They may not admit it. Let me rephrase that, they will NEVER admit it, but the phantom five (as referred to in a less than favorable manner in the recent "Philadelphia Magazine" article) hear a clock ticking. This is not unlike the clock that former Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter heard sometime at the end of 1980 or early 1981. With the impending baseball strike looming which would forever change the face of Major League Baseball, salaries skyrocketing in the new era of free agency, and having finally won that elusive World Championship, there was nothing left for Ruly Carpenter to accomplish as an owner of a professional baseball team. So a few days into spring training 1981, Carpenter tearfully announced that he was selling the franchise that was in his family for almost half a century. They say that history repeats itself. Sadly, there hasn't been another World Championship for the Phillies since 1980, a baseball strike won't be a serious problem until the new collective bargaining agreement rears its ugly head in a few years. So the only certainty here are the salaries of our boys of summer, which are INCREASING faster than gas prices!
With a winning team (and say what you want about the Phillies, but they have posted a winning record in seven of the last eight seasons) comes good players, and their future salaries that will follow. This scenario hasn't really affected the Phillies, that is until now. Baseball fans have seen time and time again the Kansas City's (Carlos Beltran), Minnesota's (Tori Hunter) and Montreal's (there's too many to list!!!!) not being able to afford their high priced stars, and were either forced to trade them or let them leave via free agency. Make no mistake, the Phillies are in a higher market than those previously mentioned teams, but with the intense contract talks between Ryan Howard, and the rather pompous mud slinging of Cole Hammels, the Phillies may find themselves in a quandry when the time comes for these young stars to receive their increased pay. This doesn't even include Jimmy Rollins (signed through 2010 with an option for 2011), Pat Burrell (see "Bring Back The Bat"), Brad Lidge (signed through this season), Greg Dobbs (this year), and Jayson Werth (you guessed it). Lost in the mess is the recently incompetant Brett Myers', whose contract is up in 2009 (don't even go there with Adam Eaton).
One can imagine that Burrell and Lidge will both command somewhere around the $30 million mark if not higher during their contract discussions with the Phillies as well as other teams. With his 2007 MVP season, Rollins has already outplayed his contract, and if you thought the arbitration hearings with Howard were ugly THIS Spring, just wait until 2010 if he still doesn't have a long-term deal (YIKES!) Dobbs and Werth were the two most underrated players on the 2007 Division Champions, and the team will probably make a decision on Myers based on his performance during the next two years. Which brings us to that clock again.
It's no secret that 1. This is probably THE best all-around nucleus in the long history of The Philadelphia Phillies 2. To let this group of guys leave town without EVER winning a World Series title would probably be the biggest travesty in the history of the franchise (and we've had MANY travesties). And last but not least, the blatantly obvious weak link of this 2008 Phillies squad 3. Their starting pitching (other than anyone not named Hammels) has been lackluster to say the least. This leaves the Phillies brass with several options as the trade dealine approches in July and the rosters get expanded on September 1st.
1. Go for all the marbles and WIN NOW! Now we all know that there is a better chance of Connie Mack coming back from the dead than this scenario coming to fruition. But consider the facts: There (with maybe the exception of Boston) is no clear cut favorite in the American or National League this season. For the most part teams have improved, with only a handful of teams performing worse than they did last year (Colorado, San Diego, Yankees, Mets (YES!), Detroit). Everyone knows that the Phillies everyday lineup is among the best in the major leagues. Why not get the trophy girl so she can ride with you in your Ferrari? As we all know in baseball, you may NEVER get another chance. I know, I know, it's easier said than done. In order to upgrade your starters so the bullpen doesn't burn out in July, you need either good players in your organization to offer other teams, or good prospects. The Phillies have a little of both, but not that much. Enough to mortgage your future? With the exception of Cole Hammels and (GULP!) Larry Christenson, can you name another Phillies pitching prospect in the last 35 years that went on to perform well for the Phillies for more than three years? In saying that, do you risk trading away a Josh Outman, Joe Savery, Antonio Bastardo, or a Carlos Carrasco for a 42 year-old Greg Maddux at the deadline? I would say no. Chances are that the Phillies would probably say no as well and it's understandable. However, we all know what Kyle Lohse did for this team last year when he was acquired from the Reds......and I'm way ahead of you: Kris Benson is not the answer.
2. Skip the trade possibilities, and call up these "studs" with the hope that they can deliver when it counts: Relying on rookies in the middle of a pennant race is not always the best idea (see September 2001: David Coggin, Nelson Figueroa, Brandon Duckworth). That is a very tall order to ask of a young kid. Not everyone is a Marty Bystrom or even Kyle Kendrick. In saying that, the Phillies are probably going to be competitive for a number of years, so is any time really the right time to see what these guys are made of?
