Now Keep It Up
( Michael Bradley)

   Free Beer. Winning the lottery. The Maria Sharapova Swimsuit Calendar. All are great, but none compares to a ninth-inning rally that knocks off the fetid Mets in their Shea Stadium toilet. It's up to Brett Myers to make sure it isn't a one-and-done up in Queens.

Grow Up and Play Ball
( Michael Bradley)

   We're hearing a lot of whining from the Phillies of late regarding their playing time and troubles with the bats, but the fact is that this team has no one capable of leading it during tough times, and until someone steps up, beating the Mets is unlikely.

Super Bowl Or Bust
( Michael Bradley)

   There are more than six months until Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, but the Eagles begin training camp today with a mandate to make one final attempt to climb through the window with this core before the rebuilding effort starts.

Anything's Better Than Eaton
( Michael Bradley)

   The Phillies acquired Joe Blanton from the A's yesterday to bolster their starting rotation. About the best that can be said about the 5-12 righthander is that he's better than Adam Eaton. That isn't good enough.

Time To Play Hard Ball
( Michael Bradley)

   The Eagles have enough to worry about heading into training camp with Donovan McNabb's bum shoulder and the pressure of having to overcome last year's below-par season. Now, they have to deal with Drew Rosenhaus again. Time to play some hard ball

Farewell, Old Friend
( Michael Bradley)

   It's tempting to greet the news of the Spectrum's imminent demise with anger and shouts for justice, but the Old Barn has outlived its usefulness and should go. That doesn't mean I won't miss it.

It's All About Brett
( Michael Bradley)

   The Packers gave Brett Favre ample opportunity to come back from his latest retirement, but when he declined the chances, they moved on. Now, he wants back in the game -- on his terms. Sorry, Brett, but the NFL doesn't work that way.

Last Chance
( Michael Bradley)

   Whether it's confidence, a brief slump or the fact that Adam Eaton just can't be trusted, he gets one more chance after the All-Star Game, and if he has another meltdown, he's banished to the bullpen -- awful contract or not. He can't be allowed to blow games any longer.

In Season Post-Season
( Michael Bradley)

   The Diamondbacks come to town for a pre-All Star meeting of division winners, and the Phillies can't afford to sag like they did against the Mets, even if they are facing Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb.

We Got A Rivalry
( Michael Bradley)

   Elton Brand's arrival and GM Ed Stefanski's aggressive moves during his tenure have made the Sixers relevant again in the Eastern Conference and put them in a position to challenge Boston -- finally.