Tuesday, October 16, 2018

PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- BASEBALL PLAYOFFS, NFL, SIXERS, FLYERS

- Good for the Brewers. They shut-out the Dodgers in LA last night, going up 2-1 in the NLCS. The Dodgers are in must-win mode now. A young, up-and-coming team like Milwaukee is good for baseball. A fun team to watch..

- St. Aaron Rodgers did it again on Sunday night, leading Green Bay to a last second victory over San Francisco. Regardless, the Pack look like an average squad who will finish behind Minnesota in NFC North.

- The Sixers open their regular season tonight where they ended it last spring- in Boston. They take on their rival Celtics in a big revenge game. The 76ers will be good in an average NBA Eastern Conference, but will they win as many games as last season? No. They may win 50 but not 53. Without long-range shooters Illyasova and Bellinelli, they will struggle shooting but the pair of superstars, Embiied and Simmons, will carry them to the East Finals.

- The Flyers have lost their first two home games. They get a chance to break the ice tonight against winless Florida.

- The Phillies remain silent, especially owner John Middleton. I don't have much faith in the bumbling management.  Landing a big-name free agent like Machado and/or Harper would be a welcome surprise. I expect more one-year deals with mediocre, cheap players who won't make the team significantly better. not from this passive, clueless leadership group.

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- OCTOBER 16

Black Power Salute

"If I win, I am American, not a black American. But if I did something bad, then they would say I am a Negro. We are black and we are proud of being black. Black America will understand what we did tonight."

- Tommie Smith

Tommie Smith (USA track and field athlete) won the gold medal for the 200-meter sprint at the 1968 Summer Olympics held in Mexico City.

Monday, October 15, 2018

NFL REVIEW- WEEK 6

I went 3-1 in my NFL picks this weekend. I'm 8-3 for the season so far.  Here is a rundown of pro football ...

Eagles over Giants-

Philly needed the win in New York, 3-3 on the season and 1-0 in the NFC East. One wonders how the birds could lose to phony teams like Tennessee and Tampa Bay. Those road losses may haunt the Eagles as they still have tough away games at New Orleans and Los Angeles later in the year.For the Giants, they look to the spring draft, where maybe they will finally get their future quarterback.The Birds host Carolina this week while New York should again struggle in Atlanta.

Falcons over Buccaneers-

Atlanta badly needed the home win just to stay afloat in NFC South, while the Bucs show their great colors after a good start. Would Tampa Bay trade D. Jackson back to the Eagles before the trade deadline?The Falcons can get even healthier this week at home against the woeful Giants while Tampa plays host to the Browns.

Steelers over Bengals-

Pittsburgh owns the Bengals in Cincinnati. this is why Cincy won't win the AFC North or go far in the big games. Marvin Lewis is not a coach who will win a big game. Cincy could've put their rival away with a home victory. Instead they choked and gave the Steelers life. Pittsburgh has a bye this week before hosting Cleveland in two weeks. The  Bengals head to Kansas City  to face a Chiefs team angry about losing their first game to New England last night.

Chargers over Browns-

I thought maybe the chargers, flyers east from warm LA to chilly Cleveland, may be effected by the time and the weather, but Philip Rivers and co. handled the Browns. The Chargers are only a game behind KC, and should push the Chiefs for the top spot in AFC West. Cleveland hits the road to Tampa next week while Los Angeles goes back to California to play Tennessee before their bye.

Seahawks over Raiders-

Meaningless game between two has-been teams. Seattle has no chance  against the Rams in NFC West while Oakland is an embarrassment under new coach Jon Gruden. Oakland may be ready for the Raiders to move on to Vegas. Seattle is off this week before heading to Detroit., while Oakland is on a much-needed bye.

Dolphins over Bears-

Everyone seemed to be picking Chicago in Miami. Why? The Bears still need to show me they are real. Miami stays with New England but loses QB Tannehill in the process. Miami stays home to battle the Lions while the Bears host the Patriots. Let's see just how good Trubiski and the Bears are this week against Tom Brady.

Vikings over Cardinals-

Minnesota had some surprising trouble with Arizona before pulling away at home. Arizona is playing out the schedule now while the vikings try to take  control of NFC North. Minnesota heads to the Meadowlands to face the Jets while the Cards finally head back to the desert to play Denver.

Jets over Colts-

New York wins at home and stays in the AFC East race while Indy continues to put up points but struggles to win games. The Jets take on the vikings in an interesting weekend contest while Indianapolis hosts Buffalo.

Redskins over Panthers-

Washington goes 3-2 to take over 1st place in NFC East while Carolina continues it's erratic play.. They head to the Linc next Sunday to play Philadelphia while the Skins stay home to face their bitter rival, the Cowboys.  Good news for the Eagles- one of them has to lose.

Rams over Broncos-

The Rams stay undefeated with a victory in snowy Denver, while the broncos tread water in AFC West. LA plays the third game of a three-game road trip at San Francisco next week. Never easy to win a trio of road games in a row. Denver travels to lowly Arizona next week.

