PHINALLY!

Waiting on the Reign

For most of last night’s game, the conditions looked more like a football game than a World Series game. It is late October in Philly and the wild weather, including today’s snow and rain mix, is the latest curse besides William Penn; the curse of Mother Nature. The constant rain in the 6th inning caused the first suspended World Series game in history and leaves Phils fans’ on hold to celebrate or agonize.

With my meteorologist hat on I can tell you that they should not have played that game last night. Throughout the day the forecast predicted light rain throughout the night with steadier, heavier rain from 10pm to 11pm. But they played in the slop, causing J-Roll to miss a crucial can-of-corn, eventually tying the game.

Now the game will start in the bottom of the 6th inning with the Phillies up, but without the ace who got them to this point. The Rays seemingly have the momentum, but then again we said that going into the series and look where that’s got them.

As I am writing this, I see ESPN is reporting that will not try to resume the game tonight but will start it on Wednesday October 29th at 8:37. It was snowing on my way to school today so I’m not surprised.

Phils Advance to World Series

Not since 1993 have we been able to say the Phillies are in the World Series. But after the 3rd leadoff home run for Jimmy Rollins in his career in the playoffs, a dominating performance by Cole Hamels, and a game with three H's(hits), not three K's, from Ryan Howard, the Phillies clinched a berth in the fall classic 15 years in the making.

The game's final play landed in catcher Carlos Ruiz's glove down the third-base line and finally the Phils triumphant 5-1 win was in the record books. Now they must wait until next Wednesday the 22nd for Game 1 in either Boston or Tampa Bay.



No matter the winner of the AL, their is some ironic Phillies history related to both teams. The Boston Red Sox handed the Phils their first World Series appearance and loss in 1915 with a certain pitcher turned "Bambino" later in his career. Now obviously we have never faced the Rays in a World Series, but only a loss to the Rays would make every World Series loss by a Phillie team to an AL East opponent.

1915 Boston Red Sox 4-1
1950 New York Yankees 4-0
1983 Baltimore Orioles 4-1
1993 Toronto Blue Jays 4-2

Phillies Win 7-5, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Phils Take the Stairs to Game 4 Victory

Matt Stairs hitting a pinch-hit, game winning home run in the 8^th is as improbable as it can get in Philly folklore. Last night's miracle off Stairs' bat and from Jonathan Broxton's arm passed the 4^th and 26 Freddie Mitchell miracle for postseason heroics from an unlikely player. With only backup catcher Chris Coste remaining on his bench, Manager Charlie Manuel went to the veteran Stairs. The lefty waited patiently for a pitch to hit against the flame-thrower Broxton and got ahead in the count 3-1. The next pitch, a fastball, Stairs got out in front of and drove into the right field seats. The blast gave the Phils an 8-6 lead, and one they wouldn't relinquish. The unlikelihood of the homer is coupled with the fact the Dodgers' Broxton has not given up a home run all year at home.

If you're a die-hard Phillies fan, you may remember Game 3 in 1977 as "Black Friday". Well last night can be called "Miracle Monday" because Matt Stairs is as unlikely as it gets.

The Phils will hope to continue that good fortune Wednesday with their ace Hamels taking the mound.

Phils Hit Long Ball, Win 3-2 to Take Game 1

The Phillies must like scoring in bunches. In three of their four games against the Brewers, the Phillies runs came all in one inning. Most memorable of this was the five run, 2nd inning against the Brew Crew's ace C.C. Sabathia that culminated in Shane Victorino's first career grand slam. It was no different last night when all three runs came in the 6th inning.

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe was cruising until the 6th, when SS Rafael Furcal made an error on a throw to first. Victorino advanced to 2nd on the error giving Chase Utley a man in scoring position. On the first pitch Utley saw, he blasted it out to the right field seats tying the game at two. The momentum clearly shifted and two batters later it was Pat Burrell's turn for the dramatic. Pat the Bat's solo homer gave the Phils the lead, and in the end, the 3-2 victory.

After being boggled by Lowe's nasty sinker for the first five innings, Utley and Burrell's long balls proved to be the difference. Some irony for Dodgers' fans: before last night's game Utley and Burrell were 0-44 against Lowe in their careers.

NLCS SHOWCASE - Dodgers vs. Phillies

NLCS SHOWCASE : A look at the Dodgers: Manny and the Rest

Who know the Pirates would have any impact on the Phils postseason hopes? Well, unfortunately the lesser-PA ball club dramatically changed the dynamic of the NL when they traded Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox. This move allowed the Dodgers and their free-wheeling GM Ned Colletti to bring Manny Ramirez to Hollywood in exchange for Bay and minor leaguers. It is clear the Dodgers would not be where they are now without the gifted, occasionly inept left fielder Ramirez.

Ramirez has hit .396 with 17 home runs since being traded from Boston.

Since no team is one man, it is important to mention the other key parts to the Dodgers attack. Shortstop Rafael Furcal is the Jimmy Rollins for the Dodgers, this according to Phils Manager Charlie Manuel. Furcal missed 125 games this season with a back injury, but a playing Furcal gives the Dodgers a potent leadoff hitter and a threat on the base path.