History has shown that the Phillies are willing to spend money, they just don't always spend it wisely. Let's fast forward to the off season of 2008: Do you "Bring Back The Bat" as well as your closer who seems to have been found new life after several uneven years? Do you break the bank and sign Howard and Hammels to long-term deals? Do you go after a stud free agent pitcher to help balance this uneven rotation? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Over the next few years, the Phillies brass clearly has some important moves to make. Decisions that, for better or for worse, could set this frnachise back 10 to 20 years in a positive or negative way. 1984 was a long time ago, but some of those choices that were made during that era robbed us of baseball in our childhood, and it took 17 years (not counting 1993) to get them back. That's too long for the best fans in the world to have to endure again! Will history repeat itself? Or will Montgomery and company do the right thing? Break the bank? or for God's sake sell the team to somebody who will so we can FINALLY have that parade? (I'm so sick of talking about that damn parade and we haven't even had one for 25 years!) Do they really want to have it on their conscience that they dismantled this potential dynasty? It is safe to say that baseball would probably NEVER recover in this town. It took almost 20 years, and fans will NOT come back next time. That is a very tall order for the legacy of this ownership to carry. Despite the fact that they have made 10 times the amount of what the club was sold for back in 1981, you would have to think that sometimes, pride triumphs over greed. We've seen what happened to the Boston Red Sox. Wouldn't that be nice here? Will this year be any different than years past? You've let us down time and time and time again. If you're on the fence Mr. Montgomery, I'm sure you guys still talk to Ruly............right?
Tick...Tock...Tick....Tock
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Why Not Us?- by Todd Flynn
Why Not Us?
Paul Holmgren brazenly coined the moniker, “Why Not Us,” that the Flyers have used as the central theme during their march into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Organization even went as far as handing-out 20,000 orange tee-shirts with those very words adorned on the front, right above the corporate sponsors, of course. As the once-frenzied, rabid building morphed into an orange funeral procession last night at the corner of Broad and Pattison, the scene became all too familiar. It was Groundhog Day, only this time, Bill Murray had just changed from his Eagles jersey into an orange and black sweater.
The proverbial fat lady was already singing even before it was over; she wore a real bad dress and was overweight. Her name was Kate Smith. Minus their top two defensemen, the Fly Boys succumbed to the Pens and sent their fans home begrudgingly staring at those very words on the front of their orange shirts that once stood for championship dreams. In unison, all 20,000 fans looked upward to the sporting Gods and shouted, “Why Not Us?”
Why not us? It’s a very simple question. As Philadelphia fans, what have we ever done to deserve this fate? As we loyally and painstakingly sit back and unwaveringly support our teams, why do the endings always seem so tragic? Why do horrible expansion teams like the Marlins and Heat with even more horrible fans get rewarded with Championship bliss? How about the Carolina Hurricanes? The freakin’ Arizona Diamondbacks. Why not us?
The Curse of the Billy Goat. The Curse of the Bambino. I don’t what hear it. Chicago had a guy named Jordan winning titles every year. They had the Bears. Before the Red Sox won their two titles, Boston had one of the greatest dynasties of all-time in the Celtics. Boston had the Orr-led Bruins. Boston now has the Pats. You get the point. Nothing compares to the absolute, unadulterated, abject futility of being a Philadelphia sports fan.
Twenty-Five times four. For the scholars out there, that equals 100. For close to 25 straight years, all four Philadelphia teams have been devoid of a Championship. It is almost unfathomable, an entire generation of fans never being able to witness a championship, watching that championship train derail just when you thought you had a chance, when the champagne bubbles were almost tickling your nose. One-hundred straight season have ended the same way, without a title.
How could a title not be stumbled upon? How could Philadelphia not have that one magical season? I am not even talking about multiple titles or dynasties, what about just that one Wild Card team or low seed that catches lightning in bottle and wins a title? Nothing, Nada, Zilch. How can we not have one title? Why not us?
Yeah, there were chances, but it seemed like those chances just ended in more direct, brutal bouts of depression for longer periods of time. Joe Carter’s home run shut down local bridges and brought suicide hot lines back in vogue. The Kodak moment of our generation is Lindros out cold, motionless on the ice after getting rocked by Stevens, the symbolism never so apparent at the time. When the Birds made the big dance, the star QB was throwing-up the product he endorsed down the stretch. Iverson’s tantalizing game one against the Lakers in the Finals just made the feeling that much more bottomless after the Sixers got white-washed the rest of the series.
Someone else can fill in the rest of the close calls, fleecings, conspiracy theories, collapses, soap operas, scandals, cheapskates, busts, and whatever the hell else they want to remember, or should I say forget. As the years go by and as we sit on the sidelines watching other cities win titles, the attainment of a championship seems more and more distant. Visions of grandeur simply become replaced by jaded cynicism, each season and sport becoming less and less enjoyable. Other cities are envied, they really are, as we all sit aghast and wonder, “Why Not Us?”
Paul Holmgren brazenly coined the moniker, “Why Not Us,” that the Flyers have used as the central theme during their march into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Organization even went as far as handing-out 20,000 orange tee-shirts with those very words adorned on the front, right above the corporate sponsors, of course. As the once-frenzied, rabid building morphed into an orange funeral procession last night at the corner of Broad and Pattison, the scene became all too familiar. It was Groundhog Day, only this time, Bill Murray had just changed from his Eagles jersey into an orange and black sweater.
The proverbial fat lady was already singing even before it was over; she wore a real bad dress and was overweight. Her name was Kate Smith. Minus their top two defensemen, the Fly Boys succumbed to the Pens and sent their fans home begrudgingly staring at those very words on the front of their orange shirts that once stood for championship dreams. In unison, all 20,000 fans looked upward to the sporting Gods and shouted, “Why Not Us?”
Why not us? It’s a very simple question. As Philadelphia fans, what have we ever done to deserve this fate? As we loyally and painstakingly sit back and unwaveringly support our teams, why do the endings always seem so tragic? Why do horrible expansion teams like the Marlins and Heat with even more horrible fans get rewarded with Championship bliss? How about the Carolina Hurricanes? The freakin’ Arizona Diamondbacks. Why not us?
