Author Archive

Top 10 Destinations For a Pedro Martinez Return in 2010

Posted: 13th April 2010 by Gary Suess in MLB
Pedro Martinez whet his appetite with one pitch to kick off the 2010 Major League Baseball season and hopes to throw many more before the campaign concludes. Donning a Red Sox uniform, Pedro tossed the ceremonial first pitch in Bean Town a week ago Sunday. Afterward, the future Hall of Famer made it known that he still desires a real gig this season. Similar to last season, Martinez is looking for ...
The winds of change continue to gust throughout Lincoln Financial Field. With the team now handing franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins and the ongoing purge of accomplished veterans, the Philadelphia Eagles are clearly transitioning away from the most successful period in team history. Figuratively, it is like watching a historic statue being slowly chiseled to pieces and then taking a sledgehammer to it to finish off the job. It ...
As spring training draws to a close, we have more insight and information to assess the Phillies' prospects for the 2010 season. Live game action, rehab progress, and commentary from coaches and players provide additional assurance or in some cases further doubt. Over the past month, I have detailed what I believe to be the five keys to a successful Phillies season. If you missed them, here they are: 1. How will ...

Philadelphia Phillies Key No. 5: Which Brad Lidge Shows Up?

Posted: 26th March 2010 by Gary Suess in MLB
Rarely does a player experience such extremes from one year to the next, but Phillies closer Brad Lidge has lived that way since coming to the team in a trade two years ago.    In 2008, it was a year of perfection that culminated with teammates jubilantly piling on him when he recorded a strikeout to secure the Phillies' second World Series championship. The journey through the following season moved to the ...
With Andy Reid's announcement this week that the Eagles are entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, the Donovan McNabb trade rumors have returned to red-hot status. Despite adamant denials from the St. Louis Rams organization, the scenario that would have McNabb heading to the city of Clydesdales and the "Gateway to the West" seems increasingly plausible. One rumor has the Eagles' five-time Pro Bowl quarterback being exchanged for the ...

The Philadelphia Eagles Top Ten Free Agent Signings

Posted: 25th March 2010 by Gary Suess in NFL
Philadelphia Eagles fans have been frustrated with the team's lack of activity during the 2010 free agency period. With several obvious needs apparent to the fan base, the Eagles brass has elected to pursue only a couple low profile free agents. At the same time, the team has released and allowed several other players to depart, increasing the number of roster spots that need to be plugged. It seems universally acknowledged ...
  A big factor in the Philadelphia Phillies run to a World Series Championship in 2008 was their bullpen. Besides having a closer with an unblemished record when handed the ball to nail down a win, each member of the relief corps found success in a defined role.   As ardent followers, and even casual observers know, the Phillies 2009 bullpen was not quite the same well oiled machine. In fact, at times ...
The NFL free agent sweepstakes have gotten off to a flying start, with the Chicago Bears being the early aggressors. Well, at least as much as is possible considering the large number of players who have become restrictive free agents due to the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. Three of the biggest names amongst the unrestricted cast inked deals yesterday, including defensive end Julius Peppers, linebacker Karlos Dansby, ...
As more information has emerged since Andy Reid announced the release of Brian Westbrook on Wednesday afternoon, it seems clear that once again the Philadelphia Eagles have exposed their one fatal flaw. For all the good they have done in turning around a checkered organization and making it one of the NFL's elite, they still don't get it when it comes to the finesse of combining art with science. Jeffrey Lurie ...
Last season, the Phillies' big offseason acquisition, Raul Ibanez, got off to a fast start in his new Philadelphia surroundings, turning heads and winning accolades from Phillies fans and teammates. By late May, full blown Raul-mania enveloped the "City of Brotherly Love" as Ibanez continued to tear up National League pitching. A couple weeks into June, Raul found his name at the top of most key NL rankings. In just 60 ...