Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

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.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

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.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

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?