Now that we're exactly half-way through June, it's nice to know that the NBA and NHL seasons are finally over. Winter sports? Yeah, right.
The San Antonio Spurs completed their demolition of LeBron James and the Miami Heat last night, 104-87, to capture the NBA crown. The Spurs are the team where Sixers coach Brett Brown used to hang his hat.
And the L.A. Kings, fueled by a troika of ex-Flyers - Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Justin Williams - outlasted the New York Rangers in double OT to take their 2nd Stanley Cup in the last three years. Williams won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP.
Which leaves Philly fans with this: Jimmy Rollins is now the teams' all-time hits leaders. He surpassed Mike Schmidt with a sharp single to right. Schmidt led the charge out of the dugout to congratulate J-Roll.
At the post-game press conference, it didn't take long for the conversation to spin to whether Rollins would accept a trade to a contender as the trade deadline looms off in the distance. Is sure sounded as if, with that record now in tow, Rollins would be willing to consider it, something he has resisted before.
This weekend the Phillies managed to lose two of three at Citizens Bank Park to the Cubs, the worst team in the National League. Somehow, with a 299-38 record, the Phillies remain just six games - or one really good hot streak - behind the Braves in the thoroughly mediocre NL East.
But they are about to face their sternest test of the season. The Phils now head out on the road for their own personal death march, facing teams that all playing better than .500 ball. They go to Atlanta tonight, then do St. Louis. After a quick return to Philly to face Miami and the Braves, they hit the road again to Miami, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. At the very tail end of this streak they face four games at the Bank against the Giants, owners of the best record in baseball.
Anyone else think that this team will still be in striking distance at the end of that stretch?
Can you say fire sale?
Hey, how 'bout that World Cup.
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