There really is nothing like the NCAA tournament. Harvard beating New Mexico? No way. I have the Lobos winning two games in my bracket, so self-interest should’ve prompted me to root for them. But my heart was pulling for Harvard – who wasn’t even expected to win the Ivy League this year, let alone hang in there with New Mexico, a No. 3 seed. What a game.

Actually, I’m OK with the trade. The more I read about Revere’s speed and defense, I think he’ll be a nice asset to the lineup, despite the obvious lack of power.

used to GM amaro making a big splash early on, so this waiting game is unusual. didn’t he sign papelbon within a day of his becoming a free agent? i still think amaro will do at least one major trade/signing. who knows when that will be, however. actually, there’s little activity overall on the free-agent front. i guess teams are being cautious. or maybe it’s the players …

Sometimes things have a way of working out. After he was named the top pitcher in the International League this week, Tyler Cloyd earned a call up to the big leagues with the illness of Cole Hamels. Cloyd is considered a fringe prospect because he lacks velocity, but at least he’ll be getting an opportunity. Maybe if he does well tonight he’ll supplant Worley in the rotation for the rest of the year.

I liked it at first glance, but ESPN’s kate fagan (who used to work for the philly inquirer), does a great job explaining what it all means.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8260468/nba-identity-crisis-solved-philadelphia

i like the return in the victorino trade – a decent reliever and a pitching prospect. the phillies weren’t going to re-sgin him, so anything they got in return is a bonus. as for pence, i’m not sure. other than top catching prospect tommy joseph, it seems like the return wasn’t great for a guy the giants will have under contract next season, too.

Good for Jim. He has a decent chance of playing in the postseason and maybe getting that elusive World Series ring. And I wouldn’t mind if the Phillies brought Thome back after the season as a scout or coach.

This is going to be a very long season, I’m afraid.

The AAA closer has been lights out, and he actually throws hard, too! Imagine that …

as someone just tweeted, this is the first time in a long while the birds finally a drafted a guy we fans wanted. jim washburn is going to love coaching cox. comcast’s ray didinger also has cox ranked as the best DT in the draft.