tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48931274807409579072024-03-13T12:56:07.280-07:00The Dirt: The Lowdown According to AllStarInc<i>"We're honest, we work hard, and we care about our players." And, apparently, we have a sense of humor, too!</i>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-12774087723151835602013-09-25T14:45:00.000-07:002013-09-25T14:45:06.930-07:00Regarding Halladay...It's the Right Thing to DoSince Roy Halladay surrendered the
baseball in the first inning of his last start, some of the discussion in <ns0:city>Philadelphia</ns0:city> has been about what the future holds for “Doc” and the
Phillies.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The answer is very simple. You pay the man the respect he deserves and
you give him another chance to make it happen.
And, if it doesn't work, you give each other a big teary hug and part
ways. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>It’s the right thing to do</i>.</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8OHY7wL7Ww/UkNSmR0THfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/6NoeK36noWE/s1600/halladay+phielderschoice+dot+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8OHY7wL7Ww/UkNSmR0THfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/6NoeK36noWE/s320/halladay+phielderschoice+dot+com.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo www.phielderschoice.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guy is the ultimate competitor. He has a work ethic like no other. If <b><i>anybody</i></b> can come back from an injury like
this, it’s the future Hall of Famer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why take the chance? Well, first of all, you owe it to him. The guy gave his heart and soul to your team
for the past 4 seasons. In addition, you
just don’t toss a future HOF’er to the trash heap like that, especially if
you’re the Phillies. It’s not their
style (thankfully).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Halladay gets along so well with
Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels that it will be an easy decision for <ns0:city>Roy</ns0:city>
as to whether he <b><i>wants</i></b> to return to Philly.
He feels partly in debt for not being able to perform at his maximum
level, so his desire to return is already evident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s what you do….you structure
a minor league contract (non-guaranteed) with a major league option at the end
of spring training. You make the pay
amount somewhat minimal but build in all types of great incentives based on
performance. If he hasn't been able to prove he
can return to a competitive form by the end of spring training, I’m pretty sure
<ns0:city>Roy</ns0:city> will be the first one to tear up the deal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I seriously doubt if teams are
going to be lining up to sign Halladay based on his latest performance and
recent serious medical problems. I also
seriously doubt <ns0:city>Roy</ns0:city> is really <b><i>looking</i></b> to join a new franchise and start over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Phillies are a class
organization and I’m sure the last thing they want to do here is look like the
“bad guy”. They should do everything
they can to give <ns0:city>Roy</ns0:city> one last chance to make it happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>It's the right thing to do.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eDBSCMpTpM/UkNYwRvwPlI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-0TQvuCmevE/s1600/Billy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eDBSCMpTpM/UkNYwRvwPlI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-0TQvuCmevE/s200/Billy.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Mattis, owner AllStarInc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(c) copyright 2013 Bill Mattis ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</i></div>
The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-66870841041523587962013-06-28T13:11:00.001-07:002013-06-28T13:15:48.744-07:00Oh, C'mon, Philly! Stop Your Whining! What the Sixers did right in the 2013 draft...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Look, nobody expected the Sixers to contend next year…are we
all in agreement there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if they had
kept their nucleus and just drafted out of the number eleven spot, would they
have been a serious threat to win deep into the playoffs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
be silly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, so now that we have that clear, it makes sense to make
deals that can help you be winners two, three, maybe four years from now…right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody here is going to try and tell you that Jrue Holiday
is not a great player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course he is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you believe you can get better value
for a commodity on your team (even if it is a great player like Jrue) you have
to weigh the options.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nerlens Noel was considered by most of the ESPN experts to
be the likely number one overall pick at this year’s draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were shocked when he dropped to the
number six pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not like the kid played in the WAC conference or the
Ivy League last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He played for Kentucky in the
SEC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not too shabby, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, he had surgery on a knee and obviously people in Philly
are hesitant to hear about big men with bad knees after the Andrew Bynum
debacle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Noel is expected to be ready to play in December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives him more time to bulk up some and to
learn the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m actually hoping he
only plays sparingly the whole year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The kicker here is that the Sixers ALSO get a first round
pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This pick is GOING TO BE a lottery pick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s almost no doubt that will be the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New
Orleans is not a good team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The potential rub is that if it’s a top three selection, the
Sixers will have to wait another year to get their other part to this deal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2014 draft is projected to be much better than the 2013
draft and the Sixers will almost certainly be drafting within the lottery with
their own pick again as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means
the Sixers will have TWO lottery picks to add to a healthy Noel in 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Noel and a lottery pick for Holiday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ALL DAY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALL DAY!…especially when
you can draft a guy like Michael Carter-Williams out of Syracuse to take over the point guard spot
for Holiday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
AGAIN, they won’t win next season, but it gives the Sixers a
chance to get even younger and to spend a year or two to learn the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a guy like Holiday
on the roster almost becomes a luxury that isn’t worth keeping anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the last piece of the puzzle….what about the money
freed up by trading Holiday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a pretty decent piece of change and it
can be used to get a very nice free agent… or…and you won’t like to hear
this….but it could also be used to possibly broker a deal with uhmmmm….maybe Andrew
Bynum?…again?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully he will come much cheaper than his first deal and
the Sixers will then have TWO productive big men that can dominate the low post
and protect the rim in 2014-2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
could happen?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, a lot of factors need to happen and the moons will need
to be aligned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s face it, the
route the team had been headed was not going anywhere positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not try something bold and risky?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If nothing else, you have to give kudos to the Sixers new GM
Sam Hinkie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the guy is
TRYING!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the guy isn’t afraid to
fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the guy is willing to
make a statement right out of the chute and is throwing ALL caution to the
wind!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hinkie may wind up looking like a genius, or he’ll resemble
the same failures the collection of previous Sixers GMs have endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least there’s a reason to talk about the Sixers on the
back page of the Daily News again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s a pretty good start for the new guy.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wY8neXcPVT4/Uc3uszAwf0I/AAAAAAAAAGY/e76Rr7OtEKM/s1600/Billy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wY8neXcPVT4/Uc3uszAwf0I/AAAAAAAAAGY/e76Rr7OtEKM/s200/Billy.jpg" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill Mattis, owner AllStarInc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
copyright 2013 Bill Mattis/AllStarInc ALL RIGHTS RESERVED </div>
The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-3969760463407761512013-02-15T09:09:00.004-08:002013-02-15T10:19:12.473-08:00A Mattis is on the Sideline Again - Introducing the ASI Panthers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">From 1941 to 1951, <b>Dick
Mattis</b> coached the football team at <b>Lower Merion High School</b> in <b>Ardmore, PA</b> to an 81-18-1
record.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">That's not a
misprint. 81-18-1 is correct.<br /><br />After Mattis retired
from coaching, <b><span style="font-size: large;">Fritz</span> Brennan</b>, one of his assistant coaches continued the LM gridiron
dominance in the <span style="font-size: large;">suburban <b>Philadelphia</b></span> region for many years to follow.</span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zls_a9INjP8/UR5p7JVHuBI/AAAAAAAAAF4/WXarh9dAHuY/s1600/Billy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zls_a9INjP8/UR5p7JVHuBI/AAAAAAAAAF4/WXarh9dAHuY/s320/Billy.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASI Panthers head coach Bill Mattis</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Now, another Mattis is
trying his hand at football coaching. Dick Mattis' grandson, <b>Bill Mattis</b>, Jr., is the
head coach of the <i><b>ASI Panthers</b></i>, an expansion team in the <b>Indoor Gridiron League</b> (IGL), a developmental football league in Philadelphia. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Now entering it<span style="font-size: large;">s thir<span style="font-size: large;">d season, <span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span></span>he IGL, which is "powered" by <b>Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul</b>, is a recreational and developmental football league endeavoring to provide "</span>a legitimate opportunity for athletes within the community to pursue their personal dreams of playing professional football." Mattis, <span style="color: black;">the owner of <i><b>AllStarInc</b></i>, an athlete representation agency in suburban Philadelphia, represents many aspiring young
players at different levels of football, while also providing representation, marketing, and publicity services for many retired professional athletes including <i><b>Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Paul Hornung, Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, and Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti.</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">As for his place on a
football sideline, Mattis is hoping some of his grandfather's skill
set has been passed along to him.
"As a family, we're very proud of what Dick Mattis accomplished at Lower
Merion. If any coach could be half as successful as he was, it would be a
great achievement."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Trying his hand at
football for the first time, at nearly 51 years old, is another challenge facing the newest Mattis to coach on the sideline, but he
doesn't appear to be worried about that. "I've coached baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. It's all about learning and
adapting. There's also a lot of psychology and salesmanship needed.
I was a rarely used player back in high school, but I learned a lot
back then from some pretty good coaches."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">After finishing ninth grade at Lower Merion School District's Bala Cynwyd Junior High, Mattis played baseball, basketball, and football at
Lower Merion's arch rival, <b>Radnor High School</b> from 1977-1980. It was an interesting
trade of uniforms especially considering Mattis' family background<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">"Fritz Brennan's
kid, Johnny, played at Radnor before I got there, so it wasn't an unprecedented
move." Mattis laughed while saying, "My old friends at LM definitely
gave me a hard time about being a traitor, but it was fun when we played against
them." He<span style="font-size: large;"> went on to play baseball at the <b>University of Pittsburg</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>h</b> at Brad<span style="font-size: large;">ford</span>, serving as team<span style="font-size: large;"> captain for three years.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Mattis'
most successful coaching stint was when he coached the Upper Darby Blue
Storm Girls Travel Soccer team for an eight<span style="font-size: large;">-</span>year span. His daughter, Christine, now a senior at <b>Widener University</b> and a starting pitcher on the women's softball team t<span style="font-size: large;">here</span>, was a player on the team and the squad took on many high
level opponents over the years<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>.</b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">"We didn't keep
track of the records but we won a lot of games...a LOT more than we lost.
Those girls were an incredible bunch and I miss those days of coaching
them. The families were so great in their support, it really made for a
lot of fun times."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vc_EO6MWrkQ/UR5p_VwFviI/AAAAAAAAAGA/S9F-29y5O1o/s1600/concept+uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vc_EO6MWrkQ/UR5p_VwFviI/AAAAAAAAAGA/S9F-29y5O1o/s320/concept+uniform.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Concept Uniform for the ASI Panthers</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The family sports involvement
continues with the ASI Panthers, as the team's player <span style="font-size: large;">p</span>ersonnel <span style="font-size: large;">d</span>irector and <span style="font-size: large;">g</span>eneral <span style="font-size: large;">m</span>anager is Mattis' son, Will. A baseball player in high school, <span style="font-size: large;">Will has been helping his father with t<span style="font-size: large;">he football s<span style="font-size: large;">ide of All<span style="font-size: large;">StarInc, spec<span style="font-size: large;">ifically with recruiting, and has shown no<span style="font-size: large;">t only great promise, but a keen eye for <span style="font-size: large;">talent<span style="font-size: large;">, even placing some players <span style="font-size: large;">with European t<span style="font-size: large;">eams. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">"Will knows his
stuff. People better forget the fact that he's only 20 years old. He
does the job, knows the players, and delivers a roster that is very good.
I have no doubt we'll have a very good team.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Does Mattis see this
football coaching thing becoming a new full time job? Probably not. "I doubt it.