Catcher Russell Martin, right fielder Andre Ethier, and first baseman James Loney offer protection to Ramirez in the lineup. Here is the stats for the guys before and after Manny in the lineup:

#2 Spot in Lineup: C Russell Martin - .280 Avg, 13 HR, 69 RBI, .385 OBP

#3 Spot: Manny Ramirez

#4 Spot in Lineup: RF Andre Ethier - .305 Avg, 20 HR, 77 RBI, .375 OBP

#5 Spot in Lineup: 1B James Loney - .289 Avg, 13 HR, 90 RBI, .338 OBP

The fate of the series could rest on these Dodgers if the Phillies refuse to let Manny beat them.

Back, Just in Time

If the Phillies can make it this far, I can get back in front of the computer to tell you about it.

Celtics Land First Blow

For all the hype surrounding the NBA Finals, Game 1 lived up to it. Maybe the only thing missing from a great start to the NBA Finals was the short shorts, high tops, and knee-high socks that were the norm the last time these two teams meet in this series. Nonetheless, the Celtics pulled out a 98-88 victory in the Garden last night to take a 1-0 lead in the series. A victory that would make Bird, Parrish, and McHale proud.

Coming into the series it was obvious to say the Big 3 need to play well for the Celtics to win. That happened. Garnett lead the way with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Pierce was an efficient 7 for 10 for 22 points, and Allen had 19 points. Pierce was definitely the story in the 3rd quarter. After a poor man's Willis Reed impersonation, Pierce came back after colliding with teammate Kendrick Perkins. Pierce's reaction lead the audience to believe that would be very serious, but after about two minutes of gametime, Pierce triumphantly returned to a blazing appause which ultimately changed the momentum of the game.

As Kobe flourished in the 3rd with 12 points seemingly looking to take the game over, Pierce answered the bell. He was a perfect 5 for 5 in the quarter changing a 5 point Lakers lead into a 4 point Celtics edge going into the 4th.

As blame or praise usually falls on Kobe's shoulders, it is blame that probably should be associated with the star after the Game 1 loss. Bryant finished with a team-high 24 points but shot a dismal 9 for 26 from the floor. The Lakers could see more shooting woes for their star in the series with how well the Celtics can matchup with the star. James Posey, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajun Rondo took turns pestering Bryant which may be a sign of things to come.

Spygate Over? Not For Arlen Specter!

So, just when you thought it was over, it seems to be continuing. Philadelphia Senator and rabid Philadelphia Eagles fan Arlen Specter said today at a new conference that he is not happy with how the NFL handled the Spygate investigation.

"I have documented the strong factual case that the NFL investigation was neither objective or adequate, said Specter, If the commissioner doesn't move for an independent investigation, then it is a permanent black mark on the NFL, and the Patriots' record will be historically tainted. Depending on the public reaction, I may ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on the NFL's antitrust exemption."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appeared to have shut the book on the whole story Tuesday but apparently he was wrong. Specter said he is willing to wait months for the league to start an impartial investigation. And to give you an idea on how serious Specter thinks this is, he is receiving chemotherapy treatments for Hodgskin's Disease while all of this is going on. Talk about devotion!

I think though that Specter needs to move on from this trivial bullshit and start concentrating this kind of effort towards the state of the nation's economy or the housing market.

As a matter of fact,

DO SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS IN TODAY'S TROUBLE ECONOMY. A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THIS STATE DON'T GIVE TWO SHITS WHO MATT WALSH IS OR FOOTBALL FOR THAT MATTER. STOP IT!

/end rant

How Much Is Too Much?

Joba Chamberlain struck out David Dellucci last Thursday so why are we talking about it Tuesday? Well that reason would be that Hall of Famer Goose Gossage has a problem with Chamberlain's over the top celebration after the strike out.

David Dellucci had hit a game winning home run 2 days prior to Thursday's game complete with no celebration. So after Chamberlain's display, one that included a hellacious yell and a SUPER fist pump after striking out Dellucci, some critics are wondering "How much is too much celebration?"

Goose Gossage seems to think what Joba did wasn't "Yankee" like. Here's the complete quote;
"That's just not the Yankee way, what Joba did. Let everyone else do that stuff, but not a Yankee," Gossage told The Record on Saturday. "What I don't understand is, the kid's got the greatest mentor in the world in Mariano [Rivera]. He's one of the leaders of the team, so you'd think it wouldn't happen on that team."

David Dellucci also chimed in;

"It is what it is. If he wants to yell and scream after a strikeout, I guess that's what gets him going," he said. "It's May baseball. The home run was in a much bigger situation. I didn't dance and scream."

Do you think Goose and Dellucci are too old school or is their some validity to their arguments? Personally, I'm an old school guy, even though I'm only 21. What Joba did was unneccasary and over the top. I could see maybe pulling those shenanigins off during Game 7 of the World Series but not at this point in the season.

I would also like to point out that I am not being bias and think that players like Manny Ramirez needs to stop watching his home runs and flipping his bat like an idiot. Run it out, they taught you that in Little League. Manny would have a lot more doubles had he run some of those "home-run" balls out.