Philadelphia Phillies: Trade Deadline Looms - Was 2022 a Dream Season?

The Philadelphia Phillies thrilled their fans by completely turning last season around after Rob Thompson took over for his longtime boss, Joe Girardi. This team stormed through the playoff into the World Series. But all who followed them closely know that the team's run arguably began after the managerial change not in the fall. 

But each season is its own entity. So, was 2022 just a dream or the start of a connected, multi-year playoff run? 

The sporadic offense and inability to get more than two and sometimes three starters cranking out good work prevent this year's squad from rivaling the Atlanta Braves, who might be a runaway National League East Division Winner. If so, it would be that franchise's sixth consecutive Division pennant. 

The Phillies' defense should improve if Bryce Harper plays first base effectively, Kyle Schwarber becomes mostly a designated hitter, Christian Pache takes over in center field, Brandon Marsh shifts to left field on a more regular basis and All-Star Nick Castellanos continues to maintain his decent right field performance. 

Among many questions: 

But will Harper's recovery allow him to hit home runs at anywhere near his normal pace? 

Will Trey Turner hit more to his career norms from here on out?

Will J. T. Realmuto remain healthy?

Could Alec Bohm lead the team in RBIs, in what would become the best offensive season of his career and potentially his breakout year?

Can the bullpen continue its collectively impressive pace? 

Will All-Star Craig Kimbrel's impressive bounce-back year be sustainable?

Will Aaron Nola produce effective starts rather than disjointed efforts? 

Will Zack Wheeler revert to his dominant form, that was seen last season?

Can Tajuan Walker produce near to what he did to date?

Might Ranger Suarez' steady heartbeat translate into a better body of work by season's end?

What will Dave Dembroski feel he must do by the August 1 Trade Deadline?

A lot of questions were asked. Sure, all teams have them. But it is fair to ask if the defending NL Pennant-winners can answer enough of them to first, make the playoffs, and then manage to repeat or even come close to matching last season's stunning run?

Philadelphia Phillies' Win Arguably Most Improbable National League Pennant

Baseball is a great game filled with emotional memories. This sport is played in backyards, on city streets, and in ballfields across the world. 

As someone who has followed the Philadelphia Phillies since the 1970's, this season's improbable turnaround, through a tough September, is particularly special. 

The Phillies have enjoyed four club house celebrations since Monday, October 3. Their trip to the 2022 World Series is stunning, with the triumphs over the St. Louis Cardinals, reigning World Champion Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres all being impressive. 

What comes next is also unpredictable, with a strong Houston Astros team likely primed to secure its fourth American League pennant (2018, 2021) since also winning its first-ever World Series championship in 2017. 

The then five-game maximum Phillies-Astros 1980 National League Championship Series (when Houston was still in the NL) ranks with or is the greatest championship series of all-time. The last four games all went extra innings, with the Phillies emerging victorious and then defeating a good Kansas City Royals team in six games to earn Philadelphia's first-ever title. 

While the Phillies have gone to the World Series in 1915, 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, and 2009, the franchise has only ever been awarded one other trophy. The 2008 championship team was part of a run (2007-2011) of five consecutive playoff appearances. The 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1983 playoff teams represent the only other great era in team history.

The 1993 run to the World Series (verses the Toronto Blue Jays) has since been seen as the most improbable playoff run in franchise history. The 2022 season arguably tops it. 

 

What If Babe Ruth Never Stopped Pitching?

Everyone knows George Herman Ruth. The "Bambino," the "Sultan of Swat," the "Babe" is the most famous slugger of all-time. Many baseball fans also know that Ruth was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox at the beginning of his career. Hardly an extra arm, he was one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game before his batting efforts led to a full-time position in the field. So, let's consider what direction Ruth's career might have taken if he had never put his pitching glove away.

Suppose that...the 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound Ruth was just an adequate hitter. In that scenario, he may very well have remained in the Red Sox's rotation. If he would have been traded to another team, it would have been to join their pitching staff and not to assume a spot in their lineup.

