Will gloves come off in Round 2?

Brace yourself for Round II.

John McCain and Barack Obama are set to go mano a mano again tonight in their second debate. It will take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. It will be a Town Hall format with questions submitted by audience members and Internet participants.

That town hall moniker makes it seem like a nice, courteous affair.

I don’t see it. This one could be where the gloves come off, and the two candidates engage in a heavyweight bout. The Main Event as it were.

I say that because of the nasty turn the campaign has taken in the past few days. Things are getting ugly.

Sarah Palin, the self-described “pit bull with lipstick” hockey mom, has taken on the attack dog mode so often associated with the vice president’s slot.

She has been hammering Obama for an old connection to former Weather Underground activist William Ayers. The two served on a board of an educational facility in the Chicago area.

Palin has indicated Obama likes to “pal around” with terrorists. That’s because the Weathermen were renowned for their anti-war actions in the ‘70s, including a series of bombings.

To me the connection is a reach. Hey, Palin says she saw it in the New York Times, so maybe she’s starting to read the newspapers. A few weeks ago, quizzed by Katie Couric, she couldn’t name one that she read regularly.

She wants to talk directly to the American people. She doesn’t want that message to go through the filter of the media. It’s coming through loud and clear this week. And it’s not a pretty picture.

Obama apparently could not resist firing back. He’s unearthing old stories about McCain and his ties to the Keating 5 and the savings and loan scandals of the ‘80s.

All of this is set up by the backdrop of the constant drum beat of an economy going to hell in a handbasket. And of poll numbers that show Obama increasing his lead, specifically in several crucial swing states, including Pennsylvania.

It sounds as if McCain’s handlers are looking to move the discussion away from the economy, with the belief being that it’s not an issue that plays well for him.

Good luck to them avoiding what is clearly the No. 1 issue in the election.

Tonight I expect the candidates to shake hands when they take the stage in Tennessee.

And then come out swinging.

Here's your Phillies NLCS schedule

Here’s a tip for Phillies fans: Sleep now.

The times have now been set for the Phils NLCS against the Dodgers that kicks off Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park. We’re going to be burning the midnight oil.

We get exactly one afternoon game. That will come late Friday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Every other game is scheduled to have the first pitch at 8:22 p.m., regardless of whether it is in Philadelphia or L.A.

Sunday we actually get something of a double-header, with the Eagles playing in San Francisco at 4:15, followed by the Phillies and Dodgers in L.A. at 8:22.

Here’s how the schedule breaks down:

Game 1, Thursday, Citizens Bank Park: 8:22 p.m.
Game 2, Friday, Citizens Bank Park: 4:35 p.m.
Game 3, Sunday, Dodger Stadium: 8:22 p.m.
Game 4, Monday, Dodger Stadium: 8:22 p.m.
Game 5, Wednesday Oct. 15, Dodger Stadium: 8:22 p.m. *
Game 6, Friday Oct. 17, Citizens Bank Park: 8:22 p.m. *
Game 7, Saturday Oct. 18, Citizens Bank Park: 8:22 p.m. *

* If necessary.

All games will be broadcast on Fox-29.

Get your beauty sleep now. The way these games run, they should be ending somewhere between 11:30 and midnight.

It could be worse. You could work for a newspaper. Our nightly deadline is 11:40. We’ll be pushing that one most nights.

Paint the town red?

I have mused in this space several times about how the Phillies had taken over the town this summer.

The Phils spent most of the summer in or near first place in the National League East. Talk about the Eagles, which usually dominates the airwaves 12 months a year, actually was shunted aside in favor of baseball chatter.

So you would think that we’d be ready to paint the town red this week, with the Phils advancing to the National League Championship Series by finishing off the Brewers.

You would think the Eagles would be green with envy.

Well, the two teams went head-to-head for TV viewers on Sunday. The numbers are kind of interesting.

We’re still a football town, at least when it comes to the tube. The Eagles drew a 22.7 rating Sunday as they bumbled their way to a loss at home against the Redskins. In the meantime the Phillies were pulling just a 13.8 rating as they beat the Brewers to advance to the NLCS.

Here’s the scoreboard: 674,000 households tuned to the Eagles, 410,000 glued to the Phils. I will admit I was one of those tuned to the Birds. I had them on TV, the Phils on the radio. Of course I was also flipping madly back and forth.

Part of that has to do with the fact that football lends itself to TV, with its short bursts of action and violence. Baseball, on the other hand, is more languid, perfect for the radio.

The Eagles clearly haven’t lost their grip on the region just yet. But another loss this Sunday, as the Phils are striving to get to the World Series, just might do the trick.

