Dear Jim Thome,

Congratulations on being the 8th person in major league baseball history to hit 600 home runs!! As far as we know, you've done it without the use of steroids or performance enhancing drugs. Throughout your 20 year career, you have played the game with class and have never took the game for granted. You played on those Cleveland Indians teams along with Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez, and you were considered the third wheel on those teams. Consistently, you have put up numbers that are comparable to hall of famers. While those other two fizzled out and were found to use performance enhancers, you have played your career scandal free. You were always considered the next tier of first baseman behind guys like, Rafeal Palmerio, Fred Mcgriff, Mark McGwire, John Olerud, and even Mo Vaughn. In my opinion you are a better player than those players. Your longevity and class has made you an ideal professional athlete. You're not an athlete that has held on too long in order to achieve a milestone. You still bring a great deal to the table and you're still a feared hitter. I want to extend a sincere thank you to you. Throughout the steroid era, you have been one of the few consistent bright spots that the game has had. 600 home runs, 2,260 hits, career batting average of .277, and 1,657 runs batted in, that's a hall of fame career if you ask me. Longevity, consistency and class, those 3 words should be what everyone remembers about you and your career. Your a class act, and hopefully baseball fans will get to see you in Cooperstown someday!!! Again, congratulations on achieving such a great milestone, and thank you for being a great ambassador of the game!!!!!

Weekly Annoyances.....

It's the long overdue return of weekly annoyances. It's been a while so if you don't remember, this is where I get off my chest 2 or 3 everyday things that really annoy me and it also gives the readers a different perspective on them. So without further ado.......

Weekly Annoyance #1

The first thing that has annoyed me and continues to annoy me is so called "unwritten" rules in sports. To me I understand etiquette, however, if there was a need for "unwritten" rules to be emphasized, they wouldn't be unwritten!!!!! The most recent incident involving said "unwritten" rules happened over the weekend between the Phillies and Giants. Up 8-2 in the 6th inning, Jimmy Rollins of the phillies stole second base. Apparently this upset members of the Giants and they decided to purposely throw at Shane Victorino. This in my eyes was bullshit!!!! I'm a firm believer in something that was told to me when I played little league. That saying is simply, " if you don't want a team to whoop your ass, do something about it"!!!! This does not mean deliberately throw at someone, it means score enough runs to win, and stop the other team from scoring!!!!! Simple!!! The fact that they are making a huge deal about this is petty. Sports are competitive and to ask professional athletes to "take it down a notch" when you're up 8-2, is complete and total bullshit. That's like asking a lawyer to take it easy on the opposing lawyer because it's their first case!!!!!! Listen, as I said, I'm all for etiquette, but most athletes today are babies and can't take a little trash talk or criticism. So for these so called "unwritten" rules, I got a rule that was told to me as a young kid.... If you can't roll with the big dogs, stay on the porch with the puppies..... Bitch!!!! So to athletes that can't stand to be embarrassed by a superior team and cry about the "unwritten" rules I'm here to tell you..... Knock that shit off!!!!!!!!

Weekly Annoyance # 2

Disorganized people. We all know them. People who say they'll be there at 7 and show up at 8:30 because they can't find their car keys, or wallet. The people that ask where something is even though it's theirs and they were the last ones with it. Those same people that you ask to use something and they have no clue where it is but say they know exactly where it is. The people that make plans, change them, change them again, think about it, then change it back to the original plans. The females that have huge purses, knowing this they just throw their debit cards into the black holes and complain when they can't find them the next time. The people that "organize" things but in actuality it's someone else who planned everything and they just take the credit. These same people that don't realize all of the people they are inconveniencing due to their disorganized lives. Listen I'm not asking you to have everything ironed out perfectly to every waking second, but when there are numerous people involved maybe take their lives into consideration a little bit. Put yourselves in their shoes and then make that decision. Some people will think about it next time they involve other people in their unorganized everyday activities and some people after reading this still won't give a shit. I am speaking for many people that feel like I do when I say this.... The next time you plan something, involve multiple people, and it turns out there is nothing planned, I'm going to be there with plenty of other people to tell you..... Knock that shit off!!!!!!!!

