The Greatest Sound In the World Is a Whining Yankees Fan

So I wake up this morning and jump into the Jeep for the trek to work. I flip on ESPN radio and what do I hear but the stunning news that Cliff Lee is coming back to Philly.

Until yesterday, all the news was leaning to him signing with the hated Yankees or staying with the Rangers. But Ruben Amaro, Jr. righted a wrong and outsmarted the overrated Brian Cashman by landing the best pitcher on the free agent market for the second straight year (Roy Halladay was the prize last year). Showing that he learned well from his mentor the hall of famer-elect Pat Gillick, Amaro played on Lee's feelings to play in the city that once was a hated destination but now is baseball paradise. Lee likes the city, loves the coach and enjoys the team--a perfect situation.

He smacked the Yankees upside the head by taking less money than they were offering and gave the fans of New York the finger. There were reports that Yankee fans spit on Lee's wife during the playoffs last year and that may have been the final decision maker.

Good job New York, you've just been dissed for being a bunch of classless losers and Philly's gain is your brutal loss. I so enjoyed listening to your bullshit today trying to rationalize the situation by uttering drivel such as "he's not that good" or "he isn't worth the money" or my personal favorite "A.J. Burnett will pick it up this year". Sure he will.

Yesterday he was the greatest thing ever and today he's just so-so. You sound like that dude who thought he was going to score the hot chick at a bar and your rival is now at her place getting busy while you're home playing with yourself watching the last skit on Saturday Night Live all by your lonesome.

Blow me scrubs, the Phillies have the best pitching staff in baseball by far and possibly the best pitching staff ever. Enjoying losing the division to the Red Sox who scored a stud in the outfield and a stud at first while you waited for Lee to sign with you. But hey, Greinke or even Carl Pavano are out there to be you #2.

What If the Yankees Choked Again?

I work in North Jersey, which is populated by Mets and Yankees fans. They tend to switch based on who is doing better like they do with the Jets and Giants, but I digress.

Anyway, the Phillies took care of their business last night with a barrage of hits and homers and the Yankmee's are currently down 4-0 to the Angels. Here's a bit of what the eventual winner will have to deal with through the magic of self-made video that captures the sheer joy and love this area has for this team:



Now there is some precedent here as the Yankmee's were up 3-0 against the hated Sox and preceded to lie down. That could happen here. Yankmee's fans were strutting around today as if they had already won telling me they would smack the Phils. Get there first, scrubs.

The laughter from the Delaware Valley would be heard in the Bronx and the crying from Fox would be heard all the way up to Alaska.

I leave you with the fallout of that epic choke (NSFW-ish):



BTW, Fuck New York!

Wednesday Afternoon News & Notes

The Phillies can hopefully put the Dodgers away tonight after breaking their hearts on Monday. Manny seems to have washed his hands of this series, as well as his arms, hair, back...

Here's what's news:

-Brit Hume smacks the hell out of the Obama Administration's war against Fox News:



-It's official: The umpiring in the MLB playoffs has been horrid.

-Countrywide fallout: Dems terrified about their shady deals with the loan company becoming public.

-Senator Reid get played again. You're an idiot, Harry, it's a wonder that you still know how to breathe. My apologies to Bob Dylan.

-Another war Obama can't keep from losing.

-Shocker! We won't be getting that TARP money back. Who could've seen that coming?

-Update: Media Matters idiot sets out to smear Hot Air writer and beclowns self by typing the following headline:

I'm don't think "quarantine" means what right-wing blogger Allah Pundit thinks it does

Evidently Eric Boehlert is a fine example of what our public schools have to offer. Even his own commenters are busting on him.

Tuesday Night News and Notes

So the Phillies win the NLDS in come-from-behind style and the media continue to ignore them while hoping against hope that the Dodgers play the Yankees. I'll guess we'll just have to break their hearts again, won't we?

Anyway, here's whats news:

-Olympia Snowe (RINO-ME) decides to be "historic" again and votes the Senate healthcare bill out of committee sending our economy and health system into a potential spiral. A nation soon to be forced into an inept and horrid system says thank you, Senator Snowe.

-The dollar is just north of being toilet paper to the other world economic powers. Wait til inflation kicks in and we can set our goals high and aim for Zimbabwe territory.

-The Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko (right top) was named the hottest world leader with Obama coming in a distant 15th (don't the people who compiled the list know he's The One?). She's smoking hot but she's not nearly as hot as Robert Mugabe of the aforementioned Zimbabwe (right bottom) who makes John Kerry look like a model.

-Blue on blue. Liberals slap fight each other. Let the fun begin.

-Obama has kept one promise; he united the world. The entire planet believes he didn't deserve the Nobel bestowed upon him by liberal intelligentsia.

