The groundhog was wrong

Kate Upton is the cover model for
this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

A couple of weeks ago, Punxsatawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter. I beg to differ, and it has nothing to do with the warm winter temperatures and lack of snow we've experienced.

There are 2 reasons for me to be thinking spring.

First, the Phillies loaded a tractor-trailer with equipment on Sunday that was heading to Clearwater, Fla., for spring training. The 5-time National League East champions open camp this Sunday when pitchers and catchers report for their first workout.

And this week, another sure sign of spring bloomed again: the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. Model Kate Upton graces this year's cover.

Another voice silenced

 First it was Richie Ashburn in 1997. Then Harry Kalas in 2009. Now, another voice of my youth has been silenced.

Andy Musser was a Phillies broadcaster for more than
25 years.

Andy Musser, the third member of the Phillies broadcast team that was together for more than 20 years, passed away Jan. 22. Musser didn't get the acclaim that Kalas and Ashburn received from fans, but he was a solid baseball announcer.

He was also very versatile, broadcasting Sixers, Eagles and Big Five basketball games. Before joining the Phillies full-time, Musser also worked for CBS Sports where he did the Super Bowl and the Masters golf tournament.

Here are a few of his most famous Phillies calls.

The legend of Roy Halladay grows

Since being traded to the Phillies in December 2009, Roy Halladay has become a folk hero.

In his first season with the team in 2010, he won 21 games -- including a perfect game against the Marlins -- and won the National League Cy Young Award. And, oh yeah, he threw a no-hitter against Cincinnati in his first post-season start.

This past season, he won 19 games and finished second for the Cy Young Award. His final game was a 1-0 loss to St. Louis in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

So Halladay's been a larger-than-life figure for Phillies fans. That legend may grow after something that happened before Christmas.

According to the blog Zoo with Roy, Halladay, while on a fishing trip in the Amazon with professional angler Skeet Reese and others, saved a native boy from an anaconda attack.

Also on the trip was Halladay's best friend, St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter, who was the winning pitcher in Game 5.

Kruk going into Phillies Hall of Fame

The Phillies announced after the first game of  today's doubleheader with Florida that former first baseman/outfielder John Kruk will be inducted into the team's Wall of Fame in August.

Kruk played for the Phillies from June 1989, when he was acquired from San Diego, through 1994. In 1993, when the team went to the World Series, Kruk hit .316 with 14 HRs, 85 RBI and 100 runs scored.

He played 744 games with the Phillies and had a .309 batting average, 62 HRs and 390 RBI, and 403 runs scored. Kruk was an All-Star from 1991-1993.

Kruk is now an analyst on ESPN.

That's what's great about baseball

AP Photo
Phillies infielder Wilson Valdez was the winning pitcher
in Wednesday night's 19-inning marathon win over
the Cincinnati Reds.

I stayed awake Wednesday night/Thursday morning to watch the Phillies' 5-4, 19-inning victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

While I'm feeling the effects of that decision today, it was worth it. It's games like that one that make baseball the great sport that it is.

First, there's no time limit. In basketball, if your team is down 5 points with 10 seconds left, the clock will tick to 0:00 and you lose. In baseball, your team could be trailing by runs with 2 outs in the bottom of the last inning, but your chance to win doesn't end with the sound of a buzzer.

And when baseball games last as long as that Phillies game did, you never know what you might see. Last year, Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt ended up in left field for a few innings in a 16-inning lost to Houston. On Wednesday night, playing 3rd base in the 19th inning was starting catcher Carlos Ruiz. The winning pitcher in the 19-inning marathon? None other than Phillies infielder Wilson Valdez, who started the game at second base.

Valdez became the first position player to start a game in the field and be the winning pitcher since 1921, when a guy named Babe Ruth did it. And that's probably the only time you'll see Wilson Valdez and Babe Ruth mentioned in the same sentence.

Unfortunately for the players, today's game was scheduled for 1 p.m., less than 12 hours after Wednesday's game ended. Phillies' shortstop Jimmy Rollins, third baseman Placido Polanco and Ruiz were not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game. And manager Charlie Manuel has to be hoping that starting pitcher Cliff Lee can pitch deep into the game, since the bullpen is wore out from the 19-inning marathon.

Ryan Howard engaged to Eagles cheerleader

Photo courtesy of philadelphiaeagles.com
Eagles cheerleader Krystle Campbell is engaged to
Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.

It's been a good start to 2011 for Phillies slugger Ryan Howard.

