As I sit and watch a dramatic game 4 of the 2010 World Series, I can't help but be frustrated with Major League Baseball. As you can probably imagine, the umpires have been a major disappointment to me, as it has been for countless others, as I watch bad calls go both ways. But that's another discussion for another time!
What really irks me is the corporate imposition on the game. To wit, here are some nuisances that I've encountered:
-REALLY, REALLY, REALLY long commercial breaks. These commercials slow down the game way too much, ruining the flow of the game and taking too long to complete each game. The game started shortly after 8pm, and it's now almost 11:30, with still the full 9th inning to go. And it's only a 4-4 game with few pitching changes to slow things down. These commercial breaks need to be shortened in order to appeal to younger fans, since most of them can't stay up too late.
-Speaking of 8:00 games, why does MLB insist of showing the games so late? At least on a Sunday night, we could get a 7:00 game, no? It's likely due to some kind of prime time formula that skews (and screws!) the timing, but something that is not fan-friendly.
-Repeated commercials ad nauseum. How many times do we need to be tortured with Subway's $5 foot long commercials and the obnoxious Mac commercials before we get spasms and automatically decide to NOT buy from these advertisers?
That's my rant for the night as I sweat out this 9th inning. It's a shame that an otherwise excellent World Series would have to be marred by such frustrating intrusions. But if the Phils win it all, it will all be worth it. I suppose. Go Phils!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A Comment about Points after Touchdowns
I've been watching a lot of college football today (go Penn State!), and I've been watching football in general all my life. I just have to lay out a comment about PATs-- points after touchdowns. Is there any good reason for having them?
Let's face facts here... at least 95 out of 100 extra points will be made in the college and pro level. It's basically a slam dunk, other than the rare blocked or flubbed kick. So, what's the point of having extra point kicks at all if they're basically guaranteed points? Shouldn't you have to earn your points in a game where, for the rest of the game, every yard is a battle? Extra points are a boring way to score, and arguably the easiest way to get a point in any kind of game anywhere, other than a breakway slam dunk in basketball.
Now as you well know, in both the college and pro level, a team can opt to go for the two point conversion, which is a pass or run from the 2 yard line, but it's rarely ever attempted unless a specific situation calls for it. I personally like the two-point play because the whole offense and whole defense are involved in the play and you really have to strategize and fight your way to score.
My opinion would be to go with one of the following two options in order to boost the game of football:
1. Eliminate extra point attempts altogether in favor of a mandatory two-point play after a touchdown,
or,
2. Instead of the 2-point play, make it worth 3 points per score, as a greater incentive to scrap the kick and go for the bonus points after a touchdown.
That's my 2 points, err, cents, on how to make the great game of football even more intriguing.
Let's face facts here... at least 95 out of 100 extra points will be made in the college and pro level. It's basically a slam dunk, other than the rare blocked or flubbed kick. So, what's the point of having extra point kicks at all if they're basically guaranteed points? Shouldn't you have to earn your points in a game where, for the rest of the game, every yard is a battle? Extra points are a boring way to score, and arguably the easiest way to get a point in any kind of game anywhere, other than a breakway slam dunk in basketball.
Now as you well know, in both the college and pro level, a team can opt to go for the two point conversion, which is a pass or run from the 2 yard line, but it's rarely ever attempted unless a specific situation calls for it. I personally like the two-point play because the whole offense and whole defense are involved in the play and you really have to strategize and fight your way to score.
My opinion would be to go with one of the following two options in order to boost the game of football:
1. Eliminate extra point attempts altogether in favor of a mandatory two-point play after a touchdown,
or,
2. Instead of the 2-point play, make it worth 3 points per score, as a greater incentive to scrap the kick and go for the bonus points after a touchdown.
That's my 2 points, err, cents, on how to make the great game of football even more intriguing.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Another Idea: Targeted Ads in the Backstop
Next idea for the night...
You know those digital ads that appear behind the catcher at a baseball game on the backstop? Well how about we turn them into targeted ads, a la pay per click ads on Google.
So instead of a useless, untargeted ad for, say, Spongetech, which seem to have popped up a lot lately, pop in an ad that relates to the hitter, or other relevant situation.
Examples:
-Ryan Howard steps to the plate, up pops an ad for Subway, whom he endorses
-It's a blazing hot summer day, and the announcer mentions the 97 degree temperature and how the players are drinking lots of liquids... up pops an ad for Gatorade or Aquafina
-A player slides into second and gets a mess on his uniform. Yup, you guessed it, an ad for Tide or another laundry detergent appears.
