Game 1 of the 2009 World Series kicks off Wednesday night. This is the second time the two franchises have met in the Fall Classic. The year was 1950 and the Yankees swept the Phillies...
The MLB Postseason is set after the Minnesota Twins downed the Detroit Tigers. What a game to get us to the post season.
Here's a quick look at the series:
NLDS
Phillies vs...
It took Lou Gehrig 17 seasons to gather 2,721 hits in a Yankees uniform. On September 9, 2009, Derek Jeter tied the Yankee great but it was how he broke out of the slump to get the engine going...
Not even close, Papelbon has been one of the most dominate closers in the league and has only really shown weakness this season. The trade of Wagner doesn't make the Red Sox a better team on the field but Wagner could benefit the bullpen with the young talent that the Sox carry...
If you're like me, you're tired of hearing these "Big" League players pointing their finger and saying that they are against steroids, only to be named as a user later...
If you were signed by the Padres, Pirates, Indians or the Cardinals, there is a good chance you are playing somewhere else. In 2008, Padres GM Kevin Towers traded away SS Khalil Greene to the Cardinals for P Mark Worrell...
In a trade with the Cleveland Indians, the Phillies get the Cy Young winner and second best rated pitcher on the block in Cliff Lee. In addition to Lee, the Phillies receive OF Ben Francisco...
For years all I have heard is that the New York Yankees are the best franchise in baseball, so I decided to check that out.
Here are the teams in baseball that have a franchise winning percentage over ...
The Phillies "pounded" the Cardinals off the bats of Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Rollins "crushed" a grandslam that would become the "crushing blow" to the Cardinals...
This years Cooperstown class was small but very influential. Inducted into the most famed hall was Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice. Henderson was no doubt a Hall of Famer after defeating Lou Brock's stolen base record and crushing the record of career runs, but it's how he carried himself through his career...
Not exciting, that's the simplest reaction. This year's Home Run Derby had the have hitters in the game and showed us that even Brandon Inge can't put one out on command...
Take your pick, only Philadelphia Phillie, Ryan Howard has won the event before but there are some mashers in the field.
The NL boasts a first baseman crew:
Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez
The AL shows more diversity with Brandon Inge, Joe Mauer, Carlos Pena and Nelson Cruz...
I watched the UFC 100 and was "shocked" by the actions of winner, Brock Lesnar. I have tried to understand the UFC and the love that the fans have for it, but I can't...
Does this come as a shock? It's not like people didn't think the home run race between Sosa and McGwire was a little funky since they were chasing Roger Maris' famed 61 homers in a season (both shattered the feat, McGwire 70 and Sosa 66...
Are you going to watch what happens with the draft? The average fan will say no. The majority of picks don't stay with the team if they are promising. Look at some of the trades that have been made in the past with notable picks being traded for someone that has done well in the bigs...
It's that time of year for Interleague play. The type of play that feels like your "lying" to someone you care about. The type of play that gives you a "free pass" to try something new...
Can we be honest for a second? Weren't you a little upset after how FOX and the MLB forced games to be played in the World Series that didn't have to be? Wouldn't you like to see one of the games be played during the day, like the old days? Don't you want to watch the game because of the game, not because of the money advertisers are spending and the financial needs of the league?
Game 5 of the 2008 World Series was an interesting game...
Have you noticed the slight changes in bats in the MLB? No, of course not. Let me share with you the differences you will now start to see.
You may remember that last season the commentary of "safety" with maple bats was at the fore front of every radio and TV broadcast...
With more than a decade of speculation, investigations and admittance, Major League Baseball has caught the "Big Fish." The "Big Fish" because outside of a few players linked to steroids, many players may not be "Hall of Fame" caliber...
Allegations have been swarming around Alex Rodriguez, who hasn't played in a Major League game this season, since admitting that he took steroids while with the Texas Rangers...
College Football, Pro Football and fans everywhere mark their calendars when the NFL Draft comes around, but does the average baseball fan care about the MLB Draft? No...
Nothing makes me more upset in sports than people who hop on the "bandwagon." This couldn't be more true than with "Red Sox Nation." These people are driving me nuts...
I know the economy is struggling and companies are cutting costs but how much is the letter "O" anyways? (As I turn to Pat Sajak.)
The Washington Nationals or the Natinals, unveiled their brand new jersey...
It's hard to put into words the effect that Jackie Robinson had on the game of baseball. April 15, 2009 marks the 62nd year that Jackie Robinson has influenced the game...
With a career full of up's and down's, Harry Kalas went out on top and the way I'm sure he wanted to. The famed voice of the Philadelphia Phillies and NFL Films, passed away prior to the Phillies matchup with the Washington Nationals in the broadcast booth...
