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Dan Flaherty

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Posts by Dan Flaherty:

Arizona Diamondbacks Preview

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The Arizona Diamondbacks led the NL West for much of the first part of 2013, but faded badly down the stretch and their only impact on the division race in September was to raise a fuss over the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating in the pool when the Dodgers clinched the NL West in Phoenix. Is there any hope for the D-Backs to reclaim the status they held in 2011 when they won the division and were seen as a rising force in the National League? Here’s the Notebook Nine, our nine focal points for a new season…

NCAA Tournament Coverage: Six Favorites Advance On Saturday

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The chalk started to assert itself in the NCAA Tournament, as six teams that were favorites moved on to the Sweet 16. But there was still room for upsets, as two dark horses also survived this opening weekend of the tournament. Here’s a look back at yesterday’s eight games from the Round of 32…

Kansas City Royals Preview

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The Kansas City Royals are relevant again. After years of seeing false hopes raised and dashed, the good people of Kansas City were able to watch their team compete for a playoff spot into the final week of the 2013 regular season.

It was the first winning season for the franchise in ten years and gives a reasonable basis for hope that the first playoff berth since the team’s championship year of 1985—and first of the post-1993 realignment era—will be forthcoming. What follows is the Notebook Nine, our nine talking points on the Royals as the new season begins…

Philadelphia Phillies Preview

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The rebuilding has begun in Philadelphia, as Charlie Manuel was fired midway through last season and former Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg is the new manager for the Phillies. The team that won five straight NL East titles, two National League pennants and one World Series title from 2007-11 is on hard times. The Notebook Nine focuses in on nine key points regarding the Philadelphia Phillies as a new season and new era begins…

Los Angeles Angels Preview

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The last two seasons have seen the Los Angeles Angels transform from a fundamentally sound baseball team that often overachieved under manager Mike Scoscia, to one that has become the poster child for big spending gone amok. The Angels have spent big on Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, yet have failed to make the playoffs since 2009, even with the benefit of a second wild-card the last two years.

San Francisco Giants Preview

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The San Francisco Giants fell hard in the second half of last season, failing to even contend for the playoffs, after winning the World Series in both 2010 and 2012. Can the Giants get it back going and continue their even-numbered-year mastery? Here’s the Notebook Nine, our nine focal points on San Francisco as the new season begins…

The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies Bring An End To Frustration

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The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies carried the banner for a franchise and a fan base that was marked with frustration, both short-term, long-term and even beyond the baseball diamond. The Phillies had not won a World Series since 1915. They had lost the National League Championship Series each year from 1976-78.

The 1980 Philadelphia 76ers: Done In By A Magic Trick

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The Philadelphia 76ers were a franchise that was now established as a consistent contender. The Sixers were led by Julius (“Dr. J”) Erving, a spectacular small forward, and they reached the NBA Finals in 1977 and were in the mix each of the next two seasons. But Philadelphia never got over the hump—whether it was Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers or the Washington Bullets, the Sixers didn’t reach the throne room. The 1980 Philadelphia 76ers got themselves close to doing that, but were dispatched with a dose of Magic.

1980 Philadelphia Flyers: A Finals Loss That Begins A Pattern

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The 1980 Philadelphia Flyers enjoyed a tremendous regular season, racking up 116 points and winning the old Patrick Division title, beating out the New York powers, the Islanders and Rangers. There was no one great star among the regular starting five for Philadelphia. Winger Reggie Leach was the one counted on to light the lamp, and he got help from fellow wingman Brian Propp and center Ken Linesman.

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