Admittedly, this could get annoying if it happened every 10 seconds, so there would have to be some limits, but my thought is that it would provide a lot better context for the advertiser and make a better connection with the fans, thus making the ads more valuable.
Well, that's my second thought for the night. Now it's drawing near midnight and it's tied at 4 at the end of the 4th between the Phils and Rockies. Thanks TBS and MLB for this lovely late night game, I'll see what else I can blog about to keep awake...
You know those digital ads that appear behind the catcher at a baseball game on the backstop? Well how about we turn them into targeted ads, a la pay per click ads on Google.
So instead of a useless, untargeted ad for, say, Spongetech, which seem to have popped up a lot lately, pop in an ad that relates to the hitter, or other relevant situation.
Examples:
-Ryan Howard steps to the plate, up pops an ad for Subway, whom he endorses
-It's a blazing hot summer day, and the announcer mentions the 97 degree temperature and how the players are drinking lots of liquids... up pops an ad for Gatorade or Aquafina
-A player slides into second and gets a mess on his uniform. Yup, you guessed it, an ad for Tide or another laundry detergent appears.
Admittedly, this could get annoying if it happened every 10 seconds, so there would have to be some limits, but my thought is that it would provide a lot better context for the advertiser and make a better connection with the fans, thus making the ads more valuable.
Well, that's my second thought for the night. Now it's drawing near midnight and it's tied at 4 at the end of the 4th between the Phils and Rockies. Thanks TBS and MLB for this lovely late night game, I'll see what else I can blog about to keep awake...
Give "Back" to a Good Cause
As I watch this torturously late Phillies-Rockies National League Divisional Series playoff game (11pm Eastern Time, with only 2 innings in the books), I had a thought... I think it's time to reevaluate the batboys' uniforms.
Huh?
Just follow me here.
So the batboys for each game wear the home team's uniform and usually the back of their jerseys are emblazoned with the clever statement of "BATBOY."
Instead of wasting this prime space, which is seen by millions of people every game, why not give "back" to a good cause by outfitting each batboy with a shirt that features a local non-profit's name, website, and/or logo? And perhaps after each game, the shirt gets signed by some of the players and given to the charity to get auctioned off. This simple act raises awareness for the charity, then raises a bit of money via the auction, rather than wasting the space on the jersey with an uninspiring noun.
Just trying to think of some ways to give back in this age of big-business baseball. Maybe I'll even have some more ideas to throw out there before the end of this (long) night...
Huh?
Just follow me here.
So the batboys for each game wear the home team's uniform and usually the back of their jerseys are emblazoned with the clever statement of "BATBOY."
Instead of wasting this prime space, which is seen by millions of people every game, why not give "back" to a good cause by outfitting each batboy with a shirt that features a local non-profit's name, website, and/or logo? And perhaps after each game, the shirt gets signed by some of the players and given to the charity to get auctioned off. This simple act raises awareness for the charity, then raises a bit of money via the auction, rather than wasting the space on the jersey with an uninspiring noun.
Just trying to think of some ways to give back in this age of big-business baseball. Maybe I'll even have some more ideas to throw out there before the end of this (long) night...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
I Have the Solution to the Phillies' Closer Problems
Ok, it finally dawned on me. With Brad Lidge having blown 10 saves this season and Ryan Madson having blown six saves, that's a lot of games lost or made unnecessarily more difficult to win than need be. Here's what we need to do to solve the problems that the Phillies have had with their closers this year:
Develop a "Biblical" plan to foil any attempt to finish the game when the Phillies are winning by three runs or less after eight full innings.
Allow me to clarify.
If the Phillies are winning after eight innings, something clearly needs to be done about eliminating that boorish and inconvenient ninth inning. I'm thinking that we need to unleash some pesky plagues to ensure that the 9th inning gets canceled altogether and the Phils leave the ballpark with a victory.
Perhaps one night after the eighth inning concludes, the lights mysteriously go off and won't go back on, and the darkness subsequently forces the umpires to call the game.
Or maybe Hurricane Schwartz can whip up an improptu hail storm to halt the game.
Locusts? Sure.
Frogs? Why not.
The point I'm making here is that we don't need anybody to be a hero and close a game out in the 9th inning. Instead, simply avoiding the ninth inning altogether would be fine and dandy by me. In other words, "Let my bullpen go."
Develop a "Biblical" plan to foil any attempt to finish the game when the Phillies are winning by three runs or less after eight full innings.
Allow me to clarify.
If the Phillies are winning after eight innings, something clearly needs to be done about eliminating that boorish and inconvenient ninth inning. I'm thinking that we need to unleash some pesky plagues to ensure that the 9th inning gets canceled altogether and the Phils leave the ballpark with a victory.