If you are like me, you can't stand watching Major League Baseball telecasts with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. I actually have more of a problem with McCarver than Buck because I rarely hear any insight into the game from him...
As the rain made it's way north, I headed south to Baltimore. With every drop of rain and ever click on the odometer, the emotions felt like a boxing match...
Sunday begins the long 162 regular season schedule for the defending World Champs, the Philadelphia Phillies. Repeat and back-to-back have graced my ears on a regular basis...
After spending his entire career with the Brew Crew, Geoff Jenkins had one clutch hit in a Phillies uniform. It was that one hit that lifted the Phillies past the Rays in the World Series...
Professional athletes have an opportunity to do what most of us would love to. They are paid to play a game. Manny Ramirez inked a new deal with the Dodgers this year and delayed signing because he wanted more money...
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) has given fans the opportunity to live what the Olympics will be missing. Nationality and love for your country.
USA and Japan faced off in what was billed as an "epic" matchup...
This has been incredible. The World Baseball Classic is much more exciting than watching Spring Training. Where else can you find Non-signed Free Agents, showcasing their abilities than there?
Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez could be arguably, the best catcher to play the game and yet he is unsigned...
While no one ever accuses me of acting my age, I believe that I’m well within my rights to act like a little boy today. At 1:00 this afternoon, the WORLD CHAMPION Philadelphia Phillies kick-off their pre-season schedule with a game against the Pirates...
I LOVE this day! What, it’s Valentine’s Day? Okay, that’s nice I guess, but that’s not what gets my heart pumping this Feb. 14th.
We’ve enjoyed seeing great duos over the years, Batman & Robin, Lucy & Ricky, Martin & Lewis, Johnny & Baby, Bird & McHale, etc...
So Alex Rodriguez did what most everyone thought he should do…face the music. In the wake of the fallout from a piece posted on Sports Illustrated’s web site over the weekend, A-Rod sat with ESPN’s Peter Gammons, and admitted that he took performance enhancing drugs from 2001 - 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers...
Jason Stark, Senior Baseball Writer for ESPN.com wrote a great story in the wake of the allegation that Alex Rodriguez failed a steroid test in 2003.
As part of the article, he talks about how A-Rod has (allegedly) played a part in ruining the history of the game, and may soon be part of a rather infamous list of baseball record holders, NOT enshrined in Cooperstown...
Pitchers and catchers report to Spring training next week. That’s right, I don’t care what the Groundhog says (with the exception of Gus, the 2nd Most Famous Groundhog in Pennsylvania), winter is over!
But while most baseball players get ready to head south, others have their noses in the classified ads...
Wow! This year’s “hot stove” season continues to burn. It was no surprise the Yankees made some high profile and high dollar moves in the free agent market, but, and maybe I’m still a baseball Pollyanna, I’m a little surprised by some of the news coming out of the MLB this week...
It’s a dream come true for a baseball fan like me. At 6:00 p.m. on January 1, 2009, the MLB Network debuts. Baseball…24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Highlights, analysis, and classic games…everything a baseball fan could possibly want...
Not only was it a favorite game show of many in the early days of television, but Who Do You Trust can also be the theme of baseball's free agent season...
Thankfully, after 25 long years, our area’s championship drought came to an end when the Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series. Before the Phils, it was the 76ers that last made Philly “title town,” so now it’s a question of “Who’s next?”
It’s been an up and down road for the Eagles over the last few years...
...and I love baseball. So on Friday, I can enjoy both together and so can you.
Join me, Peter MacArthur, and Len Holmquist beginning at noon as WDEL provides continuing coverage of the Phillies' victory parade...
Do I want to see the Phillies win the World Series? Absolutely! Could they have become the World Champions if umpires had stopped play an inning earlier last night, while the Phils were still up by a run? Absolutely! Is that how I wanted to see them win it all for the first time in 25 years? Absolutely not!
The situation on the field wasn’t right for the (possibly) deciding game of the World Series...
Through the first two games of the World Series, the Phillies have had lots of base runners. Anyone who watched the game would know this, because you would have had plenty of time to see them...
The Phillies did what they needed to do last night, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the World Series, with a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay. Once again, Cole Hamels came up big...
The Phillies will play in the World Series for the first time in 15 years. After Game 5 of the NLCS, shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the victory was worth the wait...
The Phillies are one win away from their first World Series appearance in 15 years! Ace Cole Hamels takes the hill tonight against the Dodgers, with the Phils holding a 3-1 lead in the N...
