By Pete Thompson
Writing this column on a February day that ventured up into the 50’s makes me nervous. I vividly remember the March 1993 “Storm of the Century” that dumped more than four inches an hour in Philadelphia and the suburbs. More than half of New Jersey had 10 to 20 inches of snow from that storm event. As recently as March 1-2 of 2009, areas of Cape May, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties got hit with 10 to 20 inches in a March snowstorm. Am I rooting for snow? Heck no! I just felt the need to point out that even though we are on the back end of February, our chances for snow have not diminished!
Since I last wrote, the XFL made its debut. The Astros addressed their cheating scandal, but no one seems satisfied. The Phillies are in Clearwater for Spring Training. The Flyers are making a push for the playoffs. The Sixers took a break for the all-star game, but still need to learn to win on the road. A prominent local college coach might be headed to the NBA. Add the Flyers to the list of Philly pro sports teams that are recognizing that not all fans are wired the same. Finally, on the local level, the high school playoff brackets are out for basketball. But don’t forget the big C.A.L. Saturday that’s going to take place at Stockton first.
From the entertainment world, I went another stretch without seeing any movies at the theater, but I did see one on cable that I’d recommend. Plus, the new season of Survivor is back on TV, and boy is it better than ever! As always though, we begin with sports and my thoughts:
I brought up the XFL for a reason—because the ratings after week one were excellent. That left folks asking, “will they stay high for week two?” I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not watching a game from opening kickoff to closing seconds. But as I’m flipping through, it is an option for me. I especially liked when the New York Guardians quarterback, Matt McGloin, told Dianna Russini, of ESPN (during a 27-0 loss to the D.C. Defenders) that his team’s performance was embarrassing and that, “we need to change the whole entire game plan at halftime.” You would NEVER see that kind of access in the NFL, but I thought it was outstanding!
Where do you stand on the Astros Sign Stealing Scandal? I asked that of my radio audience on 97.3 ESPN last week, and offered up options like, are you: “Outraged?”, “Don’t Care?”, “It’s a sign of the times?” I think the most telling thing about the entire situation is how other players are reacting to it. Cody Bellinger from the Dodgers was quoted as saying that the Astros stole the 2017 World Series from the Dodgers, and Houston second baseman Jose Altuve stole the AL MVP award that year from Aaron Judge of the Yankees. Speaking of the Yankees, shortstop Gleyber Torres believes the Astros cheated for the past THREE years!
Even Millville native and Angels star Mike Trout chimed in saying he, “lost respect” for some of them and thinks they should’ve been punished. Did he hear banging on the trash cans at Minute Maid Park? “I didn’t notice the banging on the trash can — I noticed the banging on the bat. It just seems like they weren’t missing pitches.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred attempted to put a lid on the situation during a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Karl Ravetch, but only fired up Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner by referring to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal”. I’m sure Manfred wishes he could take that one back, since it is the piece of hardware that baseball players covet the most. It’s also called the COMMISSIONER’S TROPHY…!
As for the Phillies, other than Larry Bowa saying he expects Astros players to get hit this season, they’ve been mostly quiet on the scandal. Which is good, they have a lot of work to do to improve from last year and perhaps become a playoff team. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen says his rehab is going well, and he expects to be back for the season opener. Jean Segura has given up alcohol and lost 13 pounds. He’s also set to play a new position with free agent signee Didi Gregorious, penciled in at shortstop. Segura will either move to 2nd or 3rd base for the upcoming season. His best season in MLB came as a second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016.
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is happy with new pitching coach Bryan Price as opposed to the data-driven Chris Young he worked under last year. A happy Aaron Nola is usually a good Aaron Nola and the Phillies can certainly use that!
As I write this, the Flyers have 23 regular season games left in the season, and are hoping to get back to the playoffs for the first time in two years. The Fly Guys haven’t WON a playoff series since 2012. Head coach Alain Vigneault thinks his team will get into the postseason, but accurately points out that in any other division, he’d feel safe…but the Flyers play in the Metro division, which is considered to be the toughest in all of hockey.
