To Be Thankful For In Philly Sports

It's safe to say that 2009 has been a roller coaster year thus far. Of course, a recap of this year's major ups and devastating downs will come once we're ready to open the book on 2010. However, with today being Thanksgiving, it would be a mistake not to look back on the previous 10 plus months and realize what we are thankful to have in our world of Philly Sports right now.

So, here is a list of the Top 10 things I am thankful for in Philly sports, including the media aspects of it, starting with number 10.

10. The Eagles
Although they frustrate me now at times...a lot of the time...they're first name is still Philadelphia. They're here and not in another town. I'm thankful for that and for the fact that I can watch the NFL rooting for a hometown team.

9. The 76ers "New"/Old Logo
It is one of my favorite logos in sports. I am so glad they went back to it this season. It makes me forget how bad they currently are, then I just watch them play and remember. For my birthday back in August, my aunt got a 100 dollar gift card to Modell's. I haven't used it yet. Tomorrow morning I am getting up early to go the Modell's and take advantage of all of the great Black Friday sales. It is without question that a portion of that 100 bucks will be used on 76ers merchandise.

8. Thaddeus Young and Mareese Speights
These guys are promising young players for the horribly coaches and completely uninteresting Philadelphia 76ers. Hopefully they can get rid of the incredibly annoying and goofy Samuel Dalembert and open up some cap room to get a star player that still has good legs. I love the Sixers, but they are frustrating to watch, minus the talents of Thad and Mo Speights.

7. The Flyers...
...that is until they break our hearts in April again. This team has a chance, like always, so I can't help but be thankful for a consistently GOOD hockey team that HAS A CHANCE every year. The question is, will they be GREAT?

6. Comcast SportsNet
I have the unfortunate situation of being tortured by SNY, MSG, YES and God knows what up there in Central New York State during the year. CSN is definitely the best local sports station I know.

5. The Sports Complex
No other city in the country has all of its sports venues in one spot. Fortunately in Philadelphia, all four of them, including the legendary Spectrum, are within walking distance of each other. I never despise a day where I am fortunate enough to head on down to South Philly and enjoy the comforts of Citizens Bank Park, the grit of Lincoln Financial Field, the luxuries of the Wachovia Center and the stories and memories of the Spectrum.

4. Philadelphia Sports Broadcasters
We have great ones in every sport. Not too many towns can say that. Thank you Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, Gene Hart, By Saam and Dave Zinkoff for setting the bar high.

3. The WIP Morning Show
This might sound like a "homer" one because I interned for them this past summer and still consider myself an intern even though I'm at school most of the time now, but one of the highlights of my day while I'm at school is waking up in the morning (yes at 5:30 in the morning) to hear The Overlap Show between Angelo Cataldi and Big Daddy Graham and then four hours of entertaining sports and pop culture talk before I go to class. They're, as Ang always says, SENSATIONAL and PHENOMENAL. Oh and by the way, the other programs on 610 WIP are pretty darn good as well.

2. The Duo of Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen
Unlike No. 4, this is about the chemistry between these two guys. Nobody will ever replace Harry and Whitey together, but Franzke and LA sure make it a very close second. During the playoffs when we had to suffer through Brian Anderson, Chip Carray, Joe Buck and others, it was easy as 1-2-3 to turn down the volume on the tube and put on the radio to listen to these great Phillies broadcasters and the friendship they display through the airwaves.

1. The Phillies
Back to back National League Champs and one of those times they won the whole thing. It's pretty obvious to me why I seemed more enthused about Philly sports over the summer than I do now–The Philadelphia Phillies and watching baseball in general.

And last but not least, my Turkey of the year in Philadelphia sports...I can't say otherwise I would lose my job as an Eagles program vendor. I'm sure you get the picture.

So, what are you thankful for in Philly sports and who is your Turkey?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're Back!...and I am Too!

It's been a while hasn't it. I have to admit, I've been quite busy since my last post was, whenever it was. And to be perfectly honest, I'm still pretty busy. Yet, I'm also in the mood to write about my teams, our teams. And that's what I'm going to do. I know I've said that before, but this time I'm serious. Stay tuned for continuous update in posts. It's going to be a great time.

