JerseyMan Magazine V7N2 by JerseyManMagazine

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Alaa Abdelnaby

George Anastasia’s

MOB SCENE

Volume 7 • Number 2

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Photo Miles Kennedy

My Two Favorite Superstars (and the worst) by Glen Macnow

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FROM JerseyMan Magazine THE VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 ____________________________________________________________________________________ BY KEN DUNEK

Tick... tock

he year was 1975. I was leaving my hometown of Chicago for good, and needed some stuff. One of my first purchases was an alarm clock.

Nice clock. Big display. Loud alarm. Fast-forward 42 years. My bedroom has changed countless times. But the clock remains the same. And it got me thinking about what it has witnessed. • 8 a.m. class wake-up calls • College degrees • Three-a day football practices • Residences in 4 states • 35 years of marriage • Four daughters • Professional highs and lows • Loyal friends • 2 surgeries • Parties recognizing successes and passages of time • Life-threatening accidents and illnesses • Nervous nights (Kids high school proms come to mind) • Times of great sadness and concern • Moments of supreme happiness and exultation of achievement Clock is still going strong. No signs of malfunction. Kudos to Stratus Electronics for making such a steadfast machine. I wonder whose life it will look after next?

Ken Dunek Publisher EDITOR George Brinkerhoff ART DIRECTOR Steve Iannarelli CONTRIBUTING WRITERS George Anastasia, Jan L. Apple, George Brinkerhoff, Sam Carchidi, Alexandra Dunek, Ashley Dunek, Jamie Dunek, Mark Eckel, Albert A. Fox, John Hopkins, Robert Kennedy, Mike Kern, Sam Kraft, Bill Lyon, Glen Macnow, John M. Martino, Anthony Mongeluzo, Daniel R. Morroni, Eric V. Opczynski, Gervase Peterson, Andrew Ryan, Nick Santangelo, Kurt Smith, Greg Star, T. Jordan Wompierski Administrative Assistants Alexandra Dunek Allison Farcus Events Coordinator Ashley Dunek Assistant Events Coordinator Jamie Dunek Editorial 856-813-1153 Advertising 856-912-4007 Printing 856-813-1153 Controller Rose M. Balcavage Sales Associates Ashley Dunek, Jamie Dunek, Terri Dunek, Allison Farcus, Chris Kazmarck, JP Lutz, Tinavalen Nguyen JerseyMan Advisory Board

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” – Babe Ruth

Peter Cordua (Chairman). HPK CPAs & Consultants Nick DeRose. . . . . . . . . Legacy Treatment Services Joseph Devine (Emeritus). . . . . . . Kennedy Health Ted Flocco (Emeritus). . . . . . . . . . . Ernst & Young Bob Hoey. . . . . . . . . . . Janney Montgomery Scott Jeffrey Jaskol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Jaskol Group Robert Kennedy. . . . . . . . The Kennedy Companies Julie LaVan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LaVan Law Anthony Mongeluzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PCS Ryan Niedoba. . . . . . Niedoba, Beppel & Co., LLC Mike Regina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Sky Enterprises Paul Tully . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Wealth Strategies JerseyMan Magazine/PhillyMan Magazine, products of the partnership of Joe LaGrossa, Ken Dunek, and Alex Kazmarck, are published by New Opportunity Publishing, LLC, with offices at 7025 Central Highway, Pennsauken, NJ, 08109. Copyright 2017.

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Photo Miles Kennedy

INSIDE

JerseyMan Magazine VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2

BASEBALL2017 42 PHILLIES SEASON PREVIEW

Sam Carchidi looks at the upcoming season through the eyes of his “inner child”

48 RUPP & READY

Phillies starting catcher Cameron Rupp

54 RYAN BUCHTER

The Padres reliever draws inspirarion from his South Jersey roots.

24 THE GOLDEN BEAR

ALAA ABDELNABY 38 Q&A with Sixers television color commentator

MY TWO FAVORITE SUPERSTARS 28 by GLEN MACNOW

LOVE OF COUNTRY LEADS 58 Union League of Philadelphia

TWENTY YARDS 32 Professional golf club fitting can help you

DR. RICHARD SAFERSTEIN 70 A tale of blood, sweat and tear (samples)

YOUR DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO 74 Are you an unwitting speculator?

by BILL LYON

hit the ball farther

34 2017 NFL DRAFT

Philadelphia to host the draft for first time since 1961

2017

WARM INTRODUCTIONS 76 Making the most of your business networking opportunities

COLUMNS 12 JOTTINGS • 22 FEEL GOOD PHILLY • 26 GEORGE ANASTASIA’S MOB SCENE • 30 THE HEALTH REFEREE 62 THE ENTHUSIAST • 68 GET FIT • 80 THE ENTREPRENEUR COACH • 82 THE CIGAR GUY 88 WHAT WE WEAR • 90 TECH TIME • 93 THE WINE MAN • 94 SAY GERV? BY GERVASE PETERSON

Cover photography by Miles Kennedy

jerseymanmagazine.com

JOTTINGS

______________________________________________________________________________ BY GEORGE BRINKERHOFF

A New Muse

new museum has opened in town, one which is especially meaningful for our area. The Museum of the American Revolution, located at 101 S. 3rd Street in Philadelphia, has its grand opening April 19, 2017. Inside you will find “immersive gallery experiences, object theaters, and recreated historical scenes” telling the story from earliest rumblings of discontent with British rule to the first shots in Boston, the Declaration of Independence and the hard fought Revolutionary War to, ultimately, victory at Yorktown and the formation of the new republic. And beyond the exhibits and programs, the collection includes astonishing historical objects like Washington’s Headquarters Tent (pictured below), the original sleeping and office tent that the General used throughout the Revolution. The Museum also has a silk flag, known as Washington’s Headquarters Flag (left), which is believed to be the earliest surviving 13 star American flag. It was donated by descendants of George Washington’s sister, and according to family tradition, the flag was displayed wherever and whenever General Washington was present. A myriad of other objects, including, the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence, battle plans, Hessian head gear, powder horns engraved with slogans of the period help to color in the tales of those Revolutionary times and Powder horn depicting people.

Photos/artist rendering courtesy amrevmuseum.org

For information, visit: www.amrevmuseum.org

the Philadelphia waterfront on the eve of the Revolution

“I would walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.” – Pete Rose

Take Your Base

AJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL introduced a change to the intentional walk rule for 2017. Instead of having a pitcher throw four intentional balls to the catcher in order to put a man on base, the team’s bench will simply signal to the umpire when they intend to intentionally walk a batter. The batter will be awarded the base without any pitches being thrown. While some MLB catchers have been outspoken in opposition to the rule, Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp took a diplomatic approach.

“I mean, it is what it is,” he said. “Obviously, Major League Baseball didn’t think that enough happened where they needed to keep it around. It erases the element of surprise when there’s a man on third, or on second, and a ball getting by you and a run scoring or a runner advancing, or even a guy swinging at it. It eliminates that part of the game. It didn’t happen very often, but, at the same time, a couple of games were won and lost off of balls that a pitcher couldn’t throw to intentionally walk somebody. It just eliminates that surprise.” So, is it safe to say that if Rupp was commissioner, he wouldn’t have instituted the change? “I really don’t know,” he said. “It never really bothered me having to stick my hand out there and catch four balls, but if they think that’s what’s going to speed the game up, then that’s what it takes.” – T. Jordan Wompierski

DID YOU KNOW? The last Phillie to lead the league in intentional walks was Mike Schmidt in 1986 with 25.

Dallas Green (1934-2017)

SUP? Just Paddling Cross the Atlantic Ocean. Photos thesupcrossing.com

With Dallas Green’s passing, Major League Baseball is a little less colorful

ike the tough but fair (“Get off my lawn!”) character Clint Eastwood played in Gran Torino, Dallas Green always stood out as a tough but fair good guy on the field. He always stood up for his players, knew right from wrong in the game and had a willingness to get in umpires faces to make sure his voice was heard and his point was made.

Congratulations to Chris Bertish, a South African watersport pro who completed the first ever solo stand-up paddleboard (SUP) transatlantic crossing and did it all for charity. His journey began in Agadir, Morocco, on Dec. 6, 2016 and ended at English Harbour, Antigua on March 9, 2017. He completed the 4,500 miles in 93 days, covering the equivalent of at least a marathon each day. His vessel was a custom made 20-foot long, 1,360 pound SUP with solar panels and a small cabin. No stranger to danger, Bertish has surfed big waves before, winning the Maverick Big Wave Invitational, California 2010; he set a world record for open ocean 12-hour nonstop stand-up paddling in South Africa in 2013; and he also set the fastest time crossing the English Channel on an SUP in 2013, in 5 hours and 26 minutes.

Baseball is a passionate game and Green embodied this, his white hot fervor on display every time he made the charge from the dugout to right a perceived wrong done by the men in blue. It was with that driving spirit and blunt manner with which he conducted the Phillies clubhouse in 1980, leading them to the Phillies’ first World Series victory, over the Kansas City Royals. One of Green’s most memorable tirades came after a disputed call in 1981 by umpire Steve Fields, who said second baseman Larry Bowa missed second base on what seemed an inning ending double play ball. Green ended up knocking off Field’s hat and kicking it into right field, and served a five-game suspension. Green always maintained he was just protecting his player. In the current age of instant replay, manager-umpire arguments have become more muted; the video replay has become a clinical review and analysis. It is an exercise in exactitude, draining away fun from the moment and resulting in the offended team getting its own cooling off period. And that has, in some way, detracted from the brash, raucous theater of the game in its original form throughout its century and a half.

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With Dallas Green’s passing last month, a tough but firmly passionate good guy who was willing to bring the heat when necessary, has faded into baseball lore. It is also a reminder that the video reviewed game of today will never again be the replay-less baseball of days gone by. Sure there will still be arguments, and ejections will still occur, but a part of the game has forever departed along with the likes of Dallas Green and the colorful managers of yesterday.

contact: ken@jerseymanmagazine.com

www.thesupcrossing.com

“Hey there, Old Sport!” Want to try a new sport? Ok, it’s not a new sport, it’s really an old sport. A really old sport. But chances are you’ve never heard of it—it’s something called “road bowling” (pronounced boweling.) Or if you’re in Ireland it’s called Irish road bowling. Or you might simply call it by its colonial era moniker like our forefathers did: “long bullets.” You take

Irish road bowling traces its history to the 17th century.

a one-pound solid metal ball, you find an empty, lightly used stretch of roadway, mark off a one mile course, divide up into teams then pitch the “bowl” as far as you can in succession to complete the course. Like golf, whichever team completes the course with the fewest throws wins. In Ireland, it’s still played on the little country lanes, many of which have walls, which likely makes it easier. If you’d prefer to get a flavor of what it’s like without the trans-Atlantic journey, West Virginia is a hotbed of the sport, so a road trip is in order.

2115 VOORHEES TOWN CENTER, VOORHEES, NJ 08043 • 267.228.9578 • WWW.HMCHOME.COM

Road “bowls” are made of steel and measure approx. 3“ in diameter.

The West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association sponsors 20 matches at 17 events from March to November throughout all regions of West Virginia. They’ve even got starter kits on their website. Not to be outdone, New Jersey has its own “hotbed” in Jefferson Township, Morris County. But in order to check it out you’ll have to show up on the one day of the year they bowl, Jefferson Township Day in July. For information, visit www.jeffersonarts.org or www.wvirishroadbowling.com. 15

One Of A Kind

HILADELPHIA NATIVE and cultural icon Chuck Barris passed away in March at the age of 87. Best known as the creator and star of the “Gong Show,” Barris was also a hit songwriter, hit game show creator, novelist and, just perhaps, an assassin for the CIA. He will best be remembered as a television personality who provided entertainment for an audience of several generations. Here are some highlights from his career: • Graduated from Drexel University in 1953. • Hired by ABC during the payola scandals to keep a young Dick Clark out of trouble. • Director of ABC’s West Coast Daytime programming in 1959. • Wrote the pop song, “Palisades Park,” which became a hit for Freddy Cannon in 1962. • Created “The Dating Game,” which debuted in 1965. • Created “The Newlywed Game,” which began in 1966. • Created and emceed the “Gong Show,” in 1976. In the show performers who ran the gamut from professional to amateur would demonstrate their act until one or more of the celebrity judges had run out of patience and “gonged” them, ending their performance. Those who weren’t “gonged” were given a score between 1 and 10. Barris was the brash ringmaster/host. The “Gong Show” spawned a few well–known “classic” acts, like “The Unknown Comic,” who told corny jokes with a bag on his head, and “Gene-Gene the Dancing Machine.”

• Wrote the novel, “You and Me, Babe, in 1974, about a television producer’s failed marriage. • In 1984, he wrote the autobiographical “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” in which Ba cer during the 1960’s. This claim was never confirmed or denied by Barris; however the CIA denied he had anything to do with the agency. The story was made into a movie in 2003, directed by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell. • In 2007, he wrote the novel “The Big Question,” about the ultimate game show where the stakes are life or death. • In 2009, he wrote the novel “Who Killed Art Deco?” about a wealthy young man who is murdered. • In 2010 wrote, “Della: A Memoir of My Daughter” about his real life daughter who passed away from drug addiction in 1998. 17

THRU THE LENS

Photographs by Richard Beck

Great Bay Wildlife Management Area Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Purple Fringed Orchid New Jersey Pine Barrens 18

RichardBeckPhotography richardbeck_photography

The All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey Induction Ceremony – Bridgeton, NJ

Samaritan’s Hearts of Gold Gala – Crowne Plaza, Cherry Hill, NJ

Those who attended the induction ceremonies of former staff writer for the Bridgeton Evening News and Press of Atlantic City, Ed Hilt, and current columnist for The South Jersey Times, Bob Shryock, experienced a nice time remembering good times. Both men were wonderful contributors to our area sports venues and were recently acknowledged with an induction into The All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey on Saturday, March 11th. Congratulations to Ed and Bob! 6ABC Action News Anchor Rick Williams of Moorestown, the evening’s emcee; Samaritan Past Chair and 2017 Circle of Excellence honoree Liz Thomas (Mt. Laurel) of Thomas Boyd Communications; Samaritan President & CEO Mary Ann Boccolini of Marlton; and Samaritan Board Chair John C. Gillespie, Esq. (Marlton) of Parker McCay, PA.

Carz N’ Toyz Benefit – Cherry Hill, NJ

Dr. Allen Sahm, Lisa Shalkowski, Linda and James Rivard of Virtua JerseyMan and PhillyMan Chairmans Club member Peter Cordua (center) hosting a Louis XIII tasting to benefit Cars N’ Toyz at Cherry Hill Cigar Club.

JerseyMan Chairman’s Club Breakfast

Dr. Thomas Cavalieri and Dr. Anita Chopra of Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Ricardo Perez, Maryann Lauletta, Melissa Mordecai and Dr. Carmen Ciervo of Kennedy Health 20

Chairman’s Club Breakfast hosted by John Murabito & RE Business Solutions.

