I agree with Barkley

In the clip below discussing what the Sixers should do in free agency Barkley stresses patience, something a town without a championship in 25 years doesn't really have, but I agree with him. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to spend it, especially not 11 million on Josh Smith. The Sixers already have plenty of super athletic guys that can run and throw down spectacular dunks while not being able to shoot.

I knew if I waited long enough ...

That Kyle Kendrick would pitch an eight-inning gem, that Chase Utley would almost hit for the cycle, that Bruntlett would play first base (wha?!?), Uncle Charley would mix up the lineup and that the Phils would pull out a win.

Oops, Eaton's pitching today, and he walked the fisrt guy on four pitches, and the next guy doubled him in. (Sigh)

Old fart Conlin flips the script, bucks tradition

Daily News crumudgeon and occasional imaginary ruler of the world, Bill Conlin, lately famous for insulting Latinos and bloggers, has written a new column attacking MLB's National League because the league insists on making the pitcher bat. The catalyst of this Conlin column was that Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang hurting himself running the bases in a recent inter-league game, prompting the always awesome NY Post headline "Yankees' Wang Hurt" and Steinbrenner's son to call the National League a bunch of idiots. The gist of Conlin's argument is twofold, that without a DH the NL lacks the excitement of the AL, and the AL is more dominate than the NL because of the DH.

Pitchers hitting might be "real baseball" by definition. But it is not better baseball. Nor is it more exciting baseball. The 21st century editions of the DH League can beat you lopsided with muscle in the middle and little ball skills at both the top and bottom of their lineups. When's the last time you saw a plodding NL pitcher somehow reach base with two outs, then get first-to-thirded by the leadoff hitter? In what is clearly the dominant American League, No. 9 and No. 1 hook up like that all the time. The Phillies will find that out once again when they visit Oakland next week at the start of a daunting California-Texas-Georgia road trip.

The problem is that Conlin doesn't back up either of those points. Arguing whether the AL baseball is more exciting than the NL baseball is like arguing as to whether watching paint dry or the grass grow is more stimulating- it is still baseball. The excitement of 1-9 small ball is about as exciting as whether to pinch hit or not to most fans. The American League is more dominating than the NL based on what- World Series victories since 1973 (when the DH was introduced), results of inter-league play, or some other sort of statistical measure? Conlin is using the Bill O'Rielly style of debate here- simply state that everyone knows that A is true (when it may or may not be) so therefore B is also true. And if Conlin's excitement argument is carried to its logical conclusion than why doesn't baseball also employee a designated hitter for other positions where offense may not be the number one priority- namely catchers?

Why? Because the DH is a bunch of bullshit. It is like the shootout in hockey- a clumsy add on that attempts to lure fans. It allows one hitter to mask their shortcomings (and still get paid) and allows a team to use their offensive skills without the risk of the hitter messing up in the field like a modern day Greg Luzinski. It also makes the manager's job a hell of a lot easier, because according to Conlin, apparently coming from an American League background was why Charlie Manuel couldn't correctly employ the double switch for his first two seasons with the Phillies. Universal DH implementation is also why a supposed athlete like Wang couldn't master the simple art of running 90 feet without injuring himself, and why no pitcher except maybe a fossil like Jamie Moyer can bunt. Give me a break. Bunting may take some skill and practice, but running? I am sure Ken Brett is turning over in his grave because Steinbrenner's son thinks American League pitchers have turned into some sort of china dolls.

Frauds?

Are the Phillies benefitting like the Eagles did in the weak NFC East by being in the weak NL East? Are they frauds?

Random

So for Boston to win their numerous championships the Red Sox had to become the team they despise, the New York Yankees, the Patriots had to cheat, which would make a difference when you eke out 3 point victories, and the Celtics shamelessly threw games last season to finish dead last in the league to get the #1 pick. The Sports Gods are dead.

---

Does anyone else find it laughable that Tiger Woods is being portrayed as a great athlete with comparisons to Michael Jordan? To be an athlete don't you have to play a sport? You know, a competition where your heart rate increases and you sweat and not because it's hot. If golf is a sport then how did a 45 year old dude with a pot belly go toe to toe for hours on end, day after day vs. super athlete, 32 year old Tiger Woods in his prime? Woods, who is a great golfer, is more aptly compared to a virtuoso violinist.

---

Well the Phillies have lost 2 of 3 in their last 3 series. Leading the recent failure train is Brett Myers who I personally can't stand so I am actually happy to see him fail. But in the best interest of the team they should sit him down to think about things like they did with Howard at times last year.

---

Is it just me or has WIP's morning show become more unlistenable than ever? When they manage to spend a few minutes talking about sports, or more preferably talking to a guest about sports, the show is really good. But then it's right back to white trash bubble baths, intern competitions, prom dates, contests, something related to celebrities, eating food, and worst of all anything of importance that might be happening in the real world. This is when you realize how absolutely ignorant everyone on the show is about anything other than sports with Al Morganti being the worst since he is either proud of his ignorance or absolutely sure in it.

---

Does anyone else think Ike Reese sucks as a host? He completely bores me and is almost as bad as Steve Fredericks was saying the same stupid thing over and over and over with lots of pregnant pauses, lots of loving the sound of his own voice, and never going to the phones. I'm waiting for him to complain about callers "not hanging in there" to make the comparison complete.

---

For some good radio I recommend listening to Mike Missanelli on 950 from 3-6. Genuinely knowledgeable but not arrogant, very fair and funny, and he even has good callers. Basically the exact opposite of what you get from the Burger King during the same time slot down the dial.

---

And last but not least, 37 days till training camp! Woohoo.

A request

Can we please throw "under the bus" under the bus? If I had a dollar for every time some tool -- athlete, host, guest, caller -- on WIP or elsewhere (newsmagazines, political pundits) mindlessly and apishly used this played out, horrible phrase I'd be rich. I'd also be rich if I had a dollar every time someone said, "If I had a dollar every time..."

Before you think I'm on some Quixotic quest, I'm not the first to ask this request and I'm not alone in wasting mental energy and time thinking about this idiom.