Weekly Annoyance # 3

A few annoyances back I touched on an ugly word that many people hate, "manners". The reason many people hate this word is because it involves them actually using them. These same people who don't partake in using the word, are the first ones to bitch and moan when they do not get treated with those same manners they failed to use. To piggyback off of Jim's previous post, WTF!!!!! You don't use manners, then you want to bitch about how you get treated???? That's kind of like the people who don't work, but then bitch about their free food and free healthcare!!!!! Oh yeah, I went there. If you don't want me to say things like that then do me one favor, PLEASE! The next time you have the chance to use manners, for the love of god use them. Manners are like the "unwritten" rules of the real world. So the next time I hold the door for you, and you don't say thank you, I'll be waiting for you on the way out of that same place to slam the door in your face and to also tell you...... Knock that shit off!!!!!!!!


Make sure you check out more annoyances when I talk about people who wear socks with sandals and those damn plaid shorts!!!!!!!

Until then this is Kyle Montgomery, and this has been my two cents!!!!

If you got a chip fan, go and brush your shoulder off.....

It bonus time.  It’s your lucky day because I’m giving you back to back posts.  The Philly sports landscape is gradually changing.  There is a lot in the news recently that needs to be discussed.  So without further ado, here’s your weekend bonus 4 pack.

Philly Sports Weekend Bonus 4 pack 

Golden Era

There were articles about a month or so ago in both the Daily News and Inquirer talking about how this is the golden era of Phillies baseball.  I don’t disagree but I’m going to take it one step further.  We are in the golden era of ALL Philadelphia sports.  Don’t think so?  Check out these stats:

Playoff appearances since 2000 (Flyers and Sixers start with 2000-2001 season):

Eagles – 9 out of 11 seasons (6 division titles, 3 wild card berths, 5 NFC Championship games, 1 NFC title, 1 Super Bowl appearance) 

Phillies – 4 out of 11 seasons (4 division titles, 2 NL titles, 1 Championship)

Flyers -   9 out of 10 seasons (2004-2005 season cancelled) (3 division titles, 3 conference finals, 1 Stanley cup appearance)

Sixers – 7 out of 11 seasons (1 division title, 1 NBA Finals appearance)

Obviously the one thing missing is multiple championships.  I challenge anyone to name me another era in history where the teams have had this kind of sustained success.  It can’t be done.  I know some of my old head readers may say the mid 70’s to mid 80’s simply because of the number of titles.  You could make a valid argument but sports are different now.  Also, not all 4 teams had this kind of success for this long the entire time.  So enjoy ladies and gentleman.  You are in the golden age of Philly sports and there is no guarantee how long it will last or if it will ever happen again.  I still would like to see few more championships.  Without them is the era really that golden?

Competitive year after year or title

Speaking of golden eras and titles, I actually could do without this golden age.  Out of 29 playoff appearances and 5 finals appearances Philly only has 1 title?  Come on.  You can do the math and the average is not that good.  I would trade all of this sustained success for a few more championships.  I know there are a lot of team’s fans out there who’d gladly trade places with me in a minute.  I’m greedy.  Especially since I got the taste of what a championship is I want more.  All those division titles and playoff appearances mean shit if you don’t win the title.   I may be in the minority but give me another title in 3 out of 4 of the sports and I’ll be satisfied for a few years.  Give me a Lombardi Trophy, a Stanley Cup, and an O’Brien trophy to go with the World Series Trophy and I’ll take a few years of being in last place.  Beats the hell out of being so close only to have it ripped away.

Chip on shoulder

As I mentioned yesterday, the Eagles are making crazy moves and spending a lot of money.  They are bringing in some big name players in an effort to make a run at that elusive Super Bowl title.  I do think that Joe Banner and Howie Roseman are feeling jealous of the Phillies and their recent success.  Whatever the reason is, I’ll take it.  I’m a regular follower of ESPN.com’s page 2 as well as profootballtalk.com (I really wish they’d give me a free plug since I just gave them one…..just saying).  I like to read the comments that people leave.  After each article or post that involves the Eagles without fail some asshole Cowboys or Giants fans will undoubtedly leave the “The Eagles fans are horrible.  They know nothing and have this huge chip on their shoulder”, or something to that extent.  Guess what?  Eagles fans do have chips on their shoulders.  I’ll be honest, a lot stems from jealously and frustration.  Jealous that all of the cities near Philadelphia have won Super Bowls and, with the exception of the Baltimore Ravens, multiple Super Bowls.  You can’t have an intelligent argument with a Cowboys, Giants, Redskins, Steelers, or Patriots fan without them mentioning their Super Bowl titles.  It’s frustrating but hell, I don’t blame them.  It’s the ultimate trump card.  I can throw out all the knowledge I have but it doesn’t mean shit when one of them undoubtedly will ask, “How many rings do you have?”  I just want to be in the conversation.  You can boast all you want about how many at that point, I’d be happy with my one.  Unfortunately as it stands now, I haven’t even been invited to the party to be a part of the discussion.  That’s where the chip comes from.   

