- Phillies' General Manager Matt Klentak spoke yesterday, emerging from his burrow like the upcoming groundhog in the next two days. Klentak was asked about free agents Harper and Machado. He didn't backtrack on either, but did downplay the idea that the Phils would get both.
Even though this may drag into March and beyond I think the logjam will break next week, after the Super Bowl. Harper will come to the Phillies and Machado will go to the White Sox.
Klentak had to take notice this week when rumors of Harper signing with Philadelphia ran rampart. Fans bought tickets and got excited, even before an announcement was made.
Meanwhile Klentak hinted that, Harper or not, the organization was not finished this off-season. I can see the Phillies getting involved with a starting pitcher and maybe even a closer/relief pitcher. Criag Kimbrel is still available. Having a strong back of the bullpen- with Siranthony Dominguez, David Robertson and Kimbrel, would lessen the load on the starters. Plus it would give Manager Gabe Kapler a lot of flexibility. If he needs a big out in the seventh inning or so, he has a hammer in Dominguez or Robertson.
Trades need to be made as well. What happens to Franco? If Harper is signed what happens to Nick Williams or Roman Quinn?
Report out of Washington D.C. this morning says that Harper is meeting with several teams in Vegas today. Now that the price may have dropped it sounds like mystery clubs are swooping in and trying to steal Harper's services.
This may be a Scott Boras tactic to build interest and drive up the price- or it may be true. The bottom line is- Phillies, if you really want Harper, sign him now! If another team signs him now, after all the hype, fans will be majorly disappointed and the seats at Citizens Bank Park will be empty this season. John Middleton, time to put up or shut up. You talked about "spending stupid money." Show your fan base some guts and make it happen!
- The Sixers play at Golden State tonight, taking on the defending world champs, the same squad that has won 11 games in a row. Embiid, Butler and Simmons need to shine tonight.
- The Flyers play at Boston tonight. Winners of five in a row, the Orange and Black are making a late run but is it too late? They shut-out the Rangers in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, 1-0. The team is playing the bruins tonight before coming home and facing the Edminton Oilers and Connor McDavid Saturday afternoon. I'll be there, hoping the Flyers win 7 in a row.
- After Sunday, when the NFL season officially ends, the Nick Foles rumors will pick up again. Rumors persist that Foles may end up with the Redskins or Giants. I see him landing in Jacksonville.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally spoke yesterday, and, as expected, didn't say much. He wimped out on the issue of the terrible refs' calls this season. Sounds like replay may be implemented on pass interference calls in the future.
- I want the Rams to win the Super Bowl. Knowing the elite New England Patriots, with their obnoxious owner and the great but evil Tom Brady, may win a sixth world championship ( tying the Steelers for most SB victories) is sickening. But I see experience being big this Sunday. L.A. got lucky to win at New Orleans. Even though the Eagles fought-off the New England experience factor last season, revenge and experience may be too much to overcome this time for Los Angeles.
This could be a statement game for the Pats, trying to prove once and for all that they are the dynasty in NFL history unlike any other.
The Patriot losses- to bad teams like the Jags and the Lions, has to be considered. We have been saying that New England isn't the juggernaut like in the past, yet here they are again in the Super Bowl, this time without benefit of home field advantage.
The Rams have so many weapons, plus they do have the defensive line that can get after Brady and make him move. If they allow him to stay in the pocket all day he will pick the Ram secondary apart.
Does youth and firepower beat the rock-steady experience? As always, the keys will be turnovers, penalties and ball control. I see a high-scoring affair in any case, and if Brady has the ball at the end, how can you not like New England's chances?
As much as I hate to say it, I like the Patriots to win a record-tying sixth Super Bowl this Sunday, beating the Rams 35-31.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball History
Who had the most home run titles in the American League between 1900 and 1915?
A. Sam Crawford
B. Wally Pipp
C. Frank Baker
D. Harry Davis
Answer: C and D.
"Home Run" Baker, the lean Athletics' third baseman, won four home run crowns in a row from 1911 through 1914, with his personal best of 12 home runs coming in 1913. Before Baker reigned in Philadelphia, Davis did. The first baseman won four straight titles from 1904 through 1907. He too had a personal best of 12.
Baseball Birthdays
Nolan Ryan
Ernie Banks Jackie Robinson
Hank Aguirre
Who had the most home run titles in the American League between 1900 and 1915?
A. Sam Crawford
B. Wally Pipp
C. Frank Baker
D. Harry Davis
Answer: C and D.
"Home Run" Baker, the lean Athletics' third baseman, won four home run crowns in a row from 1911 through 1914, with his personal best of 12 home runs coming in 1913. Before Baker reigned in Philadelphia, Davis did. The first baseman won four straight titles from 1904 through 1907. He too had a personal best of 12.
Baseball Birthdays
Nolan Ryan
Ernie Banks Jackie Robinson
Hank Aguirre
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 30
100th birthdate of Jackie Robinson
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."
- Jackie Robinson
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."
- Jackie Robinson
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
IN THE NEWS- GRADUATION RATE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
From Disability Scoop..
The high school graduation rate for students with disabilities across the nation is on the rise again, new federal figures indicate.
For the 2016-2017 school year, the graduation rate for those with disabilities reached 67.1 percent.
That's up from 65.5 percent the previous year and represents the sixth year in a row that the rate has increased.
The uptick for those with disabilities comes as the overall graduation rate for students across the country grew to 84.6 percent, a record high.
The numbers come from a report released this month by the u.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. The agency's annual reporting measures the number of high school students who earn a diploma within four years.
Data specific to students with disabilities reflects significant variation across states, with a high of 83.8 percent in Arkansas and a low of 36.4 percent in Mississippi.
The Education Department has suggested that these disparities could be due at least in part to reporting differences.
The high school graduation rate for students with disabilities across the nation is on the rise again, new federal figures indicate.
For the 2016-2017 school year, the graduation rate for those with disabilities reached 67.1 percent.
That's up from 65.5 percent the previous year and represents the sixth year in a row that the rate has increased.
The uptick for those with disabilities comes as the overall graduation rate for students across the country grew to 84.6 percent, a record high.
The numbers come from a report released this month by the u.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. The agency's annual reporting measures the number of high school students who earn a diploma within four years.
Data specific to students with disabilities reflects significant variation across states, with a high of 83.8 percent in Arkansas and a low of 36.4 percent in Mississippi.
The Education Department has suggested that these disparities could be due at least in part to reporting differences.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Dubious Distinctions
Which player was caught stealing the most times in a single season?
A. Ty Cobb
B. Lou Brock
C. Rickey Henderson
D. Tim Raines
Answer: C.
Henderson set the record for a season by getting caught 42 times in 1982, the year he stole 130 and shattered Lou Brock's previous mark of 118.
Henderson swiped four bases in a game three times in 1982. his 130 stolen bases in 172 attempts was good for a success rate of 76 percent.
Baseball Birthdays
Davey Johnson
Mickey Harris
Sandy Amoros
Brooks Lawrence
Which player was caught stealing the most times in a single season?
A. Ty Cobb
B. Lou Brock
C. Rickey Henderson
D. Tim Raines
Answer: C.
Henderson set the record for a season by getting caught 42 times in 1982, the year he stole 130 and shattered Lou Brock's previous mark of 118.
Henderson swiped four bases in a game three times in 1982. his 130 stolen bases in 172 attempts was good for a success rate of 76 percent.
Baseball Birthdays
Davey Johnson
Mickey Harris
Sandy Amoros
Brooks Lawrence
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 30
Tuesday Trivia
Name the 4 NFL teams never to play in a Super Bowl.
Answer: Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville
Name the 4 NFL teams never to play in a Super Bowl.
Answer: Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
IN MY LIFE- SUMMER
While we are on the doorstep of yet another winter artic blast, thoughts of summer prevail, especially with all of the Bryce Harper to the Phillies talk. Although I hate the humidity I love the long summer days and nights that are just on the horizon.
First it's spring. This year especially, with our new pond out front, I can't wait for the spring flowers, such as tulips and hyacinth, to bloom with vivid color, their aroma filling up the crystal clear, fresh spring mornings.
Spring should be a fun season. It always is, especially if you're a sports fan like I am. The NFL Draft and schedule release, the Kentucky Derby, the NBA and NHL playoffs, the start of the baseball season, including Opening Day. Most venues have not released their spring/summer concert schedule yet, so the calender still needs to be filled out.
But here is what we know so far as summer rolls around this year, in only a few months:
Phillies- 10 games! 9 at Citizens Bank Park, broken down this way: 1 game in April, 2 in May, 2 in June, 3 in July, 1 in August and 1 in September. The game not at CBP is on July 21 in Pittsburgh at beautiful PNC Park, as the Pirates host the Phillies.
Hopefully Bryce Harper signs soon and then suddenly, the games mean more and the ticket are worth a lot more. It would be nice to see the ballpark sold out again every night, as it was back in the good ol'days around 15 years ago.
Pittsburgh Trip- Speaking of seeing the Phils in Pittsburgh, the July trip will be my very first time in the Steel City across the state. Not looking forward to the long, boring car-ride across the Pennsylvania mountains and countryside, but looking forward to seeing Pittsburgh. Other than PNC Park, which sits on the Ohio River, with a breath-taking view of downtown Pittsburgh over the outfield fence, can't wait to take a river cruise, checking out the exact spot where the three rivers meet, and so much more.
Country Concerts- Attending Citadel's Country Spirit concert at Ludwig's Corner in August. It will be the second annual festival, and our second time attending the entire weekend. The headliners should be announced soon. Last year it was Alabama, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley. It was really fun event, whether one is a huge country music fan or not.
Longwood Gardens- We always love checking out beautiful Longwood Gardens in southern Chester County every spring or summer. This year we plan on viewing the early summer flowers in June.
Baseball Hall of Fame Trip- I haven't been to Cooperstown, New York and the baseball Hall of Fame in over 30 years. It thrilled me to see the relics of my favorite sports, things I had read and heard about since I was a kid. I remembered how nice the little, quaint town of Cooperstown was, especially in the summer. I couldn't wait to return.
Now we are going back to see the Hall, right after Roy Halladay's induction in late July. The Hall itself may only take a few hours to tour. Seeing the rest of the grounds, including Doubleday Field, will be awesome, as will strolling the shady, old-fashioned streets of upstate New York. The drive to Cooperstown is long but far more scenic compared to Pittsburgh.
It may be my last time visiting the Hall but who knows? It will be a sentimental journey, once again visiting the ghosts of the game I love.
The above is just the tip of the iceberg for this summer. Add movies and concerts, an annual trip down the Jersey Shore, and lounging at home with those I love in the sweet summertime, will be special indeed.
First it's spring. This year especially, with our new pond out front, I can't wait for the spring flowers, such as tulips and hyacinth, to bloom with vivid color, their aroma filling up the crystal clear, fresh spring mornings.
Spring should be a fun season. It always is, especially if you're a sports fan like I am. The NFL Draft and schedule release, the Kentucky Derby, the NBA and NHL playoffs, the start of the baseball season, including Opening Day. Most venues have not released their spring/summer concert schedule yet, so the calender still needs to be filled out.
But here is what we know so far as summer rolls around this year, in only a few months:
Phillies- 10 games! 9 at Citizens Bank Park, broken down this way: 1 game in April, 2 in May, 2 in June, 3 in July, 1 in August and 1 in September. The game not at CBP is on July 21 in Pittsburgh at beautiful PNC Park, as the Pirates host the Phillies.
Hopefully Bryce Harper signs soon and then suddenly, the games mean more and the ticket are worth a lot more. It would be nice to see the ballpark sold out again every night, as it was back in the good ol'days around 15 years ago.
Pittsburgh Trip- Speaking of seeing the Phils in Pittsburgh, the July trip will be my very first time in the Steel City across the state. Not looking forward to the long, boring car-ride across the Pennsylvania mountains and countryside, but looking forward to seeing Pittsburgh. Other than PNC Park, which sits on the Ohio River, with a breath-taking view of downtown Pittsburgh over the outfield fence, can't wait to take a river cruise, checking out the exact spot where the three rivers meet, and so much more.
Country Concerts- Attending Citadel's Country Spirit concert at Ludwig's Corner in August. It will be the second annual festival, and our second time attending the entire weekend. The headliners should be announced soon. Last year it was Alabama, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley. It was really fun event, whether one is a huge country music fan or not.
Longwood Gardens- We always love checking out beautiful Longwood Gardens in southern Chester County every spring or summer. This year we plan on viewing the early summer flowers in June.
Baseball Hall of Fame Trip- I haven't been to Cooperstown, New York and the baseball Hall of Fame in over 30 years. It thrilled me to see the relics of my favorite sports, things I had read and heard about since I was a kid. I remembered how nice the little, quaint town of Cooperstown was, especially in the summer. I couldn't wait to return.
Now we are going back to see the Hall, right after Roy Halladay's induction in late July. The Hall itself may only take a few hours to tour. Seeing the rest of the grounds, including Doubleday Field, will be awesome, as will strolling the shady, old-fashioned streets of upstate New York. The drive to Cooperstown is long but far more scenic compared to Pittsburgh.
It may be my last time visiting the Hall but who knows? It will be a sentimental journey, once again visiting the ghosts of the game I love.
The above is just the tip of the iceberg for this summer. Add movies and concerts, an annual trip down the Jersey Shore, and lounging at home with those I love in the sweet summertime, will be special indeed.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 29
Super Stars
Match the uniform number to the pro football legend from Super Bowl past:
Uniform Number Legend
A. 7 1. Don Hutson
B. 88 2. John Elway
C. 80 3. Dan Marino
D. 33 4. Tony Dorsett
E. 28 5. Alan Page
F. 13 6. Randy White
G. 14 7. Marshall Faulk
H. 55 8. Jerry Rice
I. 58 9. Jack Lambert
J. 54 10. Junior Seau
Answers:
A-2; B-5; C-8; D-4; E-7; F-3; G-1; H-10; I-9; J-6
Match the uniform number to the pro football legend from Super Bowl past:
Uniform Number Legend
A. 7 1. Don Hutson
B. 88 2. John Elway
C. 80 3. Dan Marino
D. 33 4. Tony Dorsett
E. 28 5. Alan Page
F. 13 6. Randy White
G. 14 7. Marshall Faulk
H. 55 8. Jerry Rice
I. 58 9. Jack Lambert
J. 54 10. Junior Seau
Answers:
A-2; B-5; C-8; D-4; E-7; F-3; G-1; H-10; I-9; J-6
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Team History
Rank the following Tigers by career home runs they hit for the team.
A. Cecil Felder
B. Willie Horton
C. Miguel Cabrera
D. Hank Greenberg
E. Norm Cash
F. Al Kaline
Answer: 1-F (300); 2-E (373); 3-C (324); 4-D (306); 5-B (262); 6-A (245)
Baseball Birthdays
Bill Rigney
Jason Schmidt
Steve Sax
Jurr Jurrjens
Rank the following Tigers by career home runs they hit for the team.
A. Cecil Felder
B. Willie Horton
C. Miguel Cabrera
D. Hank Greenberg
E. Norm Cash
F. Al Kaline
Answer: 1-F (300); 2-E (373); 3-C (324); 4-D (306); 5-B (262); 6-A (245)
Baseball Birthdays
Bill Rigney
Jason Schmidt
Steve Sax
Jurr Jurrjens
Monday, January 28, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- HALLADAY, PRO BOWL, PHILLIES, NFL, SIXERS
- Watching Roy Halladay's perfect game again last night, I had forgotten how good of a team the Phillies had back in 2010.The game itself was thrilling. It ended 1-0, which was good in the long run, as it had to keep Doc's attention all game. Not only could one pitch ruin the no-hitter, it could cost Halladay the entire game.
It was an 11 strikeout performance and it was dominating. Halladay did run several three-ball counts, and a few outstanding plays in the field helped to aid the cause. Once the game got into the ninth inning you knew that Halladay's will and determination would make the perfect game happen.
It was then the 20th perfect game in major league history.
Guys like Ibanez, Werth, Utley and Howard were in the line-up. Rollins was out with an injury, so reserve Wilson Valdez played shortstop. Along with the Four Aces the following year ( Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswald) when the Phillies won a franchise record 101 wins, it hit me last night that we should've won more than one championship during that reign. Losing to the Yankees in the World Series in 2010 should've never happened, and especially the loss to the Cardinals in the 2011 Division Series was the worst. To add insult to injury, Howard blew out his Achilles at the end of the St. Louis series, which would signal the end of a special era.
I remember switching from the Flyers- Blackhawks Finals game to the Phillies- Marlins that Saturday night. One of the greatest night in Philadelphia sports history.
- No wonder I never watch the NFL Pro Bowl. Nothing else was on TV on Sunday afternoon, so I had the Pro Bowl on. It was a total joke and an embarrassment. It was even worse than usual. Guys were being"tackled" without being touched. Offensive guys were playing defense, and vice versa. Even the plays themselves were schoolyard and circus-like.
Three things added to the creepy feeling of the ridiculous: 1) It poured all game. Raining in usual sunny Orlando, Florida. Why move the game from Hawaii? 2) The simply awful Jason Whitten and the rest of his terrible Monday Night Football crew called the game, which made it even agonizing and 3) Whitten breaks the damn Pro Bowl trophy while trying to present it to the winning AFC squad.
The NHL All-Star Game was watchable on Saturday night. The Pro Bowl is simply the worse.
- Still waiting for either Machado, Harper or both to sign somewhere. Now the White Sox have stated that they may get one, but not both. Over 100 free agents are still waiting to be signed with the beginning of spring training at hand. Trades are on hold until the logjam breaks. All indications are that it may happen this week. I still say Harper to the Phillies and Machado to the White Sox.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell is a real dope. Granted, he's probably waiting until his annual Super Bowl address to talk about the blown call by the refs in the Saints' game. But he should've said something way before this week.
Speaking of which, how bad is it to be a Saints fan? Last year the Vikings beat them in the playoffs with a miracle play. This year they get robbed by the officials.
-I think about this time last year, when the entire area was gearing up for the Super Bowl. There was excitement everywhere, yet anxiety too- we couldn't lose yet again, especially to Tom Brady and the evil New England dynasty? Still, it was fun. I miss it and hope the Eagles are in a position to recapture the glory next season.
- I'll have my Super Bowl pick later this week. I ended up ahead picking games against the spread both in the regular season and in the NFL playoffs.
- The Sixers face-off with the Lakers in L.A. Tuesday night. Injured Embiid and Butler should return for Philly, while James may be back for the Lakers. A titanic tilt in Tinseltown!
It was an 11 strikeout performance and it was dominating. Halladay did run several three-ball counts, and a few outstanding plays in the field helped to aid the cause. Once the game got into the ninth inning you knew that Halladay's will and determination would make the perfect game happen.