It's Been A While...

...wow...what the hell have I been doing?

1. Interning Non-Stop at WIP
2. Working at the Phillies games
3. Doing my normal daily routine of working out/playing basketball and such

Blogging has just been a tough thing to do. And unlike what I used to do previously, as I come back and resurrect myself to what I used to write endlessly in, I won't use a whole post to make up what I missed...because I missed a lot. In other words, "South Broad Street" is back and finished with stupid construction (like we have on Route 76 and the Roosevelt Boulevard). In other words, there never was construction. I just didn't write. But, now I will. Now, we will.

So, here's to the start of a lot of great Philly Sports blogging.

Amen.

Peter Zezel

As I'm sure a lot of you have heard, Peter Zezel passed away today at the young age of 44. As I mentioned before, I was planning on making a post on the former Flyer before, but it's 11:30 p.m. and I have to get up in less than four hours to go into my internship tomorrow. Without question, there will be a post about this great man tomorrow. Without question.

Awful News For Philly Sports Fans

It has been reported that former Flyer Peter Zezel, 44, is near death in a Toronto hospital due to a blood disease. Shortly after that was reported, Glen Macnow of 610 WIP said on air that he found information saying Zezel will be taken off of life support.

This is horrible news because first of all and most importantly, Zezel is a human being and second of all, he is one of the most loved Flyers of all time. I'm at the station right now and about to go home. Then, I have to do some things before I go to my job tonight. But, there will definitely be more on Zezel later.

Once again, it crushes me that this transpired.

Funny...People Are Voting, But Nobody Is Writing

This week so far, our poll has gotten more votes than previous weeks. But, there is one problem. We haven't had a post since Sunday. Remember I said how since the school year was up I would have more time, well it's actually the opposite. I have had less. I have an internship at 610 WIP and have been going to a bunch of Phillies games, so I haven't had time to write much. No excuses though. I will find time to write about these teams. Keep visiting the site. Just like how we don't quit on our teams when they are struggling, I am glad people aren't quitting on us.

So Yeah...We Haven't Had A Post Since Last Thursday

"Hard to believe Harry," is what Whitey would always say to his dear friend. Well, it's hard to believe that this site hasn't had a post since last Thursday. The reason—finals. As I mentioned before, this blog is run by a bunch of college kids who right now are either:

A. Studying Until Their Brains Don't Function Right Anymore

B. "A"

C. "A"

D. "A"

You get my point.

HOWEVER....

I am one three to four minute speech away from being done my sophomore year at Ithaca College. Therefore, this "no posts because we're good college kids" crap is over, for now at least.

I promise, we will have another "status of the Phillies" post, a post about the inadequate play of our 76ers and a post...finally...on the state of the Eagles. Believe me, there has been a lot that has been going on with the Eagles.

Also, I know it's hard to follow a blog that doesn't post anything. Stay with us as we scrap ourselves back together into one form. There will be a new poll this week, as well as an updated "Picture Of The Day."

It will hopefully be a good summer a head for Philly sports and this blog will be with you the whole way.

H

Whether or not we will list the scores or talk about the games in still to be decided. Because quite frankly, they don't matter.

Today, we lost an icon. Today, we lost a legend. Today, we lost a voice. Today, we lost a wonderful man. Harry Kalas, the voice of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971, sadly passed away unexpectedly at the age of 73. Reasons for his sudden death are unknown.

While in the broadcast booth at Nationals Park preparing for today's game, Harry out of no where collapsed to ground and was rushed to the hospital around 12:30. He was announced dead at 1:20.

Personally, Harry was my favorite broadcaster in Philly as he probably was to most people. That is not a knock to Marc Zumoff, Merrill Reese, Jim Jackson, etc, but Harry was the man. And even though I was too young to really hear them first hand, Harry and Richie Ashburn were a gem together and arguably the best broadcasting duo of all time.

As far as Harry as an individual is concerned, he brought Phillies baseball into our homes every night, whether it was on the television or radio. He introduced us to "LONG DRIVE WATCH THAT BABY WAYYY OUTTA HERE!" and "SWING AND MISS STRUCK HIM OUTTTTT!."