The Curse of the Billy Goat. The Curse of the Bambino. I don’t what hear it. Chicago had a guy named Jordan winning titles every year. They had the Bears. Before the Red Sox won their two titles, Boston had one of the greatest dynasties of all-time in the Celtics. Boston had the Orr-led Bruins. Boston now has the Pats. You get the point. Nothing compares to the absolute, unadulterated, abject futility of being a Philadelphia sports fan.
Twenty-Five times four. For the scholars out there, that equals 100. For close to 25 straight years, all four Philadelphia teams have been devoid of a Championship. It is almost unfathomable, an entire generation of fans never being able to witness a championship, watching that championship train derail just when you thought you had a chance, when the champagne bubbles were almost tickling your nose. One-hundred straight season have ended the same way, without a title.
How could a title not be stumbled upon? How could Philadelphia not have that one magical season? I am not even talking about multiple titles or dynasties, what about just that one Wild Card team or low seed that catches lightning in bottle and wins a title? Nothing, Nada, Zilch. How can we not have one title? Why not us?
Yeah, there were chances, but it seemed like those chances just ended in more direct, brutal bouts of depression for longer periods of time. Joe Carter’s home run shut down local bridges and brought suicide hot lines back in vogue. The Kodak moment of our generation is Lindros out cold, motionless on the ice after getting rocked by Stevens, the symbolism never so apparent at the time. When the Birds made the big dance, the star QB was throwing-up the product he endorsed down the stretch. Iverson’s tantalizing game one against the Lakers in the Finals just made the feeling that much more bottomless after the Sixers got white-washed the rest of the series.
Someone else can fill in the rest of the close calls, fleecings, conspiracy theories, collapses, soap operas, scandals, cheapskates, busts, and whatever the hell else they want to remember, or should I say forget. As the years go by and as we sit on the sidelines watching other cities win titles, the attainment of a championship seems more and more distant. Visions of grandeur simply become replaced by jaded cynicism, each season and sport becoming less and less enjoyable. Other cities are envied, they really are, as we all sit aghast and wonder, “Why Not Us?”
Monday, March 31, 2008
Phils talk a good game, but........................
Jimmy Rollins predicts 100 wins. Brett Myers says that fans shouldn't be concerned about anything as far as their pitching staff is concerned. This team now has a swagger, a bitter taste if you will from last years winless October. Funny thing is, you would never know it after watching the debacle known as the ninth inning of the Phillies season opener.
Yes I know, we are only a few days into the Phillies 2008 season and I am writing a blog on this site to vent my frustration at the teams 11-6 loss at the hands of the now 2-0 Washington Nationals(?). However, before you go calling me a "negadelphian" and throw slogans out there like "it's only one game" and "Brad Lidge will be back soon," there's good reason (as always) to approach this team with caution. Washington's 5-run ninth inning off Phillies "interim closer" Tom "flash in the pan" Gordon only reassured the obvious: The Phillies, considered a playoff contender by many baseball insiders, still have glaring holes in the bullpen, and one can only hope that Brad Lidge can return to his pre-October 2005 form when he returns from the disabled list in a few days. In fairness to Lidge, that is a lot to ask for. Lidge has already missed several weeks of spring training due to the re injuring of his knee-- on the first pitch he threw off of a mound this year! Charlie Manuel does not want to resort to J.C. Romero as his closer. Although Romero clearly showed signs today that his 2007 was no fluke, he is best served where he belongs as the deadly left-handed set up man from the bullpen. Romero's fiery optimism and competitive personality easily make him this generations Mr. T (Al Holland for those of you born past 1984). Oddly enough, this will NOT be the only Mr. T reference in this blog. More on that later.
The same however, cannot be said for Gordon. Once a venerable force in the Red Sox and Yankees bullpen, the 40-year old hurler more or less proved that his brief but effective performance in the 2007 NLDS may have been a mirage. The Phillies were depending on Gordon to hold the role of middle relief this season. Assuming that his arm lasts for six months and he pitches as effectively as he did when he returned from injury last summer. In saying that, the brass must have suspected that age and his torn labrum could both be problems for Gordon as the season started. In true Phillies fashion, the "suits" have never been one for a backup plan, and that usually goes to hell in a hand basket anyway (see Tim Worrell, Jon Lieber, Freddie Garcia, or any of the other 15 starting pitchers the team put on the mound last season). The team will never release Flash, for that would be swallowing money- a whole other story for another blog. One can only hope that he gets it together. If you think you can't stand Adam Eaton, wait until Gordon keeps this going all summer. Although his comeback last season at his advanced age was indeed admirable, Gordon can talk as much as he wants to the press about how good he thought his stuff was today. However, Flash is a veteran of 20-plus major league seasons and should do the team a favor and retire if he is hurting the team instead of helping them. Carlos Ruiz insists that there was nothing wrong with his arm or his stuff on Monday, leading to speculation that perhaps Gordon is tipping off his pitches. Gordon is not tradable due to his shoulder history, age, and expensive contract, so he is out of options.
Then there's Ryan Madson. After today's rocky outing, it's not an issue of whether he's recovered from his injury that forced him to miss last season's playoffs. Instead, the brass may HAVE to cut their losses with Madson and just accept the fact that he may simply no longer be an effective major league pitcher. Consistency has always been an issue with Madson, and the Phillies are only kidding themselves if they think that is going to change. As this fan watched Lastings Milledge launch a rocket delivered from Madson's hands right into the outfield seats, my thoughts were best expressed in a line from Kevin Costner from "Bull Durham": anything travelling that far outta here should have a........well you know the line. The Phillies should have had a plan b for Madson as well, but we've already addressed that (see Tom Gordon).
