one day this train will slow down.  A free agent will sign elsewhere.  One too many prospects will be traded away.  Reuben Amaro won't pull off the miracle trade deadline deal.  And Red October will fade.  How will this new generation of fans approach a team that is .500.  What will Citizens Bank Park feel like on a future September night when the home team is just playing out the string in front of 25,000 morose folks?

On a larger note, how has this unparalleled athletic success of the region's baseball team affected what young fans will accept as success in general.  Does it have to be straight A's, or is a C in the mix ok?  Does it have to be Ivy League, or is a state school ok?  Is rec league acceptable, or is it travel team or bust?

I'm just not sure.  But for now, it doesn't really matter.  The Phils are in the playoffs and (with the exception of the NBA season) Philly sports is in a pretty darn good place.  We can all live vicariously thought the exploits of men who make millions to play a game.  And for a few more weeks we can savor their success as our own.

Friday Fantastic Four - Baseball Opening Day Edition

It's Opening Day here in Philadelphia for one of the most-anticipated Phillies seasons in my lifetime.  We've got four aces AND Joe Blanton.  We've got a giant new video board and dozens of games already sold out. 

While we will have to wait a few weeks for Chase Utley, Placido Polanco and Dom Brown, the Phillies Paithful are ready to fill Citizens Bank Park for this afternoon's opener.

What are your four favorite things about baseball season?

1. Taking John to a game or two.
2. Listening to LA and Scott Franzke on the radio.
3. Reading about baseball on The700level.com and not hockey.
4. Hoping for another parade.

I'll see you down at the bank!  Go Phils!!!

Opening Day on Google Maps

I was playing on Google Maps this evening and wandered by the Philadelphia Stadium area.

 
View Larger Map

There were cars in the lots.  "Hmm. That's interesting," I thought.  "I wonder what the event is.  From up high it looked like the The Linc was lined for soccer and that Citizens Bank Park had tarps around home plate. "Like for batting practice," I thought.

I zoomed in closer.  And as I did I noticed the beer garden and radio tents set up near the Third Base Gate.  I zoomed in closer and realized I was looking at a satellite image of the Phils 2010 Opening Day!  "Holy shit!"  I thought.  "I am IN this picture!!!"

I compared it to a few photos I had taken that day and then looked around for someone to tell.  After exhausting my son and a few other IM buddies, I decided I needed to tell all of you as well.  I can't tell EXACTLY what time it is when the shot was taken, but it's a few hours before game time.  There are not many people watching BP or Mr. Greengenes, but the parking lots are full of tailgaters.

Pretty darn cool!

On Spring Training and Tug McGraw

As the temperatures here in the Northeast drop back into the 40s today and wind sweeps the remaining fall leaves across the yard, baseball teams are stretching and throwing under cloudless blue skies in Florida.  While I would love to make the trek down to see the Boys of Summer getting ready to come North, such a trip is just not in the budget this year.

last week, to try to get ready for baseball season, I picked up Tug McGraw's 2004 memoir "Ya Gotta Believe!"  "The Tugger" was a larger than life figure in Philadelphia during my childhood.  The screwball pitcher who saved the final game of the Phillies 1980 World Series victory by striking out Willie Wilson, McGraw was known as a funny guy and the life of the party. 

About this time of the year in 2003,Tug McGraw was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He died just before the book was published.

I met "The Tugger" a few times in the late 1990s.  I was living back in Delco -- in Media, PA -- at the time and had a post office box at a store at the end of the street.  Tug somehow knew the older Irish gent that owned the store and I talked with him a few times over the years.  He was just what he appeared to be, funny, friendly and never at a loss for words.

But the wide smile hid some personal demons.  A brother who was a convicted murderer, a disastrous personal financial situation, a serious of painful personal relationships.  At that time he had finally accepted country music superstar Tim McGraw as his son, but had spent nearly two decades denying paternity.

Still, you could not help but love the guy.

