Top 10 Philadelphia Sports Games In 2011

Last year, I debuted my now annual end of year Top 10 list for best Philadelphia sports games of the year.  Even though there was so much less excitement and great games this year, the list is back this year, anyway!  Last year, I felt the ordering of the games, including what was the number one game, was very clear cut.  This year, not so much.  But I will make an attempt at it anyway.  With all the sadness, scandal, and shame this year has wrought on many a people in the area, perhaps looking back at the year's higher moments will be a plus for everyone involved and a good way to end a shitty year on a high note.  Just like last year, I will start with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Union comeback verse New England Revolution:  Usually I try to only post wins on here.  After all, what is worth celebrating about a game that is not a win?  Well, in soccer there are draws, and when you have a 3-goal comeback in dramatic fashion, even if the match ends in a 4-4 draw, it is still pretty noteworthy.  And thus was the exact case when the Philadelphia Union hosted the New England Revolution on September 7, 2011.  New England Revolution 4, Philadelphia Union 4



The Kids Are Alright: Following a 2nd round playoff exit to Boston that saw numerous goalie changes, Ed Snider demanded a ridiculously overpay for a position not worth a ridiculous overpay.  In order to fit that overpay in, Paul Holmgren had no choice but to blow up the team, trading the previous faces of the franchise away for youth and draft picks.  Low and behold, the Flyers first game of the season immediately followed a 15-hour banner raising at Boston.  With many fearing a rocky year, the kids played a great game and the Flyers defeated the Bruins. Flyers 2, Bruins 1



Someone From Philadelphia Wins A Trophy!:  The New Mexico Bowl.  Yes, this is the kind of year that was.  A boring New Mexico Bowl makes the list. Temple 37, Wyoming 15.

2011 NLDS Game 5 Live Blog

The last time the Phillies played a win-or-go-home game in the playoffs was in 1981.  With Steve Carlton on the mound, the Phillies lost 3-0 to the Montreal Expos.  30 years later, right-hander Roy Halladay is on the mound as the Phillies take on the Cardinals.  This may be the most coherent paragraph I right all day.

Game 5: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers 5:07 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

Game 5: Cardinals vs. Phillies 8:37 (TBS - Dick Stockton, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Craig Sager)

2011 NLDS Game 4 Live Blog

I will be bitterly disappointed if Joe Blanton does not make a pinch-hit appearance today.  I probably will not be around for the start tonight.  As for what time I will be around, honestly, I am not sure.  Expect it to be around 6:00 and 8:00.

Game 4: Phillies vs. Cardinals 6:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 4: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks 9:37 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

A Tale Of Two Calls

It is a home run that is already drawing comparisons to Matt Stairs' moonshot that won Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS.  And not just the magnitude of the homerun.  But in the call of the national TV play-by-play announcer. This is Joe Buck calling the "devastating turn of events" in 2008.  And now here is Dick Stockton calling Francisco's shot today.  See if you notice any similarities.

P.S.  If you want to hear a real announcer's call of that home run, fast forward to the 28 second mark of that video and hear Scott Franzke.

2011 NLDS Game 3/ALDS Game 4 Live Blog

Playoff baseball all day and all night.  This will be a fun night.  It will be an even funner night if the Phillies win.

Game 4: Rangers vs. Rays 2:00 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 3: Phillies vs. Cardinals 5:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 4: Yankees vs. Tigers 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

Game 3: Brewers vs. Diamondbacks 9:37 (TNT - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

2011 NLDS Game 1/ALDS Game 1/ALDS Game 2 Live Blog

Who is ready for 9 hours of Tinie Tempeh's Written In The Stars and advertisements for re-runs of , er, I mean, the second day of the MLB Playoffs!  

