Lots going on in sports..
* The Phillies start Grapeful League play today vs the Tigers. Questions still abound with this squad. Who will fill out the back of the starting rotation? Will the bullpen implode again after the GM Klentek did little to improve the 'pen this off-season. Who plays center field and second base? Will Hoskins rebound/ Will J.T. Realmuto sign a long-term deal?
Tomorrow the team unveils the "new" Phillie Phanatic. Due to legal problms the organization is planning to introduce the made-over Phanatic on Sunday in Clearwater. Will he still be green? Overweight? Be too Gritty-ish? Still look and act lovable and not crazy?
Hopefully the Phanatic doesn't change too much. It is an icon in Philly and it would be a shame if the new Phantic turned out to be as disappointing as the Phillies' blue star caps ( which suck and look too much like the Dallas Cowboys logo).
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The hot Flyers are fun to watch, a nice mix of veterans and promising youngsters. They have played extremely well at home this season, and they entertain the Winnepeg Jets this afternoon. The Orange and Black will be seeking revenge from a thrashing they took in December in Winnepeg. Their record against the Jets is 7-2 at home in their history. The Jets play the second game of a four-game road trip. A nice Flyers' win would keep their momentum rolling.
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The inconsistent Sixers play in Milwaukee tonight in a prime-time ABC nationally-televised game. joel Embiid needs to play as well as he did in Thursday's crazy overtime win over brooklyn. He called himself "the greatest player in the world' after the game. Tonight he really does play the greatest in The Greek Freak. An explosive Bucks team, the best in the NBA, will be waiting. Ben Simmons is probable to play. Milwaukee is favored by 8 1/2 points.
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The Eagles are preparing for free agency. Rumors are that wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey is history and wants out of Philly. The Birds probably won't trade him due to his contract. If they cut him they eat dead money against their salary cap. What to do? Meanwhile rumors swirl as to who will be the back-up quarterback this season behind Carson Wentz. Will Marcus Mariota finally make his way to Philadelphia?
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Today is the 40th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, the 1980 Americans defeating the mighty Russians. I remember the game vividly and what a fascinating story it was. The call by announcer Al Michaels ("Do you believe in miracles?..Yes!!!") is iconic and will forever remain fanous in history. The USA won the Gold Medal the next day vs Sweden.
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The new NFL PA will be voted on next week. I like the idea of more football- the 17-game schedule, more playoff teams in the mix, and the Super Bowl being played on President's Day weekend.There are problems: the uneven schedule means either one more home game or one more away game for each team. One less pre-season game is needed yet will the increased games wear on the players? More playoff teams mean more franchises in the post-season hunt and less chance of tanking by losing teams. But will more 8-8 mediocre squads still qualify for the playoffs? I'll take more meaningful football anyday, especially 6 games on Wild Card Weekend.
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