There will never be another

I'm not the biggest baseball fan, but I am a huge Harry Kalas fan. If I was flipping around and the Phillies were on and Harry was doing the play by play, I would stop and listen. His voice embodies a mild summer evening of baseball. It was his tone, his cadence, and most importantly his warmth and his pace. The game he loved and the way he called it were matched perfectly.

I am thankful I got to grow up listening to Gene Hart call Flyers games and Harry Kalas call Phillies games. Make sure you enjoy Merrill Reese while you can. All these guys are once in a lifetime.

Matt Stairs, professional hitter

Apparently, Huston Street didn't catch the NLCS last year. Or, more likely, he mistakenly put a fastball in a bad place — belt high and middle in — and pinch hitter Matt Stairs put the pitch over the right-center wall to secure a 7-5 Phillies win over Colorado Sunday.

When you don’t hit the glove bad things happen.

As Omar on The Wire would say, "Indeed."

Playoff Beard Growers of the Delaware Valley Unite

And I'm talking neck beards, none of the sculpted classy stuff. But don't really worry about it, as the effort the Flyers gave tonight leads me (and Wood) to believe it will be a first round exit, so you'll be able to shave in a week or so.

On paper, the Flyers matchup against any team in the NHL with regard to offense: three lines that can really make an opposing team wonder who to send out against them, six players over 25 goals, new linemates Giroux and Briere clicking with chemistry, and Carter's 46 goals. Yet defense and most important, goaltending wins playoff games.

The Flyers went 4 and 6 in their last ten, failed to clinch the 4th seed for home ice in the 1st round by a point (some would argue they could have chased down the Devils for a 3rd place finish if they hit a hot streak like last year before the playoffs started), and really showed no guts and grit except for the wussbag hit on CrAvery in the end of regulation this afternoon. Jones (overpaid) and Parent are banged up, and Biron still has not convinced me and others that he's a number one goaltender.

The Penguins have been on a hot streak since the firing of Therrien, going 19 and 6 under Dan Bylsma. They've also had the Flyers number this year winning the series 4-2. My heart says the Flyers in 6, but my gut tells me the Penguins in 5. Post your predictions (and beard progress) in the comments.

Ring, ring, ring goes the bell

So apparently something happened after the Phils got down 10-3 to the Braves going into the seventh inning Wednesday. Something that sounded like a nutso comeback win while driving with Jeremy down Front Street away from the stadium. Oh dear.

Yes, the Phils had a comeback for the ages — mainly the age of horrible bullpen pitching (courtesy of the Braves) — but it was nice to see, in the words of Jayson Stark (Great Sports Debate represent) the alarm clocks finally go off and the Phillies actually start playing, offensively anyway.

That was a long sentence, in honor of the long, boring stretches of play the Phils offered up for most of their first three games. Let's hope they've snapped out of it.

Bonus question 1: Booing Adam Eaton during the ring ceremony — thoughts, opinions?

Bonus question 2: Are they kidding with $12 parking and $7 bottled beers?

Bonus question 3: Where did I get the idea that attending fans would be getting replica rings? Cause we didn't.

And the winner is...

OBHatesBrierePellyHatesCarter

Congratulations! (Too bad he's a Cowboys fan so he is still a loser to his core.)

The complete standings for 2009:

1. OBHatesBrierePellyHatesCarter - 123
2. bracket FAIL - 121
3. Mama Bock - 105
4. flying hellfish - 103
5. ron_hearts_george_thorogood - 93
6. Big Daddy B - 84
7. ChillyV's Super Duper Picks Yo - 81
8. Jeff's Last Minute Picks - 80
9. thunder_jeans - 77
10. Sheeeeeeeit! - 77
11. Steve - 74
12. ronscrappypicks - 73
13. The Definitive Intergral - 67
14. Fa-Fa-Flunky's Ba-Ba-Brackets - 64
15. jim cramers top picks - 8
16. The Wright Bracket - 0

Wonder if this means Donovan McNabb can enforce that oral agreement to obtain more offensive weapons?

Eagles ownership/management has a new strategy in their on going battle with the city of Philadelphia over Veteran's Stadium luxury box revenue. Apparently the Eagles are claiming they had an oral agreement with John Street to settle their 8 million dollar luxury box revenue debt for a mere 1 million dollars.

The team claims the city's failure to live up to the deal, plus the 2004 lawsuit, caused "the Eagles to expend time, money and legal fees, and perhaps worse of all, exposing the Eagles to precisely the type of negative publicity the Eagles sought to avoid when they insisted on settling the [dispute] as part of the stadium deal."