Last here he credited Chase Utley by saying "Chase Utley YOU ARE THE MAN!" No H, you are the man and you will be greatly missed. While there are no "at leasts" during situations like these, I'm glad you got to call your World Series clincher last year in October. I know how much 1980 hurt for you not to call it, but you paid your dues and got your calling. Thank You for bringing Phillies baseball into our homes since 1971. Thank You for being dedicated and sticking with it for all of these years. There will never be another broadcaster like you and there will never be another Harry The K.

Rest in peace my friend.

We will have more on Harry Kalas, this Philadelphia icon, throughout the coming days. But for now, I would like to hear your fondest Harry moment. And it doesn't have to be the World Series. For me there are so many that I can't pick just one to choose. That just shows what a wonderful man we lost today.

I still can't believe it.

Harry with his sons in the booth.

Not In The Mood To Argue...

...especially with two members of my brethren. 

It is no fun because nobody wins. It will keep going on and on and on, thus getting stupid.

But, let me make a couple of things clear so everyone knows my take on the first three games on the Phillies regular season, rather than what is assumed.

1. I get excited for Opening Day because it's the start of 162 relaxing games of Phillies baseball.

2. I understand there are 162 games and it's a LOOOOOOOOONNNNNNG season. But, that does not mean I'm not allowed to critique and poor pitching and hitting effort, whether it's Game 1 or 162.

3. Maybe this is just me, but Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips give me headaches. Why do you think I witnessed Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs NLCS Game 4 homeruns on mute. The reason is Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were giving me migraines. I rather here Harry Kalas's voice on Opening Day because that day is a holiday. It's the start of what hopes to be a great summer. The fact that Jon Miller opened the 2009 season is sickening. Also, I don't care whether or not we get that national game. I don't need that to feel good about myself and my team. Nonetheless, the Phils rarely win on those Sunday Night ESPN games anyway.

4. The World Champs don't have to have the Opening Night game. If you all recall, last year was the Nationals and Braves for the opening of the Nats new ballpark. 

5. What does not wanting the Phillies to play in this game have to do with a championship drought?

Maybe I'm just repeating myself. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to do this, but I couldn't sit on my hands anymore. 

More On Yesterday To Come

What a great day it was yesterday. Absolutely spectacular. We'll have more on the Phillies World Series Ring Presentation before the day is done and what the low down is with the 76ers and Flyers.

***ALL-PHILLY TEAM RESULTS SHOW***

After the long wait and the technical difficulties (whether you know about them or not...and I tried to fix the flow of the pictures b), here is "South Broad Street's" All-Philly Team Results Show. Thank you for voting, sit back, relax and enjoy.

Thank you for voting!

ALL-PHILLY BALLOTING IS OVER!

Expect the results show to be posted very soon!

Wild Card Balloting Is Almost Up!

I know what everyone is thinking. 

Yes!

Believe me, I want these damn ballots off this site too. Unfortunately, I do not believe all of the Info Sesisons will get posted, but by the looks of how many people voted in this round, I don't think it really matters. And from what the results look like right now, it seems as though nothing ridiculous is going to come out of it—like Rod Brind'amour being in a tiebreaker vote with Bernie Parent.

Just to remind everyone, the last round for the ALL-PHILLY TEAM balloting is this upcoming week and only this upcoming week. It will be the TIEBREAKER BALLOTS. Fortunately, there won't be 60 of these up so I think more people will vote for this one. 

Also, the site will be more compatible. Only about one more week until the final results come out. GET PUMPED!

Tonight, We Pay Tribute To America's Showplace

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! NO SMOKING IN THE SPECTRUM! NO SMOKING IN THE SPECTRUM!"

Aaah...good ole Dave Zinkoff and the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum (now called Wachovia Spectrum).

Tonight, the 76ers will play their final game ever at America's Showplace and I will be attendance with some of my family members. Also, today is the day that would have been my dad's 50th birthday. So, this is what we wanted to do to celebrate my father's 50th. 

I remember when my father first took me to the Spectrum back in the 1992-93 season. It was for the 76ers because Flyers tickets were really hard to get back in the day. Even though the team was brutally awful, led by Jeff Hornacek and God knows who else, it was still a fun experience to be in the building. 

