myerstownherald.com

President Obama is trying to capture the momentum on the issue of the Guantanamo Bay prison for terrorists, but he is falling short.
In a speech, Obama tried to respond to criticism about his plans to close the facility. While the speech revealed little that is new, it did highlight the fact that Obama’s plan is to basically bring at least some of these terrorists to the United States, a course of action that has been soundly rejected by even Democrats in Congress. What is more troubling is that Obama is trying to sell his plan by bashing the Bush Administration and labeling people who oppose the plan as fear mongers.
Bashing the Bush Administration is getting tired, but Obama will continue to do so as long as he can because he does not want to risk becoming unpopular.
Instead of obsessing about President Bush, Obama should look to the future and accept responsibility for the policies that he is advocating.
When Harry Truman became president, he did not constantly whine about how President Franklin D. Roosevelt left him with World War II. He just stepped in and did the job. More Democrats, including Obama, should adopt Truman’s tough, no-nonsense, anti-whining attitude.
Labeling people who oppose bringing terrorists to the United States as fear mongers will not be a winning strategy for Obama, either. People should be afraid if terrorists are brought to the United States.
Suppose Obama has them tried in a civil court in a liberal area and they are freed. Does anyone want them in their town? What happens when they interact with other prisoners? What if they join prison gangs? These outcomes are not outside the realm of possibility. People should be afraid about this plan, and they should make their fears known to their representatives in Congress and to Obama directly.
President Bush actually came up with the best solution to this problem. His administration started the facility on Guantanamo Bay, which is not part of the United States, and kept these terrorists isolated from a regular prison population. The facility in Guantanamo Bay is built specifically to handle terrorists. These people are involved in organizations that want to kill American citizens. They were captured abroad. They should not be treated simply as ordinary prisoners.
Shortly after he took office, Obama said he simply wanted to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, even though he did not have a plan. His statement was irresponsible. For a major move affecting national security, a plan should be in place before a policy is made public.
However, Obama did make a good move this week by refusing to release photos of detainee abuse.
These photos would have inflamed passions against the American military and may have gotten our soldiers overseas killed. Obama’s CIA Director, Leon Panetta, also acted appropriately by blasting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for saying the CIA lied to Congress about interrogating terrorists.
In the future, Obama should make more decisions like preventing the release of detainee abuse photos and standing up for the CIA because these actions actually improve and strengthen our national security. Trying to close down a prison that has adequately contained dangerous terrorists is not the path that Obama should take.

By MOLLY DAVIS
King dork Joe Jonas is trying to get his digs in at Taylor Swift.
And failing miserably.
There’s a reason why the saying is “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” moron.
“Woman” being the operative word.
You don’t have the chops to get even.
The dork trio’s new album, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times,” hits stores on June 16.
On it is a “song” (if you can call it that) called “Paranoid,” and is obviously aimed at Swift.
The dim-witted ditty goes a little something like this:
“I’m still freaking out/That’s why my ex is still my ex/I never trust a word she says/I’m runnin’ all the background checks/And she’s freaking out.”
Touché.
I wonder how Swift can sleep at night knowing that Joe’s poison little pen is poised over paper and ready to pen such biting rhetoric.
It seems a most pathetic attempt to get even with Swift for waxing poetic about their breakup.
Taylor Swift wrote the words to the song “Forever and Always” about her breakup in 2008 with lead Jonas via 27-second phone call.
The Berks-born beauty sings “I stare at the phone and he hasn’t called… You can’t feel nothing’ at all.”
Jonas was quoted as being “flattered” and went on to say “It’s always nice to hear their side of the story.”
What a loser.
Flattered?
Don’t be.
She even went so far as to sing the tune to a Joe Jonas look-a-like in a dark-haired wig during her “Fearless” tour.
Boys, don’t mess with Swift.
Unless you want her to write a song about you and let the whole world know exactly what kind of cretin you really are.
The newest Jonas reports say that Jonas is moving in with the girl her threw over Swift for, Camille Belle.
Doesn’t that cause some sort of conflict with your religious beliefs, Joe?
Ahem, your “purity” vows that you wear so proudly on your finger?
Sharing an abode, and a bed, with your girlfriend goes against everything the band ( both the ring and the JoBros) claim to stand for.
Chaste and gentlemanly, it is not.
Practice what you preach, Joe.
And stick to writing songs with no point, because you clearly fall short in the revenge department.
Among other departments, I’m sure.

