BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY Despite two kids, I’ve been able to maintain a pretty aggressive sports watching schedule. But some things are just unavoidable. That’s why I found myself at a 3-year-old’s birthday party as the Eagles game kicked off Sunday. It was a solid gig – pizza, pretzels, pumpkin painting and hayrides. The farm we were at was packed. I was blown away by all the Eagles jerseys I saw (two Nick Cole’s?). If you are such a big fan that you have bought a jersey AND you are wearing it out on gameday, then what the hell are you doing at Merrymead Farm while the game is on?
I played Good Dad until I couldn’t stand it anymore, then pushed myself for an extra 20 minutes while the kids disagreed over which pumpkin to buy (…and how do gourd farmers make a living?). When I finally got out of there it was past 2:15. I’m hustling past two guys in the parking lot when I hear one of them say, “I can’t believe it’s 21-nothing”. I assume they are talking Eagles, and it sends my mind racing. Who is up 21-0? Eagles? Falcons? Which seems more reasonable? I decide that the Eagles must be ahead, because the guy said “I can’t believe it’s 21-nothing”, and I figure the typical pessimistic Philadelphia fan would find being behind by three touchdowns totally believable.
As you know, it was indeed the Eagles that were ahead. I only saw the second half, but I guess Kolb was pretty impressive and DeSean Jackson was killing them before he got blown up by Dunta Robinson. Jackson has what is being called a “severe” concussion, which could mean he’ll be out indefinitely (see Justin Morneau). The Eagles are in first place, but I don’t know how long they can keep it up, losing key players to injury every week.
In the Sunday nightcap, the Phillies sent Roy Oswalt to the hill in what was suddenly a desperate-seeming situation; if the Phils dropped the first two games at home, the city would be apoplectic. And Phillies fans had more reason to be edgy… Oswalt was the one Phillie starter who was not dominant in the Reds series. But Roy held up his end of the bargain, twirling 8 innings of 3-hit ball. And Jimmy Rollins drove in 4 runs, just missing a grand slam in the 7th inning. So the Phils got a split. On course, no problem. Right?