Curse of Billy Penn

Thoughts on Sixers Draft Pick

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this pick (Jrue Holiday) during the past few days.  It's amazing how the human mind works.  I went from being depressed (the moment we drafted him over Lawson), to angry (the following few hours after we took him), to happy (the next day upon reading about him and becoming objective) to now CERTAIN that we made the right pick.  I'll explain the CERTAIN part.  

I am fairly certain that Ty Lawson will be a very good pro.  He has too much basketball IQ and leadership abilities not to be.  With that said, I doubt that Ty Lawson will become GREAT.  He could, but i doubt it.

Click Here to Read Full Story at Sixers Nation

Jimmy Rollins 0-for-5 In Return - He Still Hasn't Learned

After missing 4-straight games, Jimmy Rollins was back in the line-up against Atlanta Tuesday night, batting in the lead-off spot.  I was hoping he would come to his senses, and remember how to play the game.  Unfortunately, it seems he has not!

The reality hit in the third inning.   Joe Blanton would lead off the inning, taking the first 3-pitches for balls.  Next up...Jimmy!  I never would have thought it could be possible that Rollins - who has been heavily criticized recently for not taking better at-bats - could swing at the first pitch after watching the pitcher take 3-straight balls.  Swing he did - and sure enough, it was an out!

Rollins ended up 0-for-5, with 2 strike-outs, dropping his average to an embarrassing .207.  In two of those at-bats, he got himself out on the first pitch.  The biggest problem right now is not that he can't hit, but that he has no respect for playing the game the right way.  He is a lead-off guy, that has no interest in taking pitches.  Unbelievable!

So what's the answer?  It doesn't seem as though you can get through to him.  You would think 4-days on the bench would smarten him up a bit, but it appears Jimmy insists on doing things his way.  The first thing: get him out of the lead-off spot.  He may say he's a lead-off hitter, but if he isn't going to play like one, he shouldn't be one! 

The few times he batted in the middle of the line-up, he seemed to find success.  Why not put him there?  Maybe in the number five or six spot.  Better yet, put him in the number 8-spot, and let him do whatever he wants!

 

Jimmy Rollins Misses 4-Games - What's the Real Story?

Jimmy Rollins is off to a poor start!  Three months into the season, the former NL-MVP continues to struggle, and has yet to find his rhythm.  This type of a slump more than warrants a benching, and a benching he got!  Sunday marked the fourth-consecutive game that Rollins sat out, but I'm starting to wonder if it comes down to something other than numbers.

 Charlie Manuel said he wanted to give him a rest and get his mind off the game.  "I felt it was very important to let him sit over there and kind of get a clear mind when I put him back there so he's fresh," said Manuel. 

I will agree, Rollins is in need of a rest.  I'm just not sure I can ever remember a player of his caliber missing four games to clear his head.

It seems the final straw was a defensive mistake Rollins made against Tampa Bay.  Pat Burrell hit a ground ball to Rollins on what was sure to be the final out of the inning, but Rollins went for the force at second.  Ben Zobrist beat the throw, and everybody would be safe - bases loaded.  The Rays would go on to score 5-runs.  Rollins should have gone for the sure out at first, especially with Burrell running.

Manuel believes it was a result of carrying his offensive struggles onto the field.  Despite this mistake - along with his offensive slump, Rollins has been very solid in the field. 

Here's the big question; Was Rollins benched to clear his head, or was it a punishment?

Eric Brutnlett:  I understand putting Rollins on the bench for a day or two, but how can you leave him out four-games when Bruntlett is his replacement?  I don't have to explain what you lose defensively by doing this, but let's have a look at offensive production.

• Rollins: Batting .211 (.176 in June), Clearly struggling!
• Bruntlett:  Batting .136 - actually doing worse than Rollins...a lot worse!  In his 4-games replacing Jimmy, he managed 1-hit in 15-at-bats.   

Clearly, Bruntlett is a step backwards!  I understand you need to sit Rollins down and try to work him out of his slump, but I would rather have a struggling Rollins than Bruntlett. 