It was then the 20th perfect game in major league history.
Guys like Ibanez, Werth, Utley and Howard were in the line-up. Rollins was out with an injury, so reserve Wilson Valdez played shortstop. Along with the Four Aces the following year ( Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswald) when the Phillies won a franchise record 101 wins, it hit me last night that we should've won more than one championship during that reign. Losing to the Yankees in the World Series in 2010 should've never happened, and especially the loss to the Cardinals in the 2011 Division Series was the worst. To add insult to injury, Howard blew out his Achilles at the end of the St. Louis series, which would signal the end of a special era.
I remember switching from the Flyers- Blackhawks Finals game to the Phillies- Marlins that Saturday night. One of the greatest night in Philadelphia sports history.
- No wonder I never watch the NFL Pro Bowl. Nothing else was on TV on Sunday afternoon, so I had the Pro Bowl on. It was a total joke and an embarrassment. It was even worse than usual. Guys were being"tackled" without being touched. Offensive guys were playing defense, and vice versa. Even the plays themselves were schoolyard and circus-like.
Three things added to the creepy feeling of the ridiculous: 1) It poured all game. Raining in usual sunny Orlando, Florida. Why move the game from Hawaii? 2) The simply awful Jason Whitten and the rest of his terrible Monday Night Football crew called the game, which made it even agonizing and 3) Whitten breaks the damn Pro Bowl trophy while trying to present it to the winning AFC squad.
The NHL All-Star Game was watchable on Saturday night. The Pro Bowl is simply the worse.
- Still waiting for either Machado, Harper or both to sign somewhere. Now the White Sox have stated that they may get one, but not both. Over 100 free agents are still waiting to be signed with the beginning of spring training at hand. Trades are on hold until the logjam breaks. All indications are that it may happen this week. I still say Harper to the Phillies and Machado to the White Sox.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell is a real dope. Granted, he's probably waiting until his annual Super Bowl address to talk about the blown call by the refs in the Saints' game. But he should've said something way before this week.
Speaking of which, how bad is it to be a Saints fan? Last year the Vikings beat them in the playoffs with a miracle play. This year they get robbed by the officials.
-I think about this time last year, when the entire area was gearing up for the Super Bowl. There was excitement everywhere, yet anxiety too- we couldn't lose yet again, especially to Tom Brady and the evil New England dynasty? Still, it was fun. I miss it and hope the Eagles are in a position to recapture the glory next season.
- I'll have my Super Bowl pick later this week. I ended up ahead picking games against the spread both in the regular season and in the NFL playoffs.
- The Sixers face-off with the Lakers in L.A. Tuesday night. Injured Embiid and Butler should return for Philly, while James may be back for the Lakers. A titanic tilt in Tinseltown!
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball Quotes
"Doctors tell me I have the body of a thirty-year-old. I know I have the brain of a fifteen-year-old. If you've got both, you can play baseball."
- Pete Rose, still playing at age 44.
Baseball Birthdays
George Wright
Jermaine Dye
Bill White
Pete Runnels
"Doctors tell me I have the body of a thirty-year-old. I know I have the brain of a fifteen-year-old. If you've got both, you can play baseball."
- Pete Rose, still playing at age 44.
Baseball Birthdays
George Wright
Jermaine Dye
Bill White
Pete Runnels
THIS DAY IN SPORTS GISTORY-JANUARY 28
Most Super Bowl Wins
6- Pittsburgh Steelers
5- New England Patriots
5- Dallas Cowboys
5- San Francisco 49ers
4- New York Giants
4- Green Bay Packers
3- Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
3- Washington Redskins
3- Denver Broncos
6- Pittsburgh Steelers
5- New England Patriots
5- Dallas Cowboys
5- San Francisco 49ers
4- New York Giants
4- Green Bay Packers
3- Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
3- Washington Redskins
3- Denver Broncos
Saturday, January 26, 2019
MOVIE REVIEW- A DOG'S WAY HOME
** ( out of four stars)
I love dog movies because I love dogs. So I looked forward to the latest canine film to come out, "A Dog's Way Home", which I saw last night in King of Prussia. Me, my girlfriend, and two other people at a 7:00 showing on a Friday night.
The film is from the same people who made "A Dog's Purpose." the sentimental tear-jerker out a few years ago about a mutt who dies- again and again- and returns to life as other dogs. I really liked that movie, knowing i was being manipulated the whole time, but the movie had heart, with a certain supernatural theme to it.
This new dog movie is sweet and decent for kids ( despite a few harrowing episodes) but it didn't make me cry like "A Dog's Purpose"( yes, I admit it) nor did it touch my heart in the same way.
The movie is about Bella, a putbull living in Denver, Colorado, who finds a home, then gets lost, and for most of the second half of the flick, tries to find her way home. In the process of doing so, Bella meets up with a cougar, a fox, wolves, buffalo, plus gets chained to a homeless dead guy.. There's a side-story about "dog discrimination", as pitbulls seem to get a bum deal in Colorado. All this packed into less than two hours.
The animal scenes are cute and playful. The running commentary by Bella is stupid. the human actors are pretty stupid too, although it was nice to see the beautiful Ashley Judd headlining.
The cougar turned out to be fake, computer-generated. Otherwise, most of the footage seemed "real."
True, you should be a dog-lover to like this movie. At times i thought i was watching the Hallmark Channel. Predictable with a certain charm, i suppose.
They played the trailer for the upcoming sequel to "A Dog's Purpose" coming out in May I think the title is "A Dog's Journey Home." So you've got "A Dog's Purpose," "A Dog's Way Home," and soon "A Dog's Journey Home." A nice formula but a bit confusing, even for us dog lovers.
I love dog movies because I love dogs. So I looked forward to the latest canine film to come out, "A Dog's Way Home", which I saw last night in King of Prussia. Me, my girlfriend, and two other people at a 7:00 showing on a Friday night.
The film is from the same people who made "A Dog's Purpose." the sentimental tear-jerker out a few years ago about a mutt who dies- again and again- and returns to life as other dogs. I really liked that movie, knowing i was being manipulated the whole time, but the movie had heart, with a certain supernatural theme to it.
This new dog movie is sweet and decent for kids ( despite a few harrowing episodes) but it didn't make me cry like "A Dog's Purpose"( yes, I admit it) nor did it touch my heart in the same way.
The movie is about Bella, a putbull living in Denver, Colorado, who finds a home, then gets lost, and for most of the second half of the flick, tries to find her way home. In the process of doing so, Bella meets up with a cougar, a fox, wolves, buffalo, plus gets chained to a homeless dead guy.. There's a side-story about "dog discrimination", as pitbulls seem to get a bum deal in Colorado. All this packed into less than two hours.
The animal scenes are cute and playful. The running commentary by Bella is stupid. the human actors are pretty stupid too, although it was nice to see the beautiful Ashley Judd headlining.
The cougar turned out to be fake, computer-generated. Otherwise, most of the footage seemed "real."
True, you should be a dog-lover to like this movie. At times i thought i was watching the Hallmark Channel. Predictable with a certain charm, i suppose.
They played the trailer for the upcoming sequel to "A Dog's Purpose" coming out in May I think the title is "A Dog's Journey Home." So you've got "A Dog's Purpose," "A Dog's Way Home," and soon "A Dog's Journey Home." A nice formula but a bit confusing, even for us dog lovers.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Immortal Records
Lou Gehrig holds the American League record with 185 RBI in a season. Who was the last American Leaguer to lead the league in RBI and come within 50 of Gehrig's mark?
A. Miguel Cabrera
B. Chris Davis
C. Josh Donaldson
D. Mark Trumbo
Answer: B.
In 2013 the Baltimore first baseman led the league with 138, still 47 shy of Gehrig's record. Davis also led the Junior Circuit with 53 home runs that year.
Baseball Birthdays
Saturday
Brian Doyle
Bob Uecker
Kaiser Wilhelm
Jeff Branson
Sunday
Rusty Meacham
John Lowenstein
Bibb Falk
Angel Berroa
Lou Gehrig holds the American League record with 185 RBI in a season. Who was the last American Leaguer to lead the league in RBI and come within 50 of Gehrig's mark?
A. Miguel Cabrera
B. Chris Davis
C. Josh Donaldson
D. Mark Trumbo
Answer: B.
In 2013 the Baltimore first baseman led the league with 138, still 47 shy of Gehrig's record. Davis also led the Junior Circuit with 53 home runs that year.
Baseball Birthdays
Saturday
Brian Doyle
Bob Uecker
Kaiser Wilhelm
Jeff Branson
Sunday
Rusty Meacham
John Lowenstein
Bibb Falk
Angel Berroa
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 26/27
Emmitt records first Triple Crown
25 years ago, Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith became the first player to win the rushing title, regular season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season. The Cowboys 30-13 victory handed the Buffalo Bills a fourth consecutive Super Bowl defeat.
25 years ago, Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith became the first player to win the rushing title, regular season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season. The Cowboys 30-13 victory handed the Buffalo Bills a fourth consecutive Super Bowl defeat.
Friday, January 25, 2019
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY-JANUARY 25
Movie Classic: Mean Machine
In 1974's The Longest Yard, Burt Reynolds quarterbacks the Mean Machine to a big screen dramatic comeback victory over warden Eddie Albert's handpicked prison guard team. Burt's quarterback-keeper scores at the gun for a 36-35 win.
In 1974's The Longest Yard, Burt Reynolds quarterbacks the Mean Machine to a big screen dramatic comeback victory over warden Eddie Albert's handpicked prison guard team. Burt's quarterback-keeper scores at the gun for a 36-35 win.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- SIXERS, PHILLIES, EAGLES
- Sixers center Joel Embiid truly is the face of Philadelphia sports now. he had yet another big game in last night's 122-120 home victory over San Antonia. Embiid had 33 points and 19 rebounds.
Who else could be the face of Philly sports? Not Carson Wentz, who had a shaky season before he got hurt again. Not Nick Foles, who may be the most popular player in the city but who is probably on the way out of town. Not Rhys Hoskins, who has yet to have a monster MVP-type season. Not Bryce Harper or Manny Machado yet. Not Claude Giroux, who also may be headed out the door after this season.
-The 76ers are 4-1 on their current stretch of games against teams with over .500 records. They hit the road now, starting Saturday night in Denver vs the tough Nuggets. Also on this trip are the Lakers and world champion Warriors.
- Brandy Halliday, wife of the late Roy Halliday has asked the Baseball Hall of Fame to induct her husband into immortality in July with a team logo on his plaque. in respect to both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Phillies, Doc will enter the hall without a team logo on his cap. Hopefully there will be tons of Phillies fans in Cooperstown, N.Y. on Sunday, July 21.
- If Harper does come to Philadelphia, what will happen to the number 34? Harper has worn 34 all his life. But 34 happened to be Halliday's number. Will the Phillies retire the number in the future?
- "No hard feelings" claims pitcher Aaron Nola, in arbitration with the Phils. After signing wither Harper or Machado, the organization should consider signing both Nola and Hoskins to long-term deals, clearing the deck for thier big push for Mike Trout in two years.
-A group of Phillies players were at the Sixers game last night. Surprisingly, they were booed by the fans, especially Manager Gabe Kapler. Is this because the Philly fans can't stand Kapler or is there still a bad taste in the fan's mouth from their epic collapse last summer?
-That stupid article about Wentz is slowly dying down, but did have legs nationally. hopefully next week, with all the hype over the Super Bowl in Atlanta, the story will go away.
- It will still be a fascinating off-season,with free agency up first, then trades on the horizon. April brings the NFL Draft and the release of the fall schedule. One thing we do know: the Eagles will not play overseas this year. no return trip to London.
Who else could be the face of Philly sports? Not Carson Wentz, who had a shaky season before he got hurt again. Not Nick Foles, who may be the most popular player in the city but who is probably on the way out of town. Not Rhys Hoskins, who has yet to have a monster MVP-type season. Not Bryce Harper or Manny Machado yet. Not Claude Giroux, who also may be headed out the door after this season.
-The 76ers are 4-1 on their current stretch of games against teams with over .500 records. They hit the road now, starting Saturday night in Denver vs the tough Nuggets. Also on this trip are the Lakers and world champion Warriors.
- Brandy Halliday, wife of the late Roy Halliday has asked the Baseball Hall of Fame to induct her husband into immortality in July with a team logo on his plaque. in respect to both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Phillies, Doc will enter the hall without a team logo on his cap. Hopefully there will be tons of Phillies fans in Cooperstown, N.Y. on Sunday, July 21.
- If Harper does come to Philadelphia, what will happen to the number 34? Harper has worn 34 all his life. But 34 happened to be Halliday's number. Will the Phillies retire the number in the future?
- "No hard feelings" claims pitcher Aaron Nola, in arbitration with the Phils. After signing wither Harper or Machado, the organization should consider signing both Nola and Hoskins to long-term deals, clearing the deck for thier big push for Mike Trout in two years.
-A group of Phillies players were at the Sixers game last night. Surprisingly, they were booed by the fans, especially Manager Gabe Kapler. Is this because the Philly fans can't stand Kapler or is there still a bad taste in the fan's mouth from their epic collapse last summer?
-That stupid article about Wentz is slowly dying down, but did have legs nationally. hopefully next week, with all the hype over the Super Bowl in Atlanta, the story will go away.
- It will still be a fascinating off-season,with free agency up first, then trades on the horizon. April brings the NFL Draft and the release of the fall schedule. One thing we do know: the Eagles will not play overseas this year. no return trip to London.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 24
A Call to the Doc
"I've always tried to work hard. I'm not trying to show anybody up or do something spectacular for attention."
-Roy Halliday
Inducted this week into Baseball's Hall of Fame is right-hander Roy Halliday. "Doc" is the only pitcher in history besides Don Larsen to throw a no-hitter in the postseason, having done so during the 2010 Division Series. He pitched a perfect game earlier that year, thus becoming the first hurler to spin two no-hitters in a season since Nolan Ryan did it in 1973.
Halliday was an eight-time All;Star, led the league in wins twice, and won two Cy Young Awards. He also had five other top-five finishes in the Cy Young Award balloting and received MVP votes in two seasons.
With a career record of 203-105, Halliday is a posthumous Hall of Fame inductee. He lost his life in November 2017 in a tragic plane crash while piloting.
"I've always tried to work hard. I'm not trying to show anybody up or do something spectacular for attention."
-Roy Halliday
Inducted this week into Baseball's Hall of Fame is right-hander Roy Halliday. "Doc" is the only pitcher in history besides Don Larsen to throw a no-hitter in the postseason, having done so during the 2010 Division Series. He pitched a perfect game earlier that year, thus becoming the first hurler to spin two no-hitters in a season since Nolan Ryan did it in 1973.
Halliday was an eight-time All;Star, led the league in wins twice, and won two Cy Young Awards. He also had five other top-five finishes in the Cy Young Award balloting and received MVP votes in two seasons.
With a career record of 203-105, Halliday is a posthumous Hall of Fame inductee. He lost his life in November 2017 in a tragic plane crash while piloting.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
World Series
When was the last time a team hit below .225 in the World Series and still won?
A. Cubs (2016)
B. Royals (2015)
C. Giants (2014)
Red Sox (2013)
Answer: D.
Boston hit just .211 in the 2013 Fall Classic, but still topped St. Louis four games to two.
St. Louis hit slightly better at .224, but scored an anemic 14 runs compared to Boston's 27.
David Ortiz tore it up, hitting an otherworldly .688 with 11 hits in 16 at bats. He belted two homers, knocked in six runs, and won the Series Most Valuable Player award.
Baseball Birthdays
Vern Ruhle
Wally Bunker
Derrick Turnbow
Ed Goodson
When was the last time a team hit below .225 in the World Series and still won?
A. Cubs (2016)
B. Royals (2015)
C. Giants (2014)
Red Sox (2013)
Answer: D.
Boston hit just .211 in the 2013 Fall Classic, but still topped St. Louis four games to two.
St. Louis hit slightly better at .224, but scored an anemic 14 runs compared to Boston's 27.
David Ortiz tore it up, hitting an otherworldly .688 with 11 hits in 16 at bats. He belted two homers, knocked in six runs, and won the Series Most Valuable Player award.
Baseball Birthdays
Vern Ruhle
Wally Bunker
Derrick Turnbow
Ed Goodson
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
IN THE NEWS- GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN TAKES TOLL ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
From Disability Scoop..
People with disabilities are feeling pressure from the nation's longest-ever government shutdown, whether they work for a shuttered federal agency, live in subsidized housing or receive food stamps, advocates say.
Although some of the primary federal agencies that serve people with disabilities are open, such as Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. department of Education, the effects are still widespread. For instance, new direct support workers to help those with disabilities can't get hired and furloughed parents of children with disabilities are struggling to pay for therapies.
"There are a whole slew of programs that are affected for people with disabilities,' said Sarah Meek, director of legislative affairs for the American Network of Community Options and Resources, or ANCOR. "The federal government is one of the biggest employers of people with disabilities."
The most recent federal data shows that as of 2016, 14 percent of the federal workforce had a disability. Meanwhile, 800,000 federal workers are furloughed or have been working without pay since the shutdown began Dec. 22.
"Being a person with a disability tends to cost more," said Nicole Jorwic, director of rights policy for The Arc. "Any hit to that individual's bank account and budget is going to hit a little harder. There's medication, equipment and staffing that they may be paying for themselves."
Jorwic said The Arc has received many calls of concern about the partial shutdown.
"Not everyone with a disability who receives services is directly impacted, but everybody who receives services is impacted by that fear of what's coming because there's so much unknown right now," she said.
Parents of children with disabilities are also among those forgoing pay because of the shutdown. In a lawsuit filed recently by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association against the Trump administration, one of the plaintiffs, Jonathan Barnett, is described as the sole breadwinner for his three children, including a 4-year-old with autism. The suit says his child requires several weekly therapies that aren't fully covered by insurance.
Affordable housing advocates have raised concern about the shuttering of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which not only helps subsidize housing costs but assists with rebuilding efforts after natural disasters, which disproportionately impact people with disabilities.
In December, HUD failed to renew rental assistance contracts for thousands of households mostly comprised of people with disabilities or elderly residents, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. More contracts with property owners will expire this month and in February.
"These contract suspensions put the homes of nearly 70,000 low-income renters at risk of serious rent hikes and evictions," coalition CEO Diane Yentel said in a news release. "The longer the shutdown goes on, the more untenable it will become for properties owners to keep scraping by without their federal contracts- and the more the lowest-income renters will suffer."
Additionally, HUD is now delayed in issuing guidance on the $1.68 billion in disaster relief to states hit by Hurricane Florence last year, according to the housing coalition.
