The Philly teams are on a roll...

Some good things are going down in Philly these days. The Flyers signed goalie Martin Biron to a 2 year contract today. (Mrs. Biron must have taken a liking to the area.) I was a bit disconcerted when the Flyers traded a 2nd rounder (the 1st pick of the 2nd round) for 19 almost meaningless games worth of Biron in a season long lost. But now that he is signed, I feel much better about that trade. He will, hopefully, continue to bring consistent play to the goal crease. If not, he will at least save the Flyers on equipment costs, as he has been wearing the same skates for the last 11 years. (Apparently, they are still quite comfy.)

The Eagles made a huge move also, acquiring LB Takeo Spikes and 3rd string QB Kelly Holcomb from Buffalo for DT Darwin Walker and a late, conditional draft pick. Besides having an insanely cool name, Spikes is a versatile, impact player who fills a huge hole on the Eagles D. I have been a Spikes fan since having him on one of my fantasy football teams. (I am so hardcore that I play fantasy football IDP style!) Spikes is a little pricey, but they gave up almost nothing for him, as Darwin Walker was projected to be the 5th or 6th man in the 4 man tackle rotation. Excellent move by the Eagles.

The 2nd place Philadelphia Kixx secured a spot in the postseason. Their play has been much improved since I added a Kixx hat to my headwear rotation. I like to think I have a role, albeit small, in their success. There are only 22 KIXX HATS left, so buy now and PLAY IT REAL!

But, with the Phillies season starting in less than a week (!!!), it's time for the rest of the Philly teams to take a back seat. I'm a little concerned about the Phillies' rotation (Garcia, Eaton, and Lieber are having issues), the bullpen (Gordon seems fragile, the rest seem mediocre), and the fact that Howard, Burrell, and Rowand are all hitting around .200. (Yes, I know spring stats don't count/small sample size and whatnot, I am still concerned.) But they have until next Monday to get it together. I still think they are the team to beat in the NL East, though I may not necessarily be objective. I CANNOT WAIT for the season to start.

The teams are alright...

Both the Phillies and the Red Sox lost today. But it doesn't matter. I am feeling mighty optimistic about both squads. A rematch of the 1915 World Series seems very possible. Or at least a Phillies playoff appearance for the 1st time since 1993. It might just be the Aquafina talking, but I really like the Phillies' and Sox' chances this season.

The Phillies lost to the Reds 9-8 today, but the final score was a result of Phillies' minor leaguers blowing the big lead the Phillies' major leaguers put up. Jon Lieber pitched shutout ball, and may have bumped up his trade value a little. The Phillies have 6 good starters for 5 rotation spots- they could (should) trade Lieber for a young OF with some pop in his bat. (Hmm. That last sentence really seems familiar somehow...) With Brett Myers, Freddy Garcia, and wunderkind Cole Hamels fronting the rotation, and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard powering the offense, Philly should be a force in the NL. The Mets have a strong offense, but a very shaky rotation. The Braves have a strong bullpen, but issues elsewhere. The Phils could very well win the NL East.

The Sox lost today to the Dodgers, 2-1, in a game in which they only had 5 hits. But Josh Beckett (3 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) pitched extremely well. He is a key component of what should be a very strong rotation. Jon Lester also pitched a hitless inning in a "B" game in the morning.
Kei Igawa, a P the Yankees are counting on for their rotation, got roughed up (1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB) by Detroit today. While the Yankees likely have a superior offense, the Sox could win the division on the strength of their superior rotation. Which features Papelbon. Ace starter. Ace closer. Duck hunter. And Jedi.

The Bruins are also looking good as of late. Two wins over the weekend have put them 4 points behind 8th place Carolina, with 3 fewer games played than the 'Canes. Tim Thomas has been remarkable in goal (18 consecutive games!), and the B's even won against Brodeur IN N.J. without Thomas in goal. They used Joey MacDonald, last seen being bombed by the Flyers for 6 goals and released by the Red Wings, in goal, and he responded with a 26 save, 1st star performance. In his red and white Red Wings mask. It looks like the 8th seed in the Conference will face a tough Buffalo team in the 1st round, but it would be great just for the Bruins to make the playoffs. And I think they will.