Feel Good PHILLY

______________________________________________________________________________

Stories to spark a smile…

Saving Space for Sanctuary

T’S A CHILLY SUNDAY NIGHT IN MARCH. I’m sitting on a stool at Dahlak Paradise in West Philadelphia, surrounded by more than 20 strangers. The audience lingers in suspense until a woman, Fatemeh Shams, an Iranian poet and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, appears in front of a microphone. Shams’ work digs into Middle Eastern conflict, feeling detached in a foreign land, and, somehow, is still able to find love. This was my first poetry reading. Steve Burns, a member and contributor of APIARY Magazine invited me to the reading. My mind floats back to our conversation recently when he said, “poetry isn’t stuffed in a dusty bookshelf; it is alive, it is everywhere, and it is being written by writers young and old, across many cultures and creeds.” This reading is what he meant. Since 2009, APIARY Magazine has worked to showcase Philly’s diverse community of writers bi-annually in print, live on stage, and online in their digital archive. The literary collective’s sole purpose is to inspire and connect Philadelphians through their own words. Yet it’s doing much more than that. It’s also encouraging conversation, promoting collaboration and celebrating diversity. Oh, and it’s free. And completely volunteer based. Released twice a year, with a total of 20,000 copies distributed, APIARY doesn’t just rely on the publication as the only vehicle to deliver its voice. The magazine is coupled with live, all-ages open-mic nights like

Permanent Beauty

akeup makes a woman feel good about herself. I’m sure some of us wear it to impress you gents, but many of us wake up and get ready for the day, for ourselves. As a young girl, you play with your mom’s makeup, as a teenager you experiment with funky eyeliners and bold lip colors, and as an adult you attempt to make your makeup look natural (funny how it circles back around). Shireen Dastis grew up in Washington Township, NJ, and enjoyed getting dolled up like the rest of us. At age 18, she began having trouble seeing at night while driving. It was then she found out she had retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that would slowly take away her vision and leave her legally blind. As you can imagine, the transition from having vision to losing it little by little came with an abundance of obstacles: transportation, shopping and putting on a fresh face of makeup, to name just a few. Technology and phone apps help Shireen get by, but she was at a loss when it came to feeling beautiful again. Then Shireen was introduced to The Beau 22

by Jamie Dunek

YOUTHQUAKE, where writers are inspired to share their work with each other and their communities. That night’s live poetry experience exposed me to the world of content that creates APIARY. A world filled with merging paths and uphill journeys where I’m encouraged to feel, and most importantly witness writing, that pushes boundaries. All written by humans. Submissions for APIARY 9: Sanctuary open in April! Twitter: @APIARYmag, Facebook: APIARY Magazine, www.apiarymagazine.com

by Ashley Dunek

Institute and Rose Marie Beauchemin, and it changed her life. The Beau Institute specializes in permanent makeup procedures, and founder, Rose Marie, is an internationally acclaimed expert in her field. When Shireen first began visiting Beau, she had some vision left and could see how natural and beautiful the permanent makeup looked. “Ro” became a friend to Shireen, and now at age 36, and with very limited vision, Shireen is confident that Ro and Beau are continuing to give her exactly what she wants, but can no longer see herself. Beau helped Shireen gain her confidence back and now it seems that no obstacle will hold her down. Shireen and her husband travel often, having visited Tanzania, South Africa, the Maldives, Qatar and Thailand. Her hobbies include rock climbing, tandem bike riding and kayaking. She’s preparing for a trip to India this month. “I simply want to have fun and be happy. I can’t possibly sit around and feel bad for myself because I’d be missing out on something else that I really want to do or try. I feel

like I appreciate what I have more than most people do. My family, my husband, and the ability to do so many things; I don’t take a second for granted.” Shireen urges any women going through a similar situation to visit Ro and Beau. “Beau Institute is more than just outer beauty. It’s about making you feel good on the inside as well.” n

BILL LYON ___________________________

The Golden Bear

HE BEAR IS WEARING hip waders and is slogging his way through a gooey bog that is making sucking sounds and trying to drag the Bear down into its glutinous embrace while Bear is doing a frantic chorus line high kick step to escape, seeking refuge on dry land, and all of this is being done in the name of golf, for from this foreboding marsh land will one day arise 18 glittering and enchanted holes and yet another transformation to beckon you to come tee it up. So then Behold: The greatest golfer ever, Jack William Nicklaus. Golden Bear. Or just plain Bear. No other athlete has had as lingering and admirable an impact on his profession. He dominated the game as no other player and then he turned to designing and building golf courses and has been doing so for close to 7 decades and the numbers are staggering, • Nicklaus courses now being played around the world: 410. • In 45 countries. • In 47 states. • On 142 professional tournament sites. • With 57 in varying degrees of progress. • Try this on for size: Seventy-five percent of the Earth is covered by water, and the other twenty-five per cent by Jack Nicklaus. By the way, for what it’s worth he laughed when this was suggested…but he didn’t object either.

The Best… In All Ways So for starters he picked the hardest, the most maddening, most infuriating of sports to play. If you have tried you know whereof I speak. And if you are one of those helpless addicts out there flailing impotently away at that little dimpled ball, well you have my sympathy…and empathy. As for his game, it is left to this summation by the sainted Bobby Jones: “He plays a game with which I am not familiar.” As for his after life, which is an unremitting 24

After 52 years in the business, Nicklaus has been my favorite athlete to cover. struggle for the athlete, he moved from tee box to drafting board seamlessly, and the Golden Bear empire stretches to the far horizon— equipment, clothing line, assorted endorsements, etc.,etc.,etc. As a businessman he is a rousing success. Which leaves for our examination his personal life. That would include a wife (Barbara) and five children and eight grandchildren. And the roll call changes, it sometimes seems, by the hour. But it all makes for that model of that prideful entity known as The Family Business. And, oh yes, don’t forget the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. And now to the matter of police blotter summons, assorted DUI’s, speeding citations, detox, rehab, and all the other trappings that go with celebrity hood. Sorry, but you won’t find Bear on the cover of any of those supermarket trash tabloids or weeping on Oprah or any of the other public confessionals. Bear is, well, boring. Admiringly so. You want a role model? I nominate Bear. After 52 years in the

business, when asked who has been my favorite athlete to cover.

The Makeover Hard to remember now but he began his golfing life as Fat Jack. He was on the rumpled and wrinkled side, sweating, shirt tail tagging along like a kite, hair mussed, 20 pounds too heavy, maybe 30…in short, not exactly a teenybopper’s main swoon. But here’s the thing—he could flat play. Boy how could he play. Drive the ball over the moon. Drain 30-footers. Stiff a 5 iron. Now, they told him, you need a body to match your game. Off went the tonnage. On came the blonde dye. Oooohhh, crooned the little girls. Fore, please, Jack Nicklaus on the first tee. One other thing—he knew the game, all of its subtleties and its nuances and he could transfer that knowledge. In his early years he wrote golf magazine articles and instructional booklets in pristine detail. Lee Trevino once cracked: ‘Yeah, I tried some of it…it felt like acupuncture of the brain.’

The Gracious Winner Jack Nicklaus, as you may have heard, won 76 PGA tournaments around the world, the paramount ones being the Masters, the United States Open, the British Open and the PGA. They were, it was decreed, the majors, the hardest, most daunting, and if by chance a man were to win all four, it would be known as the Grand Slam, and feel free to bow low. Jack Nicklaus won each of them. Again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and… A dozen and a half. Eighteen in all. But that is not even the really neat part. This is: He was second in 19 of them. Nineteen. And third half a dozen more times. Which means that every time they teed it up the odds were heavy that he was going to win or decide who was. He won by coming from behind and by going wire to wire, by brute strength and by feathery finesse, and when it came down to the money ball, when it all came down to a 30-footer with a double break, when the throat constricts and the shakes betray you, well, as he once said: “Sometimes it gets hard to breathe.” And he grabbed his throat. Always…always he reflected an abiding respect for the game, the gentleman’s game. He was unfailingly a gracious winner.

Dancing with Bears Wish I’d had a pedometer strapped to my leg to measure the miles I logged over the years walking in his wake, taking notes, composing columns in my head. My favorite venue, and I suspect it was his though he didn’t want to slight the others, was Augusta National, that enchanted cathedral in the pines, and in particular the 16th, that lovely little treacherous par 3 with water lying in ambush. It was there when he guided the ball into the cup, running after it, putter raised like a sword, celebrating because he knew this was going to be good, and would soon make him, at 46, the oldest Masters champion in history. I trailed after him—on higher ground—on one of his scouting excursions into the bogs, and that was like watching The Creation: Move that grove of trees 299 yards to the left, reshape those elephant burial mounds, dam up that one lake and make a waterfall. He sees it, he sees it all in his head, visualizes what it will look like in a few years. It is a living legacy. “Every piece of ground,” he said, “’is a piece of me.” n 25

MOB SCENE

_______________________________________________________________________________ BY GEORGE ANASTASIA

Just An Old Man Who Died Alone

e was, to borrow an over-used sports term, a game changer. And he, and all those around him, paid a significant price because of it.

Little Nicky Scarfo, the violent PhiladelphiaSouth Jersey mob boss who died in prison earlier this year, played by his own set of rules. The result was chaos. His passing (he died in a federal prison on Jan. 13) attracted front page headlines, but there was little of the pomp and ceremony that used to be de rigueur when a mob boss died. No viewing at a South Broad Street funeral home with lines of mourners stretching out the door and down the block. No FBI agents in unmarked vans taking pictures of crime family members and their associates coming to pay their final respects. No church ceremony with pallbearers carrying an ornate coffin to a waiting black limousine. There has been little mention of Scarfo’s “final arrangements.” One source said his passing was marked at a private family memorial service and his body was cremated. For all the noise he made while on the streets, Little Nicky went quietly. As a former North Jersey mob enforcer now living in Florida put it, “he was a bad guy in a bad life…As a human being he was flawed, inept and delusional…. (But) in the end, he was just an old man who died alone.” Scarfo was 87. He had spent the last 30 years of his life in prison, serving sentences for racketeering and murder charges contained in an indictment that literally took down his crime family. He and 16 others were convicted in the 1989 case that included charges of murder, attempted murder, gambling, loansharking and extortion. The murders listed in the indictment included members and associates of his own crime family, and of a rival faction aligned with the late Harry “The Hunchback” Riccobene. Among the other victims were a municipal court judge, Edwin Helfant, who took a bribe, but failed to deliver and Vincent Falcone, an Atlantic City contractor who made the mistake of calling Scarfo “crazy.” 26

Truth was apparently no defense for Falcone who was himself a wannabe wiseguy. Falcone was in the cement business, as was Scarfo and his nephew Phil Leonetti. This was back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the boom years for casino gambling in Atlantic City. Never subtle, Scarfo and Leonetti called their company Scarf Inc. They operated out of a small store front on North George Avenue adjacent to the apartment building owned by Scarfo’s mother. Scarfo and his family lived in one of the units. His mother was in another. At the time, people would joke that it was the safest block in the city. Falcone might have thought otherwise.

Scarfo had been the mob’s caretaker in Atlantic City during the bleak 1960s and early 1970s, a time when there really wasn’t much to take care of. But this was 1979. Things were changing. Now he was a mobster in the right place at the right time. Most men in that position would have ignored Falcone’s comment. Scarfo couldn’t or wouldn’t. And that was the beginning of a bloody era that changed the way the Philadelphia mob conducted business. Falcone was invited to watch a football game at an apartment in Margate. Scarfo, Leonetti, Merlino and a local plumber named Joe Salerno were there that day. According to court testimony, while Falcone was watching the game on television, Leonetti walked up behind him and shot him in the head. At Scarfo’s urging, Leonetti pumped two more into Falcone’s chest. Then the body was wrapped in a rug and dumped in the trunk of Falcone’s Mercury Cougar.

“He was a bad guy in a bad life…. As a human being he was fIawed, inept and delusional.” Scarf Inc. did lots of business in the early days of casino gambling. An investigator with the U.S. Department of Labor said that the cement company did work on the first six casinohotels that were built after Resorts International opened in May of 1978. The word within the construction and casino industries was that any general contractor who didn’t want problems on his job site and delays in completing his project would be wise to hire Scarf Inc. as the subcontractor for all the cement work. In addition, a company owned by mob capo Lawrence “Yogi” Merlino got most of the rebar work.

It was discovered a few days later. Salerno panicked and went to the authorities. He became a government witness and testified against Scarfo, Leonetti and Merlino at a trial in New Jersey Superior Court in Mays Landing. This was in October 1980. Angelo Bruno, the longtime Philadelphia mob boss, had been killed in March of that year and Scarfo’s mentor, Philip “Chicken Man” Testa was now in charge. Testa had tapped Scarfo as his consigliere. Five months later, Testa would be killed and Scarfo would become boss. The prosecution’s case in the Falcone mur-

der trial was built almost entirely around Salerno’s account of what happened in that apartment. Scarfo, Leonetti and Merlino had alibi witnesses who placed them somewhere else on the afternoon in question. The jury found all three defendants not guilty. Scarfo emerged from the court house telling reports, “Thank God for the American jury system.” But the volatile, soon-to-be mob boss wanted revenge. He couldn’t get at Salerno, who had disappeared into the witness protection program. Up to that point, the rules in the underworld were pretty straightforward. Mobsters and associates who got into conflicts understood that murder could be part of the game. But “civilians”—friends, family members, loved-ones— who weren’t in the life were off limits. Scarfo didn’t care about that. Once he became boss, none of the rules applied. He was a game changer. Early in August of 1982, a little more than a year after he had taken over the top spot in the organization, Scarfo sent a hitman to Wildwood Crest where Salerno’s father, Joe Sr., owned a motel. The hitman, wearing a designer sweat suit and a ski mask (in August!) walked in and shot the sixty-something motel operator in the neck. Joe Salerno Sr. survived the attempted hit which law enforcement correctly assumed was retaliation because his son had testified against

Scarfo. At least one law enforcement source later claimed that the day after the Wildwood Crest shooting, Scarfo, Leonetti and Merlino were seen on Georgia Avenue wearing the same designer sweat suits that the hitman wore the day before. Scarfo’s bloody reign had begun and he didn’t care who knew it. Over the next six years, about 20 mob members and associates would be shot, many killed, on the diminutive mob boss’s orders. “He liked noise,” Nicholas “Nicky Crow” Caramandi, a mob soldier who later became a government witness, once said in explaining Scarfo’s approach. “He wanted people to know when someone got shot.” Scarfo was “unhinged… I can tell you that

with the utmost certainty,” said a former North Jersey mob enforcer in a eulogy he posted online after news of Scarfo’s death became public back in January. Scarfo, he said, “enjoyed killing people and would be demonstrative in telling you that.” The former mob associate, who had worked for two New York crime families and dealt with members of the Philadelphia mob during a violent 30-year career, said murder was part of the life. Everyone accepted that. Not everyone, however, would celebrate it. “A lot of guys have done work, doesn’t mean they enjoyed it,” he wrote. Scarfo did. And that changed the way the game was played. n

GLEN MACNOW _________________________________________

My Two Favorite Superstars

ECAUSE I’VE COVERED Philadelphia sports for three decades, people often ask me to name the best and worst athletes I’ve dealt with. The worst is an easy call. Lenny Dykstra owns the title of sports crumb by a wide margin. I’m not talking about dealing with him as a journalist or talk-show host. I’m talking how he interacted with the public. But you know those stories. The best? That’s a tougher call, I’m pleased to say. Reggie White, Cole Hamels, Connor Barwin, Charlie Manuel, John LeClair—all represented their teams with grace. All helped make this a better town. Two guys stand at the top. One certainly won’t surprise you. The other might. I’ve never met a superstar who both spreads

(disclosure: I’m a part owner), and the young waitresses cooed over Bernie like he was Bruno Mars. Bernie obliged by posing for every picture, shaking hands with every stranger, calling every woman a beautiful heartbreaker—and having every woman believe him. Years back, Bernie and I were promoting books we’d written at an event organized by Michael Smerconish at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ. Minutes before Bernie was to speak, a gentleman came backstage with his son, a special needs man in his early twenties. The young man, wearing a Flyers jersey, grew flustered in his excitement meeting a legend and struggled to find his words. Sure enough, it was time for Bernie to go onstage. But he ignored the frantic cues from stagehands, calming the young man by put-

would say hello to the kids. Charles immediately went into full performer mode. “Where’s that special boy?” he shouted, many decibels too loud. He made a fast break for their table, put the kid-of-honor in a playful headlock and high-fived every awed child. Twenty minutes later he was still at the party— singing, sporting a pointy party hat and creating lifetime memories. The second episode occurred after the 2012 Final Four, as Barkley waited at the airport in New Orleans with fellow broadcasters Kenny Smith and Jim Grey. I was at the same gate, so I walked up to say hello. Barkley immediately pulled me into their debate which, as I recall, centered on the pro prospects of U. of Kentucky star Anthony Davis. (I’m no hoops expert, but even I foresaw that the kid would be terrific.)