Several defensive miscues also led to the Phillies demise this afternoon. Though he tied the game with his dramatic two-run homer, Jimmy Rollins booting a ground ball is almost as shocking as Garry Maddox dropping routine fly balls in Los Angeles- it rarely happens, but when it does, it occurs at the worse time possible. Also lost on this team at is the art of the relay throw to home plate. Rollins to Ruiz sure as hell isn't Bowa to Boone. No longer can you blame Mike Lieberthal and his bum knee for not crowding home plate. An MVP Gold Glove shortstop should be able to master the relay throw to home in his sleep. What was once one of the more exciting plays on the field has become somewhat of a lost art in today's game.
Offensively, the Phillies lineup top to bottom may be among the best in the major leagues. Although good pitching is an oddity in today's offensive minded game, if the Phillies had a staff that even closely matched their potent offense, many a banner would be waving from the Citizens Bank Park flagpoles in the coming years. Problem is with the Phillies, they only have "so much money to spend." What someone should tell them is that is not how much money you spend, it's where you spend the money (see Boston Red Sox). I'm not even going to get into selling the team and all of that nonsense- everyone knows that will not happen. And when it does, pigs will indeed take flight. One thing is certain: if pitching continues to be this shaky, they cannot help but do something- and I don't mean 39 year-old Rudy Seanez.
After the game, the mood in the clubhouse is always upbeat and positive with today being no exception. Truth be told, it is only one game. Whether this team cares goes without saying-they obvoiusly do. After a while though, the optimism is almost to a fault. While earning their division title fair and square in 2007, the Fightin's were also the beneficiary of the worst collapse in baseball history (I must admit it feels great just typing that!). This team swears that there's no reason to worry about a thing. Their inaugural contest of 2008 was anything but championship caliber baseball. Just remember when a certain Philly icon got too cocky and Clubber Lang gave him his lunch. We can only hope that art does not indeed imitate life. 100 more wins, J-Roll. The countdown begins Wednesday.
And yes, Johan Santana is now 1-0. Oh well, at least Atlanta is 0-2, right?
Yes I know, we are only a few days into the Phillies 2008 season and I am writing a blog on this site to vent my frustration at the teams 11-6 loss at the hands of the now 2-0 Washington Nationals(?). However, before you go calling me a "negadelphian" and throw slogans out there like "it's only one game" and "Brad Lidge will be back soon," there's good reason (as always) to approach this team with caution. Washington's 5-run ninth inning off Phillies "interim closer" Tom "flash in the pan" Gordon only reassured the obvious: The Phillies, considered a playoff contender by many baseball insiders, still have glaring holes in the bullpen, and one can only hope that Brad Lidge can return to his pre-October 2005 form when he returns from the disabled list in a few days. In fairness to Lidge, that is a lot to ask for. Lidge has already missed several weeks of spring training due to the re injuring of his knee-- on the first pitch he threw off of a mound this year! Charlie Manuel does not want to resort to J.C. Romero as his closer. Although Romero clearly showed signs today that his 2007 was no fluke, he is best served where he belongs as the deadly left-handed set up man from the bullpen. Romero's fiery optimism and competitive personality easily make him this generations Mr. T (Al Holland for those of you born past 1984). Oddly enough, this will NOT be the only Mr. T reference in this blog. More on that later.
The same however, cannot be said for Gordon. Once a venerable force in the Red Sox and Yankees bullpen, the 40-year old hurler more or less proved that his brief but effective performance in the 2007 NLDS may have been a mirage. The Phillies were depending on Gordon to hold the role of middle relief this season. Assuming that his arm lasts for six months and he pitches as effectively as he did when he returned from injury last summer. In saying that, the brass must have suspected that age and his torn labrum could both be problems for Gordon as the season started. In true Phillies fashion, the "suits" have never been one for a backup plan, and that usually goes to hell in a hand basket anyway (see Tim Worrell, Jon Lieber, Freddie Garcia, or any of the other 15 starting pitchers the team put on the mound last season). The team will never release Flash, for that would be swallowing money- a whole other story for another blog. One can only hope that he gets it together. If you think you can't stand Adam Eaton, wait until Gordon keeps this going all summer. Although his comeback last season at his advanced age was indeed admirable, Gordon can talk as much as he wants to the press about how good he thought his stuff was today. However, Flash is a veteran of 20-plus major league seasons and should do the team a favor and retire if he is hurting the team instead of helping them. Carlos Ruiz insists that there was nothing wrong with his arm or his stuff on Monday, leading to speculation that perhaps Gordon is tipping off his pitches. Gordon is not tradable due to his shoulder history, age, and expensive contract, so he is out of options.
Then there's Ryan Madson. After today's rocky outing, it's not an issue of whether he's recovered from his injury that forced him to miss last season's playoffs. Instead, the brass may HAVE to cut their losses with Madson and just accept the fact that he may simply no longer be an effective major league pitcher. Consistency has always been an issue with Madson, and the Phillies are only kidding themselves if they think that is going to change. As this fan watched Lastings Milledge launch a rocket delivered from Madson's hands right into the outfield seats, my thoughts were best expressed in a line from Kevin Costner from "Bull Durham": anything travelling that far outta here should have a........well you know the line. The Phillies should have had a plan b for Madson as well, but we've already addressed that (see Tom Gordon).
