Phillies Battle Back To .500

            It has been an April full of questions and criticism for the Philadelphia Phillies.

            Without their No. 3 and No. 4 hitters in Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, the Phils have had a tough go over the first 24 games of the 2012 baseball season. There have already been times when the offense looked so abysmal that writers and fans were ready to throw away any championship aspirations.

            Yet, after Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies find themselves just 2.5 games back of the first-place Washington Nationals in the NL East.

            Through all of Philadelphia’s so-called problems and deficiencies, the team has won five of its last seven games and now sits at 12-12 on May 1. The good vibes should be increased by the fact that the Phils have scored at least five runs in four of those wins.

            As one would expect, the Phillies’ recent run has improved their offensive numbers.  In just nine days the Phils have doubled their homerun total (seven to 14) and have nearly doubled their RBI total (40 to 75). In that time they have also risen in the rankings in batting average (22^nd to 15^th), runs scored (29^th to 25^th), hits (19^th to 12^th), on-base percentage (27^th to 25^th) and slugging percentage (29^th to 25^th). Although some of the improvements have been minimal, at least they aren’t going in the other direction.

            One main reason for Philadelphia hanging tough is closer Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon locked down his ninth save Tuesday night and has yet to blow a lead this season. He boasts an outstanding 0.82 ERA and WHIP and has a batting-average against south of .170. The only earned run he has allowed all year was a solo homerun to Miami’s Austin Kearns. That came in his second appearance of the year on April 9 and was in a non-save situation. On top of that, the right-hander has not allowed a hit in his last six appearances.

            Still, the Phillies’ playoff hopes will rely on their offense producing at a much more consistent clip. Things are starting to look up even without a timetable for Utley or Howard’s return. Jimmy Rollins currently has a four-game hitting streak in which he has raised his average from .216 to .247. Placido Polanco has risen his average over 70 points in the last two weeks. Catcher Carlos Ruiz (.309), left fielder Juan Pierre (.313) and utility man Ty Wiggington (.317) are all hitting over .300. That’s nice considering Pierre and Wiggington weren’t considered to be every-day starters entering the year. Lastly, Laynce Nix has even made the most of his recent opportunities and is hitting a respectable .281.

            The only Phillie that has gone in the opposite direction as of late has been Shane Victorino. Victorino has been in quite a slump, as he is just seven for his last 45. His average has fallen from .315 to .229 since April 20.

            Now is not the time for Phillies fans to put their heads down. Despite all of Philadelphia’s supposed ‘problems,’ it currently sits just a few games out of first place in the division. Sure it may be the Phils’ roughest start since 2009, but keep in mind they still went to the World Series that year.

If Utley and Howard can return sometime in early-to-mid June with the team still within striking distance, and even though that is a big ‘if,’ they will be in great shape for the stretch run. All the Phillies have to do is keep themselves afloat until that time.

Phillies' Offensive Woes Continue

            The Philadelphia Phillies’ offensive woes continued Sunday with their 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres.  It was the first time this season the lowly Padres have won back-to-back games.

            Much was made about the Phillies’ powerless lineup entering this season.  However, it is hard to believe that anyone thought it would be this abysmal.

            Pitching certainly hasn’t been the problem for Philadelphia.  Entering Sunday’s contest, the Phils were ranked in the top-five in all of baseball in team ERA (No. 2 at 2.41), walks allowed (No. 5 at 36) and WHIP (No. 5 at 1.11).  Then again, with the starting staff that Philly possesses, those kinds of numbers were expected.

            It is the offense that has failed to show up through the first two weeks of the season.  Sunday marked the tenth time in 16 games that the Phils scored two or less runs.  It wasn’t until May 15 of last year that the Phils failed to score more than two runs for the tenth time.  They went on to do that in 50 of 167 games in 2011.  Although it may be a stretch to actually happen (or is it?) and Philadelphia fans sure hope it doesn’t happen, the Phils are on pace to score two or less runs in 100 games this year.  The return of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will definitely help matters, but neither had a timetable for their return.  Their supposed eventual return, or a trade, may turn out to be the only way to find some offensive production.