Photo courtesy Glen Macnow

Bernie and Barkley share one trait—they both genuinely like people. And both get back what they give.

The author, right, with Flyers legend Bernie Parent

joy and derives it from the fans as much as Bernie Parent. The former Flyers goalie may be the most beloved athlete in Philadelphia history. It’s easy to understand why. If Bobby Clarke was the heart of those two Stanley Cup winners from the 1970s, Bernie was the spine. He was the last line of defense when the Broad Street Bullies had a man in the penalty box, which was most of the time. Two Vezina Trophies (top goalie) and two Conn Smythe Trophies (playoff MVP) attest to his brilliance. But so many of the people who adore Bernie (he’s always called by his first name) weren’t even alive when he skated off the Spectrum ice for the final time in 1979. I was with him recently at the Conshohocken Brewing Company 28

ting his hands on both shoulders and smiling that terrific smile. Eventually, the kid managed to get his words out. Organizers again tried to prod Bernie toward the stage, but he stayed a few minutes longer, posing for a few photos with the grateful dad and son. It was a small moment, sure, but one that demonstrates how a superstar can make someone’s day with a personal touch. Of course, then Bernie took the stage and slayed them.

ome who never encountered Charles Barkley only know of his big mouth and legendary episodes of temper. I’ve got two stories to illustrate what kind of guy Barkley is. The first took place late in his playing career at a now-closed Main Line joint called Al E. Gators. Barkley was at the bar with his wife and a few friends. Across the restaurant, a table full of eight-year-olds was celebrating a birthday. The mother of the birthday boy tentatively approached Barkley and politely asked if he

Soon enough, other travelers recognized Sir Charles. A middle-aged woman asked for his autograph, introducing herself as Arlene from Bordentown. Rather than seek a quiet haven (as Jim Grey clearly preferred), Charles barked out: “Well, tell me, Arlene from Bordentown, how do you think the Unibrow will do in the NBA?” And then he listened to her answer, respecting a civilian’s opinion. As more and more people gravitated over, Barkley became the emcee, tossing questions to astonished strangers and engaging everyone. The airport gate became a great town hall, with Barkley conducting the crowd. Everyone returned home with a great story to share. Look, pro athletes earn acclaim and huge paychecks and—in return—surrender much of their privacy. Some shirk from that. I get their reticence. But Bernie and Barkley share one trait—they both genuinely like people. And both get back what they give. n

THE HEALTH REFEREE ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsored by

BY JOHN M. MARTINO

Last Call for Alcohol… or Another Round of Lower-Calorie Drinks?

ATCHING CALORIES ISN’T FUN AT ALL. C’mon, let’s face it. You’d rather watch the football game on your flat-screen TV with a remote in one hand and a nice cold beer in the other. Before you know it, though, you’re like the bearded guy on those Dos Equis commercials. You may not always drink beer when you’re trying to be healthy, but when you do, your six-pack abs morph into an unflattering keg.

Ah, yes, the dreaded beer belly. Alcoholic beverages are notorious sources of hidden or empty calories. They don’t have any nutritional value, and consuming more than two drinks on a daily basis can wreak havoc on your waistline. According to a 2012 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol accounted for about 5 percent of adults’ caloric intake. Men consumed 150 calories from

NOT ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE CREATED EQUAL Different styles of beer vary in calories as well as the various types of alcohol and spirits. The chart at right shows how many calories are contained in popular alcoholic beverages: While most regular beer (12 oz. can or bottle) is around 150 calories per serving, certain craft beers can nearly double that amount. A chocolate oatmeal stout, for example, has more than

Beverage

Serving Size Calories (fl. oz.) (average)

Beer (regular) 12 153 Beer (light) 12 103 Gin, rum, vodka, 1.5 97 whiskey, tequila Brandy, cognac 1.5 98 Liqueurs 1.5 165 Wine (red) 5 125 Wine (white) 5 121 Sherry 3.5 75 Port 2 90 Champagne 4 84 Vermouth, sweet 3 140 Vermouth, dry 3 105 Martini (traditional) 2.25 124 Martini (extra dry) 2.25 139 Cosmopolitan 2.75 146 Mojito 6 143 Margarita 4 168 Piña Colada 9 490 Manhattan 3.5 164 Daquiri 2 112 Whiskey Sour 3.5 160 *Info from Rethinking Drinking website, National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

decrease your caloric intake, grab a light one instead. The following beers have 100 calories or less: • Budweiser Select 55 (55 calories) • Miller 64 (64 calories) • Michelob Ultra Amber (90 calories) • Coors Light, Corona Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite (100 calories)

alcohol each day, nearly 3 times more than women. It’s no surprise that the most preferred alcoholic beverage for men was beer. The study also noted that men between the ages of 20 and 39 consumed the most from alcoholic drinks than any other age segment. 30

300 calories. Craft beers are higher in calories because of the variety of hops and grains they contain, as well as their higher carbs and alcohol levels (usually 7 to 10 percent alcohol and higher, compared to 5 percent or lower in regular beer). If you enjoy the taste of beer but want to

“People are usually surprised how many calories they consume when they drink alcohol. It can add up fast,” says Jessica Cahill, a Virtua Registered Dietitian. “Men say that it goes right to their waist, and it does. That’s because of the extra calories from the alcohol, and when they combine it with a bunch of unhealthy snacks, like fried wings, French

fries, pretzels and chips.” You don’t have to stop drinking if you’re trying to lose weight, adds Cahill. But keep in mind: To lose 1 pound a week, an individual needs to consume 500 fewer calories a day than his body

burns. If you consume 100 calories more than you burn per day, you could put on 10 additional pounds over a one-year span. Therefore, a drink or two a day can make it difficult to get those 6-pack abs back again. Moderation is the key. n

TIPS TO DRINK WHILE BEING MINDFUL OF CALORIES So, if you’re looking to shed pounds, but don’t want to shed your favorite alcoholic libation–whether it’s a can of beer, glass of wine or one of those cocktails with an umbrella nestled on top—Cahill offers the following helpful tips: • Don’t let all the ‘empty calories’ sneak up on you. Know how many calories are in your favorite beverages and modify your intake as needed. • If you have a drink or two (or more), keep in mind what else you are consuming. Snacks and certain bar food can be more damaging to your waist than the alcohol. • Watch what else you are putting in your beverages, particularly mixed drinks. Juices, syrups, sodas and other added liqueurs may help your drink taste better, but they can be calorie bombs. Instead, opt for a splash of juice or seltzer water. For distilled spirits, like vodka and whiskey, it’s better to drink it on the rocks. • Drink slowly. Just like you should eat slower (mindful eating), you should do the same when you are drinking. Gulping down a drink in record pace will cause you to drink past your limit. • Drink water or seltzer water between beverages to dilute your alcohol intake. • Look ahead at your calendar and take note of upcoming events that entail drinking. If you know you’re going to the bar with your buddies on the weekend, for example, try to limit or cut out the alcohol you might normally consume during the week.

Twenty yards. That was the promise, from a friend in the business. So what would you do for 20 extra yards per drive? I didn’t have to think too long. “If they can do that, I’ll marry them,” was my honest response. Maybe I should be more careful what I wish for. BY MIKE KERN 32

It’s that time of year again, when—despite the mild winter—most of us are bringing out our clubs for the first time since last fall. And trying to remember what worked and what didn’t. So when I was given the chance to get fitted for a driver that could help fend off my evolving distance issues now that I’m getting older, who was I to say no? And that’s how I ended up at Club Champion on Presidential Boulevard at City Avenue. I must have passed it 100 times without noticing. It’s their only Philadelphia location. But they’ve grown from three stores in the Chicago area not that long ago to 20 nationwide, which makes them the largest company-owned premium golf-club fitting retailer in the United

Photo Jimmy Miller

States. So what did I have to lose? Or, more accurately, gain? It was an opportunity worth investigating. Especially since it’s a Tour-quality process and I’m basically a bogey golfer these days just trying to pull off a few more shots to ensure my scramble partners keep inviting me back. I’ve been fitted for clubs on several occasions before. But they were all brand-specific. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just that Club Champion doesn’t have a horse in the race. They’re simply trying to match you up with whatever the data from their TrackMan launch monitor indicates is best for the individual. “This is another level of detail,” said Steve

Harrow, one of three Master Fitter & Builders working there. “We can do anything, when it comes to a variety of options out there versus other places. We don’t care about brand. It’s about what works. And we’re going to show you why. Everybody’s different.” For them, the most important thing is the shaft. “We don’t get anything extra for selling one brand over another,” said Jim Yenser, Harrow’s colleague and the person who did my fitting. “And we’re very serious about keeping it that way. We have to sell golf clubs. But because we guarantee performance, we just can’t sell willy nilly. That’s going to come back to haunt us. “The shaft is the connection between the clubface and you. That’s critical. If it’s wrong, you have to manipulate and compensate to make up for that, and that’s hard to do. It’s like going to an eye doctor. It’s not just hit or miss. It’s a guided progression to a perfect prescription. But most golfers, the first thing they fall in love with is the club head.” So they have you hit balls. Lots of them. Which was fine by me, even though I hadn’t swung a club in a while. That’s how it is with trial and error. They want to get it right. And you want them to get it right. Otherwise what’s the point? This is, after all, an investment. Their services aren’t necessarily cheap. But you mostly get what you pay for. They stand behind what they do, because word of mouth is still their best advertisement. “We’re expensive for a reason,” said Harrow. “You can get something built for you, or something off the rack. And we’re not for everybody. It’s ’What value does golf have for you, in your life?’ Some guys will spend $400 every year for a new driver. But you could have come to us and paid that much for a driver that will work for however long you want it to. When it works, it works. Hard to put a price on that. “What player doesn’t want more distance, or to be more accurate? You can have both, if it’s out there. With comfort comes confidence. Every shaft is made to do something different.”

he first thing they actually do is have you hit your own clubs, to get a feel for where you are. Then they figure out how to improve on that. A driver fitting takes about two hours, a full set about twice as long. They also can do putter or wedge fittings, which take

“ The shaft is the connection between the clubface and you. If it’s wrong, you have to manipulate and compensate to make up for that, and that’s hard to do. But most golfers, the first thing they fall in love with is the club head.” half the time. It really is eye-opening watching it all happen. I even came back later the same day to put in another 30 minutes or so because Yenser wanted to make sure. I can appreciate that kind of commitment. “We have goals, just like the customer,” Harrow said. “That’s why we want feedback. I just got a call from a guy who got irons three weeks ago and took them out to Arizona. His exact words were, ‘Don’t know if it was just the maiden voyage, but you saved me eight strokes.’ He was (a) mid-teens (handicapper). I had to apologize. You can’t get any more shots. “A month later, you’re going to hear from me. We had a guy, a lefthander, who 10 months later said he was losing it left. So let’s get him back in and see. You usually see something in the first 10 rounds, not 10 months. Somehow he’d picked up almost nine miles per hour in club head speed. I asked him if he was over swinging. What’s going on? He went, ‘Oh, I lost 25 pounds and I’ve been working out.’ Great. I had to swap the shaft out and put something in his hands that made sense. There is the human element. But we’re going to be there for you.” Eventually, Jim found what he felt worked best for this aging short guy with the slowing swing speed. I trust it wasn’t easy, although he may have had tougher assignments. OK, maybe. Figure it goes with the territory. Anyway, while I didn’t understand all of the shop talk he was throwing at me, I did get enough of it to properly connect the dots. “We’re looking to find the optimums,” Yens-

er said. “The goal is to make your misses better, really. That’s where amateurs need more help. You can’t play from the trees, but distance is still the carrot that’s out there. Everyone has their own sense of value. You want to make the game more enjoyable. And frankly, I can do that. Then I’m their best friend for life.” At the end of the day, the computer said I was getting about 18 more yards with my new combination. Not quite 20, but certainly not shabby. Maybe it’ll allow me to carry a few more fairway bunkers, make my round a bit more fun, perhaps even lower my score. Because what else is there? Club Champion might not be for everyone. But it can no doubt help the vast majority, since golf is hardly one size fits all. Trust me, I should know. A Golf Magazine study found that 90 percent of American golfers may be playing with improperly fit clubs. Club Champion has over 35,000 possible combos to correct that. “Think about going to a Demo Day, and the club you hit so well is the one you should be taking home,” Harrow noted. “That’s what we do. We put something in your hand that you should be hitting.” I haven’t set a date yet, but I promise the invitations will be going out shortly. n

www.clubchampiongolf.com 215-921-2054 33

! y l l i h P o t . . . n o o ing S

Com

2017

BY MARK ECKEL

Renderings of NFL Draft main stage (left) and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway lit up (below) as the NFL Draft takes place on the stage near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Images nfl.com

RECENT EAGLES FIRST ROUND SELECTIONS

The last time the NFL Draft was held in Philadelphia, the Eagles were the reigning NFL Champions. Yup, it was a long time ago. Philadelphia hosted the first-ever NFL Draft at the Ritz-Carlton in 1936, and went on to host it again in 1949-50, ’53-54, ’56 and then from 1957-61. After that, the draft moved to Chicago (196264), and then on to New York City from 19652014. The past two years have been back in Chicago and this year, from Thursday night, April 27 (first round) through April 29, it returns to Philadelphia. “The draft is where dreams are fulfilled and future legends begin,’’ former Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback and the NFL’s current vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, said. “It’s great to bring the draft to Philadelphia where the fans are among the most passionate in the world. This will be a great experience for the city, the Eagles, and our fans of this great game.’’ The NFL will hold the draft along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and incorporate famous city landmarks such as the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was made famous by Sly Stallone as “Rocky’’. The draft theater will be constructed outside on the steps of the Art Museum (cue the Rocky theme), as the largest live audience in draft history is expected to attend. “We stand ready to welcome visitors and residents to this one-of-a-kind experience,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said. “Philadelphia received international praise as an excellent host for both the Pope and the Demo-

cratic National Convention, and we are very excited to add the NFL to our guest list.” There will be several events for fans attending the three days of the draft.

YEAR NAME

POS.

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

QB WR DE OT DT OG DE WR

Carson Wentz Nelson Agholor Marcus Smith Lane Johnson Fletcher Cox Danny Watkins Brandon Graham Jeremy Maclin

Life size player mannequins offer unique photo opportunities.

H COMBINE CORNER – From racing against NFL players to running routes, fans can test their football and athletic skills, which includes the Vertical Jump and 40-Yard Dash. H NFL VIRTUAL REALITY – Experience NFL games using virtual reality technology. H THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY – Fans will have the opportunity to take their photo with the Super Bowl trophy. H AFC & NFC LOCKER ROOMS – Visit a replica NFL locker room as it appears on game day. Experience the sights of an NFL pregame with sleek translucent LCDs.

H NFL DRAFT EXPERIENCE TAILGATE – Enjoy selections from some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants in a “taste of the town” tailgate.