I was watching as the fog rolled into Soldier Field.  I had to deal with Bryce Paup snapping Randall’s knee like twig and then Jerome Brown dying.  God told me to go to Green Bay.  The musical quarterbacks in the mid to late 90’s.  (Does Brad Goebel ring a bell?)  For who? For What?  Rich Kotite.  Doug Pederson.  Tommy Hutton bobbling the snap.  Emmitt Smith running and running on Halloween night in the rain.  Did I mention Doug Pederson?  Ronde Barber.  Ricky Manning.  Asante Samuel (when he was with the Patriots).  You get the point.  So yes, as an Eagles fan I do have a chip on my shoulder.  The only thing that will knock it off is a Super Bowl Title.  I’ll work out the details of my party conversation when I get there.  For now, I just want to be invited to the party.  Maybe the invitation got lost in the mail?

Dream Team

If you ask most of the so called “experts”, this is the year my invitation comes in the mail.  The Eagles are making a lot of power moves and honestly I like it.  All that’s left is to extend Vick and Desean’s contracts and we could be set for a really long time.  What I don’t like is all the hype.  Maybe it’s the chip on my shoulder but I don’t like all the talk that is going on.  2 of the new players have made comments that have everyone up in arms.  Vince Young, in jest I might add, said the Eagles were a “dream team”.  First of all if you watch the interview he was obviously joking.  The media however took this and ran with it.  Vince, let this be a lesson to you, watch what you say.  Joking or not you’ve been in the league long enough to know better.  The media is also part to blame too.  This is a non-story.  Vince Young was laughing and the quote was taken out of context.  Maybe it’s the chip on my shoulder but the media seems against the Eagles too.  Just saying.  Jason Babin Tweeted that the Eagles were like the Miami Heat.  Seriously?  First of all expectations were already going to be high.  Secondly, you do know what happened to them right?  I hope you’re ready to step up Jason because teams are going to be coming at you extra hard. 

Rob Ryan

Here’s your Saturday bonus.  Rob Ryan said he can’t wait to kick the ass of the “all hype team”.  I’ll admit there is a lot of hype surrounding the Eagles.  But seriously Rob?  All your family does is talk.  Other than old man Buddy who won a title as a coordinator, your family has won nothing.  Your father choked (literally and figuratively) as the coach of the Eagles 3 straight years.  Rex has won nothing.  Your record as a coordinator is terrible.  How about you worry about getting your shit together before you talk any more shit?  

Well that’s all for know.  Again if you haven’t done so already like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter @Obs_Views_Blog Tell your friends about us.  You can also subscribe for e-mail updates every time we post.  Do it so I can stop asking you.  Until next time this is Jimbo saying I’m feeling a little Chippy.

We're Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack

What’s everybody?  We are back after a short summer hiatus.  Consecutive bachelor parties in Vegas and Ocean City kind of took up most of my free time.  With that said, I’ve been keeping notes and there are a lot of things to talk about.  The next few posts from me will be of the 4 pack variety.  Since there has been a long break between posts I’ll also give you a bonus to get you ready for the weekend.  So much has gone down.  The Phillies have been on fire.  The Eagles are spending money like it’s their job, oh wait it is.  Somehow I think they are a tad bit jealous of the Phillies and I’m going to say it; Philadelphia has become a baseball town.  Yeah I said it.  The summer is winding down which means school is back soon and hopefully a regular posting schedule.  Let’s get to the 4 pack.

Weekend 4 pack plus a bonus

OMG?

