- Bryce Harper smashes his first two home runs of the spring, leading the team to a 13--run uprising yesterday in Clearwater. The Phils hit six homers and gave the fans a taste of things to come. All of this with Rhys Hoskins out of the lineup with a sore shoulder.
Opening Day is less than a week away. I can't wait for the reaction to Harper at Citizens Bank Park. Thursday is supposed to be a nice spring day. A sell-out crowd should be boisterous in South Philly. Plus let's not forget it's against the defending National League East winners, the Atlanta Braves. At least taking two of three from Atlanta would get the Phils off to a fast start.
Andrew McCuthen cracked a long home run and almost had another, a drive that was halted by a strong Florida breeze.
Vince Valasquez went three-plus innings and had another uneven outing. Vince struck out nine yet struggled all afternoon. Valasquez will probably start the year in the bullpen since the team won't need a fifth starter until mid-April.
Final cuts are happening. One of the sole remaining questions will be the last bench spot. Looks like either Aaron Altherr or Sean Rodriguez will stick with the team. Altherr can play all three outfield positions, adds power to the bench and speed. Rodriguez can play all positions but catcher and brings a certain fight to the roster.
- Backlash continues over the firing of former St Joseph's head basketball coach Phil Martelli, especially after his tearful interview on WIP-Sports Radio this morning. Many agree that it had to be done, since the Hawks had three straight losing season while their arch-rival, Villanova, not only made the NCAA tournament but won the National Championship two out of three seasons. It was the cold, calculated way Martelli's firing was handled by the bitchy athletic director and St Joe administration.
The alumni may have won the battle, getting Martelli fired, but did they lose the war? The area is very anti-St Joe's now. If you are a recruit, with all the turmoil, no coach on board, no loyalty, would you go to St Joseph's now?
They need to hire a new guy ASAP to start turning the page. It would be nice if the university president said something too. Otherwise, their motto "The Hawk will never die" will ring hollow as it feels like "the" Hawk himself indeed die in the last few days.
- The Eagles resigned defensive end Vinny Curry to a one-year deal. A good move by GM Howie Rossman but the team isn't getting any younger ( the Birds are the eigthth older squad in the NFL). They still need to address running back and linebacker, either in free agency or in the upcoming draft.
I'm OK with older guys like Curry coming back on short term deals, just let them but supplemental players. Keep the core young. The draft will be huge in April, as the Eagles need speed and youth, two things they lack.
- The Flyers won last night in Chicago over the Blackhawks to move to four points from a wild card spot in the playoffs, with only eight games remaining. It seems like they have been desperately climbing out of a hole all season. Even if they manage to get into the playoffs, will they have enough left to survive a round or two?
- It's so much fun having a rivalry with Boston again. Wednesday night was great, finally beating the Celtics at home. If the Sixers and Celts meet in the NBA playoffs it will be a classic series.
Is till recall the days of Dr. J. and Moses vs Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Fans talk about Boston- Los Angeles, but it's always been Philly-Boston.
Boston has won it's share of championships, from the Red Sox to the Patriots, to the Celtics and Bruins.Boston has always been the real evil empire, not New York. How many championships has New York won lately?
The Bosox are great now but, led by Harper, the Phillies should be good as well for many years. The Sixers are young and have the best player in Joel Embiid in any Sixer-Celtic match up. After Tom Brady is gone will the Patriots still dominate?
Boston may be the title city now but Philadelphia is the future. And the passion flows whenever a Boston team comes to town. The Red Sox will be back in town this September. The Patriots visit the Eagles sometime in the fall. I've missed the rivalry and hopefully it's back.
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