Early in his career, he pitched full-time for three seasons and for parts of three other seasons. Including some other New York Yankees years, where he started an occasional game, his overall record was 94-46. He threw 1,221 1/3 innings, allowed 974 hits, 441 walks, struck out 488 batters and had a 2.28 ERA.

His two best seasons were 1916, when he went 23-12 with a 1.75 ERA, and 1917, when he went 24-13 with a 2.01 ERA. He pitched over 300 innings in both of those years.

People can reference the "Dead Ball Era" all they want. Few were capable of doing what he did on the mound. There were better pitchers than Ruth. But many men who threw in his era weren't nearly as good as he was.

Hypothetically speaking....Ruth's career numbers project to an average record of approximately 20-10 over a 154-game season.

Ruth played from 1914 through 1935. So, over the course of 22 seasons would he have won over 400 games? Maybe not. But he seems likely to have won between 300-350 games. Those numbers would have gotten him into the Hall of Fame.

Would Ruth have been traded to the Yankees if he was a pitcher? Would that franchise have become a dynasty if he continued to dominate from the mound, rather than transform into a legendary home run hitter? Great questions that also can never be answered, but are challenging to at least consider.

Ruth's pitching numbers serve as further supporting evidence that he was clearly one of, if not, the greatest ballplayers to have ever lived.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's platform in 2011.)

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB

The night Lenny Dykstra was swinging in the rain

(Photo credit: masslive.com)

(I'm reading Dkystra's recently published book House of Nails: A Memoir of Life on the Edge. Lenny's tale inspired me to republish one of my favorite baseball pieces that I wrote five years ago for Yahoo Sports.)  

****************** 

Lenny Dykstra's every move has been easy to track during these past few years. The questions about steroids or the details of his financial rise and fall have also been voluminous. His association with Charlie Sheen and indictment for bankruptcy fraud are just the latest in a series of media flashes.

If we reflect on our scrubbed memories, we will see a smiling, gritty guy who would do anything to win. Dykstra channeled his personality traits through a baseball diamond, while the fans couldn't help but love the luster.

1993 World Series, Game 4

The Philadelphia Phillies were trailing the Toronto Blue Jays two games to one, when Game 4 got underway on a rainy night at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

Tommy Greene, who went 16-4 in the regular season, yielded three runs in top of the first. Dykstra initiated the Phillies' counter attack when he worked a walk off Todd Stottlemyre to lead off the bottom half of the inning. He stole second base and later scored on the Blue Jays starter's fourth walk of the inning. The Phillies exited that first frame with a 4-3 lead.

After Greene singled to center field to lead off the bottom of the second inning, Dykstra stepped to the plate. 'The Dude' tattooed Stottlemyre when he hit a two-run home run to deep right field.

The Phillies' 6-3 margin wouldn't last long, as the Blue Jays regained the lead with four runs in the top of the third inning causing Greene's departure.

Up and Down

Al Leiter took over for Stottlemyre in the third inning and was still pitching in the fourth, when Dykstra hit a line-drive double to center field. Mariano Duncan followed with a single that tied the score at 7-7.

In the bottom of the fifth, Leiter yielded a two-run home run to Darren Daulton. Milt Thompson then doubled home a run and was standing on second base, when Dykstra hit another two-run home run to right field that gave the Phillies a 12-7 lead.

The Phillies' bullpen later surrendered a six spot in the top of the eighth. That offensive barrage proved to be too much to overcome, as the Blue Jays won the game 15-14 to take a 3 games to 1 series lead.

Dykstra's three-hit, four-run, four-RBI performance was just one part of what proved to be the best season of his career.

Nailing it

Everyone has the right to question the types of decisions that 'Nails' made during his playing days, or how he has handled his subsequently loud retirement. But, everyone who values a red light player will always remember the night 'The Dude' was swinging in the rain.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn.

What If Babe Ruth Never Stopped Pitching?