Even the Flyers, with the fewest points in the league, 9 less than the horrendous L.A. Kings, seem to be moving in the right direction. They have made some good trades in recent weeks, picking up a gaggle of draft picks, and some good young players like Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, Braydon Coburn, and Lasse Kukkonen. They should have the max number of ping pong balls in the draft lottery, so they should pick up another good prospect with their 1st round pick. (Though no Crosby or Ovechkin or Malkin seems to be available in this draft.) The acquisition of G Martin Biron from the Sabres was an expensive one- the cost being the (likely) 1st selection in the 2nd round of the draft- but, if they can convince him to sign a contract before he becomes a free agent, it could be worth the price. I still think Antero Niittymaki can be a #1 goalie and an NHL star, but it won't hurt to have a #1 goalie in place until Antero gains more experience and consistency at the NHL level. The Flyers have some salary cap room going into the offseason, and with possible free agents like Daniel Briere and Kimmo Timonen available, the Flyers won't be propping up the NHL standings next season.

BU (and Flyers!) WIN!

BU won their 3rd consecutive Beanpot last night with a 2-1 OT win. Goaltender John Curry was the Tournament MVP, only allowing 1 goal on 65 shots in the 2 wins. Brian McGuirk scored the winner 5:06 into OT, snapping his 1st goal of the year over the glove of the BC (sucks) goalie. It was a good game to watch, but we did the BU peeps get so profane?

The Flyers (shockingly) DOMINATED the Red Wings in a 6-1 victory. It was the 1st time the Flyers had won consecutive home games since April 2006. Michael Leighton got his 2nd consecutive start and looked good. The Flyers scored two short-handed goals and broke the game open with a 5 goal 3rd period. In the 1st period, Red Wings D Andrea Lilja kneed and elbowed Simon Gagne, prompting Flyers D Denis Gauthier to pound the hell out of Lilja. Keith Primeau's Flyers career was celebrated before the game. It was invigorating (yep. INVIGORATING.) to watch such a great performance from the Flyers. On national TV, to boot!

In Phillies news, MVP 1B Ryan Howard admitted on HBO that his mother pays him an allowance. The 27 year old hit 58 HR and made $355,000 last season. Yikes. I wonder how much $ Mama Howard gives him each week?

Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived at Tampa International Airport last night, sporting a stylish pink polo shirt, and was immediately surrounded by zillions of reporters of the Japanese and American variety. He is expected to arrive at the Sox training complex at 12 noon today.

In other 12 noon excitement, tickets to see The Police at Fenway Park go on sale, with a pre-sale for Best Buy Rewards Club peeps. It is unclear just how many tickets will be made available in this pre-sale, and getting a pre-sale passcode doesn't guarantee you a ticket. But you can still find the passcodes on eBay for around $100/pop. Some actual tickets are even up for bid at $1500+, with the seat locations not yet indicated. A 2nd Boston show could very well be added, though, which should drive ticket prices on the secondary market down a bit. Maybe? Yikes.

I think it would take a Phillies-Red Sox WS Game 7 at Fenway to get me to pay $1500+ for a ticket. I should probably start saving up $ now...

Soxin' it up

There is action at Red Sox camp. The equipment truck is on the way. Daisuke's plane will be landing at 6:30pm. Jonathan was 1st spotted at 7:55am, threw off the mound today, and his best recipe for duck will be announced later. Devern, Kason, and Craig were spotted. Kyle has changed his number to 39, Jon to 31, and Manny to 17.
J.D. Drew is still not on the 40 Man Roster. (It says his name on there, but there are more than 40 peeps on that there 40 Man Roster.)
I have not yet seen a detailed manifest of the contents of the Sox equipment truck, but I am hopeful it will be available soon.

I don't know how I survived pre-internet. Having so many stats, random stories, and videos just clicks away. (Not to mention the fabulousness that is MLB.TV!)
I remember having to wait for my monthly Baseball Digest fix to come in the mail, with only limited television coverage/info available for out of town teams. This is so much better. I am ready for another season of inhaling baseball. (Yep. INHALING. That is the bon mot for my baseball ways.)

The Flyers play on national television tonight (on Versus at 7pm) against the Red Wings. The Red Wings are coming off a 7 goal, 50 shot domination of Calgary. The Flyers are coming off a 4-3 OT win at home against St. Louis. It was their 1st win at home since NOVEMBER 24TH. Apparently, the key for the Flyers' winning at home is to start their 3rd string goalie, and have him wear his Nashville Predators pads. Hey, whatever works. It's always a special treat when they win a game. But I don't think they'll be winning another one tonight.

