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Little more than a week ago, after the two-game stretch with the Mets, the Fightin's were just a half game back of the division lead. Today, another series begins with New York, but the prospects for postseason play look much darker. Three games out with 22 left. Careful. Those numbers are not for the weak.
The Surgeon General warns that staring at the NL East standings is bad for your heart.
Last year was easy compared to this. No one expected the Mets to implode or the Phils to excel. It was all so stunning and sudden. Accordingly, there was an energy that went along with the unanticipated craziness.
This season has been different. Harder. So many chances to pull away, so many opportunities squandered, so many beers consumed in an attempt to forget.
One of these years, the Phillies, or some local squad, will treat us to a runaway season. No fretting or hoping or pleading. No drama. Just a leisurely stroll to a championship. Sounds nice.
"I think it's going to go down to the end," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said the last time they played the Mets. "It's going to be a good race. It's going to be a good fight. I think both teams are kind of similar. We have the same kind of speed. We have power down our lineup, and so do they. Pretty much it's who plays the best and who wants it, I guess."
Three games to decide if Manuel was right, to see if the Phils still want it. Three games to determine if they truly are in it for the long haul. It's almost too much to handle.
The September call-ups should have included Jack Daniels.
There are times when I love my job. Games and parking are free. So is food. I don't have to go to an office or wear a shirt and tie. Occasionally, I don't even wear pants when I'm writing. (The Phillies have asked me to rethink this policy; they say it makes things awkward.)
The only real downside is that you interact almost exclusively with men. Sometimes, it feels as though women really are from Venus, because that's how often you see them.
Every now and then, though, sports and females dovetail nicely. That wonderful synergy is more commonly known as a "cheerleader." Perhaps you've heard of them. They are God's people.
On that front, I call your attention to Janelle Stangl, who has an odd surname desperately in need of an extra vowel toward the end, but who nevertheless does fine work as one of the Eagles' cheerleaders. Such fine work, in fact, that she's in the September issue of Maxim. It's on newsstands everywhere. I recommend checking it out. First, a primer:
Now that you're in Maxim, do your teammates trash-talk you on Facebook and make you eat alone in the cheerleader cafeteria?
[Laughs] No. Maxim went on our Web site and saw the head shots and asked if I was available. The girls were really supportive. They were just as excited as I am.
The first picture on the Eagles cheerleaders' Web site is of you from the magazine shoot, wearing nothing but a bikini bottom and a towel. You look, um . . . cold.
I thought it was a really great. [Laughs] Don't worry, I wasn't cold.
You gave an interview on the Eagles' Web site saying, "I love it when people are looking at me and getting excited off of my energy." [Pause] Might be my favorite quote of all time.
I've been on a stage my whole life, basically. I'm proud of who I am and how I look, and I'm proud to show people what we can do.
Since you're a self-described "huge video-game nerd," geek out on me here. What do you play?
I do a little of everything. I started in high school playing Counterstrike with my friends. I pretty much own every system. I love Rock Band and basically any games for Wii.
We're going to have to play online. Don't think I'm afraid, either. I'll dominate a woman. In video games, I mean. That wasn't a euphemism.
OK. [Laughs] I accept. We'll make it happen.
Your bio also says that your worst habit is breaking out into random song. What's on the top of Janelle's charts these days?
I shouldn't tell you this. I've been singing a lot of Journey and Foreigner lately. I have no idea why.
How about a little sample? I'm feeling some "Don't Stop Believing."
No way! Oh, my god. [Laughs] It's so embarrassing that I even admitted that to you.
Couple of things from my fantasy football draft that might help you in yours: Eating three-quarters of a pizza by yourself is generally a bad idea, especially when the grease drips on your notes - which might explain how I ended up with Eli Manning instead of Peyton. The pepperoni and cheese conspired against me.
Also, if you select Denver tight end Tony Scheffler, expect all the American Pie fans in your league to start in with the "Scheffler's mom" jokes.
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