By ERIC FISHER
Tony DiLeo’s resignation as 76ers head coach shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who read my column last week. The post-playoff finger-pointing, with many of those fingers pointed at him, undoubtedly helped convince DiLeo that returning to his front-office job was preferable to remaining an NBA coach.
DiLeo may have also looked at the Sixers’ roster and realized it will take several years – at least – to turn this team into a championship contender. The starting point guard will likely leave via free agency, the “star” isn’t really a star, and there is way too much money tied up in the contract of the star player and the two centers.
The only remote chance the Sixers have of becoming a contender is if Elton Brand, one of the aforementioned centers, shakes off two years of injuries and returns to all-star form. That’s a big “if.”
The list of victims – I mean coaching candidates – starts with former Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, who is scheduled for an interview on Friday.
MARQUEE MATCHUP: Do you think the NBA is rooting for a LeBron-Kobe final? If the NBA gets its desired matchup, even NBA commissioner David Stern might jump for joy high enough to touch the rim.
By the way, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant play for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively. That information could be useful because you’re much more likely to hear Kobe and LeBron than their teams’ names.
‘SUPER’ DRAFT: After hearing the hyperbole surrounding the Eagles following the draft, my only question is: When are they ordering the Super Bowl rings?
MISSING DODGER: When the Phillies played the Los Angeles Dodgers this week, Manny Ramirez wasn’t in the L.A. lineup. The sweet-swinging hitter and renowned knucklehead was suspended for 50 games for using a banned substance.
The most interesting aspect of this story was that there was little shock and surprise. It’s almost as if the public has become immune to news of players using performance-enhancing drugs. Another explanation for the relatively subdued reaction is that the public simply assumes everyone is cheating.
The problem with the preceding sentence is that it casts a shadow on the accomplishments of players’ such as Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols. That’s not fair to Howard or Pujols. But if Howard and Pujols are looking for people to blame for the unfair burden they carry, they need look no further than Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez or the host of other sluggers who have used performance-enhancing drugs.
MASTER THIEF: Outfielder Jayson Werth tied a Phillies record Tuesday when he stole four bases in one game. Werth also caught the Dodgers napping and stole home.
PITCHING PROBLEMS: The Phillies won’t have much chance of defending their World Series championship if they don’t straighten out their starting pitching. Entering Thursday’s action, no member of the starting rotation had a winning record.
The starting pitchers’ records are an accurate reflection of their performance. Only Brett Myers (4.81 ERA) has an ERA under 6.00.
Equally, if not more troubling are the struggles of closer Brad Lidge. It was unfair to expect another perfect season from Lidge in terms of saving games, but 0-1 with an 8.56 ERA isn’t quite what Phillies fans were expecting. If Lidge doesn’t return to form, the Phillies will not return to the World Series. They might not even get back to the playoffs.
SHORT STOPPED: Speaking of struggling Phillies, who is the imposter playing shortstop? The player certainly has a facial resemblance to Jimmy Rollins, but his performance pales in comparison to the guy who was named National League MVP two seasons ago.
Rollins entered Thursday’s game batting .200. His on-base percentage is .241, which is horrible for a lead-off batter, and that is why he’s been moved to fifth in the lineup. At what point do Rollins’ struggles change from a slump to a bad year?
SEVENTH HEAVEN: Three of the four NHL conference semifinal series went the full seven games. It doesn’t get any better than Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs, although the Penguins-Capitals Game 7 was a letdown after the outstanding action the rest of the series. (Penguins fans, however, aren’t complaining.) The one series that didn’t go seven games, Canucks-Blackhawks, lasted six games.
I can’t make a prediction for the conference finals because I’m writing this column before the matchups are finalized, but I can make this prediction: there will be a lot more entertaining hockey the next few weeks.
UFC ARRIVES IN PA.: After lobbying the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission for many years, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) will make its Pennsylvania debut on Aug. 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. UFC 101 features challenger Kenny Florian against lightweight champion B.J. Penn, as well as Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva in the co-main event.
Tickets go on sale on Sat., May 23, at the box office and at www.comcasttix.com. Ticket shock warning: the “cheap” tickets are $50.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is at her best when she is handling social issues. Palin recently showed her expertise in this area with a strong statement backing Carrie Prejean, who is Miss California, according to Politico.com. Prejean has been attacked after saying in the Miss USA contest that she supports keeping marriage between a man and a woman.
In supporting Prejean, Palin noted the discrepancy in how conservatives and liberals are treated when they discuss social issues.
