With their backs against the wall, the Philadelphia Flyers needed a win today, and they started out fast, scoring twice in the first 5:30 of the game. Jeff Carter finally got himself into playoff form, as the 46 goal scorer in the regular season managed to score the first goal of the game. Mike Richards added a power play goal, and things were looking good for the Orange and Black.
Of course, that never how things work out for the Flyers, as they can look like Stanley Cup contenders one moment, then look horrible the next. A late Evgeni Malkin goal cut the lead to 2-1 at the end of the first period, then Rob Scuderi scored just 13 seconds into the second period to tie the score. From that point on, it was all Flyers. Momentum was with the Penguins, and it looked like Pittsburgh could easily take control of Game 3 and put the Flyers down 0-3. That's when Claude Giroux took over. The rookie scored his first playoff goal to put Philadelphia in front again, then assisted on a shorthanded Simon Gagne goal that would put the Flyers in the lead to stay.
From that point on, the Flyers were able to play their type of game. Sure, the refs were still calling touchy penalties, but Philadelphia was still able to get to Pittsburgh with a physical style of play. The Flyers needed to make a statement today, and they did that. Sidney Crosby was contained for much of the game, and even though he had two assists, and Malkin had two goals, it wasn't enough today. Jared Ross got his first playoff goal to start the scoring in the third period, and Gagne finished things off with an empty net goal for his second of the game.
You could tell that the Flyers were happy to be home. The fans were into the game the entire time, and seemed to help spur Philadelphia along, even when the Penguins managed to tie the game early in the second period. Martin Biron looked good in goal, though I'm still not comfortable whenever he comes out of the net to handle the puck. None of that matters today though, since the Flyers have taken the first step in making this a series. Game 4 is almost certainly even more of a must win than this was, since the last thing any of us want to see is the Flyers going back to Pittsburgh down 3-1. I don't think any of us would think that the series would come back to Philadelphia.
Game 4 is Tuesday night. Hopefully, the Flyers can carry some of this momentum over and tie this thing up before it goes back to Pittsburgh.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Phillies Recap: Phillies-5, Padres-4
Game Recap:
After trailing for most of the game, Raul Ibanez's two run walkoff home run gave the Phillies a much needed, come from behind victory. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins also homered for the Phils.
What went right?
Ibanez's walk off winner capped a 2-4 day for the newest Philadelphia bat. He's now hitting .386 on the season and is tied for the NL lead in homers with five.
Ryan Howard continued his hot start, going 3-4 with two singles and a triple(!!). He also flashed some solid leather at first base, ending what could have been a killer third inning with a great dive.
Chase Utley added his fourth homer of the season to put the Phils on the board. Much like Howard and Ibanez, Utley is assaulting opposing pitching with a .366 batting average, four home runs and 11 RBI.
J.A. Happ pitched great in relief for starter Chan Ho Park, throwing three scoreless innings, including retiring seven Padres in a row.
What went wrong?
While Ibanez was clutch at the plate in the ninth, his defenisve mistake in the third inning on an Edgar Gonzalez line drive turned into a triple and allowed two more runs to score. He almost misplayed another ball later in the game, but managed to recover and make a close grab. Those mistakes can't continue, despite his hot bat.
Chan Ho Park wasn't great on the mound, continuing the starting pitching woes for the Phillies. He lasted just five innings, giving up four runs and eight hits, while striking out three and allowing another home run, this one by Adrian Gonzalez. With the way Happ pitched behind him, Park is going to have to step up to keep his hold on the fifth starting spot.
While the Phillies were able to come back and win, the majority of their lineup had problems with Josh Greer, who was making just his sixth Major League start. Greer went seven innings, and struck out four, only allowing the Utley home run.
Game Analysis:
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win for the Phillies. Josh Greer contained the Phils for most of the game, but Philadelphia was able to get to the San Diego bullpen once he left. With Heath Bell unable to pitch, Edwin Moreno got the call in the ninth, and it only took two batters for the good guys to walk off as winners.
Of course, not all is well at the ballpark. The Phillies looked off balance against a junk ball pitcher for the longest time, and Chan Ho Park, despite pitching better than in his first start, still only went five innings. Philadelphia's starting pitching has not been anywhere close to where it was last season. The Phils also left ten men on base, which could have been huge, espeically in a one run game.
The starting pitching is going to have to improve, and quickly. The Phillies have allowed 26 home runs through just 11 games this season, and Ryan Madsen and Brad Lidge haven't looked very sharp yet out of the bullpen. Brett Myers put together what could be considered the best starting performance yet last night, but Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer are going to have to get back on point if this team wants to get moving, especially with the way the Marlins are playing early this year.
I know it's only 11 games into the season, but that was as close to a must win game in April as you can get. The Phillies needed that one, and were damn lucky to get it.
