The electricity is so thick in the city of brotherly love these days that if Ben Franklin were to fly his kite he would likely be struck dead within seconds. This 2011 MLB season, we have the privilege to witness something exceptional; a Phillies’ starting rotation that gives them a legitimate chance to win every single night.
What Reuben Amaro, Jr. has assembled in Philadelphia this year may be unparallel to what any fan has ever seen. In my forty-three years, I have never laid eyes on a starting rotation with so much fire power and ability to dominate. Take your pick, any one of the top four pitchers could win the Cy Young and their fifth starter could easily win comeback player of the year. The only staff assembled in recent memory even comparable was the Atlanta Braves of the early 1990’s comprised of Maddux, Glavine, Avery, and Smoltz.
In a city renowned for the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels, and cheese steaks, Philadelphia now can lay claim to the “Philthy” Five, gunslingers come to town with a quiet resolve, unwilling to leave until business is settled.
Let’s start with two-time and reigning Cy Young award winner Roy “Doc” Halladay, who won 21 games last year, while becoming only the second man to throw a perfect game and no hitter in the same season. In his thirteen year career, he has 169 wins, 3.32 ERA and 1714 K’s which suggest we can expect more of the same this year. Then there is the 2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, who in his nine year career, has compiled 102 career wins and won 12 games last year with 185 K’s while only walking 18. Not to mention has been dominating in the playoffs the last two years. If that wasn’t enough there is Roy Oswalt who has compiled a solid ten year career with 150 career wins, a 3.18 ERA, 1666 K’s, and was 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 13 appearances after the Phillies acquired him on July 29th last year. To make it even more mind numbing, take Phils’ former #1 starter and 2008 World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, who won 12 games and struck out 211 batters last year and in his five year career has 60 wins, 3.53 ERA, and 897 K’s. Rounding out the staff is 2008 World Series Game 4 hero and dark horse, Joe Blanton, who just two years ago won 12 games and in his seven year career has won 72 games with 777 K’s and a 4.30 ERA.
It is not too far fetched to believe, barring injuries, that the top four pitchers could all win 15 games and Blanton could easily win 10.
If the gaudy numbers are not enough take this intangible into consideration: loyalty. In a day and age where athletes seldom share the stage, during their first interview together the Phillies' pitchers required it. With an all for one, one for all mentality, the four ballyhooed aces insisted the nearly forgotten Joe Blanton be included in the interview or else.
So, my suggestion for the 2011 MLB season is to simply plead the fifth and watch history unfold before our eyes as we watch a staff that prefers to let their arms do the talking.
“Good pitching will beat good hitting any time.” ~Bob Veale, 1966
Sincerely yours, Swavel
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Dream Wisely
Everyone wants to be the next Bill Gates or, in my case, the next Stephen King. Yet, no one wants to take credit for turning ketchup green or inventing New Coke.
This reminds me of a man named Charles Ponzi, who has become notorious for one of histories biggest “get rich quick” scandals.
Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882 and at the age of 21 left to find his fortune in North America. He first landed in Boston and then moved to Canada, but because of fraudulent behavior spent a few sordid years in jail. Always on the move, he developed tremendous survival skills. Eventually, he left Canada for the United States and as was his tendency, got caught up in an elaborate scheme to bring illegal aliens into the country resulting in more prison time. However, though difficult to fathom, there was another side to Ponzi, the swindler, who would lend aid to those in need. For example, in Canada he helped a poor family get back on their feet and on another occasion, gave 50 inches of his own skin for a burn victim.
By late 1919, Ponzi, ever clever and charismatic, had now constructed a legal scheme of buying and selling International Reply Coupons that could earn him 230% profit, before expenses, on every $1. He soon began to entice thousands of investors with the promise of 50% return on their investment in 45 days. Over the next seven months, Ponzi collected roughly $8 million which is approximately $100 million today.
His success was fleeting and by August 1920, the government had caught up to him as they proved that Ponzi had been repaying investors with money from more recent investors and was arrested. The move had long been called "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," but would henceforth be known as a “Ponzi Scheme”. Convicted, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, spending the rest of his life in and out of jail. At one point in his later life, he returned to Italy to swindle Mussolini’s government and was forced to flee to South America. Ultimately, he died penniless in a Brazilian charity hospital, a dreamer without a good exit strategy and a penchant for taking other people’s money.