Perhaps one night after the eighth inning concludes, the lights mysteriously go off and won't go back on, and the darkness subsequently forces the umpires to call the game.
Or maybe Hurricane Schwartz can whip up an improptu hail storm to halt the game.
Locusts? Sure.
Frogs? Why not.
The point I'm making here is that we don't need anybody to be a hero and close a game out in the 9th inning. Instead, simply avoiding the ninth inning altogether would be fine and dandy by me. In other words, "Let my bullpen go."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Just Sayin'
Michael Vick has received some harsh criticism by Eagles fans ever since they signed him.
What he did was indeed downright disgraceful, but I personally wonder if it has something to do with the fact that people care more about their pets than their fellow human beings.
To wit, Brett Myers had an incident of hitting his wife in public (a case where charges have since been dropped), but now Philly fans are clamoring for him to pitch as a closer in place of the struggling Brad Lidge.
Eagles fans also went nuts when Cowboys' receiver Michael Irvin was taken off on a stretcher.
Let's not forget that our fair city's favorite sports icon is Rocky... a guy who punched meat and bloodied many an opponent (albeit in a fictional world).
And speaking of meat... that hamburger you're eating right now? Think about how much abuse that cow went through to get to your mouth.
I'd like to see us live in a more civilized world, but until then, let's at least be consistent in who we love and hate in this world.
What he did was indeed downright disgraceful, but I personally wonder if it has something to do with the fact that people care more about their pets than their fellow human beings.
To wit, Brett Myers had an incident of hitting his wife in public (a case where charges have since been dropped), but now Philly fans are clamoring for him to pitch as a closer in place of the struggling Brad Lidge.
Eagles fans also went nuts when Cowboys' receiver Michael Irvin was taken off on a stretcher.
Let's not forget that our fair city's favorite sports icon is Rocky... a guy who punched meat and bloodied many an opponent (albeit in a fictional world).
And speaking of meat... that hamburger you're eating right now? Think about how much abuse that cow went through to get to your mouth.
I'd like to see us live in a more civilized world, but until then, let's at least be consistent in who we love and hate in this world.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Vague as Vick
The controversial signing of QB Michael Vick by the Philadelphia Eagles has raised much uproar throughout the country, though particularly here in the Philadelphia metro area. Some fans are downright belligerent about his signing, saying that he's a dog killer and he doesn't deserve the chance to play again; others are all for it, saying that he paid time for his crime and everybody should have the opportunity to get a second chance in life.
So with this controversy, I figured there would be some corporate reservations about endorsing this polarizing athlete. But unfortunately I haven't seen much of a stance one way or the other from the corporate world thus far. The closest I've seen has been a Philadelphia Inquirer article which discusses Dick's Sporting Goods and their stance on the issue of selling Michael Vick jerseys in their stores. In a nutshell: if people want them, Dick's will stock them, if not, they won't. Gee, don't go too far out on a limb there, guys.
I would like to have seen somebody take a stance on this issue. Either hold the line and say we choose not to stock Michael Vick jerseys because of his questionable character, or say, yes, we will stock his jersey and we have decided that 10% of all revenue from the sale of his jerseys will go to the ASPCA, to help animals in distress. To me, it's pretty lame to act vaguely and say that you will wait and see how people react, or just glaze over the issue until it subsides. Grow a backbone for once!
So with this controversy, I figured there would be some corporate reservations about endorsing this polarizing athlete. But unfortunately I haven't seen much of a stance one way or the other from the corporate world thus far. The closest I've seen has been a Philadelphia Inquirer article which discusses Dick's Sporting Goods and their stance on the issue of selling Michael Vick jerseys in their stores. In a nutshell: if people want them, Dick's will stock them, if not, they won't. Gee, don't go too far out on a limb there, guys.
I would like to have seen somebody take a stance on this issue. Either hold the line and say we choose not to stock Michael Vick jerseys because of his questionable character, or say, yes, we will stock his jersey and we have decided that 10% of all revenue from the sale of his jerseys will go to the ASPCA, to help animals in distress. To me, it's pretty lame to act vaguely and say that you will wait and see how people react, or just glaze over the issue until it subsides. Grow a backbone for once!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What the Phils Need for Their Playoff Run
The Phils have signed Pedro Martinez for a cool mil to hopefully eat up some innings down the stretch run. And rumors are swirling about Roy Halladay coming to Philly in a trade. Perhaps there will be other moves made as well.