Next Game
The Phils take on the Padres for the last game in the four game series tomorrow night. Jamie Moyer (1-1, 6.55 ERA) faces off against Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.09 ERA). It's also the first Dollar Dog Night of the year, so go grab some cheap hot dogs. You know you want to.
After trailing for most of the game, Raul Ibanez's two run walkoff home run gave the Phillies a much needed, come from behind victory. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins also homered for the Phils.
What went right?
Ibanez's walk off winner capped a 2-4 day for the newest Philadelphia bat. He's now hitting .386 on the season and is tied for the NL lead in homers with five.
Ryan Howard continued his hot start, going 3-4 with two singles and a triple(!!). He also flashed some solid leather at first base, ending what could have been a killer third inning with a great dive.
Chase Utley added his fourth homer of the season to put the Phils on the board. Much like Howard and Ibanez, Utley is assaulting opposing pitching with a .366 batting average, four home runs and 11 RBI.
J.A. Happ pitched great in relief for starter Chan Ho Park, throwing three scoreless innings, including retiring seven Padres in a row.
What went wrong?
While Ibanez was clutch at the plate in the ninth, his defenisve mistake in the third inning on an Edgar Gonzalez line drive turned into a triple and allowed two more runs to score. He almost misplayed another ball later in the game, but managed to recover and make a close grab. Those mistakes can't continue, despite his hot bat.
Chan Ho Park wasn't great on the mound, continuing the starting pitching woes for the Phillies. He lasted just five innings, giving up four runs and eight hits, while striking out three and allowing another home run, this one by Adrian Gonzalez. With the way Happ pitched behind him, Park is going to have to step up to keep his hold on the fifth starting spot.
While the Phillies were able to come back and win, the majority of their lineup had problems with Josh Greer, who was making just his sixth Major League start. Greer went seven innings, and struck out four, only allowing the Utley home run.
Game Analysis:
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win for the Phillies. Josh Greer contained the Phils for most of the game, but Philadelphia was able to get to the San Diego bullpen once he left. With Heath Bell unable to pitch, Edwin Moreno got the call in the ninth, and it only took two batters for the good guys to walk off as winners.
Of course, not all is well at the ballpark. The Phillies looked off balance against a junk ball pitcher for the longest time, and Chan Ho Park, despite pitching better than in his first start, still only went five innings. Philadelphia's starting pitching has not been anywhere close to where it was last season. The Phils also left ten men on base, which could have been huge, espeically in a one run game.
The starting pitching is going to have to improve, and quickly. The Phillies have allowed 26 home runs through just 11 games this season, and Ryan Madsen and Brad Lidge haven't looked very sharp yet out of the bullpen. Brett Myers put together what could be considered the best starting performance yet last night, but Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer are going to have to get back on point if this team wants to get moving, especially with the way the Marlins are playing early this year.
I know it's only 11 games into the season, but that was as close to a must win game in April as you can get. The Phillies needed that one, and were damn lucky to get it.
Next Game
The Phils take on the Padres for the last game in the four game series tomorrow night. Jamie Moyer (1-1, 6.55 ERA) faces off against Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.09 ERA). It's also the first Dollar Dog Night of the year, so go grab some cheap hot dogs. You know you want to.
Phillie of the Week: April 12-18
Each week, I'll be picking out a member of the Phillies who performed the best over the past week. This week's Phillie of the Week is:
Harry Kalas
I don't think any explanation is needed. R.I.P. Harry.
Harry Kalas
I don't think any explanation is needed. R.I.P. Harry.
Huge Philly Sports Day
If you're like me, you're not going to be leaving the house much for the rest of the day. Hopefully, one of the Philly teams can take something today. Do what I'm doing, order a pizza, drink some beer and enjoy the sports.
Phillies vs. Padres-1:30
Flyers vs. Penguins-3:00
Sixers @ Magic-5:30
Phillies vs. Padres-1:30
Flyers vs. Penguins-3:00
Sixers @ Magic-5:30
The Game I Wish I Didn't Remember
Three years after the Eagles fell to the Patriots, the Giants had their chance against the then 18-0, perfect season on the line Patriots. You all know what happened. Here's my recap.
It's been almost two days since Super Bowl XLII (that's 42, for you non-Romans out there), and while now there is a parade headed through Manhattan, I figure now is as good of a time as any to break down what I remember from the game.
First off, if some descriptions are off, it is because I decided to drink...heavily during the game, and while I know what happened, I sometimes don't remember the specifics. I relied on ESPN to fill me in the next day.