On Sunday the Eagles actually are the pre-game show. They’re on Fox at 4:15, while the Phils follow on Fox at 8:22 in Game 3 from Dodger Stadium at 8:22.

These quotes are for the Birds

Here are two quotes that set me back a bit when I read them after the bumbling Eagles lost to the Redskins Sunday.

“Not taking anything from them, but there is no way this team is better than us. It was embarrassing these last two weeks. They’re two teams we should not have lost to.”

Those choice words come from quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Defensive end Trent Cole was singing a similar tune.

“That was embarrassing. We’ve got a great team. But we’ve got to go out there and show it. We just didn’t show it today.”

What games are these guys watching? It’s the same tired old song they’ve been chirping since last year, when similar mistakes and poor play dropped them out of playoff contention.

The Eagles – and their front office – puffed up their chest after they won their last three games, as if that was a true indicator of how good the team is.

I’m not buying. In fact, I think the last two weeks are likely a better indicator of how good this team is. The opening-day win against a horrible Rams team, the exciting shootout loss against the Cowboys and a dominating win against the Steelers might be the real mirage.

Last year the Eagles finished 8-8. They could be looking at an instant replay.

This team just isn’t that good. That was my belief when they got to Lehigh this summer. It was my belief through the exhibition season. I’ll admit I got sucked in by those efforts against the Cowboys and Steelers.

Not anymore. These guys, from Andy Reid right on down, seem oblivious to the team’s problems and the fact that they continue to make the same mistakes in every game. They refuse to run the ball, have no ability to establish a running game, and Reid continues to ignore pressing needs, such as punt returner last year, now fullback and tight end, as well as place kicker this year.

The Eagles now are seeing injury heaped upon insult. As usually happens during an NFL season, they’re banged up to boot. Brian Westbrook, who did not exactly make a difference against the ‘Skins, has two broken ribs and is questionable for the game against the 49ers in San Francicso Sunday afternoon.

Here’s another quote the Eagles should consider.

“We got our ass kicked,” defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said after seeing his defense torched for more than 200 yards rushing Sunday.

I don’t think it will be the last time.

The Daily Numbers - October 6

*

The Daily Numbers: 1 p.m. yesterday, crunch time for Philly sports fans with both the Phillies and Eagles playing at the same time.

8:07 Thursday night, Game 1 of the National League Championship Series with the Dodgers in town to face the Phillies.

4:15 next Sunday, when the Eagles take the field again in San Francisco against the 49ers.

10 more hours you have to register to vote to be able to cast a ballot in the November presidential elections. You can register at the county courthouse in Media until 6 p.m.

100 Delaware County firefighters who made the trip to Emmitsburg, Md., yesterday to see fallen Sharon Hill firefighter Mike Reagan’s name added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

19060 the new zip code set up for the Garnet Valley area out in Concord Township.

41 age of man shot while driving on the Schuylkill Expressway last night in what police are calling a road-rage incident. He had his 8-year-old daughter in the car with him at the time.

50,000 people who packed the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia Saturday for an acoustic concert from Bruce Springsteen as part of a voter registration push by Sen. Barack Obama.

250 wireless cameras Philadelphia wanted erected in high-crime areas. They now indicate it won’t happen. They’ll only have about 70 cameras in place by the end of the year.

20 million dollar winning Powerball ticket Saturday night believed sold in Pennsylvania.

25 birds seized when police raided a suspected cockfighting ring in North Philadelphia.

30,000 dollars believed taken in a holdup at a Wal-Mart store in Burlington Township, N.J.

34 tenants police now believe were videotaped by a landlord in Norristown.

11 Pa. U.S. House members who voted in favor of the $700 economic bailout plan, including Rep. Joe Sestak.

6 cent dip in the price of gasoline over the weekend. AAA now reports the average price at the pump in the Philadelphia region at $3.43 a gallon.

6 strong innings from starter Joe Blanton, who got the win yesterday as the Phils closed out the Brewers in their NLDS series.

2 home runs for Pat Burrell, who had been struggling, along with a homer to lead off the game by Jimmy Rollins to lead the Phils over the Brewers.

3 losses to go with just 2 wins for the struggling Eagles.

23 unanswered points for the Redskins, after they fell behind the Eagles 14-0.

17 of 29 passing for Donovan McNabb, who was less than scintillating.

33 yards rushing for Brian Westbrook, on just 12 carries.

203 yards rushing surrendered by the Eagles’ defense, as the Redskins played smash-mouth for much of the game and shoved the ball right down the Eagles’ throats.

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Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.
Thrill of victory, agony of defeat. Yep, that pretty much sums up the afternoon for Philly fans.