Everyone knows George Herman Ruth. The "Bambino," the "Sultan of Swat," the "Babe" is the most famous slugger of all-time. Many baseball fans also know that Ruth was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox at the beginning of his career. Hardly an extra arm, he was one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game before his batting efforts led to a full-time position in the field. So, let's consider what direction Ruth's career might have taken if he had never put his pitching glove away.

Suppose that...the 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound Ruth was just an adequate hitter. In that scenario, he may very well have remained in the Red Sox's rotation. If he would have been traded to another team, it would have been to join their pitching staff and not to assume a spot in their lineup.

Early in his career, he pitched full-time for three seasons and for parts of three other seasons. Including some other New York Yankees years, where he started an occasional game, his overall record was 94-46. He threw 1,221 1/3 innings, allowed 974 hits, 441 walks, struck out 488 batters and had a 2.28 ERA.

His two best seasons were 1916, when he went 23-12 with a 1.75 ERA, and 1917, when he went 24-13 with a 2.01 ERA. He pitched over 300 innings in both of those years.

People can reference the "Dead Ball Era" all they want. Few were capable of doing what he did on the mound. There were better pitchers than Ruth. But many men who threw in his era weren't nearly as good as he was.

Hypothetically speaking....Ruth's career numbers project to an average record of approximately 20-10 over a 154-game season.

Ruth played from 1914 through 1935. So, over the course of 22 seasons would he have won over 400 games? Maybe not. But he seems likely to have won between 300-350 games. Those numbers would have gotten him into the Hall of Fame.

Would Ruth have been traded to the Yankees if he was a pitcher? Would that franchise have become a dynasty if he continued to dominate from the mound, rather than transform into a legendary home run hitter? Great questions that also can never be answered, but are challenging to at least consider.

Ruth's pitching numbers serve as further supporting evidence that he was clearly one of, if not, the greatest ballplayers to have ever lived.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's platform in 2011.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, or through Facebook.

The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging in the Rain

(Photo credit: masslive.com)

Lenny Dykstra's every move has been easy to track during these past few years. The questions about steroids or the details of his financial rise and fall have also been voluminous. His association with Charlie Sheen and indictment for bankruptcy fraud are just the latest in a series of media flashes.

In our scrubbed memories we see a smiling, gritty guy who would do anything to win. Dykstra channeled his personality traits through a baseball diamond, while the fans couldn't help but love the luster.

1993 World Series, Game 4

The Philadelphia Phillies were trailing the Toronto Blue Jays two games to one, when Game 4 got underway on a rainy night at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tommy Greene, who went 16-4 in the regular season, yielded three runs in top of the first. Dykstra initiated the Phillies' counterattack when he worked a walk off Todd Stottlemyre to start the bottom half of the inning. He stole second base and later scored on the Blue Jays starter's fourth walk of the inning. The Phillies exited that first frame with a 4-3 lead.

Dykstra stepped to the plate after Greene singled to center field to lead off the bottom of the second inning. 'The Dude' tattooed Stottlemyre when he hit a two-run home run to deep right field.

The Phillies' 6-3 margin wouldn't last long, as the Blue Jays regained the lead with four runs in the top of the third inning. Greene's departure followed.

Up and Down

Al Leiter took over for Stottlemyre in the third inning and was still pitching in the fourth when Dykstra hit a line-drive double to center field. Mariano Duncan followed with a single that tied the score at 7-7.

In the bottom of the fifth Leiter yielded a two-run home run to Darren Daulton. Milt Thompson then doubled home a run and was standing on second base when Dykstra hit another two-run home run to right field that gave the Phillies a 12-7 lead.

The Phillies' bullpen surrendered a six spot in the top of the eighth. That offensive barrage proved to be too much to overcome, as the Blue Jays won the game 15-14 to take a three games to one series lead.

Dykstra's three-hit, four-run, four-RBI performance was just one part of what proved to be the best season of his career.

Nailing it

Everyone has the right to question the types of decisions that 'Nails' made during his playing days or how he has handled his subsequently loud retirement. But everyone who values a red light player will always remember the night 'The Dude' was swinging in the rain.

