OY! MY BACK!

It's been a helluva week here in the greatest city in the world, and we don't need any more like the one just passed.

First, Philadelphia icon Tastykake has been sold to a Georgia company, leaving the future of of the local nature of the company up in the air. I can't even imagine Kandykakes and Krimpets not being made here, but that is exactly what might happen. The company has been having financial problems for several years, and the long suffering fan has read that the sale was the only way to keep it operating. Many a fond memory of my childhood revolves around remembering what a treat it was to open the 3-pack of cupcakes and licking the icing off the then wax paper wrapping. That is in the same league as separating the two halves of an Oreo so as to be able to lick the cream in the middle.

Tastykakes haven't been packaged in wax paper in many years and have shrunk in size while costing more, but with the Wayback machine at least I can travel back to a better time and enjoy my Krimpets and the obligatory glass of milk the way God and the Founding Fathers meant them to be enjoyed.

In other is-this-really-happening news, the board of directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra is meeting today to vote on declaring bankruptcy. When the long suffering fan was growing up we all believed that this orchestra was one of the finest in the world, and that may have been true, but declining revenues have put this institution's future in jeopardy. I've only been to see them once or twice and, given the choice, I would prefer to go to a Whispers concert, but it is a sad state of affairs to see this happening.

This past week also saw Rep. Paul Ryan deliver his budget plan. The plan, much heralded before its release, basically offers more tax cuts to those that don't need them and throws Grandma under the bus with health care vouchers that won't even come close to paying for the healthcare insurance she will need as she gets older. It doesn't control costs any better than the current system, but rather just shifts costs to seniors who will get a choice of two health care plans - bad or worse. Way to go Mr. Ryan. Now, the long suffering fan and those who have already reached the upper limits of 'middle age' won't be affected by Ryan's plan, but a lot of you will. Have fun young people because, if Ryan and his cronies get their way, your health care costs will bankrupt you, Pell grants and other means of sending your kids to college will be reduced, and your middle class status will be history. Of course, if we really want to be truthful, we could state that sending the kids may only be a way of getting rid of the kids since the degrees they receive won't help them get jobs that are now in India.

Enough politics. Once again, the Phillies have lost the first game of a series with the 4-3 beating they took last night against Florida. I say a beating because Roy Oswalt had to leave the game with back problems. Oops. Oswalt, who has had back problems before is listed as day-to-day, and any prolonged time away from the rotation can not be a good thing.

I expect Charlie to read from the managers guide and say that others will have to "step up their game," and we'll just have to take it one day at a time. Charlie must be feeling good when he sees that Hamels and Blanton will be taking the ball for the next two games against the second place Fish, who could be the first place Fish after this weekend. Both of these new residents of the 3rd & Indiana neighborhood have stepped up before, but even Johnny Dollar isn't placing any bets on that happening.

Meanwhile, in a shocking Phils-related development, former outfielder Lenny "Dirt" Dykstra was arrested Thursday and charged with bankruptcy fraud.

Dude was charged with stealing or destroying 400K of property from his estate without obtaining permission from the executor of his estate, which is under order to be liquidated. Dirt is being held until he can post the $500K bail the court placed on him.

Dude, say it isn't so!


Meanwhile, 300 miles to the West, my beloved Pirates continue to struggle. After their torrid 4-2 start they have lost five out of six games which may mean that they have begun their descent to the cellar of the NL Central. They travel to Cinncy this weekend for a set against the Reds (a real team) so things could worsen for my beloved guys in black & gold. The big news out there is that Joe Biemel has been called up from AAA. That's kind of like the Phillies saying that they are resigning Adam Eaton.

The Pirates drew over 39,000 fans for their home opener, the second largest crowd ever to see a game at PNC Park. That is the good news. The bad news is that for the getaway game the other day against the Brewers only 10,500 souls were in attendence. I wonder how many of them had traveled from Wisconsin to see the Brewers. Yes, the Bucs lost that game when former hero Randy Wolf struck out ten, gave up three hits, in his six & two-thirds innings. My Pirates make fading journeymen pitchers look like HOFers.

When I write again we'll have a better picture of how the Flyers season is going to end as the guys in orange try and even their series with the Sabres. Somebody please tell them that scoring a few goals would be helpful. The Sixers have the treat of playing the Heat and all of their super players, so the long suffering fan isn't worried about who they could meet in the second round.

As I end today's nonsense I will leave you this. Back in the day, Braves fans used to say, "Spahn & Sain and pray for rain." We candystripe fans can update that one with "Doc & Cliff, and pray for rain!"