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I Don’t Get It: Don’t fans deserve a little more respect than the drivel Andy Reid offers them after another galling loss. His “I have to put players in better position to make plays” mantra is worn out.

*

Today’s Upper: AAA now reports gas prices at their lowest levels since the spring. Of course, it also means that the summer driving season is officially over.

*

Quote Box: “We don’t think we should be looking at any thing less than a World Series – and that’s a World Series win.”

-- Jimmy Rollins, after the Phils won their NLDS series against the Brewers to advance to the NLCS.

Thrill of victory, agony of defeat

In my print column this morning I wrote about the “thrill of victory,” and the agony of trying to figure out how to cover it.

I was referring to the idea that as the editor of the newspaper and a huge sports fan, I often find my joy in reveling in the success of our Philly sports teams tempered by questions about how we would go about covering these big stories.

But yesterday I found myself dealing with another similar emotion.

Again with apologies to Jim McKay, you can call it “thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” I actually glanced at my watch. It was 4:03. Phillies win; Eagles lose.

Both the Phillies and Eagles were, for some as yet unexplained reason, playing at 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon.

The Phils were facing the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. They needed to win to avoid coming home for a pivotal Game 5, and the daunting prospect of facing Brewers’ ace CC Sabathia with a full four days rest.

The Eagles were at the Linc for a crucial NFC East contest. They had lost two very winnable games and stood with a thoroughly mediocre 2-2 record. It was early to call a game a “must-win” situation, but it was close.

The Phillies delivered the goods. They got an excellent outing from No. 4 starter Joe Blanton, who mowed down the Brewers for six innings before giving way to the bullpen. Jimmy Rollins set the pace with a homer to open the game. Pat Burrell, who did not have a hit in the series, hit two homers. Brad Lidge did his normal thing, slamming the door to seal the deal.

So far so good.

Unfortunately the Eagles were playing at the same time. This one did not go nearly as well. After racing to a 14-0 lead, the Eagles watched the Redskins storm back to win, 23-17.

Andy Reid is once again talking about having to “put players in a better position to make plays.”

Go ahead, paint the town red. The Phillies are going to the NLCS. They open at Citizens Bank Park Thursday night against the Dodgers.

If you’re an Eagles fan, you’ll have to settle for being green with envy.

This team suddenly looks an awful lot like last year’s edition. Remember the Birds were all full of themselves because they managed to win their last three games last year, despite having been eliminated from the playoffs.

After a decent start this year, they have now lost a crucial game to the Cowboys, blown another key contest to the Bears, then got manhandled by the Redskins yesterday.

Mike Schmidt used to describe playing in this town as “the thrill of victory, and the agony of reading about it in the newspaper the next day.”

The Phillies provided the thrills, the Eagles the chills.

The Eagles – and their fans - now will have to stew in still another galling loss until 4:15 next Sunday. That’s when they tangle with the 49ers.

And that one might actually be a “must-win” game.

For now, every game is a must-win for the Phils. That’s what happens when you’re in the playoffs.

Remember the playoffs, Eagles fans?

Nothing remote about these emotions

Anyone else need a thumb splint this morning?

Yes, I was among those flipping furiously most of yesterday afternoon.

I parked myself in front of the TV, armed myself with the remote control and a portable radio, and braced for three hours of Phillies and Eagles drama.

Thanks to the TV czars who tell our professional sports leagues when they will play these events, we had ot deal with the incredibly aggravating prospect of both the Eagles and Phillies playing yesterday at 1 o’clock.

Here was my strategy. I set up the TV to watch the Eagles. Then I put the Phils on the radio. And I spent the afternoon flipping furiously back and forth.

Football does not lend itself to constant flipping back and forth. It is a much more immediate, action-packed affair. Baseball, on the other hand, moves at its own pace. It is a slow, languid dance. It moves at its own pace. There is no clock.

It was not long before I was pumping my fist into the air. Jimmy Rollins opened the game by launching a pitch into the right-field stands. 1-0 Phils.

Then the Eagles took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field to score. 7-0 Birds. Looking good. Soon after that rookie sensation DeSean Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 14-0. Then came a key turning point in the game. The Eagles’ next drive stalled and they sent out David Akers to try a long field goal. Akers has been struggling from this distance. He missed two last week. Make it three. His kick sailed agonizingly just outside the right upright.

It was like pulling a plug. The Eagles went dead for the rest of the day. The Redskins chipped away and wound up beating them.

Luckily, the Phillies did their part, and salvaged the day by winning and advancing to the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.

Now excuse me while I ice down my thumb.