I have too much going on for that! Seriously though, we'll take it one
year at a time and see how it goes. It's not an easy job, that's for
sure."</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="color: black;">If family history is an indicator of
success or failure, the ASI Panthers definitely have the correct family running
the show.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"></span><b><i><span style="color: black;">The Panthers regular
season games start in mid-April. More information about the team can be
found at the ASI Panthers Facebook page (www.facebook.com/asipanthers) page and also at the AllStarInc website by visiting <a href="http://www.allstarincagency.com/">www.allstarincagency.com</a>. If you would like to become a "Panther Partner," <span style="font-size: large;">contact Bill Mattis at 484-477-2622 for more information.</span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Be sure to visit us on Facebook and "Like" our page! <span style="font-size: large;">___________________________________________</span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">copyright 2013 AllStarInc Agency ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Korinne M. Jackman contributed to this story. </span></span></span></i><b><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<br />The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-12247292026306688012013-02-08T20:21:00.001-08:002013-02-08T20:24:11.102-08:00The Coaching Carousel: A Look Forward to the 2013 NFL Season<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><i>Now that the Super Bowl and the 2012 NFL Season is behind us, ASI guest blogger, Joe Darrah, takes a look at the newly assigned coaches with an eye towards what these placements could mean for the 2013 season. </i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The NFL’s coaching carousel came to a halt recently when the
Jacksonville Jaguars signed former Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to
a four-year contract. After a rather pedestrian series of acquisitions following
Kansas City’s first splash into the coaches’ “free agent” pool by handing the
reigns over to its fourth head coach since 1996 in Andy Reid, who had been the
league’s longest-tenured, well, NFL chief at that point, things certainly took
a turn for the dramatic over a 48-hour period Jan. 16-17 — when Reid’s former
flagship in Philadelphia went from on the verge of hiring Bradley to shocking
the league and the University of Oregon by agreeing to terms with Ducks’ head coach
Chip Kelly, who had interviewed well with the Birds soon after winning the Fiesta
Bowl Jan. 4 before “re-committing” himself to the school. Seemingly in stride,
Bradley would then fly Florida to interview with Jaguar brass and nab a job
that was speculated to go to San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman after
the 49ers still current postseason run concluded. But in a league that is more
“what have you done for me lately” than any other, Bradley’s interview was so
compelling that new general manager David Caldwell didn’t want to wait a few
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the time between Reid’s settlement in KC, Kelly’s second
“de-commitment” to Oregon in as many years and Bradley’s contract signing in
the “River City,” five other teams also completed new coaching hires (Arizona,
Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland and San Diego) that didn’t make as much of a blip
on the NFL radar or gain quite the number of headlines — unless you count the
reports that claim Mike McCoy fell out of grace just as quickly with the Eagles
as he likely has with Denver fans after the Broncos’ uninspired offensive
performance in the AFC divisional playoff against Baltimore Jan. 12 — as did
Kelly, Bradley, or even Reid for that matter. However, they’ll all be held
equally to task improving their respective squads without there being too much
leniency during the transition. Here are my takes on how successful each may
be, ranking them in order of how much each team should fare in 2013:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Chicago Bears - Trestman: </b>Sure, Trestman is nearly nine years removed from
his last NFL job as an assistant coach with Miami, but he brings with him a
fine resume of NFL accomplishments, especially related to his work with
quarterbacks. He twice coordinated the No. 1 passing offense in the league (with
Steve Young and the 49ers in 1995 and Rich Gannon and the Raiders in 2002), led
two franchises to AFC title games as an offensive coordinator (2002 Raiders and
1989 Browns) and taking the same 2002 Raiders to the Super Bowl, though not
really engineering a good showing there. Still, he managed success with the
likes of Scott Mitchell in Detroit and Jake Plummer with the Cardinals, a good
indication that he’ll be in fine shape with Jay Cutler and a Bears team that
won 10 games in 2012. If Chicago holds onto the majority of its key potential
unrestricted free agents on the defensive side (namely linebacker Brian
Urlacher, tackle Henry Melton and lineman Israel Idonije), expect a new,
more-highly powered offense to better compete with Green Bay and Detroit (is
Minnesota really for real?) and be back in the playoffs.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>San Diego Chargers - McCoy</b>: With apologies to the “agonized” fan base in
Philly, there isn’t likely any city out there where “addition by subtraction”
is more of a rallying cry than in Charger country. Despite his overwhelmingly
productive stint as an offensive coordinator for two-time champion Dallas in
1992 and 1993, and a few stellar seasons during his 2007-12 head coaching tenure
in San Diego (going 13-3 in 2009 and pulling off a five-game winning streak,
including the postseason, to advance to the divisional round the year prior), I
can’t help but think that Norv Turner will be remembered much like he is in
Washington (1994-2000) and Oakland (2004-05) — for his teams’ ultimate failures
and inconsistent play. As it stands, McCoy inherits a nice crop of offensive
skill players all over the field and should have his squad challenge for a
wildcard spot next season, which could be a make-or-break campaign for
quarterback Philip Rivers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Kansas City Chiefs - Reid:</b> In some ways, Kelly walks into yet another town
that’s truly just happy with change for the moment. But, then again, this is
Philly; and for unsuccessful head football coaches it can be a virtual hell
pit. Kelly should initiate a much better showing for an Eagles team that is
quite peculiar in that it has a lot of glaring weaknesses yet seems to have
enough pieces in place to be closer to elite than the cellar. If he utilizes
Shady McCoy the way an “arguably the best running back in the NFL” should be
and has the benefit of a healthy offensive line, it’s not hard to see the
Eagles back in the playoffs in 2013. However, with questions remaining at
quarterback (will he draft one as well?), even with the thought that Michael
Vick won’t be part of the equation, it’s more probable that Philadelphia will
lose some high-scoring games while the defense continues to be rebuilt and
Kelly tinkers with his system to accommodate Nick Foles or a player to be named
later. That should keep Philly content for a calendar year. Maybe. It’s
definitely possible that it could. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Buffalo Bills - Doug Marrone: </b>Another coach that should have tempered
expectations in the general sense as he’s jumping from college to pro ball,
Marrone will probably have a shorter learning curve given that he’s taking over
a team that expected to be in the playoffs “yesterday.” Like Rivers and McCoy,
it will be interesting to see who has the longer leash with the Bills — Marrone
or QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Marrone has brought in ‘offensive coordinator Nathaniel
Hackett with him from Syracuse to devote his time to the maligned signal
caller, who has proven to light up the stat sheet and fantasy football
scoreboards on a fairly regular basis without it translating to postseason
success. Likewise, Buffalo has brought on Jets’ defensive coordinator Mike
Pettine to try his hand at fixing the league’s 22-ranked defense, giving
Marrone proven coaching commodities to help him pull an already talented team a
little further. Let’s call them wild card contenders on the basis that they’ll
win at least eight in 2013, even if Marrone isn’t solely credited with
miracle-working.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Jacksonville Jaguars - Bradley: </b>If nothing else, Bradley’s Seahawks had the
ability to control games particularly due to its style and attitude (on top of
the raw talent, yes). If nothing else, an attitude adjustment is exactly what
this squad needs (on top of more raw talent, yes). A terrible team in every
sense of the word (OK, Cecil Shorts is a stud and Chad Henne can at least let
people forget about Blaine Gabbert temporarily), the Jags should at least be a
markedly better defensive team in 2013, which suddenly puts you in position to
win more games. They won’t win enough to play more than 16, but if Maurice
Jones-Drew sticks around (and has enough in him to remain a concern to opposing
defenses) don’t be surprised to see a Jeff Fisher-like induced rebirth a la St.
Louis that gives more of a warm, fuzzy feeling in the stands as opposed to
nausea. And if that doesn’t happen, maybe everyone can start talking about the
Tim Tebow possibility again.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Cleveland Browns - Chudzinski: </b>The one-time Brown offensive coordinator gets
another shot in Cleveland with a more talented, younger nucleus on offense in
QB Brandon Weeden and RB Trent Richardson, and gets the “OC” version of the
aforementioned Turner, so optimism for at least minor improvement is there.
But, really, how good can Weeden be given that there’s not a formidable
receiving corps? There’s still more questions than answers, but with new
defensive coordinator Ray Horton also brought in; there’s an established
presence to assist the first-time head coach. How will former Eagles’ salary
cap wizard Joe Banner spend the team’s money? Will he care enough about keeping
a decent defense intact?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Arizona Cardinals - Bruce Arians: </b>Arians is clearly a media darling and a great
person to admire in light of the situation he was handed and thrived in with Indianapolis
a year ago. But let’s not gloss over that he had Andrew Luck, a player who would
make any team better from the jump, and that he’s essentially walking into the
NFL’s version of JV quarterbacks (seriously, Larry Fitzgerald, sticking your
neck out for Kevin Kolb?) in the desert. Still, a lot of times winning and
losing in the NFL comes down to staying appropriately prepared and mentally in
check, so don’t look past Arians there. Then again, age and time are not on his
side, neither is his lone head coaching track record (21-45 at Temple from
1983-88). He loses a solid defensive coordinator in Horton to Cleveland, so
leaning on that unit won’t be likely. Despite temperatures out there, the
heart-warming Arian's story could turn chilly pretty quick.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkQqKWgVvdo/URXPVNmCqII/AAAAAAAAAFo/fI8-_PdvspQ/s1600/Darrah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkQqKWgVvdo/URXPVNmCqII/AAAAAAAAAFo/fI8-_PdvspQ/s200/Darrah.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>copyright 2013 Joe Darrah All RIGHTS RESERVED </i></span></span></span></div>
The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-52580393203666447002013-01-20T07:42:00.002-08:002013-01-20T07:42:55.122-08:00The Passing of "The Man" and an Era<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">We unexpectedly lost my Uncle
Chuck this past week and, ironically, one of his heroes passed away a day or
two later.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XNg0PzafGo/UPwPWhxVsUI/AAAAAAAAAFY/E1rWyn3DJTQ/s1600/stan+musial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XNg0PzafGo/UPwPWhxVsUI/AAAAAAAAAFY/E1rWyn3DJTQ/s320/stan+musial.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">As a child, I would visit my grandparents' house and often slept in the room that my father and his brother
shared.<span> </span>I can remember one of the wall
decorations was the logo of the <b>St. Louis Cardinals</b>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">It’s not hard to understand why
brothers growing up in the 1940’s and 1950’s in </span><span style="color: black;">Philadelphia</span><span style="color: black;"> would wander away from being fans of the local
Philadelphia baseball teams.<span> </span>With the exception of the magic
they created in 1950, the <b>Phillies</b> fielded some pretty awful teams during that
era.<span> </span>The <b>Philadelphia Athletics</b> were even worse,
often finishing in eighth place out of eight teams in the <b>American League</b>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">The Cardinals have always had one
of the greatest logos in sports featuring two bright red birds perched upon a
baseball bat.<span> </span>The color and the logo was
almost enough to make you like the team. The fact that the Cardinals
usually had one of the <b>National League</b>’s best teams each season (especially in
the 1940’s), made it even easier to adopt them as the team to root for.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">And then there was “The Man.”<span> </span><b>Stan “The Man” Musial</b>…who quietly led the
franchise to much of it’s great success.<span>
</span>Stan played for the Cardinals (and ONLY The Cardinals) from 1941 to
1963.<span> </span>You don’t see that type of
longevity with a franchise these days regardless of what sport you’re talking
about.</span></span></span></div>
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</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Musial was a 24 time all-star and
led the league in batting average an incredible seven times.<span> </span>He helped the Cardinals win 3 World Series
Championships in the 1940’s and is easily considered the city’s greatest sports
legend.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Nationally, I think Musial
received great respect for his accomplishments, but I do think he was
underrated by a sports society who would sing about “Willie, Mickey and the
Duke.”<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Then again, I think it’s quite a
complement to be referred to as simply…<i>"The Man."</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Knowing he was battling many health
concerns over the past few years, it wasn’t a tremendous shock to me to hear of
Stan’s passing.<span> </span>But, it does continue to
signify the passing of the greatest eras in <b>baseball</b> history.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">As each of our legends pass, the
past seems even more distant than ever...and the game will never be the same as
it was “back in the day”.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">Goodbye to Stan “The Man” and
goodbye to my Uncle Chuck.<span> </span>You both
will be missed by many.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>copyright 2013 Bill Mattis ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</i> </span></span></span></div>
The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-21435847489870521682013-01-19T12:32:00.003-08:002013-01-19T13:10:40.802-08:00The Duke of Earl Called Home<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8p1nur40gc/UPsBJ_HK9MI/AAAAAAAAAEw/d1u4NLj2tbc/s1600/EarlWeaver+cbsnews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l8p1nur40gc/UPsBJ_HK9MI/AAAAAAAAAEw/d1u4NLj2tbc/s400/EarlWeaver+cbsnews.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earl Weaver (cbsnews.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the winningest coaches in <b>Major League Baseball</b> never
made it out of the minors as a player.