H NFL MUSEUM (Pro Football Hall of Fame display area) – This exhibit features historic Eagles and NFL memorabilia, Super Bowl rings and Conference Championship trophies. Fans can get a digitalized Pro Football Hall of Fame bronze bust in their likeness. H COLLEGE FOOTBALL CORNER – Fans can view College Football Hall of Fame memorabilia from former first round Draft picks, as well as Eagles legends, and cheer on Draft prospects from their favorite college team.

“We are excited to welcome 200,000 football fans to Philadelphia this April who will generate an estimated $80 million in economic impact for our city,” PHLCVB (Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau) President & CEO Julie Coker-Graham said. “The NFL Draft is truly a great opportunity for Philadelphia to shine on the national and international stage, and we are working alongside our hospitality partners to ensure that fans far and wide make the trip for this exciting event.” Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, 35

who helped the team make it to Super Bowl XV, is one of the host committee chairmen. “Together with my host committee co-chair, Ira Lubert, we are hard at work making certain that our business community is fully engaged in what promises to be an incredible week of football fun for Philadelphia,” Jaworski said. Back to that 1961 Draft. The Eagles had the 14th and final pick of the first round and selected Art Baker, a fullback from Syracuse, who never played for the team. He instead signed with the Buffalo Bills, then of the old AFL, and actually ended up playing four years in the CFL. The first pick of that draft was by the expansion Minnesota Vikings, who selected Tommy Mason, a running back from Tulane. Mason played 11 years in the league, his first six with the Vikings, but his greatest claim to fame might have been that he married Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby. Washington took quarterback Norm Snead, who they later traded to the Eagles for future Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen, with the second overall pick. Other notable players to go in the first round of that draft were tight end Mike Ditka, who went No. 5 overall to the Chicago Bears; and cornerback Herb Adderley, who went No. 12 overall to the Green Bay Packers. Both of them have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. n

FIVE PLAYERS WHO COULD BE EAGLES THE EAGLES HAVE THE 14TH PICK in the first round, after winning a coin flip with the Indianapolis Colts, and could go in several directions. Vice President of Football Operations, Howie Roseman, says the team will ignore need and take the best player on the board. Expect that player to be a cornerback, a wide receiver, or maybe a running back, however. Here are some possibilities: Sidney Jones CB, Washington — Jones, 6-0, 185, is a very good cover corner with excellent ball skills (six interceptions), who has risen up draft boards lately and might be a good fit both at No. 14 and in coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense. Jalen “Teez’’ Tabor CB, Florida — Tabor, 6-0, 191, like Jones, had six interceptions last fall and may be a tad bit faster than his Pac 12 counterpart. He’s known as a gambling-type cornerback, which means he’ll make some plays, but he’ll give up some as well. The Eagles like aggressive corners. And Roseman likes SEC players, especially Gators. Mike Williams WR, Clemson — It’s probably less than 50-50 that Williams, considered the top receiver in the draft, makes it to 14, but you never know. If he does, the Eagles, even if they sign a free agent receiver, would be hard pressed to let him go. He would be the playmaker their offense sorely lacks. Dalvin Cook RB, Florida State — The Eagles have not taken a running back in the first round of the draft since Buddy Ryan took Keith Byars in 1986. Could that streak end this year? It might, if Cook is still on the board and the organization feels he’s the spark the offense needs. John Ross WR, Washington — Ross has what the Eagles’ offense lacks, especially at the wide receiver position — speed. Some would call this pick a reach at No. 14, but by the end of the season, those same people might call it a steal.

MARK ECKEL’S TOP 10 DRAFT PROSPECTS 1. Leonard Fournette RB, LSU — The big back from LSU won’t be the first pick, because the running back position has become devalued. But just as Ezekiel Elliott did for the Cowboys last season, Fournette could turn whatever team takes him into a Super Bowl contender. Yes, he’s that good. Consider he missed six games last year with an ankle injury and still ran for 843 yards. “He’s special,’’ one pro scout said. “He can be just as good as Elliott.’’ 2. Jonathan Allen DL, Alabama — Allen, 6-3, 294, could be an ideal end in a 3-4 defensive scheme, or an inside pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. Some draft observers compare him to a mix of Miami’s Ndamukong Suh and Los Angeles’ Aaron Donald. That’s some comparison, since they are two of the best defensive linemen in the game. “I saw a lot of games last season,’’ the scout said. “And he might have been the best player I saw.’’ 3. Myles Garrett DE/LB, Texas A&M — Garrett, a feared pass rusher, could be the No. 1 overall pick, and will surely go in the top three. An incredible athlete, with excellent speed, the 6-5, 270-pound Garrett is loved by most, but not all scouts. And some have concerns that he recorded just 8.5 sacks last fall. “He’s going to break somebody’s heart,’’ the scout said. 4. Marshon Lattimore CB, Ohio State — In a draft loaded with good cornerbacks, this 6-0, 192-pound Buckeye is the best of the best. Lattimore has very good cover skills, can run, and makes plays on the ball, as shown by his four interceptions last fall. “He’s a complete corner,’’ the scout said. “He can do it all.’’ 5. Jamal Adams S, LSU — It’s not every year a safety is ranked this high in a draft. Adams is not your typical safety, however. The 6-1, 211-pounder is one of the new breed of safety/linebacker. He has the cover skills to match up with a tight end or running back, and could also play up as the eighth man in the box and stop the run. “He’s one of the best players in the draft,’’ the scout said. “He’s going to be gone very early.’’ 6. Marlon Humphrey CB, Alabama — The 6-1, 198-pound Humphrey is bigger and faster than Lattimore, but doesn’t possess the same ball skills. Still, he’s a top cornerback and should be able to make an immediate impact as a rookie for the team fortunate enough to draft him. 7. Solomon Thomas DE, Stanford — One of the draft’s fast risers, Thomas was thought of as a second-round pick early in the season. Now, it appears he’ll be a top 10 pick. The 6-6, 272-pound end, who could also be a 3-4 linebacker, has an incredible first step and the quickness to get to the quarterback. 8. Mitchell Trubisky QB, North Carolina — Although he played just one year of college football, the Tar Heels’ passer has emerged as the top player at his position and the possible first overall pick in the draft. If the Browns don’t trade for a veteran quarterback, Trubisky will be their guy. If they do, it’s unlikely he makes it out of the top three. 9. Mike Williams WR, Clemson — Williams, 6-3, 205, was dominant in the Tigers BCS Championship Game win over Alabama, and for the season, caught 98 passes for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has great size and knows how to use it. He’s not a burner, but he can get downfield and he makes plays. 10. John Ross WR, Washington — Most top 10 lists do not include the Pac 12 speedster, but this one does and in a few years you’ll remember it. Ross, 5-11, 190, caught 81 passes for 1,156 yards and 17 touchdowns last fall. Don’t be shocked if he’s the next Odell Beckham.

Alaa Abdelnaby is Excited about the Sixers THIS SEASON has been a roller coaster ride for the 76ers. Following years of dreadful basketball during the “tanking” error, the team finally seemed like it was worth getting excited over as Joel Embiid took the league by storm and the team won 10 games in January. Then, through injuries and trades—real and rumored—it all came crashing down. Still, the future appears bright with talents like Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric on the roster. And who better to talk about what the team’s been through than former NBA power forward and current 76ers TV color commentator Alaa Abdelnaby?

Q&A 38

Q: His season’s over now, but a big part of the excitement was Joel Embiid. Is it just impossible not to love this guy? A: Well, listen, I’m glad you asked it that way, because it’s absolutely impossible. Because how could you not love what we’ve seen? And what we haven’t seen has been no fault of his own. So, we have to judge him on what he’s put

Joel Embiid pops in for a pre-game visit.

INTERVIEW BY NICK SANTANGELO

out there, and, man, what he’s put out there—I mean, we’re still talking about him as a potential rookie of the year at this point even though he only played in 31 games, because the games he played in he left such a marked impression We want everything yesterday, especially when

‘‘

Life is hard, deal with it. Nobody wants to see a prima donna out there. And I think this team embodies that.”

we see something good. But I’m always marveling at Joel Embiid ever since the Oklahoma City game, because he’s just not supposed to be doing that. There’s a mental barrier that one has to get over when you have a traumatic injury or a long, sustained injury, and he didn’t seem to have that. He was jumping over seats and running hard. I mean, that is so unique and so special, and that needs to be nurtured.

Q: It feels like the Sixers are the most-talkedabout team in town right now. Do you get the sense that the city is forming a stronger bond with this current team than it has with really any other Sixers team since the Allen Iverson era?

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: The last few years were pretty tough for

the Sixers as they went through the Sam Hinkie tanking/rebuilding process. But this year has been exciting. How much fun is it being on the broadcast team this year?

A: Absolutely it’s been much more fun, and

from a personal standpoint, the person I’m happiest for is [76ers play-by-play announcer Marc Zumoff]. My job is when something good happens to get out of the way and let him do his thing, and he’s had a chance to do that a lot more this year, and I can see the fun in his eyes again. And when your partner is having fun, you’re having fun, and it’s been a blast this year. I’m a player, man. I’m a former player. I have no agenda to go out and try to slice and dice anybody. I know how hard it is to go up against the best in the world every single night. I’m empathetic, but at the same time, I hope that when I’ve seen something that needed to be said, I said it throughout last year, but it’s nice to not have to go through those moments as often this year. We walk into a gym now, and we’re competitive every night. We didn’t have that feeling last year.

Abdelnaby and television play-by-play partner Mark Zumoff have had fun broadcasting the games this season on CSN.

‘‘

I never understood [Nerlens] wanting to be a starter on this team that had Joel Embiid. That’s

not being realistic.”

I think what the city likes to see is it likes to see itself out on the floor and those qualities out on the floor. And those qualities are hardworking, blue collar, put-your-nose-down, go to work. Life is hard, deal with it. Nobody wants to see a prima donna out there. And I think this team embodies that. I think this team starts with grit. When you talk to other teams, whether it’s a win or a loss, the first thing the other team says after the game is “That team plays hard for 48 minutes.”

Q: One player they haven’t bonded with is Jahlil Okafor, and that video of him not making much of an effort on defense in Miami went viral. There’s a feeling among

the fan base that he’s hurting the team, but he’s handled the whole thing off the court really well. Has that impressed you?

A: He is an incredibly great young man. And the way he’s been handling it isn’t a surprise, because that’s what great young men do. They just go to work and realized that thousands— millions—of other people would kill to be in their position, and they just put their head down and go to work. I think Jahlil’s issue to an extent is he keeps a lot of things in, and Philly people want to see you wear your heart on your sleeve. They want to see you pump your chest. They want to see you dive for loose balls, and I think Jahlil is adjusting to that Philly style, because it also happens to be what Brett Brown wants to do.

Q: So you think he’s probably going to continue growing into that role?

A: It’s not that he has to try harder. I think it’s

that he has to learn the NBA game. When he learns the NBA game, he’s going to be quicker to things. He’s going to be anticipating things, and right now, because he’s still a young kid learning the way it’s played—the game is fast, man. The game is just like the NFL compared to college. There are times when I think he looks like he’s late. It’s not because he doesn’t care, it’s because he’s still learning.

Q: Meanwhile, Nerlens Noel was very

vocal about considering himself to be starting-caliber, but he was blocked by Embiid. We’ll never know for sure now, but do you think he would have been accepting of a long-term off-the-bench contributor role here?

A: I never understood his approach from train-

ing camp. I never understood him wanting to be a starter on this team that had Joel Embiid. That’s not being realistic. That’s all I’m saying. I was wondering about who was giving him advice, because it wasn’t helping him.

Q: Looking to next season, are you as excited as everyone else is to finally see Embiid and Ben Simmons on the court together?

A: Listen, brother, let’s not forget our boy

Dario, because that excites me almost as much as Simmons playing with Joel, because picture an all-star caliber potential guard, maybe a youngster right now. But my point is a guard that can break down a defense all by himself, like a Chris Paul, a Jeff Teague, somebody just like that, that by himself you need help. Then all of a sudden, you put that with the passing of Ben Simmons and Dario, both 6’10”, who can pass, and you have Joel Embiid inside? Oh my goodness! That would be one of the most unique teams the NBA has ever seen.

Q: The Simmons injury and recovery has been another point of contention for a lot of fans, who don’t believe the organization has been entirely truthful on the matter. Could the Sixers have handled that better? A: Again, that’s our little war between hope

and reality. They were hoping when he went down that he’d be able to come back at the end of January, because that was assuming everything goes normally, and then he would have been eligible to come back around that time. And I think as time went on, [GM] Bryan [Colangelo] said as much, things progressed slower. You can’t blame him for human nature, you know what I mean?

Q: Fair enough, and secretive is one thing,

but it seems Colangelo outright lied about the Embiid injury. The Derek Bodner report emerged, and Colangelo had to acknowledge it was accurate. Was that a hard lesson that people are maybe a little crazier here with what’s going on than in Toronto or Phoenix?

A: Listen, that passion is the reason why I have my job, so I hope it never ends. But Bryan said it himself: that will never happen again. The more information you can give Sixers fans, especially about guys they have a high level of interest in, the more it will be appreciated, and I think that’s the lesson that they learned. Q: Getting back to the court, Nerlens Noel was playing better. TJ McConnel has looked good. Dario Saric has looked really great. How much credit do you have to give Brett Brown for developing these players through all the hardships here?

A: I give him as much credit as humanly pos-

sible. How about that? A coach’s job is to put his players in the best position to succeed, and he develops them well day-to-day, he coaches them up well and then out on the floor, the stuff that the Sixers run offensively and defensively, not a lot of teams run that stuff. It’s some highlevel basketball that’s going on, and the young guys are—it’s kind of like being in class. If you never had an upper-level class before and you step in, it’s like “This conversation is a little more than I’m used to.” Same thing.

Q: Obviously no one can ever say for cer-

tain, but when do you think the Sixers will become serious contenders to go deep in the playoffs.

A: I’d say two years from now. I’d say come next year, have a Joel Embiid that plays a good chunk of the season along with Ben Simmons and then see what you have, and then you go into next offseason—not this summer but the following summer—and then guys are going to want to come here and play with those guys. n 41

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S E I L IL

2017

W E I V RE

0s, 6 9 1 E IN TH ETTY P U ING S PR S W A O W R T G HT I ILLIE ON. G H U P O E S H I TH OW T EACH SEA H L COO OGANS SL HAD

One year it was: Go Phillies Go! Another year, it was: Now Phillies Now! Corny stuff, for sure, but when you are seven or eight years old and mesmerized by baseball and a palace called Connie Mack Stadium, well, slogans seem very catchy, very important. Very “in.” Like many who grew up in that era, I lived and died by the Phillies. Imitated the swings of Tony Gonzalez, Richie Allen, Johnny Callison, Tony Taylor, and the rest of the players. Snuck my transistor radio under my pillow and listened to the late West Coast games and thought I had died and gone to heaven. Broadcasters By Saam, Bill Campbell and Richie Ashburn didn’t know me at the time, but they felt like part of my family because I listened to them virtually every summer night. They felt like my uncles.