If the shutdown extends past February, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP will run out, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than one-quarter of food stamp recipients have a disability, research shows. Additionally, Meek said some low-wage direct support professionals who help people with disabilities rely on the program.
Another concern amid a shortage of support workers, Meek said, is that hiring has stopped in states that require use of the federal E-Verify system to determine worker eligibility.
"That's a real staffing issue, which really affects people with disabilities," Meek said. "We're already short staffed. If you're on a hiring freeze until the government reopens, that'
s a problem."
People with disabilities are feeling pressure from the nation's longest-ever government shutdown, whether they work for a shuttered federal agency, live in subsidized housing or receive food stamps, advocates say.
Although some of the primary federal agencies that serve people with disabilities are open, such as Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. department of Education, the effects are still widespread. For instance, new direct support workers to help those with disabilities can't get hired and furloughed parents of children with disabilities are struggling to pay for therapies.
"There are a whole slew of programs that are affected for people with disabilities,' said Sarah Meek, director of legislative affairs for the American Network of Community Options and Resources, or ANCOR. "The federal government is one of the biggest employers of people with disabilities."
The most recent federal data shows that as of 2016, 14 percent of the federal workforce had a disability. Meanwhile, 800,000 federal workers are furloughed or have been working without pay since the shutdown began Dec. 22.
"Being a person with a disability tends to cost more," said Nicole Jorwic, director of rights policy for The Arc. "Any hit to that individual's bank account and budget is going to hit a little harder. There's medication, equipment and staffing that they may be paying for themselves."
Jorwic said The Arc has received many calls of concern about the partial shutdown.
"Not everyone with a disability who receives services is directly impacted, but everybody who receives services is impacted by that fear of what's coming because there's so much unknown right now," she said.
Parents of children with disabilities are also among those forgoing pay because of the shutdown. In a lawsuit filed recently by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association against the Trump administration, one of the plaintiffs, Jonathan Barnett, is described as the sole breadwinner for his three children, including a 4-year-old with autism. The suit says his child requires several weekly therapies that aren't fully covered by insurance.
Affordable housing advocates have raised concern about the shuttering of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which not only helps subsidize housing costs but assists with rebuilding efforts after natural disasters, which disproportionately impact people with disabilities.
In December, HUD failed to renew rental assistance contracts for thousands of households mostly comprised of people with disabilities or elderly residents, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. More contracts with property owners will expire this month and in February.
"These contract suspensions put the homes of nearly 70,000 low-income renters at risk of serious rent hikes and evictions," coalition CEO Diane Yentel said in a news release. "The longer the shutdown goes on, the more untenable it will become for properties owners to keep scraping by without their federal contracts- and the more the lowest-income renters will suffer."
Additionally, HUD is now delayed in issuing guidance on the $1.68 billion in disaster relief to states hit by Hurricane Florence last year, according to the housing coalition.
If the shutdown extends past February, funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP will run out, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than one-quarter of food stamp recipients have a disability, research shows. Additionally, Meek said some low-wage direct support professionals who help people with disabilities rely on the program.
Another concern amid a shortage of support workers, Meek said, is that hiring has stopped in states that require use of the federal E-Verify system to determine worker eligibility.
"That's a real staffing issue, which really affects people with disabilities," Meek said. "We're already short staffed. If you're on a hiring freeze until the government reopens, that'
s a problem."
IN MY LIFE- OSCAR THOUGHTS
The Academy Award nominations for 2019 were announced yesterday. Here are some of my random thoughts..
- I only saw two of the films for Best Picture- A Star Is Born and Boehemian Rhapsody. Both were really good but worthy of an Oscar> Of the two, A Star Is Born was better. I love Queen's music, but as a film, BR wasn't Best Picture material. Malak's portrayal of Freddie Mercury earned him a Best Actor nod.
- Black Panther and Black Klansman got nominations. Both are good movies but I know there was a lot of pressure, even going back to last spring when Black Panther was in theaters, for both to at least get a nomination.
- Hard to believe that Director Spike Lee never got an nomination until this year for Black Klansman. Many forget that he was snubbed for Do The Right Thing.
- Everyone thinks the Best Actress award will come down to Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) and Mellissa McCarthy, but I like Glenn Close. She finally deserves an Oscar, after so many great roles, including turns in Fatal Attraction and The Natural.
- Is it finally time for Bradley Cooper to win an Oscar as Best Actor? He is nominated for A Star Is Born? I'm also glad that veteran Sam Elliot also get recognition as Best Supporting Actor.
- The Oscars still have no host. Reports are that they will go host less, with Actors taking up the slack with introductions. I think most people are used to a host,s o this ceremony may feel a little weird and disjointed. I guess Billy Crystal wasn't available?
-Sure bets: A Star Is Born ("Shallow") for Best Original Song and Best Animated Film (The Incredibles 2).
- Elton John will probably host his annual Oscar party, taking a break from his farewell world tour, and also line himself up for a future Oscar attention, as "Rocket Man", the Elton John film bio, comes out this summer.
- Amy Adams is cute, the only reason I'm glad she is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award.
- Finally, there is already bitching that no Asian actors or female directors were nominated. Maybe they just weren't good enough?
- I only saw two of the films for Best Picture- A Star Is Born and Boehemian Rhapsody. Both were really good but worthy of an Oscar> Of the two, A Star Is Born was better. I love Queen's music, but as a film, BR wasn't Best Picture material. Malak's portrayal of Freddie Mercury earned him a Best Actor nod.
- Black Panther and Black Klansman got nominations. Both are good movies but I know there was a lot of pressure, even going back to last spring when Black Panther was in theaters, for both to at least get a nomination.
- Hard to believe that Director Spike Lee never got an nomination until this year for Black Klansman. Many forget that he was snubbed for Do The Right Thing.
- Everyone thinks the Best Actress award will come down to Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) and Mellissa McCarthy, but I like Glenn Close. She finally deserves an Oscar, after so many great roles, including turns in Fatal Attraction and The Natural.
- Is it finally time for Bradley Cooper to win an Oscar as Best Actor? He is nominated for A Star Is Born? I'm also glad that veteran Sam Elliot also get recognition as Best Supporting Actor.
- The Oscars still have no host. Reports are that they will go host less, with Actors taking up the slack with introductions. I think most people are used to a host,s o this ceremony may feel a little weird and disjointed. I guess Billy Crystal wasn't available?
-Sure bets: A Star Is Born ("Shallow") for Best Original Song and Best Animated Film (The Incredibles 2).
- Elton John will probably host his annual Oscar party, taking a break from his farewell world tour, and also line himself up for a future Oscar attention, as "Rocket Man", the Elton John film bio, comes out this summer.
- Amy Adams is cute, the only reason I'm glad she is nominated for a Best Supporting Actress award.
- Finally, there is already bitching that no Asian actors or female directors were nominated. Maybe they just weren't good enough?
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 23
AFC Four-peat
25 years ago today, the Buffalo Bills win the AFC Championship for a fourth consecutive year beating the Chiefs and ending the career of Kansas City QB Joe Montana.
Montana left the game when he was sacked and bounced to the frozen turf at Rich Stadium, suffering a concussion on the third play of the second half.
The Chiefs won the AFC Western Division and finished the regular season with an 11-5 record.
Final score was Buffalo 30, Kansas City 13.
25 years ago today, the Buffalo Bills win the AFC Championship for a fourth consecutive year beating the Chiefs and ending the career of Kansas City QB Joe Montana.
Montana left the game when he was sacked and bounced to the frozen turf at Rich Stadium, suffering a concussion on the third play of the second half.
The Chiefs won the AFC Western Division and finished the regular season with an 11-5 record.
Final score was Buffalo 30, Kansas City 13.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Historical Present
Which active pitcher had the most complete games through 2017?
A. CC Sabathia
B. Bartolo Colon
C. Justin Verlander
D. John Lackey
Answer: A.
CC Sabathia logged 38 complete games in his first 17 years, which put him in a four-way tie for 997th place all-time.
Baseball Birthdays
Rob Dibble
Neil Allen
Atlee Hammaker
Dick Stigman
Which active pitcher had the most complete games through 2017?
A. CC Sabathia
B. Bartolo Colon
C. Justin Verlander
D. John Lackey
Answer: A.
CC Sabathia logged 38 complete games in his first 17 years, which put him in a four-way tie for 997th place all-time.
Baseball Birthdays
Rob Dibble
Neil Allen
Atlee Hammaker
Dick Stigman
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES, EAGLES
- Great news that Roy (Doc) Halliday made it into baseball's Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York will be on Sunday, July 21.
Doc will probably go in as a Toronto Blue Jay, but he is a Phillie all the way. He was like a brilliant comet who flashed across the sky in a brief but unforgettable time, gone too soon but never forgotten.
Since the news yesterday, film clips of the two Halliday no-hitters- his perfect game in Miami and his playoff no-hitter vs the Reds- are all over the Internet. They bring back memories and raise goosebumps. His control was pin-point. He could put the ball anywhere. He had four superior pitches. He worked fast and prepared for a game like no one else.
I wonder if the Phillies organization will retire his number 34?
I'm sure Halliday's wife, Brandy, will make a tender speech on Roy's behalf in July. Hopefully tons of Philadelphia fans will make the trek to Cooperstown this summer.
I try not to think of the terrible way Doc's life ended. gone way too soon at age 40. He is now enshrined with the other immortal baseball players. He only won 203 games but no one is more deserving.
- Citizens Bank Park will be upgraded this season. The Phillies announced a new Beer Garden/Picnic area is being built inside the third base gate and will be completed in time for Opening Day. Plus a new Shake Shack will open along side the new garden.
CBP is becoming a nice, friendly, family-oriented place to be. Still needed is a Phillies museum and an improved Home Run celebration.
- Hopefully the stupid article about Carson Wentz this week will die down. Written by a wannabe millennial so-called journalist, it's a phony story, given life because there isn't much to talk about right now. What made it worse was the writer's self- appreciating view that his piece of crap article will "make Wentz better" in time, like he is the extra motivation Wentz needs to succeed next season.
The local media is also at fault for giving this guy a platform to be famous. He will fade away in time as fans will label him as a hack journalist who is begging for clicks on a website.
- If the Phillies do sign Bryce Harper will he change numbers? He wears No. 34- the same number as Hall of Famer Roy Halliday.
- It will be interesting to see where all these lawsuits end up from the terrible none-call at the end of the Saints-Rams playoff game. They may bring even added attention to the increasing problem of horrible officiating.
When the Rams face the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII on February 3, how many fans will still be angry that New Orleans got screwed and should be in the big game?
Doc will probably go in as a Toronto Blue Jay, but he is a Phillie all the way. He was like a brilliant comet who flashed across the sky in a brief but unforgettable time, gone too soon but never forgotten.
Since the news yesterday, film clips of the two Halliday no-hitters- his perfect game in Miami and his playoff no-hitter vs the Reds- are all over the Internet. They bring back memories and raise goosebumps. His control was pin-point. He could put the ball anywhere. He had four superior pitches. He worked fast and prepared for a game like no one else.
I wonder if the Phillies organization will retire his number 34?
I'm sure Halliday's wife, Brandy, will make a tender speech on Roy's behalf in July. Hopefully tons of Philadelphia fans will make the trek to Cooperstown this summer.
I try not to think of the terrible way Doc's life ended. gone way too soon at age 40. He is now enshrined with the other immortal baseball players. He only won 203 games but no one is more deserving.
- Citizens Bank Park will be upgraded this season. The Phillies announced a new Beer Garden/Picnic area is being built inside the third base gate and will be completed in time for Opening Day. Plus a new Shake Shack will open along side the new garden.
CBP is becoming a nice, friendly, family-oriented place to be. Still needed is a Phillies museum and an improved Home Run celebration.
- Hopefully the stupid article about Carson Wentz this week will die down. Written by a wannabe millennial so-called journalist, it's a phony story, given life because there isn't much to talk about right now. What made it worse was the writer's self- appreciating view that his piece of crap article will "make Wentz better" in time, like he is the extra motivation Wentz needs to succeed next season.
The local media is also at fault for giving this guy a platform to be famous. He will fade away in time as fans will label him as a hack journalist who is begging for clicks on a website.
- If the Phillies do sign Bryce Harper will he change numbers? He wears No. 34- the same number as Hall of Famer Roy Halliday.
- It will be interesting to see where all these lawsuits end up from the terrible none-call at the end of the Saints-Rams playoff game. They may bring even added attention to the increasing problem of horrible officiating.
When the Rams face the Patriots in Super Bowl LIII on February 3, how many fans will still be angry that New Orleans got screwed and should be in the big game?
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 22
Joe "Cool"
"Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live."
- Joe Montana
30 years ago, the Bengals led 16-13 with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXIII. 49er QB Joe Montana finished an 11-play, 92-yard drive with a game-winning 10-yard TD pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining in perhaps his greatest clutch performance as a pro. WR Jerry Rice caught 11 passes for 215 yards, taking MVP honors.
"Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live."
- Joe Montana
30 years ago, the Bengals led 16-13 with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXIII. 49er QB Joe Montana finished an 11-play, 92-yard drive with a game-winning 10-yard TD pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining in perhaps his greatest clutch performance as a pro. WR Jerry Rice caught 11 passes for 215 yards, taking MVP honors.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball by the Numbers-
True or False
A National Leaguer has won the Triple Crown since 2000.
Answer: False.
The last Triple Crown winner in the Senior Circuit was Cardinals left fielder Joe Medwick in 1937. He batted .374 with 31 homers and 154 runs batted in.
Miguel Cabrera was the last American Leaguer to do it, racking up 44 homers, 139 runs batted in, and hitting .330 for Detroit in 2012.
Baseball Birthdays
Frank Sullivan
Mark Wohlers
Chico Carrasquel
Alan Embree
True or False
A National Leaguer has won the Triple Crown since 2000.
Answer: False.
The last Triple Crown winner in the Senior Circuit was Cardinals left fielder Joe Medwick in 1937. He batted .374 with 31 homers and 154 runs batted in.
Miguel Cabrera was the last American Leaguer to do it, racking up 44 homers, 139 runs batted in, and hitting .330 for Detroit in 2012.
Baseball Birthdays
Frank Sullivan
Mark Wohlers
Chico Carrasquel
Alan Embree
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, PHILLIES
A stupid story on Philly Voice.com alleges that Eagles QB Carson Wentz is, among other things, egotistical and overall a bad guy.
Why is the media even giving this so-called journalist any credence? The kid is a zero, a wannabe, seeking clicks on a website.
He admits that he didn't give the Eagles organization enough time to answer before publishing this article. His sources are all unnamed. naturally, not everyone is going to like Wentz, even if he is a good guy. That's human nature. Also, Wentz shouldn't be called selfish because he wanted to play this season and felt frustrated because of his health situation.
Bascially, in between sports seasons- the Eagles are done and the Phillies have yet to begin- the media needs something to talk about. So, this worthless story is picked up and discussed for no reason.
The Philly media ain't what it used to be.
**************************************************************
Happy 40th birthday to Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz!Hopefully a great gift will be the announcement of the late, great Roy (Doc) Halliday being inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame today. Another ex-Phil pitcher may get in as well- Curt Schiilling. Both are deserving.
Still waiting on Machado and Harper to make up their mind. How will it end/ Who will blink first and sign?If the Phillies sign Machado first, will they still pursue Harper?
Why is the media even giving this so-called journalist any credence? The kid is a zero, a wannabe, seeking clicks on a website.
He admits that he didn't give the Eagles organization enough time to answer before publishing this article. His sources are all unnamed. naturally, not everyone is going to like Wentz, even if he is a good guy. That's human nature. Also, Wentz shouldn't be called selfish because he wanted to play this season and felt frustrated because of his health situation.
Bascially, in between sports seasons- the Eagles are done and the Phillies have yet to begin- the media needs something to talk about. So, this worthless story is picked up and discussed for no reason.
The Philly media ain't what it used to be.
**************************************************************
Happy 40th birthday to Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz!Hopefully a great gift will be the announcement of the late, great Roy (Doc) Halliday being inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame today. Another ex-Phil pitcher may get in as well- Curt Schiilling. Both are deserving.
Still waiting on Machado and Harper to make up their mind. How will it end/ Who will blink first and sign?If the Phillies sign Machado first, will they still pursue Harper?
Monday, January 21, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- NFL PLAYOFFS
Rams over Saints-
Nice to see the Saints get theirs but hated the way it turned out. The refs near the end of the game screwed New Orleans. If pass interference was called correctly the Saints could've run down the clock in regulation time and kicked the game-winning field goal. Shame they missed going to the Super Bowl because of a bad call by the refs.
Sure, the Saintss till ha d a chance to win in overtime, where QB Drew Brees threw a costly interception. But somehow it was meant to be, and the Rams went on to win.
What can be done about the terrible calls? Maybe make professional officials? Many of these guys have full-time jobs as lawyers, insurance men, etc. So they split their time during the fall working at their real jobs and officiatitng NFL games on weekends.Why give so much power to part-time employees?
If the refs are getting paid-off, why announce who the officials will be to the public ahead of time? Why not bring two officiating crews to a big game and pick one just before the game?
Instituting replay on pass interference calls would help, as many big plays come down to pass interference. It will slow down the game even more, with the use of even more technology. But isn't the key point getting the play right?
Apparently the NFL Commissioner has the power to over-rule a game, either by changing the score, making the game play over, either at the beginning or when the disputed play occurred. That won't happen as are you gonna replay the game at the Superdome? If you reverse the score, how do you assume the Saints will make the last-second field goal?
The real shame is that legacies, destinies, history is changed because of a bad call. Think of all the money involved- the betting, the economy of both cities involved, the legacy of championships. Brees will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer but he will always have one less Super Bowl under his belt.
I'm glad a loser like Saints' coach Sean Payton got screwed, especially after running up the score in their first meeting with the Eagles. The bottom line is, up 13-0 at home, you gotta win that game. Yes, that was a crucial call, but New Orleans still had a chance to win in overtime.
No one will ever forget that loss in New Orleans. They will never get over it, no matter how many future championships the Saints may win over time.
For LA, they really don't have a fan-base. People don't care about pro football in laid-back LA. Maybe it will stir a bandwagon-like interest in the Rams for a while, a brief respite from the Lakers and Dodgers.
One thing for sure, Rams QB Jared Goff is far ahead of Eagles' Carson Wentz. Goff is going to the Super Bowl; Wentz has yet to play in his first playoff game.
Patriots over Chiefs-
Hard to believe both road teams won on Sunday. I picked New England to win, mostly because of Tom Brady and the feeling that Kansas City coach Andy Reid would do something to lose the game. I also thought New England would handle the weather conditions. They have so much playoff experience. And now they go to the Super Bowl for the third straight year, five years out of six. Will they be favored to beat Los Angeles?
KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes is brilliant and almost won the game for his Chiefs. The Pats blitzed him and caused Mahomes to scramble out of the pocket. Mahomes will be a full to be reckoned with in the future, with or without Reid.
The bottom line is that the chiefs had home field advantage, the recipe to defeat New England, and once again lost a big game at home.
Some are crying about the overtime rule needing to be changed, whereas both teams get an equal amount of possessions in overtime. No such thing as sudden death. I disagree. Even if a team who wins the coin toss does score, is it fair to still give the other team a chance to tie?Why even have a coin toss? Continuing the game would make the overtime like a college game, going on and on, the scores escalating.
I like the drama of sudden death football. Sometimes luck is involved, not everything being cookie-cutter perfect.
Reality is that, after a somewhat mediocre year ( 11-5), New England is in position to win another championship.
Finally, we will never know if the Eagles would've beaten the Rams yesterday. A rematch with the Patriots in the Super Bowl would've been great. Sadly, the Birds didn't hold up their end of the bargain.
Nice to see the Saints get theirs but hated the way it turned out. The refs near the end of the game screwed New Orleans. If pass interference was called correctly the Saints could've run down the clock in regulation time and kicked the game-winning field goal. Shame they missed going to the Super Bowl because of a bad call by the refs.
Sure, the Saintss till ha d a chance to win in overtime, where QB Drew Brees threw a costly interception. But somehow it was meant to be, and the Rams went on to win.
What can be done about the terrible calls? Maybe make professional officials? Many of these guys have full-time jobs as lawyers, insurance men, etc. So they split their time during the fall working at their real jobs and officiatitng NFL games on weekends.Why give so much power to part-time employees?
If the refs are getting paid-off, why announce who the officials will be to the public ahead of time? Why not bring two officiating crews to a big game and pick one just before the game?
Instituting replay on pass interference calls would help, as many big plays come down to pass interference. It will slow down the game even more, with the use of even more technology. But isn't the key point getting the play right?
Apparently the NFL Commissioner has the power to over-rule a game, either by changing the score, making the game play over, either at the beginning or when the disputed play occurred. That won't happen as are you gonna replay the game at the Superdome? If you reverse the score, how do you assume the Saints will make the last-second field goal?
The real shame is that legacies, destinies, history is changed because of a bad call. Think of all the money involved- the betting, the economy of both cities involved, the legacy of championships. Brees will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer but he will always have one less Super Bowl under his belt.
I'm glad a loser like Saints' coach Sean Payton got screwed, especially after running up the score in their first meeting with the Eagles. The bottom line is, up 13-0 at home, you gotta win that game. Yes, that was a crucial call, but New Orleans still had a chance to win in overtime.
No one will ever forget that loss in New Orleans. They will never get over it, no matter how many future championships the Saints may win over time.
For LA, they really don't have a fan-base. People don't care about pro football in laid-back LA. Maybe it will stir a bandwagon-like interest in the Rams for a while, a brief respite from the Lakers and Dodgers.
One thing for sure, Rams QB Jared Goff is far ahead of Eagles' Carson Wentz. Goff is going to the Super Bowl; Wentz has yet to play in his first playoff game.
Patriots over Chiefs-
Hard to believe both road teams won on Sunday. I picked New England to win, mostly because of Tom Brady and the feeling that Kansas City coach Andy Reid would do something to lose the game. I also thought New England would handle the weather conditions. They have so much playoff experience. And now they go to the Super Bowl for the third straight year, five years out of six. Will they be favored to beat Los Angeles?
KC quarterback Patrick Mahomes is brilliant and almost won the game for his Chiefs. The Pats blitzed him and caused Mahomes to scramble out of the pocket. Mahomes will be a full to be reckoned with in the future, with or without Reid.
The bottom line is that the chiefs had home field advantage, the recipe to defeat New England, and once again lost a big game at home.
Some are crying about the overtime rule needing to be changed, whereas both teams get an equal amount of possessions in overtime. No such thing as sudden death. I disagree. Even if a team who wins the coin toss does score, is it fair to still give the other team a chance to tie?Why even have a coin toss? Continuing the game would make the overtime like a college game, going on and on, the scores escalating.
I like the drama of sudden death football. Sometimes luck is involved, not everything being cookie-cutter perfect.
Reality is that, after a somewhat mediocre year ( 11-5), New England is in position to win another championship.
Finally, we will never know if the Eagles would've beaten the Rams yesterday. A rematch with the Patriots in the Super Bowl would've been great. Sadly, the Birds didn't hold up their end of the bargain.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball Oddities
Carl Yastrzemski hit .301 in 1968, the lowest average ever to win the batting title. Who is the last player to hit under .320 and still win the batting title?
A. Justin Morneau
B. Larry Walker
C. Terry Pendleton
D. Tony Gwynn
E. Tim Raines
Answer: A.
The Colorado first baseman hit .319 to take the title in 2014. The 2006 MVP winner ( while playing in Minnesota), Morneau's 2015 campaign was his last full-time season. He hit 17 home runs and drove in 82 runs.
Baseball Birthdays
Amos Strunk
Mike Caldwell
Jeff Treadway
Chone Figgins
Carl Yastrzemski hit .301 in 1968, the lowest average ever to win the batting title. Who is the last player to hit under .320 and still win the batting title?
A. Justin Morneau
B. Larry Walker
C. Terry Pendleton
D. Tony Gwynn
E. Tim Raines
Answer: A.
The Colorado first baseman hit .319 to take the title in 2014. The 2006 MVP winner ( while playing in Minnesota), Morneau's 2015 campaign was his last full-time season. He hit 17 home runs and drove in 82 runs.
Baseball Birthdays
Amos Strunk
Mike Caldwell
Jeff Treadway
Chone Figgins
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY-JANUARY 21
Steelers are Super Again
"As a player, it says everything about you if you made the Hall of Fame. But, then again, boy...there's something about winning a Super Bowl."
- Terry Bradshaw
On this day 40 years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first three-time Super Bowl winners. Their rematch with Dallas is still remembered for cowboy Hall of Famer TE Jackie Smith's drop.
Terry Bradshaw threw four TDs on the way to his first of two Super Bowl MVP's. Final score; Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
"As a player, it says everything about you if you made the Hall of Fame. But, then again, boy...there's something about winning a Super Bowl."
- Terry Bradshaw
On this day 40 years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first three-time Super Bowl winners. Their rematch with Dallas is still remembered for cowboy Hall of Famer TE Jackie Smith's drop.
Terry Bradshaw threw four TDs on the way to his first of two Super Bowl MVP's. Final score; Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
Sunday, January 20, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Team History
Name the Rockies' leader in career winning percentage:
A. Ubaldo Jimenez
B. Jorge De La Rosa
C. Curt Leskanic
D. Steve Reed
Answer: C.
Leskanic pitched with the Rockies for the first seven of their 25 years, from 1993 through 1999. During that time,m he compiled a record of 31-20, for a winning percentage of .608.
Name the Rockies' leader in career winning percentage:
A. Ubaldo Jimenez
B. Jorge De La Rosa
C. Curt Leskanic
D. Steve Reed
Answer: C.
Leskanic pitched with the Rockies for the first seven of their 25 years, from 1993 through 1999. During that time,m he compiled a record of 31-20, for a winning percentage of .608.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES PICKS
The NFL Championship Games are Sunday afternoon. The Rams at the Saints and the Patriots visit the Chiefs, Not as much fun as our Eagles in the NFC Championship Game last January. I was there when the Birds thrashed the vikings. We were lucky with the weather, a mild January late afternoon, whereas tomorrow seems brutal at Kansas City.
Whether we are still bitter about the Eagles losing in New Orleans last week, here are my predictions for who will advance on to Super Bowl LIII and who goes home..
Patriots at Chiefs-
New England should be used to the brutal weather conditions which will await them in Kansas City tomorrow. It's tough enough to play at Arrowhead Stadium let alone face wind chills well below zero. The KC fans will be frozen but delirious. As long as coach Andy Reid doesn't do something really stupid to screw up the game, the chiefs should be in it all the way.
QB Patrick Mahomes has been great all season, as he was last week in the playoff game vs. Indianapolis. Will he be as composed Sunday afternoon when he faces the legendary Tom Brady, mano-to-mano, for all the AFC marbles?
Unlike some local media, I had nothing against Reid, and would love to see him in the Super Bowl. Other than Dallas, the thought of New England possibly winning yet another world championship disgusts me. This was the situation to beat the Pats= get them in a championship game where they don't have home field advantage.
Ironically, even though the weather is forecasted to be brutal tomorrow in KC, if the game was played in New England they may have been playing through up to three feet of snow.
The Patriots seem to always prevail in big games, even away from home. Ask the Steelers how good Brady is away from Foxboro.
As much as I hate to say it, I like New England to move on to yet another Super Bowl.
New England 24 Kansas City 20
Rams at Saints-
Naturally, I want the Saints to get theirs this week. Philly should've been in Los Angeles this week, trying to beat the Rams a third straight time in order to try and defend their title in the Super Bowl. So, in that way, I'll be pulling for LA.
I'm sure the Superdome crowd will be even more crazy and loud on Sunday. How will Ram QB react to the noise and pressure?
After a rusty start last week the Saints came on and still should've got beat by the Eagles. Meanwhile, the Rams took care of the Cowboys.
I have a gut feeling that the Saints will play better tomorrow. The Rams have revenge on their side from a previous loss in New Orleans earlier this season. Of course, weather will be no factor. It should be a high-scoring affair, even though each team hasn't really been scoring that much as of late.
One home team has to win, so I'm picking New Orleans, and the more experienced quarterback, Drew Brees, to win the NFC.
Saints 34 Rams 28
Whether we are still bitter about the Eagles losing in New Orleans last week, here are my predictions for who will advance on to Super Bowl LIII and who goes home..
Patriots at Chiefs-
New England should be used to the brutal weather conditions which will await them in Kansas City tomorrow. It's tough enough to play at Arrowhead Stadium let alone face wind chills well below zero. The KC fans will be frozen but delirious. As long as coach Andy Reid doesn't do something really stupid to screw up the game, the chiefs should be in it all the way.
QB Patrick Mahomes has been great all season, as he was last week in the playoff game vs. Indianapolis. Will he be as composed Sunday afternoon when he faces the legendary Tom Brady, mano-to-mano, for all the AFC marbles?
Unlike some local media, I had nothing against Reid, and would love to see him in the Super Bowl. Other than Dallas, the thought of New England possibly winning yet another world championship disgusts me. This was the situation to beat the Pats= get them in a championship game where they don't have home field advantage.
Ironically, even though the weather is forecasted to be brutal tomorrow in KC, if the game was played in New England they may have been playing through up to three feet of snow.
The Patriots seem to always prevail in big games, even away from home. Ask the Steelers how good Brady is away from Foxboro.
As much as I hate to say it, I like New England to move on to yet another Super Bowl.
New England 24 Kansas City 20
Rams at Saints-
Naturally, I want the Saints to get theirs this week. Philly should've been in Los Angeles this week, trying to beat the Rams a third straight time in order to try and defend their title in the Super Bowl. So, in that way, I'll be pulling for LA.
I'm sure the Superdome crowd will be even more crazy and loud on Sunday. How will Ram QB react to the noise and pressure?
After a rusty start last week the Saints came on and still should've got beat by the Eagles. Meanwhile, the Rams took care of the Cowboys.
I have a gut feeling that the Saints will play better tomorrow. The Rams have revenge on their side from a previous loss in New Orleans earlier this season. Of course, weather will be no factor. It should be a high-scoring affair, even though each team hasn't really been scoring that much as of late.
One home team has to win, so I'm picking New Orleans, and the more experienced quarterback, Drew Brees, to win the NFC.
Saints 34 Rams 28
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 19/20
Irish halt UCLA streak at 88
:This was great for college basketball. I'm sure everyone was rooting for us the way they used to root against the new York Yankees. The win was special for Notre Dame, for the kids, for my staff, for my mother and father (who were present) and for us all."
- Digger Phelps
45 years ago ( on a Sunday afternoon in one of the most memorable moments in college basketball history, #2 and unbeaten Notre Dame beat #1 UCLA 71-70, ending the Bruins' record 88-game winning streak.
One week later at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, UCLA returned the favor, defeating Notre Dame by 94-75 and regaining the No. 1 position in the polls.
:This was great for college basketball. I'm sure everyone was rooting for us the way they used to root against the new York Yankees. The win was special for Notre Dame, for the kids, for my staff, for my mother and father (who were present) and for us all."
- Digger Phelps
45 years ago ( on a Sunday afternoon in one of the most memorable moments in college basketball history, #2 and unbeaten Notre Dame beat #1 UCLA 71-70, ending the Bruins' record 88-game winning streak.
One week later at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, UCLA returned the favor, defeating Notre Dame by 94-75 and regaining the No. 1 position in the polls.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
World Series
Rank the following teams by their number of World Series appearances:
A. Dodgers
B. A's
C. Yankees
D. Tigers
E. Giants
Answers-
1-C, 40; 2-E, 20 3-A, 19; 4-B, 14; 5-D, 11
Saturday Birthdays
Jon Matlack
Chris Sabo
Rip Radcliff
Phil Nevin
Sunday Birthdays
David Eckstein
Joe Dobson
Camilo Pascual
Ozzie Guillen
Rank the following teams by their number of World Series appearances:
A. Dodgers
B. A's
C. Yankees
D. Tigers
E. Giants
Answers-
1-C, 40; 2-E, 20 3-A, 19; 4-B, 14; 5-D, 11
Saturday Birthdays
Jon Matlack
Chris Sabo
Rip Radcliff
Phil Nevin
Sunday Birthdays
David Eckstein
Joe Dobson
Camilo Pascual
Ozzie Guillen
Friday, January 18, 2019
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 18
Lowest scores in AFC-NFC Championship
January 6, 1979- NFC Championship LA Rams 9, Tampa Bay 0
January 23, 1983- AFC Championship- Miami 14, NY Jets 0
January 12, 1992- AFC Championship- Buffalo 10, Denver 7
Janiary 23, 2000- NFC Championship- St. Louis 11, Tampa Bay 6
January 14, 2001- AFC Championship- Baltimore 16, Oakland 3
January 18, 2004- NFC Championship- Carolina 14, Philadelphia 3
January 6, 1979- NFC Championship LA Rams 9, Tampa Bay 0
January 23, 1983- AFC Championship- Miami 14, NY Jets 0
January 12, 1992- AFC Championship- Buffalo 10, Denver 7
Janiary 23, 2000- NFC Championship- St. Louis 11, Tampa Bay 6
January 14, 2001- AFC Championship- Baltimore 16, Oakland 3
January 18, 2004- NFC Championship- Carolina 14, Philadelphia 3
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Dubious Distinctions
Which of the following Hall of Fame pitchers lost 20 games in a season?
A. Phil Niekro
B. Steve Carlton
C. Walter Johnson
D. Tom Seaver
Answer:A, B and C
Niekro lost 20 in 1977 and again in 1979. He also lost 18 in 1978 and in 1980, leading the National League in losses all four years with the Braves.
Carlton lost 20 in 1973, when lowly Philadelphia went 71-91.
Johnson lost 20 twice with Washington, achieving his "best" in losses with 25 in 1909. He also dropped 20 in 1916.
Baseball Birthdays
Curt Flood
Scott McGregor
Billy Grabarkewitz
Mike Lieberthal
Which of the following Hall of Fame pitchers lost 20 games in a season?
A. Phil Niekro
B. Steve Carlton
C. Walter Johnson
D. Tom Seaver
Answer:A, B and C
Niekro lost 20 in 1977 and again in 1979. He also lost 18 in 1978 and in 1980, leading the National League in losses all four years with the Braves.
Carlton lost 20 in 1973, when lowly Philadelphia went 71-91.
Johnson lost 20 twice with Washington, achieving his "best" in losses with 25 in 1909. He also dropped 20 in 1916.
Baseball Birthdays
Curt Flood
Scott McGregor
Billy Grabarkewitz
Mike Lieberthal
Thursday, January 17, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball and Culture
Match the baseball movie with its lead actors:
1. For Love of the Game A. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello
2. Rookie of the Year B. Thomas Ian Nicholas, Gary Busey
3. Soul of the Game C. Dekroy Lindo, Blair Underwood
4. The Naughty Nineties D. Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston
Answers:
1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A
Baseball Birthdays
Mayo Smith
Darrell Porter
Don Zimmer
Chili Davis
Match the baseball movie with its lead actors:
1. For Love of the Game A. Bud Abbott, Lou Costello
2. Rookie of the Year B. Thomas Ian Nicholas, Gary Busey
3. Soul of the Game C. Dekroy Lindo, Blair Underwood
4. The Naughty Nineties D. Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston
Answers:
1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A
Baseball Birthdays
Mayo Smith
Darrell Porter
Don Zimmer
Chili Davis
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 17
Dirty Birds
"Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter."
- Dan Reeves
On this day 1999, Dan Reeves and the Falcons upset the Vikings 30-27, earning their first trip to the Super Bowl.
"Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter."
- Dan Reeves
On this day 1999, Dan Reeves and the Falcons upset the Vikings 30-27, earning their first trip to the Super Bowl.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES, EAGLES
- The White Sox finally made a formal offer to Manny Machado- seven years, $175 million. Alot of money to you and me, but 13 other players in major league baseball are already making that kind of money. Chicago needs to up their offer if they are serious about Machado.
It sets up well for the Phillies. They have money to burn and could /should blow away the White Sox offer. But after meeting with Bryce Harper last weekend, is Machado their first choice?
Why not get Machado now, then focus on Harper?
Unless the Yankees get involved again, it's the White Sox and Phillies for Machado's services.
They may be trying to wait out Harper, who seems to have limited interested teams as well. Washington is still in the mix, and one can't count out the lurking Dodgers, or even the White Sox.
Seems like Harper and Gabe Kapler really hit it off at their meeting. Personally, I would rather have Harper. Yes, Machado would make more sense, especially defensively, but Harper is more intense and seems to fit the mold of what the Phillies need.
Of course, in two years, Mike Trout is the ultimate prize. If the Phillies get Machado- especially at a lower price then what they suspected- plus Harper, they apparently still have enough money to go after Trout.
Time for the Phillies to step up and close the deal..or deals
- More Eagle thoughts..
Both Carson Wentz and Howie Rossman had press conferences yesterday. The bottom line is that Wentz is the Eagles' quarterback now and beyond. Thanks to Nick Foles for his service, for being MVP in the Super Bowl last season, and for his magical run this year. But he is out.
With the announcement that the Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring John DiFillipo soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see Foles end up in Jacksonville. They need a QB and Foles worked well with DiFillipo.