When Did Cubs Fans Become Such Pussies?

There once was a time I had admiration for fans of the Chicago Cubs. They were lovable diehards who packed Wrigley field and lived and died (always) with their team every season. They were people you could respect because they seemed to respect the game.

Unfortunately, it turns out they are ill-tempered and thin-skinned Chicagoans of the Obama mode where I had them as more of the tough Al Capone mode.

Earlier this week some cretin poured his beer on Phillies Shane Victorino as he was catching a ball at the wall during a 12-2 ass kicking the Phightin's were dropping on the Cubbies. Number 8 made the catch anyway. Here's the vid (from a sorry Mets fan, btw):



Cowardly and representative of what the media portrays Phillies fans like myself as when it's not true.

Now we have word that a few fans in the right field section are perturbed that Cubs rightfielder Milton Bradley allegedly gave them the finger. Their own player gave them the finger? They probably deserved it.

Quit whining, pussies, I got the finger about eight times today alone driving down the NJ Turnpike for crying out loud. Suck it up you formerly lovable losers and start showing at least an iota of class. Just because Obama is a president from Chicago who asks like a San Franciscan doesn't mean you have to.

For the record, I hope the Cardinals win the NL Central by ten friggin' games.

Wednesday Night News & Notes

The new job is challenging and whipping my ass but I'm making headway. The Phillies traded for last year's AL Cy Young Award winner and Shane Victorino (pictured) is hitting out of his mind so on balance it's a good day.

Here's what's news.

-The Gates Affair continues unabated. I thought race didn't matter anymore in this post-racial Obamanation. Take the race card away from libs and they would have nothing to hold but their collective units.

-Just your typical, neighborhood goat-slaughtering jihadist. But he's a nice man.

-Obama's health care bill dying a slow, slow death. Nice.

-Rest in peace Mrs. Hoft. Prayers to you and your family, Jim.

-Lou Dobbs seems to be taking this whole "birther" thing a bit too far.

-Dude, people in DC are not as hot as I thought.

The Phillies are Rolling

Lidge got an easy save, Rollins and Utley turned a nice double play and Ryan Howard launched an estimated 475-foot, third deck grand slam.

Video of the bomb is here.

The Phils hold onto a half-game lead over the hated Mets.

Wednesday Afternoon News & Notes

Happy hump day to you.

Here's what's new:

-Why they hate Sarah Palin. Thoughtful yet highly edited.

-Hooray! I live in one of states where freedom is an afterthught and liberty is but a dream. Hey, at least New York is even less free.

-Speaking of New York; the Phillies open up another short series against the Mets at Debits Field tonight. They face Johann Santana who has essentially owned us (although Howard, Ruiz, Ibanez and Werth have feasted on him) but the Phillies are now in first place and the way they're hitting, I'll bet they stay there for awhile.

-Yeah, that whole hope and change approach to dealing with Iran is working out just great...for Iran.

-Americans think quite differently than Pelosi and The One on "torture".

-Juxtaposing the economies of two Caribbean nations. Spoiler: the one with more government intervention performed much worse.

Tuesday Morning News and Notes

Still raining and has been for what seems a week. I'm going to build an ark.

Here's what's new:

-The Most Eloquent President of All Time is not.

-Are the Dems suffering buyers remorse on Specter. Let's hope so.

-DENIED! Living in a world of Obamatons.

-I was wondering when they would deal with particular brand of pond scum. We've all gotten the call.

-Murtha is 10 times more corrupt then any Republican could dream to be. Every day brings a new allegation of how brazen this guy was with our money.

-Ryan Howard (pictured) hit his league-leading second grand slam of the young season and Phillies record tying 7th af his career last night. Some guys never get one in a career, Howard has two in less than two weeks. Nothing like some of Mamas home town cookin'.

Slumping David Wright and Mets Limp Into Town

I'd say the Met-Phillies rivalry is becoming nearly as big as the Yanks-Red Sox. Besides, at least the Mets/Phils is competitive while the Sawx just smack the Yankees around anymore.

So Citizens Bank Park will be inundated by the pathetic band of New Yorkers and there'll be a fair share of fights and beers thrown but that's what it's all about. Dudes named Tony with friends named Tony with girlfriends named Lisa will wear their David Wright jersey and it will make them a target for the ravenous horde in the second and third decks.

As for the series, we don't have to face Santana and the rest of their starting staff is pathetic (as is ours but we at least hit well). They have K-Rod in the closer roll but their set-up man--Putz --got shelled over the weekend. Add to that the struggles in the field of left fielder Daniel Murphy and we could be looking at a complete Mets meltdown before the paint dries on their spanking-new stadium in the wastelands of Queens. 2-0 Pelfry goes for the chokers while Chan Ho Park goes for the Fightin's.

