By David Weinberg
Phillies fever has stretched all the way to Cape May.
The entire community is caught up in the Phils’ quest to reach the World Series for a second straight year, so much so that the City of Cape May showed Tuesday’s Game 2 of the NLCS against Arizona on a giant screen on the beach adjacent to Convention Hall.
Hundreds of fans donned “Red October” sweatshirts and huddled under blankets to see the Phils take on the Diamondbacks.
Most importantly, it was free. It didn’t cost the $1,500 or so – approximately $330 per ticket via StubHub, plus parking and the trips to the team store and concession stands – I would have had to shell out to take my son and his two oldest sons to Citizens Bank Park Tuesday.
Problem was, Hampton (7), Graham (5) and younger brother Nixon (almost 2) didn’t get a chance to watch the first two games of the NLCS. First pitch was around 8 p.m., which is just about the time they go to bed on a school night.
It was a shame because they are huge Phillies fans. Hampton, who is in second grade, eagerly awaited the arrival of his “Schwarbomb” T-shirt. Graham (5) couldn’t wait to show off his shirt depicting a Phillies batting helmet filled with ice cream and whipped cream to his kindergarten classmates.
Their little brother Nixon, who turns two in three weeks, spent the past week imitating Bryce Harper. He would put on Hampton’s t-ball batting helmet (backwards), swing an imaginary bat, then sprint around the living room while yelling “Harper Home Run!” before diving across the living room. Then he informed Poppy and Mimi that he was getting a “Natic” (Phillies Phanatic) shirt.
This 65-year-old had to take an afternoon nap before putting on my specialized Phillies t-shirt I bought at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Cape May – owner Tom O’Hara is a Phillies and Eagles season-ticket holder – last Sunday.
It didn’t used to be that way.
In 1968, the fourth-grade classes at Cape May Elementary School got to watch the Cardinals-Tigers World Series in their classroom. Teachers Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Love folded back the partition that separated the classes and wheeled in a 25-inch RCA TV to see Cards ace Bob Gibson, left-fielder Lou Brock and first-baseman Orlando Cepeda take on Tigers 30-game winner Denny McClain, left-hander Micky Lolich and right-fielder Al Kaline.
A year later, fifth-grade teachers Mr. Haynie and Mrs. McGonigle gathered their students to watch pitchers Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, catcher Jerry Grote and centerfielder Tommy Agee give the “Miracle” Mets their first World Series championship by beating Orioles lefty Mike Cuellar, first baseman Boog Powell and third baseman Brooks Robinson in five games.
Sadly, weekday early afternoon playoff games are a thing of the past, though Hampton, Graham and Nixon will get a few opportunities to wear their T-shirts. Thursday’s Game 3 and Friday’s Game 6 (If necessary) are scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
It figures to be an entertaining series between two wild-card teams who had little trouble knocking off higher-seeded opponents in the NLDS. The Phils took out the 104-win Atlanta Braves in four games after eliminating the Marlins in two, while the Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers after also sweeping the Brewers.
Count on it going seven games, with Game 7 set for Citizens Bank Park on next Tuesday.
At 8 p.m. of course. Poppy will definitely need a nap for that one.
The Phillies’ playoff run helped ease the pain of last Sunday’s Eagles loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, a 20-14 defeat that ended their five-game winning streak to start the year.
The good news was they didn’t lose any ground in the NFC since San Francisco also suffered their first setback via a 19-17 loss at Cleveland Sunday.
As a result, the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Chiefs and Dolphins are tied for the league’s best record at 5-1.
“It’s OK to have a little frustration,” Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said. “Sometimes you need that to light a fire under everybody.”
Brown was one of the few bright spots against the Jets. He finished with 131 receiving yards, joining Harold Jackson (1971-72) as the only Eagle to record at least 125 receiving yards in four straight games.
The offense was otherwise ineffective, mainly due to four turnovers, including three interceptions by quarterback Jalen Hurts. In addition, All Pro right tackle Lane Johnson suffered an ankle injury in the first
They need to find a way to overcome the injuries and inconsistency in a hurry. Next Sunday night’s game against the Dolphins (5-1) starts a difficult, eight-game stretch that also includes matchups against Chiefs (5-1), Bills (4-2) and 49ers (5-1), not to mention two games against the Cowboys (3-2).
That will determine if the Eagles are legit playoff contenders.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
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