My personal opinion? I think the Phils need a submarariner in the bullpen. When was the last time this squad had a sidearmer? Kent Tekulve in the mid-80s? There were probably others that I'm forgetting since his time, but nobody of consequence.
Bring in a submarine pitcher, and we'll soar to the championship. That's my take on it.
My personal opinion? I think the Phils need a submarariner in the bullpen. When was the last time this squad had a sidearmer? Kent Tekulve in the mid-80s? There were probably others that I'm forgetting since his time, but nobody of consequence.
Bring in a submarine pitcher, and we'll soar to the championship. That's my take on it.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Phillies. Yikes.
I realize it's tough to stay hot for 162 games of a season in the MLB, but getting swept back-to-back at home? Ouch, that's painful.
The Phillies have had some tough breaks lately with Lidge and Ibanez getting hurt, and Howard getting sick (although he still managed to hit a clutch 3-run home run on Saturday after being in the hospital the night before), but how bad can a team look on it's own home turf? This has gone beyond a slump. This has gone to yikes.
The Phillies have had some tough breaks lately with Lidge and Ibanez getting hurt, and Howard getting sick (although he still managed to hit a clutch 3-run home run on Saturday after being in the hospital the night before), but how bad can a team look on it's own home turf? This has gone beyond a slump. This has gone to yikes.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Philadelphia & Pittsburgh: A Tale of Two Cities
Interesting times in the cross state battle between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh these days.
To wit:
-The Phillies won the World Series in 2008, while the Pirates floundered as the third worst team in the National League.
-The Steelers won the Super Bowl in February, and the Eagles made it to the NFC Championship game.
-The Penguins are in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, continuing a run that they started by beating the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs.
-The Sixers lost in the first round of the playoffs, while Pittsburgh still has no NBA basketball team.
-In the 2009 NCCA Tournament, Villanova University (of Philadelphia) ousted the University of Pittsburgh in the Elite Eight.
And there may be more interesting results from the sports world in the past year or so that I'm not aware of, but as you can see it's been quite a roller coaster ride in the sports world for these two metropoli.
Basically, if Pittsburgh could field a Major League baseball team (wink wink) and a professional basketball team, these two cities would be completely dominating the world of sports right now. Interesting times indeed...
To wit:
-The Phillies won the World Series in 2008, while the Pirates floundered as the third worst team in the National League.
-The Steelers won the Super Bowl in February, and the Eagles made it to the NFC Championship game.
-The Penguins are in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, continuing a run that they started by beating the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs.
-The Sixers lost in the first round of the playoffs, while Pittsburgh still has no NBA basketball team.
-In the 2009 NCCA Tournament, Villanova University (of Philadelphia) ousted the University of Pittsburgh in the Elite Eight.
And there may be more interesting results from the sports world in the past year or so that I'm not aware of, but as you can see it's been quite a roller coaster ride in the sports world for these two metropoli.
Basically, if Pittsburgh could field a Major League baseball team (wink wink) and a professional basketball team, these two cities would be completely dominating the world of sports right now. Interesting times indeed...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I Miss Harry the K, But...
Harry Kalas was an incredible announcer and a Philadelphia legend. I will miss him dearly, as will millions of other sports fans. It's sad that he passed away this week, and I certainly grieve for his family.
All that said, I'd still have to say that the media and fans of this town need to start letting go and moving on. I just logged on to Philly.com to get my dose of the latest news, and right there on the front page is a live streaming video of thousands of fans paying respects to Harry the K at Citizens Bank Park. Hmmm...
For starters, I don't recall the Philadelphia Inquirer ever playing a live streaming video on their website, let alone their home page, so I find it a bit peculiar that they would start with this event.
Secondly, I watched for a moment and saw people walking up to the casket and taking photos. People were even posing with the casket and somebody snapped their picture. Is that REALLY being respectful?
And speaking of the Inquirer, the media coverage of Kalas's death has been absolutely relentless. How about we leave the man be, and perhaps sprinkle some bits about him into future broadcasts, rather than deluging us with countless personal recollections of him, showing how many people added Phillies paraphernalia to the Mike Schmidt statue at CBP, and replaying the 2008 World Series call?
Let's be clear here... Harry the K lived a long, fruitful life, seemed like a great guy, and will be greatly missed. But I think it's time to move on. Sorry for sounding "callous", but I don't think Harry would have wanted all this attention. We loved Harry, we'll miss him, we've grieved, now we collectively should let the man rest and let his family get some peace...
All that said, I'd still have to say that the media and fans of this town need to start letting go and moving on. I just logged on to Philly.com to get my dose of the latest news, and right there on the front page is a live streaming video of thousands of fans paying respects to Harry the K at Citizens Bank Park. Hmmm...