The Flyers might be getting a boost from center Nolan Patrick at some point soon. Patrick is back skating with the team, and although a timetable for his return from a migraine disorder hasn’t been locked down, he did tell reporters that he expects to play this season. The 21-year-old has missed the entire season so far with a migraine disorder. He’d be a solid boost to the Flyers playoff chances if he’s able to return to the ice and game action.
The NHL trade deadline is February 24, and you can bet Flyers GM, Chuck Fletcher, would like to know Patrick’s status before he makes any moves. I think no matter what, Fletcher looks for a 3rd or 4th line forward as long as the price isn’t too steep.
One last hockey item. The Flyers have become the latest Philly pro sports team to add a sensory-friendly room during select games at the Wells Fargo Center. Lights, sirens, and a foghorn blaring might be great for most Flyers fans at the game, but for someone with autism or other sensory issues, those things can be overwhelming. Kudos to the Flyers for turning the Hall of Fame Room on the Club Level into a sensory friendly room for parents and children to go to. The Eagles and 76ers provide rooms like this. Even St. Joe’s has one inside Hagan Arena on Hawk Hill. The Phillies don’t offer one yet, but let’s hope they get on board soon. Everyone should be able to enjoy a pro sporting event!
In basketball, the Sixers are fresh off the all-star break where Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons played on different teams. I’m all for that, but now let’s see if they can coexist together as the Sixers make their playoff push.
Speaking of the all-star game, they changed the rules and I think it was for the better. I actually saw players attempting to play defense near the end of the game. There was a block that might’ve been goaltending near the end as well. Great drama down the stretch in the 4th quarter by changing a few rules. Let’s see if some OTHER sports follow the NBA’s lead.
In college hoops, there’s a report out there that the New York Knicks are pursuing Villanova’s Jay Wright to be their next head coach. Wright has been courted by NBA teams before…so why is this different? Well, some folks are looking at the fact that Wright is selling his $2.5 million dollar home in Berwyn as evidence that he’s ready to move on. Others point to the fact that he’s been approached before by NBA teams or other college programs and turned them down every time. Wright, 58, is in his 19th season as the Wildcats head coach and has them on course for a 15th NCAA Tournament in the last 16 seasons. He earns a reportedly $3.9 million annually. That tells me, It’s going to take a monumental offer to get him to leave the Main Line.
My last basketball item is to remind you that the brackets are out for playoff basketball. However, before we get to that, don’t forget about the Cape-Atlantic League tournament locally on Feb. 24th. Eight boys and girls teams qualify – the top two teams in each of the three divisions, plus two wild cards. This season division winners must be among the top four seeds, so they are guaranteed a first-round home game. The Boys semifinals will be played February 26, at Absegami High School. The Girls semifinals are February 27, at Ocean City High School. The Finals will be played February 29, at Stockton University in Galloway Township. Get out and support some GREAT local high school basketball!
I’ll close with a few items from the entertainment world. I didn’t see any movies in the theater, but watched the Alexander Payne feature Downsizing on cable the other night. It tells the story of a couple who decide to undertake a newly invented procedure to shrink their bodies so they can start a new life in an experimental community. Matt Damon plays the lead character. Payne directed movies like Election, Citizen Ruth, About Schmidt, and Sideways. I’ve always liked his work, and while this was not a “home run” to use a baseball analogy, it was a solid “double” that I felt entertained by watching!
On TV, the 40th season of Survivor is here. “Winners at War” and one episode in, I’m completely hooked. Every contestant is a former winner, and this time they are playing for TWO million dollars. If you only watch one reality show, make it Survivor…the original that kick started the entire genre in the U.S. back in May of 2000.
As always, don’t forget, you can listen to me on the radio each Saturday morning on 97.3 ESPN, from 8-10 a.m. It’s the “Pete Thompson Show”, and I hope you’ll tune in and interact with me on the air.
Pete has been the local “sports guy” at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on “The SportsBash” each day from 2-6 p.m.
Pete is proud to be a “voice” for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County. You can hear Pete each Tuesday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30p, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say “Hi”. Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com
