Peter Bubel+ by | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Reading, Sports, Travel
Reading, Pennsylvania (pronounced with a short E, for non-locals) is a destination for cyclists, pretzel lovers, and visitors to the Reading Pagoda. But it’s also a good town for sports fans. The two biggest teams in town are the Fightin’ Phils, a minor league baseball team, and the Reading Royals, a professional hockey team.
Fightin’ Phils
The Fightin’ Phils were established in 1967 in Reading under the team name Reading Phillies. They retained this team name until 2012, at which point they officially adopted the team name Fightin’ Phils.
The Fightin’ Phils hold four league titles (from 1968, 1973, 1995, 2001) and four division titles (from 1995, 2000, 2015, and 2016.) Their current manager is Greg Legg and their general manager is Scott Hunsicker. In 2007, the stadium saw its ten-millionth fan arrive for a game.
The Fightin’ Phils are not represented by one clear mascot. Their logo features either a P with a fist coming out of it or an ostrich with its wings held in fists. However, on the field they are represented by the Fightin’ Phils band, which is comprised of Screwball, a baseball-headed creature that plays the drums, Change-Up the Turtle, who plays the bongos, Blooper the Hound Dog, who formerly played tambourine but has since taken up the guitar, Quack the Duck, the singer, and Bucky the Beaver, who plays the electric bass.
Royals
The Reading Royals began in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio, under the team name Columbus Chill under the leadership of president David Paitson and coach Terry Ruskowski, formerly of the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars. Before moving out Reading, they paved the way for professional hockey in Columbus, which now hosts the NHL team the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Well-known former players for the Royals include Yataka Fukufuji, ryan Finn, James Reimer, and George Parros. The Royals have held a past rivalry with the former Johnstown Chiefs (currently the Greenville Swamp Rabbits), the Elmira Jackals, and the Trenton Titans. Currently and are currently rivals with the Penguins-affiliated Wheeling Nailers.
The Royals made it into the 2017 playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round. The team was destabilized going into the playoffs, due to the unexpected firing of head coach Courville the day before qualifying.
The Royals are represented by a roaring lion in the team colors of purple, silver, and black.
Peter Bubel+ by | Jun 4, 2017 | PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
The baseball franchise the Philadelphia Phillies, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the oldest franchise in all of the American sports. It was formed in the year 1883 by Al Reach, a professional baseball player, who named it The Phillies. Let us look at the franchise’s ups and downs, through the years.
The 1800s
The first game was played on May 1, 1883 at Recreation Park. The inaugural season wasn’t that much of a success as they only won 17 games out of 98. Harry Wright joined the team in 1884, as manager. In his first season, they came in sixth place. In the year 1885, they had their first win with a record of 56-54, with third place. By the year 1889, the Quakers had won four seasons in a row. However, that year was a defeat for them with a 63-64.
1893 was Harry Wright’s last season being manager. The Phillies secured a 72-57 this season. In the year 1898, after two losses in a row, the Phillies came in sixth with a record of 78-71. 1899 was their peak, when they came in third with a record of 94-58; this has been their best season to date.
The 1900s
The Phillies kicked off the start of the 20th century by finishing in third place. 1901 was the first time that they came in second, with an 83-57 record. 1903, following the collapse of a balcony at Philadelphia Park, partners Al Reach and John Rogers sold the team.
In the year 1904, the Phillies had lost 100 games. And in 1924, they had come to be known as one of the worst baseball teams. After 17 years, in the year 1949, the Phillies came in third again with a record of 81-73. In 1960, the manager, Eddie Sawyer quit abruptly.
The 1970s however were a Golden Era for the team. They had the most number of successes. The team won 3 division titles during the decade. In 1980, the team won their first world championship. The 1990s however, were again quite a hard time for them.
The 2000s
In 2001, the team gained a new manager, Larry Bowa. In the year 2008, the Phillies won their second World Championship. By 2009, the team was beginning to gain the respect that they had been seeking for years. They were team that everyone wanted to beat in the National League.
In the year 2010, the Phillies had the best baseball record in the franchise. However, in the year 2015, the team went on to set the worst record. In 2016, after so many losses, the team had nowhere to go but ahead. Who would have thought that a 130 years ago, when the team was formed, they’d come so far?
Peter Bubel+ by | May 15, 2017 | PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies recently wrapped up their first series with the Washington Nationals of the 2017 season, ending with a 5-7 record; something more admirable than most may think. The Nationals’ offensive abilities are some of, if not the best in Major League Baseball right now, and for the Phillies to nearly break even with this powerhouse of a team gives the fans a slight sense of hope that they may not be as bad this season as they have been in the past few years.