After spending thirteen seasons in the minor league farm system, <b>Earl
Weaver</b> called it quits as a player and began what turned out to be a legendary
career as a major league coach and manager with the <b>Baltimore Orioles</b>.</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
After a short stint with the Knoxville Smokies, the Orioles hired Weaver as the
manager of their Fitzgerald club in 1957, moving him around the minors until
1968 when he was brought up to the majors as the Orioles' first-base coach. In what was a glimpse of things to come,
Weaver racked up 841 wins and 697 defeats and three championships as a minor
league manager. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He didn’t stay at the first base coach job very long. By July, he was the man in charge of the
Orioles and his success in the minors transferred to the majors as the Orioles
won six Eastern Division titles, four AL pennants, and the 1970 World
Series. In addition to this fete, Weaver
and his Orioles won 100+ games in five separate seasons (1969, 1970, 1971,
1979, and 1980).</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eoNSQaQlXvY/UPsEAO7HefI/AAAAAAAAAFI/-ZzSIK1UN78/s1600/weaver+and+palmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While Weaver’s skill as a
manager is undisputed, it was his sharp wit and hot temper that brought him the
most fame. Ejected from over 90 regular
season games during his career, he was also suspended from multiple games four
times. Weaver never shied away from
sticking his face right into an umpire’s to dispute a call, baseball cap turned
backwards, kicking dirt on them, and getting as close to them as he could
without actually touching them. His
philosophy on challenging the umpires was simple: “The job of arguing with the umpire belongs
to the manager, because it won’t hurt the team if he gets thrown out of the
game.” And thrown out he was: according to the <b>Baseball Almanac</b> (<a href="http://www.baseball-almanac.com/">www.baseball-almanac.com</a>), Weaver
was ejected 98 times in his career, the most of any American League manager. He is second only to <b>Bobby Cox</b> of the <b>National
League</b>’s <b>Atlanta Braves</b> who has been thrown out 158 times.<br />
<br />
As if the call challenges weren’t enough, Weaver had to add insult to injury with
his biting sense of humor towards the abilities of the umpires. When one umpire offered to lend him his rule
book, Weaver told him he would get his own because he couldn’t read Braille. Thrown out of game for smoking a cigarette in
the dugout, Weaver got tossed the next day for approaching the same umpire with a
candy cigarette dangling from his mouth.
And his barbs weren’t only directed towards the umpires. In his famous battles with Hall of Fame
pitcher, Jim Palmer, Weaver is quoted as saying he gave Palmer “more chances
than my ex-wife.”<br />
<br />
Despite his belief that his antics on the field would hurt his chances at being
nominated to the <b>Baseball Hall of Fame</b>, Weaver was inducted in 1996. His #4 Orioles jersey was retired on
September 19, 1982. Weaver died earlier
today at the age of 82.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
In an October 6, 1982 Washington Post interview, Weaver said, “On my tombstone,
just write ‘The sorest loser who ever lived.’”
And I hope they remember to add <i>one
of the greatest baseball managers ever</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">copyright 2013 Korinne M Jackman ALL RIGHTS RE<span style="font-size: large;">SERVED</span></span></i> </span></span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-45522392552976911692013-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:002013-01-12T18:39:48.440-08:00Donovan McNabb and the Reid Legacy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>McNabb Represents Andy
Reid’s Greatest Achievement, Biggest Mistake in Philly<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As people in the <b>Philadelphia</b> region continue to reflect on
the tenure of former head coach <b>Andy Reid</b> and debate on who should replace him,
I hope they’re honest enough to admit that replacing him won’t be as simple as
winning five games next season. To improve upon what he accomplished during his
stint in Philly means one thing and one thing only: winning a <b>Super Bowl</b>. It
won’t be easily achieved, especially considering the lack of a franchise
quarterback he’s left in his wake, the result of what has to be viewed as
Reid’s most egregious of miscalculations over the last few years along the
Eagles’ sidelines — the trading of <b>Donovan McNabb</b>. It’s still confounding to me
that Reid thought he could so abruptly separate himself from the player he
built his program around and maintain the same rate of winning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>An Unpredictable Path<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Reid looked up at the big board when his time had come
to make the No. 2 selection of the 1999 NFL draft, his first as Eagle head
coach, the expectation among many was that he’d use it on running back <b>Ricky
Williams</b>, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner out of the <b>University of Texas</b> who at
the time of the draft stood as the NCAA’s Division I-A career rushing leader, career
rushing touchdowns leader and career scoring leader. After a 5-11 season in
1998 that ushered in the Reid era, Williams had become a coveted prize among many
in a fan base that had endured three consecutive losing seasons. In times like
these, such as we’re seeing now after an embarrassing 42-7, season-ending loss
to division rival New York Giants (the result of which assures the Birds the
No. 4 selection in next spring’s draft), the consolation prize becomes that
high draft pick. And in what would foreshadow a throng of debatable personnel
decisions that would occur over the next 13 years, Reid, amidst the jeers of a
select few fans at the draft who had convinced themselves that Williams was
their savior, Reid chose <b>Syracuse University</b> quarterback Donovan McNabb. But should it really have been that much of a surprise that Reid,
who had previously won a Super Bowl and helped make the NFL playoffs an annual
tradition as an assistant and quarterback coach during a seven-year tenure in
Green Bay with the great Brett Favre, would spend what would likely be the most
important draft pick he ever made on a QB — especially when considering that at
the time the draft class was considered to be one of the most quarterback
friendly that the sport had ever seen? As the weeks, months and years passed
without just about every other quarterback taken before and after McNabb
experiencing any relative <b>NFL</b> success (save <b>Daunte Culpepper</b>, the No. 11
overall pick by <b>Minnesota</b>), Reid was hailed as a genius (at least by some). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While McNabb helped provide the Eagles and their fans renewed optimism in 1999, including
becoming the first Eagle rookie to win his first career start since 1974, Williams
wouldn’t prove to be any kind of blessing in <b>New Orleans</b> as he played in only
12 games and accumulated just two touchdowns on 884 yards for the 3-13 Saints,
who took Williams with the fifth overall pick after trading all six of their
draft picks to the <b>Redskins</b> in order to move up in the draft. As the full-time
starter the following year in Philadelphia, McNabb would begin to commandeer
the franchise’s most successful stint of the Super Bowl era (albeit without
actually winning a Super Bowl), winning 92 games (never fewer than eight in a
full season), leading his team to the playoffs five years in succession before
injuries limited him to partial seasons in 2005 and 2006, advancing to the <b>NFC</b>
conference championship game five times between 2001-08 (four straight at one
point, winning one) and nearly pulling off an upset of <b>Tom Brady</b>’s <b>New England
Patriots</b> in Super Bowl XXXIX. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite not winning the bowl, Reid and his Eagles
continued to be a dominant force in the NFL first and foremost because he
selected the best quarterback in his draft class and molded him into one of the
game’s best. McNabb was named to the pro bowl five straight seasons (2000-04) and six
overall; ranked third in NFL wins entering 2012 behind just <b>Peyton Manning</b> and
Tom Brady; and ranked fourth in the league in career completions, passing
yards, and touchdown passes at that same juncture behind (in no particular
order) Manning, Brady and <b>Drew Brees</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now more than a full year after McNabb has likely played his
last NFL game (despite, at age 38, being six years younger than <b>Steve DeBerg</b>
was when he set an NFL record by being the oldest quarterback to start a game
for the <b>Atlanta Falcons</b> in 1998) and three calendar years since he last played
in Philadelphia, I can’t help but still ask — <i>just what in the hell was Andy
Reid thinking when he traded his franchise player that Easter evening in 2010
and leaving the fate of his team and his reputation in the hands of <b>Kevin Kolb</b>
and <b>Michael Vick</b>?</i> If and when his reputation recovers, it won’t happen in
Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sealing A Downward Spiral<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clearly, other factors contributed to the Birds’ fall from
the NFL’s elite aside from the McNabb trade, i.e. the resignation and death of
defensive coordinator Jim Johnson; lackluster drafts, particularly post-Super
Bowl, which have resulted in notable early-round busts such as (all in the
second round) wide receiver Reggie Brown and linebacker Matt McCoy (2005),
defensive end Victor Abiamiri (2007), defensive tackle Trevor Laws (2008), and
safties Nate Allen (2010) and Jaiquan Jarrett (2001). Then there’s Kolb
(another second round pick of 2007) and guard Danny Watkins, a 2011 first round
selection (23rd overall) who has struggled for playing time despite a decimated
offensive line — which certainly contributed to the Eagles struggles in 2012. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be that as it may, no one transaction, whether it be the trading/release of
a player, coach or administrator (and there have been many significant moves
that many have been justifiably critical of over the years, but most notably
Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, Jeremiah Trotter, Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Brad
Childress, Tom Modrak and Tom Heckertt) has caused the same level of fallout as
the exit of McNabb. Even despite losing the late, great Johnson and the sure
Hall of Famer Dawkins after the 2008 season, the Eagles made the playoffs in
2009 and 2010. They have now made the postseason in four of seven seasons since
Childress’ departure to Minnesota, beating his Vikings in the first round of
2008. Though they’d later reconcile on their mistake to let the four-time Pro
Bowler Trotter leave for Washington, going to the Super Bowl after reuniting
with the linebacker in 2004, they still went to the playoffs throughout his
2-year hiatus, winning 12 games in both 2002 and 2003. Yet, without McNabb
they have been in a consistent, steady decline. Yes, they made the playoffs by
winning the East in 2010, but they were able to do so with one fewer win than
the year prior (for all those who have themselves convinced that the “down” NFC
East allowed the Eagles to win five championships during McNabb’s reign) and
have since won a total of just eight and four games in consecutive years. They
never went two straight seasons outside the playoff picture with McNabb on the
roster. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Justifying A
Potential Hall of Famer<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it’s ridiculous to postulate that since McNabb
didn’t make the playoffs during his one year spent respectively in Washington
and Minnesota the Eagles were right to trade him. Statistically speaking he was
not too far off the path of the numbers he produced during his 11 years in Philadelphia,
numbers that will keep him in the Hall of Fame conversation when he officially
retires. In 2010 he led a Redskins team to as many wins as they had the year prior
(four) through eight games. After winning his debut game over a Dallas team
that many prognosticators had tagged for the Super Bowl in week one, McNabb had
DC slated for a 2-0 start in completing 28 of 38 passes for 426 yards and a
touchdown in Houston, but the meltdown of a defense that would become ranked
21st in points allowed on the season essentially begun after the half with the
‘Skins holding a 20-7 lead. Washington lost, 30-27 in overtime, but after
losing the following week to St. Louis (a game in which McNabb struggled),
important wins over the Eagles and eventual champion Green Bay followed. .In the
Packer game, McNabb would engineer a late drive that had Washington set up for
a game-winning field goal attempt as regulation expired, but Graham Gano missed
the 47-yarder before getting redemption in overtime. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A month later McNabb would produce his <b>26th</b> and final (to date) game-winning
drive in a 19-16 overtime win at Tennessee. Of the 26 game-clinching drives he
orchestrated, 17 came via 4th-quarter comeback. That’s a lot more than the
“none” his detractors seem to think he had. In all, he’d collect more than 3,300
yards in 13 games in Washington that year, a pace at which was leading him to
have more yardage in a season than he ever had with the Eagles (3,916 in
2008—without Terrell Owens, mind you, who only played in one Super Bowl, the
same one McNabb did). He did throw more interceptions than touchdowns (by a
mere 1 at 15/14) for the only time in his career, but I don’t think that’s the
greatest crime for a QB playing in a new system. Had a botched snap not occurred
on a game-tying extra point attempt with nine seconds remaining in a week 13
game against Tampa Bay, an attempt that was preceded by McNabb igniting a
13-play, 75-yard drive to trim the lead to one, there may have been a better
outcome to that contest instead of a changing of the guard in DC. Instead,
McNabb was replaced by backup Rex Grossman, who would throw four interceptions
in the final three games, losing two of them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who argue that
McNabb’s numbers took a nosedive after leaving Philly, that stance simply
doesn’t hold up. Even in Minnesota in 2011, where the sample size is relatively
small in terms of trying to compare to the rest of his career, his 60.3
completion percentage is identical to the number he posted in 2009. However, with
his mobility in clear decline (even his biggest proponents can’t deny that) the
Vikings eager to see what they had in 2011 first round draftee Christian Ponder
(which occurred prior to acquiring McNabb) after their 1-5 start. It was tough
to fault them; however I find it hypocritical that the 30th-ranked defense that
shared the field that year doesn’t harbor most of the blame around here,
considering all the credit some Eagles fans give to the Birds’ D in making the
Super Bowl run. On that note, it’s worth pointing out that Johnson’s best unit
wasn’t the 2004 team, but the 2001 team, when considering points scored
against. In the same vein, I find it
hardly coincidental that during McNabb’s injury-riddled years of 2005 and 2006,
Johnson’s defense posted its worst two consecutive seasons with rankings of
27th (his worst unit of all) and 15th, respectively. Imagine, a quarterback’s
and an offense’s success aiding a defense’s productivity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hard to fathom that I should still feel the need to
defend someone with the success McNabb had in this town, but I don’t think I’ve
ever seen a more scrutinized athlete in Philadelphia. Just don’t tell that to
Mike Schmidt or Ilya Bryzgalov.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Submitted by ASI Guest Blogger, Joseph Darrah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(c) 2013 Joseph Darrah All Rights Reserved</i></div>
The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-67374825131667841052012-12-09T07:39:00.002-08:002012-12-09T07:40:51.046-08:00Oh, To Be Young...Again...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LArYZQlS1w/UMSv46M0Y-I/AAAAAAAAAEc/hPqw3QTP8H4/s1600/michael-young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LArYZQlS1w/UMSv46M0Y-I/AAAAAAAAAEc/hPqw3QTP8H4/s320/michael-young.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Young at bat for the Texas Rangers,<br />
