Potential names for the new pet fish

Presented in descending order of likelihood:

-- Freddy Galfish

-- Finny Rollins (via Lee)

-- Donovan McCrab

-- Nemo Timonen (via G)

-- Jeremiah Trouter

-- Hector Luna aka The Big Tuna

-- Sole Hamels

-- Michael Schwimmer (via Beth G)

-- Jeremy Mackrel

-- Fish Pronger (via G)

-- Cliff Eel

-- Koi Detmer

Unhappy memories

The last time the Phillies entered June in last place of their division (a distinct possibility this year, based on their performance over the last few weeks ) was seven years ago, during the team’s first year under manger Charlie Manuel. Here’s a look at the changes in the squad since then:

Position		2012	2005
Catcher		Carlos Ruiz	Mike Liberthal
First Base		Ty Wiggington	Ryan Howard
Second Base		Freddy Galvis	Chase Utley
Shortstop		Jimmy Rollins	Jimmy Rollins
Third Base		Placido Polanco	David Bell
Right Field		Hunter Pence	Bobby Abreu
Center Field		Kenny Lofton	Shane Victorino
Left Field		Juan Pierre	Pat Burrell
#1 Pitcher		Roy Halladay	Brett Myers
#2 Pitcher		Cliff Lee	Jon Lieber
#3 Pitcher		Cole Hamels	Cory Lidle
#4 Pitcher		Vance Worley	Vincente Padilla
#5 Pitcher		Joe Blanton	Randy Wolf
Closer		Jonathan Papelbon	Billy Wagner
Bench bat		Jim Thome	Jim Thome

For the record, the Phillies have never finished under .500 (or lower than second place) during Manuel’s tenure as manager.

1, 2, 3-4-5, Sixers

With one more win in their playoff series against the Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers will clinch the title of "closest Philly team to win a championship" for the 2011-2012 sports season. As you may remember, the Eagles missed the playoffs, the Phillies lost in the first round, and the Flyers lost in the second (four games to one). If the Sixers can manage at least two wins in the second round, they get top billing.

Here's a look back at how the teams have done over the pas two decades:

2010-2011: Phillies (lost in Conference Champs)
2009-2010: Phillies & Flyers (both lost in Finals, 4-2)
2008-2009: Phillies (won World Series)
2007-2008: Flyers (lost in Conference Champs)
2006-2007: Eagles (lost in playoffs second round)
2005-2006: Flyers (lost in playoffs first round)
2004-2005: Eagles (lost in Finals)
2003-2004: Eagles & Flyers (lost in Conference Champs)
2002-2003: Eagles (lost in Conference Champs)
2001-2002: Eagles (lost in Conference Champs)
2000-2001: Sixers (lost in Finals)
1999-2000: Flyers (lost in Conference Champs)
1998-1999: Sixers (lost in playoffs second round)
1997-1998: Flyers (lost in playoffs first round)
1996-1997: Flyers (lost in Finals)
1995-1996: Eagles & Flyers (lost in playoffs second round)
1994-1995: Flyers (lost in Conference Champs)
1993-1994: Phillies (lost in Finals)
1992-1993: Eagles (lost in playoffs second round)

For those of you scoring at home, the breakdown by team is:
Flyers -- 9
Eagles -- 7
Phillies -- 4
Sixers -- 2

Of course, the Phillies are the only team to actually win a championship over that stretch, so they automatically win the title of "best Philly sports franchise" until further notice.

Seen in Aruba

This is a picture of a jewelry display case at an expensive shop in Aruba's capital. Here are my questions:

1 -- How does an Eagles baseball cap help sell high-end jewelry?
2 -- Is it worrisome that they couldn't find an Eagles' helmet, only a cap?
3 -- Is it worrisome that they paired it with WVU and UNC helmets?
4 -- Is it possible that someone will buy a necklace and that hat, and wear them both walking out of the store?