What a way to go

Last weekend Cole Hamels pitched his first ever no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs. Given his last two starts for the Phillies, you wouldn't have predicted this awesome feat. He was vintage Cole Hamels, pitching really fast like a robot, which also produced 13 strikeouts in that game.

Everyone predicted a trade would follow but it is a bit of a surprise that he went to a contending team in the American League West, the Texas Rangers. Overall, the Phillies have performed very well after the All-Star break, winning 8 out of 10 to start the second half of the season. They've actually had consistent offense. It will be very interesting to see how they adjust to their best pitcher being gone.

Phillies closer, Jonathan Papelbon, was also traded this week to the Washington Nationals. It should be a good trade for both teams. Papelbon will be much happier playing for a division leading team, and the Phillies will be able to find out if Ken Giles can finish games consistently.

Tom Brady lost his initial appeal of his four game suspension in the deflated football fiasco. I think there is a better than even chance that he will win the new case he just filed.

I say this because of the fact that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was at least somewhat involved in determining what the initial suspension penalty was going to be for Mr. Brady.

Seems to me that the "Commish" shouldn't have been the one to hear the appeal. This whole thing would have been easier if someone independent of the NFL would have heard the initial appeal.

I think Mr. Brady should have been suspended for one game or maybe two, in part because he destroyed his phone before the investigation was even over and so that nobody else tries to do anything stupid messing with the football.

For Jets, Buffalo and Miami fans they have to hope that he has to serve all four games of his penalty and stubs his toe on the courthouse steps.

HA HA. LETS GO EAGLES.