Ryan Howard - 2008:  We all remember the rough start Howard got off to last year.  If Manuel's method of working a guy out of a slump is to bench him a bunch of games, how come Howard never sat?

I do remember him not starting a couple of games, but he always worked his way in as a pinch-hitter eventually.  Howard played 162-games last year!  Here's a look at Howard's numbers through June of last year:

• Batting Average = .214
• Struck Out - 113-times - 37% of his at-bats - in 3-months.  Howard was up for the NL-MVP, but was edged out by Albert Pujols, who struck out 54 times (112 in 2007 and 2008 combined).
• Howard would go on to lead all of Major League Baseball with 19-errors.

So what exactly is the difference between Rollins this year, and Howard last year?  Howard clearly struggled, but never forced to sit out.  At least Rollins gives you defense.

Conclusion:  If Rollins was benched for anything other than his performance, I'm not sure what it is.  But based on certain factors, I think there may be more to it.  Why play Bruntlett - who is clearly a downgrade - when your in a first-place battle with the Met's?  If it takes a couple of days to clear your head when your in a slump, how come Howard got into every game last season when he was off to a horrendous start?

Rollins has been made an example of before.  He was benched last season for not running out a fly-ball, and again when he showed up late for a game in New York.

Is it possible this may be more about his attitude, rather than his performance?  Last year, Howard slumped, but worked through it.  Rollins doesn't seem to be getting the same chance.  Is it possible his attitude is preventing him from getting through this?

Howard slumped because he just wasn't playing well.  Rollins seems to be slumping because he isn't playing his game.

• He is a lead-off hitter that doesn't play like a lead-off hitter.  If you put him anywhere else in the line-up, he complains!
• During his MVP season, Rollins had an on-base percentage of .875 - compared to .582 this season.  He isn't getting on base, something a lead-off hitter needs to do!
• On the topic of getting on base, Rollins has managed only 16-walks this season.  There are seven other players on the team with more (6 over 20; 4 over 30, and Utley leads with 48).  Not a sign of a lead-off man!
• Why is a lead-off guy trying to hit home-runs?  Almost everything he hits anymore is a fly ball to the outfield.  Growing up in Oakland, he was a huge Ricky Henderson fan, and emulates his hero.  Henderson's game may have been hitting home-runs, but Rollins needs to realize his is not!  

Rollins insists he is a lead-off hitter, but fails to act like one.  Maybe that's what this is all about. 

 

Chris Pronger Joins Flyers - The Cup Is Now In Sight

Reaching the Eastern Conference Championship Series in 2008, the Flyers had high expectations entering the 2009 playoffs.  It was pure disappointment to go home after just one round!  They may have given the Penguins a run for their money, but the reality was, they never really had a chance. 

When Crosby and Malkin hang out in front of the net, they are going to score!  If you allow this to happen, you are going to lose!  That is what happened to the Flyers, with Malkin and Crosby scoring a combined 17-points in 6-games.  Defense was a weakness - as it had been all year - Hatcher's absence was more than noticeable.

The answer to their defensive situation began when they signed goalie Ray Emery.  Though streaky at times, Martin Biron did just fine for the Flyers, and was not the reason they failed to advance in the playoffs.  So why bring in Emery, who has been surrounded by on and off-ice controversies, forcing him to play in Russia because nobody wanted him?

The Flyers had very little salary cap room, requiring them to free up some space if they wanted to sign a top-level defenseman.  Emery was the answer.  Despite his issues, he is a solid goalie that took the Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007.  Because of his history, the Flyers were able to acquire him at a bargain price of $1.5-million.

Biron on the other hand, made $3.5-million last season, and is probably looking for more money.  The Flyers may be taking a chance going with Emery, but it was the only way to make room for a defenseman without sacrificing talent in net.  

With the cap situation sorted out, it was time to find a defenseman.  There had been huge speculation that the Flyers would trade for the rights to Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who will be a free-agent on July 1.  Bouwmeester made it clear that he would not sign before the free-agency period begins, forcing the Flyers to look into another alternative.

