It seemed automatic. For the past half-dozen years, the Philadelphia Phillies were playoff-bound and General Manager Ruben Amaro was adding those important pieces to the puzzle at the trading deadline. But Tuesday, Amaro became a seller instead of a buyer, shipping Shane Victorino back to the Los Angeles Dodgers and then flipping outfielder Hunter Pence to the San Francisco Giants. Amaro probably also tried to unload pitcher Cliff Lee and outfielder Juan Pierre, but his asking price was too high.  Joe Blanton cleared waivers Friday and is en route to the Dodgers, where he will rejoin the …

To the delight of most Philadelphia Phillies fans, Cole Hamels will be wearing pinstripes for a number of years to come. With the signing of Hamels to a six-year, $144 million deal with a vesting option for a seventh year, the Phillies are telling fans that they haven't thrown in the towel, even if this season might be lost. Hamels' contract is the richest in team history. (Yes, it tops those of Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.) But is the price for pitching worth it?  With Hamels locked up, the Phillies have now invested $68 million in …

The Philadelphia Eagles opened training camp at Lehigh University Sunday with the same expectations as last year—to win it all. But the mantra is a little different for Coach Andy Reid this year—it's win or else. Owner Jeffrey Lurie made that quite clear during his end-of-season speech when he soured on a franchise that had such high expectations after several top-of-the-line free agency signings only to see Reid and his team do a belly flop throughout the whole year. But the Dream Team turned into Team Turmoil as wideout DeSean Jackson bitched about not having a new contract and Pro Bowler …

He's the Manager of the Year and the manager of this year's All-Star squad. No, his name isn't Charlie Manuel; it's Ryne Sandberg. While the Philadelphia Phillies get to start the second half of the baseball season in a basement in which the water is almost chest deep, the skipper of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs is putting together another fine season. Check the standings.  For Charlie, the Phils stand dead last in the NL East, 14 games back of the first-place Washington Nationals. Even a Wild Card berth looks wild at best, despite a healthy second half expected for sluggers Ryan Howard and …