Several defensive miscues also led to the Phillies demise this afternoon. Though he tied the game with his dramatic two-run homer, Jimmy Rollins booting a ground ball is almost as shocking as Garry Maddox dropping routine fly balls in Los Angeles- it rarely happens, but when it does, it occurs at the worse time possible. Also lost on this team at is the art of the relay throw to home plate. Rollins to Ruiz sure as hell isn't Bowa to Boone. No longer can you blame Mike Lieberthal and his bum knee for not crowding home plate. An MVP Gold Glove shortstop should be able to master the relay throw to home in his sleep. What was once one of the more exciting plays on the field has become somewhat of a lost art in today's game.
Offensively, the Phillies lineup top to bottom may be among the best in the major leagues. Although good pitching is an oddity in today's offensive minded game, if the Phillies had a staff that even closely matched their potent offense, many a banner would be waving from the Citizens Bank Park flagpoles in the coming years. Problem is with the Phillies, they only have "so much money to spend." What someone should tell them is that is not how much money you spend, it's where you spend the money (see Boston Red Sox). I'm not even going to get into selling the team and all of that nonsense- everyone knows that will not happen. And when it does, pigs will indeed take flight. One thing is certain: if pitching continues to be this shaky, they cannot help but do something- and I don't mean 39 year-old Rudy Seanez.
After the game, the mood in the clubhouse is always upbeat and positive with today being no exception. Truth be told, it is only one game. Whether this team cares goes without saying-they obvoiusly do. After a while though, the optimism is almost to a fault. While earning their division title fair and square in 2007, the Fightin's were also the beneficiary of the worst collapse in baseball history (I must admit it feels great just typing that!). This team swears that there's no reason to worry about a thing. Their inaugural contest of 2008 was anything but championship caliber baseball. Just remember when a certain Philly icon got too cocky and Clubber Lang gave him his lunch. We can only hope that art does not indeed imitate life. 100 more wins, J-Roll. The countdown begins Wednesday.
And yes, Johan Santana is now 1-0. Oh well, at least Atlanta is 0-2, right?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Hope Springs Eternal With A Worthy Read
It's been several months since I've updated the blog section of the website. In the last few months, The Flyers have been floundering, the Sixers are surging, the Eagles improved their defense, still need some work on offense before they take flight, and last but not least, our Fightin' Phils take the field for the first official game of 2008 in a mere 11 days. So while we're on the topic of the Phillies, I would be remiss if I failed to inform our Philly faithful of the newest book to feature our beloved boys of summer.
"The Fall of the 1977 Phillies: How a Baseball Team's Collapse Sank a City's Spirit", is written by Mitchell Nathanson. "The Falls" focal point is the infamous Black Friday game vs the hated Dodgers in October of 1977. Nathanson uses Black Friday, the darkest day in the history of the ballclub, to analyze the city of Philadelphia, it's love/hate relationship with the Phillies, and how the the current state of The Phillies at any particular time can eerily reflect the pulse of the city. The general question that the book asks is why our city, who can be quick to give the Birds, Sixers, and Flyers a free pass at times, is not as forgiving when it comes to the Phillies. The answers may suprise you.
Part of the book is based upon an article that won the 2006 McFarland-SABR Award for the best article on baseball history or biography of the year. You can either click on the title of the blog at the top of the page, or highlight the following link to Mitchell's book on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Fall-1977-Phillies-Baseball-Collapse/dp/0786432179/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203354045&sr=8-1
And that, my disgruntled fans, is the Disgruntled Fans book selection of the month.
LET'S GO PHILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Fall of the 1977 Phillies: How a Baseball Team's Collapse Sank a City's Spirit", is written by Mitchell Nathanson. "The Falls" focal point is the infamous Black Friday game vs the hated Dodgers in October of 1977. Nathanson uses Black Friday, the darkest day in the history of the ballclub, to analyze the city of Philadelphia, it's love/hate relationship with the Phillies, and how the the current state of The Phillies at any particular time can eerily reflect the pulse of the city. The general question that the book asks is why our city, who can be quick to give the Birds, Sixers, and Flyers a free pass at times, is not as forgiving when it comes to the Phillies. The answers may suprise you.
Part of the book is based upon an article that won the 2006 McFarland-SABR Award for the best article on baseball history or biography of the year. You can either click on the title of the blog at the top of the page, or highlight the following link to Mitchell's book on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Fall-1977-Phillies-Baseball-Collapse/dp/0786432179/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203354045&sr=8-1
And that, my disgruntled fans, is the Disgruntled Fans book selection of the month.
LET'S GO PHILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
McNabb getting vocal, and it's a good thing!
For the last decade, Donovan McNabb has been a company man. With the exception of his lobbying for Terrell Owens in Philadelphia and the plea for teammate Brian Westbrook's contract extension, McNabb has more often than not remained tight lipped as far as his input regarding the on field transactions of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Those days however, have come and gone. It will be almost a year since the Eagles drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb with their number one pick in the NFL draft, and it's safe to say that if Mcnabb didn't realize beforehand that he too was expendable in the Eagles future plans, chances are he realized it then.