The answer was Chris Pronger, a solid veteran defenseman, and former Hart Trophy Winner (League MVP).  He is the answer to the Flyers defensive needs!  Defensively, he can handle players one-on-one, deliver crushing checks (6'6" - 221 LBS.), and can clear the puck out of the zone.  Offensively, he can move the puck, offers crisp passing, and will be involved in scoring.  Something else he brings; he is a leader!

Pronger just may be the missing piece!  Kimmo Timonen has been solid, but one top-level defenseman is not enough when you go up against the best teams in the playoffs.  You can bet the production from Malkin and Crosby would have been diminished with Pronger in their way.

Does one guy make the difference?  Could he be the difference between a short playoff series and a Stanley Cup?  In the Flyers situation, the answer is yes.  The acquisition of Pronger immediately makes them a better team, filling the gap where they once had a huge void, and puts them in a position to be a serious Stanley Cup contender.    

Read more on the acquisition of Pronger, along with terms of the trade at Broad Street Bulletin          

Sixers Draft Situation

How would the Sixers handle the 2009 NBA Draft to improve their situation?  After an early exit in the playoffs this year, it is evident that moves need to be made if they want to take the next step.

Check out Sixers Nation for thoughts and insight regarding the Sixers and the 2009 NBA Draft.

Pitching Has Become A Serious Problem for the Phils

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first-inning, you had to feel the Phillies were gonna come out of this one with a win.  Amazingly, quite the opposite happened.  Those would be the only 4-runs the Phillies would score, and Tampa Bay would bang out 10-runs before the game ended. 

So what happened?  Rays' pitcher Andy Sonnanstine may have been roughed up a bit in the first-inning, but settled down after that.  Antonio Bastardo had a different story.  He took the mound with a 4-0 lead, and left the first-inning with just a 1-run lead.  By the end of the second, he was down 6-3. 

Bastardo lasted 3.2-innings, clearly struggling at the Major League level.  Once again, the bullpen was forced to get the Phils through the game.

Plagued by injuries, the pitching rotation had become an issue.  Myers is now lost for the year, but there has yet to be an answer.  No, Bastardo is not the answer!  The Phillies still have a 1/2-game lead over the Mets - quite amazing considering they have lost 10 of their last 12-games.  Only the Mets could fail to take advantage of this!

That 1/2-game lead isn't going to stick around forever.  The Phillies need to do something with their starting rotation if they want to stay competitive.  I'm not sure what they are waiting on.

Read more about the pitching situation at Phightin' Phils Phorum

Flyers to Play Outdoor Game at Fenway Park

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the Bruins' opponent for the NHL Winter Classic - an outdoor hockey game to be played at Fenway Park - was narrowed down to two teams; the Capitals and the Flyers.

With the NHL pushing for Alex Ovechkin, it appeared the Capitals had it all but locked up.  We are now hearing that the tables may have turned.

It is true that the NHL wants Ovechkin in the spotlight for their Winter Classic game on New Years Day.  The problem for that arises with TV ratings.  NBC is covering the game, and they apparently feel that the Flyers would attract more viewers than the Capitals.

Though no official announcement has been made, several sources have confirmed this decision.  Stay tuned for more information.

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the Bruins' opponent for the NHL Winter Classic - an outdoor hockey game to be played at Fenway Park - was narrowed down to two teams; the Capitals and the Flyers.

With the NHL pushing for Alex Ovechkin, it appeared the Capitals had it all but locked up.  We are now hearing that the tables may have turned.

It is true that the NHL wants Ovechkin in the spotlight for their Winter Classic game on New Years Day.  The problem for that arises with TV ratings.  NBC is covering the game, and they apparently feel that the Flyers would attract more viewers than the Capitals.

Though no official announcement has been made, several sources have confirmed this decision.  Stay tuned for more information.

Phils Remember How to Win - And Win Big

After a 6-game losing streak, it appeared the Phils were never going to win a game again.  Well, that is a bit exaggerated, but when you can't seem to catch a break, it's hard to be hopeful. 

With Moyer on the mound, things just came together.  If you forgot what it was like when the Phils were playing well, you remembered yesterday.  They didn't just win, they crushed the Rays, 10-1. 

