Curse of Billy Penn

Halladay for Hamels?

There is nothing I would like more than to have Halladay in our starting rotation.  Could this become a reality?  His name has resurfaced again, with talk that the Phillies are interested in him.  The Phils were unwilling to give up key prospects in their bid for Halladay during the season.  At what cost would it take to put Halladay in a Phillies uniform?

Obviously the Phillies would like to add Halladay to their rotation.  Adding him to a rotation that includes Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels (assuming he gets it together) would arguably give them the best rotation in baseball.  The only problem is, the talk has had Hamels going to Toronto as part of the deal.  Does this make sense?

Hamels has had a bad year, failed to show up in the playoffs, and his attitude flat out sucks!  That said, this deal makes absolutely no sense.  Halladay will be a free-agent following the 2010 season, and will command a huge salary.  Unless they decide to shell out some serious dough, he would only be in town for one season.

Hamels on the other hand, is signed through 2011, and at 25-years of age, could be around for years.  Halladay is due to make $15.75-M this season, where Hamels will make $6.65-M in 2010, and $9.5-M in 2011.  

Despite the rough season, Hamels should be back to form for next season, making him quite an asset.  There is no reason he shouldn't give the Phillies years of dominating pitching.  Halladay is definitely worth pursuing, however, I'm not sure you give away everything Hamels has to offer for one year of service.

Would it make sense to part with Drabek or Happ?  They seem to be unwilling to part with Drabek, but I think you have to do it if the opportunity presents itself.  I will give up a future prospect - that is just that...a prospect, that may amount to nothing - to put one of the best pitchers in baseball into this rotation.      

Andy Reid, "You're an Idiot!"

The much anticipated Eagles/Cowboys game not only ended in disappointment, but had us all wondering, "what happened?"

McNabb was missing his passes.  When he made them, his receivers would drop them.  Andy Reid has me wondering how he made six NFC Championship games, but reminded me why he has zero Super Bowl rings.

I've been thinking it over, and I'm not sure what is worse: 

A) kicking a field goal, when you have to score a touchdown, and you have no time-outs with 4-minutes left in the game.

or

B) The fact that you have 4-minutes left in the game, need a touchdown, and have no time-outs. 

The field goal decision reminded me of their 2007 playoff loss to the Saints.  With 1:56 remaining, the Eagles were faced with fourth and fifteen.  They were losing 27-24.  Reid elected to punt, they never got the ball back, and lost the game as a result.  Once again, they needed seven points, elected to take three, and never got the ball back.

When Reid makes these decisions, what exactly is going through his head?  Is he just optimistic that they will get the ball back?  I would rather see him go for it when he has the opportunity rather than playing unfavorable odds!

Yankees Have Nothing to Be Proud Of

In the movie "The Last Castle," Robert Redford plays General Irwin, a three star General who is sent to prison following a Court Martial.  James Gandolfini is Colonel Winter, the Warden of the prison, and is in complete awe of the highly decorated General.  The two eventually become enemies, with Redford telling Gandolfini that he will get him removed as Warden of the prison.  

It becomes a game.  Can Redford - an inmate - rally the prisoners with his leadership skills, create havoc, and make Gandolfini look incompetent of running a prison?  Does Gandolfini possess the skills necessary to keep Redford at bay?

Gandolfini's response to the threat, "what is to keep me from transferring you to a different prison?"  Redford reply's by saying, "nothing, if that's how you want to win!"

There is just something special about earning a win!  There is a difference between earning a win, and buying a win.  Buying a win, is exactly what the Yankees did!  Now how can you take pride in that?

According to Sam Donnellon of the Daily News, the Yankees payroll is $201,449,189, and the Phillies payroll is $113,004,046.  The Yankees payroll is $88,445,143 higher than the Phillies.  To put that gap into perspective, the Phillies could take on the payroll of the bottom two teams, and still be less than the Yankees.  How about this...the difference between their payrolls could roughly get you the eighth highest payroll in baseball.

