Rise and Shine --- Late nights, early mornings

Good Morning and welcome back to the only place where you can find this!

So, the Phillies season ended Saturday night with a called third-strike. You can't win them all, although you would like to see your big slugger at least take the bat off his shoulder for the final pitch.
Sitting there watching Saturday's game with my 11-year old son, I got the feeling we were back in the day. You know that day, the one where the Phillies disappointed every year.
Somehow, the way was flowing, I just had a feeling of dread. I bet a penny on a double play and, boom, Carlos Ruiz lined into one.
I bet a penny on a strikeout to end the game and there was Ryan Howard watching the season end.
Oh Well, maybe next year.
One thing the Phillies did, though, was force a change in the way we covered the playoffs.
There were live blogs for every game and, when the Phillies went on the road, so did we (sort of).
We took our camera out to meet some of the people who were watching the games. What we found out is, in the words of Christine O'Donnell, they were us. Or, better said, we were a part of them.
Now, we'll see how it works for the Eagles.

Rise and Shine --- Headache

Good Morning and welcome to the middle of the week!

You know it's going to be a long day when you wake up with a sinus-induced headache. There would be nothing better than going back to bed, but that's not to be today.
Then again, maybe it was because I woke up to THIS.
You know, really, I could really care less about Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb. I've learned long ago that, with very few exceptions, professional athletes don't care about you and me. They live in some other world.
Still, everybody has to weigh in and since I have to watch every Eagles game this year as part of the job, well, it's kind of laughable.
The Eagles (and fans) spent the whole offseason talking about a new quarterback and getting rid of Donovan McNabb.
Then, after getting a concussion in his first game, Kolb was sent to pasture. No matter what Andy Reid says now, Kolb will never be able to start in Philadelphia.
The coach cut him down, stabbed him in the back, slapped him on the wrists.
So, all those people who were so happy to get rid of Donovan McNabb, well, enjoy a bunch of losing years in a row.
And, the headache is still here.

Rise and Shine --- Isn't that special?

Good Morning and who turned up the heat?

Boo Hoo. Michael Vick had a tough time in prison.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick didn't have a chance to play in the NFL.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick had to give up a $135 million contract.
Boo Hoo. Michael Vick feels bad for the dogs.
Boo Hoo. Boo Hoo. Boo Hoo.
Since there isn't much we can do about it, Michael Vick will be playing for the Eagles this year. He'll probably score a key touchdown. He'll be shown on ESPN. He'll be cheered by those at the stadium who have no choice after shelling out thousands of dollars for tickets.
For all those who are now lauding the signing of Vick had better carry that attitude through life. If you are in a position of hiring somebody some day and that person is a convicted felon, their application better not be thrown into the trash.
If Michael Vick, convicted felon, deserves a second chance so do those who can't throw a ball.
By the way, I want to thank the Eagles for saving me some money by handing Michael Vick, dog killer, $1.5 million.
How? I had been toying with the idea of taking my boys to an Eagles game at some point. Even though it's not exactly a family friendly experience, I thought they might have fun seeing a live football game.
Well, that went out the window with the ridiculous press conference Friday.
Now, I'll have to look into finding Temple tickets.
Finally, before it's been done to death:

Rise and Shine --- Another Vick-tim

Good Morning and welcome to Friday!

Way back in the day, I started out in this business as a sports writer. Even before doing it professionaly, I was sports mad. I would watch every game on television and get to the stadiums whenever possible. I would take notes, keep stats, critique coaching decisions and keep an eye on the play (be it in baseball, football, basketball, whatever).
Then, I would write up my own account of the game and compare it to what appeared in the newspaper the next day. Then I was able to actually cover sports for a living. I saw many a great game on every level (from little league to the pros). I thought it was great.
There are many reasons why I no longer do any of that. They range from the mundane to the ridiculous, but one of the main reasons is the attitudes of athletes.
To see Terrell Owens complaining about feeding his family while making millions and then causing trouble because he couldn't make millions more was the final turn off.
While there are people dying in an unnessacary war and others just trying to get by on a daily basis, sports (the pro level anyway) lost its luster.
Now, with the Eagles signing of quarterback Michael Vick, I am glad I no longer work in the 'Toy Department.'
Maybe the guy deserves a second chance. That's not for me to decide. The bottom line is if Joe Smith down the street had a dog-fighting ring and killed dogs in his backyard, he would not be able to work again.
In our strange world, those who can throw a ball or run or hit get a clean slate.
Vick will get over a $1 million this year. He shouldn't get $1 to play professional sports.
Just in case you don't know how brutal Vick's crime is, check out this documentary from the UK: