Right Now on Philly Sports History

If you like sports and haven’t checked out our new sports blog yet, please give it a look. It’s getting rave reviews, and evven though I’m biased I think it’s pretty daggone cool. Some very interesting things on the site right now.

On May 4th, 1980, Don Baylor batted out of order for the Dodgers against the Phils. He grounded into a force out. After Dallas Green complained, Baylor got to bat again and hit a home run. A very strange story with a twist ending. A must read.

The Eagles drafted a 26-year old Canadian named Danny Watkins in the first round of the draft. Who knows if he’ll be a star or a bust, but I highly doubt the Birds picked him over 5 future Hall of Famers like they did in the 1983 draft.

Raul Ibanez just ended an 0-35 streak, with a double last night preventing him from joining three Phils who held the record for most at bats w/o a hit at 36. Who were they, and which one later managed a team to two World Series wins? Find out here.

What former Phillies pitcher pitched two 20-inning games in one year, including all 26 innings of the longest game in MLB history? The answer is here.

The Bruins and Flyers are facing off in the playoffs. What happened when they faced each other in the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals?

Finally, you simply must see this photo.

Jackie Robinson and the Phillies on Phillysportshistory.com

After a couple of years at iSportacus, the gang and I decided it was time to move on. We had some fun and did some good pieces, but there is such a glut of general sports blogs in the area, it was tough to stand out. So I started thinking, what is something we’ve done well on this site and is unique enough to stand out? A quick scan of the site, and happening to catch a few minutes of Ken Burns Baseball on tv the other night, gave me my answer. We’ve decided to give the sports blog thing another shot, but from a different angle. We’re going to take current events and match them up against history.

So for instance, on the 64th anniversary of Jackie Robinson integrating baseball today I discussed the Phillies role in the Jackie Robinson saga.

The Union season is underway, so Mike Lalli wrote about Philadelphia’s shortlived 1894 soccer squad.

The Sixers are preparing to take on the Heat in the playoffs, so I wrote about the famous ballgirls on Miami’s 1970s ABA team.

Not that everything on the site has to be timely. Take, for instance, this piece on the Fast Life and Strange Death of Big Ed Delahanty, a former Phillies star who was certifiably insane. Doesn’t really tie into anything, but it’s damn sure interesting to learn how he died at age 35.

Anyways, I hope you’ll check it out and see what you think. And be sure to check us out on facebook as well. Finally, we are definitely looking for stories so if you come across anything interesting on your daily voyage around the cybertubes, shoot me a line. ANd if you like any of the stories on the site, please “Like” them for facebook. Cheers! -JGT

The Philadelphia Phillies Quiz

With Opening Day upon us, I thought I’d share a few questions from last night’s quiz. Here is a round on the Phillies…sort of. All questions are normal trivia questions, but you’ll find current members of the Phillies in each of the answers. Answers are below. For more baseball fun, check out my 40 reasons why baseball is better than football.

Of this city, Jack London once said, “Not in history has a modern imperial city been so completely destroyed.”
This alternative band from Arizona had hits with the songs Lucky Denver Mint, The Middle, and Pain.
What postal worker has never been in my kitchen?
Emma Thompson won as Oscar for her performance in this 1992 film.
This country music star, who has had hits with the albums, Mud on the Tires and Time Well Wasted, co-hosted the CMAs in 2008 and 2009, and won Entertainer of the year at the 2010 CMAs.
This is the third largest off price department store in America, behind TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
This Hawaiian chain restaurant used to be found in Philadelphia at 15th and Sansom.
Just a block away, at 16th and Walnut, you’ll find this handbag and accessory store.
This 1953 film starring Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur is considered one of the greatest westerns ever in film history.
This is one of the banks in the United States known as the Big Four.

Continue reading “The Philadelphia Phillies Quiz” →

Why Buzz Bissinger is Wrong About Race

Buzz Bissinger wrote a couple of articles about race and the NBA recently that were so offbase and ridiculous that I felt like I had to respond. Here is my response. I think you’ll like it, even if you’re not a big basketball fan. I pretty much dismantle everything Buzz says on the topic. I am a big fan of Buzz Bissinger’s, but I just thought he was way off the mark here.

