Wednesday, August 18, 2010

DWII

Its been a while since there was a post on DW, there has been a lot that has happened with the Flyers in the cup, the whole Phils starting lineup taking a trip to the DL, and the Eagles are getting ready for a 7-9 season (can't wait). Anyway, I was thinking that DW has to get started up again. We need contributors out there that will consistently stir the pot and are not afraid to take some criticism. For the current readers it is greatly appreciated for your contributions to the blog. Let's see if we can branch out and bring some newcomers to the site and have some fun with this. I mean the Phils are back, and are priming to make another run at a World Series, so lets see what we can do to try and get this thing back up and running. There is nothing better than arguing about sports. Doc and Namesake are you out there? Where have you two been? What do you two homos think?
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Thursday, April 22, 2010

DW is Back


It's been a while since anything has gone up here on DW, and I am hoping to get back into it now that baseball season is in full swing. So much has happened since Nova lost to St. Mary's in the second round of the NCAA tourney, and there is so much to talk about. The NFL draft is tonight, McNabb was traded to a division rival, the Flyers are on their way to knocking off the Devils in the Playoffs, Tiger Woods, How the Eagles traded Sheldon Brown for a 5th round pick, and then in turn signed a cornerback who is coming off of not one, but two knee surgeries to play safety. We can sit here all day and bitch about all this, but the reality of it all is that its baseball season. I hope McNabb sticks it to the Eagles this year, and Andy Reid drafts another Defensive Lineman in the first round that sucks. Quite frankly I don't give a shit about all of this, because right now the real team of Philly is back on the ball field.

How freakin good is Roy Halladay? I mean so far in the four games that he has pitched he really hasn't been challenged yet. Can he really win 25-26 games this year? It really is amazing when he steps out on the hill every 5th day and dominates. Roy Halladay is so good and so dominant, but that all means nothing at this point unless you win. The bullpen just like last year stinks. Ruben Amaro needs to find someone that can go out there and get outs in the later innings. I know that they are missing two key pitchers to that pen, but who knows what they will pitch like when they come back. This is something that needs to be addressed ASAFP. With the offense clicking, all the back end of the bullpen has to do is get outs. Last night proved that we have a more than capable defense, so all that pen really has to do is keep the damn ball in the park. Success will come if they go with that mentality.
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Saturday, March 20, 2010

Nova - St Mary's

Well, lets hope Wright is done with his "teaching points". Villanova takes on 10 seed St. Mary today in Providence. The Gaels beat up on the Spiders in the first round while 'Nova escaped Robert Morris, with some special thanks to the refs. Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher Taylor King and Corey Stokes have all been benched recently for disciplinary reasons and taking leaks outside.

This game will be decided by which ever team can dictate the pace. St Mary has a huge frontline while Villanova is guard oriented.

Here's hoping Villanova can stay alive especially after Temple's dissapointing loss to Cornell.





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Friday, March 5, 2010

Doc in Clearwater

Doc's view from Left Field. 

 

P.S. I hate you, Doc.

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Thursday, March 4, 2010

Spring is Here


Now that the snow is starting to clear, and the weather is getting warmer it is time for Philadelphia to turn their focus to the REAL team of the City. It feels like years ago that the Phils were playing the Yankees in the World Series, but it is finally here. Spring training has started and the Phils new ace Roy Halladay will be taking the mound today against CC Sabathia at 1:05 in Clearwater's Bright House Field. Doc will be in attendance at the game as he made his way down there yesterday. I'm sure that he will be getting hammered at Frenchy's today, and one can only hope that he doesn't pass out at the bar. It's a good thing that Moose will not be down there this year. Last time he was there he was hammered and screaming obscenities to the opposing pitchers in the bull pen with a pit stained wife beater, mesh shorts, and high top cons on. All of this was being conducted while little kids were standing around with their dads. If that doesn't scream Kensington then I don't know what does, Moose.

Today marks the start of a long journey throughout the summer that will hopefully end with what happened in 2008. Another good thing about baseball season is that there will be more posts on the blog for all three of our readers to read. Baseball consumes about 98% of our blog, so here we go. Get ready for another season with Charlie and the Phils. They never disappoint, and if you are not pumped for this season then I would have to say go f yourself. LET'S GO PHILS!

