PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Speaking of Philly sports..

The Sixers finished their season last night with a record of 28-54, an 18 game improvement from last season. Many say the year was a success, with the future looking bright. Mt take is that it was yet another losing season by a Philadelphia sports team.

Sadly, our Philly fans have gotten used to mediocrity. Being average is OK. We accept the "trust the process" method of losing on purpose to get better draft picks. We accept the Phillies and Flyers preaching patience, that better days are ahead as the teams kick the can down the road and "wait til next year" becomes next year..and then next year..and then next year.

Give the Eagles credit for refreshingly going for it this year by signing Alshon Jeffery. The Eagles are giving us hope, something to cheer about. Maybe making the playoffs and having meaningful games in December is so much better than not having a chance of making the playoffs.

Philly sports needs to stop the loser mentality. Why can't the Phillies go for Chris Sale instead of Clay Bucholtz? Why can't the Flyers bring up their young defense men when they really need defensive help? Why can't the Phils start the season with prospects like Hoskins, Quinn, Crawford and Williams playing regular time in the majors instead of washed-up vets like Saunders?  Players like Galvis and Hernadez are "nice" players but not special. They aren't going to take the Phillies to a championship- and isn't that what teams play for?

Luckily, the teams all have young prospects on the horizon. In another year, most should reach the big-time. Then we will see if the team's player evaluations are accurate. Give the young guys a chance to play, see what you got. There's a logjam in Lehigh Valley and Reading. Hopefully, starting this summer, the Phillies start to give their future a chance to play, giving the fans some excitement and hope.

Once Philly teams start to spend some money or trade for franchise players like Mike Trout, then our local teams will have turned the corner and become consistent winners like Boston, not like a Detriot. Philly is wallowing in mediocrity right now, not as bad as a Buffalo or Cleveland, not as good as Boston or Chicago.

Philadelphia is one of the largest markets in America with 4 professional sports team. Fans need to demand to the local organizations to strive for greatness, not accept average. I have never been one to preach not attending games, as I enjoy seeing games in person. Other than not giving the owners your hard-earned cash by not attending sporting events, fans could put the heat on owners by writing letters and making sure the Philly teams know that their fans aren't happy with losing, with no future.

Insist on nothing less than perfection. Philly fans deserve it.


PHILLIES-

Once again, the Mets have the Phillies number, after sweeping them recently at Citizens Bank park. The Phils seem intimidated by the New Yorkers. The Mets started the year slowly before coming to Philadelphia. They own the Phils and they know it- and worse, so do the Phils. The Mets are better in all areas- starting pitching, power, you name it. Maybe in another year the culture will change when the young prospects start to arrive in South Philly. Til then, like it or not, we have to endure Met fans invading CBP and chanting "Let's Go Mets" like the obnoxious fans that they are.

Looks like Clay Bucholtz is done with the team after tearing a muscle in his right forearm. $13 million down the drain. Granted, the Phillies had money to spend, and they took a shot at a veteran pitcher, who they could trade in July for prospects. A failure for GM Klentak. Just because you have money to spend, you have to spend it wisely. Makes me leery about free agency in the upcoming off-seasons.

You hate to see anyone get hurt, let alone possibly an end to their baseball career. But it was clear that Bucholtz was going to be slop for the Phils this summer. Now a young kid has a chance to make the rotation, and the Phils are deep in young starting pitchers, with the likes of Efflin, Thompson, Pivetta and Lively. They are the future, not aging, injury-prone guys like Bucholtz. If the Phillies are going to rebuild,, don't do it half-assed.  So maybe this injury wa a blessing in disguise in the long run.

Jeremy Hellickson may be a decent pitcher, but he's not the future either, and hopefully the Phillies get rid of him this July. He left his most recent start with "cramping" in his right arm. He was out of breath and out of shape while running for a triple in the season opener, later stating, "I'll never do that again..I'll stop at second base and take a double." Plus, he didn't sound too enthused to be named the opening day starter. Another malcontent who needs to go.

Adam Morgan may never get to the majors again, at least with the Phillies. He is what he is-a Kyle Kendrick-type of 2-11 pitcher. Average or even below-average guy. The Phils can do better, even in the role of long relief. With the abundance of starters at Lehigh Valley Morgan's only hope at returning to Philly is a return to the bullpen.

Vince Valasquez...He can't go past 5 innings. His future is in the back of the bullpen as a closer. He worries about strikeouts too much. 100 pitches in 5 innings? Sad. As a closer, he can come into a game and throw as hard as he can and go for strikeouts without a worry. It's a shame, because he is a power-arm the Phillies don't have and need. Lucky for the Phils, they have depth at starting pitching. I like Vince. He's only 24. But if he won't listen to the coaches and turns into a real pitcher-not a thrower- he's better off in the 'pen- or as possible trade bait.

SIXERS-

The most excitement with the Sixers will be the may 16 draft lottery. A sham will continue in the fall when Embiid and Simmons return to the court, but in what roles? Will their playing time be limited? Will the 76er's spend money this summer for a free agent? Will they screw-up the draft? Will Coach Brown return? Are we again settling for mediocrity if Brown returns?

EAGLES_

two weeks until the NFL draft in Philly. Common sense says the Birds will take a defensive back with pick 14 in the first round. But with corner backs being so deep in the draft, the Eagles could get 2 or 3 quality backs later in the draft. Should they select a weapon, like a young running back or wide receiver, and give Carson Wentz more help?

Stanford's RB Christian McCafferty is gaining popularity by the draft so-called "experts". He's the all-purpose back perfect for the Eagles' offensive scheme.

What about a young receiver like MIke Williams? Whoever gets speedy John Ross, with his 4.22 combine time, may hit the jackpot down the road. A middle linebacker is a possibility and a pass-rushing defensive end is needed. Or, could GM Howie Roseman pull one of his infamous surprises and reach with someone not on the board? Can't wait to find out.