For starters, I don't recall the Philadelphia Inquirer ever playing a live streaming video on their website, let alone their home page, so I find it a bit peculiar that they would start with this event.
Secondly, I watched for a moment and saw people walking up to the casket and taking photos. People were even posing with the casket and somebody snapped their picture. Is that REALLY being respectful?
And speaking of the Inquirer, the media coverage of Kalas's death has been absolutely relentless. How about we leave the man be, and perhaps sprinkle some bits about him into future broadcasts, rather than deluging us with countless personal recollections of him, showing how many people added Phillies paraphernalia to the Mike Schmidt statue at CBP, and replaying the 2008 World Series call?
Let's be clear here... Harry the K lived a long, fruitful life, seemed like a great guy, and will be greatly missed. But I think it's time to move on. Sorry for sounding "callous", but I don't think Harry would have wanted all this attention. We loved Harry, we'll miss him, we've grieved, now we collectively should let the man rest and let his family get some peace...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
NBA vs. College Rules
Shamefully it's been a long time since I last posted to this blog, but as I watch tonight's Final Four showdown between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tarheels, I was just thinking about why NCAA basketball rules are so different from NBA rules. To wit, here are some differences:
-NCAA plays 20 minute halves, vs. 12-minute quarters in NBA
-1 and 1 foul situations in NCAA, but not in NBA
-possession arrow in NCAA vs. jump ball in the pros
-shorter 3-point arc in NCAA
I'd like to know what the reasoning is behind having these disparate rules. Seems to me like the NCAA should mesh with the NBA rules since they're essentially training their players on how to play in the pros. In addition, it takes out the confusion for novice fans if the rules are more universal.
All in all, what's the benefit of having different regulations between the two?
-NCAA plays 20 minute halves, vs. 12-minute quarters in NBA
-1 and 1 foul situations in NCAA, but not in NBA
-possession arrow in NCAA vs. jump ball in the pros
-shorter 3-point arc in NCAA
I'd like to know what the reasoning is behind having these disparate rules. Seems to me like the NCAA should mesh with the NBA rules since they're essentially training their players on how to play in the pros. In addition, it takes out the confusion for novice fans if the rules are more universal.
All in all, what's the benefit of having different regulations between the two?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Brian Dawkins... A Case Study
So reports are out that Brian Dawkins is shipping off to the Denver Broncos now that the free agency period has begun. While I don't know if these reports are true, this provides an interesting case study in the world of sports.
For starters, I took a look at my Facebook page and at least five people have already commented on this situation via their status. The emotions displayed in these status messages include:
1. anger that the Eagles are letting him go
2. depression that he's leaving
3. thankfulness for his exemplary performance
Yes, Brian Dawkins was/is indeed an amazing football player, possibly one of the best defenders and leaders the Eagles have ever had. And yes, he is a tremendous guy on and off the field, as a leader and motivator for the team and for the community.
But his (potential) departure for another team reflects yet another reason why I don't get too caught up in the nitty gritty of sports any more. I don't feel like I can expend any extra bit of energy on emotionally investing myself in who plays where. Sure there are many admirable qualities to many athletes, Brian Dawkins one of them, but I can't help but remind myself: it's just a game.
There's so much going on in the world that is more important than this kind of stuff, in my mind, than to get all fired up about it. Whatever happens, it's been a great run with Brian Dawkins, now let's move on... shall we?
For starters, I took a look at my Facebook page and at least five people have already commented on this situation via their status. The emotions displayed in these status messages include:
1. anger that the Eagles are letting him go
2. depression that he's leaving
3. thankfulness for his exemplary performance
Yes, Brian Dawkins was/is indeed an amazing football player, possibly one of the best defenders and leaders the Eagles have ever had. And yes, he is a tremendous guy on and off the field, as a leader and motivator for the team and for the community.
But his (potential) departure for another team reflects yet another reason why I don't get too caught up in the nitty gritty of sports any more. I don't feel like I can expend any extra bit of energy on emotionally investing myself in who plays where. Sure there are many admirable qualities to many athletes, Brian Dawkins one of them, but I can't help but remind myself: it's just a game.
There's so much going on in the world that is more important than this kind of stuff, in my mind, than to get all fired up about it. Whatever happens, it's been a great run with Brian Dawkins, now let's move on... shall we?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Fun with H-O-R-S-E and One-on-One
The NBA announced that it will be adding a competitive game of H-O-R-S-E to its lineup of All Star Game festivities in Phoenix next week. I think this is a welcome addition to the otherwise stale weekend.