However, after watching this grueling series between the division rivals, one thing (or person) stands out more than most: Bryce Harper. The young right fielder for the Nationals recorded one too many game-winning hits against the Phillies to keep Philadelphia fans hopeful, and after recently signing a contract to stay with the team throughout the 2018 season, it seems he won’t be going away anytime soon.
Harper’s success against Philadelphia may induce flashbacks for fans old enough to remember the Montreal Expos. Before relocating and becoming the Washington Nationals in 2004, Montreal had one of the most efficient batters the Phillies had ever faced between 1996 and 2003. Of course, I’m speaking of Vladimir Guerrero. The Dominican right fielder made life difficult for Philadelphia’s bullpen in his years with the Expos, as he averaged an unbelievable .371/.465/.739 on-base slugging average when facing Phillies pitchers. Upon the team moving to Washington and Vladimir Guerrero being traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, there was an enormous sigh of relief heard all throughout the City of Brotherly Love, as the Phillies would no longer have to endure a truly dominant batter like Guerrero for some time. Enter Bryce Harper.
The Washington Nationals saw very little success in their first couple years as a franchise, recording several losing records throughout the mid 2000’s; something not uncommon for brand new franchises to experience. They were in a building process, which seemed to peak after drafting Bryce Harper with their first overall pick in 2010. Harper made an immediate impact on the team’s offensive abilities after being called up from the Nationals’ minor league team in 2012. He received the National League Rookie of the Year award in his first professional season, in which he recorded 144 hits, 22 home runs, and 59 RBI’s.
Before Harper’s admission to the team, the Phillies had little to fear about the Washington Nationals. Now that they are facing a right fielder with an impressive batting average and offensive talent several times a year, the eery similarities between him and Guerrero have created a certain amount of unease throughout the division. With his new contract, Harper will be playing great number of games against Philadelphia in the near future, and at the moment, the Phillies don’t necessarily have a pitching staff capable of shutting him down.
The Phillies have struggled to find a true shut-down pitcher in recent years after losing the likes of Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Though most of the team is comprised of younger players, they’ll need to bulk up on the defensive side of the ball if they wish to stay in contention with the Nationals, and effectively limit Bryce Harper’s dominant presence at the plate.
Peter Bubel+ by | May 10, 2017 | PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
As the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia came to a close, fans all across the country sat down and studied their respective teams’ picks, searching for the good in all of them. While some teams may have made better decisions than others, expectations for those players remained high regardless. Throughout the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles chose the players that they felt best filled the positions that needed the most work. Below is a look at four of the biggest names chosen, and what they can bring to the table in the City of Brotherly Love.
Derek Barnett, DE Tennessee
Speculations were at an all time high before the draft, with many Eagles fans projecting the front office to take the best available wide receiver with the 14th overall pick. The two receivers most teams had their eyes on were Corey Davis and Mike Williams, who were both drafted before the Eagles even had a chance. Now, with a number of talented cornerbacks still available, fans expected the team to take any of those players, which is why Derek Barnett was an unexpected, but smart decision by the Eagles front office.
Barnett recorded 33 sacks in his three-year career at the University of Tennessee, breaking hall-of-famer Reggie White’s school record. In his three seasons in Knoxville, he recorded 10 sacks his first year, 10 the next, and 13 in his final year, displaying great consistency. Barnett was overlooked by many teams, seeing as Myles Garrett already had most of the league’s attention. However, compared side by side, Barnett’s numbers are as good, if not better than Garrett’s.
The Eagles’ decision to draft him with their first pick was a smart one, as he has the potential to become an impact player in just his first year. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz has already been working closely with Barnett to develop his position within the team’s already formidable defensive line.
Sidney Jones, CB Washington
Philadelphia was lucky to grab Jones in the second round with the 43rd overall pick, seeing as he was one of the last few remaining cornerbacks that possessed a good amount of skill. What undoubtedly lowered his stock this past draft is the torn achilles Jones suffered during University of Washington’s pro day. However, the Eagles are confident that he as a player possesses a great amount of skill, and will be able to successfully overcome this injury.
Assuming Jones fully recovers, he is another defensive player that could possibly make a huge impact on the team’s less-than-impressive secondary as soon as he starts. The Eagles have had trouble with their pass defense in recent years, though they are beginning to make improvements. Pairing Jones alongside the recently signed Patrick Robinson and second-year player Jalen Mills could add a much needed punch to the team’s secondary, though there are still holes that need to be filled.