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

QB Talk

A day after ESPN's Adam Shefter says Michael Vick will remain an Eagle - Vick tells the Charlotte Observer that he wants to play in Carolina because he like the colors.

Well, you know, it's close to home," Vick said. "I like the uniforms. You get to play against Atlanta twice a year. Ain't nothing better than playing against your former team, right? So, yeah, that would be a good look, it would be a good look."
A report out of St. Louis has the Rams talking about a deal for Donovan McNabb.
According to more than one well-informed source, the Rams have had intense internal conversations with the Philadelphia Eagles about a trade for Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb.
(St Louis Dispatch)

Brian Burwell later back tracked and said there was a typo..Because internal talks can't really involve another team.

Here is an interview on 97.5 with Brian Burwell talking about the situation which isn't really a situation.

Sal Pal is reporting/has reported that the Rams do not like the QB's in this year's draft and will make a run at any one of the 3 Eagle QB's. He says that the Rams could draft N.Suh and maybe package their second rd pick this year plus a first rd pick next year for McNabb. That there is amazing value for a QB with 1 year left on his deal.

It seems that the Eagles like 2nd round picks better than first rounders anyway (cheaper). And you have to figure that the Rams pick next year will be very early.

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DW's NL Central Preview

Can anyone compete with the Cards? St Louis brought back Matt Holliday to form one of the best 3-4 punches in the game. If they can get another injury free season out of Carpenter, the Cards will walk with the division. The Cubbies used addition by subtraction in the offseason with Milton Bradley. They need bounce back years from Soriano and Soto to contend - they still have some talent. Milwaukee didn't do too much to improve off last season's 80 wins while the Reds have alot of young developing talent and also lured Aroldis Chapman into Cinci. Ed Wade continues to build with former Phillies with little upside and the Bucos plan to contend sometime in the next decade or so.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2009 record and finish: 62-99

Manager: John Russell

Departures: RHP Matt Capps

Arrivals: RHP Octavio Dotel, 2B Akinori Iwamura, IF Bobby Crosby, RHP D.J. Carrasco, OF Ryan Church, LHP Neal Cotts

Rotation: LHP Paul Maholm, LHP Zach Duke, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Daniel McCutchen

Closer: RHP Octavio Dotel

Setup guy: RHP Brendan Donnelly

Lineup: CF Andrew McCutchen, 2B Akinori Iwamura, RF Garrett Jones, C Ryan Doumit, LF Lastings Milledge, 1B Jeff Clement, 3B Andy LaRoche, SS Ronny Cedeno


HOUSTON ASTROS:

2009 record and finish: 74-88

Manager: Brad Mills

Departures: RHP Jose Valverde, IF Miguel Tejada, C/IF Chris Coste

Arrivals: RHP Brett Myers, 3B Pedro Feliz, RHP Brandon Lyon

Rotation: RHP Roy Oswalt, LHP Wandy Rodriguez, RHP Brett Myers, RHP Bud Norris, RHP Felipe Paulino

Closer: RHP Matt Lindstrom

Setup guy: RHP Brandon Lyon

Lineup: CF Michael Bourn, 2B Kaz Matsui, 1B Lance Berkman, LF Carlos Lee, RF Hunter Pence, 3B Pedro Feliz, C Jason Castro, SS Tommy Manzella



ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2009 record and finish: 91-71

Manager: Tony La Russa

Departures: IF Mark DeRosa, RHP Joel Pineiro, IF Troy Glaus, IF Khalil Greene, RHP John Smoltz

Arrivals: RHP Brad Penny, LHP Rich Hill

Rotation: RHP Chris Carpenter, RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Kyle Lohse, RHP Brad Penny, LHP Rich Hill,

Closer: RHP Ryan Franklin

Setup men: RHP Jason Motte

Lineup: 2B Skip Schumaker, SS Brendan Ryan, 1B Albert Pujols, LF Matt Holliday, RF Ryan Ludwick, CF Colby Rasmus, C Yadier Molina, 3B David Freese


MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2009 record and finish: 80-82

Manager: Ken Macha

Departures: RHP Braden Looper, SS J.J. Hardy, CF Mike Cameron

Arrivals: OF Carlos Gomez, LHP Randy Wolf, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, C Gregg Zaun, LHP Doug Davis

Rotation: RHP Yovani Gallardo, LHP Randy Wolf, LHP Doug Davis, RHP Jeff Suppan, LHP Manny Parra

Closer: RHP Trevor Hoffman

Setup men: RHP LaTroy Hawkins

Lineup: 2B Rickie Weeks, SS Alcides Escobar, 1B Prince Fielder, LF Ryan Braun, RF Corey Hart, 3B Casey McGehee, C Gregg Zaun, CF Carlos Gomez


CHICAGO CUBS
2009 record and finish: 83-78

Manager: Lou Piniella

Departures: OF Milton Bradley, RHP Rich Harden

Arrivals: OF Marlon Byrd, OF Xavier Nady

Rotation: RHP Carlos Zambrano, LHP Ted Lilly, RHP Ryan Dempster, RHP Randy Wells, LHP Tom Gorzelanny

Closer: RHP Carlos Marmol

Setup guy: LHP John Grabow

Regulars: SS Ryan Theriot, RF Kosuke Fukudome, 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, LF Alfonso Soriano, CF Marlon Byrd, C Geovany Soto, 2B Mike Fontenot


CINCINNATI REDS
2009 record and finish: 78-84

Manager: Dusty Baker

Departures: OF Willy Taveras

Arrivals: SS Orlando Cabrera, LHP Aroldis Chapman, IF Aaron Miles

Rotation: RHP Bronson Arroyo, RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Johnny Cueto, RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Micah Owings

Closer: RHP Francisco Cordero

Setup guy: RHP Nick Masset

Lineup: CF Drew Stubbs, SS Orlando Cabrera, 1B Joey Votto, 2B Brandon Phillips, 3B Scott Rolen, RF Jay Bruce, LF Jonny Gomes, C Ramon Hernandez


DW Pre-Spring Training, Predicted Order of Finish

1. St Louis
2. Chicago
3. Reds
4. Brewers
5. Astros
6. Pirates

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Friday, February 26, 2010

DW's NL West Preview

Today we take a look at the NL West. The Dodgers have taken the last 2 division crowns while the Rockies have also made the playoffs in 2 of the last 3 years. The Giants have a stacked rotation with questionable bats and the D'Backs are coming off a last place finish in a season where they were expected to contend. The Padres are just not very good. DW takes a peak at the teams after the jump..


LOS ANGELES DODGERS

2009 record: 95-67

Manager: Joe Torre

Arrivals: IF Jamey Carroll, OF Reed Johnson

Departures: LHP Randy Wolf, OF Juan Pierre, 2B Orlando Hudson, RHP Guillermo Mota, 1B Jim Thome

Rotation: RHP Chad Billingsley, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Hiroki Kuroda, RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP James McDonald, LHP Scott Elbert, LHP Eric Stults, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Carlos Monasterious

Closer: RHP Jonathan Broxton

Setup: LHP George Sherrill

Lineup: SS Rafael Furcal, CF Matt Kemp, LF Andre Ethier, LF Manny Ramirez, 1B James Loney, 3B Casey Blake, C Russell Martin ,2B Ronnie Belliard,



COLORADO ROCKIES

2009 record: 92-70

Manager: Jim Tracy

Departures: RHP Jason Marquis, 1B/3B Garrett Atkins, C Yorvit Torrealba

Arrivals: IF Melvin Mora, C Miguel Olivo

Rotation: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP Aaron Cook, LHP Jeff Francis, LHP Jorge De La Rosa , RHP Jason Hammel

Closer: RHP Huston Street;

Setup: RHP Rafael Betancourt, LHP Franklin Morales

Lineup: CF Dexter Fowler, LF Carlos Gonzalez, 1B Todd Helton, SS Troy Tulowitzki, RF Brad Hawpe, 3B Ian Stewart, C Chris Iannetta, 2B Clint Barmes

