Sorry, I was really battling a stomach virus all week and I've sort of lost the desire to write lately. So, below is some news from the week.
- Jeff Carter made the Eastern Conference all-star team.
- Quinton Mikell was named the all-pro second team. He was the only Eagle acknowledged as an all-pro.
- The Philadelphia MLS team is down to 4 possible names: AC Philadelphia, Philadelphia SC, Philadelphia Union, and Philadelphia City. All names obviously have a European style and my favorite from the bunch is probably Philadelphia SC. My suggestion is Olde City instead of Philadelphia City.
- The Sixers are winners of 3 straight games, though they were lowly opponents, but they still won. They will be in Atlanta tomorrow at 2pm.
- The Phillies signed Marcus Giles to a minor league contract worth $600,000. They're also in the running for Nomah! Other people still see them interested in Derek Lowe.
- Villanova blew a game today at home and lost 61-60 to Louisville because they could not make free throws, including 2 missed by Antonio Pena in the final seconds that would have given them the lead.
- Eagles secondary coach, Sean McDermott, is coveted by Packers coach Mike McCarthy to become their new defensive coordinator, but they cannot talk to him until after the Eagles season is over.
- Sixers will consider trading Andre Miller by the trade deadline.
- We're still World Fucking Champions of baseball!
For the first time in my life, I can say that I've had the opportunity to attempt to grow, not one, not two, but four playoff beards (though 2 overlapped.) In 2008, every Philadelphia sports team made the playoffs, even the Soul and Phantoms. We had two Championships in town, including the Soul and the 'World Fucking Champion' Phillies.
Below is a bundle of videos to help you remember everything that went well in 2008, nicely ending with the greatest accomplishment of them all. A World Series trophy.
Around 2 million people were out today to watch the Phillies World Series parade. Those who missed it were likely watching from their office building or on a television. Around 2 million got to see Pat Burrell lead the parade. He his everything that is Philly. A constant roller coaster ride of a carrer, but he finally came out on top. I hope we bring him back. 30 hr/100 rbi guys are hard to come by.
It was such an amazing experience. I had tickets to Lincoln Financial Field, but because it was so packed, they shut down all the southbound trains. Yeah, I probably should have went down closer to the stadiums to watch the parades, but I just know for next time...and there will be a next time. For almost 25 years, I started to feel that I'd never be able to see a parade.
Well, it finally happened. We are World Fucking Champions!
If you missed the parade, above is the view right on Broad Street between Walnut and Sansom.
Can you believe it? I will remember October 29th, 2008 for the rest of my life. We have a champion in Philadelphia and it was definitely worth the wait. A little over 25 years and we are finally returning to the top of one of the 4 major sports. Is Philadelphia the new title town? Did the Soul break the "curse"? The last two championships handed out have come by the way of the Arena Bowl and the World Series. The last two titles have found their home in Philadelphia.
How good does it feel? For my generation, those 25 and younger, we have finally felt how good it feels to be coined the best. We as a city finally did it. The players deserve all, or most, of the credit, but we as fans gave the home-field advantage that only increased the intensity for the opposing team. We as a city, finally got over the dirty, rotten hump. Thank you so much Phillies. You conquered your dream and all of ours. Thank you Charlie and Pat. Whenever we doubted you, you stuck by your instincts and got the job done. We're sorry.
The guarantees: Last year, Jimmy Rollins claimed the Phillies to be the team to beat in the NL East. This year, Rollins predicted that the team could win 100 games. Sorry J-Roll, you won 103! There was a guarantee that went under the radar and was rather forgotten. Two years ago, when the Phillies traded Bobby Abreu, Pat Gillick predicted that the Phillies were two years away from contending for a title. Well, his prediction held up. 4 moves that Gillick made this year paid off last night. First, Geoff Jenkins lead off the bottom of the 6th with a pinch-hit double. Later Eric Bruntlett scored his 2nd game-winning run after he pinch-ran for Pat Burrell and was knocked in by a Pedro Feliz single. Lastly, the perfectionist, Brad Lidge, closed out the World Series and sent the city in euphoria. Even if Gillick's additions at some rough times, they stepped up huge when we needed them the most. Signing great talents are always good, but with each talented player, it is character that takes you even farther.
Wow, Pat the Bat! He struggled somewhat this postseason, but when the Phillies truly need him to hit, he came through. He belted 2 home runs in the clinching game aginst the Brewers. Against the Dodgers, he completed the Phillies comeback home run in the Bottom of the 6th. Lastly, to help win our first World Series in 28 years, he lead off the bottom o the 7th with a double that only the wind kept in the park. It was his first hit in the World Series and probably the most memorable hit of his creer. Pat Burrell, you are Philadelphia.