            Philadelphia’s offensive futility isn’t fun to write about, but the numbers have to be documented.

            Philadelphia is one of five National League teams with its leading hitter batting less than .300.  Through Saturday, Shane Victorino led the team with a .293 average.  The other four teams include Cincinnati (7-9), Milwaukee (7-9), Arizona (7-8) and San Diego (4-12).  It isn’t surprising that each of those teams is under .500.

            The Phillies’ RBI leader, Hunter Pence, has a mere seven on the year.  Only Pittsburgh possesses a team RBI leader with less than Pence.

            Things only get worse when looking at the team stats.  The Phillies rank in the bottom half of all of Major League Baseball in seven major offensive categories.  These numbers are through Saturday.

• .239 average – 22^nd
• 42 runs scored – 29^th
• 121 hits – 19^th
• 7 homeruns – T27^th
• 40 RBIs – 29^th
• .279 OBP – 27^th
• .320 SLUG – 29^th

Despite the terrible numbers and being in last place in the NL East at 7-9, there is still more than enough time for the Phillies to right the ship.  The Washington Nationals lead the division with a 12-4 mark, but have only played one team with a winning record (New York Mets) and will be hard pressed to keep up their winning play all season long.  Also, the Atlanta Braves (10-6), Mets (8-6) and Miami Marlins (7-8) have failed to take any real advantage of the Phillies’ downtime.

Still, a game lost is a game that can not be made up in the standings and the Phils’ offense hasn’t shown any signs of waking up.  While it is early, Philly shouldn’t be wasting any time in trying to find a solution to its offensive problems.

Sean Bianco’s arrival cemented with Wrestler of the Year Award

            Ever since he joined the Pleasant Valley wrestling team as a freshman in 2009, big things have been expected of Sean Bianco.

            The then 103-pounder was destined for greatness and didn’t disappoint in his first varsity season, as he racked up 20 wins and was a regional qualifier.

The following year he bumped up to the 112-pound weight class and grinded out 25 wins on his way to placing sixth at districts for the second consecutive year.

            Bianco then took the next step in his evolution this past season.  And it was a mighty big one.

            The 113-pound junior finished 2011-12 with a remarkable 41-4 record and defeated all challengers in his quest for District 11 and Northeast Regional gold.  His great season, along with his dramatic improvement from the previous two years, has earned him the TIMES NEWS Wrestler of the Year award.

            “It is a big accomplishment for me,” said Bianco, who finished the regular season with a 34-2 mark.  “It was one of my top goals coming into this season.  It feels great to be recognized as the best wrestler in the area.”

            While Bianco managed to win gold at both districts and regionals, his path to the top wasn’t as smooth as one might think.  Heading into Pleasant Valley’s dual match with Northampton late in the season, Bianco sat at 29-1 with his only loss coming at the Reno Tournament of Champions to this year’s California state champion Isaiah Locsin (10-7 decision).  Bianco dropped an 8-5 decision to the Konkrete Kids’ Zach Valley (who eventually finished fifth at states) that day and came to a crossroad.

            “I think the pressure had built up and somewhat got to him that match,” recalled Pleasant Valley head coach Mark Getz.

“Sean wasn’t used to being undefeated in the state of Pennsylvania and I think it took a toll on him.  I pulled him aside afterward and told him to relax and take some time off.  He got away for a few days, came back and wrestled very well the rest of the way.”

            Bianco remembered the conversation as well.

            “As I was winning, I could feel the pressure building up,” Bianco admitted.  “Coach talked to me afterward and I realized that I wasn’t the best.  I think that loss got me refocused and I ended up going all the way to states without losing.

            “I guess it’s possible to go undefeated, but it may not be the best thing for you.  You can get too cocky and I think that happened to me in the match with Valley.  That loss put me back in my place.  I never like to lose, but it turned out to be the best thing for me.”