I'm not a Yankees fan, but I have to tip my hat to them.  They have the money, and they go out and spend it.  I wish we had that kind of money and determination!  But that's where the problem lies.  Nobody has the money that the Yankees have.  Their payroll is over $200-M.  The second highest team is under $150-M, with a handful of teams close behind.

I know what it's like when your team wins the World Series.  It's a pretty good feeling!  I'm not sure what is't like as a Yankees fan, however.  Do you get that same sense of accomplishment?  Can you celebrate winning, when every other team in baseball is financially handicapped, and incapable of competing at the same level?    

With a payroll over $200-M, and the next highest more than a quarter lower, the Yankees have a huge advantage.  I fully expect they will increase their payroll this off-season, improving their team to ensure another World Series victory.  What is to keep them from doing this?  In the words of General Irwin, "nothing, if that's how you want to win!"

      

Bat Werth Cleanup

Chase Utley is now currently tied for most home runs in a World Series with five.  Utley is on fire!  I would have to believe at this point the Yankees will start pitching around him.  How do we deal with this?

It would make all the sense in the world to pitch around Utley.  He is killing the Yankees, and there's very little fear of Howard right now.  Howard has tied a record of his own this World Series.  The strikeout record.  He has struck out twelve times and is batting .158.  I would pitch around Utley to get to Howard.

The solution...put Werth in the cleanup spot.  This makes sense for many reasons.  

1. It will break up two lefty's (Utley and Howard).  You can argue that you still have back-to-back lefty's with Howard and Ibanez if you do that, but Ibanez is not your typical left handed hitter.  He handles left handed pitching very well.  If I had to bat two lefty's consecutively, I would rather have Ibanez in that duo.  Not to mention, Ibanez appears to be getting his swing back.
2. Werth is doing pretty good himself.  He has a playoff leading seven home runs.  He has already been pitched around to get to Ibanez.  They will be facing Andy Pettitte  in game-6, who Werth hit two home runs off of in game-3.  How could they possibly pitch around Utley with Werth coming up next?

I very much doubt that Charlie Manual will alter his lineup, but it seems to make sense.  Unfortunately, Howard isn't seeing the ball very well right now, and though we know he will come out of it eventually and must all have faith, this is an elimination game.  I fear the Yankees because they get things going.  You don't pitch around Jeter, because Damon is up next.  You don't pitch around Damon, because Teixeira is up next.  You definitely don't pitch around Teixeira with A-Rod coming up!

With Howard struggling, that same fear is not in place for the Phillies.  You know Utley will be a tough out, but you can get Howard out of the way, and deal with Werth.  It would be much tougher to get through both Utley and Werth back-to-back the way they are hitting.  Also, if they get on and get something going, Howard is just one swing away from killing you.    

Wearing a Yankee Uniform in a Baseball Game is Like Having a PBA Card When You Get Pulled Over

Jorge Posada takes a step out of the batters box and raises his hand towards the home plate umpire.  He is looking for a time out.  Meanwhile, Cliff Lee continues through his motion, and delivers a pitch right down the heart of the plate.  Posada's request for time out was never granted, and the pitch was called a strike.  

Is it true that the Yankees get special treatment...because they are "the Yankees?"  Sometimes it feels that way, but as a Phillies fan, I think that biased thought process is normal.

In this particular situation, the Yankees did not get the benefit of the doubt.  In fact, there have been a few other controversial calls that have gone in favor of the Phillies.  Just ask Ryan Howard.  He may have walked away from the plate questioning the strike zone on a few of his record-tying twelve strikeouts throughout the series, but was given credit for a catch that was actually a trap, creating a critical double play, and managed to score a run without touching home plate.

When A-Rod hits a camera in right field, it is called a home run.  With the camera hanging out past the wall over the field, the question arises: would it have cleared the fence if the camera had not been there.  It appeared to be inconclusive, therefore, leaving us with a feeling that we were cheated.  The reality, however, is that the camera was deemed to be a home run in the ground rules set prior to the game.  