The Phillies are rolling at this point and we should feast on the weak Mets staff. I'm hoping for a sweep like we got against the Marlins but winning the series will suffice. As long as the Mets crawl home in worse shape then they are now and have to deal the continuing slams in the paper everyday, I'll be a happy man.

Update: The tale of the tape.

Wednesday Morning News and Notes

The Phillies are rolling. After getting fat on the Marlins, they dominated the Nats last night to take the first two in the series. With a Mets series this weekend, it's a good time to be playing well.

Here's what's news:

-Fashion faux pas making a comeback. Welcome back Carter indeed! Well, I am seeing The Dead on Saturday so it does have a 70's feel to events.

-Please spare me. Whatever it's called, it is a potential epidemic. I'm sure those who've died really couldn't care less.

-The NY Post always has the best headlines.

-The lying San Fran Nan hits bottom, keeps digging. I'm sure that there are docs that show Pelosi was apprised of every detail.

-20 great moments from Obama's first 100 days. the next 1,200 are going to be a friggin nightmare. My previous thoughts here.

-The great Michael Caine is a hardcore Conservative. He'll be labeled racist within a day.

Pic at right of new Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez making Philly fans forget Pat Burrell.

Sunday Morning News and Notes

Spring has sprung and yesterday was the nicest day of the year so far. Today is looking iffy but hey, take what you can get.

Here's the latest from around the globe:

-The Taliban allegedly execute a man who was assisting the military in wiping out al-Qaeda and Taliban elements.

-Liberals are wringing their hands because we waterboarded KSM 183 times. It wasn't enough to make up for 3,000 dead in my opinion. Add to that we have no idea what intelligence was gained so it could have been fruitful.

-Arguing the "Tea Party" turnout. It doesn't make much sense and the political left and Democrat party would be foolish to brush it off as the fringe right.

-No arguing how many turned out to pay respects to Harry Kalas. He was loved in this region and will be sorely missed.

-Rep. Peter King (R-NY) is under fire. I don't worry about King, he can handle himself just fine.

-Iowahawk has the transcript to his newest movie posted. Pure genius once again.

Pic at right via Lucianne.com.

Wednesday Evening News and Notes

How's it going?

Busy as hell with no end in sight...I guess it beats the alternative, huh?

Here's what's new in the world:

-A nice tribute to Harry Kalas.

-Obama may have lost a serious voting bloc.

-News you can use: Why some people (me included) sneeze when the sun shines.

-Hey, Paul Begala is still a raving idiot.

-Teaching a young boy about character.

-More pics of protests. The Dodd one is pretty good.

-Unintended global warmeny consequences. But hey, they won't be able to pay their electric bills, they'll have to go on the government dole and coal use is lessened. For libs it's a win-win.

RIP Harry Kalas

Baseball has always been a mainstay in my life. All summer it was the Phillies and it was Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas calling the games. Both were inducted into the Hall of Fame--Ashburn as a player and Kalas as an announcer. Richie died ten years ago in a hotel room in New York where the Phils were in a series with the Mets. Harry died today in the booth in DC preparing for todays Nats-Phils game.

He was the voice I always associate with warm days, cold beers and baseball. His patented "swing and a long drive, watch this baby, this ball is outta here!" still makes me get goosebumps.

Another part of my youth has died:

Goodbye and Thanks, Brian Dawkins

Anyone who has read this blog more than once knows I'm a dedicated Philly sports fan. Until last October/November (when the Phillies won it all), this region was a football region through and through. The old joke is that in most places, a kids first words were "mama" or "dada" while in Philly it's "Cowboys suck!". We're passionate to say the least.

There was one man who epitomized Philadelphia Eagles football and always gave 110% when he stepped between the line; that man is Brian Dawkins. B-Dawk was the team leader not only because he expected the best from everyone on the team but because he demanded he himself give much more than anyone else. The man was an absolute force roaming the D backfield at Lincoln Financial.

Those days are over now as Dawkins signed a four-year deal with the Denver Bronco's after Eagles management slapped him in the face by not offering him a new deal. As with all decisions made by the Birds front office, they also gave the fans the finger by letting Dawk get away. The guy is a veteran and has meant more to the Eagles than Joe banner or Andy Reid will ever know. They may have ensured that Philly remains a baseball town for the foreseeable future with this stupid and shameless move. They ran another icon right out of town.

Just as an aside, I don't generally wear a players jersey but I have a Dawkins jersey and will continue to wear it until he gets in the Hall of Fame.

Dawkins took it like everyone expected him to; with class and dignity.

Thanks for all the good years, B-Dawk.

Phillies Sign Howard For $54-Million

Not a bad deal considering the guy is an RBI machine:

PHILADELPHIA -- Ryan Howard just wanted to concentrate on baseball this spring. No squabbles over his contract. No daily questions about his future.