already looking good in red and white</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Ok,so the Phils have made another move this week and have FINALLY acquired Michael Young from Texas. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Young is a player who has been talked about in trade winds for the past three off seasons. The Rangers have always seemed to have one or two too many quality infielders, but something always happened in spring training and Young has gotten regular playing time each year.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">He's now 36 years old and had a "down season" but it wasn't a disaster. Young still hit .277 which would put him among the leaders of the Phillies regulars last year.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">In Young, you get a professional hitter. You get a guy who knows how to play the game. Ok, so he's not going to remind you of Brooks Robinson at third, but he's also not Ty Wigginton either.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">What did you give up to get Young? Well, that could be the problem in a couple of years. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Lisalverto Bonilla is a guy with a huge arm who will likely start the season in AA after ending last year there. But look for the Rangers to fast track him to possibly be their closer in a year or two.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Josh Lindblom was acquired last year in the Shane Victorino deal and apparently didn't overwhelm the Phillies' brass with his performance the second half of last season. Still, Lindblom projects to be a very solid reliever....which is something that Phils have seemed to need a great deal.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">With the pickings at third base slim, and the thought of another injury plagued year with Polanco (and Frandson filling in) making me ill, I'll take the chance with Young and see what happens.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">There ya go....trade approved by me.</span></span>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-44325663984484676012012-08-01T13:31:00.002-07:002012-08-01T13:32:41.886-07:00Phils' Trades Got You Down? There's Reason for Hope!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The smoke has cleared a day later and the Phillies look at
themselves and see a ball club that really isn’t a whole lot different than
before the trade deadline.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The experts will tell you that the team has traded two
“front line players” and now the lineup is going to be significantly different;
but I’m not so sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trades were very good trades for multiple reasons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many times, teams deal players just to relieve themselves of
salary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Phillies accomplished this
by saving a probable $15 million on Hunter Pence next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also have dealt Shane Victorino, who will
probably get a 3 year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 million
from somebody.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here’s the best part…they got some very good players,
too! They have filled a couple of
needs at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to
all of those positives, they have opened the door for Dominic Brown to prove
whether he is the wonder child that he was touted as being as early as three
years ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Josh Lindblom was the main ingredient the Dodgers sent back
to Philly for Victorino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy is
exactly the type of middle reliever the Phillies have been aching for all
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s young, cheap, contract tied
up for about 3 years, and he actually gets batters out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a concept!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While (on the surface) Nate Schierholtz appears to be the
main part of the Pence deal, the real key piece is the young catcher Tommy
Joseph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a AA prospect who was a 2<sup>nd</sup>
round pick in 2009, who shows solid power, and could wind up being the Phils'
catcher of the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two other pitchers the Phils acquired in these two deals
are no losers either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both guys are big
strong right handers who are pretty highly touted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ethan Martin acquired in the LA deal was a
first round pick in the 2008 draft while Seth Rosin (from the Giants) was a 4<sup>th</sup>
round pick in 2010.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Martin has been used as a starter lately, you may be
seeing these two guys become key components from the bullpen of 2014 in these two
deals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosin has the make up of a
closer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, sometimes you just need a change of pace….a change
of faces…to get things moving again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Shane and Hunter both made up a great deal of the
team’s personality and were both fan favorites, they just seemed to be stuck in
a rut and were having somewhat average years for what they are capable of
doing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the change of scenery will help them and also enable
the Phils to inject new players to see what they can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe Dom Brown is a future star?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Juan Pierre does have another year in
him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Kevin Frandson needs a shot
at third base?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be many more changes, but the Phillies will still
be considered a top contender next year, especially if they can find a few
things out about certain players in August and September.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And who knows? The inner Phillies fan inside me wants to hold
on to the “if they could just go on a nice winning streak, we can get back into
this thing” philosophy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-19677850650037808182012-07-10T12:23:00.001-07:002012-07-10T12:23:33.598-07:00Meet the 21st Century CFL...Not Just a Back Up for NFL Fans<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>(We'd like to introduce our new intern, Michael Jennings. Mike brings his considerable skills and talents to the team as demonstrated here with his coverage of the CFL. Stay tuned for more as Mike covers the CFL, NFL, and other professional football leagues...and whatever else we throw at him. Please show him some love!)</i> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend was a reminder of what being a CFL fan into the
young decade means. Seeing Anthony Calvillo continue to put up video game-esque
numbers, and a reminder that the defending Grey Cup champs BC are still in the
building were on the menu last weekend. Also the Rough Riders beat a West team
and, with defense like that of a gang green sort to boot. But most of all week
2 of the 2012 season will be remembered as one of salutations and honors for
Geroy Simon, the CFL's newly crowned receiving yards king.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Geroy and the Lions have been like bread and butter, a
player and his team so entwined together in both individual and collective
success that the thought of one begets the other.<span> </span>The 36 year old receiver has passed up legend
Allen Pitts in his quest to be called Canada's G.O.A.T., that's Greatest Of All
Time, and he has done it fabulously. Congrats G-Man on your success as well as your
son's recent commitment to play football for the Army Black Knights.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now back to Anthony Calvillo, NKA (now known as) Mr.
Ridiculous. The 3-time Grey Cup Champion threw for over 400 yards adding to an
already spectacular resume that has him named PRO football's all-time leading
passer, the all-time CFL TD pass champ and CFL completions leader. Eat your
heart out Brett Favre. <span> </span>Calvillo threw
for over 400 yards, with 2 touchdowns through the air to add to his first place
status, along with a completion percentage of almost 80%!! Sick. <span> </span>All that's to be said about that performance
is WTF,OMG, SMH and all the rest of our three letter acronyms for WOW used in
the future; the future which is now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the league is
potentially on the precipice of something huge. The sudden influx of
"non-traditional" QBs into the American football scene is a potential
windfall for the CFL. Quarterbacks that in the past were frequently turned into
DBs and receivers as soon as their feet hit college soil, are now being taken
more seriously as true QBs and given a shot at running the offense-even guys
less than 6 feet tall. In short, this means more quarterbacks=less places to
put them=more talent in the CFL.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The league has for years utilized smaller signal callers,
and successfully so. The Fluties and Calvillos of the world will only multiply
in number as the spread offense and America's need for a mobile quarterback to
run it continues to grow. <span> </span>Not that those
guys were spread quarterbacks, because they weren’t, but they were and are non-prototypical
passers. <span> </span>So take heed Northerners and
get back to the future. <span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;">Last but not least, congratulations to Saskatchewan
and that defensive front in all green for their dominating win Sunday evening. <span> </span>Signing off, TPG CFL style. <span> </span>Blam!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>Copyright (c) 2012 Michael Anthony Jennings ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>**********************************************************</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Like playing in The Dirt with us? Then invite your friends to get down and dirty, too! Click the links to spread The Dirt on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +...'cause everyone should get down and dirty sometimes! </i></span> </span></span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-64933573424379205992012-06-29T15:08:00.002-07:002012-06-29T15:08:44.285-07:00In the Dirt With...Gale Sayers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZCipf2UYQw/T-4nQ6gGBvI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/04lD39R4xQA/s1600/Sayers+copyrighted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xZCipf2UYQw/T-4nQ6gGBvI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/04lD39R4xQA/s320/Sayers+copyrighted.jpg" width="258" /></a>When Gale Sayers was picked by the Chicago Bears in the
first round of the NFL Draft in 1965, he was already a college football
star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His career at University of Kansas
resulted in 2,675 yards rushing and 3,917 all-purpose yards gained, and a
two-time selection as All-American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sayers possessed powerful athletic skill given
his stature and his speed had earned him the nickname “The Kansas Comet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was poised for greatness and that is
exactly what George Halas expected.<br />
<br />
Sayers didn’t disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his rookie
year with the Bears, he scored 22 touchdowns; six of them in the mud on
December 12, 1965 against the San Francisco 49ers in a decisive 61-20 victory at
Wrigley Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halas was known for hating
to play rookies and kept Sayers off the bench for the first two games, but once
he put Sayers in on October 3, 1965, there was no mistaking that, in Sayers,
Halas had a powerhouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his regular
season debut against the Green Bay Packers on October 3, 1965, Sayers made the
only two Chicago touchdowns and had more yards rushing, receiving and returning
than any other player on either team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two games later, on October 17<sup>th</sup>, Sayers would score an
unbelievable four touchdowns, one on a 96 yard kickoff return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his rookie year, Sayers would score in all
but one of the 12 games in which he played, earning Rookie of the Year honors.<br />
<br />
In his next six seasons, Sayers would continue to shine in the NFL, winning four
Pro Bowl invites, five All-Pro honors, and three Pro Bowl MVP honors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been named to both the NFL 75<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has long been considered one of college
football’s greatest open field runners and is most definitely an NFL
legend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sayers was named to both the
College Football and Professional Football Halls of Fame, and is the youngest
player ever inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<br />
<br />
Sayers will tell you he was just doing what he was supposed to do:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dedicating himself to his craft and giving
his team his all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dedication, hard work,
loyalty; these are just some of the many outstanding characteristics of Gale
Sayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love of God and family are two
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you asked him what made him
so special, Sayers would tell you he is not at all special but that he was just
doing his best and making the most with all of God’s blessings.<br />
<br />
His strong ethic of hard work and dedication carried him beyond the football
field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he is famous for his
steadfast friendship with his former Bears’ teammate, the late Brian Piccolo,
he also went on to coach, became a stockbroker, and eventually founded a
successful technology services firm.<br />
<br />
“To whom much is given, much is expected.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my conversations with Sayers and his wife
of nearly 40 years, Ardie, I’ve learned that above all else, Sayers is grateful
for all he has accomplished and achieved in his life, and both he and Ardie
have a strong sense of social responsibility, believing giving back is not only
important, but required of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meeting Gale Sayers was, for me, a milestone moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first book I ever purchased was the
Scholastic version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brian’s Song</i>
and I was impressed at the tender age of nine with the bond of friendship
between Sayers and Piccolo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
forgot that lesson of loyalty and compassion and, as a 49-year old adult, was
in awe of the man when I first met him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sayers is a quiet man, not prone to a whole lot of words, but that doesn’t
mean he doesn’t have something to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the contrary, Sayers is educated and well-versed in many areas, not
the least of which is philanthropy and the importance of leading by example.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While working hard to build his very successful corporation,
Sayers and his wife founded the Gale Sayers Center which endeavors to inspire,
motivate, and educate the inner city youth of Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To fulfill that commitment, the center offers
a strong educational after-school learning program serving adolescent children
that includes computer classrooms, a public speaking program personally
developed by Sayers, and a mentoring and motivational program utilizing the
skills of some of the best business, civic and sports leaders to reach, motivate
and inspire the children to achieve greatness.<br />
<br />
In addition to his own foundation, Sayers also works closely with The Cradle
Adoption Agency, and the Better Boys Foundation, among others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also the author of three books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His first book, an autobiography titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am Third</i> was the catalyst to the book
and movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brian’s Song.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also co-authored <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Papa Bear:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Life and Legacy
of George Halas</i> with Jeff Davis, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sayers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Life and Times</i> with Fred
Mitchell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my great fortune to be
writing his next book with him on football then and now.<br />
<br />
AllStarInc is very fortunate to have Sayers as a client and we love working
with him and his wife, Ardie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
currently appearing Wednesdays through Sundays at the Art of Music Store in the