This discrepancy is noteworthy because liberals can take stands that are sometimes conservative, and they rarely are challenged about trying to get the best of both sides of an issue.
“What I find so remarkable is that these politically-motivated attacks fail to show that what Carrie and I believe is also what President Obama and Secretary Clinton believe — marriage is between a man and a woman,” Palin said.
Palin herself was frequently the subject of mean-spirited attacks during the presidential campaign when she was running for vice president on the ticket with Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.
Everything from Palin’s wardrobe to her family was the subject of this commentary. Palin’s daughter was discussed in a particularly nasty way. Not only should Palin’s daughter not have been subjected to this treatment, she should not have been discussed at all because she is the child of a candidate, not the candidate herself.
In her comments backing Prejean, Palin reminded people of her experience during the presidential campaign by saying that she “can relate as a liberal target myself,” and she labeled comments about Prejean a “liberal onslaught of malicious attacks,” according to Politico.com.
“I respect Carrie for standing strong and staying true to herself, and for not letting those who disagree with her deny her protection under the nation’s First Amendment Rights,” Palin said.
“Our Constitution protects us all – not just those who agree with the far left,” Palin said.
By taking solid stands on controversial issues such as this one, particularly ones that many Americans support, Palin will place herself in the best position for her political future. Liberals will be even more angered by Palin, but the more she angers them, the more outrageous their attacks will become, and the more people will like Palin. In dealing with difficult social issues, Sarah Palin stands out.

By ERIC FISHER
It was another great week for Hendrick Motorsports. The ageless Mark Martin celebrated his announcement that he will remain with Hendrick next season to drive a full-time schedule by winning the Southern 500 at Darlington. Jimmy Johnson finished second, points leader Jeff Gordon placed fifth, and Hendrick protege Brad Keselowski finished seventh.
The Hendrick success story also should include Stewart-Haas teammates Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, who finished third and fourth, respectively, at Darlington. Stewart-Haas has a partnership agreement with Hendrick and uses the Hendrick car set-ups.
Who’s missing from this picture? Dale Earnhardt Jr.
While his Hendrick teammates are all in the top 12 in the overall standings, Earnhardt is struggling in 18th place. He has finished 27th the past two weeks. In fact, he has finished 27th this season as often (three times) as he has finished in the top 10.
One problem that must be fixed immediately is pit stops. During Saturday’s race, Earnhardt rolled his tires beyond his pit box during one stop. On another, a tire got loose and bounced onto pit road, resulting in Earnhardt being sent to the back of the back on the lead lap.
The Darlington race was not an aberration. Pit stops have been a problem for Junior all year. As was pointed out during Saturday’s broadcast, practically the only place Earnhardt hasn’t had a pit problem was at Talladega, where he finished second.
You need every edge you can get in NASCAR. No driver can afford to lose ground — or, even worse, receive penalties — during pit stops every week.
Some of these problems are caused by Junior. It’s nobody else’s fault that he overshot the pit box at Darlington. Other pit problems aren’t his fault.
Regardless of who caused the problems, the No. 88 team had better get these problems straightened out. And soon. Otherwise, Earnhardt will be left out of Hendrick Motorsports’ picture of success.

Sen. Arlen Specter’s decision to leave the Republican Party and join the Democratic Party now looks even worse for Specter because the Democrats do not seem eager to welcome him into their ranks. Specter’s move was prompted by a strong primary challenge from the more conservative former Congressman Pat Toomey. But the ambivalence toward Specter by the Democrats shows that he is not a lock for the Democratic nomination either.
The most significant move made by Democrats was to take Specter’s seniority away in the Senate in determining his rank for committee assignments.
As a result, Specter will be in a weakened electoral position because he will not be able to use his power on the committees to bring home money to Pennsylvania. One of Specter’s major arguments in an election would have to be the experience he has gained in navigating Congress through his almost 30 years in the Senate. Now, that argument will not hold up.
Democrats also have been talking about running against Specter in the primary. One of the challengers mentioned is Congressman Joe Sestak. Democratic voters may decide that they do not want to vote for a former Republican, and if given a choice, they may vote for a Democrat who has been in the party. Specter also will have a difficult time winning over conservative Democrats who are a significant presence in Pennsylvania and likely do not agree with Specter’s stands on social issues.