Rasul Douglas, CB West Virginia
Some might argue that college star running back Donnel Pumphrey is a slightly bigger name than Rasul Douglas, but in terms of the Eagles’ positional needs, Douglas fills his respective role much more. Taking Pumphrey was a good decision by the Philadelphia front office, as he lit up his division at San Diego State. However, his size has many fans concerned. Though we have yet to see what he can do at a professional level, his future with the team could be more impactful than most think. Douglas on the other hand, appears to be a hard-hitting ballhawk that has all the capabilities needed to start this upcoming season.
In his last season at West Virginia University, Rasul Douglas finished tied for first in most interceptions with a total of 8. Now taking part in the Eagles’ rookie camps, he has shown fellow players and coaches that he is willing to do whatever it takes to do his part. Douglas brings an enormous amount of effort and dedication to Philadelphia; something that can truly go a long way. If both he and Jones live up to their potential and become an intimidating tandem in the backfield, fans may begin to see a resemblance to the days of Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
Douglas will be joined by fellow WVU wide receiver Shelton Gibson in Philadelphia, which could prove extremely valuable, as they have trained together in the past. Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood, taken out of WVU in the 2016 draft, is yet another Mountaineer that could aid in the young players’ developments.
Mack Hollins, WR North Carolina
A name that surprisingly did not receive much attention before the draft, Mack Hollins is a tall, powerful receiver, standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 221 pounds. Perhaps it was the lack of snaps Hollins played at UNC, but there is no denying that his size and speed displayed in college is impressive. Hollins was a consistent deep threat for the Tar Heels, as well as a remarkable special teams player, both of which are areas that the Eagles could improve on.
With his skillset, Mack Hollins could become the red zone receiver Philadelphia so desperately needed this past season. Though he may lack experience, he has been turning heads with his performance at the Eagles’ rookie camps. If he lives up to the hype, Hollins could be Carson Wentz’s answer to the deep ball. Combine him with the recently signed Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, and the Eagles’ pass offense has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the league in the 2017-2018 season.
Peter Bubel+ by | Apr 25, 2017 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
With the 2017 NFL Draft commencing this Thursday, April 27th, perhaps no team and fanbase is more excited than that of Philadelphia. For the first time in 56 years, the draft has returned to the City of Brotherly Love, giving Eagles fans more than just a draft pick to cheer for. The Birds will undoubtedly be well represented throughout this year’s festivities, leading many to assume that the famous booing of other teams and players will be heard throughout, and depending on who Philadelphia drafts in the first round, may be earlier than expected.
This year’s draft class is full of incredibly talented players from the top college football programs around the country. Depending on a team’s roster needs, they will more than likely have a plethora of talent to choose from. On the defensive side of the ball, you have defensive ends Myles Garrett and Solomon Thomas leading their respective class, both of whom had very impressive performances at the NFL Scouting Combine. Then there are cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, both hailing from Ohio State University, who performed excellently throughout their seasons together, and forming Ohio State’s truly formidable secondary.
On the offensive side of the ball, much of this year’s attention has been drawn towards quarterback Deshaun Watson after he led Clemson University to just their second National Championship win in 35 years. Watson has performed phenomenally in his time with the Tigers, and has turned many NFL scouts’ heads in the process. Wide receivers Corey Davis from Western Michigan and Mike Williams, also from Clemson, have earned the number 1 and 2 spots respectively in their position, gaining the attention of many teams who will need an improved pass offense in the upcoming season.
With just a few of this year’s prospects mentioned, it’s difficult to say who the Eagles will take in the first round. Additions to the wide receiver position is a must, and has been for a few years. Since signing Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery to the team, many would argue that the problem is solved. While they can certainly make an impact and help out quarterback Carson Wentz on the offensive side of the ball, they are not necessarily long term solutions. Smith, 28, and Jeffery, 27, are still relatively young, but Philadelphia should look to gain a receiver that is able to grow alongside Wentz, who is now entering his sophomore year. With that said, should they still be available when the Eagles are on the board with their number 14 overall pick, the team’s best bet may be to take either Corey Davis or Mike Williams.
Both of these receivers have size to their advantage, are great route runners, they are fast, and they have the reliable hands that Philadelphia has missed for the past few years. It may seem like drafting another receiver would be redundant with the recent signings of Smith and Jeffery, but this would be considered a long term solution; something that the front office should seriously consider.
On the other hand, the Eagles’ secondary has been mediocre for a number of seasons, seeing some improvement this past season. Drafting a cornerback would be the team’s next best option. Both Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley have everything Philadelphia is looking for at the cornerback position. They’re tall, fast, and have the ability to stay with receivers throughout their routes. Taking a cornerback would be a safe choice for the Eagles. It’s a position that clearly needs improvement on the roster, though some has been made in recent years. Rookie corner Jalen Mills taken out of LSU in the 7th round of the 2016 draft has proven to be much more than what the team was expecting. His tenacity towards the ball is unteachable, and he has impressed veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins with his efforts. Adding another potentially ferocious cornerback could make Philadelphia’s secondary a truly intimidating squad.
