Staff Blog
Where's the best sledding hill in Philly? (1 Answer)
Morning Rounds, October 27th – the day the drought will end
In the 5th inning of last night’s game I started
triumphantly taunting one of my Mets’ fan friends, hanging your 2008 World
Champion Philadelphia Phillies over his head.
“You should never count your chickens before they hatch,” he warned, advice that may be sound, but isn’t relevant to this situation. At all. It’s over.
101 seasons will not turn to 102. The Phillies are up three games to one, and
with their ace on the mound and the hometown team behind them, they won’t even
make it three games to two. MacGyver couldn’t
get the Rays past Hollywood
tonight and the Phillies, totally improbably, are about to win the World
Series. They’ll do it on the shoulders
of Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, who have combined to 0fer the series and a
Rays team that is playing with a baseball IQ South of the Mason-Dixon
line – but no need to remember it that way. No, we’ll think back on this team and remember
a Young Cole who established himself as the
guy, and Ryan Howard’s power-hitting prime, a prime that no one may top,
ever.
So clear your Wednesday schedule and cancel your tickets to Tampa. You have a parade
to attend.
One chicken, two chickens, three chickens, four …
 |
| via the Inquirer |
“He knows he got that, doesn’t he?” – Jimmy Rollins, admiring Joe the Pitcher’s first major league home run
Three lines on their world:
- The World Series is one game from being over
- The New York Football Giants held off the Steelers in Pittsburgh
- if the BCS standings hold it should create another debacle
Three lines on ours:
- The Phillies are one game away from ending the drought
- Penn St. took care of tOSU in Ohio and remain unbeaten
- and the Birds took down Matty Ice and the Falcons
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about after the jump
PHILLIES
READ
Bob Ford says that the Phillies are this close to actually getting that chip.
Phil Sheridan points to the minute when the Phillies could call it a series: Joe Blanton going yard.
Rich Hofmann looks at Jimmy Rollins‘ moment, and says the reigning MVP is enjoying it all.
Ed Barkowitz puts Blanton’s homer up there with Brett Myers‘ walk and Shane’s grand slam.
Bill Lyon looks at the game the MVPs put up.
Mike Jenson enjoys Chooch’s moment as hero.
Daniel Rubin gets a fantastic Ed Rendell story.
Does he even govern anymore? I remember he visted my high school once
and we spent the entire assembly talking sports. I feel like we
elected him Sports Fan.
Mike Sielski says luck got the Phillies to the brink and tonight Cole Hamels will get them over.
SKIP
Paul Hagan tries to figure out what has happened to Pena and Longoria, and more.
Sam Donnellon says that Joe Blanton has been everything the Phillies could have hoped for.
In his notes Zolecki names Ruben Amaro Jr. the next GM, looks at Thome’s visit and more.
Murphy’s notes look at the basestealers.
Marcus Hayes notices Ryan Howard is back.
In the Rays’ notes, Marc Narducci looks at the ice cold sluggers, the Rays’ roster moves, and more.
Joe Juliano credits the bullpen.
Dick Jerardi looks at just how close the team is.
Frank Fitzpatrick notices an uncharacteristically confident Philadelphia.
Jim Salisbury says the Phillies are right where they want to be, Joe Blanton got some big outs, and more.
Bill Conlin breaks down the changes Charlie didn’t make.
Ed Barkowitz says Jim Thome was there for Charlie, Dan Baker had a sore throat, and more.
Mike Jenson reports on Joe Blanton’s hat. It’s a non-story.
Joe Juliano gauges Hamels‘ confidence heading into game five. It isn’t low.
Paul Hagan looks at the Hamels/Kazmir pitching matchup.
Jenson and Salisbury point out that the umpiring has sucked.
Gonzalez calls his co-workers old and steals Bill Lyon’s seat, Sheridan says that Cole Hamels is earning the itals, and Bob Ford takes hot dog ketchupers to task (those people (HDKers, not these three) are heathens – god I hate them so).
John Smallwood reports that Joe Maddon remains calm.
Rich Hofmann looks at Joe Maddon’s choice of beer, more.
Randy Miller talks about what it’ll mean.
Dan Dunkin says you’ll never forget game three.
Frank Fitzpatrick breaks down everything else.
Kristen A. Graham appreciates the weekend in sports.
Morgan Zalot on the crowd: crowded.
Derrick Nunnally tries to figure out what this means to the fan.
Dan Gross finds out where those with Phillie connections have been eating dinner, which makes me think we need a level lower than ’skip.’
EAGLES
READ
Paul Domowitch thinks that Lito’s pick might have been a season-saver.
Ashley Fox calls out the Eagles’ brass for being some haters.
Marcus Hayes breaks down Matt Ryan’s homecoming.
Ray Parrillo’s on Lito Sheppard’s big game.
Bob Brookover’s up/down drill.
Reuben Frank predicts that the Birds are about to take off.
Reuben Frank breaks down the game.
SKIP
John Smallwood says that it was Donovan’s legs that got the offense on track.
Marcus Hayes on the officials’ helpful gaffe.
Ray Parrillo looks at just how how good Westbrook really is.
Don McKee with another awkward running diary.
Les Bowen says the hit that knocked out L.J. Smith was clean.
Reuben Frank looks at the officials’ gift to the Eagles.
SIXERS
Phil Jasner talks with Ed Stefanski, who says that as the kids go, so go the Sixers. READ
Kate Fagan reports that Thad Young missed another practice, but won’t miss the season opener. SKIP
FLYERS
Apparently someone threw a smoke bomb onto the ice Saturday. I bet they’re happy the Phillies, Eagles, and Penn St. bumped that off page one. Amidst his notes, Ed Moran reports on the organization’s reaction. READ
Wayne Fish says John Stevens‘ job is secure. SKIP
Wayne Fish says that Scottie Upshall is effectively annoying, which I consider to be a great compliment. READ
TODAY and MORE
Tonight the Phillies clinch and the city burns. Check back for as many thoughts on the inevitable as we can possibility produce. If you’re media and have read past the part where I write your name, remember to wear an old shirt – you’re going to get some champagne on it before all is said and done tonight. If you’re a fan with a ticket, start the pregame now. If you’re drunk before noon get in touch and we’ll get your guarantee on the record.
As always, feel free
to email
with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
Last night was sublime, in a lot of ways. Two to start:
The “no doubt about it” way that both Ryan and Jimmy admired blast #1
the fact that we didn’t even need to show ‘em Lidge last night – he’s still sittin out there, locked in