Roll Call!! Sunday Morning Sports Commenteary

Written By Jeff Bohen.

So the NBA season started in the past week. Has Lebron James won a ring yet? No, you say, well can someone politely tell him and his handlers, including Nike to shut up till he does.

Perhaps the most important thing Duane Wade can teach the "Anointed One," is a bit of humility. Seems Wade, with ring on finger, has yet to lose grasp of that concept.

In its best "We got this," rant the Philadelphia sports media as a whole failed to recognize one single important element to the assertions the Phillie's are a dynasty. You need to actually win more than one world series for that to tag to be real.

NL East Dynasty? Yes.
NL Dynasty? Maybe.
MLB Dynasty? NOT !!

This same kind if rah-rah, lose yourself in the story, instead of reporting the story, took place with those Eagles teams that went to five straight NFC Championship Games. I often thought to myself 'hell why should the other team even bother showing up, the media has this game in the bag all ready.'

Well they don't play the games on paper, or the web for that matter...and those Eagles teams with all its incessant self promotion and drama never won the BIG Game!

They just played it in the local press, waking up to the Monday morning horror of the question "tee time at six a.m.?"

So much for dynasties.
Seems the Giants and that staff 1.80 ERA in September had something to say about that, now didn't they?

If you want to dynastay like the NY Yankees, you have to win like them-Hit when it matters most.

How about this?

Lakers v Heat.

Best 40 out of 70 so we can get to the Finals series every one wants to see sooner, rather than later?

Of course less the David Stern talk about wearing NBA headbands properly (See Celtics "Rondo" for more on the NBA "Style Police.")


Looked to me on Monday night that NY Giants put all that Cowboys at home for the Super Bowl talk to rest with one slam to the ground of Mr Romo.

Think he's going to Mexico to heal?

Its official. Brett Favre is starting in New England today

(Yawn)

Looking for a possible Super Bowl Preview?

Jets -Packers today is as close as you can get. And it should be a doozy.

Of course its not like watching Raiders -Steelers of the 70's & 80's. Now those were real "Bloodbaths."

I heard a rumor that the NHL Hockey Season is underway.

I need a second source to report this as truth. Can someone help me out?!

I'm wondering if its possible that we add a game to the NFL Flex Schedule that starts up in late November. Jets -Ravens II? I want to see that game in December, not the first Monday night game of the year, thank you very much.

Uhhh is it true the New York Mets hired a Real GM? With a new script yet same old ownership? The story will end the same, as the last, choke, choke, break...

You know the real football season is here when the NY Giants employ the "Three Yards & a cloud of dust" Parcell's offensive scheme.

And hey, they have a receiver that catches TD's by the bunch!

What are the Eagles up to by the way? Something about clock management and Coach Reed again?

Lastly, I really have no love for the NCAA Football, except when Boise St plays, that is.

NOW the question is will the BCS number crunchers have the footballs to put them in a National Championship game, lest say against Auburn? Oregon St?

Yea I didn't think so, they sooo don't like uninvited guests!

Roll Call is done!!

Enjoy the games. Vote on Tuesday!!











The time they played Tampa ,,,remember that?

Phinished

Phinished

The San Francisco Giants beat the Phillies in game 6 of the NLCS with a score of 3 to 2.

Phillies' coach Charlie Manuel said. "It was a good game, but we came out on the short end of the stick and they deserved to win."

The next time we will see the Phillies play is Friday April 1, 2011 at their opening game next season.

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley (R) walks off the field as San Francisco Giants players celebrate winning Game 6 of their Major League Baseball NLCS playoff series in Philadelphia October 23, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Brian Wilson (C) and catcher Buster Posey (L) celebrate after Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard (R) struck out allowing the Giants to win Major League Baseball's NLCS playoff series in Philadelphia, October 23, 2010. REUTERS/Bill KostrounContent © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

Game 6 NLCS Giants vs. Phillies

The Phillies play the San Francisco Giants in game 6 of the NLCS tonight at Citizen Bank Park. Phillyweather.net reports temperatures for the sell-out game which starts at 7:30 p.m. wil be close to 60 degrees.Let us know your thoughts on the game by leaving us a comment at the bottom of the post or e-mail us at philles@buxmontnews.com.

Citizens Bank Park (bottom L), home of the Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, is seen in front of the Philadephia, Pennsylvania skyline, October 22, 2010, one day before Game 6 of the NLCS between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

Phillies Win Game Five of NLCS

The Phillies won NLCS game five, 4-3 against the San Fransisco Giant forcing a game 5 to be in Philadelphia Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. start.