Sometimes it feels like the Yankees are catching all the breaks, but that's really not the case.  What I have found to be true, however, is that the Yankees seem to believe they are entitled to special treatment.  It is very rare to see the Phillies arguing a call, but the Yankees seem to be crying all the time.  

I'm not sure what Posada said to the home plate umpire when time was not granted to him, but you somehow get the feeling that he - along with most of his teammates - feel entitled to get their way since they are wearing the all mighty Yankee uniform.

Think of the PBA card analogy.  If you have one, driving a little faster than permitted isn't so risky when you know they are going to cut you a break.  If you don't have one, trust me, your going to drive more carefully.  It makes you wonder if that's what it's like to wear a Yankee uniform?  Do you put it on and expect all the breaks because..."we're the Yankees?"  It appears that way! 

Fortunately, the Yankees do not seem to catch all the breaks.  The way they go on pouting and crying, it's clear that they feel they should.  We may all be unhappy with Cole Hamels' attitude, but this Yankee team has illustrated they have much bigger babies than the one we have!  

Are the umps against us?  It does not seem that way.  Tim McCarver and Joe Buck...that's a different story! 

Mike Richards Knocks Panthers' David Booth Unconscious - Will Not Be Suspended

During the second period of Saturday's Flyers/Panthers match-up, Mike Richards put a punishing hit on Panthers' forward David Booth, leaving him unconscious.

Booth was carrying the puck through center ice when Richards landed his shoulder to Booth's head.  Booth immediately dropped to the ice - unconscious - delaying the game for several minutes.  Booth was carried off the ice on a stretcher, and taken to Pennsylvania Hospital.  He was released Sunday morning, suffering a concussion.

Richards received a game-misconduct penalty, facing a possible suspension.  After reviewing the incident, the NHL determined that no further disciplinary action was required, and Richards will not be suspended.

"Everything happened so quickly, it's kind of hard to explain," Richards said. "Obviously, I was not trying to hurt him. I was trying to separate him from the puck, but he moved."

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The Night of Sudden Death 6-5 Victories

I'm a baseball fan...I'm a hockey fan.  With the Flyers making their home debut against Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals - following a 2-and-0 start on the road - I wasn't going to miss it!  It was face-off time, and I was forced to flip away from the Tigers/Twins game to watch the Flyers. 

As a true Philadelphia fan, this would not usually be a big deal, I would just watch the Flyers.  I didn't want to miss the 1-game playoff, however, so I decided to switch between them.  As the Tigers/Twins game developed into one of the best baseball games possibly in years, I found myself in a dilemma!

Both games were exciting!  The Flyers had the lead, then trailed, then had the lead again, then trailed again.  Just when it looked like they were doomed, they tied it up 5-5, sending the game into overtime.

Meanwhile...

The Tigers and Twins were now in extra innings, also tied at 5-5.  It had appeared that that game was decided on a few occasions, but continued to go on. 

The Tigers took a 5-4 lead in the top of the 10th, and appeared to be on the path to victory, but the Twins tied it up bottom half.  With runners on 2nd and 3rd, and 1-out, it appeared there would be no 11th.  Sure enough, the game would go on.

In the top of the 12th, the Tigers found themselves with the bases loaded, and 1-out.  They were sure to go up, but failed.  The game would go on.

Now...

The Flyers were heading into sudden death overtime, tied 5-5.  The game could end at any moment.  I was hoping one of the two games would end, so I could switch over and focus solely on the other.  That's when it dawned on me, both games were at sudden death, tied 5-5.  Not only that, but they were both exciting games that had the advantage flip-flopping between both teams. 

Finally, the Twins scored in the bottom of the 12th, ending the game.  They won 6-5.  With the conclusion of the game, I flipped over to the Flyers game, just in time to see Danny Briere score the game-winning goal, ending that game at 6-5.

Funny how each game mirrored one another in excitement, score, and even ended at virtually the same time.  I found that interesting!    

Brad Lidge Blown Save Breakdown - How is it Affecting Starters?

When Brad Lidge came in to close out the Marlins Wednesday night, how many people thought the 1-run lead just wasn't enough?