Mandalay Bay Mall in Las Vegas for the next few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend, Sayers will be appearing at the
Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Convention in Chicago, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are in the area, please stop in to say
hello and meet this legendary human being.</div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Copyright © 2012 Korinne M Jackman ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_____________________________________________________________</div>
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gale Sayers appears
Saturday, June 30<sup>th</sup> at the Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles
Convention, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road,
Rosemont, Illinois 60018 from Noon until 1:30 p.m.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
______________________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Book","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Like hanging in the dirt with us? Invite your friends to get dirty with us!! Click on the links to share the dirt!</span>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-28915041010265889692012-06-28T07:45:00.000-07:002012-06-28T07:47:20.666-07:00Cole Hamels and the NBA Draft...What to do? What to do?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tough times call for
tough decisions. That's why the Phillies and Sixers need to consult with
the good people at AllStarInc before doing ANYTHING!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">While the euphoria
surrounding the return of Chase Utley to the Phillies lineup was met with the
reality of another tough loss Wednesday night, the future still looks bright
for the boys in pinstripes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How you may ask?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In addition to getting
Utley back, you have Ryan Howard also looming on the horizon...whenever that
may be.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Adding quality players
to the mix also subtracts players of lesser quality. It's a double win.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Meanwhile, the events of
the past three months should prove to the Phillies brass the EXACT reason why
they CANNOT trade Cole Hamels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Two thirds of the "big
three" have had injury and game struggles this year. Roy Halladay
and Cliff Lee have shown a human side of their career that we haven't seen
before. Whether it's injury or age or whatever other reason, it does
magnify the incredible season Cole Hamels is having.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Cole just keeps getting
better and better. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If the team was not
prepared to compete again anytime soon, I'd THINK about possibly dealing him
for a mega prospect and star studded package. But that's certainly not
the case here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Even if the Phillies
don't get back to the playoffs this season, they will still be considered one
of the favorites next year with the current cast (even all one year older).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I would anticipate Phils
GM Ruben Amaro making a move very soon to bolster a bullpen that is as solid as
the Titanic. As the team gets more and more healthy, the club will take
care of itself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My best guess is that
when you see the team start to play their NL East foes head to head in the
coming weeks, you will see some serious gains in the standings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Across the street from
Citizens Bank Park, the Sixers management is huddling at the Wells Fargo Center
trying to decide what to do at tonight's NBA draft.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Please...please...please...DO
NOT trade for the Raptors' Bargnani or the Lakers' Gasol. Stay the
course...stay the course....keep adding young talented players to the mix and
keep getting better and better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Believe it or not, the
Sixers are in a really great spot when it comes to tonight's NBA draft, but
they could REALLY improve their spot by making a move.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I'm not looking for them
to trade up at all though. I'm hoping for them to acquire a second pick
in the first round in about the same area that their own pick lies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At this time, Doug
Collins and his boys select with the 15th pick. The thought process is
that they desperately need to add a big man who can score, rebound, AND play
defense. What a concept, huh?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For what they need,
having a pick at 15 can accomplish their objectives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The problem is that many
of the big men available at 15 are question marks, but COULD be big winners.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Why not double your
chances of being successful and find a way to take a shot on TWO different
players and hope that at least one winds up working out to be what you want?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How do we make this
happen? Well, (at the time this blog was written) Houston currently has
the 12th, 16th, and 18th pick in the first round. I seriously doubt
Houston uses all three picks in this year's draft. The 16th and 18th picks
would be great targets for capturing what I'm talking about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If Chase Budinger
(traded from Houston to Minnesota) can land you the 18th pick in a trade,
then Andre Iguodala can certainly get you more than that. Yes, I know the
money owed Andre is more than what Budinger is due, but the talent level is
different too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I'm not sure Golden
State (a team with 3 picks in the top 35) will deal the 7th pick overall, and
I'm really not interested in pick #30 as an alternative.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I doubt the Sixers can
package their two 2nd round picks to move up high enough to get a guy worth
trading for, but I suppose they could also throw in a future 1st pick to make
something happen if a team isn't interested in Iggy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The guy I would like to
see in a Sixers jersey is Perry Jones from Baylor. Jones is a super
athletic kid with a very big body. The knock on Jones is that he
sometimes doesn't play his hardest. I leave that to Doug Collins and his
Sixers teammates to fix.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Another big player who
could be available is Jared Sullinger from Ohio State. Sullinger's stock
has dropped sharply from a year ago when he was talked about as a
"National Player of the Year" kind of guy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The knock on Jared is
that he's not quite as athletic as the rest of the bunch and isn't as explosive
as many others being considered in the first round. He kind of reminds
some people of Elton Brand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In my mind, Sullinger is
a future star. The kid knows how to score and rebound. He comes
from a big conference and is ready to step into a big role.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If Sullinger drops to
the middle of the first round, I would love to see the Sixers find a way to get
both Jones and Sullinger. If they can do that, they may have TWO studs on
the front line for years to come. Both are ready right now, unlike last
year's pick of Nikola Vucevic who may still workout.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ruben & Doug...my phone is on and charged if
there are any more questions. Feel free to call anytime...well.... not
after 10 PM and not before 10 AM,ok?</span>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-88521800859322858452012-06-01T04:16:00.000-07:002012-06-01T04:16:33.961-07:00In the Dirt with...John Cappelletti<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It still comes as a surprise to some people that
John Cappelletti is the ONLY Heisman Trophy winner in Penn State University
sports history.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fb23kPV4KVM/T8igsPlKFlI/AAAAAAAAAD8/qEMn3sAv7YE/s1600/cappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fb23kPV4KVM/T8igsPlKFlI/AAAAAAAAAD8/qEMn3sAv7YE/s1600/cappy.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How can that be possible? All those great
teams over all of those many years? Surely somebody else has won a
Heisman in Happy Valley?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nope; just Cappy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's even harder to believe that the 40th
anniversary of his winning the trophy in 1973 is quickly approaching. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been very fortunate to have become
close friends with John. He's truly a genuine guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Cappy is very proud of his many
accomplishments, he's also a very humble person who is quick to talk about
other players long before talking about himself.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He built his life after football on the west
coast and he now resides a little over an hour north of San Diego. This
has always surprised me a teeny bit because I know how much "FAMILY"
means to him. And in a way, I guess that's why he's still out there.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While his parents and siblings have always
lived outside Philly (his Mom still lives in Upper Darby), John was raising a
family of his own during his playing days in Los Angeles and San
Diego. He told me often times that he "just didn't want to
take the kids away from where they were growing up."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There were a couple of forks in the road that
might have changed all of that and made things very different.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After winning the Heisman in 1973, John was
eligible for the 1974 draft. Before the 1973 season began, the
Philadelphia Eagles had traded their 1974 first round pick to the LA Rams
in a blockbuster trade for quarterback Roman Gabriel. The Eagles also
included other draft picks and players to get the 32 year old QB in hopes that
Gabriel could turn a floundering franchise back into the correct direction.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ironically, when the 11th selection came up
in the '74 draft, the Rams used it to select John Cappelletti. The
Philadelphia suburb native COULD have been an Eagle had the team not
traded for Roman Gabriel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coulda, shoulda, and woulda, I know...but
there's more! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 1974, the NFL had some competition for fans
and players in the United Football League. Philadelphia had
a franchise called the Philadelphia Bell. The team made a HUGE pitch
to Cappelletti to try and woo him away from the Rams and keep him home in
Philly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite offering almost twice
what the Rams put on the table, the Bell lost out and Cappy went to the
NFL. That had to be a very difficult decision for a 21-year old fresh off
the college gridiron.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It turns out that it was probably a wise move as
the UFL folded half way through the 1975 season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many people here in Philly aren't aware that
John spent parts of NINE seasons in the NFL between his time with Los
Angeles and San Diego. With the possible exception of his last two years
with San Diego, John was an extremely productive player and filled a role for
his team nicely.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So while his professional history could have
possibly been very different, his college history is something that is clearly
etched in stone among the record books in State College, PA.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haBMwXDU4nc/T8ihLJg3x9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/TPw0zqpxV4o/s1600/lauren+and+cappy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haBMwXDU4nc/T8ihLJg3x9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/TPw0zqpxV4o/s320/lauren+and+cappy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Cappelletti (PSU '74) with ASI good friend, Lauren Henderson (PSU '12)<br />at an appearance at Carl's Cards and Collectibles in Havertown, PA</td></tr>
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Penn State? It has to be the ONLY Heisman Trophy winner ever
there. Only one... and just one. John Cappelletti. That makes
the debate pretty short, right?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Penn State Nittany Lions Heisman Trophy Award
Winner and AllStarInc client, John Cappelletti, will be appearing at the TriStar
Houston Show at the Reliant Center on Saturday, June 2nd from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30
p.m. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>For autograph tickets and
information contact J&T Sports through their email at
hondocollector@yahoo.com or call 210-854-3347.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you're from the Houston area or will be
in the area, please stop by the show on Saturday and hello!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*****************************************************************************************************</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you live in the Philadelphia area, please visit our good friend, Carl Henderson's store, Carl's Cards and Collectibles, for a great selection of sports memorabilia. They are located at 22 West Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083. For more information on their store, available collectibles and appearances, contact them at 610-789-4996 or visit their website at www.carlscards.com.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*****************************************************************************************************</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Spread <i>The Dirt</i> around! Click on the links to invite your friends to get down and dirty with us!</span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-48361319246310809082012-05-22T10:50:00.000-07:002012-05-22T10:50:37.529-07:00We're #1...No! We Are! Aw, Hell...Everyone Gets a Trophy!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport is "number one?"
We're not just talking number one over all, but in different aspects,
too. Obviously, this topic lends itself to great debate, but since this
is MY blog, I get to tell you what I think...and then you can comment if you'd
like, but please be kind. I'm very, very fragile (cry,
sniff, cry).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the sake of simplicity, we're only going to
use the four major US sports:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>football, basketball,
baseball and hockey.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It may be true that a different sport (i.e. soccer,
figure skating, or tiddlywinks, etc.) may better qualify for a particular
category, but let's just keep it among these four for now. Ok? Ok.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugO3MfAQTV4/T7vKFEcL78I/AAAAAAAAADY/Qyet-bx8_kE/s1600/basketball+player+dunking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugO3MfAQTV4/T7vKFEcL78I/AAAAAAAAADY/Qyet-bx8_kE/s200/basketball+player+dunking.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport has the BEST overall athletes?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Basketball</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Football</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Hockey</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Baseball</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This was tough because both hoops and football
have guys that are in incredible physical condition and can do some pretty
amazing things. I have to give the slight nod to basketball here.
The running, jumping, and other acrobatic play is pretty amazing when you think
about it. And, they don't get to rest for 25 seconds every play.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport has the TOUGHEST athletes?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6uFHpGOBrY/T7vKFzWYWoI/AAAAAAAAADg/Vaw6zozxRZU/s1600/hockey+tough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k6uFHpGOBrY/T7vKFzWYWoI/AAAAAAAAADg/Vaw6zozxRZU/s200/hockey+tough.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Hockey</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Football</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Basketball</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Baseball</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Baseball players hit the 15-day DL with a sprained
hangnail. Football players take incredible abuse to their bodies.