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

2009 record: 88-74

Manager: Bruce Bochy

Departures: LHP Randy Johnson, OF Randy Winn

Arrivals: OF/IF Mark DeRosa, OF/1B Aubrey Huff, RHP Guillermo Mota

Rotation: RHP Tim Lincecum, RHP Matt Cain, LHP Barry Zito, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, LHP Madison Bumgarner

Closer: RHP Brian Wilson

Setup: LHP Jeremy Affeldt

Lineup: CF Aaron Rowand, 2B Juan Uribe, 3B Pablo Sandoval, 1B Aubrey Huff, LF Mark DeRosa, C Bengie Molina, RF Nate Schierholtz, SS Edgar Renteria

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS



2009 record: 70-92

Manager: A.J. Hinch

Departures: LHP Doug Davis, RHP Max Scherzer, LHP Daniel Schlereth, LHP Scott Schoeneweis

Arrivals: RHP Edwin Jackson, 1B Adam LaRoche, RHP Ian Kennedy, 2B Kelly Johnson, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Bob Howry

Rotation: RHP Dan Haren RHP Brandon Webb, RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Ian Kennedy, RHP Bill Buckner

Closer: RHP Chad Qualls

Setup: RHP Bob Howry

Lineup: SS Stephen Drew, 2B Kelly Johnson, RF Justin Upton, 1B Adam LaRoche, 3B Mark Reynolds, LF Conor Jackson, CF Chris Young, C Miguel Montero

SAN DIEGO PADRES

2009 record: 75-87

Manager: Bud Black

Departures: 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, OF Brian Giles

Arrivals: RHP Jon Garland, Utility Jerry Hairston Jr. , C Yorvit Torrealba, 1B/OF Matt Stairs

Rotation: RHP Chris Young, RHP Kevin Correia, RHP Jon Garland, LHP Clayton Richard, RHP Mat Latos

Closer: RHP Heath Bell

Setup: RHP Edward Mujica

Lineup: CF Tony Gwynn Jr., 2B David Eckstein, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, 3B Chase Headley, LF Kyle Blanks, RF Wil Venable, C Nick Hundley, SS Everth Cabrera


DW Pre-Spring Training, Predicted Order of Finish

1: Dodgers
2: Rockies
3: Giants
4: D'Backs
5: Padres

The Dodgers did nothing in the offseason and will need to rely on their youngs stars to improve if they intend to keep the division crown. If Jeff Francis can return to his pre-injury form the Rockies may be the class of the division. The Rockies need to avoid the letdown they had following their previous playoff appearance. The Giants added some aging bats but it may not be enough to contend. Arizona is counting on the health of some key players in '10. Webb, Haren and Jackson have the abilty to hang with anybody but they need production out of Drew, Jackson and Young - if they do, they could be the surprise team out west. The biggest question with San Diego is when Adrian Gonzalez will be traded and how much will they receive in return.

Disagree below.
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Thursday, February 25, 2010

DW'S AL West Preview

DW takes a look at the major leagues on paper, division by division during the final days of February. Today we give you the AL West. This should be a tight division with Seattle being one of baseball's offseason champs, the Angels being the long time kings of the West and the Rangers trying to translate the major's best farm system into the major leagues. a quick look at the teams after the jump..


LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM VIA CALIFORNIA NEAR DISNEYLAND

2009 Record: 97-65
Departures: RHP John Lackey, IF Chone Figgins, DH Vlad Guerrero, OF Sarge Jr, LHP Darren (don't call me Sean) Oliver
Arrivals: DH/LF Hideki Matsui, RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Joel Pineiro,
Rotation: RHP Jered Weaver, LHP Joe Saunders, RHP Ervin Santana, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Joel Pineiro

Closer: LHP Brian Fuentes;
Setup guy: RHP Fernando Rodney, RHP Scot Shields
Lineup: SS Erick Aybar, RF Bobby Abreu, CF Torii Hunter, 1B Kendry Morales, DH Hideki Matsui, LF Juan Rivera, 2B Howie Kendrick, C Mike Napoli, 3B Brandon Wood