            Following that match, Bianco would not lose again until the second round of the PIAA state tournament.  Bianco exacted revenge on Valley in the district semi-final and won by a 5-3 decision.  He would go on to defeat Stroudsburg’s Guesseppe Rea 9-5 in the final to win district gold.

            Bianco rode the momentum he had built up all the way through regionals.  He won his first two matches by a combined score of 23-4 before dispatching of Rea once again.  This time Bianco pinned Rea in 2:42.

            “The rematch with Valley was big,” Bianco said.  “It was the semi-final and I used our previous match as motivation.  It felt great to get some redemption.

            “The two matches with Rea were great as well.  We were both nervous in the district final, but I was determined to win.  That win gave me a lot of confidence heading into the regional final because I knew I had just beaten him.  Confidence can go a long way.”

            Unfortunately, the state tournament didn’t go quite as well as Bianco planned.  Bianco received a tough draw and fell to two wrestlers who went on to finish third and fourth.  Still, both were close matches that ended in a decision.

            “Sean had a terrific season,” said Getz.  “He was one of the toughest kids on the team and is very physical on the mat.”

            While his performance at states wasn’t his best, it will certainly provide Bianco with motivation as he heads into his senior season looking to take the final step in his high school career.

            “Two of my goals will be to defend my district and regional titles,” said Bianco.  “There are only a few two-time district and regional champs in PV history and I would like to add my name to that list.

            “I accomplished a lot this year, but next year I want to be standing on top of that podium out at Hershey.”

Phils Quiet Critics with Wins Over Marlins … For Now.

     It may have only been the second series of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, but the Phillies’ three-game set with the Miami Marlins already had the feeling of importance.
     After dropping two of three games to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the season-opening series, and only scoring six runs in the process, a majority of the Phillies’ followers started to act as if the sky was falling.
     Then came Monday’s game with the Fish. Despite striking out nine batters, Cole Hamels was knocked around for four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.1 innings of work and seemed to only make matters worse. It may have sounded ridiculous to most level-headed fans who realize that the baseball season is a marathon and a not a sprint, but in a way the Phils’ fifth and sixth games almost became must-wins to some.
     Fortunately the Phils helped everyone step back from the ledge by beating the Marlins on consecutive nights to win their first series of the year. Besides calming the hysteria for at least a few more days, the Phils also stopped themselves from losing their first two series of a season since 2007.
The Fightins didn’t do it against slouch competition either. They were able to beat the Marlins’ top two pitchers in Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle.
     Wednesday night, the Phils touched up Johnson for a career-high 11 hits over 3.2 innings. Philly scored seven runs in the game, six off Johnson, and more than doubled its offensive output through the first four games.
     Thursday night wasn’t as easy, but the Phils managed to get the job done thanks to a couple of long balls. After going hitless through the first three innings, Shane Victorino got the Phils on the board when he went deep with a solo shot. John Mayberry Jr. later singled in Hunter Pence to make it 2-0. Ty Wiggington then added another solo homer in the seventh to give the Phils a lead they would never relinquish. In the end, Philly racked up at least eight hits for the second consecutive night.
     Although he was pleased with his team’s offensive awakening over the last two games, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel didn’t see it as a knock on Miami’s two aces. And, considering their track record, rightfully so.
     “Johnson and Buehrle are two different types of pitchers,” said Manuel. “Johnson didn’t pitch at all last year and I think it has shown in his last two starts. I think as the season goes and he gets into the hot weather he will get more velocity on his fastball. That separation (in speed) in his pitches will make him that much better. I thought his command (Wednesday night) was pretty good, but I think when he starts throwing more his pitches will get better.
     “Buehrle gets the ball and throws it and tries to keep you off balance with his off-speed stuff. He keeps good composure. When you get something slow and up, you better hit it.”
     Regardless of the Phillies’ early-season woes and the calendar still reading April, it was a statement series. Miami went out and acquired some big pieces in the off-season with the hope of ending the Phils’ five-year reign as division champs. They signed Buehrle, along with All-Stars Jose Reyes (SS) and Heath Bell (CL), all within four days of each other in December. A month later they traded for bi-polar starter Carlos Zambrano. Sure he is crazy at times, but when his stuff is working he can be tough to beat.
     The Phils didn’t see Bell or Zambrano, but did see their fair share of the other two. With the two wins they were able to defeat the Marlins’ No. 1 and No. 2 starters and held Reyes to a 2-for-12 line with one run scored.
     Along with getting some overdue run production, the entire Phils team flashed some leather and played great defense throughout the series. It is something that they have done throughout the first six games and it has kept them in every game except for one. Manuel feels as long as his team continues to play stellar defense they should be able to win games regardless of their makeshift lineup – which was already different for the fifth time on Thursday.
     “Yeah, I think we are going to win some games,” said Manuel. “If we play the way we can then I think we stand a good chance of winning some games.
     “Our defense is good. Our defense is really good. We can catch the ball and we can throw it and that’s what we have to do. At the same time, that’s part of every good team.”
     While Philly has yet to play a week’s worth of games, its two wins against its divisional up-and-comer were big. Not only did the two victories get the Phils back to .500, but they may have sent a subliminal message to the Marlins that regardless of who they have on their roster – they still have to go out and play the games. At the same time, as Manuel was quick to point out, there is still a long way to go.
     “I am pleased we won the series,” Manuel said. “That’s what we need to do. But at the same time (Miami) has a good ball club. They are like we are right now. We are just starting the season.”