BY SAM CARCHIDI 42

Mackanin

72.5

Westgate Las Vegas Superbook predicted win total for Phillies in 2017

Back in the day, I went to as many games as possible with family, friends, and neighbors, and was absolutely enthralled by the humungous Ballantine scoreboard in right-center, by the perfectly manicured grass—remember, most of us had only black-and-white TVs at the time, so the bright green outfield and infield were shockingly wonderful—and by the atmosphere and the smells (cigars, peanuts, beer) that permeated cozy Connie Mack Stadium. I was in my element. I felt I was home. Fifty-plus years later, I have grown more cynical, more jaded. Deadlines and a lot of losing seasons will do that. That said, I still get excited for the start of a new season. It takes me back to my youth, back to a more innocent time, back to the days when the usually futile Phillies, at 0-0, were tied for first place and anything was possible. All of which is a roundabout way of getting to the 2017 Phillies and their hopes and dreams. In writing this preview of the Phillies’ season, I decided to look at the team like I did as a naive and optimistic seven-year old—and not someone who has watched too many sadsack performances and just two World Series championships since I became addicted to baseball in 1962. The Phillies, coming off a 71-91 season in which they finished fourth in the five-team National League East, are not expected to be a World Series contender this year. But they are young, have several promising players and a strong farm system, and they should continue to make modest strides. Climb Phillies Climb. That’s my corny slogan (not bad for a seven-year-old) for this season. The Phillies won’t make anybody forget about the Ryan HowardChase Utley-Cole Hamels-Jimmy Rollins era.

Manager Pete Mackanin used a hard-to-fathom 144 different lineups in their 162 games last season. A more stable lineup this year should translate into more victories.

Franco crushed 25 homers and knocked in 88 runs in 2016. Oh, and he’s only 24. He could be headed toward a monster season. Or the Mike Schmidt-Steve Carlton-Greg Luzinski-Garry Maddox powerhouses. They do, however, have a good chance to climb the standings and make opponents squirm. Sports Illustrated gave General Manager Matt Klentak an “A” for his off-season moves, and with the maturation of some of the team’s rising players (hello Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera, Cesar Hernandez, Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, Tommy Joseph, and Cameron Rupp), a lot of good things could happen in 2017. “I don’t want to get anybody carried away with this, but I feel like if we can play .500 and bring it into the first part of August, where the guys start really gelling and believing in themselves,” manager Pete Mackanin said at a news conference before the season. “I think we can be in the hunt.” Here is a look what might unfold: • The Phillies used a hard-to-fathom 144 different lineups in their 162 games last season. There’s much more stability this year because of the additions of corner outfielders Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders— and the fact that Joseph will get most of the at-bats at first base. A more stable lineup should translate into more victories. • Adding veteran Clay Buchholz should bolster a promising young staff. Buchholz, a two-time all-star, finished strongly with the Red Sox last year—a 2.98 ERA in eight starts down the stretch—and he can serve as a mentor to Nola, Eickhoff, and Vince Valasquez.

• Nola is primed for a bounce-back season after missing the last two-plus months because of a sprained elbow. The former LSU star looked like one of the league’s top young starters as he allowed two runs or fewer in nine of 12 starts last year. But elbow problems surfaced, and the righthander struggled mightily before being shut down. This could be his breakout season. • Acquired as part of the deal that sent Ken Giles to Houston after the 2015 season, the hard-throwing Velasquez had some eyeopening numbers in 2016, striking out 152 in 131 innings, and showing the potential to one day be slotted at the top of the rotation. • Like Buchholz, Jeremy Hellickson supplies veteran leadership on a young staff. The right-hander had a 12-10 record and a 3.71 ERA—marked improvement from his 2015 season with Arizona—and had a nice strikeout/walk ratio (154/45). He will eat up lots of innings this year. • Eickhoff isn’t making people forget Hamels, but he’s trying. Part of the impressive haul the Phillies received in the deal that sent Hamels to Texas in the summer of 2015, Eickhoff used a nasty curveball to keep batters off-balance and he could end up being the Phillies’ ace. In his first full season with the Phils, Eickhoff had a solid 3.65 ERA with 167 strikeouts and just 42 walks. At 26, his future looks bright. • A pessimist would point out that third baseman Franco showed less discipline at 43

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Westgate Las Vegas Superbook odds for Phillies to win World Series in 2017

• Second baseman Hernandez, 26, became the prototypical leadoff hitter in the second half of last season and that should carry into 2017. He finished with a .371 on-base average—15th in the National League—and batted .294 with 11 triples and six homers. If he improves his stolen-base success rate (37 for 59 in his career), he could blossom into an all-star.

Buchholz, a two-time all-star, finished strongly with the Red Sox last year, and he can serve as a mentor to the young pitchers on the staff. the plate last year, and that his protection dropped sharply against right-handers. An optimist (remember, that’s this “seven-yearold”) would note that Franco still crushed

25 homers and knocked in 88 runs. Oh, and he’s only 24. Franco wasn’t swinging as wildly in this year’s spring training, and he could be headed toward a monster season.

• With Howard no longer around after a superb career, Joseph has a legitimate shot at 30 homers. A former catcher who moved to first base after multiple concussions, Joseph hammered 21 homers in just 315 at-bats last year. Joseph (25) is a part of an infield that doesn’t have a starter over 27. • Was there a bigger surprise story on the Phillies last year than seeing little Freddy Galvis slam 20 homers? Doubtful. The switchhitting shortstop also had a career-best 17 steals and played superb defense. In other words, J.P. Crawford has some work to do before he is deemed the club’s shortstop of the future. • Centerfielder Herrera was named to his first all-star team last year, and it probably won’t be his last. Herrera hit .286 with a .361 onbase percentage, and he was one of just seven players to hit at least 15 homers, steal 25 bases and score 87 runs. • Right-fielder Michael Saunders should take some pressure off Franco and give him some protection in the lineup. Yes, his numbers tumbled over the last two months last year with Toronto, but in the season’s first half, he hit .298 with 16 homers, 42 RBIs and 32 walks, earning a spot on the All-Star team. • Kendrick gives the Phils a much-needed professional hitter on a team that struggled to score last season. Acquired from the Dodgers in November for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney, Kendrick will be moved from second base to left field. He batted a careerlow .255 last season, but has a career .289 average, and he should benefit from playing at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. When you consider that Phillies leftfielders hit just .212 last year, Kendrick should be a huge upgrade over players like Cody Asche, Tyler Goeddel, Aaron Altherr, Jimmy Paredes, David Lough, and Cedric Hunter.

Kendrick gives the Phils a much-needed professional hitter on a team that struggled to score last season.

• Rupp slugged 16 homers and 26 doubles in just 389 at-bats. Far better numbers than Clay Dalrymple, Mike Ryan, John Bateman or most of the other Phillies catchers from yesteryear. And he will be extra motivated because he knows the Phillies have two quality catching prospects—Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro—waiting in the wings. • The bullpen, thanks to several off-season additions, is much-improved. Newcomers Joaquin Benoit and Pat Neshek should help a bullpen that includes Jeanmar Gomez (37 saves in 43 chances last year), Hector Neris (held opponents to a .202 average), Edubray Ramos, and Joely Rodriguez.

tributing, but many appear to be a year away.

• Veteran Andres Blanco is a key player off the bench, and promising young players like Roman Quinn, Altherr, Dylan Cozens, Rhys Hoskins, Scott Kingery, Brock Stassi and, Nick Williams could be on the verge of con-

Put together all the above pieces—a nice starting staff, a much-improved outfield and bullpen, and an infield that is loaded with potential—and it should be an intriguing summer at Citizens Bank Park.

My 40-plus years in the newspaper business tells me the Phillies will finish around 76-86. The seven-year-old “inner child” in me says 92-70. The Phillies would gladly split the difference and fall in the middle (84-78) of those two predictions. n

Photo Miles Kennedy

BASEBALL2017

RUPP BY T. JORDAN WOMPIERSKI

READY

Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp enters 2017 as the undisputed starter for the first time in his career, but he knows the hard work is just beginning.

BASEBALL2017

S THE SAYING GOES, everything’s bigger in Texas, and at first glance, Plano native CAMERON RUPP seems to fit the bill. A hulking 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, the starting catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies is a commanding presence behind the plate.

The big man put up big numbers in 2016, setting career highs in nearly every statistical category. One thing that isn’t big about Rupp, though, is his ego. Despite belting 98 hits, 16 home runs, and 54 RBIs in 2016, Rupp remains as grounded and down-to-earth as they come. He always knew he had the kind of talent to play professionally, but the fact he’s a Major League Baseball player who now gets recognized on the streets of Philadelphia is still a bit surreal. “I guess I’m considered a public figure,” he said humbly. “It’s always nice when somebody sees you outside of the field and wants to say hello or take a picture. It’s cool to have fans that support you.” ROWING UP, Rupp spent his free time like countless other kids in America, playing baseball in his backyard and pretending he was stepping up to bat with the game on the line. Rupp doesn’t have to use his imagination these days. He is embarking on his third full MLB season in 2017, and reaching the highest level of the sport is something he truly cherishes. “It’s a dream,” he said. “It’s the ultimate goal you set for yourself when you start playing the game as a kid.” Rupp, 28, has his family to thank for getting him hooked on baseball. His father Kevin played A-level pro ball in the Montreal Expos organization, and his uncle Chris was a college player and coach. “Baseball has always been kind of in our blood,” Rupp said. Even with a strong baseball background, Rupp’s journey to the majors required patience and perseverance. In high school, Rupp reached a bit of a crossroads. He was a standout in both baseball and football, and college scouts were eyeing him up. “Whenever my football coach would come

up to me and be like, ‘Hey, what’s your interest level in college football?’ I’d say, “None. I would love to play, but I’m gonna play baseball. Don’t even tempt me because I might make the wrong decision.’” Rupp loved playing football, but he didn’t think he could make a living out of it. Baseball, on the other hand, could turn into a professional career. “I was better at baseball,” Rupp said. “I had opportunities to go play football in college, but I knew that I had a better chance with a future in baseball.” Rupp committed to play baseball at the University of Texas at Austin, but that spring, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 43rd round of the MLB Draft. Just as Rupp was tempted by offers to play college football, the allure of a professional baseball contract with the Pirates was hard to resist. However, he believed in himself enough to know that re-entering the draft later on, with a few solid college seasons under his belt, could result in a more lucrative offer. “I kind of priced myself out,” Rupp said. “And I knew how important it was to go to school, not only academically, but for the ex-

perience as well.” Rupp decided to major in education, so if his baseball career didn’t pan out, he could be a teacher and also work as a coach at the school where he taught. “That’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing, is working with kids and giving them lessons and helping them become better players,” he explained. Even though he was prepared to do so, Rupp never had the chance to teach. After three strong college seasons, the Phillies drafted him in the third round of the 2010 draft. The decision to spurn the Pirates in 2007 and attend school paid dividends, and looking back on his college years, Rupp knows he made the right choice. “After I went through the lower levels of the minor leagues, I don’t know if I would have been able to handle it coming out of high school,” he said. “College prepared me for it. I’m very, very glad I went.” UPP SPENT THREE SEASONS working his way up the minor league ranks, and late in the 2013 season, he was rewarded and called up to the big leagues. On Sept. 10, 2013, he made his MLB debut when manager Ryne Sandberg penciled him in as the team’s starting catcher against the San Diego Padres. The Phillies lost that night, but Rupp recorded his first major league hit, and the experience was one he will never forget. “It’s something that you dream about since the time you could pick up a baseball,” Rupp said. “The first time you put that big league uniform on, it’s special.” Of course, just because Rupp had made the majors didn’t mean the hard work was

“The goal is to get to the big leagues and then to stay. Establishing myself as a starter is a great feeling.”

Photo Miles Kennedy

A Fan at Heart Rupp might be a professional MLB player these days, but that doesn’t mean he’s not still a big baseball fan at heart. He relishes the opportunity to catch pitches thrown by some of the game’s biggest stars. “I got to catch Cole [Hamels] a couple times, AJ Burnett, Cliff Lee,” he said. “There’s guys that have pitched in the big leagues for a long time that I’ve shared the field with.”

over. He found himself right back in the minor leagues to start the 2014 season, although he once again earned a call-up. After joining the Phillies in June, Rupp started 18 games that year—an improvement on the 3 games he started the year prior, but a mere drop in the bucket compared to the 104 games started by 2008 World Series-winning catcher Carlos Ruiz. Still, any MLB playing time is a plus, and Rupp worked to further establish himself. “Every time I get a chance to play, it’s an opportunity to show that I belong here,” Rupp said. Rupp did more than simply show he belonged. His powerful arm, reliable defense, and consistent bat won over the trust of his manager and teammates. Rupp split the 2015

schedule equally with Ruiz, and in 2016, Rupp’s name was posted on the dugout lineup card more often than not. The torch was fully passed to Rupp when the Phillies shipped Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers last August. “The goal is to get to the big leagues and then to stay,” Rupp said. “Establishing myself as a starter is a great feeling.” S HAPPY AS HE IS to have such a large role on the team, Rupp can’t get complacent. Two of the Phillies’ top 15 prospects—Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp—are catchers. Such is the life of a baseball player. There’s always going to be someone younger in the pipeline. Rupp takes the

As if playing with and against baseball legends wasn’t cool enough, Rupp has a few souvenirs from his All-Star encounters. In addition to some of his own memorabilia, like the balls from his first hit and his first home run, he has an impressive collection of mementos from his baseball heroes. “I enjoy collecting some bats and some balls signed,” he said. “I got a couple jerseys signed by guys. I mean, it’s kind of cool. Especially guys that I looked up to growing up watching the game. I’ve got a David Ortiz jersey that’s signed, I got a Ryan Howard, a Cole Hamels. Guys you kind of watched and you idolized growing up, guys you wanted to be like. It was always cool to get to share the field with them, and then to have something that I’ll get to cherish for a long time and have hanging in my house.” 51

Photo Miles Kennedy

Around the Horn with Cameron Rupp Favorite hobbies? “I do a lot of hunting. I enjoy being outdoors, playing golf when I can. I’m not very good, but I enjoy going out there. Hanging out with my dogs. I enjoy having them around. My brother lives with me, he lives at my house, so I spend a lot of time with him. We go out and hunt together. It’s a good time.” Favorite teammate(s)? “Cody Asche and Chase Utley. Cody and I came up together, we got to the big leagues right around the same time, and we were right next to Chase when we were put in the clubhouse. Both of our lockers were right next to each other, right next to Chase’s, and he kind of took us under his wing, kind of showed us the ropes on the road, and took care of us. Chase was awesome. I’ll never forget, when he got traded, I felt like my dog died.” Most Memorable MLB Moment? “Being in the dugout for Cole Hamels’ no-hitter against the Cubs a couple years ago at Wrigley Field. The history there and a no-hitter there, to be in the dugout, to be on the team and get to celebrate with him, that’s pretty special. That’s one of my favorite moments, outside of my first start and first big league hit, that’s right there. That’s really, really cool.” Go-to pre-game meal? “A nice big cup of coffee. That’s really it. About an hour before the game, I’ll start drinking a cup of coffee until it’s about time to go out.” Strangest fan encounter? “There hasn’t been anything too strange. At least anything I can say. I’ve been asked to sign a lot of things. A lot of things that are a little strange, but we won’t get into that.” Favorite road ballpark? “My favorite is Yankee Stadium. Just the history. I know it’s the new Yankee Stadium, but it’s still Yankee Stadium. All the history there, it just feels like that’s where baseball started. It’s a special place.” Least favorite road ballpark? “Miami, probably. There’s not a whole lot of energy in that stadium when you go there. The atmosphere is just not what it is everywhere else. It’s different.” Favorite movie? “Step Brothers.” Favorite music performer? “George Strait.” Favorite food? “My mom’s meatloaf.”