That is why McNabb's comments on his blog on Monday asking the Eagles front office for the additions of playmakers on his team came as no surprise. McNabb cites the Patriots (the TRUE gold standard in the NFL despite their cheating ways) acquiring Randy Moss and former Eagle Donte Stallworth despite winning three Super Bowls over the last seven years. Number five also is careful not to slight the current players on the Eagles roster, citing that even he at times did not play up to his full capabilities during the 2007 season. McNabb is just stating the obvious: a team at 8-8 despite the team's strong finish, needs considerable improvement if it wants to even compete with the (gulp!) Cowboys and Packers let alone the Patriots and Colts of the far superior AFC.
Now granted, this is obviously not the first time Donovan McNabb has been in the center of controversy. This writer for one, is always on the fence regarding the play and choice of words of Mr. McNabb. Some instances he finds himself in are his fault (remember the "black on black crime" quote regarding TO), and some are not (Rush Limbaugh). Whether you like or dislike him, it is almost impossible to argue with McNabb or find any fault with him in this situation. His comments are what you would expect from an aging quarterback whose time is expiring in Philadelphia and possibly his career. Truth be told, this should have been done in 2007 when it was obvious to all that McNabb was far from 100% during the first half of the season. While still effective as an NFL quarterback, McNabb is more on the downside of his career than the upside.
With or without Donovan McNabb, the Eagles will probably win a Super Bowl one day. Before you run him out of town however, you must give credit where credit is due. There will probably never be another quarterback in the history of the franchise who takes his team to four consecutive NFC Championship games. And despite reports of his discontent with Philadelphia, one gets the feeling that if 2008 is indeed his last season in Philadelphia, McNabb wants to go out a winner with the team he started with.
For a man who doesn't seem to always say the right things at the right time, Donovan McNabb should be applauded for his candor regarding the fate of his football team. A team that this city has lived and died with more than any other team in this city for the last 75 years. If our beloved billionaire owners have a problem with this, that's too damn bad. Go to your penthouses and cry in your caviar. Enough is enough. We're the one's who took out second mortgages on our homes to go to The Super Bowl. That HAS to account for something eventually.
Congratulations Donovan. You spoke your mind, and for once, we love it! If only other Philadelphia athletes were as honest and straightforward when speaking of their teams. For the record we DO agree. The whole city agrees. And most importantly, every Disgruntled Fan agrees!
Those days however, have come and gone. It will be almost a year since the Eagles drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb with their number one pick in the NFL draft, and it's safe to say that if Mcnabb didn't realize beforehand that he too was expendable in the Eagles future plans, chances are he realized it then.
That is why McNabb's comments on his blog on Monday asking the Eagles front office for the additions of playmakers on his team came as no surprise. McNabb cites the Patriots (the TRUE gold standard in the NFL despite their cheating ways) acquiring Randy Moss and former Eagle Donte Stallworth despite winning three Super Bowls over the last seven years. Number five also is careful not to slight the current players on the Eagles roster, citing that even he at times did not play up to his full capabilities during the 2007 season. McNabb is just stating the obvious: a team at 8-8 despite the team's strong finish, needs considerable improvement if it wants to even compete with the (gulp!) Cowboys and Packers let alone the Patriots and Colts of the far superior AFC.
Now granted, this is obviously not the first time Donovan McNabb has been in the center of controversy. This writer for one, is always on the fence regarding the play and choice of words of Mr. McNabb. Some instances he finds himself in are his fault (remember the "black on black crime" quote regarding TO), and some are not (Rush Limbaugh). Whether you like or dislike him, it is almost impossible to argue with McNabb or find any fault with him in this situation. His comments are what you would expect from an aging quarterback whose time is expiring in Philadelphia and possibly his career. Truth be told, this should have been done in 2007 when it was obvious to all that McNabb was far from 100% during the first half of the season. While still effective as an NFL quarterback, McNabb is more on the downside of his career than the upside.
With or without Donovan McNabb, the Eagles will probably win a Super Bowl one day. Before you run him out of town however, you must give credit where credit is due. There will probably never be another quarterback in the history of the franchise who takes his team to four consecutive NFC Championship games. And despite reports of his discontent with Philadelphia, one gets the feeling that if 2008 is indeed his last season in Philadelphia, McNabb wants to go out a winner with the team he started with.
For a man who doesn't seem to always say the right things at the right time, Donovan McNabb should be applauded for his candor regarding the fate of his football team. A team that this city has lived and died with more than any other team in this city for the last 75 years. If our beloved billionaire owners have a problem with this, that's too damn bad. Go to your penthouses and cry in your caviar. Enough is enough. We're the one's who took out second mortgages on our homes to go to The Super Bowl. That HAS to account for something eventually.
Congratulations Donovan. You spoke your mind, and for once, we love it! If only other Philadelphia athletes were as honest and straightforward when speaking of their teams. For the record we DO agree. The whole city agrees. And most importantly, every Disgruntled Fan agrees!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Great Depression-by Todd Flynn
It all started in 1983, soon after Mo Cheeks threw down the final dunk to stake claim to the NBA Championship. I was six-years-old at the time, my faint and faded memories are more than likely attributed to ESPN Classic, but I like to tell people I remember so they don’t think I’m of one of “them.” My childhood was marred by cheapskate owners, low payrolls, and half-filled stadiums. My foray into the uncharted waters of young adulthood consisted of bad trades, superstars being run out of town, and the end of promising eras. The common denominator of my entire fandom has been failure and futility, every year culminating without a Championship. Expansion teams have won titles, some multiple. Season after season, year after year, I am emotionally beat-up, yet I keeping coming back, I keep painstakingly punishing myself for no logical reason. The pot of gold over the rainbow is what I am searching for, that feeling of satisfaction and euphoria that you ultimately hope outweighs all of the anguish and heartache suffered after each traumatizing loss. I can’t deny the fact, I am indeed, a Depression Era Kid.
