Ryan Howard needs just nine home runs to reach the magic number 62.
Here’s what he’ll face the rest of the way – and it includes a lot of Florida Marlins, a team that still finds itself in the tussle for a Wild Card berth in the playoffs.
The Phillies are at Florida for a four-game series Sept. 7-10. After a day off, the Phils are in Atlanta for three games, Sept. 12-14 and a three-game series in Houston, Sept. 15-17. Dolphins Stadium does not surrender many home runs, but the three games in Houston could see another multi-home run game for Howard.
The Phillies return home for a three-game series against the lowly Chicago Cubs, Sept. 18-20. A day off follows and the Marlins return to Philly, Sept. 22-24.
Howard would have a chance of reaching 62 in Washington against the Nationals Sept. 26-28 and/or back in Florida Sept.29-30.
In case you are wondering, Howard has homered off Marlins’ lefty Dontrelle Willis this season.
So much for the Mike Krzyzewski magic.
All the talk of Coach K turning around Team USA’s fortunes on the international stage evaporated during an embarrassing loss to Greece in the World Championship semifinal.
To make matters worse, Greece was without its best player,
Let the record show that the often-maligned Carmelo Anthony was the best player on this team. Miami’s Dywane Wade had his moments and LeBron James proved he can dunk a basketball.
But the second this team ran up against team basketball, it lost convincingly. Actually, Italy exposed America early in the tournament, but Anthony saved the day with a 35-point effort.
How did this happen?
Here’s a hint:
Before the semifinal game, the Americans held an impromptu slam-dunk exhibition for the Japanese crowd. Lots of flash bulbs, ooos and ahs.
Meanwhile, the Grecian players were practicing jump shots – the kind you get off tough screens and pick-and-rolls.
Guess which brand of basketball and which team won?
As for Krzyzewski, Duke Nation is breathing a sigh of release and not mourning his failure.
Had he watched his NBA superstars roar through the World Championship, it would tempt the inner demon that haunts him – his eagerness to coach and control a NBA franchise.
For a few games against inferior talent, Team USA looked like it was learning. But with the shocking loss to Greece, Coach K was just another coach with just another group of superstars.
Bring on North Carolina.
Sportswriters sometimes trade emails with writers and columnists, especially those that cover teams they follow from afar.
Earl Austin shares his thoughts with sports brethren covering THE Ohio State University. He also keeps fans straight on a blog or two out that way. Alvin Reid chimes in with Dallas Cowboys’ writers and also Norman Chad with the Washington Post, just because of his wry sense of humor. From time to time, the SportsEye will share a conversation or two with American readers.
Last week, Reid thought Fort Worth Star Telegram columnist Randy Galloway aired in saying a pass to Terrell Owens would have been caught by Terry Glenn or the departed Keyshawn Johnson.
Reid: “To say Terry Glenn or Keyshawn Johnson would have caught that errant pass in the end zone is proof that your dislike of Terrell Owens is clouding your judgement, and you’d rather see the Cowboys fail then succeed this season solely for your dislike of one player.
Is the man a jerk? yes. is it a risk signing him? definitely.
but don’t invent reasons to hate on the guy.”
Galloway: Still say they would have caught that pass, or at least made an effort…Thanks… rg”
The SportsEye reads between the lines and says, Reid is on edge over this T.O. thing and Galloway is really saying, “yep, I can’t T.O.”