He once said of himself, "I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me." So let us make no pretenses about Ponzi, he was a notorious con man and someone who took horrible advantage of others. But, I believe, he is someone we all can learn a great deal.
For instance:
-Success gained improperly is failure
-Don’t take shortcuts.
-Make right choices every day
-Always remain honest
-Never lend your name to a scandal
-Dream wisely
“What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient” - Bodie Thoene
Swavel
This reminds me of a man named Charles Ponzi, who has become notorious for one of histories biggest “get rich quick” scandals.
Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882 and at the age of 21 left to find his fortune in North America. He first landed in Boston and then moved to Canada, but because of fraudulent behavior spent a few sordid years in jail. Always on the move, he developed tremendous survival skills. Eventually, he left Canada for the United States and as was his tendency, got caught up in an elaborate scheme to bring illegal aliens into the country resulting in more prison time. However, though difficult to fathom, there was another side to Ponzi, the swindler, who would lend aid to those in need. For example, in Canada he helped a poor family get back on their feet and on another occasion, gave 50 inches of his own skin for a burn victim.
By late 1919, Ponzi, ever clever and charismatic, had now constructed a legal scheme of buying and selling International Reply Coupons that could earn him 230% profit, before expenses, on every $1. He soon began to entice thousands of investors with the promise of 50% return on their investment in 45 days. Over the next seven months, Ponzi collected roughly $8 million which is approximately $100 million today.
His success was fleeting and by August 1920, the government had caught up to him as they proved that Ponzi had been repaying investors with money from more recent investors and was arrested. The move had long been called "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," but would henceforth be known as a “Ponzi Scheme”. Convicted, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, spending the rest of his life in and out of jail. At one point in his later life, he returned to Italy to swindle Mussolini’s government and was forced to flee to South America. Ultimately, he died penniless in a Brazilian charity hospital, a dreamer without a good exit strategy and a penchant for taking other people’s money.
He once said of himself, "I landed in this country with $2.50 in cash and $1 million in hopes, and those hopes never left me." So let us make no pretenses about Ponzi, he was a notorious con man and someone who took horrible advantage of others. But, I believe, he is someone we all can learn a great deal.
For instance:
-Success gained improperly is failure
-Don’t take shortcuts.
-Make right choices every day
-Always remain honest
-Never lend your name to a scandal
-Dream wisely
“What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient” - Bodie Thoene
Swavel
Monday, February 21, 2011
Do Diligence
A few months ago, someone shared something very intriguing with me and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The word is DILIGENCE. It’s interesting how it not only applies to my present situation, but also currently sums me up as an individual.
My friend discovered this fascinating word while he was reading in Proverbs 12:27 in the New King James Version of the Bible. “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” Intrigued by the verse, he looked it up on-line and found this definition: “constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.”
So, here is my take after the research. The Creator of the Universe has given me something exquisite (diligence) and I better put all my heart and soul into using this precious possesion in whatever tasks He gives me. At this time in my life, it is especially important to stay the course as my family and I pursue another adoption. Often in my life, my efforts have been wishy- washy or persistent for a while until the going got tough and then eventually give in. But now, it's time to demand better. My belief is there is a girl out there that needs our family and as head of that family I must be willing to pay due diligence till we bring her home.
The act of diligence is not usually something I would consider to be a great gift like faith, hope or love, but maybe I just had it wrong. In my present experience, diligence is what makes the other three possible.
"No action, no change. Limited action, limited change. Lots of action - Change occurs." - Catherine Pulsifer
Sincerely Yours, Swavel
My friend discovered this fascinating word while he was reading in Proverbs 12:27 in the New King James Version of the Bible. “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession.” Intrigued by the verse, he looked it up on-line and found this definition: “constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.”
