PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Random thoughts about Philly sports...

* Sixers schedule is out. Notable games are:

Oct. 18- Opener vs, Wizards
Oct. 20- Home opener vs. Celtics
Nov 11- at world champion Warriors
Nov 15- at Lakers and Lonzo Ball
Nov 18- Home vs. Warriors
Nov 27- Home vs Cavalers
Dec 7- Home vs Lakers
Dec 9-  at Cavaliers
Dec 15- Home vs. Thunder
Dec 25- Christmas at Knicks
Dec 31- New Year's Eve at Suns
Jan 3- Home vs Sours
Jan 11- London game vs. Celtics
Jan 15- MLK Day home vs. Raptors

If attending a game, the challenge will be seeking out the back-to-back games and not going to the second game.Chances are Embiied, Simmons or both won't play unless it's later in the season.

* Rhys Hoskins smashed his first two homers in his major league career last night in San Diego, where the Phillies lost to the Padres, 7-4. So, why did it take so long for Hoskins to be called up? Why did we have to endure average major league players patrolling left field?

I still see Hoskins eventually at first base, with an outfield of Herrera, Williams and Cozens.  That's until spring training 2018. Then it's Altherr in center, Williams in right,and either Hoskins or Cozens in left.

So far, Hoskins is holding his own in left field. Is till blame the short-sightedness of the Phillies' front office, thrusting the rookie to play a position ( on a major league level) he hasn't played since college, and batting him clean-up to boot.

Matt Klentak and Andy MacPhail have no plan. It seems like they are winging it. If Altherr hadn't gotten hurt, chances are Hoskins would still be at Lehigh Valley.

Now that Hoskins is on Philadelphia, he needs to produce, making Tommy Joseph expendable. Last night was the beginning for some big things to come for Phillies' fans,

* The Eagles need to win more games this season, period, but they need to start establishing a dominant home field advantage, like one we had at the vet. Granted, ol' Vet was special and unique, with it's 700 level crazies and it's cement-like turf. 60,000 screaming fans were deafening when they roared.

Today's Birds are waiting to be adored by the home fans. 36.000 Eagles' fans showed up recently at  practice at the Linc. The fans are doing their part, now the players need to cooperate and start winning more home games.

The playing surface is great, lush, green grass instead of the concrete-like, rock-hard Vet turf. There is no 700 section anymore, but the real, die-hard fans remain passionate. True, there are more stuffy-type suits at Eagles' games now, compared to the beer-guzzling, everyday Joe before. But the Linc can be special in it's own way. Winning tends to make it happen.