Extra Points with Pete
Hit Movies. Eagles Fans, LPGA Classic among June’s Big Winners
By PETE THOMPSON
The arrival of the first full week of June brings the end to the hockey season, the NBA season, and the completion of another ShopRite LPGA Classic.
In hindsight, I should have written at least a little about the annual event that comes to Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway each year. If you haven’t been, the Classic is worth the trip.
Since I last wrote, the Eagles have signed their franchise quarterback to a long-term extension. The Phillies have returned home still winning, mostly, but with flaws. The Sixers continue to plan for an uncertain future. The Flyers are preparing for the NHL draft and the Atlantic City Blackjacks arena football team missed out on an opportunity to win on the road.
From the entertainment world, I still have to see “Rocketman,” but it’s a sequel (“Secret Lives of Pets 2”) that’s winning at the box office.
Also, the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” goes out a winner, but I have another summer show to recommend.
As always, though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts for the week that was:
• I’d like to start with the ShopRite LPGA Classic, which was won this year by Lexi Thompson. The weather was beautiful for the three-day event, and if you’ve never been, put this one on next year’s “must attend” list.
Tickets are readily available and easy to get. You can even score a pair for free with your ShopRite Price Plus card.
If you have a daughter, take her out to watch. You’ll see her face light up when she sees first hand that “girls rock.” You can also get close to the golfers as the LPGA does such a great job with “Autograph Alley” where the girls sign after they are done their rounds.
I saw several big name golfers stopping to pose for pictures, none warmer than Morgan Pressel, perhaps, as she took the time to make each girl feel special. Great job Morgan.
• Now a few words about Lexi Thompson, who made her pro debut at the ShopRite LPGA Classic as a 15-year-old back in 2010. I was there when she arrived at Seaview (loudly) in a Red Bull wrapped NASCAR vehicle. She wasn’t even old enough to drive.
It’s been a real pleasure to see her mature into the top American player on the tour these days. She’s had some personal battles to overcome, too, as her mother was struck by uterine cancer a while back. Kudos to Lexi for bravely soldiering on. I know she will be a great champion for the area.
• I don’t know how he does it, but Eagles GM Howie Roseman has posted another “win” with the Carson Wentz contact extension. Wentz already was guaranteed $31.3 million over the next two seasons on his rookie deal, so it’s basically only costing the Eagles another $35 million to keep him in Philadelphia for the next four years. It’s a major win for Roseman and the Eagles.
• A major loss though is the departure of Eagles executive Joe Douglas who is leaving to take the New York Jets GM job. Douglas, 42, has been part of the magic that has allowed Roseman to make all the right moves.
Douglas has shown a knack for finding talent and his departure is bound to have an impact on the Eagles moving forward. How much of an impact, we shall see.
• Last week I wrote about Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera and his off-the-field troubles. Before the Phillies returned from a West Coast road trip, the team removed all signage of Herrera from Citizens Bank Park, signaling that they intend to move on from him when they can.
• Over in the NBA, local products Eric Paschall and Phil Booth out of Villanova have both worked out for the Sixers. So has Shizz Alston out of Temple. Here’s hoping one of them lands with the hometown team.
Last year the Sixers had two first-round picks. This year they have one (No. 24), but four second rounders, so “The Process” is a bit different.
• There will be a Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and the St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, after this newspaper’s deadline) for the Stanley Cup in the NHL. To me, there’s no better saying in sports than “Game 7.”
• I had the opportunity to talk with Flyers winger James Van Riemsdyk on the radio on 97.3 ESPN the other day. You get the feeling he was frustrated with how his first season back in Philadelphia went and is hungry to do better in year two. His play at the World Hockey Championships in Slovakia certainly makes it appear he’s turned the corner.
• The Atlantic City Blackjacks missed out on a golden opportunity to win one on the road at the Columbus Destroyers. Not only did they lose 54-50, but now they must play the Soul next in Philadelphia. Let’s see if AC can “right the ship” at the Wells Fargo Center. They’re not back home at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall until Saturday, July 6 against the Soul.
• I have few items from entertainment as I still need to get to the theater to see “Rocketman.” I can’t wait to see Taron Egerton basically become Elton John.
• “The Secret Life of Pets 2” was the box office leader last week. I have to go back and watch the first movie again. Embarrassing moment; I actually fell asleep in the theater watching the first one.
• I’m still wrapping my head around how good the five-episode “Chernobyl” was on HBO. Who would have thunk that a bleak, panicky drama about a nuclear disaster would be the success that it was. Thanks to HBO Go and on-demand, you still have time to watch this.
• Finally, another show I highly recommend is “Yellowstone” on the Paramount Network. Oscar and Emmy winner Kevin Costner headlines an outstanding cast as the patriarch of a powerful, complicated family of ranchers. Season 2 kicks off on June 19, so you still have time to catch up on Season 1 before the new episodes begin.
At the start of the column, I began by writing about the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Did you know that ShopRite donated more than $1.4 million to local charities through its tournament sponsorship? More than 45 nonprofit groups benefit from the annual event.
The tournament not only hosts one of the strongest fields in women’s professional golf, it also annually creates more than $19 million in economic activity in the region. To me, that’s a HUGE win…!
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