So, here is my take after the research. The Creator of the Universe has given me something exquisite (diligence) and I better put all my heart and soul into using this precious possesion in whatever tasks He gives me. At this time in my life, it is especially important to stay the course as my family and I pursue another adoption. Often in my life, my efforts have been wishy- washy or persistent for a while until the going got tough and then eventually give in. But now, it's time to demand better. My belief is there is a girl out there that needs our family and as head of that family I must be willing to pay due diligence till we bring her home.
The act of diligence is not usually something I would consider to be a great gift like faith, hope or love, but maybe I just had it wrong. In my present experience, diligence is what makes the other three possible.
"No action, no change. Limited action, limited change. Lots of action - Change occurs." - Catherine Pulsifer
Sincerely Yours, Swavel
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Undeniable Bond
There is an undeniable bond that exists between a father and his son. When the son really needs his father to do something, he simply does it. So when my son sent me a text asking me when I was going to update my blog, I felt obligated to start again.
History backs me up on the fact that when a son needs his dad, he’s there for him.
For example, during the 1992 Summer Olympics a son and his father accomplished something far better than winning a gold medal. Derek Redmond came into the games representing the USA favored to win the 400 meters until fate intervened halfway through the event. As he attempted to turn the corner, he tore his hamstring and fell to the track in agony. Refusing to give up, he got back up and began to valiantly hop toward the finish line. His dad then appeared putting his arm around his son holding his weight while they walked together. His father only released him so he could then finish the final few meters for himself. Derek and his father reminded me of that undeniable bond and how a dad knows what he must do.
Who can forget the time in the 1980 Winter Olympics as the USA Men’s Hockey Team stunned the favored Russians in what we now refer to as, “The Miracle on Ice”. But bigger than the upset, I remember the goalie, Jim Craig, being draped in the American flag after the team won the gold medal, mouthing the words, “Where is my father?” The significance being, Craig had depended on his father for the previous three years after his mom had died and now in his greatest moment as an athlete, he needed to share it with his dad. Even in victory, a son desires his dad’s shoulder to lean on, to be accepted by the person he respects most.
Lastly, in my own personal life, although I was never an Olympian, star athlete, or a celebrity, my dad was there for me when I needed him. Whether he was supporting me by coming to my ballgames with my mom, offering to take my place when I was seriously ill, or telling me he was proud of me when I needed to hear it most. My dad has proved to be someone I can rely on when I need him most.
So, this is for you, Jordan, I will do my best to be a shoulder to lean on and a writer who can offer support, even when I don’t know exactly what you might need.
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”
My son’s dad, Swavel
History backs me up on the fact that when a son needs his dad, he’s there for him.
For example, during the 1992 Summer Olympics a son and his father accomplished something far better than winning a gold medal. Derek Redmond came into the games representing the USA favored to win the 400 meters until fate intervened halfway through the event. As he attempted to turn the corner, he tore his hamstring and fell to the track in agony. Refusing to give up, he got back up and began to valiantly hop toward the finish line. His dad then appeared putting his arm around his son holding his weight while they walked together. His father only released him so he could then finish the final few meters for himself. Derek and his father reminded me of that undeniable bond and how a dad knows what he must do.
Who can forget the time in the 1980 Winter Olympics as the USA Men’s Hockey Team stunned the favored Russians in what we now refer to as, “The Miracle on Ice”. But bigger than the upset, I remember the goalie, Jim Craig, being draped in the American flag after the team won the gold medal, mouthing the words, “Where is my father?” The significance being, Craig had depended on his father for the previous three years after his mom had died and now in his greatest moment as an athlete, he needed to share it with his dad. Even in victory, a son desires his dad’s shoulder to lean on, to be accepted by the person he respects most.
Lastly, in my own personal life, although I was never an Olympian, star athlete, or a celebrity, my dad was there for me when I needed him. Whether he was supporting me by coming to my ballgames with my mom, offering to take my place when I was seriously ill, or telling me he was proud of me when I needed to hear it most. My dad has proved to be someone I can rely on when I need him most.
So, this is for you, Jordan, I will do my best to be a shoulder to lean on and a writer who can offer support, even when I don’t know exactly what you might need.
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”
My son’s dad, Swavel
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