The numbers are staggeringly different: 7.48 ERA compared to 1.95 last year; 0-8 this year, 2-0 last year; 59-strikeouts/34-walks so far...last year 92-strikeouts/35-walks.  How about 31 saves, with 11-blown saves compared to last seasons perfect season of 41-saves!

With 11-blown saves, you would think there would be a couple of starting pitchers in the rotation getting cheated out of wins - not necessarily!  In fact, of the 11-blown saves, five of them had the starting pitcher leave leading the game. 

So who started the games Lidge has blown, and how were they doing?

Joe Blanton:  Lidge has blown 4-games Blanton has started.  Interestingly enough, Blanton left the game losing all four of them.  He has not been cheated by Lidge.

Cole Hamels: Lidge has blown 3-games Hamels has started.  Hamels left all three with the lead.  Hamels could be 13-9 as opposed to 10-9.

JA Happ:  Lidge has blown 2-games Happ has started.  Happ left one game with the lead, and the other in a tie.  He could be 11-4 rather than 10-4.

Jamie Moyer: Lidge has blown 1-game Moyer started, and yes, he would have been the winning pitcher.  He could have 13-wins.  Instead, he is 12-10.  Moyer still has the most wins on the Phillies pitching staff, leading Blanton by 1. 

Brett Myers: Lidge has blown 1-game Myers started.  He left the game in a tie, so he is unaffected.  

So, who were the other pitchers set to have wins in games Lidge has blown? Chan Ho Park twice, Tyler Walker, J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin, and Ryan Madson.

Of his 11-blown saves, a win was stripped from 8-different pitchers.  It's nice to see him spread it out so nicely!

Why Did Reid Call Time Out With 7-Seconds Left?

Sometimes I don't get Andy Reid!!!

What is it about the Saints that causes him to make stupid decisions at the end of the game? 

January 13, 2007 - Divisional Playoff Game:  Eagles lost 27-24, but had a chance in the final minutes.  Following the two-minute warning, the Eagles found themselves faced with a fourth-and-ten on their own 44-yard line. Jeff Garcia completed a pass to Hank Baskett for a first down, but a false start by Scott Young would cancel it out.  It would now be fourth-and-fifteen.

There was 1:56 left in the game, and the Eagles were running out of life.  With no way of stopping the clock, giving the ball back to the Saints meant they would have to stop them three-and-out to get the ball back, or go home.  The Saints offense had walked all over the Eagles defense all game - putting up 435-total yards, and going three-and-out just once.  What were the odds they would all of a sudden go three-and-out?

Reid had faith, and elected to punt.  Just as it had been the story all game, the Defense was unable to force a three-and-out, and the Eagles never got the ball back!

For as close as the game was, they never had a chance to win.  They had the ball - and knowing they probably wouldn't get it back - gave it away...along with the game!

Last Sunday:  Trailing the Saints 48-22, the Eagles found themselves with the ball during the final seconds of the game.  It appeared they had run their final play, and time would run down, but Reid decided to call a time-out with 7-seconds left.  For some reason, he felt it was necessary to run another play.

What exactly was the reasoning behind this?  I can't figure it out!  I'm not sure what he was trying to accomplish, but he got what he deserved for doing something like that:

• Kolb threw his third interception of the day, trying to force a hail-mary pass.  I guess I wouldn't be arguing if it had worked.  I mean, losing 48-29 rather than 48-22 is much more satisfying! 
• As soon as Kolb released the ball, he was drilled!  Again, if given the option to lose 48-29 rather than 48-22, but it would come at the expense of an injured quarterback...I think I'd have to take that option!

He may not have gone for it when it counted, but it's nice to see him take a shot when it means nothing!

Why is McNabb Doubtful?

The Eagles have Donovan McNabb listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints, and I'm still trying to figure out why!

Here are the facts:

1. He has a broken rib - I'm pretty certain this would affect his ability to play.
2. Week #4 is a bye week for the Eagles.  Do you think it would make sense to take advantage of that and bring him back healthy?
3. There is a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback (Garcia) on the roster tomorrow, with a three-time quarterback (Vick) joining him next week.  Not sure, but I think they may manage without his presence.