So I was looking forward to the book arriving and spending a few days reading old stories about being a ball player in the wild and crazy 70s, maybe getting some inside dirt on that 1980 Phillies championship team or some insights on moving up though the Mets organization.  But the book doesn't start there.

The book starts at the end.  With Tim McGraw telling us that Tugger didn't pull this one out.  With the diagnosis and the cancer and the sadness.  I knew Tug had died, but I really wanted to celebrate his life, not re-live the loss.

And so I put the book back on the shelf.  I'm not going to finish it right now.

I've lost three grandparents to cancer.  My brother is a survivor.  Its marks are all over my life and my past and there is nothing funny about it.

As much as I wanted to read Tug's life story, the shadow of his death was too much for me.  Maybe another time.

Celebrating An Autumn Weekend

Vetri's 2010 Autumnal Display
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

As the temperature struggles into the mid-60s today and the Phils wrap up the regular season, I'm enjoying a day in my study, organizing photos, playing a few games and watching two televisions at the same time.

It has been a beautiful weekend here in the Delaware Valley. John's Fall Ball team played yesterday under the proverbial "sky so blue it hurts your eyes just to look at it." While the result was a loss, there were a lot of positives to go around, from John's RBI single though the hole to LJ's perfect inning, to Colin making solid contact at the plate.

Later in the afternoon, we headed into Philadelphia for the Mid Town Village Fall Festival. This even should ne re-named "People of Every Variety Getting Drunk While Wandering Around The Gayborhood." We enjoyed ourselves, taking in faux Sumo wrestling, sampling the offerings from Zavino, Bindi and El Vez and jamming to the music from Rich and his friends from "Swift Technique."

After grabbing a bite with Ed and the gang at Valanni, we headed home to an early night on the couch taking in "The Blind Side." I saw the sappy adaptation of Michael Oher's transformation from homelessness to the NFL a few months back on a plane, and chose it again last night over old standby "All The Right Moves," which just seemed like too dark a way to end a good day.

It was a good weekend to be out and about , since it looks like the weather for the week is cool and rainy, with little chance to get out and enjoy the early fall colors.

Well I am off to watch the return of the Kevin Kolb era as Michael Vick has gone down and the second half is about to start. Should be interesting ...

It Was Only A Matter Of Time

I've written before about the nightclub atmosphere down at Citizens Bank Park. I don't think it's a bad thing, but things get out of hand now and then.  Apparently last night's Dollar Dog Night was one of those out of hand nights at the ballpark.  Among the 45,000 drunks on hand was a 17 year old who ran out on the field waving a rally towel. 

While the rest of us tuned into the Phils' loss saw nothing but Ryan Howard laughing into his glove, this intrepid YouTuber caught the mayhem on his phone.

This morning all Channel 29 and Steve Keeley are talking about is the use of the Taser by the Philadelphia Police Officer to subdue the fan.  How about we talk about how the kid got into that condition and how much abuse the cop had to put up with before he decided to take the kid down with an electric dart to the back?

I say if you run onto the field, you get what's coming to you.

On Old Friends, Being a Parent and the Space-Time Continuum

Today I saw a friend of mine - a great dad - who I have seen only a few times since college.  While talking about our children, the years melted away and we were 18 again.  It was a good conversation.  Full of memories and laughter, sadness and moments of quiet.  One we have to have again far sooner than we have had in the past.

Our children are our link to all that is good in our past and a guarantee that the future will be bright.

While James Earl Jones in "Field of Dreams" who said that it was baseball that reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again, he was wrong.

It is our children. They are our link to the past and future.

Phillies Phever at Fleetwood Elementary

Well we are about 5.5 hours from the first pitch of the 2009 World Series where my beloved Phils will be taking on baseball's most bloated payroll in the Bronx tonight.

To get things started on the right foot this morning, my son John's teacher Carrie Siwiec, organized a pep rally at Fleetwood Elementary School around the corner from our house.  Bill Henley from "The 10 Show" was there and broadcast a few minutes of the fun live.