First, the first baseman has slugged 2 homers and knocked in 8 runs in leading the Phils' offense to a 5-1 record in the first week of the season. Now comes word that Howard is engaged to Eagles' cheerleader Krystle Campbell, at right.
Howard made the announcement prior to the Phillies' 11-0 win over the Mets on Thursday.
The pair are planning to tie the knot in 2012.

Unbe-LEE-vable



In a stunning development, free-agent pitcher
Cliff Lee is returning to the Phillies.

Before heading off to bed Monday night, I went on the computer to see what was going on in the world. Much to my surprise, several sports outlets were reporting that the Phillies had become contenders for prized free agent left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee -- whom the Phillies had traded last December in the blockbuster deal to acquire Roy Halladay.

I shrugged it off, thinking they were just being used by Lee and his agent to drive up the price -- which was pretty high. Lee was already offered a 7-year, $154 million contract from the Yankees, and another significant deal from the Texas Rangers, whom Lee pitched to the World Series in October.

But what's the first thing I see Tuesday morning: that sources were reporting that Lee was returning to the Phillies.

I was stunned.

All indications are that Lee enjoyed his 4 months with the Phillies in 2009. And because of that the Phillies got Lee for a bargain: 5 years, $120 million.

So when the Phillies take the field in 2011, they will have quite the

 poker hand: Four aces. With Halladay, Lee, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, the Phillies have the best starting rotation in baseball. Any of them could be the top guy with any other team; the Phils have all of them.

What it will mean next October, who knows? But if all four pitchers stay healthy, it should be a fun season.

Oh, and if this bitter cold pre-winter weather has you down, spring training starts in just 2 months, on Feb. 13.

Phillies prediction

It's hard to look at things objectively when you expect the Phillies to win.

If one team can equal the Phillies' starting pitching trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, it's the San Francisco Giants, the Phils' opponent in the NLCS that begins tonight, who can pitch two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain.

I think the Giants have a better bullpen, the Phils a better offense and defense.

And I think the Phils are a better team.

Despite the Giants' pitching, I expect the Phillies' offense to come to life and hit better than .212 as they did against the Reds in the NLDS.

Look for Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and yes, Jimmy Rollins, to carry the Phillies to their third straight World Series. It's going to be a tough one, but I see the Phillies winning in 6 games.

Phillies prediction

An hour before first pitch, it's time to make my prediction on the National League Division Series between the Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds.

I expect the Phillies to be in the World Series, so why am I so worried about this match up?

The Phillies' three starters of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels are better than who the Reds are pitching. What concerns me is the Phillies' offense, which has had several stretches of ineptitude during the season. Now would not be a good time for another one, and Placido Polanco is out of the lineup for game one because of a sore back.



When the Phils hosted the Reds in a 4-game series in July, the Phils swept the series. But the first three games the Phils won in the final at bat. In fact in the third game, Reds' pitcher Travis Wood had a PERFECT GAME against the Phillies heading into the 9th inning in a game the Phils won, 1-0. The Phils won the final game, also 1-0, with Hamels on the mound.

The Phils need to jump on the Reds started and get a lead. The Reds bullpen is pretty good, and with lefty reliever Aroldis Chapman and his 100-plus mph fastball coming in to face Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the late innings, it would be nice if the Phils were ahead when he came into the game.

But I expect the Phils' starting pitching and post-season experience to come out ahead in this series. Phillies in 4.

Wow, what a run!



Phillies celebrate Wednesday's victory
over the Atlanta Braves./AP Photo

Two months ago, the Phillies were floundering.

Just two games over .500 at 48-46 on July 21, the two-time National League champions were in third place in the National League East,  7 games behind the Atlanta Braves.

I'll admit, I thought this was going to be a lost season: Too many injuries, too many players having below-average seasons.

Since that day, the Phillies have the best record in baseball at 44-15 and have turned the 7-game deficit into a 6-game lead -- thanks to the recent 3-game sweep of the Braves -- with just 9 games left in the season.

At 92-61, they also have a 6-game advantage for best record in the National League and are just behind the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball.

If the Phils finish with the best record in the NL, they will get an extra day off during the NL Division Series, which means Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt can pitch on regular rest. And thanks to the NL's All-Star Game victory, they'd have home-field advantage in the World Series, should they get there.

Another Red October will soon be upon us. Let's hope it ends with a November parade!

Philles Phans Phlock to Phlorida

I just returned from a visit to Walt Disney World and August must be a popular time for Phillies fans to visit Central Florida.