San Francisco Giants Cody Ross (R) is tagged out at third by Philadelphia Phillies Placido Polanco to end the fourth inning of Game 5 of their Major League Baseball NLCS playoff series in San Francisco, October 21, 2010. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

Giants Shutout Phillies in NLCS

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels in the 1st inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, on October 19, 2010. UPI / Bob Larson Photo via NewscomContent © 2010 Newscom All rights reserved.

Phillies Beat Giants 6 -1

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (C) celebrates with Jayson Werth (L) and teammates after the Phillies defeated the San Francisco Giants in Game 2 of their Major League Baseball NLCS playoff series in Philadelphia, October 17, 2010. REUTERS/Bill Kostrou Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

Giants v Phils Game -1

The baseball axiom goes "if you have great pitching, your more than likely to win in October.

But what happens when you have the two best pitching staffs in the National League?

Well at Citizens Bank Park tonight we begin to find out as Game1 of the NLCS between the two-time defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillie's and the NL West Champion San Francisco Giants starts off with what should be a pitchers duel for the ages.

Reigning two-time Cy Young winner, Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, goes against Mr. No- hitter, Roy Halladay with first pitch set for 8:24 PM

The series is a throw back to the late 60's and 70's where teams like the Baltimore Oriole's and St Louis Cardinals dominated, and intimidated respective leagues with stellar pitching in October.

You couldn't come up with two pitchers that are so unlike each other in personality and approach then the machine like Halladay and the carefree skinny kid Lincecum. But they both get Cy Young results.

As for the offense's, the Phils are a power laden team which has driven them in making there 3rd NLCS appearence in a row. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jason Werth face a Giants staff that had a 0.98 era in the Divisional Series striking out 36 in the process.

During the regular season series,they split 3 games apiece, Phillies hitters were shut down by the Giants starters hitting a collective . 226 with four home runs.

Jimmy Rollins, has yet to have a break out game, during the playoffs and some experts see this a important sign in terms of run production.

The Giants with odds-on favorite for rookie of the year, Buster Posey, don't score many runs, however come up with timely hits in crucial situations.

As some added drama former Phils'slugger Pat "The Bat" Burrell and center fielder Aaron Rowand will be across the diamond in the visitors dugout each chomping at the bit for an opportunity to do in there former team.

The series promises to be something special, something Major League Baseball fans have longed for.

The Phillie's have done this before and are battle tested champs.

The Giants came from behind and passed the fading Padres to win there division. Every game in September was a playoff game essentially.

If Rollins doesn't do as he has done in the past, its going to be a long series. They need him to set the table. The Phil's offensive struggles can be traced right back to Rollins inability to get on base.

Can closer Brad Lidge keep it together? Will Brian Wilson melt under lights of scrutiny?

So many questions to be answered, in such a short span of time.

Giants in 7

Game time temperature will be 55 degrees with winds coming out of the West North West at approximately 10 MPH when the first pitch is thrown reports the Weather Channel.

Parking Authority Offering Discount for Sporting Events

Are you planning to head down to South Philly to see one of the many sporting events happen this weekend? If you are the Philadelphia Parking Authority will be offering a “$5 Playoff Day” parking rate for fans that park at one of two Center City parking garages.

The $5 parking will be accepted at two PPA garages one at 15th and Arch Streets and the other PPA parking garage under Love Park at 15th and JFK. Boulevard. The discounted rate will only be given if you show your sporting event ticket to one of the garage attendants.

Phillies post season baseball will take place Saturday and Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park along with Saturday’s Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field, the Flyer’s at the Wells Fargo Center (formally the Wachovia Center) Saturday night, and Sunday’s Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Once parking in Center City you can access the SEPTA Sports Express line which runs from Center City to the stadium complex in South Philly. SEPTA reports trip from Center City to the stadium complex is 11 minutes.

Tom Sofield (tsofield@buxmontnews.com)
Online Editor

It's Time to Philabrate!!

SWEEP!



 Jeff Bohen-Staff Writer

NLCS Here they come!

Celebration after last night win. (REUTERS/John Sommers II)

The Philadelphia Phillie's completed a three-game sweep behind a complete game shutout by Cole Hamels defeating the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 Sunday night at the Great American Ball Park.

Hamels struck out nine, allowing five hits, Chase Utley homered, as the Reds National League leading offense looked anemic against a Phillie's pitcher for the third game in a row.
With Roy Halladay's dominance in game one, Roy Oswalt rested from a short work day in game two the H20 boys will again look to lead the way in the NLCS against either Atlanta or San Francisco here in Philadelphia on Saturday.
"For everybody here the ultimate goal is to get to the World Series," Halladay said. "This is the first step were all looking to get to the end."

The NL's Top offense managed only 11 hits in the three games combined the fewest for a team in a post season series according to Stats LLC.

Hamels got Joey Votto to ground into a double play, after a Brandon Phillips single lead of the ninth.