So back to the question, why is he doubtful?  What is the rush?  I can only see two possible reasons:

No Confidence in Kolb:  Why play a guy with a broken rib when you have others that can go?  Because you have no confidence in them.  I'm not sure what level of play they expect from Garcia at this point in his career, but Kolb has been a flop so far, something the Eagles seem very much aware of.

It's quite a statement to Kolb:  They are so desperate not to have him play, that they are trying to force a guy in there that suffered a broken rib just last week, and most likely, be far less effective as a result!

Decoy:  Maybe they really do have confidence in Kolb.  Saying McNabb might play is probably just a way of making it tougher for the Saints to put a game plan together.  I'm sure they are sitting there stumped, trying to figure out who they are going to face and how to approach it.  Well...maybe not!

Let's use our heads.  These are professional coaches - they are not idiots!  I think it's safe to say almost everybody knows that McNabb is not going to play on sunday...yes, even the Saints coaches.  He doesn't have sore toe, he's got a broken rib!  I'm not sure, but I'm guessing they aren't fooled.

So Andy Ried, why don't you just come out and say it?  McNabb will not play on sunday!  Don't force a guy into a football game with a broken rib, risking further injury, because you have no confidence in Kolb.  It's not the end of the world!  If it's a decoy, please give the other coaches some respect.  You are not tricking a pee-wee coach into a failed game-plan!   

Flyers Reveal Winter Classic Jersey

How cool is it that the Flyers will be playing outdoors - at Fenway Park no less - on New Years Day against the Boston Bruins in the NHL's 3rd Annual Winter Classic?  It's a can't miss!

For the occasion, the Flyers will wear a special retro jersey, as will the Bruins.  Take a look...

 

What do you think?  Go to the Broad Street Bulletin to cast your vote.

And here's Boston's Winter Classic Jersey...

Little Phillies Fan Throws Ball Back

A classic moment from the Phillies game Tuesday night...

Phillies fan Steve Monforto made a superb play, catching a Jayson Werth foul ball, reaching out over the railing to do so.  After a brief celebration, Steve handed the ball to his 3-year old daughter Emily, who immediately tossed it back down towards the field.

Instantly, you could see that "I can't believe she just threw that" look on his face, but quickly grabbed his daughter, giving her a big bear hug.  That second expression said it all - no big deal!

New Pitchers Coming Through for Phillies

Last year, the Phillies entered the playoffs with a pitching rotation consisting of Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer, and Brett Myers.  That group won the World Series!  Each one of them still suits up for every game, but the Phils still managed to improve their rotation. 

The addition of Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee has been quite an upgrade.  Both are Cy Young Award winners - four of them between the two.  How have they impacted the team?

• In each of their last performances: Lee - Complete game shut-out in win agains Washington; Pedro - 8-scoreless innings in win over Mets.
• Lee: He is 7-2 since joining the Phils, with an ERA of 2.67
• Martinez: He is 5-0, with an ERA of 2.87. 
• The two combined are 12-2, and if you count the 2-games Pedro was rained out of, they are 14-2 in games each have started.

That is quite an impact!  Go back just a month and a half.  Both Pedro and Lee had yet to pitch a game for the Phillies.  With the exception of Myers - who has injured at the time but since returned - they had all the pitchers that won them a World Series.  Now that is an improvement!

Eagles Sign Jeff Garcia - Where Does He Fit In?

In 2006, Donovan McNabb tore his ACL against the Titans in Week #11.  He would miss the remainder of the season.  Backup quarterback Jeff Garcia would assume control, taking over a 5-5 team.  Their season looked doomed!  

Garcia would go 5-1 - losing only to the Indianapolis Colts, the eventual Super Bowl Champions - taking the Eagles to the Playoffs with a 10-6 record, best in the NFC East.  They would beat the Giants in the Wild Card game before being eliminated by the Saints in the NFC Divisional round.