This is, in all honesty, the first Super Bowl I was not looking foward to at all. Let me explain myself, for those of you who can't be happy with that. No matter what, I was going to watch the game, but I didn't want either team to win. First of all, the New England Patriots might be the most hated team in sports right now. Their fans are spoiled little brats, the entire sports area up there wins way too much right now and ESPN is located up there, which means they get constant hype. Is 18-0 impressive? Yes, but I didn't need a "Pursuit of Perfection" ticker on the bottom of the screen that started in Week 7!! Throw in the whole cheating thing, and the new stuff that just came out about them cheating possibly before Super Bowl XXXVI, and that's enough for me to buy Shop Rite brand Easy Mac forever now (the guy who owns Kraft also owns the Patriots, FYI).
On the other hand, the New York Giants are my hated rival. I've hated them since about age 5, when my dad told me they played in New Jersey, but had New York in their name because "the smart people in New Jersey didn't want the state name to be associated with them." Plus, not only would I have to deal with Giants fans coming into the store and gloating for the next seven months, they would also have been the team to beat the Patriots, and win the Super Bowl at the same time...a double whammy if there ever was one. As I said many times before this game, for Philadelphia fans, this was like rooting between Nazis and terrorists...no matter who wins, you're not going to be happy.
With all that in mind, I settled in for what I at least was hoping would be a good game.
That first Giant drive was impressive, especially right off the bat. It was clear what New York wanted to do against New England's defense, and by using both Jacobs and Bradshaw, as well as shorter passes, they were able to impose their will and keep Tom Brady off the field. Sure, it sounds simple, but how many other teams had been able to do it all year? That's what I thought. Of course, they only got a field goal out of it, and New England showed why they went 18-0 by scoring on their first drive, but after that, honestly, it was all Giants.
I was amazed at how well New York played in the first half, even though they only managed three points. They had that one interception down in the red zone, and one other close drive, I believe. Not only that, but that defense of theirs smoked New England's offensive line. It wasn't even funny how much Brady got hit during the whole game. I couldn't believe it, and you could tell where the momentum was, especially when I thought New York should have been up 17-7 at the half, at least.
The same defensive output that I saw from the Giants carried over into the second half, though I do have to question one thing about the Patriots. Why in the bluest of blue hells would you go for it on 4th and 13 when you have a good kicker sitting right there on the sidelines? It was a 49 yard kick, indoors, for crying out loud! I know that New England had this whole stigma with them this year about going for it on fourth down, but that one was dumb. Seriously dumb. Like one of the biggest mistakes in Super Bowl history dumb. Everyone gives Bill Belichick all the credit in the world, and he deserves most of it, but this was the first Super Bowl he made it to after he lost both coordinators following Super Bowl XXXIX (even though that game never happened). You have to think that Charlie Weis would have been able to talk him out of that, but that one moment of pride and hubris may have cost them the game.
Now, I've been one of the biggest Eli Manning detractors that you can find, but what he did in the fourth quarter is something out of Super Bowl lore. The first touchdown pass to David Tyree was simply treading the needle, and then to escape three Patriots with less than a minute to go and find Tyree again on what might be the most amazing Super Bowl play ever was incredible. Not only that, but to out perform Tom Brady in the last two minutes of the Super Bowl is something no one else can say they've done. When Plaxico Burress caught that touchdown, even with just 35 seconds to go, you had to know the game was over. Brady got dismantled again, and 18-0 became 18-1.
There are a few things I want to talk about. First of all, this is not the greatest Super Bowl upset of all time. Don't buy into that for a second. Super Bowl III, between the Jets and Colts was by far the biggest upset ever. Not only were the Jets 18 and a half point underdogs, but by winning that game, they basically forced the merger of the AFL and NFL. Remember, there were two seperate leagues back then, and after the Packers beat down the first two Super Bowl teams from the AFL, a lot of people were thinking they would just go away. Without Super Bowl III, they might have, and things might not be the same today. The Jets were thought to be an inferior team from a league that wasn't on the same level as the NFL. The Giants, while an underdog, had already established themselves during the playoffs this year. The Jets could have beaten every other team in the AFL on the way to Super Bowl III, and no one would have given them a chance. AFL teams didn't play NFL teams during the regular season like AFC and NFC teams play now. The Giants and Patriots played a close game in the regular season, which is why the line on this game should have been closer. Is it an upset? Yes, but not the biggest or even most historically significant in Super Bowl history.
Of course, with all that being said, the New England Patriots are now the biggest punchline in Super Bowl history. Sure, they won their first 18 games of the season, but they lost the last game. Only one team gets to hold the trophy at the end of the season, doesn't matter if you're 9-7 or 16-0 during the regular season. They might be one of the best teams in NFL history, I'll give them that, but without the Super Bowl win, they won't be remembered like the 1985 Bears or the 1972 Dolphins. They are in the same group as the 1984 Dolphins or the 2004 Eagles. You don't win, you're not the best. It's that simple.
