Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, September 4th
In many ways, last year’s epic Mets collapse wasn’t an accident. Now we think of that New York team as spineless cowards - and in many ways they are - but before their pitiful finish they were actually looked at not as pathetic losers, but rather as unabashed douchebags. They showboated after home runs, celebrated like drunken morons after successful sacrifices, and generally made a point of showing up their competition all year.
Then, with the chips down, they were beaten 11 times in 16 days by the teams who had seem them shout and stomp and cheer the most all year - the NL East. I don’t think that is an accident - the East hated the Mets and therefore had something to play for at a time when most teams run and hide (see quote below). I bring this up because it is the Phillies who the East have been targeting this year, and the Phillies who the Nationals specifically have long-standing problems with. Lets hope it’s not the Phillies, too, who have a season ruined because of it.
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| Andy Murray’s future is now |
“I don’t care if [my hand is] broke. I’m gonna play
tomorrow. Fuck everybody on the Mets. I’m going to kick their asses.”
– Hanley Ramirez.
Three lines on their world:
- Andy Murray continues his coming out party at the U.S. Open
- The N.F.L. Season kicks off tonight
- And Major League Baseball used Instant Replay without incurring and (immediate) wrath from the ghosts of baseball past
Three lines on ours:
- Murphy’s headline hits the nail: The Nationals Ignored the Script
- Meanwhile in Milwaukee, the Mets rolled
- Which means that this Cole Hamels decision wasn’t really a decision at all
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and more from the back of the wall (that’s right) after the jump
PHILLIES
The Game: The Phillies pitching staff gave up 9 runs in a game they really would have liked to win. Inqy recap HERE, DN HERE, MLB’s HERE, D.C.’s perspective HERE, and the AP’s (with video) HERE.
The Goat: Joseph Matthew Blanton and Chad Griffin Durbin have to pitch better than that.
The Chase: The Phillies slipped three behind the Mets headed into a three-game series with them. If they lose the series it will be really hard to get back in this race.
Other Notes …
- The Nats (predictably) drilled Chase Utley in the first. The Phillies did not retaliate against this attack on one of their leaders.
- Ryan Howard did, however, make the Nationals pay by driving Utley home with the first of two two-run long balls
- The Phillies are 5-10 against the Mets. They cannot win the season series.
- For the fifth time in the Phillies’ last six losses, a reliever has relinquished a lead in the seventh inning or later.
- Blanton received another no decision - his 8th in 9 starts since joining the Phillies
- Since 2006 Ryan Howard has 17 multi-homer games. That’s 5 more than the next closest players (ARod and David Ortiz)
- Christian Guzman has had at least two hits in eight straight games
Now, who said what …
Sam Donnellon is frustrated that the Cole Hamels he sees on the mound doesn’t seem to resemble the Cole Hamels he sees in the clubhouse. If only someone had explained this phenomenon. SKIP
David Murphy’s notes confirm that the Phils are throwing Hamels at the Mets, Kendrick’s emotional state, Shane Victorino’s day off and more. READ
Todd Zolecki’s check in with Kendrick, Victorino, and the Phillies big four. SKIP
Alex Rodriguez has more home runs than Mike Schmidt. SKIP
Speaking of Schmidt, Paul Hagen looks at MJS’s relationship with the Philly crowd. READ
EAGLES
I had to break this into sections because so many people wrote so damn much on the Birds today
LITO/SHELDON/ROSENHAUS
John Smallwood comes at Lito for not sticking up for Sheldon after his agent went after his his teammate. READ
Les Bowen on the Sheldon Brown/Drew Rosenhaus beef. SKIP
Reuben Frank says that Sheldon Brown isn’t letting all the attention bother him - then takes a shot at Rosenhaus at the end. READ
Mike Sielski says that this blowup is the fault of Lito Sheppard - not Drew Rosenhaus. He’s factually correct that this is Lito’s fault, but morally wrong in his attempt to deflect criticsm from Rosenhaus, who always deserves it. READ
5
Les Bowen takes a serious look at the relationship betwen McNabb, the media, and the fans. It doesn’t really go anywhere, but it is still an interesting take on what could have read like a tired issue. The anecdote about his daughter was new to me. READ
Les Bowen looks at ten defining moments between McNabb and the fans, which would warrent a ‘READ’ he does, however, refer to “Daily News Eagles beat writer Les Bowen” in the article, so … SKIP
Les Bowen looks at young McNabb’s experience as a fan in Chicago. SKIP
Mark Kram talks to Randall Cunningham about the fans. READ
EVERYTHING ELSE
Rich Hofmann wants Westbrook/Booker/Buckhalter to return to the days of Duce/Buck/Westbrook. READ
*if you can only skip one So it turns out that NewGuy’s role is essentially to print his emails, regardless of what they may or (in this case) may not contain. SKIP
John Smallwood says that Kevin Kolb better be ready. SKIP
Amidst Bob Brookover’s notes: DeSean Jackson is starting for the Birds. READ
Bob Cooney predicts the score of every Eagles game, which a moronic practice. I fully intend of keeping a copy and checking his scores and prediction week-to-week though. SKIP
Kerith Gabriel says that Mike Quick is settling in as a Birds’ announcer. SKIP
Reuben Frank writes that Chris Clemons is 100% and ready to go. SKIP
SIXERS
Phil Jasner talks to Sir Charles about the fans. READ
Kate Fagan says that Donyell Marshall knows his role. SKIP
Phil Jasner on Donyell Marshall’s fan allegiances (Philly, Philly, Philly, Steelers?) READ
Tom Moore says Marshall is here to shoot the ball. SKIP
FLYERS
Sam Cardichi gives you Lindros‘ explanation of why he can’t attend the Spectrum game. SKIP
TODAY and MORE
Paul Vigna compiles the list of every athlete who lasted ten years in Philly.
For our part, we plan our attack against the Mets, ask who the hell is the NL MVP and submit our ballot with a month to go, try to look in at the Sixers, make NFL Picks for tonight’s games and more.
As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