Check the clip below starting at about the 1 minute mark for a very happy kid on the right named John who has his dream World Series matchup.

Go Phils!

So Maybe I Was Wrong

I recently said in this space that I thought that "There has been a subtle chilling effect on personal conduct that I attribute largely to the prevalence of cell phone cameras and social media sites."

Given last night's celebrations of the Phillies winning the National League Championship Series and the subsequent displays of public stupidity, i am forced to reflect that people are basically capable of anything when you add enough alcohol to the mix.

Hat tip to meech.one at The Fightins for the clip.

There is quite a collage of images up at MyFoxPhilly.com.

Baseball Night In America

John and I just got home from his game, where the Kelly Green team came from behind to beat the Red Team 10-7.  John was 1-1 with an RBI, 2 walks and was hit by a pitch.

Just before the game got underway, I got a message from Enrico of The700Level.com offering me an extra ticket.  I had to decline.  There aren't any other places I would rather be than a Phillies potential clincher.  But I made the tough choice and stayed with my boy.

Let's go Phils!!!

Jody Mac Signs off at 950 WPEN

Jody's Last PM Drive Show
Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

I kinda saw this one coming, but it still stung when my brother Matt called me and told me that Jody MacDonald, perhaps my favorite sports talker in the business had just signed off for the final time on his WPEN 950AM show.

I've listened to Jody for 20 years, first catching his overnight show on WFAN when I was working overnights. Later, when he was hosting mid-days on 610 WIP, we met when he came to the college radio station I worked at. I still caught his show a good bit when he departed for WFAN, but I was thrilled in 2005 when WPEN made Jody the centerpiece of its switch to sports radio and put him on afternoon drive against Howard Eskin.

As much as I love listening to the guy, he was never the brash, confrontation host that radio GMs and PDs seem to want these days. Wry and funny and full of substance, his shows are for the serious sports fan. So it came as no surprise when the station brought in Mike Missanelli and moved Jody to mornings.

When the move to mid-days came after his heart bypass surgery and he was paired with Harry Mayes, the writing was on the wall. Jody was playing out the string here in Philly and even his most frequent listeners knew it.

I will say here today that I am about done with 950. I used to be a big Misanelli fan, but his show seems sophomoric and silly. The station that said it would never insult its listeners and would be a different kind of sports talk is now just a poor second rate imitation of 610, the much-diminished giant of Philly sports talk.

My best wishes to Jody MacDonald and his family. I will be listening on Sirius and on 1050AM.

John Is Famous!

There are benefits to having a significant other who is in public relations.  One is that the kids get in the paper with startling regularity.  Emma has been a front page girl three times in the last year and today it's John's turn. 

He had a great time last week as the Coco Key Honorary Bat Boy at the Camden Riversharks game.  And now he's even more excited to be the focus of media attention for even a few days.

Special thanks to Brian Burgamy (#7) for spending some one on one time in the dugout with John and also to Dom Principato, of Deptford, who helped John get comfortable in the dugout before the game.

It was a thrill to be on a beautiful field playing catch with my son as the guys got ready to play last Monday.  Thanks again to everyone who made it happen, especially Char.

Finally Friday

Today was one of those days that make all the hard moments of being a dad worth it.

Emma graduated from Pre-K wearing a pretty pink dress covered with a white graduation gown and mortarboard.  She enjoyed the party afterward and the fact that she drew lots of guests, but looked supremely bored during the ceremony.  Her teacher named her the hardest working student. I can't think of a better compliment!

John and his Tabernacle 8U team opened play in the Pinelands Classic Tournament with a 6-0 win over Northern Burlington.  NB won the Pinelands Classic last year, so this is a big win.  John was 1-2 with and RBI but didn't have a play in the field.

We wrapped up the evening with ice cream cake to celebrate a great day!

Now we're watching the third straight Phils extra innings game as they look to know off the Red Sox at CBP.

Have a great weekend!

Wiffle Ball Party!