I also remember going to the game that the Sixers last played in the Spectrum back in 1996. Stupidly though, because I was afraid of fireworks as a young kid, my family and I didn't stay for the post game festivities.

But today, I will be at the festivities and can't wait to see Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Billy Cunningham and other 76er legends. 

I can't wait to hear Zink's voice announce "JULIUS "THE DOCTOR" ERRRRRRVIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGG!" 

And hopefully, the 76ers can defeat the Bulls, a team that used to always beat the 76ers back in the day of Sir Charles' Thump N' Bump squad. 

All I can say is this. Whether you are going to the game, watching it on television or listening to it on the radio, enjoy. I know I am going to enjoy this and that my father will be too (wherever he is) just like we used to back in the day.

There will never be another place like America's Showplace. 

DAVE ZINKOFF'S INTRODUCTIONS

Change On Hitchcock and Stevens Ballots

Hey, I realized the Ken Hitchcock and John Stevens ballots didn't have a "None of these guys" option on them. So, I had to delete both and make new ones.

The Hitchcock ballot had one out of one vote for Charlie Manuel and Andy Reid and the Stevens ballot had one out of one vote for Dallas Green/Fred Shero. 

I hope the person or people who voted on those two ballots already will realize they were re-done and vote on them again. 

Thanks and sorry for the mishap.

Terrell Owens On the WILD CARD BALLOTING

Yeah...I know what you're thinking when you see that:

"WHY THE FUCK IS HE ON THIS?!" or possibly saying out loud, "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

I agree. I had to think hard about this one on whether or not he should be on it. 

But, I came to realize that we should put the personal stuff aside, leave the drama packed away and realize that he had the best season for any wide receiver in franchise history. Not to mention, helped us reach a Super Bowl appearance. 

Also, didn't like the whole Eagles fan base want him back on the team a week or so ago?

So, don't stop voting when you see his name. Keep voting and remember him for his play and not for his mouth. 

WILD CARD BALLOTING CHANGE

Due to the large amount of Wild Card ballots, instead of this round of voting being just for one week, it will be for two so the chances of each ballot being voted on a lot increases.

Thanks and have fun voting.

Important Pieces of Information ***ALL-PHILLY TEAM*** Balloting

With the initial balloting closing in a little over 24 hours from now, here is how the Wild Card and Tiebreaker Balloting will go.

The Wild Card Balloting will be first and will take place all next week. A select group of players, chosen by myself and the rest of the contributors of this site, will be eligible for the Wild Card Balloting.

This is how it is going to work. Each player in the Wild Card Balloting will have a chance to make the Tiebreaker Balloting round.

Pretty much each category will have Wild Cards and here is an example of what one will look like (take note...this is just an example and will probably not be what the actual ballot looks like):

Which player or group of players does Jim Thome belong with?

1. Mike Schmidt
2. Steve Carlton
3. Jimmy Rollins, Richie Ashburn, Darren Daulton
4. Larry Bowa
5. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley
and so on
6. Doesn't belong with any of these groups

In order for the Wild Card to make it to the Tiebreaker Round, he (or the venue) has to get at least 50 percent of the voting in one category. If he doesn't or gets 50 percent in the "Doesn't Belong" option, then he is done and does not make the Tiebreaker Round.

In the Tiebreaker Round, if there is a tie between two or more players, the ballot will obviously decide who finishes where. That will take place during the week after the Wild Card Balloting.

If you have any question, leave a comment or drop me an email at duram1@ithaca.edu.

Thanks and keep voting!

Doubling It Up Tomorrow

I'm sorry. I know I said ALL-PHILLY TEAM Info Session for the Phillies would be tonight, but I'm really backed up in school work.

Tomorrow, there will be two posts—one for the Phillies and the other for the 76ers.

Sorry again.

***ALL-PHILLY TEAM*** IMPORTANT NOTE

Do not hold me 100 percent to this, but I believe that if you want, you can change your votes at any time before the polls close.

If that is true, this might benefit some of our voters because if they see something on the Info Sessions that change their minds, they can. 

I haven't voted, so please let me know if you are allowed to change.

Thanks!