Hamels then struck out Scott Rolen to end the game.

The offense provided all Hamel's needed to work with in the top of the first. Placido Polanco singled up the middle, a Ryan Howard single to shallow left advanced Polanco to third.

Up to the plate came Jayson Werth, hitting a grounder to second basemen Orlando Cabrera, whose throw pulled first basemen Joey Votto of the bag, allowing Polanco to cross the plate safely with the games first run.

In the top of the fifth with two outs Chase Utley strutted to the plate and was greeted with Cheater! Cheater! and loud boos from Reds fans.

Utley Blasted a Johnny Cueto hanging slider just beyond the reach of center fielder Drew Stubbs in to the seats in right center.

It appeared a fan might of reached over the center field wall to interfer with Stubbs well timed leap at the wall, but after a brief replay review by the umpires, crew chief John Hirschbeck upheld the call several moments later.

"I knew I hit OK," Utley said. " I hit a ball in the first inning that I thought I hit better than that one...but lucky for us its a good hitters ball park."

Hamels owned the Reds from there. The 2008 World Series MVP, Reds hitters off balance working his cutter and change up in the latter innings.

"He was sharp, he was good the whole nine-innings," Phil's manager Charlie Manuel said.

Cincinnati was impressed with all the starters, even after giving Roy Oswalt a hard time in game two.

"Those three alone could probably take them to the World Series and win it," Votto said.

Phase two completed. Bring on the NLCS.

More Photos...

Phils Lead NLDS 2-0



Cincinnati Reds shortstop Orlando Cabrera leaps over Philadelphia Phillies Jayson Werth after completing the double play during the fourth inning in Game 2 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 8, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES)



Philadelphia Phillies Shane Victorino (R) celebrates with Jimmy Rollins (C) and Chase Utley after their win over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 8, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer
Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

More coverage...

Phils Best Reds (The700Level.com)

ESPN Recap - Video (ESPN.com)

Game 2 Phillies vs. Reds

Tonight is shaping up to be another great game down Citizens Bank Park as Roy Oswalt takes the mound after Roy Halladay's record setting no-hit game Wednesday.

For those of you lucky enough to go to tonight's game, the gates open at 4:05 p.m.

At 5:54 p.m. there will be a fly over from two F-18 jets, then at 6:07 p.m. game two of the Phillies postseason 2010 journey will begin.

Here is tonight's forecast for the game from PhillyWeather.net:

Welcome to October, Roy.

Jeff Bohen-Staff Writer.

Talking baseball the other day I said to a friend I was looking forward to the MLB Playoffs this year for a number of reasons but one in particular;

Baseball fans finally get to see Roy Halladay pitch in October.

Halladay, the best starting pitcher in Baseball for the last 10 years had yet to experience the bright lights of October.

In his tenure as “The Man” for the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay, never got so much as a sniff of the Playoffs. His realm was December competing for Cy Young’s. He is the odds on favorite to win the hardware again finishing the season with a 21-10 record.

Halladay, starting Game One of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, introduced himself to the ghosts of falls past, blowing away batter after batter.

The Reds had no chance.

He baffled the Cincinnati Reds like no other since Don Larsen pitched his “perfecto” in 1956 for the NY Yankees. His greatness on display for the baseball world to see.

Halladay, pitched a perfect game on May 29 against the Florida Marlins. Florida, “actually hit some balls hard that we made plays on,” said, Cole Hamels.

Tonight, he dominated the best hitting team in the National League. Never breaking a sweat.

Throwback is often used to describe his efforts. It’s synonymous with the blue collar ethic that Philadelphia prides itself on.

And Work Halladay did.

Baseball fans got to watch him pitch when it mattered most.

Welcome to October, “Doc.”

Now, what do you do for an encore?

Phillies Win Game One of Playoffs

ROY-alty!
Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay pitched a no hitter tonight in game 1 of the NLDS playoffs. The second time in history this feat has been accomplished, the first time was in 1956.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay delivers a pitch to the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning in Game 1 of the MLB National League Division Series baseball playoffs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 6, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATESSPORT - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

For more on this story click the links below:

Halladay, No Hits Reds (Philly.com)

The700Level.com: Post Game Blog

Feel free to discuss the game below in our comment box.

Division Champions!

Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay (L) and Jayson Werth (R) celebrate with champagne after clinching their division championship after beating the Washington Nationals in their MLB National League baseball game in Washington September 27, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES)Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.

Phillies Sweep the Braves



Philadelphia Phillies Jayson Werth (R) and Carlos Ruiz celebrate after Werth scored the game-winning run against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning of their National League MLB baseball game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 22, 2010. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (Content © 2010 Reuters All rights reserved.