John's teammates Marcus and Kevin turn 9 today, so we're at the brand-new Big League Dreams for a Wiffle Ball Birthday Party. John and his buddies are having a great time. The place has three different 'fields' of varying sizes where the kids can play. Plus there are party rooms and snack stand.

It's a converted ice rink that just opened as a 3 field facility with 1" long artificial grass and a great stereo system. If you're looking for a place for a boy's party in Burlington County, check out Big League Dreams on Fostertown Road in Medford!  The fields rent for $75 an hour, party packages start at $350 for 20 kids, they have open gym on Saturday nights for $10 per kid and they're even planning a summer camp for $200 a week.

In case you couldn't tell I think this place has a great concept.  I just hope that enough people hear about it!

2008 National League Champion Phillies

We all knew it was coming.  Up 3-1 on a team that didn't seem to have the heart, we KNEW it was going to happen.  But dawn today still seems a little bit surreal as I watch the celebrations in Mayfair and on Broad Street last night.

My friends over at The700Level have great coverage this morning and I encourage you to take a look.  John and I are enjoying the coverage on ESPN and Fox 29.

This team still has a lot to do as it readies for the Devil Rays or BoSox.  Charlie's mom and Shane's grandmother must be laid to rest.  We need to figure out who the third starter it.  We need to think about a right-handed DH.

But right now we can celebrate the Phils and their first trip to the World Series since my brother Matt was 14.  Today's his birthday and this is a fitting present.

Happy Birthday Brother!

Withdrawl

The night after the All-Star Game is the worst sports night of the year.  Not a game on anywhere.  The British Open doesn't start for 6 more hours.  Hell, I'd watch Olympic Softball Qualifying at this point.

Ok.  No I won't. I'm not that far gone yet.

Apparently the Ichiro speech eventually worked last night and the American League beat the National League for the 723rd consecutive time.  I don't know for certain because i fell asleep about 20 times before the 9th inning.  Brad Lidge took the loss and JD Drew was the MVP.

Could it have been worse for Philly Phans?

All-Star Pre-Game

I just watched the 39 minute pre-game show and have a few thoughts:

• I got chills when they introduced Reggie
• Eddie Murray looks like he can still mash it
• Jesus Lee McPhail is ancient
• The Stealth Bomber over NYC is stunning
• Schmitty and George Brett - think back 28 years ...
• Steinbrenner can't walk anymore - sad
• Cheryl Crow is HOT
• This is a great way to send Yankee Stadium out

Let's Play Ball!

WOW!

Coming off another 0 fer night, bringing the hitless streak to 0-23, Chase Utley will ride the pine tonight in the second game of the Phils' series against the Anaheim California LA Angels.  Chutley has looked positively clueless at the plate recently, so a night off against tough lefty Joe Saunders is probably a good thing.

Let's hope the Phils decide that it's time to shake off the recent doldrums and take one tonight against the Angels.  Whereever they're from.

Tigers Go Undefeated!

John's TAA Tigers completed their undefeated season today, dropping the Dodgers 16-14 in the season finale. John went 2-2, including a his best hit of the year, a roped double down the left field line that scored two runs.

After the game, the Tigers ambushed Coach Graff, soaking him with all the water they could find in celebration. Each player got a nice trophy and we all headed home before the rains came.

Break Out The Brooms!

The Phils completed the sweep of the Colorado Rockies tonight, posting a 6-1 win tonight at The Bank.  Chutley went yard, Adam Eaton earned his first win since 1998 this year, and all is right with the world going into a series with improbable National League East leaders, the Florida Marlins.

I'll take 2 wins over the Fish this weekend.  It's been a great last 4 games, with the offense putting up 48 runs and the pitching getting the job done, with notably impressive outings from the starting staff.  I said before the homestand started that they needed 7 of 10 to take the division lead, and the Fightins' are on the way to the top!

Emma is Famous!!!

Last year, Emma and John went to Chicago to visit their Aunt Jen.

While there, they toured the Wrigley Field area and John saw a Cubs game.