This shootout competition, for whatever reason, harkens back to the "Dr. J vs. Larry Bird Go One on One" video game that was as simple as it was addictive. This game featured the timeless one-on-one basketball battle of two classic NBA stars, brought to your home entertainment system. I remember playing this game on my Atari 7800 for hours at a time. Now granted the H-0-R-S-E battle is a little different than one on one, but hopefully the live All Star version is just as fun to watch!
Now for the one-on-one vintage Sixers matchups I'd like to see in a game of H-O-R-S-E:
Charles Barkley vs. Clarence Weatherspoon
-"Baby Barkley" vs. the "Real Barkley"
Scott Williams vs. Sharone Wright
-Battle of the Let Downs
Derrick Coleman vs. Glenn Robinson
-Battle of the Free Agent Frauds
Manute Bol vs. Shawn Bradley
-Fifteen Feet of Fame
Greg Grant vs. Speedy Claxton
-Mini-Me Squared
This shootout competition, for whatever reason, harkens back to the "Dr. J vs. Larry Bird Go One on One" video game that was as simple as it was addictive. This game featured the timeless one-on-one basketball battle of two classic NBA stars, brought to your home entertainment system. I remember playing this game on my Atari 7800 for hours at a time. Now granted the H-0-R-S-E battle is a little different than one on one, but hopefully the live All Star version is just as fun to watch!
Now for the one-on-one vintage Sixers matchups I'd like to see in a game of H-O-R-S-E:
Charles Barkley vs. Clarence Weatherspoon
-"Baby Barkley" vs. the "Real Barkley"
Scott Williams vs. Sharone Wright
-Battle of the Let Downs
Derrick Coleman vs. Glenn Robinson
-Battle of the Free Agent Frauds
Manute Bol vs. Shawn Bradley
-Fifteen Feet of Fame
Greg Grant vs. Speedy Claxton
-Mini-Me Squared
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Kudos to Philly Sports Teams and Fans
An estimated 1,500 Philly sports fans and good Samaritans lined up to give blood in exchange for sports jerseys yesterday at the Wachovia Center. It was quite a scene to see so many dedicated individuals looking to help save lives yesterday.
Kudos should be given to the American Red Cross for running a smooth blood drive and to the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Wings, and Philadelphia Phantoms for offering up free replica jerseys for all donors. This is their third year holding this blood drive. It's a win-win for all people involved and I hope it will continue and grow throughout the years.
Kudos should be given to the American Red Cross for running a smooth blood drive and to the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Wings, and Philadelphia Phantoms for offering up free replica jerseys for all donors. This is their third year holding this blood drive. It's a win-win for all people involved and I hope it will continue and grow throughout the years.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Oh Well
Well, I stand corrected. Having predicted a playoff victory for the Eagles today, I must say that the Cards are deserving of a Super Bowl berth.
The Cardinals' offense was on a roll, and their defense, though not dominant, held their own. The Eagles gave a good fight, but got outplayed.
Some mysteries from the game:
-What happened to David Akers? He missed a field goal, extra point, and kicked a kick off out of bounds.
-What was Quentin Demps doing out there? He got burned several times and had a ridiculous penalty.
-How was there no pass interference on the Eagles' last pass of the game to Kevin Curtis? Maybe it wasn't a hack job, but seemed noticeable enough that a flag should have been called.
Well, whatever, I'm not going to go all sour grapes up in here. Eagles lost, time to move on.
The Cardinals' offense was on a roll, and their defense, though not dominant, held their own. The Eagles gave a good fight, but got outplayed.
Some mysteries from the game:
-What happened to David Akers? He missed a field goal, extra point, and kicked a kick off out of bounds.
-What was Quentin Demps doing out there? He got burned several times and had a ridiculous penalty.
-How was there no pass interference on the Eagles' last pass of the game to Kevin Curtis? Maybe it wasn't a hack job, but seemed noticeable enough that a flag should have been called.
Well, whatever, I'm not going to go all sour grapes up in here. Eagles lost, time to move on.
Today's Battle of the Birds
The soaring Eagles take on the high-flying Cardinals today in the City of Desertly Love to determine which team earns a trip to the Super Bowl. Should be quite a battle as both teams have been hot during the playoffs.
Yesterday I watched the classic movie Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. Very apropos to today's game. In the movie, the two "gentlemen bandits" get chased by a squad of hired hitmen, so to speak, who are hot on the trail of the two wanted gunmen. What ensues is an epic chase where the two outlaws try every trick in the book to get away from their followers. Ultimately, they head for the hills to escape capture. I have a feeling that is what today's game will be like. A back and forth chase, where one false move could determine the outcome of the game. And with the backdrop of the Squaw Peak/Piestewa Peak, it's eerie how much the movie and the game could have in common. Well, metaphorically, at least.