The Philadelphia Sports Depression has lasted a quarter century, it has spurned two and half plus decades devoid of civic pride, with despondent young adults walking around with parched throats, still waiting to sip the proverbial champagne that accompanies such joyous occasions. Depression era children have an edge, harboring an inferiority complex to their Boston and New York and Dallas and fill-in-the-blank counterparts. The overwhelming largess of the Wing Bowl has become a symbol of ineptness to our generation. We pack the building to overflow, indulge in women, booze, and violence to hide our sporting shortcomings. We use the Wing Bowl as a deflection of our pain, as a substitute for our hurt. We are all just crying out for attention, we all just want to feel like we belong, like we have a championship.
Bill Giles, Norman Braman, Ed Snider, and Harold Katz were the grumpy old men that helped ruin our childhoods, four grinches that stole our sports championships. In Giles case, it was cheapness, he took America out of past-time, he mired our generation with Attention Deficit Disorder, ever try to watch Lance Parrish, or Ricky Otero, or Chad Ogea for a full nine innings? Braman showed us how to be disloyal, how to care more about your yacht in France and your used car dealerships than your football team. We do have to give him credit for introducing us to religion though, he allowed us to see how God took Reggie White to Green Bay. Harold Katz gave us all hope, he showed that an inept buffoon could still become rich. He also gave us a Hooked-on-Phonics example of how a dynasty can crumble in just one day by trading the first overall pick and Moses in separate deals that fetched a sack of potatoes in return. Ed Snider taught us the finer things in life, how to live fast, how to have high payrolls and to-a-fault loyalty that always ended in heartache,no matter how genuine and heartfelt the intention. He also taught a generation respect, how to refer to your elders as “Mister.”
Eric Lindros was our JFK Jr., he embodied hope and expectation, he raised the level, and then it ended all so quickly, as our era’s anti-hero, Scott Stevens, literally ended his Flyers career on the Corestates Ice. The other three in the Mount Rushmore of Superstars; Barkley, McNabb, and Iverson all left town or are leaving town without procuring a title. All of their departures symbolize the end of eras, the end of hope, and the end of Championship dreams. The Depression ushered out a group of superstars in Schmidt, Carlton, Clarke and Dr. J and broke in a newer group that couldn’t compare. This group of superstars allowed the “close but no cigar” moniker to be part of our daily vernacular.
We hate Joe Carter with passion. We would love to pound mad brews with Lenny, Dutch, and Krukker. We would not eat dinner with Chris Wheeler because we would be afraid that the raccoon would jump off the top of his head and eat our steak. We grew up listening to Harry, and Gene, and Whitey, and Merrill on the transistor. We say that Lou Tilley and Jim Jackson have porn star mustaches. We say prayers for Jerome Brown and Pelle Lindbergh before meal. You get the point. Our generation is knowledgeable and we’re scorned. It’s unreal how we’ve come up empty in over 100 chances for championship bliss. Life as a fan during the depression isn’t easy, yet we support all of our teams and keep coming back. We are all depression era children, we’re disgruntled, and it’s time to fight back!
Todd Flynn is a contributor to www.disgruntledfans.com and is a life long Disgruntled Philadelphia Fan.
The Philadelphia Sports Depression has lasted a quarter century, it has spurned two and half plus decades devoid of civic pride, with despondent young adults walking around with parched throats, still waiting to sip the proverbial champagne that accompanies such joyous occasions. Depression era children have an edge, harboring an inferiority complex to their Boston and New York and Dallas and fill-in-the-blank counterparts. The overwhelming largess of the Wing Bowl has become a symbol of ineptness to our generation. We pack the building to overflow, indulge in women, booze, and violence to hide our sporting shortcomings. We use the Wing Bowl as a deflection of our pain, as a substitute for our hurt. We are all just crying out for attention, we all just want to feel like we belong, like we have a championship.
Bill Giles, Norman Braman, Ed Snider, and Harold Katz were the grumpy old men that helped ruin our childhoods, four grinches that stole our sports championships. In Giles case, it was cheapness, he took America out of past-time, he mired our generation with Attention Deficit Disorder, ever try to watch Lance Parrish, or Ricky Otero, or Chad Ogea for a full nine innings? Braman showed us how to be disloyal, how to care more about your yacht in France and your used car dealerships than your football team. We do have to give him credit for introducing us to religion though, he allowed us to see how God took Reggie White to Green Bay. Harold Katz gave us all hope, he showed that an inept buffoon could still become rich. He also gave us a Hooked-on-Phonics example of how a dynasty can crumble in just one day by trading the first overall pick and Moses in separate deals that fetched a sack of potatoes in return. Ed Snider taught us the finer things in life, how to live fast, how to have high payrolls and to-a-fault loyalty that always ended in heartache,no matter how genuine and heartfelt the intention. He also taught a generation respect, how to refer to your elders as “Mister.”
Eric Lindros was our JFK Jr., he embodied hope and expectation, he raised the level, and then it ended all so quickly, as our era’s anti-hero, Scott Stevens, literally ended his Flyers career on the Corestates Ice. The other three in the Mount Rushmore of Superstars; Barkley, McNabb, and Iverson all left town or are leaving town without procuring a title. All of their departures symbolize the end of eras, the end of hope, and the end of Championship dreams. The Depression ushered out a group of superstars in Schmidt, Carlton, Clarke and Dr. J and broke in a newer group that couldn’t compare. This group of superstars allowed the “close but no cigar” moniker to be part of our daily vernacular.