I never thought I'd say this either, but I actually think Eli Manning is a great quarterback now. Three other times, New England won Super Bowls by three points, and each one of those quarterbacks had a chance to win their game. The fourth time, the same thing happened, only Eli was able to pull it off. It makes me sick thinking that this happened, but like I said before, I wasn't going to like the winner either way, and if anything, it shuts up the spoiled Boston fans for a couple of months. Do I see the Giants repeating? No, but I don't see them going away either. Of course, I didn't see the Giants even getting to the Super Bowl even four weeks ago, so who knows what's going to happen.
One thing is certain though: Tiki Barber can not be happy right now. Of course, he deserves this, especially after everything he said.
There, I've swallowed my hatred and said nice things about the Giants. It sucks, because I saw the Eagles play the Patriots in the Super Bowl just three years ago, and come oh so close. Enjoy the moment, just like I'll enioy saying 18-1. After the parade, we're all 0-0 again...now I just need next season to get here!
It's been almost two days since Super Bowl XLII (that's 42, for you non-Romans out there), and while now there is a parade headed through Manhattan, I figure now is as good of a time as any to break down what I remember from the game.
First off, if some descriptions are off, it is because I decided to drink...heavily during the game, and while I know what happened, I sometimes don't remember the specifics. I relied on ESPN to fill me in the next day.
This is, in all honesty, the first Super Bowl I was not looking foward to at all. Let me explain myself, for those of you who can't be happy with that. No matter what, I was going to watch the game, but I didn't want either team to win. First of all, the New England Patriots might be the most hated team in sports right now. Their fans are spoiled little brats, the entire sports area up there wins way too much right now and ESPN is located up there, which means they get constant hype. Is 18-0 impressive? Yes, but I didn't need a "Pursuit of Perfection" ticker on the bottom of the screen that started in Week 7!! Throw in the whole cheating thing, and the new stuff that just came out about them cheating possibly before Super Bowl XXXVI, and that's enough for me to buy Shop Rite brand Easy Mac forever now (the guy who owns Kraft also owns the Patriots, FYI).
On the other hand, the New York Giants are my hated rival. I've hated them since about age 5, when my dad told me they played in New Jersey, but had New York in their name because "the smart people in New Jersey didn't want the state name to be associated with them." Plus, not only would I have to deal with Giants fans coming into the store and gloating for the next seven months, they would also have been the team to beat the Patriots, and win the Super Bowl at the same time...a double whammy if there ever was one. As I said many times before this game, for Philadelphia fans, this was like rooting between Nazis and terrorists...no matter who wins, you're not going to be happy.
With all that in mind, I settled in for what I at least was hoping would be a good game.
That first Giant drive was impressive, especially right off the bat. It was clear what New York wanted to do against New England's defense, and by using both Jacobs and Bradshaw, as well as shorter passes, they were able to impose their will and keep Tom Brady off the field. Sure, it sounds simple, but how many other teams had been able to do it all year? That's what I thought. Of course, they only got a field goal out of it, and New England showed why they went 18-0 by scoring on their first drive, but after that, honestly, it was all Giants.
I was amazed at how well New York played in the first half, even though they only managed three points. They had that one interception down in the red zone, and one other close drive, I believe. Not only that, but that defense of theirs smoked New England's offensive line. It wasn't even funny how much Brady got hit during the whole game. I couldn't believe it, and you could tell where the momentum was, especially when I thought New York should have been up 17-7 at the half, at least.
The same defensive output that I saw from the Giants carried over into the second half, though I do have to question one thing about the Patriots. Why in the bluest of blue hells would you go for it on 4th and 13 when you have a good kicker sitting right there on the sidelines? It was a 49 yard kick, indoors, for crying out loud! I know that New England had this whole stigma with them this year about going for it on fourth down, but that one was dumb. Seriously dumb. Like one of the biggest mistakes in Super Bowl history dumb. Everyone gives Bill Belichick all the credit in the world, and he deserves most of it, but this was the first Super Bowl he made it to after he lost both coordinators following Super Bowl XXXIX (even though that game never happened). You have to think that Charlie Weis would have been able to talk him out of that, but that one moment of pride and hubris may have cost them the game.
Now, I've been one of the biggest Eli Manning detractors that you can find, but what he did in the fourth quarter is something out of Super Bowl lore. The first touchdown pass to David Tyree was simply treading the needle, and then to escape three Patriots with less than a minute to go and find Tyree again on what might be the most amazing Super Bowl play ever was incredible. Not only that, but to out perform Tom Brady in the last two minutes of the Super Bowl is something no one else can say they've done. When Plaxico Burress caught that touchdown, even with just 35 seconds to go, you had to know the game was over. Brady got dismantled again, and 18-0 became 18-1.
