Slugfest! Nyjer Morgan claims victory. Miami fans differ.

MIAMI (Sportsman’s Daily Wire Service) Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan had prepared for his WWE qualifying bout for days. Training began in Philadelphia last  month when he threw a ball into the stands at a heckler.  Hoping to incite a donnybrook, Morgan was left with nothing but a seven game suspension.

Morgan remained focused on achieving WWE status and may have gotten one step closer on Wednesday night in Miami. (more…)

Face It Big Fella. You never played for your favorite team and never will.

A Bit of Wordplay to Make a Point

BOCA RATON, FL (Special to Sportsman’s Daily) I used to be guilty of this. And now, much like a reformed smoker, I’m a stickler for pointing out to people the ills of taking credit and shifting blame.

Allow me to explain.

When my favorite team was on a winning streak, I was very fond of saying, “Man, we sure are playing great!”

WE. Not THEY. But WE. As in I have something to do with it.

Conversely, when my team was stinking it up, I was quick to yell “Man, do they ever suck!”

THEY. Not WE. But THEY. As in I have nothing to do with it. (more…)

MIAMI (Special to Sportsman’s Daily) He’ll freely admit that he’s had more second chances than Steve Howe. He’s never lied about the lies he’s told. He thumps his chest about coming clean and getting clean in his tell all book, “You’re Wrong and You’re Ugly.”

Sure it sounds like I’m talking about a man in his 70’s perhaps looking for one last triumph before riding off into the…casino. But if Shakespeare’s right and we are all merely players on a world stage, then Sid Rosenberg’s play is at best near the end of Act One. Barely in his mid 40’s, Rosenberg is coming into the prime years of a sportscasting career. This is the time most have their peak earning years and make the most noise in the business. (more…)

Three Dawg Heat. Show time South Beach style is just the tip of the iceberg.

BOCA RATON, FL. (Special to Sportsman’s Daily) When Michael Jordan stated he didn’t want to be like LeBron James and call up Larry Bird and Magic Johnson to form a super team, I believed him. His competitive spirit really wouldn’t allow it. “I wanted to beat those guys,” Jordan said. His Airness simply wouldn’t tarnish his legacy playing on a team of superstars – save the All-Star Game or the Dream Team. Granted, he had Scottie Pippen, but go back and look at nearly every championship team. The so called superstar/leader was flanked by one or two other very good to great player(s). Magic had Kareem and Worthy. Larry had McHale and Parrish. Bill Russell had Bob Cousy, then John Havlicek. And even Wilt Chamberlain had Billy Cunningham and Hal Greer in Philly and later Elgin Baylor and Jerry West on the Lakers. The history of the NBA is filled with dynamic duos and trios of doom. (more…)

The Hoax on You. Paul wasn't really dead. Are the Phillies?

Nearly a month and a half ago, I drew some parallels of the 2010 team to the Phillies’ mysterious 1979 season – when they added Pete Rose and Manny Trillo to an already all-star packed lineup that was coming off three straight trips to the post season. Let’s just say that team was a disappointment.

The old adage “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results” applies here.

As the resident Phillies fan at Sportsman’s Daily (yep, I got the job), I monitor the team regularly. My wife would say obsessively. Psychiatrists would say “let’s keep him under close observation.” You would think after coming to the conclusion some forty five days ago that this season is most likely lost, I’d have moved on to happier things like regular rounds of twilight golf or walks on the beach or the 7:10 showing at the megaplex or whatever it is we South Floridians do with our down time. But noooo – I need to plop myself down in my recliner – a tall glass of seltzer and a bowl of cherries at my side – and subject myself to the nightly three hour long torturous, mind-numbing, incredulous, disheartening masquerade that poses as Phillies baseball. (more…)

They used to be in the same division.

They used to be great rivals.

No more.

(more…)

Live television.  The “what can go wrong” factor is endless.

Knowing a few TV cameramen myself and having been a studio cameraman in a past life, its no secret the red blooded males manning the cams and scanning the crowd tend to focus on two things besides the game – hot chicks OR edgy signs or t-shirts. This screen capture falls into the latter category.  Its practically G-Rated by Sportsman’s Daily standards, but apparently on live TV in the middle of the day, its off limits. Once the director realized what he had on screen, he quickly cut away to a different shot. BUT – thanks to my DVR and quick eye, plus being in an improved mood when the Phillies bounced back from what looked like a sure loss, I managed to snag this classic.

A couple of lads in the bleacher bum section at Wrigley spell it out for everyone.

Yep, its Friday and that means its time for TSD After Dark. We kick back with a nice Shiraz, look in on a twelve year old kid who puts up his nukes, and examine the horrifying doll from the early 70′s that makes Chucky look like Mother Theresa. TSD After Dark is here.

Not So Rosey Then. Or Now.

1979.  The Philadelphia Phillies were coming off three straight trips to the post season.  They needed their missing ingredient to get over the hump.  They got him in the person of Pete Rose. They even upgraded at second base by obtaining Manny Trillo.  Their ticket to the World Series was punched, right? Wrong. (more…)

Sign. Sign. Everywhere a sign.

The Microscope – er, uh – binoculars on the Phillies.

Tom Hagen: Senator, my client would like to read a statement before this committee.

Senator: Mr. CHAIRMAN — Mr. CHAIRMAN — I think this statement is totally out of order at this time.

Tom Hagen: Sir, my client has answered every question asked by this committee with utmost sincerity — he has not taken the 5th amendment as it was his right to do. So in all fairness I think the statement should be heard.

[QUESTADT whispers something to the CHAIRMAN.]

Chairman: No, no I’m going to allow Mr. Corleone to read his statement — I’ll put it in the record.

Senate hearings on the Mafia scene, from The Godfather Part II.

(more…)

A Night to Remember. Roy Halladay walking to the mound in the ninth as captured from my iPhone.

MIAMI (Special to TSD) I’ve been a baseball fan for thirty-five years.  In those thirty-five years I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen my team win two World Series and lose three. I saw my boyhood idol, Mike Schmidt club four homers in one game. I’ve also suffered through some of the leanest years any fan would care to endure. We are talking of course about the Philadelphia Phillies, who now may be enjoying their second golden age, but were the doormat of the National League East for years.  And years. (more…)

Until you live in South Florida for a dozen or so years, you probably can’t fully appreciate the smells of a spring or summer day in the Northeast. There is a freshness – a crispness, perhaps gently peppered by the flora indigenous to the region. Nowhere else do you get that smell – exactly that smell.

And if certain scents trigger the most vivid memories, those smells of spring and summer remind me of free days. Those incredible days as a kid leading up to the end of the school year and then those first fews days when school was over. That wonderful sense of freedom. Baseball was in full swing and basketball and hockey were deep into the post season. (more…)