What Is Really Up With Chase Utley

On Tuesday, CSNPhilly.com reported that Philadelphia Phillies’ second baseman Chase Utley will be leaving the club and returning to Arizona to work with his physical therapist.

Utley will be rehabbing his degenerative knees with the same therapist that he went to see earlier this spring.  Ruben Amaro Jr., Philadelphia’s General Manager, spoke on the topic.

"He's been progressing pretty well, but he has to build on the progression," Amaro said. "He's going to go back and see Brett Fischer in Arizona and then he's going to meet the club when we go out to the West Coast. I'm not sure quite how long he's going to be there, but it's kind of more intensive one-on-one work."

The West Coast trip Amaro is alluding to will run from April 16-25 when the Phils visit the Giants, Padres and Diamondbacks.

Last year Utley was limited to 103 games, his fewest since taking over full time in 2005, and did not play his first game until May 23.  Though he did miss the first month and a half, only twice after he resumed playing (once was the All-Star weekend) did he sit out more than two days.

Still, Utley’s knee problems have not gone away and seem to be getting worse with time.  Whereas last year the problems were mostly with his right knee, things have changed this year.  Last week ESPN’s Jayson Stark published an article in which Utley seemed ‘a little worried’ about his future.

While Utley expressed optimism about his long-term future, he admitted he was "disappointed, upset and not happy" about the unexpected problems that developed this spring in his left knee.

"My right knee last year was the one that bothered me and my left knee felt pretty good," he said of the injury that landed him on the disabled list for two months last season. "This year, it's the complete opposite."

Stark went on to report…

Utley also disputed that he was suffering from patellar tendonitis, despite the fact that Philadelphia's team doctor, Michael Cicotti, made that diagnosis a year ago.

Cicotti said in a statement last spring that Utley was dealing with patellar

tendonitis, chondromalacia and bone inflammation.

"I don't have patellar tendonitis," Utley said Sunday. "What it's called is chondromalacia, which is a little ruffling of the cartilage underneath the patella. And it's not that bad. It's not bad enough to have microfracture surgery," he continued. "It's not bad enough to end my career. It's an issue that I'm going to have to deal with. There's a lot of wear and tear in this game. I just have to get things around my knee to move better, to take a little pressure off my knees."

Are these reports true?  Is the Phillies' medical staff coaching Utley on what to say to the media and keeping his real problems a secret?  Only a select few know the honest answer to that question.  But, with all these medical words flying around, I decided to find out exactly what is going on with Utley and have it explained in simpler terms.