Read more about their victory at the Phightin' Phils Phorum

MLB Umpires Need to Get it Right

Trailing 2-1 in the 8th-inning of Sunday's game, the Phils were desperately trying to avoid a sixth-straight loss.  With 1-out, Rollins grounded to Orioles' first baseman Ty Wigginton, attempting to avoid the tag on his way to first.  A replay of the incident showed that Rollins did in fact elude the tag, but was called out by first base umpire Larry Vanover.  Victorino was the next batter, who doubled to left field.  Rollins may have been the tying run.  They lost 2-1!

Why is it that umpires can't get their calls right?  Don't get me wrong, I don't expect them to be perfect, but there are ways to minimize their errors.  For instance: Last week, the Phils were in the 11th-inning of a tie-game against the Red Sox, when Greg Dobbs hit a ball that appeared to go directly over the fair/foul pole.  It was called foul.  If fair, it would have been a 3-run home-run, and the Phils would have won.  They went on to lose.

Was it a fair ball?  I'm not positive about that, but I'm pretty sure the use of instant replay would have been more than applicable on that particular play.  You have the two previous World Series winners playing each other, battling for first place in their respective divisions.  This was a crucial game for both teams.  It is important to a call like that right!  Instead, the first base umpire assured Charlie Manual he got a good look at it, and without a doubt, knew it was foul.

Well, he's a better man than me.  I saw it on replay - a bunch of times - and I'm still not sure if it was fair or foul. 

Follow the NFL:  One thing the NFL does that you rarely see in baseball, the whole crew working together to make a right call.  How many times do you see NFL officials gather together (all of them) and discuss what happened?  At least then, if the call is wrong, you don't feel cheated.  Somehow it doesn't feel as bad when they make an actual effort to get the call right.  Make sure everybody is on the same page!

Baseball is a different story.  How many people consider MLB Umpires arrogant?  I'll bet that number is high!  They never ask for help, insist they got the call right, and that's all there is to it.  Argue it, and your tossed from the game.

Going back to the Dobbs incident, why was the use of instant replay not used?  Even if the ump was sure of his call, I need somebody to explain to me why it is not wise to at least look at the video, to make sure he got the call right.  Maybe it was a time issue - I mean, what would it take - about a minute?  Can't afford to lose that kind of time in the worlds slowest moving game.        

Rollins Was Safe:  So after reviewing the play, it is clear that Rollins was safe at first.  He was the tying run, that may have scored when Victorino doubled to left.  And when Manual questioned the call, he was tossed from the game.

Is there any reason Vanover didn't seek any help?  I would have like to see a few of the umps get together, talk it over, then come to a decision.  Obviously certain guys are in a position to make the call and others are not.  Your not going to ask the third base ump if the tag was missed at first.  But, there's a good chance the home plate ump got a good look at it.

How to Make Them Accountable:  This is really a good question.  There are many ideas that can put the pressure on an ump to get it right, many of which, only sound good in theory. 

• Demotion:  This is the obvious solution.  If you get your calls wrong, your going to the minors.  The problem here is that there is rarely an Umpire that is flat-out terrible.  Usually, it is the Umpires in general, that get calls wrong across the whole league.  You can't demote everybody!
• Fines:  How about fines?  "Hey Mr. Vanover, you tossed Charlie Manual out of a game for arguing a call he was right on.  You will be fined X-amount of dollars."  Well, it sounds like a possible solution, but I don't think it's the answer.  We all make mistakes at work!
• Press Conference:  I would like to see this, but I'm not sure this is appropriate.  What if the Umpire was forced to do a press conference interview after the game?  Wouldn't it be great to show him the clip of Rollins eluding the tag, and make him explain his stance to everybody?  If anything, you may start to ask the other Umpires for their opinion before you make an arrogant stance on the call if you know your going to get drilled by the media.

Again, these possible solutions are not really answers.  In fact, the idea is not to make an Umpire better, but to ensure he is making the right call.  Fact: Umpires miss calls.  Fining a guy is not going to give him a better look at the play.  But if he doesn't get a good look at the play, he needs to realize he didn't have the best look, and figure out how to make the best call he can.  That means getting an opinion from somebody else - "hey, what did you see?" - not "well, I'm calling him out, and I'm sticking to it!" 

