Now Pinch Hitting...

For those keeping score, I'll be filling in for Schramm starting this Thursday on WCSJ.

I'll be doing mornings through October 10th. And don't complain to me that you won't be able to listen becuase your radio doesn't get the AM signal anymore.

WCSJ is an FM station now people. It has been for years. As Schramm himself would say, "grab a mitt and get in the game."

Let Me Get This Straight - Part 3

So, since I wrote this post last weekend, vowing to ignore the Phillies after their lead dwindled to five games, they've won six straight games, pushed their lead back to eight games -- while reducing the magic number to eight -- and (gasp) look to have things under control again.

The only concern now is injuries. The bullpen is a wreck with Romero, Eyre and Park sidelined, starter J.A. Happ may have aggravated his injury in last night's game (although he says he's fine), and now catcher Carlos Ruiz has a sprained wrist, although x-rays were negative.

But the hope is that those guys will heal up in time for the post-season (if they get there...had to say it).

This was a good week. Even the fans got some good publicity after the daughter of a Phillie fan threw a foul ball that her dad had just caught back onto the field.

The dad smiled, hugged his daughter, and was instantly booked on the Today Show.

You see, America, we're not all scum.

Let Me Get This Straight - Part 2

So, in the eight days since I wrote this glowing assessment of the Phightin' Phils, the following has occurred...

* They were swept four straight games in Houston against the sub .500 Astros, three times by one run.

* Brad Lidge blows his 10th save of the season, loses his closer's job in the middle of (potentially) blowing his 11th -- against Washington.

* J.A. Happ is forced to miss a few starts with an injury, forcing (gasp) Kyle Kendrick into the rotation today.

* Brett Myers and Ryan Madson -- the two pitchers counted on to replace Lidge -- combine to allow five runs to the Mets over the course of the final two innings Saturday turning a 9-5 lead into a 10-9 loss.

* The Phillies -- losers of 6 out of their last 9 -- see their lead in the NL East has dropped from 8 1/2 games down to 5, and they still play Florida six more times.

Ok, time to start ignoring them again. Good luck today, boys. I'll check the scores in the morning. Don't be surprised if that lead has dropped to 3 1/2, and a sudden increase in Xanax prescriptions in the Philadelphia area (and one stray case in suburban Chicago).

What time do the Eagles kickoff today?

Let Me Get This Straight

So, the Phillies managed to score just three runs in three games -- at home -- against the Giants...and won two of the three games?

Pedro Martinez, who is 38 and was basically ignored by all but a couple of teams this year, out-dueled the reigning Cy Young winner Thursday night, making a statement that not only is he worthy of his spot in the rotation for the rest of the year, but could merit serious consideration for a spot in the (potential) playoff rotation?

And, now their lead in the NL East is a robust 8 1/2 games over both Florida and Atlanta, 10 games in the loss column, while they've placed themselves more games over .500 than at any point since 1993?

Maybe I should start watching these guys.

The Bird(ie)s!

In case anyone was wondering, I played some of the best golf of my life on Sunday. At least on the back nine.

I'm normally a "bogey golfer", which basically means that over the course of 18 holes, I'll shoot at, or around 18 over par, or, averaging a bogey each hole. On a normal par-72, that means I'd shoot a 90 on most occasions.

I rarely shoot much better than that.

There was one afternoon many years ago at Nettle Creek in Morris -- while playing fast to avoid a looming thunderstorm -- that I blazed the course and shot a 79, my best round ever. Sadly, I was playing alone, and since I've rarely even approached breaking 80 before or since, let's just say it would have been a lot better if there was someone around to corroborate my story.

I had no intention of having a really good day this past Sunday, mainly because I'd never played this course before, and I've only played one other round this year.

After double bogeying the 2nd hole -- even after using a mulligan on my tee shot that went in the drink -- I certainly wasn't thinking about shooting a low score.

And, for the first nine holes, I certainly didn't shoot a low score. I sloshed my way to a very mediocre (for me) 47.

Being a bogey golfer, 90 is my "par" score. If I break 90, I had a good day. So, my goal for the back nine was to shoot 42 and save my round.

I got off to a good start with a par on 10, and then, I got all Y.E. Yang on everyone.

Birdie on 10, birdie on 12, and a birdie on 18!

Three birdies in one day! I go three years without three birdies sometimes.

Even my dad -- roughly a 40-handicapper -- got in on the act. He hit a marvelous tee shot on the par-3 16th to about six feet, and drained the putt.

You have to understand my dad doesn't rack up too many birdies. With a bad back and various shoulder and hand injuries, let's just say he isn't very Daly-esque off the tee.

In fact, the tee shot on the par-3 16th...was with his driver.

Still, his birdie was a highlight of the day for him, and for me and my brother as well.

As for my final nine holes, I finished with a 37 (one over for the back nine) and a total of 84.

Take that, Tiger.

Wait. Take that Y.E.!

And, this time, I had witnesses.

Time To Tee It Up

What a beautiful day for golf. It's going to be sunny and 75 degrees today, and I'm ready to hit the links.

Today I'll be playing in a foursome that will include my dad, and my brother at a course up north a bit. This outing was arranged by my bro, Rick, as a sort of replacement outing that his workplace isn't having this year.

Rick's goal wasn't to complete mimic what his company would have done, but simply create a day for some family and friends to have a group "outing" at a nice, relatively nearby course.

In all, there will be 16 of us -- four foursomes -- teeing it up in the 11:00 hour today, and it should be a lot of fun.

It'll be nice to just have a day with no work involved whatsoever. The last week or two has been a bit dizzying for me, and that's partly why the blog posts haven't been as plentiful (as promised).

In addition to doing my early-week air shifts in Plano, I was also training with Schramm during the end of the week so I'd know the ins and outs of working the 'CSJ morning show, which I had to do the last two Saturdays, and this past Friday.

All of which left me little time to work on my other bajillion tasks (production, booking the sports show, working on websites, updating our imaging, and trying to remember each day which building I'm driving to).

Plus, all of this was going on during the last few days of Megan's summer vacation, so when I did get home each day, we tried to spend as much time outside as possible, or going places that she enjoys, to make the most of her last few days before school resumes (Monday).

By the time the night would roll around, I was pooped. Blogging was not a high priority at that point.

I know, excuses, excuses.

But, trust me. I'll get some time back soon, and there are some funny stories to tell -- like the one from last night when I was faced with a very messy situation in the Ed Debevic's parking lot -- that I will get to.

First things first. Where did I put that box of naked lady tees?

A One, A Two, A Three Rivers Fest

A gentle reminder: I'll be broadcasting from the Channahon Three Rivers Festival Friday night from 6p-8p for the WJDK 2-for-1 carnival ride night.

Make our sponsors happy please, and get your sticker at their location before you arrive.

Of course, I'll bring a few stickers with me in case you don't have one when you get in. But, please, get them from the sponsors if you can.