There are a few things I want to talk about. First of all, this is not the greatest Super Bowl upset of all time. Don't buy into that for a second. Super Bowl III, between the Jets and Colts was by far the biggest upset ever. Not only were the Jets 18 and a half point underdogs, but by winning that game, they basically forced the merger of the AFL and NFL. Remember, there were two seperate leagues back then, and after the Packers beat down the first two Super Bowl teams from the AFL, a lot of people were thinking they would just go away. Without Super Bowl III, they might have, and things might not be the same today. The Jets were thought to be an inferior team from a league that wasn't on the same level as the NFL. The Giants, while an underdog, had already established themselves during the playoffs this year. The Jets could have beaten every other team in the AFL on the way to Super Bowl III, and no one would have given them a chance. AFL teams didn't play NFL teams during the regular season like AFC and NFC teams play now. The Giants and Patriots played a close game in the regular season, which is why the line on this game should have been closer. Is it an upset? Yes, but not the biggest or even most historically significant in Super Bowl history.
Of course, with all that being said, the New England Patriots are now the biggest punchline in Super Bowl history. Sure, they won their first 18 games of the season, but they lost the last game. Only one team gets to hold the trophy at the end of the season, doesn't matter if you're 9-7 or 16-0 during the regular season. They might be one of the best teams in NFL history, I'll give them that, but without the Super Bowl win, they won't be remembered like the 1985 Bears or the 1972 Dolphins. They are in the same group as the 1984 Dolphins or the 2004 Eagles. You don't win, you're not the best. It's that simple.
I never thought I'd say this either, but I actually think Eli Manning is a great quarterback now. Three other times, New England won Super Bowls by three points, and each one of those quarterbacks had a chance to win their game. The fourth time, the same thing happened, only Eli was able to pull it off. It makes me sick thinking that this happened, but like I said before, I wasn't going to like the winner either way, and if anything, it shuts up the spoiled Boston fans for a couple of months. Do I see the Giants repeating? No, but I don't see them going away either. Of course, I didn't see the Giants even getting to the Super Bowl even four weeks ago, so who knows what's going to happen.
One thing is certain though: Tiki Barber can not be happy right now. Of course, he deserves this, especially after everything he said.
There, I've swallowed my hatred and said nice things about the Giants. It sucks, because I saw the Eagles play the Patriots in the Super Bowl just three years ago, and come oh so close. Enjoy the moment, just like I'll enioy saying 18-1. After the parade, we're all 0-0 again...now I just need next season to get here!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Game I Wish I Could Forget
Here's an older blog I posted back after the Eagles made the Super Bowl. Reading this still hurts.
Well, it finally happened. After 20 years of waiting, the Philadelphia Eagles, my team, made it to the Super Bowl. In their way, just the team of the decade, the New England Patriots. Before the game, I had it all planned out...I had a victory column all set and ready to go, but it was not meant to be. I was going to put this out sooner, but it's been two weeks since the game, and it's taken me this long just to look at the boxscore. Anyway, here's a little play by play about how my night went.
4:30-I show up at my dad's house, where he's busy cleaning his car out to kill some time. Still two hours until kickoff, and I have no idea how I'm going to last. I go inside, where my stepmom isn't watching pregame stuff, but Dumbo instead. Having no other options, I sit and watch the end of the movie.
6:25-Some Van Damme movie has just ended, and it's almost time to start. We quickly change the channel to Fox, and get ready for the biggest game of my life. The butterflies are really going now and I proceed to keep asking for my cheesesteak which is sitting in the oven.
6:35-Will Smith is introducing the Eagles. It really is happening. I still don't believe it. I'm rocking back and forth on the couch like a maniac. NO MORE COMMERCIALS!
6:45-Following the worst coin toss ever, the Eagles get the ball. Just one more commercial, and here we go.
(The rest of this is just going to be my reactions to certain plays. NFL.com has given me the exact time and quarter.)
45 seconds into the 1st quarter-3rd and short for the Eagles. McNabb is sacked and loses the football. The Patriots recover. I proceed to scream and punch the couch like it had something to do with the fumble. The Eagles challenge the play, and I have never been happier to see McNabb get sacked, as the play is reversed.
10 Minutes left in the 1st quarter-Donovan completes his second pass to Owens, who proceeds to run like he's got no problem with his broken leg. He thinks God healed him. I think it's a combonation of El Grande, the 24 ounce Coors can that I believe helped the Red Sox win the World Series, and Owens' hyperbolic chamber, which he believes to heal him faster. That, or I'm so delusional that he's not actually playing, rather, it's Freddie Mitchell making all these catches. I quickly snap back to reality and realize that even a one legged man can outplay Mitchell.
3 Minutes left in the 1st quarter-McNabb throws an interception, just one play after he had an interception called back. I again proceed to scream and attack the couch, all while balancing half a cheesesteak on my lap. The 1st half of the cheesesteak is already being digested, after being eaten in about 2 seconds. Did I mention I'm still shaking?