If nobody else had a better look at the play - which will most often be the case - then stick to the original call.  At least if it is wrong, you know they tried to get it right.  I think that would go a long way - well, maybe not in Philly!  Feel free to throw any ideas/suggestions on how you think MLB Umpires can improve. 

 

How Can the Sixers Improve? Get Ty Lawson!

What improvements should the Sixers consider this off-season?  The Sixers obviously need to make some changes, and may lose Andre Miller on top of it.  One solution - Ty Lawson.

Lawson has played for the University of North Carolina since 2006, and is widely considered to be a top NBA draft prospect. 

He will forgo his senior year, opting to enter the 2009 NBA draft.

Read the Full Story at Sixers Nation

Phils Rally...But Fall - Madson Blows Another Save

The Phils were on a 4-game losing streak - trailing 3-0 in the 7th - on their way to a fifth straight loss.  They had managed 2-hits to that point - against one of the worst teams in baseball.  What was happening to them?

All of sudden, the seventh-inning rolled around, and the Phils remembered how to hit.  Victorino doubled, then Utley doubled to drive him in.  Matt Stairs singled to right, moving Utley to third.  Wow, 3-hits in a row! 

Werth would pop-out, but Dobbs followed with a single to right, scoring Utley.  Feliz would bat next, but flied out to center field.  So...2-outs, runners on 1st & 3rd, it was time for Ryan Howard to pinch hit and earn some of the $18-million.

Howard didn't start the game.  He was battling flu-like symptoms, apparently spending 5-hours in the hospital with a fever of 104-F.  Well, that wouldn't slow him down.  For the first time in the game, the crowd had something to cheer for.  The Phils were hitting, scoring runs, and now trailed by one...with Howard at the plate.  Howard sent a shot into center field - a home run - giving them a 5-3 lead.

So you thought it was safe?  It is amazing that a team can play so lousy the whole game, make an awesome comeback that has your home-run king slamming a go-ahead pinch-hit home-run with a 104-temp, and still find a way to lose the game.

Welcome to Philly!  Madson has done a descent job filling in for Brad Lidge, but I think he is an 8th-inning guy.  Until last year (late last year), Madson struggled to get things going.  Sometimes I though he would do just fine throwing pitches to batters during the home-run derby at the All-Star Game.  Not only did he give them up, but batters killed his pitches.  I believe some of them are still floating around some where.

Towards the end of last season, something changed.  Madson stopped throwing batting practice, found a few extra mph on his fastball, and was getting batters out.  Amazing!  Everybody said it was because he found "his role." 

His role as the set-up guy has been crucial to the Phillies success.  But when Lidge went down, Madson got a chance to close.  He hasn't done terrible, saving four-games, but has blown a couple as well.  Last night, we saw him throwing batting practice again, allowing two home-runs, putting the Orioles up 6-5.  That would be the final score.

When will the Phillies win again?   

Bad Day for the Phillies

If the news of Raul Ibanez going on the 15-day disabled list wasn't bad enough, their loss on Thursday would complete a sweep for the Blue Jays.

Let's go one step further:  If you thought that was bad, we took a beating from two well known names - Scott Rolen and Rod Barajas.  What did we do to deserve this?

Read more on Thursday's game, along with Ibanez, at Phightin' Phils Phorum

Joe Buck Gets Bashed on His New TV Show - Awesome!!!

Philly favorite Joe Buck has his own TV show now, Joe Buck Live.  His first episode was a disaster, with Artie Lang of Howard Stern bashing Buck.  So the final outcome - the show went well!

Joe Buck may hate Philadelphia, but we're having the last laugh.  It was obvious Buck was rooting against the Phillies during the playoffs, but we would go on to win.  It was even more obvious that he was uncomfortable conducting the first episode of his new show, as he took a verbal beating from Artie Lang - and it was great!

Unfortunately, most of the videos have been pulled from the internet and have been hard to find.  Here is a quick rundown of what happened:

Artie Lang took control of the show, using obscene gestures and language, insulting Buck at every opportunity.  He admitted to being a Giants fan - which is not so good - but stated he hated the Cowboys - which is just fine!  

Warning:  Before reading on, we take pride in keeping our blogs clean and family friendly, but the topic in general, is unsuitable for children, and may be offensive.

• As a Cowboys hater, he was pleased that their Quarterback, Tony Romo, had a name that rhymed with homo - saying it was a gift from God.  He went on to say that his girlfriend, Jessica Simpson, is a "fat chick" that used to look like Jessica Simpson, but now looks like Chris Farley.
• Claiming to be homophobic, Lang's remarks didn't end with Tony Romo, and extended to Buck himself.  Buck had announced that TMZ was his favorite website.  Lang replied: "Joe, TMZ is your favorite web site?  What's your second, suckingc**k.com?"
• At one point, Lang puts a cigarette on his chin.  Buck says "I think it's in chin number four."  Lang replies, "number four - the show you'll never get to."  Lang goes on to say "you're out of you league Buck, stick with play-by-play."  Buck replied, "it was right after this segment started that I realized that."
• Buck says to Jason Sudeikis (from Saturday Night Live, "We just did this live, do you do your show live?"  Lang quickly chimes in, "it's called Saturday Night LIVE!"  At this point, Buck is obviously agitated, replying, "I know it is jerk off." 
• Following the "live" comment, Buck says to Lang, "your gonna pull me into a dark place in about one more minute."  Langs response: "Let's do it.  Let's make some news."  Buck replies, "if I'm gonna do it, I'll do it with an A-list guy."  Lang asks, "where you gonna find an A-list guy?  You gonna hang out by Letterman?  You ain't gettin' anyone on here brother."  Then in mockery fashion, "you wanna do the Joe Buck Show?  No, I gotta change my sock drawer."
• With Lang's feet on the table, Buck expressed his displeasure.  Lang says, "I'm trying to get comfortable.  Somebody should look natural on this show."
• At one point, Lang says, "I'm gonna be working construction by next Thursday," Buck replied, "your on your way."  Lang's response: "So are you!"
• Lang said he was excited to be on the show, but looked at Buck and said, "not for you."  Lang proceeded to praise Buck's father, Jack Buck.  As he began to talk about him, Buck asked, "is this gonna take a while?"  Lang's response: Yeah, sorry to ruin your great show!"
• Lang referred back to his chin again, saying " my fourth chin is making a joke, unlike you."

At the end of the show, Buck thanked Lang for putting an end to his show after one episode.  Buck told the USA Today, "I thought that spending time on a treadmill felt long. That was like 8 or 9 minutes that turned into an eternity. You know, it's cable, you can get away with it. It's not my style. But, you do one show and you learn and you move on." 

Michael Irvin, another Philly favorite, said of the incident: "it's refreshing to see white-on-white crime."

Was Lang arrogant and rude to Buck?  Yes - and we love it!

Derian Hatcher Retires - Takes Coaching Job With Flyers

A full right knee replacement signaled the end of Hatcher's career as a professional hockey player, but it won't keep him away from the game.  He will take over as the new player development coach, replacing Eric Desjardins, who is leaving to pursue business interests.

Hatcher missed the entire 2008-09 season with a right knee injury, and though there was talk of him returning for the playoffs, he would never return to the ice. 

It is unfortunate.  The Flyers struggled defensively this past season, and it became clear how much Hatcher was missed.

With any luck, the Flyers will obtain a key defenseman they desperately need, and the void will be filled.  

Phillies Need to Replace Myers

It has become evident that Myers' absence from the starting rotation is taking it's toll.  Three extra-inning games, along with a rain delay has not helped the situation, but it has become clear, that the Phillies need to do something about it.

In two close games against Boston, the Phillies watched as Kyle Kendrick and Jack Taschner let it all slip away.  Unfortunately with Myers out of the picture, we are relying on Antonio Bastardo to get the job done.  I don't want to take anything away from the good starts he gave us, but when he only gives you 1-inning (forget the rain delay - he gave up 5-runs), it's gonna tear apart your bullpen.  What's the answer?

Read more about the starting pitching situation at the Phightin' Phils Phorum