SEATTLE MARINERS

2009 Record: 85-77
Departures: 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B/DH Russell Branyan, RHP Brandon Morrow, C Kenji Johjima, RHP Miguel Batista, RHP Carlos Silva
Arrivals: LHP Cliff Lee, 3B Chone Figgins, OF Milton Bradley, 1B Casey Kotchman, 1B Ryan Garko, OF Eric Byrnes
Rotation: RHP Felix Hernandez, LHP Cliff Lee, RHP Ian Snell, LHP Erik Bedard (DL), LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith
Closer: RHP David Aardsma;
Setup guy: RHP Brandon League
Lineup: RF Ichiro Suzuki, 3B Chone Figgins, 2B Jose Lopez, LF Milton Bradley, DH Ken Griffey Jr., 1B Casey Kotchman, CF Franklin Gutierrez, C Rob Johnson, SS Jack Wilson


OAKLAND ATHLETICS

2009 Record: 75-87
Departures: 2B Adam Kennedy, IF Bobby Crosby,
Arrivals: RHP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, OF Coco Crisp, IF Jake Fox, OF Michael Taylor,
Rotation: RHP Ben Sheets, RHP Justin Duchscherer, LHP Brett Anderson, RHP Dallas Braden, RHP Trevor Cahill
Closer: RHP Andrew Bailey
Set-up guy: RHP Brad Ziegler
Lineup: LF Rajai Davis, CF Coco Crisp, C Kurt Suzuki, DH Jack Cust, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, CF Ryan Sweeney, 2B Mark Ellis, 1B Daric Barton, SS Cliff Pennington


TEXAS RANGERS:

2009 record: 87-75
Departures: RHP Kevin Millwood, OF Marlon Byrd, IF Hank Blalock, OF Andruw Jones, IF Omar Vizquel, C Ivan Rodriguez,
Arrivals: RHP Rich Harden, DH Vlad Guerrero, RHP Colby Lewis, LHP Darren (the black) Oliver
Rotation: RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Rich Harden, RHP Tommy Hunter, LHP Derek Holland, RHP Colby Lewis
Closer: RHP Frank Francisco;
Setup guy: LHP C.J. Wilson, RHP Neftali Feliz, LHP Darren Oliver
Lineup: CF Julio Borbon, 3B Michael Young, LF Josh Hamilton, DH Vlad Guerrero, 2B Ian Kinsler, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Chris Davis, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, SS Elvis Andrus




DW Pre-Spring Training, Predicted Order of Finish:

1: Rangers
2: Mariners
3: Angels
4: A's

The Rangers have a shit load of hitting, questionable starting pitching and a potentially strong bullpen. They also have the best minor league system in baseball and may have the ammunition to add arms at the deadline - if/when Harden goes down. If Josh Hamilton can find his '08 form instead of '09, this team will be scary offensively. Starting pitching will be the achillies heel. The M's have maybe the the best 1-2 punch and best defense in the game but will really have to search for runs. DW does not like the Angels off season moves, substituting Lackey, Figgins and Vlad for Matsui, Pineiro and Rodney. The A's need Sheets to put together a good half season so they can swap him for more prospects. They have a lot of talent but are a couple years away. Look for former Phils prospect Michael Taylor - he could be ready to produce right away and is a DW darkhorse for AL rookie of the year.

Next: NL West

Disagree below...
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Westbrook Released

Brian Westbrook has been released by the Eagles.  Jeffrey Lurie and Andy Reid are scheduled to hold a press conference at 3pm to discuss the matter, and offer some "insight" into their thought process. Bad knees, concussion issues, old age and being owed $8 million next year are all factors that play into this decision.  Knowing the Eagles, I'd say the $8 million was the nail in the coffin.

 

It will be strange not seeing No.36 in Eagles green next season, considering the offense was run through him for so many years.  He gave us all some great moments on the field, and he'll be remembered for being one of the most exciting players in the NFL. His best season came in 2007 when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage, and was named first team All-Pro. He will be missed.

 

Question: Where does B-West rank in terms of All-Time Eagles? Top 5?

 

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