Three of the last five times the Phillies have made it to the National League Championship Series, they’ve faced the Dodgers. It worked out well in 1983, with the Phils advancing to the World Series, but that wasn’t the deal in both 1977 and 1978...
This weekend marks the end of the road for Yankee Stadium. When Sunday’s game between the Yankees and Orioles wraps up, so will 85 years of history. Next year’s Yankees will still play in Yankee Stadium, it’ll just be a bigger new version right across the street...
4:00 this afternoon marks the trading deadline for Major League Baseball. Of course, like most important things in the MLB, that’s not really true. Teams can still deal players tomorrow, they just need to clear waivers first...
If the second half of the Major League Baseball season is anything like the first, things could get pretty interesting as we move towards October, leaving many questions as teams get back to work...
Major League Baseball puts on it’s own version of the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest tonight, with the Annual Home Run Derby.
The league hoped this year’s event, the first (and last) at Yankee Stadium would have sentimental appeal, which it probably will, in spite of the fact that no one in Yankee pinstripes will participate...
Some things you never would have put money on when this season started…Approaching the All Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays would have the best record in the majors…Mike Mussina would have 11 wins, and without them, the Yankees, the Yankees would be 7 games under ...
I got my love of baseball from my Dad. As a result, for me, there’s a connection between baseball and Dads and sons. That’s why the #1 item on my “Baseball Magic” list will always be Jim Bunning throwing a perfect game on Father’s Day...
Five for One Relax Phillies fans…This has nothing to do with Von Hayes. It’s actually about the Yankees. New York pulled the trigger on making pitcher Joba Chamberlain a starter...
I imagine what I felt when I walked into Yankee Stadium (for the first time ever) Friday night, is what die hard Elvis fans feel when they walk through the gates of Graceland...
Admit it, when Jimmy Rollins went on the D.L., Ryan Howard couldn't hit his weight, and Tom Gordon and Jamie Moyer continued to age, did you really think the Phillies would be just a whisker out of first place on May 8th? The Phils are just percentage points behind the Marlins, having lost one more game, but having won one more game as well...
The baseball season is just about 30 days old, and I think most people are a little surprised by what they see. I know, it’s still early, but again, no one could have predicted some of this...
Baseball players are very superstitious. Don’t wash your uniform if you’re on a winning streak…Make sure you step on 2nd base on your way to or from the outfield…etc...
Baseball is starting to seem like that beautiful girlfriend you had in high school. She treated you like dirt, flirted with other guys, and took you for granted…All until she needed something...
It’s simply a matter of perspective. Okay, Boston won the MLB Season Opener (in Japan), beating Oakland in 10 innings by a score of 6 - 5. So technically, my Orioles are in last place (again)...
Countdown to Opening Day (as of this writing): 23 Hours, 36 Minutes, 11 seconds
Countdown to the end of Shea Stadium (as the Mets will move to the new Citi Field in 2009): 188 Days, 17 Hours, 25 minutes, 13 seconds...
A lot of men will occasionally take the opportunity to live vicariously through others. Some may imagine themselves living the life of a famous actor toting a supermodel along the red carpet...
For those who thought the Yankees organization might lose some of its character with George Steinbrenner’s son Hank handling a lot more of the day to day operations, fear not...
It's a sound rivaled by just a few things...The sound of a baby's laugh...Waves crashing on the shore...Someone saying, "Hey, there's another slice of pizza, go for it...
Like Neil said to Baby in Dirty Dancing, “Sometimes, in this world, you see things you don’t wanna see.” Well, I might actually get a chance to witness one of those things...
Never say never. Earlier this week, we kept reading that the Phillies had never lost an arbitration case. That’s right, they’ve defeated every worthy opponent including Alan Knicely, Dale Sveum, and Willie Banks (yes, I promise, they were all real players)...
I’ve never been to Spring Training, so I’m not exactly sure what teams serve in the players’ cafeteria, but from a distance, it seems like the main course on the menu this year is crow, with a side of humble pie...
The Phillies and 1st Baseman Ryan Howard will talk money today…A LOT of money. Today marks what may be the worst day in the relationship between the team and the player...
First, let me say, THE most important baseball story today is that for most teams, pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training tomorrow! It's time to play ball!
Now, since others think there's another big baseball story...
A CBS Sports story reports that Brian McNamee says he didn’t just inject Roger Clemens with steroids and Human Growth Hormone, but at the pitcher’s request, McNamee also injected the Rocket’s wife with HGH...
While it’s technically still tentative, it looks like the New York Mets have landed prized left-hander Johan Santana, via a trade with Minnesota. The Twins get four prospects and a bucket of balls, while the Mets get, arguably, the best pitcher in baseball over the past three years...
