Sports Then and Now

The 4 Major Sports Teams In Philadelphia.

For years, the thought of Philadelphia as a sports city was unheard of and rare by national fanatics. Now, with the recent surge from the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, and possibly even the Sixers, Philadelphia is finally becoming known to the sports nation.

We’ll start with the Philadelphia Phillies, baseball’s best team. With only 2 championships in hand, the Phillies reputation is diminished and scarce. In 2008, doubters were quieted after a postseason field day was brought to the city of brotherly love, with the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series. After a year of heartbreak, the Phillies are back for more. At 74-39, Philadelphia is completely destroying Major League Baseball, and a 9.5 division lead over the Braves is showing it. With a more than solid pitching rotation, including Hamels, Halladay, Oswalt, Lee and outstanding rookie Vance Worley, Philadelphia has a 3.06 team ERA. Recently acquiring OF Hunter Pence from Houston solidifies the lineup and brings more power and consistency for the postseason. For the Phillies, it can’t get better than this.

Now we turn to the Eagles, a team getting national attention for the big named players recently acquired by the organization. Philadelphia was keen on defense, bringing in CB Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie, CB Nnamdi Asomaugha, and DE Jason Babin along with shipping out unhappy QB Kevin Kolb in the process. Don’t forget the pickup of QB Vince Young, which is solid security for the injury plagued, mobile Quarterback Michael Vick. With Desean Jackson ending his holdout, and WR Jeremy Maclin getting healthy, Philadelphia has emerged as the team to beat. Granted, the season hasn’t even started yet, but the Birds new look is hard to argue against. I’m not sure with the “Dream Team” phrase that has rumored around the city of brotherly love, but a Playoff Caliber team is surely in store for the Eagles.

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With an NBA Lockout potentially ruining the 2012 season, I’ll go ahead and talk about the Philadelphia 76ers anyway. Coach Doug Collins has seriously changed the mindset of the Sixers this past season, securing the 7th playoff seed, and falling to the respected Miami Heat. With Andre Iguadola probably on his way out, the Sixers may look a little less explosive for next year’s campaign. Nonetheless, 2nd year SG Evan Turner will try to come in as a leader and take control of the team. Veterans Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, Elton Brand and Jodie Meeks had superb seasons last year. Adding 1st Round Draft Pick Nikola Vucevic and Former Temple standout Lavoy Allen will make Philadelphia a taller, and defense oriented team. Look for Philadelphia to compete with the best of them and surely make the playoffs.

Trading Mike Richards and Jeff Carter away looks like the wrong move, but adding G Illya Bryzgalov and Forward Jaromir Jagr, does. Now, Philadelphia doesn’t have to shuffle Goalies and be concerned about their Cap. They can let Bryzgalov run the show and add rookies to regain their youth. With returning Forwards Danny Briere and James Van Riemsdyk (JVR), the Flyers will be a balanced team ready to attack the Eastern Conference. After a disappointing series to the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia looks sharp, and ready, to get that Stanley Cup for once, and the chase is on. Watch out, the Flyers, along with the Phillies and Eagles, are also attaining Free Agents to improve from last year’s collapse.

With 4 major sports teams already set for the playoffs, we’re going to look at a couple more Philadelphia Sports Teams destroying competition as well. The Philadelphia Union, a MLS team is sitting pretty in 2nd Place behind Columbus for 1st Place in the East, and the Philadelphia Independence, a WPS team, is annihilating teams and in 1st.

Philadelphia sports isn’t just the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and Sixers. Philadelphia also boasts teams in the AFL (Philly Soul), MLL (Philly Wings), WTT (Philly Freedoms) and much much more.

Don’t forget collegiate sports. Villanova, St.Joseph’s, Temple, Penn, La Salle and Drexel share the “Big 5”, heated Philadelphia rivalries that always go down to the wire.

For Philadelphia Sports fans, it’s the golden age. All of the Philadelphia teams are usually in the Postseason. A fact most Minnesota and Florida loyalists don’t get to speak.  So for once, give some props to Philly, no, not for their cheese steaks, but for their recent stride in Sports.