Game 1: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers 2:07 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

Game 1: Cardinals vs. Phillies 5:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Game 2: Rays vs. Rangers 7:07 (TNT - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

Game 1: Tigers vs. Yankees 8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

Re-live September 28, 2011 In One Awesome 12-Minute Video

Has there ever been a more dramatic, chaotic, and improbable 20 minutes in the history of sports?  There have been classic games in the past, but what happened last night, was not just one classic game.  It was the finale of a 162-game season like no finale ever before.  The chaos of last night was more than just one game, it was the frantic switching back and forth between stations ultimately culminating with two historic collapses coming complete in the span of twenty minutes and two walkoffs literally separated by three minutes.  There are few times where it feels like time just stops.  Last night was one of those nights.

Last night was an Fredi Gonzalez incredibly allowing Scott Linebrink to pitch to Hunter Pence who would ultimately hit the game-winning RBI with Michael Martinez on deck.  Last night was a last place Baltimore Orioles going nowhere way too fast celebrating like they won the World Series.  Last night was Dan Johnson, he of the .119/.187/.202 slash line in 31 games in 2011 hitting the game-tying home run with the Rays down to their last out and their last strike.  Last night was Evan Longoria.  Last night was the mathematically improbable coming to fruition.

And this is last night, condensed into one 12-minute, 5-second video.



Given the numbers in the above link, to say this was the most improbable night in sports history is not that much of a stretch.  In fact, it may be a reality.  For the Cardinals and the Rays, it is a comeback they will always remember.  And for the Braves and the Red Sox, it is a collapse they will never be able to forget.

2011 League Division Series Schedule

Well, after hours of torture and waiting, MLB and TBS have finally officially released their announce schedule for the NLDS and ALDS.  After what some have claimed to be one of the greatest nights in the history of sports last night, these playoffs have a lot of live up to, but regardless, the small sample size crapshoot nature of the MLB Playoffs should mean fun regardless.  Unless of course you are a Phillies fan like me and will be stuck listening to Dick Stockton for three to five games.  I eagerly anticipate the numerous errahs in the booth.  On a more serious note, Brian Anderson takes over as the lead play-by-play announcer this year as Ernie Johnson is dealing with some personal family issues.  (all times ET)

National League Division Series

Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Game 1:  October 1:  Cardinals vs. Phillies  5:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 2:  October 2:  Cardinals vs. Phillies  8:07 (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 3:  October 4:  Phillies vs. Cardinals  TBD (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 4:  October 5:  Phillies vs. Cardinals  TBD (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)
Game 5:  October 7:  Cardinals vs. Phillies  TBD (TBS - Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly, SR: Craig Sager)

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Game 1:  October 1:  Diamondbacks vs. Brewers  2:07 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)
Game 2:  October 2:  Diamondbacks vs. Brewers  4:37 (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)
Game 3:  October 4:  Brewers vs. Diamondbacks  TBD (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)
Game 4:  October 5:  Brewers vs. Diamondbacks  TBD (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)
Game 5:  October 7:  Diamondbacks vs. Brewers  TBD (TBS - Victor Rojas and Joe Simpson, SR: Sam Ryan)

American League Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers

Game 1:  September 30:  Tigers vs. Yankees  8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)
Game 2:  October 1:  Tigers vs. Yankees  8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)
Game 3:  October 3:  Yankees vs. Tigers  8:37 (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)
Game 4:  October 4:  Yankees vs. Tigers  TBD (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)
Game 5:  October 6:  Tigers vs. Yankees  TBD (TBS - Brian Anderson, Ron Darling, and John Smoltz, SR: Tom Verducci)

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Game 1:  September 30:  Rays vs. Rangers  5:07 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 2:  October 1:  Rays vs. Rangers  7:07 (TNT - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 3:  October 3:  Rangers vs. Rays  5:07 (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 4:  October 4:  Rangers vs. Rays  TBD (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)
Game 5:  October 6:  Rays vs. Rangers  TBD (TBS - Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, SR: Jamie Maggio)

MLB Last Day Of The Season Live Blog

Has there ever been a last day of the MLB Season better than this?  Two races, both tied up, with both the Braves and the Red Sox trying to survive a collapse of Mets-ian proportions.  If not on your regional sportsnet, all these games can be seen on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNJIP, ESPNThe17th, and I am pretty sure ESPN Français will pick up some exclusive footage as well.  Join us for the fun!

