Archive for October, 2010

It Aint Over!

October 20th, 2010 by Christian | 3 Comments | Filed in General

Like Bluto says, “It aint over till we say it’s over!”

Let’s Go Phils!!

Buck and McCarver At Their Best

October 19th, 2010 by Johnny G | 2 Comments | Filed in Baseball, General

Tim McCarver: “…[Buster Posey] didn’t come up until May 29th. That, coincidentally, is the same day that Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game against the Florida Marlins..”

Joe Buck: “And isn’t that the same day that Burrell went deep here in Philadelphia in his return with the Giants?”

McCarver: “Right, right.”

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Let’s Go Phils!

October 19th, 2010 by Christian | Comments Off on Let’s Go Phils! | Filed in General

Hamels is 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA over his past nine outings.

The whole city is counting on Hamels to continue his dominant form today in San Francisco.

Let’s Go Cole!

Let’s Go Phils!!!

Game Time is 4:19 p.m. ET

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Kolb or Vick?

October 18th, 2010 by Christian | Comments Off on Kolb or Vick? | Filed in Eagles, Football, General

A QB Controversy Is Percolating

As much as Andy Reid denies it, we all know there’s a QB controversy in Philly.  And like a volcano, as soon as the timing is right – when one of them falters – the boos will erupt like Mount Vesuvius.  But, just who SHOULD be the Birds’ starting QB?  The numbers are too close to call.  Vick has a slight edge, but Kolb has faced and beaten better teams.

With Vick a free agent at the end of the year, why wouldn’t the Eagles stick with Kolb, who seems to be developing quickly as an accurate passer who would fit perfectly into Reid’s version of the West Coast offense?  I cannot figure it out…  For years, we endured Donovan’s inaccuracy and were left to wonder what might have been if we actually had a QB who could hit receivers in stride.  Now, we finally have one, but it looks more and more like he’ll be on the bench!

While having two good QBs a nice problem to have, think about it Andy.  McNabb, for all of his success, held you back from the ultimate prize.  Now, you’re about to make the same mistake twice.

Rollins Breaks Out

October 18th, 2010 by Christian | 2 Comments | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies

Rollins Hits 3 Run Double

Jimmy Rollins’ clutch 3-run double broke the game open last night as the Phillies pulled even at a game a piece with the Giants in the NLCS.  Rollins is finally taking more pitches (Thank God!), which is leading to some quality at-bats.  He also had a bases loaded walk for another RBI (even though ball four looked like strike two to me – we’ll take it!).

Jimmy, I’ve been calling you ‘First Pitch’ Jimmy, so please shut me up by continuing to TAKE PITCHES and have more quality at-bats!!!

The Phillies need it!

NLCS Preview – Phillies vs. Giants

October 13th, 2010 by Johnny G | 11 Comments | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies

Doctober Continues

This series certainly is not short on storylines. Pat Burrell returns back to Philadelphia once again to face his former teammates in the NLCS, Aaron Rowand also returns, albeit in a bench role with the Giants, to face his former team. Rowand was one of the more important players in changing the culture of the Phillies clubhouse during his tenure in Philadelphia. His amazing catch in centerfield where he shattered his face will be burned in the memory of Philadelphia fan’s forever. Burrell, on the other hand, went out on top with a World Championship. After being released by the Tampa Bay Rays, Burrell has been rejuvenated by signing with his home town team. It will be interesting to see how he is received now that this is a meaningful playoff game.

As excited as all the fans in the area are to see this series, I think it is safe to say the hitters are not all that giddy. The amount of quality arms that will be taking the hill in this series is unimaginable. Of course nothing is official yet, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, the rotation below will be what the two teams go to war with.

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Game one seems to be one of the better match-ups in recent memory as Roy Halladay will take on Tim Lincecum. In Halladay’s first start of the this years playoffs and the first of his career, all he did was throw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. Lincecum threw a complete game shutout while striking out 14. The Phillies do have a good history against Matt Cain, whether that continues or not, we will find out. Oswalt has been spectacular since coming over to the Phillies and appears to be rejuvenated by the Pennant Race. In game three, the Phillies will have their hands full with Jonathon Sanchez. Last time the Phillies faced Sanchez, he took a shutout into the 9th inning and was lifted after a 1 out single. Cole Hamels was roughed up in his last meeting with the Giants, allowing 5 runs. It has not been determined whether Joe Blanton or Madison Bumgarner will even pitch in this series but going off of recent history, I am assuming both Bochy and Manuel will opt to use 4 starters in this series. Bumgarner is almost a side armed lefty that could give the Phillies some issues, as they have a plethora of left-handed hitters. Blanton has post-season experience and he has been very solid down the stretch for the Phillies.

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Does ‘Clutch’ Really Exist?

October 12th, 2010 by Christian | 28 Comments | Filed in General

Living, Breathing Proof

Johnny G, Ryan and I have been going back and forth for a little while over whether or not ‘Clutch’ really exists.  For me there isn’t really a question.  I know it exists because I’ve witnessed it as a player, manager and spectator.  When I played football, basketball, baseball, hockey and managed softball, I knew which players I wanted in on the action when it counted most.  And I knew which guys were a little ‘shaky’ – to put it mildly.

But Johnny and Ryan are fans of Saber Metrics and a theory they subscribe to that they say ‘proves’ ‘Clutch’ doesn’t exist.  I beg to differ and offer the following evidence to eradicate any doubt whatsoever.  Clutch DOES  exist.  It’s a fact.

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To me, and most rational people, ‘Clutch’ means performing as well as or better than normal when the games and situations matter the most.  The easiest way to determine this is to compare how a player performs during the regular season versus how they perform during the post season, which is, as we all know when the games matter the most.  It’s also when you are facing the stiffest competition – which theoretically should push a player’s overall numbers down.  You don’t get to face doormats like the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals in the playoffs, get it?

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