Phillies Win Game One of the 2009 World Series

It'a all how you look at things. Here are two newspapers' take on the Phillies Game One 2009 World Series Victory. The Philly Daily News celebrates Cliff Lee's pitching victory and Chase Utley's Game Winning Homers. The NY Daily News finds it all less than a thing of beauty.

Phillies Win World Series

As a child I began a lifetime of rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies. It was my earliest team rooting interest and remains the deepest. Last night, the Philadelphia Philles won the 2008 World Series. They had only won one previous World Series title back in 1980. This championship brings me great joy and satisfaction.

I wasn't around for the 1915 or 1950 World Series teams. I assume they were One Year Wonders. The 1964 team was that way, as was the 1993 team. The 1980 team had made the playoffs for three straight years from 1975 through 1977, always losing in the playoffs. The 1979 Pirates beat them out of the division, but the 1980 team finally won. The 1983 World Series team was an aging version of the same team. Essentially, the 1980 team winning the World Series was something they should have done earlier. It was sort of like the recent string of successful years in Atlanta, but only one World Series title to show for it.

This World Series title is different. This year's Phillies are not a One Year Wonder or a Team of Destiny, but rather, they are a good hard working team that fought their way through adversity and underdoggedness to win. This is a good feeling team that is better than it's unassembled parts. I think it's an attitude of family and hard work, fathered by Manager, Charlie Manuel, to make this team a winner. When Pat Burrell ran slow or struck out, or when Ryan Howard struck out or made an error in the field, we knew it had not occured because the player did not care. We knew they passionately cared about this team and about winning. We saw that determination in the many come from behind victories over the past few years. We also saw it this year with the amazing unblemished record of winning with a lead going into the 9th inning. This team is special and worthy of our love. They may never win another World Series, but we will always appreciate this one.

Big Day for LSU

Well, I was wrong about Les Miles leaving LSU. I think all the speculation forced the issue on both sides, forcing LSU to pony up to the table and offer more money. The money and the situation at LSU made it a no-brainer for Les Miles. He will be a richer man for staying at LSU than he would have been for moving to Michigan. ESPN's Herbstreit reported that the Michigan deal was a done one, forcing Les to angrily declare his fealty to the Bayou Tigers before the SEC Championship Game. Only God knows if that declaration made the difference in the players' motivation to win the game against Tennessee. We do suspect that God aligned the planets and stars in such a fashion to cause both West Virginia and Missouri to lose and to allow LSU to leapfrog other teams ranked higher into the BCS Championship game. This change of fates gives Les Miles the ability to achieve three things in one game. One, he can beat Ohio State without needing to become the head coach of the Wolverines. Two, he can win the BCS National Championship. Three, he can erase the shadow of Nick Saban looking over his shoulder.

Winning the SEC Championship is quite a feather in LSU's cap. The last time they won was the year they won the BCS Championship. Ryan Perrilloux also redeemed himself in this game, being named the game's MVP. He will be the field captain next year, so it's good to earn his tiger stripes in a meaningful game. Congrats go to Les Miles, Ryan Perrilloux and the entire LSU team. What a weekend!

Les Miles to Michigan?

My thoughts about Les Miles are torn. On one hand, I really like Les Miles. When he speaks, he says the right things. I think he's a good coach and a good man. This year, his team has underachieved expectations. After dominating early games, LSU fell into a pattern of winning close games, often needing to come from behind to win. The SEC is a meat grinder conference where all the teams are capable of winning on any given Saturday. LSU was like walking on broken glass with bare feet. Sooner or later, you will cut yourself. They did get cut in Kentucky, and later at home against Arkansas, losing both games in triple overtime. Under the old system before overtime games were allowed, LSU would still be undefeated and probably still no. 1 with a 10-0-2 record.

I think Les Miles leaving LSU will be a win-win for both schools and for Les Miles. For Les, he'll get to coach at his alma mater in a patsy conference with big name recognition. For LSU, the cupboard is not bare and the school should be able to attract the best and brightest coaches in the nation to apply for the job at LSU as it is a bird's nest on the ground type job. Tiger fans could even learn to love Steve Spurrier. All will turn out well for all involved.

Forgot My User Name (Google Made My Change It!)

Sorry, for the lack of updates. Google made me change my username to my email address a while back and I forgot about it. Couldn't log in. I will try to add new content in the near future.

Football Heroes

This year, the Mardi Gras Krewes decided to feature New Orleans' favorite heroes, Saints players. Here's a picture of fan favorite, wide receiver Joe Horn (87) along with starting center Jeff Faine (52) in the Endymion Parade on February 17, 2007. Quarterback Drew Brees was the Grand Marshall of the Bacchus Parade the following day. He wore a black tux. The day after that on Lundi Gras, the Orpheus Parade featured head coach Sean Payton wearing his signature Saints visor. On Mardi Gras Day, Joe Horn rode in the Zulu Parade and former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert rode in Argus Parade in Metairie, Louisiana.

Good Luck Peyton Manning

For the Endymion Parade on February 17, 2007, we found a parking spot near Isadore Newman School. They had this sign rooting on their most famous graduate posted on their fence. We parked in the same area for Bacchus Parade the next day, but the sign was gone!

Super Bowl Afterthoughts

The game itself was sloppy. The rain and all the fumbles took care of that. This game won't be remembered for anything except that Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning won their first Super Bowl. The news media makes me sick. Peyton wins the Super Bowl and the talking heads ask if Peyton needs to win multiple Super Bowls before being considered great. What a bunch of horse hockey! Is Brett Favre great? He only won one Super Bowl. Dan Marino lost the one he was in.

I think there is a concerted effort to not give Peyton Manning his due. I think the news media is at fault. That's why he did not win the Heisman Trophy. The reason? The media pushed votes for a faulty quarterback named Leaf. Neither won the award. It went to a defensive player from Michigan.

Well, football season is over. In New Orleans, Drew Brees will ride in the Bacchus parade and Sean Payton will ride in Orpheus. With spring just around the corner, a young boy's heart turns to baseball. Go Phillies!