To reverse these trends, Specter will have to make concessions to Democrats, most notably on his opposition to preventing a secret ballot in union elections. Once Specter reverses course, any opponents will have an easy time using conflicting positions in advertisements. Any Democrat running against Specter in a primary will be able to say Specter is not really a Democrat but has switched parties to help his own political future.
Specter may benefit if Gov. Edward Rendell and President Obama support him and campaign for him in the Democratic primary, but Specter likely still would have to modify some of his stands to solidify backing from Obama.
Instead of becoming a Democrat, Specter should have remained a Republican. He would still have a senior position, and his bargaining power would have been greater because Democrats only would need his support on certain issues. His support would have been more valuable to Democrats because it would be seen as bipartisan. Specter should have taken his chances in the Republican primary. The main positive for Pennsylvanians, though, is that the state can elect a more conservative senator who will oppose Obama’s major spending plans.

By ERIC FISHER
The only thing anyone remembers is if you won or lost. It doesn’t matter how you won or lost; only if you won or lost.
We’ve heard that phrase – or variations of it – so many times that we almost believe it’s true. Fortunately, the 76ers are around to remind us of the fallacy of that statement.
The Sixers and their Wachovia Center cousins, the Flyers, both were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They both lost a best-of-seven series in six games. They both bowed out of the playoffs with a disappointing loss at home.
And they couldn’t be more different.
The Flyers need some tweaking, according to Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider. They need to settle their goaltending situation, pick up a defenseman or two and sign a veteran fourth-line center. But the core is there: Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, etc. The future is clear.
The Sixers, on the other hand, have a murky future. Will head coach Tony DiLeo return? Will point guard Andre Miller leave? Can Elton Brand make a significant difference? Will Andre Iguodala get his “sit down” with general manager Ed Stefanski and have input into coaching and personnel decisions?
In other words, the Sixers are in disarray.
It didn’t take long after the Sixers’ embarrassing, season-ending 114-89 shellacking at the hands of the short-handed Orlando Magic for the team to come apart at the seams. First, backup center Theo Ratliff pointed a finger directly at the coaching staff, saying they failed to recognize situations and hold players accountable. Ratliff, an unrestricted free agent, has as much chance of returning to the Sixers as Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter does of being named Man of the Year by FOX News.
If the finger-pointing had stopped with Ratliff, it could be dismissed as the ranting of a disappointed veteran whose career is winding down. But Iguodala also leveled some shots, albeit it with a bit more subtlety than Ratliff.
Iguodala questioned the coach and pointed fingers at the team’s younger players. He also felt entitled to request the aforementioned sitdown with Stefanski.
Someone had better inform Iguodala that he’s not Kobe or LeBron. In fact, he’s not even the most valuable player on his own team. That would be Miller. Or it would be if he remains with the team.
Miller didn’t show up for his exit interview. His agent claimed there was a scheduling mix-up. With Miller an unrestricted free agent, however, it’s not a stretch to read a little more into his no-show act. (Every other player except Ratliff showed up that day.)
If Miller chooses to leave, he will leave a huge void at point guard. Lou Williams has played the point often enough for everyone to realize that he isn’t good enough to be a starting point guard. Williams has a “two-guard” mentality. Think Allen Iverson – without as much talent.
It’s also not a good sign when the two players pointing fingers after the season-ending loss and the player with one foot out the door are the team’s captains. Remember the old adage about the captain going down with his ship? It appears that at least two of the captains, Miller and Ratliff, are bailing out on a sinking ship.
A wild card is Brand. The big free-agent acquisition turned into a non-factor due to a shoulder injury that, first, sidelined him and eventually ended his season.
There are a number of questions about Brand. One is whether the up-tempo Sixers play better without him. That was the case this season. Then again, Brand was supposed to make a difference in the playoffs, when there tends to be tighter defense, more half-court basketball and fewer fast breaks.
The Brand-playoff question will remain unanswered until next season – at least. The question about the head coach should be answered very soon.
DiLeo was non-committal about whether he wants to return as head coach. A lifelong behind-the-scenes guy in the front office, DiLeo must have been taken aback at the public criticism leveled at him after the season by his own players.
Then again, the decision might not be DiLeo’s to make. There were rumors this week that TNT analyst Doug Collins might be coming back to coach the team that drafted him. Collins’ agent told the Philadelphia Daily News’ Phil Jasner that neither the Sixers nor Collins had contacted each other, but he left the door open for Collins to return to coaching.
