phillies

Meaningful Games

by

I’m not sure how much you know about the organizational structure of soccer. Most national soccer leagues are divided into a first division, second division, and usually a third and a fourth for smaller and perpetually less successful teams. Unlike most American Big League sports, many major clubs eventually hit the far end of a schedule that often ends by crowning the leading team without a single playoff match. For its lack of year-end drama and Cinderella stories, this most-wins-takes-all system has one strong upside:

Read more

Phillies Acquire Hunter Pence

by

According to ESPN, the Phillies have completed a deal to acquire Astros outfielder Hunter Pence. Reportedly, the main players sent to the Astros include Phillies prospects Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and a player to be named later. Domonic Brown is apparently NOT part of the deal. Pretty big pickup for the Phils, who … Read more

You’re Doing Great, Now Get off the Field

by

NOTE: this is a post by Corey Gorey. Please direct your comments to him.

How many days in a row will I wake up, check out the blogosphere, scan the standings, and wish this 162 game baseball season would end? Sure, it’s only July, but Bud Selig is not the boss of me. If I followed my own advice and remembered to forget about the legitimate end date to the 2011 schedule, I would be much happier right now. At many points during the past few months lying to myself would have been a viable alternative to—what do they call it? Reality? Considering how many pundits were certain the Mets would find themselves in the NL East basement from the get-go, I’m nearly satisfied with mediocre. If the season ended today we wouldn’t have won anything—no multi-pronged trophies to encase, flags to hoist, or ostentatious rings to flaunt—but I sure as hell wouldn’t feel like I was squandering any more time or emotion, either. And when it comes right down to it, isn’t the MLB all about me, the fan?

In order to preserve my sanity and the club’s dignity, here are some proposed dates for when this season should have ended:

Read more