tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13317067095879467652024-03-13T15:50:27.378-04:00Swing and a Long DriveAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.comBlogger930125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-84571149691716254782011-05-16T14:15:00.003-04:002011-05-16T14:27:42.687-04:00Swing and a Long Drive... That Blog is Outta Here!To my fellow readers:Thank you for reading my website for nearly three years. It has been fun writing about the team I love and receiving feedback. However, as you may have noticed with the lack of updates, I no longer have the time to update this site on a daily basis.I started Swing and a Long Drive back in 2008, as a 16-year old girl. Now, as a college student, I find it almost impossible to Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-17133837594159686492011-01-29T00:44:00.000-05:002011-02-01T00:49:19.243-05:00Year In Review: Phillies Push Back BravesThis is a 2010 Year In Review. This is one top moment that appeared on Phillies Nation.On September 1, the Phillies were three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. The Phillies had a history of being a hot team in September, and it looked as if the division race would go down to the final games.The Phillies got on a hot streak and moved ahead of the Braves in the standingsAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-75455896153154581592011-01-06T00:40:00.000-05:002011-02-01T00:47:08.201-05:00Year In Review: Phillies Rally Against MarmolThis is a 2010 Year In Review. This is one top moment that appeared on Phillies Nation.Top Moments on Phillies Nation #25 and #24 came on comebacks after Brad Lidge blew a save. Number 23 involves another blown save, only this time it was not Lidge. The Phillies were on the other end.At Wrigley Field, Cole Hamels and Randy Wells were tossing a pitcher's duel. Hamels finished the night after sevenAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-33977843464073064352010-11-24T22:38:00.001-05:002010-11-24T22:38:00.466-05:00Year In Review: Danys BaezAlso featured on Phillies Nation.When the Phillies signed Danys Baez to a two-year, $5.25 million contract, I thought that this was a decent deal. He had a few good years; a few not-so-good. He'd be taking over Chan Ho Park's role, how bad could it be? About a year later, I'm regretting those thoughts.Before the season started, Baez was believed to be a reliable late-inning reliever. Especially Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-88865761370379293622010-11-11T12:50:00.001-05:002010-11-11T13:24:33.612-05:00NCAA Basketball: Big Five PreviewA portion of this article will be featured in La Salle University's weekly newspaper, "The Collegian."Edited by David DiPasqua Jr.The success of the Big Five caught everybody by surprise. The Big Five intended to bring big-name Philadelphia schools together and create profits to upkeep the Palestra. Villanova, St. Joseph's, Temple, La Salle, and Penn changed college basketball in the city of Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-15038636191087074522010-11-10T01:02:00.002-05:002011-02-01T01:09:00.972-05:00Mailbag: Main Focus? MVP?In this post, I answered questions presented by Pat Gallen of Phillies Nation. Click the link to see answers from other bloggers. If you have a question, please e-mail me at amanda@swingandalongdrive.com.What should be the Phillies main focus heading into free agency - bullpen, offense, or more starting pitching?The Bullpen. The Phillies have Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge -- that's it. Danys Baez Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-45830480416218138052010-10-12T18:19:00.006-04:002010-10-13T13:14:47.027-04:00Mailbag: Phillies/Giants MatchupIn this post, I answered questions presented by Pat Gallen of Phillies Nation. Click the link to see answers from other bloggers. If you have a question, please e-mail me at amanda@swingandalongdrive.com.On a scale of 1 to 10, how worried are you to face the Giants (10 being most worried, 1 being least worried)?I'd give it an 8. Comparing offenses, the Reds are superior to the Giants. However, Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-60018357185429040392010-10-06T15:23:00.002-04:002010-10-06T15:27:54.443-04:00NLDS Preview: Phillies OffenseThis is featured in part of Phillies Nation's NLDS Preview.The Phillies have established themselves as an offensive ball club. The Phillies have become one of the league’s top powerhouses offensively. It might be surprising to hear that the Reds collected better offensive stats as a whole, however the Phillies were without several of their star players over the course of the year.From the top of Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-52514209596227628662010-10-04T19:12:00.003-04:002010-10-04T19:27:42.895-04:00Mailbag: Reds Matchup/ Phillies MVPIn this post, I answered questions presented by Pat Gallen of Phillies Nation. Click the link to see answers from other bloggers. If you have a question, please e-mail me at amanda@swingandalongdrive.com.The Phillies will face the Cincinnati Reds in the NLDS starting on Wednesday. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most favorable to the Phillies, 1 being least favorable) how do you think the Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-58308071224373631582010-09-29T12:52:00.003-04:002010-09-29T13:12:06.205-04:00WHYY- Harry Kalas SpecialI recently received an e-mail promoting Ken Burns' documentary, The Tenth Inning, which aired last night on WHYY last night, and will continue tonight. The e-mail also sent a site that reflects on Philadelphia's baseball history called Feeding the Passion. On that site, I found an interesting documentary on the career of Harry Kalas.Swing and a Long Drive has many Harry Kalas features on this Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-26009119352130834602010-09-28T11:45:00.002-04:002010-09-28T11:47:43.163-04:00NL East Champs... AGAINThe Phillies are the National League Division Champions... AGAIN! No big deal. Been there, done that. It's another red October, and according to Roy Halladay, "it's only going to get funner."Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-30602669401968979872010-09-11T15:50:00.000-04:002010-09-11T15:50:00.470-04:00Baseball Comes Second TodayPhiladelphia Phillies (82-60) at New York Mets (69-72) Kyle Kendrick (9-8, 4.86 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (13-9, 3.96 ERA)"From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live." -- Harry Kalas, 2001.The Phillies are in the midst of a pennant race, but let's put baseball aside for Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-70572394408864529582010-09-11T09:26:00.000-04:002010-09-11T10:37:06.426-04:00We Remember 9/11Call of the Day: "From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live." --Harry Kalas, 2001.I woke up, looked out the window, and it was a beautiful day -- weather-wise. How quickly a blue sky can turn gray.I was going into 4th grade, but school did not start yet, due to Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-43625505722205250232010-09-05T12:46:00.001-04:002010-09-05T12:48:57.502-04:00Wolf To Face Former ClubFor full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.Milwaukee Brewers (62-73) at Philadelphia Phillies (78-58)Randy Wolf (10-10, 4.76) vs. Kyle Kendrick (9-7, 4.72)In Saturday's 5-4 victory, Roy Halladay surrendered four homers, but the Phillies offense rallied, en route to their fifth straight win. The Phillies become a scary team in September, and they're just a game back in the National League East.FormerAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-24411481556102627262010-08-29T20:15:00.002-04:002010-08-29T20:17:41.171-04:00Phillies Sweep the PadresAs seen on Phillies Nation. One series can make a big difference. It was just a few days ago when the lowly Houston Astros swept the Phillies in four games. Three games later, the Phillies completed a sweep of their own against the first-place San Diego Padres. This series came down to the pitching, but the Phillies managed to score five runs for Cole Hamels in today’s 5-0 victory.The Padres Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-38851243694790929432010-08-29T15:34:00.000-04:002010-08-29T15:34:00.401-04:00Phillies Seek to Sweep FriarsFor full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.Philadelphia Phillies (72-57) at San Diego Padres (76-52)Cole Hamels (7-10, 3.47 ERA) vs. Clayton Richard (12-5, 3.55 ERA)The Phillies have rebounded quickly after being swept by the lowly Houston Astros. Now, the Phillies are on the verge of sweeping the first place San Diego Padres. This series has been about pitching, as both teams haven't gathered too Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-89994379908927534972010-08-22T13:01:00.001-04:002010-08-22T13:03:19.192-04:00Olsen vs. Oswalt: Battle of the O'sVisit Phillies Nation for full gameday.Washington Nationals (53-70) at Philadelphia Phillies (69-53)Scott Olsen (3-5, 5.13 RA) vs. Roy Oswalt (8-13, 3.36 ERA)Kyle Kendrick was rocked and Stephen Strasburg struck out six in the Nationals' 8-1 victory last night. The series is split at a game apiece, but this is a series that the Phillies need to win. Taking advantage of a last place team certainlyAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-67383368235171438752010-08-21T18:20:00.000-04:002010-08-21T18:20:00.827-04:00Strasburg