Philly Gets a Makeover

There is lots to talk about in Philly these days. The Phillies are seeing a whole different look this week with Polanco at second, Valdez at SS, Desperate Dobbs at third, Werth at center and phinally Rookie Dom Brown at right. With all the injuries haunting the team I wouldn't be surprised if I saw Howard in the outfield if another injury occurs. That's a little exaggeration, but I'm just sayin'! With all eyes on Brown since Victorino left Tuesday's game, the rookie sure made an impression on Philly with a double on his first major league at bat. I swear it brought tears to my eyes! Especially when he got a standing ovation! He'll fit right in in Philly if he continues to tear it up at the plate.

The Eagles are certainly seeing change this year! No McNabb, no Westbrook. The young guns are going to be the ones taking control of things this season. Not too many veterans are back but hey, this is the transitional season. I have faith in my young team and know things will be just fine. Let's just hope nobody gets in trouble...

Drama, Drama, Drama

You all know what I am talking about when I say drama, at least I'm hoping you do. Lebron James. What a character, huh? The so-called "decision" watched and heard around the world was all the talk this past week and to be honest, I really didn't care too much about it until Thursday when it was all over Sports Center. I did not see it but I was listening to Power 99 in Philadelphia, yes Power 99, and his interview or whatever that was came on and suddenly I became interested. From the start of his free agency and what was being said on every sports show on ESPN, I assumed he was going to Miami and so I left it at that and didn't give him much more thought. I was annoyed, actually, when Sports Center dedicated several hundred hours to the "king". I just wanted to see the Top 10 plays and get on with my day. The whole thing was absurd if you ask me. Who in the world needs such publicity when deciding where to play hoops next? All the hype made me think he was going to come out behind a big red curtain with smoke and fireworks and do a fun dance with dancers from a rap video. But that was being saved for the "three kings" party the next day. I'll give it to Miami, they have a pretty sick team now with Bosh, LeBron and Wade. On a side note, I think it's funny how everybody refers to him as Lebron, his first name instead of his last like most athletes, with the exception of Kobe, Shaq and other athletes. Anywho, the whole situation was glorified in the most unnecessary way. Do you think Kobe will do the same when he becomes a free agent? I hope it's bigger and better just to spite LeBron. And that is saying a lot from me because I loathe Kobe Bryant more than anything in the world. I hope Kobe's "decision" is similar to the opening ceremonies at the Olympics, and he carries the torch.

For my Philly updates, lets talk about how close Cliff Lee came to signing with the Yankees. That would have been...well you know what it would have been like. Now, how about Jayson Werth? I feel for both sides. Jayson was literally just doing his job when the fan interfered with the ball that was in foul territory in the stands. A little cursing never hurt anybody, but a lot of people are upset with him in Philly, which is understandable. The guy was at the game with his son and explains that he was protecting his son from the ball...whatever happened is over and Werth apologized for cursing the fan off. Whether the apology was sincere, I do not know but I would like for everyone in Philly to get over it and worry about the second half of the season.

Ryan Howard was spotted by my college roommate, Danielle Chicano (hey girl!), at the movies in Plymouth Meeting, Friday, July 9th, the very night he hit the walk-off homerun to win 9-7 against the Reds. Good thing there were fireworks that night, otherwise the entire stadium would have left and not witnessed the miraculous comeback. Well, I'm not so sure that comeback would have happened if the fans weren't there.

Flyers' Jeff Carter has been spotted several times at La Costa in Sea Isle City. I've only stood and watched him from afar, weird I know, but it's intimidating at first when seeing a professional athlete. Maybe I'll work up the guts to actually talk to him before the end of the summer. However, my good friend Jill Carl (hey girl!) has had some interaction with the Flyguy thanks to her friend who plays for the Scranton Penguins. Too bad YOU didn't get Carter's number, Jill!

Go Phils, and GO NL!!

Let's talk football

Fantasy Football Championships seem to run in my family, well at least with my mother. She doesn't just talk the talk, this woman walks the walk, too. Most mom's aren't known for their sports knowledge, but my mom certainly knows her stuff. In our living room she has two Fantasy Football Champion trophies above the fireplace. They are little things, but it's two more than my dad has. Every time I was home from school, she would be sitting in the computer room working on her fantasy team, the Havertown Birches. So after seeing her do so well, I'm thinking of joining her league and taking her on. Of course, the winner gets a trophy and hosts the fantasy football party for everyone in the league. I have to do my research obviously, and not make the same mistake I did with my baseball fantasy team; which turned out to be nothing more than a complete disaster. This time I will not have Philadelphia players dominate my team. I've matured in my sports knowledge since then and think I can handle a fantasy football team.

Even though we are in the off season, training camp is coming right around the corner! The offseason is just as entertaining as the offseason. Someone's always getting in trouble or in the media somehow. From the Titans backup QB Chris Simms to the Bengals RB Cedric Benson, trouble seems to find professional athletes. Michael Vick is in the spotlight again and this time it's not for speaking to kids about ho wrong it is to conduct dog fights in your home. Reports are coming out saying he left way before the shooting that took place at the bar where he hosted his birthday party. Other reports say he left only three minutes before the shooting. Who knows what happened, I'm just hoping he doesn't land himself back behind bars! This is the last thing this guy needs. As a concerned Eagles fan, I hope this situation gets figured out some time soon in case we need to be looking for another backup QB.

I'll report back after I do some research for my fantasy team...any ideas for a team name?