According to dictionary.com, pinstripes are defined as “a very thin strip, especially on a fabric,” meaning they don’t have to be vertical, but they can‘t be thick...
I don’t know if Roger Clemens is telling the truth. I’d like to think he is because I have an issue with lying, but even a friend who is a die hard Yankees fan says Clemens looked “real guilty” during his 60 Minutes interview...
Delaware lawmakers return to Legislative Hall Tuesday for the second session of the 144th General Assembly, but while I’m there, diligently performing my duties as WDEL’s Legislative Correspondent, I’ll also be listening to see who goes to the other Hall...
This is a question that drove several discussions as we listened to Senator Mitchell and Bud Selig yesterday. Will there be punishments? What about the guys on the list who recently signed multi-million dollar contracts?
But what killed me as a baseball purist and fan, was when I was asked the question last night...
This afternoon, former Senator George Mitchell releases his report about steroid use in baseball. I’m not really sure what this report will do, other than “name names...
Baseball’s winter meetings have wrapped up with some clubs making moves and others remaining quiet.
How do you think clubs did?
You have to say the Tigers upgraded (for now, at least)...
The adage says, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Welcome to the free agency season of Major League Baseball.
Let’s see, Alex Rodriguez, in the shadows of the glow that was the Red Sox World Series win, opts out of his contract with the Yankees...
While many New York Yankees fans may not shudder at the sight of Joe Torre in a Dodgers uniform, as Chris Carl pointed out in a previous blog entry, seeing Don Mattingly don Dodger Blue could be really painful...
Mike Lowell is the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 World Series. MIKE LOWELL, a player the World Champion Boston Red Sox DIDN’T WANT!
That’s right, when the Red Sox pursued Josh Beckett after his own World Series MVP performance, the Florida Marlins bundled Lowell in the trade...
So Game 1 of the World Series goes to the Boston Red Sox. I have to say I’m not really surprised, considering the momentum they’ve had and the excitement of playing in front of hometown fans...
That breeze you felt last night wasn’t courtesy of Mother Nature, is was the collective sighs of FOX executives, relieved at the fact that the Boston Red Sox beat Cleveland to advance to the World Series...
Here’s a question for Phillies fans…Obviously, you would prefer to have the Fightin’s still in postseason play, but does it make it any easier knowing the team that knocked them out of the playoffs is now heading to the World Series?
Is there consolation in, “Okay, Colorado beat us and now they have the chance to play for all the marbles…Maybe they were the better team...
Congratulations to the Phillies, the champions of the National League East! Who’d have thunk (except MVP Jimmy Rollins, of course)? The determination showed by this team was incredible...
I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some pretty amazing things while attending baseball games. I’ve seen a pitcher hit a grand slam…Sat through a snow delay during a season opener…Watched an amazing pitching performance (Pedro Martinez) striking out 17 players on my team!…Witnessed the final game of a legend (Cal Ripken)...
As I wrote a few weeks ago, I often get frustrated this time of year as baseball talk, sports coverage, etc. gets sent to the back of the sports section in favor of football coverage...
When baseball tinkered with realignment and introduced a Wild Card system for the playoffs, I, along with many baseball purists, thought it was a terrible idea...
It seems like baseball officials have a problem that may be bigger than steroids. The latest drug controversy involves Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Fans got a little taste of a pending problem with HGH during the last off season, when pitcher Jason Grimsley admitted using the stuff, and, in the spirit of Jose Canseco, implicated a number of other players...
Over the past three weeks, folks in St. Louis may have thought about turning the Gateway Arch upside down so it resembles a giant smile. The reason?…The World Champion Cardinals have turned it on, and are making a serious run towards the post season, standing just one game behind the Brewers and the Cubs in the N...
It’s a day I dread every year…Opening day of the NFL Season.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with football, it’s just that too many people forget that Major League Baseball’s season has another five weeks to go, BEFORE the post season begins...
How’s this for a “Who’s Who” baseball list? Barry Bonds, Will Clark, Barry Larkin, Rafael Palmeiro, Bobby Witt, Walt Weiss, Gregg Jeffries…Not a bad group of names...
As the story of what former major leaguer Jose Offerman did in a minor league game the other night gets out, I believe it’s time to focus on the unwritten rules of baseball...
Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. took their places in the Hall of Fame with the same amount of class they exhibited when they played the game, earning their Hall of Fame credentials...
I was having a casual conversation about baseball yesterday with a Yankees fan. I won’t say who it was since today is pay day, and I need to make sure the money goes into my account...
Okay, this is really a blog entry about mid-season baseball honors, but my son is on a big Bon Jovi kick (last year it was Johnny Cash), so I borrowed a line from one of his big hits for the title...