But, hockey players will take the ice despite missing part of a leg. That
was an easy one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport is best to watch in person?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Football</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Hockey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Basketball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Baseball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESnImNmaC9U/T7vKEjQXBCI/AAAAAAAAADI/sVEsBR7hKTI/s1600/Skins+Rams+092009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESnImNmaC9U/T7vKEjQXBCI/AAAAAAAAADI/sVEsBR7hKTI/s320/Skins+Rams+092009.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most people find baseball boring to watch,
unless you're a diehard. Hockey is a sport you really develop an
appreciation for when you are sitting 10 rows from the ice. The speed and
the physicality are a whole other level in person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Football has the added value of tailgating and
the party day atmosphere. The crowd is crazy and they only play once a
week. It's an event, not just a game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport is best to watch on TV?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Football</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Baseball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Hockey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Basketball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again, with football, the party starts
two hours before any game and lasts into the night if your team wins. You
get great replays and are constantly updated on what else is happening around
the league. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Watching baseball at home allows you to snooze
if you want and you can drink 50 cent beers from your own fridge instead
of the $7.50 variety at the crowded snack stand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which sport is the most difficult to be good at?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnM7VScCbyM/T7vL_3S2BlI/AAAAAAAAADo/FnuIFJAChEo/s1600/Nats+vs+Mets+073111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bnM7VScCbyM/T7vL_3S2BlI/AAAAAAAAADo/FnuIFJAChEo/s320/Nats+vs+Mets+073111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Baseball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Hockey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Basketball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Football</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Football and basketball lends itself to those
who are huge and that's kind of like a genetic lottery thing. I'm not
saying it doesn't take hard work and talent to be good, but it really helps to
be huge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hockey is played on ice and they use a puck
that's hard enough to break your face...'nuff said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Baseball is the most difficult to be good at
because you have to hit a round object, with another round object. And,
pitchers can make that thing move all over the place. And, then once it's
hit, you gotta catch the thing? That's a pretty tough game if you ask
me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lastly...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What sport is #1 overall?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaFgrNB_rdk/T7vN4MlZH8I/AAAAAAAAADw/9hIwfyRkBIk/s1600/redskins+092009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaFgrNB_rdk/T7vN4MlZH8I/AAAAAAAAADw/9hIwfyRkBIk/s320/redskins+092009.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Football</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Baseball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Basketball</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Hockey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It pains me to admit it since I'm a
"baseball guy," but let's face it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>football is now America's game; not baseball, anymore. Maybe as
the football rules continue to change to protect the QBs etc., that may change;
but, I doubt it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seriously; go down to an NFL or college football
game if you haven't been to one lately. As I said before, it's an
event. You just don't get that type of "event" feeling with the
other sports.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What do you think? Feel free to post a comment
here or on the AllStarInc Facebook page and voice YOUR opinions! We'd
love to hear from you!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">**************************************************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">We love it when our fans get down and dirty with us, so spread The Dirt! Click on the Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ links and share the mess! </span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-71468385668107149462012-05-21T08:07:00.000-07:002012-05-21T08:33:52.094-07:00Take Me Out to the Ballgame...A Not So Instant Replay<i>In the absence of our Fearless Leader, who is drowning on the links at the Atlantic City Golf Club for the 28th Annual Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge, the underling is filling in with a re-posting of story she wrote for The Daily Bark in 2010.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I walked into my friend’s house the other day and her son
the cop, who’s 30-something, was watching television. We said hello to each other and then he
abruptly turned back to the TV. I took a
look-see and he was watching one of my favorite shows, “Pardon the
Interruption” on ESPN.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“Uh, gee, is that Michael Wilbon?” I asked. He slowly turned his head and just kind of
stared at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“Yes, actually, it is,” he replied. “I’m surprised you know that,” he said as he
turned back to the TV. The camera
switched and I pounced.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“And THAT’S Tony Kornheiser!” I said. A huge smile spread across his face…along
with some shock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“OK, now I am impressed.
I mean it. That’s really
impressive.” He continued on to say that
he never met a “girl” who knew anything about announcers, sports, etc. Yeah right, buddy, ‘cause we’re busy reading
Cosmo! I decided to pull out my big gun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“You know, Mike, I even play Golden Tee.” A huge smile spread across his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“No way!” It was a
classic girl-beats-guy moment until my friend
yelled from the other room, “Do you even know what Golden Tee<i> is</i>, Mike?” There was a brief moment of solidarity as we
both looked at each other and rolled our eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“Of course, he does!”
I yelled to her as I shook my head.
I turned back to Mike and he was, once again, staring all glassy,
pie-eyed at Kornheiser and Wilbon.
Moment passes by in a flash…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGsGalgZEJo/T7pZvNS2XUI/AAAAAAAAAC8/ZeaChygE-ug/s1600/Utley+040710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGsGalgZEJo/T7pZvNS2XUI/AAAAAAAAAC8/ZeaChygE-ug/s200/Utley+040710.jpg" width="130" /></a>Yeah, so I am a girl.
I love to wear pretty underwear, and prefer dresses and skirts to pants. I don’t leave the house without makeup…even
when going to the beach. I like to go
out with my BFF and get a mani/pedi…right before we head to our new “go-to”
place for an Irish Car Bomb, a round of Grey Goose Gimlets, and a go at the
Golden Tee machine. I prefer trivia
games, cold beer, and sports bars to mah-jong, wine spritzers, and tapas bars. <i>I</i> decorated our pool room: there’s a Fenway sign; a photo of my son’s
running the bases at Nationals’ Park; a photo of Wrigley Stadium I took while
on a road trip with my college roommate; and about half a dozen books on
baseball and stadiums. On my bucket
list: visit the stadiums of my favorite
teams and get Chase Utley to autograph one of my photographs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />
Here’s the deal: I love sports. I love the competition. I love the beauty of the movement; the squeak
of the sneakers as my Villanova Wildcats run up and down the court; the roar of
the crowd when the Eagles win and the equally loud “Boos” when our QB’s pass
doesn’t complete. I love watching the
puck race over the ice and boy, oh, boy, I absolutely LOVE when the gloves go
down and the Flyers fight. The form of a
pitcher throwing a ball is a thing of beauty and I am fascinated by the stance
of any player at bat…I can spend an entire game photographing the pitchers and
batters and then hours examining them…and I do.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9pRq1ATJM/T7pTmCIyUhI/AAAAAAAAACo/DcIFOLNe3Tk/s1600/Hamels+on+the+mound+080110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9pRq1ATJM/T7pTmCIyUhI/AAAAAAAAACo/DcIFOLNe3Tk/s320/Hamels+on+the+mound+080110.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cole Hamels on the mound against the Washington Nationals 8/1/10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Stats? Eh,
yeah…no…not so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Sure, I love the trivia part:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Cal Ripkin, Jr. tied Lou Gehrig’s home run record one night
and his consecutive game record the next.
That’s cool.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Mike Schmidt once hit a baseball off a speaker hanging over
100 feet above the field and 200 feet from home plate at the Astrodome. Can you say HOMERUN???</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Philly-born, Roy Campanella’s first major league game was
also the last game ever played at the Brooklyn Dodger’s Ebbets Field. See, to me, that’s synchronicity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
In the 1972 season, the Phillies only won 59 games, 27 of
which were won for the Phils by Steve Carlton.
Where was the rest of the team that year?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
In 1975 I started high school and used to watch a really
cute boy play baseball, hoping he’d notice me.
He didn’t. He went on to play
with the LA Dodgers. Who is he? Angels manager, Mike Scioscia. Now I watch him on TV.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
January
11, 1981: In near-Artic
temperatures, my beloved Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys 20-7 to win the NFC
Championship game. I was there and still
have my ticket stub. It was about 5
above zero, but you wouldn’t know it at the Vet! There were guys behind us without their
shirts on…I think they were the founders of “The 700 Level Club.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Some of my all-time favorite movies are “The Natural,” “The
Greatest Game Ever Played,” and “Invincible.”
Why? Because they’re all about
the little guy making it against all the odds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLqT4gFHHMs/T7pTpcepAXI/AAAAAAAAACw/mNZJ96pKQ10/s1600/Howard+April+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLqT4gFHHMs/T7pTpcepAXI/AAAAAAAAACw/mNZJ96pKQ10/s320/Howard+April+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Howard at bat against the Washington Nationals 4/12/11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Stats just don’t do it for me. I couldn’t care less what Ryan Howard’s at-bat stats are (.275). I just like to
watch him hit that ball. He is a beast at
the plate and when I watch him swing, I can see the power coming off him from
his head all the way to his feet. I love
photographing that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
It doesn’t matter to me if Chase Utley drops the ball (OK,
well, yeah, it really does) as long
as I get to watch him run, slide, whatever…he’s so damned hot to watch!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
When I watch the Phils play (sadly, only from Nationals
Stadium these days), I’m not watching for errors. I’m watching form. I’m watching for speed. Sure, I want to know why a play fails, but I
actually like watching HOW it fails more than I want to know why.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Maybe it’s another guy-girl thing. Maybe I am a hopeless romantic and don’t even
know it? I think my best date would be
sitting in a REALLY great sports bar with a guy who is willing to listen to me
wax poetic on what I love about a particular sport or team AND who then –
genuinely and in a fun way - helps me understand the stats, who’s a better
player and why.<br />
<br />
Here's a news flash guys: there are lots of girls out there like me. We love sports as much as you do...so don't count us out or roll your eyes, or even act surprised when we express an interest or show even a cursory knowledge of a sport. Instead, embrace it and us...then take us out to the ballgame!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Originally posted 6/27/2010 on The Daily Bark, owned by Bark Tees. Visit them at www.barktees.com </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>***********************************************</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Like playing in the dirt with us? Invite your friends! Click on the Facebook, Twitter and Google+ links and share the mess.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dish your own dirt in our comments section...we'd love to hear from you! </i></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-42899284621573954252012-05-18T13:23:00.001-07:002012-05-18T16:18:07.861-07:00In the Dirt With...Hollis Thomas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXE3hf8HbMM/T7akdrzBm5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/XUch3J7-uq0/s1600/Hollis+Korinne+Shaun+Bill+042212.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OXE3hf8HbMM/T7akdrzBm5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/XUch3J7-uq0/s320/Hollis+Korinne+Shaun+Bill+042212.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollis Thomas with ASI PR Dir Korinne Jackman,<br />
ASI client "Super Phan" Shaun Young, and ASI CEO Bill Mattis<br />
at JT Brewski's Pub in Primos, PA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When you're six feet
tall and weigh 350 pounds, it's not hard to get recognized. You don't
NEED facial piercings or mega bling to make people look at you. You
pretty much get noticed wherever you go.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Hollis Thomas played nine
years for the Philadelphia Eagles and five more years with other teams in the
NFL. His work was not the "glamorous type" where you score
touchdowns and get your face on the scoreboard all game like a running back or
quarterback.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Most of the time, Hollis
was trying to make sure he didn't swallow the dirt that was kicked in his face
at the bottom of the pile. He was a blue collar worker in a city that
qualifies itself as nothing but a blue collar working town.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Naturally, the fans love
the big guy and it's got nothing to do with the jewelry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"That's just me
being me. I'm just having fun. That's the kind of guy I am and I'm
not going to change because people think I should be more serious."
