Sorry I missed it.
This blogger was unable to stay up late to watch last night’s old-fashioned pitcher’s duel in San Diego, with the Phils dropping a 1-0 decision to the Padres in a match-up of All-Stars Chris Young and Cole Hamels. And I regret it, for these kinds of games are fast going the way of the do-do egg in today’s MLB, where the only thing smaller than the ballparks are the strike zones, and the only thing wound tighter than the baseballs are the mediocre pitchers that are throwing them.
Get here soon, Joe.
Phillies first round pick Joe Savery agreed to terms yesterday. With the current state of the Phillies’ rotation, I hope he gets up to the big club soon.
Training camp countdown?
The rest of the Phillies’ weekend in San Diego could go a long way to shifting the city’s full attention to Eagles training camp, which is rapidly approaching. The Phils enter the weekend holding on to their playoff hopes for dear life, with the Mets now 6 games ahead, and 5 teams ahead of them in the Wild Card race. The saddest sound at a Phillies game is an E-A-G-L-E-S chant. If you hear it, the Phillies are irrelevant. I think I will be hearing it soon.
Hopkins a real city treasure.
Philly’s own Bernard Hopkins hopes to add another big victory to his hall-of-fame resume this Saturday night against Winky Wright. Those who decry this city’s lack of winners haven’t been paying attention to Hopkins, who rarely disappoints, and will go down as one of the best fighters to ever come out of Philly. He’s 42 and, while still capable, will not be around much longer. Appreciate him while you can.
Lindros considers retirement
Eric Lindros, who played for the Dallas Stars last year, scoring only 5 goals in yet another injury-plagued season, is considering retirement. When the Flyers acquired Lindros for a king’s ransom of draft picks, players, and cash 15 years ago, the sky was the limit for Lindros and the Flyers. It is ironic and sad that all of these years later, both the Flyers and Lindros himself have both separately have hit rock bottom. Lindros’ career in Philadelphia ended here in a haze of concussions and acrimony; he has been gone long enough that the franchise and its fans have long since moved on, but to me his retirement would write a final chapter to one of most disappointing missed opportunities ever in a city that has suffered more than its share. What a shame.