Happy July 4th! Enjoy being outdoors, eating hot dogs, and having fun. Of course, the same criteria could be used to describe going to a baseball game, and since this is a baseball blog...
While baseball fans around the country wait for Barry Bonds’ record breaking home run (so they can cheer or jeer), fans in our area are counting down to another milestone (to again, cheer or jeer)...
It was a good night for baseball fans on Thursday.
Frank Thomas hit career homer # 500 in Minnesota. Later in the game, Thomas was ejected for arguing balls and strikes...
Something happened in Major League Baseball last night, that I don’t think would happen in any other sport. Seven players, all over the age of 40, were slated to lead their teams...
As I mentioned in my last entry, baseball can be a game of numbers. For some die hard fans of the game (whose teams happen to be about three weeks out of first place and need another reason to pay attention), following some of those numbers add a lot of excitement...
Two numbers earned spots in baseball headlines this week…1,152 and 600.
The first belongs to Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada. Miggy’s streak of 1,152 consecutive games played is over thanks to a broken wrist, courtesy of a Doug Brocail fastball...
It must be pretty clear to regular readers of this blog that I’m a baseball Pollyanna. Well, with that in mind, is there a better day to go to a game than Father’s Day?
My Dad wasn’t with me the first time I went to a game (Jerry Siegel invited me to see a Phillies vs...
As part of it’s 25th anniversary, today’s USA Today features a list of the Top 25 Sports Stories of the Past 25 Years.
It includes baseball items, in fact, Number 1 is the Red Sox winning the World Series, as well as great and not so great moments from other sports (Villanova upsetting Georgetown, and the death of Dale Earnhardt)...
Roger Clemens made a rather triumphant return to the Yankees, leading them to a 9-3 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The Rocket threw six innings, giving up five hits and three runs in earning the victory...
As mentioned in my pevious entry, Alex Rodriguez seems to have found a way to keep from being lonely on long road trips away from New York.
Unfortunately, Mrs...
So Alex Rodriguez is heading to 3rd in the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s game, with Toronto 3rd baseman Howie Clark camped under what would be an inning-ending popup...
It’s the movie season of Three. Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Shrek 3, and Spiderman 3. Well to me, this isn’t movie season, it’s baseball season, so I say, “Three strikes and you’re out...
Kids of any age dream of catching a home run, or even a foul ball during a day at the ball park.
Well, outside of a foul ball glancing off my hand once, and a couple of batting practice balls, I’ve never been successful...
The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season, and also seem to mark the second phase of the baseball season. This phase will take us to the All-Star Game, the time when many teams make many important decisions...
Here are my thoughts on Roger Clemens.
First, let me say none of this has anything to do with the fact that I’m an O’s guy and Clemens is returning to the Yankees...
So how much of a one track mind do I have?
I’m watching Jeopardy with my wife and 14 year old son while having dinner tonight. The category is, Your Uncle is “Bob...
It happens for me every time I watch an American League team play an interleague contest in a National League ballpark…The blood starts to boil when changes have to be made to put pitchers in the batting order...
The first round of interleague play began last night, and for my favorite teams, it worked out well. However, in typical Orioles and Phillies fashion, the games were a little too close for comfort (at least at the end)...
Before I get into serious baseball talk, I feel the need to lay certain things on the table.
First, I LOVE the game. I will watch any two teams play…Doesn’t matter if I have a vested interest in them or not...
Mike Mussina announced his retirement this week...
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After a 23 year major league career, Julio Franco says he’s hanging up his spikes...
It’s a day I’ve waited months for…The start of the 2008 baseball season...
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Congratulations to the Phillies, the champions of the National League East! Who’d have thunk (except MVP Jimmy Rollins, of course)? The determination showed by this team was incredible...
It happened on August 7th. Five years to the day that Major League Baseball announced it’s steroid testing policy...
Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. took their places in the Hall of Fame with the same amount of class they exhibited when they played the game, earning their Hall of Fame credentials...
Four years ago, my answer to the question, “Who’s the best all around baseball player in the game today?” was easy...
Orioles 1st baseman/designated hitter/outfielder Aubrey Huff did it tonight...
Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers threw a no-hitter last night, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0...
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On Saturday, Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Pinella was ejected from a game against the Atlanta Braves...
So Alex Rodriguez is heading to 3rd in the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s game, with Toronto 3rd baseman Howie Clark camped under what would be an inning-ending popup...
It happens for me every time I watch an American League team play an interleague contest in a National League ballpark…The blood starts to boil when changes have to be made to put pitchers in the batting order...