Apparently, Emma was also caught on camera by WGN playing catch in front of the local firehouse.  The clip made the WGN special "Celebrating 60 Years of the Chicago Cubs on WGN-TV" that aired on Saturday night.

Here's the clip:

My little princess is famous!!!

One Down!

The Phils took care of their end of the Philly sport double-header today, downing the Astros 10-2 behind great work on the mound by Brett Myers.  Things are crazy down here in the stadium area with Flyers fans pouring in and Phils Phans celebrating.

Let's hope the Flyers can hold up their end of the deal tonight and go up 3-1 on the Caps tonight.

Took the Afternoon Off

One of the major benefits of working in Center City is access to day baseball. Enjoy watching on your monitors gang.  I am in section 121!

Opening Day Photos Up

  Opening Day Pre-Game 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

While the day ended badly for Phils fans as Tom "gasoline" Gordon blew up, surrendering 5 runs and losing the opener for the Phightins, it was still a fun day.

All the photos are up here.

Matty and I had a great time in the parking lot for the pre-game, hanging with some of Philly's pre-eminent sports bloggers, Enrico and Meech plus Coaches Rowe and Mack and a bunch of others.  We enjoyed the festivities, stayed dry during the game, and headed to McFadden's for a post game of Jody Mac and Mr. Greengenes.

It was my third straight Phils Opening Day and I still have not seen a win.  One of these days...

Post-Game With Jody Mac

So the Phils sucked in the opener, dropping an 11-6 decision to the first-place Nationals. Matty and I are post game at McFadden's enjoying the last Jody Mac PM show on 950. It's better than losing.

Phils Lead

The Phils are up 1-0 in the middle of the second.  Brett Myers has the fastball singing and JRoll led off with a double.

The weather is way bwtter and we're having a great time at the ballpark!

Headed to the Opener!

  Phillies Pennants 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Another Delco Guy is headed to Wawa to get some ice and then down to South Philly for the Phils' Opener.  They should have a better than usual chance to pick up a win today, as Myers is on the mound against a Nationals team that opened their new park last night on ESPN.

Let's hope the bats are tired.  I'm meeting my brother Matt, his buddy Enrico, my buddies Carlo, Bill and Bobby and we're looking to have a great day.  We'll be in the Jetro lot pregame, then going to catch some MRGG and finally the game!

Look for lots of photos later tonight or more likely tomorrow!

Fantasy Baseball Draft Complete!

Well The Moorestown Quakers have broken camp and head north (and south and east and west) with this super roster:

Pos	Player
C	Víctor Martínez (Cle - C,1B)
1B	Lance Berkman (Hou - 1B,OF)
2B	Chase Utley (Phi - 2B)
3B	Chone Figgins (LAA - 2B,3B,OF)
SS	Carlos Guillén (Det - 1B,SS)
OF	Brad Hawpe (Col - OF)
OF	Jason Bay (Pit - OF)
OF	Delmon Young (Min - OF)
Util	Rafael Furcal (LAD - SS)
SP	Jake Peavy (SD - SP)
SP	Justin Verlander (Det - SP)
RP	Takashi Saito (LAD - RP)
RP	Brett Myers (Phi - SP,RP)
P	Huston Street (Oak - RP)
P	A.J. Burnett (Tor - SP)
P	Jeff Francis (Col - SP)
BN	Jacoby Ellsbury (Bos - OF)
BN	Edwin Encarnación (Cin - 3B)
BN	Tony Peña (Ari - RP)
BN	Jeremy Bonderman (Det - SP)
BN	Bronson Arroyo (Cin - SP)

I was really happy to take my favorite player, Chase Utley in Round one and the best pitcher in the league, Jake Peavy, second.  Figgins and VMart give me some flexibility, but I am not happy with the OF or pitching staff overall.  I'll try to use the flexibility to help me on off days, but it's a long season and a lot can change between now and the All-Star break.

