28 Years Later

Triumphant

Precision

South Philly

Self-portrait

Phanatical

"We are the champions my friends...and we'll keep on fighting to the end...we are the champions, we are the champions, no time for losers, 'cause we are the champions...of the WORLD!"

Freddie Mercury - We Are the Champions

Philadelphia was once known for their champions and championship mettle. From the 1967 and 1983 76ers, 74-75 Flyers, and the 1980 Phillies. However that was either before my time or I was way too young to remember. Nevertheless, what was once old, is now new again, as the Fightin' Phils, like they did in '80 have emerged victorious.

The Hunt for Red October

The Phillies are the 2008 World Series Champions, hence they are the most recent of the once dying breed of winners in the City of Brotherly Love. Prior to Game 5 the Philadelphia Soul of the AFL were the quasi toast of the town. However as far as this city is concerned, it has been a combined 98 seasons (all the major teams together) since the Sixers gave Philly a ticker-tape parade down Broad Street.

I don't recall '83, as I was just a child, and while Dr. J, Mo Cheeks, and Moses Malone were handed the keys to the city, my family welcomed a new addition, as my sister was born that summer after the fact. Ten years later the Phillies were again vying for supremacy in the '93 World Series, before falling short to the Toronto Blue Jays in 6 games. Now I do remember that, but I wasn't a baseball fan at the time...and while I wasn't apathetic, I wasn't head over heels in love either.

Baseball was always the forgotten sport, as I didn't play it growing up, and I wouldn't watch it on TV, because I thought it was boring. Besides, my father, nor my uncles passed the game down to me, so I followed my brother into futbol, basketball, and football.

Then one day in 1995, everything as I knew it changed when I was officially introduced to the New York Yankees via my friend CJ. He's from Staten Island, and not only did he enjoy baseball, but he also is a Yankees fan, because his mother and father are from the Bronx, so it was in his blood to learn and appreciate the game. Consequently, his fervor had an affect on me, and to this day I remain a loyal fan of the Yankees. As I learned the game, and grew to love it, I started watching my hometown team the Philadelphia Phillies.

Yesterday, I was able to come full circle with Philadelphia, the Phillies, and my affinity for journalism in one memorable trip south down Broad Street.

To make this long story short, I was on the double-decker bus, designated for the members of the working media to cover the celebration. Not only did I ride on the top level, but I enjoyed the love and affection for the Phillies, as my bus drove ahead of the floats the team and management were on.

In a word it was unbelievable. Never have I seen this city united as one. I was waving to total strangers, and I was accepted as a hero. I lead a few cheers of LET'S GO PHIL-LIES, and WE'RE NUMBER 1. I got off the bus and walked for a stretch, shook hands, and kissed babies, all the while, people were calling and texting, to inform me that they see me on the bus, or that I was on television on the bus. When my sister and grandmother saw me on WPVI-ABC 6, that meant a lot. It was the most surreal trip through South Philadelphia that I have experienced in my life.

Crazy 8's

Florence Griffith-Joyner - Seoul Gold

Sir Charles - precision and power

Redeem Team

West Philadelphia versus the world

Allyson Felix - God's gift

"You go ooh and ahh when I jump in my car...people treat me like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar...no matter who you are, when I'm up to par..."

Chuck D - Yo! Bumrush The Show

08.08.08 is upon us and in the tradition of the Olympics...let the games begin. I couldn’t resist naming this crazy 8’s, not as a reference to the 1993 Philadelphia Flyers line of Eric Lindros, Mark Recchi, Brent Fedyk and their jersey numbers (88, 8, and 18), but because this date is a historic, once in a lifetime occurrence...unless of course you feel like Teena Marie and have been here before?

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad hold the dreams, fears, ups, and downs of athletes and countries from all walks of life. When I think about the games, my first memory comes from a sweat shirt that my father used to wear when I was a child. It was a navy-blue hoodie that said USA ’84 across the front. I didn’t realize what that meant, but I do remember it well. It’s interesting what we recall from childhood, nevertheless my recollection of this world event begins with Florence Griffith-Joyner in Seoul, Korea during the '88 games. She was as talented and graceful as she was beautiful. She provided black children across the globe with hope, as I too was inspired and captivated by her medals (3 gold, 1 silver) that year.

Four years later Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and the Dream Team would take Barcelona by storm, thus changing me and the global aspect of basketball forever.

In 1996, it was Barkley and my favorite sharp-shooter Reggie Miller that led the charge in Atlanta for the gold, as Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly and company ushered in gold for a new era in women’s soccer.

There are two things from 2000 in Sydney that I enjoyed...the first was the fact that Allan Houston of the New York Knicks (I was working as an intern for the Knickerbockers) was on that gold medal team, and last but not least, it was Vince Carter who jumped and dunked over the 7-foot Frederick Weiss, which has to be one of the best moves in basketball I have ever seen.

2004 in Athens was bittersweet. Dawn Staley of North Philadelphia (Ramon Rozen Housing Projects) carried the flag for the USA during the opening ceremonies which was AMAZING, and the Men’s basketball team didn’t playing too well, as they earned the bronze medal. I did however enjoy watching women’s beach volleyball...with Kerri Walsh and Misty May, as well as the Brazilian team, but that is another story.

What I anticipate this year is the opportunity for Kobe Bryant* and the United States to redeem*

USA basketball*, Allyson Felix and Lopez Lomong in track, Jessica Mendoza and Cat Osterman in softball, and Michael Phelps as he tries to swim into history. I love playing and watching sports, so I always look forward to Games.

Stars and Stripes forever!

* - Click on Kobe Bryant or USA basketball for a Nike video...and click the word redeem above, and if you watch the video until the end...you will see a moment with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and I.