- Look for Sproles, Hicks and Graham to be back next season. Peters should be gone. Likewise Long. Why re-sign players who are always hurt? That's why guys like Mike Wallace are history.
Between the draft in April and upcoming free agency, it should be an interesting off-season.
It sets up well for the Phillies. They have money to burn and could /should blow away the White Sox offer. But after meeting with Bryce Harper last weekend, is Machado their first choice?
Why not get Machado now, then focus on Harper?
Unless the Yankees get involved again, it's the White Sox and Phillies for Machado's services.
They may be trying to wait out Harper, who seems to have limited interested teams as well. Washington is still in the mix, and one can't count out the lurking Dodgers, or even the White Sox.
Seems like Harper and Gabe Kapler really hit it off at their meeting. Personally, I would rather have Harper. Yes, Machado would make more sense, especially defensively, but Harper is more intense and seems to fit the mold of what the Phillies need.
Of course, in two years, Mike Trout is the ultimate prize. If the Phillies get Machado- especially at a lower price then what they suspected- plus Harper, they apparently still have enough money to go after Trout.
Time for the Phillies to step up and close the deal..or deals
- More Eagle thoughts..
Both Carson Wentz and Howie Rossman had press conferences yesterday. The bottom line is that Wentz is the Eagles' quarterback now and beyond. Thanks to Nick Foles for his service, for being MVP in the Super Bowl last season, and for his magical run this year. But he is out.
With the announcement that the Jacksonville Jaguars are hiring John DiFillipo soon, I wouldn't be surprised to see Foles end up in Jacksonville. They need a QB and Foles worked well with DiFillipo.
- Look for Sproles, Hicks and Graham to be back next season. Peters should be gone. Likewise Long. Why re-sign players who are always hurt? That's why guys like Mike Wallace are history.
Between the draft in April and upcoming free agency, it should be an interesting off-season.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Immortal Numbers
Rank the following pitchers by their career strikeouts per nine innings:
A. Max Scherzer
B. Pedro Martinez
C. Randy Johnson
D. Kerry Wood
E. Chris Sale
1-C, 10.61; 2-E, 10.54; 3-D, 10.32; 4-A. 10.19; 5-B, 10.04
Baseball Birthdays
Dizzy Dean
Jimmy Collins
Albert Pujols
Mark Trumbo
Rank the following pitchers by their career strikeouts per nine innings:
A. Max Scherzer
B. Pedro Martinez
C. Randy Johnson
D. Kerry Wood
E. Chris Sale
1-C, 10.61; 2-E, 10.54; 3-D, 10.32; 4-A. 10.19; 5-B, 10.04
Baseball Birthdays
Dizzy Dean
Jimmy Collins
Albert Pujols
Mark Trumbo
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 16
Chiefs bounce streaking Oilers
25 years ago today, Joe Montana rallied the Kansas City Chiefs with two fourth quarter TD passes for the final playoff victory of his career. Kansas City's upset of the Houston Oilers ended the NFL's longest winning streak since 2972 at 11 games.
25 years ago today, Joe Montana rallied the Kansas City Chiefs with two fourth quarter TD passes for the final playoff victory of his career. Kansas City's upset of the Houston Oilers ended the NFL's longest winning streak since 2972 at 11 games.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, PHILLIES
- More aftermath from the Eagles' loss to the Saints and their season..
- Classy move by coach Doug Pederson to greet each player after the Saints' game before they returned to the locker room. No wonder the players love him.
- Out of the soon-to-be free agents, I would like Brandon Graham back. In reality, Nick Foles won't return. Not sure it would be a good idea to bring Foles back. If the Eagles could end up trading him for draft picks, instead of letting him walk away for nothing, then great. But if the Birds are truly committed to Carson Wentz, they need to go all-in and allow Foles to sign elsewhere.
- Plenty of teams Foles can go to, including division rival Washington and New York. Jacksonville could use a good quarterback, as could Miami. Hopefully St. Nick ends up in the AFC. If he does sign with the Giants or Redskins it would make for even more interesting division games, especially when Foles comes back to the Linc.
- Speaking of Foles, he will go down as one of Philadelphia's best loved athletes. Foles joins the likes of Bernie Parent, Brian Dawkins and Chase Utley. Guys like Donovan McNabb, Julius Erving and Mike Schmidt were great players but didn't endear themselves to the fans for whatever reason.
- Who to root for this weekend- Andy Reid or Bill Belichek? I don't want to see New England back in the Super Bowl. Reid may not have been the most charismatic guy, and he failed to win the Super bowl in 14 seasons in Philly, but I have nothing against Big Red. He finally has a good QB. He's got home field advantage this Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. He can't ask for more this weekend, so if he fails again, it's his own fault.
In the NFC, I really don't care who win in New Orleans. The Saints should not be in the championship game, if the Eagles had taken care of business. The Rams are young and up-and-coming. Are they ready to win? I expect the Saints to play much better this week. If they were going to lose they would've last weekend, not one game away from the Super Bowl.
I'll make my predictions later in the week I'm 6-2 so far in the playoffs.
- WR Alshon Jeffery is getting a lot of love from Eagle fans this week after his huge drop late in the New Orleans playoff game. Yes, if he did catch that Foles pass the Birds may have gone on to win. But we don't know that for sure. If Jeffery had dropped the pass in the end zone i would be more pissed ( it was his only dropped ball ever in the playoffs). How can we assume the offense would've scored?
- Meanwhile, the Phillies wait for Harper and Machado to make up their mind. The Phils are due to make Harper a formal offer sometime this week. We are a month away from spring training. USA Today feels the Phillies are "the clear favorite' to sign Harper.
Harper may not fit as well baseball-wise as Machado ( Machado would fit in perfectly at third base), but he would bring more excitement. Plus he's a left-handed compliment to Rhys Hoskins in the line-up.
As long as the organization continues to improve. The really big fish is Mike Trout in two years. Whatever the Phillies do, they can't lose sight of the big prize that is Trout in a couple of years from now. An outfield consisting of Trout, McCuthen and Haprer would be easy to take.
- Classy move by coach Doug Pederson to greet each player after the Saints' game before they returned to the locker room. No wonder the players love him.
- Out of the soon-to-be free agents, I would like Brandon Graham back. In reality, Nick Foles won't return. Not sure it would be a good idea to bring Foles back. If the Eagles could end up trading him for draft picks, instead of letting him walk away for nothing, then great. But if the Birds are truly committed to Carson Wentz, they need to go all-in and allow Foles to sign elsewhere.
- Plenty of teams Foles can go to, including division rival Washington and New York. Jacksonville could use a good quarterback, as could Miami. Hopefully St. Nick ends up in the AFC. If he does sign with the Giants or Redskins it would make for even more interesting division games, especially when Foles comes back to the Linc.
- Speaking of Foles, he will go down as one of Philadelphia's best loved athletes. Foles joins the likes of Bernie Parent, Brian Dawkins and Chase Utley. Guys like Donovan McNabb, Julius Erving and Mike Schmidt were great players but didn't endear themselves to the fans for whatever reason.
- Who to root for this weekend- Andy Reid or Bill Belichek? I don't want to see New England back in the Super Bowl. Reid may not have been the most charismatic guy, and he failed to win the Super bowl in 14 seasons in Philly, but I have nothing against Big Red. He finally has a good QB. He's got home field advantage this Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. He can't ask for more this weekend, so if he fails again, it's his own fault.
In the NFC, I really don't care who win in New Orleans. The Saints should not be in the championship game, if the Eagles had taken care of business. The Rams are young and up-and-coming. Are they ready to win? I expect the Saints to play much better this week. If they were going to lose they would've last weekend, not one game away from the Super Bowl.
I'll make my predictions later in the week I'm 6-2 so far in the playoffs.
- WR Alshon Jeffery is getting a lot of love from Eagle fans this week after his huge drop late in the New Orleans playoff game. Yes, if he did catch that Foles pass the Birds may have gone on to win. But we don't know that for sure. If Jeffery had dropped the pass in the end zone i would be more pissed ( it was his only dropped ball ever in the playoffs). How can we assume the offense would've scored?
- Meanwhile, the Phillies wait for Harper and Machado to make up their mind. The Phils are due to make Harper a formal offer sometime this week. We are a month away from spring training. USA Today feels the Phillies are "the clear favorite' to sign Harper.
Harper may not fit as well baseball-wise as Machado ( Machado would fit in perfectly at third base), but he would bring more excitement. Plus he's a left-handed compliment to Rhys Hoskins in the line-up.
As long as the organization continues to improve. The really big fish is Mike Trout in two years. Whatever the Phillies do, they can't lose sight of the big prize that is Trout in a couple of years from now. An outfield consisting of Trout, McCuthen and Haprer would be easy to take.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball Quotes
"In the Fifties, every red-blooded American boy either wanted to play baseball or be Elvis Presley."
- Bob Dylan
Baseball Birthdays
Mike Marshall
Matt Holliday
Bobby Grich
Delino DeShields
"In the Fifties, every red-blooded American boy either wanted to play baseball or be Elvis Presley."
- Bob Dylan
Baseball Birthdays
Mike Marshall
Matt Holliday
Bobby Grich
Delino DeShields
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 15
History
Years that the first black athletes were inducted into various sports' halls of fame"
1962 Jackie Robinson- Baseball
1967 Emlen Tunnell- Pro Football
1971 Althea Gibson- Tennis
1972 Robert J. Douglas- Basketball
2003 Grant Fuhr- Hockey
2004 Charlie Sifford- Golf
Years that the first black athletes were inducted into various sports' halls of fame"
1962 Jackie Robinson- Baseball
1967 Emlen Tunnell- Pro Football
1971 Althea Gibson- Tennis
1972 Robert J. Douglas- Basketball
2003 Grant Fuhr- Hockey
2004 Charlie Sifford- Golf
Monday, January 14, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Historical Present
Name the player who finished the 2017 season with the most hits of any active player.
A, Adrian Beltre
B. Albert Pujols
C. Carlos Beltran
D. Miguel Cabrera
E. Ichiro Suzuki
Answer- E.
With 3.080 career MLB hits, Ichiro was one of two players to finish the 2017 season with 3,000 or more hits. The other was Adrian Beltre, with 3,048
Baseball Birthdays
Smead Jolley
Sonny Siebert
Wayne Gross
Terry Forster
Name the player who finished the 2017 season with the most hits of any active player.
A, Adrian Beltre
B. Albert Pujols
C. Carlos Beltran
D. Miguel Cabrera
E. Ichiro Suzuki
Answer- E.
With 3.080 career MLB hits, Ichiro was one of two players to finish the 2017 season with 3,000 or more hits. The other was Adrian Beltre, with 3,048
Baseball Birthdays
Smead Jolley
Sonny Siebert
Wayne Gross
Terry Forster
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 14
Norma Jean weds Joltin' Joe
65-years ago today the retired "Yankee Clipper," Joe DiMaggio, married Hollywood sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. DiMaggio and Monroe lived togeter just nine months and the marriage ended in divorce in October 1955.
65-years ago today the retired "Yankee Clipper," Joe DiMaggio, married Hollywood sex symbol Marilyn Monroe. DiMaggio and Monroe lived togeter just nine months and the marriage ended in divorce in October 1955.
EAGLES-SAINTS REVIEW
Here are my thoughts on the disappointing , season-ending Eagles loss to New Orleans..
- I picked the Eagles to win, but earlier in the week wrote "My heart says the Eagles but my head says a New Orleans vs. New England Super bowl." Both the Saints and Patriots need to win one more game to get there, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
- I was ready to criticize the Eagles for not taking the ball first if the won the coin toss ( which they did). Scoring first would get a rusty Saints team on their heels. Well, Philly did score first- twice, in fact, to take a 14-0 1st quarter lead. A big play was the very first play from scrimmage, as Drew Brees was intercepted by Eales' corner back LeBlanc.
It's nice to know you are getting the ball first in the second half, especially if you score to end the first half, but sometimes , as in yesterday's playoff game, scoring first and geting the lead can be pivotal.
- As predicted, the Saints did come out rusty,after not playing for two week. QB Brees hadn't played in three weeks. New Orleans was not in sync at all, and the Eagles, with their fast start, took the crowd out of the game early- until the Eagles themselves allow the fans back into the game.
The bye week and it's rest did come into play later, as the refreshed Saints squad shifted into another gear in the second half, while the tired Eagles defense, thanks in large part to a long, 11-minute New Orleans scoring drive, looked worn down. It didn't help that the birds were on the road for three games in a row.
- Turnovers again proved to be key to the outcome. Nick Foles' interception in the first quarter killed the momentum after a 14-0 start. If Foles leads Zach Ertz a foot more he might score or at least puts the birds in position to score even more early. Instead Saints corner back Lattimore made a nice pick and that started the new Orleans' turn-around.
Also, Brandon Graham forced a Brees fumble, but, instead of falling on the ball, Graham tried to pick it up, fumbled himself, and a Saint recovered. Te Eagles eventually got the ball back, but a Graham recovery would've given Philadelphia the ball deep in New Orleans territory.
Of course, the final turnover- Foles' interception after Alshon Jeffery allowed a pass slip through his hands, officially killed the drive and the season.
- The fake punt by the Saints was probably the biggest play in the game. 4th down and 1 yard-to-go at their own 30-yard line, already down 14-0, Saints' coach Sean Payton called for a fake punt, and it worked. There was a penalty on the previous play, and the Eagles could've pushed the Saints back another 10 yards, making it 3rd-and 11 yards to go. Instead they made it 4th down, forcing the Saints to punt. Only they didn't punt.
I don't blame coach Pederson for not taking the penalty. The Eagles had their defense in to stop a potential fake punt, only they didn't stop it. The Saints picked p the first down and proceeded to score, changing the momentum in the process.
- Who the hell is Josh Hawkins? He played corner back when Rasul Douglas got hurt. Hawkins was a practice squad guy, and Brees picked on him several times, including the first new Orleans touchdown.
What killed the Eagles was third downs. On defense they couldn't get off the field numerous times with third-and-long. Playing too soft zone defense hurt the Birds earlier in the season, especially during the losses to Carolina and Tennessee. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ( I'm not a fan) doesn't blitz enough. I worried about Schwartz allowing Brees to sit in the pocket and pick his secondary apart, which is exactly what he did.
I know that Brees gets rid of the ball quickly, and he is smart enough to check-down when he sees a blitz coming. But a defense at least needs to mix it up a bit. Even if the pass rush doesn't get to Brees, the threat is there, causing him to react faster than he wants, making him move his feet out of the pocket, or disrupt his timing in other ways. You just don't let a Hall of Famer like Brees sit in the pocket all day.
Instead of controlling the ball and keeping the ball out of brees' hands, Brees held the ball for most of the second half, including a killer 11-minute, 18-play scoring drive which sapped the strength from the Eagles' defense. The Eagles simply didn't have anything more to give at the end, similar to the second Cowboy game in Dallas.
- How can Doug Pederson only run the ball a mere three times in the second half, especially when the Eagles still had the lead? Again, not controlling the ball and making the offense become one-dimensional proved to be costly.
- Yes, Jeffery is paid millions of dollars to catch that ill-fated pass with two minutes left in the game. No excuse why he couldn't haul it in. But it's not the reason why the Eagles lost. Even if Jeffery makes the grab, who says the Eagles would score? Now, if Jeffery was in the end zone, that would be a different story.
To his credit, Jeffery, playing with a cracked rib, after playing with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder last year, was a stand-up guy after the game and accepted responsibility for the drop after the game.
- Eagle facts: up until yesterday the Eagles had never lost in the playoffs after being up by at least 14 points. Also, after 35 catches in the post-season, Jeffery dropped his very first pass in the playoffs, a drop which may have stopped yet another Super bowl run.
-A nice gesture by Pederson was greeting each player outside the locker room door as they made their way from the field and tunnel to the locker room. Pederson wanted to thank each player and offer support right after the devastating end.
- Was the season a success? I say no. The season was a huge let-down after a world championship. To their credit the Eagles made the playoffs ( with some help0, but they didn't even win the NFC East. Not having home field advantage, like last year, continues to be a difference-maker.
After starting 4-6, again, after a Super Bowl season, unless they at least got back to the super bowl, anything less should be considered a failure. Isn't that the ultimate goal, winning the Super Bowl?
So what does it all mean? The Eagles go into a very interesting off-season. What will happen to Foles? Sounded like he was saying farewell to Philadelphia during his post-game news conference. Money may not matter so much but Foles did state he wants to play, start, and likes being "in the huddle" with other guys.
Next season, the Eagles have a second-place schedule and the front office has a boatload of draft picks to play with next spring. Maybe the Eagles come back in the fall a little hungrier. It will be a different team in the fall, as free agents come and go, trades are made and drat picks come in.
The post-season goes fast. It's All-Eagles talk anyway, with free agency looming. In April comes the NFL draft and the schedule is announced. OTA's occur before summer training camp begins. Before you know it, another hot and sweaty summer is upon us, with thoughts of a cooler Autumn and football on the horizon.
The Saints will host the Rams next Sunday for the right to play in Super Bowl LIII. The Eagles are left to wonder if they would've beaten the Rams for a third straight year in Los Angeles.
Hopefully, the players and coaches learn the hard way how important every game is, even in September, to the end result of home field advantage,
It was a fun ride. The Eagles brought the community together. Christmas and New Year's were even more special due to the Birds. We will always have the championship gear and books to reflect on. We can always pop in the Super Bowl LII DVD anytime to smile. Plus we have the memories of the championship, the parade and the hope that next season we might relive it all again.
The Eagles have a young, solid base. They need speed this off-season- running back, a burner receiver more depth all across the roster. The man of the hour now is GM Howie Rossman. Let's see if he can work his magic once again.
- I picked the Eagles to win, but earlier in the week wrote "My heart says the Eagles but my head says a New Orleans vs. New England Super bowl." Both the Saints and Patriots need to win one more game to get there, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
- I was ready to criticize the Eagles for not taking the ball first if the won the coin toss ( which they did). Scoring first would get a rusty Saints team on their heels. Well, Philly did score first- twice, in fact, to take a 14-0 1st quarter lead. A big play was the very first play from scrimmage, as Drew Brees was intercepted by Eales' corner back LeBlanc.
It's nice to know you are getting the ball first in the second half, especially if you score to end the first half, but sometimes , as in yesterday's playoff game, scoring first and geting the lead can be pivotal.
- As predicted, the Saints did come out rusty,after not playing for two week. QB Brees hadn't played in three weeks. New Orleans was not in sync at all, and the Eagles, with their fast start, took the crowd out of the game early- until the Eagles themselves allow the fans back into the game.