The quote from Hollis tells the whole story. Hollis is just being Hollis,
and that's what the Philly people seem to like about him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Philadelphia sports fans
are about to get a "whole lot of Hollis Thomas" very soon!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Hollis and Sports Radio 610WIP have reached an informal, verbal agreement for Hollis to join the on-air
staff starting sometime likely in July when the Eagles begin training camp in
Lehigh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3wHjGFwad0/T7anu1QE-TI/AAAAAAAAACc/oAH7lZBl674/s1600/For+blog+on+Hollis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3wHjGFwad0/T7anu1QE-TI/AAAAAAAAACc/oAH7lZBl674/s320/For+blog+on+Hollis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ASI Clients Hollis Thomas and Shaun Young with <br />
JT Brewski's Pub owners Johnny Bastian and Tom Smith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In addition to a few
shifts each week from the studio, Hollis will be out on location quite a
bit. That's where Hollis is at his best....rubbing elbows with the public
and having fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">You will likely see
Hollis on TV in the fall as well. There is no deal in place at the
moment, but it's likely just a matter of time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This weekend Hollis is
helping out fellow Eagles alumni Ron Jaworski at his charity golf event in
Atlantic City on Sunday, May 20<sup>th</sup> and Monday, May 21<sup>st</sup>. When asked about his golfing skills Hollis
responded, "I'm a good putter, but that's about it. I usually let my
teammates take all of my other shots 'cause I have no idea where I'm going to
hit it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Be sure to stay tuned to
the AllStarInc website and Facebook page for more news about Hollis and where
you can come see him and say hello.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In case you've never met
him, he's the REALLY BIG guy with the REALLY BIG smile....oh yeah,
and some bling!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*********************************************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Get down and dirty with our friends at<i><b> JT Brewski's Pub</b></i>, located at 510 S Oak Avenue in Primos PA right across from the Septa R3 Media/Elwyn Train Line. Follow them on Twitter @jtbrewskis and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jt.brewskis.1 for specials, events, and all things Brewski's!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*********************************************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Help us spread "The Dirt!" Invite your friends to get down and dirty with us! Click the link on the right and share this blog on Facebook and Twitter. You can also click on the link below to share us on Google+ </span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0Secane, Upper Darby, PA 19018, USA39.9140013 -75.30213139.9018223 -75.321872 39.926180300000006 -75.28239tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-11825910899737807752012-05-17T14:12:00.000-07:002012-05-17T14:15:43.905-07:00Will BoSox Fans Be Bitter This Weekend? Eh...Let 'em Eat Steak!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It's going to be a VERY
busy weekend for Philly sports fans! Besides the Sixers’ playoff games,
the Phillies have a pretty important weekend of their own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXYp-5AO3og/T7VjVueGh4I/AAAAAAAAACE/fwX1IEB6YOQ/s1600/060311+039+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXYp-5AO3og/T7VjVueGh4I/AAAAAAAAACE/fwX1IEB6YOQ/s320/060311+039+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Inter-league play begins
for 2012 as the Phils host some of baseball's royalty with the Boston
Red Sox visit this weekend. Both squads
have had some early-season problems and find themselves in the unlikely
position of being in last place in their respective divisions, but the Phillies
are showing signs of life, having won four straight headed into tonight's game
against the Cubs in Chicago. Not much
has been made about the weekend series against the Red Sox, but you know that
Jonathan Papelbon MUST have had these dates circled on his calendar for quite
some time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Over the years, I've spoken
to many players from different sports about playing against teams they had
played for previously, and what it meant to them. The opinions are pretty
diverse. Some guys play it off as being
just another game, but it seems like the stickier the exit, the more intense
the return match becomes. It's a natural
way to feel, I suppose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Despite the fact that
most players understand that the world of sports is a "business,” that
doesn't mean they won't take exception to their life and the lives of their
families (in some cases) being uprooted and forced to change via either trade
or free agency. In Papelbon's case, he
has to be the one smiling at the moment as he has enjoyed some pretty decent
early success with his new team, not to mention a pretty HUGE contract.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Meanwhile, his old team
(the Red Sox) have struggled with the closer role and are still wondering who
might win that job. Many of Pap's old teammates have remarked about how
much they miss their old closer, on the field as well as in the clubhouse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Early speculation was
that possibly Andrew Bailey could be the team's closer, but he injured his
thumb and has a long stint on the disabled list left. At the moment, Alfredo Aceves is the reliever
with the most saves so far (seven), but he also has a 5.74 ERA to go with those
saves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I'm sure CBP will have
many Boston fans who made the trip to Philly in the stands. I also have a feeling that the Phillies
sweeping the BoSox and having a couple of those wins saved by Papelbon will
leave a very bad taste in the Red Sox fans' mouths. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Then again, it's not a
long drive to Tony Luke's on Oregon for a cheesesteak to help the Sox fans get
rid of that bitterness. Hopefully, they have a very good GPS or are
willing to ask directions! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*************************************************** </span></div>
Like playing in the dirt with us? Then tell your friends! There's always room for more! Click the link on the right and share us via Twitter, Facebook, or the link at the bottom for Google+.<br /><br />Wanna talk dirty with us?? Leave a comment below...<br />
<br />The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-11488361615579830752012-05-12T13:25:00.003-07:002012-05-12T13:25:53.261-07:00Cookin’ up UGLY Wins....The Sixers’ Recipe for Success!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hand over the clipboard Doug Collins. Let
me have a crack at the Celtics! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBdqyVhCGf0/T67F0lVtrtI/AAAAAAAAAB4/gzWpXTPYFOE/s1600/sixers+win+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBdqyVhCGf0/T67F0lVtrtI/AAAAAAAAAB4/gzWpXTPYFOE/s320/sixers+win+recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This series can be very easy for the Philly
basketballers. All they have to do is the SAME thing they have been doing
all year...annnnnnnnnd maybe shoot the ball a bit better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Winning ugly has been the way that the Sixers
have achieved their success pretty much all year. It was never more
evident than in the series against the Bills where NOBODY will be lining up the
level of play against the NBA's greatest teams.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gritty defense, an occasional spurt of offense,
and some opportunistic bounces of the basketball and voila! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sixers are preparing for the Celtics in
round two.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let's face it, it didn't hurt that the Bulls
best two players were hurt, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the Boston Celtics, you have a team that's
just asking to get knocked out and the Sixers are just the team to do it.
How Atlanta, a team with some pretty good young talent, lost to Boston is
beyond me. In a way, the Celtics won much like the Sixers...ugly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, if you're expecting something reminiscent of
the days of Dr J., Larry Bird, and all of those great Celtic vs. Sixers
match-ups over the years, be sure to have the vomit bucket at arms’ length at
all times. This is not going to be pretty basketball.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The biggest advantage this Sixers team has over
this Celtics team is depth. The Celtics pretty much rely on their top
five players. That may need to change a lot since it looks as if Ray
Allen may have a cranky ankle giving him trouble all series. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fortunately for the Sixers, the candidates to
take Allen's minutes aren't anything that will remind you of a "solid NBA
player." Sorry Celtics fans; that's just the truth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avery Bradley? Keyon Dooling? Marquis
Daniels? C'mon...no chance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Sixers should play 9 deep and run whenever
they get the chance. Throw as many fresh young bodies at the Celtics as
possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coach Collins should view this as a war that
gets won by winning four battles. Even in games they lose, they need to
exhaust the Celtic starters to the point where they're out of gas in every
second half of the game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The biggest matchup is Hawes against
Garnett. Even at 36 years old, Garnett is still a force inside and will
be a mismatch for Hawes. Hawes will need lots of double down help from
his teammates and hope that the Sixers can rotate fast enough to the open
shooter. Don't be surprised if you see Collins experiment using Lavoy
Allen against Garnett early in the series.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, Hawes can turn the tables on Garnett,
too. Kevin Garnett will NOT come out and cover Hawes at the 3 point
line. If Hawes can knock down open jumpers it will cause the Celtics lots
of fits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The matchup the Sixers can exploit is Iguodala
vs. Pierce. Iggy is much more athletic and I believe he'll send Pierce
into a shooting nightmare. Pierce is a smart player, so I don't think
this is going to be a travesty, but I do give Andre the nod.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rondo and Holiday are going to be battling each
other the whole series, and it should be a very entertaining battle.
Hopefully Holiday will get the Sixers out and running. If Collins has him
slowing things down it will only play into the Celtics game plan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other big problem the Celtics have is that
they really don't have an answer defensively for Brand (unless they decide to
let Garnett cover him instead of Hawes). If Brand asserts himself
offensively he could be a HUGE difference for the Sixers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All of the other names (starters or not) like
Lou Williams, Turner, Young, Allen, and maybe even some Jodie Meeks, should be
in and out of the game like a revolving door. The Sixers shouldn't let
the Celtics have enough time to figure out who everybody's covering before
making another substitution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A prediction? The Sixers win this series
in NO MORE than six games. That would take at least one win at the
TD Garden and then holding serve at home. If they can find a way to win
game one, the Sixers could win this thing in FIVE games!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wear them down and late in games, as well as
late in the series, the Celtics will be cooked. Grind it out, and win
ugly. It's what the Sixers are good at doing....don't stop now!
Let's not try to get cute. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There you go Coach Collins...it's easy!
Stick to the "AllStarInc Plan" and you'll be facing the Heat in the
Conference Finals in about two weeks! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, and Doug...if you have any questions...hit
me up anytime. <br /><br />******************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Hey! Got an opinion of "The Dirt?" Got some dirt yourself? We'd love to hear from you! You can post your own dirt in our Comments section!<br /><br />Spread "The Dirt!" Invite your friends to get down and dirty with us, too!! We don't want to be just another dirty secret! There's always plenty of dirt to go around! Click the link on the right and tell your friends you like to play in "The Dirt!"</span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-32941054219235142222012-05-11T07:33:00.000-07:002012-05-12T13:27:23.547-07:00In the Dirt With...Matt Stairs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On October 13th in 2008, the Philadelphia
Phillies baseball club found themselves at a potential crossroads.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With the game tied in the 8th inning 5-5, they
were battling the LA Dodgers for the chance to advance to the World
Series. Lose this game and the series would head back to Philly tied
at two games apiece.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">History will show that a veteran journeyman will
march to the plate and hit a Jonathan Broxton pitch into orbit sending the
Phillies on to victory that night. It was a huge assist in the team's
march to eventually be World Champs in 2008, the franchise's first title since
1980.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The 2008 season brought many home runs to
Phillies fans, but many believe THAT particular home run by Matt Stairs is one
of the biggest moments in Phillies history. In fact, many Phillies
faithful believe the ball that Stairs hit is STILL circling the earth somewhere
and it’s become a bit of a fun "old wives tale" in that respect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Matt's career amazingly spanned from his rookie
season in 1992 to when he finally announced his retirement this past off-season
after spending the 2011 year with the Washington Nationals. He played for
an incredible 13 different teams over the 19 year career. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Talk about a guy who gets around?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I actually feel partly responsible for getting
him that last year with the Nationals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I had booked Matt at a show in Valley Forge
during the off-season following the 2010 year. The Padres had just
released Matt and it looked like his career might be over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That day we had all heard the incredible news
about Jayson Werth being signed to his mega-millions contract by the Nats.
Many people don't know this, but Werth used to regularly turn to Matt whenever
his swing wasn't quite right, asking for advice as to what he was doing wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Also attending the show that day was Nationals
assistant to the GM and ex Phillies great, Bob Boone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I introduced myself to Bob and told him that
Matt Stairs wanted to come over and say hello. I also happened to mention
how close Matt and Jayson have been over the years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Boone looked up from signing autographs and
said, "Oh really? Matt's here? I'd love to say hello."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A phone call by me to Bob Garber (Matt's agent
at the time) telling him about the days' events, and the next thing you know,
Matt's signed by the Washington Nationals! How about that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Well guess what? Matt may be on the
move again, and he MIGHT be headed back to Philadelphia.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Matt has done some work this season for the Boston
Red Sox TV network helping out with postgame and pregame coverage. He's
also been appearing on the MLB radio network fairly regularly as a
correspondent adding his expert opinion about the state of baseball today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Next week, Stairs returns to Philly for a VERY
busy weekend. On Friday 5/18, he is tentatively scheduled to be
sitting in for a couple of hours with Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano on WIP
radio from their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chickie’s and Pete's</i>
location in South Philly. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Could this be an audition? How would the
sports fans of the city feel about one of its 2008 championship baseball
heroes back in town doing radio?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Obviously there would be lots needed to make
that a reality, but you never know. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On Saturday, May 19<sup>th</sup>, Matt is headed
to a return engagement at one of AllStarInc's favorite venues, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carl's Cards & Collectables,</i> 22 West
Eagle Rd. in Havertown PA. Stairs appears at CCC from Noon to 1:30 P.M.
