Flyer's staying relevant as the Phillies' season is really just starting to begin

As many know by know the Boston Bruins and Dallas Mavericks are champions of their respective sports.  The Mavericks series was especially entertaining as it truly was like watching the 2001 76ers battle with the Lakers, only this time the underdog team with only 1 star, a bunch of role players, and guys past their prime took down the powerhouse Heat.  Additionally, it is great for the sport of Basketball to finally have Dirk legitimize his career with a championship.  In the hockey world, as much as it pains me to say this, Boston played one hell of a series - coming back from the dead numerous times to take home the cup.  You have to feel good for Mark Recchi (former flyer) to end his almost too long of a career hoisting Lord Stanley.  I can't complimnet enough the play of Mr. Tubby, Tim Thomas, throughout the Bruins cup run - he was as good as could be after a down year in 2009-2010.

Now we shift focus locally - Flyers and Phillies.  We all know, at this point, the Sixers are no longer relevant (have they completed the sale of the franchise yet - I don't even know)...and I am tired of hearing about the NFL lockout - call me when games start.

The Flyers are making the most of their offseason so far (though losing more prospects and picks) by trading for the rights of who I consider to be the #1 free agent goalie in the NHL market, Ilya Bryzgalov.  If the Flyers know what is right, they will get a deal done.  However, the cost cannot be trading Mike Richards as some suggest.  I am off and on the fence for making cap room by trading Jeff Carter or Matt Carle - but what do I know.  Let's hope a deal gets done, and the draft will be exciting because the hockey world is waiting to see who the Flyers are gonna trade to sign the Bryz-er.

Since most of my time recently has been centered on finals action, I have had little time to really keep too in tune with the Phillies.  This period of time is what I like to call the "boring" quarter of the baseball season.  It's not the opening month, we haven't hit the all-star break yet, we are not in that exciting september month that has brought us the memorable collapses of the Mets in '07 and '08.  In reality the Phillies are just keeping the status quo right now - 10-6 since the beginning of June, but at least the have pretty much a healthy team, and appear to be amping up to play some real Phillies' ball in the 2nd half (fingers-crossed).