The big slugger got his wish -- and a hefty raise, too.

Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract on Sunday, avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing.

The 2006 NL MVP will earn $15 million this season, $19 million next year and $20 million in 2011. He can increase the base salary by $1 million in each of the last two years if he wins the MVP award during the previous year. He can boost it by $500,000 if he finishes second.

He's earned it and they won a Series so it had to be done.

Let's get started now and defend the title.

Exit question: Will Philly talk radio idiots stop getting on the Phils as being a small market team?

Wednesday Night News and Notes

Interesting links from around the web:

Obama blocks a huge stimulus that would have actually put folks to work.

Does anyone really care that Michael Phelps was photographed smoking dope? I for one don't. The dude is an excellent athlete and withstood pressure that many couldn't. Lay off the man and quit harshing his mellow.

California now is not the California I left 9-years ago. The Governator has driven the state into fiscal oblivion and it's simply because he chose to govern from the middle. It appears a Sarah Conner nightmare of the apocalypse would be an improvement.

Aussie Global Warmenist's are so dramatic, they make Al Gore look somewhat normal.

I leave with the best words I can think of today: Ten days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training and the World Champion Phillies defend their title. Halleluah! Note also that Manny Ramirez has yet to be signed.

Yankess Insanity Continues: Teixeira Gets $180 Mil

You've got to be kidding me:

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Yankees reeled in another prime free agent, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday with first baseman Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years.

A person familiar with the negotiations disclosed the agreement, which is subject to a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final.

Teixeira's deal raises the Yankees' offseason spending spree to $423.5 million. Just last Thursday, the Yankees completed agreements with two pitchers, giving CC Sabathia a $161 million, seven-year contract and A.J. Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

You read that correctly: $423.5 million in one off-season. It seems like Steinbrenner, Jr. hates losing even more than the old man.

Nice signings all but Sabathia or Burnett could easily blow out a shoulder or elbow and the Yanks would be on the hook for their entire salaries. Plus, Sabathia is not a proven post-season stud as was made abundantly clear by the Phillies on their march to the title this year with his ugly beautiful sequence against Myers and Victorino's epic grand slam:



Teixeira is a nice player with a great glove and a sweet swing and if it had been one pitcher and him, I'd have said it was a good off-season but all of them? I've never advocated for a salary cap in baseball but I will now. Add to that the massive increase the Yanks will have to tack on to tickets and the team will be priced right out of the reach of their true fans.

Here's hoping the Phillies meet them in the Series next year and shut them down.

Pat Burrell Ends Phillies Career

There was high hopes when the Phillies selected Pat Burrell as the number one pick out of Miami back in 1998. He was a standout athlete with a nice--if long in my opinion--power stroke who had succeeded at every level.

Burrell joined the big club in 2000 and had a huge year in 2002, a year that hard core Phillies fans hoped would continue through his career. That was not meant to be and in the next few years, Burrell became the center of fan rage, his laid-back style and unflappable demeanor didn't help his case. I recall sitting in left field and hearing the Philly faithful berate Burrell inning after inning. I couldn't believe that Burrell didn't turn around and give them all the finger (like he did to the Red Sox). That's what they (we?) wanted of course but Burrell didn't oblige. I think the only thing that saved him was the way he played against the hated Mets. The dude killed them on a regular basis.

He picked it up and became a steady 25-30 homer, 85-100 RBI guy. He solidified a position that we needed filled and his arm was a thing to marvel. many a major league player hesitated coming around first on a one-bounce liner down the left field line because of his arm.

Now Burrell will be gone because of the Phils signing of Raul Ibanez--a player with a more consistent stick and power akin to Burrell's. Yet, Patty B earned everything he has gotten. He finally led the Phils to the World Series championship and for that alone will be remembered with reverence. I can guarantee that he will get a standing ovation whenever he plays at CB Ballpark regardless of what team he goes to. His last memory as a Phillie will be riding with his wife and dog in the front of the Phillies parade where he was cheered by 2-million psychotic Philly sports fans.

Good luck with whomever you play for Patty B. I think he'll contribute to an American League team for a few years as a DH.

Brad Lidge Gets Rolled In Cy Young Voting

Brad Lidge was a combined 48 for 48 in save opportunities this year yet only managed fourth in the Cy Young voting that was won by Tim Lincecum of the Frisco Giants.

Lincecum is a nice pitcher even though as starters go C.C. Sabathia should have won it but Lidge was lights out this year. A starter comes in and has a chance to get in the groove. Not so a closer who comes in many times with the game close and victory on the line. It's pressure-filled to say the least and Lidge was flawless. He blew zero saves.

I guess I'll just have to let the World Series trophy suffice but Lidge was wronged big time.