That said, I think the favored Eagles do pull it out by less than a TD, 27-24, and wind up flying down to Tampa for a final battle with another bird team... the Baltimore Ravens.
Yesterday I watched the classic movie Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. Very apropos to today's game. In the movie, the two "gentlemen bandits" get chased by a squad of hired hitmen, so to speak, who are hot on the trail of the two wanted gunmen. What ensues is an epic chase where the two outlaws try every trick in the book to get away from their followers. Ultimately, they head for the hills to escape capture. I have a feeling that is what today's game will be like. A back and forth chase, where one false move could determine the outcome of the game. And with the backdrop of the Squaw Peak/Piestewa Peak, it's eerie how much the movie and the game could have in common. Well, metaphorically, at least.
That said, I think the favored Eagles do pull it out by less than a TD, 27-24, and wind up flying down to Tampa for a final battle with another bird team... the Baltimore Ravens.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Give Blood and Get Goods
I recently saw a commercial during a Flyers game that promoted an upcoming blood drive at the Wachovia Center on January 24th, benefiting the American Red Cross. The bonus is that all blood donors will receive a free replica jersey from the Flyers, Sixers, Phantoms, or Wings. But then I looked for it online for more information and had the darnedest time trying to find it. So if you're interested in helping save a life or two by giving blood, and you want to get a free sports jersey out of the deal, here's the link to sign up:
http://www.pleasegiveblood.org/feature/flyers-and-76ers--2009-blood-drive.html
This is a great event, but I'm not sure why it was so secretive to find online. Anyway, sign up today!
http://www.pleasegiveblood.org/feature/flyers-and-76ers--2009-blood-drive.html
This is a great event, but I'm not sure why it was so secretive to find online. Anyway, sign up today!
Phair Weather Phans: Phoenix, not Philly
So the Arizona Cardinals will be hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in the Battle of the Birds, at next Sunday's NFC Conference Championship game.
And surprise, surprise, demand is at an all time high in Arizona as the tickets sold out in six minutes, according to this Inquirer article.
But also in that article it states that the Wild Card game that the Cardinals hosted needed an extension in time to sell out the game, or else it would have been blacked out.
Way to go Cards fans, you really showed your true colors there.
Meanwhile I guarantee you that there will be plenty of green in the seats as Philadelphia Eagles fans trek down to Phoenix to show them what real sports fans are all about.
Can you imagine a playoff game in Philly NOT selling out... ever? P-shaw! :-)
And surprise, surprise, demand is at an all time high in Arizona as the tickets sold out in six minutes, according to this Inquirer article.
But also in that article it states that the Wild Card game that the Cardinals hosted needed an extension in time to sell out the game, or else it would have been blacked out.
Way to go Cards fans, you really showed your true colors there.
Meanwhile I guarantee you that there will be plenty of green in the seats as Philadelphia Eagles fans trek down to Phoenix to show them what real sports fans are all about.
Can you imagine a playoff game in Philly NOT selling out... ever? P-shaw! :-)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My Outlandish Prediction for Today's Eagles v. Giants Game...
Sav Rocca fumbles a long snap in overtime... BUT recovers the ball, stiff arms 3 players and returns for a TD!!!! EAGLES WIN 6-0!!!!
Get ready for the Thunda from Down Unda!
Get ready for the Thunda from Down Unda!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ugly Win? I Think Not
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Bob Ford wrote a column entitled "Eagles win ugly, but they win" after the Eagles beat the Vikings yesterday in Minnesota to advance in the playoffs.
In the column, he goes on to say that Donovan McNabb turned the ball over twice, there were times when they should have scored touchdowns instead of field goals, and tackles were missed on defense. Okay... and?
I don't know what better way there is to say this, but when you get to the playoffs, you're playing the cream of the crop in the league. Chances are your opponents are going to come out and play you tough and force things to happen against your team. That's the name of the game. Even though the Eagles weren't "perfect" they showed a solid team effort and stuck with it the whole game. Personally, that's all I can ask of a team. True, in games in the past, the Eagles have collectively dogged it (see: Eagles v. Cincinnati, November 16, 2008). But that didn't happen yesterday, and the word ugly should not play into it.