Brian McNamee is a Cockroach; Roger Clemens is a Liar

I got in about 2:45 this morning  and was blessedly given a day by my boss to recover.  So I am home unpacking and watching the baseball hearings.

Clemens and McNamee both gave opening statements. 

Clemens talked about his life working with kids and his nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize, his many years working in the ghettos of Calcutta with Mother Teresa and also that he had never taken performance enhancing drugs.  The Congressional questioners kept incredulously using the phrase "You remember you are under oath, right?," clearly indicating they know that Clemens is either currently pitching in fantasy land or its actively lying to cover his oft-injected ass.

After everyone in the room got done saying what a great guy fellow drug user Andy Pettite is, Clemens said that "Andy (Pettite) is a friend of mine, and he always will be a friend of mine." BUT "I think Andy  mis-remembers."

McNamee noted that he had provided the bloody gauze and syringes only after Clemens' lawyer had secretly taped McNamee talking about his son's medical condition.  Clemens' lawyer Rusty Hardin then released that tape to the whole world.  Pissed off, McNamee then went to wherever one stores 9 year old bloody evidence and gave it to the congressional committee folks.

It's clear in all of this that Clemens has ruined his legacy to the game.  I have always been a huge fan of what he has done on the mound.  But now it is clear that he did it by cheating and that his desire to 'have an edge' was taken too far.  In taking it too far, Clemens associated with dirtbags like McNamara, was seemingly indifferent to drug use, and was not a proponent of fair play. 

The Rocket was simply amazing on the mound.  Even on his worst day, his competitive fire still gave him a better than average chance to pitch his team to a win.  Clemens had a Hall of Fame career, but should never be inducted.  He should be banned from the game and his records removed from the books.  If it was just one person's word against Clemens', I'd have to give him a pass. 

But with Pettite saying Clemens is dirty and McNamee saying it as well, and with physical evidence that will likely prove it,  it's time that Clemens was separated from the game.  It pains me to say it, but an example needs to be made from him.  Kids can't see what he did and say that it was ok.  It's time for Clemens to come clean or get out.

Friday Fantastic Four

I try not to do whiny, complaining posts, but i watched the World Series last night and it totally ticked me off.

 

In that vein -

What four things most piss you off about TV?

1. 4 guys calling a simple game
2. Oprah
3. Current players acting as commentators
4. That I have 174 channels and nothing is ever on

On the positive side, it was an amazingly well-played game and I can't wait to see if the Phils can make a real play to bring Schill back here for his last season.  Mike Lowell would look nice in red and white at 3B as well.

And I am never buying another Taco Bell product again.

have a great weekend!!!!

Thanks Guys!

It's hard to believe that the sweet feeling the Phils brought us last Sunday is now tinged with the bitter edge of the sweep.

Back in April, Jody Mac warned me that the best I could hope for was a pennant race that went down to the wire.  Jody was dead on.  This team scrapped and slugged and even at times, pitched its way into the Division lead with only hours to spare.

It was a wild, wonderful ride.

At the end of 162 games, I was darn near spent and I just watched the games.  From all appearances over the last week, the Phils were spent too.   I went down to the games in South Philly and watched last night as Jamie Moyer, who personifies the phrase "Crafty Lefty," gave them just one more chance.  I had High Hopes.

But it wasn't too be.  These Phils were too young, had spent too much energy, and just did not have enough against a team that  matches up against them very well.  So they will stack the bats, fold the uniforms and break out the golf clubs for another winter.

At least the off-season was a week shorter this year.

PHUCK!!!!!!!!!

Rough one yesterday for the Phightins, but all will be better down at The Bank today.

Photos from yesterday's madness are up at my Flickr site.  i'm on the run and will have more for ya later!

See ya all down at the park!

It's On

Fourteen years ago this month, Bryen O'Boyle and I watched Curt Schilling and the Phils shut down the Toronto Blow Jays 2-0 at Veterans' Stadium in South Philadelphia.  It was to be the high water mark of the Phillies franchise for the 27 years since the magical month of October 1980. 