Regardless of what position the Eagles organization chooses to take with the 14th overall pick in this year’s draft, it will more than likely be a smart decision. Coaches and fans alike have stressed the importance of taking a receiver, cornerback, or even running back (which would ideally be Dalvin Cook from Florida State) in the first round, though nothing is certain. What is certain however, is the extreme volume at which Eagles fans will reach when that unknown player’s name is called, whether it is good or bad.
Peter Bubel+ by | Apr 20, 2017 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Sports
Now that all 32 teams in the National Football League have been given their schedules for the season, talk amongst analysts and fans has begun regarding who has the hardest or easiest schedules, and who is poised for the most success. The Philadelphia Eagles for example, have been given a fairly difficult schedule yet again, following a season where they went 7-9 behind rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
Facing another tough season ahead, the progress Wentz made in just his first year is enough to us as Eagles fans a sense of hope heading into 2017. Though the team struggled throughout this past season, there’s no denying that Wentz, along with a few other notable rookies, proved themselves in their respective positions.
One of the more obvious issues that plagued the Eagles was the inabilities of the wide receivers. While Jordan Matthews showed promise in his rookie season, the young receiver only recorded three touchdown receptions in 2016. Nelson Agholor, on the other hand, has been at the helm of the most recent Philadelphia torch and pitchfork mob, as he has consistently dropped more passes than any other receiver on the team, and has yet to really prove his worth within the wide receiver corps since being drafted in 2015. However, general manager Howie Roseman was able to find possible solutions for these issues by signing both Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery; two fairly big names in the league, giving Wentz some serious weapons for his sophomore year.
In addition to a few other signings, the Eagles look to be improving in terms of roster worth, giving them more confidence as they prepare to go up against a daunting 2017 schedule. With that said, here are a few predictions for Philadelphia’s success.
The Birds open their season on the road at Washington to face a decently improved Redskins team considering their lack of success within the past decade. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, while showing great promise for the future of the Redskins’ organization, recently voiced his displeasure with how the team was being managed. So, if he is not under center in Week 1, and a fairly inexperienced quarterback is, this should be an easy win for Philadelphia. Their play against NFC East rivals is what truly hurt them last year, so if the Eagles can get off to a fast start, defeating both the Redskins and New York Giants in weeks 1-3, they will be slightly diminishing the effects that this difficult season may have on them.
What may excite the few west coast Eagles fans that exist is the fact that they will be traveling to Los Angeles twice this year to play the newly relocated Rams and Chargers. Both of these teams struggled last season to say the least. The Rams finished their season 4-12 under head coach Jeff Fisher, who remarkably led the team to five straight losing seasons, never reaching above .500. Now that Fisher has been relieved as the Rams’ head coach, it would be impressive to see the team bounce back so quickly. This game, as well as the Chargers game, should be able to be won by the Eagles. If Wentz and his new weapons at wide receiver are as explosive as we hope they are, the two LA teams’ secondaries stand a very little chance in slowing them down.
The more difficult games look to be those against the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers. Looking at those teams, the Seahawks may appear to be the only intimidating one. However, the Raiders success under quarterback Derek Carr, along with impressive rookies Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, have made them a team strong enough to make a decent playoff push.
The Broncos have had one of the best defenses in the league for a number of seasons now, and this season doesn’t seem to be any different. Luckily for the Eagles, Peyton Manning has since retired, so Denver’s offense is not what it once was. The key to winning this game will be protecting Wentz behind the line. Von Miller and company can wreak serious havoc on quarterbacks, and allowing Wentz to succumb to that would be simply irresponsible.
Though the Panthers had a less than dismal season this past year, the season prior to that had them as Super Bowl favorites, and they’ve since lost very few players. Carolina’s roster is still full of talent, including 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton. It’s hard to put a finger on why they had such little success last year, which is why it’s difficult to say if they will be better or worse in the upcoming season. Philadelphia will face them on the road, and will need to prepare for what could be a repeat of their 2015 NFC Championship season.
One of the biggest concerns for the Eagles, as is with any team, will be winning their division. The Cowboys had a truly historical season last year behind rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, but many predict them seeing more problems in 2017. The Giants recently signed veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, making their already impressive pass offense that much more dangerous. Philadelphia will need to drastically improve their secondary if they wish to say in contention for the title of NFC East champions, but it is not impossible. As almost every Eagles fan says, this could be our year.
