In 2007, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins made a bold statement claiming that the Phillies were the “team to beat in the National League East.” Many questioned Rollins after the Mets had just won the National League East easily in 2006. However, Rollins and the Phillies delivered on his prediction in 2007 as the New York Mets blew a 7 game lead in September and the Phillies won the National League East. The Phillies would be ousted that year to the surprising Colorado Rockies. During the offseason, the Mets acquired Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins via trade. Baseball analysts were already taking the Mets to make the playoffs and Mets fans were ready to print playoff tickets. Enter: Jimmy Rollins who refused to take the Mets this season. Jimmy once again had a prediction, predicting the Phillies to win 100 games. Fast forward to September 2008 and it was deja vu for Mets fans. The Mets once again faced elimination from the playoffs within the last two games. The Phillies clinched the division and were no longer the Mets worst enemy. In fact, the Brewers were not even the Mets worst enemy: they were their own worst enemy. The Mets fell once again and missed the playoffs. The Phillies? They went on to live out Jimmy Rollins’ prediction in a very unlikely World Series. The 2008 World Series did not include the usual Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. It did not include the 2008 favorite Chicago Cubs or the mid-season favorite Chicago White Sox. No, this year included two teams that for years were in the shadow of the top of the division: The Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies went on to win the World Series behind the arm of Cole Hamels, the bat of Chase Utley, and the clutch saving skills seen all year from Brad Lidge. Hamels, like many great pitchers (Smoltz, Pettitte to name a few) made a name for himself in the playoffs and has the opportunity this following season to truly establish himself as a pitching great. Expect Santana and Hamels to battle it out for the National League Cy Young award. Oh yeah, and here’s an interesting fact: A former Mets farmhand named Fred Westfall was Hamels first pitching coach when he was in the Carmel Mountain Ranch Little League in San Diego and was the first to begin to teach Hamels the changeup. The Yankees/Boston rivalry seems to be fading a little bit for one reason: they aren’t facing each other in the playoffs, taking away from truly meaningful games. While the rivalry will probably never die, I am simply making an example. The Mets/Phillies rivalry is a very good rivalry and has the potential to become a great rivalry. The only way the rivalry can truly become great is a playoff series such as the NLCS. While I do not see anyone on the Mets or Phillies throwing an old man to the ground (unless the Mets resign Pedro in between now and then); the mix of Mike Schmidt and his e-mails, the two best pitchers in the NL in Hamels and Santana, and the two best shortstops in the national league, one cockier than the other, would set up for an amazing playoff series and the start of an amazing rivalry for years to come. (more…)

We here at The Sports Take have conflicted beliefs as to if Rob Mayer resembles Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz. You be the judge! Check out the picture and vote in the poll or call us at 717-815-6509 Mondays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm.

The American League Central began with a surprising start, and an exciting finish. Last April, everyone expected the Tigers to dominate. With the addition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis in a trade with the Marlins, the Tigers seemed set to reclaim fame in 2008. Well, within months of the season, Dontrelle was sent down to single A, and Miguel Cabrera was only having a decent season (unlike the monstrous numbers he had put up in seasons past). The Indians did no better as they were also a huge dissappointment in 08. While these teams were dissappointing, a team was catching the eyes of baseball fans everywhere: the Kansas City Royals. The Royals started the season infront of the rest of the AL West looking down. But, so did the Rays and Orioles. The only thing is, is that only one of these basement dwellers stayed on top, and we all know where that story goes.
Everyone knew that the White Sox would have a decent season. Midseason, everyone was calling for a Chicago World Series with the Cubs and White Sox facing off. However, the Sox would be challenged by another semi-surprise in the Minnesota Twins who seemed to have it all after losing their ace, Johan Santana, to the New York Mets. How will they fare this season against a division that can very well be a 3-team race? Maybe this will help… (more…)

YORK - The York College Lady Spartans continue their magical run into the Sweet 16 by knocking off the Baruch College Bearcats 90-73.

     Charles Wolf Gymnasium on the campus of York College was the host to over 1,000 fans, mostly wearing Spartan green, whom were able to see the the Spartans clinch a birth into the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. On the other side, Baruch College was coming off a big win over Cabrini, but nothing is tougher than facing the Spartans (#10 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches and #12 on d3hoops.com polls) at their home barn.

   (more…)