Sometimes I just get this feeling that if Coach Andy Reid and McNabb don't execute to perfection in a game, so many people in this city get up in arms. And this column is a perfect example of this micromanagement by fans. Like I said to a friend who kept sending me emails during the game, sarcastically pointing out the Eagles' faults... chill out! Enjoy the team, enjoy the game, and if they lose, THEN you can have some concern, especially if they played an ugly game.
Let's just say that if the Eagles can score 26 points in a game, and win by double digits, I'll take that "ugly" win any day of the week.
In the column, he goes on to say that Donovan McNabb turned the ball over twice, there were times when they should have scored touchdowns instead of field goals, and tackles were missed on defense. Okay... and?
I don't know what better way there is to say this, but when you get to the playoffs, you're playing the cream of the crop in the league. Chances are your opponents are going to come out and play you tough and force things to happen against your team. That's the name of the game. Even though the Eagles weren't "perfect" they showed a solid team effort and stuck with it the whole game. Personally, that's all I can ask of a team. True, in games in the past, the Eagles have collectively dogged it (see: Eagles v. Cincinnati, November 16, 2008). But that didn't happen yesterday, and the word ugly should not play into it.
Sometimes I just get this feeling that if Coach Andy Reid and McNabb don't execute to perfection in a game, so many people in this city get up in arms. And this column is a perfect example of this micromanagement by fans. Like I said to a friend who kept sending me emails during the game, sarcastically pointing out the Eagles' faults... chill out! Enjoy the team, enjoy the game, and if they lose, THEN you can have some concern, especially if they played an ugly game.
Let's just say that if the Eagles can score 26 points in a game, and win by double digits, I'll take that "ugly" win any day of the week.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Clever Television Programming
On one channel sports fans can find the Miami Dolphins playing against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC playoff Wild Card game.
On another channel, movie buffs can watch Ace Ventura, Pet Detective solve the crime of what happened to the Dolphins' mascot Snowflake, right before a pending Super Bowl game between the Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles.
After the Dolphins' game at 4:30, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC playoff Wild Card game.
Well played.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Outdoor Hockey: Fun but Fan-Friendly?
I love the concept of the NHL hosting outdoor hockey games. It's sports the way sports were played as kids. The elements play a role in the game, not to mention that any cold weather city never gets to have a Super Bowl, so at least this is some consolation.
Today the Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field. It's blustery and a bit snowy there today, making for perfect hockey conditions and a fun atmosphere.
I just wonder how fan-friendly it is to watch in person.
As a comparison, when attending an Eagles game, one can watch the game as it progresses on the field, or if, say, you are sitting really low behind one end zone but all the action is happening at the opposite end zone, you can watch the humongous scoreboard as the play unfolds. Otherwise, it's very difficult to see.
In today's "Winter Classic," (as it's being billed... though I'm not sure an annual game that's three years into the making can truly be considered a "classic," but I digress), the hockey rink is set up over the infield of Wrigley, and the fans are seated in the regular baseball seats. And there's no jumbotron scoreboard to get an up close view. So I must ask... can a fan on the second level or in the outfield really see much of anything? The puck is so small to begin with that it must be an eyestrain just to tell what's going on.
Last year I was very excited about the rumors of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers playing a game in Penn State's Beaver Stadium. It sounds like a tremendous idea, with the possibility of 100,000+ fans coming out to a mid-state battleground. But would it be too much like watching ants chasing arond a pebble from 50 rows up in the stands? Perhaps it doesn't even matter and fans would just go to enjoy the cold weather...
Today the Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field. It's blustery and a bit snowy there today, making for perfect hockey conditions and a fun atmosphere.
I just wonder how fan-friendly it is to watch in person.
As a comparison, when attending an Eagles game, one can watch the game as it progresses on the field, or if, say, you are sitting really low behind one end zone but all the action is happening at the opposite end zone, you can watch the humongous scoreboard as the play unfolds. Otherwise, it's very difficult to see.
In today's "Winter Classic," (as it's being billed... though I'm not sure an annual game that's three years into the making can truly be considered a "classic," but I digress), the hockey rink is set up over the infield of Wrigley, and the fans are seated in the regular baseball seats. And there's no jumbotron scoreboard to get an up close view. So I must ask... can a fan on the second level or in the outfield really see much of anything? The puck is so small to begin with that it must be an eyestrain just to tell what's going on.
Last year I was very excited about the rumors of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers playing a game in Penn State's Beaver Stadium. It sounds like a tremendous idea, with the possibility of 100,000+ fans coming out to a mid-state battleground. But would it be too much like watching ants chasing arond a pebble from 50 rows up in the stands? Perhaps it doesn't even matter and fans would just go to enjoy the cold weather...
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