With McNabb injured, and Vick ineligible to play this week, the Eagles signed Garcia to a 1-year contract.  In what is now a complex quarterback situation, there are a whole bunh of "what ifs!"

Donovan McNabb:  Suffering a broken rib, the time-frame on McNabb is 2-to-4 weeks.  There is talk of him playing this week against the Saints, though highly unlikely.  Logically, it would make sense to take advantage of their bye week in Week #4, and bring McNabb back after that...fully healed!

Michael Vick:  Has been activated by the Eagles, and can now practice with the team.  He will not be eligible, however, to play until Week #3.  He would be an ideal back-up to McNabb in this particular situation, but as luck would have it, is unable to step in due to his suspension.

Kevin Kolb:  The Eagles second round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and apparent heir as starting quarterback.  Expectations have been high, but results have been disappointing!  With McNabb and Vick both out, he should be their go-to guy against the Saints.

Jeff Garcia:  Has proven that he can play in the Eagles system and be successful.  With McNabb and Vick, there is really no role for him in the system, especially if they still intend to bring Kolb along.  With Kolb your only option this week in the event McNabb can't go, it seems Garcia may have been brought in to hold them over.

What Complications Can Arise From This Abundance of Quarterbacks?

1. After taking over in 2006, the Eagles went from 5-5 to 10-6.  Many people were on board the Garcia wagon, with fans calling for Garcia to come back as a starter the next season.  The Eagles wouldn't sign him - probably their way of avoiding a quarterback controversy.  There's no question McNabb will assume the starting role when he returns, so there will be no controversy there, but what happens if Garcia gets in the game this week, and does well?  Who do you go with for second string, Garcia or Vick?  Vick will be eligible to play in Week #3, so that would become an interesting question.
2. What if Kolb actually plays a good game?  Does he get the start in Week #3?  I would assume so, but then what do you do with Vick and Garcia?  Most likely, Garcia would be gone, but then what happens when McNabb comes back?  Do you stick with Kolb or Vick?
3. Week #3 rolls around, and the Eagles decide to start Vick.  He goes out and plays great.  You now have a controversy between him and McNabb.

This is only a few scenarios that can arise.  We have three quarterbacks with a combined 12-Pro Bowl appearances (McNabb - 5; Garcia - 4, Vick - 3), along with our supposed "quarterback of the future."  With McNabb hurt, and Vick suspended, there is the possibility that everybody will get play time over the next couple of weeks.  If this happens, you may get good performances, or you may get bad performances.  Either way, it will greatly have an impact on what role everybody will have.  A lot can happen!

Eagles Quarterback Situation

When the Eagles picked up Michael Vick, I wondered, "why did they get him?"  One of the thoughts had been in case McNabb got hurt.  He has had a history of injuries, and there was great concern regarding the offensive line's ability to protect him.  Kolb had not shown that he could step in and take charge, so maybe they picked up Vick just in case.

Interestingly enough, McNabb did go down, and having a guy like Vick would have come in handy.  As fate would have it, Vick would be serving out a suspension, and ineligible to play.  Isn't that ironic?

So what happens now?  They are saying McNabb will be out 2-to-4 weeks, and possibly even play next week (which is just flat out crazy).  It looks like Kolb will get the start.  Where it gets interesting, however, is in week 3.  Vick will be eligible to play.  Now you have three potential starters that week. If McNabb is ready, he will surely get the start.  There is a good chance he won't be ready, and with a bye week coming up, they would be smart to take advantage of it and let him fully heal.

That brings you down to Vick or Kolb?  So far, Kolb hasn't shown much!  He will be fighting for his job, but if he plays like he has, expect to see Vick in at QB.  That would be an interesting start to the season.  Three different quarterbacks to start each of the first three games.

There is not too much to worry about with Kolb, but god forbid Vick gets out there and plays great.  That's not really a bad thing, but could cause problems.  Obviously McNabb will assume the starting role as soon as he's healthy - no matter how good anybody else plays - but if Vick was stellar in his start, and McNabb comes back flat, well...you know what that means!