The Bruins traded D Brad Stuart and C Wayne Primeau to Calgary for D Andrew Ference and RW Chuck Kobasew. I wonder if the B's could package Ference, Kobasew, and Marco Sturm for that Joe Thornton guy. Probably not. Fuck.
At least BU will win another Beanpot in a few hours...GOALIE! SIEVE! GOALIE! SIEVE! SIEVE! SIEVE! SIEVE!

Schilling for Senator (in 2010)! Rocca for Punter (in 2007)!

So, apparently, Curt Schilling will be competing for a spot in a (the Phillies???) pitching rotation in 2008, as opposed to competing for a spot in the Senate lineup. It is unclear why the two need to be mutually exclusive- can't he be a Senator on his 4 days of rest (from pitching)?

But he should be ready for 2010, when the current former- Phillies-ace-turned-Senator, Jim Bunning, will likely be ejected.

(It is preferable for the Phillies to have a former ace

pitcher in the Senate, at all times.)

Unlike Bunning, chosen by MLB as a Hall of Famer, and by Time Magazine as one of America's Worst Senators, the Schill is a prime-time player, and does not require a teleprompter. (Perhaps Bunning can return to MLB in 2010 as a 79 yr. old reliever. He could put up a 27.00 ERA in a pitcher's park, and still show improvement over his performance as a Senator.)

In other Curtis Montague Schilling news, he announced that, if not given an contract extension (note: he doesn't want a more lucrative deal, he just wants another year at the same salary tacked on), he will become a free agent after the 2007 season. (He would be quite a good pickup for the Phillies, even as a 41 year old.) So, Theo, if you're reading this, put down the Nathan's Hot Dog, and lock up The Schill for another season. Unless you want to face him 3 times (2 starts, 1 relief appearance) in the 2008 World Series. Which I'm sure you don't.

J.D. Drew is officially (maybe) a Red Sox. Until I see a roster move made, putting Drew on the Sox' 40-Man Roster, I choose to remain in denial.

The Todd Helton trade talks seem to have fallen through, for the time being. I wasn't too excited about locking Helton in as the Red Sox 1B, as he continues along the downward, diminishing returns phase of his Coors-inflated career. Even at $5 million/yr. (after Colorado kicked in some $). Especially if the deal would have cost the Sox Craig Hansen, who I still feel could be an MLB closer. Helton will prob. put up Youkilis numbers this year, and the Sox already have a Youkilis of their very own. Unless the player/$ package was very different than that leaked by the Rockies, this was a good non-move by the Sox.

In NFL news, there's a game being played this Sunday, somewhere in Florida.

The Eagles signed Saverio Rocca, former Australian Rules Football star, as a punter. (I guess the Eagles are reading my e-mails.) I have often gazed longingly at NFL punting statistics, and fantasized about the day that the Eagles would have a Shane Lechler of their own. (Despite the fact that, as a young lad, I was Commanded not to covet thy neighbor's punter.) While logic tells me that Rocca may very well be nothing more than a training camp leg to limit incumbent Dirk Johnson's (24th out of 30 punters in gross avg.) reps, perhaps Rocca will win the Eagles punting gig, and lead the NFL with a 50 yd. avg, on the way to an appearance in the 2008 edition of the NFL game being played this Sunday.

The Flyers continue to lose, despite getting some pretty decent goaltending and even a cameo from Peter Forsberg, who actually played like his skates fit the other night. The Flyers are now attempting to think outside-the-box, (No- not outside-the-penalty-box -they still feel the need to keep that place staffed with at least one player at all times.) and are splitting the remainder of the season into 5 game segments. So, instead of being in last place this season (in the entire NHL), they are in 2nd to last place (in the entire NHL) in their current 5 game segment. Congrats, Flyers!

The Bruins are, possibly, in their worst stretch of the season right now, with 4 consecutive losses, including consecutive blowouts. Their 7-1 loss Tuesday night in Buffalo was one of their worst performances this season.

As a result, I am taking extreme measures to save the Bruins' season. I will be in attendance tonight as the B's try to avenge their Tuesday pasting by the Sabres. So, Mr. Lewis, if the guys need a pep talk, or if you need me to play in goal in the 3rd period, play the point on the PP, D on a 3-on-5, fraternize with the Ice Girls, just let me know. I'll be the dork with the Phillies hat sitting in the rafters. Just send an usher for me when you need me. The losing streak ends tonight.