Phillies Clinch 5th Straight NL East Title In The Grandest Of Ways

Even though the Phillies had seemingly an insurmountable lead on the NL East and clinching the title was all but an inevitability for at least the past month or so, tonight's events were no less exciting or fulfilling because of it.  Up 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th, the Phillies seemed to be poised to take the title, but in the inning prior, the Cardinals had gotten two runs back and would have certainly wanted more in the 9th as they tried to keep pace with the Braves.  But, those dreams were soon dashed when on came Raul Ibanez to ensure the quickest NL East clinch in Phillies history.  And with the home fans looking on, Ibanez delivered a grand slam heard round Philadelphia.

Those would prove to be the last runs of the game.  The Phillies won 9-2 and are officially 2011 National League East Champions.  I remember September 30, 2007 like it was yesterday.  How did we get here?

I Doth Protest: Trying To Sort Today's Debacle Between The Phillies And The Marlins

In a season where Wilson Valdez played 18 innings in the infield, pitched the 19th, and became the winning pitcher after starting in the field for the first time since Babe Ruth, incredibly, that is no longer the strangest Phillies game of the season. That honor now belongs to today's Phillies-Marlins game which ended on a walkoff walk. Though it was not the 3rd walkoff walk of the 2011 season that made it bizarre and strange, but rather the 6th inning where Hunter Pence hit a deep fly ball to right that was initially called a double before being reviewed and (rightly) determining that there was fan interference on the play. Now whether or not Bryan Petersen would have actually made that catch is certainly suspect at best. It looked like his glove was closing as the ball was the falling down and it would ultimately bounce away from him, however, that is not for sure. What is known is a fan definitively reached over the wall and made sure Petersen had no chance of making what may have been one of the great plays of the day. That is certain.

Now if only it were that simple. Where the controversy occurs is how the umpires went about today's festivities.

That the exact written rules for instant replay are not available online do not make things easier in judging if Joe West acted properly or not. This is what we know. Instant replay is used for reviewing home runs. This was ruled a double turned to an out based on fan interference. A home run does not factor into that at all, although if the umps wanted to review to see if it was home run, then they can make the call that they made today.

Joe West said Charlie Manuel requested a review. Charlie Manuel said he did not request a review. The rules say a manager does not need to make a request for there to be a review. Judging from the video that it never appears Charlie Manuel approaches the umpires asking for a review certainly does not lend credit to Joe West's case. Jack McKeon, on the other hand, does appear engaged with the officials. It is highly doubtful he would be requesting the umpires see if that play should result in two runs for the other team.

Joe West would go on to say, "We’ve got a decision as to whether the spectator inference happened over the fence or before the fence."

The question here is about the process, not about the results of that process. It certainly appears that at the very best there was a stretching of the rules to get where they got to, and if not, then a lot of lying on the part of Joe West after the game. Whether or not they got the call right, I believe they did, but at the same time, it is a stretch to say that the Bryan Petersen making that catch is a given. According to Rule 3.16, "If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out." It is unknown if the catch would have been made, but that fan reached over the wall and clearly prevented denied him that chance. But were the umps allowed to review it?

That's the question MLB will be asking when they rule whether or not to uphold the Phillies' official protest of the game. So much has been said, and the instant replay rules are not readily available online preventing me from definitively for sure, but given Joe West's comments, it certainly appears suspect. It's been 25 years since a protest has last been upheld. Regardless of it MLB should uphold the protest, it certainly would be shocking if they did based alone on their dealing with the umpires and historical precedence.

This 30 Seconds Of Your Time Will Be Well Worth It

During the course of this season, several MLB teams including the Giants, Cubs, Orioles, and the Red Sox have created short YouTube videos encouraging young LGBT people who may be struggling with bullying. Yesterday, the Phillies joined these list of teams by releasing their video. Here are Chase Utley, Roy Halladay, Hunter Pence, Mike Stutes, and John Mayberry, Jr. reminding you that it gets better.



If you know someone who could benefit from seeing this, please, share this with them as soon as possible. It may seem like a small, inconsequential gesture, but for someone struggling, hearing five members of the Philadelphia Phillies telling them that it gets better may mean all the difference in this world.