The bye week and it's rest did come into play later, as the refreshed Saints squad shifted into another gear in the second half, while the tired Eagles defense, thanks in large part to a long, 11-minute New Orleans scoring drive, looked worn down. It didn't help that the birds were on the road for three games in a row.
- Turnovers again proved to be key to the outcome. Nick Foles' interception in the first quarter killed the momentum after a 14-0 start. If Foles leads Zach Ertz a foot more he might score or at least puts the birds in position to score even more early. Instead Saints corner back Lattimore made a nice pick and that started the new Orleans' turn-around.
Also, Brandon Graham forced a Brees fumble, but, instead of falling on the ball, Graham tried to pick it up, fumbled himself, and a Saint recovered. Te Eagles eventually got the ball back, but a Graham recovery would've given Philadelphia the ball deep in New Orleans territory.
Of course, the final turnover- Foles' interception after Alshon Jeffery allowed a pass slip through his hands, officially killed the drive and the season.
- The fake punt by the Saints was probably the biggest play in the game. 4th down and 1 yard-to-go at their own 30-yard line, already down 14-0, Saints' coach Sean Payton called for a fake punt, and it worked. There was a penalty on the previous play, and the Eagles could've pushed the Saints back another 10 yards, making it 3rd-and 11 yards to go. Instead they made it 4th down, forcing the Saints to punt. Only they didn't punt.
I don't blame coach Pederson for not taking the penalty. The Eagles had their defense in to stop a potential fake punt, only they didn't stop it. The Saints picked p the first down and proceeded to score, changing the momentum in the process.
- Who the hell is Josh Hawkins? He played corner back when Rasul Douglas got hurt. Hawkins was a practice squad guy, and Brees picked on him several times, including the first new Orleans touchdown.
What killed the Eagles was third downs. On defense they couldn't get off the field numerous times with third-and-long. Playing too soft zone defense hurt the Birds earlier in the season, especially during the losses to Carolina and Tennessee. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ( I'm not a fan) doesn't blitz enough. I worried about Schwartz allowing Brees to sit in the pocket and pick his secondary apart, which is exactly what he did.
I know that Brees gets rid of the ball quickly, and he is smart enough to check-down when he sees a blitz coming. But a defense at least needs to mix it up a bit. Even if the pass rush doesn't get to Brees, the threat is there, causing him to react faster than he wants, making him move his feet out of the pocket, or disrupt his timing in other ways. You just don't let a Hall of Famer like Brees sit in the pocket all day.
Instead of controlling the ball and keeping the ball out of brees' hands, Brees held the ball for most of the second half, including a killer 11-minute, 18-play scoring drive which sapped the strength from the Eagles' defense. The Eagles simply didn't have anything more to give at the end, similar to the second Cowboy game in Dallas.
- How can Doug Pederson only run the ball a mere three times in the second half, especially when the Eagles still had the lead? Again, not controlling the ball and making the offense become one-dimensional proved to be costly.
- Yes, Jeffery is paid millions of dollars to catch that ill-fated pass with two minutes left in the game. No excuse why he couldn't haul it in. But it's not the reason why the Eagles lost. Even if Jeffery makes the grab, who says the Eagles would score? Now, if Jeffery was in the end zone, that would be a different story.
To his credit, Jeffery, playing with a cracked rib, after playing with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder last year, was a stand-up guy after the game and accepted responsibility for the drop after the game.
- Eagle facts: up until yesterday the Eagles had never lost in the playoffs after being up by at least 14 points. Also, after 35 catches in the post-season, Jeffery dropped his very first pass in the playoffs, a drop which may have stopped yet another Super bowl run.
-A nice gesture by Pederson was greeting each player outside the locker room door as they made their way from the field and tunnel to the locker room. Pederson wanted to thank each player and offer support right after the devastating end.
- Was the season a success? I say no. The season was a huge let-down after a world championship. To their credit the Eagles made the playoffs ( with some help0, but they didn't even win the NFC East. Not having home field advantage, like last year, continues to be a difference-maker.
After starting 4-6, again, after a Super Bowl season, unless they at least got back to the super bowl, anything less should be considered a failure. Isn't that the ultimate goal, winning the Super Bowl?
So what does it all mean? The Eagles go into a very interesting off-season. What will happen to Foles? Sounded like he was saying farewell to Philadelphia during his post-game news conference. Money may not matter so much but Foles did state he wants to play, start, and likes being "in the huddle" with other guys.
Next season, the Eagles have a second-place schedule and the front office has a boatload of draft picks to play with next spring. Maybe the Eagles come back in the fall a little hungrier. It will be a different team in the fall, as free agents come and go, trades are made and drat picks come in.
The post-season goes fast. It's All-Eagles talk anyway, with free agency looming. In April comes the NFL draft and the schedule is announced. OTA's occur before summer training camp begins. Before you know it, another hot and sweaty summer is upon us, with thoughts of a cooler Autumn and football on the horizon.
The Saints will host the Rams next Sunday for the right to play in Super Bowl LIII. The Eagles are left to wonder if they would've beaten the Rams for a third straight year in Los Angeles.
Hopefully, the players and coaches learn the hard way how important every game is, even in September, to the end result of home field advantage,
It was a fun ride. The Eagles brought the community together. Christmas and New Year's were even more special due to the Birds. We will always have the championship gear and books to reflect on. We can always pop in the Super Bowl LII DVD anytime to smile. Plus we have the memories of the championship, the parade and the hope that next season we might relive it all again.
The Eagles have a young, solid base. They need speed this off-season- running back, a burner receiver more depth all across the roster. The man of the hour now is GM Howie Rossman. Let's see if he can work his magic once again.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Team History
Match and rank the following Reds' players by their highest hit totals in a season.
1. Cy Seymour A. 219 in 1905
2. Frank McCormick B. 209 in 1938 & 1939
3. Vada Pinson C. 208 in 1961
4. Frank Robinson D. 208 in 1962
5. Pete Rose E. 230 in 1973
Answers- 5-E, 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
Baseball Birthday-
Saturday Birthdays
Randy Jones
Dontrelle Willis
Ivan Nova
Luis Ayala
Sunday Birthdays
Kevin Mitchell
Odell Jones
Bob Forsch
Billy Jo Robidoux
Match and rank the following Reds' players by their highest hit totals in a season.
1. Cy Seymour A. 219 in 1905
2. Frank McCormick B. 209 in 1938 & 1939
3. Vada Pinson C. 208 in 1961
4. Frank Robinson D. 208 in 1962
5. Pete Rose E. 230 in 1973
Answers- 5-E, 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
Baseball Birthday-
Saturday Birthdays
Randy Jones
Dontrelle Willis
Ivan Nova
Luis Ayala
Sunday Birthdays
Kevin Mitchell
Odell Jones
Bob Forsch
Billy Jo Robidoux
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 12/13
Jets 16, Colts 7
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
"I meant it so sincerely ( waving my finger No. 1), going off that field I was able to look up, I usually ran with my head down, my posture wasn't that great. I looked up and I saw all these people above the tunnel, screaming, waving their hands, the smiles on their faces, man it was_ that was the statement, we did it. The AFC. We did it, we won the championship,
I never saw so many happy faces in my life. I can see them today. That's what inspired that. Just raising that hand. That was the only time I ever raised my hand, making that gesture Never before in any level did I do that. The finality off that-we finally got there. Yeah."
- Joe Namath.
50 years ago on January 12th, 1969, The AFL's New York Jets make good on Broadway Joe Namath's "guarantee." The 18-point underdogs upset the Baltimore Colts in the first "Super Bowl"- billed championship game.
Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
"I meant it so sincerely ( waving my finger No. 1), going off that field I was able to look up, I usually ran with my head down, my posture wasn't that great. I looked up and I saw all these people above the tunnel, screaming, waving their hands, the smiles on their faces, man it was_ that was the statement, we did it. The AFC. We did it, we won the championship,
I never saw so many happy faces in my life. I can see them today. That's what inspired that. Just raising that hand. That was the only time I ever raised my hand, making that gesture Never before in any level did I do that. The finality off that-we finally got there. Yeah."
- Joe Namath.
50 years ago on January 12th, 1969, The AFL's New York Jets make good on Broadway Joe Namath's "guarantee." The 18-point underdogs upset the Baltimore Colts in the first "Super Bowl"- billed championship game.
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, PHILLIES, NFL FOOTBALL
- The line on the Eagles-Saints game is around 8-8 1/2 in favor of New Orleans. Late money came in for Philadelphia, as the Vegas line early in the week was near 10 points.
A key will be getting off to a fast start. The Eagles could get the ball first, no matter what. The Saints, if they win the coin toss, will probably defer, as most teams do now. If the Birds win the toss they could take the ball. Score first and you force New Orleans to play from behind. Chances are the Saints may be a bit rusty early on, since they haven't played i two week. QB Dree Brees hasn't taken a snap in three weeks.
If New Orleans gets the ball first and drives down the field for a touchdown it keeps their wild fans loud and puts the pressure on the Eagles to catch-up. A repeat of the 48-7 blow-out earlier in the season?
Too bad the game isn't in Philadelphia at the Linc today. Imagine the advantage for the birds, as the domed Saints play in the cold and snow?
- The Phillies brass met with slugger Bryce Harper at his Vegas home on Saturday. No word how the meeting went. no word if the team offered him a deal.Upon returning to snowy Philadelphia late last night. Middleton and Klentak said the meeting "went well" but what were they supposed to say?
Expect Harper's decision to come later than sooner. Typical of a Scott Boras client.Harpers' camp is waiting for the Manny Machado camp to make a move first.Someone needs to break the ice. At least the Phillies are in a good position to sign one or even both.
- The Cowboys went all-in this year, trading away their first-round draft pick next spring for wide receiver Amari Cooper. He did help the Dallas offense, even scoring a touchdown last night in their playoff game against the Rams. But once again, Dallas failed to reach the Super bowl, let alone the NFC Championship Game. Can't make owner Jerry Jones feel good.
Suddenly the Eagles are still alive as the cowboys are done for the season. The Birds have an easier schedule in 2019 and have their draft picks. Now they have revenge against Dallas after losing twice to them in 2019.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has one more year left on his contract. Will Jones give him an extension? Garrett is the second-winningest coach in Dallas history. But he can't get the 'Boys over the hump.
I would be happy if Jones gave Garrett an extension. The cowboys may still be a young team, but they lack leadership and direction, as long as Jones calls the shots and Garrett is the head coach.
The Chiefs had a pretty easy time with the Colts on Saturday. Indianapolis, being a dome team, couldn't cope with the snow and cold in Kansas City. KC didn't choke in the first round this time because they finally have a real quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, not garbage like Alex Smith in the past. Even coach Andy Reid couldn't screw up a Chiefs 31-13 victory.
I like the Eagles and Patriots today to round out the Final Four.
A key will be getting off to a fast start. The Eagles could get the ball first, no matter what. The Saints, if they win the coin toss, will probably defer, as most teams do now. If the Birds win the toss they could take the ball. Score first and you force New Orleans to play from behind. Chances are the Saints may be a bit rusty early on, since they haven't played i two week. QB Dree Brees hasn't taken a snap in three weeks.
If New Orleans gets the ball first and drives down the field for a touchdown it keeps their wild fans loud and puts the pressure on the Eagles to catch-up. A repeat of the 48-7 blow-out earlier in the season?
Too bad the game isn't in Philadelphia at the Linc today. Imagine the advantage for the birds, as the domed Saints play in the cold and snow?
- The Phillies brass met with slugger Bryce Harper at his Vegas home on Saturday. No word how the meeting went. no word if the team offered him a deal.Upon returning to snowy Philadelphia late last night. Middleton and Klentak said the meeting "went well" but what were they supposed to say?
Expect Harper's decision to come later than sooner. Typical of a Scott Boras client.Harpers' camp is waiting for the Manny Machado camp to make a move first.Someone needs to break the ice. At least the Phillies are in a good position to sign one or even both.
- The Cowboys went all-in this year, trading away their first-round draft pick next spring for wide receiver Amari Cooper. He did help the Dallas offense, even scoring a touchdown last night in their playoff game against the Rams. But once again, Dallas failed to reach the Super bowl, let alone the NFC Championship Game. Can't make owner Jerry Jones feel good.
Suddenly the Eagles are still alive as the cowboys are done for the season. The Birds have an easier schedule in 2019 and have their draft picks. Now they have revenge against Dallas after losing twice to them in 2019.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has one more year left on his contract. Will Jones give him an extension? Garrett is the second-winningest coach in Dallas history. But he can't get the 'Boys over the hump.
I would be happy if Jones gave Garrett an extension. The cowboys may still be a young team, but they lack leadership and direction, as long as Jones calls the shots and Garrett is the head coach.
The Chiefs had a pretty easy time with the Colts on Saturday. Indianapolis, being a dome team, couldn't cope with the snow and cold in Kansas City. KC didn't choke in the first round this time because they finally have a real quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, not garbage like Alex Smith in the past. Even coach Andy Reid couldn't screw up a Chiefs 31-13 victory.
I like the Eagles and Patriots today to round out the Final Four.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, PHILLIES, SIXERS
- The Eagles get ready to take on the Saints tomorrow in New Orleans. As always, turnovers and penalties will be key. Putting pressure on QB Drew Brees and controlling the ball will also be huge. Keep the chains moving, get first downs, and keep the ball away from the Saints' offense.
Could it be Nick Foles final game as an Eagle? Or will the team win and play in the NFC Championship Game next weekend? Or will the Birds bring back Foles in 2019?
This is a different Philly team than the one that got embarrassed by New Orleans earlier in the year, 48-7. Foles is quarterback now, the defense is playing better and players like Darren Sproles are back from injury.
I still make it Eagles 34 Saints 31.
- Big day for Phillies fans, the day fans have been waiting for- the brass is meeting with Bryce Harper today a this home in Vegas. Let's see how serious owner John Middleton, who will fly to Vegas with Kapler, MacPhail and Klentak, will be face-to-face with Harper.
Will they make him an offer today? Will Harper sign a deal, or keep teams like the Dodgers and White Sox hanging?
What about Manny Machado? The Yankees may be out of the running on Machado since they now have a glut of infielders. But Gregorious will be a free agent after the 2019 season, and the New York organization isn't enamored with Anduyar's defense at third base.
Teams are getting limited for Machado and he may have no where else to go but Philadelphia in the end.
- The Sixers suffered a dreadful loss to the lowly Atlanta Hawks in Philly last night. It's a reason why I bet before the season started that the 76ers would not win at least 54 wins. With bad losses to the Wizards and Hawks this week, I still can't see the Sixers getting close to 54 wins again.
Without Embiid ( who sat out last night) they have little chance to win. Plus they play terrible defense and they miss both Bellinelli and Illyasova coming off the bench.
Could it be Nick Foles final game as an Eagle? Or will the team win and play in the NFC Championship Game next weekend? Or will the Birds bring back Foles in 2019?
This is a different Philly team than the one that got embarrassed by New Orleans earlier in the year, 48-7. Foles is quarterback now, the defense is playing better and players like Darren Sproles are back from injury.
I still make it Eagles 34 Saints 31.
- Big day for Phillies fans, the day fans have been waiting for- the brass is meeting with Bryce Harper today a this home in Vegas. Let's see how serious owner John Middleton, who will fly to Vegas with Kapler, MacPhail and Klentak, will be face-to-face with Harper.
Will they make him an offer today? Will Harper sign a deal, or keep teams like the Dodgers and White Sox hanging?
What about Manny Machado? The Yankees may be out of the running on Machado since they now have a glut of infielders. But Gregorious will be a free agent after the 2019 season, and the New York organization isn't enamored with Anduyar's defense at third base.
Teams are getting limited for Machado and he may have no where else to go but Philadelphia in the end.
- The Sixers suffered a dreadful loss to the lowly Atlanta Hawks in Philly last night. It's a reason why I bet before the season started that the 76ers would not win at least 54 wins. With bad losses to the Wizards and Hawks this week, I still can't see the Sixers getting close to 54 wins again.
Without Embiid ( who sat out last night) they have little chance to win. Plus they play terrible defense and they miss both Bellinelli and Illyasova coming off the bench.
Friday, January 11, 2019
IN THE NEWS- 'MYSTERY SHOPPER' EXPERIMENT FINDS CHARTERS OFTEN SNUB THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
This article is from Disability Scoop..
Inquiries to thousands of schools across the country show that students with special needs are routinely ignored by charter schools before they even get a chance to apply.
In a "mystery shopper' experiment, researchers posing as parents sent emails to 6,452 schools- including charters and nearby traditional public schools- in 29 states and Washington, D.C. asking about eligibility and application procedures.
Some of the emails included information about a student's disability status, behavior or academic achievement while others made no mention of any of these details.
Overall, about half of the inquiries received a response, with similar rates of reply from traditional and charter schools. Disability status did not appear to affect the odds of hearing back from traditional public schools, but emails indicating that the child in question had a disability were 7 percent less likely to generate a response from charters.
The research "raises the question of whether high-performing charter schools are successful in part because they screen out the costliest-to-educate students from their applicant pools," according to Isaac McFarlin Jr., an assistant professor of education and economics at the University of Florida, who conducted the study with Peter Bergman, an assistant professor of economics and education at Columbia University's Teachers College.
The paper notes that students with disabilities cost twice as much to educate as other children.
Though some states reimburse school districts for a larger share of the cost to educate students with disabilities, the researchers found that this did not influence the likelihood that a charter school would respond to messages indicating that a child has special needs.
"Many youth benefit greatly from attending charter schools, but some groups may fall through the cracks in the admissions process. Our hope is that this study leads to constructive dialogue on policies that foster equal access," Bergman said.
Inquiries to thousands of schools across the country show that students with special needs are routinely ignored by charter schools before they even get a chance to apply.
In a "mystery shopper' experiment, researchers posing as parents sent emails to 6,452 schools- including charters and nearby traditional public schools- in 29 states and Washington, D.C. asking about eligibility and application procedures.
Some of the emails included information about a student's disability status, behavior or academic achievement while others made no mention of any of these details.
Overall, about half of the inquiries received a response, with similar rates of reply from traditional and charter schools. Disability status did not appear to affect the odds of hearing back from traditional public schools, but emails indicating that the child in question had a disability were 7 percent less likely to generate a response from charters.
The research "raises the question of whether high-performing charter schools are successful in part because they screen out the costliest-to-educate students from their applicant pools," according to Isaac McFarlin Jr., an assistant professor of education and economics at the University of Florida, who conducted the study with Peter Bergman, an assistant professor of economics and education at Columbia University's Teachers College.
The paper notes that students with disabilities cost twice as much to educate as other children.
Though some states reimburse school districts for a larger share of the cost to educate students with disabilities, the researchers found that this did not influence the likelihood that a charter school would respond to messages indicating that a child has special needs.
