Jimmy Rollins…MVP?

Ben margolies 9.25.07
I know there are a lot of haters out there who do not want to see another MVP come out of Philadelphia, but is there anybody else who deserves it more than Jimmy Rollins. The answer is no one! Throw away all the numbers, the 30 home runs, 200 plus hits, 91 RBIs as a leadoff hitter, and don’t forget the stolen bases and game winning hits. While Jimmy may not be the best player on the team, overshadowed by superstars Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, he is what makes this team go. Without taking any credit away from the role players and everybody else, Jimmy’s play, while others were down was tremendous. Jimmy thrives by being in the spotlight; he has gotten so many clutch hits and never takes a day off. He plays the game the right way, he hustles, smiles, plays with heart and most importantly plays for his teammates, the team, and the city of Philadelphia. This fun loving baseball player has had a career year. He has gotten the eye of everybody in baseball, and for a team that has been hampered with injuries all season, Jimmy’s consistency has kept this team in the hunt. He needs to be honored for what he has done, not just with the cheers of the fans, but with the support of baseball people all of the country with an MVP selection. If it were not for the play, the leadership and the enthusiasm of Jimmy Rollins, who knows how many games out the Phillies, may have been. If I had a vote I would punch it with pride and respect, for the little guy that just goes, Jimmy Rollins.

Silencing the Doubters?

Ben Margolies 9.23.07
After the Eagles pounded the Detroit Lions 56-21, I heard many people say McNabb has silenced the doubters. I am not really sure that McNabb really silenced the doubters. I think the fact that the “future”, Kevin Kolb came in the game and pretty much fell face first on the turf made the critics a little more silent. People were so quick to run Donovan out of town, but what they did not realize was where would you turn afterwards? Are you willing to throw away the prime years of Westbrook and this talented team this year, for the future? Absolutely not! While McNabb did throw for over 380 yards and multiple touchdowns, what really stood out was the confidence that he showed in his knee. This was the first game that he played without the knee brace and from my perspective he looked good. Hopefully this is what the rest of the season is going to look like, because if he can play like old McNabb, who knows what may happen. Remember folks the last time the Eagles started 0-2 they ended up playing some pretty important games down the stretch.

Charlie and the "Fightins"

When you woke up this morning and picked up your local paper you might have noticed something strange. The Phillies are 2.5 games back of the New York Mets with 11 games left on the schedule. As a loyal Phillies fan, whom is never short of an opinion, I began to wonder how this was possible. Not to take any credit away from the play of the whole team not to mention Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley along with Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell, however, one name came to mind, Charlie Manuel. Is this the same manager who most Philly fans wanted out the door before the year even started? We are now hearing grumblings of a possible manager of the year candidate. While you certainly cannot give Charlie all the credit in the world, this is the guy who continues to bring out Antonio Alfonseca, even though he is throwing the ball with a dead arm. Charlie is partly responsible for bringing this team together. As far as this blogger can see this team seems to get along well. From high fives to fist pounds the support from teammate to teammate is evident. For that you have to give Charlie his well deserved props. It does not matter if you hate him or love him, the fact of the matter is through all the injuries and the inconsistencies, Charlie has the "Fightin' Phils", well let's just say, fighting.