There are other questions facing the Sixers. Can they get anyone to take stubborn center Sam Dalembert’s contract off their hands? Will they ever find a consistent outside shooter? Will they ever be able to consistently guard 3-point shooters?
The Sixers aren’t bereft of talent. They have promising young forwards in Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights. And Iguodala is just 25 years old.
Unlike the Flyers, however, the Sixers don’t look like a team on the rise. If anything, they appear to be headed in the opposite direction.
Same building. Same result. Completely different outlook.

By MOLLY DAVIS
Jon and Kate + 8 = infidelity.
At least according to the news. Gossip sites have been reporting that Kate’s better half, Jon Gosselin, has strayed. He was photographed on April 18 leaving Legends Lounge, minus his wedding ring.
Oh, and with a woman who wasn’t the mother of his eight kids. His excuse?
“The woman wanted to check out my car, so I let her drive it to her car,” Jon said in an e-mail to the magazine that first reported the story.
That’s all well and good, but being out on the town until 2 a.m. with another lady while your wife is across the country promoting a book called “Eight Little Faces,” (your kids, Jon) is not a particularly good idea.
The Gosselins are denying the claims, as does the alleged mistress, 23-year-old teacher Deanna Hummel, but US Weekly has led with the story for the second week in a row.
Which, of course, adds fuel to an already HUGE fire, because the word of gossip rags is gospel.
The mag coverage goes on to report that Hummel’s brother says his sibling is indeed having an affair with the father of eight, the video of Jon supposedly leaving the teach’s home in the early a.m., and a photo of her sunbathing (in a bikini) on the front lawn of the Gosselin’s $1.3 residence.
Deanna states that her brother is “lying” and is “shady.”
TLC issued this statement on behalf of Jon Gosselin:
“These allegations are false and just plain hurtful. As I adjust to the attention that comes from being in the public eye, I need to be more careful and aware of who I am associating with and where I am spending my time. But the bottom line is, I did not cheat on Kate. I am sorry for putting my family in this awkward position, given some poor decisions and bad judgments I’ve made recently. I am working through this difficult time with my family. My family is my top priority.”
He went on to say that he “has female friends” and he’s “not going to end friendships because he’s on TV,” but that was before TLC released his “official” comments.
I don’t think we’ll be hearing much of anything from the two — TLC and lawyers will be doing their talking for them from now on.
Although I see nothing wrong with Jon’s social life, he may want to be a bit more discreet when the paparazzi is bound to capture your every move on camera.
Add to this story the rumors that have been circulating for months that the couple’s marriage is on the rocks, due to a previous night of Jon partying with college girls, and the story takes on a life of it’s own.
I’m not sure what couple could stand up to such scrutiny — they are recognized and mobbed whenever they’re out. The Gosselins have also been under fire for “exploiting their kids” by doing the TV show, which is TLC’s highest rated, and they bicker during most of the 30-minutes of air time.
So the question is, do people see this as a surprise? Or has it been a long time coming? In my opinion, I think being the parents of 8-year-old twins and 4-year-old sextuplets is a job in itself, let alone adding the pressure of holding a marriage together.
Most couples have their ups and downs, and Jon and Kate are no different. Except, once again, their decisions are subject to critique from every Tom, Dick and Harry that think they would know what to do in their situation. Everyone’s a critic. The snarky blogs written about the couple — Kate, in particular, gets the brunt of the cruel comments — are just plain mean. People need to relax, and quit holding Jon to a higher standard than an everyday human being. I, for one, am pulling for them, as are other sane people.
And if they don’t work it out?
Then the equation turns into Jon & Kate + 8 – fidelity = messy divorce + drama = divided assets & kids.

By MOLLY DAVIS
Just when you think “Speidi” could not look any dumber, they prove you wrong. While honeymooning in Mexico, the famous-for-being-famous paparazzi baiters Heidi and Spencer Pratt, donned ill-fitting surgical masks to ward off the swine flu. Sorry Speidi, but the masks you were photographed wearing (on the beach and at the airport upon returning from the vacation) won’t help you – they are for prevention against liquid, such as blood, mucous, etc. – not an airborne virus.
But then again, the fame-hungry couple may welcome a case of the swine flu – another photo op and even more free, undeserved press. Too bad there is no precaution for a Speidi outbreak, because even though these two parasites may not be hazardous to your health, they have been known to cause vomiting. I think the masks are a step up.
It’s the best they’ve ever looked.

By ERIC FISHER
An old adage in sports is that you build through the draft. That is what NFL teams were doing last weekend and that is what hockey, basketball and baseball teams will do in June.