Today, I will be back in South Philly as Bryen and Mr. Greengenes get the crowd pumped up prior to the biggest game in a LONG LONG time here in Philly.  Then I'll be back in the office watching the game online with the rest of the Phils Phaithphul.

I'm hoping Hamels has a Schillingesque day and the Phils take the lead in the series.

I'll have photos and a wrap later today!

LETS GO PHILS!!!!!

2007 NL East Champs!

  2007 NL East Champs! 
  Originally uploaded by The700Level

As a father, yesterday was pretty tough for me. 

My son is a Yankees fan in a major way.  Last spring, we had decided that there was a good chance yesterday would be an important game and that we should be in Baltimore to watch the Yankees clinch the AL East.

It never entered my mind that the Phillies would be back home in Philly clinching the NL East while I watched the scoreboard at Oriole Park.

I wore full Phillies regalia including a bight red shirt and cap.  I got a good number of friendly "Go Phils!" comments and even saw 2 other guys in "P" hats.  The scoreboard operator kept us updated, and between the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings showed video highlights of the Phils scoring. 

In the 8th, they showed the video of the Phils rushing the field and put "Philadelphia Phillies 2007 NL East Champions" up on the big board. 

While I was overjoyed, the major feeling was RELIEF!  We had finally made it.  The long up and down ride of the season was over and we are ready to take care of business.

We clapped and cheered and high-fived and accepted the congratulations of the Yankee fans.  While I wasn't in South Philly, I was happy yo be in a ballpark among the baseball faithful.  I'm meeting some Hummer driving real estate sales man Yankee fan from Westchester county in the Bronx for the World Series in three weeks.  I don't know his name, but we sat in Section 27- yesterday.  I'm sure he'll remember the crazy Phillies fan.  At least I think he will.  He drank a few beers.

I'll see you in Center City at Noon for Mr. Greengenes and the Phils for a rally at City Hall!!!!

Keep Me Posted

We're about to head out to the baseball game.  No - not THAT game, the Yankees game in Baltimore.

My son is a huge Yankees fan and at the beginning of the season, thinking the last game might be big for the Yanks, I got us seats in the Club Level at Oriole park for the season finale.

As it turns out, the game will be meaningless as the Yanks have already clinched a wildcard berth and the O's were terrible again this year.

The game here in Philly though will be one for the ages, as the Phils battle the Nationals to scratch their way into the playoffs for the first time since 1993. 

I'll be watching the scoreboard and wearing my Phils shirt.  Keep me posted on all the news from South Philly and Flushing

A Good Day

It's a DAMN good day.

A major project wrapped up at work.

The boss taking me and the staff out for thank you drinks.

A night at The Bank watching the Phightins' scratching and clawing their way tot he top of the NL East.

I'll be down there... drop me a line if you will be too.

Friday Fantastic Four

To celebrate the beginning of the football season, we have a sport-related list today. 

What are your four favorite sports events? 

For example – in 1983 when I hit a home run off Suzy Sample to win the Kidde Kup World Series or the 2003 Daytona 500 or whatever.

1. Taking the kids and GF to Yankee Stadium in 2006.  Yanks lost, but John was enthralled
2. Game 5, 1993 World Series - Schilling beats the Blow Jays 2-0.  Bryen O'Boyle and I sit in the 700 Level and drink lots of beer, later falling asleep in the parking lot.
3. 1997 1998 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Baskeball Championship - Cabrini beats Allentown Alvernia to cut the nets down in the last game ever at Sacred Heart Hall.
4. 1985 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Championship - Villanova plays the perfect game and downs the vaunted Hoyas 66-64 on April Fool's Day.

Ditto

I was about halfway through writing a diatribe about the Phillies shitting the bed yesterday afternoon and how happy I am that football season is starting tonight before I noticed my brother's post over at the700level.com.

He said it all and better than me, so I will shut up now.

Except to say that I'm taking my fantasy QB Drew Brees and the Saints to win outright tonight over the Colts. 