Fortunately, I have a good friend that graduated with me from the University of Pittsburgh that is well educated in these types of things.

His name is Joseph T. Rauch.  Rauch spent four years at Pitt and graduated with a BS in Athletic Training.  He later attended Widener University and received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.  He is currently the Director of Rehabilitation and Head Baseball Athletic Trainer at the University of Cincinnati and has worked with the Bearcats for three years.

While Rauch does not have any exact knowledge of Utley’s situation, he was able to shine some light on the diagnosis of chondromalacia.

“Chondromalacia is usually found on the underside of the patella or kneecap,” said Rauch.  “Basically, it is the blistering or wearing away of the articular cartilage on the underside of the patella bone.

“At the end of all long bones, including the femur and patella, there is articular cartilage, similar to gristle on the end of the chicken bone.  This articular cartilage is what creates a healthy joint.  Any injury involving the articular cartilage can be devastating because once articular cartilage is damaged it does not grow back.”

So how does this condition affect Utley?

“A baseball swing or the rapid reaction to a hit ball can cause significant pain and, more specifically, swelling,” Rauch said.  “A human knee can hold up to 200 cc's of fluid, but at just 20 cc's the quadriceps begin to shut down.

“Your grandma has arthritis because the articular cartilage wears away.  The same thing can happen to athletes post-injury.  Basically a 32-year-old baseball player will be walking around on 50-year-old knees.”

Rauch went on to say that patellar tendonitis would only add to the problems.  Furthermore, a player with tendonitis or chondromalacia can presumably continue to play and dodge microscopic surgery as long as they can tolerate the pain.  However, if a player has cartilage issues, it could be a ‘big, big problem.'

As of now, the only treatment for chondromalacia and tendonitis is rest and physical therapy.  Unfortunately for Utley, he may never get the rest he needs until he hangs up the cleats.  For the Phils' sake, hopefully he can tough it out for a few more years.

Father Time creeping up on the Phillies

            With Major League Baseball’s Opening Day looming just two short weeks away, Philadelphia Phillies fans can start to get excited for another year of championship-caliber baseball.

            The Phillies’ organization and their followers should be ready to dive head-first into another hardball campaign when they consider the talent on the roster.

            However, unlike the last few seasons, this year’s Phillies baseball renewal brings some added skepticism.

            Phillies fans may not want to hear it, or admit it, but one can’t deny that there is a rather big – and aging – pink elephant in the room.  Regardless if anyone wants to acknowledge it, the fact remains that the Phillies’ core group of star players, the majority of which brought the city its first baseball championship in nearly 30 years back in 2008, are getting older with each passing season and are quickly approaching the down-side of their careers.

            As a die-hard Phillies fan, this isn’t an easy topic to write about, but it has become one that can not be ignored.  It has become apparent that time is running out.

            Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard – four of the Phillies’ top hitters over the last five years – are all in their 30s.  Rollins and Utley are both 33, while Howard and Victorino are 32 and 31 respectively.

Now, other contributing players such as Jayson Werth and Pat Burrell have come and gone in that time, but these four have remained constant.  Since 2008, these four batsmen have combined to account for 45.9 percent (1,426 of 3,104) of the team’s runs and 43.9 percent (1,307 of 2,979) of the team’s RBIs.  There is no denying that as they go, so does the franchise.

Sadly, there has been an obvious dip in their production over the last two years.  Whether it was because of injuries, or just becoming further removed from their prime, the numbers have become downright staggering.  In 2008 and 2009, the four combined for roughly 50 percent of the team’s runs and 48 percent of the RBIs.  Over the last two years, those two percentages drop to 41 and 40 respectively.  Kind of scary, right?  Sure, Utley and Rollins were injured for some time over the last two seasons, but injuries are a part of the game and have been known to end a career or two.  Hopefully that isn’t the case here, but there is no doubt that injuries will only speed the aging process.

Utley’s situation is becoming more frightening by the day.  On Monday he was sent to see a knee specialist after plateau-ing in his rehabilitation.  It is the same knee problem that caused him to miss the first month and a half of last season.  A problem like this could easily cut short a player’s career and it may actually be in the process of happening.

Utley has missed significant time the last two years (106 games).  He broke his hand in 2007 after getting hit by a pitch and missed 30 games, sprained his thumb in 2010, and developed some severe knee tendonitis last season that caused him to play his fewest amount of games since 2004.  Whether they are a freak accident or not, nagging injuries will eventually catch up with a player’s physical ability – not to mention their psyche.

While Rollins played in only 88 games in 2010, he did bounce back and played in 142 last year despite landing on the DL early in the year.  It was only his second ever DL-stint when he landed on the list in 2010, but has now been on it two years in a row.

Howard has never been one to miss games with severe injuries, but will now have to do so for the first time in his career.  As fate would have it, Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon on the Phillies’ last at-bat of the season last year.  Achilles injuries are never beneficial to a power-hitting 250-pounder.  His return has since been delayed due to an infection and there is currently no timetable for his return.  The most recent reports are saying late May to early June.  Jim Thome, picked up this off-season with the intention of being a pinch hitter, will have to man first base until Howard returns.  He is 41 years old.

Victorino, the youngest of the bunch, has seemed to stay away from the injury bug and should still have five good years ahead of him (knock on wood).  As for the other three, only time will tell.

             Other notable players that are over 30 include catcher Carlos Ruiz (33), third baseman Placido Polanco (36) and newly acquired utility man Ty Wigginton (34).

            As for the pitching staff, the Phillies’ No. 1 and No. 1-A aces in Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are 34 and 33 respectively.  They are still two of the top-ten pitchers in the game today, but they aren’t getting any younger.  Halladay is reportedly already showing signs of diminished velocity this spring.  Now velocity isn’t everything – just ask Greg Maddux – but it sure doesn’t hurt.

            Ruben Amaro Jr. and the Phillies’ brass took a page out of the Boston Celtics’ book and somewhat mortgaged the future for the present when they acquired these two hurlers via trade.  In December of 2010, the Phils gave up promising prospects Travis D’Arnaud, Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor for Halladay  Drabek and Taylor were probably going to be on the major league roster relatively soon had they not been dealt.  A year prior the Phils sent Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Jason Knapp to the Tribe for Lee.  Now Amaro would end up dealing Lee to Seattle a year later for three prospects and assumed cap room to land Halladay, however none of the prospects we acquired have seen the bigs yet.  Obviously the Phils got Lee back before 2011 in free agency, but they didn’t get any of their original prospects back.

            Now, I am pretty sure 95 percent of Phillies fans were more than happy to deal all those prospects for Halladay and Lee with the hopes of winning now.  However, all Philadelphia has to show for these two studs is three post-season series wins and zero World Series titles. Lee helped the Phils win two playoff series in 2009 before being traded, while Halladay helped the team to the NLCS in 2010.  2008’s World Series title came thanks to the arm of Cole Hamels. 

            Sure, one World Series is nice, but that was won without either of these two pitchers.  Having had one of the largest pay rolls in baseball over the last few years, one World Series doesn’t justify everything.  Having recently mortgaged the future for the present, one ring is out of the question.  I feel this team must win at least one more title in order for this group to be considered a success.  One title with this roster is simply not enough.

This recent group will probably go down as the best Phillies team ever assembled, and rightfully so considering they have made the playoffs and increased their win total each of the last five years, including a franchise-best 102 games last year.

Unfortunately, history doesn’t care about regular season wins.  World Series titles are what make a team legendary.  So far the franchise’s greatest team has only one, and that came with arguably the least-talented bunch of the last four years.

The last thing the Phillies want to do is be grouped in with the Atlanta Braves of the 1990s.  The Braves had arguably one of the best pitching staffs in baseball history, along with a decent lineup, and went 1-4 in their five World Series appearances.  Yeah they went to a handful of championships, but they will only be remembered for one.