"Many youth benefit greatly from attending charter schools, but some groups may fall through the cracks in the admissions process. Our hope is that this study leads to constructive dialogue on policies that foster equal access," Bergman said.
NFL PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS
The divisional rounds start this weekend in the NFL. Often this is the key week for home teams. All had byes last week. Will they be rusty or rested? Whereas only one home team won last week, all four home teams are favored this weekend. Who will win and why? Here is my take..
Eagles at Saints-
My heart says Eagles, my head says Saints. Philly has the revenge factor after an embarrassing 48-7 loss in New Orleans earlier this season. The Birds have then-injured players back, and St. Nick Foles at quarterback. The Saints have a sure first ballot Hall of Famer Drew Brees at QB and also the motivation to atone for last season's Miracle in Minnesota devastating defeat in round one.
I think it will be much closer this time. And, although it makes more sense to predict a New Orleans- New England, Brady vs. Brees Super Bowl, I just can't bring myself to pick against Foles and destiny again.
Eagles 34 Saints 31
Cowboys at Rams-
Los Angeles has not been playing good football since their loss to the Eagles, even if they did dispatch San Francisco pretty convincingly last week. Still, Jered Goff & co. want to make-up for a first round home loss last year to Atlanta. Plus I don't think Dallas is as good as they think they are.
Even though it would be a compelling NFC Championship Game between the Birds and cowboys, it's a long shot to happen. I wouldn't want to see Dallas anywhere near sniffing distance of a Super Bowl.
Rams 38 Cowboys 14
Chargers at Patriots-
The chargers have been good all year. It seems unfair to make a 12-4 team go on the road in the playoffs for two straight weeks. On Sunday they must fly across the country again and play in the Eastern Time zone, 10 am. on their West Coast body clocks.
Philip Rivers vs. Tom Brady will be a great duel. The weather should be cold in New England on Sunday. Will it snow?
I think Brady and the Patriots have one more Super Bowl run in them. They aren't going to allow an up-and-coming L.A. Chargers team go into Foxboro and upset them. As much as I like the chargers it won't happen.
Patriots 24 Chargers 17
Colts at Chiefs-
You expect the magical Colts to continue, even at a tough place to play like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid will do something to screw it up. as always. The Chiefs are still powerful, even without all of their weapons, because of QB Patrick Mahomes. Indy's Andrew Luck has had a great comeback season, and the chiefs do have a history of losing playoffs games they should win, especially at Arrowhead. But, for once, KC gets to an AFC Championship Game next week.
Chiefs 20 Colts 17
Eagles at Saints-
My heart says Eagles, my head says Saints. Philly has the revenge factor after an embarrassing 48-7 loss in New Orleans earlier this season. The Birds have then-injured players back, and St. Nick Foles at quarterback. The Saints have a sure first ballot Hall of Famer Drew Brees at QB and also the motivation to atone for last season's Miracle in Minnesota devastating defeat in round one.
I think it will be much closer this time. And, although it makes more sense to predict a New Orleans- New England, Brady vs. Brees Super Bowl, I just can't bring myself to pick against Foles and destiny again.
Eagles 34 Saints 31
Cowboys at Rams-
Los Angeles has not been playing good football since their loss to the Eagles, even if they did dispatch San Francisco pretty convincingly last week. Still, Jered Goff & co. want to make-up for a first round home loss last year to Atlanta. Plus I don't think Dallas is as good as they think they are.
Even though it would be a compelling NFC Championship Game between the Birds and cowboys, it's a long shot to happen. I wouldn't want to see Dallas anywhere near sniffing distance of a Super Bowl.
Rams 38 Cowboys 14
Chargers at Patriots-
The chargers have been good all year. It seems unfair to make a 12-4 team go on the road in the playoffs for two straight weeks. On Sunday they must fly across the country again and play in the Eastern Time zone, 10 am. on their West Coast body clocks.
Philip Rivers vs. Tom Brady will be a great duel. The weather should be cold in New England on Sunday. Will it snow?
I think Brady and the Patriots have one more Super Bowl run in them. They aren't going to allow an up-and-coming L.A. Chargers team go into Foxboro and upset them. As much as I like the chargers it won't happen.
Patriots 24 Chargers 17
Colts at Chiefs-
You expect the magical Colts to continue, even at a tough place to play like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Coach Andy Reid will do something to screw it up. as always. The Chiefs are still powerful, even without all of their weapons, because of QB Patrick Mahomes. Indy's Andrew Luck has had a great comeback season, and the chiefs do have a history of losing playoffs games they should win, especially at Arrowhead. But, for once, KC gets to an AFC Championship Game next week.
Chiefs 20 Colts 17
BASEBALL TRIVIA
On This Day
On January 11, 1932, New York Giants first basesman and future Hall of Famer bill Terry, the last National Leaguer to hit .400, refused the $13,500 contract tendered for him and sent it back to the giants. He fumed to writers that he was "thoroughly disgusted."
Terry had just been edged in the batting race by St. Louis outfielder Chick Haley (.34888 to 34860), and over the previous two years he had hit .401, led the league in runs and triples, and amassed 254 hits. Still, the Giants cut his pay $9,000 off the previous year, $22,500 to $13,500.
Baseball Birthdays
Elmer Flick
Max Carey
Schoolboy Rowe
Alvin Crowder
On January 11, 1932, New York Giants first basesman and future Hall of Famer bill Terry, the last National Leaguer to hit .400, refused the $13,500 contract tendered for him and sent it back to the giants. He fumed to writers that he was "thoroughly disgusted."
Terry had just been edged in the batting race by St. Louis outfielder Chick Haley (.34888 to 34860), and over the previous two years he had hit .401, led the league in runs and triples, and amassed 254 hits. Still, the Giants cut his pay $9,000 off the previous year, $22,500 to $13,500.
Baseball Birthdays
Elmer Flick
Max Carey
Schoolboy Rowe
Alvin Crowder
Thursday, January 10, 2019
EAGLES VS SAINTS- THE PICK
I had the Eagles over the bears last Sunday. Experience won the day. Sure, the Birds got lucky when the Duke of Doink, Cody Parke, blew a 43-yard field goal.
Sunday's game in New Orleans could be the toughest test on the road to repeating in Atlanta. Winning in Los Angeles or Dallas next week in the NFC Championship Game seems more doable than a victory in the Superdome.
The Saints are up to 10 point favorites. They are tough to beat at home, and haven't lost a home playoff game since Eagle coach Rich Kotite won in the early 90s.
The Eagles remember New Orleans running up the score in their 48-7 loss earlier in the season. Nick Foles is clutch and the defense is better. The Saints may be a bit rusty starting the game. QB Drew Brees hasn't played in three weeks. Rest is one thing; rustiness is another.
Other than the usual keys of limiting turnovers and penalties, a huge point will be putting pressure on Brees. Defensive Coordinator Schwartz can't lay back and allow Brees to stay in the pocket and pick his secondary apart. Schwartz needs to send the blitz a little more often to keep Brees honest.
Will Philly wear white? With Foles starting at quarterback and the team wearing all-white, their record is 11-3. Any edge helps.
Nice to go to places like the mall or the supermarket and strangers- football fans or casual followers- are saying "Go Birds!" or making party plans for Sunday afternoon. It's like reliving last season's magnificent run to the Super Bowl. it's fun and it's once again bringing the community together. Will it go on another week?
The Eagles need to get off to a fast start and make the Saints play from behind. Even behind, Brees has the weapons to catch-up. I have faith in the great Ray Didinger. When he picks the Saints to win, I pay attention.
But I can't go against St. Nick. Vegas is again getting burned by the Eagles. Somehow, someway the Birds will win. It's like they have regained their hunger again, and this playoff run- playing an extra game while on the road every week- would be an even more improbable run.
New Orleans, after getting dumped from the post-season last season with a miracle Minnesota win, wants to atone. They never expected the Eagles to be in The Big Easy this week. They were looking for revenge form the Vikings. Saints head coach Sean Peyton brought a Lombardi Trophy and cash to practice this week in order to motivate his team.
Maybe it's from the heart and not the head, but here's my prediction:
Eagles 34 Saints 31
Either way, it should much closer than a 41-point blow-out. The Eagles need to control the ball and keep the ball away from Brees They need to stay aggressive and take wise chances. They also need more luck, like in Chicago. We will know, around 8:00 Sunday night, if this another season of destiny.
Sunday's game in New Orleans could be the toughest test on the road to repeating in Atlanta. Winning in Los Angeles or Dallas next week in the NFC Championship Game seems more doable than a victory in the Superdome.
The Saints are up to 10 point favorites. They are tough to beat at home, and haven't lost a home playoff game since Eagle coach Rich Kotite won in the early 90s.
The Eagles remember New Orleans running up the score in their 48-7 loss earlier in the season. Nick Foles is clutch and the defense is better. The Saints may be a bit rusty starting the game. QB Drew Brees hasn't played in three weeks. Rest is one thing; rustiness is another.
Other than the usual keys of limiting turnovers and penalties, a huge point will be putting pressure on Brees. Defensive Coordinator Schwartz can't lay back and allow Brees to stay in the pocket and pick his secondary apart. Schwartz needs to send the blitz a little more often to keep Brees honest.
Will Philly wear white? With Foles starting at quarterback and the team wearing all-white, their record is 11-3. Any edge helps.
Nice to go to places like the mall or the supermarket and strangers- football fans or casual followers- are saying "Go Birds!" or making party plans for Sunday afternoon. It's like reliving last season's magnificent run to the Super Bowl. it's fun and it's once again bringing the community together. Will it go on another week?
The Eagles need to get off to a fast start and make the Saints play from behind. Even behind, Brees has the weapons to catch-up. I have faith in the great Ray Didinger. When he picks the Saints to win, I pay attention.
But I can't go against St. Nick. Vegas is again getting burned by the Eagles. Somehow, someway the Birds will win. It's like they have regained their hunger again, and this playoff run- playing an extra game while on the road every week- would be an even more improbable run.
New Orleans, after getting dumped from the post-season last season with a miracle Minnesota win, wants to atone. They never expected the Eagles to be in The Big Easy this week. They were looking for revenge form the Vikings. Saints head coach Sean Peyton brought a Lombardi Trophy and cash to practice this week in order to motivate his team.
Maybe it's from the heart and not the head, but here's my prediction:
Eagles 34 Saints 31
Either way, it should much closer than a 41-point blow-out. The Eagles need to control the ball and keep the ball away from Brees They need to stay aggressive and take wise chances. They also need more luck, like in Chicago. We will know, around 8:00 Sunday night, if this another season of destiny.
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball and Literature
Match the writer with his or her literary effort:
1. Gay Talese A. "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu"
2. John Updike B. The Silent Season of a Hero
3. Red Smith C. "Baseball and Writing"
4. Marianne Moore D. "The Terrible Tempered Mr. Grove"
Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
Baseball Birthdays
Willie McCovey
Harry Wright
Jim O'Toole
Richard Dotson
Match the writer with his or her literary effort:
1. Gay Talese A. "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu"
2. John Updike B. The Silent Season of a Hero
3. Red Smith C. "Baseball and Writing"
4. Marianne Moore D. "The Terrible Tempered Mr. Grove"
Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
Baseball Birthdays
Willie McCovey
Harry Wright
Jim O'Toole
Richard Dotson
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 10
1st AP Hoop Poll
70 years ago the Associated Press announced the results of its first weekly basketball poll. St. Louis was ranked first, followed by Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Minnesota and Oklahoma A&M ( 1949).
70 years ago the Associated Press announced the results of its first weekly basketball poll. St. Louis was ranked first, followed by Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Minnesota and Oklahoma A&M ( 1949).
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
IN THE NEWS- AIRLINES UNDER NEW MANDATE TO REPORT ON WHEELCHAIRS THEY BREAK
This new report is from McClatchy Washington Bureau...
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., was rolling up the airport ramp in her wheelchair after arriving in Chicago. She made it just a few feet, and then the chair collapsed underneath her.
Sometime between boarding the plane in Washington and leaving the aircraft hours later, the airline staff had managed to snap a 1-inch titanium rod on her customized wheelchair clean in half.
Then things got worse.
"They kind of lugged me up the ramp and I sat in the waiting room area," said Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq. Eventually, someone brought her a large, ungainly airport wheelchair that required someone else to push it.
All that happened in 2015. The next year, Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate.
She found that no one had any idea how often these wheelchair problems happened. So last fall, she got a law passed requiring airlines to report to the Department of Transportation how many wheelchairs or motorized scooters they lose, mishandle or break. The reporting began last month, and disability advocates expect the reports to reveal a huge problem.
But Alison McAfee, a spokeswoman for Airlines for America, a lobbying group, said airlines "provide safe and comfortable air transportation to hundreds of passengers with disabilities daily" and are "committed to offering a high level of customer service."
Airlines and disability groups are working together to "reduce the number of wheelchairs damaged in air travel" by examining airlines' handling and storage guidelines, training staff to handle wheelchairs and encouraging manufacturers to build wheelchairs suitable for airplane travel, McAfee said.
Meeting between those coalitions, which are facilitated by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, are ongoing.
Airline personnel have damaged Duckworth's wheelchairs three times since 2013, including last month, when they jammed the wheel of her $5,000 chair.
The senator travels with a congressional staffer who knows what to do in such situations. But when airlines break the average traveler's wheelchair- a problem that Duckworth and other disability advocates contend happens far too often- they're stuck.
_You sit there, and you are now immobilized," Duckworth said. "They've basically taken away your legs."
The mishandled- wheelchair numbers, broken down by airline, will be publicly available online as part of the Transportation Department's monthly Air Travel Consumer Reports.
Proponents say the increased transparency will give consumers another measure to compare airlines, the same way flyers can view the number of flight delays or consumer complaints.
The numbers will "show how pervasive this problem is," said Stanley Brown, a quadriplegic Army veteran who was paralyzed in a car accident while on duty in 1996.
Brown, president of the St. Louis chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said he has had four or five frustrating experiences where airline personnel damaged his wheelchair or failed to strap him into a chair used to transport to the plane seat, causing him to fall onto the tarmac. At one point, he was forced to duct-tape his wheelchair together while waiting a week for a replacement.
Brown said many people with disabilities will drive for days to get their destinations because they refuse to fly. Others have been bedridden for days after being hurt by rough handling, or uncomfortable airport wheelchairs, he said. McAfee declined to comment on those problems.
In 2016, the Obama administration ruled that airlines had to start reporting statistics by Jan. 1, 2018. but in 2017, the Trump administration agreed to lobbyists' requests for a delay, which lasted until Duckworth's provision took effect last month.
Delta Air Lines and Airlines for America asked for the delay because the airline industry was "facing challenges with parts of this regulation and needs more time to implement it," according to the Transportation Department. McAfee said airlines used the extra time "to resolve several technical challenges," but would not say specifically what they were.
Duckworth has a different interpretation for the requested delay.
"They don't want people to know how bad they are," she said. She hopes the new law will incentivize airlines to avoid damaging wheelchairs and better train staff on how to handle them, because "consumers will vote with their dollars."
Duckworth also expressed some cautious optimism based on her conversations with Suzanne Boda, a senior vice president at American Airlines.
"She has said she's committed to making sure that they set the whole (disability) training program, not just for their employees but for their contractors as well,' Duckworth said.
Boda said American has begun emphasizing better training and "very high-standard audits" over the last few months to ensure the company is meeting the expectations of customers with disabilities.
"Hopefully, we just continue to get better in this area." Boda said. "Our goal is to ensure equality for all customers."
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., was rolling up the airport ramp in her wheelchair after arriving in Chicago. She made it just a few feet, and then the chair collapsed underneath her.
Sometime between boarding the plane in Washington and leaving the aircraft hours later, the airline staff had managed to snap a 1-inch titanium rod on her customized wheelchair clean in half.
Then things got worse.
"They kind of lugged me up the ramp and I sat in the waiting room area," said Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq. Eventually, someone brought her a large, ungainly airport wheelchair that required someone else to push it.
All that happened in 2015. The next year, Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate.
She found that no one had any idea how often these wheelchair problems happened. So last fall, she got a law passed requiring airlines to report to the Department of Transportation how many wheelchairs or motorized scooters they lose, mishandle or break. The reporting began last month, and disability advocates expect the reports to reveal a huge problem.
But Alison McAfee, a spokeswoman for Airlines for America, a lobbying group, said airlines "provide safe and comfortable air transportation to hundreds of passengers with disabilities daily" and are "committed to offering a high level of customer service."
Airlines and disability groups are working together to "reduce the number of wheelchairs damaged in air travel" by examining airlines' handling and storage guidelines, training staff to handle wheelchairs and encouraging manufacturers to build wheelchairs suitable for airplane travel, McAfee said.
Meeting between those coalitions, which are facilitated by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, are ongoing.
Airline personnel have damaged Duckworth's wheelchairs three times since 2013, including last month, when they jammed the wheel of her $5,000 chair.
The senator travels with a congressional staffer who knows what to do in such situations. But when airlines break the average traveler's wheelchair- a problem that Duckworth and other disability advocates contend happens far too often- they're stuck.
_You sit there, and you are now immobilized," Duckworth said. "They've basically taken away your legs."
The mishandled- wheelchair numbers, broken down by airline, will be publicly available online as part of the Transportation Department's monthly Air Travel Consumer Reports.
Proponents say the increased transparency will give consumers another measure to compare airlines, the same way flyers can view the number of flight delays or consumer complaints.
The numbers will "show how pervasive this problem is," said Stanley Brown, a quadriplegic Army veteran who was paralyzed in a car accident while on duty in 1996.
Brown, president of the St. Louis chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said he has had four or five frustrating experiences where airline personnel damaged his wheelchair or failed to strap him into a chair used to transport to the plane seat, causing him to fall onto the tarmac. At one point, he was forced to duct-tape his wheelchair together while waiting a week for a replacement.
Brown said many people with disabilities will drive for days to get their destinations because they refuse to fly. Others have been bedridden for days after being hurt by rough handling, or uncomfortable airport wheelchairs, he said. McAfee declined to comment on those problems.
In 2016, the Obama administration ruled that airlines had to start reporting statistics by Jan. 1, 2018. but in 2017, the Trump administration agreed to lobbyists' requests for a delay, which lasted until Duckworth's provision took effect last month.
Delta Air Lines and Airlines for America asked for the delay because the airline industry was "facing challenges with parts of this regulation and needs more time to implement it," according to the Transportation Department. McAfee said airlines used the extra time "to resolve several technical challenges," but would not say specifically what they were.
Duckworth has a different interpretation for the requested delay.
"They don't want people to know how bad they are," she said. She hopes the new law will incentivize airlines to avoid damaging wheelchairs and better train staff on how to handle them, because "consumers will vote with their dollars."