Now, I do not doubt Street would do something like forgoing 7 million dollars in tax revenue, but only if Street received a 1 million dollar campaign donation from Jeff Lurie. And am I to believe master capalogist Joe Banner did not get this deal in writing? But really if this oral agreement is enforceable, I wish to enforce all oral agreements/pledges made by the Eagles organization to the fans over the past 7 years. Pledges such as "We have to get better at stopping the run/clock management/game preparation", "Our receivers will be competitive with any other team in the league", and of course, "We are the gold standard", among many others. Based on the Eagles lawsuit that the cancellation of the 2001 Ravens preseason game cost the team 8 million dollars, I figure we are owed in the neighborhood of $100 million dollars for these broken pledges. I am beginning to think the Eagles let Brian Dawkins go to distract the fans from this crap.

Yes! and Nova

Final Four, baby. Things are turning up Milhouse for Philly sports teams lately. Let's keep it going.

Tournament Time

Bracket registration closes at tip off of the first game of Round 1 on Thursday, March 19.

Once again I set up "team" willweeverwin over at Yahoo! First go to Yahoo's Tournament Pick'em page and click "Join a Group". If you have a Yahoo account, login. If not, follow the instructions and get one. Once logged in, choose "Join Private".

Group ID#: 71977
Pass: check the first comment of this post

Where it says "Bracket Name" is where you would put your name. I cleverly put "ronscrappypicks". Then make your picks by the first game on Thursday, March 19. To keep track of your picks you can download the custom willweeverwin NCAA bracket PDF.

There are new scoring options this year besides the Yahoo! default. Should I change them?

• Yahoo! Default - Traditional scoring system with a heavier weighting on later rounds. Works well with Seed Difference bonuses.
• Progressive - Slight weighting toward later rounds keeps this game interesting past round one. Try it with Upset Pick bonuses.
• Straight - Correct picks are always worth 1 point. No weightings. May the best bracket win!

The champion receives accolades and some self-satisfaction, but no parades down Broad Street unfortunately.

Globetrotters Defeat Generals!

Fresh from their exhibition game on the roof of the Spectrum, the Harlem Globetrotters defeated the Washington Generals in not one, but two, games today at the Wachovia Center. Here are some highlights Good work and all by the 'Trotters, but why do these guys keep ducking The New Invincibles?

Briere’s salary costs the Flyers another player

Scottie Upshall joins Glen Metropolit and Ossi Vaananen on another NHL team thanks to the money tied up in the Danny "the bust" Briere’s salary. Yesterday the Flyers traded Scottie Upshall for misconduct machine Daniel Carcillo. Carcillo will throw body checks and fight but he is not the player Upshall is. Carcillo is a less disciplined Aaron Asham. The Flyers also traded for “big” Kyle McClaren who is currently in the AHL and/or injured and the most notable thing he has done this year is being checked into the boards by Steve Downie (which triggered yet another Downie suspension). Theoritically McClaren could play a role for the Flyers who, with the exception of Alberts, are smaller and non aggressive on defense, and have little hope of clearing a Milan Lucic or Nik Andropov from in front of the their net. Basically the Flyers traded Upshall to clear cap space as this article explains nicely.

While signing Briere for big money was a bad hockey move, I concede it may have been a good PR move for the Flyers, then coming off one of their worst seasons in team history. The signing energized non thinking fans, but due to the contract and the type of player (good in limited areas of the game- the rush and the powerplay, poor on defense, small and soft) Briere is, it has handicapped the team this year and in years to come. I am willing to bet Holmgren tried to move Lupul instead of Upshall, but his contract made that a no go.

Anyway if Carcillo plays tonight he will surely attempt to get into a fight. Hopefully he can take Dion Phenueff of the ice with him.

Brian Dawkins 1996-2009, RIP

UPDATE: From Les Bowen's blog, Dawkins on Eagles fans:

"I've just got to thank them. For so many years, we obviously connected on a very deep basis," Dawkins said the day after he left his only NFL home for 13 seasons to sign with the Denver Broncos. "For so many years, they've allowed me to come into their living rooms, to laugh with them, to party with them, to celebrate with them, to cry with 'em through tough losses, to bleed with them. I just really appreciate the way they accepted me, a little safety from Clemson."
...
"In a couple of weeks or a month, I'll be excited about this team," Dawkins said. "I've got to get used to saying that -- I'm a Bronco." Then he paused. "I'll tell you one thing -- I'll always be an Eagle."