While sending a text message or personal e-mail I get that people use acronyms for phrases.  In fact it makes sense.  After all who wants to spend an extra 30 seconds typing oh my god when you simply type OMG?  (I hope you get the sarcasm.)  The only thing worse than OMG, LOL, and IDK is when people simply write K.  Seriously?  You can’t type one more letter?  Am I not important enough for your O?  But I digress.  Riding the elevator up to work the other morning I heard the most disturbing thing ever.  Two grown ass woman, who work as professionals none the less, having a conversation that sounded like a text. “OMG, my boss is driving me crazy”  “LOL, what did she do today?”  “IDK, it’s just her whole attitude”.  Luckily for my sanity I got off the elevator before I was subjected to more.  What’s wrong with us as a society?  Are we that lazy that speaking full words is too much effort?  Terrible.  Its bad enough we’re too lazy to type a couple extra letters but now we can’t speak them?  SMH.

Wheels fall off

Chris Wheeler.  What is up with this guy?  Is there a worse announcer in the Phillies broadcast booth?  I know a lot of them are terrible (I personally like Sarge, but I’ll save that for another post) but what does “Wheels” bring to the table.  If you actually listen to him, his baseball knowledge is shaky at best.  He tries to sound smart but that only makes him sound dumber.  He is annoying.  When he does his “color analysis” it sounds like something a 6 year old who just started playing little league would say.  Half the time he contradicts himself or just repeats what the other announcer says, and he states the obvious.  (ex.  After an error or walk, “Didn’t want to do that”)  No shit you didn’t.  What, did you go to the John Madden School of broadcasting?  I get that he has been in Philadelphia forever.  Does that mean he gets a pass?  Nope.  Hang it up Wheels.  You bring nothing to the table, I get more stump the fans questions right than you (and I’m at least half your age), you’re out of touch, nobody likes you, and your hairpiece is horrible.  What am I saying?  I’m officially throwing my hat in the ring to be Chris Wheeler’s replacement.  Anyone?  Beuller?  Beuller?

Queen Arlene

Here’s a newsflash, the Philadelphia public school system is a mess (and that’s an understatement).  Everyone knows that.  My issue is that the superintendent has been getting criticism about how she is running the district.  Sounds fair.  She’s in charge and the district is broke, laying off teachers, she’s getting bonuses while people are losing jobs, etc.  What’s not fair are the jackasses who are saying she is being criticized because she’s black.  What?  Here’s my response to those idiots.  She has done some great things, however she is not doing her job if the district is in that bad of shape.  I know it’s a difficult task but to say she is being criticized because she is black is ridiculous.  These people (the ones who are saying its racism) are one of the big reasons racism still exists.  Many people have fought so black people can have equal rights.  Guess what?  Part of being equal is taking criticism.  So because she is black, the mayor is black, and our president is black, etc. and I’m white, I can’t criticize them for not doing a good job?  So next time Michael Vick throws an interception or Ryan Howard strikes out, I’m not supposed to say anything? Huh?  That’s asinine.  It blows my mind that people are quick to scream racism about everything.  If my students aren’t learning whose fault is it?  Yep, mine. If a company is not performing whose fault is it? The CEO’s.  So when the school district is not performing whose fault is it?  You guessed it.  The superintendent.  It has nothing to do with her skin color.  I know there is racism.  But it’s irresponsible for someone to cry racism every time something or someone gets criticized.  SMH.

Credit Card Debt

I work hard for my money.  I pay my bills one time.  I was in a heap of credit card debt at one point but I worked hard to pay it off.  More and more people are getting in over their heads and then claiming bankruptcy or going through a credit agency that will help “eliminate” some of their debt.  This is bullshit.  Because you spent way too much money you can have your debt magically erased?  What’s my motivation to pay my bills on time then?  Its ridiculous and I never understood it.  When I interned at First USA (which became Bank One and who the hell knows what it is now) I was in the employee communications department.  Part of my job was to explain to employees the incentive programs the bank was running.  Basically First USA was giving these people who were not paying their bills “prizes” for doing so.  What?  You’re rewarding people for doing what they should be doing anyway?  WTF? (Again, being ironic with the acronyms)  Even in school they want us to reward the kids for NOT misbehaving.  This sends the wrong message.  Do I get rewarded for showing up to work on time everyday?  No, I wish.  I’d lead the league in bonuses.  If I show up late will there be a penalty?  You better believe it.  To reward these people for living beyond their means and racking up thousands of dollars of debt is mind blowing.  It’s absolutely terrible and they will probably doing the same thing once their debt is “erased”.  Meanwhile I’m busting my ass to pay my bills.  Where’s my prize????