situation in stride and insists he doesn’t feel any pressure from the young guns nipping at his heels. “Pressure? Not really, but motivation, yes,” he said. “It’s just like with any job. If you’re not improving, if you’re not successful, somebody is going to come take your job. That’s the way it is at anything that you do.” Although Rupp was alrerady the team’s undisputed starting catcher entering spring training, he does not take the luxury of an MLB roster spot lightly. “I continue to tell myself that I’m competing for a job every year,” he said. “Whether I’ve got one year of service time or ten years of service time, somebody wants my job. They’re going to do everything they can to show that they belong. It keeps me going. I just take it and run with it.” Rupp is looking forward to contributing in 2017, his second season in the number one role. “I want to do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said. “Whatever numbers those are, whatever is going to help my team win, that’s what I want. If it’s not behind the plate and I’ve gotta do it offensively, great. If I’m struggling offensively, I hope that defensively I’m sharp and I’m helping our pitching staff get better each night.” In 2016, Rupp had a lingering arm issue (“I wouldn’t call it an injury,” he said. “It was just, my arm wasn’t 100 percent last year”), but he feels completely healthy heading into 2017. He’s excited to see what he and the up-andcoming Phillies can do. “I’m fired up,” Rupp said. “We’ve got a lot of young talent, especially on our pitching staff. We’ve got a lot of young arms, not only that are gonna be in the rotation this year, but in the years to come. We saw a lot of young kids make their debut last year that helped us win some ball games late in the year, and then we’ve added some veterans. It’s in the upswing and it can only keep getting better.” Most pundits have the Phillies pegged for a few more tough years of rebuilding before the team finds itself back in the postseason, but Rupp believes the light at the end of the tunnel is a lot closer than people think. “Experts can say we’re gonna compete in the next couple of years, yeah. But you know what? We’re gonna come out to compete every night this year,” Rupp said. “We’re gonna come out ready to win, we’re gonna have fun, and it’s gonna be an exciting year for us.” Regardless of when the Phillies re-establish themselves as a championship-caliber team, the big Texan is thrilled to have found a home away from home in Philadelphia. “I want to play where I’m wanted, and I feel like I’m wanted here,” Rupp said. “I’m playing where I’m wanted and I enjoy every minute of it.” n

Learning from Chooch Before Rupp took the reins as the Phillies starting catcher in 2016, he spent three seasons backing up 2008 World Series Champion Carlos Ruiz behind the plate. Philadelphia fans always had a soft spot for the man they called Chooch, and Rupp did, too. “Chooch is awesome,” Rupp said. “One of the best. He’s caught the most perfect games and no hitters in Major League history next to Jason Varitek. That’s a pretty cool accomplishment. Not many, heck, I mean, there ain’t too many people that can say that.” Ruiz was a master behind the plate during his time in Philadelphia, something that Rupp made sure to pay close attention to. “What better guy to learn from than a guy that’s called no-hitters and perfect games?” he said. “That’s kind of what I picked up from him. Learning how to call games, learning how to make in-game adjustments. He was very good at it.” Any time Rupp was catching a game during Chooch’s tenure, he made sure to check with Chooch between innings to see if the veteran had any advice. “He would always help me,” Rupp said. “When I’d come into the dugout, I’d ask him, ‘Hey, what do you see?’ and he’d always give me a tip here and there. ‘Maybe look at this, see if this is happening.’ He was good at it. That’s why he’s been around for so long and been so successful.” Not only was Ruiz a good teacher, but a good source of comic relief in the clubhouse as well. Rupp named Ruiz as the funniest teammate he ever had. “Chooch has always got tricks up his sleeves, and jokes,” Rupp said. “He’s always having a good time, playing with some pranks. It was always fun hearing him laugh.”

BASEBALL2017

For South Jersey’s Ryan Buchter

Perserverance Pays Off

BY JAN L. APPLE 54

AD YOU TOLD Ryan Buchter in childhood that he’d one day clinch a coveted spot as a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres, he may not have believed it. After all, many boys dream of a career in the major leagues. Buchter’s youth was filled with athletics: baseball, basketball, football, soccer—just about every sport imaginable. His father, Mike, instilled in him and his brother, Nathan (“Nate,” one and a half years older), a competitive spirit and a love for Philadelphia sports teams. Buchter’s entrée to baseball began at age 5, simply out of a desire to compete with his brother. “He was older, so he was always better than me (at sports),” said Buchter. “My goal, growing up, was always to beat him.” Buchter stuck with the game: Little League, American Legion and at Blackwood, NJ’s Highland Regional High School. But this South Jersey native’s story is clearly one of perseverance, making his current position with the Padres that much sweeter. Before signing with the team in December 2015, there

were other offers on the table. “This was a great opportunity,” said Buchter, who celebrated his 30th birthday on February 13th. “It’s amazing. It’s the first time in my 12-year career that I already have a job. “They bought my contract,” continued Buchter, who was with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time. He made a brief major league debut with the Atlanta Braves on June 20, 2014. He brought home a win. Yet his chance to prove himself on the mound was due to another pitcher’s injury. Buchter was sent back to the minors. After a successful 2015 season in the minors with the Dodgers, Buchter traveled to Mexico— for the second time—to play in their winter league. “I wanted to prove myself,” he remembered. “I had such a good year.” This time, the ball was in Buchter’s court. He liked what the Padres were offering as well as the professionalism of the franchise. But Buchter is not one to rest on his laurels. “I’m still going to work hard and do everything I can,” said the 6’4”, 245-pound southpaw, who throws from 90 to 95 miles per hour.

Buchter was drafted directly out of high school in 2005 by the Washington Nationals. He also attended Gloucester County College (NJ) for a year. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2008. He remembers the high school game that led to his unexpected recruitment into Major League Baseball. “We were underdogs,” said Buchter of his team. Although he had always been a pitcher, he didn’t view himself as a standout. The turning point came just before senior year. “I started throwing harder and I grew about five or six inches.” That newfound strength coupled with his growth spurt thrust him into the spotlight. Then luck or perhaps fate interceded. There were several scouts at the first game of the season as the pitcher on the opposing team was ranked in the top 100 in the country. “We had quite a pitching duel going,” he recalled. Suffice it to say, the scouts took notice. Buchter spent 10 years in the minors. Although he was a four-time minor league Allstar, his salary, he confides, was certainly not enough to support himself or a family. But

I come from a working class family. If we needed a new baseball bat or glove, we had it. That’s why my dad worked two jobs, to get everything we needed.” Buchter has never been afraid of hard work. “I come from a working class family,” said Buchter, a fact he is proud of. He also takes great pride in his home state of New Jersey and the work ethic his parents instilled. His father was a furniture salesman by day and worked in his own janitorial cleaning business at night. In the first 9 years of his career, Buchter worked for his dad to supplement his income. “He still has the business,” explained Buchter, though it’s on a smaller scale. His mother, Manon, held various secretarial positions. “If we needed a new baseball bat or glove, we had it,” recalled Buchter. “That’s why my dad worked two jobs, to get everything we needed.”

OUTH JERSEY is still home to Buchter. He and his wife of two years, Angela, own a house in Deptford. The couple welcomed their first child, Ella Valentina, on February 19. She was born in Arizona where they were renting a house during spring training. Interestingly, Ryan and Angela both grew up in Blackwood and attended Highland Regional High School. They didn’t know each other at the time. The two met at the wedding of Buchter’s best friend’s brother. “My best friend’s brother and my wife’s sister are married,” explained Buchter of their storybook meeting. Buchter is quick to elaborate on another passion he pursues in the off-season—October 55

BASEBALL2017 Buchter pitched in two games against his hometown Phillies in 2016, tossing two shutout innings in relief.

through February. For the past four years, he’s been giving pitching lessons to kids—predominantly ages 13 to 18—at Ambush Baseball in Cherry Hill, NJ. All of his clients are through word of mouth. Not only have the lessons been a means to earn an income, they are this pitcher’s way of giving back. “There’s a lot of bad instruction in the South Jersey area,” said Buchter. “A lot of the kids I see are recovering from an arm injury; some kids were considering quitting baseball or having arm surgery.” Buchter’s program has met with dramatic results. Buchter teamed with local trainer Christian Lauer of Alpha Athletics, housed under the same roof as Ambush. Their program pairs strength training with pitching lessons. “I created a (velocity) program to throw weighted baseballs so the kids would be able to throw harder,” explained Buchter. Lauer focuses on the strength training; Buchter hones in on throwing and pitching mechanics. “My programs are based on what I have personally done,” he said. “I see how a kid throws and I try to create a program that will work for him.” The lessons have also taught Buchter a thing or two about his own pitching style. “I try to pitch using my legs a lot,” he said, “that’s the method I teach to the high school kids.” Buchter attributes the high incidence of injuries today in youth baseball to the fact that kids are throwing too hard for their bodies, putting too much pressure on their elbows and shoulders. “I am a firm believer in long toss, which is throwing the ball further by using as little energy as possible,” he said. “To achieve this, you have to have the proper mechanics.” Although he doesn’t take the credit, he 56

is particularly proud that three or four of his students have been drafted into professional baseball and 10 have been offered significant Division I scholarships. “My job was to make them a little better,” he said. Buchter often talks to his students about the world of professional baseball. “Even when you get drafted, you are still really far away from the majors—physically, mentally and literally,” said Buchter, who credits an amazing support system—his wife, dad, brother and uncle, to name a few—with believing in his abilities and consistently cheering him on over the years. Buchter calls baseball a game of failure in more ways than one. As a relief pitcher, he typically enters a game in the 7th or 8th inning. His fear of failure keeps him motivated to stay on top and not lose a lead. N APRIL 11, 2016, the Padres faced the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. “It was an awesome experience,” remembered Buchter of being in his hometown with family and friends cheering in the stands. “Harry Kalas’ son, Kane, sang the national anthem. It was pretty magical.” Buchter didn’t pitch that day, but the Padres took the win. And although the Phils won the series, Buchter pitched a scoreless inning in each of the next two games. There is no doubt that this JerseyMan loves baseball. Yet, he says the best moment in his life so far was being at his wife’s side during the recent birth of their daughter. “It puts everything in perspective,” said Buchter, reflecting on the tears, laughter and elation. “They are (referring to his wife and daughter) the reason that I’ve fought so hard throughout my career and my life.” n

Broad Street entrance. The building was constructed in 1865.

Love of Country Leads The Philadelphia Union League was initially formed to support Abraham Lincoln in his efforts to save the Union. Today, itâ€™s one of the countryâ€™s top social clubs, but its architectural and philosophical roots remain. BY KURT SMITH 58

O OVER A CENTURY AND A HALF into its existence, people are finally talking about the food at the Union League. Erica Martin especially is happy to discuss it. “It’s the best you’ll ever find!” she says with enthusiasm when asked. “We have an amazing culinary team, led by Executive Chef Martin Hamann. Martin was with the Four Seasons for 25 years before he came to us. We were able to bring in the finest chef in the city, and we were really, really happy to do that.” “At the time, the food and beverage was not anything that anyone talked about. You were with your friends and you were in the club and it was okay, you had chicken. But it was never anything to talk about. With Martin coming in, and all of the renovations that we’ve done, the ability for him to work in a kitchen designed for workflow, it’s something that has worked hand in hand. He has a fantastic team that he’s been able to grow. “He is just amazing. And on a personal note, I blame Martin because he has ruined every other dining experience I’ve ever had anywhere else. Anywhere you go, you think, it wasn’t as good as Martin’s!” she says with a laugh.

As if world class golfing wasn’t enough, world class sustenance is now unquestionably a selling point for League membership. “PhillyMag once did an article on us,” Martin continues, “they do their ‘Best of Philly’, and we were the ‘Best Restaurant You Can’t Get Into’. Which to me was even better than being ranked #1. I was really happy about that. We were supposed to be included in the magazine, but they decided not to. It was too risky, because we’re private and they didn’t want to upset the rest of Philadelphia. “I said, ‘I’ll take it, that’s better!’” Erica Martin is the marketing and communications director for the Philadelphia Union League, which is today one of just three such clubs founded during the Civil War that are still functioning. She is responsible for public relations for the League, (which includes offering coffee to magazine writers and discussing the considerable benefits of membership with them!)

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Photos Kurt Smith

THE UNION LEAGUE WAS FORMED in 1862 to support Abraham Lincoln and pro-Union policies as the fighting broke out. The Broad Street building where Chef Hamann prepares his culinary brilliance was built in 1865 and is still standing. Additional buildings were purchased and annexed in the early 1900s, and today the Union League occupies an entire city block of Philadelphia. The Broad Street building architecture stands out strikingly

“First Federal Infantry, National Guard of Pennsylvania” statue located outside.

along the Avenue of The Arts, with its brownstone and brick façade, statues of soldiers and twin spiral staircases. Carved at the top of the 15th Street entrance, on the opposite side of the block, are the words “Amor Patriae Ducit”—Love of Country Leads. When the League began, according to its website, it “laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by civil war.” After the South surrendered, the Union League remained as a social club as most others dissolved, and to this day, hosts not only presidents and heads of state, but also athletes, authors and entertainers. There are close to 4,000 members, and the Union League is no longer a partisan Republican organization. Many members are leading Democrats, according to Martin. When Donald Trump made an appearance there during the 2016 campaign, it was a member-sponsored event and not an official Union League endorsement. To become a member and dine at the Best Restaurant You Can’t Get Into is an involved process. Martin is a good person to speak to about it. “We have a full admissions committee who evaluates each and every person who’s interested in membership. No one can just come in and say, ‘I’d like to be a member today.’ It doesn’t work that way; you need to be proposed. You would need a proposer, a seconder, and then four sponsors. “We have four ladies in the membership department who facilitate that process of paperwork. Once that’s ready for review, it goes to the admissions committee. They’ll review it and make sure that there’s nothing that looks 59

One of the rooms of Café Meredith

that can’t happen. “We wouldn’t want it to get to the interview process if it were someone we felt wasn’t a good fit. Most people that make it to that point have enough great affiliations and connections that it would never really be an issue.”