10 Minutes left in the 2nd quarter-Donovan to L.J. Smith. Touchdown. Eagles lead 7-0. I holler up to the heavens and proceed to thank God about 20 times in 20 seconds. I now think that we are going to win the Super Bowl, despite it still being in the 2nd quarter. My calender is instantly cleared for Tuesday, which would be the day of the parade.
5 Minutes left in the 2nd quarter-Tom Brady fumbles the football at the Eagles 5 yard line. Eagles recover. I now think that the Eagles are going to win in a blowout, because the Patriots never make mistakes in the Super Bowl. The dog is scared of me because of my yelling. My dad and stepmom are moving further away from me, and I think the people upstairs know I'm an Eagles fan, even though the never met me.
1 Minute left in the 2nd quarter-Brady passes to Givens. Touchdown Patriots. The announcers start saying how amazing Brady is. I won't argue it, but there is still another team in this game, so we can talk about them too. Oh yeah, the game is tied now and the dog thinks I'm possessed by satan.
Halftime-The most inoffensive halftime show ever, with Paul McCartney singing some of his old hits on a really trippy stage. I swear, if I were drunk or stoned, that stage would keep me happy for hours. After the game, the FCC still receives over 30 calls about drug references in the show. It's Paul McCartney, one of the Beatles and musical legend. ALL of his songs have some reference to drugs! I know those of you who called are afraid to leave the house and keep your 35 year old children locked in the room, but some of us like music unchanged. I know you used to listen to this music, now get over it. Ok, on to the 3rd quarter.
11 Minutes left in the 3rd quarter-Brady completes a pass to Mike Vrabel. Touchdown Patriots. Did I mention that Vrabel is a linebacker? How about that I called the play because once Vrabel comes into the game, he's getting the ball thrown to him. The couch must be getting tired of me sitting on it, because I'm punching the high holy hell out of it. Eagles are down by 7, and I don't know what to do.
3 Minutes left in the 3rd quarter-McNabb throws a touchdown to Westbrook that passes through the Patriots linebackers like a glitch in Madden. I'm still not sure how he got it through there, but I don't care. The game is tied again, and the Eagles are shocking more than a few people by staying in this game as long as they have. The people on the 3rd floor now know that I'm an Eagles fan.
13 Minutes left in the 4th quarter-Dillon runs in for a touchdown. The Fox announcers instantly get on his jock, talking about how long he's been waiting to play for a winner, since he used to play for the Bengals. Hello, how about the Eagles who played on the 3-13 1998 team? The Eagles only have three players who ever made it to a Super Bowl, and one of them was working construction two weeks before this. How about you try talking about that? The Patriots lead by a touchdown, and I'm starting to get concerned now. I need some codine or NyQuil right now.
8 and a half minutes left in the 4th quarter-The Patriots kick a field goal to make it a 10 point game. The only good thing about the field goal is that it was almost a touchdown, and then the game would have been over. I'm not really nervous now, just numb. On the plus side, when I did a drunken simulation of this game just the night before, the Eagles were down by 10 before they make an amazing comeback and win in overtime, so I'm still holding out hope.
7 Minutes left in the 4th quarter-Donovan throws an interception in Patriots territory. Death threats instantly begin forming in my head for both teams, starting with Freddie Mitchell and going from there. Nice game by the way Freddie, how's one catch sound for you so far?
Just under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter-After the slowest no huddle in history, McNabb throws a bomb to Greg Lewis. Touchdown Eagles. Only down by 3, and now the people in the next building know I'm an Eagles fan. The scary thing is, this is almost exactly how the simulation said it was going to happen. I'm starting to freak out. Somehow, I'm not dead yet. Akers tries on onside kick that shouldn't have been attempted and the Patriots recover. They go 3 and out, but punt it down to the 4 yard line. Only 45 seconds left, and I need a change of pants.
17 seconds left in the 4th quarter-McNabb throws an interception to Harrison, the most hated player on the Patriots. Game over. I get up, grab my coat and leave before I see Brady take a final knee. I have no clue what the hell to do right now, so I stare into space while standing at my car. I hear fireworks go off in the distance, and I know the game is over.
11:00-Driving back to school, I've never seen so many depressed drivers. Merrill Reese sounds like he wants to kill himself on 94.1, and they put the trophy presentation on. I refuse to listen, so as far as I know, It didn't happen.
12:00-I get back to my room, and Eric beat me back. Half the Eagles papers up in the hallway are torn down, and as I enter the room, all we can do is sit and stare at each other. I refuse to go on the internet or watch TV, so I just stare into space again until I go to sleep. I still can't believe it happened this way.
Well, it finally happened. After 20 years of waiting, the Philadelphia Eagles, my team, made it to the Super Bowl. In their way, just the team of the decade, the New England Patriots. Before the game, I had it all planned out...I had a victory column all set and ready to go, but it was not meant to be. I was going to put this out sooner, but it's been two weeks since the game, and it's taken me this long just to look at the boxscore. Anyway, here's a little play by play about how my night went.