Eagles 23, Tikis 20

Well, bringing back Koy Detmer to hold the snaps from The Magician worked out pretty well. (Hmm. Why do I think of Gob from Arrested Development whenever the Magical Exploits of the Eagles Long Snapping Specialist are referenced on just about every FGA/PAT?)
He Who Kicks With Stupendous Accuracy did his thing, and the Eagles will be off to New Orleans next weekend.

The game was a little more nerve-wracking than I would have preferred. What with the game being in Philly, and the Giants being Dead Men Walking and all. But the Eagles got the result, and that's (mostly) all that matters. Have to give most of the credit for this victory to Mr. Westbrook and myself. Westbrook for his brilliant and clock-killing running, myself for the fact that the Eagles are now 6-0 on weekends where I wear my McNabb jersey on game day, and my Akers jersey on the preceding day.

They will need a more thorough effort to beat the Saints in NO, however. I am very concerned by the fact that Lito seems likely to be a sideline observer with Jevon and Donovan. I am hopeful Jeff will perform like he had in previous weeks. And Westbrook needs to reprise this week's performance.

Additionally, while the Eagles managed the last 4 minutes of the game (leaving the Giants with zero seconds in which to make a comeback) extremely well, I still think they would be well-served by adding me to the staff as Time Management Coordinator. I could handle time outs, when to spike the ball, when to allow the other team to score, play-calling at the end of each half, taking a knee, when to allow time to drip off the clock, etc. Sometimes the Eagles seem puzzled by these things. Like at the end of the 1st half when they let 30 seconds drip away before they finally took a time out. Those wasted 30 seconds could have been worth another FG. Andy, let me know if you need me on the sidelines in NO.

In other NFL playoff games, I was excited to watch the Pats win. Not that the Jets were much of a challenge. The Pats have a very tough matchup against the Chargers in SD next weekend, but I think they have a good shot at the upset. I'll be rootin' for them. (And not just because the Eagles have a better chance to beat them in the Super Bowl.)

Glad to see Romo and the Cowboys choke and eliminate themselves. Fuckers.
While I must admit it was pretty exciting to watch LJ shred the Colts for 32 yards (on 13 carries) rushing, and that play with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter when the Chiefs actually got one of those "First Down" things for the 1st time, that game kind of sucked. Mostly because I was hoping the Colts would choke and eliminate themselves like the Cowboys. But Peyton and boys will do their choking thing next weekend. Just a matter of time.

Flyers had 2 more L's over the weekend. Their strategy of letting the other team shoot on them all game, and then attempting an occasional counter-attack didn't exactly work. More of a soccer strategy, anyways.
Additionally, they are reportedly considering trading Joni Pitkanen. (Apparently, they think having ZERO (0) good D, is an idea worth considering.)
I choose not to think of the Flyers right now. At least they helped the B's get closer to a playoff spot.

The Phillies still need a RF. Also about 7 worthwhile relievers. The Red Sox seem to have no closer (not sold on Pineiro as a closer, they'd be better off with Timlin closing), but about 15 serviceable relievers. The Phillies have a serviceable (but a bit old) closer in Gordon, but not much with him in the bullpen. The Phillies and Sox, obviously, need to merge bullpens, but I haven't figured out all of the logistics of this move. Yet. But it will include (at least) 2 private planes. And extra socks. Lots of socks.

I think I am the only MA resident with a Philadelphia Kixx hat. I win.

I did not watch You're the One That I Want because the wound is still too new. (Not to mention that, years ago, an insufficient financial aid package squelched my dream of doing my undergrad work at Grease Academy. Also quite traumatic.)
But I watched a little of The Apprentice, which appears to be reaching quite a bit. Losers living in tents. Winning project manager in the boardroom helping fire opponents. Trump's daughter (Ivanka?) overseeing things. Yikes.
But Angela Ruggiero is on it. So you have to root for the Ice Hockey Gold Medalist.
I like watching the tasks, but the boardroom shenanigans irritate me. Not a fan of back-stabbing, evil, etc. Plus it is in LA, so my fave character (the receptionist who directed peeps into the boardroom) isn't in it. A bit disappointing. I miss her.
Think I'll stick to watching the sports.