Photos Kurt Smith

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odd or would not be a good fit. The admissions committee will then interview each person with their proposer, and they’ll go through a series of questions in order to get to know you. “We always say, would we want to have dinner together? Would you feel like I could walk into the room and you could too, could we have a great connection and do we have similar

values and interests and things like that?” One can imagine Frasier Crane being excluded by one rogue member of the admissions committee over something totally inane. But Martin says rejections are rare by that point. “There have been personal reasons, professional reasons, but it’s never just one person saying ‘I don’t like that person’,

TODAY, THE UNION LEAGUE as an exclusive social club more than anything, is a very different type of entity from its founding. But the League hasn’t forgotten its roots or original purpose, and their members’ support for the American military remains unwavering. The difference now, thankfully, is that instead of providing uniforms for soldiers as they once did, they now offer a tailored suit to returning veterans. Among the Union League’s philanthropic efforts, is a Veterans Initiative. The goal is to help vets returning from the war find employment and assimilate back into society. Employers involved in the program include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Citibank and Merck, among many others. “We have a big job fair once a year where they invite veterans to come in,” says Martin, “and we have members who own their own

Stained glass dedication to fallen soldiers

companies and have really great connections. Other companies come in and set up booths where the veterans can walk through, and hope to help them get a job on the spot if they can. “We have a mentorship program that runs

through that day as well. Members volunteer their time to go in and work on their resumes, career building and skills.” And if you need a nice fitted suit for the job interview, the Union League will help you with that, too. “We have a company that outfits them in a full suit. They’re measured right there on the spot and have suits made for them so that they’ll have a suit available when they go on an interview. “A lot of the reason we’re here today is [due to] supporting the military, so anything we can do to support the military in any way is something that the League will always do. Philanthropy is at the heart of every member here; to help the veterans and give back is something that we do as often as we can.” Love of country still leads. The opportunity for successful leaders of a community to give back to the men and women who protect our freedom is just one of the great many benefits of Union League membership. Today, members cannot only access some of the finest dining anywhere, they can stay in a fine hotel with room service included, play golf on a newly renovated Donald Ross-designed course, host events in

any of 14 private ballrooms, and even use a private fitness center. “Each member finds their own reason for belonging here,” Martin states, “but it’s certainly not for political aspirations or even professional improvement. There have been situations where people have met as a result of being members, and found ways to improve their professional status or find new positions or things like that, but primarily it’s for your social engagement. “There’s so much for you to do, and there’s great dining and there are great speakers, but we also have amenities across the board. We have a golf club, we have a swimming pool there, we have fireworks and all kinds of family events, we have a restaurant in Stone Harbor, and we’re opening the Guard House Inn next week in Gladwyne. “We have different library events where authors will come in and speak about the books that they’ve written. Or historians will come speak about the architecture in the city. There’s a whole list of topics for anyone. Anyone can find something of interest here for them. I think that’s why most people join. “They feel like it’s a place for improving, really, your entire life.” n

THE ENTHUSIAST ______________________________________________________________________________________________ BY ANDREW RYAN

‘‘

The McCartney Anomaly

course) Kanye West, and did what nobody else thought possible (except maybe Tony Bennett) and co-released his only hit song in 30 years, the massively popular “FourFive Seconds.” What you’re probably thinking right off the bat is that McCartney had somehow been coerced into awkwardly appearing in one of the evil, generation-ruining Kanye’s music videos as nothing more than a novelty, like a dancing chimp, but I promise that’s not the case. It really is a fantastic little song. A perfectly Paulish acoustic ditty featuring a brilliant melody, original production, undeniable cool and unexpected juxtaposition. It’s tempered, subtle and

emotive in all the right places. It’s, well, a hit. But the question still remains, why didn’t McCartney release a hit for almost three decades? Was it because he couldn’t or wouldn’t? And why did it take pairing with Kanye West for him to write his first genuinely good song in what feels like a lifetime?

f course, before we answer that, we need to get one or two things perfectly clear. The first being, understanding the difference between a good song and a “hit.” Can a song be great without it being a hit? Of course it can. Jimi Hendrix, definitely Illustration by Dan Dinsmore

AT ONE TIME, you’ve got it, then you lose it, and it’s gone forever.” So goes Sick Boy’s unifying theory of life. Even those who haven’t watched Trainspotting fifty times accept this as fact throughout almost every walk of life. We’re told again and again that we’ll never love someone as much as we did our first girlfriend, and that our first car will bring back more fond memories than a fleet of Ferraris purchased later in life ever could. Of course, music is no exception, as this certainly seems to be the way the entertainment industry works. Legends are made almost overnight only to burn out or fade away. Artists spend entire careers attempting to recapture the magic of their early work, only to fall into parody or obscurity more often than not. Bob Dylan had it, then he lost it. Same goes for Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Lou Reed, Michael Jackson…the list goes on and on. Each of them undeniable hit makers in their day, at least two of them legitimate musical geniuses, none of whom have released anything even remotely interesting in almost two decades (I know MJ’s been dead for almost eight years, but everybody knows everything after 1991’s Dangerous totally sucked). But why is this the case? Why is it so hard for great artists to stay great? To answer this question (just as you would any other), we must look at the anomaly: Sir Paul McCartney. Here is a man who, between the years of 1962 and1984, wrote nothing but hit songs as if it was as much a part of his morning routine as flossing. Paul McCartney, ladies and gentleman, for more than twenty years, most certainly had it. But even the world’s most experienced hit machine was not immune from this seemingly immutable law of music, as Sir Paul’s most recent memorable hit was 1979’s interminable (albeit grudgingly hypnotic and unquestionably catchy) “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time.” That is, at least, until 2015, when McCartney paired with two of modern pop’s brightest stars, Rihanna and (of

I must conclude the simple truth to be that too much experience and too little collaboration stifles musical creativity more often than not. the greatest guitar player (and one of the better rock singers, actually) to ever grace our little blue planet with his presence, technically had only seven hits throughout his entire (albeit too short) career. And “Voodoo Chile” isn’t even one of them. His biggest hit, his cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” peaked at an unappreciative 20 in the charts in October of 1968. On the other hand, the Bayside Boys remix of “Macarena” spent over three months at number one. So let’s just say it’s a bit unwise to give too much credence to what the charts say. Great songs don’t have to be hits just as hit songs don’t have to be great. Again, I know what you’re thinking: if “Voodoo Chile” wasn’t a hit, then what the hell is!? And what does it take to make a song a damn “hit” anyways!? Trust me, I understand

your frustration (but please do watch your language). So let’s go ahead and get the technical answer out of the way. As Billboard themselves describe it (slightly more scientifically than you might think), their formula for determining the Top 100 chart “targets a ratio of sales (35-45%), airplay (30-40%) and streaming (20-30%).” Basically, what that means is they factor in how much money a particular song makes, how often it gets played on the radio and how many people have streamed the song online in order to determine the Top 100 most popular songs in the country. But unlike the presidency, in the music industry, popularity matters (I knowww, I know, so passé at this point, but I’m trying to get Trump to 3 a.m. hate-tweet about this column). “Y.M.C.A” wasn’t the best song ever written, but you certainly can’t outright dis-

miss it, either. Not when that many semi-drunk uncles at weddings get up to dance and sing along, anyway. ith all of that in mind, the real question now becomes: why hasn’t McCartney written a popular song in nearly 30 years? Could the most likely answer to that question really be the simplest one? That McCartney just isn’t that popular anymore? Perhaps, but there’s more to it than that. You see, it’s not as if Paul has been quietly plugging away behind the scenes for the past three decades, secretly writing and releasing albums just as catchy as anything he’d ever released in the 60’s and 70’s only to have them fall upon deaf ears. It should also be known that he has actually been quite busy during this 30 year stretch as well, releasing over 15 solo albums since 1980—not including his five classical records—each backed by major international record labels, meaning one cannot simply accuse him of lack of effort or blame his lack of airtime on insufficient label backing. The truth of the matter is that for all of this time his music has just been, well, kind of unremarkable. Of course he’s not musically incompetent, or even unable to write a good song, but he hasn’t writ-

ten a great one, either. The simple fact is that “FourFive Seconds” is easily the best thing Sir Paul has co-written since Reagan was in office and neon was fashionable. ’ve tried to write this column four times now over the course of the past year, each time coming a little closer to a real, unifying answer, but never quite getting there. There are so many possibilities, after all. You could make the claim that simple ageism plays a major factor, as pop music is almost entirely centered on youth culture. And you’re not wrong, as I’m certainly not blind to the fact that “FourFive Seconds” was inarguably made cooler thanks to the involvement of Rihanna and Kanye (cooler than, say, had Ice-T or Kool Moe Dee been involved). It’s no doubt harder for McCartney to reach the top of the charts now that he looks like a 74 year-old teenager, but I simply cannot subscribe to the idea that ageism is solely responsible here. Leaving aside the charts and the sensibilities of hyper-fickle teenage pop fans for one moment, I must admit that I could curse Ed Sheeran’s name until hoarse in the throat (and I do—often and loudly) but there’s no part of me that believes his most recent album isn’t better than Paul’s last three solo albums put together. The answer to why McCartney hasn’t written

a hit song in decades could simply be a matter of “been there, done that” or it could be a complex combination of an ever-changing culture and population constantly looking backwards towards the familiar as they progress ever forward into the unknown. There could be a little bit of truth in both examples. For one, it’s not like McCartney (or any of his legendary peers, for that matter) have anything to prove anymore. Maybe he hasn’t written a hit song because he doesn’t need to write a hit song, as I can only assume his bills are paid and his love life fulfilled. Conversely, it’s not implausible that if he’d written “Hey Jude” this morning that it wouldn’t even crack 2017’s Top 100. But considering the lone success of the anomalous “FourFive Seconds” I now believe the true key to writing a memorable hit is a certain level of inexperience. Young blood, fresh eyes—you’re free to define those loose terms however you wish—but I must conclude the simple truth to be that too much experience and too little collaboration stifles musical creativity more often than not. I guess it depends on how you look at things. Has McCartney “forgotten his roots” or are his musical tastes and sensibilities just accelerating past ours? Considering that he has proven himself a musical genius before, I’d say it’s safe to assume he’s not playing music he thinks, as I so eloquently put it, “sucks.”

Maybe, musically, he’s just evolved way too fast for the rest of our non-genius monkey brains to ever catch up. Perhaps not even by choice. After all, it must be hard to come up with something truly unexpected and original, yet completely within the boundaries of the fairly two-dimensional pop music genre when you’ve seen it all before, so to speak. How many four-chord songs can McCartney really write before everything begins to bleed over into everything else? How many tracks that reminded him a little too much of “Love Me Do” have been scrapped halfway through? In the end, maybe McCartney has simply left us behind, trading in impeccable everymanmelodies for the complex nuance of weirdly British-y jazz. If so, we have Kanye West and Rihanna to thank for his all too brief return from atop Mount Olympus (where Sting and Bono are probably, right now, having an indepth conversation as to the proper method of recording pan-flutes under distorted guitar). Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to see him again and sing along to another truly great radio blockbuster, but if and when we do, I’m sure he’ll have company. Because the torch of pop music always gets passed forward and often, but it’s with songs like “FourFive Seconds” where we all get to remember where we all came from, and where we’re all going. n

GET FIT

______________________________________________________________________________________________ BY ALEXANDRA DUNEK

Man vs. Food Get Out!

••• HORTON’S FITNESS JOURNEY originally started out like most. He lost 60 lbs. by eating small meals throughout the day and crash dieting, but he says he was absolutely miserable, always hungry and out of calories by the time his friends wanted to go out and grab a drink. Horton decided to try a different approach. He switched from five meals to just…one. So how does it work? After a regular nine-to-five in sales, he naps then hits the gym. Then, wait for it… at midnight he’s at the grocery store, getting ready to construct his enormous meal that he eats around 3am. This large gyro (pictured) consists of pizza dough, potatoes, pork tenderloin, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, tzatziki, salt, pepper & oregano. Meal total: 4,000 calories! Since I track my food intake, I decided I was up for a challenge. I went about my normal Sunday, answered a few emails, trained legs, fasted (no food before), then grabbed ingredients at the store.

Horton

Instead of food prepping as usual, I created my meal (let me note… which looked like nothing compared to Blake’s). I ended up with 4 Kashi waffles topped with Greek light and fit yogurt, PB2, chunks of one protein bar, one pint of Halo Top ice cream, Reddi Wip and sprinkles. I also added one cup of milk and one protein shake. Total: 1360 calories, which is about my daily intake. I finished the mediocre meal in maybe 15 minutes and the last few bites were a little difficult to swallow but overall the experience was pretty cool and fit well with my lifestyle. Although I wasn’t a fan of my meal choice, I would do it again. Horton says that the biggest misconception about his lifestyle is people think what he is doing is unhealthy. If you haven’t heard of intermittent fasting or flexible dieting, then it’s easy to see why. ••• INTERMITTENT FASTING is a lifestyle method where you eat all your calories within a specific window. For most, it’s usually a few meals from say 1 p.m.–6 p.m., but for Blake it’s once a

Follow Blake Horton on Instagram @Blake_201 to see some crazy food videos! 68

day… entirely his choice and it works for him. Now, flexible dieting is a nutritional concept, where you calculate your total daily energy expenditure based on your current weight and exercise. Then you figure out your macronutrient (protein, carbs and fats) ratio. Finally, the macros are tracked by using a phone app such as MyFitnessPal or MyMacros+. To add, it’s important to remember fiber. This ensures your body is functioning properly. Other than that, flexible dieting has no rules. If it fits your macros, enjoy it. This goes for anything that is deemed “bad” by society such as carbs, sugar and dairy. Flexible dieting helps you understand that there are no magic foods and that restrictions are unnecessary. Knowing and understanding the basics of nutrition is important because today mainstream media has completely warped the topic. Horton says, “90% of what you read is B.S.” Educate yourself then find an approach that works for you. Photos Jennifer Hiraldo

VER HEAR OF A STUFFED DONUT BURGER and banana dogs? Or chocolate peanut butter-covered strawberry, banana, and bacon fudge brownie sandwiches? What about one large bacon, egg & cheese hash brown breakfast pizza? This is not fake. This is not for TV. It’s real life, a real meal and it’s happening once a day in Paramus, NJ. Blake Horton seems like a typical guy who loves to workout. He enjoys BMX, calisthenics, and his training style is all about having fun while keeping in shape. But when it comes to food… not so typical. This guy eats 4,000 calories in one HUGE meal once a day. Each meal is filmed on a livestreaming app called LiveStar where about 100 people tune in at around 3 a.m. to see him tackle supersized gyros and monstrous breakfast platters that could feed a few people at once. But that’s not the crazy part. The thing is… he’s fit, and completely healthy while he’s doing it!

Horton riding the 2017 SE Big Ripper

“Life becomes more enjoyable when you realize you can have carbs at night,” Horton says. Did midnight snacking just get a whole lot easier...or your life? n For more guidance follow Alexandra @TipsFromAFitChick on Instagram!

PROFILE

d as a e d r a g e R rensic o f d e n w reno tant who l u s n o c science s in alcohol e specializ ntoxication i and drug nalysis, a and DNA erstein f a S d r Dr. Richa mt of ea never dr forensic a becoming . scientist

Dr. Richard Saferstein A Tale of Blood, Sweat, & Tear (Samples)

HEN HE WAS GROWING UP in the 1950s, television was not bombarded with shows like CSI (Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, etc.), Bones, and the never-ending seasons of Law & Order. Although Saferstein loved science, he was not particularly focused on criminal justice. You might say it was not in his DNA—pun intended. But, as fate would have it, he did enter that field and has made an impressive name for himself. So, move over Mark Harman (AKA Agent Gibbs), and let’s meet the good doctor of blood, sweat, tears, and other pieces of evidence. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A Perfect Formula: Serendipity + Science = Forensics After receiving his doctorate degree in organic chemistry, Saferstein worked for a US Treasury Department lab testing drugs and alcohol. A co-worker happened to show him a job posting for a Forensic Lab Chief with the New Jersey State Police. He applied and was given the job. 70

BY MOLLY GOLUBCOW Saferstein recalls how “serendipity” played a part in steering him into the field. “Back then, not many people had a PhD in forensics and I had some background working for the Treasury and was familiar with forensic concepts. I was sort of a rare bird, so to speak. They were looking for a chief and they gave me the job. It was totally unplanned.” For 21 years, Saferstein headed up one of the largest crime labs in the country—conducting more than 35,000 case analyses a year. When he arrived in 1970, there were 17 lab employees. By the time he left in 1991, the department had mushroomed to 90 under his management. As the chief, he made it a practice not to get into the daily testing details. Saferstein was more interested in the science and technology of forensics and strived to equip his staff with the best tools available. He prided himself as having a “knack” for identifying technology that would be useful for the State Police lab. Saferstein explains, “I’m into the details of the science—that’s my forte—not the nitty-gritty. That doesn’t turn me on. What does it for me is the science, and getting it right.”