4:30-I show up at my dad's house, where he's busy cleaning his car out to kill some time. Still two hours until kickoff, and I have no idea how I'm going to last. I go inside, where my stepmom isn't watching pregame stuff, but Dumbo instead. Having no other options, I sit and watch the end of the movie.
6:25-Some Van Damme movie has just ended, and it's almost time to start. We quickly change the channel to Fox, and get ready for the biggest game of my life. The butterflies are really going now and I proceed to keep asking for my cheesesteak which is sitting in the oven.
6:35-Will Smith is introducing the Eagles. It really is happening. I still don't believe it. I'm rocking back and forth on the couch like a maniac. NO MORE COMMERCIALS!
6:45-Following the worst coin toss ever, the Eagles get the ball. Just one more commercial, and here we go.
(The rest of this is just going to be my reactions to certain plays. NFL.com has given me the exact time and quarter.)
45 seconds into the 1st quarter-3rd and short for the Eagles. McNabb is sacked and loses the football. The Patriots recover. I proceed to scream and punch the couch like it had something to do with the fumble. The Eagles challenge the play, and I have never been happier to see McNabb get sacked, as the play is reversed.
10 Minutes left in the 1st quarter-Donovan completes his second pass to Owens, who proceeds to run like he's got no problem with his broken leg. He thinks God healed him. I think it's a combonation of El Grande, the 24 ounce Coors can that I believe helped the Red Sox win the World Series, and Owens' hyperbolic chamber, which he believes to heal him faster. That, or I'm so delusional that he's not actually playing, rather, it's Freddie Mitchell making all these catches. I quickly snap back to reality and realize that even a one legged man can outplay Mitchell.
3 Minutes left in the 1st quarter-McNabb throws an interception, just one play after he had an interception called back. I again proceed to scream and attack the couch, all while balancing half a cheesesteak on my lap. The 1st half of the cheesesteak is already being digested, after being eaten in about 2 seconds. Did I mention I'm still shaking?
10 Minutes left in the 2nd quarter-Donovan to L.J. Smith. Touchdown. Eagles lead 7-0. I holler up to the heavens and proceed to thank God about 20 times in 20 seconds. I now think that we are going to win the Super Bowl, despite it still being in the 2nd quarter. My calender is instantly cleared for Tuesday, which would be the day of the parade.
5 Minutes left in the 2nd quarter-Tom Brady fumbles the football at the Eagles 5 yard line. Eagles recover. I now think that the Eagles are going to win in a blowout, because the Patriots never make mistakes in the Super Bowl. The dog is scared of me because of my yelling. My dad and stepmom are moving further away from me, and I think the people upstairs know I'm an Eagles fan, even though the never met me.
1 Minute left in the 2nd quarter-Brady passes to Givens. Touchdown Patriots. The announcers start saying how amazing Brady is. I won't argue it, but there is still another team in this game, so we can talk about them too. Oh yeah, the game is tied now and the dog thinks I'm possessed by satan.
Halftime-The most inoffensive halftime show ever, with Paul McCartney singing some of his old hits on a really trippy stage. I swear, if I were drunk or stoned, that stage would keep me happy for hours. After the game, the FCC still receives over 30 calls about drug references in the show. It's Paul McCartney, one of the Beatles and musical legend. ALL of his songs have some reference to drugs! I know those of you who called are afraid to leave the house and keep your 35 year old children locked in the room, but some of us like music unchanged. I know you used to listen to this music, now get over it. Ok, on to the 3rd quarter.
11 Minutes left in the 3rd quarter-Brady completes a pass to Mike Vrabel. Touchdown Patriots. Did I mention that Vrabel is a linebacker? How about that I called the play because once Vrabel comes into the game, he's getting the ball thrown to him. The couch must be getting tired of me sitting on it, because I'm punching the high holy hell out of it. Eagles are down by 7, and I don't know what to do.
3 Minutes left in the 3rd quarter-McNabb throws a touchdown to Westbrook that passes through the Patriots linebackers like a glitch in Madden. I'm still not sure how he got it through there, but I don't care. The game is tied again, and the Eagles are shocking more than a few people by staying in this game as long as they have. The people on the 3rd floor now know that I'm an Eagles fan.
13 Minutes left in the 4th quarter-Dillon runs in for a touchdown. The Fox announcers instantly get on his jock, talking about how long he's been waiting to play for a winner, since he used to play for the Bengals. Hello, how about the Eagles who played on the 3-13 1998 team? The Eagles only have three players who ever made it to a Super Bowl, and one of them was working construction two weeks before this. How about you try talking about that? The Patriots lead by a touchdown, and I'm starting to get concerned now. I need some codine or NyQuil right now.