A special thanks goes out to Ed Wade and Mike Arbuckle. Arbuckle is still with us, but Ed Wade also helped put the core of this team together. Outside of Pat Burrell and Jimmy Rollins he was part of the staff that drafted Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Madson. He also signed Carlos Ruiz and picked up Shane Victorino in the rule 5 draft. He made plenty of questionable moves during his reign as Phillies GM, but he and Arbuckle did help build the core. Most importantly, we have to thank him for accepting Michael Borun as the main piece of the package for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.
Speaking of Brad Lidge, he was just spectacular all year long. Including the postseason, he saves 48 games in 48 opportunities. In the first game of the year, Lidge was on the DL, and Tom Gordon blew the Phillies' comeback. Many of us thought we were heading down the same road as the past. A weekend later, Lidge returned to the closer role and shut down every team he faced in the ninth. The Phillies were perfect with a lead after 8 all year. Something that cannot be said about our foes in New York. Something that can be said about the World Champions!
Throughout the coming weeks, I will be profiling each of the Phillies players that made a difference this season.
We've waited 25 years for this. Doesn't it feel great? Of course it does. We have our ups & downs with our sports teams, but this is the pinnacle.
One of the last times I wrote about the Phillies was early September, when I gave my inaugural 'State of the City' address. The Phillies had just lost to the lowly Nationals and were falling behind the Mets. I honestly thought that we would finish behind the Mets. Fortunately, I was wrong. This team showed that it had the heart, unlike our rivals in New York. We all know how the story ends.
I feel lucky right now, I really do. I've suffered through four championships that our teams lost in (plus two others, but I was too young to remember), each team losing once. I got to see this Phillies team eight times this year, through their highs and lows, exciting moments and disappointments. From Tom Gordon blowing opening day, to Brad Lidge saving World Series game 5, we've been through alot this year. Was there really a curse of William Penn? Maybe. But that's a moot point right now. Your 2008 Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions. As someone who has a tradition of going to Opening Day, this will be one to not miss. Can the Phillies repeat in 2009? Sure. But right now, I'm going to take the time and savor this one, because, well, it might never happen again.
Comcast Sportsnet has announced that they will expand HD coverage to every game Philadelphia game that they plan to televise. Previously, they had only broadcasted home games in high definition, but on October 11th, they will begin broadcasting both home and away games for all future Flyers, Sixers, and Phillies games.
This year, CSN will air 64 Flyers games and 69 Sixers games. Now we can see the hot women close to the playing grounds in high definition on the road. Woo!
I need to at some point purchase a high definition television for my bedroom. Any suggestions?
If you haven't heard yet, Jimmy Rollins called the entire city of Philadelphia "front-runners" as fans during his appearence on The Best Damn Sports Show. Watch the video here.
He compared us to St. Louis, really? Jimmy have you seen how many rings St. Louis has won? Ten to our one. 17 NL pennants to our 5. No wonder why Jimmy? The Cardinals have fucking won and made it to the big dance A LOT. No wonder they their fans are always supportive...they're always winning. The Phillies have 10,000 LOSSES!
Sorry if you have your panties in a bunch because people boo you when you don't run at a ground ball. You Jimmy, should just about never be involved in a double play, let alone being thrown out at first by a few steps in a double play. Remember that Philadelphia is always behind the team and the players who give their best effort, but when you're clearly not, you're going to get booed. We want perfection. We know everyone is human, but we do not want to see dumb fundamentals and dumb mistakes that even 12 year old little leaguers would not make night in and night out. We don't want to see you give up and blow away the division. We're tired of watching the team strike out constantly night in and night out.
And speaking of imperfection, Tom Gordon is done for the year. The bullpen surrendered the loss last night and it has definitely not been good as they lack a real set-up man. Too many guys pitching out of their normal roles is going to kill this team in the long run.
I'm sure many of you have read the DelcoTimes articles regarding the nearing end for the Wachovia Spectrum. It's demolition will likely take place next summer.
The Spectrum will a go out in grand-style as Comcast expects to honor it all year. I have seen the Sixers play in the Spectrum, but I was never able to see a Flyers game until the Wachovia Center opened. I've heard the stories of how loud and amazing the atmosphere was. Expect me to be in line for when the Flyers and Sixers sell tickets to their one game in the Spectrum this upcoming season. It should be an amazing experience.
What are some of your favorite memories? Here is a video of probably the greatest moment the Philadelphia fan base has ever witnessed live in the Spectrum. There were a lot, but this tops them all. You know what it is already...
The Women's Professional Soccer league that begins next will plan to expand to Philadelphia in 2010. The same year that Philadelphia's MLS team will begin play.
WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci signed a letter of intent for expansion to Philadelphia yesterday. [AP] The WPS' inaugural 2009 season will consist of 7 teams and possibly an eighth team will be added via the Bay Area and San Diego California, Cary (North Carolina), or Atlanta.
