Phair Weather Phans

By: Patrick Viveiros
**As a side note I would like to say thank you to my fans for being so dedicated to my blog over the past year. Tomorrow marks the 1-year anniversary of my blog’s existence and I would like to say thank you to all my readers. Keep on reading, and I’ll keep writing ;) **

Philadelphia Phillies Phans are pheeling phenomenal right now…okay enough with the alliteration, now to the point.

The Phillies accomplished a tremendous feat last night, concluding the “longest” postseason game in MLB history. The phirst phive and a half innings,(dammit, I did it again), were phreaking (oh, God) postponed 2 days because of rainstorms in Phila-phreaking-delphia.

Although the Tampa Bay Rays managed to tie the game 2-2 on Tuesday night before the game was eventually suspended because of rain, the postponement changed the entire aspect of the game as Wednesday’s scheduled make-up had to be made up again last night.

All the right pieces were set in place for the Phillies to win. The Phillies had starting pitcher Cole Hamel’s spot in the batting order to lead-off the continuation of the game, almost immediately prompting them to pinch-hit,(Hamels was eventually named Series MVP). Phildadelphia Phillies OF Geoff Jenkins got the action going to start the bottom of the sixth inning by lacing a double to right field. He eventually scored on a Jayson Werth single putting the Phillies ahead 3-2.
Tampa then roared back in the top of the seventh with a home run by Rocco Baldelli, tying the game at 3-3 and leaving the phans phrustrated (AHH!), as the endless game just seemed destined for extra innings.

But, in the bottom of the seventh Philadelphia OF Pat Burrell, a former first round draft pick for the team, had the biggest hit of his career. He roped a double to deep centerfield off Rays reliever J.P. Howell. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel relieved Burrell of his base-running duties, as Burrell was pinch-run for by OF Eric Bruntlett.

This turned out to be a great managerial decision for Manuel as 3B Pedro Feliz hit a single to center, scoring Bruntlett and putting the Phillies ahead 4-3 for good. Phillies closer Brad Lidge completed a tremendous streak, as he received his 50th straight save in as many opportunities. The only save he blew this season was in an exhibition game A.K.A the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

However, you may see it Phillies phans can phear phailure no phreaking more (boy, I am getting carried away with this). “The City of Brotherly Love” has gone without a championship for 25 years, as the last championship won in the city was by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982-1983 and Phillies fans on the other hand had gone without a championship for 28 years, that is of course until last night when they brought a championship back to the “Birthplace of America”.

Despite winning a World Series though you know the city won’t be satisfied, let’s remember Philadelphia is the place where they booed Santa, and peppered him with snowballs during a Philadelphia Eagles game back in the 1960s. If the Phillies don’t repeat next year as champions, look for them to attack the Phanatic Philly mascot with cheese-steaks and pretzels!

Either way, they still brought something good to the City of Philadelphia, they will see fans pop up from all walks of life, Phair Weather Phans (as I like to call them), these are the fans who will probably forget they even won the World Series when next season starts.

But for those Philadelphia Phanatics who are hoping for a chance to repeat, I say this: Don’t Phreaking Count on It. Just look forward to Phanatic Philly’s demise, an abundance of Phair Weather Phans and excessive uses of ph.

The Celtics Mission #18 Launches Tonight

The Boston Celtics will score another basket tonight for their storied franchises’ history, as they will raise their 17th NBA Title banner to the rafters at home tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2008-2009 NBA season will tip-off at 8:00pm tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA. The Celtics are hoping to claim their 18th NBA Title. In fact they have already won an NBA record 17 titles, in the leagues’ 61 year existence.
When that 17th banner is raised into the air tonight, keep in mind the fact that the Celtics dedicated last season to former coach and NBA Hall of Famer Red Auerbach, who passed away just before the start of last season. Upon the raising of this banner, Celtics players from last year’s team will etch their way into Celtics lore. So tip your cap one final tie for to the 2007-2008 Celtics, as the 2008-2009 season is about to begin!
The Celtics will be embarking on a journey tonight in an attempt to capture their 18th NBA Title and are hoping to repeat as world champions. This is a feat they have not accomplished in 40 years, they last repeated as champions in the 1968-1969 seasons.
However, the Celtics “Big 3” will be returning to action tonight, and they are hungry for the start of the new season despite having already won a championship last year. Tonight is the beginning of a new season and the players know their mission and how to accomplish it. "We know what we want to accomplish now," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "A year ago today, we were trying to figure it all out."
Despite the loss of key bench player, James Posey who signed a 4-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets in the offseason, the Celtics feel confident going into the upcoming season. Celtics GM Danny Ainge feels confident in the options the team has in replacing Posey, second-year guard Gabe Pruitt had an outstanding preseason, as well as J.R. Giddens and Billy Walker. Keep in mind, the Celtics also have third-year guard Tony Allen as another option, like Pruitt he also had a tremendous preseason.
They will be up against a familiar foe tonight, as the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James (keep in mind I will never say Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, that’s just rude!), will try to start their season with a big win against the reigning champs. The Celtics won eight straight games to open last season, before losing to the Miami Heat and won a best-of-seven playoff series against the Cavaliers last season.
The Celtics relied heavily on defense to win their 17th NBA Title (they held opponents to 90.3 points per game), and they know to key to winning another is by taking the same path. Tonight’s priority is shutting down Lebron James. They know the ability he has to take over a game, as they witnessed in last years’ playoff series against the Celtics.
So as the Celtics begin Mission 18 tonight, wave a final goodbye to the memories of last season, and say hello to the beginning of the memories this year offers. And always remember, we STILL have the Big 3. Thanks Kevin, Paul and Ray, you guys have brought Celtics basketball back to glory, let’s continue that trend.