Various

Sorry for the lack of updates. Just been busy and distracted, but here's a bunch of crap to discuss.

///

Scott Eyre is broke, supposedly. Should have invested with Wu-Tang Financial.

///

Big Fan is a movie about a hardcore New York Giants football fan, struggling to deal with the consequences of being beaten up by his favorite player. Michael Rapaport plays Philadelphia Phil, a hardcore Eagles fan.

I'm sure Philadelphia Phil will be a fair representation of an Eagles fan with none of the lazy, tired cliches and canards.

///

The Alex Rodriguez steroid story reminded me of something from last summer. The tiresome Glen Macnow was asked if he was following the Tour de France. Of course his immediate gut reaction was a definite, "No." But he realized he couldn't leave it at that because here was another opportunity to burnish his manly man cred by crapping on what he perceives to be a girly euro thing so he added something like, "Why would anyone watch that? The whole sport is corrupt. You cant trust anyone in that sport." Oh how Macnow loves doing his moronic caveman schtick.

Bicycling was corrupt, but over the last few years it has made a serious and highly publicized effort to zealously expose and punish the cheaters and become, you know, uncorrupt. The exact opposite of what Macnow said it was. It even took a tour victory away from Floyd Landis, i.e., corrected the record books. Of course the exact OPPOSITE has happened in baseball where MLB knew for years there was cheating, knew the biggest names in baseball like A-Roid were cheating, but did absolutely nothing about it. MLB purposely ignored it and covered it up and would still be doing it if congress didn't get involved. We all know Macnow is never going to make a similar statement about baseball. And ha ha, isn't it funny the 93 Phils were all cheaters? Good times. In hindsight, justice was actualy served that they didn't win the World Series.

Other bike race fun: Antlerman, the Pope and Death hanging out, and Syringeman.

///

How many games are the Sixers going to lose on last second prayers? The most recent miracle shot delivered by the Nets was the worst yet since it also involved horrible timekeeping and terrible refs that let the shot count.

///

So NOW McNabb wants, instead of merely suggesting the possible need for, more weapons or else he's going to take his ball and go home. Way to finally take a stand, dude. It doesn't seem at all like a calculated attempt to get the fans (that you hate and disparage) on your side in your effort to get a contract extension. Besides, didn't you say that Asante Samuel was a weapon? What more could you need?

///

Too bad the Eagles weren't running the nations or most of american household's finances since they were actually planning for the worst. They figured tons of teams would be crunched by the salary cap so planned accordingly. Too bad it never happened and now the Eagles are around 38 million under the cap with almost no free agents available to spend it on since everyone else now has the room to sign or franchise their star players. Strange as it seems, I really can't criticize them for this since I think they were actually being smart.

///

Flyers 2 big weaknesses - constantly taking penalties and unreliable goaltending. There's a reason why Richards and the team are leading the league in shorthanded goals, they have the most opportunities. Of course killing penalities wears out your best players and limits their shifts at even strength when you are more likely to score, despite the Flyers success scoring while down a man.

Of the goaltenders I don't like Biron. His boneheaded decision followed by his terrible effort acting on it cost them the game vs. Pittsburgh. You know if the Penguins squeak into the playoffs it'll be because the Flyers found ways to give them 2 points almost everytime they've played and that will piss me off.

Flyers win in OT

1st period
After getting beat on Wednesday night by the Bruins, the Flyers traveled to Boston to again face off against the team that just defeated them. Instead of coming out fast and trying to establishing their forecheck, the Flyers eased into the game. The trapping, boring Bruins were more than happy to play this style, and eventually took a 1-0 lead on a bad angle goal by Marc Savard. This goal was weak. Marty Biron should have saved it but he came up small, leaning off the post and letting the puck squeeze by. Of course Milan Lucic was sitting in the crease as no Flyers defenseman except maybe Andrew Alberts ever thinks about clearing the porch. I am sure somewhere Eddie Van Imp is having an annuerism watching this weak defense. After a strong shift by their 4th line, the Flyers were awarded a power play. This is the only area of the game where the 54 million dollar bust, Danny Briere is missed, as the Flyers have poor puck movement and really do nothing to threaten. However once the power play expired the Flyers continue to play strong hockey and pick up another power play. This power play was doing a little better, and then some Burin took a bad penalty and the Flyers had a 5 on 3 advantage. Good puck movement and a sweet pass by Mike Knuble to Simone Gagne and the game was tied. Hartnell then took a dumb penalty (his specialty) and the Flyers had to kill off a Boston power play, which they did thanks to some strong goaltending by Biron. The game then went back and forth, until Randy Jones made another weak clearing attempt (the Flyers had about 5 of these during the period) that Brad Stuart picked up at the blue line, and fired a wrist shot that beat Biron. Well Stuart actually just hit the cross bar, but Byron Bitz was standing all alone in the crease (sound familiar) and placed the puck into the net for a 2-1 Boston lead. 8 seconds later, Biron lets in a Hextalesque softie from the face off circle and it is 3-1 Boston. Inexcusable goal. The Flyers outdid themselves by letting in 2 goals in the final minute of a period. The Flyers have no answer to the trapping Bruins, and really haven’t had an answer for over 2 years, as Boston has dominated them over that period of time.