Cowboys over Jaguars-

How did the awful Dallas offense score 40 points on the vaunted Jacksonville defense? They did, improving to 3-3 on the year. The Jags remain a mystery under QB Bortles. Jacksonville goes home to play Houston before going to London to play the Eagles. The Cowboys take on the Redskins in Washington in a key NFC East battle.

Patriots over Chiefs-

In a highly anticipated Sunday Night game, the Pats hit a last-second field goal and snapped Kansas City's winning streak. New England goes to Chicago next weekend while KC hosts Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium.

Ravens over Titans-

Again, how could the Eagles lose in Tennessee? They aren't that good. Baltimore is so inconsistent. With the Bengals losing to the Steelers it's time for the Ravens to step up before Pittsburgh takes control in AFC North. Baltimore has three key games upcoming: home against the Saints this weekend, on the road at Carolina, and home vs Pittsburgh. The Titans, now 3-3 in AFC South, hit the road to face the Chargers in LA, have a bye, then go to Dallas in the next three weeks.

Texans over Bills-

Buffalo continues to struggle while Houston is somewhat back in the mediocre AFC South. Houston goes to Jacksonville in a key division game this week while Buffalo stays on the road, visiting the Colts.

The 49ers play in Green Bay tonight.







IN MY LIFE- AL STEWART IN CONCERT AT THE COLONIAL THEATER- A REVIEW

*** 1/2 ( out of four stars)

Al Stewart loves Phoenixville and the old. historic Colonial Theater. He returns every year and has played the colonial countless times over the years. He triumphantly came back Sunday night to a sold-out, jam-packed venue.

Seeing Al in concert is always fun. He is witty, funny and musically, either acoustic or with a full band, you get your money's worth of entertainment. He makes you feel special, listens to his audience and soon you feel like the great British singer is  sitting in your living room, playing just for you alone.

This was the third time we have seen Al in Phoenixville. He keeps getting better and better. He was again supposed to reprise his classic album 'Year of the Cat" in it's entirety. Bot he has done the YOTC album twice before at the Colonial, both acoustically and with a back-up band. So loyal Al Stewart fans alerted the venue of this fact, plus Al himself had made a comment coming off stage that he may do his other iconic album "Past, Present and Future" next time. After his main set, as an encore, fans were calling out songs from the PPF album, such as "Road To Moscow". give Al credit for hearing his fans and giving them what they want.

Past, Present and Future was an album recorded in the 70s, written as a historic piece of events mainly in the 20th century, from Nazi Germany to the psychedelic times in the 60s.  It's brilliant in his length and scope but not a commercial success, as Stewart admits. But Al wrote it anyway, saying 'What the hell?"

So, as soon as Al graciously agreed to switch albums, we looked forward to this show because these were songs not heard maybe in forty-plus years. We would still hear the hits and deep cuts, as with any Stewart show, but this time we would also be treated to epic, magnificent storytelling songs.

The crisp, cool Autumn night started with a fine Italian meal at Franco's Restaurant, directly across bridge Street from the legendary Colonial.  Arriving at the theater approximately 20 minutes before showtime we found the lobby crowded with an enormous buzz around the mostly middle-aged audience. There was an anticipation and excitement in the air unlike previous Stewart's concerts.

Al's back-up band out of Chicago, The Empty Pockets, did a 5-song, 20-minute warm-up and received a warm response. Great young musicians but we were there to see and hear Al, and The Empty Pockets knew it,

Stewart came out to roaring applause with the very appropriate "One Stage Before," a song about deja vu, a cut from The Year of the Cat lp. Then came "On The Border" and finally "Time Passages,"It was clever and brilliant arrangement and placing of each song, as "Time Passages" is exactly what the Past, Present and Future album is all about.



The 8-song album is short on songs but most are lengthy, and the little chats and mini-historical lessons and reasons why Al wrote each song was priceless. We learned a lot about each song and Al's personal history during his time frame that he wrote about ( including the fact he snuck backstage as a 17-year-old and met John Lennon ( he got to play Lennon's guitar). Later in the 60s Al met and worked with Yoko Ono, so, as he quipped "I actually met John and Yoko even before they met each other...Who knows why?"

"Old Admirals" is the opening song, and it finally sunk in what we were hearing was classic stuff and I hoped someone was taping this concert.

More great tunes followed, such as "Warren Harding", Soho (Needless To Say)" and " The Last Day of June 1934." The best was yet to come, and the hundreds of fans crammed into the theater waited patiently for what they knew was coming.

The final three songs on the PPF album are truly iconic, starting with "Roads To Moscow." Lavish, sad, poetic and epic, it is a masterpiece. It received a nice standing ovation ( I thought it deserved more), but the crowd was saving itself.

"Terminal Eyes" is an "I Am The Walrus" clone, which Stewart turned into an out-and-out rock song.

"Nostradamus" is the finale on the album, an over 8 minute piece of art, highlighted by incessant, driving acoustic guitar work. Breath-taking, as the crowd clapped along.

