Tom Watson flies too close to the Turnberry Sun

I was reminded of the story of Icarus today as I watched the final holes of the British Open. For those of you who remember your 9th grade Greek mythology, you might remember Icarus. Icarus’ father made wings for Icarus, but gave him a warning – don’t fly too close to the sun, don’t fly too close to the sea, but Icarus didn’t listen and became so enamored with flying, that he ignored his fathers warnings. The wings, made of wax, melted as Icarus flew too close to the sun, and he fell to his death.

Watson’s chances of becoming the oldest person ever to win a major fell apart dramatically on the 18th hole as his approach shot went long, then he 3 putted to fall into a tie with Stewart Cink.Watson then fell apart in the 4 hole playoff. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one rooting against Stewart Cink. Cink is probably a nice guy, but today he was villain to Watson’s hero; he’s not well liked tonight.

I wish Watson fell just short in regulation leaving us with the memory of him almost making it, but just falling short. Instead the story is about how his age did him in. Watson dared fly to close to the sun. I for one hope that’s not the lesson learned here. If anything, we should all take away from this the fact that it’s never too late.

That Watson challenged today at the age of 59, inspires me. I should very well inspire all of us.

Pedro is ok – but Roy Halladay is better

So today the Phils signed Pedro Martinez. That’s fine – he fills a spot that was going to hurt us come playoff time. What bothers me is that there is a big hole in the rotation between Cole Hamels and Cole Hamels. Roy Halladay would fit that hole nicely. What I don’t like is the idea of them trading J.A. Happ for him – especially if that trade also includes Kyle Drabek.

I know that everyone thinks that with the core of the Phillies line-up in their prime, it makes sense to try and win now. I agree somewhat – but I think about how the Braves dynasty was built – Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. Halladay would be a great addition for the next year or so, but Drabek and Happ along with Hamels could be great for the next decade. I know the old saying about potential – it’s a word that means you ain’t worth a damn yet. But there’s an awful lot of potential going to Toronto if this happens.

Thoughts?

All-star teams announced: Phillies 3 -Mets 4 (players)

The all-star team was announced yesterday and for those that are keeping count, the Phils have 3 players on the team to the Mets’ 4. The fans have a chance to add an additional player in the Final vote (more on that in a second). As expected Ryan Howard was selected to join the team by Charlie Manuel to join Raul Ibañez and Chase Utley. Howard’s numbers aren’t as great as they’ll be, but one of the problems with the All-star game being played in the summer is that players that put up numbers when it counts get screwed. Based on what Howard does year after year, he deserves to be there.

I think Shane Victorino will end up replacing Carlos Beltran anyway, but why not make the point moot? You have a chance to put him in yourself by voting in the Final Vote. Shane versus 4 other high profile snubs: Christian Guzman of the Nationals, Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks, and Pablo Sandoval of the Giants. All have great cases, but I think Shane’s value goes beyond the numbers he puts up. When the team is going well, he’s in the middle of everything; he’s turned himself into the consummate pain in the ass player; that’s a good thing. Growing up, the best example of those types of players were Pete Rose and Lenny Dykstra (in his pre-Phillie/steroid days especially). If you get a chance you should ask C.C. Sabathia what he thinks.

Anytime I hear Shane’s name in trade rumors, I cringe; there’s a reason why so many teams want him. Shane deserves to go to St. Louis just as much as Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, or Raul Ibañez – so put him there.

Vote for the flyin’ Hawaiian

Shane Victorino is some 400,000 votes behind Carlos Beltran in 5th place. Phillies fans need to get out the vote so that there is only one stinking Met on the team. A gutless team like them doesn’t deserve even that one spot. Of course David Wright deserves better than his team – so I’ll give him a pass.

Go vote for Shane.

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Jimmy Rollins will be starting tomorrow night and leading off. I’ve always believed that the way J-Roll hits, he’s better suited for the middle of the lineup. I actually think he makes a great 3 hitter – when he’s hitting. Right now – he belongs at the bottom of the lineup. I know Victorino gets his leadoff spot when he’s out – but Jayson Werth would be a better selection. He sees a lot of pitches and makes pitchers work.

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There’s no help coming from the DL for the rotation. Antonio Bastardo has run his course and needs more seasoning. Not sure what Ruben Amaro Jr. is going to do but the help they need is on another team.

Sixers old new logo

I don’t really care about the draft tomorrow but this is big news: the Sixers got rid of their old crappy logo (the one that said script Sixers – looked like it came straight out of Miami Vice and the 80’s). The new logo is actually their old classic logo; the one that they won championships with.

There will be new uniforms, a new court design, and a new secondary logo by the end of the summer.

Maybe this means things are turning around. Oh yeah – that’s right, they draft 17th tomorrow.

RIP: Gary Papa

There’s been a fair share of loss in the Philadelphia sports broadcasting world. First Harry Kalas passed away in April, now long time WPVI sports director Gary Papa has passed away after a long and public battle with prostate cancer.

I think everyone will remember Papa for how he dealt with his illness; shaving his head, going to chemo, and going back to work. So many people would have hidden, he didn’t. For 5 years Papa battled cancer, going between a shaved head and full head of hair a few times. When I saw him with his shaved head last fall, I knew it wasn’t good.

The other thing I’ll remember Papa for is his mimicking of Kalas’ “Outta here” home run call. Sometimes it annoyed me, but it became part of his schtick. Gary had fun delivering the sports news and it showed. It’s a bit ironic that we lose both of these voices in the same year.

Papa is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his two sons Nathaniel and Tucker.