This Phillies group still has time to write its legacy.  I would like to think this team still has three or four great years left in them.  Baseball is a sport where most men can play into their mid-to-late 30s.  It’s just that right now, the Phils are nearing that fine line between championship-quality and over-the-hill and are doing so rather quickly.  If they are fortunate enough to win one or two more titles within the next few years, all the deals and signings will be considered a success and this team will go down in Philadelphia lure.  However, if they continue to come up empty handed, they may go down in lure for all the wrong reasons.  For everyone’s sake, let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

You've Got To Be Kidd-Lin-G Me

Over the last couple of weeks or so, one athlete has garnered a lot more attention in the media than anyone else on the planet.  If you don’t pay attention to sports, or don’t follow them as closely as I do, you would have had to have been living in a cave in the middle of the jungle to have not heard about this guy.  Even Marlee Matlin has heard of him, and she can’t hear a thing.

That person is Jeremy Lin.

Lin has become a sensation in the sports world thanks to his recent success as the Knicks’ point guard in their run-and-gun system.  I’m sure it didn’t hurt that he was able to be successful under the microscope that is the New York media (and without Sr. Chucks-A-Lot Carmelo Anthony), but he has become a fan-favorite throughout the world practically overnight.

Is it because of his Asian-American nationality?  It is because of his basketball story, where he averaged less than ten minutes in 29 games with Golden State last year and was forced to sleep on his teammate’s couch?  Is it because he has done this with the Knicks, who have been irrelevant for the last decade or so?  Who knows which it is exactly.  But what can’t be argued is the fact that he has become the sports world’s number one story over the last two months.

Now I am not here to offer my opinion on his situation per say, but a situation that has arisen from his instantaneous success.

Recently, an ESPN editor was fired for typing an ‘inappropriate and possibly racist’ headline on the side of the screen.  While trying to think of a headline for Lin and the Knicks’ struggles in which they alternated wins and losses after going on a tear and winning seven straight, the editor used perhaps one of the most cliché phrases in the English language: “Chink in the armor?”

Makes sense right?  After a few weeks of the Knicks playing well and stringing together a bunch of wins, was it possible that the other teams had caught on to what they were doing and may have exposed some weaknesses?  I am sure that is what the editor was thinking.

But no.  America, who in my opinion has become entirely too race sensitive in a time where race shouldn’t really matter – at least with my generation - picked out one word from that headline and immediately related it negatively to Lin’s Asian heritage.

Now if that is the first thing that pops into someone’s head upon reading that headline then I am ashamed of our culture.  We are supposed to be 60 years removed from all the racial hate in this country and yet it still somehow finds its way into almost any topic.

At first glance of that headline, in no way shape or form do I immediately say to myself, “Oh my, they said chink.  Are they making fun of him?  Are they saying he wears armor?  Are they basically saying he has ancient ancestors that were once a part of the Ming Dynasty?  Is he secretly a ninja?” (Stereotypical comments made in jest).

No.  Being the level-headed person that I am, I listen to the context in which the headline is being used and understand what point the editor is trying to get across.  I don’t see the word next to Lin’s face and instantly stop comprehending what is going on and think there is some underlying racial plot.

Asians are stereotypically known for being good at math.  Are they?  I have no idea.  If they are then good for them.  But say the Knicks get eliminated from the playoffs and ESPN uses a headline that reads, “Mathematically eliminated” and they show Lin turning the ball over (again)?  Are people going to flip out and say it is a racial comment?  Or will they be smart enough to know that there is no pun intended and the Knicks are simply out of the playoff run?  I would hope the latter, but who can really tell considering the recent turn of events.

In the end, I just find it ridiculous that everything is immediately turned into a racial issue.  Was it maybe a bad choice of words and should the editor have probably noticed a possible problem?  Yes.  But even so, look at the phrase in its context.  It obviously wasn’t meant to defame anyone and shouldn’t have cost the man his job.