Major props to the Phillies for joining this movement and a special thanks to Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, John Mayberry, Jr., Mike Stutes, and Hunter Pence for participating in this video.

Party Rock Was In The House Last Night; Unfortunately, So Was Cole Hamels

You can file this under the "You Can't Make This Up If You Tried" Department. Cole Hamels, often ridiculed for various reasons, decided to help his good pal Shane Victorino and the Shane Victorino Foundation Fashion Show last night. Now charity is all well and good, but when it leads to this, I, uh, you know forget it. This is just too damn funny. It's like Cole Hamels is trolling us now.



Cole Hamels has about as much fluidity as solid concrete.

Also, is it just me or do Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard's moves remind you of the infamous Big Dick Johnson? Okay, maybe not. At least Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard kept all their clothes on. If only we could say the same about Hunter Pence and Kyle Nakazawa of the Philadelphia Union.

Cliff Lee Can Do It All, Part 2

Eight innings of shut out baseball, ten strikeouts, two walks, four hits, a game-winning solo home run.

Just another ho-hum night on the mound for Cliff Lee. Move along. Nothing to see here.

The Problem With MLB's Discipline Of The Phillies-Giants Brawl

In case you did not hear, the Giants and the Phillies got into a benches clearing brawl. As a result of this brawl, Shane Victorino got suspended three games, whereas Placido Polanco was inexplicably fined and Ramon Ramirez and (in particular) Eli Whiteside were only given fines. A few comments.

a). Shane Victorino was suspended for one reason and one reason alone: He pushed an umpire to re-enter a brawl. Why he is appealing that I have no earthly idea. The Phillies are entering a three-game series tonight against the Dodgers and following that will play in a three-game series at home against the Nationals. Please, Shane, do yourself and your team a favor and sit out against the weaker teams and end that.

b). Now that we got that taken care of. Why wasn't Eli Whiteside suspended? I can understand Ramon Ramirez not getting anything (I don't agree, but I understand why), but when a guy is hopping like around like he's Little Bunny Foo Foo and/or the world's worst Muhammad Ali impersonator, he has gone from the threshold of protecting his pitcher (which you could argue he was not even doing that as in the time between the plunking and Whiteside's tackle of Polanco, Ramirez advanced more than Victorino did, who before Whiteside's tackle, never exhibited any signs of wanting to fight) into the territory of "I want a fight." We all know what happened next. It is clear as day that Whiteside and Ramirez incited a bench-clearing brawl. Why is not that a suspension worthy offense? Better yet, what does that say about MLB?

MLB's statement on the matter might as well have been this: "MLB will not tolerate the physical abuse of umpires. However, if you incite contact with members of the opposing team, you will get away with only a paltry fine. Good friend and closer adviser to MLB, Gary Bettman, believes this is a good way to conduct business."

This is not a matter of wanting Eli Whiteside off the team in order to sabotage the Giants in the standings. Quite the opposite is true, in fact, it could be that MLB is getting very creative in their punishments and punishing the San Francisco Giants as a whole by not allowing them to have games where Eli Whiteside is not an eligible player. Cruel, unusual, and given the fact Whiteside has amassed a paltry 0.6 WAR in 60 games this season, effective.

c). Placido Polanco got fined for being on the wrong end of the worst-looking double leg takedown since Hornswoggle last stepped in a wrestling ring. What Placido Polanco was going to do, I have no idea, but aside from being on the wrong end of a tackle my grandmother could have executed better, he only showed he was doing the same thing everyone else was doing at that point. How on earth is it fair that he gets singled out because he made Whiteside look like he had less muscles than a toddler?

Ramon Ramirez, Eli Whiteside, and Placido Polanco got the same punishment for that fracas. Major League Baseball, ladies and gentlemen!

Thank you! Good night! Tip your waitresses! Try the veal!

Fox Has An Interesting Profile On Cole Hamels

I'll give you a million bucks if you can somehow figure out the appropriate context Eric Karros was going for here.  I seriously can't figure it out.