(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB 

The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging In The Rain

Over the next few weeks I'm going to provide background information about some of my favorite stories that I've ever written. Today's spotlight involves:

The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging In The Rain


Zero Philadelphia Phillies' fans anticipated the 1993 season. But, somehow, someway that great group of likable men made it to the World Series. 

While that rowdy group didn't win it all, they created countless memorable moments that have endured through the past two decades. With a wink at the famous Gene Kelly movie, I connected a rainy October night and Lenny Dykstra's towering Game 4 performance in an unbelievable 15-14 loss.

The 'Dude' was...
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I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook  
Let's connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter @SeanyOB
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Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: 

Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

I am humbled by the reception it has received to-date and I thank everyone who has been responding to this digital creation.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always welcome to your feedback. 

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It only takes a few minutes to read any of the stories whose links are shown below:

Horror Story: It Was Crawling Up My Chest!
Television Haiku Poem
My First Car Was An All-Time Classic
The Best Holiday Memories


When Baseball Cards Were King
5 Traits of Hardcore Philadelphia Phillies' Fans
Could One Baseball Shatter The Summer?


Philadelphia Flyers' Topps Hockey Card Mystery Revealed
5 Lessons Flyers' Fans Have Taught The Hockey World
5 Traits Old School Flyers' Fans Possess
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Interviewing athletes and other sports' personalities happens after a series of steps have been taken. Hard work and smart choices can lead to success if you remain persistent. 

Read between the lines of each interview to learn how you can make your own connections...

My interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities

Martin Brodeur: Discusses His Record-Setting Shutout Total and Key Rivalries 
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections 
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls

Kevin Turner: Former Philadelphia Eagle Discusses ALS-Concussion Link
Vince Papale: Former Philadelphia Eagle/Subject of the Movie "Invincible"

Allison Baver: US Olympian Facing Every Challenge

Ron Meyer: Blessed2Play Sports Talk Show Has Global Reach

My interviews with broadcasters, actors, models and more...

Fox Television's Erin Como Reveals Her Timeless Model for Success: Interview

Ellen Wasser-Hrin: Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World
Model and Actor Rachael Platt-McMullan Proves Why Dreams Are Worth Pursuing 

Samantha Paisley's Great Success Story
Megan Irminger: Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star

An Actor's Life: An Interview with Mary Frick

An Artist's Life: An Interview with Adrienne Trafford

A Model's Life: An Interview with Kourtney Reppert
The Always Fashionable Biana DeMarco

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit my Rant Sports Author Page, my Examiner Contributor Page, or my Yahoo Contributor Page.

Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Bernie Parent: Day 2

Thank you for clicking on my blog. I do appreciate it. If there is any way that I can help you, feel free to connect with me and let me know:

Add me on Facebook 

Follow me on Twitter  @SeanyOB

Connect to my Yahoo: Featured Contributor Page

My new eBook: Readers Who Have No Time for Words is now available on Amazon.com.

These stories were specifically written for people who like to read, but don't have much time to do actually do so. Humor, horror, mystery, adventure, travel, sports and a few selected stories are all wrapped inside this mini-tome. Thank you for considering this download.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headline Topic: Parent interview

Based upon strong response, I'm re-posting the links to my series about interviewing Bernie Parent. 

Here is a link to Part 1 in my series about that interview: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Meeting a Legend  

Here is a link to Part 2 in my series about that interview: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Pregame Preparations

Here is a link to Part 3 in my series about that interview:
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame Reflections

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline: Three Flyers' Legends

Each of these Flyers' legends (Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Tim Kerr) deserved their own feature article:

Here is a link to the story about Propp: 

Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Brian Propp was Magnificent

The link to Poulin's piece: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Captain Dave Poulin Earned Permanent Respect

Last, but not least, here's Kerr's link:
Philadelphia Flyers' Tim Kerr Was a True Power Forward

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Headline Topic:  Phillies' free agent choices

The Phillies must make smart small moves this offseason. They don't have the payroll space available to them, as they did in past seasons. 