Duckworth also expressed some cautious optimism based on her conversations with Suzanne Boda, a senior vice president at American Airlines.
"She has said she's committed to making sure that they set the whole (disability) training program, not just for their employees but for their contractors as well,' Duckworth said.
Boda said American has begun emphasizing better training and "very high-standard audits" over the last few months to ensure the company is meeting the expectations of customers with disabilities.
"Hopefully, we just continue to get better in this area." Boda said. "Our goal is to ensure equality for all customers."
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Name the last player to hit 55 or more doubles in a season.
A. Daniel Murphy
B. Jose Ramirez
C. Michael Brantley
D. Jonathan Lucroy
Answer: B.
In only his second season as a full-time player, Ramirez hit 56 doubles in 2017, leading the majors. Originally signed for a token $50,000 as a teenager and considered a utility infielder, he finished third in the MVP voting, was an All-Star, and won the Silver Slugger award as a third baseman.
Baseball Birthdays
Otis Nixon
Ralph Terry
Stan Javier
Jay Powell
A. Daniel Murphy
B. Jose Ramirez
C. Michael Brantley
D. Jonathan Lucroy
Answer: B.
In only his second season as a full-time player, Ramirez hit 56 doubles in 2017, leading the majors. Originally signed for a token $50,000 as a teenager and considered a utility infielder, he finished third in the MVP voting, was an All-Star, and won the Silver Slugger award as a third baseman.
Baseball Birthdays
Otis Nixon
Ralph Terry
Stan Javier
Jay Powell
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 9
Big George turns 70!
"Many people fail not so much because of their mistakes; they fail because they are afraid to try."
- George Foreman
George Foreman celebrates his 70th birthday today. His title loss to Ali in 1974 and championship KO of Michael Moorer in 1994 are considered two of heavyweoght boxing's greatest upsets of all time.
"Many people fail not so much because of their mistakes; they fail because they are afraid to try."
- George Foreman
George Foreman celebrates his 70th birthday today. His title loss to Ali in 1974 and championship KO of Michael Moorer in 1994 are considered two of heavyweoght boxing's greatest upsets of all time.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Baseball Quotes
"Yes, and so is everyone else in the league."
- Groucho Marx, on hearing that Leo Durocher was leading the Giants.
Baseball Birthdays-
Bruce Sutter
Walker Cooper
Carl Pavano
Jim Busby
"Yes, and so is everyone else in the league."
- Groucho Marx, on hearing that Leo Durocher was leading the Giants.
Baseball Birthdays-
Bruce Sutter
Walker Cooper
Carl Pavano
Jim Busby
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 9
The Guarantee
"I knew what I was saying ( with the guarantee). It was an accumulation of being told individually and collectively that we were going to get killed. It was a no contest. I was angry, I was tired of hearing that. It just so happened he pushed a button, I just said "hey, I got news for you man. We're going to win. I guarantee it'. He pissed me off. It just came out. I got news for you, we're going to win the game. I guarantee it. Thinking about it now, we weren't trained to be blowing our own horns. In college and by coach Ewbank, none of us beat on our chests talking about how good we were."
On this day in 1969, Joe Namath stands up and guarantees a Jets victory over the mighty 17-pt. favorite Baltimore Colts.
"I knew what I was saying ( with the guarantee). It was an accumulation of being told individually and collectively that we were going to get killed. It was a no contest. I was angry, I was tired of hearing that. It just so happened he pushed a button, I just said "hey, I got news for you man. We're going to win. I guarantee it'. He pissed me off. It just came out. I got news for you, we're going to win the game. I guarantee it. Thinking about it now, we weren't trained to be blowing our own horns. In college and by coach Ewbank, none of us beat on our chests talking about how good we were."
On this day in 1969, Joe Namath stands up and guarantees a Jets victory over the mighty 17-pt. favorite Baltimore Colts.
PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES.,PHILLIES, FLYERS
- The Eagles are still basking in the miracle playoff victory over the bears, with the Saints upcoming on Sunday. Now the missed field goal by Chicago's Cody Parke has been ruled a block ( by Eagle defensive linesman Trevon Hestor). It doesn't really matter. I suppose it may make Parke feel a little better and the Bear fans a little more tolerant of their kicker. They better. They invested too much money in Parke then to cut him now and have all that dead money on their salary cap.
Nick Foles, incredible as he is, is even more unbelievable on 3rd and 4th downs, where he is nearly untouchable. He remains calm and cool and takes what the opposition gives him. He is extremely accurate and has tremendous touch. If he wins another Super Bowl, how can the Eagles let him go?
The No. 1 seed vs the No. 6 seed. The Birds have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl. The Saints are 9-10 point favorites. Will Drew Brees, who hasn't played in 3 weeks, come out sharp or rusty? Will the Eagles get pressure to force Brees out of the pocket? Can the Philly defense contain the New Orleans offense, while the birds score enough points to stay with Brees and crew?
-The Phillies brass will be meeting with free agent Bryce Harper on Saturday in Las Vegas where he lives. Are they souring on Manny Machado? Owner John Middleton, President Andy MacPhail, General Manager Matt Klentak and Manager Gabe Kapler will all make the trip out west. They need to make the deal before coming home.
Harper would give the Phils the left-handed power bat they need to go along with Rhys Hoskins. Harper is still only 26. He plays a decent defensively, and can play all 3 positions in the outfield. He doesn't seem as much of a diva as Machado is. He can be a cornerstone for the Phillies for the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, lefty reliever Zach Britton, rumored to be on the Phillies' shopping list, re-signed with the Yankees for 3 years. Not so bad since Philadelphia signed former Yank bullpen pitcher David Robertson last week.
The need for another starter remains. Rangers' lefty Mike Minor is reportedly on the trade market.
- The Flyers lost their seventh game on a row last night, going down 3-0 to the St. Louis Blues. Is the club tanking or are they this bad?
Nick Foles, incredible as he is, is even more unbelievable on 3rd and 4th downs, where he is nearly untouchable. He remains calm and cool and takes what the opposition gives him. He is extremely accurate and has tremendous touch. If he wins another Super Bowl, how can the Eagles let him go?
The No. 1 seed vs the No. 6 seed. The Birds have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl. The Saints are 9-10 point favorites. Will Drew Brees, who hasn't played in 3 weeks, come out sharp or rusty? Will the Eagles get pressure to force Brees out of the pocket? Can the Philly defense contain the New Orleans offense, while the birds score enough points to stay with Brees and crew?
-The Phillies brass will be meeting with free agent Bryce Harper on Saturday in Las Vegas where he lives. Are they souring on Manny Machado? Owner John Middleton, President Andy MacPhail, General Manager Matt Klentak and Manager Gabe Kapler will all make the trip out west. They need to make the deal before coming home.
Harper would give the Phils the left-handed power bat they need to go along with Rhys Hoskins. Harper is still only 26. He plays a decent defensively, and can play all 3 positions in the outfield. He doesn't seem as much of a diva as Machado is. He can be a cornerstone for the Phillies for the next 10 years.
Meanwhile, lefty reliever Zach Britton, rumored to be on the Phillies' shopping list, re-signed with the Yankees for 3 years. Not so bad since Philadelphia signed former Yank bullpen pitcher David Robertson last week.
The need for another starter remains. Rangers' lefty Mike Minor is reportedly on the trade market.
- The Flyers lost their seventh game on a row last night, going down 3-0 to the St. Louis Blues. Is the club tanking or are they this bad?
Monday, January 7, 2019
BASEBALL TRIVIA
Which of the following players played on the losing team in the World Series six times?
A. Pee Wee Reese
B. Elston Howard
C. Mickey Mantle
D. Duke Snider
Answer A and B.
Reese, the Dodgers' Hall of Fame shortstop, played on all six of Brooklyn's World Series losses to the Yankees, which included 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, and 1956.
Howard's Yankee career began in 1955, the year they first lost to the Dodgers. They Yankees also lost the Series in 1957 (Braves), 1960 (Pirates), 1963 (Dodgers), and 1964 (Cardinals). In 1967 Howard played for Boston when they lost to St. Louis.
Baseball Birthdays
Johnny Mize
Alfonso Soriano
Tony Conigliaro
Francisco Rodriguez
A. Pee Wee Reese
B. Elston Howard
C. Mickey Mantle
D. Duke Snider
Answer A and B.
Reese, the Dodgers' Hall of Fame shortstop, played on all six of Brooklyn's World Series losses to the Yankees, which included 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, and 1956.
Howard's Yankee career began in 1955, the year they first lost to the Dodgers. They Yankees also lost the Series in 1957 (Braves), 1960 (Pirates), 1963 (Dodgers), and 1964 (Cardinals). In 1967 Howard played for Boston when they lost to St. Louis.
Baseball Birthdays
Johnny Mize
Alfonso Soriano
Tony Conigliaro
Francisco Rodriguez
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- JANUARY 7
'Canes upset' Huskers
"It's not the will to win that matters- everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
- Paul "Bear" Bryant
"It's not the will to win that matters- everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
- Paul "Bear" Bryant
EAGLES-BEARS REVIEW
- Sure, the Eagles were lucky when Bears' kicker Cody Parke double-doinked the final potentially game-winning field goal. But the birds made their own luck. In a game with so many twists and turns, the football Gods smiled down on Philly, maybe a payback for the gut-wrenching Fog Bowl loss 30 years ago? Buddy Ryan had to be smiling somewhere when the Eagles won on Sunday.
- I liked the Eagles coming out in a no-huddle offense to start the game. I think they should use the no-huddle a little more often. They kicked an early field goal to take the lead yesterday.
- WR Alshon Jeffery had a big game in his return to Chicago. Included in his big afternoon was a key catch on the final drive to get the Eagles a first down- and a new set of downs- at the Chicago 2-yard-line to set up the winning pass.
- Penalties and turnovers again played a big part in the game. Eagle rival referee Tony Correnti again attempted to screw the Birds, as it seemed like every call went against the Birds. Things evened out in the second half. And even though Philadelphia was a -2 in turnovers, they held on to win, defying the odds.
- So many big plays down the stretch. Nick Foles had a shaky game- until it counted. St. Nick rose to the occasion when it counted the most. That final drive added to his legend.
- I feel bad for Parke, who will never forgot how he blew it for Chicago. What are the odds of the kick being tipped 9 by Hester), hitting the upright, then also bouncing off the cross-bar? The ball still could've easily hopped over the cross-bar, but it didn't.
- How were the Eagles a 6 1/2 point underdog? Vegas is getting torched yet again. I had the Eagles winning 23-20. Getting the points was the easy part. The defending champs weren't going to fold or surrender their crown without a fight. The Eagles are 9 point underdogs next week in New Orleans.
- Credit the Eagles for trying to run the ball and control the clock. Once again Foles took what the defense gave him. When he tries to force the issue trouble begins,
- Speaking of kickers, Eagles' Jake Elliot almost became the scapegoat. His kickoffs are mostly booming touch backs. Instead, on the final Chicago drive, the kickoff was short and the bears returned the ball close to midfield.
- The Eagles' failed two-point conversion try almost became a huge discussion item. Wendell Smallwood leaped over the pile at the goal line, extending the ball for a score, breaking the plane, but the refs didn't see it that way (or, there was enough concrete evidence that he scored. A successful conversion would have put the score at 18-15 so that any Bear field goal would only tie the game and force overtime, not win it.
As it turned out, the miss added to the drama in the end. If Parke's kick would've split the uprights we would've been breaking down that replay of the two-point try all off-season.
- I didn't think that Bear quarterback Mitch Tribisky played that well. He managed the game, not turning the ball over, but did he do anything special? After he was nicked -up a bit the threat of him running and scrambling was limited. He may turn out to be a good QB down the road but ,in his first playoff game,he was just OK.
- Bears fans were pretty smug all week, especially so-called experts picking Chicago to easily dispatch the Eagles. Yes, the bears were 12-4, going form worst to first in NFC North. But they did have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. They have a great defense but up 15-10 with only a few minutes remaining, that so-called "great" defense couldn't keep the Birds out of the end zone.
Speaking of which, Foles made an outstanding, sidearm throw to Golden Tate on that last play. Tate made an awesome, stretching catch. The pressure was intense, 4th down, do-or-die. A lot had to go right for the Eagles to score there, then the Parke miss. A lot had to go right the week before, with Philly beating Washington and the bears defeating Minnesota ( do you think da Bears regret letting the Birds into the playoffs now?).
The Eagles have that magic again. Maybe its Foles. Maybe its destiny. A win in New Orleans next Sunday and we can really believe that it's not a dream, that our Eagles have a legitimate shot of repeating as Super Bowl champs.
- My perfect scenario is for the Eagles to exact revenge over the Saints next week ( remember how New Orleans ran up the score the first time they played, winning 48-7?). As scary as it sounds I would rather Dallas goes to Los Angeles next week and beats the Rams. That sets up a showdown with the dreaded Cowboys, winner-take-all game in Dallas for the NFC Championship and the right to go to Super Bowl LIII. Tough for one team, especially in the division, to be a rival three times in a season. That would be the Cowboys' daunting task, as the Eagles relish in their underdog status once more. How sweet would that be, to cut the head off the snake called Jerry Jones, in Dallas, to go back to the Super Bowl?
Then, the ultimate: beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Coach Andy Reid for the repeat championship. Another season to remember! Ray Didinger would have to re-write his Eagles Encyclopedia again.
- So, what does it all mean? The Birds travel to the Big Easy and play the Saints at 4:40 pm next Sunday. Revenge! Can't allow New Orleans QB Drew Brees to sit in the pocket and pick the secondary apart as he did earlier this season. Defensive Coordinator Schwartz needs to blitz more and make Brees move. The offense needs to get off to a quick start. Turnovers and penalties will again be big. The Birds need to run the ball and control the clock, keeping the ball away from Brees. A little more luck wouldn't hurt, either.
I'll have my prediction for the big playoff game on Thursday.
- As predictions go, I ended up 3-1 in the Wild Card weekend, my only loss being the Colts win in Houston. Otherwise, I had the Eagles, Cowboys and Chargers all winning and moving on.
'
- I liked the Eagles coming out in a no-huddle offense to start the game. I think they should use the no-huddle a little more often. They kicked an early field goal to take the lead yesterday.
- WR Alshon Jeffery had a big game in his return to Chicago. Included in his big afternoon was a key catch on the final drive to get the Eagles a first down- and a new set of downs- at the Chicago 2-yard-line to set up the winning pass.
- Penalties and turnovers again played a big part in the game. Eagle rival referee Tony Correnti again attempted to screw the Birds, as it seemed like every call went against the Birds. Things evened out in the second half. And even though Philadelphia was a -2 in turnovers, they held on to win, defying the odds.
- So many big plays down the stretch. Nick Foles had a shaky game- until it counted. St. Nick rose to the occasion when it counted the most. That final drive added to his legend.
- I feel bad for Parke, who will never forgot how he blew it for Chicago. What are the odds of the kick being tipped 9 by Hester), hitting the upright, then also bouncing off the cross-bar? The ball still could've easily hopped over the cross-bar, but it didn't.
- How were the Eagles a 6 1/2 point underdog? Vegas is getting torched yet again. I had the Eagles winning 23-20. Getting the points was the easy part. The defending champs weren't going to fold or surrender their crown without a fight. The Eagles are 9 point underdogs next week in New Orleans.
- Credit the Eagles for trying to run the ball and control the clock. Once again Foles took what the defense gave him. When he tries to force the issue trouble begins,
- Speaking of kickers, Eagles' Jake Elliot almost became the scapegoat. His kickoffs are mostly booming touch backs. Instead, on the final Chicago drive, the kickoff was short and the bears returned the ball close to midfield.
- The Eagles' failed two-point conversion try almost became a huge discussion item. Wendell Smallwood leaped over the pile at the goal line, extending the ball for a score, breaking the plane, but the refs didn't see it that way (or, there was enough concrete evidence that he scored. A successful conversion would have put the score at 18-15 so that any Bear field goal would only tie the game and force overtime, not win it.
As it turned out, the miss added to the drama in the end. If Parke's kick would've split the uprights we would've been breaking down that replay of the two-point try all off-season.
- I didn't think that Bear quarterback Mitch Tribisky played that well. He managed the game, not turning the ball over, but did he do anything special? After he was nicked -up a bit the threat of him running and scrambling was limited. He may turn out to be a good QB down the road but ,in his first playoff game,he was just OK.
- Bears fans were pretty smug all week, especially so-called experts picking Chicago to easily dispatch the Eagles. Yes, the bears were 12-4, going form worst to first in NFC North. But they did have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. They have a great defense but up 15-10 with only a few minutes remaining, that so-called "great" defense couldn't keep the Birds out of the end zone.
Speaking of which, Foles made an outstanding, sidearm throw to Golden Tate on that last play. Tate made an awesome, stretching catch. The pressure was intense, 4th down, do-or-die. A lot had to go right for the Eagles to score there, then the Parke miss. A lot had to go right the week before, with Philly beating Washington and the bears defeating Minnesota ( do you think da Bears regret letting the Birds into the playoffs now?).
The Eagles have that magic again. Maybe its Foles. Maybe its destiny. A win in New Orleans next Sunday and we can really believe that it's not a dream, that our Eagles have a legitimate shot of repeating as Super Bowl champs.
- My perfect scenario is for the Eagles to exact revenge over the Saints next week ( remember how New Orleans ran up the score the first time they played, winning 48-7?). As scary as it sounds I would rather Dallas goes to Los Angeles next week and beats the Rams. That sets up a showdown with the dreaded Cowboys, winner-take-all game in Dallas for the NFC Championship and the right to go to Super Bowl LIII. Tough for one team, especially in the division, to be a rival three times in a season. That would be the Cowboys' daunting task, as the Eagles relish in their underdog status once more. How sweet would that be, to cut the head off the snake called Jerry Jones, in Dallas, to go back to the Super Bowl?
Then, the ultimate: beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Coach Andy Reid for the repeat championship. Another season to remember! Ray Didinger would have to re-write his Eagles Encyclopedia again.
- So, what does it all mean? The Birds travel to the Big Easy and play the Saints at 4:40 pm next Sunday. Revenge! Can't allow New Orleans QB Drew Brees to sit in the pocket and pick the secondary apart as he did earlier this season. Defensive Coordinator Schwartz needs to blitz more and make Brees move. The offense needs to get off to a quick start. Turnovers and penalties will again be big. The Birds need to run the ball and control the clock, keeping the ball away from Brees. A little more luck wouldn't hurt, either.
I'll have my prediction for the big playoff game on Thursday.
- As predictions go, I ended up 3-1 in the Wild Card weekend, my only loss being the Colts win in Houston. Otherwise, I had the Eagles, Cowboys and Chargers all winning and moving on.
'
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