The Railroad Out of Town

6 09 2008

IF IT’S FALL, THEN THE RAILROAD IS IN FULL FORCE
By John Leon

Railroaded. We’ve all heard the phrase and it’s in full swing. This time two more locals have gotten the bums rush out of their respective towns. One by a coach and a coach by the parents. It just never ceases to amaze me how dumb humans can be, and after all this time, I know it really shouldn’t, but it does. Especially when the athletes are involved and we all know how I feel about that (see “Parents and Unrealistic Expectations; January 20, 2007”)
In just a few days, a local football star was told by the institution that he wanted to play for, that his services were no longer needed. This institution heavily recruited this kid, but the coach who recruited him was forced to resign. The official reason was that he retired but that’s crap and we all know it. I think it’s pretty funny when you see that the student/athlete graduated with a 3.0, scored well on his SAT’s, and even enrolled during the summer so he could get a jump on classes for his freshman year. AND was practicing with the football team, in full expectation of playing for this major Division 1 school. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : College Football

Good Riddance Pat Gillick

29 08 2008

IS ANYBODY GOING TO MISS PAT GILLICK?
DIDN’T THINK SO!
By John Leon

Once again the Phillies shoot themselves in the foot. They acquired Matt Stairs for a prospect and correct me if I’m wrong but don’t they need some arms? Now, Stairs is a professional hitter and make no mistake about that, but once again “Stand Pat” didn’t address what the Phils actually needed. All he is, is another Russell Branyan.

They got a hitter that fits perfectly into the mold of what they already have, a home run threat that strikes out a lot, has little or no speed, is left handed and plays 3 positions, outfield, first base and pinch hitter. Do you think that maybe they could have acquired a speedy player that might help create some runs, instead of getting another one of what they already have? Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Baseball, Phillies

Post Season Awards – Version 1

28 08 2008

…AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME
The Post Season Awards with a month to go
by John Leon

It’s the end of August and as the pennant races are in full boil, it’s time to throw my 2 cents worth in for the post-season awards as they stand right now. There’s still a month to go, but the candidates look pretty locked up and there are always wild cards, so here we go. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Baseball

Sports Fans in Mourning

17 08 2008

A DIVORCE THAT HURTS ALL SPORTS FANS
by John Leon

“Annnnnnnnnnddddddddd Good Afternoon everybody!!! How are you doing today? The Mike and the Mad Dog radio program is on the air.”
On Friday morning that’s how the Mike and the Mad Dog radio program on WFAN New York opened for the last time.
Just two weeks short of their 19th anniversary, one of the longest, if not THE longest running sports talk shows came to an end. Mike Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo decided to end their Mike and the Mad Dog radio program on WFAN in New York. Russo made the decision that it was time for the two to part ways and we as sports fans will be the poorer for it.

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Categories : Media

The Phrustrating Phils

10 08 2008

IS THIS THE MOST FRUSTRATING TEAM EVER?
By John Leon

Philadelphia has always had teams that fans and media have thought to be underachievers or overachievers. Recent memory serves that the 1993 Phils were certainly overachievers with the Daulton-Kruk-Dykstra team that we all wanted to see win the Series. The throwbacks were at least fun to watch and at best one of the most feared teams in baseball. You know it’s a good team when the immortal Tommy Greene wins 16 games.
But this year’s team is an enigma in my opinion. The talent level is certainly better than ‘ 93 and they have better hitting, but not better pitching. They seem to get in their own way when there’s a chance to put a team away. They rest on a couple of runs instead of putting a foot on the jugular, as Saturday night’s game will attest. Two runs in the first and a sweat job throughout the rest of the game. It makes for good television but frustrates even veteran Phils fans. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Baseball, Phillies

Who am I kidding?

1 08 2008

The Mind Is Willing

by John Leon                                                            

 

            Friday the 13th. Ah yes, time to reflect on all of the supposed bad things that can happen to a person on this date. Yes, we all know the stories of Mary Leeds, who allegedly gave birth to the 13th child on the 13th and it turned into the Jersey Devil. I think what’s worse is that, as we get older, and yes I’m one of those people, you start to believe what your mind tells you to. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Humor

A.C. Surf

30 07 2008

The Rising Of A Phoenix
by John Leon

Just about a year ago, I wrote a scalding letter about how the Atlantic City Surf was being run into the ground by a new ownership. The owner has let the front office, led by former manager Chris Carmanucci, resurrect this proud franchise, and renewed hopes that baseball will indeed be around in the near future. The property that Bernie Robbins Stadium is situated, has been rumored to be sold soon at the price of at least 800 million dollars at last writing, to a future casino developer. If the CRDA does nothing else with that found revenue, a new stadium should be built, possibly the Hamilton Mall area in my opinion. Read the rest of this entry »


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Categories : Baseball

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