Happy Birthday Grandpop!

  Grandpop and Me 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

My grandfather, Stanley 'Kris' Pesotski, would have been 86 today.  As a child, I spent as much time as I could at his house (now Matt's), gardening, exploring the upstairs, listening to baseball on the radio and generally enjoying the whole experience.  I was as close to him as I was to anybody I guess.

He could be a difficult person and he drank more than he should, but he generally took his anger out on others, saving the best parts of himself for his first grandchild.  Though in physical pain most of his life, he worked his tiny plot of yard into the most amazing vegetable gardens I have ever seen, growing everything from grapes and peaches to horseradish and zucchini.  And tomatoes.  Mountains of tomatoes, eaten raw like apples, sliced with salt or sugar, cooked into paste or juice, or sold in a stand on the front yard.

Even after I went away to college (the picture at right is the only time he was on campus) we still stayed in touch.  Every now and then he would call.  I would stop by whenever I went home.  We talked often about the Phillies.  He got sick when I worked at Widener and I would take long lunches to visit him at the hospital or his house.  I knew my friend would be going soon and I wanted to spend as much time as I could.

He's been dead for over 12 years now and I still find myself picking up the phone to call him now and then.  I don't know what to make of that.   I want to tell him how much my son John loves baseball and what a sweet, funny thing Emma said last night.  I want to believe that he knows, that he has somehow seen, but I don't know for sure.  I just hope so.

Happy Birthday Gramps!  I miss you very much.

Dreaming of a Pennant

  Dreaming of a Pennant 
  Originally uploaded by Cavalier92

Last night, as I was headed to bed after Dan's and Mary Ann's party and catching up on the first Saturday of college football, I stuck my head into John's room before turning in.  The sight of him peacefully asleep, prized Phils cap still on his head, made me hope all the harder that the Phightin's can put last night behind them knock off the Marlins this afternoon.

It's been an up and down ride, but I sure hope that my baseball boy get a chance to see some playoff action at CBP this fall.

Phinding Ways To Win

The Phils pulled out another one tonight 3-2 over the Mets, leaving only one game left for the potential 4 game sweep.

Jamie Moyer was solid in his 6 innings tonight, looking nothing like the guy who has given up 25 runs in his last 3 games.  Abe Nunez proved Charlie right AGAIN tonight, getting the start and playing 3B brilliantly.  Chase took the night off, but second base played a key place in the game, as Moron Marlon Anderson practically tackled Tad Iguchi at second, getting called for interference on a play that ended a game that might still be going on if not for the play.

In other good news, Lastings Milledge was injured on a Rollins fly ball and Burrell and Rollins homered as the Phils brought the Mets to their knees.

As I noted on Jody Mac's show today, I am back on the bandwagon and I am sorry I doubted the boys.  Whenever things look bleak, they find a way to pull back into it and tonight was no exception.  The Phils try to make it 5 in a row tomorrow at The Bank vs. El Duque at 1:05.

Off the Bandwagon?

After yet another meltdown by the Phils bullpen yesterday afternoon, I am beginning to think that my belief that this is a season of destiny for the Phils may hve been simply a fool's hope.  This wild ride seems destined only to end like last year.  And the year before.  And the year before.  With no October baseball in Philly.

Yes I know that Chase Utley is scheduled for a rehab start tonight in Reading.  But so is Adam Eaton, who the phils are counting on to start a game in the crucial Mets series next week.  Just a week ago, we were hoping that Eaton's stint on the DL would last until next April, or forever maybe.  Now, with only Jamie Moyer left forn the Phils 6 man sprin training rotation, Eaton is a key to the playoff run.  Let's hope two weeks off have give hin a good rest and he can hold opponents under a .400 batting average.

We've also got to find the MIA MVP somewhere soon.

I'm headed to the park tomorrow and maybe next Tuesday to support the Phightin's, but losing 2 out of 3 to the Dodgers and getting bombed in the process doesn't have me real hopeful this morning.