Is Tom Corbett the Ruben Amaro Jr. of governors? Or is Amaro the Corbett of Major League Baseball general managers? Regardless, it’s hard to imagine either one still being in the same job a year from now.
Amaro’s Phillies have the third-highest payroll in baseball (behind the Dodgers and Yankees) and the worst record in the National League. OK, they’re actually tied with the Cubs but come on, do the Cubs even count? The Phillies also have to be the oldest team in baseball, with most of their position players well past 30. Many of these guys have long-term contracts that make them nearly impossible to trade.
Fans are voting with their wallets as more and more seats go empty at Citizens Bank Park. This week the Phillies play the Padres and Cubs, two other struggling teams, and the weather forecast, at least through Friday, calls for a chance of rain every day. Gloomy days for sure.
But what if the Phillies take advantage of this week’s schedule? Turnarounds can happen in a hurry, and the Phillies, despite their stumbles, are almost miraculously only 7.5 games behind co-leaders Atlanta and Washington with 101 games left to play. …
So I heard there is some big soccer tournament starting this week?? …
Lebanon’s Mark Pyles and his teammates are preparing for the annual Big 33 football game in Hershey Saturday night. Pennsylvania is back to playing Maryland after having had a bad experience with Ohio in recent years. …
Speaking of Maryland, still trying to wrap my head around the Terps playing in the Big Ten starting this fall. …
Sounds like Cedar Crest’s boys’ basketball team is intent on proving this past season’s 26-6 record won’t be a one-year wonder. Coach Tom Smith’s team is playing twice a week in a high school league at Spooky Nook sports complex and once a week in an adult league in Lititz. Many of the same players have competed in AAU weekend tournaments during the past couple months. Teams that work in summer are rewarded in winter.
Cedar Crest will be challenged to repeat as Lancaster-Lebanon League champion, even with a strong nucleus returning. Always-tough Lancaster started all underclassmen last season and so did Section Three champ Manheim Central, which will be one of the best AAA teams in District Three. …
George Will should stick to writing about baseball and politics and steer clear of rape and sexual assaults. …
So how about that Lonnie Chisenhall? Go ahead and Google him. …
South Hills Park is just a gem. We are so fortunate to have that place and Coleman Park. Hope everyone is having a nice summer. Yeah, I know it’s still spring. That’s the technical calendar. I prefer the psychological calendar, which is: Winter = December-February; Spring = March-May; Summer = June-August; Fall = September-November.
Follow along on Twitter @sesnyderleb.