The Write Stuff In 1972 while teaching an introductory forensics course at Trenton State College, a light bulb went off in Saferstein’s head because at that time there were no existing introductory forensic textbooks. By combining his doctoral discipline, forensic background, and good communication skills in the courtroom as well as the classroom, he decided to write a book. It was a golden opportunity to combine his knowledge, experience, and love of science. Saferstein considers writing his first book, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, the “pinnacle” of his career. Today, in its 12th edition, the introductory text book is used by over 800 colleges and criminal justice programs. He has also written several other forensic related books and authored many papers. In fact, Saferstein wrote a high school level version of the intro book in hopes of sparking a love of science and forensics in teenagers—future forensic scientists in the making. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (AKA DNA) Since DNA testing in criminalistics came onto the scene in the mid1980s, information extracted from a speck of blood or a single strand of hair has become the key to someone’s innocence or guilt—making it an overarching piece of science in forensic analysis. Saferstein explains, “In the days before DNA testing, police would have a suspect, and science was expected to find evidence to support their theory. Now, with the advent of DNA, forensic science gives police their suspect. I call it the

“In the days before DNA testing, police would have a suspect, and science was expected to find evidence to support their theory. Now, with the advent of DNA, forensic science gives police their suspect. DNA has changed everything.” ‘suspect generator’—DNA has changed everything.” The power of DNA in solving crimes first came to light (and on every TV on this earth) during the O J Simpson trial—with the infamous glove rife with blood. Barry Scheck, one of OJ’s “Dream Team” defense attorneys, got OJ acquitted in the highly publicized murder case where the discussion about blood collection and DNA made arm chair forensic specialists out of us all. As part of his cross-examination strategy, Scheck used Saferstein’s, Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science to dissect how accurately (or inaccurately) the police gathered and protected DNA samples. That infamous (and seemingly endless) trial not only brought to light the importance of DNA, but from a legal perspective, the importance of protecting evidence from the nanosecond that a crime is committed by those who are arrive at the scene, gather samples, and test in the lab. Saferstein also provided extensive commentary on aspects of the OJ case from a forensics perspective. Because of his expertise, he was interviewed on several radio and television shows, including Geraldo Rivera Live and the E! Network, explaining forensics to laymen in a “street-level” style.

“I never ever call to follow up on what happened with a case. I just don’t want to get into a win-or-lose mentality.” Pure Science vs Tunnel Vision Because of his experience and knowledge, Dr. Saferstein served as an expert witness over 2,000 times in more than 150 federal and state trials involving forensic issues, ranging from breath and blood testing for alcohol, pharmacological effects of alcohol and drugs, arson-related analysis, and the forensic examination of blood, semen, hair, paint, fiber and glass evidence. Today and throughout his career, Saferstein prides himself on really looking at the evidence before testifying in court. For example, DNA may be found on a defendant’s clothing. Rather than robotically checking off a box and wrapping up the case, Saferstein looks for extenuating circumstances that may—just may—explain how that DNA got on the defendant. In other words, he looks at the evidence with a fresh pair of eyes before making his conclusion. According to Saferstein, “When you do the testing day in and day out, sometimes you get tunnel vision. I have to say the police are usually correct, but I have a keen sense on knowing how to look at a case—scientifically speaking—with alternative vision, not tunnel vision.” As for the outcome of a trial that he has been called in on to testify, Saferstein again focuses on the science, and not the result. On the stand, he does his best to give the facts to the best of his abilities. He is there for the sake of science—period. Saferstein sums it up, “I have a rule that whenever I am working a case, particularly if I am called to testify, I never ever call to follow up on what happened with that case. I just don’t want to get into a win-or-lose mentality.” _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

If We Only Knew Then… In 1932, the newspapers were abuzz with the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s baby. At the time, it was regarded as the crime of the century. Imagine, how much DNA evidence would have been found on the kidnapper, Hauptmann, and around the Lindbergh’s New Jersey home? Saferstein looks back at historical cases like that and would have loved to work on them with the science available today. In the public eye, Saferstein’s reputation as a forensic consultant, author, and specialist precedes him. However, there’s much to be found behind the private side of the good doctor as well—a Renaissance man with many interests that have nothing at all to do with crimes, criminals, and DNA! For example, he’s an all things Sinatra aficionado—loved Ol’ Blue Eyes and his style of music. In addition to traveling and spending time with his family, Dr. Saferstein enjoys a cigar (or two) and can be seen quite regularly at the cigar bar that he owns in South Florida—named after his grandson, Xavier. Guess that goes to show that blood is always thicker than water—even for a forensic scientist. n 72

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Are You An Unwitting Speculator? BY ALBERT A. FOX, CFP®, CIMA & ERIK V. OPCZYNSKI

ONSTRUCTING A DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO is not a one-size-fitsall process. Ask yourself where you want to go, and how quickly you need to get there. We have all seen drivers who carelessly put themselves at risk by driving way too fast, weaving in and out of traffic, only to spot them on the side of the road a few miles later with a police car behind them. Unless their hasty driving was motivated by an emergency, the risk they took was pointless. So why expose your portfolio to unnecessary hazards when a patient, risk-managed approach can get you where you need to go? A number of risks should be taken into consideration when building an investment allocation, but one that is often overlooked (or at least discounted) is speculation. Many investors, including some professional advisors, feel that they can beat the market by trading securities based on headline news. This approach, fueled by emotion rather than by logic, can increase volatility in your portfolio and cause sleepless nights. When you are assessing your next steps for retirement, consider that speculation is a high stakes game which can riddle your road to retirement with unexpected twists and turns. Even the most successful speculators have endured painful years. The Barclay Hedge Fund Index, which is an aggregate of many individual hedge funds,1 cumulatively outperformed the S&P 500 by over 100% from 1997-2006, but actually underperformed the stock market from 2007-2016 by nearly 50%. In fact, the hedge fund index has underperformed the S&P 500 for eight calendar years in a row—every year since the last recession.

till, the appeal of speculating has grown with an increasingly unpredictable political environment around the world. As professional financial advisors, we are frequently asked the question, “What do you think the outcome of this election will be?” Well, consider that out of ten reputable polls surveyed by Real Clear Politics in the week leading up to the U.S. Presidential election, only one predicted a 74

Many investors, including some professional advisors, feel that they can beat the market by trading securities based on headline news. This approach, fueled by emotion rather than by logic, can increase volatility in your portfolio and cause sleepless nights. Trump victory.2 Very few pundits saw the British exit from the European Union coming in June 2016 either. In an age when populism and raw emotion are determining the outcome of elections, it has become increasingly difficult to forecast the outcome of popular votes. With a new U.S. President in office, French and German federal elections scheduled for this year, and continuing volatility in the emerging markets, advisors and commentators alike may be tempted to guide their clients and listeners into speculative positions.3 Losing all sense of historical perspective, some near-sighted investors could potentially abandon their steady, managed approach for the promise of returns that rely on headlines and flimsy anecdotal evidence.4 Those who are retired, or nearing retirement, are especially prone to making rash decisions based on feeling rather than thinking, because their imminent future is at stake. The point is that speculation may be suitable for aggressive investors who have money to lose, but it is probably not appropriate for retirees who depend on their portfolio for everyday expenses. If you fall into the latter category, then managing risk should be your number one priority. Many people assume that managing risk can be achieved by placing a few bonds into their stock portfolio, but they fail to consider the fundamentals of the securities they are purchasing. Are you familiar with your bonds’ interest rate

risk? Their credit quality? Have you checked to see if they are callable by the issuer? Proper diversification in your portfolio is just one part of holistic financial planning and risk management. So before you make an investment decision based on one article that you read about the supposedly “unprecedented” French election’s impact on the European Union, ask whether you should speculate at all. Depending on your goals and appetite for risk, there are various ways to insulate your portfolio against large market swings—whether they are driven by unexpected election results or economic fundamentals. Nearly twenty years ago, much-lampooned commercials for diabetes supplies featuring Wilford Brimley implored viewers to, “Check your blood sugar, and check it often.” The same applies to your portfolio—know what is in your accounts at any given time, and get educated on the risks involved with everything that you own. If you have a financial advisor, ask them how they are managing risk, and whether or not they maintain speculative positions. Don’t be an unwitting speculator who takes pointless risks. n 1. https://www.barclayhedge.com/research/indices/ghs/ Hedge_Fund_Index.html 2. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/ general_election_trump_vs_clinton-5491.html 3. http://crr.bc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IB_15-1-508.pdf 4. http://crr.bc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IB_15-1-508.pdf

The Science Behind

BY GREG STAR

Warm Introductions

HERE IS NOTHING MORE DESIRABLE for a business development professional than a warm introduction. Certain warm introductions to specific people or companies can sometimes take months, or even years to develop. While a simple concept in theory, there is an art to executing a proper warm introduction. For example; When is it appropriate to ask for a warm introduction? How do you ask for a warm introduction? How often can you ask others for warm introductions? I bet this scenario below sounds familiar to you: You have had the perfect prospect on your target list for months. For so many reasons, your product would be a solution to the problems they are facing. As luck would have it, you meet a friend of a friend at a networking event who is close to a decision maker at the company. They say, “Sure, I can get you in.” Elated, you go home that night satisfied and excited about what lies ahead. 76

Sure enough. next day your contact calls you and says “I talked to so and so and they’re not interested.” Now you are stuck in no man’s land. You can no longer go directly to the client, and for all intents and purposes, you probably will not be able to get a meeting now. There are many scenarios similar to this, where the warm introduction is botched for a variety of reasons. Here are some guidelines, from my experience, that need to be taken in consideration for every warm introduction to help ensure proper execution. 1. M ake sure you are targeting the right person at the company: Months of effort can be futile if the person you have in mind cannot actually make a decision. If that happens, your only option is to trust that your contact can push it through, as it would be rude to try to go around him/her. To avoid this, really try to understand the internal dynamics of an organization first!

2. M ake sure the right person is making the introduction: You may have correctly identified the right person within your target company, but if you have the wrong person make that introduction, then that person may not make the time for you. Be careful in making sure the person you are asking carries enough weight with the desired target. You could even ask “Do you think you’re the best person to make this introduction?” 3. S ee if your contact can be present at the meeting: A very reliable way to ensure follow through is to see if your contact can be present at a lunch or dinner for the introduction. This puts an advocate in your corner right away, and enhances the chances of success. 4. M ake sure to speak the same love language: Make sure the means of communication reflects the best way to get your contact’s attention. For example, many people are not good at responding to email. I’ve found three way group texts are the surest way to make certain they see the warm introduction, and will respond in a timely manner. These are just a few tactics and lessons I’ve learned in the past that have helped. However, for more expertise on this topic, I asked some of the best professionals around for their take on warm introductions: Mike Regina Big Sky Networking Mike is one of the most connected guys in the region, and is one of the most giving people you will ever meet. “ABC is not an acronym for always be closing, but always be connecting. If you truly want to build a network, spend more time making connections for others, without expectations, than asking for them. As people see that you truly want to help them build their business and succeed, in time they will become your sales force and work diligently to grow your business. It’s the sowing and reaping principal.”

Joe Silva Financial Services Joe is a sales wizard–he understands the psychology and philosophy behind sales better than most people I have come across.) “You need to make sure you do your homework before asking. I try to find common ground with the person I am looking to meet, so the conditions are more favorable. Additionally, you need to always provide a reason why you are trying to meet, so the other person understands it’s because you’re trying to provide value to them. I would also add in that the environment for the warm introduction is very important. If you are at a networking event with a group, that is more acceptable than a charity function or non-business focused event. At a networking event, there is an assumption that there will be business conversations. At non networking events, not necessarily. But you should be doing what’s most important anyway, getting to know the person. In professional services, business is rarely obtained without the person knowing, liking and trusting you.” Rick Katz Advertising Rick is consistently one of the top performers at Comcast, and is one of the most thoughtful people I know. “Over the years, I have found that making it very easy for the referrer to connect me to a prospect is a key part of the equation. When asking for a warm introduction to a specific person or company, I have often written a sentence or paragraph (in the referrer’s voice) stating explicitly who I am, why I want to meet and what value it will bring to the target person or company. I send this to my contact, who will then use my exact wording to introduce me to my target, via e-mail or text (and copy me in) or via LinkedIn.” n

You’ve worked hard for a lifetime to make it to the top. And we want to recognize you for the success you have achieved for your company…and for yourself.

Welcome to the Club The Chairman’s Club from JerseyMan/PhillyMan Magazine is an elite fraternity. We are looking for a mastermind networking group of no more than 15 exceptionally gifted professionals who have made it to the head of their class and want to learn from and share with other members of this group.

Welcome to the rarified air of success…and to the Chairman’s Club! JerseyMan

chairman’s club Contact ken@jerseymanmagazine.com or call (856) 912-4007 for more information

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THE

Entrepreneur Coach by John Hopkins

inspireme@inspiritgrowth.com

Moving Millennials in Spirit and in Action Understanding and Harnessing Their Power Columnist Note: Millennials continue to be the focus of attention by most closely held business owners. I asked Margaux Viola, a millennial and coach at Inspirit Growth to share valuable insights from her experiences to provide important perspectives from a coaching point of view:

FROM MANAGING MILLENNIALS TO UNLEASHING LEADERS As an elder millennial who has spent the last five years working closely with this generation to understand why and how companies capture their hearts, I’d like to offer that perhaps the common refrain of “entitlement” is not the core issue. Millennials have an inherent, everincreasing need for speed from having grown up with technology—we expect more, sooner. This is coupled with an acute awareness of the many options available out there—which can slow us down. In seeking to understand this generation, and asking the right questions, leaders can move from thinking about how to “deal with millennials,” to coaching this curious and motivated group into future leaders.

GREATER VALUE, LESS RETENTION By 2020, millennials will make up nearly 50% of the global workforce. They will also be more valuable—as life expectancy increases, this generation will work to support a significantly larger older generation. Yet our clients continue to tell us they struggle to consistently engage their millennial talent and hold on to high potential players long enough.

BEHIND THE MILLENNIAL CURTAIN The millennials were born between 1982 and 2004. We grew up perfecting nimble typing skills with AOL Instant Messaging. We went from snail mail to e-mail to text message in under a decade during prime developmental years—quite simply, we grew up alongside technology. Millennials’ affinity for the digital world is a defining characteristic that sets this generation apart, with an increased ability to 80

do more, better and faster, thanks to the tools and technology now available to us.

OPTIONS AND OPPORTUNITY TRADEOFF Concurrent with this need for speed is a growing pool of options, but a tightening of overall opportunity. Through macro trends like globalization and flexible work environments, there are more career paths available to a graduate entering the workforce today. At the same time, the median income of young adults is $2,000 less today than their parents in 1980, adjusted for inflation. Overwhelmed by options, but dismayed by relative opportunity, this generation is, admittedly, moving slower to make “grown-up” decisions like where to settle, what career path to pursue and whom to marry (if they choose to marry at all).

THE KEY QUESTIONS OF MUTUALITY AND AUTHENTICITY Engaging the “hurry up and wait” millennial mindset requires “millennial-minded” attention that can benefit the entire organization. 1. Why do I want to work here? 2. What are my short and long term personal and career goals? 3. How am I continuing to develop?

Connect employees to your company’s deeper why – Millennials want their work to serve a meaningful purpose. Creating a “Social Impact Statement” for the company that articulates its “why” helps millennials answer the precarious question of “Why do I want to work here?”. Having this answer deepens loyalty and engagement. Empower life success – More than other generations, millennials prioritize work / life balance. A critical component of attracting and retaining millennial talent is the recognition that people’s lives matter as a whole. Leader/

Viola

Coaches can be more inspiring in offering opportunities for employees to answer the question, “What are my short and long term personal and career goals?” Facilitate learning and growth – Millennials place a great emphasis on career development. We value frequent and effective feedback. In response, annual evaluations are now being replaced by more frequent feedback which raises performance and engagement levels. Consider providing learning opportunities that connect to your employee’s long term success helping them to answer the question “How am I continuing to develop?” A growing body of evidence suggests that employees of all ages tend to be far more alike than different regarding their values and attitudes at work. Take a minute to re-read the three questions above. Are these questions and opportunities so different from what anyone wants at a variety of ages and stages of their careers? Who do these millennials think they are?! Perhaps not so different than the rest. Increase business results by understanding and harnessing the power of more meaningful conversations and a more connected workforce. n Want to learn more? Contact margaux@inspiritgrowth.com

THE CIGAR GUY _____________________________________________ BY SAM KRAFT