Makes First Start vs. PhilliesVisit Phillies Nation for full gameday.Washington Nationals (52-70) at Philadelphia Phillies (69-52)Stephen Strasburg (5-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-5, 4.45 ERA)Roy Halladay hasn't received a whole lot of run support this year. The Phillies scored one run yesterday, but Halladay took care of the rest, blanking the Nationals over seven innings. When Halladay is on the mound, there is a good Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-44393204195764742092010-08-20T18:55:00.000-04:002010-08-20T18:55:00.374-04:00Nationals Are Improved, But Phillies Should Still WinFor full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.Washington Nationals (52-69) at Philadelphia Phillies (68-52)Jason Marquis (0-5, 14.33 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (15-8, 2.24 ERA)On paper, this is a series that the Phillies should win. After all, they are playing a last place team. The Phillies lead the Wild Card and trail the division by 2.5 games, but the Nationals aren't exactly playing for nothing. Yes, Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-76742295353058833102010-08-19T18:36:00.000-04:002010-08-19T18:36:00.133-04:00Phillies Aim To Sweep GiantsVisit Phillies Nation for the full gameday.San Francisco Giants (67-54) at Philadelphia Phillies (68-51)Jonathan Sanchez (8-8 3.60 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (7-9, 3.33 ERA)Two days ago, the Philadelphia Phillies trailed the San Francisco Giants in the National League Wild Card. Now, the Phillies are on the verge of sweeping them.Too many times, Cole Hamels has fell a victim of lack of run support. Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-14357052878997071732010-08-15T20:29:00.001-04:002010-08-15T20:30:52.901-04:00Kendrick, Pelfrey Finish Out SeriesFor full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.Philadelphia Phillies (65-51) at New York Mets (58-58) Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 4.60 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (11-6, 3.95 ERA)Tonight, the Phillies and Mets wrap up a three-game series that is currently split at a game apiece. On Friday, Cole Hamels fell on the short end as R.A Dickey one-hit the Phillies. Roy Halladay was the stopper in last night's victory, Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-33916384466643326432010-08-12T17:57:00.002-04:002010-08-12T18:05:22.983-04:00Kershaw & Blanton Meet in RubbermatchVisit Phillies Nation for full gameday.Los Angeles Dodgers (59-55) at Philadelphia Phillies (63-50) Clayton Kerhsaw (10-7, 3.19 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.65 ERA)Clayton Kershaw and Joe Blanton meet in the rubber-match. The Dodgers were all over the Phillies in the first game of the series, but they did not save any runs for the second game. The only question for tonight is whether or not the Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-1934843984144550982010-08-07T22:44:00.001-04:002010-08-07T22:46:07.949-04:00Mailbag: Cy Young?In this post, I answered questions presented by Pat Gallen of Phillies Nation. Click the link to see answers from other bloggers. If you have a question, please e-mail me at amanda@swingandalongdrive.com.If the season ended right now, would Roy Halladay get your vote for the NL Cy Young award?If the season ended today, no, I would not vote for Halladay, although it is very close. I would probablyAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-52906736176669671782010-08-07T18:46:00.001-04:002010-08-07T22:49:51.440-04:00Santana & Hamels Face to FaceFor full preview, visit Phillies Nation.New York Mets (54-55) at Philadelphia Phillies (61-48) Johan Santana, LHP (8-6, 3.20 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (7-7, 3.56 ERA)A huge eighth inning rally helped lead the Phillies to a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets last night. Tonight, the ball will be handed to Cole Hamels, who can hopefully go deep into tonight's game after a rocky bullpen performance Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1331706709587946765.post-60307629722608664152010-07-30T23:11:00.002-04:002010-07-30T23:22:49.318-04:00Winning Streak Stops at EightAs seen on Phillies Nation.All good things come to an end. The Phillies' eight game winning streak came to a halt as the Phillies fell 8-1 to the Washington Nationals. The loss came on a night where Roy Oswalt made his anticipated Phillies debut, but could not live up to the expectations.The loss was Oswalt's 13th of the season, which leads the majors. Nyjer Morgan greeted him with a lead-off Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03803466585176052845noreply@blogger.com0