I hope that Ruben Amaro, Jr. follows the advice that his mentor Pat Gillick gives him and continues to allow Ed Wade's influence to restock the farm system. 

I'm aware that Gillick and Wade are background players, but each did a fine job within their areas of expertise while they held power. Amaro's record is very questionable at this time in history. He must do better starting right now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball cards

For those of us who are old enough to remember
When Baseball Cards were King, the spring is always a special time of year.

Bygone days spent with elementary school days and family members opening packs of Topps cardboard gold never truly fade away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Headline Topic:  World Series 

All I want to say today is: All hail to the San Francisco Giants and to their fans. No one, but them, say their World Series' victory coming. 

As a baseball fan it was a pleasure to see! Congrats from a life-long Phillies' fan to all involved. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline Topic: The Best Phillies of the Current Era

-->>Due to the volume of interest generated in this specific article, it has been re-posted. If you have read it, or choose to open this link now, I hope that you enjoy:  
The 10 Best Philadelphia Phillies of This Era

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millions of hits have been recorded for my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11 was unexpected. I'm grateful for all of them. Every click has helped my freelance position to be a better one. If there is any way that you feel I could be of help to you, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

I've enjoyed connecting with many people through social media. Feel free to click on the links below if you would like to get in touch with me:

Add me on Facebook 

Follow me on Twitter  @SeanyOB

Connect to my Yahoo: Featured Contributor Page

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading any of my Yahoo Voices features that might interest you:

A Model's Life: An Interview with Kourtney Reppert

Samantha Paisley's Great Story

Behind the Scenes with Lindsey Catherine

Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star in Megan Irminger

Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World: An Interview with Ellen Wasser-Hrin

An Actor's Life: An Interview with Mary Frick

An Artist's Life: An Interview with Adrienne Trafford

The Always Fashionable Biana DeMarco

Broadcast Journalist Erin Como Reveals Her Model for Success

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline Topic:  Hope for Phillies' Darin 'Babe' Ruf 

Seeing Darin Ruf hit numerous home runs out of a Double-A park in Reading was thrilling. Seeing him hit his first major league home run, during the first game that he started in left field for the Philadelphia Phillies was priceless (to coin an advertising cliche.)  

Will he actually develop into a major league player? Could that happen by next season? No one knows the answers to these questions, but personal stories have always drawn me to this specific game.

Here is my feature article about him.

Classic Headline Topic: The anniversary of Pete Rose's 4,192 hit.

Pete broke Ty Cobb's hit record on 9/11/85. The man was unique in the annals of baseball history. 

For those who are interested, my recent feature comments on Rose's time with the Phillies and the complex feelings that many of us have about his gambling issues:
Phillies' great Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, and baseball justice

Recent Headline Topic: Tony DiLeo 

The hiring of DiLeo as GM promotes from within and represents another feel-good move that the newest Sixers ownership group has made. 

With Doug Collins seemingly likely to continue to have strong influence on this team, all signs remain positive for the resurgence of this basketball franchise. 

Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Bernie Parent

Thank you for clicking on my blog. I do appreciate it. If there is any way that I can help you, feel free to connect with me and let me know:

Add me on Facebook 

Follow me on Twitter  @SeanyOB

Connect to my Yahoo: Featured Contributor Page

My new eBook: Readers Who Have No Time for Words is now available on Amazon.com.

These stories were specifically written for people who like to read, but don't have much time to do actually do so. Humor, horror, mystery, adventure, travel, sports and a few selected stories are all wrapped inside this mini-tome. Thank you for considering this download.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headline Topic: Parent interview

November had long been the month were all long-time Flyers' fans couldn't help but think about Pelle Lindbergh. That great young goalie was killed in an automobile accident in November 1985. 

For me this month has changed in its significance during the past two years, because of the opportunity I had to meet and then interview Bernie Parent (Lindbergh's mentor) in November 2010. 

That experience equaled the interview that I had with another childhood hero, Mike Schmidt, when I worked for the Phillies' Triple-A team that formerly was in Scranton. 