Long time Phillies player, Terry Harmon (2B/SS) will also be there from Noon to
2:00 P.M. You can go to <a href="http://www.carlscards.com/">www.carlscards.com</a>
or call 610-789-4996 for more information and to order autograph tickets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On Sunday, May 20<sup>th</sup> and Monday, May
21st, Matt will be taking part in Ron Jaworski's Celebrity Golf Challenge
in Atlantic City. All the proceeds from this charity event benefit the
Jaws Youth Playbook. Their mission is to
“improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth in the Philadelphia
region.” A big fan of charity, Matt
helps a great deal with the SPCA of Canada. Helping Jaws (another
AllStarInc client, of course) raise money for kids was a "no
brainer" AND he gets to play some golf, too! For more information on Jaworski’s charity
event, you can visit the website at www.jawscelebritygolf.com.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Since his retirement, Stairs has been bitten by
the golfing bug and now plays whenever and wherever possible. Between
hitting the links and still playing ice hockey at 6 AM daily, one might wonder
how he has time for anything else...or how he can even walk the next morning! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In a ceremony on June 9, Matt will be inducted
into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. When I heard about the honor,
I told Matt that I didn't even know he was a bowler (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brunswick</i><sup>®</sup> is one of the leading makers of bowling
balls)! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Matt replied "It's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NEW</i> Brunswick and it's a province in Canada, you dope."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I actually knew that, but I enjoy the chance to
kid him whenever possible. It's Matt's sense of humor that makes him a
really fun guy to be around and it's that personality that I think will make
him a very successful media personality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I once asked Matt which team was his favorite to
play for, and he surprisingly answered "It has to be the Oakland A's.....
because that's when I was actually good."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">He followed that with, "But the year or so
in Philly was awesome! You can't beat the feeling winning a championship
gives you. And, the fans have never let me forget how thankful they
are. Phillies fans are really great fans."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Remember that Matt only played two other post
season series during the rest of his entire career; once in 1995 with the
Red Sox, and then again in 2001 with the A's. Both times his team was
bounced immediately.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A year and three months in Philly and he
got the chance to play in TWO World Series, including the winner in 2008.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you get a chance to see Matt next weekend,
please be sure say hello and let him know what that home run means to
you. I know he hears it all the time, but I also know he never gets tired
of it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*************************************************</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Visit us for our recurring series, <i>"In the Dirt With..." </i>as we profile professional athletes from all sports.<br /><br />Like getting down and dirty with us? Invite your friends to get dirty, too, by clicking on the "share" tab on the right.</span>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-17682311918194452082012-05-10T12:37:00.000-07:002012-05-12T13:28:55.605-07:00Reason to Be Concerned About the Phils? HECK YEAH!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGvXe6Pzuq8/T6wV9sGI3CI/AAAAAAAAABs/cOc_oQs7PTU/s1600/whoa%21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGvXe6Pzuq8/T6wV9sGI3CI/AAAAAAAAABs/cOc_oQs7PTU/s320/whoa%21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Those who know me know
that I'm one of the most optimistic people around. This is especially
true when it comes to the prospects of Philadelphia sports teams (and the Pitt
Panthers!).</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So the question
today..."Is there any reason to be scared by the Phillies recent
performance?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The answer
is...YES, be VERY afraid! It may not be something that can change
any time soon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It's definitely not time
to panic and make vacation plans for October quite yet. As long as the Phillies continue to have hope
that Utley and Howard will indeed return, there is great hope. But, it might be
a good idea to try to fix things now before it gets too out of hand!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There is good
news. Despite the horrific start and recent severe failures, the home
town boys only find themselves 5 games back of first place. The teams
above them in the standings are not anything you might confuse with the 1927
Yankees, so it's not like this is an insurmountable deficit to recover
from.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And you would THINK that
with a starting pitching rotation featuring Halladay, Lee, and Hamels it
would be very difficult to screw things up, right? Yeah, you would
think. But, man, oh man, the guys in the red pinstripes are doing their
best to give us concern!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Obviously, the
bullpen has been a HUGE problem that needs to be fixed ASAP; but with
Papelbon, Bastardo, Herndon, Qualls and the other cast of characters,
you'd think it would be better than it has been. I have a feeling you'll
see better days from the bullpen as the season goes on and the pitchers have
more than 10 innings under their belts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The bigger issues to me
are the other guys around the team who are not playing up to their abilities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you could morph
Galvis and Orr together, you MIGHT get a second baseman than can hit AND
field. As of now, you have two guys that simply CANNOT do one or the
other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Jim Thome experiment
has been a pretty bad idea so far; it might be a good time to cut bait and make
better use of that roster spot. Like somebody who can
do....ANYTHING?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Rollins, Victorino, and
Mayberry are roughly hitting a combined .235. To me, here lies the
biggest problem. With guys named Howard and Utley not in the lineup it's
up to these 3 (among the others) to come through.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">They have not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Just hit .260 for
goodness sake! Unless you're Freddy Galvis, it's not THAT hard to do, is
it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of the three named
above, the guy I have the most confidence in rebounding is Mayberry. He
showed he can be clutch and fairly consistent last season down the
stretch. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With Rollins, I'm pretty
much ok with him just catching the ball, which he is still one of the best at
doing. But, if he could contribute offensively at all, it would make a
huge difference. When you already have a second baseman who is a
"glove only guy" you can't afford to have a second one in the lineup
unless the rest of the team is cranking out runs like they're going out of
style....and that ain't happening.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That leaves us
Vic. I'm sorry, but maybe it's time to part with our beloved
Hawaiian. He is a commodity the Phillies could dangle for trade bait and
possibly sure up the bullpen a little bit. Given he will be a free agent
soon, you probably won't get a ton for him; but you might get something, and
then you can use Juan Pierre in CF every day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When Chase and Ryan come
back, the team can hit the pavement running instead of flat on their face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And let's give some
credit where credit is due....Kudos to dudes named Pence, Ruiz, Polanco,
and "The Three Aces" for carrying the team so far.
Without them, things could be MUCH worse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My guess is that the
Phils will sit tight and try to correct from within and they will probably be
able to make that happen. But…is there a reason to be concerned?
Uhhhh yeah, there is....even I admit that.</span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-39769764155192291922012-05-09T09:08:00.001-07:002012-05-12T13:30:29.671-07:00The Morning After...No Bridge Jumping Necessary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WD4LAtAeBM4/T6qZYPpt_wI/AAAAAAAAABg/CD5WLqpjeFw/s1600/ben+franklin+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WD4LAtAeBM4/T6qZYPpt_wI/AAAAAAAAABg/CD5WLqpjeFw/s1600/ben+franklin+bridge.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I'm hoping the line to jump from the
Ben Franklin Bridge was shorter last night than it has been in past years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Flyers fans have a reason for hope. The
future is actually bright, as opposed to feeling like "this was our last
chance."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Look, I admit it: I'm not the greatest
Flyers fan of all time. I can't tell you the juniors team that Eric
Wellwood played for or other hard core facts about the squad. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The only time I watch regular season games is
when the bar shows them as I play Golden Tee Golf.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My ankles snap, crackle, and pop loudly
each year as I jump back on the bandwagon right around playoff time like many
other Philadelphia sports fans do. But, I am a loyal, returning fan every
single year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In the past, I always felt like the Flyers’
brain trust had patch-worked rosters that were riddled with grizzly veterans
who were trying to squeeze the last bit of hockey life out of their mangled and
dilapidated bodies. And the Flyers admittedly have been very successful
at this strategy in the past, but it never seemed to put the team over the top.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">That's why last off-season felt
very different. The Flyers brass made earth shattering trades
sending away some of the team’s top players while acquiring youthful hope
in the bodies of unproven potential stars. They traded away names I
actually KNEW for lots of guys I’d never heard of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">For the most part, that formula was a huge
success.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">If you can remember passed the orange-colored
glasses that were worn the last few weeks, many Flyers hopefuls wondered out
loud where the scoring was going to come from and labeled this a
"rebuilding year.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And then a funny thing happened....the team came
together and played very well. Well enough to oust Cup favorites
Pittsburgh and gave hope to all of Philadelphia that maybe this WAS our year!?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The good news is that the names and ages of
the team include guys like Giroux (28), Couterier (19), Read (25), Wellwood
(22), Van Riemsdyk (23), Schenn (20) Simmonds (23), Voracek (22), and the list
goes on. Add to that a few vets that have gas in the tank (ie...Briere,
Hartnell, etc.) and you have a pretty good nucleus for success over the next
few years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Obvious subtractions need to be made.
Jaromir Jagr has had a great career and may have one or two years left, but not
here. He just seems like he's out of joint with everybody else on the
ice. Jagr just doesn't fit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Life without Pronger is probably
inevitable. The defense unit will need to learn from the Devils series
and find better ways to deliver the puck up the ice. Maybe another big
name acquisition for the blue line would be a good idea?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And then there is Bryz. Like him or hate
him, he's your Flyers goalie for the next three or four years, minimum.
Too much money has been sunk into the dude.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My guess is that we'll all have to live
with our beloved goaltender's peaks and valleys, and I'm ok with
that. Everybody has good days and bad. Hopefully as he continues to
mesh with all of his teammates over the next couple years he'll weed out more
of those "valleys" to the point where they just don't happen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The direction is certainly a positive one.
There are certainly issues that need to be figured out, but overall, things are
looking pretty good at Flyerpalooza.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">How long until training camp starts?
Ehhhh...just call me next April!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">*****************************************</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Like "<i>The Dirt?</i>" Invite your friends to get down and dirty with us, too!!! </span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893127480740957907.post-36956373363578601602012-05-08T09:13:00.000-07:002012-05-08T11:48:24.106-07:00Did We Just Say That Out Loud??<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUJOJIG00xU/T6lCgxMI2lI/AAAAAAAAAAM/a5qg7q7edyM/s1600/insert+foot+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUJOJIG00xU/T6lCgxMI2lI/AAAAAAAAAAM/a5qg7q7edyM/s320/insert+foot+here.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">While the Boston Red Sox
have banned beer in the clubhouse after games this season, it's pretty apparent
that <i>SOMETHING</i> is in the Gatorade in other dugouts. Players around the
league are opening their mouths and some pretty incredible things are coming out
of them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Cole Hamels drills
rookie stud Bryce Harper and then openly admits that it was definitely
intentional? <b><i>What</i></b> was he thinking?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Repeat after me
Cole..."The pitch got away from me. It was meant to be inside, but it
kinda ran a little further than I expected." Is that really so hard to say? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ehhh...the consequences
aren't as dire as some think when they hear about a "five game suspension.”
With a five man rotation, Cole rests four days as it is. To give a guy
an extra day off in May isn't necessarily a bad thing...so...thanks MLB!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe Cole is just
trying to shake off the pretty boy image and seem tougher? Ehhhhhh, it aint workin', but nice try Cole!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Jamie Moyer is accusing
Chipper Jones of stealing signs? <i>SO WHAT!?!</i> In addition to drinking
the wacky fluids, Moyer may also be suffering from old age. The stealing of signs in baseball has
happened for ohhhhhh, let's see...maybe 140 years? That was right around
when Jamie was a rookie, wasn't it? </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In the old days, it was
considered an art. When I played in high school, our coach would tell the
bench players to study the third base coach and see if they could figure out
what the bunt and steal signs were. Jamie
needs to stop being a baby and blaming getting rocked on signs being
stolen. You're flippin’ it up there at 76 miles an hour, Jamie...it's
<i>going</i> to get hit!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of course, Chipper is
obviously sipping the crazy juice, too. He responded to Moyer's
accusations by challenging Moyer to a fight!?
Come to think about it...I'd really like to see Jamie Moyer fight
Chipper Jones. I smell Pay-Per-View! I'll take Chipper in round 3
with a TKO!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Lastly, Jayson Werth
gets the crown for drinking wild berry liquids. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">After breaking his wrist
and being berated by Phillies fans as he struggled off the field, Werth was
obviously under the influence of <i>SOMETHING</i> when he said, "I'm going to do
everything I can to keep those guys from another parade down Broad
Street."</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ok, so here's an open
note to all Nationals players and fans....<i><b><span style="color: red;">THE PHILLIES DO NOT CARE ABOUT
YOU!</span></b></i> Nope, not at all. Not one bit. ZIP. ZERO. Sorry, but you are NOT the Phillies’
rival. The Mets and Braves both can lay a much better claim to
that. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A reporter asked Phils
closer, Jon Papelbon, about the "so-called rivalry" that is
developing. Pap is definitely the wrong guy to ask about rivalries since
he just came from a land where the Red Sox battle the Yankees on a regular
basis. Now<i> THAT'S</i> a rivalry!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Nationals Park just allows
for a very convenient place for Phillies fans to easily get cheap lower-level
box seats that's not too far away from home. If the Orioles were in the
NL East, Phillies fans would be flocking to Camden Yards instead. It
would save everybody an extra hour of driving if we could somehow make that
happen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Nats are vastly
improved and their future is extremely bright, but their start this season does
not automatically make them an elite franchise....like ummmmmm.....the
PHILLIES!?!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">And while I'm still
talking about the Nats, can somebody take their GM, Mike Rizzo, aside and
explain to him that he sounded like a whining, crying female dog when he
reacted to Cole Hamels’ remarks about hitting Bryce Harper.
Waaaaaaaahhhhh!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe Rizzo and Werth
can sit together in the stands for the next 12 weeks and try to figure out a
way to be more like the Phillies organization instead of crying and
yapping to the press?!?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Commissioner Selig! Check those water coolers, <i>please</i>!
Something crazy is happening and it's not even June yet! It must be in
the water!</span></div>The Dirt on AllStarInchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01350958910658409364noreply@blogger.com0