We hate Joe Carter with passion. We would love to pound mad brews with Lenny, Dutch, and Krukker. We would not eat dinner with Chris Wheeler because we would be afraid that the raccoon would jump off the top of his head and eat our steak. We grew up listening to Harry, and Gene, and Whitey, and Merrill on the transistor. We say that Lou Tilley and Jim Jackson have porn star mustaches. We say prayers for Jerome Brown and Pelle Lindbergh before meal. You get the point. Our generation is knowledgeable and we’re scorned. It’s unreal how we’ve come up empty in over 100 chances for championship bliss. Life as a fan during the depression isn’t easy, yet we support all of our teams and keep coming back. We are all depression era children, we’re disgruntled, and it’s time to fight back!
Todd Flynn is a contributor to www.disgruntledfans.com and is a life long Disgruntled Philadelphia Fan.
Monday, December 17, 2007
To YOU, the person disgruntled with ME.
As I listened to 610 WIP on the way home from work this evening, show host Glenn Macnow was discussing the Donovan McNabb soap opera yet again, when I decided to put a call into Glenn myself. Glenn answered my questions without a problem.
Several moments later, a "gentleman" called Glenn and decided to try and make an example out of myself and my blog, and really wound up sounding quite ridiculous.
One of my points I discussed with Glenn was how the Eagles ownership has failed to consistently supply McNabb with a Super Bowl contending nucleus(with the exception of 2004, a pretty good year if you remember). The caller then "alertly" pointed out to Glenn that the Eagles had in fact, consistently given McNabb the players to win a Super Bowl (?). He then claimed that my lifelong love of Eagles football consisted of four years, and that I should call WIP again so I can have more feedback for my blog.
First of all, to you, Mr. "elite sports fan" who knows so much about me, the Eagles ownership has NOT (excluding 2004) consistently given McNabb what he needs to get to the next level. Whether it's their philosophy regarding free agency, or their unwillingness since the Terrell Owens debacle to seriously dip into the free agent market, the high-caliber player (with the exception of 2004) never seems to fly into Philadelphia Are YOU happy with Kevin Curtis? Reggie Brown as your number 2 receiver? How about Freddie Mitchell? Matt Schobel? Torrence Small? Charles Johnson? Na Brown? Ryan Moats? a washed up Antonio Freeman? James Thrash? Todd Stinkston? Greg Lewis? Some of these players go back a lot further than four years. Do you remember Anthony Toney? Byron Darby? Luis Zendejas? I rest my case. I wouldn't develop a whole web site if I didn't know my stuff. And I'm not just talking about the draft. These are free agents as well. ONE of them turning out to be a legitimate big time receiver.
And finally, as far as talking to the WIP hosts for my blog, the best material I got for the evening was you, Mr. "elite sports fan", who firmly believes that Eagles brass is just sooooo consistent with filling missing pieces of their puzzle that "never just seem to fit."
In closing, I would like to thank the fans of Philly who have supported this site. I may not know everything about the history of the NFL, but I'm pretty damn knowledgable, and would love hear from you, the fans, in reference to my blog or just Philly sports in general. Feel free to stop by anytime. I promise I won't use you for blog feed (LOL!).
Several moments later, a "gentleman" called Glenn and decided to try and make an example out of myself and my blog, and really wound up sounding quite ridiculous.
One of my points I discussed with Glenn was how the Eagles ownership has failed to consistently supply McNabb with a Super Bowl contending nucleus(with the exception of 2004, a pretty good year if you remember). The caller then "alertly" pointed out to Glenn that the Eagles had in fact, consistently given McNabb the players to win a Super Bowl (?). He then claimed that my lifelong love of Eagles football consisted of four years, and that I should call WIP again so I can have more feedback for my blog.
First of all, to you, Mr. "elite sports fan" who knows so much about me, the Eagles ownership has NOT (excluding 2004) consistently given McNabb what he needs to get to the next level. Whether it's their philosophy regarding free agency, or their unwillingness since the Terrell Owens debacle to seriously dip into the free agent market, the high-caliber player (with the exception of 2004) never seems to fly into Philadelphia Are YOU happy with Kevin Curtis? Reggie Brown as your number 2 receiver? How about Freddie Mitchell? Matt Schobel? Torrence Small? Charles Johnson? Na Brown? Ryan Moats? a washed up Antonio Freeman? James Thrash? Todd Stinkston? Greg Lewis? Some of these players go back a lot further than four years. Do you remember Anthony Toney? Byron Darby? Luis Zendejas? I rest my case. I wouldn't develop a whole web site if I didn't know my stuff. And I'm not just talking about the draft. These are free agents as well. ONE of them turning out to be a legitimate big time receiver.
And finally, as far as talking to the WIP hosts for my blog, the best material I got for the evening was you, Mr. "elite sports fan", who firmly believes that Eagles brass is just sooooo consistent with filling missing pieces of their puzzle that "never just seem to fit."
In closing, I would like to thank the fans of Philly who have supported this site. I may not know everything about the history of the NFL, but I'm pretty damn knowledgable, and would love hear from you, the fans, in reference to my blog or just Philly sports in general. Feel free to stop by anytime. I promise I won't use you for blog feed (LOL!).
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