Since signing on the dotted line with our initial seven investor groups in September of last year, we've had our sights set on adding an eighth team to the league," Antonucci said. "In Philadelphia, we have the perfect foundation for success, combining a strong operating group with the city's recent acquisition of an MLS team to create a prime market for women's soccer.
The Flyers Conference finals defeat marked 100 seasons* in Philadelphia without a professional sports title. Why the asterik? Technically, only 98 championships have been rewarded during that span because of the 1994 MLB strike and the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. Sports Illustrated did a nice piece on the 100 heartbreaks since Maurice Cheeks slam dunk to the title. Video of our last Championship in Philadelphia after the jump. However, this is one thing I disagree with on this list. They mention Penn's basketball team. If we're discussing Philadelphia college basketball teams, Villanova won in 1985, unless they're not including Villanova as part of Philadelphia. They later include Villanova though in their loss to Old Dominion.
Highlights on the List 100. Phillies lose 10,000th game in franchise history 92. Sixers sign Kenny Thomas to seven-year, $50M deal | July 16, 2003 89. "Talkin' About Practice" | May 9, 2002 71. Phillies sign Gregg Jefferies to four-year, $20M contract | Dec. 14, 1994 62. Eagles trade up to pick Antone Davis trade with No. 9 overall pick | Apr. 21, 1991 57. J.D. Drew sits out whole year instead of signing with Phils | 1997 49. Scott Rolen forces trade to Cardinals | July 29, 2002 35. The Tommy Hutton game | Sept. 15, 1997 26. The Fog Bowl | Dec. 31, 1988 11. Red Wings dispense of Flyers in Stanley Cup Finals | June 7, 1997 2. 1993 World Series, Game 6 | Oct. 23, 1993
The long-awaited announcement finally took place as the MLS awarded Philadelphia an expansion team that will begin play in 2010. The team will play in a new 20,000 seat stadium in Chester, PA.
"We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer," said Commissioner Garber. "Philadelphia brings in one of the most passionate sports markets in the country and provides a natural rivalry with the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United.
The MLS Philadelphia club will play their home matches in a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Chester, just 13 miles from downtown Philadelphia and easily accessible from Interstate 95 and public transportation via the R2 SEPTA train and SEPTA buses.
Personally, I think this great news for a city that embraces all their professional sport franchises and even race horses. I am surprised that Philadelphia was not awarded a franchise sooner, but their indoor team, the Kixx, has two championships since 2002 and has led the league in attendance three times. The new franchise should have no problem filling seats.
The Flyers took a 2-0 first period lead on a Braydon Coburn one-timer early in the game and a Scott Hartnell power play goal. Hartnell, who got open in the slot and lifted in a Jeff Carter feed from behind the net, recorded his 10th goal in the last seven games.
Philadelphia entered the game with the league’s leading power play, and has scored on the man-advantage at least once in 18 of the last 20 games and eight in a row overall.
Already leading 2-0, the Flyers opened up a four-goal lead in the second period. Mike Richards fought through both Chris Phillips and Antonie Vermette in the Ottawa zone and found Scottie Upshall wide open at the top of the circle. Upshall fired a wrist shot into the top corner of the net just 40 seconds after the faceoff.
R.J. Umberger scored his eighth goal of the season at 3:50 following a pileup in front of the Ottawa net, before Chris Kelly tallied on a two-on-one rush to put the Senators on the board.
Sami Kapanen scored for the first time in 34 games with a SH goal in the third period. Scottie Upshall scored another PP goal to complete the scoring. Antero Niittymaki continues his great play with 25 saves.
The Flyers have averaged 5 goals over their last 7 games and they are 10-1-1 in their last 12.
If you were looking for any sort of change with the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff, you will not see it happen. The entire coaching staff has been re-signed.
I think the coaching staff works well together and has helped the team, BUT I cannot stand Steve Smith coaching third. Sure he did get a little better over the season, but some of his blunders really cost us early on. Also, I am on the fence regarding Dubee. I think he made something out of our nothing pitching staff, along with the fact Kendrick, Romero, and Myers have all faired better while Dubee has been here. On the other hand, our staff has seen a lot of injuries and I think conditioning should take some of the blame. Should that blame be pointed toward the pitching staff or the pitching coach? I am not quite sure. I am sure he'd look a hell of a lot better if he actually had real talent to work with.
In other Phillies news, CJ Henry has been released. You can read the article about it here. Just another Phillies trade in their history where in the end they have received nothing in return.
We Hate to Lose began in October 2007. The initial purpose of the website was to provide news updates and commentary on all four major sports teams in Philadelphia. Because of time-constraints, in April of 2009, I decided to post only on my first-love, the Philadelphia Phillies.
My name is Justin Evans and I hope you enjoy the site.
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