(h/t @dhm on Twitter)

8/3 Phillies Vs. Rockies Live Blog

Another day game, another day game where I feel like doing a live blog just for the heck of it. Actually, that is not wholly true. I want to do a live blog to redeem the last time I did a live blog. The Phillies lost that game to the Padres. This time, the 2nd best pitcher in the NL this year (Roy Halladay) takes the mound for the Phillies while the worst pitcher in the NL this year (Jason Hammel) takes the mound for the Rockies. What could possibly go wrong?

There Is A Reason Gus Johnson Is Not A Baseball Announcer

I am not sure why there is such a crazy about over-lapping Gus Johnson screaming into every dramatic sports video ever, but nonetheless it is somewhat entertaining. If you have ever thought about why Gus Johnson never does baseball, hearing him screaming dubbed over T-Mac and Wheels on John Mayberry, Jr.'s top of the 9th game-tying 2-run blast off Huston Street may carry some of the answers.



On the plus side, that was better than T-Mac's orgasm.

The Phillies went onto win 4-3 in the 10th inning thanks to a Victorino solo shot.

Eagles Sign Nnamdi Asomugha; Phillies Trade For Hunter Pence

The Philadelphia Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a fair and reasonable 5-year deal. He will join Doninique Rodgers-Cromartie and presumably Asante Samuel in making sure opposing teams never complete a pass against the Eagles again. Unless of course Samuel is traded. Even if the value is good, that would be poop pants, considering Joselio Hanson would then be the nickel corner behind DRC and Asomugha. But signing Asomugha is seriously, seriously awesome.

The Philadelphia Phillies traded Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and one low A ball player to be named later in exchange for Hunter Pence and enough cash to prevent the Phillies from crossing the luxury tax threshold. While no A prospect is can't miss, it is sucky that Cosart and Singleton are traded, as they have potentially very high ceilings. Josh Zeid is in AA now and could be in the majors as a middle reliever next year. Unfortunately, Hunter Pence is largely overrated and represents at best a marginal upgrade over the man in the outfield he will likely be taking time from, Domonic Brown. At this stage, the wise thing would be to send Brown back to AAA and let him practice left field until the September 1 call-ups. Brown's only played 8 total games in LF in his time in the Phillies system. Pence appears like a lock to slot into right field. Get Brown reps in left now. The only thing that makes me relieved about this Pence deal is that contrary to what was reported earlier, Brown was not traded. Pence's BABIP is 5th highest in the majors thus far this year. Regression can be a bitch. Pence is good, but he is not great. But at least Domonic Brown is still on the Phillies. At the start of the day, that is basically all I asked for to be true by the end of the day. And sure enough, it is.

The Eagles Front Office are the top Front Office in Philadelphia. And that has never been more clearer than today. Amaro has his moments of glory (Lee trade #1, Halladay, Oswalt, Lee signing), but when he fucks up, he sure know how to go for the jugular (selling low on Lee trade #2, Howard's contract, Ibanez signing and contract, selling low on Cosart and Singleton for the 25th best outfielder in MLB). Eagles are shrewd. Amaro is a gambling addict. Nowak blames fans. Holmgren can't do math . Stefanski does not have a clue.

Best. Minute Of Transactions. Ever.

Two amazing things happened in the exact same minute.

The Eagles traded Kevin Kolb to Arizona for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2nd round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. I've always been a fan of Kolb, but this is without a doubt a good deal for the Eagles and I will have more on that later.

Bob Bradley was relieved of his duties on the U.S. Men's National Team. Bob Bradley was never any good, but the last three years were miserable, painful, and embarrassing beyond belief. It is about time Sunil Gulati grew a sack of balls and got rid of Bradley. As long as it is not an American or MLS Coach, I don't care who the new guy is to replace Bradley's spot. Anyone, including many monkeys, are better suited for that job than Bob Bradley was.

Now attention turns to the Phillies, as they debate whether or not to make a franchise-altering blunder by shipping Domonic Brown to Houston for Hunter Pence. Don't Trade Dom!