http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon RSS Feed for DN Col Sam Donnellon en-us Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:07:37 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120217_Sam_Donnellon__One_man_s_opinion__How_to_fix_our_4_major_sports.html SO, YOU and I are on a pair of bar stools, big screens all around. We are doing what we should be doing amid such a scene: watching, opining, and above all, fixing. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120215_Sam_Donnellon___Lin-credible__that_race_is_being_raised_in_NBA_again.html ONCE UPON a time in a simpler America, Jeremy Lin's story would be simply beautiful. Uplifting, inspirational, universal in its underdog appeal, it would unite us all, make our world seem a slightly better and smaller place because of what it said about perseverance, humility and following your dream. Traits still embraced by most, if not all, of us. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120214_Sam_Donnellon__Flyers__attack_philosophy_at_root_of_slump.html WHAT IS IT about the sports teams in this town that the only one interested in creating a defense-first identity is its pro basketball team? Yes, its pro basketball team. The football team thinks it will win a championship by outscoring you. You can argue the Phillies are defense-first these days, but that's more out of default than design. When they acquired those ace pitchers, it was to complement a high-octane offense, not replace it. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120209_Sam_Donnellon__Sixers_still_look_as_if_they_need_a_go-to_guy.html 'I WAS WATCHING this TV show recently," the ever-entertaining Evan Turner was saying before last night's game between the Sixers and the San Antonio Spurs. "Where the girl was asking the guy for his trust. And he said, 'I haven't trusted anyone since Michael Jordan in the fourth.' http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120208_Sam_Donnellon__Oswalt_probably_doesn_t_fit_in_Phillies__plans.html BEING RUBEN Amaro Jr. is kind of like being Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen or even the late Steve Jobs. You are constantly in competition with your previous hits, your biggest headlines, your biggest surprises. When you are asked what you are up to and you say, "Not much," maybe even your own mother has trouble believing it. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120207_Sam_Donnellon__Flyers_tough_to_figure.html THE PHILADELPHIA Flyers have become the riddle you stump your friends with, the puzzle that doesn't seem to quite fit on your table, the nursery rhyme that makes sense on one line, and seems absurd the next. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120203_Sam_Donnellon__With_apologies_to_Ali__Dundee_was_really__The_Greatest_.html MY MOM was never a big sports fan, but there have been at least two times when she was impressed by what I did for a living. Once was when she picked up her phone and Roger Staubach - former Naval Academy quarterback, former Cowboys quarterback and above all, Roman Catholic quarterback - was on the other line asking for me. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120202_Sam_Donnellon__Birds__Castillo_in_no-win_situation.html OK, POP QUIZ everyone. If the Eagles' defense succeeds in 2012, it will be because: A) New secondary coach Todd Bowles is really calling the shots; http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120201_Sam_Donnellon__Fans_snooze__Flyers_lose.html WITH 1 MINUTE and 22 seconds left in regulation, those in the Wells Fargo Center who had bothered to return to their seats after each intermission began to chant, for the first discernible time, "Let's go, Flyers." http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/sam_donnellon/20120127_Sam_Donnellon__Sandberg_still_paying_his_dues.html AT HIS Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2005, Ryne Sandberg gravitated toward his people. Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken, Joe Morgan, Robin Yount. Second baseman, shortstops, guys who could play their position well and hit for average and hit it out of the park.