But what if we could draft our own sports world? What if we could select where we watched games, who announced them and who played them? In other words, what if we could shape our own sports world through the draft?
My hunch is that our sports worlds would look very similar to how they were when we were growing up. Then again, some of you may prefer progress to nostalgia.
Below is my Philly-centric list. Feel free to use these categories to draft your own customized sports world.
The first thing we need is a place to play.
Stadium (baseball): My baseball team would play in PNC Park. The views of downtown, the bridges, etc. are simply perfect. The only problem with baseball in Pittsburgh is the Pirates, but we can fix that in our fantasy draft.
Stadium (NFL): I admit I’ve never been there, but Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium looks like a cool place to watch a game.
Stadium (college): Beaver Stadium. A huge stadium with a great atmosphere. If you sit up high – and it’s really high – the views across Happy Valley are spectacular.
Arena (NHL and NBA): The Spectrum. We’ll have to replace the scoreboard and widen the concourse, but there’s no better place to watch a game than the soon-to-be departed Spectrum. Despite holding more than 17,000 people, the Spectrum is a much more intimate setting than any of the newer arenas.
Arena (college): The Palestra. This brokedown palace on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania is the cathedral of Philadelphia basketball.
Now that I’ve got a place to play, I’m going to have to assemble a successful organization.
Owner: Rick Hendrick. Hendrick Motorsports is a well-oiled machine. Hendrick hires good people, then allows them to do their jobs. Hendrick Motorsports wins championships, and it wins with class.
Promotions: Vince McMahon. If he can turn a professional wrestling company into an international business and pay-per-view powerhouse, imagine what he could do with a team with a fiercely loyal fan base. McMahon, however, won’t be in charge of the cheerleaders’ uniforms. We want to keep this a family-friendly sports enterprise.
Mascot: The Phillie Phanatic remains the best in the business. He’s entertaining without being foolish or mean. The kids love him – and many adults do, too.
Now that we have our organization in place, we’ve got to set up our television and radio package.
TV contract: We’ll take the NFL’s TV contract. That money will guarantee a sizeable profit, which we can reinvest in the team.
Production: FOX’s NASCAR broadcast. They take you inside the car, on the track and inside the race. Fantastic production with excellent information and analysis.
Broadcasters: I’ll bring back the late, great Harry Kalas. For baseball, I’ll reunite Kalas with his good buddy Richie Ashburn. And Kalas can also do football. For hockey I’ll draft legendary Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart, whose passion for hockey poured through his microphone and created hundreds of thousands of hockey fans.
Public address announcer: Dave Zinkoff. There are many announcers with distinctive calls, but the Sixers’ Zinkoff was the originator.
Statistician: The Sixers’ Harvey Pollack. Pollack invented the triple-double and hundreds of other statistical categories.
What would a team be without players? Here are some of my favorites.
Players: Sixers point guard Maurice Cheeks; Flyers center (and current Carolina center) Rod Brind’Amour; Phillies left fielder Greg “The Bull” Luzinski; Eagles safety (and, sadly, current Broncos safety) Brian Dawkins; Phillies shortstop Larry Bowa; Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher; Flyers right wing (and current general manager) Paul Holmgren. Nationally, I’ll take Colts quarterback Peyton Manning; Royals third baseman George Brett; Braves center fielder Dale Murphy; Packers (not Jets) quarterback Brett Favre; Bears running back Walter Payton; Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin; and Dallas Mavericks backup guard Matt Carroll (a player I’ve known since he was in ninth grade).
Uniforms: Call me crazy, but I like the green and gold of the Oakland A’s. I’ll also take the old kelly green Eagles uniforms, especially if we include the white helmets with the green wings.
Now we need a few more things for game day and we’ll be ready to roll.
Referees/umpires: My crew includes NHL veteran Kerry Fraser, outstanding baseball umpire Doug Harvey, and my good friend Eric Gregg, who left this earth too early.
Music: We’ll need to draft a terrific organist. There won’t be any blaring, canned music in my arenas.
National Anthem: Lauren Hart, daughter of former Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart, will perform “God Bless America” with (via videotape) the late Kate Smith. On special occasions, I’ll bring in Ray Charles to sing “America the Beautiful.”
Parking: Free. And our arenas and stadiums will be easily accessible via public transportation.
Now all we need is someone to write about the games.
Sports writer/columnist: Me. You were expecting Stephen A. Smith?