Two sports headlines are attracting attention this morning.
You want the good news first?
How ‘bout dem Flyers?
They’ve done it again. This time they have signed All-Star defenseman Shea Weber of the Predators to a $100 milllion offer sheet. The Predators now have a week to decide if they want to match the offer. That’s not likely, because the Flyers have front-loaded it with a ton of signing bonuses that would strain the small-market Preds’ wallets.
Weber would immediately step into the role of Chris Pronger on the Flyers’ blue line.
You can read the full, breaking story here.
Now the bad news.
The Phillies.
Yes, they were on a roll, winning four straight and looking like they had the fifth in their sights, right up until Jonathan Papelbon entered yesterday’s game against the Dodgers in the 10th inning.
This is why they showered him with a $50 million contract. This was a big moment, a chance to cement the team’s recent roll and head back home with momentum, not to mention a five-game road winning streak.
It didn’t happen. That’s because Papelbon coughed up a 3-1 lead. He gave up a leadoff double, then a couple of dink hits. Doesn’t matter, the Dodgers tied the game 3-3, then won it in the 11th on a walkoff homer by Matt Kemp off Jake Diekman.
Don’t blame the kid.
This was Papelbon’s game. Even Charlie Manuel played the script perfectly, matching up his pitchers in a wild ninth inning.
But Papelbon couldn’t slam the door.
And the Phils had all night – and a cross-country flight – to stew. They have three with the Giants starting Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.
But instead of being halfway up the hill, that boulder they’re pushing rolled all the way back down to the bottom. That’s what it feels like when you’re 14 games back, 11 games under .500.
And they can thank Papelbon for that.
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