8 and a half minutes left in the 4th quarter-The Patriots kick a field goal to make it a 10 point game. The only good thing about the field goal is that it was almost a touchdown, and then the game would have been over. I'm not really nervous now, just numb. On the plus side, when I did a drunken simulation of this game just the night before, the Eagles were down by 10 before they make an amazing comeback and win in overtime, so I'm still holding out hope.
7 Minutes left in the 4th quarter-Donovan throws an interception in Patriots territory. Death threats instantly begin forming in my head for both teams, starting with Freddie Mitchell and going from there. Nice game by the way Freddie, how's one catch sound for you so far?
Just under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter-After the slowest no huddle in history, McNabb throws a bomb to Greg Lewis. Touchdown Eagles. Only down by 3, and now the people in the next building know I'm an Eagles fan. The scary thing is, this is almost exactly how the simulation said it was going to happen. I'm starting to freak out. Somehow, I'm not dead yet. Akers tries on onside kick that shouldn't have been attempted and the Patriots recover. They go 3 and out, but punt it down to the 4 yard line. Only 45 seconds left, and I need a change of pants.
17 seconds left in the 4th quarter-McNabb throws an interception to Harrison, the most hated player on the Patriots. Game over. I get up, grab my coat and leave before I see Brady take a final knee. I have no clue what the hell to do right now, so I stare into space while standing at my car. I hear fireworks go off in the distance, and I know the game is over.
11:00-Driving back to school, I've never seen so many depressed drivers. Merrill Reese sounds like he wants to kill himself on 94.1, and they put the trophy presentation on. I refuse to listen, so as far as I know, It didn't happen.
12:00-I get back to my room, and Eric beat me back. Half the Eagles papers up in the hallway are torn down, and as I enter the room, all we can do is sit and stare at each other. I refuse to go on the internet or watch TV, so I just stare into space again until I go to sleep. I still can't believe it happened this way.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Voice Is Silent
I figure this is a good post to start with. I'll have others up in the coming days, most of which are older posts on previous sporting events, but this should go up first.
I was born on June 22, 1984. The first voices I heard were more than likely my mom's and dad's, along with the doctor's. I'd be willing to bet that one of the first after that was Harry Kalas. It was a voice that you would know the second that you heard it, that smooth, calming voice. For almost 38 years, Harry called Phillies games, and while there were many more bad times than good, one thing always stayed the same.
Harry Kalas was always there. He would ride the same wave of emotions that the fans would. You could turn on a game and no matter what inning it was, you would know within a second whether or not the Phillies were winning and how close the game was, and that was just with the sound of his voice. In this day and age, where most broadcasters constantly talk through every second of every at bat, Harry was willing to sit back and let the game play out. I'm sure most of the people reading this that are Phillies fans will certainly testify to turning down the volume whenever the Phils were on national TV, and just turning up Harry.
I never actually met Harry for more than a few seconds, but it didn't matter. I tell people that I decided to be a broadcaster after watching The Sandlot. That's only partially true. My love for broadcasting, and for baseball, came from listening to Harry call game after came for the Phillies, and me hoping that one day, I could be like him. I shook his hand once, at the last Picture Day at Veterans Stadium in 2003, and I'll never forget that moment. I also won't forget the two times he said my name, on air, for winning the Stump the Fans question twice. Sure, it was just for a second, but to hear my name come out of his mouth...it just sounded special.
Now, the voice is silent. At 1:20 this afternoon, Harry Kalas passed away in Washington, D.C. He apparently passed out in the broadcast booth, which is where I think he would have wanted to go. Sure, there were signs before this year that he was starting to slip. Cracks had been showing for a while, but he was still ours, just like every other Philadelphia landmark. We'd heard the reports of surgery to his eye, and then something else this spring, but we all assumed he would be ok. No one thought that this day would come. We all assumed Harry would be here forever, calling games until people my age could sit their grandkids down and have them share a moment, listening to his voice.
Harry Kalas, in my mind and the minds of a lot of Phillies fans, was baseball. We rode the wave of emotions with every inflection of his voice. We stood, ready to cheer with every "looong drive!" We roared until our throats were sore with each "outta here!" This past season, we finally got to hear him call a World Series championship. The 1980 championship didn't actually have him in the booth. Three years, and many angry letters from Phillie fans later, regional broadcasters could call the World Series games for their teams. It's at least nice to know that he went out on top with the Phillies. While I don't remember much of their pairing, I know he and Richie Ashburn are sharing all kinds of stories right now with a nice drink and a fine cigar.
I'm not going to lie, I didn't cry when my grandfather died, but I damn near lost it at the end of the game today, another typical nail biting Phillies win. When they signed off, I could hear Larry Andersen trying not to cry in the background, and they added Harry's name into the final send off, it hit me. The voice, one of the few constants in my life for 24 years, is gone. Baseball has become a lesser game without Harry Kalas, and Phillie fans have lost a very good friend.
Rest in peace Harry.
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