Everywhere I turned throughout the four theme parks, I noticed an abundance of people donning a Phillies shirt or hat. In Epcot, I walked passed a man in a Phillies shirt who asked me how I was doing, just based on a Phillies batting practice jersey I had on. Moments later, another guy in a Phillies shirt fist-bumped me. Our paths then crossed again in the Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom in the World Showcase.

Based on observations, the Phils were far-and-away the most popular team for Walt Disney World visitors when I visited. The Yankees were a distant second, followed by the Red Sox.

Things are getting worse for Phillies

The Phillies are only 3 1/2 games out of first place, but as the season goes on, you just have a feeling this team isn't going to the postseason.

The latest reason came Tuesday afternoon, when the Phillies placed both second baseman Chase Utley, at right, and third baseman Placido Polanco on the disabled list. Utley injured his thumb sliding into second base Monday night against Cincinnati, while Polanco has been out of the lineup since Friday with an injured elbow that has plagued him all season.

With catcher Carlos Ruiz also on the DL, 3 of the team's regular 8 players are out of the lineup.

Since the start of the season, the Phillies regular lineup has been on the field together for 5 games -- all in the first week of the season. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins spent 5 weeks on the disabled list earlier this season. In addition to Ruiz, Utley and Polanco, pitchers Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Antonio Bastardo and Chad Durbin are also on the DL.

Guaranteed win

The Phillies are struggling right now, but if you tune in to WPHT 1210-AM or 610 WIP tonight at 7 p.m., you are guaranteed to hear a Phillies' victory. That's because both stations are re-broadcasting Roy Halladay's perfect game from Saturday night.

3 runs in 5 games

Are you kidding me?

The Phillies just got shut out in three straight games by the hated New York Mets. Counting the final two games of the previous series against the Boston Red Sox, including one game in which they only got one hit, the Phillies have scored in only 1 of the last 45 innings!!!!

That has to be some kind of record. And it's not like this is a bad hitting time like the Pittsburgh Pirates or the Seattle Marines. These are the two-time defending National League champions, for crying out loud!!!

Making this worse is that the Phils are in the midst of a 9-game road trip in which they now travel to Florida and Atlanta.

It better change soon.

Phillies great Robin Roberts dies

Phillies Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts died Thursday morning at his home in Temple Terrace, Fla.

Roberts, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976, won 286 games in his career and holds several Phillies pitching records.

The Phillies held several tributes to Roberts before Thursday afternoon's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. At right, a Phillies wreath is adorned next to a statue of Roberts at the first-base entrance to the stadium.

For more, click here.

Another stupid fan

As if Monday night's incident involving a fan on the field wasn't enough, a copy cat struck during the night inning of Tuesday night's Phillies game.

The idiot was identified by police as Thomas Betz of Warminster, Bucks County, who apparently is an aspiring DJ. But unlike the Boyertown teenager who was Tased by a Philadelphia police office on Monday night, Betz gave up quietly and was led off the field by security guards.

Another difference? Betz is 34 years old, unlike the teenge in Monday's encounter.

Betz jumped onto the field in the top of the ninth inning with the Phillies leading, 1-0, and Cole Hamels on the mound trying to complete the shutout. Only Hamels knows for sure if he was distracted, but the next two hitters had doubles to tie the game and send Hamels to the locker room.

According to the Associated Press, the crowd booed Betz as he was led away and some people chanted "Tase him."

Based on the above photo, he should have been Tased for wearing those pants!

Boyertown teen Tasered at Phillies game

In case you missed it, a Boyertown Area High School senior was Tasered at Monday night's Phillies game. Here is a story I wrote for the paper culled from video interviews with his mother, with home he lives in Gilbertsville, and his father, who lives in Upper Pottsgrove.

Bad loss for Phillies

There are losses, then there are bad losses like the one the Phillies suffered Tuesday night in Atlanta.

Leading 3-0 with 2 outs and a man on in the bottom of the ninth inning, closer Ryan Madson gave up a two-run home run to Troy Glaus, then a game-tying blast by rookie phenom Justin Heyward to send the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Braves' Nate McClouth blasted his first homer of the season off Jose Contreras to win the game.

This was about as bad a loss as it can get. It spoiled a great pitching performance by Kyle Kendrick, who blanked the Braves on 4 hits through 8 innings. It was also the Phillies' fourth loss in five games.

One week to go

As we dig out from under another 20 inches of snow brought on by Wednesday's blizzard, here's a happy thought: The first workout for Phillies pitchers and catchers is next Thursday in Clearwater, Fla.

Just 7 days away!!!

Four weeks to go

Let the countdown begin. It's only 28 days until Phillies pitcher and catchers report to Clearwater, Fla., for spring training.

Woo hoo!