Posts Tagged ‘Amy McGinnis’

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This is Where I Leave You

October 26th, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on This is Where I Leave You | Filed in General, Sports, TalkSportsPhilly

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It has been a fun and rewarding four years for me at TalkSportsPhilly.com, and it’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to part ways. Thank you to the rest of the writing staff; it’s been a lot of fun getting to know Ryan, Kyle, Sam, and Mike. They’re a knowledgeable and talented group of guys, and I wish them much success.  Thank you to Leo for allowing me to run my mouth in a public fashion, and thank you to the wonderful TSP readers.

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2015 Amy Mac Awards

September 29th, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on 2015 Amy Mac Awards | Filed in Baseball, General, MLB, Phillies

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It’s that time of year again, kids … October is just around the corner!  The weather will get a little crisper, the leaves will start to change colors, and the Phillies will watch the World Series the same way that you and I will … while sitting in their living rooms.  The ’15 season was a rough one; you’ll notice that there are far fewer awards than in previous years.  It hasn’t been a complete disaster, though … here are your 2015 Amy Mac Award winners.

Biggest Pansy Move:  Ryne Sandberg, for his early and abrupt exit.

Most Bittersweet Goodbye:  Chase Utley, whom we sent to L.A. before both knees completely disintegrated.

Silver Lining to (Another) Lackluster Season:  Odubel Herrara, for being the most pleasant surprise we’ve seen in a long time.

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MLB Has a New Domestic Violence Policy

August 23rd, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on MLB Has a New Domestic Violence Policy | Filed in Baseball, General, MLB
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Baseball Commisioner Rob Mandred is working to decrease incidents of domestic violence.

It seems that every year, we see more and more professional athletes investigated for (and sometimes charged with) domestic assault. While the incidents of off-the-field violence provide us a a small look into the abuse from which so many suffer every single day, consequences for the offenders seldom set an appropriate example. Professional athletes have historically had a knack for getting slaps on the wrist for both misdemeanor and felony assault. Up until very recently, professional sports organizations haven’t done nearly enough to administer discipline to these players.

This past Friday, Major League Baseball and the players’ union announced a new policy that involves the intervention, discipline, and treatment for players associated with domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. MLB issued the following statement:

“The Commissioner’s Office will implement additional policies to cover Minor League players, as well as everyone employed by a Major League or Minor League club, and the Commissioner’s Office, and the MLBPA will also implement an all-encompassing domestic abuse policy for its staff.”

There will now be resources for those players (and their families) involved in abuse or violent incidents. The focus will be to provide education, intervention, and discipline. It’s worth noting that other professional organizations (looking at you, NFL) have had a greater number of known violent incidents than Major League Baseball has had.

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Good Riddance

July 30th, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on Good Riddance | Filed in Baseball, MLB, Phillies

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We all know by now that Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has been traded to the Nationals for AA pitcher Nick Pivetta. I would have written this more than 24 hours ago, but I’ve been busy celebrating.

Quantitatively speaking, Papelbon has been the best closer in Philadelphia’s history.  His ERA while here was 2.31, and he boasted an impressive 9.5 K/9. Pap also recorded 123 saves in 138 opportunities, and even I can’t dispute that kind of success.

My issue with Papelbon has always been the same, and it’s the reason I’m ecstatic to see him leave so he can help Werth and Harper form the Triple Crown of Hillbilly Trash in DC. Jonathan Papelbon’s attitude has always been, and will likely continue to be, pure garbage. He’s the first to place blame on teammates, blatantly disrespect anyone in his path, and run his mouth to the media. I’m pretty sure we all remember his “I didn’t come here for this” rant when Papelbon began making his desire to leave Philadelphia very public.

I’d rather have a closer who couldn’t save a game if his life depended on it, but at least pretends to be a team player. Impressive statistics or not, Papelbon was grossly overpaid for his one job – securing three outs – and I won’t miss him.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Pap … or, y’know, let it. I don’t mind. Either way, just get out of my city and go practice your Natitude.

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Chase’s Fall From Grace?

April 26th, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on Chase’s Fall From Grace? | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies, Sports

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The Phillies are now 18 games into the 2015 season, and here’s something I never thought I’d ever have to write: Chase Utley is batting an abysmal .125. That’s right – for every eight at-bats, Uts is getting just one hit. As you can probably guess, his OPS (.420 for those of you keeping track) is also depressingly low. To be fair, his 9 RBIs thus far (which put him on pace for 81 on the season) do resemble the Chase Utley we all know and love: the player who does that it takes to advance baserunners.