2nd period
Biron sits and Antero Niittymaki is in goal. Excellent move. Flyers begin to take control of play with some good forechecking. The Flyers establish “the cycle” and Aaron Asham makes an excellent pass to Glen Metropolit for a goal. Asham, Powe, Giroux, Metropolit, and The Hartnell all played well, and Stevens is rewarding them with more ice time. Flyers continued to play well and Boston continued to take bad penalties. The Hartnell scores a garbage goal on a power play. The Hartnell has everyone on the Bruins pissed at him- Shawn Thornton, Lucic and Zdeno Chara all took runs at The Hartnell. The period ends in a 3-3 tie. A very good period by the Flyers.

3rd period.
Flyers dominate the first 10 minutes but cannot score. Boston then dominates the next 10 minutes but can’t score. Boston had a power play during the last minute (delay of the game on Niittymaki), but the Flyers get some great scoring chances while shorthanded, but Gagne and Carter are unable to score.

OT
Boston starts on the power play and get a few good shots on goal. After the power play the Bruins continue to dominate play. Randy Jones (who was booed all game by the Bruins fans) scores a goal on a fortuitous bounce. Jones shot was at least 5 feet wide but it hit Andrew Ference and bounced straight into the net. Total lucky goal, but still a great win for the Flyers. Biron’s soft goals nearly cost the team this game.

Notes
Scottie Upshalll and Mike Richards missed their second game in a row with the flu. Jared Ross skated on the first line to start the game.

Flyers played with 7 defensemen, though Vaananen saw about 1 shift. I think Stevens was worried that Braydon Corburn may still be too sick to play, but that proved not to be the case. Because the Flyers dressed only 11 forwards (and one of those was Riley Cote who played about 3 minutes), lots of Flyers who rarely see the ice played significant amounts of time. Metropolit, Asham and Giroux really stepped up. Jared Ross did not, making lots of turnovers.


Watch the highlights at NHL.com.

To pass the time

I recently became aware of Streak for the Cash on ESPN.com. Basically you sign up, pick winners and try and get a streak going and whoever does best wins a million bucks. It's a lot harder than it sounds. I set up a willweeverwin group if anyone wants to join.

Group: willweeverwin
Password: (I'll put it in the first comment)

Strangely the Pro Bowl isn't listed tomorrow. I had strong insider information the NFC was a lock.

And just so you know, you can only have 1 pick active at a time. You make a pick, wait till that event is over and only then can you make your next one. It's completely annoying, but they get more hits.

Squibb's Patronage of Cluck-U Chicken Rewarded

Move over LJ Smith, the Super Squibb is here. The soon to be former Eagles' tight end is no longer the greatest local athlete who is also a Rutgers alum. That prestigious title now belongs to Jonathan Squibb, the 2009 Wing Bowl champion. Squibb, who indubitably consumed many a grease truck fat cat, Stuff yer Face stromboli, and Cluck U Chicken wing during his time in New Brunswick, devoured 203 wings to win this year's contest.

“Nobody believed in me but my family, but I knew I could do it,” said Squibb, who is “in career transition.”

“It’s more up here than down here,” he explained, pointing first to his brain, then his stomach.

Add Squibb to the ever growing list of Rutgers celebrity alumni, which includes Milton Friedman, Paul Robeson, Tony Soprano, Joanna Angel, and dudes from My Chemical Romance.

In other important wing bowl news, founder and WIP ignoramus Al Morganti wore a Red Hot Chili Peppers hat and some breasts were to be found amongst all the wings. Complete "story" here.