Poker?  I hardly know her

So Alex Rodriguez is in trouble for playing poker.  So what?  We all play “illegal” poker games.  Are we hurting anyone?  No.  Did A-Rod hurt anyone?  No. (Unless he was up late and it affected his play on the field).  Sure his games were a tad bit more high stakes then yours or mine but so what.  I know it’s illegal to gamble, but who is getting hurt?  It’s a victimless crime much like prostitution.  To even think about suspending him is stupid.  Speeding is a crime.  Do athletes get suspended for speeding tickets?  Not paying child support is a crime (if it’s not it should be) do they get suspended for that?  So you want to suspend A-Rod for poker?  Come on Bud, you have more important things on your plate than if A-Rod is playing poker.  I know he was warned but seriously?  Besides, you have no proof besides some dudes who are coming out and saying it.  They are admitting they committed a crime.  Usually if it was a serious enough crime and someone admitted to it, they’d be locked up.  These people aren’t being locked up, so why the suspension talk?  SMH.

Before we wrap up I wanted to say one thing.  I know Kyle covered this in his last post but the Justin Verlander no hitter fiasco is still irritating me.  Unwritten rules?  I agree with some of them.  However, a guy attempting to bunt for a base hit in a 3 run game during a pennant race while you are throwing a no hitter is not Bush League Ms. Justine.  Had it been 10-0 I’d see your point.  It’s a 3 run game.  Your team only won 3-2 so apparently it sparked something in them.  Had you made a better throw to first maybe you’d have your no hitter.  Just saying.  Wahhhhhh!  Well that’s it for today.  Remember to followe us on Twitter @Obs_Views_Blog I post random thoughts throughout the week.  Also like us on Facebook.  Until next time this is Jimbo saying; Hello?  You play to win the game.

You got iced......

What's up everybody?? We took some time off and we apologize. Now we're back and better!!

The first thing I want to talk about is the recent baseball game between the Angels and Tigers. I'll give a little back story here. Jared Weaver was the pitcher for the angels and he hangs a breaking ball over the heart of the plate and Magglio Ordonez crushes the ball. Now he stayed at the plate for a few seconds to see if it was fair or foul and it happened to be fair. Seeing this, Jared Weaver thinks he is trying to show him up and gets pissed and says something to the umpire. This next part I love and I appreciate what Carlos Quentin did. In the 7th inning the same thing occurs when Quentin crushes a HR only this time he was trying to show him up and I commend him for that!!! Listen, I'm not saying play the game with no class but, if you're going to get pissed for what you think is someone showing you up, then someone should then show you up to make sure your anger is properly placed!!! Now there are unwritten rules in baseball that most people know about. Two of them were on display in this game. After Quentin purposely showed up Weaver, the unwritten rule says the next batter suffers. Jared weaver threw at the next batter's head and subsequently got ejected, in my opinion rightfully so. Jared weaver, quit bitching like a little girl, you made the pitches, suffer the consequences. If you had struck them out and fist pumped ( not jersey shore like) would that be any different?? NO!!! This is something that constantly bothers me in major league baseball. Since when were pitchers above the game??? Why should they not have trash talk towards them, because they're more important than the hitter?? Last time I checked the game consists of a pitcher throwing a ball in which the batter hits. Pitchers, quit being "not-straight" ( politically correct) and get over it!!!!! After review by the league, Weaver got suspended for 6 games. So Jared Weaver, you get iced!!!!


Recently I was at the beach attending my 4-day weekend of a bachelor party and there were a ton of things that should not happen that took place. A fat guy in a tight, purple, iron man shirt. A fat girl in a tight, purple, iron man shirt. Two guys having a dance off. A 295 pound 5ft- 8in guy who is pastry (play on words) white wearing no shirt. A 295 pound 5ft- 8in girl who is pastry ( same play on words)white wearing no shirt. An extremely feminine guy dancing with girls. An extremely feminine girl dancing with, girls. 14 grown ass men dumping trash cans of ice and playing pranks on the other 2 grown ass men that came with us A grown man wearing a pink shirt, white pants, and white shoes and thought it was awesome. That same guy going around to everyone he saw, handing them a smirnoff ice and yelling to them "you got iced". We established that this was not the proper use of the prank and said person got properly "iced".
All in all there was a ton of stuff I saw that should never happen, but there was one thing that was something you don't see enough of. That's 16 guys that have known each other for about 15 years and still hanging out having a blast!!!!!

I'm Kyle Montgomery and this has been my two cents!!