It’s painful enough to watch a 6-12 team that’s trailing the Mets (the Mets!) by a full 8.0 games. Most of us are accustomed to having to wait while some players (looking at you, Howard and Hamels) find their strides. Utley, though, is generally someone we can count on to be consistent, both offensively and defensively, right out of the gate. Watching him struggle at the plate like this is nothing short of depressing.

What’s going on with Chase? Ryne Sandberg has shuffled his lineup around a bit, but Utley’s batting woes won’t be solved by adjusting the order. His stance and timing are off enough to make me wonder if there’s pain about which Utley is remaining silent. It’s certainly within the realm of possibility that Uts could have a nagging issue (knee, hip etc.) and he’s just not saying anything about it. My concern is that Chase, as a 36-year-old second baseman, can’t possibly bounce back the way he might have been able to ten years ago. I don’t want to see Utley’s career unravel.

I love Utley as much as the next baseball nerd, but I can’t help but wonder why he always seems to get a pass from a fanbase that is arguably the toughest and most demanding. We don’t stand for it when Papelbon runs his mouth to the media, we let our disapproval known when Ruiz is hitting below .200, and we’re not shy about our anger when Howard repeatedly strikes out. Why, then, does fellow veteran Utley seem to be above such criticism? Is turning down trade offers really enough to win over the city of Philadelphia? We’re not really a town that issues lifetime passes to players, yet it seems that fan favorite Chase Utley has one.

Now what? Do we wait until Utley’s performance worsens before we admit there’s a major problem? Or worse – do we wait until he’s legitimately hurt? Hopefully, Chase is able to find an adjustment in his stance and swing soon, and all of this speculation will have been for nothing.

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Battered by Boston

April 7th, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on Battered by Boston | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies, TalkSportsPhilly
Cole Hamels lasted 5 innings in today's opener.

Cole Hamels lasted 5 innings in today’s opener.

 Philadelphia Sports

In Shane Victorino’s first visit in a Red Sox uniform, seats at Citizens Bank Park were packed. Today’s beautiful weather was arguably the best in recent Opening Day history, but sadly, it was more of the same from starter Cole Hamels. Today marked his fifth consecutive season debut loss. Hamels lasted just 5.0 innings; despite his six strikeouts, though, Hamels allowed four homeruns on five hits and three walks.  For those of you who need a little math help, that translates to a 7.20 ERA. He was just no match for Boston’s Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts. Cole’s 100 pitches (64 were strikes) came with a called balk; of course, neither Hamels nor Sandberg  appeared to be happy. To be fair, though, it was Jake Diekman who allowed Hanley Ramirez’s grand slam in his third of the ninth inning. That’s right, folks: Diekman has begun 2015 with a 108.00 ERA.

To rub salt in the wound, Philadelphia’s offense was a no-show.  With just three hits (thank you, Howard, Ruiz, and Sizemore) the Phils’ lineup managed to strand six runners.  Boston’s starting pitcher Clay Buchholz fanned nine over 7.0 innings thanks in large part to the movement in his changeup and his 92-93 mph heater. Admittedly, Philadelphia lacks power in its lineup; however, there was no compensation for that today. The Phils simply must improve their situatiinal hitting and move baserunners. Period.

No one is happier than I am that the season is underway – unless you count Rockies’ new ace Kyle Kendrick, who bagged a win today. I’m expecting a tough season for Philadelphia, and I’m ready to move past Cole’s slow start, but I’m going to need to see some offense. On a side note, there were three highlights to today’s game: 1) Ben Davis sounded right at home in the booth with Matt Stairs and Tom McCarthy, 2) “God Bless America” singer, the lovely and talented Lori McCarty, gave me goosebumps, and 3) Cole’s beard stubble gets an A+ from me (raise your hand if that surprises you at all).

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We Should All Be Watching Temple and Villanova Basketball

January 2nd, 2015 by AmyMac | Comments Off on We Should All Be Watching Temple and Villanova Basketball | Filed in Basketball, College Sports, General

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The 76ers haven’t been giving us much to celebrate lately, but if you’re looking to see some great basketball, Philadelphia has plenty.

The Ball Don’t Lie

Yesterday, Connecticut hosted Temple for both teams’ American Athletic Conference opener. The Owls pushed the reigning national champs into overtime, and thanks to some free throws, won 57-53.

Senior guard Jesse Morgan scored 17 points for the Owls, while junior guard Quenton DeCosey banked 11, including a couple of free throws in overtime that proved to be crucial. Soon after, though, DeCosey fouled UConn freshman Daniel Hamilton on a three-point attempt. Luckily for Fran Dunphy’s Owls squad, however, Hamilton missed all three foul shots. When asked after the game about the role that overtime free throws played, DeCosey stated, “I didn’t think I fouled him, but the ball don’t lie.”

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