* The Phillies lost their Grapefruit opener Friday afternoon, losing 2-1 to Toronto.Nick Williams went 2-for-2 Nick Pivetta gave up both runs in the firs tinning, including a led-off home run to Curtis Granderson.
The real stories were in camp before the game. New manager Gabe Kapler continues to be different. He has music blaring during batting practice and work-outs, feeling that music is big for the positive attitude and motivation. Whatever is upbeat ids played, and the players can make suggestions to the playlist. Listen for it this year during batting practice at Citizens Bank Park.
Owner John Middleton spoke recently, the last interview with reporter Jim Salsbury. I hope Middleton puts his vast wealth where his mouth is, as he seems all excited since the Eagles and his friend, Jeffrey Lurie, won the Super Bowl.
Middleton is openly talked about the Phillies making the playoffs- this season- by winning a wild card spot. He said he will "push" GM Klentak to find a starting pitcher, either now (Jake Arrieta?) or before the trade deadline in July if the team is in contention.
His excitement makes me excited for the summer and beyond. Kapler's positive attitude and the Eagles' winning momentum and the "why not us" mentality seems to be getting to Middleton. He sounded giddy in his enthusiasm to win and keep the championship jibes going in the city.
That;s great news. After Ruban Amaro and his always-measured conservativeness, after Ryne Sandberg and his boring monotone, and Pete Mackanin and his "strive to be average" philosophy, this "can do", refreshing encouragement and resolve has to get fans pumped.
Let's see soon how serious Middleton and crew are, as the Phils need a veteran starter or two before spring training wraps.
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Interesting...Sixers coach Brett Brown is thinking playoffs. It seems certain the 76ers will get into the postseason, currently riding a six-game winning streak and having the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA.
Brown recently talked about how different the playoffs are form the regular season. The game is faster and more intense. Winning 4 of 7 games against the same team. The difference in travel.
Since the Sixers will be new to all of this postseason stuff, Brown feels he will need to ease the club into the learning experience. Getting a top four seed will help,as that means getting home court advantage, where the Sixers have won 11 home games in a row.
With Embiid and Simmons playing well, the last 27 regular season games and the playoffs will be must-see.
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On the Steve Trevelise show overnight,I had to give kudos to Eagles wide-out Alshon Jeffery. He just has surgery this week to repair a torn rotary-cuff injury. He hurt his shoulder way back in training camp last summer and played the entire season and playoffs- including making great catches in the Super Bowl - all with a painful ailing shoulder.
Guys are sometimes out with nagging, small injuries. To see a guy bite the bullet, not miss a single game, and play thru pain-all season- is a tribute to Jeffery and his guts. He is now a legend in Philadelphia, another piece to a magical year when the Birds overcame adversity and won their first-ever Super Bowl championship.
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