MAAC Attack Leads Brackets After First Week

Maac Attack has established itself as the pace car in this year’s JGT Brackettacular. (You can view entire scoreboard here.) Meanwhile, the complete meltdown of the Big East has left many brackets in tatters, even some teams in the Top 10. Basket Nihilist is in 4th place but had Pitt winning it all. Odabashian and Bo is a Bum are tied for 6th but had Syracuse and Pitt winning it all, respectively. As for me, my bold pick of Notre Dame as National champs makes me look like a jackass. Notre Dame is horrible, as is the entire Big East. 11 teams in the tourney, and only 2 make the Sweet 16? Embarrassment. Of course, the battle for 50th rages on as well, as 3 teams are tied for 49th and 6 teams are tied for 52nd. Remember, the 50th place team gets a $50 gift certificate to Plough and Stars. Here’s the Top 10 after week 1.

MAAC Attack 50
Eobphilly 47
Dry Your Eyes Guys 45
Basket Nihilist 44
Pickle Sniffers 44
Free Brandon Davies 43
Odabashian 43
UPSETALERT 43
Waldo 43
BO is a bum 43

Win $200 Worth of Prizes in the 7th Annual JGT Bracket-tacular

It’s that time again folks! The most wonderful time of the sports year. March Madness is upon us, and it’s time for an annual tradition: the JGT Bracket-tacular. Here’s how it works. CLICK HERE to enter. (You will need to sign up for a Yahoo account if you don’t have one. Don’t worry, it takes like 30 seconds.) You then fill out your picks. All picks must be submitted by Thursday at 11 a.m. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy the tournament, and root for your picks, because we’ve got some sweet prizes.

First Place: $75 gift certificate to City Tap House

2nd Place: $50 gift certificate to O’Neals

3rd Place: $25 gift certificate to Locust Rendezvous

Mystery Bonus Prize: $50 gift certificate to Plough and the Stars. I will announce what this prize is for once the games start on Thursday.

Good luck!

Tree Fo’ Fo’: JGT Unveils His 2010 Phillies Rap

As you may remember, I released a dope rhyme last year when the Phillies came back to beat the Rockies in the NLDS. Then, before the Series, I released a cheesy one about the team. I’m getting back to the dope stuff with this one. In case you are unaware, Tree Fo’ Fo’ is an homage to the great Moses Malone, who, when asked how the Sixers would do in the 1983 NBA Playoffs, responded simply “Fo’ Fo’ Fo’,” indicating that the Sixers would win every game. I feel like the Phillies have that kind of same swagger, so that’s sort of what the song is about. If you enjoy it, please click “like” below. Go Phils!

What’s Going on In Sports

First of all, just recorded a sports podcast with Lee Russakoff of Comcast.net. We discuss Cliff Lee, why the NHL is better than the NBA, and I give Lee a quiz on doughnuts.

A bandwagon fan’s view of the Flyers run in the NHL Finals.

Hurry up and join our iSportacus World Cup Pool! Get your picks in before tomorrow!

BMT and I get in a brief but glorious flame war in a debate about Monster Trucks.

Finally, is the Cliff Lee trade bound to be the worst trade in Phillies history?

Sports Shorts

Here’s my latest quiz for Comcast: Conn Smythe Winner or Canadian Prime Minister?

Will the Phillies score another run this season?

An article I did for Comcast: Can KG and Steve Nash save the sissyfied NBA?

Is Michael Jordan a Nazi?

Sports Shorts

Taser haikus!

A hearty debate in the iSportacus comment section over whether or not the taser should have been used on that kid Monday night. I say yes, Palestra Jon, BMT, Parsnip, et al. disagree. We’re still not sure exactly where Bob T. stands. He sort of plays the fence on this one.

I’ve started doing some writing for Comcast. Here’s my column for today: Best 5 Mexican American athletes of all time. I also heartily recommend the NFL Draft All-Name team, featuring Selvish Capers and Roddrick Muckelroy.

I’ve also begun doing quizzes for them. Here’s one: NFL First Rounder or Not Drafted at all.