A long, well-deserved standing ovation and thunderous roar followed, welcoming the departing Stewart and band back to the stage for an encore, the predictable but still highly enjoyable classic, "Year of the Cat."

Stewart concerts always are too short ( 13 songs on this chilly night), but it seemed just right to cap the night. Another lesser song as an extra encore may have spoiled the evening.  Everyone got what they wanted- the long-awaited album and the hits, all rolled into a tidy two hours of intense music.

We were left speechless after the show, and folks around us seemed pleased, as they hurried out of the theater on a Sunday night. There was no signing afterwords in the lobby.

I can't wait until next year when Al Stewart comes back to Phoenixville. But how can he top what happened last night? That will be the challenge.

 

THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- OCTOBER 15

"Catholics vs. Convicts"

On this day in 1988, #4 Notre Dame knocked down a 2-point conversion with 45 seconds remaining and held on to beat #1 Miami. Defensive end Frank Stams led a Notre Dame defense that forced seven turnovers. The game, hyped as the "Catholics vs. Convicts," ended the Hurricanes' 36-game regular-season win streak. The Irish would go on to win their only national championship under Lou Holtz.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- FLYERS, BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

- The Flyers lost another home game Saturday afternoon, losing a 1-0 heartbreaker to Vegas, which earned revenge from an opening night loss to Philadelphia. The Golden Knights scored late in the third period, after a 0-0 struggle all during the game.

Like last year, the Flyers have a tough time scoring goals and remain inconsistent. but at least Brian Elliot in goal was outstanding.

- Give the Dodgers credit for overcoming a 3-1 deficit in Milwaukee late in Game 2, in danger of falling in the NLCS to the Brewers 2-0. Instead, LA got a key two-run homer in the 8th inning to tie the series, 1-1. On to Los Angeles, where the brew Crew need to at least split.

Meanwhile, in Boston, the Astros showed they are a difference reigning champion. They are still hunger, beating the Red Sox 7-2 in Game 1 of their ALCS. The heat is on the Bosox now, needing to win Game 2 at home before heading to Houston.

Boston won 108 games this season and held off the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs. But the Astros are an entirely different animal. There is no weak link on the Houston team. I would be surprised if the Red Sox didn't come back, but for now, the Astros are proving why they are defending world champs and making the point they plan to remain on top for a while.

- When I visited Atlantic City about a month ago and visited the sport book at Resorts for the first time, I laid down three bets. 1. The Indians to win the World Series...loser. 2. The Eagles to win over 10 1/2 games...still too soon tot ell, but with a record of 3-3, winning 9 or 10 games my be enough to win NFC East- but not good enough for me to cash in. 3. The Sixers to win under 53 games this season. The 76ers start play on Tuesday in Boston. They are a good, young team, but not as good as last season. this bet won't play out until next spring.

One bet i was thinking of making and didn't was taking the new York Giants to win less than six games. Sadly, I bought into the idea that the Giants would be significantly better this season, especially with the addition of RB Barkley, who has played well so far. The G-men are a terrible team, in the midst of a brutal early schedule. At this point I would be shocked if new York won as many as six games all season.

Speaking of wagering, here are my NFL picks again today..

Patriots - 3 1/2 over Chiefs
Bengals - 1 1/2 over Steelers
Cowboys plus 3 over Jaguars
Broncos plus 7 over Rams

Saturday, October 13, 2018

PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES, BASEBALL PLAYOFFS, FLYERS

- The Eagles are basking and resting after their victory over the Giants on Thursday night.They can heal and watch the Cowboys lose to Jacksonville and the Redskins lose to Carolina. The Panthers come to the Linc next Sunday afternoon. Will the Birds pick up another running back by then? How many of the injured players- Peters, Jones, Sproles- return for the Carolina game?

It's a home game and an NFC game, which will be more important to win then the London game against the Jaguars.

- Wow! The Brewers have won 12 in a row with their Game 1 defeat of the Dodgers in the NLCS. They are a fun, exciting team to watch, with a great bullpen. Small franchise team, shows what an organization can do without tons of revenue. The Brewers have made wise free agent signings and trades and have a good farm system.

The Dodgers also have a deep farm system but they do have money- plus the glitz and glamour- of LA, with all the stars. But are they as good of a team as Milwaukee?

If the Brewers win again today and go to Los Angeles up 2-0 it ill be an uphill battle for the Dodgers to get back into the series.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox and defending champion Astros play Game 1 of the ALCS in Boston tonight. Interesting series. A deep and talented world champion vs a team that won 108 games this season. I like the Bosox in 6 games, but wouldn't be surprised if Houston won and moved on. Getting at least a split in Boston this weekend will be big.

- The Flyers take on the defending Western conference champs, the Vegas Golden Knights, this afternoon in Philly. The Flyers opened the season in Las Vegas and won. the 2-2 Flyers. losing in embarrassing fashion 8-2 to San Jose in their home opener, can redeem themselves today against the Golden Knights, who will be looking for revenge.