Speaking with Parent, for a significant amount of time during that fall day, provided me with a deeply personal insight into Lindbergh's life (and to Parent's as well) that I never would have had otherwise. 

Here is a link to Part 1 in my series about that interview: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Meeting a Legend  

Here is a link to Part 2 in my series about that interview: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Pregame Preparations

Here is a link to Part 3 in my series about that interview:
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame Reflections


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline: Three Flyers' Legends

Each of these Flyers' legends (Brian Propp, Dave Poulin and Tim Kerr) deserved their own feature article:

Here is a link to the story about Propp: 

Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Brian Propp was Magnificent

The link to Poulin's piece: 
Philadelphia Flyers' Captain Dave Poulin Earned Permanent Respect

Last, but not least, here's Kerr's link:
Philadelphia Flyers' Tim Kerr Was a True Power Forward

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Headline Topic:  Phillies' free agent choices

The Phillies must make smart small moves this offseason. They don't have the payroll space available to them, as they did in past seasons. 

I hope that Ruben Amaro, Jr. follows the advice that his mentor Pat Gillick gives him and continues to allow Ed Wade's influence to restock the farm system. 

I'm aware that Gillick and Wade are background players, but each did a fine job within their areas of expertise while they held power. Amaro's record is very questionable at this time in history. He must do better starting right now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball cards

For those of us who are old enough to remember
When Baseball Cards were King, the spring is always a special time of year.

Bygone days spent with elementary school days and family members opening packs of Topps cardboard gold never truly fade away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Headline Topic:  World Series 

All I want to say today is: All hail to the San Francisco Giants and to their fans. No one, but them, say their World Series' victory coming. 

As a baseball fan it was a pleasure to see! Congrats from a life-long Phillies' fan to all involved. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline Topic: The Best Phillies of the Current Era

-->>Due to the volume of interest generated in this specific article, it has been re-posted. If you have read it, or choose to open this link now, I hope that you enjoy:  
The 10 Best Philadelphia Phillies of This Era

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millions of hits have been recorded for my Yahoo Sports, Interview and News articles since 2/1/11 was unexpected. I'm grateful for all of them. Every click has helped my freelance position to be a better one. If there is any way that you feel I could be of help to you, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

I've enjoyed connecting with many people through social media. Feel free to click on the links below if you would like to get in touch with me:

Add me on Facebook 

Follow me on Twitter  @SeanyOB

Connect to my Yahoo: Featured Contributor Page

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading any of my Yahoo Voices features that might interest you:

A Model's Life: An Interview with Kourtney Reppert

Samantha Paisley's Great Story

Behind the Scenes with Lindsey Catherine

Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star in Megan Irminger

Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World: An Interview with Ellen Wasser-Hrin

An Actor's Life: An Interview with Mary Frick

An Artist's Life: An Interview with Adrienne Trafford

The Always Fashionable Biana DeMarco

Broadcast Journalist Erin Como Reveals Her Model for Success

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classic Headline Topic:  Hope for Phillies' Darin 'Babe' Ruf 

Seeing Darin Ruf hit numerous home runs out of a Double-A park in Reading was thrilling. Seeing him hit his first major league home run, during the first game that he started in left field for the Philadelphia Phillies was priceless (to coin an advertising cliche.)  

Will he actually develop into a major league player? Could that happen by next season? No one knows the answers to these questions, but personal stories have always drawn me to this specific game.

Here is my feature article about him.

Classic Headline Topic: The anniversary of Pete Rose's 4,192 hit.

Pete broke Ty Cobb's hit record on 9/11/85. The man was unique in the annals of baseball history. 

For those who are interested, my recent feature comments on Rose's time with the Phillies and the complex feelings that many of us have about his gambling issues:
Phillies' great Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, and baseball justice

Recent Headline Topic: Tony DiLeo 

The hiring of DiLeo as GM promotes from within and represents another feel-good move that the newest Sixers ownership group has made. 

With Doug Collins seemingly likely to continue to have strong influence on this team, all signs remain positive for the resurgence of this basketball franchise.