Morning Extras: It's a New Year for Phillies

Happy New Year everyone. Yes, for those of you who don't know, today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. So, indeed, Happy New Year. Or, as we said in the old neighborhood, Happy Jew Year.

But it's not just the desert wanderers who are celebrating the turn of a new year this week. It's a new year for the beloved Philadelphia Phillies. Playoff time. Ryan Howard has zero home runs and zero RBI. Brad Lidge hasn't still blown a save, but forget about 41 chances...he's had none. They have to prove it all over again, on a stage much grander.

But it's also a new year for guys like Pat Burrell and Brett Myers. Burrell has had his ups and downs this season, but right now, he's tied for the playoff lead in, well, everything. Should Burrell take this opportunity to put up Carlos Beltran-like numbers (in Houston, not with the Choking Dogs in Flushing) and parlay that into a monster contract, well, that'd be just dandy. And Myers has the opportunity to show he's the big-game starter we've always wanted him to be. We'll forget his first half (and his last two outings) if he goes out on Thursday and shuts the Brew Crew down.

New Years day is today for many of us. But for the Phillies, the new year starts Wednesday with Cole Hamels on the bump. I've already got my party hat on!

BASEBALL LINKS:

• Todd Zolecki has news that Yovani Gallardo will start game one for the Brewers. He's pitched once since coming back from knee surgery.

• Speaking of Zolecki, he talked with Meech over at the Fightins about being from Milwaukee.

• Speaking of Zolecki, he was busy last night. He talked to me about that topic, as well as covering a beat day-in and day out, who the MVP of the team is and what to expect this post season. Listen here.

• Marcus Hayes has the story of how Cole Hamels can't survive with a good rub down. Hey, whatever works, dude.

• JSOnline has more on Gallardo getting the ball in game one.

• There's a game today. Twins at Chisox. Chicago made sure of that in grand fashion.

FOOTBALL LINKS:

•Steelers won in overtime. Defensive football is BORING.

• Andy Reid still has confidence in his kicker. At least someone does, because it doesn't look like David Akers has confidence in the Eagles kicker.

• Brian Westbrook couldn't cut on his ankle, says Les Bowen. This could be a lingerer, eh?

• Ray Didinger has his view from the Hall this week, lamenting how the Birds let it get away.

• Eagles-Skins this week, so let's get the trash talk started early. Steinz has a story about the passion and fire that burns deep within Daniel Snyder.

• Is Al Davis really looking for replacements for his coach BEFORE firing him? The man is insane. If he's even still alive.

RANDOM LINKS:

• Janet Jackson went to the hospital. I have nothing to add to that, other than Janet Jackson is still touring? People pay her money to perform still? Wow.

• Anyone have a mattress I can borrow?

• Again, follow me on Twitter.

Comments

[Snidely]

I'm sorry, but "deep tissue release" still sounds like something a seedy massage therapist from Craigslist offers.

[theKrisheim]

someone needs to pull that "cole hamels record during day games" stat out.

if i remember correctly, his W/L record is much better at night.

[Dan Levy]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=hamelco01#locat-stad

4.43 ERA in 28 day games.
3.01 ERA in 56 night games.

.264 BA against in day.
.219 BA against at night.

[DLo34]

Either way, it is time for Cole Hamels to step up and win a big game. Because if he doesn't step up and win game 1, I'm sure the team will "remember" that too when it comes time to offer contracts.

With that said, if he throws well in Game 1, they should bring him back on three days rest for Game 4.

[GreggyD]

I don't know if there will be enough time for a chiropractor to come in and work on Cole before he goes on 3 days rest.

[Tartan69]

Not Phillies-related, but what a shocking development:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/093008dnspocowsider.14c1b5c.html

I'm sure no one in the Delaware Valley saw this coming...

[Scott B]

section 139 tomorrow. woohoo!

[Mamula Blues]

You just dropped a hard J man....

[enrico]

Levy's Jewish? Who knew?